Anyway, here are pictures of the grand finale cake...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
More about mommy and her silly cakes
So I finished Course 1 of the Cake decorating class and have signed up for Course 2. Should be fun, and a lot easier time wise as I only have to make one cake for the end of the session rather than one for each week. We've eaten alot of cake in the last little while.
Anyway, here are pictures of the grand finale cake...
Anyway, here are pictures of the grand finale cake...
Friday, October 26, 2007
Things Sophia can do
She's growing too fast. Just this morning David looked at me and proclaimed: "She really does look like a little girl." sigh. Where's my little 6 pound baby??? Ah, although I miss that infant stage, I am finding the toddler stage too much fun. Sophia is an intelligent (sometimes too much so) and affectionate little girl. She loves to give kisses and hugs. Although there are many challenges to this stage there are just as many rewards. Here are some of the new things in the life of Sophia:
1. Words: her vocabulary is expanding. In the last few weeks we have words such as -water, baby, belly, back, cuckoo (this comes from the Kindermusik focus on birds), caw (the sound a Blackbird makes), growls, and mama (with acknowledgement that I am mama!). For a while she's been pointing at my back saying "baby"...not quite but now we have her saying back. Now if I could only get her saying "belly" instead of "baby" when she points to my stomach. I can pretty much assure you there's no baby in there!
2. Sophia is getting FOUR teeth --two upper incisors, an upper first molar and a lower first molar. Yikes. Sleep has not been good.
3. Sophia LOVES books. We went to the library for the first time a couple of weeks ago and she was in heaven. She ran about the children's section (and later the fiction section) pulling books of the shelves and checking them out. There are little people sized chairs for her to sit on so she is quite content. I, on the other hand, am getting very good with the decimal system and might look into a library job when I go back to work.
4. Tents are good. We got this tent and tunnel play structure from the Gerhard grandparents for Sophia (it's her Christmas present really, but we wanted to have some fun. "We" being the adults of course). Sophia sits in the tent with books and toys...and it quite content to just be. It's her own little private space. Too cute.
5. Sophia loves the kitchen. The plastic, mini kind of Kitchen. Again a christmas present from the Mantel grandparents. When down stairs she spends oodles of time putting things in and out of the oven. There are little plastic utensils all over the floor in the basement.
On the whole, life is going very well for us. We are all happy and healthy, enjoying our time together. It's hard to believe how quickly 15 months can go until you have a baby!
1. Words: her vocabulary is expanding. In the last few weeks we have words such as -water, baby, belly, back, cuckoo (this comes from the Kindermusik focus on birds), caw (the sound a Blackbird makes), growls, and mama (with acknowledgement that I am mama!). For a while she's been pointing at my back saying "baby"...not quite but now we have her saying back. Now if I could only get her saying "belly" instead of "baby" when she points to my stomach. I can pretty much assure you there's no baby in there!
2. Sophia is getting FOUR teeth --two upper incisors, an upper first molar and a lower first molar. Yikes. Sleep has not been good.
3. Sophia LOVES books. We went to the library for the first time a couple of weeks ago and she was in heaven. She ran about the children's section (and later the fiction section) pulling books of the shelves and checking them out. There are little people sized chairs for her to sit on so she is quite content. I, on the other hand, am getting very good with the decimal system and might look into a library job when I go back to work.
4. Tents are good. We got this tent and tunnel play structure from the Gerhard grandparents for Sophia (it's her Christmas present really, but we wanted to have some fun. "We" being the adults of course). Sophia sits in the tent with books and toys...and it quite content to just be. It's her own little private space. Too cute.
5. Sophia loves the kitchen. The plastic, mini kind of Kitchen. Again a christmas present from the Mantel grandparents. When down stairs she spends oodles of time putting things in and out of the oven. There are little plastic utensils all over the floor in the basement.
On the whole, life is going very well for us. We are all happy and healthy, enjoying our time together. It's hard to believe how quickly 15 months can go until you have a baby!
More visits
We LOVE visits. Last week Grandma and Grandpa Gerhard came to see us. Well, first Grandma came and then Grandpa drove out after teaching all day Friday. Can we say dedicated Grandpa???
We had a lovely time with the parents Gerhard. There was lots of fawning and adoring and loving going on. There was a little initial shyness, on Sophia's part, not Diane and Arthur's! But that was soon shed as soon as Sophia found out that these new people would read her stories --usually the same one over and over again. Honestly, I think we all have Lentil memorized by now. Although, I think it is right to say that Grandpa was the preferred reader, as more often than not Sophia could be found sitting on his lap with book in hand. I think Arthur read that Dog book of hers about twenty times in one day.
One of thing we did with the whole family was pile into the car for a drive out to Lumsden. There we found Pumpkin Hollow...a place with multiple kinds of pumpkins to look at and buy. We all had a great time, but I think Sophia was happiest by far...she found cats to chase, little pumpkins to cart around, paths to walk/run down, and other children to play with. She was in her glory. Daddy and Sophia picked out the pumpkins which will be carved sometime this weekend, just in time for the 31st.
One of the fun things I got to do was to put my cake decorating skills to work. We had a little celebration dinner for both Arthur and David's birthdays. After a wonderful salmon supper (Arthur's favorite) we had cake. And boy did we have cake. I had purchased a teddy bear shaped pan and decided that it would be the cake the boys would get. It took me over two hours of work....but I think it was worth it.
It was a great visit, and we can't wait to see them again.
Next to stay in the guest room: The Grandparents Mantel!
We had a lovely time with the parents Gerhard. There was lots of fawning and adoring and loving going on. There was a little initial shyness, on Sophia's part, not Diane and Arthur's! But that was soon shed as soon as Sophia found out that these new people would read her stories --usually the same one over and over again. Honestly, I think we all have Lentil memorized by now. Although, I think it is right to say that Grandpa was the preferred reader, as more often than not Sophia could be found sitting on his lap with book in hand. I think Arthur read that Dog book of hers about twenty times in one day.
One of thing we did with the whole family was pile into the car for a drive out to Lumsden. There we found Pumpkin Hollow...a place with multiple kinds of pumpkins to look at and buy. We all had a great time, but I think Sophia was happiest by far...she found cats to chase, little pumpkins to cart around, paths to walk/run down, and other children to play with. She was in her glory. Daddy and Sophia picked out the pumpkins which will be carved sometime this weekend, just in time for the 31st.
One of the fun things I got to do was to put my cake decorating skills to work. We had a little celebration dinner for both Arthur and David's birthdays. After a wonderful salmon supper (Arthur's favorite) we had cake. And boy did we have cake. I had purchased a teddy bear shaped pan and decided that it would be the cake the boys would get. It took me over two hours of work....but I think it was worth it.
It was a great visit, and we can't wait to see them again.
Next to stay in the guest room: The Grandparents Mantel!
What a face...
No one can accuse my child of being a poser (insert rolly eye emoticon here)...
BTW...I didn't take these pictures, the credit goes to Grandma Gerhard. How Sophia got her hands on a pack of gum is really beyond me. Sigh.
BTW...I didn't take these pictures, the credit goes to Grandma Gerhard. How Sophia got her hands on a pack of gum is really beyond me. Sigh.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Later that day
So after her musical introduction this morning (see previous post), we went out and did some errands and had a generally entertaining day. When we got home and started to make dinner, Sophia made a bee-line for the harmonica, picked it up, and started to play. Seems she had been mulling over technique all day.
I think she has the hang of it now...
I think she has the hang of it now...
Making Music
Sophia has been interested in music since she was born - she dances when there is music on the radio, and smiles when we sing to her. She has a little toy piano with 4 notes, which she loves to bang on, and any container with pebbles or beads in it becomes a rhythm instrument in her hand. Also, she loves to smack things together - any two solid objects are claves for her, even the cheap wooden claves we bought for her. Also she has a triangle which she plays.
But till now, it's all been percussion instruments - smacking things. She is very good at these, and quite enjoys them, but I figured she needed a new challenge.
She has been reading (well, convincing adults to read for her) a children's book by Robert Mccloskey called "
Lentil." She loves this book and reads it over and over, especially for the beautiful hand-drawn pictures. Her Uncle Todd read it for her many times while she was here. So what does this have to do with music making, you ask? In the book, Lentil plays the Harmonica. While Sophia was having Grandma read this book to her this morning (for the umpteenth time), I thought I would see if she was interested in playing an actual harmonica. I went downstairs and got one of my harmonicas and gave it to her. She didn't really know what to make of it (do I hit things with it? I usually hit things with things like this) but when I showed her, played for her, and Grandma pointed out Lentil's harmonica in the book, she started to figure it out.
As an aside, she has been practicing blowing bubbles in the bath (videos withheld for mild nudity) and so she is getting better at the whole "expelling breath from your lungs" thing. With this practice, it turned out to be the perfect time to try harmonica.
This is all very new, within about 5 minutes of her seeing a harmonica for the first time, she was able to make noise. We'll post again as soon as she is able to produce recognizable melodies and play the blues.
Note: The "smacking the harmonica around" thing she does in the video is because when the harmonica got full of her spit the first couple times, I took it and tapped it on my knee to remove the spit. This is a long-standing and time-honoured harmonica-playing technique that all the pros use, I swear. Our Sophia is pretty bright, and picked up on the spit-tapping as well as the playing. Or perhaps she just likes to hit stuff with stuff.
But till now, it's all been percussion instruments - smacking things. She is very good at these, and quite enjoys them, but I figured she needed a new challenge.
She has been reading (well, convincing adults to read for her) a children's book by Robert Mccloskey called "
Lentil." She loves this book and reads it over and over, especially for the beautiful hand-drawn pictures. Her Uncle Todd read it for her many times while she was here. So what does this have to do with music making, you ask? In the book, Lentil plays the Harmonica. While Sophia was having Grandma read this book to her this morning (for the umpteenth time), I thought I would see if she was interested in playing an actual harmonica. I went downstairs and got one of my harmonicas and gave it to her. She didn't really know what to make of it (do I hit things with it? I usually hit things with things like this) but when I showed her, played for her, and Grandma pointed out Lentil's harmonica in the book, she started to figure it out.
As an aside, she has been practicing blowing bubbles in the bath (videos withheld for mild nudity) and so she is getting better at the whole "expelling breath from your lungs" thing. With this practice, it turned out to be the perfect time to try harmonica.
This is all very new, within about 5 minutes of her seeing a harmonica for the first time, she was able to make noise. We'll post again as soon as she is able to produce recognizable melodies and play the blues.
Note: The "smacking the harmonica around" thing she does in the video is because when the harmonica got full of her spit the first couple times, I took it and tapped it on my knee to remove the spit. This is a long-standing and time-honoured harmonica-playing technique that all the pros use, I swear. Our Sophia is pretty bright, and picked up on the spit-tapping as well as the playing. Or perhaps she just likes to hit stuff with stuff.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Multiple Posts
Just so you know, I have posted a bunch of new stuff, so don't stop with the top entry. Keep scrolling down...you know you want to...you know you can....
Keep going....
Keep going....
Mommy is learning
So, I decided to take a class...something to get me out of the house, doing something fun. Well together with Marie-Eve, we chose to take the Wilton Cake Decorating class at Michaels. I have very fond memories of beautifully decorated birthday cakes that Mom would make, and I though it would be fun to do the same for Sophia. So far I have enjoyed the class, and am excited at the prospects of making lots of fun, lovely looking cakes. What I didn't think about was having to make and ice a cake every week for three weeks. That's ALOT of icing...I guess I should start letting out the waists of my pants now...especially as I am planning to take the second level in November...even more cake. Won't David be happy.
Anyway, here is my very first cake...
Next time I might even get it centered! :)
Anyway, here is my very first cake...
Next time I might even get it centered! :)
Monkey See, Monkey Do
Yeah, um, so just some proof that Sophia truly is watching us more closely than we thought...
(***DISCLAIMER***: we really AREN'T bad parents...Sophia took these EMPTY cans from the recycling container in the pantry, and then spent a bunch of time pretending to drink from them. Not our fault that she is smart enough to figure out which way is up!)
(***DISCLAIMER***: we really AREN'T bad parents...Sophia took these EMPTY cans from the recycling container in the pantry, and then spent a bunch of time pretending to drink from them. Not our fault that she is smart enough to figure out which way is up!)
Monday, October 15, 2007
I'll be RCMP'ng Ya!
One of the things that Todd really wanted to do was to check out the brand new RCMP museum. It's shiny. Very high tech too, even including a floating head RCMP officer. You really have to see it to believe it. You come to Regina, and I will take you there! Promise.
Sophia and Todd had a great time wandering through the exhibits together. There's even an interactive Forensic Science display where you can look at your fingerprints and so some sleuthing for yourself. Lots of Fun.
I decided it might be a good place to try out Sophia's wrist leash (for lack of a better word). Yeah, that worked out good (insert rolling eyes smiley here). From the fuss she kicked up you would have thought that I had either put it on too tight or had little needles sticking into her wrist. Needless to say, it was a complete and utter failure. Thankfully, we had her squeaker shoes on and Uncle Todd has endless patience for his niece. In the end we had a good old time.
Uncle Todd watching Sophia watching the horse.
Trying on the RMCP hat. Not too sure that it's the right fit right now. Maybe a future career...maybe when she can put on the hat without crying???
Our daughter, the cartoon officer. This was a happeir uniform moment. She liked this hat better. Although, after we took the picture, a couple of folks who were watching Sophia hamming it up for the camera turned to Todd and asked if daddy was going to get his picture taken too. He was very quick to point out that he was the Uncle, not the daddy!
One of my favorite Uncle and Sophie moments. Todd can always get a huge toothy grin from his little Sophia.
Sophia was fascinated by the horses at the museum. Todd was gracious enough to spend a long time holding her so she could see better.
I'd like to be YOUR friend.
Sophia and Todd had a great time wandering through the exhibits together. There's even an interactive Forensic Science display where you can look at your fingerprints and so some sleuthing for yourself. Lots of Fun.
I decided it might be a good place to try out Sophia's wrist leash (for lack of a better word). Yeah, that worked out good (insert rolling eyes smiley here). From the fuss she kicked up you would have thought that I had either put it on too tight or had little needles sticking into her wrist. Needless to say, it was a complete and utter failure. Thankfully, we had her squeaker shoes on and Uncle Todd has endless patience for his niece. In the end we had a good old time.
Uncle Todd watching Sophia watching the horse.
Trying on the RMCP hat. Not too sure that it's the right fit right now. Maybe a future career...maybe when she can put on the hat without crying???
Our daughter, the cartoon officer. This was a happeir uniform moment. She liked this hat better. Although, after we took the picture, a couple of folks who were watching Sophia hamming it up for the camera turned to Todd and asked if daddy was going to get his picture taken too. He was very quick to point out that he was the Uncle, not the daddy!
One of my favorite Uncle and Sophie moments. Todd can always get a huge toothy grin from his little Sophia.
Sophia was fascinated by the horses at the museum. Todd was gracious enough to spend a long time holding her so she could see better.
I'd like to be YOUR friend.
"Mazin'" Pumpkins
Uncle Todd ventured out to the prairies for a week of fun with Sophia (and, well, us too but really he was there to visit Sophia). One of the things we did was venture out to the Dutch Growers Green House to check out their indoor hay bale maze. It was the perfect height for a toddler. So, we dutifully suited Sophia up in her costume, so that we could get photos of her having fun amidst the straw and pumpkins.
We thought the costume would be fun to wear...Sophia didn't. She wasn't a big fan of the hood, and spent a lot of time trying desperately to get the darn thing off. Finally, after getting a couple of photos, we freed her of the top part and let her run around wearing only the paws. Still cute!
We had a great time, and the best is that it is free, but they request the donation of canned goods for the Food Bank. So we had a good time while helping folks out in Regina. A truly fantastic way to spend some of the Thanksgiving long weekend, and start prepping for Halloween.
an adult eyed view of the maze. What a great, toddler sized outing!
A somewhat skeptical Sophia in her monkey costume. It even has a banana stuck into side pocket. Too cute. Ah our little monkey girl.
One of the greenhouse cats decided to join us on our maze wanderings. There are several cats in the greenhouses, and they are all really friendly. Sophia was mesmerized by the cat and kept wanting to touch it. Uncle was more than happy to oblige.
Coming around the corner.
The greenhouse had pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colours on hand. We decided to plop Sophie down in the midst for some photos. She was thrilled to find Sophie sized pumpkins to which she could cling. Just ignore the Christmas lights in the background. The greenhouse likes to mash together holidays.
More Sophia sized gourds.
We thought the costume would be fun to wear...Sophia didn't. She wasn't a big fan of the hood, and spent a lot of time trying desperately to get the darn thing off. Finally, after getting a couple of photos, we freed her of the top part and let her run around wearing only the paws. Still cute!
We had a great time, and the best is that it is free, but they request the donation of canned goods for the Food Bank. So we had a good time while helping folks out in Regina. A truly fantastic way to spend some of the Thanksgiving long weekend, and start prepping for Halloween.
an adult eyed view of the maze. What a great, toddler sized outing! 
A somewhat skeptical Sophia in her monkey costume. It even has a banana stuck into side pocket. Too cute. Ah our little monkey girl.
One of the greenhouse cats decided to join us on our maze wanderings. There are several cats in the greenhouses, and they are all really friendly. Sophia was mesmerized by the cat and kept wanting to touch it. Uncle was more than happy to oblige.
Coming around the corner.
The greenhouse had pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colours on hand. We decided to plop Sophie down in the midst for some photos. She was thrilled to find Sophie sized pumpkins to which she could cling. Just ignore the Christmas lights in the background. The greenhouse likes to mash together holidays.
More Sophia sized gourds.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Fall Leaves
We had a few beautifully coloured leaves gathered along the sides of our yard. I decided it would be fun for Sophia to have a little bit of outside time crunching the leaves while the weather was still decent. I am not sure that she was convinced that these dry, crackly things were fun...but David and I had a great time. And heck, sometimes that is all that matters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)