Toys

Here's Annah sitting in her Princerella chair playing with a toy she got from Morgan.

Soup

Annah and her giant bowl of soup.

Princerella Christmas

It was a Princerella Christmas! ('Princerella' is a what Annah calls anything having to do with fairies, princesses, or Cinderella - sort of a contraction of the words princess and Cinderella). She got Princerella chair, pajamas, puzzle, slippers, etc. It was the best Christmas ever!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve and Annah is getting really excited!!! Her Grandma and Grandpa are coming over and they're bringing presents and then tonight Santa Claus is coming with more stuff. Oh yeah, she is really starting to like this whole Christmas thing.

Breakfast at the Uptowner

Saturday before heading out for some Christmas shopping we stopped at The Uptowner Cafe in Saint Paul for breakfast. Food was okay - Annah had toast and jelly.

Homework

Annah likes to scribble on paper and when asked what she is doing she says, "Homework." She like to pretend she's Maya - even puts on the serious "I'm doing homework face" just like her sister.

Band Performance

While at the school yesterday to see Maya perform with the band Annah also ran into Owen and Bell. She was really good and had fun watching her sister blowing on her sax.

In the car

Annah in the snow

In the snow

Looking out the window for squirrels

On the Phone

Tonight Annah took Zaheeda's phone, started pushing buttons and ended up with Uncle Bob on the line. She thought it was her Grandpa and just started rambling on all the while Bob was thinking it was Haylynn calling. So in the end Annah got to talk to her Grandpa and Bob got to talk to his Granddaughter - pretty much a win win all the way around.

Vick's Vapor Rub

Annah took the Vick's Vapor Rub and rubbed it all her over her face and body and then took it downstairs to the daycare kids so they could do the same. Zaheeda was not happy.

Boots

Annah found these boots and she really likes them. Now we need to see if we can get her to really like some clothes.

New Cousin

Aunty Waheeda had a baby boy this morning which was a bit of shock given the doctor said after the first ultra-sound she'd be having a girl.?.? I guess there is just some really bad baby prognosticating going on down in Guyana. The baby (as of yet nameless) and Waheeda are both healthy and should both be home in a couple days.

Trick or Treating

The Pudy was out and about trick-or-treating at local businesses in Highland Park this morning and got lots of good treats. She was pretty shy at first but warmed up to the whole deal in no time. Not only did Annah get good stuff, but Dr. Brian Snyder owner of Highland Family Eye Care had done up his store in a Dharma Initiative motif, and when we struck up a conversation about how Lost was one of the greatest shows ever he gave me a Dharma Vision Clinic t-shirt - So cool!!! I know where I'm getting my glasses next time. It was the best Halloween ever.

Around the house

Friday Bike Ride

Friday we rode over to Lake Calhoun and Annah insisted on going on the slide. She played for a while, then we looked at geese, had a little snack and headed home.




On the way home we stopped on the bike bridge over Hiawatha to look for buses and trains.

Bike ride to Minneapolis

Annah and I headed to Minneapolis this afternoon for a nice fall ride. We saw water, geese and all kids of fun stuff.

No Paparazzi

For some reason Annah rarely likes getting her picture taken anymore. I guess she views those of us in with blogs as miserable parasites trying to profit off her image or something.

Crosby Park

Annah and I headed down by the river again this afternoon to check on the receding flood waters and it was down considerably. The bike trails in Crosby Park which had been underwater were now quite a mess though and still impassable in parts. Here we are out checking out the damage. Annah was a little uneasy considering her fear of leaves and all.

Homework

I asked Annah what she was doing in this tub and she told me she was doing her homework.

The Slide

Yesterday while out riding with The Pudy I told her we could stop at the park so she could play on the slide. Unfortunately she fell asleep about four minutes before ariving at the park so we skipped the slide and went home. [I happen to know from experience that if she doesn't get her nap it's no fun for anyone.] Turns out she has a memory like her mother because all night and all morning I kept hearing her repeat over and over, "Slide Daddy?" "Slide?" "Slide Daddy?" This coupled with the fact that every time Zaheeda was sick of her bothering her she would say, "Why don't you go ask daddy if he'll take you sliding." Needless to say our lunch ride headed to the park so we could go on the slide. And Annah learned a valuable lesson: If you nag for something long and incessantly enough you will eventually get it.

Fall Bike Ride

We headed out on what was a fantastic day for a bike ride.


Our plan was to ride downtown to Harriet Island so Annah could play on the swings but it became pretty apparent that our road was still impassable.


Annah didn't mind and instead had fun throwing sticks in the water.


After some good times throwing sticks we headed to Mendota Heights to watch the planes take off. Ahh... Good times.

Flood watch

Headed downtown again this afternoon to take a look at the river - it's still rising.

Mississippi on the rise

Tuesday Annah and I went for a bike ride downtown and they were blocking off streets in preparation for the rising of the Mississippi. I think we'll go for a little ride this afternoon and see how much higher it has gotten.

All Dressed Up And No Place To Go.

Annah in the Pumpkins

Walk to the bank

Since we had no power in the house today and Annah couldn't watch Elmo we decided to head out on a walk to the bank. Annah was in good spirits and enjoyed the fresh air.

Around the house

Why is Annah wearing this hat? Because it matches the socks on her hands of course.

Annah & Grandma

Here's Annah and her Grandma. They were on really good terms until Annah started coloring on her walls. Turns out Grandma doesn't share Annah's enthusiasm for low level vandalism.

New Walgreens

On our walk the other day we stopped by to see what kind of progress they are making on the new Walgreens in Highland. Walgreens happens to be Annah's Brown Grandma's favorite store, so we expect once it's completed we'll be getting more frequent visits.

Tuesday

Annah saw Maya off at the bus stop again this morning and was out and about enjoying a nice late summer/early fall day.

Phoning Home

Over lunchtime Annah and I headed to the bank and along the way she decided she wanted to check in with Zaheeda and see how the kids were doing.

Annah at the bus stop

I tried getting a nice picture of the girls together at the bus stop this morning, but Annah wasn't being agreeable.

Pudy in the car

The Bus

Annah was up bright and early this morning to see Maya off to the bus. It was very exciting as Annah holds very strong feelings toward both Maya and buses.