a month-in-photos : february

What can I say? February disappeared before my very eyes!

We celebrated Valentine's Day in a big way this month. We made treats for Lilah's class friends and kept a few for ourselves, of course! It was fun to see all the cards she brought home from her little friends in school. I simply adored all the little 'love' crafts she made in school too! We enjoyed books and built puzzles, galore! And we spent a whole lot of time (evidentally from these pictures!) gearing up for and enjoying our holiday in Cuba.

[ the 'a month-in-photos' flickr set is here ]

big sister in charge!

I don't even have words to express how excited, humbled, blessed I feel right now.

It's true, Lilah is officially a big sister and she is so thrilled! She has talked non-stop about her little sister, ever since she found out about her last evening. When I was putting her to bed last night I saw her polaroid instant camera sitting on her nightstand and asked her what it was sitting out for, she said: "I'm going to take a picture of my sister!" She went on to tell me that when she wakes in the morning, she'll go get her sister out of the crib, carry her downstairs and they'll have a little snuggle in her bed. It completely melted my heart.

We got our new little ones photos today and we are so taken with her - man she is SO cute! Anyway, I met Lilah after school with a photo in my hand to show her, she looked at the photo and exclaimed, "Oh! Does she look like that?" To which I replied, "Yes, that is her!" I thought I'd managed her expectations as to what size her 'baby sister' would be, but maybe I didn't do a good enough job on that! She moved on pretty quickly though, asking me why her little sister was wearing snow pants! She even thought the white part on the bottom of her pants was probably snow! The girl really notices detail!

Anyway, Lilah is now all armed and equipped to head into school tomorrow and tell the class her wonderful news... all decked out in her "big sister in charge" t-shirt! She's been rhyming her sisters name over and over all afternoon, Yang Qi (Chee). I think she's going to be an amazing Jie Jie.

Since I want this to be Lilah's personal blog, I have another one set up for her mei mei, Jiang Yang Qi, soon to be Phebe Jayne Yang Qi. You can check it out here.

Have I mentioned how excited we all are?! Eeeeek!

back from our holidays!

Well, we just got back from our holidays and of course, I took a few pictures. Just a few? Okay okay, quite a few!

It was a fantastic week, the weather was simply incredible and I have to say, it's been 10 years since we last vacationed in Cuba, however the people haven't changed one bit. Still as carefree and happy as they were back then. We're always commenting on their genuine happiness and relaxing personalities. It's a wonderful way to be.

Lilah enjoyed herself to no end... building sandcastles, swimming in the water, at the kids club, gathering shells; she hardly sat still for two seconds. I have to admit though, she's pretty pleased about getting back to her little school friends tomorrow! Nothing beats a bit of company with others that speak your own language! Although I must say, she was getting onto the Spanish way of things okay! Dora (the Explorer) has certainly taught her a thing or two in the past 3 years!

I'll be backdating my posts for the past week! Stay tuned.

the weather in varadero, cuba

It's looking like a spectacular week ahead... and we can hardly wait!
Suitcases are packed, camera battery is charged. We're ready!

Adiós Amigos!

she said what?

: "Some people are born before you, so that's why they're older than you."

lilah: "What does your t-shirt say Mama?"
me: "Banana Republic."
lilah: "Banana? Ahahhahahahaahaaaaaaa, that's a funny thing for your t-shirt to say!"

: Showing me some of her artwork: "Doesn't this picture look 'credible?" (incredible!)

: "Did you know white shines in the dark? Well, I'm pretty sure it does, because I can see my wardrobe in the dark at night time."

: "Mama! Don't say flippin or you'll get set out in a chair!"

Talking to Baba one evening at bedtime:
lilah: "Baba, who's your birth mother?"
baba: "Na's my birth mother"
lilah: "Na?? Na had YOU in her belly??"

me: "We had a fire bell at work today."
lilah: "Oh. For real"
me: No, there wasn't a fire, just smoke or something."
lilah: Well, we had a firebell at school one day, it wasn't for real either, just a practice one."

: Talking to her stuffed animals one day: "No secrets. My Mom & Dad don't like secrets. Please don't whisper in my ear."

: Are you sad about that Mum? Get over it. You'll get over it!"

wordless wednesday

[ the flickr set is here ]

'family day' - holiday monday

I kinda wish I could say I was out there skating or sleighing on "Family Day". No, I wasn't. I'm so over winter already!

I spent today doing something much better, by far, than exposing myself to the chilly elements of this crazy country. I spent today packing our suitcases, because we're heading to the Caribbean - Cuba - in 6 DAYS! Oh man, I am so ready for some sunshine!

When I told Lilah about our upcoming trip to Cuba she seemed pretty happy with my description. However, when I searched the hotel name and showed her the Google images of the hotel, pool, beach, etc... She clapped her hands with excitement and said: "Oh my, I think I'm more excited than you!" When Baba arrived home from work that same evening, she ran to him and said: "Baba! We're going to Cuba and you don't need your snowsuit there!" A few days later she was looking through a magazine and pointed out a picture to me. She said: "Oh, I think these people are in Cuba, because they're wearing shorts and t-shirts!" She's been telling random people about our trip, like the lady in the M&M meat shop and the teller in Farmboy!

She's very very excited! Today I practically had to peel her off the ceiling after mentioning that I was going to get the suitcases out of the basement. She simply couldn't wait to try on a few of her new outfits!

a few words from the wise!

: "I'm not Lilah... your daughter is at school. I'm the mail poster."

: "I'm getting all my teddybears to bring with me to bed, because I just can't live without them!"

(walking through the mall one day)
lilah: "What's that smell?"
me: "I think it's Subway."
lilah: "Really? It smells like give up, like that time I gave up on the plane!" (she calls throw up, give up!)
(And it really did smell gross, I couldn't argue with her!)

: Talking while colouring one day. "See me Mama? I'm pinching my pencil, that's how you hold your pencil. Diane told me to do that, she told me to pinch the pencil. She's a smart girl, I don't want her to die, ever!"

: As she was walking upstairs one night, she turned to me and shouted: "See ya in a minute, crocodile!" I guess that's a new twist on 'see ya later alligator - in a while crocodile'...which is a phrase I say to her!

me: "Lilah, what would you like for lunch?"
lilah: "Fried rice please."
me: "Sorry, Baba took the rice for lunch, so you'll have to think of something different."
lilah: "Well, you decide, because I don't have anything else left in my head!"

: She told me one day this week: "I love you forever in my whole life."

baba: (joking) "Tell Mama she needs to smack your bum tonight before putting you in bed!"
lilah: (stretches arms out and in an exasperated voice says) "Let's NOT say that to Mama. Just put it out-of-your-mind!"

: She uses the word "everlasting life" to mean a long long long time. Like tonight I overheard her telling her stuffies "I'm going to love you for everlasting life!"

happy valentine's day!

class treats for valentine's day

This past weekend, the teacher sent out an email requesting a parent to take on the task of making a treat for the kiddies (in Lilah's JK class) for Valentine's day. Of course, I only ever volunteer if something sounds doable! Heh! Not only were these doable, but they're so easy peasy it's almost embarrassing!

Lilah loves any kind of 'making', so it was perfect.

These treats are VERY Northern Irish! They're called 'top hats'! Indeed, you're probably rightfully wondering what on earth 'top hats' are, other than those things that are worn on the head! They consist of chocolate, marshmallows and smarties and I am including the easy peasy recipe below.

how to make top hats...
: melt chocolate in a bowl (either in the microwave or in a bowl over boiling water)
: cover bottom of mini cupcake bun case with melted chocolate
: push marshmallow into the melted chocolate
: put a little blob of chocolate on top
: add smartie
: wait for chocolate to harden

Do you think the teacher will ever ask me to do anything again? I feel sorry for her already... 17 children on a sugar high, oh dear!

[ the flickr set is here ]

giggle with delight!

My Little Missy is a giggle-aholic! She loves to giggle, laugh and generally just be very very funny! Recently she has taken to begging me to tickle her! You should see her work her giggle up, sometimes I wonder if she's even going to be able to catch her breath, because she's giggling so hard! But as soon as she does finally catch her breath, she's back begging for more tickles!

Every single part of her little body is ticklish! It makes me giggle to hear her giggle!

Even when I started taking these pictures of her today, she got herself all worked up into a fit of giggles. Oh my. That girl. I adore everything about her. Especially that beautiful contagious giggle.

"the laughter of a child, is the light of a home" ~unknown
♥ ♥ ♥
"we find delight in the beauty and happiness of children, that makes the heart too big for the body" ~ralph waldo emerson

[ the flickr set is here ]

little moments

I love capturing little moments in time. I know lots of people like to capture faces, more portrait style shots and I like those too. But my favourite shots are the ones where you can see the whole scene, those wide angle shots with plenty of background detail, they seem to set the tone better... which explains why I rarely use my 85mm, preferring my 50mm and 28mm more.

Yesterday, just before I snapped this picture, I overheard Lilah telling Ricky (the dog that used to be called Buckle, but was recently renamed!) that they were on a boat. She had the little heart floor mat up on the bed and the two of them were sitting on it. I love overhearing the adventures she and her snugglies get up to. She was so caught up in the moment, she didn't even know I had snapped her picture through the bedroom door.

I want to remember these precious little moments forever.

Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons. ~Author Unknown

valentine etsy finds

I might be making a very obvious statement here, but I adore hearts!

When I go to Etsy and search the word 'Valentine', let's just say, oh dear! I could spend a week browsing through pink, red and hearts. I simply can't help myself, especially when it comes to hearts for little girls.

So without furthur ado, here's a few items that have stolen *my* heart!

1: snap hair clips by square lemons.
2: felt bow hair clip by may day studio.
3: apron skirt by three munchkins.
4: toddler tote by tiny rose boutique.
5: asymmetric jumper by thread and jam.
6: i heart rainbows skirt by babe a gogo.
7: personalized girls tote bag by everyday celebrations.
8: heart white pillowcase dress by the uptown baby.
9: valentine card by twig & lily.
10: ten things i love about you by jane says.
11: fushia heart ruffle leggings by isadora.

valentine's day preparations!

Initially I had no plans for Lilah's school friends on Valentine's Day. Not until I received the email from her teacher (two weeks ago) that stipulated all the rules and regulations for children who plan to give out Valentine's Day cards!

For example: 1) If your child is participating, every child in the class must get one, not a select few - so there are no crying children! 2) Cards must not be addressed to each individual child, but rather the card should only say who it's from, so they're easy to deliver = no crying teacher! 3) Each child has a designated day to bring in their cards for the class, over a 4 day period.

Phew!

When I read that email I thought to myself, 'Oh my dear, JK'ers obviously take this whole Valentine's Day thing very seriously! Jill, you better get your crafty brain, err, I mean crafty search engine in gear!' And an hour or so later, after much oohing and aahing, I finally decided on this idea... wonderfully easy I might add!

: Take a picture of your child holding out their hand in a fist, as if they're giving you something.
: Photoshop some writing onto the photo, if you wish. I used Picnik.
: Get them developed (4x6 at Costco are 16 cents each).
: Buy a big bag of mini suckers (at Zellers).
: Make two slits on the photograph with your exacto knife (above and below the hand).
: Attach sucker - in through top hole, out through bottom hole.

Ta daaa! It really was that easy! ...and they are so cute. Now we're all ready for Valentine's Day!

LiLAH XOXO

[ the flickr set is here ]

some more lilah speaks

When I picked her up from her last day of kindercare before Christmas, she said to me: "I told my friends I have to go to Ireland, because my cousins are waiting for me. I really do, it's REALLY true!"

"I love you so much Mom. It makes me want to kiss you."

Overheard Lilah having this two way conversation with Piggy one day: "Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. If you don't, I don't care, I'll pull down your underwear! - Wait? Is that being cheeky? Nooo Piggy, it's just a joke!"

Obviously trying to comprehend the whole Santa thing one day, she asked: "Does Santa die when he gets older?"

During snuggles one morning she had her feet on me, warming them! She said: "I have magic in my feet to give you love."

One day when we were out driving, she said to me: "When I was a baby in my Mama's belly, I dreamt about you. I dreamt you were coming to get me."

Walking around with a sheet over her head, pretending to be a ghost one day, she suddenly took the sheet off her head and asked: "Can ghosts not see?"

Counting her money one day:
me: "Wow Lilah, you have a lot of money! What would you like to buy with it?
lilah: "Well, I don't know... I was thinking that I could just give it to you."

"When I was born I fell in love with my blankie."

After accidently calling Baba 'Mama' one day, Baba jokingly said "What? Did you just call me Mama?" She replied: "Well, you guys kinda look alike!"

"Piggy's only 2 (years old) now, he turned back to the start! First he was 10 and now he's 2!"

"Pretend I'm a stealer... Oops, I mean robber!"

As she was hugging with me one night, she said: "The love of my heart is yours."

And last but not least, the million dollar question! After hearing the Baby Jesus story at Christmastime, she asked: "How does a baby get in your belly?"