Baking with the Princess

With the 4th just a few days away I asked the Princess over to help me bake some cookies. She's always ready to pitch in, what a gal!

Update: the cookies were a spectacular hit.

Christmas Guest Chef

After assisting our guest chef in the kitchen it's all I can do to post a link to the food blog. Visit Peanut Butter Etouffee for a special treat.

Thanks for the memories

Our dinner with my sister and bro-in-law might be the last until Christmas. They'll be busy at their assignment, hawking pine trees in Valencia. We did laugh at the stories they told about last years gig. Anytime you work with the public you will be challenged and selling Christmas trees is no different.

Our time together has been fun and we've laugh and ate and cooked together. Shared a sad time, the passing of their dear Buddy-cat, and had fun with friends. Our Thanksgiving was small but delightful last Sunday with big and lil bird and Doodles and Mr Doodles. How can something so simple as cooking a meal be filled with so many wonderful memories?

Doodle and I watched the princess for a few hours while her mom went to the beauty parlor. Just using that phrase dates me much older than I am but my grandmother used that term. She also called a women of less than adequate morals a "strumpet" so I have a useless albeit colorful antiquated vocabulary floating around in my brain.

Most times the princess is a tiny mass of near two-year-old energy but when she can "color" she sits quietly for a long time. We sat at the kitchen table with her while she, with her crayons, drew in her color books. What I did find interesting is she knew the difference between a ball and a circle. At this age you can almost see them learn and being with her reminds me so of my own sweet daughter.

The past few months have been good times to remember for a long while.

Wait a minute …

… wasn't she just a baby? What happened?

A royal visit

The Princess came to visit last night. She brought her royal entourage and was very pleased with her new ball and bubbles. Most of dinner was to her liking except for the carrots. We look forward to seeing her visit us again.

Princess Pooh?

Cleverly disguised as Winnie the Pooh, our princess paid us a visit Halloween night. She was not real sure about all this and had just woke up from a nap, to boot.

She did eventually get happier but I'd love to know what was going through that little brain when we took her to the neighbors house complete with scary music and flashing lights. She never lost sight of mom and dad but really scrutinized all the decorations and people in costumes.

We loved Mommy and Daddy for bringing her by to show off her costume.

After they left we had a stream of little, and not so little, trick or treaters come to our door. One tyke, so adorable I had to comment on his costume, left the door yelling, "Hey, her liked my dinosaur and look what she gave me!" I'm always so pleased when the kids say thanks and most this year said, Happy Halloween.

Her had a good time, too.

We're ready for our close-up, Mr DeMille

The Princess and her entourage and lil' Ethan and his fellow Bruins finally met. The arranged meeting took place on Saturday and the Pumpkin Patch never had so many photographers. There were pumpkins of all sizes, hay, and a few snacks. All in all everyone had a fine time. Thanks to the managers of the Patch, my sister and brother-outlaw, Mr and Mrs Doodles. Check their site for more snaps of the kiddies.

Next year there will be at least one additional tot. Princess' Auntie is with child and should add to the family in April. Seeing how big she is at five months we figure, boy or girl, the baby will be 24 inches at birth.

Obey the Princess!

Our little princess is now six months old. Where does the time go? This is my favorite snap of her right now. Oh, there are others that show her darling smile but this one, I believe, will foreshadow her personality. She's inquisitive and serious at times and I can't wait until she starts giving us orders.

In this snap she's wearing some new shoes she wants us all to adore. We will, princes, we will obey.

Lady-in-waiting to the Princess

On this non-productive day you actually couldn't say I did nothing but I wasn't very productive. Now, ask me if I care; nope. I princess-sat with our little darling. This happens from time to time to even the most organized. A last minute change in the babysitting lineup and I was home. Glad to do it.

Now if you listen to the video you might think it's just gas, but look closely, the princess is givin' you the raspberry. Not bad for under four months.

We did find out something about this grandma, she is seriously challenged in doing the diaper change. No, I don't mind the stinky kind I just have trouble getting these new ones, with the tabs, on correctly. I laughed at the thought of doing the cloth diaper and pins as I did for my daughter. Then there was that little bit about her laying on the tail of her undershirt and then that needed to be changed. We made it through the day with only a few costume changes.

We played and talked and watched a little TV; she seems to like Don Imus which is odd, not many do. Our lunch menu was limited her a bottle; me some crackers and then, the stress of modern day life being what it is, she was off to nap. The only thing we didn't get to do was take our walk. Ah, well, next time.

Be prepared for ...

Unbearable Cuteness!

I know, all babies are cute but our little princess is monopolizing the cute here in the blog-o-sphere.

Let the fun begin!

Is this the sweetest baby you've ever seen?

Our darling friends have a precious baby girl. She has a name but for now I'll call her "Princess". They are the happiest parents right about now, though probably not sleeping much.

Do enjoy kids; this is the best of times.