Twick or Trrrrrrreat!

Happy Halloween! Protect your tail.

Claire + grandparents

Granny and grandpa visited two weeks ago and boy did Claire enjoy having them Just look at these smiles...




It wasn't an action-packed weekend. We grilled burgers and steak, ate BBQ, pulled the stroller to the farmer's market and hung out.




Grandpa helped dad replace a rotted fence post. Claire inspected the cement work.



I'd say Claire was quite relaxed in her grandparent's presence.



More photos to come.

For those who don't know...

...Claire reports the latest family news.



Relevant date: First week of April.

WhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhyWhy

It's already started. She's not two years' old and already she knows the word why.

She deploys it ruthlessly. At first we thought she didn't really know what she was saying or why she was saying why.

Now I'm convinced she does.

Here's a typical conversation that would have unfolded two weeks ago:

Claire: Claire go outside.
Dad: We can't right now.
Wwhyyy?
Because it's too cold.
Wwhyyy?
Because the sun's down
Whyy?
Because it's night
Why?
Because it's not day
Why?
Go ask your mother.

Or....

Claire go outside
OK, after I use the bathroom.
Why
Because I have to use the bathroom first
Why
Because my bladder's full
Why
Because I drank too much
Why
The world's complicated, Claire, and I was thirsty


Or, worse..
Claire go in bathroom wid ... daddy
No, I need to use the bathroom privately
Why
Because you don't need to be in here with me
Why
Because there are things in here you don't need to see or hear
Why
Go ask your mother


Recently I turned the tables on her (at the table) when she asked me for a "pear, no peel."

C: Claire have pear no peel, daddy
Dad: OK, let me peel a slice first and I'll give you one.
C: Why?
Because you asked for it that way?
Why?
Well, I'd like to know the answer to that question, too, Claire. Why did you ask for a pear with no peel?
To eat it.

PHInal PHX

The season is fading into November, but I've still got some photos from our loveable losers' escapade in Arizona.



Here's the view from our seats. I think that's Alfanso Zero-ano at the plate, striking out again.



We later discovered we'd overpaid for these seats. Not because of the Cubs' performance. Because Diamondback fans are fair-weathered. They don't turn out for games unless it's below 90 at game time. So, there were plenty of tickets to be had.

Don't we look like suckers for scalpers?



My bro and I had a great time, despite the losses. Too bad a certain fair-weathered Diamondback fan couldn't join us to rub our noses in the loss in person. Instead, we sat next to Alex, who designed her own Cubs T-shirt:



You go, Alex. One day in YOUR lifetime, the Cubs will win it all.

More PHX

There was plenty of action outside the ballpark in Phoenix, too.

This is Gracie in her father's hat. What's remarkable about this hat is that her dad bought it at his first concert -- a Beach Boys show at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds more than 20 years ago. Her dad might have been 12 at the time.



Hey, the hat's in great shape, considering!

Hailey stole the show on this visit. Here she is in her momma's arms just before she flashes one of those emotion-filled winks that bucklesc your knees with cuteness.



More fun with Hailey. Who does she look like? Eric? Or Eric?



Fun with a 00s version of a marble machine.



Fun with uncle's camera case. No, unfortunately, I couldn't blame Hailey for the disappearance of my camera.



This is the scene I found inside the refrigerator at mom & dad's condo, where I crashed after the games. Why two crushed, empty soda cans were stashed in the fridge remains an item under investigation.

Cubdom post mortem; Phoenix

I've got my camera back. Time to tease you with some Cubs footage.

Yes, they lost, we know that. We knew that. What else would we have expected. Losing does not deter Cubs fans. Not anymore. We got over that in 1984. Big Brother, Leon Durham and all that.

Younger brother Eric picked me up from Sky Harbor and whisked me directly to Chase Field. Gracie came along, too. We ate salads at TGI Friday's while watching batting practice, dodging a couple balls. Gracie kept watch.



Later, when the Cubs took their turn, we wandered down to the wall along the right field line to try to get Gracie an autograph. Mind you, it was to be for Gracie. Her glove does not fit my hand.



Frank Robinson did not oblige. Then again, he didn't play for the Cubs. What do you expect from a former Red.



Lou Pinella wandered near and was overheard mumbling to himself: "Should I take Zambrano out after the 6th? 7th? 5-and-2/3rds?"



He chose wrong.

Reality struck and we retreated, climbed and rappelled to our seats, shown below. We found ourselves surrounded by plenty of other Chicago faithful. Gracie showed off her missing tooth and her loose one, too. Despite the nosebleeds, Lou's managing and the game's final result, we had a great time.



Next, Thursday night's game. You know the result. But do you know who sat next to us!?!?!

Cubdom post mortem; Phoenix

I've got my camera back. Time to tease you with some Cubs footage.

Yes, they lost, we know that. We knew that. What else would we have expected. Losing does not deter Cubs fans. Not anymore. We got over that in 1984. Big Brother, Leon Durham and all that.

Younger brother Eric picked me up from Sky Harbor and whisked me directly to Chase Field. Gracie came along, too. We ate salads at TGI Friday's while watching batting practice, dodging a couple balls. Gracie kept watch.



Later, when the Cubs took their turn, we wandered down to the wall along the right field line to try to get Gracie an autograph. Mind you, it was to be for Gracie. Her glove does not fit my hand.



Frank Robinson did not oblige. Then again, he didn't play for the Cubs. So there.



Lou Pinella wandered near and was overheard mumbling to himself: "Should I take Zambrano out after the 6th? 7th? 5-and-2/3rds?"



He chose wrong.

Reality struck and we retreated, climbed and rappelled to our seats, shown below. We found ourselves surrounded by plenty of other Chicago faithful. Gracie showed off her missing tooth and her loose one, too. Despite the nosebleeds, Lou's managing and the game's final result, we had a great time.



Next, Thursday night's game. You know the result. But do you know who sat next to us!?!?!

A Chorus Line

Wheels on the Bus fall off.....




...and Row Row Boat like you've never heard it rowed before:



Remember, it's not about lighting, or lack thereof. It's about song.