Lots to report

Well I haven't had a chance to post in a few weeks. It has been a pretty fabulous few weeks though! Two weekends ago Patrick, Evie, my Dad and I all went to the Blues Festival in Reid Park. Evie and Patrick really cut a rug on the little dance floor in front of the stage! Then afterward Evie went on a makeshift train ride... nothing quite like an entrepreneur. (It made Patrick a bit nervous so he felt the need to pretty much follow the train around the playground)




Then last weekend I went to Chicago and then Madison for my friend Lara's wedding (no pictures though, I couldn't find my lens cap so I didn't bring my camera). Evie was a little sad to see me go so I cheered her up with a cowgirl shirt... she then proceeded to snag my hat that I was going to wear and it all turned out too cute to not take a picture. While I was gone Patrick and Evie had a blast and did all sorts of things like a football game, a second trip to valley of the moon (a funky little Tucson thing), the zoo and more than one outing for bagels. I missed them all weekend but I think they had more fun without me :)


This week I took another day off because my good friend Dorigen was in town for a conference and decided to stay an extra day to hang with the Lacroix household. In the morning I took her to a few of my favorite spots and then in the afternoon Evie took her to her favorite spot (the large playground at Reid Park). Evie absolutely loved Dorigen and has not stopped talking about her since we left... she is trying to get us to commit to a trip to DC just so she can see her again.

Of course the most exciting event of the month is looming this weekend... I'm bringing my camera for that, lens cap or no!

Ahhh Fall

For the past five days we have been up at the cabin on the Blue (three cheers for random holidays celebrating questionable conquests that only state employees get off) It has certainly cooled down here in Tucson, but in the mountains it is downright chilly! All the leaves are changing color and that wonderful crisp nip was ever present. We didn't do too much hiking around, as Patrick is still sporting a sprained ankle, but that didn't stop us from a drive and picnic up on Escudilla and general frolic on the Blue.


Because we weren't going for any family treks, I decided to make a puppet theater for Evie that I saw in a magazine my mom had up at the cabin. I forgot how much I like sewing until I got into this project, which, because it has been years since I have truly taken needle to cloth took me probably twice as long as it would for the normal human. I think it turned out OK though and Evie (and Patrick) seem to think that it is a lot of fun. We didn't have any puppets at the cabin so I turned an old sock into a snake. We quickly realized that at Evie's level of puppetry stuffed animals are really just as good (if not better than) your traditional hand-operated devices, so we quickly had quite the menagerie of characters for Evie's shows. The pictures here feature snake and moose but there was also horse, strange kewpie doll (that we bought for a dollar at the Alpine thrift store) and bear.


Unfortunately Sunday night and all day Monday were spent cuddling poor sick Evie (another minor preschool plague, she is already feeling better) Her sickness, of course, now has Patrick and my parents down for the count and I am just sitting here waiting for it to take me too. Somehow I always seem to be the last one to fall... as I went to bed last night I took a few big breaths through my (unplugged) nose and a nice big swallow with my (un-scratchy) throat, just so I could remember what it all feels like when I eventually get sick. I'll do the same tonight, maybe adding a little prayer to the all merciful deity that occasionally spares parents of their children's viruses.

Oktoberfest

Last Sunday we decided on a whim to go out to the Oktoberfest at Reid Park after Evie's nap. It was great fun! The highlights of the outing (aside from the beer for Patrick and I of course) was Evie getting her face painted for the first time and Evie the polka dancer.

When we first arrived I saw the face painting and thought it might be an interesting experiment... As it turned out Evie got really into it and sat still for, I kid you not, 10 minutes while a rather elaborate frog was painted on her cheek. I think it felt a little funny to her because when I tried to take pictures of her she kept making this funny droopy smile (see photos above). Good thing it was a cheap thrill because about 10 minutes later she dug into some roasted corn and the poor froggie lost his front arms and most of his mouth. Next time we'll have to stick to the strictly cheeky butterflies and the like.

Face painting was fun and all but the real excitement took place post corn when Evie made her way to the dancing stage and the live Polka band started oompah-pahing. She was so funny. When we turn on music to dance at home she insists that we hold her hands and dance with her. But here, perhaps because there was a real audience and stage, she wanted nothing to do with us, and even got quite distraught if we so much as stepped on the stage. Luckily it was a small crowd with many a grandparent so her "show" was tolerated and even encouraged. She even made a friend, a four year old, who was quite the experienced dancer herself. As it turned out she was more than happy to take Evie under her wing and help her learn the Polkaing ropes.


Her propensity for quick (not to mention hilarious) moves on the dance floor are going to force me to hone my skills in the action-shot department. Given that I am a novice at such photography I am afraid I was unable to capture some of the most amusing antics... Maybe next time there is a Polka band I'll bring my video camera (now wouldn't that be a treat!)

Evie at 2.5

Name: GenevieveMarieLacroix (this is what she says if you ask her what her name is... it comes out as one big blur and always causes a quizzical look from the questioner)
Age: 2 and 1/2 (although if you ask her how old she is she will say 2 months)
Favorite color: Green
Favorite toy: Lego duplos
Lovey: Blankie Sweater (this is any of three sweaters she has acquired over the past six months)
Favorite activities: Dancing and preforming of any kind and playing in water (especially if it involves the bathroom sink)
Favorite pet: Oliver (or Ollie-olle-O as she calls him. This is the cat Oliver not to be confused with the two new chickens also named Oliver)
When asked what her favorite song was: "Songs about kitties - Kitties all around the world come here to my house" (This isn't one I've heard before but when she sang it I must admit it was pretty catchy) She later told me her favorite song was Alloutte.
Favorite thing to wear: Skirts, especially those that spin nicely
Favorite foods: pasta, blueberries and pita
Favorite books: One Kitten for Kim, Madeline (all of them) and Clifford (all of them)
What does she want to be when she grows up: "A horse... eeheeheehee"
Vices: Chewing on things (like blankie sweater, ribbons and really anything made of cloth), staying up past 8 pm and ice cream.
Nighttime routine: Three (or so) books in Mom and Dad's bed, teeth brushing, one more story (of the fairy tale sort) told in her bed when she is all tucked in and then Mary Poppins lullabies with a round of mbube thrown in for good measure. (These stay on repeat for about 15 minutes hour after she goes to bed, I just checked the play count on them...777 times)
Overheard:
Kelly-Evie close your eyes and go to sleep. Evie-Mommy I can't close my eyes because then I won't be able to see.
With regard to the moon behind the clouds: "Mommy, maybe the moon is playing peek-a-boo?"
When told she cannot jump on the bed after dinner (this is in an often futile atempt to get her to calm down before bed) "But, Daddy, I need exercise!"