Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Un p'tit Canard

Sunday mornings..swimming with daddy

On their way to walk the plank!

Our Sunday morning routine have changed a bit lately. I usually try to eek out as much sleep as possible (possible if daddy diverts Keira's attentions to the playroom). Breakfasts are now later than usual and then we prepare for Keira's swimming lessons. They're not lessons but rather more like...getting a whole bunch of toddlers used to the water and getting their faces wet.

Lately, I haven't gone swimming with Keira but rather her daddy. What a difference height can make! I'm so short, I have to stay in the shallow end to keep my head above water. But with Claude...hmmm..what deep end?? lol. He's also bigger and I think she feels more secure with him.

Today, finally she let go! Well, more than usual (which is basically a full-body clingwrap style swimming). She only hung onto her daddy's wrists and started pushing with her legs. Yay!

Funny thing today, since it was the mid-season session, they tested the kids. I was watching from the stands above. They had all the kids put on life-jackets, sat them on the large foam mattress and away they went to the other end of the pool. Left me scratching my head what they were up to until I saw the diving board! Whoa. Yep, they were going to make all the kids walk the plank! I think I had heart palpitations when I saw that. Didn't think Keira would make it though she looked excited to get up on the diving board. Her excitement died though when she was on the diving board. But plunk! There she went...hehehe.

This really builds up their confidence level (and their ability to tolerate water on their heads which is a big deal for some kids). The best part about these swimming lessons? It's gotten Keira excited about the pool, I can now shampoo and wash her hair without any screaming and when she's in the mood... likes taking showers! Well worth the time and energy each Sunday mornings.

Super Secret Superspy!

Or as we've come to know it from Keira, "SUPUHPIE!!!!".

There's been a rotating bunch of dvd's at our place lately: anything Wiggles (though Racing to the Rainbow tops Keira's list), the Jungle Book (she likes to imitate Mowgli, right down to stripping to her skivvies. Actually, they look pretty darn similar!), and the new Backyardigans Super Secret Superspy! This she likes to watch with her sunglasses on and something to drink with a straw (watch the dvd!).

Keira with her cousins, the twins

Marc-Antoine and Virginie.

Finally, the big girl's bed!

Yep, another hurdle met. Head on. Keira is now sleeping in a "big girl's bed"! Yay. I must admit, it's a pretty big bed for a small person. Keira's crib turns into an adult bed (we had bought the side extensions a long time ago). We thought it would be a twin size but as it turns out, it's a double.

So far so good....

JF & Josée's Wedding

We all attended Claude's nephew's wedding yesterday. Keira was the flower girl. We were all nervous that she and the ring-bearer might not make it down the aisle. Actually, I was nervous that she wouldn't A) wear her dress B) let me comb her hair and put the pink ribbon on C) pull a fit at the church. All unfounded fears as she made us all proud once again.

When we got to the church, we found the ring-bearer in red and brown, matching Keira's outfit. Nice! We had a problem trying to find the requisite pink taffeta dress going to at least 6 different stores. We finally settled on a chocolate brown and ivory dress. I added a large organza bow around the middle.

We waited with the bride outside the entrance to the church. The bride I must say looked spectacular. Her dress was gorgeous! It was touching to see her with her father, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Keira and Élois started walking down the aisle without a problem. But when Elois saw all the people in the pews, he choked and made a dash to the side and hid. LOL! It was the funniest sight. Keira kept walking but when she saw her daddy, she shouted out "papa!" and ran to his side. But she was prompted to continue. The problem was that everyone wanted to see the bride and crowded in the aisle as well. Well, in the end the ringbearer and flower girl made it to the end of the aisle and the ceremony went without a hitch.

Keira had a great time at the reception later on. Dancing and blowing bubbles with her new friend Élois! In fact, Keira didn't have a problem with anyone who wanted to dance with her. hehe. Sadly we were stuck right beside the amps and whenever the music blared during dinner, Keira got scared and had to be with daddy.

We finally left at around 9:00pm although Keira could have gone on til midnight! She didn't want to leave her new friends.

We were just so happy it went well. And I'm so glad Keira looked so cute and acted so well during the entire ceremony and night. She can really surprise us this girl! In a good way.... lol.