B.F.F.

Lexi's class went on a trip to the pumpkin patch on Monday morning, which turned out to be a very, very bad idea. It was so freezing cold in that freezing field, some of the kids were crying in misery. Here's Lexi before the pain set in.


Here is Lexi's best friend, Emma, who was my responsibility on the trip. I love this little girl. Wish she could come live with us, but I think her mom likes her pretty well.

B.F.F. Or at least till kindergarten.

My mom texted me this picture

Six months ago, she didn't even know what texting was. Now she's zipping me pics of her new fireplace like it's no big woop. THIS is technological progress.

Halloweeeeeeeeeeen Bwa ha ha ha haaaaa

AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!


AWWWWWWWWWWWW!


Last night, we took the kids to Night of the Living Zoo, an event at the SCZ that involves gazillions of little Wichitans in costumes scurrying around a dark zoo while all the animals sleep. Um. GREAT fun.


Amy, who's finally feeling better, and a cute Power Ranger joined us.


Amy, Nancy Drew and a Transformer were there, too, as were Nick and Aunt Jaime, who pushed baby Noah's stroller.


OH, and there were firefighters, too.

Big house, no furniture

Molly and Mike closed on their schmancy new house this afternoon, and they had a few of us over this evening to check it out.


The grownups had a good time exploring and noshing. But one guest had more fun than any other.


Remember what it's like to be a tiny kid in a big house with no furniture? Lexi ran and flopped and flailed around, with no danger of breaking anything.


Even more fun than a big house with no furniture?


Being in a big house with no furniture, no other kids, and no shortage of grownups with nothing to do but tickle you...


Model your sunglasses...


And chase you around.

Fun Saturday, Fun Sunday

We had a good weekend with some good times.


It all started Saturday morning, when I persuaded Lexi to get a haircut by promising her a sprinkle donut if she was good. She was.


We then headed to the Wellington Fall Festival, where we decorated pumpkins and...


...watched the Mudbugs play and...


...caught a glimpse of CRG in his natural habitat.


Today was Book Club at the Arb. Great weather. Smoky fire. Good times.

Naughty day

Doesn't she look sorry????

Sicky Lou

Today, I stayed home with my ill little Lexi Lou. She was NOT feeling well. Temperature. Headache. As you can see, Norton was extremely concerned.

She's feeling better, I think. Though I'm sure that will all change when I inform her in the morning that she has a dentist appointment.

Future ballerinas

Stan was passing out tickets to the Friends' Fall Ballet this afternoon, so Amy and I decided to take the kids on a theater test drive.

Lexi and Maddy loved it. When the show was over, they took a few spins on the stage to imitate the tu-tu twilrling they'd just witnessed.


Now, Lexi is wondering when she can be a ballerina.


And both girls are VERY excited about "The Nutcracker." Christmas is too far away, they say.

This one's for the Grandmas

I've been sort of a lazy blogger lately, and I've let a half dozen or so adorable Lexi pictures go to waste. I figured Mary Anne and Wendy -- my most devoted readers -- might enjoy a little catch-up.


Incidentally, I hope to get my blogging mojo back with an assist from my new pink Canon Elph, seen here.



Lexi has learned to write her name recently. So the "x" is a little crooked, but I think it's a good effort.


She loves the new playground at the park, especially this crazy swing.


She's also coming to appreciate her doggy more. These days, he's more a friend than an snorty problem who licks her face and sheds all over her clothes.


Here, she prepares to write a term paper on the effects of global warming. Actually, she's just watching Wow Wow Wubzy on my laptop.


Now, wasn't all that cuteness worth the wait?

Robin at Botanica

Tonight was Robin's much-awaited concert at Botanica, and about 20 of us gathered to hear the tunes and have a fried chicken picnic.



My sister, Annie, who is in from Lenexa for a conference, joined in the fun along with Carter (Robin's album producer) and Jaime.


Dave and Tess brought the comfortable chairs. And a kick-arse pasta salad.


Bon and Dick stayed till the END this year.


Sisters...

Spec wearers...


... and Bonnie's new friend, Aurora, who picked her out of the crowd and became her new best friend in about five minutes. Lexi is jealous.

Doing what it takes

Helped Jaime at the Eagle's Woofstock photo booth today. I got there at 9 to help her set up and left at 2:45. During those nearly six hours, she shot pet photos nonstop. Don't even think she took a bathroom break.

Toward the end of the day, the whole Eagle contingent -- including Michael, Sherry, Pam, Ron's daugher and Ron -- were barking, yelping and clapping to get those mangy mutts to smile. I know Jaime looks happy. She's really just delirious.

In the video below, Ron is not delirious. Just dedicated.

This is Joe

And Joe does not like to follow the rules.

So if you were to, say, tell Joe that he was now required to wear his security badge in the building, Joe would find some subtle way to let you know what he thought of your rule.


This is why I like Joe.