Closing the year in style...

Gwendolyn made the most of her final day of 2012, with skating in the morning and a visit to the library in the afternoon:

 Zipping around the rink with Mama's help

Reading one of the 18 books she borrowed from the library

And now, after an early dinner and a little bit of dancing in the living room, she's already dozing in her bed. Daddy and Mama likely aren't far behind...

A peaceful New Year to you all. Here's to good things in 2013!

Snowshoes!

Santa delivered Gwendolyn her own pair of snowshoes this Christmas. On Boxing Day, she and Daddy trekked up to Grouse Mountain to try them out. She took to them right away, and enjoyed a long hike among the snow covered trees:

 Tromping along the Grouse Loop trail

 Proof that Daddy was along for the hike...

With all that snow around, who could resist taking a wee taste? 

Here's to more snowshoe adventures! We'll have to try the trails at Seymour or Hollyburn soon.

As this may be our last post for the year: Happy New Year, everyone!

Christmas Eve report

It was a very busy day for Mama and Daddy, trying their best to keep a young girl's Christmas excitement in check. There was last minute shopping with Daddy, baking cookies for Santa, filling Mama and Daddy's stockings, an after-dinner walk around the neighbourhood to see the lights, and of course, tracking Santa's progress with NORAD's help.  Add plenty of Rudolph pretend games and crazy renditions of "Deck The Halls," and you've got yourself a pretty full day.

But finally, Gwendolyn has settled down for what hopefully will be a long Winter's nap. Time for her parents to move into high gear in preparation for Christmas morning...

Merry Christmas, everyone.

A family portrait with Santa, taken just a few evenings ago on Grouse Mountain

Fabulous Five -- years, that is.

We've been a long time without a post here, but Daddy couldn't let today go by without celebrating a certain special someone's FIFTH (!) birthday. 

The day started early...

Posing with her birthday "ring" -- well, normally it's a ring. Note the new additions near the centre: ballerina, number five, butterfly. Thanks, Aunt Monica!

Playing with her new Slinky. Yes, that classic toy from yesteryear... She's wanted one ever since seeing one demonstrated at our local science centre. Every empty box in the house was commandeered to create a makeshift Slinky run. (Yes, we like our Mandarin oranges around here.)

Other gifts included a stack of new Barbie clothes (home made, of course -- some created by Mama and some contributed by Aunt Deborah) and a set of wooden magnetic dress up dolls.

Eating breakfast from the good china: a tradition passed down from Mama's side of the family.

It will be a big day at school: the traditional Montessori birthday celebration (you can find a description from Gwendolyn's 2010 birthday post here) and then attendance at a play with the rest of her Kindergarten class. Then it's dinner out with the family, with White Spot the current restaurant of choice. A full day, yes?

And it doesn't end there... This coming Sunday, Gwendolyn will host some good friends at a -- wait for it -- paint splatter party! By then, she should be well and truly celebrated.

A very Happy Birthday to you, Gwendolyn!

Hallowe'en report

Gwendolyn has been a bit under the weather these last few days, but that did nothing to deter her enthusiasm for trick or treating this Hallowe'en night. First, let's show you the costume: a flower fairy, designed by Gwendolyn and executed with Mama's help.

It was a very wet night here, so rain gear was required equipment:

By the way, the pumpkin you see behind Gwendolyn had been carved for almost a week -- at Gwendolyn's insistence, of course. As a result, it was a little past its prime for its big night. (Can you say "soft and moldy?" Yuck.)

Just before 6 p.m., the whole family visited the few doors in our complex that were lit, then headed down to a popular trick or treating spot in our neighbourhood: the housing co-op next to Gwendolyn's school. After a few hesitant approaches to unfamiliar doors, Gwendolyn soon got the hang of this trick or treating thing, and zipped along with the hoards of other kids as they made their way around the co-op. Ever the individualist, Gwendolyn chose to greet candy purveyors with a "Happy Hallowe'en" instead of the traditional "Trick or Treat."

In about half an hour, Gwendolyn's bag was full to bursting and it was time to head home. Here she is, smiling over her mound of treats:

Yikes! That pile is probably 1,000% larger than last year's meager take. Perhaps we can get the Hallowe'en Fairy to make Gwendolyn an offer she can't refuse -- say half that candy for a new book? Hmmmm...

Finally it's fall, West Coast style

The fall weather we're used to here on the west coast has finally arrived. It is hard to believe this morning was the first that required rain jackets and umbrellas for the walk to school!

Gwendolyn didn't seem to mind, though. Instead, she was excited at the prospect of wearing her brand new, yet to be tested rain pants during the Lunch Bunch's outdoor time today. Daddy expects to hear about some puddle jumping adventures this evening...

Fall playground fun

Here's a great fall activity from the five and under set:

Step 1: Find a maple tree seed pod.

Step 2: Gently fold the pod in half, peel back the skin and remove the sticky seeds from the centre.

Step 3: Stick the folded pod to the bridge of your nose.

Step 4: Run around the playground yelling "triceratops nose!" Don't forget to laugh hysterically.