18 months

My little gardener, Oliver, decided that onions would be the vegetable of choice to grow this year (he decided on onions because he likes to eat onions, but only likes the smell of tomatoes).  Thus far I am impressed by their reliance because every day Oliver pulls the onions from the ground to check to see how big they have grown.  He then replants them.  Henni has taken another approach to gardening - she kisses the onion plants.  Her approach to plant care is a reflection on her attitude on life.

Often I will be in the midst of doing something and Henni will stop me and kiss me once on each cheek and then she'll run off to do whatever crazy thing she is up to.  She also spends a lot of time swaddling her babies, bear, crocodiles, snakes... and pushing them around in a stroller, or rocking them to sleep in a cradle.  She gives all the animals kisses, no matter if they are mammal, reptile, or whatever.  She also is the one who is totally in tune with Charlie.  She loves to snuggle him, feed him, kiss him, and take him for walks.  And the chickens...don't get me started.  Oh - and rabbits and chinchillas...  Henni is not much of a talker, but she can (and does) get her point across.  She has made it very clear that in addition to Charlie and the fish we need to add chickens, bunnies and chinchillas to our menagerie.  While I love her enthusiasm and love for animals - I think we have enough beings under this roof.

Henni's love for clothes, shoes and accessories is getting increasingly worrisome.  Davis and I, two people who would be happy to live life in flip flops and a bathing suit, somehow have two children with strong opinions on clothes and shoes - and Henni has taken it a step further and is also very opinionated regarding accessories.  Henni can get herself dressed most of the time - and most of the time what she chooses is exceptional -- one of her favorite new accessories - tying a snake around her waist  - snake belt anyone?  And leaving the house...argh!  She has to try on a multitude of shoes, hats, glasses, socks, etc. until she finds just the right fit.

Bathing suit over clothes

Slippers, shirt, sweatshirt, swim cap - ready to go

Dress, shirt, pants, boots, bag (her favorite kitty socks are in the bag - it took forever to locate said socks, but we could not to leave the house without them)

Dress and silver shoes, perfect for the pool

Hat, dress, and Lucky

Rose colored glasses

Diaper and hat

 The funny thing about her love for clothes and accessories is that Henni loves being naked.  In addition to being able to put her clothes on, she can take them off - and take them off she does. 

Henni also refuses to acknowledge she a a year and a half old.  This girl thinks she is much bigger.  She is convinced she can ride a bike, ride a scooter, or do whatever it is Oliver is doing.  Speaking of that - Henni continues to adore Oliver.  She tries to wake him up every morning and gets so excited when it is time to pick Oliver up from school.  The two of them are having more fun together and I am hoping, fingers crossed, they become best of friends.

My little Henni also remains a vegetable lover.  A fall landed us in the ER last week and we were given Fruit Loops as a snack.  The doctors and nurses were convinced she was not well because she refused the Fruit Loops.  I took her disgust towards those strange colored Os that she was just fine.  

Henni's little personality just cracks me up - and she knows it.  She will smile her way into anything and/or con her way with charm.  As I mentioned before, Henni still is a gal of few words - but she makes herself known and somehow seems to, more often than she should, get what she wants.