Tiddy Tats

Yesterday was, once again, just too beautiful to stay inside!

Sooo, the girls and I meandered to the verandah after lunch!

Much to the girls delight, there was a neighbor cat sun bathing on the verandah at the exact same moment! He, of course, made a quick exit once he got wind that there would be kids running around, interfering with his nap!

But Alia was persistent to get him back... "Tiddy tat. Tiddy tat. Where ARE YOU tiddy tat?"



And sure enough... the kitty cat came back. (See that little ear poking up?)

But only for a minute or two.

He was playing hard to get.

So Alia waited...

and called...

and soon he was back for more.

*Intermission - this is a "see I'm here... just usually behind the camera!" moment*


Well Larren has never really experienced kitty cats before... and boy oh boy, was she ever smitten!!!

She liked the kitty cat a little too much and came close to getting scratched a time or two!


She just couldn't figure out why the kitty wouldn't want to be her forever and ever bestest of best friends.


Whenever the kitty cat had enough, Larren just searched and searched until she found the poor thing again!




After a bit of "hide and seek", the play box was calling... so off we went to answer it's call.

Larren has never been in the play box before, so this was quite a day of new things for her!

Of course, big sister watched closely for any stray pebbles that might find their way to Larren's mouth, just hoping to see some action... so the "alarm" could be sounded!!

And surprisingly... Larren did quite well!

UNTIL... THIS little discovery.


This discovery was made at the exact same moment Alia came rushing back with the news of finding not ONE ... but TWO tiddy tats, Mommy!!!


Needless to say, our little sunny afternoon went downhill in a quick hurry.

But not before Larren was able to touch and feel some of the new find.




I was absolutely disgusted ... but had to recover quickly, due to the very realness of the situation.

(Just for the record - I didn't realize she had any of the "discovery" ON HER as I clicked away. It was only after, as I was looking back at pictures, that I saw the evidence!!!!)

After much, much, much washing... and a couple gagging moments... Larren was as good as new and off to take a needed nap.

Her sister, on the other hand, did not handle the discovery in the play box quite as well.

She just absolutely could not understand why the kitty didn't go in the potty!!

Despite the tears,the poop, and the naughty kitties... I just had to laugh when we took off Alia's jacket to find THIS shirt...

... it just fit into the day TOO WELL!




** Note from editor **
After MUCH research we made the decision to go with a "play box" (filled with pea gravel) versus the ever classic "sand box" to keep the neighborhood feline traffic OUT of our play zone. For 1 1/2 years we have been successful. BUT... as of today we are well aware that pea gravel DOES NOT detour cats. So the next step will be... a "play box lid" and a .22 if need be.

This is my husband...

... who despite the craziness of energetic, overtired children... the mad rush to get supper on the table... the frustration from a day gone wrong... weariness after a long day that still has hours to go... and a wife who is on the verge of cracking...

can tell me in one look...

"It's worth it. It's going to be okay. We're in this together. We're blessed. And no... I don't notice the extra 10 lbs."

Oh how I love him!

Weather This Amazing...

... means lots of walking, when usually we'd be waddling in snowsuits by now!

It has just been gorgeous!

We still have to bundle up a little... but we'll take it, no complaining!!!



Alia even got her bicycle out! She wasn't excited or anything :)

And when daddy "drives" they have to hit all the bumps...potholes...

... and dirt they can find!


I know ya'll may be starting to wonder, but yes, I am an active participant in our daily activities... it's just rarely documented!!!

And what would a walk be without throwing a couple rocks in the water?!? Devastating in Alia's books!

No sooner had we rounded the bend from rock throwing when Alia spotted Uncle Ron and Auntie Betty! After a few excited waves and a bicycle bell chime "hello" the I'm cold... I'm cold's started! The little goof girl KNOWS that she gets to warm up at their house when she's chilly... so in we go!

And after some puzzling, a game, and some pizza we were on our way again! (We are SO BLESSED to have "family" here that we can do that with!)

I tell ya... walking around our little community just makes me smile! It doesn't have manicured lawns, or extravagant houses, or much to look at... but it sure is friendly... and I'll take that ANY day of the year!

Daughter Date

On Saturday morning Alia and I met up with my best friend, and her daughter, for a lovely... refreshing... super fun... double date!!

It was just grand!

We oohhed and aahhed our way around the towns big craft show, had the girls' faces painted, got some goodies from Tim Horton's, and then B-lined it to the park! It was a gorgeous day... and we thoroughly enjoyed our Tim Bits while soaking in as much sun as possible!

I didn't bring my camera... but here are some after shots of Alia's rainbow!

And here's our little rainbow princess in action! (You can tell by her grin that she KNOWS exactly what I'm going to say next!!)

She was super super hyper when we got home!
Jon was finding it hard to refrain from giving me a "Renee... she is supposed to go down for a nap pretty soon and you got her all wired up" speech :)

A few left over Tim Bits for the taking!



My friend and I have enjoyed the craft show in years past... but "kidless" has usually been the goal. No sirree... not anymore! We had so much fun that we have officially declared this "daughter date" a new yearly tradition... and next year Larren will join the ranks as well!

Ice Skating

I'm gonna tell you a little secret.

I've always dreamed of being really good at ice skating. Now... being that I've never spent too much time on the ice... this is a pretty lofty goal to attain!

But I married a Canadian. And since I'm on my way to becoming a Canadian myself, I think I should have some sort of jump start on the whole ice skating thing.

Confession.

My skates have yet to move from their original location since moving to Canada.

BUT, that's all about to change!

See, I purchased these little babies for Alia the other day (for a whopping 2 dollars!!)...

and I am BEYOND excited to lace up my skates and make a fool of myself for her amusement! And maybe... just maybe... I'll learn a thing or two right along side of her!

If the locals haven't figured out that I'm a foreigner yet... it won't take 'em long once I hit the ice!

College Smollege

These are what our evenings have been like over the past 2 months.

Jon on his laptop and me on mine!

He's in the midst of attaining his teaching degree and doubled up his course load this semester, in hopes of getting more classes out of the way sooner. It's a wonderful idea... but WAY more than we bargained for!

Goodness... college sure is a time sucker. And dare I say time waster, on occasion!

BUT he's nearing the end... for this semester, anyhow! As I type this he is writing his final paper for one class, and will be finishing up his final project on the other class this weekend.

I feel like I've hardly seen my husband since these courses began and I simply CAN NOT WAIT to have him back!

I might be a little spoiled by how much time I am able to spend with Jonathan... I know... but I much prefer it that way than the other!

It's a Boat... It's a Plane... It's a

... DIAPER BOX!

Alia's imagination never ceases to amaze me. I love it.

Today she's going on a big trip... in an airplane.

A little lipstick is in order...

cause she's riding first class, ya know!

And Lukey is her ever trusty travel companion!


Her imagination could come in real handy this winter when it's - 40 outside. Don the swim suits, kids... sandy beaches and sunshine HERE WE COME!

Morning Tea

It's no secret that my girls love a good tea party. Our parties have slowed down in recent weeks, but the other morning, we dusted off the tea pot and had a few sips!

Only minutes after the breakfast table was cleared, and Alia's set up for the queen!


The queen may not have come... but her sister was there in a quick hurry!

And she's just as welcome! "OH, look at that... you need some more tea with your brownie!" (No lies... that is what Alia said!!!)


Larren helping herself to a 2nd dainty!

Now don't you worry your pretty little head... the maid will clean this up in no time!

In the Midst...

... of a challenging week, I am declaring that two girls are SUCH A JOY to have!!!

I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Except maybe an hour or two of.... NOPE... not a thing!!!!

Finally Friday

Gracious, it's been a long week. Almost every single day I've had a break down moment. BUT, the weekend is almost here... and for that I am very thankful!

All Alia wanted to do today was paint her toe nails AND finger nails, in her pajamas, in the kitchen, on her blue stool... and read stories.

So, that's exactly what we did!

While I was putting Larren down for her nap, Alia laid out some toilet paper on the floor so we wouldn't get nail polish on it! :) She must think Mommy's coordination and clumsiness are better than they appear!

Pink was the color of choice today...




Showing off the finished product...



What can I say?! She was pretty excited! :)