YEP, another DUCK

You guessed it, another duck! Today I ran into a clown and asked him to make me a duck. Hmmm....a clown making a duck. Now there's a thought. This clown has talent, especially if he can craft a duck out of balloons. As always, it was a crowd pleaser with you know who!

I wonder what caught her eye......

Light Up Toys

See Bob's face in the background? He is laughing at me and my thoughts on light up toys that make sounds and how Izzy reacts. I now understand piggitz terms when she says "I want headphones."

What is it with the DUCKS?

Izzy is infatuated with yellow, rubber ducks. We own 8 ducks and each one is slightly different than the next. Each time she sees them, she lights up like a Christmas tree, makes a funny face and says "gook" "gook." So naturally, every time I see a duck, I feel the need to purchase it. Somebody should just right SUCKER on my forehead right now. How did this infatuation start you ask? The protective rubber duck that covers the spout in the bathtub, so the baby does not hit his/her head or hurt themselves. She stares at it everytime she gets a bath and THAT is how she fell in the love with what....THE RUBBER DUCK. I saw this duck in the store a couple of weeks ago and I came home and told Bob about it. At first, I refrained myself from buying it. I said - Sandy, Izzy has enough ducks - this one is just a little bit different than her others. She does not need another duck. And my thought process worked - for a week. I started thinking about that silly duck again and how much she would like it because it was different than the others! Well, it got the best of me. I rationalized going to look at the duck again because I felt she needed more "educational" toys - toys to promote her hand-eye coordination, toys to stimulate and promote creativity. I bought the duck, along with this other educational caterpillar looking thing that has to be put together, makes sounds and lights up. Do you think she likes it?

The Rocking Horse

New Adventures

After work today, rode my bike home and decided to meet up with some friends. Half an hour into it, we got poured on by the rain (good thing we don't melt) but we made like troopers and rocked it out. Got to see Obama and his entourage land for his appearance in Chi town and then headed inside. Izzy's friends in the picture are Isabella Hilton and Emmit Ashton!

Bath Time

I ran across this picture and had to POST

Ron Kittle, Carlos May and a Beautiful Day

Today was the GRINDER BASH where the White Sox threw a party for season ticket holders and the general public was not invited. There's something special about being in the park - when the team isn't there playing ball.

Do you know how amazing it is to walk around center field of a major league ballpark? Feel the unbelievable grass at your feet.. level... no holes... no weeds... look around and get an idea on how much room a center fielder has to cover.

We strolled around the field, went into the Sox bullpen, both the dugout and mound. Then off to the Sox dugout. The phones were live if you opened-up the box and pulled the phone off-hook, the opposite phone (bullpen-Dugout) would ring automatically. We walked to the visitor's dugout. We lapped the field and decided to get something cold to drink in the patio area and a bite to eat. They had chicken, ribs, dogs, burgers, potato salad, cole slaw and pasta salad.

After that, we walked the tunnel underneath the stands and visited the Visitor's Clubhouse. We checked out the lockers, and ALL OF THE SNACKS AND DRINKS. Walked across the tunnel to the Conference Center, saw the big conference room and then checked out the Scout Seats food and beverage café (REALLY nice).

Isabella got a few autographs from Carlos May (two-time All Star) and Ron Kittle who was of the most powerful hitters in the American League during the mid 1980's. He wrote "Isabella, Stay Sweet & Smile." Ron wanted to autograph the bottom of her foot, but I told him his autobiography sheet was just fine.

Don't worry. I know what you are thinking. AND.... I am still a CUBS fan. HA!

Pool Party With Friends

Isabella had a pool party today! We invited Nate, Truman, and George over to swim with Izzy. She wore her little self out and has been sleeping 2 hours now!!

Check It Out...

My New Pool

When Bob and I got married, Dawn and Mark bought us a "grill and chill set." In that set included a mini pool - years later, Izzy LOVES her new pool and it even has a built in sprinkler system!! Check it out....

Clown Around At The Circus

While grandma wasn't looking, Izzy was "clowning" around at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Established in 1948, the Ringling Museum located in Sarasota, FL was the first museum of its kind to document the rich history of the circus. Izzy got to see the fine collection including rare handbills, posters and art prints, circus paper, business records, wardrobe and beautifully carved parade wagons!
In addition, she got to see The Howard Bros. Circus Model that is a replica of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919-1938. It was complete with eight main tents, 152 wagons, 1,300 circus performers and workers, more than 800 animals and a 59-car train and occupies 3,800 square feet. The world's largest miniature circus was created over a period of more than 50 years by master model builder and philanthropist Howard Tibbals.
Lastly, we all got to tour the Ca d'Zan (the dream house of John and Mable built in 1926) and the Mable Ringling Rose Garden. The rose garden was just as breathtaking as the mansion. I have never in my life seen so many variations, names, colors and sizes of roses.

Prince tells Iz a Funny Joke. Did you catch it??!