Secrets of Ya-Ya Bubbie's Sister-hood

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.

Hit the Back, Pack

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!

Pooling our Resources

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.



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.

?Ytterp I T'nera

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

Shot Like a Cannon

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.

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

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.



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.



From there, the party really got watered down.

Betty Croc-ker

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?

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

Things Are Going Swimmingly

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.



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

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



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



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



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

'

Grandpa to the rescue!

Park-ing

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.



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



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

Gracie-ful Captions

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



Gracie won the hairiest legs competition.

Wislow While You Work

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.



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



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.



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!



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

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.



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.



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.



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.




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!

Piggly Wiggly

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.



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?

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.



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...



And bears...



And octupi, oh my!

Has Beans

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



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

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.