Look Joseph--there are the horsies!





On the way to the Hilton Head house for longer than I can remember, we would pass Lawton Stables which would mean we were really almost there. Just across from the co-op Heritage Farms and just before the Sea Pines traffic circle, horses milled about the fields and patiently trotted children and families about.

Lawton Stables was the stuff of family legends: So the story goes, my Granny would take me there with Aunt Addie. They would lead a pony around in circles so I could ride my favorite animal. Bored with the pony ride, I would call out "Faster, Granny, faster!" demanding she trot the horse, or better yet canter, around the rink. And ever gracious in the hot hot sun, they would actually oblige.

Then every year when the dear Davis family--our oldest friends--arrived to spend a few weeks with our family at 20 Belted Kingfisher, they too marked the arrival with Lawton Stables and Donna's refrain pointing out the horses. So, it is no surprise that the stables figured in our visits to HHI with Elsie and I find myself understanding why a grandparent would run in circles and a parent would point out with childlike enthusiasm: "Look, Joseph, there are the horsies."

New Wheels

Some Pictures are Worth 1000 Words...

Donna and Rick come to visit!

It was so much fun having Donna and Rick come to visit us this weekend. Always so kind and generous and patient--we are fortunate to have them as friends. While they never would admit it, I'm sure they found our conversation less than scintillating: yummy, yucky, birdie, tweet-tweet, cat kitty, meow, bye bye, daddy (all purpose name), no Nani no, doggie, duckie, star, and Old MacDonald for good measure. Next time they come to visit, we can invite them to Elsie's new favorite game: tea parties where we feed the toys imaginary "yummy" and then we can show them today's new word--"moon."

Bossy Baby
So Elsie is always in the mood to play with Oscar, and the patient guy always obliges. He usually ends up losing his bed and his dignity with nothing but a dirty sock to show for his trouble. We fear that, considering Elsie's evident willfulness, soon we'll all be left holding said sock.

Sitting Pretty
So, no new words lately, but a renewed interest in Old MacDonald; the E-I-E-I-O with the "woof woof" verse really tops the charts currently. Our new tricks are more physical than verbal lately: climbing up and onto (not down), running, and we are really interested in sitting and standing. Whenever E is near the piano, she squats to sit, whether the bench is behind her or not. It really is a portrait of blind faith--she doesn't look back, just sits and hopes it will be there. Sometimes we'll run over and slide it under her rear, just in time, before she notices the bench is nowhere near. I guess that is parenting for you... protecting that sweet booty at all costs.

Halloween Booty

Booty of another sort

What is black and white and cute all over?






Yep, Elsie was a zebra for Halloween! She went to a party out at Isle of Hope followed up with trick or treating on scenic Bluff Drive with Wendy, Capers, Wyatt, and Yates, and lots and lots of other kids, too. In no time at all, she picked up on a pattern: walking up to the door means lots of attention and something bright and shiny to hold. Her zeal was evident and earned her much praise. Before too long, she refused to skip even one house, scampering up the walk without mom and dad, weaving through other costumed kids, and squealing with delight. Wait until she discovers what is inside the shiny wrappers!

Happy Halloween!

Road Trip Reflections

You'll find the original versions of these pics on the Pace Family blog linked to the left here under our favorite blogs. Elsie loved visiting Emma's in Charleston--she terrorized Emma's little play kitchen and you'll find her making herself at home among Emma's toys. However, she moved too quickly for us to get any pictures of her with her hosts.... Her current trick is the "big hug" and she'll sometimes give you one when you ask (beg) for it. This weekend she enjoyed Daddy/Daughter fun while mom was away with the girls.

By the way, Halloween is coming and here is a hint: You'll read it here in black and white that Elsie has the holiday covered from A to Zzzzz... Any guesses?

Accessorizing Most of the time, Elsie sports a fairly low-maintenance style--not too much princess, maybe just a dash of diva. Elaine would prefer otherwise, of course, but E keeps it fairly low key... until our recent road trip. While in Charleston, Elsie came to embrace the accessory. Check out her pumpkin necklace in these pictures--it flashes orange. We went to visit Ashley, Rod, and Emma and to meet baby Boyd born September 15th. Emma gave Elsie this pumpkin bling and she is now never fully dressed without it.

Girls just wanna have fun