It’s been so long since I updated about the nuggets and their adventures – I’m sure I missed a ton of things. They both love to watch “diggers” or construction equipment of any kind. If Katy sees a man in a reflective orange vest, she calls him a digger man and swears he’s looking for his truck or his digger.

Here is Allen having some fun in the back yard during some cooler morning weather. The Bird was at school and he was enjoying some one-on-one time with the slide and swing set. This was the same day he was “airing out” his under-carriage due to a bad diaper rash.

This is Katy during a recent bath. We have new tub toys that Mom and I picked up at Sam’s Club. They’re little foam shapes that don’t need to be squeezed out. We’ve been squishing the water out of ducks, sharks, crabs and so many more bath critters that I finally had a “round up” and sent them to “dry out” in the garage. It’s all part of my Operation Efficiency that I’ve been trying to implement in our lives. The new toys can stick to the bath tub, the tile wall or even get thrown into the net till next time. Love it! There are ballerinas to dress with different outfits, animals of all kinds, a turning ferris wheel and little men in cars. Any guesses on Allen’s favorites? Woof woof and vroom vroom!

Allen before his bath, and after his Oreo cookie. YUM!

Karli turned the big Double Dueces on September 23rd and we were just cool enough to be invited to her birthday party. Jason’s special friend Kristen (do people even say girlfriend anymore?) sang a little birthday song for KarStar, and then Hillary and Katy jumped into the action. Katy ended up show-boating by singing a rowdy version of “haddy biwday to YEW” all by herself, followed by her ABC song. Karli felt that she was stealing her night away. Maybe she can sing at Katy’s next birthday as revenge.

I blame Hillary for Katy’s show-boating. She will probably have Allen doing it next. Happy Birthday, Karli!!

Katy’s school had a Hot Dog picnic that was too die for! So adorable! It was last Wednesday, which isn’t one of her normal school days but she missed Thursday while we were in Tyler, so it all evened out. Mom came with us because we were heading out straight from the picnic, and Peter joined us from work. The only blanket I brought was our Aggie blankey made by Kathy G. It was too small for all of our buns and Mom got mustard and pickle relish on her back somehow, but the picnic was still a success. Julia and her adorable family let us sit with them. She’s my expert friend on Katy’s school. Then we all trooped over to the playground for some fun. This tricycle merry-go-round was a huge hit with all the kids!

Last week we presented our two Grandmas with a special treat as a thank you for all they do for us. Peter, Katy, Mom, Marjean and I all went to see the local theatre company put on a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. They over-sold tickets so Katy sat in our laps and tried to see around adult heads. My other complaint was that Cinderella had dark hair. That’s like Santa Claus showing up with red Pippi Longstocking braids….I mean, c’mon. Really? Out of blonde wigs? Katy loved it no matter the flaws. Her favorite part was Cinderella, of course, but the step-sisters made her laugh with all their pushing, shoving and whining. I guess they were speaking her language. Mom watched Katy’s face more than the play. Peter bought his little princess a snack during intermission. Marjean bravely offered her lap up to a squirming, wiggly, toe-stomping Katybird. It was a gift of love. And Mimsy loaned Katy a Cinderella dress, which brought compliments and stares from everyone who saw her. We finished up the night with ice cream at Marble Slab. Katy insisted on the mint flavor which immediately turned her tongue an electric green…gross! And all Warren got was a night of babysitting Juicy Allen, plus a couple scoops of Pecan Praline, or something like that.

I specifically left my camera home for the show because I’m trying not to look like such a tourist and embarrass everyone who is with me. Wouldn’t you know it…after the show ended we were allowed to walk down a long line of all the cast members and talk to them. Cinderella was at the end of the line, so Mom took Katy through while I frantically tracked down a lady with a camera. Then I forced the lady to take Katy’s picture, made her give me her e-mail address, and immediately sent her a reminder for the photo as soon as we got home. She was a mom, too so she came through for me. Insert sigh of relief.

And finally, we hadn’t visited with Laura’s gang since May so we were due for a trip to Tyler. It started off with a trip to Mimsy’s dance studio where Katy and Abby peeked under the door to see the dancing. Katy cried and cried because she thought she should be in there dancing with Mims. Mike joined us after he got off work, too. Then dinner at San Pedro’s where we “white trashed” up the patio. The weather was great and the kids were running wild until Allen brought the cigarette ash bucket to me and dumped it at my feet. That was our signal to leave. Emily had school the next morning so the three midgets had a photo shoot in their Rodeo/Fair clothes on Laura’s front porch. Next we checked out their awesome Children’s Museum that had a real ambulance to climb around in and tons of fun things to do. Caves with earthquakes and a fake town of cubbies that represented a bank, restaurant, hospital nursery, vet clinic and so much more!

We picked up Emily from school early and finished up the day with a visit to the East Texas State Fair. It was awesome! Laura and I each spent at least a hundred dollars on rides and food and games but the video we got from the event was priceless. Katy is still talking about popping the balloons and riding the huge 40-foot slide. I ran over Abbygator with the double stroller, but she has a very forgiving nature. Then we visited the petting zoo where a deer chewed on my shirt FOUR times. She is apparently in the upcoming Twilight moving that’s getting released in December. I guess she thought she was famous and so she could do anything she wanted. Celebrities.

Allen’s favorite part was riding the Crazy Bus, a ride that goes pretty high up and around in circles like a ferris wheel. I couldn’t tell the first time that he liked it, but he threw a fit when we had to get down after the ride. Sure enough, he loved it even more the second time! He also enjoyed munching on a corndog on a stick and yanking Gator’s hair from the back seat of the stroller. He wasn’t as fond of Emily and Abby’s trampoline as Katy was, however. If it didn’t look like a trip to the ER once a month, maybe we would get one.

OK, I think that catches me up through most of last week. WHEW!!