Santa's Watching!

Shae is three.  This means, every request is made a minimum of three times... and usually five, at which point I sound like that mom that everyone loves to hate, snapping at her kid in the line up at Walmart... you know the sound...

SHAE!  LIN!  What did I JUST say?  TWELVE TIMES?  You MUST listen!

Its annoying... we both find communication a wee bit of a strain on our relationship...

So.

I pulled out, "Shaelin.  Santa is WATCHING you."

And presto!  Volume comes down, we spend a great deal less time negotiating.  Magic.  Bliss.  Heavenly.

Today, I'm trying to get her into the car to take Cod to the vet for shots and Shae is dragging her feet like she's the one getting a poke... so, after the 2339058945 request, I pull out the big guns.

Exasperated, I snip (this part is SO mature.  I warn you.) - "I'm telling SANTA!!!  Santa is ALWAYS watching you, Shaelin."

And she looks at me, gives me this flip glance and says, "Santa is watching YOU too."

I guess she's been reporting all my snippyness!

Santa, More Santa, and Ice Cream

We had a very busy weekend!

First, we had the company children's Christmas party at Springridge Farms on Saturday.  Shae had a total blast.

In past years, Shae has screamed her face of at the slightest glimpse of the jolly fat guy, er, Santa.  This year, I fully expected the same.  But, no sooner did Santa appear and Shae had launched herself off the bench and tackled ol' St. Nick at the knees for a hug.  It was one of those, "Oh my god, my kid is SO DAMN CUTE moments."

She went back to see Santa about 3 times before he left for the day.  She'd like a big Belle doll from Santa.  Let's hope he delivers.

Then, we drove like maniacs hurried home to park our butts on the curb to watch the Brampton Santa parade.  This was Shae's first parade - in the evening, no less - so I had no idea how she would fare in the cold.  She LOVED it.  Because it's at night, the floats are all lit up.  It was lovely.  Shae stuck her hand out for highfives to all the characters passing by.  Definitely a new tradition... we could even walk there from out new house.

Then, on Sunday, completely unrelated to the Santa theme... and only posting because I LOVED her loving this ice cream cone... the last of the summer stash of Chapman cones... going out with a bang.

Another Melter

Picture this:
My gal - all dressed up in her Ariel dress, and her plastic dressup high heels... throwing her arms out to me and asking, "Dance with me, my p'ince!"

Seriously - someday, my baby is going to fall in love... and I really only thought of it yesterday, watching her make believe a royal romantic ball.

Swimming Lesson - Week 3489738497

Since I know you're all wondering if Shae's mastered the swan dive yet...

She has.  Such GRACE!

Glenaura Farm

We are so blessed to have made amazing friends in the Pease family.  They own and operate Glenaura Farm, where they board horses and typically have something or other (currently mini pigs and chickens) they are keeping. 

Shae and Hanna are wonderful playmates, and Mandy and Andrea are too ;)  Chris takes a fair bit of ribbing without a pout.  So he's a'right.

So how have I NEVER blogged them?  Sheesh?

Here's a few pics from our latest visit... I should have photographed the food too - fajitas AND sticky buns... life is goooooooood on the farm!

Remembrance Day

Maybe coincidence - but it seems particularly fitting that today, on Remembrance Day, Shae is sitting in the tub singing a made up song over and over, "Thank you, thank you for everything.  Thank you, thank you for everything."

Indeed.

Boo!

We celebrated our first Halloween in out new "haunt"!  This neighborhood seriously loves their Halloweening... it was a total blast.  Giant Frankensteins, strung up skeletons, a remote control wheelchair with a skeleton in it that CHASED the kids down the driveway...

I've found us the BEST neighborhood in the whole universe.  There was even a group of kidless 20 somethings that dressed up, sat in their driveway and handed out candy for the tots, and the yummiest friggin' hot apple cider for the parents.  Like, I'm sitting here, as Shae is sleeping, and wondering if I could dart out for seconds...

Since it's just me and the girl, I set out an honour bowl for the little ones while we Trick or Treated - and, in keeping with my awesomest neighborhood ever, it was totally honored.  Shae and I sat on the front step and handed out the rest - 300 hundred pieces - gone.  My sweet tooth is sad.  My bum and waistline rejoiced.

Since I've been remiss with posting - I'll post a pile of photos from the last week along with Halloween.

Nap time with Cod

Ghost Cake Pops - I made them for daycare and work!

Tis the season for hot chocolate...

Princess Ariel

Our honor bowl getting some action

The scariest house - with the remote control skeleton!

She's got TOTing DOWN.

Back home to dole the rest out - enjoying the fruit of her labour!

Ain't nobody gettin' one of HER chippies.