Overheard.

[A huge crash is heard from the kitchen. A moment later:]

RUBY: Nothing fell!

Fall Trip To Door County

We spent a long weekend in Door County over MEA break (I've come to understand that other states don't have this -- go Minnesota!) and enjoyed our time with the K clan. We made our annual fall pilgrimage to the tower in Pot Park, the girls took a scenic airplane ride -- thankfully the pilot didn't bring his laptop ;) -- and we saw some spawning salmon. The colors were beautiful, the company was top-notch, and the cheese was bountiful. What more does one want from Wisconsin? Well, maybe their quarterback...

And here's Grandpa teaching the girls how to light things on fire using a magnifying glass:

If Only All Battles Were Like This

Tonight Cecilia was working on some homework at the coffee table and had a few pieces of paper spread out in front of her. The kitty who loves her the most -- Cutie-head -- decided she wanted some attention and hopped up onto the table. Cutie-head then proceeded to sprawl out across the papers and to lick Cecilia's hand, making homework impossible. This went on for a while and then Cecilia turned to me, laughing, and said, "She's attacking me with LOVE!"

"Hey, Did The Little Girl Ever Get Her Bike Back?"

- Ruby, after watching The Goonies (in its entirety) for the first time, 10/21/09.

October 4th

Then we went to the apple orchard. (I really need to keep up with this thing...)

October 3rd

I'm sorry to say we're pretty behind on ye old blog these days, but I'm going to do my best to catch up a bit. Here we go...

A couple of weeks ago (10/3) the girls again participated in the family running events that are part of the Twin Cities Marathon. Cecilia ran in the 1-mile event with Momlissa, and Ruby ran the 1/2-mile race with Dadam. It was a C.O.L.D. morning, so we were all bundled up like arctic explorers and then set off for the State Capitol grounds. First we cheered for Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Dolores, Uncle Ramon, and Grandma Two as they walked in the 5K race -- so fun to watch! We were very proud of Grandma Two for participating; who says you're too old to do these things? Here they are about to take off:
We don't have great pictures of Cici's race, but here is a good shot of Ruby at the finish of the 1/2-mile.
When she got done she immediately said, "Next time I want to do the longer one." Tough kid.

And here are my two runner girls when all was said and done.

JEWELS.

[Ruby is telling Dadam about a birthday party she plans to attend.]

Ruby: And Anisa said when the party's done we'll get bags of candy!

Dadam: Oh yes?

Ruby: Yeah, and . . . juralee? Juralee?

Dadam: Oh, jewelry?

Ruby: Yeah, JEWELS.

Oy.

Momlissa: Ruby, can you please do me a favor and eat more of your lunch?

Ruby: Can you please do me a favor and not focus on me so much?

And so it goes...

Jippy?

"I got her down in a jippy with those treats."

- Cici, on bribing her sister to come downstairs

Energy To Burn.

The weather's been cold and wet here, but that didn't stop us from venturing out Saturday morning, when the girlies competed in some running races connected with our local marathon event. They had varying degrees of success (Ruby was a superstar in the half mile, but Cici burned herself out by starting too fast on her full mile).

Still, they must have had some energy left, because they both had fun using the elliptical machine they found in the rumpus room of a house where we attended a party thrown by one of Momlissa's grad-school profs Saturday night. And I had to laugh when I walked in on Ruby chugging away on the machine, which informed me she was going fast enough to burn "1 calorie per hour." Ha!

Well, At Least There's That To Look Forward To, Then.

Ruby: Daddy, when I'm grown up and have kids of my own, will I still live with you?

Dadam: No, honey, probably not. You'll have your own house then.

Ruby: No, I think I'll still live here.

Dadam: But there isn't room. Think about it. When you have kids of your own, where will they sleep?

Ruby: They'll sleep in Cici's and my's bed.

Dadam: But then where will you sleep?

Ruby: I'll sleep in your and Mommy's bed.

Dadam: And where will Mommy and I be?

Ruby: Oh, you'll be dead.