Thursday, July 24, 2008

July 2008


We spent the 4th up in Big Bear grillin' and chillin'. The fireworks were good but we missed the Philp's and Northern Michigan. The following weekend, Kerry, Dana and I headed up to Santa Barbara for some hiking, wine tasting and of course shopping. We had a great time - the house had a great ocean view. The hike had a pretty good view too. And the wineries were great fun! It was so nice to spend time with Dana and Kerry - hopefully we can try to do it every year :)

When Kerry came up, she brought a Cinderella dress for Clio. The timing could not have been better as I had got tickets for a Cinderella play the following week. So off we went, Cliona in her Cinderella dress, delighted with herself. I had tried to explain the difference between a movie and a play but I don't think she really grasped it until the curtain went back. She was so amazed to see the cast onstage. And when they started singing (it was a musical), she was blown away. She really got into it, clapping at the right times, keeping up with the story line. After the show, we got to meet 'Cinderella' who very kindly signed Clio's Cinderella book. The cast were all children, I think the oldest was 18 and so it was fairly casual - all the cast were wandering around after the show. Amazingly Cliona remembers some of the lines from the play. Her favourite is pretending to be the mean step sisters saying 'Cinderella! get off your booty and attend to your duties!' She doesn't know what it means (or maybe she does) but thinks it's hilarious and will say it over and over again. She also likes to play Cinderella leaving the ball, losing her shoe and then being found again by the Prince (that would be me!). It's basically a game of chasing but in a pretty dress. The Cinderella dress has been on a lot. It's even been to the dentist! It's not allowed go to school though - I doubt it would survive the playground very well.

Anyway, enough Cinderella - the pictures are HERE

Monday, July 21, 2008

Cliona's Playlist

I have a playlist of songs on my iPod for Cliona to listen to. We usually listen to them in the truck when we are driving on the way to school. At first I just picked out some random songs that I thought she would like, but over time she has given her input and rejected and requested. So I thought I would share what she is digging right now before she starts breaking into that dreaded girl teeny bopper phase.

In no particular order:

99 LuftBalloons-- This is kind of a recent favorite. At first Clio seemed to like it because the song went from sad to happy to sad again. But then she started learning the words and happily sings along. She's really proud because the song goes pretty fast and she has to concentrate to keep up. The sound effect at the end is also a Cliona pleaser. I remember this song as a kid and never had any idea what the lyrics meant. Listening now, I am impressed at their simplicity and cleverness.

Yellow Submarine-- This has been a favorite for a while and always reminds me of her toddling around the "Under the Sea" playground. She and Avery had good fun singing this in the truck in Big Bear while GK was in Target buying a Wii.

Electric Avenue-- My good friend John reminded me of this song on the way back from Tahoe so I added it to Clio's list. It became an instant favorite and she sings along and bobs her head happily. When the song gets to the line "We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue" she will pause her singing and shout "That's where Avery lives!" I have no idea why.

Hey Mickey!-- Of course she likes this song. I used to sing it to her changing Hey Mickey! to Hey Clio! Now she asks for it as the "Clio Cheering Song". Or "the song where the kids cheer for me." She doesn't try to sing along to this one, but will sit with her thumb in her mouth appreciating the moment. Coincidentally this song breaks her rule that "boys don't sing." Any time I try to sing along with one of her songs she emphatically tells me that boys don't sing (or clap hands). But she lets me belt out Hey Clio! at the top of my lungs. Also, when the song finishes she will nod up and down with an air of aristocracy, pull her thumb out of her mouth and say "again Daddy, again."

I Want Candy-- This song needs no explaination. What toddler wouldn't like this song? Although the first time I debuted it she seemed a little hesitant. Then she heard the refrain "I want candy!" and a knowing smile spread across her face.

Three Little Birds-- This is one of her first favorites and she knows every word. The first time I played this song for her in the truck she popped up and said "Hey, Grandma sings this song." When did Grandma sing Bob Marley to my daughter? Go Grandma! The funniest part of the song is when Cliona sings "This is my message to you hooo hooooo" Ha ha cracks me up every time.

It's Oh So Quiet-- She figured this song out quickly and loves going sssshhh, ssshhh, ssshhh. Then she goes crazy for the loud parts. I was amazed at how quickly she picked up the words for this song and she'll even throw in those uniquely Bjork voice distorting yells and chortles. I've always really liked Bjork's playfullness, but this song seems to be written specifically for happy-go-lucky three year olds.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Daddy/Daughter Weekend June 30th 2008


Stephen and Cliona went up to Big Bear to meet Avery and Uncle Gk for what they hope will be the first of many "Daddy/Daughter Weekends". They sure kept those girls busy! Theye went on an off-roading picnic up in the mountains, then went out on the porta-boat for some fishing and cruising on the lake (the girls loved the cruising and even managed to fall asleep on the boat!). On Sunday, they rode the chairlifts to enjoy the mountaintop views and do a little hiking. Then, since they didn't catch any fish on the boat, they ended the trip by going to the trout pond. What a great time! Cliona and Avery both had a ball catching their first fish. Clio brought hers home for me to cook on the grill and was pretty adamant that all fish were to be caught and 'put on the BBQ Mommy'. A far cry from the anguish I was expecting when she saw her dead fish!


I put all the pics in their own album HERE.


Saturday, July 05, 2008

See how our garden grows

Sunflowers at the beginning of June


Sunflowers at the end of June !!


Clio in front of the tomatoes and green beans


Stephen has done wonders with the dirt patch we inherited a year ago. We have already had green beans, the tomatoes are nearly ripe and the cantaloupes and squash are running wild! The sunflower seeds my Mam gave him are now taller than the house, providing great excitement as they are just outside Cliona's room. And I am pleased to announce that the corn is indeed 'knee high by the 4th of July'.

More June photos HERE !!!