Saturday, January 31, 2009

Dubious Snack

Continued from yesterday...

After her romp int he snow Smudge warmed up on the front porch, but still wasn't ready to come in, so we moved her to the side deck and let her play on her own out there for awhile.
I looked out the patio door to check on her, and this is what I saw. She was chowing down on a huge chunk of snow, and her little face was bright red from the cold. She still wasn't ready to come in, but I thought it was time for her to thaw out a bit.
I had to bribe her with an apple for her hunk of snow, and she finally agreed to come in without a fuss.

It took about half an hour, but her face finally returned to a normal colour, so no great harm was done to her delicate skin. Next time I put her outside I think I will put a layer of Vaseline on her face first.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Romp in the snow

Continued from yesterday...

Once we got her distracted from the truck, she settled down and enjoyed a romp in the snow.
Much more fun than standing on the road looking at a dirty old truck! The snow was cold though, so
soon it was time to retreat to the porch and warm up in the sunshine there.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Walk and talk

A little video of a walk and talk, or maybe I should say run and talk. Nothing much here, but I am sure a certain Grandma in Montreal will like to see it. Enjoy

Sunny Day

We had snow all day today, but yesterday was clear, sunny and bright, so we took Smudge out for a saunter around the neighbourhood. She loved it, and so did I. What a treat to get out and walk in the sunshine with her.
She had to examine each rut in the snow, puddle of slush, driveway, snow bank and...
...vehicle on the road. This truck was especially fascinating to her. She kept going back to it and I had a heck of a time keeping her away from the dirty tires and undercarriage.
I steered her over to the mailboxes as they are usually her favorite things to thwap and pat, but...
...before long she made a bee-line for the truck again and didn't want to leave.
In the end AC had to pick her up and carry her home. She cried all the way down the street. She just wanted to stand in the road and look at the truck. Makes you wonder what goes through her little head.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Ahhhhh!

Yesterday AC and I headed down to the water on our walk, and enjoyed the stark beauty of winter at every bend in the path.
Ahhhh, refreshes the soul and warms the heart even if it chills the nose and toes.

Even though it was a bit milder yesterday, it still wasn't time for a picnic by the water!
Soon though.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Chairs

More pictures of fun at the library. I thought this was the coolest chair.
Maybe Smudge did too. She sure had fun on/in it anyway.
Maybe this was the comfiest one. Looks like it doesn't it? She really got down into it and chilled out with her book.
She like the Winnie-the-Pooh rocking chair and the desk chair too. Flit, flit, flit she went from one to the other and back again.
I think we will be making many more visits to the library this winter.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Visit to the Library

After we took Smudge to Walmart to run around the other day, we decided to visit the library to see what they had to offer a very active two year old. How nice to discover that they had lots; shelves of books, bins of books, play tables, toys, and a plethora of cool chairs.

Here she is trying out one of them.
She didn't stay there long though, too many other things to see, places to go, books to read. She lead Grandpa and I on a merry chase or two around the stacks of books and then back to the play table.
When we first went into the room, she headed straight for a shelf jam-packed with books and pulled this one out. Seeing as a new baby is due to arrive at her house any day now, I thought it was amazing that she put her hand on this one, of all the others she could have pulled off the shelf, and brought it over to the table to "read". It is all about a little girl trying to adjust to a new baby brother. The little girl even looked like her.
As you can see, she kept it on the table beside her, but got her little fingers on many other books too. This was one of her favorites. "App , Nana", she shouted with glee when she got to this page.
Such an intelligent child!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Nice Doggy

We went over to visit Smudge the other day, and Mommy was having a hard time coping with Smudge's busy, busy, busy little hands and feet. You see, CB is just about to make his appearance into this old world, and Mommy is struggling to get through these last couple of weeks. She can't find a comfy spot to sit or sleep, so long days and nights without much rest are making her feel rather frazzled to say the least.

Grandpa and I decided it was time to take Smudge out for a ride in the car so Mommy could have some quiet time by herself at home. Seeing as it was -20 and snowy outside going for a walk wasn't an option, so we bundled Smudge up and took her for a ride in the car. Cute huh?
After a little jaunt around town, we made a stop at Walmart. Not to purchase anything, just to push Smudge around in the cart, and then let her run for a bit. Smudge loves to visit Walmart. She talks to everyone who passes by, takes in all the fascinating colours and shapes of things as we walk up and down the aisles, and reaches out to touch whatever she can. We have to make sure that we walk down the centre of the aisle to keep sticky little fingers just short of the shelves on either side of the cart.

At the entrance of the store there is a long hall leading down to the washrooms, and along that hall sits this plastic CNIB dog. Well, Smuge thought he was wonderful. She patted his nose, stroked the top of his head and scratched his feet. She then took off running down the hall to the very end. Grandma ran after her, turned her around and sent her scurrying back down the hall towards Grandpa and the dog. Smudge would pat the dog, rub his nose and take off running again. We repeated this over and over and over again. She got lots of exercise and had fun too. Mommy got to rest for a couple of hours, and Grandpa and I got to make some memories with this most delightful child.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Snow Job

We went over to visit Smudge yesterday, and I took lots of new pictures to share with you, but I forgot my camera at her house so can't upload any! Drat!
So, this old one will have to do for today. She quite enjoys playing in the snow and looks so cute while she is doing it too.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Fashion Queen

Smudge is a fashion queen indeed. Here she is wrapped in my sweater, with Grandpa's hat close at hand, to complete the outfit.
Note the yellow mirror to her side and the black mirror right in front of her. She checks out these mirrors many times during the day to admire new outfits, hair dos, and funny faces. Goodness she makes us laugh sometimes.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Bedtime Story

Grandpa and I babysat the other night, and after Grandma got Smudge ready for bed, it was time for Grandpa to read her a bedtime story.
I couldn't decide which picture I liked best, so decided to post both of them for your enjoyment.
Pretty cute huh?

Monday, January 19, 2009

Apple Cheeks

Grandpa and I sat with Smudge while Mommy went grocery shopping the other day. When Mommy got home, Smudge thought that she should help unpack the groceries, and before we knew it, she scampered off with a yellow pepper. In order to rescue the pepper, I traded Smudge an apple for it. Well, she thought that was just grand - thank you very much. I didn't think that she would be able to break the skin and bite into it, but she worked away at it and as you can see managed to get at the flesh of the apple in no time.
There were tears and foot stomping when I took the apple away from her to dig the seeds and core out of it. Sheesh! She soon had the apple again and sat on the couch chowing down to her heart's content. Chomp, chomp, chomp, suck, chew, chomp!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Winter Outing

It was -26 yesterday afternoon, so instead of putting Smudge out on the side deck to play, Mommy and I decided to take her to the Mall for a little outing. Fun for her, and fun for us too. Coats and boots could be shed, and we could walk in comfort for an hour or so. As you can see from the picture below though, Smudge was not impressed with the ride to the mall. With her scarf, coat and hat all meeting under her chin, she was a tad uncomfortable. She put Mommy's sun glasses on to help with the sun in her eyes, but they didn't stay on for long. In about five minutes the mitts were also pulled off, and the hat soon followed. At least the car had warmed up by then. With all the do's and don'ts about car seats, the poor kid can hardly move in hers. I wouldn't be happy strapped down like that either. I can hardly stand it when the seat belt locks when I want to lean forward to get my purse or pick up my coffee.
Anyway, we were soon at the mall, and feeling free. Ahhhhhh, much better. Smudge spent some of her time in the stroller, but was soon set down on her feet to run and play. Here, Mommy and Smudge are waiting for the elevator. Smudge quite liked the elevator ride as the walls were glass, and she could take in all sorts of sights while riding up and down.
After an hour or so, it was time for a coffee break. Yum!

Shopping does tend to wear a girl out though. Somebody fell asleep on the ride home.
By the time we got home she was rested and ready to go again. Just in time to put on a fashion show for Grandpa.
"Do you like my new boots Grandpa? Look at how fast I can run in them."
Yes, a good time was had by all.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Window on the world

Christmas 2008 is history; the tree has been stored away, the fence is down, and the window is accessible to Smudge again. She is VERY happy about this.
This is a common sight these days. Smudge standing behind the curtain surveying the wonders outside. What does she see? An amazing world full of interesting and exciting gifts just for her, and we so enjoy watching her unwrap each one.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Memories

AC is sorting through boxes of old slides and he sent me this picture the other day. What sweet memories!
Don't you just love looking at old pictures? What fun.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Adventurer

It is cold, cold, cold, here these days, but the sun shines brightly each day, and Smudge needs to get fresh air, so I bundled her up yesterday and sent her out the side door. The snow was rather deep for her, and the last time she was out there she couldn't or wouldn't plow through it. I thought she would just stand there until I got my boots and coat on to go out and shovel a path to her little play house for her, but by the time I was ready she was being a brave adventurer and made tracks to her front door all by herself. As you can see though it was roped off. The roof blew off, and the whole house nearly followed it over the deck railing during one winter storm, so Daddy tied it down. That wouldn't do on this day though. Smudge had to get in and check-out her kitchen. Work to be done in there!
I did clear a path to the house, and opened the door for her. She busied herself inside for the longest time, but was soon back outside with her wooden spoons moving snow around with them. Busy, busy, busy.
After about twenty minutes I looked out and saw this. Her work was all done, and now it was time to take a break with one of her books. This little one does love her books.

Soon after that it was time to come in. I stopped her at the side door and removed her sodden boots and mitts, then set her down on a dry spot to take off the rest of her winter duds. Before I could turn around she headed for her bookshelf and ran to Grandpa with a book.
Time for a story Grandpa. Ah, what sweet memories we are making with this precious little one.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Do these pants make my butt look big?

I have to go play with my blocks now Grandpa, but I have one question before I go.
Do these pants make my butt look big?

At least I think that is what she said.

Friday, January 09, 2009

Fun with Grandpa

Grandpa's are the greatest aren't they? Whether a kid needs fashion advice about her new hat...
...a soft place to sit...
...or a warm hug...
...Grandpa's are the greatest. Especially mine!

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Morning Greeting

TheSha is on maternity leave, so our morning duties with Smudge are over for now. Our days start much slower and are so much more relaxed. What a treat! I sleep in longer but AC is still up with the birds.

When I finally do roll out of bed and putter out into the hall, this is the sight that greets me most mornings; AC sitting in a warm pool of light in front of his computer.
I do miss Smudge and all her sunshine, but these mornings are pretty nice.

We were snowed in yesterday, so we didn't even see Smudge for a hug. After our street is plowed out, that is first thing on the agenda for today.

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Grandpa's hat

We are getting lots of fresh snowfall today, so Smudge though she had better borrow Grandpa's hat to protect her little head.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Special Treat

Mommy's maternity leave started on Friday, so our babysitting duties are over for now. I enjoyed a special treat Monday though. Mommy had a dentist appointment so Grandpa and I spent the morning with Smudge.
Smudge and I were having a snuggle while listening to music and wonder of wonders - she fell asleep in my arms. Ahhh, What a treat!

Monday, January 05, 2009

Accountant?

Mommy brought her adding machine home to get some work done and guess who thought it was the neatest thing. In this pic she hasn't touched it yet, but...

...it didn't take her long to get her hands on it.

This little one loves buttons. On some of her toys she has more fun turning them off and on with the power button, than letting them run through their tricks. Buttons on coats, sweaters, toys, microwaves, thermostats, and bellies! She loves them all.