COTTAGE GIRL!

Well, Lily is officially a cottage girl.  We spent several days with Aunt Dee and Uncle Tim at their cottage, or as they call it, The Lodge.   Maman thinks it's now a Resort rather than a lodge now that it's been remodelled.  Koodos to the designers and decorators.   It is fabulous. 

Lily rode on a pontoon boat, speedboat (this ride was really bumpy and Maman had to hold on with all her might) and paddle boat.  She wasn't too sure about the speedboat but seemed to enjoy the others.  We swam and played in the grass.  We even saw a snake.  Figures, it was the first sighting of the season.  I swear they seek me out.  Yikes!! and of course we experienced some bug bites which has caused the little one much discomfort since returning home but we just happened to be going to the doctor for something else and got some special cream to take care of the swelling.  We'll live.

We just want to say a big thank you to our hosts for making Lily's first cottage experience such a great one.  She may not remember it but we will have plenty of pics to show her.

We are now back in the city for the weekend and then will have some visitors from Ottawa next week and then off to another location for some visiting so it may be a couple of weeks before you hear from us again.
Have a good long weekend everyone. 

                                      We just had to try out our new travel high chair. Snack anyone!

Our sun suit.    Tour the France anyone??

Lily and Bailey waiting for the boat.

We were promised a Margarita but we never saw the waiter.

It was still fun.

Week of Lunches!!

Hi Everyone,

Are you loving this hot weather and keeping cool.  We certainly are and have made daily use of the pool or the local splash pad.  Maman just wished she didn't look silly going through the water at the splash pad so she could enjoy it too.  :)

We've had a very busy week with tons of lunch dates to catch up with all our friends.  We even visited Maman's office and caught up on the gossip.  That certainly made me realize that I don't have much time left before I go back to work.  Five months sure flies by when you have a toddler around.

We also had a wonderful visit with Nai Nai on Saturday.  The grown ups enjoyed margaritas and wine by the pool, while Lily and Maui (Nai Nai's puppy) enjoyed using the pool and the sprinklers.  Maui was way more interested in playing (chewing) Lily's toys than she was.  At first Lily wasn't too keen on Maui because since still in the pupply stage she gets very excited when she sees people and will jump up but by the end of the day, Lily was confident enough to push Maui away if she invaded her personal space too much and she loved feeding her kibble from her hand.  A few more sessions and they'll be best friends.

This week Grand-Papa is coming for a visit.  What he doesn't know is that Maman has a long "To Do" list for him to work on.  The main one being to figure out how we evict the two groundhogs that have taken up residence under the deck.  "Thelma and Louise" as we call them, are cute and all but keep digging holes and eating all of my herbs.  Will keep you posted.

Lily is really starting to talk alot more these days.  It still amazes me how much english she has learned in the past 5 months.  Right now she is really into books where you say a word and she points at the picture.  We've come a long way since she wouldn't even look at a book when I met her.  She's also often trying to dress herself and put on her shoes.  We still need to learn left from right but it's a start.   Last week at our weekly Toddler Time session where we play and sing songs, the leader handed out pamphlets that show stages of development for toddlers and according to the pamphlet, Little Miss Bit is right on track or ahead of schedule for some stuff which is amazing for a child that spent most of her life in an orphanage.  Maman is thrilled that she is progressing well. 

We still are struggling with the daycare.  Last week, we went twice and both times she cried as soon as I left until I came back 10 mins later.  It breaks my heart to see her so upset but unless I will the lottery or someone leaves me a large inheritance (yeah right!), Maman needs to go back to work so daycare is a reality of life so we must continue the lesson. 

Have a great week and keep cool.  Apparently it's suppose to be 37 celcius on Thursday.  We might have to find a pool to go hang out by that day.

                                                          Enjoying corn at the ribfest!

                                                   We've mastered licking the beaters.  Yum!

                                                        Hand feeding Maui her kibble.

                                                Sometimes a girl just has to jump in the pool
                                               to cool off.  Who care if I'm not in my swimsuit.

MAKING PROGRESS

Quiet week after all the hoopla from the past few weeks. 

We did make some big progress.  We went to the gym daycare twice this week where I left Lily for only 10 minutes each time.  With coaching all morning before I dropped her off that "Maman will be back"etc., the first day, she cried a little and stood by the door and kept saying "Maman" after the first few minutes but the second time, she played longer and didn't cry.  Yeah!!!! there is hope.   We're going to go back a few times this week and will try 15 minute intervals this time.  Fingers crossed.

We are enjoying the sunny weather and spending lots of time in our pool.  As you will see from the pictures, Lily is getting very comfortable in the pool.  When we go to the "Big Pool" at the recreation centre she will stand on the side and just jump into my arms.  She has no fear whatsoever which is good in one way but a bit scary for Mommy in others.  I caught her trying to pick up a huge spider the other day so she's not scared of bugs either.  Let's just hope she doesn't come across a snake anytime soon.   Yikes! Maman won't be cool with that.

Just a quick comment on the last picture.  One of the best memories I have of my Mom is that once in a while we would make a pan of rice krispie squares and she and I would sit and chat, each with a spoon in hand and eat the mixture while it was still warm.  How far into the pan we got depended on the topic that day.  This week the ingredients were on sale so I decided to make a pan of the squares and gave Lily a little bit of the mixture while it was still warm and sticky.  I think the tradition will continue.   Maybe I should have given her a spoon. 

You just can't imagine how much I miss you Mom! xxoo

                                                                 Loving our slide.

                                                  The girls having fun playing with the camera.

                                                   Watch out Maman, I'm going to spray you.

                                                                Just chillin in the pool.

                                                        These rice krispies stick to everything.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!

Happy Canada Day everyone.  Lily enjoyed her first celebration.

                                                               Yeah Canada!!!!!

                                                            Post pool warm up outfit!!