Easter Books and Puppy Love (aka Mostly Just Because I Haven't Posted In a Million Years)

When I was growing up, we didn't have a lot of traditions that we did every year for different holidays, so I am making up my own.  One of my self-instigated traditions is giving books for Easter.  It doesn't really matter what kind of book, just a book.  These last four Easters that Hugh has been married to me, he has received a picture book that he liked as a kid, the 6th Harry Potter book, a book about Ancient Egypt, and finally, this year, two Asian cookbooks.  This was Asher's first Easter as my son, and he got two Sandra Boynton board books--one in English and one in Spanish.  Here they are, gleefully tearing the paper from the treasures beneath:

After the paper ripping, we went for a walk in the park during which Asher had to pet and bark at every dog he saw.  Asher, probably like almost all male, uh, toddlers (If he can walk does that make him a toddler?), loves dogs.  This is the dog who lives on the other side of our backyard fence.  He and Asher are friends.

This is a dog that belongs to our neighbors who were also out for a walk.  I'm holding Asher back so that he doesn't poke the poor dog in the eye.  We're working on the whole "gentle" thing. :)

And this dog belongs to some random people who just happened to be in the park while Asher was out with his dog-detecting beacon on.

His owners asked Asher if he wants to get a dog.  Sorry Asher.  Your chances are pretty slim.  I don't know if we'll even let you get a goldfish.  Maybe if it has a self-cleaning tank so that all we have to do is sprinkle some food in periodically....

 ... although it might be hard to say no to that drooly little face.