Halloween with Clara Lee!

Abby-gail,

Surprise- It's Ash Ash again! Last weekend, we had some fall festivities planned here, and we weren't about to let our little Abigail miss out! So, we worked it out with Mommy and Daddy to let you come for the weekend. Mimi left work on Thursday afternoon and met your mommy halfway to pick you up. As soon as you and Mimi got back in town, y'all picked Clara Lee up and went to our house to play until I got off work. I had to work late, so by the time I got home Mimi had you and Nanner fed and bathed. All it took was one look around my house to tell y'all had a good time playing that afternoon! You were in your jammies and cute as can be when I got there. I couldn't wait to hear you say the Pledge of Allegiance, but you weren't as excited as I was about saying it. You were much too busy playing and running around. You and Mimi didn't stay long after I got home since it was so close to bedtime, but you did finally recite the pledge for me before you left. And boy was I impressed! Clara Lee must have been too because she walked around saying "I pwedge aweegence" the rest of the night!

Since Mimi had to work the next day, we arranged for you to go with Clara Lee to Mrs. Lisa's, her babysitter. Clara Lee was so excited about you going to Mrs. Lisa's with her. She asked me every morning that week, "Abby, Mrs. Lisa's?" I thought you might be a little nervous going to Mrs. Lisa's so Clara Lee and I made sure to meet you and Mimi there at the same time. I got so tickled when I saw you because there you were in your jammies bright and early with a big pink bow in your hair! I don't think Clara Lee has EVER worn a bow over to Mrs. Lisa's, but of course you would- your mommy wouldn't have it any other way! Mimi and I stayed a few minutes to try to get you comfortable there. Being the smart girl you are, you knew something was up, but you didn't let it phase you too much. When Mimi started to tell you goodbye though, you gave her the saddest little face I've ever seen in my life. (It was almost too cute to be a sad face!) I could see the tears coming quickly (not your tears, Mimi's!) so I told her to go and let me stay with you a minute. Once Mimi left, you whined for just a minute. You told us "I want to go see my daddy," but you never cried. Ironically, your silly cousin was actually the one crying when I left and she goes to Mrs. Lisa's everyday and never cries! (I think she thought you were leaving with me.) I was just a few miles down the road, though, when Mrs. Lisa called to tell me you were both happy and playing. When I called to check on y'all at lunch, Mrs. Lisa said you were having a good time. She said Clara Lee had been following you around all day. She also said her son Ty told her he couldn't understand what you were saying because you "sound French." I knew that he meant your sweet, girly voice, and I got tickled at that. Mrs. Lisa managed to get you and Clara Lee both to take a pretty good nap that afternoon which was a good thing because we had a big night planned at the zoo. Mimi picked both of you up when she got off. Y'all played outside at Mimi's with your baby dolls. It was so sweet pulling up and seeing both of you carrying your bitty babies all over the yard- you with a dark haired baby, and Clara Lee with a light haired baby! I was glad you two got to spend the day together. I wish we could've gotten some pictures, but I figured Mrs. Lisa had her hands full enough!

Friday night we had plans to take all the kiddos to the Memphis zoo for the Halloween Zoo Boo, so we all met at Mimi's house. Aunt G came with Katie, Emily (Wonder Woman), and John Michael (the elephant- you think that had something to do with Alabama maybe?). Jamie brought James Welton (the pumpkin) and Jack (Buzz Lightyear). And I had Clara Lee (Minnie Mouse), of course. And you, dear Abby, were our little monkey! Of course you weren't just any ole monkey, though- you were a monkey with pink bows! And the cutest little monkey I've ever seen, might I add. We had a quick bite to eat, got everybody dressed, and even got a few pictures. I couldn't believe we got all six of you together and sitting still for a group picture.

Zoo Boo was a little hectic at first, but eventually we all got in and settled- well, kinda. We walked around the zoo, rode a few rides, collected some candy, and even took a ride on a choo choo train. You weren't too thrilled about the choo choo train at first, but you ended up loving it. Mimi almost didn't make you ride, but she was glad she did since the first thing you said when we got off was, "I had fun!" We didn't get a ton of pictures at Zoo Boo like we usually do becuse it was dark, but here are a few pictures I did get:

Riding the carousel

Getting on the choo choo train with Mimi

After our late night at the zoo, you slept til after 7:00! I'm sure Mimi appreciated that! You spent the morning with Mimi and Pic-Pic. I think Pic-Pic took you outside to play while Mimi straightened up her house that we had destroyed in our hurry to get to the zoo. That afternoon, we all met at Emily's school for her fall carnival. You and Clara Lee wore your matching witch's feet shirts and got many compliments on them. (You're mommy is really getting good at applique!) We played games and got candy, and of course you wanted to go down the jumpy slide. Aunt G had to get in the jumpy slide with you, though, because you had to climb up real high before you could slide down. I think you wore Aunt G out! After the carnival, we played on the school playground for a long time. You and Clara Lee found a good little spot to play and Mimi had to take up for y'all when some little boy tried to make y'all move. (Mimi wasn't about to let some little boy bully her grandbabies!) You wanted to go down the slide, but it was much too high for you. At one point, you wandered over to the swings by yourself, climbed up in the seat, and hollered, "Hey everybody, look at me!" Too cute! By the time we left the playground, I think we were all ready for a nap.

The weekend went by quickly, but we were so glad you were here with us. I am so glad we got to see you in your cute monkey costume, and I know Clara Lee was thrilled to take you with her to Mrs. Lisa's for the day. Tell Mommy to bring you back soon! We love you and can't wait to see you again. Happy Halloween, Monkey!

Love, Ash Ash

The Pledge of Allegiance

Dear Abigail,

This just melts my heart, and I'm pretty positive there is not a smarter toddler on the planet than you...

Your teachers sent a note home last week saying that they were so proud of you for being able to say the pledge all by yourself. Mommy was shocked, to say the least - I didn't even know you were learning it!! I'm so proud - if you can't tell!!

Gentry's Farm - 2010

Dear Abigail,

On Sunday, the gang went to our annual Gentry's Farm visit to pick out some pumpkins, and have a little fun, too! I'll let the pictures do the talking here...

I like this picture - I want to check back in a couple years and see what the price is...

You guys look like a little couple posing for pics!!

and now you look like you are having a serious conversation. We're keeping our eyes on you guys...

You think the Daddy's were entertained???

Yep, that's right, as we were getting our picture taken and leaving, low and behold, we saw a balloon!!!! Your day was complete!

After we left the pumpkin patch, we decided to keep the 'country-ness' of it all going by heading to none other than Cracker Barrel! After a yummy meal of pure goodness, we headed home for baths - we were COVERED in dirt, head to toe, covered. But, we got prettied up just in time to head to bed. A great tradition we will continue...

Chicago - Day 3

Dear Abigail.

Yep, that's right! Another great day of adventures in Chicago!! We woke up to yet another beautiful weather day, and couldn't wait to get out in it. You, of course, waited patiently while Mommy and Mimi took forever to get ready - I hope in the future you won't be as high maintenance as we are when it comes to getting ready... And I'm going to guess your future husband will say the same thing. Anyway, that's for a later day. SO, here you are waiting patiently, with Baby Kate of course...

Once we were all geared up and ready to go, we headed down stairs taking a pit stop at the "Sitting" area...

Then strapped you in the stroller and started on a nice stroll straight to the Children's Museum!!! We were so lucky to be close enough to everything where we could enjoy both the city of Chicago and the great weather it was throwing out at us. And oh my goodness, the Children's Museum is something else!!! You were so excited, you literally jumped from one thing to the next to the next. We had to chase after you multiple times and after you got a little of the excitement out of your system, you were able start really playing with all the awesomeness around you...

First, you and Mimi decided to build a sky scraper...

But that wasn't working out to well for you, so you just decided to go into someone else's skyscraper...

and somehow convinced Mimi to get in there with you!!!

Next you watched as Mimi put on a puppet show...

Then you made Mommy sit and watch your puppet show!!

OH, and next was Mommy's favorite part. We got to dig up dinosaur bones!! You were a paleontologist, jacket and all. You seemed to really like this one and eventually we had to drag you out of the 'dirt'.

And then we went into the Big Backyard, where you made shadow rain drops fall off your umbrella. I'll be honest here, I still am not exactly sure how this was done, but somehow, when you made a shadow with your umbrella (or your body, or anything!), it made the 'raindrops' which were lights, fall off your umbrella, as if it were rain... I just quit wondering and enjoyed the neatness of it all!!

Next we went into the Little City (or something like that), where you got to do all sorts of grown up stuff. You got to deliver mail, just like your Papa!

And go grocery shopping and even check yourself out...

But by far your favorite thing in the Little City was the bus. You got to be an actual bus driver!!! AND the whole time you were a bus driver, one of your fave songs were playing - "The Wheels on the Bus"... You drove the bus for a while...

Then you let Mimi drive while you lingered in the back with your new friend...

The next stop was what I like to call "Water World". I can't remember what the real name of it was, but 'water world' describes it best. The museum literally had rain jackets in all sizes for each kid to put on. At first, both Mimi and Mommy thought 'oh yeah, we're putting her in this. She'll look so cute'. So we did, and we got the one picture of you, and then realized what "water world' was all about and decided we'd just venture on along!! Water - everywhere. And easily available for you to stick your hands in and your face and your feet! Sorry baby girl - your momma wasn't about to get your soaking wet!!!

Don't worry, we found plenty of other things to occupy your time...

And then, oh my, if I didn't have an costume already picked out...

That's right, you were a fireman!!! You put out fires and road on a fire truck and even went into a smokey house to rescue a family (which actually put a little fear in me...)

We were all exhausted and getting a little hungry, so we headed out onto the Navy Pier. What a beautiful place. You loved looking at all the big boats and seeing the water and the birds and again, the beautiful beautiful weather! So beautiful, we decided to eat outside on the boardwalk!

It was at Harry Carey's place, a baseball man that your daddy, or even your Papa Rob will share with you, but apparently he is known for saying "Holy Cow" or something like that. SO, of course there was a person dressed up as a cow walking around the restaurant. Well, if you remember from your infamous Elmo birthday party, we are not to fond of big, huge dressed up people. Of course, from afar, you had no problems saying "Hello Cow!" "Hey Cow!!" but the second he started walking our way, it was trouble. You of course were in your high chair so you had to just hold Mommy's hand as he walked on by. He was kind enough to recognize that you and him just weren't going to be bonding on this trip. But it was quite the yummy meal!!

After lunch, we walked up and down the board walk, stopping to gaze at the beautiful city...

And of course, took a little spin on the carousel...

After a little leisurely walking on the pier, we decided to head to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Let me tell you a little bit about this zoo. First off, I'm pretty sure it's the oldest city zoo, or something like that. It's clearly old school, BUT, so so so cool. No, it's nothing like the Memphis Zoo with their big extravagant jungle habitats and safari habitats, but such a quaint place, and you get such good views of all the animals. AND, it's free! You just walk in as if it's a park just down the street. And, to top it off, it wasn't crowded at all! Free zoo always means crowded to us!! We strolled on through stopping to view the rhino and the tiger and then we went into the "Lion House" where we got to actually see a tiger roaring, and he was super close!! Then we ventured to the Primate house, and oh my, we all loved the monkeys! And there were so many and you can walk right up to the window and see them. At one point, you and Mimi were admiring this one monkey who was sitting quietly in the tree. Next thing you know, he jumped down right in front of you and Mimi, and stretched out his arms and insisted you scratch his belly!!! NO, i'm not kidding!! I have it on video! This monkey loved you and Mimi and everyone loved watching you and Mimi tickle his belly! It was the craziest thing. I was able to get somewhat of a picture, although the video is much better.

Soon after the monkeys, we headed out of the zoo. You were getting tired and needed a nap because we had quite the night ahead of us. So, Mimi and Mommy just walked Lincoln Park while you slept in your stroller. At one point, Mommy got thirsty and needed a bottle water, so we ventured into a Walgreens, where somehow we ended up with Slurpies! And even rested in the "sick" area of Walgreens, all while you slept. We continued walking and eventually you woke up, so we decided to take a cab the rest of the way home, since it was a good 30 minute walk. Well, here comes the worst of the worst cab rides. Another one of those "I'm awake, but don't really want to be awake" moments. Even as the cab driver helped me get the stroller out of the trunk he said "Get that girl what she wants!" Of course, we had no clue what that was, but something about the hotel made you snap right back into good mood mode - oh wait, I'm pretty sure it was the M&M's Mimi offered you...

It didn't matter though, because you were bound to get in a better mood once you found out what was next on our list! Yep, headed back to the AG Store, and what for this time you ask? Well, we had dinner reservations, and Baby Kate was going to join us! I know I said in an earlier post that Gino's was the place to eat at when in Chicago, BUT, after this dinner, I'm pretty sure as long as you and me are together in Chicago, we'll be eating here! It was so much fun watching you be a big girl and eating at the big girl table. First though, we had to get Baby Kate an outfit to wear to dinner. She of course could not wear her pajamas, which she came with. Once we got her dress, we were ready...

We were shown our table, handed napkins and Baby Kate was placed in her seat with her own cup and saucer.

You loved feeding Baby Kate and even further loved sticking Baby Kate's cup in your mouth to freak Mimi out!! Dinner was so yummy, too. We started with warm cinnamon buns (YUM!!!) and continued with all kinds of yummy appetizers then the entree came, again, yummy, and then, they saved the best for last, no doubt - dessert! We each had 3 different desserts, not to choose from, but to eat!! We had a sugar cookie, angel food cake with icing, and then chocolate pudding stuff with oreos on top! You, by far, loved the pudding, but I think more of the love was due to the way you got to eat it.

Yep, you used the flowers that came in the "Flower Pot Dessert" to scoop out the pudding! Mimi thought it was awesome. Mommy just thought of the laundry... You do look pretty cute though, for a dirty girl!!

After dinner, we did a little more shopping in the AG store and finally decided we had enough, so we ventured back to the hotel. It ended up being fairly late when you finally got to bed between the bath and packing and, well, you just entertaining you for a good 30 minutes with the lights out while Mommy twiddled her thumbs. Finally, you fell asleep and we ended another great day in Chicago!!

Day 4 wasn't too exciting other than getting up SUPER early, traveling to the airport, getting on a plane and flying home!! You did an excellent job yet again on the plane and even had another passenger comment that "She's a really good traveler - best I've seen, and I'm including my own kids"! YAY for you!!! You loved watching airplanes and flying on them!!

All in all baby girl, a VERY VERY wonderful, memorable trip to Chicago. I hope, some way, shape or form, you are able to always hold onto this memory! Mimi and Mommy love you sooo much and had sooo much fun with you!!!!