Today we headed down to our favourite beach to enjoy our last couple of hours with Grandma Charlotte. We played on the playground for a little bit and then made our way to the walking path (towards Cornwall Ave and Starbucks), to which Gracen immediately exclaimed, “Drink! Drink!”, knowing that a steamed milk with cinnamon was in her near future… Smart little cookie! Puppy kisses, puddle jumping, sea glass collecting, and extreme swinging were also involved. Here’s the proof:
Mondern merry-go-rounding.
A dreary day treat.
Splish splash.
Searching for something special.
With Papa’s help.
Taking it all in.
“Catching Papa”.
Extreme swinging, courtesy of Gma Char.
‘Hello down there!’
‘Wheeeeeee!’
Our morning ended with a tuckered out little lady falling asleep on the drive home (an hour before her usual nap time), therefore missing out on saying goodbye to her “Manmaw”. Oopsies. Although she didn’t wake up desperately searching for Grandma like we thought she might, she did remind us about where Grandma sleeps and where she sits at the table several times throughout the remainder of the day. Not to worry my sweet girl, Grandma’s last words were, “Make sure that foamie doesn’t go too far – I’ll be back at the end of March!” Days spent in the backyard gardening with Grandma are coming very soon, Miss G.
Gracen, very pleased with the little treasures Grandma Charlotte and I found on our impromptu thrifting trip.
Costco shopping and G’s new ‘smile for Mama’ face.
Here’s what you need: Some flour, salt, cream of tartar, vegetable oil, water, food colouring, and a cute little sous chef to help you along the way.
First things first, pour your water in a large pot.
Next, add your salt. Preferably into the pot. But hey, whatever works.
Then, add your cream of tartar.
And your food colouring. (Of course for this little one, purple was the colour of choice.) Give everything a little stir.
Then, over medium heat, warm the mixture until hot, but not boiling.
When hot, add your oil and your flour, cup by cup.
Don’t worry if it looks all chunky and gross. We’ve used this recipe several times and we’ve always experienced this stage. It’ll all work out in the end.
When you’ve added all of the flour, give the dough one final stir and plop it out onto a well-floured counter. Sprinkle some extra flour on top if the dough appears sticky. Be careful – it’ll be very hot still.
Once it’s cooled, kneed the dough well, incorporating all of the extra flour.
Then give your munchkin a chunk and let her go to town.
Fun for hours!
This afternoon we had Miss G’s 18 month wellness check up. Although I love knowing that she’s growing, gaining weight, and reaching her milestones as expected, I absolutely dread the vaccination part. I’ve always disliked it (especially in Kuwait at those terrifying government clinics), but now that she’s older, it’s worse. Afterwards, she looks up at me with these big tear-filled eyes with a ‘Mama, you knew that was going to happen’ expression. Break my mama heart. The good news is that this time around it was only one shot compared to the four she had to get at twelve months. And getting to choose an animal sticker and play with toys afterwards seemed to pretty much make up for the poke.
When we originally pulled up to the clinic, my unsuspecting little lady saw the playground at the school across the street and started bouncing with excitement. Of course, little did she know, we weren’t there to play. I told her that we were going to visit the nurses, and afterwards, we’d go to a park. So that’s exactly what we did.
It was freezing cold and we were the only ones there, but she was pleased none the less.
We played, ran, slid, and hid and then headed home to have dinner and a warm bath!
Gracen absolutely loves our friends’ little man to bits. To the point where it’s an obsession. Today Steph and Tate came over for lunch and a visit, and she literally could not leave his side. The poor little guy just wanted some peace and quiet to slumber in the sunshine, and Grae was all up in his business the entire time. And imagine her dismay when it was nap time! She was utterly insulted by the fact that I would even consider making her sleep while there was a baby in our house. She fell asleep crying “Buubba… Buuuuubba…” (baby) and woke up 30 minutes later pointing out her door and calling “Bubba! Bubba!” in desperation. I guess we have to make sure we see Tate more often!
This afternoon, as I tidied up the kitchen, Miss G sat at her little table happily colouring and drawing. That is, until she came into the kitchen with narrowed eyes, a furrowed brow, and a serious, “Mama?” She held her pudgy little hand out to me and looked at the floor.
In my most serious mama voice, I said, “Gracen, what is this?” After a short pause, she looked up at me with bright eyes and upturned lips and proudly announced, “Star!”
A Superstore ritual.
Serious in Starbucks.
This afternoon, for a brief time, little dancing snowflakes filled the sky. Gracen sat on a cushion in front of the window, sipped her milk, and took it all in. ♥
Grandma Charlotte was in town this weekend doing some professional development and visiting a friend, so we got to spend afternoon with her today. Gracen kept her busy with colouring projects and countless storybook requests. Grandmas don’t need rest, do they?
Well, another month and what feels like a hundred new little things learned by our doodlebug… Before we know it, it will be time to start planning her second birthday party. (Okay, who am I kidding? I’ve already given it some serious thought.)