Penny and Max update

We haven't been snapping many photos lately, but Penny and Max have been developing quite a bit.

Penny is becoming much more adventurous with food.  She is trying things that she used to refuse and realizing that she actually likes some of them!  Cucumber is one of the new foods she will tolerate. This is a big relief to me, as I feel I can add more variety to our meals and at least have her take a polite bite or two.
She is also becoming more daring physically.  She is climbing, jumping, tumbling, and experimenting more whereas she has always been on the cautious side.  It is exciting to see her opening up to new things.
Also, Penny is learning to read and often reads her own bedtime story to us now...  This is something for which I do not take any credit.  The preschool has taught me to encourage play more than academics at her age.  But, I don't discourage her either.
Finally, she is becoming more outgoing.  Today at the park, she initiated play with several new friends, which was surprising to see.  Normally, she runs away when someone comes over and asks to play.  

Max is a 2-year old, testing his boundaries.  Every moment seems to be a negotiation, from getting in the carseat to washing hands...
He has just started attending his own home preschool two mornings per week.  It is a small setting with one caregiver and usually 3 other kids.  When I pick him up, he is happy and excited to be learning new things and making friends!  Another advantage of this preschool/daycare is that they provide meals and snacks!  When he is among peers and in someone else's care, he is less likely to reject new foods. So, I'm hoping he will become more adventurous too.
Verbally, Max seems to talk non-stop from the moment he opens his eyes, to the moment he closes his eyes.  He explains everything and wants to understand everything.
Max also just transferred to a toddler bed from a crib.  So far, it seems to be working out well.
Potty-wise, things are slow, as expected for boys.  He uses the potty once a day on average.  But, there seems to be a barrier for going #2 on the potty....much to our disappointment.  But as I understand, we can't show that we care too much (about whether he uses the potty), or he will be more likely to resist.