Our New York Minute

Yay! We're back from New York, but there's no time to post all of our pictures yet. Hopefully, this will do for now!

Here we are with the one-and-only, amazing, talented, and beautiful Gina!


At the meet, Blanche and Zelda were embarrassed while Maddie was just bewildered by my Elvis singing voice.


Here are Zelda and I at Times Square!


Here we are at the airport on the way home! Zelda and I are such little tourists. You only live once, though, right?


Zelda and I will post more next weekend. Check back soon!

Blanche and Maddie - If you're reading this, mom promises to send you pictures soon!

Make Like a Tree and Get Out of Here

"Why don't you make like a tree and get out of here?"

- Biff Tannen, Back to the Future

Goody-two-shoes Zelda said that it's supposed to go "make like a tree and leave," but I'm not so sure about that. You can't argue with the wit and wisdom of Back to the Future.


Gramma and Grampa J now have a home in Connestee Falls, North Carolina. We were able to visit them this weekend and spent some quality time together.

On our way to North Carolina, mom tried to fix my hair in the car. She really did quite a terrible job. My bangs make Bozo the Clown look like Farrah Fawcett.

It took us a little over 3 hours to get there from Atlanta on Saturday, so it was a pleasant car ride. We got there and Gramma and Grampa J were there to greet us.

Zelda and I went to check out the bed right away. Yep, it passed the test! It was plenty comfy.


Then we explored a little outside.

Zelda found a pile of logs that Mr. Frank left for Gramma and Grampa J. They're there to keep everyone toasty through the winter.


I found a leaf. OK - so there were lots of leaves... But I found this one especially for mom and dad. It wasn't much to look at, but it had tons of personality.


On Sunday, Grampa J took us to see Connestee Falls. Mom insisted on putting tights on me. I didn't feel like cooperating much.


It was a pretty short trail, but we're lazy little bums and weren't used to all the hiking. We huffed and we puffed our way to the falls. Lucky for us, the trail is well-maintained and there were log stairs in some of the steep and slippery places.

Along the trail, we saw some fun-guys! If that's too cheesy for you, don't blame me. Grampa J taught me that one.

The view was worth the walk. The falls were really pretty. Even though mom and dad have been to some other waterfalls in North Carolina, they never get tired of looking for more. Every one of them is unique.

Nature sure is amazing, isn't it?


I thought I might take a closer look at one of the streams, but I was scared I'd fall in.


After seeing Connestee Falls, mom and dad took a leisurely drive around the area. There was an amazing look-off into a valley.

Zelda and I took a load off while dad worked on a panorama shot.



That night, we watched some TV with Grampa J in our PJs. Zelda says I look like a dork because I like to tuck my shirt into my pants. Hey, I guarantee it's going to be the hot new trend. Just remember that I started the comeback.


The grownups played mahjong after dinner. After all the exploring, though, Zelda and I called it a night.

Zelda: Gramma J says Grampa J doesn't like this comforter... What do you think?

Me: It looks OK, but it probably took hundreds of flowers and 10 leopards to make this thing.

Zelda: No way! This is an animal-friendly comforter!

Me: Zzzz...

We woke up fresh as daisies on Monday morning. We met up with Gramma and Grampa J and Mr. Frank and Ms. Pat in downtown Brevard.

We browsed around the White Squirrel Shoppe and tested out their rocking chair. I'm happy to report that it rocks like Van Halen! And that would be a lot.

Afterwards, the whole gang sipped some on some steamy drinks at nearby Quotations Cafe. Mom had a latte, dad had a chai, Gramma J had a coffee, Grampa J and Ms. Pat had cappuccinos, and Mr. Frank had an espresso. That's a lot of caffeine!

After everyone said their goodbyes, mom made sure that she dragged dad to O.P. Taylor's Toy Store, where she bought some Calico Critters playsets, some Chococat stickers, and a matryoshka doll keychain.

After that, mom and dad stopped in at the thrift store. Mom found some great deals on a Fire King casserole and a hobnail milk glass lamp. Dad found a set of Latin lounge/jazz records at a bargain price!

After a terrific and filling lunch at the Mexican restaurant, we had to head home.

We were sad to leave, but hopefully we'll get to go back again soon.

Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet, Give Me Something Good To Eat

What a perfect weekend! It was the Candler Park Fall Fest and the weather was just fantastic.

Mom and Auntie M were vendors at the festival, so Zelda and I went too. Dad and Uncle Oidon played lots of go.

Zelda is so lucky! Mom bought her a cute new dress from Plastic Fashion and Zelda got to wear it this weekend. Goody-two-shoes Zelda better watch it. I was here first! I would hate for Zeldy-pants to find my pet beetle in her shoes.



Another reason that the weekend was great was that Tory and Emma visited us on Saturday! We had so much fun together at the playground.


We played on the swings...


We see-sawed...

We hung upside down on the monkey bars...


We climbed some log pillars...

And we even climbed a tree...


I was having so much fun that I didn't even realize that I'd dropped my shoe. Mom and Kristen found it, so everything's OK! Zelda was pretty annoyed by my smelly feet though.

What a wonderful weekend!

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead

"They move. They breathe. They suck."

- Army of Darkness

Today was an incredible zombie-filled day of ghoulish fun at the 3rd Atlanta Blythe Meet. It was the largest meet yet with 11 people!

We started out at Ria's Bluebird and had lunch together. Everyone spent lots of time eating, talking, and having a good time on the patio together. Mom had the Bionic Breakfast and a biscuit. Auntie M had the Early Bird. We love Ria's!

After that, everyone headed over to the Oakland Cemetery, where we ran into an army of zombies!!! Boy - Atlanta's got some major growing pains. City image issues, poor infrastructure, unethical government workers, ZOMBIES... What next?



Well, since Zelda and I are total scaredy-cats, we hid in mom's bag until the zombies were gone. After they cleared out, we found a spot to hang out and primp for the day's activities.

Kristen organized the most fabulous costume contest. It was a total blast!

Here is everyone, striking their best poses.



Here are Zelda and I with our best buds/cousins Emma, Kaede, Sakurako, and Tory!


Here are some of Arielle's, Sarah's, and Pam's girls. They were wearing such fantastic costumes. We love how detailed they were. White rabbit Yuki's pocket watch, Goldilocks Eloise's wooden shoes and spoon... Simply amazing!


Here are Maddie, Summer, and Emma looking totally dreamy. They're such little ladies (even when wearing monkey suits).


Here is Jem... Uh, I mean Lola... She's Lauren's first girl and is our new friend. She was lost in thought and didn't notice the big ol' spider on her head. Eeek!


Zelda hung out with Tory lots today so they could catch up on the latest fashion trends and news. They're such fashionistas. Tory looked absolutely FABULOUS in her costume. She was the belle of the ball!


Pam dressed her girls as Goldilocks and the 3 bears. So genius! We weren't able to catch pictures of the 3 bears, though. They must have been off inspecting their beds and porridge.

Sarah brought her cute little Kamars, so they joined in the party too.



I was so lucky to place 2nd in the costume contest. Here are the winners:

1. Tory as a flapper girl
2. Me as Elvis
3. Yuki as the Alice in Wonderland white rabbit
   

I'd like to thank Stephanie of SpunkyJunk for my great Elvis sunglasses!


After the Blythe meet, we all went to check out the apartment that Maita, Pili, and Nichole worked on for the interior design contest.

It is beautiful! They did such a wonderful job. If Zelda and my apartment were that pretty, we would be in heaven!

They chose so many wonderful things and put them together in such modern yet warm, pretty yet sensible, simply amazing ways.

We want to send them hugs of appreciation for choosing to showcase local art as well in the apartment. Alongside the Saarinen Tulip Table and Starck Louis Ghost Chair, Auntie M's donuts and mom's jewelry were used as accents.







Maita - would you be our interior designer, pretty please??? We can pay you in cupcakes.