Trick-or-Treat!

Here I am with Henry, Eleanor, and Ezme -- friends from down the street. See the marigolds in the background are still blooming.

Furry friends

That's Tigger (Daniel) and Elmo (Marton)

Impounding a vehicle for improper food storage

One of the many projects the Wetzels did during their visit was the sewing of Malcolm's little Ranger uniform by Oma. Here he is at Mom's office Halloween party. He gets that single bright red cheek when teething, and was cutting two new molars the day of the party.

See more pictures from the party taken by Eva Borbas and Istvan.

Showing Nans how my trucks work

Nans, Oma, and Opa flew back to NJ late last night on a Wilma-delayed flight. We all had a nice two-week visit and are missing them now. Opa's Flickr page has more pictures from our adventures together.

Today Malcolm and I were reading a little book about things with wheels. When we came to the backhoe page, Malcolm got up and walked away to get his lego toy backhoe. He brought it right back and settled in my lap to continue the book. Soon we read about a crane, and he stretched the long arm of the backhoe up high to make it into a crane. Mom has (once or twice) called the toy a backhoe to him and Dad has (once or twice) called it a crane, so naturally it is both.

A few days ago, I was reading a book we hadn’t read in a while, and was excitedly showing Malcolm the polar bear on the page. He surprised me by not showing interest (he loves bears) and instead trying quickly to turn the page. On the next page was another polar bear, nearly identical to the first, and he pointed knowingly at it, saying "See, there is another bear on this page too." I didn't even remember that the second bear was there.

Helping Oma with the dishes

You can see more pictures from Oma, Opa, and Nans' visit (including our trip to the pumpkin patch) at Opa's Flickr Page.

Horse-drawn hayride

Missed press time by a day

Is this the knob to turn this on?

Mom and I drove to Milwaukee to pick up Nans, Oma, and Opa at the airport. We had lunch downtown and spent some time at the lakeshore before driving home.

A little advice to the pitcher

See the rest of our ball game at flickr.

Wheeeee!

This is no kiddie slide. It was zippy fast, with built in bumps and very high up. Dad (taking picture) was standing about halfway down. Little Nathan's parents (Nancy & Rob visiting from Chicago) were waiting at the bottom to catch me. I can't remember how many times I went down.

Three decades

Safety in the tub

Tonight Malcolm saw his bicycle helmet downstairs and urged me to put it on him (this, from a boy who hasn't left it on his head more than a few seconds in the past). He was so thrilled to have it on that he wore it all evening and wouldn't hear of removing it, even for his bath. Notice he is "all business" here as he lets the water drip off his turtle. More pictures on flickr.

One for me, one for you

That is our campsite on the Wisconsin River at Buckhorn State Park, WI. You can see more pictures from our camping trip at Mom's flickr page

Just one more book

That's me and my handsome Dad. I like to hand him books to read when he is just about to head out the door for work.

If I hold this CD on my head I can hide my new hairdo

Bye bye little blonde curls