I love a good YouTube video and I just received this one, advertising the Toyota Sienna. Had to share it with other parents. I dedicate this one to my sister and her minivan. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/user/Sienna
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
It's not everyday your kid is crowned a princess
Like most little girls, B has become obsessed with princesses--more particularly, the Disney Princess crew. The allure of ruling a magical kingdom with an iron fist, while wearing sumptious gowns and sparkling jewels has finally won out. For years now, Princess Grace (Brooke's older and appropriately named cousin) has been trying in vain to convert B over to princess games (such as dressing up as Aurora or cleaning cottages like Snow White) and Brooke has valiantly resisted, preferring caring for baby dolls or bunnies. No more. The Diva (Gracie's other nickname) has won.
In fact, Brooke's new favourite game is "Princess Baby." She gagagoos like a baby, while I (in the role of Princess Mommy, Queen or Nasty Dragon as B's mood dictates) rock her, put blankets over her on the couch and generally refer to her as "Princess Baby" (or sometimes Queen or Purple Fairy, again depending on her mood). I am not allowed to break character and if I do, I am firmly instructed to "talk Princess" to her.
Anyways, a few months ago, I discovered a great little magazine for girls at the grocery store. Princess Magazine (by Redan Publishing), which runs for about 35 pages and features Disney Princess activities--colouring pages, puzzles, craft ideas, posters, games and comic book-style stories. Not sure if it was really worth the $4.99 price tag, I picked it up anyways, thinking its presence in the bathroom might help induce longer potty sessions. It worked. And B was delighted!
The magazine also hosted several little contests--and being the contest junkie that I am, I entered Brooke in them. Well, fast forward several months and issues later (I really must get a subscription and save myself a couple of bucks from the newsstand price....). We were grocery shopping two weeks ago when Brooke bit her tongue at the deli counter. To quell the wailing (and the staring eyes of our fellow shoppers!) that ensued, I handed her the May/June issue of Princess magazine. She instantly stopped crying and the tears dried as she began flipping through the pages.
In fact, Brooke's new favourite game is "Princess Baby." She gagagoos like a baby, while I (in the role of Princess Mommy, Queen or Nasty Dragon as B's mood dictates) rock her, put blankets over her on the couch and generally refer to her as "Princess Baby" (or sometimes Queen or Purple Fairy, again depending on her mood). I am not allowed to break character and if I do, I am firmly instructed to "talk Princess" to her.
Anyways, a few months ago, I discovered a great little magazine for girls at the grocery store. Princess Magazine (by Redan Publishing), which runs for about 35 pages and features Disney Princess activities--colouring pages, puzzles, craft ideas, posters, games and comic book-style stories. Not sure if it was really worth the $4.99 price tag, I picked it up anyways, thinking its presence in the bathroom might help induce longer potty sessions. It worked. And B was delighted!The magazine also hosted several little contests--and being the contest junkie that I am, I entered Brooke in them. Well, fast forward several months and issues later (I really must get a subscription and save myself a couple of bucks from the newsstand price....). We were grocery shopping two weeks ago when Brooke bit her tongue at the deli counter. To quell the wailing (and the staring eyes of our fellow shoppers!) that ensued, I handed her the May/June issue of Princess magazine. She instantly stopped crying and the tears dried as she began flipping through the pages.
"My magzine! Look--it's Cindrella!" (Yes, B is in that adorable state of toddlerhood where she skips middle syllables. I love it.)
At home, after we put away the groceries, I went to sit on the couch to nurse Avie. B's magazine was sitting there, so I perused it while otherwise occupied. I was absolutely astounded to turn to the back page (where the Princess Penpals submit their own photos, drawings or letters) and find a photo of my daughter staring back at me! She had been selected as a winner!! I excitedly called her over to show her. I've never seen a bigger grin on a child!
I called everyone I knew that afternoon. I posted the news up on Facebook. I went back to the store to purchase another issue because Brooke had already crayoned up the first one (of course, scribbling on her own face). My kid was a star! I was so proud of her.
The following week, the girls and I took our walk to the mailbox as we do each day. Inside was a large package addressed to B. She was thrilled! I thought this must have been her prize (small prizes are given to those selected to be featured on the Princess Penpals page). When she opened it up, it was a Tinkerbell DVD. Not the Princess prize we were expecting--I had entered her in a contest for Tinkerbell magazine (another one of the six magazines Redan publishes) and she had won that one too! We were soooo surprised. How cool is that?
Back to the grocery store to pick up the May/June issue of Tinkerbell. (No photo in this one, just her name.) And later that week, her Princess prize (a bubble necklace) arrived--with another copy of the magazine. Is my kid lucky or what?
At home, after we put away the groceries, I went to sit on the couch to nurse Avie. B's magazine was sitting there, so I perused it while otherwise occupied. I was absolutely astounded to turn to the back page (where the Princess Penpals submit their own photos, drawings or letters) and find a photo of my daughter staring back at me! She had been selected as a winner!! I excitedly called her over to show her. I've never seen a bigger grin on a child!I called everyone I knew that afternoon. I posted the news up on Facebook. I went back to the store to purchase another issue because Brooke had already crayoned up the first one (of course, scribbling on her own face). My kid was a star! I was so proud of her.
The following week, the girls and I took our walk to the mailbox as we do each day. Inside was a large package addressed to B. She was thrilled! I thought this must have been her prize (small prizes are given to those selected to be featured on the Princess Penpals page). When she opened it up, it was a Tinkerbell DVD. Not the Princess prize we were expecting--I had entered her in a contest for Tinkerbell magazine (another one of the six magazines Redan publishes) and she had won that one too! We were soooo surprised. How cool is that?Back to the grocery store to pick up the May/June issue of Tinkerbell. (No photo in this one, just her name.) And later that week, her Princess prize (a bubble necklace) arrived--with another copy of the magazine. Is my kid lucky or what?
I'm thinking of letting my little princess pick out some lotto tickets the next time we're at the grocery store.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
B in Bloom
Just a few moments captured out by my crabapple tree while B and I were feeding stale raisin bread to the birds. You are simply lovely, my little girl. Love you!
Happy Birthday Avie-cakes!
My little cupcake is now one-month old--and we can't imagine life without her. Happy day, Avie-cakes!! (I better get started on those thank you cards....)
Goodbye dear friend, goodbye
So, last week my laptop crashed (as well as both cars--in the same day. Just goes to show that bad things DO happen in threes.). Probably crashed for good this time. I had been expecting it for months as it had been getting slower and slower and more disagreeable each time I used it. My faithful friend (a gift for securing a permanent position at work from my hubby) has been with me for several years, but has crashed a number of times before. Once completely wiping out some of my most precious photos, including a video my husband had made for my first Mother's Day of Brooke at her birth. (On a side note, I paid over $2100 to try to have that video recovered, but it was irretrievable. I cried--a lot.) It was just a matter of time before it happened again, but what a bummer. Even though we know the end is near does not mean we do not grieve.
Luckily, since I was planning on blowing my ol' Acer out anyways (and after having learned my lesson from the birth video incident), I had already downloaded all photos and files to a number of external hard drives. However, I am now without a computer on the main level. (There's an old desktop in the basement, but with the girls up here or outside, it makes getting to difficult. Besides, the basement is cold and dark and in a word...icky.) Guess I will be buying a new little netbook faster than expected, but until then, I will post what I can from Hubby's laptop whenever I can steal a few moments. (Like now, at 6:00 a.m., after just having fed Avie and before the rest of the family is up.) And, I have so many new posts to put up here....Hang on, readers!
Luckily, since I was planning on blowing my ol' Acer out anyways (and after having learned my lesson from the birth video incident), I had already downloaded all photos and files to a number of external hard drives. However, I am now without a computer on the main level. (There's an old desktop in the basement, but with the girls up here or outside, it makes getting to difficult. Besides, the basement is cold and dark and in a word...icky.) Guess I will be buying a new little netbook faster than expected, but until then, I will post what I can from Hubby's laptop whenever I can steal a few moments. (Like now, at 6:00 a.m., after just having fed Avie and before the rest of the family is up.) And, I have so many new posts to put up here....Hang on, readers!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
For mama, maman, ma, mother, mommy, mum
I was just on Facebook a few moments ago, wishing my fellow mommies a happy Mother's Day, when I read someone's updated status. It went something like this: "You really never know how much love your heart can hold until you become a mother." The comment resonated with me because it is sooo very true.
It's a love that is so physical, so intense that you feel everything your child does: every tear that comes from a scraped knee, a terrifying nightmare or a broken heart pours down your cheek as surely as it does your child's; every bubble of laughter or impish smile that spreads warmth and happiness throughout your little one will certainly lighten your own heart. You share in their triumphs, their joys, their failures, their hurts. And, you would stop at nothing to keep them safe, protected, healthy and whole. Their lives, their very existence, become the centre of your world and you really and truly understand what it is to love.
It's at that moment that you comprehend what it must have been like for your own mother. Suddenly, you feel overwhelming appreciation for everything she did for you. Now you know why she worried when you didn't call, why she nagged you to study hard at school, why she embarrassed you without meaning to. You realize that she did so much for you--and did it gladly without thought to sacrifice or selfishness because she wanted only the very best for you. For you to grow up happy. For you to be successful. For you to experience your own children and know what it means to adore and cherish someone so completely. You get it. And, you love her all the more for that sudden realization.
So, to all those mommies, grandmommies, stepmommies, mommies-in-law and mommies-to-be out there (and most especially for those in my own life!) thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!!
It's a love that is so physical, so intense that you feel everything your child does: every tear that comes from a scraped knee, a terrifying nightmare or a broken heart pours down your cheek as surely as it does your child's; every bubble of laughter or impish smile that spreads warmth and happiness throughout your little one will certainly lighten your own heart. You share in their triumphs, their joys, their failures, their hurts. And, you would stop at nothing to keep them safe, protected, healthy and whole. Their lives, their very existence, become the centre of your world and you really and truly understand what it is to love.
It's at that moment that you comprehend what it must have been like for your own mother. Suddenly, you feel overwhelming appreciation for everything she did for you. Now you know why she worried when you didn't call, why she nagged you to study hard at school, why she embarrassed you without meaning to. You realize that she did so much for you--and did it gladly without thought to sacrifice or selfishness because she wanted only the very best for you. For you to grow up happy. For you to be successful. For you to experience your own children and know what it means to adore and cherish someone so completely. You get it. And, you love her all the more for that sudden realization.
So, to all those mommies, grandmommies, stepmommies, mommies-in-law and mommies-to-be out there (and most especially for those in my own life!) thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. I wish you a very Happy Mother's Day!!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
May Day tea
Well, it wasn't a maypole, but Brooke and I decided to celebrate the 'soote season' with some garden atmosphere anyways. And, what better way than an impromptu tea party on the back deck? Take some colourful silk flowers, jam 'em into a baby bottle. Then, throw some store-bought goodies (in this case, mini chocolate chippers, pink strawberry wafers and jam thumprint cookies) on a silver tray. Lay the tea accroutements on a slightly worn floral tablecloth. Serve freshly made raspberry lemonade in dainty tea cups and voila! A tea party fit for a fairy princess. Enjoy your first of May, everyone....
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