Fun story.

Yesterday we went to the library. it is in a big sports complex so there is far to go once we are inside. I had my hands full with book bag, diaper bag, and Grace. Jasmin was trailing along behind, enjoying the sights along the way. A sudden surpized hello from a stranger made me look back. Jasmin had taken this woman's finger and was leading her down the hallway! We both had quite the time of persuading Jasmin that she needed to switch to my finger. A little embarrassing, but kinda cute too.

We've been attempting to make a beaded curtain for our entry closet this week. First attempt failed with the realization it would take about $90 worth of beads to make it work. Second attempt failed with the reality of two little girls who would play with the strands... mommy spent the morning stringing and hanging, and in the space of 5 minutes, the girls reduced the number of done strands in half, and mommy spent most of the afternoon chasing down all the run away beads. The third attempt is currently on hold until mommy can buy some more of the right color beads.

Grace enjoys the third attempt because the string mommy is using is stiff enough for her to string beads too... and Jasmin enjoys it because she can play with the resulting curtain! Also because mommy is distracted/absorbed enough that she can get away with shaking handfuls of beads all over the living room!
Hopefully we won't be waiting too long to see the final outcome, though so far I have been unsuccessful in tracking down more beads... no one seems to stock such vast quantities, and I vastly underestimated the number needed :o)

Things I'm learning about my children:

Grace will eat chicken a la king - if I can make it close enough to YeaYea's

Jasmin likes to "taste" test her food - by mashing it in her hands

The best way to having Grace sleep through the night in her own bed is to leave the heat on and not be upset - she picks up on our emotions in an incredible way

Jasmin is into coloring. I think she is trying to decide if she's a leftie like Grace or not. Thing is, she has no inhibitions about coloring on anything with anything...

Grace can identify and continue simple color patterns

Jasmin dislikes having anything on her head - something we have to conquer before the really cold weather comes!

Grace can undress herself completely. I can often follow a trail of puddling clothes to find her playing quite happily stark naked.

Grace can unlock and open the front door...

Jasmin likes playing hide and seek

Grace can shake a maraca and sing along passably - and this without mommy showing or encouraging!

Jasmin loves to make noises with anyone

Imma's Christmas Finger Rhyme

Here's the baby ( one finger)
Here's the manger ( other hand cupped)
Here's the baby safe from danger ( finger in cupped hand)
Mother Mary rocks him just like this ( swing hands back and forth)
Mr Joseph gives a kiss ( kiss the finger in your cupped hand)

See the angels in the sky
Telling where the baby lies ( link thumbs and flap hands)
See the shepherds running fast
To see the baby king at last ( run two fingers along forearm)

See the stars up in the sky ( wiggle fingers above head)
Three wise men go riding by ( hold reigns and move hands up and down)
Bringing gifts to the baby small ( cup hands together)
Because you see he's Lord of all! ( move hands in a big circle to include everything)

Been a bit of an odd week for us. Monday my back was not too good, so Tuesday I looked after it better by doing a lot of things with the girls on my stomach on the floor (supposed to be a good position). Wednesday, I woke up so stiff and sore that I've spent the rest of the week doing the bare minimum around the house and with the girls so I can stay in my lazyboy being good to my back. I guess it worked, cuz yesterday I woke up with a nearly normal back again - at least my normal :o)

Add in the rain outside and some difficult issues inside to deal with and you have our week. Some very good things happened too, though. Like a rare Skype session with a friend; a trip to the library; Grace learning Imma's Christmas finger rhyme; Grace deciding to take afternoon naps with Jasmin...
...though she did choose the oddest places to fall asleep! A result of Mommy being more out of commission than usual?

Travel there went smoothly, and Grace handled saying goodbye really well. Skype seemed to satisfy her that Mommy and Jasmin weren't gone forever! Jasmin and I had a great visit, but near the end we both were ready to go home. We eagerly look forward to Christmas when we can enjoy Halifax AND family all together.

The trip home has a story... the trip went fine until Toronto. I got VIP service to our new gate, but then I was left to myself and Jasmin had had enough. First she managed to get her leg stuck between the seats and it took 3 passengers to get her loose! Then she was tired and hungry (she hadn't slept on the plane) and was in a lie-on-the-floor-and-cry stage. There was a Tims right there so I went to order something for her: an egg salad sandwich without the bread. Lots of funny looks but I did get it. :o) To top it all off I had a wicked headache. She cried in protest until the plane took off, and then fell asleep. I tried to as well, but my head hurt too much. I wanted to order tea to help it, but they were only offering coffee and water! So Michael received a sleepy grumpy girl and a sick wife :o( It was really bad - on the way home he had to pull over so I could throw up :o( So I got in and crawled into bed with some pills. A few hours later (11pm) we got to properly say hello to each other! Grace was so funny. At the airport I said "aren't you going to give mommy a hug?" so she went to hug Jasmin! I think she missed her more than me!

Saturday was the main reason why Jasmin and I went to Halifax: newlywed cousin Matthew and Debbie were there for the Canadian side of the family to share in their wedding. We held a small ceremony in the Dingle park... beautiful but rather chilly!

Afterwards, we had to take lots of pictures, of course, especially since we had three serious photographers there!

In chasing the sun and shelter from the wind, we ended up at the small playground there. Jasmin - after the short nap she took throughout the journey there and the ceremony - made a beeline for the swings. As usual! Aunty Ruth obligingly pushed, and pushed, and pushed...Imma had made a wedding cake for us to celebrate with, and Jamie, who is studying to be a baker, tried his hand at decorating it... Here he is in his chef's uniform and the new bride, showing off the finished product.

A few things Jasmin enjoyed at Imma's house:After Uncle Gavin played for us (and Jasmin danced), Jasmin had to try make music too...

Jasmin met Hamilton, our resident marionette pet. She was quite intrigued... and then got too familiar and bit mouthfuls of hair out!

Playing peek a boo with everyone from behind the door curtain...

It didn't take Jasmin too long to figure out where her special stash of cookies were... especially since it was on her level!