Another Apron with Gin the Pocket

Ava is about to turn one. A whole entire year old. I suppose she could say she’s actually going to be “21 months old” if she counted the zygotic period and such, but what woman wants to add time to her age number? Not this mommy. Nor, I doubt, her lass.

In anticipation of the big event, we’re prepping for a couple of things. One, stocking up on kleenex. The only thing more tragic than my baby turning one, will probably be the subsequent birthdays. More on that next year.  Puffs with Aloe in check, we move onto The Party Dress.  Not just any dress. THEE dress. We’re re-defining Foo Foo, here folks.  Mom wants to find something that lies under the lines of “pageant” but above the lines of “Burlington Coat Factory acetate.” It’s not easy. It’s Minnesota. Her birthday is in March. Easter this year is not until later in April, and those are all mint green and yellow  flower taffeta crap. We’re screwed.

The Great Party Dress Quest of 2009 happens to coincide with a trip to Chicago to see “GGB” (Great Grandma Bea) so we could be in luck. Packed and set to ride the rails southeast, Ava Clarie and I start our journey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday: The train left the station bright and early. We hauled it all, including the bumbo and most-convenient attached-tray, carseat, too many outfits… toys, check.  Puggie? Oh yea.

Food, check. Snacks, too many. Gin in apron pocket, check anddddd check.  Et al.  We scored a great set of corner seats in the windowed “Scenic View” car I remember so well from my youth. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was approximatly 4 minutes after the 1st Chooo Choooo that I realized we forgot something. Windex. The windows were filthy.  Could.hardly. see.    Oh well. Cut down on the glare?

 

We had some breakfast.

 We played with toys. We answered yet another senior citizen: “Nope, she’s a girl. Hence all the pink. She’ll be 1 year next month.” And then agree that yes, she is rather cute. And yes, she is a good baby.

Ava attempted to dazzle them all with her new walking skills. Ava didn’t get the train would most-likely hinder that. She’s tenanacious, though. And subsequently covered in a couple new bruises.  Sip.

Later she snacked, she  napped, she  got gently guided from the Amish play area into a more quarantined measle-free zone.  (holler, Ezekiel !) It was a lovely ride and a fun thing to introduce her to.

Saturday:

The big shopping day was finally here!

 

 

It was a beautiful spring-like day out, and we hit the usual shopping areas, looking for a frock. It was a daunting task.

We went upstairs,

and we stopped by the shoe department for a nice set of sticks in size 3. They were out of her size.

We found a couple dresses that might work, but nothing really perfect. Ava asked a nice lady if there were some other places to look. She was not the most helpful gal, simply pointed “up” – which Ava fortunately not only knows the meaning of, but can say nicely as well. We went up.

 Striking out store after store, we went home for lunch and had some more fun. Ava saw cousins and great aunties & uncles alike.  We ate some shicken and even snuck in a little snooze in the comforting arms of Unca Babs. She slept, well, like a baby.

 Sunday:

Pancakes!!!!! We endulged at the annual boyscout pancake breakfast at church. Oh the kids that were there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

They sure loved li’l Avie and her tights!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Sunday came and went with more nice visits from family.

On monday we packed out stuff and hit the tracks. We said goodbye to GGB, promising to come back soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday:

The ride home was of the hilarious variety. A couple of old vets listened to a couple of new ones, talk about their tour of The Iraq. Amused at the eavesdropping tidbits, I was left in stitches when I literally heard the words “once I was in the Black Ops, the gov put my hands AND feet in the ‘letal wheapons’ category. “  No chit. Really?

All in all, a very nice weekend had by all. Although we have still not found The Perfect Party Dress, we had fun trying. It was a delight to share my own special memories of taking the train to see Grandma, and enjoyed spending time with my little girl.

More pictures from Ava’s weekend in Chicago can be seen at her Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/42495669@N00/sets/72157613582880055/

Be sure to leave a note for us under the COMMENT section. As hostess I’ll whip out the gin from my apron pocket, and perhaps bake some scones or something.  It’s just the polite thing to do when you stop by and say hello.

(smirk)

Thanks for reading!