Happy Birthday, Josh

So many things I couldn't anticipate about having a toddler. For example, Josh (18 months today) tends to believe that the behavior he observes is the exact behavior that he should replicate. So, if I feed him, he in turn tries to feed me. I hand him a carrot, he slurps the hummus off the carrot, and then he deposits the chewed-up carrot back in my hand (a gift).

Josh also constantly feels my hands in his hair -- so, in turn, he climbs behind the couch and surprises me by restyling my own "coiffure."

I like to rub my forehead against Josh's -- not for any special reason -- but I believe Josh now thinks this is a universal form of greeting. When I hand him a doll, he very slowly bows his head to the doll, then administers an Eskimo kiss (while quietly squealing with delight).

That's all for this week. Our books:

*"Birthday for Frances." Hoban's dry observations about his head badger's lunacy -- Chef's Kiss!

*"The Snowy Day." Obviously appropriate for the weather, but notice the art! Notice the shadowy, menacing headboard attached to the bed -- right after Peter discovers his snowball has melted!

*"Doctor De Soto." It's impossible to tire of the two-page highlight: the mouse hooked to the belay, holding dental tools, dangling over the head of a calm, cheery donkey.....

Happy reading to you.

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