Slappy Has A Special Sunday

While she enjoyed the LA Times, it does come every Sunday.

Watching chickens at the Farmer's Market (the chickens are for petting, not eating) was exciting, but she had seen them before.

Being at the Farmer's Market with her Mimi - now that makes a Sunday very special.

And after the Market things got even better. Jess, Maddie and Mimi headed to a Mexican lunch, where Maddie got the thrill of sharing her meal with her obliging Mimi. That's love - sharing food from grubby, sticky, little fingers in exchange for a big smile.

Slappy Is A Focused Walker

About 2 weeks ago, Maddie decided she no longer needed walking training wheels, i.e. a finger to grab onto. In the last 2 weeks, her confidence has taken off, and she now gives herself, easily, a 20' radius apart from her folks. The learning has not come without it's price - cuts on the chin and nose, bruises on the forehead, busted fingertips, etc. - but both her parents and herself are very pleased.

Slappy Rides

First in her stroller, with her posse at the Farmer's Market.

Then, for the first time, in her forward facing, child car seat. There, Maddie learned that it is much harder to fall asleep in the car when your head is flopping all over. Somehow, she still managed.

Slappy Goes To The Circus

This morning Sam and Jess headed off with some trepidation to the Shrine Circus. Greg, their animal trainer friend, had gotten them and the Findleys, seats 4 rows back from the stage - and while excited, they were worried that Maddie might either be just old enough to enjoy the show, or alternatively, would get terribly bored and cranky, making the entire event short and unpleasant.Greg met us backstage by his lions, and led us onto the stage and into our seats.

We got the mandatory circus popcorn (salty!), and wondered what would happen once the show began.

We need not have worried. Both girls were amazed, and when the show ran slow (clowns = boring), the power of other kids took over, and the girls watched the audience excitedly.

There's Greg - to the right of the lion cage, kneeling down. The lions and the ponies were Maddie's 2 favorite acts. She also enjoyed the loud techno that accompanied some of the others.

How did we know she enjoyed herself? Here she is watching the ponies (you may pick up on the Dallas theme song in the background) - every time she got excited, which was about every other minute, she would swing her arms excitedly in the air. For Sam and Jess, watching her excitement was their favorite part, followed by the lions and the motorcycle ball of doom.

So as not to push our luck, we took our little Shiners out at intermission. After an hour and a half of circus, they were both still happy and awake.

Slappy Visits The Royal Palace Cont.

These are from Sam's camera, and too good not to post.

This is Jess' new favorite photo.

Slappy Visits The Royal Palace

This may look like any old day spent munching in Steve and Marissa's backyard.

Any warm Spring afternoon,

Spent enjoying mimosas and conversation.

But it was so much more. It was Lilly's 3rd Birthday Princess Party, and Cinderella herself was in attendance. She amazed all of the kids with her balloon creations, face painting, and story telling. She amazed all the adults with her ability to keep all of the kids en rapt and in one place.

3 hours later, the Kender-Page returned home to crash from the sugar rush and excitement. Lilly, on the other hand, was heard to have remained active for hours after her Princess Party, in a way only a new 3-year old with a 9-months pregnant mom, can.
(Jess is 26 weeks pregnant).

Slappy Has A New Hat

Just in time for playground weather.