the donut saga

Since our last trip to the library, I have been reading Who Needs Donuts? almost obsessively.

Every morning on our way to school, we pass by a family owned donut shop. On sunny mornings, they have a dancing donut outside. The donut shop is painted a cheerful blue and features a mural of a police car. (classic)

I had decided that I must try donuts. It took a great deal of coordinating but I woke up extra early yesterday and sped through my morning routine so we could visit the donut shop en route to school. (Yes, shhhhhhhhh, I know I committed a cardinal Montessori sin and ate sugar before school.)

No one can recall for certain but it seems I had never ever tried donuts. My mom had been to this donut shop before and had probably since spent a bit too much time talking/thinking about it. I was taken in by all of the colors. My initial choice was a donut with pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles. good choice. At the last second, I changed my mind and ordered a mint chocolate chip donut. Although my mom knew that I wouldn't like the minty frosting, she did not intervene. The only time she alters my order is when I try to make a request for a latte. It was no surprise that I did not like the minty donut. We left the donut shop and, thankfully, I had my snack bag full of the usual healthy offerings and my cup of soymilk to fill my tummy.

We will have to try this again one day. Next time, the pink donut it is!

salvation

Trinity departed early Monday morning after spending a week with me. She came here to take care of me while I had a break from school and while my parents work too much. I scarcely remember my mom. Luckily, we've somehow almost made it through the legislative session and then my mom will return to enjoying her housewife life and never ever will we do something like this again. It's almost impossible for me to go to school full time and take care of my dad; he's a lot of work and it can be challenging to get him to remember the procedures.

When Trinity was here, we had countless tasks on our list of things to do - including visiting the barber and, as you can see, I am still in desperate need of a haircut. But we ate a lot. And caught up on our sleep. I slept until 9:20 one morning and Trinity even had to wake me up! I am now just as addicted to tacos as she is and let's not even talk about cakepops and cocoa. My grandmother sent me a gift card so I could buy my own snacks.

As an added bonus, we had a cold front while Trinity was here. The very day she left, we suffered through a mid 90s day. In the morning when I first step outside, I always comment on the weather. These days, I say "it's not too bad today." I won't be able to say that much longer.

bunnies

Yesterday my dad and I went to the YMCA to go swimming and we found ourselves in the midst of an Easter party.

There was a petting zoo complete with bunnies, cows, ducks, goats, pigs, and a massive unidentified animal that I have tried describing. My mom thinks it sounds like a yak but what kind of petting zoo would ever have a yak? The bunnies were my favorite because they were soft and I could cuddle with them.

And then I had a nice visit with the Easter bunny. Apparently, I might wake up to a basket of chocolate on Easter morning.

FIRE!

Aside from making detailed grocery lists and bossing my parents around, I use what all of my teachers have described as sophisticated planning skills to create scenes like the one you see in the photo. I cannot be certain but I suspect them saying me having sophisticated planning skills is a euphemism for me being a control freak. So was Trinity and look at her now. We both get our work done, and lots of it!

I used the grappler (shown in the bottom left corner) to haul in the logs one by one to build the farm. Minutes after the construction of the house was complete, disaster struck and the whole farm was on fire. I immediately called 886 (aka 911) and the crew arrived just in time with their laddertruck to extinguish the blaze. Tragedy averted.

All of this work had the (un)intended benefit of extending my bedtime until 10:00pm.

happy (belated) Valentine wishes

Here is a photo of me enjoying my Valentine cupcake at Whole Foods. It was well over a month ago but we have fallen behind with everything because of work and school but we are managing to keep our cupcake consumption up.

Soon I will catch up with my blog about my visit from Trinity (fun!), what I am doing in school (reading reading and more reading, and Asia is my favorite continent), and spring break.

my grandpa

April 22, 1944–January 23, 2013 After a brief hospitalization, Brian passed away peacefully with his wife of 47 years holding his hand. He spent his final days enjoying the company of his wife, children, and granddaughter.

Brian leaves behind his wife, Roberta. He will be missed by his children Mike and Stephanie (Brad), and grandchildren Trinity and Atticus Orion. Brian is also survived by his brother, Wayne (Joan). Brian was preceded in death by his parents and his sister.

After a long and distinguished career at TELUS (formerly BC Tel), Brian retired in 2002. He then spent his days relaxing on his back porch knowing that he lived in the most beautiful part of the world. He lived his entire life in Victoria and had no interest in going elsewhere. He followed politics closely and spoke knowledgeably of current events until his last day. His favourite activity was walking his very best friend, Harley, in Victoria’s many parks. Harley died less than one week before Brian; neither could have lived without the other. 

Sincerest thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital (Surgical 7N ward) for their compassion and the excellent care they provided to keep Brian comfortable and happy in his final days. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation at 1952 Bay Street, Victoria BC, V8R 1J8.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, February 1, 2013, at Royal Oak Burial Park. Plans for a celebration of Brian’s life will be announced at a later date. Please see http://www.mccallbros.com/brian-harold-gray/ for more information.

140 (plus 1)

Tomorrow is the first of 140 days of the legislative session.

My dad took me to the Capitol to have lunch with my mom today. We met her at her office and we walked through the super-secret underground tunnel. I ran the whole way, like a train barreling through a mineshaft, because the tunnels slope in a most fascinating manner. It would be ideal if I could take my tricycle there but I am supposing that might interfere with business.

They have decent food in the Capitol prepared by real chefs. My dad had the Monday special (catfish and vegetables) and my mom and I shared grilled cheese and french fries. My beverage of choice was coconut water. My dad had a white chocolate mocha. Had it been Thursday, we could have enjoyed the sundae bar. Alas, I am sure that I will have many, too MANY, opportunities to dine there in the upcoming months!

The politician in me emerged while we were eating lunch. I went over to the next table and said "my name is Atticus. I am three. What's your name? How old are you?" And, just like that, I won some votes.

After lunch, my mom returned to work and my dad took me on a tour of the Capitol.