The Five Senses of Our Trip To Canada

Sights:

Grass (who knew??)

The CN Tower

Postage stamps stuck all over Grandma Gail's guestroom night table - compliments of Abby.

So many animals from two different zoos.

A 4 year old girl with a constant smile on her face.

Sounds:

The crack of the bat as Derek Jeter hits a home run. (Sorry Adam)

Abby asking many, many times "Are we in the air yet?" while sitting on the runway.

Blue jays chirping out on the patio.

Emily and Grandma Sharon playing the piano together.

Lots of people saying "Eh".

Taste:

Harvey's Burgers

Sushi

Fish and Chips

Double Chocolate Moose Tracks Ice Cream

More Sushi :)

Touch:

The heavy bags full of all our Ikea goodies.

Massages from the spa at the hotel in Toronto.

Cool mornings and warm days - absolutely perfect weather.

A nibble on Abby's finger from a hungry horse. She is still mad about that.

Happy hugs hello and sad hugs goodbye.

Smells:

Home cooked burgers. YUM!

Popcorn, peanuts and pretzels at the stadium.

Rain

Peanut butter cookies baking in the oven.

Hot dogs and sausages from street vendors outside our hotel.

We had a wonderful time. It was a very fast 10 days. So good to spend time with the Clarks. So nice for Adam and I to get away alone for a few days - so nice. A perfect way to end the summer.

Knit One, Purl Two

Well, no purling involved on this pattern. I was hoping to make a bunch of these great dishcloths to give as Christmas presents but I am so slow that I better pare down the list of lucky people who will receive them. It is a very easy pattern and lots of fun to make. If you want to give it try you can find the pattern here.

Abby has had swimming lessons the past two weeks at the Y. She had a great time.

The majority of the class time was spent sitting on the side of the pool. Don't think we will be doing lessons at the Y again.

She enjoyed chatting with new friends.

She also had music camp at Pineville United Methodist Church this week. On Friday night they had a hot dog dinner for the families and we got to watch the kids preform the songs that they had learned. Here she is with her good friends Jacob and Ellie.

We are headed to Canada in just a few days. Adam is excited about going to see the Blue Jays play twice (Yankees and Boston) and I am excited about going to IKEA and the Sandy Lion Sticker Warehouse. We are all looking forward to visiting with the northern Clark Clan.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

Holy Heatwave Batman!

First of all, thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement. Things are a little better. We are just doing our best to stay consistent and positive. Although I do like Melina's idea of time out in a dog crate - ( just kidding people).

Second of all, the votes are in and it was a landslide. You want more pictures of Adam. Now if I could only get Adam to cooperate. :)

Here is an activity we did recently to beat the heat. I froze some small toys in a big block of ice, gave Abby some tools (salt, tooth brush, medicine dropper, plastic knife, warm water) and let her work at getting them out.

Parenting is not for wimps and I am feeling very wimpish.

The past week or so has been tough around here. Seems like Abby wants to do the opposite of everything we say. If I say it is time to go, she digs in her heels and wants to stay. If I say pink, she says light pink. If I say someone is a boy she says they are a girl (seriously). You get the idea. I thought all this behavior was supposed to stop the day she turned four. I have found myself being grumpy, ill and sad. I want our home to be a happy place and that has not been the case the last few days. Pray for me, send me good vibes, or let me know what you have done to survive a hard headed, spirited child.

Muffin Tin Monday

The rage in blogland right now is muffin tin meals. It really does make eating more fun.

Top row: feta cheese, cukes (thanks Danette), watermelon

Bottom row: orzo pasta, peanut butter sandwich strips, graham cracker bumble bees.

If you have any kids to feed in the near future check out how cute this one is.

Family Fun

We have had lots of visitors the past two weeks and have loved every minute.

Uncle Chris (Adam's brother) drove down from Canada. I think the main reason he made the long drive was so he could be in my blog. :)

My dad (Pa-Pa) came to hang out for a few days.

Cousin Lacy came over to help us make monkey munch.

Our friend Nate (who isn't family but may be some day - wink, wink) spent the day with us while his mom was in Guatemala visiting the new addition to their family. Abby and Nate made bowling pins and then had a blast setting them up and knocking them down.

One last thing - I am collecting small items to make an ABC collection for Abby. I think I will house these items in peanut butter or mayo jars but only have about 10 so far. So if you empty out a clear plastic jar and don't have big plans for it, please save it for us.

Our Backyardigan meets The Backyardigans

What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at the Backyardigans Live concert.

I introduced Abby to geoboards this week. Thanks Kim and Pineville School for the loaner. :)

Thanks to Danette and Gail for the turtle info. Looks like in 8 to 9 weeks we can expect some baby turtles. I better start nesting...

Have a great week. :)