It's Hard Being 17 Months Old

They dress you up in constrictive clothing.


They don't honor your wishes to be freed.

They drag you out into the snow.


They don't pick you up when you want to be picked up.

They drag you over to the sledding hill, even though sledding looks dangerous.

They insist on documenting your discomfort.

Then, to top it all off: they put you in an inner tube and slide you down the hill.

It's hard being 17 months old. When am I gonna get some respect?

Oh X-Mas Tree

We spent a nice Thanksgiving in Buffalo. On our way back, we stopped at Eby's Pines and Campground to cut down our tree in the middle of a snowstorm. (We should mention that this year's drive back was much better than last year's.)

Benny entertained himself pretty well over the 7 hours of driving. His father's gloves were amusing.


We got to Eby's, and the snow had been falling for about an hour.


But, undaunted, we set out to find our tree.



On the way, we tried a couple of family portraits. This was the most successful one, although it did not make it onto this year's Christmas card.



Benny helped and Momma helped.


Poppa helped.

Humans: 1, trees: 0.


We dragged our kill to the car triumphantly.


Daddy killed a tree!



And what a glorious tree it is!

(Tree design by AKKA.)

(We should say that this year's tree is even more glorious than the Christmas tree we had in Madrid.)

Letters to the Baby

5:45 pm

Dear Benny:

We just got home. I don't need my shoes.

Thank you,
Your Father

6:02 pm

Dear Kiddo,

I see that you have your mother's boots. She is at work and neither of us can wear those. Thank you, though, for thinking of bringing them to me. Do you think you can put them back by the front door?

Sincerely,
Fat Daddy


6:10 pm

Dear Little Man:

Thank you for bringing me my shoes. I regret to inform you that we will not be leaving for another hour.

Love,
Dad

6:11 pm

Dear Son,

I appreciate your fondness for shoes in general, but you are already wearing a pair. Please put your shoes back in the box.

Yours ever,
Papa

6:14 pm

Dear Benny,

Please give me back my slipper.

Love,
Daddio

Making it Up to the Grandparents

We here at amagomundi would like to apologize to the Tutus, Sindos, Momos and Grandpa Gs in our lives. We know it is cardinal sin to withhold Halloween pictures of the grandson from those most desiring of them. A combination of illness, technical difficulties and election fervor (INDIANA WENT BLUE!!!) resulted in this delay of gratification. Without further ado....ROAR!


Note the little slit mom needed to make in the neck of this 24 month costume in order to accommodate the enormous noggin of this 15 month old boy.


Benny played in the yard while trick-or-treaters visited the Amago stead for some candy and ....


...to see the creepiest man in the neighborhood. I didn't think he could top last year's creepiness, but he did. I suppose that's why I'm still so in love. *sigh*

Saucy Fellow, Dandy Hats

Obama Mundi

Indiana finally succumbed to the Democratic tide and handed its 11 electoral votes to President-elect Obama. The first time the state has turned blue since 1964.

Obama Fever

I can't speak for all of Indiana, but I do believe that South Bend is going to go Democratic. After a drive through the west side on my way back from dropping B-Ray off at school, I would say that this town is damn near celebratory. Those that didn't vote early got up early today to go to the polls. The sidewalks had lots of people walking on them: Freshly showered, coffee-drinking, smiling, red-white-and-blue-wearing people. And on the corner of Cottage Grove and Lincolnway, two middle-aged ladies were dancing--and I mean really dancing, joyously--and waving their Obama signs, and everyone driving by honked in support of their efforts. I feel good. This is exciting. Let's go Indiana!

Picking Apples in Early October

You pick them and you eat them.

I Gotta New Love Now

Well, if you could make anything out in that clip, you would see a Cabbage Patch baby foot sticking out there. Nice.

Penguin Love and Reconciliation

Well, okay. Maybe there is room for everyone in our bed.



How do you read the New York Times on Sunday?

Penguin Love On the Rocks

Penguin Love Redux

Penguin Love

As promised, here is your penguin love:

Wild Things

Benny Ray loves animals....like squeal-and-go-crazy-love. (Much the way I am with Tim Curry, or say S is with Celine Dion.) Dogs and cats are his favorite, but he also loves penguins and today was chasing an ant all around the living room floor, squealing and trying to "pet" it. He kisses, hugs and talks to every animal he meets. We want to get Ben a "da" (that's dog, in case you aren't fluent in toddler-speak) but currently can't justify all the time we'd have to leave the pup while we're traipsing about seeing far-away family and whatnot. Alas, for now cute stuffed animals, multiple trips to the zoo, and visits with friends' pets will have to suffice. Poor Benny Ray.

We're not dead yet...

Hi there, amagomundi fans, if there are any of you still left. As bloggers, we know that we've lately been negligent, out of touch and lazy, and we apologize. As a lame defense, since returning from Spain at the very end of July the Mr. and Mrs. have been busying themselves preparing for school (which has gotten off to a swimming start for everyone), setting up child care for the dauphin, hosting a wonderful visit from Tutu and Sindo, and generally relishing every last bit of summer magic amagomundi can find. It's been a nice month. But, now we're back to provide our loyal coupla readers with more photos, updates and musings than anyone really cares for. Except of course the insatiable grandparents, two of whom are currently on their way to visit amagomundi HQ for a weekend of food, wine, art, baby and Obama zeal.

Here's a first installment summer recap which includes trips to Lake Michigan and the zoo.

Le Dauphin

Despite the intense love and attention lavished on Benjamin Ramon by his loyal attendants, le dauphin manages to sustain his sour expression.

(Also: How much cuter could our Spanish family get? The answer: none more cuter.)

Turning One is Rad!!

In addition to learning how to walk, Benny Ray reached another important baby milestone this week: He successfully reached one year of age. This momentous occasion was celebrated at Tia Loli's house in Majadahonda, outside of Madrid. Primos Juan and Celia were there, as were tias Elena, Rafa and Lola. Floppy the Cat also made begrudging appearances now and then to the birthday boy's delight. Every time Ben saw Floppy he would utter his version of "cat" which is "at". He's still working on that hard "c" sound.

Here the paparazzi encourage Ben to smile and look in their direction so they can capture that million euro photo for the weekly celebrity mag, "Hola."

(From left to right, Lola, Celia, Rafa, Elena)

As expected, Benjamin didn't care to sport the birthday hat his mother made for him.

Here Ben prepares to eat some delicious chocolate cake while we who are off camera prepare to drink champagne in his honor.

 (Ben is laughing at Tia Elena's comedic antics.)

Benjamin enjoyed his tarta de chocolate to the max. Being one has its privileges.

Benny and the birthday frog.

Everyone seemed to relish the spoiling of this child.

 (Note the "Gilmore Girls" DVD in there among the presents. 

This was not one of Ben's birthday gifts. Maybe next year.)