September 2013 - Annick 16 months, Luca 3yrs4mths

Annick:
- picking up language so fast, making connections, learning new words.  Still coming to grips with some concepts (she will give you something and then say, 'tak oo!') but makes unexpected links elsewhere (points to a picture of a fire engine and says, 'nee nar nee nar!')
- they are not 'Annick and Luca', they are 'Nannie and Tootar'
- adorably cuddly
- has learned how to give a proper lip-smacking kiss and has been joyously trying it out on mama and papa, looking delighted after each one.  Mama and papa are also delighted, but find it also a bit... wet.
- proving to not be the easy-going, accepting and obedient type like Luca
- in the morning, she is Grumpy Annick.  Once she has had breakfast, she is Happy Annick (Luca likes to point this out every morning, "look mama!  It's Grumpy Annick!  I'm Happy Luca!")
- has discovered the joy of books and loves to pick ones out for mama and papa to read, then plonk her little bottom in a lap for a good story
- PAPA: Qui est mon petit rat?  ANNICK: Annick!

Luca:
- having the best conversations, comes up with all sorts of unexpected comments - polite feedback: "mama, you very helpful.  You give me blocks for my tower."  Surprised observation: (after I was away for a couple of days) "Mama, you came back to my house!"  Angry reprimand: "Annick, you listen to my words!  You know that!" Dismissive frustration: (handing mama a particularly crunchy carrot) "You have it, it RIDICULOUS this one."
- one night in the bath, Luca amused himself by making the toy boat have a conversation with the shampoo bottle:
SHAMPOO: Hello!
BOAT: Hello!
SHAMPOO: What you doing?
BOAT: I floating!
SHAMPOO: I floating too!
BOAT: I floating like a sailing boat!
 - when asked to smile for the camera, will say "smile!" but not actually smile.  Luca has the best camera face.
- is incredibly naughty when tired
- loves getting Annick into trouble
- loves to watch aeroplanes on youtube with papa
- went to the Royal Melbourne Show with Angus and had a FANTASTIC time.  Was very keen to ride the scary rides, was very disappointed to be too short to do so (parents = relieved)
- was very excited about the new Planes movie and totally sucked in by the blanket advertising pre-school holidays - went with papa for a special papa-garcon afternoon to see it at the cinema!
- has watched the movie Cars about a gajillion times in the last fortnight

Annick is learning how to climb ladders - UH OH.

The dressing up basket is a fun way to spend the afternoon!

Morning Luca and Morning Annick take their morning milk.

Annick is beginning to love books as much as Luca.  She takes one to bed every night, just like Luca, and 'reads' in the dark.

Luca does zumba at the Mexican festival in Fed Square!

The aquarium!

Annick's first ever photo.  Artistic.

 

 Playground Annick and Playground Luca are busy.

Luca is all about the apples at the moment.  On Saturday mornings at the market, he will eat three.

Luca and Angus go to the Royal Melbourne Show and feed the goats!

Casual hatwear for playtime.

Truck-watching.

Annick loves her apron made by Aunty Charmaine, she wears it everywhere.

Annick is still obsessed with shoes, anybody's shoes.

Luca and Annick love going to the library.  Luca likes to read books.  Annick likes to take all the books off the shelves and put them on the floor.  Fortunately both of these activities are catered for at the library

She gives you that look quite often really.

Luca LOVES the swing.