at Canada

I have just returned from my trip to Canada. Here is a photo my dad took of me on the ferry on our way there.

As soon as we arrived, we went to the beach to throw rocks in the ocean. We hadn't been in Canada for fifteen minutes when my mom and I got soaked by a huge wave. So my mom had to buy new shoes. Smart me: I brought an extra pair. Even my fireman boots were flooded! If you could believe it, my silly sister used to shed her shoes (and sometimes her clothes) to purposefully wade in the water during the winter at that very same beach when she lived only a block away from it. I wish I lived that close to the ocean. The air is so fresh and clean and it just makes you want to walk around for hours and hours and hours (which we did).

Since we were cold after the wave incident, it seemed like a wise idea to give Pags a try. I normally do not tolerate restaurants but . . . well, I won't tell you what we had to do to get me to sit somewhat still for most of the meal. (We made a deal with the devil but it was so worth it.) I am reminded again why my mom and sister never ever stop talking about Pags. Not only do they have the best food in the world, but they were so kind to me. They made me a delicious drink and a bowl of pasta . . . and didn't charge me for it. I ate most of my mom's bottomless bowl of potato vegetable soup. and the bread . . . WOW. I don't even know what to say about that bread.

I ate a lot in Canada. My mom ate even more. Everything tastes so good. On Saturday morning, my mom and I woke up early and walked to three different pastry shops and then returned to our hotel for a feast.

Eating isn't all I did, though. It was an action-packed visit.

More to follow when I get my photos organized.

Santa

Yesterday, my two grandmothers, my mom, and I visited with Santa. I met him when I first arrived and we had a nice conversation. I learned that Santa's brother used to live in Austin and worked for Dell (until he got laid off) and that his parents lived, died, and are buried in Round Rock.

It took me a few tries before I had enough courage to get cozy with Santa. Once I did, we were the best of friends. I hope he remembers me on Christmas.

my first lie

I am not especially proud of this but, today, I told my first real lie. This was different than when I spin elaborate tales of going to the beach and meeting a green shark with really sharp teeth and, oh, its name happens to be Brad. I swim with sharks. I cuddle with them too.

This was a real lie.

I have a cold right now. On our way to the store to buy California Baby Cold and Flu bubble bath, we talked about whether I would ride in the shopping cart or the stroller. I was holding out for the cart but my mom refused because she didn't want me to spread my germs around to the kids who would ride in the cart after me. I told my mom "I am not sick. I feel good." Plus, shopping carts are generally disgusting.

In the end, I did reluctantly agree to the stroller. If only other mothers would keep their contagious kids out of the shopping carts too.

Don't forget to wash your hands!

happy November

What better way to celebrate the first day of November than by running through the sprinkler.

It is on days like this, when I can (and usually do) stay outside playing from sun up to sun down, that I almost forget that we just suffered through almost six months of 100+ degree days. I even ate my lunch outside today.

best day ever.