Monday, February 28, 2011

Jude

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I awoke this morning to discover that we had been graced by a lovely snowfall. As a result, I spent a good chunk of time alone in the back yard, frolicking and playing while family members took photos from a distance. Lovely and idyllic! I also made beaded bracelets for those attending our Oscar party later this evening.

After lunch and a whole lot of house cleaning, Mommy and Daddy and I drove out to buy some new toenail clippers for Dennis and then to the mall to do some shopping. I got my customary bubble tea and small bag of popcorn, Daddy tried on a few shirts. Mommy's back started hurting, so we came home.

Daddy went and picked up his friends Ryan and Jasmine and their 7-month-old baby Jude at around six... our old friend Nick arrived as well, and we all ate a delicious taco dinner. I made friends with Jude, who really seemed to respond to me (and to Daddy). I had to go to bed just in time for the Oscars to start.


Sunday, February 27, 2011

Sad Endings

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and Daddy I were woken up once again by Dennis, who took t upon himself to bark angrily at the squirrels through the window. Poor Daddy - I think he had about five heart attacks before even getting out of bed.

Once we had out act together (and I had some snacks into me), we drove out to an Armenian restaurant, where we met up with Gammy, Grandpa, Nick Panagopoulos, Bruce and Karen McKye, two Bujolds visiting from Edmonton (Paul and Cynthia) and one now living in Guelph - Adina. I made friends with everyone really quickly, was very well-behaved and cute. and devoured a massive amount of kebab.

Afterwards, Mommy and Daddy immediately drove over to the supermarket where we got a big batch of groceries and stuff. After we got home, I played a bit before dinner, during which we watched an animated French film with a very sad ending. I totally didn't get it - "Why would anyone make a movie that ends that way?" I frustratedly grumbled when it was all done.


Saturday, February 26, 2011

Front-Crawling

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Swimming class this morning! For the second time in a row, I had a few instructor... Mommy is worried that I might be losing some ground due to the lack of consistency. The good news is that I learned the front crawl, but then didn't want to get out of the pool - I jut wanted to keep front-crawling. My FAVOURITE part is jumping in the pool, though.

Bath, lunch, school... it was warm enough today that I didn't have to wear snowpants. In music class we made up variations of the other day's 'peanut' song, and after school I stuck around and played a bit. Mommy and I came home, I visted with my grandparents, called Nana on the phone, did some drawing and playing, and as soon as Daddy got home from work, we ordered rotisserie chicken for dinner.

But the BIG news is that I have *another* new cousin! Congrats to Daddy's cousin Michelle and her husband Ed, who welcomed baby Joshia into the world!


Friday, February 25, 2011

Generous

[As transcribed by Daddy]

So the other day, my friend Adrianna commented that she really liked the fancy decorative pin Mommy made for me (which I've worn on my coat for years now). I asked Mommy if I could just give it to her, since she liked it so much, and Mommy thought that would be a nice thing to do... so I did! I know Mommy can just make me another one or something, so I figured I might as well just give it to Adrianna.

I was feeling particularly helpy today, as well. Seeing as how I watched a whole DVD in the afternoon, I felt like I shouldn't ALSO use the computer, so I volunteered to help Mommy in the kitchen. The two of us managed to take care of a whole load of dishes, and then we baked a big batch of cookies. I prepared little notes and decorative cards and sent them to Gammy and Nee-Nee with some delicious, fresh-baked cookies.

I bumped my knee pretty badly before going to bed tonight. Mommy calmed me down with a rendition of 'My Favourite Things'.


Thursday, February 24, 2011

Italian Impression

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and I let Daddy sleep in for as long as possible today, although Dennis did his best to wake him up by barking angrily at the gray squirrels outside the bedroom door. After Daddy eventually got out of bed, he passed out again on the couch while he and I were watching television and stuff.

School was pretty good today. I made a big tree picture out of construction paper, and in music class, we learned a song about a peanut getting hit by a train which I must've sung a hundred times after I got home from school.

I had a pretty relaxing afternoon. Daddy and I played some video games and stuff, and I did a lot of playing in my room and drew some pretty awesome pictures. Mommy made chicken Parmesan for dinner, which of course prompted the "Italian Impression" that Daddy taught me to taunt our friend Lisa, which involved talking with my hands and saying "A-Chicken A-Parmesano!" repeatedly.


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Good Stories...

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Back to school today, after the long weekend. It was good - in gym class we played with a big parachute, and at the Library, Mrs. Millsfields read my book "Violet and Fancypants Vs. the Zombie" to the entire class again. Later, Mommy asked if it was an issue that the whole class had to hear it twice (because I read it to them last Thursday), but I told her "Good stories are worth being read more than once."

I played with my friends in the playground afterwards, and then headed home for a quiet afternoon of drawing, drawing, and more drawing. Daddy came home from work a little bit early, running a fever and feeling terrible. Mommy and I wrapped him in as many blankets as possible, and he went to sleep for the rest of the evening.

Poor Dennis. Mommy and I had to keep him off the couch and bed all day - Daddy seems to be getting allergic reactions from him - and he just seems really sad about it.


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A Loose T-Rex in Grandpa's House

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I had a bad dream and woke up in the middle of the night last night - I joined Mommy in bed, sending Daddy to my bedroom. I always love waking up and finding him in my bed, snuggling all of my stuffed animals.

We didn't do very much of anything today... the weather was so cold, plus there was lots of cleaning and stuff to take care of. So... we spent the last day of the long weekend indoors. Daddy and I puttered around while Mommy tidied, I did a lot of playing and stuff... Daddy and I even played video games together and watched old Doctor Who episodes online. Dennis barked at the gray squirrels.

I sat through a massive game of Carcassonne with my folks during the day - I kept interested by drawing pictures of the three of us playing a massive game of Carcassonne when it wasn't my turn.

We had a lovely dinner, and then I went over to Gammy and Grandpa's house, where I stomped around on the floor as though I was a tyrannosaurus.


Monday, February 21, 2011

Pickering

[As transcribed by Daddy]

We were all woken up to the sound of Dennis, who likes to bark at the Gray squirrels through the living room window. We don't know what he has against the gray ones specifically, but he sure seems to hate them.

After lunch, Daddy finished up a bunch of freelance work, and then we all drove out to Pickering, where we hit up the Pickering Town Centre. We did a lot of window shopping and stuff - we ended up getting some snacks and the odd thing, but nothing major. Actually, that's not true - we all got really sleepy. Must've been all the people who were there to see some NHL player.

We had a fairly quiet afternoon and evening. I watched some television, played some video games, played in my room, and visited with my grandparents... but the highlight was when I had an early bath using one of the cool bath bombs I bought at the Lush in Pickering.

Listening to: The Dears - Degeneration Street


Sunday, February 20, 2011

Superman Saves the Day

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Despite the amazingly warm weather over the past few days, we all knew it was too good to be true - the cold front swept in (along with a lot of wind) and we're back to being pelted by winter again. Oh well. We braved the elements this morning and did some very long-overdue grocery shopping, followed by yet another trip to the chiropractor's, where I was full of beans.

Since they still had sore backs, my parents drove us home, where we had lunch, and where Mommy spontaneously had a massive nap with Dennis. Daddy did a lot of freelance work during the day, but then he joined me to watch a movie that inspired me to draw awesome pictures of Superman.

I did a lot of visiting with Gammy and Grandpa today, and joined them for a little bit of dinner before returning home to have a second dinner with my folks. Because I was hungry (but not as hungry as Dennis, who tried to eat the squirrels in the back yard through the window).

Listening to: Radiohead - The King of Limbs


Saturday, February 19, 2011

Schnitzel

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Swimming lessons this morning were pretty good - my regular instructor was away, so I worked with a substitute. Afterwards I came home and had a bath to wash the chlorine off of me.

After lunch. Mommy and I took a really long bus ride over to George and Ursula's house. Their kids Max and Jenna and I jumped on the couch, played in Jenna's room, watched a pretty cool movie, ate a ridiculous amount of schnitzel, practiced Karate and hand-to-hand-combat, and then Jenna and I made a club which Jenna wouldn't let Max join (because it was a 'no boys allowed' club). Mommy noticed that looking after three kids is a lot different than looking after one.

I was pretty wiped out by the time we got home. I ate a single slice of pizza for dinner, but was so full of schnitzel that I couldn't manage another bite. Actually, Mommy was pretty exhausted too.


Friday, February 18, 2011

The Awesomest Day

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Today was, like, the awesomest day ever. NOT ONLY was it pajama day at school (where we all wear pajamas and bring our teddy bears and cinnamon bunnies to school), but it was ALSO scientist day at school - where there's a scientist in who does all experiments and stuff. Pretty awesome. If that wasn't enough, Mommy came to school today to be the class helper (what with all the experiments going on) and got to see me in action! ON TOP OF ALL THAT, I was the class helper, which meant I got to do all the awesome class helper stuff and do show and tell!

I brought my Violet and Fancypants Vs. The Zombie book, which all of the other kids gathered 'round to hear me read. Mommy, who watched approvingly from the corner of the class, was very proud of how well I read the story, and how into it everyone seemed. Mrs. Free asked that I bring the book back to school to show the other teachers later on.

After all of that, we kept things pretty quiet (I had a really hard time falling asleep due to the excitement) and had a pizza for dinner.


Thursday, February 17, 2011

New Doorknob

[As transcribed by Daddy]

It was pretty cool - this morning I asked for blueberry muffins, and Mommy indulged me by actually baking a batch! We had a lovely quiet morning of Blueberry muffins and entertaining Ursula, who was over doing some work on the house - including changing my bedroom doorknob!

School was all right today. The weather was oddly warm, so Mommy let me play in the playground a little longer than usual when she came to get me.

Daddy was out late tonight, so Mommy and I had an evening to the two of us. We were gonna order a pizza, but decided to have a home-cooked chicken dinner. We watched Spongebob, drew some pictures and played some games.


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Winter Playground Waterslide

[As transcribed by Daddy on Feb 17th 2011]

Today I was still really excited about my new pencil crayons and stuff, so I made sure to draw lots and lots of pictures with them. On the way to school today, I was happily shocked to see that the crossing guard (who I call the 'traffic cop') dyed her hair, so I told her I liked it from across the street. I think the whole neighbourhood heard.

School was fine... we had gym class and stuff. No big deak. Claire and I played in the playground before heading home - we pretended we were sliding down waterslides.

When I got home, a basket of fruit arrived for Valentine's Day from Daddy. A day late. Ah well. Mommy broke out the dairy-free chocolate dip and we had a fruit party while watching a harbinger of the end times on TV.


Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Violet & Fancypants Vs. The Zombie

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Today was Valentine's Day! Woo! I was excited and amped from the moment I woke up until the moment I went to bed. I spent all morning making MORE Valentines (for Mrs. Free and for Daddy), while Gammy and Grandpa came over to bring me candy and wearable stickers. I wore two as earrings, which caused my friend Claire to go home and demand to get her ears pierced.

School was great - we traded Valentines and I got a special cupcake to eat from Vanessa's mom. I came home and decorated said cupcake immediately, and had a tea party with Mommy.

Daddy came home from work and brought a new batch of coloured pencils, which I tried to use as much as possible. I gave Mommy the awesome book that I spent the past week making for her (Violet & Fancypants Vs. The Zombie) and she gave me a fancy homemade box of chocolates which made me soooo happy.


Monday, February 14, 2011

Seaton Trail XVI

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and I dragged Daddy out of bed nice and early (well, early in weekend terms) and had a big pancake breakfast with all of the trimmings. Delicious! Then we all had a pretty nice afternoon - I worked on finishing Valentine's for my friends and school and for Mommy. It took quite some time, but I got them all finished.

Once we all had out collective acts together, we loaded up into the car and drove out to the Seaton Trail - which was actually Dennis' first time hiking with us, surprisingly. We all think he had a great time, even though we kept him on the leash. I dunno that he had as much fun as me (I kept throwing myself into deep piles of snow - see the photo above), but it was pretty awesome.

We ran a bunch of errands on the way home, and then had a nice evening, except for the part where I was climbing on the arm of the couch, fell off, and hit my head.

Listening to: Patti Smith Group - Wave


Sunday, February 13, 2011

Roe Roe Roe Your Boat

Once Mommy and I were able to drag Daddy out of bed, we all drove over to the Chiropractor, who adjusted the backs of both of my parents while I ran circles around all three of them. On the way home, we stopped by the butcher... Daddy and I took a detour to Starbucks while Mommy got some groceries.

After a delicious lunch, we all pretty much had a quiet Saturday afternoon at home. I worked really hard at putting together more Valentines for my schoolmates, and eventually I joined Mommy in helping to fix Daddy's back, which was still in mad shape. He says we actually helped a lot!

Since we figured out favourite sushi restaurant would be closed on Valentine's Day, we decided to head over there a bit early. We had an amazing and delicious meal (I insisted on devouring as much salmon roe as possible), but I have to tell you... I don't think I have ever felt to full in all of my life. How my parents were able to get me into the car afterwards is a total mystery.

Listening to: The Tubes - Remote Control


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Clover Hears A Who

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and I were almost late for swimming class this morning, but we really rushed and made it just in time. The lesson itself was fine, after which we tried to console some other little kid that way afraid to go into the water. Mommy and I did some shopping immediately after, and I got really bored really quickly.

After we made it home and had some lunch, I went to school, which was pretty good. Cheyenne walked home with me. Once we got back to our place, Ursula gave me a copy of Horton Hears A Who!, which I watched with rapt attention over the course of the rest of the afternoon.

Daddy came home after one heck of an insane week at the office. After a delicious dinner of that we can only refer to as "mush", Daddy and I played Doctor Who in my room. He totally fell asleep midway through.


Friday, February 11, 2011

Falling Short of my Quota

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I'm falling kinda short on my valentine production quota. A few days ago I set the goal of doing ten a day... yesterday I did three, and today I did four. Oh well. They ARE really good, though. I was preoccupied with drawing pictures... ever since we got that new package of paper, I've been doing my best to fill every page. I drew a really awesome picture of a laptop and other things lying around the house.

A while ago, I was sent home from school with a "wishes for my teachers" document where I was supposed to write out some well wishes for teachers (hence the name). We lost the papers and they were due today, so Mommy and I went in to school a little bit early and filled out a new version at the office.

In the afternoon, I watched The Little Mermaid, which I absolutely loved, except for the scary parts. When Daddy came home from work (really late) I had just gone to bed, but I made sure to told him all about it.


Thursday, February 10, 2011

Rocking the Sandblocks

[As transcribed by Daddy]

It was cold again today... but not as bad as yesterday, thankfully. Daddy was up and out to work before I even woke up, and Mommy and I had something of a quiet morning of hiding from the freezing cold. Plus, I also worked on Mommy's Valentine's Day present.

School was pretty cool today. In music class, we all sang "Old MacDonald Had a Band" where we all got to play instruments. I really rocked the sandblocks.

Daddy was home from work a little bit early today - he and Mommy and Dennis came to pick me up, and then we immediately headed out to run a few errands. We went to the bookstore again, got some snacks at the grocery store, and then we went to Staples, where Daddy and I picked out a new batch of drawing paper!


Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Too Cold to Dance

[As transcribed by Daddy]

Man oh man, was it ever freezing outside. Again. Seriously - I love winter and all, but I've pretty much reached my boiling point when it comes to the cold weather. Days like yesterday when it was nice out enough to make a snow stegosaurus are fine... but today is just too darned cold.

School was fine today - it was warm inside, which is all anybody needs to know. When I wasn't staying warm inside at school, I was staying warm inside at home... I worked quite diligently on the secret project I have planned as Mommy's Valentine's Day present.

I watched a movie in the afternoon - that plus the cold outside totally made both Mommy and I completely forget about dance class. Oh well. Daddy took us out for coffee and some groceries after we had dinner. By then, it was still cold.

Listening to: Cut Copy - Zonoscope


Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Steggy

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I was so happy to see all of the perfectly wonderful snow that had fallen last night that I was in my snowsuit and playing in it before I had even eaten breakfast! Mommy and I spent the whole morning outside making some pretty awesome snow sculptures. We made two - I made a really cool traditional snowman (named 'Bally'), and we started work on a huuuuuuuge snow stegosaurus. It was my idea.

I went to school, but was really just looking forward to coming home so that I could have a snowball fight with Mommy. Sure enough, once Mommy came to get me, we had a fun snowball fight on the walk home. I was stunned to arrive home and find the finished version of 'Steggy' the Snow Stegosaurus waiting for me. It must have taken Mommy all afternoon.

We had hot chocolate for a snack, but I was slightly annoyed that there weren't any marshmallows. I guess I was in something of a complainy mood. Anyway, as soon as Daddy got home, we started masterminding Mommy's valentine's day present.


Monday, February 07, 2011

Loose Dennis

[As transcribed by Daddy]

We had a bit of emergency drama (is there any other kind?) this morning when Dennis managed to get away from Mommy while she was shoveling snow. The guy saw a squirrel and just bolted. Mommy got Daddy up and out of bed, and by the time he started searching, Dennis had returned.

I spent the better part of the day excited and in total anticipation for the arrival of Julie and Sarah for a playdate. Unfortunately, Sarah had a looong nap in the early afternoon, so they weren't able to come over until pretty late in the afternoon. In the meantime Mommy and I did a lot of tidying and stuff, but once they got here, Sarah and I had a blast playing in my room! They brought me a new tutu and everything!

I was sad to see them leave, but Mommy and Daddy and I spent the rest of the evening with a massive traditional Sunday dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding. We ate until we were stuffed!


Sunday, February 06, 2011

Bath and Tea (both of the Bubble variety)

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I had a nice morning with Mommy, and then once we got Daddy out of bed, we got him to drive us to the butcher, where Mommy bought tons of groceries. Daddy and I waited in the car with Dennis and provided the 'inner voices' of the people walking by.

After a delicious smoked salmon lunch, it was time for a Daddy/Daughter day! Grandpa drove Daddy and I to the subway, and we rode all the way downtown. First we stopped at Lush for bubble bath, and then we walked over to the World's Biggest Bookstore where we both bought some books (and ran into our old friend Grace).

Next we walked through the Eaton Centre (which blew my mind) and got some delicious Bubble Tea, and I befriended the lovely ladies around me. Then we headed home again!

The rest of the day was nice and relaxing - Mommy didn't feel great, but we all joined Gammy and Grandpa for dinner and dessert!


Saturday, February 05, 2011

Basil's Doorknob

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I had a great swimming lesson this morning. I jumped into the deep end without a life jacket, and swam two lengths of the pool! It was fun! We got groceries and a snack on the way home, had a bath and then supervised as Ursula hung a new door in our apartment (replacing the one that Daddy accidentally hung upside-down several years ago). We made sure she kept the doorknob that had all of Basil's teethmarks in it.

Grandpa drove me to school, which was good - we had gym, went to the library, and had a picnic-style snack. Once I got home, Mommy and I spent a good chunk of time making a delicious chicken pot pie for dinner.

My friend Vanessa's Mommy asked my Mommy for a gluten-free cupcake recipe so that they could make cupcakes that I could eat on Valentine's Day / Vanessa's birthday.

Listening to: The Go! Team - Rolling Blackouts


Friday, February 04, 2011

El Chupacabra

[As transcribed by Daddy]

After Daddy left for work this morning, a very unusual and mangy animal appeared in our back yard. We couldn't tell what it was, so Mommy took photos - it was definitely bleeding all over the place and appeared to be in pretty bad shape. Right when we decided to call animal control, it left. It DID return at least once during the day (poor Dennis was really freaking out about it), and after reviewing the photos with Ursula, we've identified it as either an inured and mutilated dog, a coyote, or... EL CHUPACABRA.

School was fine today - I was proud of the fact that I didn't cough once. Mommy and Grandpa and Dennis came to pick me up afterward, and apparently Dennis made friends with a lot of the older kids on the street along the way.

Since we don't have any meat in the house, we decided to order a pizza for dinner, which always makes me pretty excited. Daddy passed out on the couch right after.


Thursday, February 03, 2011

Snow Day?!

[As transcribed by Daddy]

All day yesterday, we were led to believe that the so-called 'Mother of All Winter Storms' was coming to bury us all in up to forty centimetres of snow. I was personally really excited - I couldn't wait to see the fury of the blizzard first hand!

Of course this morning I woke up to your average smattering of snow, comparable to the light blanketing we had a few weeks ago. Nevertheless, they still canceled school. Sometimes the authorities in Toronto will panic over nothing, embarrassing us in front of the rest of the country (who wouldn't have canceled school even if there WAS 40cm of snow).

I walked Daddy to the bus stop this morning, but the cold weather played havoc with my little froggy throat, so I decided to stay inside with Mommy, Dennis, and the visiting laundry machine repairman (who was barked at by Dennis).

We tried to invite Carrieann over, but there was no answer when we called her folks. Ah well!


Wednesday, February 02, 2011

The Fury of Carrieann

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I'm still a little bit sick and croaky, but not so sick that I couldn't go to school today. So... I went to school and was very happy to be there, but Mommy noticed that my voice was even more squeaky and croakey afterwards... probably because I spent the whole day talking with my friends. No big change there.

After school, my friend Carieann was really hoping to come over to my house for a playdate (since yesterday's was cancelled due to my illness). When Mommy told her that I had dance class instead, Carrieann was FURIOUS. We backed away slowly and went home. Maybe I'll see her tomorrow, if the snowstorm isn't too bad.

After dinner, I drew some pictures with Daddy - I drew an awesome picture of Barack Obama surrounded by a circle of children, all laughing and singing and holding hands. Pretty amazing stuff.


Tuesday, February 01, 2011

The Greatest Peanut Butter Cookies Known To Man

[As transcribed by Daddy]

I woke up with my customary cute-and-small-sounding-yet-slightly-pathetic little 'sicky voice', indicating that once again, I have a full-blown cold. Speaking of cold, it was cold outside. REALLY cold outside. Why the city issues a weather warning yesterday when it was practically tropical compared to today is beyond me.

So, I stayed home from school today, and canceled the scheduled play date I had with Carrieann. Instead, Mommy and I hung out at home. We played cards and board games and video games together. Not only that, but we made what has to be the single greatest batch of peanut butter cookies ever seen on planet Earth. They're actually that good.

After Daddy came home, we ate dinner - but I wasn't very hungry. Daddy made up for that by eating lots of food and lots of peanut butter cookies. I went to bed a bit early and couched myself to sleep.


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!