Let it Snow!

It was a beautiful snowy day and perfect for playing outside. We spent almost 2 hours in the backyard this afternoon making snowmen, snow angels and catching snowflakes. It is so fun being able to be a kid all over again!

Despite the fact that it is Mom's very favorite colour, Sidney eyes just glow in the right shade of purple, I can't believe our luck! Poor Ken all he needs is more purple in his life :0)

This morning we awoke to another photo opportunity. It is a good thing I keep my camera on the dock all charged and ready to go. Sidney really wanted to see how much snow had come down overnight and so I opened the curtains shortly after 6:00 a.m. Maggie was still enjoying a nice sleep and was not about to move unless food was involved. I caught this picture and I am calling it Chairedale!

Today was pajama party day at school and Sid didn't seem to mind wearing her jammies all day. I am sure it is what contributed to her spontaneous afternoon nap on the couch. Perhaps every day should be pajama day? Tomorrow is Sid's big show at gymnastics, another great day for pictures and daddy will be there too. Here is a picture of Sid and Dad after Sid's music recital.

It's Going to be A Good Day!

I am not sure what Sidney is trying to tell me but this morning she got out of her bed, rummaged through her dress-up box and then came into our room and crawled into bed. I woke up to a mini clown in a multi-coloured wig and a blinking clown nose. I laughed so hard and then she told me she was wearing her goalie equipment just like mom! I don't know what she is trying to tell me but dad sure is having a good laugh over this. We went into the living room and Sid got herself some skates (plastic play plates) and played goalie.

Yesterday it was Charlotte's birthday party and Sid got to meet Cinderella! She and the birthday girl had a great time together and are really becoming good friends.

Today Sid has her music recital in music class and Dad is coming to watch. It is going to be so cute! She is very excited to be preforming in front of Dad, I am anxious to see how she reacts when she realizes that all the Dad's and Mom's are going to be watching! I will post pictures this afternoon.

We Love Freecycle!

Dad came home from work early on Thursday to put together our latest freecycle find. This is ranked in our top 10 best freecycle finds. Our list includes our swimming pool, train table, lanterns, patio stones, kids toys and books, water dispenser, toy bench, hedstrom horse etc. etc. Our newest find is Sid's new climbing structure. A generous family posted it on freecycle because they wanted to build a skating rink this year and didn't have enough room in their yard with the climber.

Dad drove the trailer there on Monday and took it all apart. Luckily it all fit in one trip. It took a while to put together and since the sun sets around 4:50 now Dad pulled out the generator and halogen light and worked away at it in the dark in -8 degree temps. What a trooper, the things you do for your kids!!!


Friday, despite being sick and it being quite cold out, Sid was thrilled to play on her new play park as she calls it. We are so happy to have been gifted this and have already returned the favor by freecycling a big box of toddler toys that a non-profit daycare wanted to pick up. By re-using, and recycling we are saving a bundle of money and saving our landfills too!!

This week Sid made me laugh again with her logic. We were in the grocery store in the drink aisle and she informed a woman who was shopping beside us that if a skeleton drinks water it would pour out of his eyes! I laughed so hard and agreed that it could happen and then Sid mentioned "that's a good observation eh?". Oh three is such a fun age!

A conversation with Sidney

Sid: Mom, pee starts with P.

Mom: Yes Sid, pee does start with P.

Sid: What does poo start with?

Mom: Poo starts with P.

Sid: NO! Poo, what does poo start with.

Mom (chuckling under her breath): Poo starts with P

Sid: MOM! Are you making a joke?

Mom (now laughing): No, the word Poo starts with the letter P not the pee from in your body. P the letter like in Pig, Pirate, Pizza and Pickle. P

Sid: OHHHHH! Poo starts with P. What does Wax start with?

Mom: Wax starts with a w it makes the sound wuh, wuh, wuh.

Sid: Oh, like road (pronounced woad) and restaurant (westaurant)

Mom: No, road and restaurant start with the letter R

Sid: Pirates say Arrrr and they start with a P!

This was a conversation Sid and I had in the car on her birthday. It's a keeper!

Backyard Science

Today was backyard science day. It was warm and sunny again so we went exploring and searching for Bearadales (bears that look like airedales according to Sidney). We found two! We also spent a lot of time in the mud and water and even had a visit from Via!

"Bet you don't have one of those in your backyard!"

We took a moment to stop by one of the three trees we planted when Sid was in mommy's tummy. They were planted in 2005 so theyare 3 years old too. It is a weeping willow and we can't wait until it is big enough to sit under and swing from!

Three!!!

Sid was so happy to wear her new coat and boots. She was sure to tell everyone she met that it was her birthday and when they wished her a happy birthday she said "Happy Birthday to you to!"

We cannot believe three years have already gone by. Sid started her big day by opening some gifts from Mom and Dad then we had a big family pancake breakfast together. Next it was off to gymnastics and then a lunch date with Nan-Nan. Lucky for Sid the festivities actually began on Tuesday when Uncle Rick took her to the Calico Critter store for her birthday shopping. She also got a new calico critter tea cup ride today from one of her school friends so she is busy, busy, busy playing.

After meeting Nan-Nan for lunch Sid picked put her own birthday cake and chose a fruit flan. She really wanted a cake with strawberries and a horse so we made it happen! We had a nice family dinner and a delicious cake. Great choice Sid!

After supper and bath, Daddy, Mommy, Sid and Groovy spent a good hour playing with the marble run. It was such a super birthday!

Sid sends her thanks to everyone for the lovely wishes, gifts and cards. She really felt loved and celebrated today and we thank you for enjoying our little girl with us.

Help Airedale Rescue of Canada!

Airedale Rescue here in Canada is trying to win 1000.00 through the animal rescue site. If you follow the simple directions below you can vote once per day for AireCanada Airedale Rescue and we might win 1000.00 this week.

Here is how:

Step 1 http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Step 2 Click on the Big Purple Button to donate a bowl of food

Step 3 Look for the Shelter Challenge on the side of the page and click on it

Step 4 In the Search Box, type Airedale for the name of the shelter -- nothing else

Step 5 In the Search Box, choose CAN as the country

Step 6 In the Search Box, choose BC as the Province

Step 7 Click on Search - thenWait

Step 8 Right below the search box, you will find the Vote button - click on that

Step 9 Identify the animal that shows up on the next page -- keep it simple, i.e., fish or sheep or lion or cow or squirrel

Thank you for helping us!

Yesterday November 9th, Sid the Kid and I drove 4 hours round trip to pick up a surrendered 10 month old Airedale puppy and deliver him to his foster family. He was taken to the vet to be euthanized by his owner and when the vet refused, the owner said he was going to open his door and let the dog go. This poor pup has spent the first and only 10 months of his life in a pen in the garage. No training and very little socialization. Like most Airedales, this has not kept the joy of life out of this crazy spinny Aireboy named Taz. He is very underweight at 42 lbs and from a puppy mill in Montreal (where else???!!!). He will need to be neutered, and needs some deworming. His wonderful foster family will house train him, groom him properly and see what this little guy is all about. Life just got a whole lot better for little Taz!

The rest of the weekend was very relaxed and Sid and I went to the big park with her bike for likely the last time this season. She really wants to skateboard and she was getting pretty brave with her running bike on the skateboard ramps.

After several attempts to ride up the ramps Sid decided to climb them instead. This made me breathe a lot easier!
TA-DA!!

Then off to the big park to climb and swing.

A "cool" moment Sunday morning with the cat Nookie.

White Chicken Chili and things....

This is a picture of Sid just before she left for school this morning. She is wearing one of her new outfits from Nan-nan. Thanks Nan-Nan, we LOVE IT!!!

Who knew it could be 18 degrees in November?! I had planned for a delicious white bean chicken chili today to chase away the winters chills but we might be eating it in t-shirts! Here is the recipe if anyone wants a great winter crock pot chili with a twist!

White Chicken Chili

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized chunks
2 med onions chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cans (14 oz each), reduced sodium chicken broth (or one large tetra pack)
4 cans cannellini (white kidney) beans rinsed, and drained
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chilli peppers (with juice)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
¾ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Fresh cilantro leaves

(I usually add chopped celery and sliced mushrooms to this)

Heat oil in large pot or crock pot. Saute onions and garlic (I usually pre-cook the oil, garlic, onion, mushroom, and celery in the microwave for 3 mins).

Throw all ingredients in the crock pot, or large pot on stove. Cook at medium for 40 mins to 1 hour, let simmer. About 15 minutes before serving, throw in the cilantro leaves.

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Wish we had this on Sunday because it was very cold with freezing rain overnight. Sid went for one final ride in her jeep and decided she needed a trailer to pull around. I attached the wagon for her and she asked for Benny and Cowie to come out and go for a trailer ride.

After many laps we packed away the jeep for the winter and went into the garage to hang out with Daddy and Grandpa. Sid had to show Benny the plane! Pilot Benny

Pilot Sid

How many Airedale can you see in this picture?

Groovy say "4 paws up for the new couch!"

Saying Goodbye to October

It was a whirlwind of activity this last week of October. We were supposed to go to the pumpkin patch on Tuesday but the trip was canceled due to bad weather. We still had gymnastics on Wednesday, preschool with a halloween party on Thursday and then on Friday, Halloween, we were invited to take part in the filming of a promotional DVD for the gymnastics club. We showed up at 10:30 and did gymnastics until almost 12:30. Sidney was one of only two children in her age group that stayed so long. She was so wound up by the end of class but LOVING every minute of climbing, jumping, swinging and flaying through the gym. We went to Old MacDonalds (as Sid calls it) for a Happy Meal and then managed to squeeze in the ever elusive nap before trick-or-treating.

Sid was dressed up as a cute butterfly and was led door to door by her cousin Emilie. Emilie has such a gentle kind manner with Sidney and patience to match. It was a successful evening filled with much loot and excitement. The kids were worn out by the time we were finished and as planned last year, the Bailey in the coffee was a perfect touch for the adults!

Back row: Laura and Dirk, middle row: Sophie, Julia and Emilie, front: Sidney

When we went to Gymnastics on Wednesday and Friday Sidney was pleading with me to go to the museum to see the rocket (Atlas rocket circa 1960) we drive past it on our way. We have a pass for the museum but with school and everything going on we have not been in a while. Saturday was mom's hockey day so Dad, Mom and Sidney ran some errands in town and mom got dropped off at hockey and Dad and Siddy went to the museum for an afternoon of fun. Finally she got to see the rocket and she went with Dad who would share his love and enthusiasm for space and aviation.

The museum was very quiet and they got to see many displays and demonstrations on their own. I am sure many people were out enjoying the sun after getting all that snow on Tuesday! Mom had fun at hockey and was enjoying post game beer and nachos when the family showed up to pick her up and take her home.

Sunday will be a fixit day. Hopefully Dad can get our new programmable thermostat installed and the new weather stripping on the door before the real winter hits. The freak snow storm was a good motivator to prepare for the real thing! Sid and mom will work on house work and continue with our new hooked on phonics learn to read program. Sid is really into it and has found a new love for letters. We picked it up because she keeps telling us how she wants to learn to read. Seize the opportunity!

Our little niece / cousin Addison is fighting hard and gaining weight and length. Born October 16th at 1lb 5 ounces she is a tough cookie. We are sending her and her mom and dad much strength, courage and love.