A Quiet Reflection on Perfection

There really isn't any need to go into any description or context for these pics, so... enjoy the 'World's Most Beautiful Boy.'

Birthday Scooter... Whu?

As Lil' Karl learns to navigate his way around this world on his new birthday scooter, he begins to question the logic of his parents when he asks, "What do you mean that isn't a tunnel?" and "Who says I have to wear pants when I drive?"

Life of Liesure = Milk Man?

Ahhhhhh... Lil' Karl just loves to hang out in his parents' room and sip from the cup of life as he lounges in the lap of luxury upon their bed. Oh, to be 1 year old again...

(Actually, we taught him how to hold his own bottle so we could get ready for work faster. Shhhhh. Don't tell him that though.)

Arrrrgh, yer havin' a Birthday!!!

At last! Lil' Karl 'rounds the corner' and turns 1 year old! How do you celebrate something so momentous without breaking the bank? I'll tell you...

You have a Pirate's Plunder Party!! We 'ye-vasted' and 'ahoy'ed' with the best of 'em. Nobody shivered any timbers but we did feast on some dead fowl and then tore into a hapless pie.

Oh, that poor banana cream pie...

Birthday (continued...) Booty

So, after "Mr. Pie-face" gets cleaned up, we decide to crack into the treasure trove of toys.

(Notice the neat little pirate ball at the feet of our Lilliputian Land Lubber?)

Ahhhh... a fire engine that doubles as a toy chest! Brilliant!!

Marvelous... it is also a step-stool and a mode of transportation.

Birthday (continued...)

Knowing that Lil' Karl is a studious young man (his babysitter doesn't call him The Professor for nothing), Grandma Mayre got him an old-fashioned desk and chair.

(He's going to have to figure out how to sit at it and use the desk surface, which just so happens to be behind the seat, after he learns how to dissect the historical significance of such a construct.)

Meanwhile, to entertain his guests and to thank them for coming to a party in his favor, he decides to showcase his mastery of the living-room piano. A bit jazzy and free-form but the crowd was wowed... including Grandpa Hunter, who just had to give that boy a hug!

How could anyone resist? Really...

'Twas the night before birthday...

This is just a note to let everyone out there know that Lil' Karl almost slept through the night. Did you hear me? ALMOST SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!

He woke up around midnight, 12:30 or 1:00 AM and proceeded to fuss a bit but when he noticed that no one was coming into his room, I think he decided he'd rather sleep instead.

Mamma & Pappa Ceph almost had a full night's sleep. And right before his one year birthday. Such a nice present to give his parents, no?

Mother's Day at the ZOO

Momma Ceph decided she wanted to spend Mother's Day at the 'World Famous Topeka Zoo' where Lil' Karl could experience such wonders as the Gorilla Encounter and the tropical rain forest.

He saw all sorts of birds, a sleeping sloth, otters and a crocodile.

The gorilla took some time to come over to the window, sit next to Lil' K and then rest her hand on the glass next to his head. She was looking right at him and appeared to have a maternal interest in his well being. The world just sort of stopped for about two or three minutes as the gorilla and Lil' K shared a quiet and intimate moment. A moment in time I will never forget.

After that, we took a ride on the train around Gage Park. Lil' K just couldn't believe all the wondrous sites. Even though the day was bit warm, he never let it flag his enthusiasm. What a trooper!

Grandpa's Day at the ZOO?

While we were gallivanting around the rain forest, Lil' Karl took advantage of seeing things from a different perspective riding atop good ol' Grandpa.

A nice time was had by all... even if Lil' K did pull out all of Grandpa's hair (he used to have a full head of hair 'till Karl rode up there).

Sweep Walking

Just the other day, Lil' Karl and I were hanging out on the front lawn (admiring the dandelions) and decided to sweep the walk. Lil' K surprised his old man when he stood up and proceeded to help push the broom back and forth in front of the house.

We did this for about a dozen trips from one end to the other. That front walkway has never been cleaner!