A leg up

For a kid who laid around doing pretty much nothing for the few months of her life, my little sister has certainly been busy at work this month with important "firsts."

It started on October 4th, when she discovered that getting up on your knees opens up a whole new level of playing opportunities...literally! October 23, she upped the ante when she pulled herself all the way up onto her feet. And then, as if two milestones weren't enough for the month, she signed "more" when the yogurt-drop supply ran low this morning at breakfast. At this rate, she should be penning her first novel by the time the year is done.

In order to remain competitive, I am studying a book on Mandarin under my covers with a flashlight every night after light's out.

Fall

A couple of weeks ago, Rowan took one or two ginger steps behind the infamous Duckie Walker. It's one week later, though, and the only thing falling down around here are the leaves. But if there's one thing we sisters like, it's the autumn leaves...oh, and wearing animal-themed head gear. We like that, too.

Me - Fall 2007

Rowan - Fall 2009

And a few more photos from Rowan's autumn-themed wagon ride with mom yesterday...

PR

Just like our mama, only moments after the bus overturned, Rowan was at the scene to assess the situation and prepare the holding statement for media.

Rowan was both shocked and saddened by the incident.

Whoever said percussion instruments were easy...

...clearly didn't have chubby fingers.

And after deciding that perhaps her future is not in music after all, Rowan opted to win her audience over with charm alone. And by charm, we mean her fake scream, spit bubbles and adorable wave. Rock on, Rowan. Rock on.

No more Mary's not so merry

Ever since we moved into our new house last year, my friend Mary's been coming over to play with me. I know I'm her best friend because she comes over to play with me A LOT! But mom tells me that she has to go to school every day now, which means our chalk art, trips to park and romps around the house can only happen every now and then. We're pretty sad about it.

Here's Mary teaching me how to cook last year (turns out I don't have very many pictures of the two of us)

So mom's been trying to find a "part-time nanny." I don't know quite what that is, but it requires her to read the computer a lot, go out to Panera to meet people and drink lattes, and grumble things under her breath every now and again. She's been doing this for well over a month now.

The other day, though, I made the case for why I should get the position. Go ahead. Tell me I'm not good with babies.

Pinch me

So you know that dream where you're a little kid and you go to the amusement park and there's nobody there but you? And a park employee follows you around to turn on the rides as you want to ride them because there's nobody there but you? And you get to pick your seat on every ride, because...well...there's nobody there but you? And then you pinch yourself, but you don't wake up because you're not dreaming??

Well, that was my first trip to Didier Farms.

Grandma and Popi came to visit me last month and after nap on an overcast Tuesday, we decided to hit the pumpkin patch. To say we were the only ones with that idea would not be an understatement. And because I have no fear when it comes to amusement park rides, I went on every ride (the ferris wheel twice)! And although I went on multiple rides that spun me in circles until I couldn't see straight, it was only the chocolate-covered Rice Krispie treat pumpkin that I ate after dinner later that night that made me yack. Go figure.