I've been taking swim lessons again, and I'm pretty happy with the results. I had the following conversation with mommy after the latest:
Me: I was the fastest swimmer in the pool.
Mommy: Really? Good job!
Me: The other boys were the slowest. (pause) I'll go make myself a ribbon.

Here's my ribbon. #1! #1! Whoooooooo!!!

Swimming hasn't been my only opportunity to flex my manliness. Yesterday, Gram and I went out looking for some beaver:

We struck out on the beaver, and it was a dam shame. Dam it all, beavers. Dam it all.

Having failed to procure beaver, we went sledding on our butts instead.

Still fairly manly...

Lastly, Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Dick paid us a surprise visit this past weekend. I explained to them that while they were here, they should be aware that there are nine planets and that they all orbit around the sun.

(And showed them how to fly an airplane)

I composed my first piece of music the other day. It's to the tune of "50 Nifty United States"...

Oops... forgot to put the tempo at the beginning. You should play this one "adagio."

OK, swallowing the laptop worked... Evelyn's blog is now online. The link is over on the right, but if you don't know your right from your left you can just click here.

As promised, here is the photographic history of my 4th birthday extravaganza. First things first, get a load of the sweet-ass solar system cake that mommy whipped up:

Yep, Saturn's rings are made out of a squished fruit roll-up(TM). Good eye, reader!

It was almost tragic having to cut this masterpiece. Almost.

I demanded Earth. It was delicious. Warm and delicious.

Then my harem helped me open presents:

Unbelievable! ANOTHER solar system-themed gift! How did you ladies know?

Speaking of presents, thanks to everyone who showed they cared. My administrative assistant/mom will be getting out thank-you notes shortly, so hold your horses. The following pictures are merely a sampling-- just because your present didn't show up doesn't mean it wasn't my favorite.

I'll soon be following in Grandpa Paul's footsteps as the slide projector master of the Kaplowitz clan.


Here's my best Lloyd Dobler impersonation. I think the telescope is blasting "In Your Eye."


What? It's not about planets? What does Groundhog Day have to do with me anyway?


This one needs no explanation.

Speaking of which, the little sis is more and more imminent by the day. There has been no small measure of conflict in the house over her name. Mommy and daddy have cast their vote for Evelyn, while I'm holding strong for Eve (after a cute girl at my school, natch). Marge has consistently and shrilly supported Mrrrrrow and Monty seems to prefer Snorrrrrrrrrnk. Essentially, all I need is one more vote for Eve and I can tie this thing up and send it into overtime. Unfortunately, the swing vote is in mommy's ever-increasing belly.

Speaking of which, I have wedded my obsession with the planets and my obsession with the forthcoming sister by nicknaming mommy Big Jupiter. My nickname is Little Earth. I told daddy he can be Big Uranus. He protested, but I'm not sure why. Uranus is beautiful!

One last note-- I've finally moved on from my previous career goal of becoming a policeman. I now want to be an astronaut when I grow up. Daddy tells me this is a great time to be an astronaut, as long as I stay away from the astronaut ladies. I'm not sure what he meant by that.

Mother Nature provided me with the best birthday present of all this week-- actual real snow. I made the most of the morning that it stayed on the ground.

Daddy tells me this I shouldn't post this picture because it is highly misleading. Again, not sure what he means. Daddy sure is cryptic!


Me sledding with some of the big boys in the 'hood. Daddy was at school all morning.


When daddy got home, there was just enough snow for us to make a midget snowman. You can tell the resemblance, right?

I've been informed that mommy swallowed a laptop the other day, and apparently a rival blog will be coming out shortly. I've also been informed that I better link to said blog-- or else.

WHOOOOOO!!!!! I'm 4 years old today!!!!!!!!!!! Everything is different now!

Pictures to come. I just wanted to get this out there.