Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Back to Camp

Unicorn Makeup 2 by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on August 7th]

Mommy and I were gonna have a plain old summer Monday morning, but then suddenly we got a call from day camp - they had a space open, and wanted to know if I wanted to attend again. I was all over that! Just when I thought I was all done!

Once I got there, I got right into things - we started making dream catchers, so that was neat. I was just happy to be in Kano's group. He is the funniest guy ever.

The rest of the day was nice and normal - I watched more Olympic gymnastics at the end of the day. That stuff is crazy.


Monday, July 30, 2012

Gold Medal in Doj Bol

Lookout by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on August 5th]

Today started out kinda lazy... Mommy and Daddy and I all slept in, and then spent a good chunk of time just sitting around in our pyjamas watching the Olympics. I actually made my own medal with paper - it reads:

London 2012. Clover. Doj Bol

EVENTUALLY we got our act together and I pulled my bicycle out of the garage to take it for a spin through the park. The results were... varied. I went back-and-forth from being really frustrated at not being very good at it, to loving riding it - once I got it going.

One of these days, we're gonna have to take the training wheels off if I'm gonna get the hang of this.


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Marsh / Desert / Olympics

Badlands Triumph by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on August 5th]

We were all up pretty early today, so that we could hit he road for an awesome hike. I located a marsh that looked interesting as our destination of choice. It took us a few hours to get out there, but once we did I was happy to have a picnic lunch.

There actually weren't many good trails at the marsh, so we didn't walk much. We did manage to slowly drive back home (Daddy actually let Mommy drive while he slept)... we stopped at the badlands on the way. I had a lot of fun climbing the hills.

We stopped for popsicles on the way home, which was a relief because it was so hot and sunny today! Then it was home to watch more of the Summer Olympics in London. Fascinating stuff! We loved the opening ceremonies.


Saturday, July 28, 2012

Flash Mob

A Snack on the Grass 2 by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on August 5th]

Today was my last day of day camp... and we commemorated the event in a pretty odd way. Someone somewhere planned that we'd take part in a massive Flash Mob (!) down at Nathan Phillips Square.

So... we all loaded onto the bus, drove down to Nathan Phillips Square, waited around for a while, and then danced in a large group when told to. I don't really know why or how or what it was about, but I had a good time.

At the end of the day we were all gonna go to the pool, but we took so long downtown that we ran out of time. So we had a water balloon fight on the grass instead. No complaints here!


Friday, July 27, 2012

Let's Play Ball

Windy Pier by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on August 4th]

Today was a pretty big day - at day camp, my friends and I were shipped off to the baseball game! Pretty awesome! We all brought our own lunches, and had pretty good seats. I watched the game on the giant television screen, and pointed out all of the Home Hardware ads my Daddy's company made.

The game itself was fine - my Daddy was worried I might be a little bit bored, but we all loved doing the wave. I have no idea who was playing or what the score was, but it was just cool to be there.

Our bus driver was two hours late picking us up, which really made our camp counsellors angry. However, Amelia and I watched a snail on the sidewalk in front of the Rogers Centre for two hours, so we had a GREAT time.


Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Camp Olympics

Waiting for a Butterfly by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy]

Cool Uncle Gareth is off for his month on Fogo Island as an artist-in-residence, so Mommy and I had a nice goodbye breakfast with him. I'm gonna miss him!

At camp today, it was the day of the Camp Olympics. Five other camps came to ours, and we spent the day competing in several events, like relay races and stuff like that. Our camp tied with another for first!

Once I got home from camp, I decided to watch a movie, so Mommy put on 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' for me. A good way to finish off the day.


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Hot Tub

Yellowmask by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy]

Camp was pretty cool today. They took us over to the pool, where I played with Claire and Amelia in the shallow end. I didn't bother wandering into the deep end.

In the late afternoon, I went to my friend Felicity's birthday party. We ate some good food and stuff, and then we got to play in the hot tub! I loved it. It wasn't too hot.

Mommy and Daddy and Dennis came to take me home, and I didn't want to go. I must have been exhausted, because I turned into a real grouch.


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Lunch with Gareth

A Snack on the Grass by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 25th]

Today was the first day of summer day camp! I was pretty jazzed about it, especially seeing as how my friends Amelia and Claire would be there with me. We were off to a great start today... camp is so much fun!

Cool Uncle Gareth came and picked me up from camp at lunch and took me out to Jawny Bakers for a lovely meal. We had a great time! I even got to have ice cream for dessert. Cool Uncle Gareth is cool. On the walk home, we got popsicles.

Gareth and I went to the toy store and got me some Playmobil stuff for my birthday. I came home and played with it until it was time for bed, pretty much.


Monday, July 23, 2012

Gammy's Annual Picnic

Unicorn Makeup by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 25th]

Today was the big day of Gammy's annual work picnic. I was pretty stoked and excited - I made sure I had my cute yellow dress on and waited around for people to show up. In the meantime, Daddy and Cool Uncle Gareth went to a movie, and Mommy took Dennis for a hike.

Lots of people attended the picnic, and I developed a pretty good system - I'd ask Gammy for the healthy snacks, and I'd ask Grandpa for the sweets and stuff. I know how to play those two. Indeed I do. Anyway, lots of kids came, so I had friends to play with.

I was pretty tired afterward - Daddy and Gareth and Mommy came home, and we all had small dinners. I was full of healthy and unhealthy food anyway.


Sunday, July 22, 2012

Seventh Birthday Celebration #3

Canada Day Sparkler 2 by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy]

This morning Mommy and Daddy and I had some errands to run - we drove over to the butcher, and then headed over to the bulk food store for tonight's dinner. Once we got home, Daddy and I decided to take my discarded floorboards to the dump! Unfortunately, once we got there, the dump was closed.

Cool Uncle Gareth arrived from You Nork soon after that - I spent a lot of time with him, and even joined he and Grandpa on a big hike over to Home Depot. I didn't stop talking the entire time.

Finally, it was time for dinner on the deck - we all had a lovely steak dinner, and I opened birthday presents from Nee-Nee. Butterflies kept landing on us, and we enjoyed a rousing game of Apples to Apples when we were done!


Saturday, July 21, 2012

Hey Miss Girl

Pier Family by Clover_1
After a quiet morning, Mommy and I actually drove out to one of our favourite summertaime haunts - Andrews Scenic Acres, where the two of us got our berry pick on. We grabbed several bushels of raspberries and blueberries. I made friends with a cool kid who kept calling me "Hey Miss Girl!".

A few years back, Daddy got stung by wasps in the same location, so I was a little wary of bugs for some reason. Mommy drove us back home, and I snoozed a bit. I guess this week has kinda tired me out somewhat.

Anyway, Cool Uncle Gareth arrives tomorrow, and I'm pretty amped about that. I hope I sleep well - I haven't been sleeping all that awesome since we tore out the floor in my bedroom.


Friday, July 20, 2012

Goodbye Floor

Canada Day Sparkler 1 by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 21st]

Much to my chagrin, and despite our best attempts to dry out the once-flooded floor of my bedroom with a giant industrial floor fan, there was no saving my floor. Several contractors have been in to let us know that some serious work is gonna have to happen in our apartment to fix things, so... my floor had to go.

I stood by and watched with a mixture of fascination and disappointment as Mommy pulled up my floor boards, one-by-one, and disposed of my big carpet, too.

It's the end of an errand. Now I have a weird stone tile floor.


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Seven Years Old!

The Paradise of Maitreya by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 21st]

Mommy and Daddy and I were up early today - we opened birthday presents, and then quickly drove out to the Royal Ontario Museum. Daddy played hooky from work and was able to join us. Isn't that cool?

We checked out the new special Gondwana exhibit and all of our other favourites, and ate lunch in the cafeteria. Daddy took off for work, so Mommy and I finished up at the Museum, came home, and went to Jetsun's Juicyburgers for dinner!

We met up with Julie and Sarah, and caught a screening of 'Brave' at the movies. I got home so late! Today made for a much better birthday than last Sunday's party, believe me.


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Splash Pad Dashed

Birthday Madness by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy]

Due to the craziness of Sunday's birthday party, very few photos actually exist to mark the occasion. The one you see above is pretty much it.

Mommy and Gammy and I went over to the farmer's market this morning, which was a lot of fun, as usual. The heat was brutal... Toronto has been really sweltering as of late. As a result, I was really hoping to go to the splash pad to cool off. Mommy wasn't feeling well, so we stayed home.

I was pretty grumpy for the rest of the day. All I wanted was to go to the splash pad, man.


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Flood Recovery

Pier Portrait by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 21st]

Today was a day of recovery. Mommy and I were still reeling from yesterday's hellish rainstorm and party. We had lots of towels to wash (which were used to soak up the flood), lots of leftover birthday cake and Chinese food to eat, and naps to be had.

I played with some of my new presents - as requested, my friends brought me art supplies as far as the eye could see, so that's great.

Of course, the weather today was wonderful. Would have made for a great day to have a birthday party, dontcha know.


Monday, July 16, 2012

POOL PARTY


Fireworks a video by Clover_1 on Flickr.
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 21st]

Sorry it's taken us so long to post this... we needed time to recover from my birthday party!

The day started off fine - we tidied, made food, prepped, and really cleaned the back yard. Daddy and I went to the bookstore for a few things, when it just started raining like crazy. Torrents and torrents of water filled the roads, flooding the East End! The car was practically a boat.

We got home in time for the party, and about nine friends showed up... as did a massive flood. Mommy did her best to entertain nine screaming kids for two hours while Daddy fought a killer flood, which ruined the floor in my bedroom, unfortunately. "Pool Party", as it were.

I had a good time, but we were all so relieved when it was over. Daddy took Mommy and I out for Chinese food, and then we all collapsed. The next time it rains on my birthday party, we'll postpone it.

For the record, Kristen and Renee make for WAY better party hosts than a monsoon.


Sunday, July 15, 2012

Pizza Persuasion

Easter 2012 by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy]

We were all up early this morning - I had my piano lesson, so Daddy took me to the music school. Class was good! Then it was back home for some lunch while Daddy took his turn and practiced the bass.

After lunch, Daddy left for band practice - I hung out with Mommy and kinda helped her tidy the hose and prepare for my birthday party tomorrow. Once Daddy got back, it was easy to convince him and Mommy to order pizza for dinner.

I got to stay up a bit late - I played with so much modeling clay (a present in the mail from Nana) my hands were blue. I needed a bath.


Saturday, July 14, 2012

Backyard Thor

Firkin Portrait 2 by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy]

So, my birthday party is fast approaching - Mommy and I had a lot of stuff to sort out before then. We made a bunch of paper lanterns, cake decorations, and other bits and pieces.

We also went to the grocery store for a much-needed grocery haul. I made sure we bought several jars of lemonade, since they were on sale.

In the late afternoon, George & Ursula surprised everyone by stopping by to do some more odds and ends at the house. They brought Max and Jenna with them, so I played with them in the backyard. We presented to be the Avengers... I got to be Thor, while Max had to settle for being The Hulk.


Friday, July 13, 2012

About Mother's Day...

St. George Portrait by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 14th]

One of the benefits of Daddy having NOT done the blog over the past few months, and then having to go back and fill them with tales of our walk across the city, is that he missed covering the events of this past Mothers' Day. Unfortunately for me, he's gonna recount them now.

It's not very often that I have meltdowns or tantrums or really freak out, but I did back on Mother's Day of this year. Mommy wanted to go to the Aberfoyle antique market, so we did... lunch was put off, which may have made me a little "imbalanced".

Once we got to a restaurant in Guelph for lunch, I had a major meltdown. It was not a happy day. Neither of my parents were impressed. Daddy told Mommy that she could have Father's Day.


Thursday, July 12, 2012

Put Bum Hear

Dandelion Happiness by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 12th]

Mommy and I went to the splash pad today. It's been so crazy hot the past few days, this little jaunt was long overdue. We only intended to be there for a few minutes, but before we knew what was happening, three hours had passed.

Mommy and I also did a lot of prep for my upcoming birthday party. We bought decorations and stuff, and then made a whole bunch of cool crafts - my party is gonna be off the hook, yo.

I ended the day by writing the funniest joke ever. I drew two buttock-shaped circles on a piece of paper and wrote "Put Bum Hear" above them. Then I taped the sign to my desk chair. SO FUNNY.


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The Navigator

Awesome Egg by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 13th]

Oh! I totally forgot to talk about this past weekend. On Sunday, I asked specifically to be allowed to choose where we all go hiking. So... we all packed into the car, and then I spat out directions from the back seat. I was all "Turn Left!" and "Turn Right!". I navuaged us to the Oakville waterfront.

Mommy and Daddy and Dennis and I took a nice walk along the rocky beach and on the pier. Dennis liked it so much, he took a huge dump on the pier in front of everyone. Thanks, Dennis.

Then, I navigated us to Milton near Rattlesnake Point. We found a small, bug-infested trail to hike along. It was pretty cool.


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Chocolate Salami

Firkin Portrait 1 by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 13th]

Mommy and I took Gammy to the farmer's market this morning. It was my first time at the farmer's market this year! I was happy to do all my favourite things - eat food, see the violin player, and eat food some more.

Mommy and I went to the library, and I got some books. We gardened and did some watering outside, then went back out and went to the grocery store and the butcher!

We didn't buy anything as good as the chocolate salami Mommy and I made out of nuts, cereal, chocolate, and fruit.


Monday, July 09, 2012

Earned my Wages

Green Panel by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 13th]

Back to the blog as usual. Thanks for putting up with that long gap between actual daily posts.

Yesterday, Mommy let me know that the two of us would be cleaning the house. I was really hesitant... not my idea of a good time. Anyway, once we got into it - we actually started having a lot of fun! Mommy incentivized it by paying me for jobs well done. I made six bucks! I also got really good at using the spray bottle.

I spent my money on candy and plastecine.


Sunday, July 08, 2012

Bayview Station

Bayview Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 10th]

Daddy and I made quick work of the walk form Bessarion over to Bayview Village, which is a pretty swanky mall. The two of us visited the big Chapters there, and I picked out some books I wanted for my upcoming birthday.

Then the two of us combed the mall for an ice cream place. Alas, the only one we found was in the Loblaws, so I got a fancy ice cream cone before the two of us headed out to finish up our journey.

We got to Bayview Station really quickly, but then the walk to Sheppard Station seemed to take forever! We counted the street numbers down as we approached Yonge street. Once we (finally) made it, we headed into Sheppard-Yonge Station and took the subway back to the car, which we left by Don Mills Station. It was the first time for either of us to take the Sheppard subway.

So... that's the whole walk, done! Amazing. The measly 5.5 km, when added to the overall tally brings us to a whopping 78.8 km, criss-crossing the city by foot. We're actually sad to be finished. We really had a blast.

Now back to your regularly scheduled blog.


Friday, July 06, 2012

Bessarion Station

Bessarion Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 10th]

This walk was actually one of the more memorable ones throughout the whole trip, due to the dip Sheppard takes on the way to Ikea (or what used to be the old entrance to Ikea, anyway). The large cement retaining wall was covered in banded snails... they were at the top, at the bottom, and clinging several meters up. We must have looked at them for ages.

Finally, we made it to the McDonalds, and got ourselves some fries and a drink with our coupon. Then, it was off again in search of Bessarion station.

Once we got there, we were surprised to see how... desolate it was. Bessarion street itself isn't much to speak of, and the only thing across from it is a mini-mall. I guess that had to put a station there to space out the route, or something.


Thursday, July 05, 2012

Leslie Station

Leslie Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 10th]

Well, the walk from Don Mills to Leslie was pretty darned simple... because it was all downhill! We've discovered along our walks that sometimes, it gets easier to press along when you can see the next station right ahead of you. Even though the distance between Don Mills and Leslie was decent, it felt really short.

Several weeks ago, I got my mitts on a coupon for french fries from McDonalds. Every time Daddy and I head out on our massive hikes, we try to remember taking the coupon, but we always forget. THIS time, though, we remembered! I clenched it tightly in my hands as we reached Leslie station, ready to hit up the McDonalds right nearby.


Wednesday, July 04, 2012

Don Mills Station

Don Mills Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 10th]

Time to start and quickly finish our massive cross-Toronto transit-route-following hiking adventure. To start the sixth and final leg of the hike, Daddy and I drove out to Fairview mall, parked the car in our usual spot, and then started walking West!

On this particular June 23rd, things were pretty quiet. There weren't many cars or pedestrians, which made the hot sun seem even stronger than we figured. Daddy and I really had to question the wisdom of putting a subway line along Sheppard instead of, say, Eglinton. But whatever.


Tuesday, July 03, 2012

Finch Station

Finch Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 9th]

Well, we did it. After one last grueling walk from North York Centre Station to Finch, we finally finished walking the entire Yonge/University/Spadina line. What an amazing hike. From Finch station, we could even turn around and see the CN Tower, teeny tiny in the distance. It's crazy to think that just a few hours earlier, we had been there!

A whopping 18.8 km in one day (not including the walking around we did at the bookstore and stuff). That's easily a record. Add that to our overall total, and it means we've walked 73.3 km. Pretty amazing, huh? there's not much left to do... only the Sheppard line, and that's only a few stations.

By the time we got home, Daddy passed out on the couch exhausted. I was also pretty tired, to be honest.


Monday, July 02, 2012

North York Centre Station

North York Centre Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 9th]

Thankfully, the walk between Sheppard and North York Centre Stations was short, unlike the last few routes we've been taking. Sticking to the west site of Yonge, we got to walk past several cafés, Mel Lastman Square, come big concert halls, and big skyscrapers.

Daddy kept his eye open for the Doctor's Office he used to go to back when he was a little kid. He remembered that it was over a Chinese restauraunt / laundromat, but no such luck. Oh well... it's been something like 25 years since he was there last.

North York Centre Station, like Yonge, is one of those few Stations that you can't enter from the street or a designated building - it's hidden inside a mall. We didn't have the energy to head into the mall, so we took a photo of me on the subway sign in front of the mall.


Sunday, July 01, 2012

Sheppard-Yonge Station

Sheppard-Yonge Station by Clover_1
[As transcribed by Daddy on July 9th]

Ugh - yet ANOTHER crazy long walk between stations! This one was practically all uphill, which made it extremely tough. Daddy ended up taking my backpack and carrying it, which made it easier.

Of course, once we approached the 401, the sidewalk we were following kinda vanished on us, which meant that Daddy and I had to scurry across six lanes of traffic to get to the other side!

Once we passed under the highway, we reached downtown North York, which apparently used to be a separate city before it was amalgamated into Toronto, We stopped at a gas station for water and imitation Twinkies. Daddy ate his in one bite.


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!