This very cute - and very FREE - knitting pattern comes from Anna at Mochimochiland. Go here to download the pdf file, then make as many as you like - the neighbors won't mind one bit.Kidlet saw me open the email announcement and went absolutely ape for these little guys. She has seen it her mission this year to help dandies propagate, much to the chagrin of Grammy's association's lawn maintenance crew...
So we were erranding at Walgreen's this afternoon, and the nice pharmacy tech offered Kidlet a lollipop. The promise of a little sugar sends Kidlet into giddy convulsions every time without fail (picture Wallace waving his hands alongside his face when he says "Cheeeese!"). She selected her lolly, said thank you, and we sat in the little waiting area so she could eat her treat.Kidlet sat on the demo strap-a-back-rub-to-your-office-chair thing; a touch of the power button, and the entertainment began. She was enthralled with the massaging action, especially because it went up to her head - would've been shoulder blade height on a grownup.
The sucker was disappearing quickly, and J asked her what flavor it was.
"Sweet."
Mommy and Meema lost it.
FYI, it was Pink Lemonade.
I realize I never documented holiday knitting FO's very well. Oops. Since there's no time like the present to start setting things aright, here are the details for Kidlet's Easter shrug:
pattern: adapted from One Skein Wonder, by Stefanie Japel
yarns: body in Classic Elite Soft Linen (35% linen, 35% wool, 30% baby alpaca), trim in Rowan Kidsilk Haze (70% super kid mohair, 30% silk)
needles: Knit Picks Harmony interchangeables, US5 and US6
cast on: 27 Mar 2009
completed: 11 April 2009
Kidlet and I galhandled 82 eggs in preparation for tomorrow, both candy-filled (for the egg hunt at St. Paul's) and hard-boiled (to help the Easter Bunny). She was very focused and paid great attention to detail. Best of all, there were no dye stains on Nana & Papa's beige carpet - woot!
I think she believes that someday is here.
Happy birthday, Kidlet. I love you so big!
It was an amazing time - everything we could hope for, and then some. Seriously, Father Christmas is Kidlet's first boyfriend. She is big-time crushin'.
I have two aquariums in the living room which house 13 small fishies. Our routine is to feed the fish after we eat breakfast and dinner.Kidlet settled down in front of the tanks after the morning slop, watching the new tetras (no photos yet) gobble their flaky breakfast and said, "You know, watching the fish is kind of like watching TV, isn't it?" I. Love. This. Kid.
What I said out loud: "Yes, sweetie, but so much nicer."
What I let stay in my head: "... and completely lacking in commercials for plastic toys you'll tire of in a matter of days." Ah, the holiday season.
SLP last night, consisting of dinner at DQ and shopping at OUAC.D had one taste of the soft serve, and his bottle was history!
On the walk to Once Upon a Child we pass an upscale lighting store. I swear this fixture looks knitted...
But for $1449, I'll work on making my own, thankyouverymuch.
Despite the conspicuous lack of yellow brick roads in Eagan, Dorothy had a great time on her journey last night: candy and trinkets for her, plenty of coin for the world's less fortunate children.
Hope you all enjoyed your evening as well!
Each October the youth group at St. Paul's hosts a Fall Festival (read: Halloween party) for the younger set. Apparently we have a healthy population of girly-girl princess types. B came as a pretty princess in pink, and Kidlet chose her character based on sparkly red shoes. Much fun was had, including caramel apples, games, and the first go-round of candy.
Forgive me, knitters, for I have sinned: I made Kidlet's wig, but stooped to use Caron One Pound No Dye Lot ACK-crylic yarn.
On a slight tangent, several weeks ago I picked up a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF collection box for Kidlet, and last weekend introduced the concept to her as we ate dinner. Her box has four simple graphics on the front, representing the organization's aid goals of clean water, medical care, nutrition, and education for the world's children.
I mentioned that, for how easy it is for us to turn on the tap and have a glass of clean water, there are millions of children who have to drink from dirty streams and the like; so this year she could carry the box, in addition to her candy bag, and collect money for children around the world. "You mean I can help them?!?" she asked. "Yes, of course you can, sweetie."
"I don't even need that much candy!"
I don't know how the runners felt about the weather, but it was fairly sucky for spectating at the beginning of the race - cold and rainy. 
Cate, husband mWAK, and offspring B and D braved the damp and drear and, 
with me and Kidlet, cheered on our friends from the southwest end of Lake Calhoun.eWAC, in the red hat, showing fine form early on (time stamp 8:45 am).
Scott, in white shirt and hat, in his first-ever marathon (9:05 am).
Now before you jump to conclusions and think that Scooter's running technique is akin to Phoebe's, let me explain: Eric ran past us and, knowing Scott would be following, we prepared to wait a bit. Well, it was pretty chilly. And wet. And nature called B's name. So when the AnderClan left, Kidlet was ready to leave as well. "Let's wait one more minute," I proposed. We waited, cheering others on as they passed (I love it when they write their names on their shirts!), but it soon became clear it was time to find a warm place to have cocoa.
I stowed my camera in my pocket and, as we were about to turn and leave for the car, who runs toward us but Scooter. We hollered and waved, and the desperate photographer in me said "Wait! Wait!" as he approached and passed. (As if he's about to slow his slammin' pace for a photo op.) Anyway, he valiantly faced over his shoulder for several paces as I fumbled with the camera, but I snapped only as he returned to an upright and forward-facing posture. What a trooper, that Scott.
It was a fun morning for us, despite the bone-chilling conditions. I couldn't be more proud of my friends - congratulations, guys!
As we were walking toward the checkout with one pattern in hand, we passed the wall of costume accessories, and Kidlet zeroed in on these masks:
Yes, she can name Barack Obama on site!
Honestly, I just asked her to wave. How was I to know my camera phone would make it appear as if the Senator was flipping off the free world?
Please rise for George W. "Hear No Evil" Bush.
On a more serious note, we took an elective detour to cross the new I-35W bridge over the Mississippi. It was a bit surreal. Part of me barely noticed and took for granted that little bit of road north of downtown Minneapolis; another part noted the stark newness of the concrete deck and barriers, painfully aware of the broken slabs they were replacing. My thoughts are with everyone whose lives were changed a year ago.
Happy birthday wishes to my little sister (who is also an AWESOME aunt - just check the sticker from Kidlet's card if you need proof).I love ya, Ness! .
Here's some additional reading material about the VP nominee, courtesy of the London Telegraph:
The allegations [of corruption] are bound to increase discomfort among Republicans about Mr McCain's choice of running mate. His main line of attack against his opponent Barack Obama - that Mr. Obama is not ready to lead the country - has been
undermined, by the prospect of Mrs. Palin, who has been governor for only 20 months, being forced to step in if Mr. McCain, who is 72 and has suffered several bouts of cancer, were unable to fulfil his duties.Mrs. Palin's apparent lack of knowledge of or experience in foreign affairs has aroused particular concern. When asked in an interview for her thoughts on the "surge" of American troops, Mr. McCain's support for which is a key plank of the Republican campaign, Mrs. Palin said: "I've been so focused on state government, I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq."
In an interview last month, when it seemed unlikely she would be offered the role by Mr. McCain, Mrs. Palin dismissed the job of vice-president, saying that she couldn't understand what it would involve day to day.
Even Mrs. Palin's mother-in-law, Faye Palin, has said she doubts her suitability. Saying that she was still thinking of voting for Mr. Obama, she said: "I'm not sure what she brings to the ticket, other than she's a woman and a conservative."
In other Republican-based news, St. Paul is rolling out the red carpet for the (micro-)RNConvention. 
One little perk is double-decker tour buses which are serving as free shuttles up and down Grand Avenue. 
Yesterday, Kidlet and I hopped on. Why not, I thought? We were the ONLY riders on the bus, both ways. 
It was fun, taking Kidlet up the spiral stairs and sitting in the front seat up top, getting a bird's eye view of the Avenue. We were, however, waved at with a single finger 3 times by residents. The tack I'm taking is that these good liberals confused us for being of the "R" persuasion. I love my town!
We decided to swing through downtown to see how awkward it was. It was. We did get to see a herd of St. Paul's finest on bicycle patrol.
This weekend J, Kidlet and I attended Rainbow Families' Family Camp, complete with s'mores, crafts, and swimming.
No boating to be had, as there were wicked whitecaps on the lake the entire time. All in all, a great first camping experience for Kidlet. What a trooper!
Kidlet had fun with strangers. 
Nails, nails, nails.
Finished two squares for The Promise Blanket.
Here are shots of the swatch, 
pre- and post-blocking
:
Like most cotton yarn, it splits (silent scream here - I likes me wools). But unlike most cotton, the milk protein keeps the fabric quite light and really soft.
In other news, Kidlet and I went to the MOA yesterday. I usually do a very strategic run-in-run-out surgical shopping attack, but we loitered and explored
The Park at MOANickelodeon Sugar Crazed Mania
"Camp Dora."
Oy. When did I get so centrifugally wimpy that a merry-go-round can make my head swim? Pathetique.
This is one of my favorite photos from this spring, temporarily rechristening them Petal Shoes.
Celebrate the small victories!
Daytime diapers are a thing of Kidlet's past. For those of you without tots, you won't get the full impact of the statement, but this is the shit of which parents' dreams are made.
Woo-hoo!
