Falling into November

November has been welcome normalcy from the storm known as October. Mom and I have had the time to do some of our old favorites, and I even got a whole weekend with just Daddy. This is a much needed break before the craziness that comes with the holiday season.

Last Tuesday presented the opportunity to hangout at the park with some of my good playgroup pals. We enjoyed beautiful fall weather all last week, so Mrs. Alisha, Tyler, Mrs. Laura, Madden, Mom, and I headed to a park in Cumming, which was new to me. It's a really big park with several separate play areas. I always have a great time hanging out with my old buds, but I am also quite the social butterfly, and I made friends with two older boys whom I followed around the park until they had to leave. They called me baby, but it was in a "Baby, follow us; Baby, come here; Baby, let me help you" way, so I didn't mind. I felt pretty cool hanging out with the older kids, and of course, I have no fear, so Mom had to catch me a couple of times as I attempted to jump, climb, and copy anything they did. I love meeting new people, or at least, I love meeting other kids, and I am always the first to wave at or talk to anyone even close to my age; in fact, I have ended up intimidating a few, but most kids become my fast friends. Madden and Tyler stuck together most of the time - they are best friends, just like Lucas and me. They ate a long lunch, played on the slides, and spun on the tire. The best thing in the world is a great best friend, so I'm glad they've got each other. I refused to sit down for more than a couple of minutes; lunch just isn't my thing, especially when I am on the go, but I did enjoy the swings thoroughly for the first time. I ended up eating a little car-friendly lunch on the way home; I totally know how to work the system. It was such a beautiful and fun day! Yay for parks!



































On Wednesday, Lucas and I headed to the Sharon Forks Library for a Thanksgiving Wee Read with Mrs. Andrea. This time, the books were all about Thanksgiving and food. Like always, we sang a few songs, did the Turkey Hokey Pokey, and played a couple of games, but unlike previous Wee Reads, this one included a real puppet show. I was terrified of the turkey puppet and insisted on sitting in Mom's lap while repeating, "No Turkey" over and over. I did warm up to the puppets by the second puppet show; however, I refused to leave Mom's lap during the performances. Turkeys make some scary noises! Lucas and I were better this time; although, we were still wild; I guess crazy is here to stay. Dirty Mom used threats of the turkey to keep me in line; is that even allowed in the rules of good parenting? We did get to meet the puppets at the end of the Wee Read, and they weren't half as intimidating when they weren't talking. After storytime, Lucas and I played with the kids' computers and picked out new books to take home. Lucas also showed me where the DVDs were, so I got to bring home a new Thomas the Train movie. I can name almost every Thomas the Train character, and I have started freaking out and talking, or shouting, at the TV whenever they get into trouble. No one is as cool as Thomas though. The library is quickly becoming one of my favorite places. In fact, when Mom and I were driving to lunch the other day, I wanted Mom to turn at the light to head towards the library, and when she went straight instead, I had a 20-minute meltdown. "Turn that way, Mommy!" Bossy but well-read works for me. I am very much looking forward to the Train Wee Read that is coming up, and I have become a big proponent of checking out your local library.

The lunch towards which we were headed last week when I had my "turn that way" meltdown was lunch with baby Madelyn and Mrs. Steph Molletta. Madelyn is getting so big, and she looks just like her Daddy. She slept while Mrs. Steph, Mommy, and I ate our lunches. I kept throwing my crayons on the floor so that the gentleman beside us would pick them up; I love to embarrass Mommy. Mrs. Steph got a cookie for us to share when we were done; she is a girl after my own heart. Then Madelyn woke up, and I entertained her while Mommy and Mrs. Steph finished their visit. Her car seat toy kept us both occupied, and I practically climbed in with her. I even gave her a couple of gentle kisses; I've pretty much got this baby thing down at this point. After lunch, Mom and I headed to the mall where Mommy and I had a race in H&M; I'm sure they loved that, but Mommy forgot the stroller, so she had to keep me entertained. Sorry, H&M, it was either that or tear all of your clothes off of the hangers. The terrible two's...

Last week also included a trip to Pearle Vision where Aunt Mallory and the Optometrist checked Mommy's eyes before Mrs. Lauren helped Mommy pick out new glasses. I was a little freaked out when the doctor looked at Mommy's eyes, and I kept repeating, "All done check eyes"; someone has got to protect Mommy. Mrs. Lauren was super sweet and let me help her enter Mommy's prescription and the information for the two pairs of glasses that we picked; she pointed to each key that I needed to press, and I paid close attention and typed in all of the correct info. In return, I promised her an appearance on the blog; that is quite an exchange if you ask me. It was fun meeting everyone in Aunt Mal's work, and considering I was in there for an hour and a half, I think that I was pretty good. It is amazing what crayons, a computer, and M&M's can do in the way of entertainment. We took Aunt Mal and Mrs. Lauren to lunch to thank them for their help while Mommy's new glasses were being prepared. It definitely pays to have an Aunt who works at Pearle Vision; I just hope I don't need glasses for a very long time. I asked Mommy everyday for the next several days if she was going to get her eyes checked again. It was definitely a new experience. Thank you, Mrs. Lauren and Aunt Mal, for the deal and for keeping me entertained!

Mommy may have gotten new glasses last week, but I got something way cooler: my very own booster seat. No more high chair for this big girl! I get to eat at the big table with Daddy and Mommy now. I felt so cool during my first dinner at the big table that I just kept grinning from ear to ear. Grandma happened to stop by to drop off some things during the big event, and she got to see my newest initiation into the world of a big girl Who sits at the big table? I sit at the big table - Woot! Woot! By the way, I have also been using the big girl potty on my own several times a day. The booster seat has also offered hours of non-eating entertainment due to the seat belt. It's the small things in life that I cherish.

I haven't seen my cousin Harper in over a week, and I am starting to go through Harper withdrawal. Mommy got to see her though, and she brought me a picture to hold me over. Harper just turned 8 weeks old! She is growing up so fast. At her 2-month doctor's visit, everything checked out perfectly, as if there were any doubts, and she measured in approximately the 25% for height and the 65% for weight. She's perfect! Hopefully, she will be coming up to visit me sometime this week. Miss you, baby Harper.

So, this past weekend was a first for all in the Kendig fam. Mom went away, out of state, without me for the very first time, and Daddy and I got to spend the whole weekend just the two of us. I did try to stow away in Mommy's suitcase while she was trying to pack; a girl has got to try and get away when she can. Ya gotta love the new eyes-closed smile. Mommy went to visit her best friend and my Godmom, Kate, and Kate's boyfriend JP in Lafayette, Louisiana. Ms. Kate moved there for a job a year and a half ago, and Mommy hadn't seen her since, which is the longest they have gone since elementary school, so Mom was super excited. Mommy definitely had an awesome time and came back with lots of pictures and stories of Cajun Music, the famous Zydeco breakfast at Cafe des Amis, Bon Soir Catin, nice dinners, alligators, an Art Walk, free concerts, and so much more. I, however, wasn't really interested in her stories, for as soon as she walked in the door, I started chanting, "Present, present!" I'm no dummy; I knew she would bring me back something. Mommy wants to send out a big thank you to Mrs. Kate and Mr. JP for showing her such a great time; I know that she has missed you terribly, Godmom. While Mom was enjoying her weekend away, Daddy and I kept ourselves busy with a trip to the dam and some GA Tech football at Taco Mac. I threw Daddy right into the trenches while he was cooking dinner not even an hour after Mommy left. He took his eyes off of me for more than a minute, and I returned sans clothes and sans diaper with poop all over my butt. Daddy had a bit of heart attack when he couldn't find the poop at first, but it seems that I had gone in the potty all on my own; at least, we hope that is where it all went. That was lesson #1, Daddy; you have to watch me like a hawk. Grandma even headed up on Saturday night and spent all day Sunday with me. Although there were doubts, we made it through the weekend unscathed. Daddy says that I did not throw any fits, but I don't think Mommy believes it; Daddy gives me whatever I want though, so there is no need for a fit. Thank you, Daddy, for watching me and for letting Mommy get away for a couple of days.

Mommy's return on Sunday led to a cookie baking session since Dad and I didn't use the cookie dough while she was away. I'm like Mom in the respect that I really just want to eat the cookie dough: Only about 2/3 of the cookies actually made it into the oven. I know, people, I know; raw eggs are bad, but cookie dough is so good. It is one of the world's great injustices. While the cookies were baking, I got to wash the dishes. I am such a good helper. Don't worry, no child labor laws were broken. While I was scrubbing them clean, I made up my own dish washing song and started singing it very loudly. I even manage to entertain during the most mundane of chores. "Washing the dishes, washing the dishes..."

I am both excited and sad to say that Grandma's house is totally gone, and the crazy move is over until she finds a new place. Right now, she is staying with us on the weekends, which makes every weekend a sleepover. I'm excited! This past weekend, Grandma and I had a great time running errands, during which I got to ride a tricycle around Wal-mart and pick up a new roll of paper for my easel. Grandma and I read the newspaper and a few of my library books before she headed down to Atlanta for Mrs. Sharon's birthday. I can't wait to see Grandma again this weekend. Happy Birthday, Mrs. Sharon; we love you and hope you had an amazing one!

Speaking of visits from the fam, Aunt Mal, Mr. Chris, and, of course, Baxter came for dinner last night since Mommy was making a big pot roast. I think I was most excited about seeing Mr. Chris, and he proceeded to chase me around the house, play catch with me, and let me mess with his labret piercing, which is crazy; he has an earring in his chin! I also got a couple of kisses from Baxter, to which I said, "I love you, Baxter". Aunt Mal won me over by letting me sit on her lap while we watched the Thomas movie. Yes, we all watched Thomas and liked it, darn it! Don't try and deny it, Mr. Chris. They were both impressed with my new seat at the big table, and I kept everyone thoroughly entertained by singing my ABC's and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" very loudly; I was mainly trying to impress Chris, and I kept looking over to gauge his reaction. I'm such a flirt! Thanks for stopping by Aunt Mal and Mr. Chris; you made my Monday night. Have fun in Orlando and Miami this week; we'll miss you at Thanksgiving though. *sad face*

So, I always tell you all about my favorite Publix peeps, so here are a few short videos to give you a peek at how a typical Monday shopping trip starts with Mrs. Suzana, who lets me pick my balloon, and Mrs. Meg, who brings me a cookie. This doesn't even include Brian in the deli, who gives me bock-bock and ham; Mr Francisco in produce, who cuts up fresh fruit for me and pretends to steal my balloon; Mrs. Peggy, who gives me quarters because I told her "I love money"; Mrs. Rebecca and Mrs. Pam in the Pharamacy, who give me stickers and laugh at all of my craziness; Mrs. Chloe at the checkout, who lets me give her the coupons and showers me with more stickers, and all of the other great Publix people who make grocery shopping one of my favorite weekly activities. As Mrs. Suzana says, "I'm their special girl", and Mrs. Suzana is my special friend. As Publix's special girl, I entertained all of the employees and guests with a very loud, and continuous, rendetion of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" all throughout the store this week. I also yelled at Mom to "come back here" when she walked down the aisle to get an item; the lady in the aisle with us thought that was pretty funny and told Mommy that she was in trouble, but everyone says that nowadays. Whatever could they mean? "I love grocery shopping!"

Speaking of Publix, last week, my balloon tragically flew away. It was funny at first but then not so much. Mommy has decided that balloons have to stay inside the car from now on. I talked about this balloon incident incessantly for days afterwards.

I am becoming quite the photgrapher. I spent a large portion of my morning walking around finding perfect shots. I am very serious about my photography too. I contemplate how each picture will come out and go from room to room looking for the most interesting subjects; sometimes, I even grab an object and hold it out to capture it just right. Just don't try to take the camera away from me when I am in the middle of a session; even if, I have changed the camera setting to video on accident. You cannot interrupt creative genius.

It is time for a little "Shakeable You" by The [Imagination] Movers; all I wanna do is dance...and jump:

You don't have to say it; I know that I am adorable.

I probably won't get another blog out until after Thanksgiving, so I hope that everyone has a wonderful and filling Turkey Day, but watch out because that turkey can be quite a scary creature. Trust me!