Beautiful!

On Tuesday, Maelie received a package in the mail.

A while back, Carmen at Mom to the Screaming Masses was having a giveaway on her other blog Scrutiny by the Masses. Her blog is one that I have been reading practically daily for the past few years.

A few weeks ago, she was having a giveaway on her blog. I very seldomly participate in giveaways. She was giving away some Wati dresses. I didn't win, however she contacted me and offered me a skirt for Maelie anyway! I was ecstatic! We just received it this week and I must say it is gorgeous. The pictures don't do it justice really!



All I can say is thank you Carmen for your generosity. It is very appreciated! We will for sure pay this good action forward :)

even 6 year olds have THOSE days

This is what Maelie typed out on my labelmaker at work the day she was not feeling well this week:

"Insid my botie it wot stop being fushtratide"

Now as sad as it was to see her in a down mood (I was also feeling like that that day!), I did find her note cute and I kept it at my desk.

For a grade 1 kid, she writes pretty well!

Favorite part of the year!

Yesterday morning, we had a yard sale to get rid of a bit of stuff. Two of my friends joined me with their kids so it was great! I love this nice days of socializing!



After lunch, Jacinthe and her kids (my friend across the street), went apple picking! We drove to Verger Croque Pommes and it was packed! On such a beautiful day, no wonder everyone went apple picking. We got a wagon and a 42 lb box and headed out to the orchard. They had so many kinds, but we ended up with a few Lobo's and lots of McIntosh. The trees were absolutely gorgeous!



Of course, one of the best things about apple picking is climbing the ladders to reach the top apples!



Even if you have a million at ground level!



and even close to the ground!

We had a wonderful time! I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life who share all these activities with us!

Party weekend

Saturday Maelie was invited to a birthday party at Tubes et Jujubes. It is an indoor playground with a gazillion little kids running around and screaming. Ok, so it wasn't that bad! There was a reasonable amount of people, so the noise level was decent.

(note to self: next time bring adult socks.)

I remembered to tell Maelie to bring socks, however I forgot to bring my own. $3.50 for a pair of el-cheapo socks that I will never wear again.

The kids had a good time though. Maelie is not too fond of those playgrounds as it is too crowded for her. She went in the structures for a bit,but then hung out at ground level.

The cake was a Hannah Montana cake, as apparently, that's the thing to do when you are a young girl these days.

The kids had a good time, excited about gift opening time, and trying on newly found make up.



The kids got face painting.



Maelie tried out a bit of rock climbing. She enjoyed it, but I am quite sure she will not end up rock-climber extraordinaire! LOL



We have another party to attend Sunday afternoon.

Update: Maelie attended the party by herself! Her first time ! Another mom I know stayed and Maelie knows her now, so that was good.

Spoooooky

I know Halloween isn't up everyone's alley, and not everyone enjoys it. Please do not read or look at this post if it goes against your views.

There are 6 weeks to go til Halloween. At the rate that the weeks are going by right now, I will wake up tomorrow and it will be October 31.

Yesterday Maelie and I had to go pick up 2 bday gifts at Carlingwood mall (ottawa). Across the street we saw an inviting Halloween store which was not there before. It's actually called Spirit Halloween Superstore. I decided to go inside and take a look. Is there anything else that is cool to do on a Friday night with a 6 year old?

I was completely amazed! This place used to be a Canadian Tire - just so you get an idea of the size, and it actually had JUST opened that day. There were walls and walls of Halloween costumes and gadgets, and MANY displays. Some of which were extremely gross and spooky!

I loved this witch... her eyes light up and she talks.



This one is actually on the ground and it crawls forwards and backwards. I can just imagine freaking out all the trick or treaters with that. It looks so real.



This one was one of the gross ones. The person is holding their head ! Maelie said "Mom this one looks like you." HUH?!?! "maybe on a Monday morning!" I responded.



We are not so much into these gross spooky things. I like simple Halloween pumpkins and skeletons. But I do enjoy visiting places like this. I just wouldn't put it up on my lawn!

fun on the farm

Today was an open house for farms in Quebec. We visited the farm Saveurs des monts. Apparently they have great chicken and turkey that have never received any antibiotics.



We stopped by a chicken farm and Maelie got to pet the baby chicks. Apparently after a day like today, most of these little chicks will die from a heart attack! After seeing the way some parents let their kids handle the chicks, I can see why.



We went on a tractor tour of the farm. The guide explained to us that the bigger chickens were actually on their way out tomorrow to be killed. Maelie was rather upset, and she asked me why people don't just stop eating chickens and start eating lions instead. I guess to her it would be more acceptable to kill lions.

After visiting that farm, we dropped by this place:



I had never actually seen alpacas. I must admit, I never laughed so hard at a farm before. These dudes have the absolute coolest hair! I felt like I was in a video clip from the 80's!





When they looked at us, all you could see was the hair and the bucked teeth. I fell in love with these creatures!



The lady who breeds them told me that they raise these guys for their wool and for shows. I can see why!!



What a hoot we had!

turtle search

Maelie and I spent a few days at my moms house to attend Matante's funeral. We got to see family and had time to just reflect on the circle of life as well.

My mom lives close to an area where turtles are studied. Each birth is monitored and once recorded, the turtle is set free. We usually never seem to visit at the right time to see them. Except for this time. Apparently it is time for the turtles to hatch.

Maelie braved the wilds of the forest!



She searched high and low, on water and land for her chance to find a turtle.





She did find a cute little creature along the way!



She crossed the river to a better land!



Finally! All the work paid off... we found ONE baby turtle.