The Adventures of Clover!: July 2008

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Day Camp: Day Three

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I got up in the middle of the night, joined my folks in bed, and proceeded to roll around, sing and dance, toss and turn, and chatter away while they tried to sleep. At one point, I literally kicked Daddy off of the bed and onto the floor.

Mommy and I had a good day - it was back to Day Camp in the afternoon, and from all accounts it went really well! We were supposed to swim in the pool, but due to a heavy rainstorm we couldn't. Instead, we played games, sang songs, and I drew a portrait of my new friend Morgan.

Mommy picked me up, and walked me to the store on the way home, and then it was back home to play in my pool outside. After Daddy came home from work, we had a nice dinner, and I went to sleep... only to wake up several hours later, having had a bad dream in which I tried to go to Gammy's to read stories, but her door was closed. I also reported that Mike Wazowski emerged from my closet to tell me the following joke:

Q: How does a lion get warm under the sun?
A: He builds a Cinnamon Bunny!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Day Camp: Day Two

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I was up kinda early this morning... maybe I didn't get enough sleep or something last night, because I was kinda grumpy, cranky, and n a short emotional leash all day long. When it came time to take me to day camp, Mommy was a little nervous that I'd spaz out on the staff... but from all accounts, I was a well-behaved little girl. I played with someone named 'Sage' a lot, and learned some new songs!

When it was time to come home again, I went back to being a little bit cranky and emotional. I spent a good chunk of time outside in my pool, and then got out of the pool so I could put a lot of mud into it. I had to have a post-pool bath.

After Daddy came home from work, he joined Mommy and I for pork chops (I called them "Chork Pops"), which none of could finish - me because I was too tired. I went to bed an hour early.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Day Camp: Day One

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I could hardly contain my excitement today, for today was my first day of day camp! I knew I'd go after lunch, so I raced through both breakfast and lunch in order to hasten my excursion.

Once I got there, I was on cloud nine - I was really happy to see my old friend Iman and all the other kids and the toys and stuff. Mommy managed to say good-bye and leave me there for a few hours... when she came back to get me, and asked me how it went, I told her that I had a good time, but freaked out a little bit when the nice lady tried to put me on the toilet without the use of my special toilet seat. We can only imagine and worry exactly how badly I freaked out...

After Daddy came home from work, he and I played outside for a while before dinner. Afterwards, we invented a game where hed throw my rubber duckies at my tummy while I had a bath. I don't know why (neither does he), but I found it really funny.

Monday, July 28, 2008

I don't like my family anymore!

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I really wanted to bring Daddy breakfast in bed this morning, so Mommy and I put that plan into action before we all headed out for the day. We picked up Leslie at her place and then drove to Glen Williams, where we stopped at one of our favorite bakeries for a bite to eat.

Then it was back to yesterday's berry patch in Milton - today it was waaaaay crazier than yesterday, but we spent a heck of a lot longer picking raspberries, more blueberries, and some black raspberries, too. I had a pretty good time, but started overheating and getting kinda tired. After waiting in line for what felt like hours to pay for our haul, we dropped Leslie off at her parents' house and headed home. I helped Mommybake all kinds of crisps and cobblars... after being chastised for putting my hand in the sugar bag, I exclaimed "I DON'T LIKE MY FAMILY ANYMORE!" and ran into my room. My parents cheered me up after they stopped laughing.

Daddy and I had a great game of tennis in the backyard before we had Cool Uncle Gareth's steak taco recipe for dinner. After that we had a sudden freak thunderstorm, and after that I went for a walk up and down the street jumping in puddles. Photos coming soon!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Toothpaste Song

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I slept in my bed last night - all night - which is a big deal, seeing as how I've been wandering into my parents' bed every night for past few weeks. They enjoyed the extra rest.

The prospect of another rainy weekend caused us all to improvise a quick car ride out to Milton in order to scope out the berry patch we're gonna invade tomorrow. We drove through a torrential downpour, got to the berry patch, and did a 'test pick' of some Blueberries, treated ourselves to some ice cream and a wagon ride, and hightailed it home again. On the way home, I composed a song, which Daddy helped me record once we got home. Check it out - it's pretty good, even if the bass line I selected doesn't really fit.

Mommy had a date with Leslie and some friends to see a movie, so it was just Daddy & I tonight. We had some wings for dinner (which I seem to have forgotten how to eat) and rented one of my favourite movies. We got home and tried to watch it, only to discover that it was damaged beyond playability. So... we headed out AGAIN, and just bought the thing (and it's sequel) at Zellers.

Daddy and I had a nice movie night, and he managed to put me to bed all by himself for the first time since I was a baby!

Listening to: Tommy - Original Soundtrack Recording

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Pedicures for All

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and I went to the chiropractor's this morning (something we forgot to do yesterday)... I had a blister on my foot, so I rode in my little stroller. After that, we took a couple of buses down to the beaches, grabbed some salads and had a picnic and played in the playground. Before going home again, we went to the butcher.

Once we were home, we were both kinda exhausted - so we both had pedicures care of Mommy. I've got pink nail polish on my left foot, and red on my right. Basil got a pedicure, too (no polish) and then we gave him a much-needed bath. He sure goes bonkers after he gets cleaned.

When Daddy came home from work, he joined Mommy and I for a fun game of hide & seek in the backyard. Daddy taught me how to do 'running high-fives', which tuckered me out just in time for bed.

I hope you like the new blog layout! Daddy will try to iron out the bugs within the next few days.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Dinosaur Skeletons

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Man, was I ever insistent on having a peach sliced into fifths in my cereal this morning.

I sure am into Dinosaurs nowadays... maybe it's because of my new toy set, and all of the cool dinosaur videos I've been watching on the internet. Mommy was so moved by my new fascination that she up and hauled me over to the big museum downtown to check out some dinosaur skeletons (Mommy made sure I understood the difference between actual dinosaurs and a dinosaur skeleton)! Once we got there, I gasped - those things were BIG - but I wasn't afraid. Much to Daddy and Nana's chagrin, Mommy forgot to bring the camera.

We had a blast at the museum - we also checked out some other exhibits. I really liked the bat cave and the bug exhibit. I have to say, I did not find the Roman artifacts very interesting at all. On the subway ride home, I fell asleep in Mommy's lap.

I got to meet one of Gammy's friends once we got home, although I was mad that he parked his truck in front of our driveway.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Accumulated Precipitation

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I slept in a little bit this morning, and there was some confusion with Daddy's alarm clock and who turned it off, causing him to alost be late for work. Mommy and I hung some laundry on the clothesline outside, but then it started to really rain, so we had to go back outside and rescue everything. By all reports, Toronto has now had a record for accumulated rainfall in one summer (and there's still a month to go).

I was kinda cooped up... didn't watch too much television, but instead played with my dinosaurs and board games and painted more epic pictures. After the rain kinda stopped, I walked with Mommy to the drug store, and did a lot of puddle jumping on the journey. When we got back, I went over to Gammy and Grandpa's to help them make dinner, had dinner without Daddy (because Mommy and I thought he was gonna be late), and when he got home, he took Mommy and I grocery shopping.

When we got home, I asked to go to bed!

Listening to: Hans Zimmer and James Netwon Howard - The Dark Knight

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Little Jimmy

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Having a helpless, hairless, and defenseless little newborn baby squirrel to take care of made Mommy pretty sad. We put it back outside, but when it's Mommy didn't come to get it, we had no choice but to call Toronto Animal Services, who sent a nice man over to take "Little Jimmy" away. We're happy to know that its last few hours were spent with loving humans who kept it warm, fed it soy milk, and watched it poop. Basil is happy to see it go.

For the rest of the day, Mommy and I just kinda hung out and took it easy. Mommy napped and read her book, and I played with my toys and made one heck of a large painting. We played with some of new board games - awesome! We were gonna do a whole lot more, but never got around to it.

At one point today, I really wanted a drink of water. I mean, I seriously wanted a drink of water. I really really wanted a drink of water.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Phở Shizzle

[As transcribed by Daddy]

After my party on Saturday, we left a bunch of squeaky rubber ducks in my little swimming pool in the backyard. Last night we all awoke in the wee hours of the morning to hear the raccoons outside playing with them!

This morning, Mommy and I took the subway downtown so that we could wait in line to get my social insurance number thing. I had to wait in the little room for about an hour and was very well behaved, but was happy when Daddy showed up to take to a nice restaurant for Phở, which was really good! Mommy took me to a bookstore really quickly, I got some new books, and then we waited in anothe rline to pick up Mommy's new Canadian Permanent Residence Card!

We took the subway home, and found two things waiting for us - Daddy's long-overdue and much needed tax return, and a newborn abandoned squirrel, which Basil was pretty afraid of. Mommy and I took care of the so-called "Little Guy", keeping him warm and stuff.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Number Two

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I played with my new toys and stuff this morning while my parents struggled to stay awake... eventually, after lunch, we loaded into the car and headed back to the mall to return yet another broken ice cream maker. Of course, I took advantage of the situation to lobby for some bubble tea, which was awesome. We headed home after a quick stop for coffee and a drive int he rain.

Only a few moments after we got home, I kinda surprised everyone by actually pooping in the potty for the second time (I also had an accident in my undies, but my folks are overlooking that)!!! In their excitement, we immediately headed back out and got to the toy store before it closed... I picked out a cool dinosaur toy set (as though I didn't get enough new stuff over the past few days), came home, and played with it until it was time for bed.

On an interesting note, while we were walking back to the car from the toy store, I remarked to nobody in particular that hopefully, one day I'll learn to play the bagpipes.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Birthday Party '08

[As transcribed by Daddy]

We were all up early this morning, with lots of work to do before my party - cleaning, tidying, and more food prep. Julie & Sara & Steve and James were first to arrive, quickly followed by Corrin and Arlynn and Jason and Zoe, followed immediately by Leslie, after which Gammy and Grandpa and Nee Nee joined us all. It was a blast - me and the other kids had an egg hunt, played in my pool, ran around, did some dancing, and ate lunch! Delicious! It started raining (2nd birthday party in a row), so we moved inside for birthday cupcakes and presents. I got lots of loot - a homemeade puppet theatre, clothes, art stuff, and toys... it was a little overwhelming, and I got so wrapped up in the first stuff I opened, I forgot all about the other presents still waiting for me.

We took the party outside again, and eventually it was time for everyone to head off. Leslie stuck around, and went to Old Navy with my folks and I to help Mommy buy some new clothes. We came home and finished off lunch leftovers for dinner - and I had a great webchat with Uncle Ed, Aunt Diane, cousins Robin, Nevi and Skye!

Somehow, Mommy got me to bed - I woke up in the middle of the night, only to discover that my parents had gone to a movie. I read some books with Gammy until my parents returned - but by then I was wide awake and ready to party!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to one whirlwind of a great day!

Listening to: The Hold Steady - Stay Positive

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Three Years Old!

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Although my party isn't until tomorrow, my birthday got off to a sweet start - Mommy and Daddy gave me a new toy crocodile (alligator?) which I named 'Blueberry' this morning. After that... I was kinda left to my own devices as Mommy worked like a maniac to get things ready for tomorrow! She baked bread, made cupcakes and candy, dyed eggs, made salads and lemonade, mowed the lawn, tidied the house, and actually managed to fasten our shaky bookcase to the wall - something that we've needed to get done for years!

In the meantime, I gleefully sang Happy Birthday to myself a bunch of times, talked to Aunt Trina and Uncle Gareth and Nana and Papa on the phone, and played with my toys. After Daddy came home from work, we took Mommy and I out to the restaurant of my choice - I wanted California Rolls, so we went out for Japanese. The nice waitress even brought me my green tea ice cream with a single candle in it and quietly sang Happy Birthday to me in very broken English.

As Daddy writes this blog entry, Mommy is in her sewing room, making me presents like some sort of present-making zombie. People had better show up tomorrow!

Listening to: The Who - Tommy

Friday, July 18, 2008

Modern Composer

[As transcribed by Daddy]

It was another day of crazy bus and subway navigating for Mommy and I! We went to visit Babak, who fixed Mommy's back - I renamed one of the therapy balls in his exercise room "Beanie Begeenie". After that, we went over to a nearby dollar store, where Mommy bought a bunch of stuff for my birthday party on the weekend. Awesome!

We walked over to the bus stop, rode for a few minutes, hopped on a subway, rode for a few minutes, hopped on another bus, and arrived at the butcher, where I wanted to touch everything in the place. We took another two buses home, and were kinda exhausted. I watched my Monster movie with Gammy, while we all suffered with the dire situation that comes with living with a gassy dog.

After Daddy came home from work, I made up a song for him at dinner::

There's a little peanut
Sittin' in the garden
Smelling all the beautiful flowers.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Mixed Media

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy woke up with a pretty brutal headache, but nonetheless was able to get a lot of stuff done with me today - we made some bread, brewed a new batch of ice cream (with the terrible ice cream maker we've been jumping through hoops for), and did some more cleaning. Not too bad! I spent a lot of time in my room, playing all by myself... my parents love listening to me on the baby monitor as I talk to my toys and play little games and stuff.

Once again, I was a really good girl today (playing outside in my pool, and using paint to attach bits of paper to my paintings, mixed-media style) and didn't throw tantrums or anything. Towards the end of the day, it looked as though I was gonna get a little bit cranky, but then Daddy came home from work and played hide and seek with me outside.

A few seconds ago, as Daddy was writing all this down, I called out in a scary, shrill, high-pitched falsetto wail. In my sleep. Daddy checked on me - I'm fine, and still sleeping. Still, it creeped him out.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Fakeout Chandelier Search

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I had a lovely morning with Mommy - while she tidied the bathroom and the hallway, I moved my easel and paints outside, pulled up a chair, and painted a lovely abstract painting in the warm morning breeze. Paradise!

After lunch, Mommy and Gammy and I took a drive to Fabricland. I don't really like it there, but I was on my best behaviour and was a pleasure to be around! Once we came home, I was once again a perfect little angel, in direct contrast to how I've been over the past few days.

After dinner, to reward my great mood, Daddy took Mommy and I out for ice cream - I got to have my first banana split (although I had to add sprinkles to it). We followed that up with a trip to Ikea - I love Ikea!!! I was just happy to be there, but my parents asked me to keep an eye out for a new chandelier (which was actually a cover - they were secretly buying me birthday presents).

I ended the day the way I spent it - as a perfectly happy, content, polite, and wonderfully sweet little girl!

Listening to: Nomo - Ghost Rock

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Clever Little Girl

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and I made eggplant and mushroom casserole for breakfast. Seriously. Then, we made real breakfast.

Basil was pretty ill throughout the night, and as such we decided that we should stay home and keep an eye on him. We made some party favours, I learned how to work the stapler, and I painted some pictures in my room (and on my shirt) while Mommy tidied the bathroom. We took Basil to the vet in the afternoon - the new doctor pointed out that the previous vet had made a note on Basil's file: "Clever little girl."

I had several tantrums today, some of them were worse than others. At one point, I couldn't get the paint box to do what I wanted, so I threw them all out. There were other tantrums during the day, but the big one came when Daddy took me grocery shopping and he wouldn't let me out of the cart. I had to get dragged kicking and screaming to the car. Once we got home, I had an even BIGGER one when it was time for bed. Other than that, I was an angel... but boy, were my tantrums kinda brutal. My poor Mommy.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Have You Ever Seen a Horse Poop on a Dog?

[As transcribed by Daddy]

It's always nice to start a Sunday with a long, relaxing bath, especially after a tossy and turny night spent in my parents' bed. While Mommy tidied the bathroom afterwards, I played in my room and hung out with Daddy.

Anyway, after a lovely little lunch outside, Mommy and Daddy and I drove back to the mall we went to yesterday to return our broken Ice Cream Maker... and once again, I coerced Daddy into springing for some bubble tea. Yummy!

Next, we drove west to Petticoat Creek over in Pickering. We had a nice walk along the bluffs and played a fun game of tag on the field. At one point, I was gonna pee in the woods, but I got stage fright and forgot about it. I did, however, crack up my parents with my spontaneous lyrics to the song "Down by the Bay": "Have you ever seen a horse... poop on a dog?!"

After some delicious corn chowder for dinner, I threw a tantrum before taking Basil for a walk around the block with Gammy and Nee Nee. But then I got over myself and we had a nice walk regardless.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Socca de Nice

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Really early this morning, I had another accident in my bed, and joined my folks in theirs. Mommy and I were up early, and got something of a head start on the weekend / cleaning.

Daddy joined us in doing a slew of weekend laundry, dishwashing, sweeping, cleaning, and dusting while I supervised and watched some television. Once we were adequately done with tidying, we all went out for a drive to look for an ice cream maker. On the way, we accidentally discovered the chick pea flour Daddy's been looking for at a new supermarket! After that, we went to the mall, filled our bellies with bubble tea, and located a relatively inexpensive (but good) ice cream maker.

After another quick stop for some groceries, we headed home and Mommy made use of that chick pea flour and made Socca de Nice at Daddy's request. We enjoyed it - but man oh man, did it ever seem to tire us out.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Feeding the Pigeons

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Isn't baby Owen cute?

This morning Mommy and I took the bus to the chiropractor's office for Mommy's usual appointment. After that was over, we walked over to the big chain toy store to honour Daddy's promise that if I ever pooped in the potty, I could get any toy I wanted. Although I did enjoy riding a tricycle across the store, I didn't really find anything I wanted. Mommy and I then took a long series of busses and subways down to the beaches, where we found a much better toy store. I settled on some glittery paints!

Mommy and I also grabbed a bite to eat, fed the pigeons (and seagulls) did some walking, and went to a playground. When it was time to leave I threw something of a public fit, which embarrassed Mommy slightly. We took another series of busses home, where Mommy and I both tried out my new paints. I also took a quick dip in my pool.

After Daddy joined us for dinner, he took Mommy and I out for a drive for dessert... but I fell asleep in the car, and was pretty upset to have missed the jaunt. Ah well, at least they saved me some food.

Friday, July 11, 2008

The Big Day

[As transcribed by Daddy]

This morning I went for a nice local walk with Gammy and Mommy and Basil, and then followed that up with a long ride to the Doctor's office with Mommy. I was really well behaved on the bus and subway, and even made a brand new friend in the Doctor's waiting room!

After another long ride home (during which I was once again very well behaved), Mommy and I hung out at home for the rest of the afternoon. I spent some time visiting my grandparents and my Uncle Russell, and joined my Mommy for dinner outside.

The big news came right before bed. Get this - after months and months of hoping, trying, and encouragement, I managed to poop in the potty! What an amazing event! Mommy practically threw me a party - we went around and told everybody! Poor Daddy missed it, as he was out at a press conference... but when he came home, he was so happy he got me all riled up before bed.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Mapmenino

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I slept in this morning - I missed Daddy as a result, and kinda woke up a-fightin' with Mommy. After a few short battles, Grandpa drove us down to the beach, where we went for a bit of a walk, played in a playground, avoided another, and looked in a few stores. We shared a Frappuccino from Starbucks before heading into a new lingerie store. While Mommy waited in the changing booth, I kept bringing her new bras and stuff... we left with a lot less money then we went in with. I was very helpful.

After a jaunt to the butcher's and several bus rides, we were home again. Mommy and I did a lot of baking - bread, a Cherry Galette, and other stuff (I chopped the champignons). I've gotten really good at sneaking away from my Mom after a bath and streaking through the house.

After Evan got home from work, we played in the backyard... we laid on the ground with our faces to the sky and watched a very friendly butterfly land on our hands and faces! I named it "Mapmenino" (rhymes with 'Cappuccino').

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Emmett & Owen

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Congrats from my family to the family of Doug & Amanda Ottney, who welcomed baby Emmett (see photo) into the world on July 2nd, and to David & Erin Stoyanoff, who welcomed baby Owen into the world on June 27th! I'm sure we'll all be fast friends soon enough!

I was up in the middle of the night (for the fourth or fifth night in a row, it seems) to join my folks as they slept. This time, I peed all over Mommy. Ugh. We were all up pretty early as a result. The day kinda continued in a similar vein from there... I was always freaking out about the littlest thing, Mommy always had to calm me down, and just kept repeating the same things to me over and over again. She felt like she wasn't being much fun.

After Daddy came home from work, we all went to do the grocery shopping (which is dangerous when we're all hungry). We came home amidst a killer thunderstorm, and before bed I ate some Oreos and met my Uncle Russell for the first time, who is visiting from China (on his way to Costa Rica). I was so wound up from the excitement that as of this writing (1:00 am) I am not asleep yet.

Listening to: Beck - Modern Guilt

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Naked Batman

[As transcribed by Daddy]

The big news today is that Mommy emptied all the sand out of my crab sandbox, and filled it with water! Now, instead of a crab sandbox, I have a 'crab pool box' (!?)! It was pretty fun - I put all of my rubber duck collection in there and played... Mommy also ran the sprinkler, which I flirted with running through. I'd scurry through, tell Mommy I didn't like it, and then do it all over again. In the meantime, Mommy completely cleaned out and re-organized all of our kitchen cupboards, cabinets, drawers, and shelves.

I had a bath before bed... I let myself out, put on nothing but Basil's 'Electrodog' cape, and ran around the backyard claiming to be "Naked Batman." When Mommy told me it was time for bed, I resolutely refused, as "There's no time for bed... there are still people out there that need to be rescued!" I rescued Nandy Panda from certain doom, had my customary warm milk, and went to bed anyway.

Monday, July 07, 2008

Not Much

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I was up in the middle of the night, having had my very first no-diapers-to-bed accident. At that point, though, my exhausted Daddy (who had been up really late working on layout concepts for work) had just come to bed... he didn't end up getting very much sleep.

I had a nice day, I guess... I wanted to go out and go to the zoo or go for a walk in the woods, but Daddy had to stay at home and work, and he was pretty exhausted and wired and stressed out anyway. He took a few catnaps, while I managed to pass the time by playing in my room and stuff.

After dinner (Mommy did homemade tempura, which Daddy ate hardly any of, but we all loved), I hung out and watched some television before going to bed. All in all, we didn't do much of anything today, but Daddy got (most of) his work done, and I had an alright day.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Scary Parts

[As transcribed by Daddy]

This morning, Daddy and I played together in my room for a long time - we put on puppet shows for each other, and played some musical instruments. I kinda learned the alphabet song on the toy xylophone... but also kinda not.

Mommy and Daddy and I went to the grocery store, picked up some picnic fixins, and then picked up Leslie on the way out to Belfountain for a nice picnic and hike. I did pretty well, and especially enjoyed playing Pooh Sticks off of the bridge. We all stopped for ice cream on the way home, after which I promptly passed out.

We dropped Leslie off and I had a nice dinner before watching my Monster movie again and joining my folks to watch Doctor Who. I like the scary parts in the show, but get bored when it's not frightening. I'm a weird kid.

Saturday, July 05, 2008

The Rubber Ducks that Saved Mommy's Sanity

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Poor Mommy... she's pretty exhausted. She didn't sleep at all last night, and was pretty out of it all day long. Luckily, I happened upon a bag of new rubber duckies for my upcoming birthday party. I loved them so much that Mommy just let me have them... I played with those ducks in my bedroom for almost the entire day. I took them outside to show them my sandbox, I introduced them to all of my other toys, and made up little stories with them and stuff.

After a bath and a long sleepy snuggle with Mommy, Daddy came home from work and took Mommy and I out for pizza and wings. I ate like a horse - nobody realized how hungry I was. I managed to go to sleep pretty easily again tonight... somehow, Mommy didn't conk out while putting me to bed!

Friday, July 04, 2008

Jammin'

[As transcribed by Daddy]

We all slept in this morning (probably due to my late night last night) - and almost remembered a little bit too late that Mommy had a chiropractor's appointment. I ran all the way to the bus stop - and we caught it just in the nick of time, too.

While we were there, I had many anatomy questions for Babak, and helped him fix Mommy's back. Afterwards, we took the bus most of the way to Value Village and Fabricland, where we bought some odds and ends, and then went home for lunch.

The two of us then set to making several jars of strawberry jam with our berry haul from the other day. I had my regular mid-afternoon screaming tantrum, got over it quickly, and got back to making jam, strawberry "popstickles", and pudding. I had to have a bath. While Mommy made dinner, I talked to Nana (who I taught how to properly sing 'Happy Birthday') and Aunt Trina on the phone.

I haven't worn a diaper to bed in almost a week, with no accidents!

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Sidewalk Time-Out

[As transcribed by Daddy]

While Mommy and Daddy got ready for work, I went to visit the Nixons and my Grandparents, who fed me breakfast. Mommy and I made muffins anyway. After mowing the lawn and having lunch, the two of us (with Basil) hiked over to Home Depot to pick up some grass seed. On the way home, thirsty, I started really whining. Mommy had me take a time-out on the sidewalk, but two houses later I really started yelling and screaming. Mommy had to physically quiet me on the rest of the way.

I was sent to my room, where I slammed the door and shrieked for a long time! Mommy went in, tried to quiet me, and I really fought. She held me down until I would stop fighting, cuddle her, and fall asleep. Mommy snoozed with me... and we woke up several hours later!

Daddy came home from work late - but we had only been awake for about five minutes. He and I played in the backyard, and then he grabbed us all some cheeseburgers for dinner before we did the weekly grocery shopping. I was pretty wired - two late nights in a row - and fought going to sleep.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

First Fireworks

[As transcribed by Daddy]

After lunch and a visit with the Nixons, Mommy and Daddy and I loaded into the car and drove and drove until we found the same strawberry patch we went to just over a year ago. This time, however, I didn't simply eat all of the berries within reach - I helped pick them, played in the straw, and helped my parents! And then I devoured our berries. We managed to get quite the large haul!

I napped in the car on the way home... Leslie came over and joined us for some dinner outside. I was given permission to stay up really late in order to see the Canada day fireworks... in the meantime, we played with some sparklers, Daddy's old friend Sharon came over, and then we aaaalll walked over to the park to watch the fireworks. It was great for everyone to watch my reaction - I loved the huge explosions, the pretty colours, and all the excitement. All I could do was scream "WOOAAAAAH!" into the night. Pretty amazing!

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Happy Birthday Gammy!

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and Daddy and I all managed to sleep in this morning. We all hung out and played for a while, and I made up a new version of one of my favourite poems ("Alligator Pie") with a few rhymes of my own that really had my parents laughing. Apparently, I inadvertently used some naughty-sounding words.

After Mommy baked a pie and we had a quick lunch, and then the Nixons arrived to visit Gammy on her birthday. As quickly as they arrived, though, we headed out to the zoo for the first time in ages. It was packed! The new Australasia pavilion was small, but interesting (Daddy's still on about the aquarium he was at last week).

We all came home, had a great Thai dinner with my grandparents and the Nixons, had a happy birthday celebration (with pie and balloons!) for Gammy, and really had a hard time going to bed.