Once a groupie, always a groupie

Laurie Berkner stage right, Miss Penelope at the foot of the stage,
"Bob" - the new guy - stage left.

Ok - let's start with a disclaimer. It is REALLY HARD to take good footage at a kids concert.

Same was true two years ago when Penelope was two-and-a-half and we took her to her first live concert - Laurie Berkner. Now she's a seasoned concert goer and it turns out not much has changed. She may not have a pacifier in her mouth and she may have moved out of her crib but she still knows every word to every song. She still loves to dance. And, armed with a new found concert buddy (this year it was a girl known only as "Ava"), it didn't take much time before she made her way to the edge of the stage (seen above) where, not only did she hang on every note, but Laurie Berkner actually tickled her! It's a bit rough but here's a taste of our Sunday afternoon.

(Forty) Three is the Magic Number....

Yes it is...

4-year stats:

43 inches (95%)
43 pounds (90%)

Halloween 2009, the video...

PS - I've heard about issues getting this video to start. I had luck with clicking play and then dragging the play cursor ahead a few seconds to jump start it. Sorry.

Halloween 2009 x 3

Halloween 2009 was a completely different affair from previous years. Penelope not only anticipated it with great enthusiasm, but she truly enjoyed every minute of it, and so did we. We began on Friday night with a double feature showing of Charlie Brown and Nightmare Before Christmas - outdoors in East Rock park. So cool. I thought for sure we would only make it through one movie. No way! She was riveted by both movies which we enjoyed on a blanket, with pizza and friends. The weather was terrific.

Saturday morning, as if Halloween wasn't enough, she had a birthday party to attend. Pippi saved the "featured costume" for evening and went as a mermaid. Nothing better than a mermaid on a pony. It was a great prelude to the big evening's event.









So now, the moment you are waiting for. Squawk-a-sqawak! (that's toucan for trick-or-treat).



The costume, of course, was made by Penelope's Grandma Carole and it was awesome! Penelope's stamina was both impressive and improved substantially since last year. She"flew" from house to house at a brisk clip, filling her Fruit Loops box to the brim. She was well mannered and in great spirits. (Of course, it helps to be followed by an entourage of 9! Embarrassing but true).













All Toucaned out? There is video footage to come...OF COURSE! Stay Tuned. Squawk!

Halloween Countdown

Preparations are underway...

A simple feat

Early this morning Penelope eagerly woke us up. "I have something really exciting to show you in the kitchen!" We tried to muster some enthusiasm and to convince her to snuggle in next to us. "No, you really need to come see this!" I figured she drew a picture or maybe built something with her legos. She finally convinced me it was worth crawling out from underneath our warm covers. What did I find? See above. Looks normal, right? She had quietly prepared her own breakfast! Poured the cereal. Poured the milk. Got a spoon. Set it out on the table ready to go. We didn't even hear her. Wow. What's next?

Double Dip