the 2nd R - Reuse

Kelly green- Grace Kelly green, I believe. This charming and oh so simple sun dress was worn by myself and my sister some 40 years ago... Even my sister was impressed at its quality and style. And look how curly Sophie's hair is getting in the humidity. Who needs a perm in this weather? Well, ok maybe her paternal grandmother!

This lovely green hat was on the floor in the playroom. Seb had carefully chosen some leaves to decorate it and claim it as his own style (he who went out today in bright green and blue plaid overshorts and a blue/red/white striped shirt, with blue & green socks).

Reuse - here the Wedges are playing a game from oh 30 years ago. Buccaneers! It's good fun and can be made more simple for 4 year olds.

And no, there's nothing green about this (no Rs and the colour is blue & brown as I mentioned yesterday). But here is proof that M likes it. And yes, that is the Ikea catalogue he is reading - cheeky thing.

Best quote of the summer to date

While we were out being adults, a major happening occured back home. Seb had his first regular bowel movement in oh, 7 days... He was extremely excited to tell us when we got home, and described it to me, then his dad and then the babysitter in careful detail - which I will spare you.

You see, after 5 days of 'it will resolve itself', the parents had decreed the "BRATY" diet (no comments please). Banana, rice, applesauce, toast and plain yoghurt. But it is boring, so boring. Seb tried to stick to it, but by this morning, he was asking to see a doctor as that seemed a potentially quicker fix.

He was extra thrilled to be back on track because Auntie Roberta had promised that once the gut had settled down, they would make the trek to Toronto's only peanut-free ice cream parlour. So almost as soon as he had pulled up his shorts, he was asking to go. And here comes the quotable moment, my sister's answer was:
"One poop does not a summer make"

We rewarded Auntie Roberta with a mini-cheesecake from She Takes the Cake - the cake shop right behind our house, the one which made the "best cake ever" according to Mike.

"Just the two of us, we can make it if we try..."

"Just the two of us - you and I"

Off for a coffee with my M. Yup, just me and him. No one in tow. Very thrilled. Big thanks to sis.

We will be taking our agendas with us and his phone...

Could be num-nums

Here is a link to an amazing array of fun food - some edible and some not. There is such creativity in this crazy old world.

http://www.juniorsociety.com/2008/06/15/play-food-contest/

Our cottage weekend

Seb decked out in his ever so non-matching fun in the sun ensemble.


Father and son went out for about 90 minutes of J-stroke. Seb loves to be on the water and shocking but true, will actually go for ages without speaking.


Seb and M in their ever so matching shirts (made from the curtains that hung in our Ghanaian guest room. Beat that Scarlet).

Auntie Row-berda getting in on the blowing raspberries action. It is contagious.


Seb enjoying a lovely spot-the-X type of book from our kind hosts, Kevin & Arthur.

Seb's favourite moment of the weekend? When we were about to eat at the picnic bench, and the last person on (who shall remain nameless) sat down, prompting us to lurch to the ground. It was quite funny. The gazpacho didn't even spill!

It's here!

Our couch arrived today and for the first (and perhaps last) time in my life, I sunk into/on to a new sofa. Thankfully, M immediately stretched out and proclaimed himself satisfied.

Here it is in its glory. Yes, that an antelope peeking out from behind. We'll have to find a new (or higher) home for that.


Here you can see the tweediness. It's chocolate brown and eggshell blue. And did I tell you about the stain treatment scheme we are on?


View from the stairs - you can tell that I didn't stage the shot b/c there in the corner is Bella, the blue donkey. We are going to move pine bureau up into our room, and hang a family heirloom painting in that corner instead.


View from the couch (with said painting still in cardboard box at back...)

HUNG - EEE

Sophie's vocabulary is growing in leaps and bounds. But nothing is more sweet than when she wants a bite to eat. She will start making high pitched noises that sound like "Hung - e" and then put her (inevitably dirty) fingers to her mouth. When you ask her if she would like something to eat, she nods her head most emphatically and states "yesh".

She also is a veracious eater. Yesterday for supper, she polished of almost 2 - yes TWO - huge pork sausages, about 13 large fusili (they probably have another name since they are the large kind) and 4 florets of broccoli. Meanwhile, her older brother downed 1 sausage (maybe) and 2 broccoli bits.

Also high on the cutey-patootey list are her kisses. She has blown kisses for some months now. These ones are different. It would be more accurate to describe them as smackers. She just purses and lets rip (they are afterall an off-shoot of her learning to blow raspberries which she - and her bro - do at all hours of the day). She gives them randomly and with much feeling. She was mad as all let-loose with me today and suddenly I felt this pucker on my arm. Hey, it was way better than a bite!

Wish our girlfriend luck though. Tomorrow morning, she and her lucky dad get to spend his morning off at a walk-in medical clinic to get her diaper rash treated. It is red and sore and probably fungal...

$12.69 + tax

That's what I just paid for 44 disposables. Just a price check for those of you who don't buy baby diapers much. Seemed like a deal after Newark, NJ.

For anybody still looking

She cracks me up. The outfit is pieced together by trousers that Madeline wore back in Nairobi and the sweater/top from an ensemble via Nana. But they are clearly overshadowed by that cheeky monkey's grin.


Sophie's first swim suit



2030's 007


How sweetly they sleep. It was hot.


I just had to stage this shot. I mean how often do your clothes match a room! But this romper from last year's run on vide greniers blends right in with my aunt & uncle's guest room. Sophie was chuffed at my aunt's thoughtful foresight.

It really WAS fun

Just in case people get the impression from the last post that I wouldn't do the trip again, here are some great shots of the fun that was had by all. And that was just London.

Seb with his spirit guide Babush and "Big Ben" - who though 15 months younger is the same height and weighs more than our skinny-minny.


Riding yet another train; this one in Battersea Park. Seb declared his favourite moment in London was going over London Bridge in a mini-cab and singing "London Bridge is falling down".


Big Ben was protective of Sophie and when she wandered off, he would bring her back. He'll be a great big brother come November.


We even had a chance to hook up with Oxford-based Maria and Modou at the cafe in the park!