Why I Oughta...

Well, well, well.  Look at what arrived in the mail yesterday:  the logistical details for the Babe's upcoming trip to "Mickey's House".  Can't wait to make even more memories with her and Nat (and just about my entire family).

On a trip to Menards this morning, we came across this softball mitt and between the Babe's delight and the rock-bottom price, we couldn't leave the store without it in hand. Sure, I'd prefer a less gender-specific color, but the upside is that we're now one step closer to the day when the Babe asks me to take her out in the backyard and have a catch.  Now, that'll be the day.  Can't wait!

Couldn't imagine another way to ring in the new year than with ice cream sundaes and my favorite people.

The Babe came out the big winner on our recent trip to the Antique Mall in Coloma.  She scored herself a vintage Wonder Walk-R-Ride Horse for all of $8.60.  Based on some searches on the web, these things go anywhere from $15 all the way up to more than $100 - based on the condition and age. I'm guessing that this thing is the exact same as the one touted here as "from the 1950's" and selling for $75.  Pretty good deal if that's the case. We didn't go home empty handed, though.  I picked up a few vintage Christmas smalls - that I love.

I crushed last year's total of a mere $19.60 in the change jar that I keep on my desk.  The biggest difference was that this year I stuck a bunch of cash in the jar from time-to-time.  I deposit all of the change into The Babe's savings account, so this year I stuck the few Double Sawbucks that she received for her birthday and Christmas in the jar along with the change.   With 3 data points, we can start to make some interesting assumptions on the data. 2011:  $181.15 2010:  $19.60 2009:  $53.51 The cash is the biggest differentiator this year, and looking at the deposit slip, it accounted for $130 of the $181.15 total - which leaves me with $51.15 of coins and puts me right in line with 2009's total.  The 2010 total seems low by comparison.

'Tis the season to get my Lionel Train out and set up in the basement.  This year, the Babe was a bit interested in it - which made it a lot of fun.  I shot that video with my phone yesterday with just a few cars attached.  I'll keep it out for a few days then back it goes into storage until next Christmas season.

The Babe was all geeked up to see Santa when we were waiting in line. But, alas, stage freight set in and she wailed when it was her turn to get on his lap.

With the Babe getting up to 2 years old soon, this is going to be her 3rd Christmas.  But, this is the first time she has the interest/patience/dexterity to have an advent calendar.  This one (above) is one from Trader Joe's and has little chocolates in it.  Nat would hate it if I didn't tell you guys that we actually have a really nice permanent Advent Calendar (from some place like the Pottery Barn or the link), but we're focusing this morning on this one - because it can't be broken. This morning, the Babe opened up the first door and the proceeded to say "more".  She doesn't quite get that it is one door per day.  Give it a few days and I bet she picks it up quickly and starts to remind us if we didn't give her the chance to open the door in the morning.  Chocolate is powerful stuff.

The Babe really loved the turf but was spooked a bit by all the people and commotion at the Illini game this past weekend. She wasn't the only one who had a great time!

Tomorrow, the Babe's "Aunt Cici" is getting married and guess who's going to be the flower girl?  Here she is all dressed up at the rehearsal in a brand-new dress that her Grammy made for her.

The Babe went to her first art class this am.  She came home with this.  She was very proud of herself. I think we have the next Picasso or Rembrandt on our hands!  Even though I'd want her to be a computer scientist!?!?

Costco may have beat them to the punch, but the fine folks at my favorite store - Menards - are hard to top when it comes to Christmas setups.  I took the Babe there this weekend and while most of the Halloween stuff isn't even on sale, they've already set up a bunch of their enchanted forest.  They have a ton of blowmolds and I may have even picked up something for our yard this season! 

I took the liberty of introducing the Babe to one of my very favorite Autumn treats:  Trader Joe's Maple Cookies.  Sure...they have them for sale (now) all year around, but let's be honest:  they taste best when the air is crisp and the leaves are turning color.  The calendar may still say August, but my mind is already on fall:  football, pumpkins, and the early on-set of Christmas Creep.  Oh...and yes.  She *is* in the cart at TJ's while she's eating this.  I think between the two of us, we pounded through an entire 'row' of these babies while we were waiting for Nat to fill the cart with the various groceries. 

It was just one year ago that I posted this photo of the Babe up in Michigan .  At the time, she was indulging in her first meal of *real* food. Take a look at what just one year of growth will do for you.  Still in the same high chair.   Barely.  And....look at that hair?!? Couldn't imagine the last year without her in our lives.

Long words are tough for her.

Last night, Nat and I dropped the Babe off at her folks house (Thanks Grammy and Granddad!) and went downtown to knock a pizza place off our the top 25 list (watch for a post on that later) and to see a stand-up show that was part of the TBS Just for Laughs Comedy Festival - which takes place across a bunch of clubs in Chicago.  The Just for Laughs folks got started up in Canada - which is (in my mind) the second best place for comedy behind Chicago.  They started this festival in Chicago - a companion to their one in Montreal - a few years back.  Nat and I have talked about going each year, but something always came up.  This year, we took the plunge and bought tickets.  As we walked out, we both noted that we should try to get to even more than one show next year.  This is a great thing for the city and based on the fact that a lot of the shows were sold out, it is well supported.  The headliners are Martin Short and Steve Martin who are playing on Sunday so they were able to ge

You bet we are.

Another year, another great Petruck party.  This time The Babe brought her own chair. 

The Babe is clearly an "outside-the-lines" thinker, right?  She colored it all by herself. Here's to the most wonderful woman in the world.  Hope it is a good day, Nat!

Guess who's getting her Chromercise in this morning?  Who knew they'd make such great baby wristbands?!?