Happy Thanksgiving!

Rings on fingers
Rings on thumb.

Drum drum
Drum drum
Drum drum drum

- Al Perkins, "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb"

This is one of Addie's favorite books given to her by Cap's cousin, Nicholas and Alisabeth, who recently gave birth to their own gorgeous baby girl, Octavia Lucia. Congratulations!

And Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Cloudy with a chance of showers

The weather report is in and we have showers.

For a year we've had a potty in our bathroom. Nada. I know she understands the concept, but there was mental hurdle to overcome. I asked another Mom for advice, and she said we need to upgrade our simple, unobtrusive potty for something with more fanfare. So, we went out about 6 months ago and got 2 more - one elmo potty that sits on the toilet and one blinky, singing, fake-flushing, sticker dispensing one. Addie immediately learned how to trigger the potty so it would think she had peed and she'd demand a "sticker for her chart" like the singing potty lady said she deserved. I always think about the singing voice back story. She is an aspiring singer and actress trying to get a gig and ends being the voice across America that coaxes and rewards children towards a diaper free world. A hero to us all.

But back to Addie. This is how it went down The First Time:

We were getting ready to put on her pjs and the poor girl had to pee something fierce. You could just tell, you know?
"Do you want to go pee-pee in the potty?" She has been known to sit on it, then jump up a second later and demand a reward. "You can have candy!"
"I want candy! Show me all the candy!" We have her leftover halloween candy and some scored from a recent pinata in a bowl high on a shelf.
"You can only have the candy after you go pee pee in your potty."
Addie sits down. Nada.
Plan B. Maybe if I can I distract her on the potty she might relax enough.
What do I resort to? My old trusty stand-by. Nailpolish!
So, I painted her nails a ruby red and then blow-dried them while she relaxed on her plastic throne. The girl is getting some
serous high-end service here.
Sure enough, with a few more words of encouragement, we have pee! Not much but some.
Woohoo. Dancing in the streets and of course candy.
Hmm, the girl still has to pee something might fierce.
Back on the potty. More showers, not much rain. But more candy.

Darn it if the girl hasn't realized she can do a minimum amount of work and still get the same reward.
She's crafty!

The First Picture Show

Saturday morning we took Addie to her first movie in a theater - BOLT, and in 3D no less. Well, technically it's not her first. Her first first movie was another Disney flick, Cars, which I took her to when she was 3 or 4 weeks old.

This time, she sat on Cap's lap and didn't move an inch until the credits ran. We had popcorn, drank Sprite and all three of us had to get "wanded" going through security. You should have seen Addie's confusion at having a stranger ask her to stand with her arms out while they wafted a baton 2 inches from her person. In line I overheard other parents explaining why their kids were being subjected to The Wand. "They are making sure that people don't bring in anything they shouldn't." When I was a kid that meant sneaking in candy from the 7-Eleven not a handgun. Tonight, Addie busted out her two silver baby rattles and "wanded" Cap and I before we could proceed with book time. She'll make a fine TSA agent.

I'm wondering why I feel proud that Addie can sit through a feature length like a zombie, but really I'm excited that I get to go to the movies too.



That afternoon, I wanted to get a pet hamster in a ball just like Rhino in the movie, but Cap said I'd just be allergic. Probably true. Instead, we went to the Aquatic Outlet by the airport and got a saltwater tank. I don't know if it was our trip to Hawaii or the one hundredth viewing of Finding Nemo, but we now have a tank with rocks and sand and water. No fish, yet. I guess you have to wait at least 2 weeks before you can bring in the swimmers and the anemones. Addie went bananas when we told her we could get a clown fish just like Nemo.

Maybe Santa will bring us a sea cucumber!

All in a Row

Okay maybe she's a tiny bit obsessive-compulsive.

At a recent birthday party while the other kids swarmed the play equipment, Addie took a break to play with the plastic animals. She would get one out of the bin and bring it over to a clear, flat space she found and line them up. Back and forth she went lining up her animals in a neat row. The parents were fascinated. What would happen if we moved one of the animals? Someone would move the blue brontosaurus 6 inches back. Sure enough when Addie returned with her new animal, she'd immediately move the brontosaurus back to his place in the row. Not once but 3 times. Nice and neat. and neurotic. I like that.

My parents used to tell me I liked to line up their shoes, heel to toe, out of the closet and down the hall. You'd think I would be more organized now.

Cute as a Button

Cap doesn't approve of this outfit, but I snuck it on her when he went off to work this morning. Daycare is closed for the holiday so we are each working half days and I have the morning shift with Miss A. We received two of this corduroy style jumpers from the rummage sale at my Dad's church. Twice each year we get a 20 lb bag of clothes and other goodies shipped to us. We've scored tons of great clothes for her (thanks Nana and Pop-Pop!).

Apparently Addie is siding with Cap on this choice of apparel, but I think she looks cute as a button. Wanna make a bet that she's wearing something different by the time I get home from work tonight?

Eggcellent?

How cute are these little egg cups?

We had a soft boiled egg and toast feast this morning. I had imagined a civilized, Anglicized egg tapping breakfast. I'm sure there is an art to eating an egg out of dainty cup, because my barbaric attempts didn't live up to my expectations. I had to pick shards of micro shell pieces off my egg and then my first attempt delving in for a a bite, resulted in an egg yolk lava flow. I hadn't eaten anything yet, but my plate looked like the set from Cloverfield. So much for civilized.

Election Day

My day went a little like this:

Told Addie I was going to dress her in blue in honor of Election Day.
She tells me she wants to wear red.
I frown and dress her in blue.
Cap dropped Addie off at daycare and we waited in line for an hour to vote.
Voted for The President along with way too many propositions and measures (fingers crossed on No on 8).
Have nostalgic feelings about voting in person and getting my I Voted sticker,
but am thinking next time I'll just vote by mail.
Rear-ended an Obama look-a-like with a matching I Voted Sticker (no damage thank goodness).
Worked.
Picked up Addie and told her we were going to watch Obama on TV.
Cap, Addie and I ate frozen pizza and watched election results.
Drank champagne, Addie dipped her finger in it a few times.
Election called.
History made.
Finish off the champagne.
We try to get Addie to say "Go Obama!"
She mumbles something that sound disturbingly like "Palin."
Addie toots in Cap's face.
And we know it's going to be a good 4 years.

Trick-or-Treat!

Score!

An Addie dinosaur (dragon), 3 little monkeys, Pumpkin Boy
and a little purple butterfly went trick-or-treating on Halloween night
along with Darth Pone and a Republican.
Addie had been looking forward to this night all week although we couldn't
get to her to say trick-or-treat (or thank you as often as I would have liked).
"Go to Mady, Kylie and Ethan's house!"
"I can share!"
"I'm a dinosaur! Rawwwwwrrrr!"
"I am happy!"
Sugarly loot was scored by all. Hurrah for me!
I've already eaten all of the hot tamales and laffy taffy.
Addie ate a tootsie roll (with wrapper) and 2 lollipops on Halloween and
now we're holding the candy ransom in hopes she might, for the first time ever,
actually use on of her 2 potties we have available. I am desperately trying not
to, well, seem too desperate. No pressure, right?

After our romp around the block, we all came back to the 3 little monkeys' house to continue the party
while the kids spazzed out from sugar, then zoned out to Finding Nemo
while the adults drank beer on the front porch
and handed out the last of the candy.

I'll admit that Halloween hasn't been my favorite holiday in the past,
but getting to enjoy it again with Addie has gotten me in the spirit.
I even want to Target today to score some half-off decorations
including a "fall wreath" which I plan to spray paint black next year.

Boo!

Check out the final installment of Halloween photos from Friday night
on the left side bar.

Happy Halloween!

Meet our little carnivorous dinosaur (dragon).

Not only did Addie shred up the halloween block party last Saturday
in her costume, but she also ate (part of) her first non-tofu hot dog.

Tonight the dinosaur will strike again
and hopefully score some candy for her parents.


Happy Halloween!

Tunnel Vision

I have come to learn that I have Addie Tunnel Vision,
especially when I'm behind the camera.

A week ago Sunday, we drove an hour to the wide open spaces of the
San Fernando valley to Underwood Family Farms with three other families.
If you base our experience on the photos, you would think we went alone.
Not only are there no signs of the Clara, Jake or Petra, but you can barely tell
that half of LA was eating corn, petting goats, going on hay rides
and picking pumpkins along side us.

I guess I got eyes for you only, my little pumpkin.

Check out more photos of Just Addie on the left.

Safety First

Story Number One
I was telling Addie the story of the Three Little Pigs, a bedroom ritual that,
as I've mentioned, is usually Cap's domain. Since he's out of town,
I'm left to stumble my way through on my own. Somehow our nighttime
ritual now includes 4 books (read), 2 stories (told) and anywhere from
1-3 songs (sung of course). Addie is very familiar with the Three Little Pigs
and the Three Little Bears but Cap may tell the story slightly differently.
When my wolf blows down the house made of straw, the little piggy runs
down the street to the house made out of sticks. At that point in the story,
Addie stopped me. "No, Mama. little piggy don't run in the street. too many cars.
stop. mama and dada. (something I couldn't quite catch) . . . no crying."
Ah yes, so true Miss Safety Patrol Addie! Running into the street is not a good idea.
Now my piggy has to run down the sidewalk instead.

Story Number Two
Addie and Roman, who is maybe 6 months her younger, were playing out
front of daycare last week. Little Roman started to walk down the driveway
heading straight for the street. His mom was right there and the kid was walking
slow as molasses so there was no imminent danger, but Addie threw her arms
around his waist crying, "No Roman! Don't go into the street!"

Maybe we can get her a reflective vest and a stop sign paddle,
and she can be crossing guard for Halloween.

And since the poll is over, the winner was Red Dragon with 47% of the votes.
We found a green dragon/dinosaur costume (final classification will depend
on Addie's mood) on-line. Fingers crossed she'll wear it or maybe
I should get out the reflective tape.

(p.s. we miss you Dada!)

Daddy's Little Girl

Our routine of late is that I pick up Addie from daycare and cook her dinner
(if you can microwaving fake-chicken fingers cooking) before Cap gets home.
We paint or draw, watch tv sometimes or look for roly-poly bugs in the front yard.
But when it comes to her bedtime it's all about her Dada.

Not only am I not allowed to read to her at bedtime, but I'm actually banned from the room.
I am sometimes given clearance to cross the threshold during book time only to bring
her a refill of milk. If I do try to break the code, I'm screamed at, "Mama, You go!"
And guess where she sends me? "You go kitchen, Mama!"
Am I raising a 3-foot tall Donna Reed dictator?!
Once I got close-fist punched in the face trying to kiss her good-night.

So what is it gonna take to get back into Addie's special club?
If I learned anything in middle school about popularity, it's not to appear desparate.
"Please can Mama read you a book? Pretty please with sugar on top?"
I can't even believe I'm trying to win over my own 2-year old.
Tonight though I tried a new tactic - bribery. I painted both her fingernails
and toenails tomato red and wouln't you know it?
I was granted three books.

Tiny Tiny

What's smaller than small?
Tiny
What's smaller than tiny?
Little tiny
What's smaller than little tiny?
Little tiny tiny

Addie's got a thang for little tiny ting things.
"My have a tiny tiny pony" or
"tiny tiny pizza," or
"little tiny tiny roly-poly bug."

Kicking off the Halloween season, Addie also a few little tiny tiny pumpkins
from the pumpkin patch in Beverly Hills.
After sorting through a giant bin of pumpkins, she ended up
with one orange tiny tiny and one white tiny tiny but what she really dug was
the single cob of indian corn she picked out.

Don't worry, we'll be picking some big big pumpkins next Sunday when we head to a giant pumpkin farm.

Check out a few other photos of Addie decked out in her seasonal regalia on the left side bar.

(p.s. now she announced she wants to be a rhino for halloween.)

Happy Birthday GGV!

Great Grandma Vede turned 94 years young last week.
Addie wanted to bake her a cake.
A pink cake.
A pink cake with raspberries.
And we did.




Addie loves birthdays. Happy Birthday to Addie is a frequent song she sings
and often times ordinary toys are transformed into delicous cakes
complete with candles to blow out. Remember that toy where you
pound in the colored pegs with a mallot? Addie and I were pounding
away when suddently the pegs where candles which she blew out.
She then served wooden block cake slices to her guests.
Sometimes those same blocks are cookies or ice cream.
Addie gave me an imaginary ice cream cone so I paid her an imaginary doller.
Then she went into the living room and gave Cap an imaginery cone and the imaginary dollar.
Hey Dada! What kind of a racket are you running anyway?

Time-Out!

Our little sassafras likes to be her own boss - and the boss of everyone else.
When I ask her to climb into her car seat she tells me, "No Mama. Time-out Mama! You cry!"
Um, sorry lil' monkey but it just doesn't work that way. Still, she makes her stuffed animals
go into time-out, and the other day she yelled at a house fly that was zipping around the kitchen,
"Go a-way! Time-out Fly!"

the economy fairy

Remember the pink octopus of 2006?


and the itsy-bitsy spider from 2007? seriously. too cute.

For the past two years, we've had an unplanned, eight-legged theme.
Addie hasn't quite grasped the concept of halloween and costumes,
but this year I feel like she'll have an opinion about what she wears,
and should I select incorrectly, we'll have a 2 year old dressed
as herself. Maybe we'll call it the Terrible Twos. Cap suggested
we dress her as a dumpster baby, but we later decided she had
to be an infant for that to work.

I asked Addie this weekend what she wanted to be, and she replied "purple."
Later in the day, after I told her that Teddy was going to be a penguin and Clyde a frog,
she said "dragon. red dragon."

While she was napping on Sunday, I decided to start the hunt for dragon costumes.
"Oh, this looks like a dragon!"
"Oh, no it says it a dinosaur."
What the heck is the difference anyway?
Per Cap, dragons always have wings.
Oh.

I found a green dragon costume at Pottery Barn. For $70. Um no.
The search continues.
I was having trouble navigating one of those enormous on-line stores and ended up
looking through all 376 matches for "toddler costume." No red dragons so far,
but I did find a costume called "Toddler Economy Fairy Costume".
I think our fine nation might need a few of those!
Some other noteworthy choices for toddlers include the Barbie bride (seems wrong to me),
UPS guy, and the Cute as Can Be Rapper costume. The description read,
"Yo! Hook your toddler up with this fly rapper costume."

Escape from LA

Addie flees from gunfire in war-torn Griffith Park

or

Addie runs from misting machine in delight at Los Angeles Zoo

The After Party

Cap and I told the photographer we were channeling Falcon Crest for this shot.

Because the Emmy's are shown on prime time in LA, we attended the after party
before the show aired on TV here on the West coast. We drank sake, ate tuna snow cones
and saw almost no celebrities.
(Note to self for next year: get there late.)
(Second note to self: you are too old and have to work in the morning to get there late.)
I did get to meet the crying eyes lady from Heroes who is lovely.
She said she was an Artist.
I said I was a Fan.
All was good in the world.

Back to the Drawing Board

I was in San Francisco for 2 nights and while I was away,
Cap told me that he was watching TV
and heard a scratch, scratch, scratch.
After some investigation, he found Addie
sitting at the office desk drawing away – at 10 pm -
well after she had already gone to bed.
Lil trickster.

"I draw faces, Mama."
I hope this won't be followed by "I see dead people."
Addie told me when I got home that the figure
on the right had ponytails. Very stylish, I’m sure.
The hieroglyphics that run along the bottom
is the alphabet, which Cap said she was reciting while writing.
Question is, who's alphabet?
There is one character that sorta looks like the Omega.
Opa!

The Artist

If we leave Addie to putter around the house in search of entertainment, you'll often find her at her easel or sitting in the chair at our desk busy drawing. Of course, we might also find her in the living room begging to watch Buzz (Toy Story 2), Dalmatian Dog (101 Dalmatians) or Monster Movie (Monsters Inc.). She comfortable in most mediums - chalk, crayons, marker or paint. Ah, but it is a pen that trumps them all.

To have and to hold the precious ink is to have found paradise. Even last Christmas when Addie was 1 and a half, and we were flying to Detroit, Addie would walk the aisles and snag pens out of people's hands. One kind woman, unfortunate to have an aisle seat, let Addie draw on the backside of the carbon copies of her checks.

We have been rather disorganized keeping her drawings as most of them have been drawn on scrap paper I brought home from work -100 legal size sheets of paper with my old firm's annual budget misprinted on the reverse. I did get inspired though from spread in Sunset magazine and transformed some of Addie's drawings into graphic prints. (thanks Jamie for the photoshop lesson!) We're going to frame them and hang them up on the wall along with an assportment of photos that I'm finally going to convert from digital purgatory to print.


Now try to get the girl to play with a ball and it's as if I've asked her to eat a slug. Oh wait, she probably would eat a slug if I asked.