Monday, April 30, 2007

Worm Collecting


[As transcribed by Daddy]

It was back to yardwork today. I helped Mommy, Daddy, and Gammy rake leaves, break sticks, uproot roots, collect yard waste, fix patios, dig holes, pick up paving stones, put them down again, all all that fun stuff. To keep me really entertained, Mommy filled my little bucket with soil and told me to go out and find worms. With Gammy's help, by the end of the morning I had something like thirty earthworms collected! Not bad, considering that four days ago I wouldn't even touch one.

After lunch, Mommy and Daddy and I drove out to the middle of nowhere and had a nice two-hour hike through the woods along a section of the Bruce Trail. The weather was perfect, and while it's looking as though the back-mounted baby carrier is something of a write-off, we all managed to have a great time.

I should mention that two honest-to-goodness deer were spotted in the back yard this morning. Here, in our extremely urban neighbourhood. Pretty amazing! As Aunt Wendy says "See what you find when you clean up your back yard?"

Listening to: Liam Lynch - Fake Songs


Sunday, April 29, 2007

"WHAT?! Lost Socks?!"


[As transcribed by Daddy]

As is our regular Saturday morning ritual, today we drove off to the butcher to pick up some groceries. As a bonus, we also bought light bulbs, dog food, and Daddy and I went for a walk to a cute little children's bookstore and bought a new book of poems. While I was there, I recited my "Three Little Kittens" rhyme... the lady at the store asked me if aforementioned kittens lost their socks, rather than their mittens. Since then, I've been reciting the ditty with the word 'Socks' replacing 'Mittens.'

After I woke up from my nap today, I was ridiculously grumpy, whiny, and cranky. Mommy tells Daddy that I'm in this post-nap funk really frequently... he just doesn't see it very often.

Before bed, Mommy and Daddy and Basil & I went for a little hike near Edwards Gardens. It was nice.

New art here, here, and here.


Saturday, April 28, 2007

Sleeping and Wandering


[As transcribed by Daddy]

The rain outside is clearly having a pretty strong effect on us all... Mommy and Daddy and Basil and I were pretty groggy today. We all slept in a bit, took it easy, and had lots of naps. While Daddy wasn't networking on the phone or working on his freelance stuff, he was sleeping. Mommy and I had a long nap together in the afternoon, Basil slept most of the day, and we all practically went into comas immediately after having dinner with Gammy and Grandpa tonight.

In the meantime, I just kinda started walking away from the house this morning, following the songs of the local sparrows. Daddy followed closely behind... we had a nice little walk. I love to jump on / over the sidewalk cracks.

It's cute - when I want something and ask for it, I'll answer my own question for you. For example: "Daddy? Dance? Shoulders? Okay! Sounds good. All right, Clover!"


Friday, April 27, 2007

Public Poetry Reading


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and I went to Sarah & Julie's today - I had a lot of fun destroying the place, but Mommy really had a tough time riding the bike there, what with the cold weather, torrential rain, and gale-force winds. We took the bus part of the way home, went to the toy store and bought some trains and a little rake for me to use while my folks do more yardwork.

While at the bus stop, I spontaneously started spouting my favourite poem for all to hear - which kinda blew Mommy off of her feet, it was so cute:

Three kittens, lost mittens - cry. Oh mother dear, sadly fear - lost mittens. WHAT?! Lost mittens?! Naughty kittens. Stupid kittens! No pie. Meow meow, no pie.

In the afternoon, Mommy gave me a haircut and then we both had a long nap together. When we woke up, Daddy took us for a ride downtown and made us dinner.

Listening to: My Morning Jacket - Z


Thursday, April 26, 2007

Muffin Chair?!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Absolutely no yard work today! Yay! Instead, Daddy drove Mommy and I all the way downtown for a whole lot of walking, shopping, and eating. We picked up comics books, looked at some clothes, and grabbed a pretty decent bite to eat. We tried on some new kid-carrying baby backpacks, but didn't find anything that would spare Daddy a whole lot of neck strain.

We headed home again, where I was expected to nap. But after a morning and afternoon like that - who's gonna sleep? I refused, and bit Daddy on the elbow instead. I also named the mole on his arm "muffin chair." Pretty weird, huh?

Of course, as we all went for a drive in the late afternoon, I fell asleep in the car anyway. After dinner I got to meet one of Gammy and Grandpa's old friends... but the whole sleep-deprivation thing was throwing me off, and I wasn't very personable.


Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Worms! 'Mazing!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

More yard work today. It was a bit chillier, but we all managed to have a good time anyway. I helped out with the raking, helped put sticks and stuff into yard waste bags, and became fascinated with earthworms. So fascinated, in fact, that I insisted that everyone around me share in the experience. When they didn't crouch down to look for worms with me, I threw a tantrum.

After lunch and before my nap, Mommy and Daddy took me to buy some flowers for the garden. Once we got home, I carried those things all over the place (see photo). When I woke up from my nap, Daddy was out for another appointment. Mommy wanted to play video games and I wanted to go play in my ball-house... so we made a compromise - we sat in the living room and watched my Toopie and Binoo DVD.


Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Eye-freem hating impostor


[As transcribed by Daddy]

My hand doesn't hurt today - or at least I haven't complained about it. At one point Mommy offered to put my tensor bandage on, and I gave her my other hand. That should tell you something.

Daddy bailed just before lunch for some appointment - Mommy and I played outside. Daddy came home, and I was really happy to see him, but then he left again and I got pretty upset. As a result, I had a really late nap.

Daddy came home (again), we played together, had dinner, and did some yardwork, and then he took me out for ice cream ("Eye freem"). Clearly, at some point some sort of shape-shifting alien duplicate of me swapped places with the real me, because Mommy offered me ice cream and I turned it down.


Monday, April 23, 2007

Mono Cliffs


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Yup... more yardwork today. It's getting quite boring, to be honest - I'm sick and tired of standing outside watching Mommy and Daddy clean up the yard. It's enough to have a tantrum over and demand to be let inside to watch cartoons.

After some lunch and (you guessed it) more yardwork, Mommy and Daddy drove Basil and I out to the Mono Cliffs. We didn't intend to go for such a long walk, but the trail we were on just kept going and going... two hours later we were on our way home, albeit tired, a bit dehydrated, suntanned, hungry, and thoroughly exercised.

Once we got home we loaded up on some dinner, I had a tub, fell on my hand again, and threw a fit before going to sleep. I've been favouring it a lot and have been extra-sensitive when I bang it into things. We're sure it's nothing (it's not swollen or bruised, plus I;m a bit of a drama queen), but my folks'll have it checked out anyway.

Listening to: Feist - The Reminder


Sunday, April 22, 2007

Seating Arrangements


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Another day of yardwork! We all got out there pretty early this morning and kept on raking and chopping and clearing and dusting the back yard. It's amazing how much work we all accomplished today - the yard looks as though it's doubled in area! Even Basil helped out. I contributed by telling everyone where they should sit.

I had a bath this morning, and I gotta say - it ranks up there as one of the funnest. Daddy discovered that the word 'Minus' makes me laugh hysterically (as do the words 'okey dokey', 'handy dandy' and 'boom-bah-bah').

After my nap, I insisted that we all take a break from gathering yard waste in order to go to the playground. We found one that wasn't too busy, played a bit, came home, and went back to work. Of course I got so riled and worked up that going to sleep tonight has become a practical impossibility.


Saturday, April 21, 2007

Drama Queen


[As transcribed by Daddy]

First thing I did this morning was choose my own clothing. See the above photo for the result.

The weather was absolutely fantastic today! When Daddy wasn't stuck inside working on a freelance project, he was outside with Mommy and I as we tidied up outside and did a lot of yardwork. I learned how to rake, and I also learned how to have a race (I love the "ready, set, GO" part) and how to play tag.

The bunch of us had to run some errands, so Daddy drove us to the hardware store. On the way, we got stuck in some strangely heavy (local) traffic. Once we got all the gear we needed, we decided to just have dinner at a pub my parents hadn't been to since before I was born. I guess the food was all right.

I fell on my hand again when we got home, and made a big deal about it. My neighbour Lucie is pretty sure I'm going to be one heck of a drama queen!


Friday, April 20, 2007

Sand in my diaper


[As transcribed by Daddy]

This morning Mommy and I were gonna go out to our friend Julie's house, only there was no air in the tires of my little bike trailer and Mommy wasn't feeling well anyway. Once Daddy was finished with another morning appointment, we hung out with him and played out in the front yard.

We enjoyed it out there so much that we all decided to have a picnic, which was pretty nice. Gammy and Grandpa joined us, and after my nap, I joined them all in the backyard and helped them all do some much-needed yardwork.

The day didn't stop there, though! Mommy and Daddy took me back out to the playground in the beaches, where I swung, slid, and played with a whole heck of a lot of sand. I think I must have brought home most of it in the folds of my clothing. We did all of our grocery shopping a day early, and when we got home I kinda hurt my hand by falling on it funny.


Thursday, April 19, 2007

Twenty-One Months Old!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

This morning I wached a whole bunch of my Toopy & Binoo DVD, and ate a lot of food. My mischevious streak continued as I got into stuff I wasn't supposed to, trashed the apartment, and tried to mop the kitchen all by myself (a toddler with a mop is a scaaaary thing).

Daddy ate lunch in a hurry and then ran off to yet another appointment or two, so Mommy and I napped and then dusted off our bike and wagon outside. Daddy really needs to get out there and get down to some serious yardwork.

After Daddy came home, we drove out to the beaches, got some coffee, and played in the playground. I had a blast! Between the swings, the slides, and the fistfuls of sand, I did NOT want to leave.

New art here, here, and here.


Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Ant-Watching


[As transcribed by Daddy]

I love ants. Can't get enough of 'em. I like to lie down on the floor, propped up by my elbows, and watch 'em scurry around. Sometimes I'll yell "ANTS!" or "'Mazing!" at them. I did a lot of ant-watching today.

Aside from that, today was another day of mischief. I was into everything, taking stuff apart, getting into trouble... you know the drill. I've really enjoyed having Daddy at home for the past few days - we play together a lot and I keep conning him into reading my books to me over and over again.

Daddy was nowhere to be found when I woke up from my nap, however - Mommy and I went for a walk and did some twirling on the front lawn to burn some energy. When Daddy came home for dinner, I was so excited to see him I screamed "EVAN!"


Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Catchphrases


[As transcribed by Daddy]

What's up with us doing clothes shopping before lunch all of a sudden? For the second day in a row, Mommy and Daddy and I went to do some shopping at the mall, seeing as how it's a weekday and there aren't many people around (and everyone loathes a crowded mall). I stayed in my stroller the whole time, which is rare nowadays.

We came home for lunch, and Mommy had a long nap with me while Daddy got a lot of work done and did some more networking. When Mommy and I woke up, we played a bit and then did some more shopping, seeing as how I've run out of sippy cups.

After dinner, Daddy cleaned the apartment and played with me. While everyone appreciates my new catchphrases ( "Readabook readabook readabook" and "MORE MILK!!!!!!!"), they also lament the passing of my mispronunciations - i.e. "dim-im" has become "Dim Sum" and "Ah-Hoo" has become "Basil."


Monday, April 16, 2007

Collecting Pine Cones


[As transcribed by Daddy]

For a change, we went clothes shopping immediately after breakfast. We had some fun - Daddy bought a shirt and a new pair of pants, Mommy got a shirt, and we all got caught in a power failure (which also led to us getting a discount).

We had some lunch, then drove off to Georgina. I fell asleep, of course, and once I woke up we let the crows guide us to a nice little trailhead out in the middle of nowhere. I picked the place clean of pine cones, let me tell you. Basil and I got some exercise, Daddy once again learned that he can't carry me on his shoulders all day long anymore, and my parents somehow managed to run into their old landlord.

Once I got home, all I wanted to do was visit Bernard the giant hamster. I had some dinner, and then a nice bath before falling asleep with Mommy for the night.


Sunday, April 15, 2007

The Return of Naughty Toby


[As transcribed by Daddy]

I wasn't in a bad mood today, but I sure was in a mischevious one. I was into absolutely everything today - the garbage, the DVDs, the kitchen, I kept climbing all over the dog... I was a real handful. 'Naughty Toby' returns!

After a nice trip to the butcher's and a new coffee place, we had some lunch and I had a nap [I reportedly dreamed about Mandrills eating bananas]. When I woke up, Anisa's friend Kayley was over - she brought along her pet hamster, Bernard. I loved that thing! It was so cute and adorable and I got to feed it and stuff. I didn't want to leave it alone.

Before dinner we all took a walk to the drug store - the backpack thing we got isn't making it any easier to carry me around. My poor Daddy is such a wealking that he had to put me down after about 45 minutes. He must be tired from fighting with the computer all the time.

Listening to: The Bad Plus - Prog


Saturday, April 14, 2007

Make Bubbles! More!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Everyone can relax - my awful mood seems to have worked itself out in my sleep. I'm back to my cute, adorable self today.

Anyway, today was another nice day home with Mommy and Daddy and Basil, who I sat on a lot. I played in some cardboard boxes, played some video games with Daddy (I'm still not all that impressed) and did some dancing. After my nap, we drove out to buy a new Wii game and a DVD for me (my very first DVD!)While we were at the toy store, we bought some bubbles! I love them!

While we were grocery shopping, I grabbed a massive hunk of cheese out of the shopping cart and ate half of it. We'll see how THAT turns out. Needless to say, I kinda ruined my appetite for dinner.


Friday, April 13, 2007

Crabby McCrabb


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Papa and Zoe left for Virginia and South Carolina this morning, and I think I was kinda sad to see them go - it would go a long way to explain my behaviour today. I was whiny, crabby, needy, complainy, grumpy, and impossible to please all day long.

Mommy and Daddy did some tidying, Daddy did a lot more networking and talking on the phone and fixed up his site a bit more. He's still not all caught up on his sleep though, so he keeps sporadically passing out when he gets a few minutes.

Mommy joined Daddy at his later in the day, and I got to hang out with Grandpa and Anisa in the meantime. For them I was sweet and wonderful. As soon as Mommy and Daddy came home, I was back to being difficult. Oh well! They love me anyway.


Thursday, April 12, 2007

Belly Dancer!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy's at home today - he can finally stop being a antisocial jerk and hang out with me and his visiting in-laws. He's pretty wired though - working on his buggy website and work stress hasn't helped him sleep much over the past week.

Regardless, he took Mommy and Papa and Zoe and I to a nice restaurant for lunch today. The waitress there totally fell in love with me, and I ate a lot of tomatoes. Daddy then drove us out to a big mall, and fell asleep in the car once we parked. Mommy and I bought some new balls and a tunnel for my ball house, Zoe got some shirts, and Papa spent time at the fishing store.

We came home - Daddy went out to an important meeting he's had set up for a long time, and the rest of us had a pizza dinner with Gammy and Grandpa and Anisa. To entertain everyone, I did a bizarre undulating belly-dance.


Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Giving Papa a tour of the 'hood


I made muffins with Mommy this morning! I sure do love cooking with her. As soon as I see her with the mixing bowl, I like to pull a chair into the kitchen, stand on it, and 'help' (which more often than not means eating sugar).

Mommy and Papa and Zoe and I were trapped at home again due to the cold weather and no car. We all hung out, as usual. A big breakthrough came later int he day when Papa and I decided to take a really really long walk (for both of us) through the neighbourhood. We were gone a long time, and spent some real quality time together. You know... walkin', talkin', throwin' rocks, waving to busses and stuff.

Came home - Daddy was home from work a bit earlier than usual, spent a lot of time networking on the phone, and has been working dilligently on his website.


Tuesday, April 10, 2007

TV, Wii, and Me!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

We tried to get my baby carseat to fit into Papa's car, but unfortunately it didn't seem to work. Therefore, we were all pretty much stuck at home again with nuthin' to do. Sorry, Papa and Zoe. At least we have TV, Wii, and me as entertainment.

A big moment today - I got my breakfast all over myself, and as we were getting ready to put me in the tub, I had to go to the bathroom. So - get this - I told everyone that I needed to pee! Mommy quickly put me on the potty and I peed! I was so proud that I just HAD to show cousin Zoe.

When Daddy came home from work (completely wired, having had little sleep over the past few days) he took Papa and Zoe and Mommy and I out for dinner to make up for being so cooped up. We had Thai food - I loved it! I got to have ice cream before bed and stay up an hour late, too!


Monday, April 09, 2007

Easter Egg Hunting


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Once again, I'm super excited and all amped to see Zoe, and a little unsure and wary around Papa. I mean, I'm pretty sure I like him and all, but he's just kinda big and loud. I'm slowly warming to him again, though.

We all spent most of the day cooped up. Papa watched sports on TV, Zoe played sports on the Wii, Mommy cooked, and Daddy worked on his portfolio. I talked to Nana on the phone briefly, had a nap - and when I woke up, it was Easter Egg Hunting time! At first I didn't get it - I mean, if you think about it, it's kinda weird. Find coloured eggs outside (in the cold) and put them in a bucket? All I wanted to do was stand on the doorstep and call them to me... "Eeeeeeegggs!"

After about ten minutes I was a pro at it, and for the rest of the day (no joke) I was determined to 'Find Eggs'. Everyone had no choice but to put up with my demands by re-hiding stuff all over the house for me to find.


Sunday, April 08, 2007

New Ball House Invitee


[As transcribed by Daddy]

This morning was really busy. Yesterday's statutory holiday meant that none of the supermarkets were open - so we all had to go this morning instead of last night. It was crazy! So many people... no wonder Mommy and Daddy choose to buy groceries around midnight on a Friday. Mommy's shoulders hurt, so we also visited the chiropractor.

Daddy left for work after we came home and had some lunch. I went down for my nap, and when I woke up - there was Papa, hovering over my crib. It kinda freaked me out, to be honest with you. Luckily my cousin Zoe is also in tow (actually it may be the other way around), so I stuck to her like glue! She's my new best friend. I even invited her into my little ball house! I don't even invite Mommy in there!

Listening to: Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero


Saturday, April 07, 2007

Calling Tapirs


[As transcribed by Daddy]

The day started off with a nice surprise - Daddy and Gammy and Grandpa and I drove off to see GG in Guelph today, while Mommy and Basil stayed behind to do some cleaning and stuff. Whatever - whatever they wanna do on their holiday, I won't argue.

Guelph was fun. It was nice to see GG, and I got to play her piano (see photo), kick my soccer ball around, eat a lot of spinach dip and Polish sausage at lunch, play with the drawstring on a desk lamp, and pretend GG's little plastic radio was a mobile phone that I could call Tapirs with.

Grandpa drove us all home - Gammy and Daddy and I all fell asleep. When we got home I was really happy to see Mommy, and made sure she paid me lots of attention. And then after dinner, Daddy went to the office! What a weird holiday.


Friday, April 06, 2007

Cornish Rex


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Snow the morning! I'm the only one that seems happy about it.

Made muffins with Mommy this morning! Fun times. After we bathed, we caught the bus (literally - I tried to run away from the bus shelter, Mommy had to run after me, and dropped the muffins in the process), and had a play date at our friend Julie and Sara's.

Sara and I interacted more than we ever have before - I played with all of her toys, made friends with her absolutely fascinating cats, and sang my 'Spaghetti' song. They invited us to stay for lunch, so we did, and then left pretty late. When we got home, I was super jazzed to see Gammy.

Daddy was late coming home from work, but I was glad to see him nonetheless. I sat on his shoulders and we danced!


Thursday, April 05, 2007

Setting a Trap


[As transcribed by Daddy]

For the most part, I was a much happier kid today compared to yesterday. Only a few short-lived tantrums that I was easily distracted away from.

While Mommy was working away in the kitchen today, I silently slid some slippery fabric on the ground and snuck away. Mommy stepped on the fabric, slid across the room, and came millimetres away from slicing her throat open on a kitchen knife. That's right folks - I set a trap for and almost killed Mommy! She was pretty shook up for the entire rest of the day.

I didn't want to go to sleep today, and almost made Mommy miss her favourite show in order to put me to sleep. Staying up did get me a quick phone call with Nana though, so... everyone wins!


Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Wood Chips in Love


[As transcribed by Daddy]

I had something of a bad day today. None of us are sure what provoked it, but I was definitely cranky and grumpy and argumentative all day long.

Mommy and I were scheduled to start our art classes today, but when we went to the place where they were supposed to happen, there was nobody around (and nobody ever deposited the money we sent, either). Some notification would have been nice. Ah well. We played in the park since we were in the neighbourhood - I found some wood chips to play with, and made them kiss each other. I snuggled them - they were wood chips in love.

Daddy had a rough day at work - after dinner, Mommy humoured our less-than-stellar moods with a trip out for coffee and shopping. I got to stay up an hour late! Yay!

Listening to: Kings of Leon - Because of the Times


Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Once Around the Block


[As transcribed by Daddy]

It's been a while since I reported any new teeth, so I'm pleased to report that there is in fact a new front-ish tooth firmly planted in my gums. In semi-related Clover news, today I asked Mommy to "Read a book" and to "Please sing animal song." Look out English language, here I come!

At the end of the day today, after Daddy came home from work and we had dinner, we all went out for a walk around the block. I'm very proud to announce that I made it all the way around the block without being picked up or carried once! I was getting pretty slow towards the end, but I totally made it!


Monday, April 02, 2007

Itchy Bitchy*


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Another rainy Sunday scuppered our hiking plans. Ah well. After breakfast and some horsing around with Gammy and Grandpa, Mommy and Daddy and I went for Dim Sum for lunch. I made less of a mess than I did last time, and we all managed to spend half as much money. Connection?

After lunch it was time to run some errands. We went to some bookstores for some books (including one for me), picked up more cell phone plan literature and coffee, and headed home. I fell asleep in the car, so Mommy just hung out with me in the driveway instead of waking me.

Before dinner, Daddy and I went shopping for shoelaces and then we went for a nice, crisp spring hike through the park. Daddy sure is out of shape. We sang a lot, though, including *Itsy Bitsy Spider. Next time you see me, ask to see my raccoon impression.

New art here, here, here, and here.

Listening to: Squarepusher - Big Loada


Sunday, April 01, 2007

Mommy's Magical Mandrill Moment


[As transcribed by Daddy]

This morning consisted of our regular Saturday trip to the organic butcher's, and then we did a little bit of shopping - Daddy bought a movie and some games at Best Buy, and Mommy bought a new cake plate at Linens N' Things.

After lunch, Mommy and Daddy drove me around until I fell asleep. When I woke up - we were at the Zoo! Yay! I was so excited to be there, seeing as how I've been asking to go for weeks. We saw the usual suspects (Tapir, Rhino, Orangutans, Gorillas), plus Zebras, Lions, and Elephants. I said 'buh-bye' to anyone and everyone.

The big moment came right before the Zoo closed. We visited the Mandrills on our way out, and one walked right up to the glass to meet us. He and Mommy had some weird emotional mind-meld episode, where they touched opposite sides of the glass and bonded. It was pretty amazing. Even the scary smaller Mandrill who angrily ran up to me and bared its teeth at me through the glass didn't ruin the moment.

Listening to: Soulwax - Any Minute Now


I'm a happy kid living with my parents and our dog in Toronto. I'm goofy, sweet, smart, extremely chatty, and pretty much the cutest kid on the face of the Earth!