Welcome my dad to the Net!

Wow, I just found out today that my dad is on the internet!

Bienvenue Jim et Lucie sur l'internet!

New family friend

Well, this week, we got a new family friend. I have been thinking long and hard about a little family pet that it not too high maintenance. Maelie wanted a chinchilla for the longest time because in Diego, of course there is a cute chinchilla who dances.

So this week we bought a cage, food, and snacks. Then another day, we visited the breeder and Maelie chose the cute little girl chinchilla, born November 25th... same day as my best friend Kathleen and my grandma. What a coincidence!

Our little baby chin sleeps most of the day, but as soon as the sun goes down, she is sociable and happy. She loves taking a sand bath which is the most adorable little thing! We put a metal bin with sand in it in her cage and she excitedly jumps in and starts rolling in the sand! SO cute!

After supper, we take her to the washroom upstairs and let her loose. We have to choose a small safe place to let her run around and get used to us. She loves running into Maelie's basket for bath toys. That is the only spot I managed to take a picture of her without moving. She is very fast and active.

Maelie's idea for a name: Baby Chinchilla.

Making bubbles

Grand-Maman left to go back to her home today, and we were left with a little girl *needing* grape bubble gum. Maelie went to Dollarama with her dad and got some gum. After supper, we spent half an hour watching her attempt to make bubbles.

After half an hour, we kind of got tired watching the bubble making in process, so Bill turned the tv on and put it on the news. Maelie reminded us that t.v. was not important and we should watch her. She then found a solution to this.



She sat right in front of the t.v.


:

Walking fluffies?

Last night, pretty late, Maelie was in her bed, I was in mine. We were both supposed to be falling asleep.

Maelie said out loud "Mom! There's a bug on my wall!"

I don't like having to get up once I am comfy-cozy under my blankets, so I replied "Maelie, it is probably just a fluff."

Matter-of-factly, Maelie responded "Um.... Mom... fluffies don't have legs."

We both burst out laughing and I told her Daddy would take care of it all when he got home from work. That's my easy way out :) And we both fell asleep.

Grand-maman visits

Today was a special day... grand-maman came for a sleepover! Maelie always gets excited when we have company. Having her grand-maman over means I don't really exist anymore, unless she needs to tell me to do something or she gets hurt. Other than that, it's all about grand-maman. I mean, who else will put money in those candy machines at the mall? Who else will buy you tons of bubble bath and bath bombs and introduce you to Bubble Gum? Yes, Maelie had her FIRST piece of gum EVER today. I managed to keep her away from it for almost 5 years and today.... she was corrupted. She thinks it's very entertaining to make bubbles with her gum.



First thing we did for grand-maman's visit is go to Lac Beauchamp to skate ! Maelie has never even put on skates yet, let alone go skating! She wanted to be a professional speed skater the minute she put the skates on. She cannot grasp the concept that you have to learn how to stand on the ice first. She kept moving her little legs all over the place giving back pain to mom and grand-maman!



She did great when she had to walk on snow or on wood. The minute we touched the ice, she would just be off to the ground. I think we will need to practice for a while! I was really proud of her because she *really* was trying hard and she did not whine or just complain and want to go home. She had her heart set on going all around the skating rink. We made it about 10 feet and that was about it, but it's a great start! and she *enjoyed* it which is what I was hoping for. We will give it another try tomorrow!

I also was meaning to add a pic of the Valentine treats we made for the kids at the daycare, and one for our neighbor, Caroline. I tutor her twice a week on english and Maelie really loves her. I think it is because she misses her older sisters a lot and Caroline reminds her of them. She is a really good kid, and a very well located babysitter should I ever need one!

Here is a picture of our treats:



They turned out so adorable! Now I can't wait for Easter! Maelie's birthday is actually on Easter Sunday. She was VERY concerned with this as she refuses to have her birthday party on Easter. She says she doesn't want her friends to get her treats from the Easter bunny. So we will have to celebrate the week before or after. Not because of the Easter bunny, but mainly because some of the guests will be out of town that weekend.

Well I am pretty much all over the place, but this is the easy way to let everyone know what we are up to.

Wonderful Swap goodies!

As mentioned in my first post, I was participating in a mini swap, which meant our family was swapping goodies with another family with a child somewhere in the world! We were lucky enough to be matched up with Alison and her daughter Eleanor. We just received their package this week. Maelie was ecstatic as she pulled out the treasure one by one. I was completely amazed by Alison's sewing talent! She sewed maelie a dress in an Australian print and also a type of camisole with a cat on it. And a stuffed cat as well, Maelie loves cats!



oh... might I add that some candy was opened up and tasted even before I had a chance to take a picture!

What I find amazing with this experience is that not only did we get to get to know new people across the world, we also got to touch and feel things that come from there as well. Maelie was excited to see the Australian flags as she is a flag addict! There was also a set of stamps, which is a great opportunity to learn! Things that are so common out there are extremely rare here. I loved the little journal that Eleanor and her mom made with pictures of her on a typical day. I wanted to include a little picture book but I ran out of time. Looking at her project, I should have taken those extra days to make one! I will only post a pic of what we sent once she has received it, since it's supposed to be a surprise! Thank you again SO MUCH Alison and Eleanor!!



We decided to go for a little trip to Walmart today after work. For no other reason than to get out a bit. It has been excessively cold out here and so we can't spend time outside. Plus this week i have been sick with fever, sore throat, headache and being sore everywhere... i'm not worried as others had that in the office, so I know its only a virus. I had a lot of sleep issues. or rather lack of sleep issues. Since I am on the mend now, we dropped into walmart and as you can see in this picture, Maelie is wearing her new Buzz Lightyear jammies ! for girls of course... unlike her Spiderman jammies which are boys ones. but i haven't seen any spiderman jammies for girls yet.

I can't wait for this weekend! One.. i need a break from working so hard this week. and 2.. my mom is coming for a visit with Gilles. So it will be nice. They are interesting guests to have in the house! they arrive past lunchtime on saturday, and leave sunday morning by 9 AM. and saturday evening they go out to the casino. So needless to say, they aren't very needy company! i wish they would stay longer though some visits! Maelie LOVES having them over and keeps them very busy. Hopefully if the weather is nice, my mom will show Maelie how to skate.

Friends get together

Today we invited Hayley over to play with Maelie. Hayley and Maelie used to go to daycare together but recently she changed daycare and so they haven't seen each other in a while. So Hayley walked in and both girls disappeared. When they are together, they just have so much fun and they play extremely well. There is no fighting at all which is nice. It gives me time to do a bit of fun stuff like laundry and cleaning.

What a week past week and weekend. Goodness. Work is extremely busy and weekends are just as hectic. Yesterday I went out for girls time with my friend Jacinthe. I took her out for lunch for her birthday and then we went to Michaels craft store and the bulk barn. I stocked up on Valentine treats for Maelies Valentine's to her friends at the daycare. They turned out so nice. I'll post a pic when I have a chance.

sweetest little thing

One sweet thing about having a child is the thought and love they put into their crafts. When we got home tonight, Maelie took popsicle sticks and glued a heart gem to the top of both of them. Then she printed Mom on one and Dad on the other. Now how sweet is that? She learned how to spell her name a while back, and right away she learned how to spell Mom as well. On her drawings she used to write Maelie and Mom. Then she added Dad to her repertoire of spelling. I gotta brag a bit! I'm a mom!

Happy Birthday Martin!

Yesterday following the festivities for Bills birthday, we went to Winterlude activities. We picked up my friend Lea and armed with our crazy carpets, we headed to parc Jacques Cartier. It was the first year we went to the festivities as I don't usually enjoy mingling with big crowds. Since Lea had called us up to go, I thought it would be a great outing, especially since it was so nice outside.

We realized once we got there that we couldn't use our crazy carpets, we had to slide on our butts as the manmade slides were pure ice! It was great! We tried the snow packed maze as well, and we ended up having our lunch outside. It's actually impressive to have a pic nic outside on February 3rd! The place was packed. Maelie and Lea ended their meal with a bit of "tire sur la neige". Which is basically heated maple syrup, poured on snow and wrapped on a popsicle stick for those of you who are not familiar with it. Very sweet, tasty and STICKY. It was a very nice time. Thanks to Lea for suggesting we go there!

For supper, Bill, Maelie and I headed out to la cage aux sports for supper. they have a nice menu and especially an interesting kids menu. We had a very filling meal and then afterwards, Maelie and I headed off to my friend Jacinthes house for her son Martin's 2 year old party! He will officially be 2 tomorrow. All the kids were ecstatic to taste the wonderful cake Jacinthe made:



We were all warned to not comment on the color of the PINK firetruck! :) Apparently is is VERY hard to create red icing. What little boy would not like this gorgeous pink firetruck though! It looks amazing. and it was tasty.

Don't these kids look really happy? They all had a great time and stayed up way past their usual bedtimes. We were actually the first party poopers by leaving at 9 pm! I have no idea how late the rest of them stayed up.



This morning at 7:45 my mom woke us up when she called. She was watching Salut Bonjour on tv and they were live from Winterlude and she wanted to know exactly where they were. I'm usually the one who calls her that early.

Our neighbor across the street, another Jacinthe, just called to go sliding this afternoon at a hill close by. Her kids have not been sliding yet so I am sure we will have a great time.

I am starting to enjoy winter a bit more than I did! I think the main reason is that it is not -37 like it is in Winnipeg this morning :) Gatineau weather is nothing compared to that!

Happy Sunday!

Happy Birthday Bill!

Today was Bills birthday. Of course, as on any special day, all hopes of sleeping in are shot. Maelie woke up during the night and came to our bed. I had told Maelie that I wanted us to sleep in til 8. So it began at 6 "is it 8:00 yet mom?"
"nope."
At 6:02 "Now is it 8:00?"
"nope"
At 6:04 "Now is it 8:00?"
"ARGH..... no no no no no. why don't you go play in your room?"
"ok."
Maelie ran off and came back a few minutes later wearing her princess dress and a necklace ready for the party.
I finally got up at about 7:00 and went downstairs with her. We blew up balloons, took the presents and card out and got the cheesecake out as well.
She was very impatient and ended up going to wake up her dad.



So poor Bill who is not a morning person was treated to gifts and cake and a Happy birthday song the second he walked down the stairs! Happy Birthday!