Saturday, July 25, 2009

Secrets of Ya-Ya Bubbie's Sister-hood

Wasn't sure if I should categorize this one under Aunts and Uncles or Cousins so I did both. What is she, technically?

Today, Great-Aunt Sue and Great-Uncle Gary came down to visit me and treat us to brunch as has become tradition for Mommy and Daddy's birthdays. I'm still suffering from a little bit of stranger anxiety so when I saw the newly slim GUG, I didn't recognize him and freaked out a bit. Fortunately, GAS was able to calm me down by whispering to me in Spanish (Karina's been teaching me). Apparently, the secret is cargue a observadores.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Hit the Back, Pack

Photobucket

All ready for my first day of school. Got my backpack packed and my cell phone on vibrate. Just need another 780 days to go by!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Pooling our Resources

Raise your hand if you like getting presents!

Today, Great-Grandpa Irv had us over for a swim. I had so much fun in the new floaty he got me. And I loved running around the pool and barely even skipped a beat when I fell and cut my forehead on the concrete.

If the shoe don't fit you must acquit!

I couldn't figure out why my crocs didn't fit Grandpa's feet. Guess I had my antennae up but tuned to the wrong planet.

Friday, July 17, 2009

?Ytterp I T'nera

It's like reading Hebrew

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the... OHMIGOSH, what was that flash? I'm blind!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Shot Like a Cannon

Hocus Focus

Today was my 15 month checkup. When they told me to strip down to my skivvies, I didn't think that meant my crocs too. Then it was time for my shots and I bolted outta there faster than Cousin Rob at Passover Seder.

Here are my stats: 24 lbs 6 oz Weight (75th percentile), 31.5" Length (75-90th), 18" Head (50th) And if you couldn't tell by the blur, I run a 4.4 40.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

You Say It's Your Birthday (It's Dad's Birthday Too, Yeah!)

Hey, what's the number for 4-1-1? Not sure, why don't you call information?

Today, Karina took me over to my friend Lily's birthday party. While the rest of the kids played with dolls and balloons, I texted in the max 10 votes for Grandma Lee on American's Got Talent.

Does this farm have a pool or what?!

Lately, I'm known to pitch in with an "E-I-E-I" (hold the "O") during the chorus of Old McDonald. So it was fitting that they had a barn cake. Fortunately, they didn't keep the frosting in a silo.

Messy cake then pool time. Brilliant!

From there, the party really got watered down.

Betty Croc-ker

Croc-pot

Daddy turned 31 today. Since the whole jumping out of a birthday cake thing is so passé, I thought I'd surprise him by jumping out of his crocs!

Isn't She Lovely?

Shady Lady

Now I've tried on plenty of sunglasses in my day but these ones made me very superstitious...

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Things Are Going Swimmingly

There's a Jonah and the whale pun in here somewhere!

This morning, before the men of the households used their Twicket at Wrigley (no, that's not a Twitter reference. It's a Six Flags thing where you get to come back the next day for $1. And, no, they did not get $1 Cubs tix. OK, I guess it was a bum reference.) we took a dip in the hotel pool. I had fun with Auntie Em and guckie (that's Ellie for ducky) while Daddy kept Jonah entertained.

Yes, that's a pink lego. No, I don't know why I insist on always holding it.

Then it was time for mother-daughter swim. This was one of those indoor-outdoor pools. Can you guess which of us had been hanging out outside? Sheesh, we don't even look like we're the same race!

House Party

Salt... salt... where's the effing salt!

While the men were wastin' away again in Wrigleyville, I searched for my lost shaker of salt.

For me?!? Aw, shucks. You really SHOULD have!

I did rejoin the group when the presents came out though.

If you're happy and you know it...

All was good as long as I was the center of attention.

AKA 'How Big is Ellie?'

But then cousin Ella found a new muse. Who's going to dote over me now?

Tell me the one about Grandma stepping on Mommy's hair again!'

Grandpa to the rescue!

Park-ing

Hey, where's the beverage cart!

After a while, our house couldn't contain our contingent so we proceeded to play at the park. (Did you catch that alliteration, 3 c's p's yo!) (Did you catch that Star Wars pun? 3-CPO.) (Whew, tough crowd.) Cousins Jonah, Ben, Ella and I took our seats on the plane while Grandma and Mommy prepared for turbulence.

Mommy, you're so plain... I mean plane!

After we touched down, I caught my connecting flight on Air Mommy.

Daddy, you're high!

But it wasn't til Daddy got back from the Cubs game that I hit my cruising altitude.

Gracie-ful Captions

Cousin Andrea's getting really get at these timed pics! Even made sure not to block Ella when popping a squat in front.

Gracie was quite taken by Aunt Eileen's new perfume, Eu De Kibbles.

Daddy didn't have the heart to ask Grandpa to take off his shoes in the house

Gracie won the hairiest legs competition.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Wislow While You Work

Visiting Hours at the Wislow Museum

Ever the gracious hosts, Sue and Bob Wislow had us over to their house for a little post-game action. You might recognize this cast of characters from our Nags Head group shot. This time we were sans uniforms but plus Brad's girlfriend, Lila and the Wislows.

Great-Grandpa Dave and his litter

We posed with the proud papa, piling onto the couch and patiently perfecting our position. Priceless!

Geez daddy, it's not like we're stuffed with chocolate filling!

Daddy put the squeeze on Jonah and me. I'm used to being his main squeeze so I wasn't too happy to share the squeeze-light.

Have you seen my pants?

Cousin Ella was very attentive to me. Not sure if it's because our names are so close or I'm the only other girl cousin but, whatever the case, I'll take it!

Babe Woof

Ella wasn't the only female whose name began with "Ell" that paid close attention to me. Elle, the Wislows' labradoodle, followed me around and, anytime she thought I was being harassed by someone else or in danger of falling down the stairs she ran up to me and started barking hysterically. Of course, I didn't know she was trying to protect me and I started crying hysterically. You know what they say, Monkey see, doggy doo.

Piggy Wrigley

Why is mommy wearing White Sox colors?

Today was my 3rd Cubs game and first of this season. You might think this pose was intended to capture the Cubs sign in the background but I really just wanted a discreet shot of the mustachioed mullet man.

Best seat in the house

Once again, don't be fooled into thinking that this is a straight-forward photo opp. As much as I wanted to capture my first Cubs game with Great-Grandpa Dave, I wanted to give Daddy a chance to get his bunny ears on.

Yes, daddy had to pay extra for his jeans to be pre-ripped

We had great seats in the first row of the upper deck thanks to cousin Kevin's hook-up. Of course, I found Daddy and his ripped jeans more interesting than the players down below.

Who's afraid of big bad heights?

Even though I wasn't really following the game, Great-Uncle Denny tried to teach me how to keep score. I found a better use for the scorecard, though. Let's just say I was a big fan of its thick cardboard stock.


Meanwhile, the supposedly retired Grandpa Gary furiously typed away on his blackberry

Daddy taught me the time-honored Wrigley Field tradition of throwing back balls hit by opposing teams. He forgot to mention that it didn't apply to foul balls... or peanuts, for that matter!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Piggly Wiggly

You lookin' at me?

Today we met up with Grandma and Grandpa and went to see one of the Wiggle Worms in Millennium Park. I had fun dancing with all the other kids and staring down the paparazzi.

Shake it like a salt-shaker

Grandma chased me around the dance floor while I made friends with other adults and stole maracas from unsuspecting kids. Finally she scooped me up for a little safety waltz so I wouldn't wig out.

Is It Me or Is It Worm Out Here?

enter attention diverter, stage left

At the end of the Wiggle Worm's set we met up with the Spiegels for what amounts to date number 10 with Leo J.

Why aren't you wearing arrgh-yle?!

We then walked over to the Taste of Chicago for some brontosaurus-sized turkey legs and a Wiggles show -- not to be confused with the Wiggle Worm singular. Turns out the Wiggles aren't worms either. They're pirates...

You must be beary warm in there!

And bears...

My, how many hands you have!

And octupi, oh my!

Has Beans

The Magical Fruit

After the Wiggles show, we stalked the bean for a quick photo opp.

Bean there done that

Daddy must've forgotten to wear his yarmulke, er... beanie.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Catch You If I Can



I'm so excited the whole family's coming into town for the 2nd annual Neiman family reunion. Auntie Em was the first to arrive and she brought Gracie with her. Last time I hung out with Gracie I wasn't too mobile so she ran circles around me (when she wasn't lounging on the bed, that is). This time around, I was doing the circling, like a hunter stalking its prey. Luckily, I didn't catch her in their eye.