22!

Today LS hit 22. Just 2 months to go until the big 2! It had been a while since we got a picture with Sapo, so for the occasion we brought him outside for a photo shoot. LS was very excited to have him up and out of his usual place in bed, she immediately started pointing things out to him when we got outside. "Folhas!" ("leaves") "Peixe!" ("fish", a small sculpture of a fish we have in the garden).

If you ask LS to smile, this is what you'll get. So don't try it if you can't handle the freight train of cute that will be coming your way.

As we can see, although it seems LS and Sapo started out the same size almost 2 years ago she now towers over him. And loves him. When she saw Papai bring him downstairs she was wide-eyed and whispered his name almost in reverent disbelief. Having Sapo outside of the bedroom is quite an event.

Other than that, we can report that potty training has gone well. Almost always dry diapers (which she's also happy to report as we take it off) and no "#2" other than in the potty or toilet for at least a few weeks. (Not the kind of status report I had ever imagined giving). She likes the little dance that we do to tell her she did a good job. And if she's around when either of us uses the bathroom she's sure to tell us we did a great job and to do a little dance for us too. We're all just so happy in the bathroom.

It also seems she'll know the whole world map before we know it. She loves pointing out where places are on her placemat. Latest favorites are Tazmania, Solomon Islands, Egypt, and Saudia Arabia. Funny crazy stuff.

A few days ago was the last day they were officially open at a local lake that we've enjoyed going to this year. They were in the process of removing the boundary ropes and putting everything else away while we were swimming. Obviously LS enjoyed being wrapped up in the towel afterward! We went back this evening and it was pretty nice to be there and just have the lake in front of us with no ropes.