Back to Bowen

We went back to Bowen to see Opa the giant tree. Aunt really wanted a picture with all of us in front of the tree but M was to busy bug hunting to sit still. We went and saw the labyrinth and made an offering at the center. I so want to make a labyrinth now and the cabin. The accountant in me giggled with glee that both events were free. So of course we got ice cream again.

Musical Chairs

M seen here eating watermelon and playing on his computer (an old defunct one of ours) has a musical chair strategy to eating. He starts out in his high chair, then moves to mom's lap, then eventually ends up standing in a chair I've learned to keep right beside mine.

You can see by this last picture, he even sometime sits down at the end ; see his little hat brim sticking up?

Retired

I have been in love with this sweater since the moment I saw it, while M was still all snuggled up in my tummy. I have pushed it far beyond it's time, because it's so perfect old man. Alas it's time I let it go.

None of the sweaters I pre knit came out right for M; he needs a longer torso. Guess I'm going to have to get cracking.

Bareback Riding

M has taken Leo riding to the next level. He now rides him around while I lead Leo and support him; bareback leonberger riding is hard. Leo never minded M riding him like a horse while he was lying down, but he scowls something horrible when he's ridden standing up. He even tries to get away.

Aunt

Aunt sees M almost weekly (work depending). She's M's Disney Educator. Aunt teaches him all things Disney; mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Toy Story, Winnie The Pooh. Now, she has gotten M to eat pancakes, which he would not previously, by shaping them into Mickey Mouse Pancakes. At least I know I can have a mini vacation anytime by sending the two of them to Disneyland.

Knitted Blankets

M, seen here in his DVD coma state, has really gotten into blankets. His stuffies have to be covered before bed, as does he, and don't forget mom. With the recent cool weather, and Leo refusing us to re-shut the patio door, M even now snuggles in them in the morning. Aww... that's why mommies knit.

Packing

With less than a month to go, I'm packing in earnest. M likes to help me pack; although this seems to mostly involve finding new toys amongst what's I'm packing and playing with them. Or in the case of boots, wearing them. So I gave in to my minimal TV stance, and show him DVDs. Massive amount of DVDs: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einstein, Backyardigans, Elmo's World, and of course our usual Signing Time and Little Pim.

First Major Trip with Grandma and Aunt

A family trip was taken to Bowen Island. M loved the ferry ride, but mom and dad actually had a few hours alone time while M explored with Aunt and Grandma. The ladies believe it is best to take a tag team approach to taking care of M.

A picture quide to what happens when I try and take a shot of M

I don't think a description is necessary

Boots

Lesson learned; we must not go outside at the cabin without boots. Aside from puddles that M loves to splash in, he can't resist going in the lake. You just have to hold on to keep him from going past boot height. M even collects rocks on cabin walks to throw in the lake. Sticks for poking and splashing also rank high.

Aquarium with Aunt

The aquarium never fails to delight M. This time he got to go with Aunt, otherwise knows to M as "eh". Aunt wasn't to impressed that M's favourite activity for the day was the toy phone at the animal hospital play area. I found his "hi doodle doodle hahahah" more entertaining, as apparently that's what I sound like on the phone.

Bubbles

M has become obsessed with bubbles. From a cherry tree in bloom that we shake and he calls a bubble tree, to hand blown bubbles. He loves to chase them and pop them; Grandma taught him to say "poke"when he pops them. He's learned not to eat them :)

He's signed bubble for a long time (here signing it to Papa) but cherry trees inspired him to say Bubble.

Mad

Josh and I love M's mad look. We get it often if we don't understand a sign right away. Here you can see it during bed time book time because Dad has said something not the norm.

River Market: Expo 86 Tugboat

We've gotten really into going to the River Market. There's a great small grocer and toy store. An elevator M loves to ride up and down over and over. Tugboats, ducks on the water, pigeons to feed, and little birds. We always stop and play briefly on the old Expo '86 boat (which I'm sure I played on when I was only 7). It's a shame that nothing moves on the boat; without a moving wheel or buttons it can't compare to Papa's boat. Splashing puddles are just a bonus.