ZOO

Dishwallah

The other day mom said to me

"Scout, you are old enough now that you can start having some of your own chores."

I astutely replied,

"But mom, I just want to be a kid."

In fact, I really like helping out with some of the chores around the house.

I am an expert sock matcher, a team player in the game of "what does not belong in this room and needs to be put away?", master of garbage bag replacement and I am also...

...an occasional dishwallah.

Bathing Beauty

Me...in action at Montessori school

Here I am being shown a new piece of work by one of my wonderful teachers.

Here I am at lunchtime with some of the other kids.

Backpacking Tips from Your Local Gypsy

Tip #1 - Charm the locals so they acquiesce to pretty much

any request you can come up with.

Tip #2: Panhandling is a perfectly legitimate way to earn your keep.

Tip #3: Other visitors often have great ideas for making the most of local activities and attractions. Spend lots of time soaking up the atmosphere with fun companions.

Tip #4: Leave no stone unturned; adventure awaits around every corner...

...and on most motorized vehicles.

Tip #5: Local cuisine can sometimes take some getting used to...

...unless you're a 'foodie' like me in which case, anything goes.

Tip #6: Don't forget to convince others to take pics of you on your travels. (with a face like this, it doesn't take too much convincing!)

Mama says I am getting bigger and beautiful-ler

every day.

Arrivals & Departures

Spring has begun its arrival. It's not spring yet, but it's coming. There's mud and lots of puddles at the park. The skating rinks are gone; mom and I pretended to skate over the slush the other day.

I am preparing for my departure. It is March Break and since I go to school, this break applies to me. I am packing tonight for 2 nights with my nan and Darcy, then 3 nights with my grandma and grandpa. With no mom and dad in between. I am going backpacking for 5 nights, on my own.

This suits me just fine. Among the things I now insist on doing by myself:

-going to the bathroom

-giving myself antibiotics for my ear infection

-taking my own temperature, in both ears with the digital thermometer (then taking mom's temp, dad's temp and the temp of anyone else who might be around and willing. I do a good job, and I am very precise.)

-sloffing (aka. flossing. I went to the dentist for the first time last weekend. I have 20 strong teeth and a new-found passion for sloffing. By myself.)

-taking off my pants, undies then putting on my pajama pants. (I am working on taking off my own shirt, I just need more practice, and I have to be in the right - patient - mood.)

Last night I declared to mom and dad that "I don't need any help from an adult ever again!".

Are we clear?

The times, they are a changin'

Since turning three years old, there have been some significant changes. In fact, it would be safe to say that the times, they are a changin'.

New stuff:

-no more diapers

-no more naps

-I can read

-I have sleepovers at my grandparents' homes without my parents

And the latest, today I wore a skirt to school, of my own volition. From time to time, mom suggests that I wear a dress or a skirt. I am a girl and people like buying me cute stuff like dresses...however I generally choose not to wear them, using the time-honoured justification that I rarely, if ever, see my mom decked out in non-pants.

Mom says just wait until the summer, all she wears is skirts and dresses.

I say I will believe it when I see it.

No More Diapers!

It's an historic day for me.

Today, finally I pooped on the toilet.

No More Diapers!

Miz. Dress-up

Mom and I played dress-up the other day. She helped me get suited up with my hat, my necklace, my beautiful dress...

...my fuzzy rabbit purse...

...and a whole bunch of silver jangly bracelets - the perfect accessory!

Ode to my Delightful Dad

I must be the luckiest girl in the world; I have the most delightful dad.

He and I are tight. I mean, really tight.

Dad is loving, playful and silly.

He is generous with his love, his knowledge and his patience.

He is strong and clear in his beliefs and he shows me

what it means to be a good person, every day.

He is full of empathy and commitment to our Team of Three.

There is no better teacher than my dad;

he guides me but sets the bar high, encouraging me to reach it on my own.

And I do, every time.

He is soft and squishy through and through,

but also knows how to make a choice and stick to it.

Like many dads, mine has a magical ability to fix things,

solve problems, and explain things in ways that

I can understand.

When dad laughs and smiles, our world lights up and we know

we are all together and we are strong.

We love you daddy.

Fun at the Farm (The Funny Farm)

Now that I am three I am more adventurous and independent,

with a newfound sense of confidence.

I like to Scout things out.

Last weekend I went to the Farm for some quality time with

grandma, grandpa and uncle TJ.

For two days and two nights I was entertained and cuddled and played with by

some of my all-time favourite people in the world.

Next up - a weekend with Nan, Darcy Winnie & Blue in March. On the agenda: hikes in the snow, looking out for deer, making fires in the fireplace and playing with the doggies. In April I start planning my solo trip to Europe...(just kidding).

(what will mom and dad do with all of this new-found freedom?)

Smitten

Well, here's the newsflash...I have met baby Mattea and I am smitten!

She is so little and cute and makes funny little noises and squeaks.

It was great to see auntie K - and a bit strange to see that she does not have a big belly anymore - that big belly turned into a real baby!

Wow.

Will wonders never cease?

Hudson the babe

Mom was lucky enough to have a great visit with another new babe in our lives...Hudson!

We think Hudson is the perfect hunky name for this hunky baby boy!

He is one month old and very cuddly, mom says.

I know that one month is only one page on the calendar. I also can tell you what all of the months are and that January is the month of my birthday (Hudson's too).

Snuggling with wee Hudson yesterday was pretty special

and very good medicine too, mom said.