Goings-On

I know, I know, it's been a looooooooooong time since I last posted. So let me show you a few things we've been up to in the past several weeks.

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit last month and we had ourselves a really good time.

Learned how to self pony braid my hair.

Tons and tons of ice skating this winter. Lessons at Johnny's Ice House (where our beloved Blackhawks practice) has us skating all over the city....

... And the suburbs with my old buddy Jake.

And check out how good Mae is getting at spinning, after just a few weeks of lessons. Go on with your bad self, Mabel!

We've got some naked blow-drying going on.

And one more thing I'm doing these days... getting older.

BMX Queen

Hello all, so it looks like Finley blew my cover. It's me - "Ralph" - photo editor and fill-in autobiographer. I apologize up front for my lack of creativity compared to Fin's writing but I'll do my best.

Grandma was here for a couple weeks and she had previously brought Mabel a bike. Well this visit we got it fixed up a little bit - think new tire, straightened handlebars and bell on the front - and away she went.

And soon she was riding on her own.

And by the next day, well, I could barely keep up as she was speeding up and down the block.

Big shout-out to Grandma for bringing such a wonderful gift such a long way. Thanks Grandma!

Devil's Night

So it is Halloween and oh man, what a great day. So great that I decided I'm wearing my costume again tomorrow.

I went with a raccoon outfit and grandma sewed my tail to the back of my yoga pants (no, I don't do yoga, just the type of my pants).  And Mae was going to be a nun, which woulda been just amazing, but she went with a witch instead.

After school we headed out for trick or treating with our cousins...

And then we went to Nana's so we could visit buddy. His costume was incredible, he went as a black labrador retriever; I mean, does that look authentic or what?!

Got a great picture with Nana and Grandma before we headed back out for trick or treating by Nana's house.

And then when we got home I went to bed while Mae divided up her candy.

Dude, don't even think about messing with her Tootsie Pops.

Birthday Month... Continued

So our birthdays, they just never quit. Here we are thinking that our birthdays are done being celebrated when Grandma and Grandpa come to town and keep the festivities going.

The morning started out with a large pile of gifts which, after opened, turned out to be this amazing doll/doghouse - one for Mae and one for me and lots of little things you can set up on the inside.

Then we turned on some tunes and got the place hopping.

So I call this move the downtown zazzer.

Nobody's really quite sure what Mae calls this move.

Grandpa and Mabel Jane spent some quality time together.

Later that night, after dinner, we got out the cupcakes that Grandma had made for our birthday and did some singing and candle blowing.

And the next morning we went to Nana's. Not that Nana, the other one - at 33rd and Halsted, where they make bear pancakes and peanut-butter-chocolate donuts.

And then to cap off the weekend we hit the dog show and spent some time with some furry freaks.

(I mean, seriously?)

And some time with some furry friends.

And some time with some dog who looked like he just finished smoking some reefer at a Bob Marley concert.

(Dis) R-E-S-P-E-C-T

So we had some visitors today. Gavant came by to say hello and it's always good to see him. I'm pretty sure he's French or something with that name... or at least most times he looks like he's had a few too many glasses of some good French wine.

And then Wendy walked in and all helk broke loose. She played a little peek-a-boo and Mae wouldn't let her go too far without a big hug.

And then, out of nowhere, Wendy's Grandma called Mabel a nasty name... something about the sun and what sounded like a witch. I've told her in the past she should probably watch her step but she wouldn't listen. Took it a bit too far and, well, let's just say if you cross Mae the wrong way she doesn't care how old you are, you can throw that whole "respect for your elders" gig out the window.

So there was a little tussle, an arm drag by Mae... and well...

Grandma looked like she got run over by a reindeer.

EDITOR IN CHIEF NOTE: Okay, so this is probably going to blow your mind but those aren't real people. Those are actually puppets. I know, right? But it's true. My best friend Stacey is a professional puppeteer and she wrote and performs a puppet comedy show here in Chicago and brings them over from time to time. But keep that our little secret and don't tell Mae.