Chillaxin (152/365)

Productive Day (151/365)

I took the day off to do things with Hubby around the house. We managed to be extremely productive. One of the things we finally got accomplished is setting up this swing set that our neighbours recently gave us. Petite was happy to try it out when she got home from daycare!

Scents Invade My Senses (150/365)

Another Year Goes By (149/365)

Today was my birthday. I turned 42. Though in all honesty, I don't recall getting to be 42. Where did those years go? 

I spent my birthday alone. Hubby had to work. I had to work. Petite was at daycare. It was a Monday. Ho hum. A few people at work wished me Happy Birthday, which was nice. 

Truthfully though, I was a little disappointed. I don't expect all the fanfare of course. Not at all.

But Hubby actually forgot my birthday, until much later in the day when he texted me an apology and left a message on my phone at work. Yes, I had an e-mail or two. And yes, thanks to Facebook, I had 70-something of my friends post a quick birthday wish. That was nice. I was taking care of Petite tonight so I didn't really even have time to talk to the family members that called. The couple I took time to speak with meant that our routine was delayed; Petite never got IN the bath until after 8:00!!! That just doesn't bode well for tomorrow.

Anyway, it is what it is. Another day gone by. Another year gone by. Another year older.

And still so many things left undone...

Childhood Fun (148/365)

She squealed with delight.

I love that sound. 

Blooming (147/365)

I love the colours. So bright. So full. So gorgeous.

New Cat? (146/365)

We have no idea who owns this cat. But he comes to visit frequently and sun on our back deck. 

Peony (145/365)

Pure Joy (144/365)

My Crown (143/365)

After her snack, she plopped the empty bowl on her head and declared, "Mommy, my crown!"

Co-Sleeping Ain't All it's Cracked Up to Be (142/365)

When we travel, usually Hubby or I sleep with Petite. And usually, this is how it ends up...

Too Close! (141/365)

Why is it when kids want to watch TV, they sit soooo close?! Seriously. It's all I can do to keep reminding her to "Move back!" Eeesh.

Taking a Break at Toronto Zoo (140/365)

For all the photos of the day at the zoo and a few of the birthday BBQ we attended, check out my other blog at The Hardest Quest.

Sunset; a Long Weekend Begins (139/365)

Dandelions ARE Fun! (138/365)

She loves to pick the dandelions and instead of blowing them, she shakes them vigorously to let the seeds scatter in the wind. She always follows it with a giggle and a grin. It's so cute.

Stickers (137/365)

I looked down under my table today, and found this... 

Following the line of stickers, I looked up under the table on the wall, and found this in a very obscure spot. 

Little devil. 

Tulips Revisited (136/365)

In full bloom now, they're a lovely bright spot at the entrance to the building. 

Sleeping (135/365)

Mother's Day Flowers (134/365)

Again, it's Hubby's day to work. Although I did get a card from him and a few things from Petite as well. And she helped Daddy make breakfast for me this morning. 

After Hubby went to work, Petite and I went to my girlfriend's house for supper; just the two moms and the two daughters (albeit one is 14 years old, the other is two and a half!). 

Anyway, we went out for a walk around the community gardens. Petite insisted she give me flowers at every turn. 

Happy Mother's Day Petite. Mommy loves you. 

At Play (133/365)

Hubby was working this weekend, leaving Petite and me to our own devices. It was a bit windy, but I took her up to the park for an hour and a half to run around. She had loads of fun.

And so did I! 

Tulips! (132/365)

The Tulip Festival is in full bloom! These are just about to be at their peak. I spotted this bed at the office.

Just Playing, Daddy! (131/365)

Petite decided she was going to try on Hubby's sweatshirt.

Personally, I think she resembled E.T., don't you?!

From Home (130/365)

Periodically, in my mailbox, I find care packages from home. These are just some of the sorts of items that I find in those treasured boxes: clothing for Petite, treats for me, toys for Petite, and at the moment, because it's coming (too quickly for my liking!), two birthday cards for me as well. I'm so lucky to have a loving, caring family.

Man, I wish I lived back home. *sigh*

 

Rainy Days Can be Fun (129/365)

I wrote about this moment on my IF blog. Just a special moment that I truly enjoyed today. 

Courtesy of my two and a half year old daughter.

Doing Her Share (128/365)

Petite loves to help!

New Moon on Monday... No? Okay, Sunday it is. (127/365)

And I don't believe it was a "new moon" but rather a "full moon." A supermoon in fact.

But hey, I'm a Duran Duran fan at heart. Gotta pay homage when the opportunity presents!

Little One (126/365)

While outside in the garden, mowing the lawn, Hubby found this little guy. 

We live close to the river, so after taking these pictures (Petite was asleep) Hubby took him back 'home' where he belongs. So cute. 

Lord, I'm a sucker for animals...

Gratitude (125/365)

I worked early this morning; Hubby and I are covering off because Petite's daycare is closed. I was sitting at my desk, working away, when my boss walked in. He had this flower arrangement in his hands and surprised, he said, "Oh! I didn't expect you to be in! I was just going to drop this off. This is from all the managers and me to show our thanks for all that you do to help us. It's really appreciated." 

I blinked, stunned. And then I found the words to thank him so much for his thoughtfulness. He followed that with, "The managers are taking you girls (i.e., admin staff and those not belonging to one of the sections directly) out for breakfast in about 20 minutes. Would you like a ride or...?" 

Colour me pleasantly surprised. And thankful. What a lovely way to welcome the day. The arrangement is in a copper kettle and has gerberas, miniature roses and lilac. So sweet. 

As one of the admins said to me later in the day, "I bet you didn't get that at your old job did you?" underscoring the vast differences between my substantive position at another location, in another directorate within the organization, and my current position which is technically temporary... but they keep finding a way to retain me (yay!). I replied to her, "Honey, they didn't even know my name back at the old building... let alone give me flowers! Or chocolates at Christmas!" How nice it is to hear "thank-you for a job well done." 

From Hawai'i! (124/365)

My mom and dad just finished a cruise to Hawai'i and their visit here was a stop on their way home. This was one of the souvenirs that Mom brought back to me; I opened them tonight and they are delicious! Thanks Mom!

McHappy Day (123/365)

We had a treat tonight for supper. It's McHappy Day here in Canada. That means that $1.00 from each Happy Meal, Big Mac and coffee sold today at McDonald's goes to benefit Ronald McDonald House for sick children and their families.

I thought it was cute to compare the size of Petite's mini fries to Hubby's large order!

Her Old Self Again (122/365)

Petite stayed home today after yesterday's and last night's fever. The fever seemed to spike around 4 or 5 a.m. but by 6:30 we had a normal temperature reading for her. She'd been up a few times during the night; none of us slept incredibly well. After talking to her caregiver, who expressed a desire for me to ensure that Petite was indeed well again and it wasn't just a temporary lull, only to see the fever spike again later in the day, I opted to stay home and care for her. 

At some point in the morning, Petite recalled the fun she had in the bath yesterday. She looked up at me in all seriousness and remarked, "Mommy, I so dirty. I need take a bath," accompanied by a fervent nod and a grin. "Oh, you're dirty are you?" I inquired, knowing she simply wanted to play. "Yep. I so so so so dirty. Come Mommy." She tugged at my hand. "Come make bath for me. I so dirty." 

I laughed. 

And then I ran the bath for her. She was in there for almost an hour solid; her fingers looked like shrivelled up grapes, so wrinkly was her soft skin! 

I'm glad she's back to her old self again though.