together again

(taken on New Year's day in Ontario by my Mom, now up on the fridge)

A happy reunion here on Sunday afternoon. Anna was very cute, she knew instantly when I came through the door, and pretty much wouldn't stop smiling or leave my side until this morning when I went to work.

A few random notes, that don't follow any real theme:

- Claire Danes won for Best Actress last night in Temple Grandin, my favourite movie of 2010, well done - loved January Jones aka Betty Draper from Mad Men, what a dress.

- we are on day 4 of weaning, and I think it's harder for me, than for Anna

- Stew has given me the go ahead to buy an electric blanket for our bed, this cold is not letting up, I don't think I could be more excited

- we have signed up for swimming lessons with Anna, she starts Starfish at the end of March

- these design schemes are making me crazy they are so nice, Stew thinks not, but I love them

- we are very excited to have signed up for our first CSA - we will be getting a half share of produce from them during the summer months

- Anna 'went' bowling today at daycare and loved it, they set up pins in the gym, she is getting very good at catching a ball and rolling it back to you

- Happy Birthday today to our dear friend Bib

our weekend together

Hi everyone, apparently the pics like to load first and backwards - though I've triumphed over that particular conundrum. Below is Anna and her dad having fun, after which you can read my actual post.

Hi, it's Stew. Jess is away in Red Deer at a 4-H conference on behalf of UFA - she's actually giving a speech tonight at the gala event and I'm sure her words were thoughtful and the delivery sincere. That's basically Jess' trademark style.

I hardly know where to begin. How about "long time listener, first time blogger"? This is also my chance to say how continually impressed I am by this blog - Jess, you do an amazing job. Thanks from all of us.

Anna and I have been keeping the home fires burning in Mom's absence. It's colder than a pint of Kawartha Dairy Prailines and Cream outside so we've only had one major excursion. Two great meals though! Anna and I went to the grocery store together for the first time today, and we're sharing a photographic chronicle of our fun adventure from pre-game snack all the way to the fruits of our labour.

We miss Mom a lot, but we're really enjoying our time together. I think the pictures pretty much speak for themselves. You can also tell by now why it's so good that Jess authors this blog - she's way less long-winded. I apologize if the pictures don't work out right - I haven't the foggiest idea what I'm doing.

he's in charge

I am heading out on the road tomorrow, leaving behind my warm home, daughter, partner and blog in the very capable hands of the sock eared man above.

Thanks Grammy for sending back two missing socks, someone loved the cat card - it received lots of kisses.

Have a great weekend, see you Monday friends.

gold stars

I wanted to post a few of Anna's daycare notes. These come with her at the end of the day, just to tell us how the day went. It gives us good information, and often predicts what the night schedule will be. Since returning from Christmas she has been doing really well. Her teachers tell us how happy and pleasant she is. Everyone in her class is walking now so they are starting to do more outside activities and in the large gymnasium area. They are playing with water, doing cereal crafts and even some painting. This makes us happy, as it tells us she likes spending time there, and with me moving to five days a week, (yes, lots of work to be done, and I'm pleased to have been asked to handle more projects) she will be spending more time there in the future.

a sleigh ride

The wind is still howling outside, but it let up enough today for Anna to try out her new (to us) sleigh. I have been looking for one of these for awhile now, and one popped up on kijiji last week for a good price and it was brand new (I love that, and I must say (that's for you Gail), the people are so nice). We went up and down our hill, dropped off a gift to our neighbours for looking after our house so well while we were gone and promptly came right back in. That pretty much reports our events here today. Here's to a busy week ahead, stay warm people.

Question - is it okay to leave my Christmas urn and wreath up, what's the rule on this?

getting cozy

We have come inside, and just in time, as we are getting hit with a big storm. Lots of snow and very strong winds. We are just fine with this, as it feels nice to spend a Saturday together just hanging out. Anna discovered her wheely cow today - we've had this for awhile now, but she hasn't been strong enough on her feet to really enjoy it. So far she drags it around, and loves it when you push her across the living room and kitchen. You ask her "Anna do you want to go for a ride?" and you get the most assuring 'yes' head bob.

(today's photos show breakfast, clean up, before supper and supper)

we are...

~ being saved by the tower - someone can stand at the counter and eat their pre-dinner while I have two hands to make dinner

~ learning all about sushi and how to eat it using chop sticks (yes, this is play knife, wasabi, and a cuttable California roll, too fun, thanks Kate and Craig)

~ splashing in the bath

~ meal planning with my new cookbook and enjoying the last week of the twinkle lights (you are coming down this weekend Christmas stuff!)

happy birthday jacob

A kiss coming your way from Anna.

it was good, really good

Here we are - on the flip side of the holidays, a wedding, many family visits, a few birthday celebrations, New Years and the flight home - it was good, really good, and we can now exhale into January.....ahhhh.

For Anna this was a big trip - she is now full on walking, yes, everywhere, and fast. She got two molars on the top, she received a second hair cut, and saw almost everyone of our family and friends in Ontario. She also has a new found love for cats, she started licking them. It was hilarious. I picked up a touch of the flu and it forced me to stay put for about two full days, one of them being New Year's Eve, so I curled up with my blog book, recapped the year and toasted myself with a glass of flat ginger ale, yum.

I sure hope everyone had a fantastic holiday and happy 2011. Here's to a new year ahead on this blog of ours, we are excited about what this year holds for us, and to share some of this journey with you - we hope you come along with us.

(I added the remaining pictures, as our Internet connection gave up yesterday night as I downloaded all my photo's from the trip)

a happy day (again)

We had the pleasure of standing up beside Kate and Craig yesterday - a very lovely day. I will leave all the great shots to John, Kate and Craig. We had an absolute blast celebrating with you and look forward to August and seeing the entire Hyatt gang again.