Jack O'Lanterns for Dummies (or Babies)

"Hello! I am going to teach you how to make a Jack O"Lantern in less than two minutes."

"Lesson One: These, my friend, are pumpkins."
Stick funny shaped eyes, ears and nose right into the pumpkin."

"It is o.k. to rearrange the facial features if you are not satisfied with your first try."

"There you have it, your Jack O'Lantern is done."

"Don't forget to take a few steps back and admire your work."


"And then, admire some more."

Yesterday, we went to the Third World Bazar in Manotick. It was awesome! It was my first time going and it was such a rush. I loved everything and wanted to buy everything. My budget only permitted a few small items, but, I am very pleased with what I bought.

Mother of pearl inlay picture of two Vietnamese women

Aimée is convinced this wood carving of a Vietnamese woman is actually a flute. She keeps trying to play music out of it.

My favorite purchase of the day was this adorable tea set.

To fall, or not to fall. That is the question.

On Saturday afternoon, we went to Hannah and Cindy’s to play in the leaves. The girls were not too sure what to make of us throwing leaves at them, but they were really good sports about it. They both sat in the leaf pile gnawing at their apples. Eating directly from the apple (not cut in anyway) is a new skill acquired by both Aimée and Hannah that day. They were very pleased with themselves.

Movie Night at Hannah's. Feature presentation: Halloween with Barney!

Aimée has been doing the funniest thing lately. She wiggles her belly onto the coffee table and then goes into shear panic mode. She screams with terror because she can no longer feel the floor with her feet (which, by the way, happen to be an inch off the floor). I, of course, gently bring her feet to the floor so she might realize how very close she is. However, time after time after time she keeps doing it and is genuinely panic stricken each time. Is it mean to laugh at your baby? I find it so funny I just had to get a picture of her screaming her head off while her feet dangled centimetres from the floor.

How can she look so young one moment and then so old the another. My baby is growing up.

Thanksgiving Weekend!

Hope your Thanksgiving was as great as ours!
We visited Jacqueline, Jim and Sadie this weekend. Aimée and Sadie really enjoy being with each other. It was so much fun listening to them giggle and squeal in their beds. They were like two school age girls at a sleepover. If you ask Sadie though, she will insist they WERE sleeping! Sadie, although only a little over two and a half, dotes over Aimée. It just melts my heart. She is such a gentle little soul. Her eyes are always sparkling and I just adore her to bits.

Aimée and Sadie

Today, we hung out around the house. Auntie Ju stopped by in the afternoon. Aimée was full of kisses and very happy to see Judith. We first bundle up warmly and went to the park. Then, we came home and got right into the dress up clothes.

After our afternoon fun, I went upstairs to check on the roast I put on earlier in the day for dinner. Turns out I forgot to turn on the oven. Thank heavens Jacqueline had given us lots and lots of Turkey leftovers (half the flipping turkey I think) to take home, because that is what we ended up eating for dinner. And let me tell ya, it was even better the second time around! Thanks Jacqueline!

Greetings from the walking dead!

O.K. That may have been a little too dramatic. Sorry man, but zombies are the first thing that pops into my head when I think of our last few weeks. In four weeks, Aimée has had 3 different colds. This last one is the mother of all colds. She has fevers, hacking coughs, congestion, diarrhea and night time vomiting. She shared her last cold with me. Three hip hip hurrays for daycare germs!

Work has also been draining! Last week our school got the terrible news that we were being reorganized. After 6 weeks of hard work and many many many extra hours preparing for my grade one class, I have learnt that I will now be teaching a Grade 1/2 split. For my teacher friends out there, I know you feel my pain and know how devastating and discouraging this would be. Getting prepared for a new class (not to mention a new grade I have never taught before) this late requires many late nights.

Despite her colds, Aimée's spirits have been very good. She loves playing with her new friends at daycare. This morning when I dropped her off, she ran up to the other little girl her age and they both hugged. It was the sweetest thing. I am seeing so many changes in Aimée. She continues to develop her cheeky sense of humor.

"Look, Maman!" "I am coloring!"

"Bravo, Bébé! You color in your book not on the walls."

"Walls?""You mean these walls?"
"Oops!'
"It was an accident!"

Aimée had some testing at CHEO last week. She is still having difficulties with her swallowing and eating. She had some x-rays done on her while she drank. It took 5 hours which made for a long day. The first set of x-rays were the worst. Three technicians held Aimée down with her arms above her head. Aimée screamed and cried for maybe half an hour. She got over it pretty quickly though. If only we could forget as quickly as our children do.

"Barium?"

"What the hay.. bottoms up!"

or bottoms down...

Mama Lisa

"Hi you, so glad you popped in."

"I'm just drawing. Would you like to see my drawing?"

"Wait a minute, wait a minute, did I forget something?"

"Yup, just right there."
" Aww.. Much better!"

"O.K. Now it's ready for viewing."

"I call it the Mama Lisa. It is still very much in its early stages of course. Can you see the smile? Even Leonardo da Vinci had to start somewhere."

" Thank you, thank you Bev for the easel. I love it so much; especially the messy markers!"