We went over to the school for the homecoming festivities this morning. Despite it being my 10 year undergraduate reunion, I recognized no one - either it was an incredibly weak turnout from my class, or I just don't remember many of them (entirely possible).

Caroline enjoyed playing with the hail in our front yard after a small, intense thunderstorm passed over this afternoon (forcing a truncated Miller Park visit). It was still close to 80 degrees after the storm, and we took a stroll around the neighborhood to assess the damage and admire the mist rising from the pavement.

Caroline celebrated my 4th (4th!!!) 29th B-day today in style. She sported a fabulous blue headband around her head most of the day, and rejoiced when I brought her the balloon my coworkers gave me this morning. We dined at Red Lobster. Though the service was good, I don't ever need to go back until I get another gift certificate - one of which prompted this visit. I enjoyed the cheesy bread, but the seafood seemed to be less flavorful and less well-prepared than the frozen fare we can source and bake from Costco. Also, Caroline's macaroni and cheese appeared to be of the Kraft variety. Don't get me wrong - I dig me some Kraft Dinner - but at a restaurant? Can't they throw in some other pasta and some shredded cheddar? Something? Really. Not cool.

Anyway, in short, I had a fabulous day. And I know this is tangentially related to our titular heroine Caroline, but I think she'll forgive me. She was fabulous herself and sang me "Happy Birthday" ad nauseum during the few hours we had together. Caroline, is indeed, OK.

After playgroup, Caroline and Emma needed some sweet samples from their favorite store.

Caroline met up with her buds at a park for playgroup this morning. Thanks to last night's rain, most kids took a noggin boppin tumble on the slick equipment at one time or another. No one lost conciousness, which is my criteria for concern. All got pretty dirty as well.

Caroline was actually more excited about going to Costco with Emma than she was with stuffing coins into the machines at Chuck-E-Cheese. Good girl.

We went to Moe's tonight with Emma and her gang. Caroline ate a few chips and a cookie, drank about a liter of sugar water, and got a balloon animal. Although she rejected most of her food, kids meals are only 99 cents on Mondays, and I enjoyed her leftovers very much.

Caroline at playgroup in Tanglewood Park this morning. Despite her best attempts to injure herself by climbing up things she's just a little too wee to be climbing, Caroline survived. I don't think she's really internalized our motto (Protect the Noggin), despite having her recite it at least a dozen times a day.

We rocked the block tonight downtown. All day, Caroline kept asking when we would be going, and the event met her high expectations. With Emma, Alanah, AJ, and Ben, they got to play with glow sticks, run around a whole lot, and eat some tasty food (well, the others did - Caroline got cold - but free - hot dogs at the RJR employee tent, and she didn't seem to mind).

In a carefully choreographed ballet of deception, Caroline seems to enjoy her dessert and my company at her favorite store. Later, she would try to smother me during our afternoon nap.

Playgroup today was at Miller Park. Despite the photographic evidence, many other toddlers went besides Emma and Caroline. The kids are all becoming very talkative, and it's great to hear them having conversations, until they start fighting over toys. Like whining is actually going to work to convince another toddler to turn over whatever toy they're enjoying. As usual, we stayed just a little past the point of Caroline hitting max crankiness.

Mikes Banta and Gabriella visited this weekend. After some initial unexpected apprehension about Banta, Caroline warmed to the both of them, so much that she couldn't stop showing off her dancing, singing, and drink spilling.

After toddler storytime, we joined Alanah and some other kids at Polo Park. The girls couldn't stop laughing and smiling and coating themselves in dirt. And there was no biting. The party ended when one of the other moms found a giant knife hidden in a tree. No lie. And the park is next to an elementary school, and kids are there all day. And now we know what those kids are up to: hiding giant knives in trees.

Caroline had a second visit to the dentist today, to both follow up on her gimpy tooth and for a regular checkup. She once again behaved like a champ. She had no cavities, her baby teeth have all come in, and they looked pretty normal. The only thing we're messing up is letting her use her pacifier at all. She's just so very convincing irritating when she begs for her sucker.
The second picture is Caroline with her dentist, Dr. Mark. They also took a photo of the two of them and gave it to Caroline, perhaps to get the new patient comfortable with her dentist.



Her gimpy tooth looks like it's straightened a bit. Compare today's picture below to the one taken last month. It's the tooth immediately to the right of the middle two teeth.

The family attended Mikey's 3rd birthday party today. They held the party at a local stable so the kids all took pony rides. I did not take a pony ride, but I managed to eat almost a quarter of the birthday cake while it was left unattended.