Slappy Learns About Lord Stanley

At her first Kings game at the Staples Center downtown, where they played the Colorado Avalanche. It was not clear to Jess who was more excited about going, Dad or Maddie.

But Maddie was not the only one this was a learning experience for. After getting to their seats and settling in with Hunvey, Maddie began to look around the arena with big moon eyes. Both Dad and Mom were pleased at how cool Maddie was with the whole thing, after all she was born to be a Kings fan.

Then, the first Avalanche goal of the game, and loud boos began to echo through the arena. Jess looked down at Maddie, only to see the moon eyes, slip into the the beginning of a quickly crumpling sad face. A sad face that began to show up at regular intervals, coinciding with a loud goal or a bad call.

Jess and Maddie met back up with Sam after the end of the second period, which was spent walking around the concourse of the arena with a tired, overstimulated baby.
Things learned:
- When taking baby to Kings game - pick a weekend game that does not fall after baby normally goes to bed.
- When taking baby to arena - remember that baby does not have to be cool with all the activity and excitement, after all baby is just a baby.
- When taking baby to a hockey game - always dress in a jersey, because not only is it warm, but it also looks super cool, and lets baby regularly be referred to as "a little bruiser."

Slappy Pursues

Nothing gets Maddie more excited than a chance to spend time with Oscar, the cat. Oscar, on the other hand, is not quite as enthusiastic about the "walk" after the cat game.

Slappy Dines

This morning, Maddie and Mom headed out to Paty's for brunch with Jess. This is something the Jessi do on a regular basis, but the first time the next generation has joined them. After all, it's important to instill them with good traditions.

After watching Mom enjoy a California omelette, and herself having some butternut squash, Maddie was ready for more. More on her ear. More on her nose. More in her belly. And it was her favorite - sweet potatoes, but this time it was even better.

This bowl of sweet potatoes was custom made by Dad.

Slappy Get a Taste of San Fran

The afternoon started off with a Japanese lunch in the Castro.

Jess was excited at the thought of fresh-baked cookies for dessert. Who knew "Hot Cookie" - seen in the deep background - would not actually sell cookies but rather, underwear?

Back at the house, the cookie disappointment was forgotten in midst of stripey, little girls.

Yeah, that's how they getcha. It almost makes you forget that they get up 3 times a night (and by they, I mean Maddie - Maya, much like ELF and Smooth Andre, is also a champion sleeper.... at what age does peer pressure actually set in?)Later in the afternoon, we headed up to Kite Hill, Maddie decked out in an outfit that mixed stripes, spots, denim and Mary Jane socks, designed by Dad and Kearsley.Everyone waited in anticipation.For the Blue Angels to go flying overhead for Fleet Week.

Then another walk to the Castro, where Kearsley, after hearing of Jess' disappointing cookie loss, pointed out that eventhough Hot Cookie looked like a lingerie store from the street, it actually sold fresh cookies within. Of course, it seems so obvious now.

Laden down with Vietnamese sandwiches for dinner, Todd and Maya got a work out on the final stretch of the way home. San Francisco is so cool, and that hill is a lot steeper than it looks in this picture.

Slappy Continues On To San Fran

To meet up with her BFF, Maya, again after about 4 months of separation. Maya immediately showed Maddie that she had recently learned to walk.
By walking right over for a good smooching hello.
Later, Maddie bogarted her BFF, Maya's, high chair and Mom, Kearsley, for good times with bright toys.

Maya knows how to share though. Plus it didn't hurt that her Dad, Todd, was reading her a story over a sippy cup of milk at the time.

Slappy Heads to Palo Alto

After taking yet another plane ride, like a pro, Maddie got off in a chilly Oakland, CA.

It was a night flight, and after passing out in the car on the ride over, she immediately perked up the second she stepped foot, or rather car seat, in the Feinstein household.

There was a Carl for cuddling, while her parents had a much needed glass of wine to go with a fabulous meal, over discussions of Tyvek wedding dresses.

The evening ended with Lea giving Maddie her first piano lesson, which she enjoyed with gusto and force.

Slappy Helps

As Dad cleaned her neck, Maddie helped by cleaning her tongue.

Slappy Has Focus

Just like her Dad, when it comes to an interesting toy.

Or a green bean.

Slappy Watches the VP Debates

How is it going at work? While thrilling to be back, there are some changes to the work environment - like this door sign, for example.

After being at work and anticipating the debates all day, Mom got home to a very excited Maddie and a focused Dad (who has been attempting to work from home on his last week of this job).

Were we all slightly disappointed? You betcha. After finding that Palin wasn't immediately going down in flames and was sticking to her cue cards, Maddie quickly lost interest.

Reading a book with Dad and Lilly was much more entertaining.

Slappy Gets A Surprise

Maddie headed over to Jim Danger and Elizabeth's house for dinner and a viewing of the premiere of "Pushing Daisies." It turned out to be more than just a dinner, when Elizabeth toasted to the fact that the two of them had just gotten engaged. Hizzah!!

"Pushing Daisies" was still watched and was awesome, although the premiere was not quite as impressive as the news from earlier.

Slappy Likes Earth Tones

The subtle cream of rice cereal, the rich tone of sweet potato, and the mossy green of pureed peas. A symphony on a chin.

Slappy Is In The 2nd Day

Of the new era, and it was much better (for Mom - for Dad, it involved a grouchy baby who decided, after a day of misery, to finally drink from the bottle). When Jess got home, Maddie decided to forgo ignoring her Mom for a game of peek-a-boo instead.

Also, a congratulations to great cousins Chad and Shannon on the birth of little Charlie! Welcome, baby boy!

Slappy Enters A New Era

As Mom headed out for her first day of work on "The Amazing Mrs. Novak."

Mom did get to come home for lunch, where Maddie and Dad were enjoying each other's company. Jess returned to work, anticipating the excited reunion they would have when she got home at the end of the day. After all, when Dad gets home from work, Maddie stops everything she is doing to smile and stare happily at him for minutes on end. When Jess returned home, she quickly went into the kitchen to greet Maddie, where she was promptly and distinctly ignored. Sam described it as the, "Where the hell have you been all day?" Perhaps tomorrow?

Slappy Is The Paris Hilton of the 6th Month Set

But in a less vapid, blonde and heiress-y way.

She was, however, quite the socialite, beginning her day with brunch with Alison in Studio City (omelettes and banana nut pancakes).

Then she headed with Mom to Bud's party in Reseda. Mom and Bud go back to Season 1 of Medium, as did everyone that Maddie mingled with at that party. Maddie was impressed with Bud's home. It is filled with memorabilia from his directing, producing, stunt work, and acting from Westerns and horror flicks from 1965 on.There, she was thrilled to see Eric, Special K, and more specifically, Eric's beard.Bruce and Maddie spent time discussing the differences in their hairstyles.

Big E and Maddie spent time discussing their similarities.Diane and Toxic Bob discussed Maddie's solidness, and the fact that Toxic's baby is now heading to college (see the T-shirt?).The Wolfs showed Maddie alternative forms of head gear besides the standard sun hat.Shoe went in for a cuddle. Aaron impressed Maddie with even more beard than Eric - where does it come from?
She chilled with TV's Gerry Knight and sons, Philip and Chris, by the pool.

That party ended with something Maddie's size, a chihuahua puppy named Timmy. In a show of camaraderie, Maddie immediately grabbed for Timmy's ears, causing their new friendship to come to a quick end.

Then Maddie and Mom headed to the Tano is F***ing Old party in Hollywood. This is Tano - he doesn't seem so old, but his jug does.

Maddie began to sense this was a different type of party. Holly Rose looked nothing like the standard librarian Maddie had seen on TV.

Plus, she realized she had committed a social faux pas, as someone else was sporting a ruffle butt, just like her.Arthur and Liza Mae talked her down, convincing her that really, it's all about coordination. Either that or she got a taste of their jalapeno peppers, stuffed with cream cheese, and wrapped in bacon.

And then it was time to head to Encino for dinner with Lilly and her folks. She would also get to tell Dad all about her full day.But boy, it's hard to be a player. I'll tell Dad tomorrow.