Giant Leaf

Alex has been working some day shifts lately which means he finishes work around 7:00. We have been trying to meet him on his walk home. J and I don't get very far, very quickly because we have to stop and check out all the leaves and trees and dirt and cars.

Water Doodle

I don't know what this thing is called, just that it is a blank sheet for J to write on with a special pen filled with water. I love it...it's so hard to make a mess with and it's safe for travelling. We took it on the plane with us at Christmas and it was perfect!

Slow Loading

I've started loading songs onto this baby...it's taking forever...and we have hundreds of CDs...sigh...I keep telling myself it will all be worth it!

Max is 3!

Today marks the beginning of birthday season...I think we have a birthday party a week for the next few weeks. I loved this cake because it was perfect for Max, yet it was so simple as well!

I'm A Big Girl Now

My parents stopped by today with something new and special for Miss J...a big girl bed! It originally belonged to one of J's aunties and the bedding was mine, so she felt super special to have our old stuff (I'm so glad my kid is happy to have hand-me-downs!)

Melon Mouth

Scooting

Daycare has some pretty cool toys that sometimes we get to borrow. J was one happy kid tonight!

Stanchion

I should probably be wishing Alex a happy birthday, but instead, all the talk today is about the stanchion.

Go Canucks Go!

She Dressed Herself

Victoria Day Migraine Cure

Blerg...that's all.

New (Motor)bike

J got this bike from her grandparents this weekend. She loves it and calls it her motorbike.

Stop!

Cupboard Dweller

Here's J with her many pony tails before we left this morning. That's "her" cupboard and she's in the gates. Just ask her.

Swooping Sidewalk

Evening Wander

J and I have been going for walks in the evenings before bed time. I think she covers three times as much ground as I do, but she has a great time!

The Courilof Affair

My Toes Are Sticking OUT!

See down in the lower left corner? That's a toe or two. J is a little too long for her blanket these days and we often wake up to a yell in the middle of the night because her toes are sticking out. Time for a new blanket!

Fruit Salad

We were out of town last weekend for Mother's Day so we had Alex's mom and grandma (and his dad too) over for brunch this morning. I made a fruit salad to go with our lovely baked French toast with blueberries. I LOVE this bowl. It's one of my favourite dishes.

Holey Mattress

I was digging around in J's closet for something (and it's full) and I found this. It has had a hole in it since I lived in the Hobbit Hole, but for some unknown reason it has continued to live with us...for over five years. It left our house today. For good.

Little Skype-er

One of J's favourite things to do is to talk to my mom and dad on the computer. That cup has water in it. No coffee for munchkin (you can see it in action here as a smoothie cup)

The Best Word Book Ever

Stand Up And Be Counted

Last time I had to do the census, I got the long form. This time we had the short form and it was all online...very quick and easy.

Gift From J

Mother's Day Card

Loader Driver

J loves her big machines...Uncle Mike made J the happiest girl in town and took her for a ride this afternoon. Between cement mixers last weekend and a loader this weekend we're not sure what to do with J next weekend!

Edited to add: See here for a full recap of the loader adventure.

Learning How To Make Pizza

Grandpas are the very best...Bop showed J how to make pizza dough tonight. And then we had delicious pizza for dinner...yum!

There, There

J and Uncle Sammy have been buddies since she first started visiting Kelowna. This year she's taller than him and she went right over to say hello.

The Sticker Chart

This is THE chart that is helping to keep J in her bed...see the smiley faces and stars?

Bathing Beauty?

I went in to check J before I went to bed tonight and discovered she was asleep in her bathing suit. She definitely had pjs on when I put her to bed! I'm not sure how comfortable that's going to be, but I guess I'll find out in the morning...

Stars

The stars are part of the staying in bed tactics

...if J gets a whole row of smiley faces, she gets a star. Eventually she will get a trip to the aquarium...

Happy Faces

Sleep has been an huge issue at our house recently...so these stickers are part of the solution. J gets one if she stays in her bed all night. She is great when she finally goes to sleep, it's getting to that point that is difficult!

Tube Slide

J loves going to the "big" park. It's a bit of a walk from our house but there are lots of slides and swings and climbers.

Cement Trucks!

J is obsessed with cement mixers and other large equipment. She was thrilled today when we told her we were going on an adventure. Ocean Concrete on Granville Island had an open house and J to pose beside some of the machinery, touch some of it, and even "drive" some of it. It was definitely an exciting day!

Tax Time

Apparently I didn't think taxes were worthy of a photo in 2007 or 2009, but let me assure you, I did them. Looks like I'm getting closer to the deadline every year...I had great intentions this year, but the computer was out of commission (guess what the motivation was to finally get it fixed!?!?!)

The Nickle Nackle Tree

The Nickle Nackle Tree was a favourite book at our house when we were kids. I was excited when J picked it out at the library all on her own...seems we have similar taste in books!

Current Project: Operation iPod

Our iPod has been here for a little while and now I'm finally facing the huge task of loading our music on to it. I am motivated by the knowledge that when I'm done, I'll have two huge drawers and one shelf free for storage...

Easter Flowers

Some nice guy who lives at my house decided I needed some pretty flowers (and a butterfly…)

Dockside

Yummy 30th birthday brunch for Kelsey and Rebecca…yum yum.

Chocolate Before Breakfast

J LOVED searching for all of the Easter goodies the Easter bunny left. She was thrilled when we told her she could sample the treats as she went…

Friends

J’s buddy Inara came over to our place this afternoon while her dad and grandpa finished cleaning their old place and her mom and grandma unpacked their new apartment. The girls had a great time at the park together.

My kid!

Look how much they’ve grown since last February!

Cousins

We had dinner with Alex’s family today and J and Isabella were, as always, so happy to see each other…what a nice picture…

This is more like reality though!

Soon To Be Table And Chairs

We’ve been looking for a table and chairs for J’s room for quite some time. We finally found one that was the right price and size for her room…

Look What Came Back!

We missed this computer…but it’s back now…hopefully for good!

Checking Her Watch?

Mommy, are we going to be on time?

Tired Toddler

On our way to daycare…J looks tired. Very tired.