Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Thanksgiving Breakfast

[As transcribed by Daddy]

So last night I had a pretty hard time actually falling asleep... my persistent cough (always worse when I go to bed) kept me up. At about four in the morning I joined my folks in bed... of course, at that point I was wide awake. Daddy went to bed in my room.

Eventually I fell asleep, but ended up sleeping in, and missed a bunch of my favourite morning television shows. That kinda threw off my day. Plus, due to my coughing fits, Mommy kept me home from school. I wasn't too happy about that, but we Christmas-ized the house and I played with loads of my old toys in my room.

Lots of leftover Thanksgiving food in the house... not only did we have another massive turkey dinner, but this morning for breakfast I ate mashed potatoes and gravy. Yes, that's right. Mashes potatoes and gravy. For breakfast.


Monday, November 29, 2010

American Thanksgiving

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Today was the big American Thanksgiving feast! Mommy had, like, ten dishes cooked before everyone else was out of bed, another twenty by lunchtime, and fifty or sixty more by mid-afternoon.

I joined my folks on a quick trip to Home Depot and the grocery store in the afternoon, where we bought wood for my playhouse and snacks respectively. Once we got home, Mommy cooked another ten or twenty dishes and Daddy worked on my playhouse.

Lisa and Matt and Leo and Renée and Mike came over in the evening... we all managed to eat about a hundred plates of food a piece (give or take), leaving several thousand casserole dishes full of Thanksgiving food left over. If you want some turkey, mashed potatoes, veggies, cranberry sauce, gravy... just shoot us an email.


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Cursing like a Viking

[As transcribed by Daddy]

After everyone was up and out of bed this morning, Mommy and Daddy and I went for a drive over to the butcher. While Mommy waited in line, Daddy and I walked around the block a few times, inventing strange animals - I came up with the "Leafa-Loafa", a creature who can camouflage itself as a meatloaf.

Daddy worked on my playhouse in the backyard while Mommy did a lot of cleaning and cooking for American Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. Eventually, Daddy and I headed out to do some shopping - we bought glass for my playhouse windows and some coffee!

At dinner, we all watched an awesome movie and had pizza. In the middle of the movie, upon seeing a surprising scene, I said "What the hell is that?!". After my folks stopped laughing, they suggested I leave dialogue like that to the Vikings in the movie.


Saturday, November 27, 2010

The Clover Doll

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Today was my last swimming lesson - I got my report card and passed with absolutely flying colours! Everyone is so proud... I can't wait to start the next session! After swimming class, Mommy and I went to Tim Horton's for breakfast. I ate a very scrumptious yogurt.

I was the helper at school today! To celebrate the occasion, I brought my new doll Ariel for show-and-tell, and made a point to dress exactly like her (see photo above), including the new pink skirt Mommy made for me. Pretty awesome!

Once I got home, I started colouring some Christmas cards, and then when Daddy came home we went to Home Depot after dinner. I got to ride around on the little wood trolley again! At night, I had several coughing fits. Oh well.


Friday, November 26, 2010

Pirate Voice

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Big news - looks like we're getting a new dog! Our good friends at Bullies in Need have a rescued Argentinian Mastiff that they think would be absolutely perfect for us - he arrives on the fourth. We think we're gonna call him 'Dennis'.

The rest of the day was low-key, due to the fact that my cough keeps on coming and going. I went to school, which was nice, and then came home and waited for Daddy arrive so that we could play 'Pirates' together (I made an awesome treasure map in the morning).

After our game of Pirates (I used the cutest little piratey-voice) it was time for bed... but I didn't actually want to go to sleep, so I kinda faked a cough... which exacerbated my actual cough. The raspy pirate voice I had been using earlier probably didn't help.


Thursday, November 25, 2010

Pink Plaid

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy's a wimp. He doesn't "feel great," moans and whines, and stays home from work to rest (which consists of assembling major components of my playhouse in the backyard, apparently). Meanwhile, I hack and cough all night long, yet am well enough to go to school.

Speaking of school, it was fine - I managed to avoid hacking and coughing. My folks picked me up afterward and took me to the fabric store, where I picked out some pink plaid for a new skirt. We got coffee, some hinges and screws for my playhouse at the hardware store, and then came home.

Daddy and I played with some action figures before dinner, during which we watched another episode of Doctor Who... which ended with a big fat 'To Be Continued!" again! Arrrgghhhh!


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

To Be Continued?!

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy stayed home from work due to feeling sick - but it didn't prevent him from spending most of the day working anyway. He took a few long conference calls, which meant I had to be quiet around him. Having said that, I think he enjoyed the calls even less than I did.

School was all right - my cough subsided, so Mommy didn't mind sending me off. I wasn't thrilled to leave, however... I wanted to stay and play in the playground, even though it got horribly cold outside.

Dance class was good fun - I learned something called the 'Buffalo Step", and then I came home, drew some pictures with Daddy, and made a fun stop-motion animation with him. We watched a great episode of Doctor Who during dinner, and it ended on a cliffhanger. "I Can't STAND 'To Be Continued'", I complained quite angrily until it was time for bed.


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Sparing Grandpa's Feelings

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Last night I went into several coughing fits, which kept me up a little bit throughout the evening. Mommy kept an eye (and an ear) on me to see how I was doing today, and eventually decided to play it safe and to keep me home from school today. Which is a shame, considering how oddly warm it was outside.

I was a little bit bummed out about school, but had fun this afternoon going over to Gammy and Grandpa's place to sell some chocolate bars. Actually, I waited until Grandpa wasn't there - he can't have chocolate, and I was really concerned that I'd hurt his feelings by waving chocolate bars at him.

Daddy was feeling pretty sick at work, so he came home a bit early, and went right to bed. I woke him up after a while, and the two of us played video games on his iPhone before dinner and awesome television.


Monday, November 22, 2010

Kensington

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I couldn't wake my parents up fast enough - I was so excited to see Kristen and Renee and Mike today! Once I dragged them out of bed, I remained full of beans until we made our way to Kensington Market (braving absurdly cold weather, traffic, and a parade) for brunch.

We all had a lovely brunch, a lovely chat, and I even made some money for my school - Kristen and Renee and the waitress at the restaurant bought some chocolate bars off of me. Then we all went for a little walk around the neighbourhood, checking out stores and stuff. We met a lovely dog, helped Renee and Mike buy a new table, and got some fancy ice cream and salad! Kristen spilled some water on some people who totally deserved it. It was awesome.

I was pretty sad to head home (I got a few minutes in an empty playground on the way back) - I stuck to the computer and played video games before and after dinner.


Sunday, November 21, 2010

Boots, not Bubble Tea

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Cold weather today. I begged and pleaded with my folks to take me to the mall for Bubble Tea or to do some shopping or something, but they weren't really having any of it. Maybe I didn't get enough sleep last night... either way, I was kinda emotional and difficult.

Daddy got a lot of work done in the garage on my playhouse, while Mommy and I stayed home and watched some television, read a lot of books together, and baked a batch of cookies!

Eventually my folks relented and took me sweather shopping before dinner. I really really wanted to get my own version of a sweater that my friend Claire has, but no such luck... I eventually settled on something else, and also got a new pair of snowboots. I still would rather have had Starbucks or Bubble Tea.


Saturday, November 20, 2010

The Bump Heard 'Round the House

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I was off to my weekly swimming lesson this morning, which kinda started on an off-note when I was asked to jump into the deep end of the pool (wearing a life jacket). I freaked out a bit... once I was assured that I wouldn't drown, I gently got in and had a good time. I even managed to swim the entire length of the pool!

We had a day off from school today, so Mommy and I went down to the beaches and did a lot of window shopping, plus I got some new toys at the toy store and a hot chocolate at Starbucks. I really had no desire to go home, we were having so much fun.

Once I got home, I kinda smacked my face on the side of the edge of the front door. The sound was so loud (not to mention the sound of the resulting freakout) that even the neighbours must've heard it! I'm much better now, though. I might have a bruised-up face tomorrow.


Friday, November 19, 2010

I'm Awesome

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy stayed home from the office today, but was buried deep in his work anyway... he pretty much stayed in the corner of the room, typing away on his laptop with his headphones on. I kinda forgot he was even around.

School was pretty good today - we got to watch a "Creole Ballet", in which my teachers had to get up and dance and stuff. Pretty weird! There was a big book fair, too... I chose a whole bunch of books to buy. Mommy and Daddy stopped by the school afterwards for a parent-teacher interview, which went really well. I guess it's not exactly news to them that I'm so awesome.

We all came home and had a delicious dinner - I visited with Gammy and Grandpa, watched some TV, used the computer, and put off going to bed so that I could read my new books!


Thursday, November 18, 2010

Roasted to Death

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I got my report card at school today! I happily brought it home, along with my good friend Carrie-Ann, who joined me for a lengthy play date. The two of us had a blast - we played in my room, watched some television, and even baked a big batch of cookies with my Mommy.

Right when Carrie-Ann's Mom showed up to take her home, Carrie-Ann and I put on an awesome series of puppet shows. My Mommy really liked the one about the dinosaur who tried to eat a bear and tiger, only to be eaten by the bear. "...and he was roasted to death" was my closing line. Actually, I did most of the talking - Mommy liked it when I'd fall silent and whisper "Carrie-Ann, it's your line!"

There was something of a scene when it came time for Carrie-Ann to go home, because she really really really didn't want to leave. Somehow a combination of my Mom and hers persuaded her. Daddy also was in a bad mood when he came home (really late) from work, but my awesome report card made him feel better.


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Scientist Story

[As transcribed by Daddy]

The weather was kinda awful today... wet, chilly, windy, and rainy. It got even worse as the day went along.

School was pretty good - we had a supply teacher, which was something at least noteworthy. Grandpa drove me to my dance class afterwards... Mommy sat in the waiting room as I had my lesson and overheard my teacher ask me what happened on school. I mentioned that a scientist visited us in class today. Afterwards, when Mommy investigated, I had to admit - there was no scientist at school today. I just wanted to give my dance teacher a somewhat interesting answer, and 'scientist' was all I could come up with on the fly.

After dinner, Daddy drove Mommy and I to the grocery store. We braved the crazy weather, and then I sat in the shopping cart, eating a bag of dried plantain chips (which Daddy brought home from a meeting).


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The Clover Clone Army

[As transcribed by Daddy]

A quiet day. The morning came and went without much fanfare, as did lunch. School was kinda interesting - we had something of a book fair, followed by the arrival of someone I referred to as the 'Sort of Dentist' - a lady named 'Penny' who counted our teeth. Later Daddy asked me if she removed any to create a clone Clover army, and I replied by telling him that he was silly.

Dinner was lovely... once again, Mommy and Daddy and I watched television together and then I went to bed, right as Daddy headed into the garage to butcher some more wood for my playhouse. I commended him on his efforts and told him that he was now a 'Junior Handyman Trainee.'


Monday, November 15, 2010

On Santa's Lap

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Once again, we all slept in a little bit today - it was still warm outside, but also rainy and mucky. Daddy and I finished laying the patio stones for my playhouse outside in the mud.

After some lunch, I requested that we all go out to the mall and stuff - an idea that didn't sound bad to Mommy and Daddy. We drove out the bookstore, picked up some books, did some looking around, and put up with Sunday drivers. Then we went to the mall and got some bubble tea - also, there was a short line-up to see Santa, so... I did! I couldn't really think of much to ask him, but I at least told him I'd been a good girl.

I had a nice evening with my folks once we got home. I helped my Daddy in the garage, we had a lovely dinner, and watched some fun TV together.


Sunday, November 14, 2010

Eventful?

[As transcribed by Daddy]

We all slept in a little bit this morning, which was nice - the weather was uncharacteristically warm for a mid-November Saturday, so we all took advantage of it and did some yard work outside. Mommy raked, Daddy laid stones for my playhouse, and I played with the pile of dirt he made.

We went to the butcher before lunch - Daddy and I had a nice walk around the neighbourhood while Mommy bought food. We came home, ate lunch, and then Daddy disappeared into the garage to get back to work on the walls of my playhouse. I did a lot of playing.

That's really about it - we all enjoyed a nice dinner, watched some television together, and I went to bed somewhat early. I guess when you get right down and write it all out, it wasn't as eventful a day as we thought it was.

One thing that IS eventful is that I have a new baby cousin - Matilda (see photo)! Congrats Eric, Elizabeth, and big sisters Olivia, Lola, and Ella!


Saturday, November 13, 2010

Aquagirl

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I had another ridiculously successful swimming lesson this morning... as usual, Mommy was really impressed and I was tremendously proud of the progress I made in the pool today. Did I mention that I also had buckets of fun?

I had a bath and a nice lunch once we got home, and then it was time for school, which was fine and good until I banged my shin on the playground afterwards. I was upset for a few moments, but the moments passed.

Mommy was still taking care of her freshly burned (but healing) hand this afternoon, so we took it easy by watching movies and stuff. Nobody was able to do dishes or prepare any dinner, so Daddy drove us to Bayview after work... we had some gluten free Thai food for dinner. I was pretty exhausted by the time we got home.

Listening to: Kraftwerk - The Man-Machine


Friday, November 12, 2010

Remembrance Day

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Remembrance Day at school today - we all got to wear poppies. The fact that EVERYONE had one didn't stop me from showing mine off to anyone and everyone throughout the day.

Other than that, today didn't get very interesting until it was almost over - Mommy was busy making dinner when she accidentally sloshed some hot oil around in a pan... it spilled out a bit and got all over her hand, burning it kinda badly. She didn't need to go to the hospital or anything, but apparently it hurt a lot.

After dinner (which tasted great, but wasn't worth anyone getting burned over) we all took a quick drive over to Starbucks to buy some coffee (I told Mommy that it was okay with me if she didn't get anything), and we also hit up Canadian Tire and the drug store (so Mommy could get some burn ointment). Once we got home it was time for bed - Mommy had a hard time reading to me amidst the pain of a burned hand.

Listening to: Doctor Who Series 5 - Original Television Soundtrack


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Incentive & Reward

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and I had a pretty quiet morning today. Breakfast and lunch came and went, followed by my usual day at school - we had gym and library, which always makes me happy.

So, over the past few months, Mommy's been keeping a so-called "incentive chart"... a document that tracks my progress with housework, homework, and other miscellaneous tasks. Since I filled the chart, I got a reward of my choice... and I graciously chose to take my friend Cheyenne out to the toy store.

Cheyenne and Mommy and I had a nice afternoon. We got some snacks, visited the toy store, and came home. Cheyenne clearly didn't enjoy being on the bus, but we're pretty sure she enjoyed herself.

When Daddy came home from work, the smell of oregano in the Italian sausages we were cooking for dinner plus the smell of the rib sauce cooking upstairs (the door is off of its hinges due to construction) made him think that perhaps Mommy and I were imbibing in certain illegal substances. Which we weren't.


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Heel-Toe Heel-Toe Heel-Toe

[As transcribed by Daddy]

At school today, I was playing with my friend Molly over at the sand table, and through casual conversation it turned out that she had seen some episodes of Doctor Who! I was so excited to discover another fan. It led to Carrie-Ann and I playing more Doctor Who games outside in the playground.

At dance class I learned something of a little routine that involves a lot of hopping, toe-tapping, heel-tapping, and roaring at the audience. Meanwhile, Mommy befriended an 8-year-old girl who took an interest in her hand sewing in the waiting room.

Daddy was late coming home from work today, so Mommy and I stayed up a bit and watched a really awesome movie. I think Mommy enjoyed it more than I did.


Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Emotional Blackmail

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I had an emotional morning - I was trying to draw a picture of a mouse (as seen on the front of one of my books) and I just couldn't seem to get it right. I kept trying and trying over and over again, and each time I failed I just kept getting more and more upset. Mommy wasn't sure that it was healthy to be angrily drawing and crying at the same time (I suppose I suffer for my art) so she calmed me down.

School was alright, even though I got a stern talking-to from my teacher for talking in class while she was talking. Carrie-Ann made me more presents, and I became obsessed with Christmas (while Claire is obsessed with monkey bars).

I read Christmas books with Grandpa in the afternoon, sang Christmas Carols, and tried to use emotional blackmail to persuade Mommy to let me eat leftover Halloween candy. It didn't work.


Monday, November 08, 2010

Rouge Traintracks

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I had some bad dreams last night, so I joined my folks in their bed. We all managed to get a good night's sleep... which made up for how bored I was in the morning. After a nice lunch, Daddy (who like Mommy is still sore from work accomplished over the past few days) drove us out to Rouge park for a little hike.

The hike was great - I really had a wonderful time. We walked along some train tracks, saw a deer and a duck, We played I-Spy, and just generally had fun! Afterwards we hit the mall on the way home... Mommy and Daddy and I all got new pants, Daddy got a new coat, and Daddy and I got some bubble tea.

We had a nice dinner at home, watched some television together, I helped Daddy put some patio stones down outside, and I made Mommy laugh before bed.


Sunday, November 07, 2010

Welcome Samara!

[As transcribed by Daddy]

We got word that our great friend Naisa finally had her baby yesterday - welcome to planet Earth, baby Samara (see photo)!

While Daddy was outside putting some patio stones down (and screwing up his hip in the process), Mommy and I got to work painting the bathroom. At first the colour was too overwhelming, until Mommy switched light bulbs. Now it looks AWESOME.

We went to the butcher today - Daddy bought me a hot chocolate at Starbucks and a poppy pin for Remembrance Day, which I'm quite fond of. At home I watched some television, played some video games, and bounced around the house up until, throughout, and after dinner. Daddy got me to focus long enough to draw a picture of 'Dr. Schnudd Haroldson Budd', a character I invented on Thursday.

Listening to: Amanda Palmer - Amanda Palmer Performs The Popular Hits Of Radiohead On Her Magical Ukulele


Saturday, November 06, 2010

Martha Yellow

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I had another great swimming lesson this morning! Afterwards, I went to school and had phys ed... it was cold and wet on the playground, so we all played with sidewalk chalk instead. Once I got home, I was treated to some hot chocolate. While I had been at school, Ursula had primed our (old) bathroom - I decided that we should paint it "Martha Yellow."

After a delicious dinner, we went to Home Depot with Daddy - he got several large sheets of plywood cut to size for my playhouse, and Mommy and I tracked down some "Martha Yellow" paint, having brought my Martha toy along.

We all got to ride home with the sheets of playwood in a rental van, which was really fun... but by the time I got home, my Martha toy was no longer "Martha Yellow" - she was more of a "Dusty Gray".

Listening to: Brian Eno - Small Craft On A Milk Sea


Friday, November 05, 2010

Lumber Assistant II: The Return

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy wasn't exactly feeling great today, so he decided to stay home from work. He did some carpentry in the garage while Mommy and I had an average morning. After lunch, she walked me to school as usual... and at school we had music class, which is cool.

Mommy and Daddy picked me up after school, and we ran a few errands... we stopped by two different building centers to buy quarter round and paving stones for my backyard playhouse. Those paving stones were heavy. I helped out as best as I could, but settled with just riding around on the flatbed cart.

Once we got home, we had a lovely fancy dinner and watched Toy Story 3, which didn't disturb me nearly as much as when I saw it in the theatre. I had a hard time sitting still through it, however.

Listening to: N.E.R.D. - Nothing


Thursday, November 04, 2010

Lumber Assistant

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Today at school, I got a nice surprise - Carrie-Ann gave me a whole bunch of Silly Bandz! She's really sweet and awesome. Gym and Library, today, so... that's always fun. I played with Gammy afterwards, and had a pretty good afternoon.

Mommy had a meeting with her garden association in the evening... we had a hard time getting dinner ready beforehand, so we postponed it. Daddy and I dropped Mommy off at her meeting, went to Home Depot to buy some wood (I got to ride around on the plastic orange wood cart, which was exciting), and immediately turned around to pick up Mommy. I helped unload the lumber, and then we had dinner!

Since it was already so late, Mommy and I stayed up a bit and watched dinosaur-related programming on cable television. At bedtime, we read dinosaur-related encyclopedias before sleep. Just like old times!

Listening to: Matt And Kim - Sidewalks


Wednesday, November 03, 2010

I don't need to be happy to stand on my head.

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and I went to the final farmer's market of the year this morning, and bought a bunch of cucumbers and veggies and stuff. After lunch, I went to school... it was fine, but Mommy noticed that I seemed a little bit sad on the way home. She asked me what the matter was, and I cryptically explained that "I don't need to be happy to stand on my head."

Things were better in the afternoon, when I watched a fun movie full of dancing flowers and mushrooms and stuff, which was a great setup for when I went to dance class, which I absolutely LOVED. Mommy is really impressed with how focused and eager and enthusiastic I am at my dance lessons!

Dinner was great - I got to have what I referred to as "Gluten Free Kraft Dinner", which seemed to make me even happier than I already was. I guarantee there isn't another kid on the planet who is more happy to eat frankly awful artificial mac n' cheese (which incidentally appears to be making Daddy ill).


Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Warm and Awesome

[As transcribed by Daddy]

We all had a slow and sluggish morning... by lunchtime I had had a bath, and that's about it. I was still somewhat sad that Hallowe'en was another 364 days away, but found some balloons around the house to inflate and send flying, which made me laugh.

I had a good time in music class today at school, and after I came home, I played with Gammy for a good amount of time. George and Ursula were over and did a lot of work on our new bathroom, and then I had a nice dinner with my folks.

After dinner, we took a trip to the store to buy me a new winter coat (since it's getting so cold). I settled on an awesome electric blue one, which did a good job at keeping me both warm and awesome.


Monday, November 01, 2010

Jack Skellington!

[As transcribed by Daddy]

This morning and early afternoon was spent prepping for the big Hallowe'en party... we did some baking, made some decorations, carved pumpkins, did a lot of house cleaning inside and house cleaning outside, and stuff like that. It was pretty busy, but we all managed to get a lot of work done!

People started arriving for the party at about three... Corrin and her Daddy showed up, followed by Carrie-Ann and her Mom, then Ursula with Max and Jenna, and then Cheyenne and her parents, Claire with her parents, and then Leo with his parents showed up! It was pretty cold outside, so aside from the gourd bowling, we stayed inside, played in my room, ate loads of food, played games, and had epic balloon battles. Even Gammy and Grandpa stopped by (in costume)!

After a quick dinner, it was time for trick-or-treating. Mommy and Cheyenne's parents escorted Cheyenne and I around the neighbourhood - I got loads of loot, and managed to put up with the cold. Everyone loved my Jack Skellington costume, and the amazing pumpkins we made. Daddy even snuck my baby monitor into one of them and taunted the other kids when they came to the door!

Listening to: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Soundtrack


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!