Today was particularly nice

Last Thursday was my last day of work as I'm on holidays now until Sept. 8. It's a different mode. I feel like we can do so much more because there isn't ten hours looming over me that get eaten up by work or working towards work each day. On Sunday, we spent the afternoon at the pool. Note your strong muscles.


Yesterday, we went shopping with Nana. She bought us a snack and drink in the food court before we headed home for lunch. Then went to her house where we snooped in her basement and found her forgotten collection of Disney characters. You fell asleep on the way home and napped until almost 5:30 but that was okay because even if you did stay up late, we have no early morning schedule to adhere to.

Today was particularly nice. We put away the dishes we'd washed in the dishwasher, then made rhubarb and blueberry hand pies, then reloaded the dishwasher, picked some ripe tomatoes and strawberries, had veggies with dip, cheese and crackers and those delectable hand pies for lunch, then topped it off by...


...going to the beach! Regina Beach and it was great, albeit a little on the rocky side. But you got to try out your new floatation bathing suit, swim in the lake, dipping under the big waves sometimes, eat chips and drink pop and hit the park. Nice. Especially with today's 33° heat.

A deep, extreme love

Tonight and last night were kinda the same. Last night I had a hair cut scheduled for 7:45. I was hoping you'd already be asleep but of course you weren't. After begging for five minutes to come with me, you settled for quietly sobbing and saying, "I just wait here by the door 'til you get home." Fortunately last night you did go to sleep.

Tonight, however was a different story.

I had my very last SGI youth conference today ('cause next year I'm not considered youth anymore); it was also my last day of 'work' before three weeks of holidays. I'd taken you to the babysitter around 9:30 and picked you up by four and even though it was a short day away, you were crushed that Dad and I were going out again for the supper and party portion of the conference. We'd picked up supper for you and Nana, but by the time we wanted to leave around 5:45 you were hysterical, pleading to come. "I bigger now. I can come to work!" We drove away watching you scream at the door, distraught as though you'd never see us again.

Usually within ten minutes you calm and can carry on, but tonight you just sat in the window waiting for us to come home. Until 8:30. "I waiting for Mom to come home." Then when Nana finally convinced you to maybe go and watch some t.v., you watched a couple shows then hit the sack where you read stories until falling asleep in your clothes. "Mommy will put my pajamas on me."

I think you've had it. You need me to have a holiday and stay home with you just as much as I need one. Except it seems you might need it a little more than me.

Three years old

We celebrated your actual birthday by going to a movie tonight. That hinged on you having a nap this afternoon because I got more than one phone call today saying, "Mom, I neeeeed you. Can you come home now?" Not to mention the sad, sad crying and pounding on the door when we tried to go back to work at lunch.


But you napped for a couple hours with Nana so after supper, we asked if you wanted to go see WALL•E again or Kung Fu Panda. WALL•E won out, so we were all happy. Watching you read their emotions, these two robots, it's really quite wonderful. You feel everything they do and it's so nice to share that with you.

Happy birthday, squirt.

Birthday party!

Even though you won't be three until Wednesday, we celebrated with a little party yesterday. On the guest list were Creeson and his mom and dad, Michele and Sydney, Nigel and Jessica, Nana and Skye, and Grandma and Grandpa. What a hot, humid day it was though you and I were the only ones with really rosey cheeks. Here's the day in pictures:

You and Creeson kept cool with the water from the paddling pool and your sun hats, then refreshed with lemonade and breadsticks, of course.

Everyone concentrate...

Now ready, set, BLOW!

Mmmm, cupcakes, icing and lollipops - oh my!

Did you say presents?

I can open them now?

Now?

Yayyyyy!

Do I have to open the cards first?

Princess wrapping paper!

A magic wand! Wow!

Starting to get a little dazed and overwhelmed by ALL the presents. After quickly opening one, you'd immediately say, "More presents."

And you passed out at your birthday supper before the crazy servers could throw a moose hat on you and sing to you.

But woke up upon leaving Montana's so we could go home and open up all those wonderful toys.

And you, you lucky little duck, got to stay home all day with Grandma and Grandpa to play with all your brand new toys! Starting with Play-doh at 7:30 a.m...

When we tucked you into bed last night, I asked you what your favourite thing was that day. Your answer? "Presents," of course, "- and mama." If you keep saying such sweet things like that to me, three is going to be pretty terrific.

Let's rock 'n' roll!

Last week, you were messing around in the computer room while I was computing (or more likely surfing). You pulled out Dad's Guitar Hero guitar and said, "Let's rock 'n' roll!" I'm guessing you pick this stuff up at the babysitter...

Anyway, we hit the Folk Fest last night. Until midnight. Had tonnes of fun. You running around with other kids and by 11 p.m. we were pretty sure you were all feral. The other day in the van you said, "On Sunday after my birthday, can me and Creeson go to the Folk Fest by ourselves?" To which I replied, "Uh, I guess we'd have to ask Creeson's mom," not wanting to shoot down this very well thought out idea.

You and Creeson sure like to kiss and hug.

That's John K. Samson of The Weakerthans on stage behind us.

Trying to catch a few more ZZZs after getting up this morning, we let you run loose. (Did I mention you woke up at about 6:39 saying, "Mom. Get up. Now.") We retired downstairs on the couch where I woke up with a whole drawer of my sewing stuff scattered beside my bed. Most interestingly, we saw you'd been playing online games while we dozed. This is what we found on screen later. Apparently you had to type your name in this Wonder Pets game and needless to say we were very impressed.


Also nice to see you were so on the ball with so little sleep. Also nice that you were asleep for the night today at 5:30 p.m. Left a lot of time to get ready for a little event we call your birthday party tomorrow!!!

Long weekend

Nana has been in the hospital for almost a week now. We really hoped for some day passes over the long weekend to maybe hit the beach for an afternoon, but no. So, on Friday we visited her in the afternoon after a morning out at mom's work, dad's work, the mall and Toys R Us scoping out something you might enjoy for your birthday. Oh, then lunch at India House to quell your often requested fix for Innian food. (Innian like on Peter Pan, right?)


It's rather painful going to the hospital, especially if we have to park really far away. You doddle, so it takes a long time for you to walk along every curb as though it's a balance beam. Then, once we get in and up to the 6th floor, we have to douse our hands in alcohol before we put on our gowns and latex gloves because the unit is under isolation. (Ah yes, trying to keep those on you is impossible, but we have compromises...and bribes.) Which also means Nana can't leave her room. Usually we'd go down to Robin's Donuts and have donuts and drinks so we don't go crazy, but not now. Everything we have, we bring into the room.

I think you did a terrific job tracing in the letters.

Have I mentioned there's only one chair - and that's when Nana's roommate's guest(s) hasn't snagged it.

Anyway, on Saturday we made your year by taking you to Buffalo Days. You were in love. Especially with the roller coaster. Nothing better to you than constant, thrilling excitement. With danger thrown in. And cotton candy. And sno cones. And a bag of mini donuts for us and one for Nana.

Not even two hours later we were totally pooped from the fun and sun. But it was fun. In the sun.