You are what you eat

Zoe is quickly turning into the outdoorsy type, when it's possible. Mother Nature continues to tease us with a couple beautiful Spring-like days sprinkled among more dreariness.

Take this weekend, for instance. Sonja snapped the adorable picture above late Sunday afternoon. By Monday morning there was a nasty hail-and-sleet storm making Dr. Steph's babysitting commute rather eventful.

Anyway... every opportunity we have, we've been hanging out outside. No matter how short or long those excursions are -- even simply carrying Zoe from the car to the back door -- they all end exactly the same way: With Zoe struggling at the door, trying to get back to the yard and crying for "Mo' outside. Mo' outside. Mo' outside."

Lately our weekend errands/family time trips have consisted of one parent running into a store while the other walks Zoe around outside the shopping plaza. Last weekend, as Sonja browsed in a bookstore, Zoe and I played on a sculpture nearby. The whole time she excitedly shouted "Mo' outside. Mo' outside. Mo' outside." I tried to explan.... "Honey, we are outside. It's either inside or outside, and we're outside. You can't get more outside." She didn't get it.

So, Sunday, we headed downtown for a little walk. Here's the two of us arguing about which way we'll walk. I was looking for a place to strap on the feed bag. Zoe seemed drawn to the rainbow-colored flag decorating the outside of the Aut! bar across the street. Having left our assless leather chaps at home, we went with Dad's suggestion.

We settled on Argiero's, the type of place you never have to wonder if we'll find something the Noodle will eat. In fact, she liked her penne pasta and bread just fine...

... but made sure to get her share of Daddy's gnocchi, too.

On Saturay, Zoe attended her first dinner party. Our friends Josh and Allison put out a fabulous spread (well, I think Josh did most of the cooking... and you know when the croutons on the salad are homemade from Zingerman's bread, there were no shortcuts taken). Zoe even had her first taste of squid. She started the evening hanging out with some younger kids (including Lily, who you met below) and ended it playing ball with some older kids. She stayed up way past her bedtime while her parents filled their bellies and had a great time.

We continue the countdowns to Easter and Zoe's second birthday, both for the occassions themselves and because we'll get to spend some quality time with family and friends.