Blue Thunder

Daniel, Gunnar, and Uncle John had to go home, but I still got to have more fun. This time with Aunt Dan & Aunt Karen, Boppa & Grandma, and Mom & Daddy. We all piled into Boppa's RV and headed to a Blue Thunder baseball game (vs. Thunder Bay Border Cats). I love baseball (Daddy & I watch the Twins a lot)! I had lots of fun blasting my baseball horn, stomping in the stands, and eating pee-bah (pizza). I ate a big slice all by myself! Our boys lost the game, but it was still a fun time.
On the way home we went by another ox, but Mom didn't think about telling Boppa to stop until we were well beyond it. Maybe I'll have to suggest a DQ road trip where we can stop at more than one ox!

Last Moments of Fun

Me & Daniel with Uncle John. I had a Dory tattoo on my arm that day. It stayed on for a week. I love Dory...even more than Nemo!

Daniel got to ride this train. This ride costs a dime. And only Daddy had one. Just one. Daddy says he'll take me back later so I can get my ride. I'll make sure he doesn't forget!
He kept saying "Choo... choo!"
Uh-oh! The ride stopped. Daniel only made this face for two seconds. I think he was surprised it stopped!

Oxtrot Number 1

Here's most of our group by Smiley the Ox. He's part of a herd of painted oxen decorating the Lakes Area. We plan to get a picture of me (and anyone around that day) with each ox. They're only here until Labor Day, so watch for more pictures in the coming weeks. Once we get them all, Mom's going to turn it into a book for me.
Yep, Daniel and I had to trying climbing Smiley...it's just what we do!
Smiley from the front: bike trail, DQ treats, Pioneer Village...
Smiley from the back: turtle races, A&W root beer, City of Lights, Freedom Day fun, autumn leaves, great fishing, PIZZA...

Fun on the Lake

What a big day we were having! After all that playing and some lunch, we all went out on the boat. I love being in the water, but I was pretty tired. The ride from the access to party central almost put me to sleep! Daddy and Gunnar kept trying to get me in the water, but I cried every time. Floating was not my idea of fun. Mom told Daddy to just hold me on his hip while he stood in the water. I didn't mind that until he started to walk away from the boat.
Daniel was in the water more than me, but he didn't seem too crazy about it today either.
Drive, drive, drive! Mom wants to teach me a song called "I Wanna Drive the Zamboni" because if I want to drive anything with a steering wheel!
It was a nice day ON the lake, as long as I didn't have to be IN the lake. I'd love to do it all again...or go to the beach where I can walk into the water.

Not Taking a Nap

So we could have taken a nap between the pool fun and boating (Mom said I needed one), but we found other things to do. Daniel played with lots of toys, and I was busy reading. Mom put in Milo & Otis (or Puppy & Kitty, as I call it). Usually I really like that movie, but today we didn't pay too much attention. I mostly just watched the menu screen, and Daniel liked the chickens a lot. He quit what he was doing whenever they were on the screen.
Daniel checked to see what was in my Dora tin/purse, then played with my collection of excavating toys. I was still reading.
Daniel really wanted to play with my pony. Mom told him to pull it out from the tiny "stable" BEFORE he got on it, but he was in a hurry. He did squeeze the pony out of that space while still on there. It looked like fun to me!
When he had the horse in the open area, Mom showed him how turn on the gallop and whinny noises, but Daniel liked making his own sounds. Of course, he quit when Mom tried to get some video.
Like my Spongebob tattoo? I was still reading. It is one of my favorite things to do. I know which books are the best. I'll tell you more about that another day.
Daniel took my dancing teddy bear keyboard in this fun tent Auntie Jenny sent up for me (we were sorry she wasn't able to come to visit too). It's a nice, quiet place to play by yourself.
It's also a great place for peek-a-boo. I even put my books down long enough to have a little fun with Daniel.

Playing in My New Pool

While Daddy, Uncle John, and Gunnar went fishing, we got to try out my new pool (thanks, Auntie Sherry). It has a sprinkler floating right in the middle of it - hence, the name Geyser Blast. It was a blast!!
I always have a cup of water handy, but I like to get drinks myself. Mom once caught me using one of my shovels to scoop water from Shadow's dish (yes, I drank some before she got me).
Daniel really liked my hat. He wore it most of the morning...even in the pool. He didn't take the hat off until he found a tiara party hat (see below).
Yep, I'm getting a drink again. It seems to work well for Shadow to drink out of a bucket, so it ought to work for me, eh?
Food Network fans: we might have the next Guy Fieri on our hands. Off the hook...let's get his kid some sweat bands and bowling shirts. That's money right there.
And Daniel is in to BIG BITES...

More Fun With Grandma's Wagon

Mom started giving wagon rides last night, and then she pulled us more this morning. We really love being in that wagon! Daniel took a turn at pulling too. He was carrying a doughnut hole at first, but Shadow almost stole it from him. He accidentally held it in her face, so she licked it a little. If he hadn't caught her, I bet she'd have eaten the whole thing!
Even Gunnar got to go for a wagon ride. It seemed a little tricky for Daniel to pull with an extra person in the wagon at first, but he worked it out...
and then even pulled us in the thick grass. Mom was impressed because she thought it was tough to pull over there!

Another Weekend With Daniel

Daniel is here! This time he came to stay at my house (in the cabin). He brought his Daddy and his big brother, Gunnar along too.
The first thing he did when they arrived was to ride my bike. I'm still a tiny bit too short for the pedals, so Mom & Daddy were glad to see someone riding it that didn't need them to help push.
As you can see, it was getting dark when they got here, but that didn't stop us from staying up late to get some play time in!

Halloween Idea?

Mom says for Halloween I should consider going as "Bearded Baby" aka The Bearded Lady In Her Early Years. It's a good look, and relatively easy costume to make. Plus, you get to eat chocolate pudding while you apply the beard. I don't know if the tomato sauce underlay is necessary, but it does add a nice orange undertone.

GO! GO! Weeeeee!

Grandma G. pulled her wagon out of storage so we can use it at her house. Until she remembers to take it with her, I'm using it as much as I can at home. I love riding in the wagon. Daddy took me to get the garbage can from the end of the road. I flashed Mom the thumbs up sign, letting her know we were on our way back.

I like pulling the wagon too. No one wanted a ride, so I put some grass in there. That's what Daddy does -- he gives grass a ride in the big wagon. It seems like fun.

Hey, where is Daddy anyway? There he is on the big GO! GO! machine. Maybe he'll let me drive it.

DADDEEEEE! DADDDEEEE! Wait for me. I want to drive. It's my turn to drive. DADDEEEE!

YES! GO! GO! Weeeeeeeee!

Happy Birthday, Auntie Sherry

Hmmm...I know we're not supposed to discuss a lady's age and all, but if Aunt Dan just hit that milestone age, and Auntie Sherry is 13 months younger than him. That would make her AGE CENSORED this year.

Pac-Man Fever

I love to play Pac-man! He is one of the funniest characters to watch. And when those ghosts turn blue...well, blue is my favorite color, so it makes me cheer. Mostly, I like to have other people play the game so I can dance around and sing "wukka, wukka" with Pac-man. Be careful, if I don't like the way you play, I'll reach in and hit the reset button. That's funny too.

Let's see if I can set it up myself.

I need to change the channel until I see Pac-man on the screen. Wait, I'm hitting Volume...ooops, I need the other button. Okay...

Now these plugs go in these little spaces. Then I'll see Pac-man come up. Hmm...still Project Runway. Maybe if I switch them around? Hmmm...

Books are so much easier to deal with. Where's my favorite page? Here it is. We count 1, 2, 3 candles on the birthday cake. 1, 2, 3 balloons for the party.

Look What I Can Do

Pony tails, pig tails... whatever you call them, Mom finally got me to sit still long enough to get some in my hair. The part is a bit messy and off-kilter, but we were pretty proud of ourselves once it was all finished. I couldn't wait for Daddy to come home and check me out!

The first thing I did when Mom let me go was pull the mirror out to inspect Mom's work. I was very happy. I smiled and looked in the mirror for about five minutes!


Of course I had to get on my phone and call everyone I knew! Maybe I'll sit still and let Mom fix my hair like this again sometime...

Sprinkler Fun

Mom found this funny sprinkler back in April, and she's just been waiting for a chance to use it. Daddy had the hose hooked up, so Mom decided to get the sprinkler.
It wasn't quite as strong as the zoo fountain, but I managed to get plenty wet. It didn't take long before I pulled off one of the sprayers! It's okay, the water still shoots out of the hole.

Here I am: cold, drenched, and loving every minute of it!

I Love Dora!

Things My Parents Do Without Me

I spent Friday night and Saturday night at Grandma Mary's so that Mom & Daddy could see the Rick Monroe Band with Aunt Dan & Auntie Karen. Mom and Auntie Karen hate to miss an opportunity to see them play. They're from Nashville, and don't get up here enough. Mom is very jealous that she missed the first two nights, and says next time since Daddy will be home with me she'll go alone. Who knows why she didn't think of that this time.
Anyway, it was a great two nights out for everyone. Even Daddy stayed awake to close the bar (and then some) both nights. He had to work on Saturday, and they had to pick me up at 7:00 AM on Sunday so Grandma could get to choir practice before Mass. That means Mom & Daddy didn't get home until around 3:00 AM, and had to be out of the house again no later than 6:30. Poor Daddy.

"Can I get a Hell Yeah?!?"

Mom put some videos of the night on my video list (they all start with "noMad" as in there's none of me in them).

Usually Daddy's the one saying we need gear to match the Buggy Buggy, but Mom really loved this Jeep shirt. Rick said it was a staff shirt from a Swiss(?) bar they played.
Even Aunt Dan and Auntie Karen were out on the dance floor.

Just to plug the band a bit more... You can also see the official website http://www.rickmonroe.com/ for more about them. Everyone says they're a pretty cool and interesting group of guys. I just know I like dancing and headbanging to their music. Their cover of Midnight Rider is one of my favorites songs - just can't sit still when I hear it. Watch CMT for their video.