been far too long since the last post, but not because Oscar hasn't been up to fun and exciting things. He is really hooked on horse riding now. And when the ride stops, he just keeps saying "more? More?" and making his hand sign for more at the same time.

And, he can do it all by himself, which seems to be a general trend for everything lately where he pushes us away and says "Oscar do" . We are clearly headed for the "two's" as he throws little temper fits and tests his indepence.

He's putting more and more little phrases together. I have two favorites. One involved my cell phone, which Oscar loves, but isn't really allowed to play with. Last week while I had it, and he wanted it he told me "Mama share . . . Oscar's turn" I caved laughing, he got the phone. I guess that's what we have been teaching him and why shouldn't it go both ways. My other favorite is how sweet he has been this past week while I've been under the weather with a nasty muscle pull in my neck. Some days I can hardly turn my head much less pick him up and swing him around. He comes up to me and gently strokes my neck and say "Mama boo-boo" then plants the sweetest kiss with a loud lip smacking on my cheek then asks "All gone?"

Grandpa Engel set up an old swing that has been around for more than a couple of decades now and Oscar thought it was the best thing ever as it swung around from the huge oak tree.