Slappy Is Published

With her Taisie, in the Penzeys Spices Harvest 2009 Catalog. Remember that blueberry pie Taisie made for the dinner at Alison's? Her recipe was published in their catalog along with a picture of Maddie and Taisie cooking together. The story that accompanies it is about Maddie's cousin, Gwen Wren, which as far as Jess knows, is also Gwen's first time being published.

Slappy Likes Small Things and Big Things

One week ago, Maddie decided that it had been way too long since she had had her friends over. Her parents jumped on the party bus, and went and invited all of theirs for a tapas party as well. After all, small things, like many, bite-sized foods, are really the best way to enjoy a meal.

It was difficult to wait for all of the food to arrive.

Luckily, everyone soon arrived, and the older and younger set began to socialize. A bit of a different look from past tapas parties (there weren't quite as many small, plastic things accompanied by small, fast people).

Emma was most amazed by the dessert tapas.ELF enjoyed her schnoolie on mom, Aarin's lap.

Lilly and her little sister (on the inside), enjoyed cupcakes and seeing "Princess" aka mom, Marissa, all dressed up.

Edith, on the inside of Shanna, enjoyed whatever mom was having as well as pokes from dad, Tim.Maddie took her hostess role very seriously, and attempted to run after her guests, who enjoyed running up and down the hall, at regular intervals.

Meanwhile, the adult set, Aarin and Erin, were enjoying cheesy tapas, and Alex waiting on them hand and foot - or in this case, hand.

Sangria and conversation - Steve discussing with Jess, his goal to get the Steelers to the Super Bowl by impregnating his wife.

See above - with the exception that neither John, Arthur, nor Liza Mae were discussing impregnating Steve's wife.

Mind you, there were all sorts of other tapas which were enjoyed by Suzanne, Greg and the rest of us; shrimp po'boys, marshmallow and cheese rounds, wieners wrapped in homemade dough, meatballs, muffins, dips, the list goes on and on, not to mention the desserts; pound cake, fudge, cupcakes, cookies...

The paparazzi may have gotten to some, although Auntie Jamie has realized this is just the way life is these days. Jess is more used to it at brunch time at Paty's.

But luckily, many remained unfazed - Val, Arthur and Tak even seem to accept that all conversation would be documented.

By the end of the evening, there was many a tired and full stomach, as demonstrated by Alison and Brian on the couch.

But there were still cupcakes for Jess' birthday to be had.

And some news to be shared. Anyone notice something posted on the door in the first picture? It looked like a small thing, but really it is a pretty big thing.

It's a picture of the next little Kender-Page, due to make their debut on July 25th! We are so happy and excited to meet you, little one!

Slappy Cheers

For our new president, Barack Obama.

Slappy Goes To Swim Class

ELF and Maddie went to their first swimming lesson today. Lilly, an old pro, was excited to have her friends at her pool party, aka swimming lesson.

The pool is heated, so all the moms were happy. Maddie was interested but cautious at first, until she began to realize the pool is like a giant bath. ELF took in the pool much like she does everything in her world, if Mom likes it and everyone seems happy, it must be a good thing. She was even cool with water being poured over her head. Maddie appeared to have more of a "WTF, Mom" look on her face as we practiced that move. Both Maddie and Lilly enjoyed the run across the raft to Mom game; ELF is just waiting to master that move once she learns how to walk.

Slappy Wears Ward

In the final game before the Superbowl, Maddie donned a Hines Ward jersey (John is in Miller), and cheered the Steelers to their win. She also ate a lot of Steve's chili, amid many a "Feeding a baby chili!?!" comment. She, however, loved it.

Slappy Strolls

This week, for the first time, Maddie has agreed that the stroller is an acceptable form of transportation. Jess' back is very grateful.

Slappy Gets Her First Kiss

The afternoon seemed like every other Steelers watching afternoon. Lots of food, tension in the air, a selection of beers on the porch.

And then it happened. With tongue. Keep in mind, this is only a few seconds of an afternoon full of lovin'.
Tupelo, however, is not one to keep her love to just one baby, even if that baby is wearing a "I Love Wieners" bib. She spread it all around the party. Enough so that ELF's mom was forced to put an end to the very public displays of affection. I mean really, Tup, show a little self restraint.

Slappy Is Back Online

And has a lot to catch up on. Allow her to tell you.

Now, allow us to translate. Maddie was able to see friends Lilly and ELF (and little #2, who is on the inside of Marissa right now, and declined to be photographed) again. She was impressed by Lilly's gorgeous locks, and is hoping to get tips on how to get some herself.

Later, Ellie and her enjoyed some serious parallel play.

Slappy Has The Best Mom Ever

Jess left her camera cord in NJ, and it is heading cross country with various other Christmas goodies. So, instead of Maddie's usual goings-ons, and they are good - here is a little blast from the past, and a tale from yesterday. Maddie was about 1 month old in this photo.

Yesterday, out of desperation, Jess gave Maddie an old pizza box to play with while she tried to get dinner together. Soon, she realized that Maddie had grown rather quiet, and appeared to be munching on things. Those things turned out to be the old, dried leftovers from the inside of the box - think onions, green peppers, maybe a little bit of cheese. Jess cleared up all the major chunks - from the box and Maddie's mouth, but since the pizza box was proving to be such a good distraction, she left it with her and began to work on dinner again. After a bit, she began to hear some squeaking. She looked down to see Maddie running her entire hand along the floor, gathering up all of the pizza box crumbs, bringing her entire hand to her mouth, and licking it. Excellent.

Slappy Returns To La-La

And in true LA form, headed out for some exercise. Those 2 weeks of Taisie's and Mimi's home cooking aren't working themselves off. Thankfully, Auntie Jamie was there for motivation, and got Maddie and Mom off the couch and into the mountains.

Slappy Has A Sad Realization

When she woke up, she was informed we would be heading to JFK to fly back home. The trip was made slightly more palatable by the gigantic bag of homemade sandwiches and desserts from Mimi.

But it would mean that Maddie's quest to find out "What exactly goes on in that mouth?" would have to continue at a later date.
We'll finish this later, Dedo.

Slappy Gets Around

But not first thing in the morning. She stayed at home with Dad while Tanti and Mom headed out for brunch.

Things picked up in the afternoon. Uncle Ant walked her around the living room and all of her bootie. Or maybe she used her bootie to walk around the living room.She stopped by next door, where Mrs. Skarimbas walked her around her house.She headed to the McMahons, where Auntie Kerry walked her over to meet her folks. And Mrs. McMahon swept her off her feet.

Maddie was impressed and slightly dazed by the tales of her mom and Auntie Kerry spending many a summer hour in this very house, watching soap opera after soap opera (and eating saltines and drinking ice tea).

Then she returned back home to hang with the fam one more time. It was a good day.

Slappy Is Impressed By His Skills

And by his, we mean Mateo's. He first demonstrated his drawing talent on his super cool chalkboard painted right onto his bedroom wall.

Maddie and Tanti watched on as he drew boats and the letters "J" and "O."

He did think it wise to call in some backup for the task of drawing Blue and Joe from Blue's Clues.

Then he showed Maddie how to work his piano, while also counting off the numbers in English and Spanish.

But most impressive of all, and perhaps the hardest skill to master, was his sharing of the toybox. After some initial distress which Mommy calmed, Mateo began to take his favorite toys out of the toybox and place them in Maddie's lap. She was overwhelmed, perhaps by the selflessness, perhaps by the sheer volume of new toys.

Then both families headed out to a local restaurant. We were placed in the back room, aka the family room. There Maddie smiled and babbled at a fellow 9-month older, we listened to a 6-week old have a tough night, an additional toddler screamed his thoughts, a Jingle Bells card played on repeat, and we watched the 3 hip 20-somethings without reservations (and therefore in our room) consume possibly more wine than they orgininally had planned.

Slappy Misses The Theatre

And what better way is there to bring in 2009, than to let your parents leave you at home with 1 excellent uncle and 2 excellent grandparents, while they go into the theatre with Uncle Leon.

So, this is the guy who's cutting me out of my cultural education.
Uncle Leon tried to explain that Broadway did not allow children under the age of 5. Maddie cried anyway when we left.

Somehow, we managed to still enjoy the adult conversation, our favorite pre-theatre restaurant, and Boeing-Boeing without her. And besides, when we got home, Uncle Wills had tucked her in better than we had the past 3 nights - it was the first night she didn't wake up with freezing hands.

Slappy Has Another Awesome Day

And not just kind of awesome. Totally awesome.

After a Mimi waffle breakfast (waffles are fun to squish in between your fingers), we all headed over to Mateo's, Maddie's possible betrothed's, house. Mateo was wary of all of the adoration and sharing at first.But he has everything Maddie likes in a man, animal or toy - he is fast, and he is small. And after her time with Smooth Andre, the girl has no shame - she smiled, laughed and grabbed regularly in his direction.It was exhausting - a nap and a cuddle from Mommy and Papi, aka Tanti and Eddie, were needed.Then the awesomeness continued with a first meeting between Auntie MelB and Adam. Auntie MelB spent many, many hours with Maddie when she was still inside - singing Charlie Wilson, Michael McDonald and Eninem loudly with Mom to teach her rhythm, and maybe some for our own enjoyment.

Then Auntie MelB moved across the country to win awards, and they had never met face-to-face. They both agreed that they were even cuter in person than all the pictures they had been shown.