Social Life

This winter Adara is developing her own social life and hobbies. She's enrolled in dance class on saturdays and gymnastics on sundays. Dance class she does on her own, which is the first time that I haven't had to be in the room for one of her classes. A definite change and it's interesting to try and gather from her after how the class went as parents aren't even allowed in the class. She is very proud of her galloping skills and will show them off, hands jauntily on her hips, to anyone who asks. Gymnastics, she's not so into, but loves the opportunity just to jump around.
For Len and I it's a move towards the world of a preschooler. Classes and events, teachers and schedules. It's nice to see her reacting so well to authority figures and we hope that this will be a good lead into her school years.
It does make me a bit teary, though!

New Years Day

We had an old school New Years Day here at the Fry/Stannard household: one like I used to have post university. In the morning I got up and played with the kiddo while Len and I prepped a big brunch for friends. Homefries, bacon, poached eggs, toast, champagne and orange juice and Heather brought fruit salad. Several friends and some kids came around 10, ate some food, drank some champagne and then the scrabble began. I handily defeated my two guests and husband. They sulkily (or not so sulkily) went home around 1pm, just as Lisa arrived. We redid the brunch thing for her (she had stayed out much later the night before then the rest of us), more champagne and orange juice (now fresh squeezed by Lisa herself) and another round of scrabble, at which I got hammered. Then, Lisa, Len and I took down the Christmas tree and I made up a lasagna for the family. Lasagna was consumed in front of the tv for a perfect end to a perfect, lazy New Years Day.

Christmas Tree

A few weeks back we finally got around to putting up the Christmas tree along with the help of my good friend Lisa.
The carols were on the stereo, the hot chocolate (and wine) was out along with the dark chocolate. It was a red letter evening.
As always, Adara was a big fan of the box that the tree comes in. It's a great little house.

And I, after a lovely and lengthy evening of tree decorating and imbibing found myself sleeping in front of my gorgeous tree. Some traditions never get old!

Preparing to Skate

The first time skating requires a lot of planning and preparation. The new skates from Auntie kristen, Uncle Greg and Liam had to be tried on. The helmet had to be adjusted and had a face plate added. Everything had to be sharpened. It was all very important.
In the end Adara was thrilled with her first skate, but my back was nearly broken by the enterprise!

Baking Cookies

Adara and I have been doing a little cookie baking lately. So far we've made vanilla sugar cookies and peanut butter, toffee cookies.


The lovely Dennnie bought Adara her own apron which she loves to wear as we go to our mixing and arranging. She's so darned determined to crack the egg on her own though! Do you guys remember what a victory that was the first time you succesfully cracked an egg?

Another IATSE Christmas

Len's work (the stage hands union) alwasy does a party for all of the kids of the members for Christmas on a sunday morning so that all of the members can attend. It is an affair to remember, taking over three of the Canadian Opera Company's rehearsal halls it's so large. So, this morning, we got dressed all pretty to go...

We got there and got ourselves some bacon (and eggs, sausages,pancakes, coffee, ham, potatoes, etc.)

The event was massive as always, with a acrobat/balancing act this year, two craft making tables, three bouncy castles, a blow up train and...
The electric rider track. This was the highlight of the party! Adara was so amazingly adept at steering around all of the other kids that the operators and other parents were commenting. Particularly remarkable since there wasn't another child under five years of age even attempting navigating the ring on these bad boys.
And then, we got our faces painted, got a gift from Santa (last this year, and she was without a complaint for the enitre 45 minute long wait) and called it a day.

Walking Baby

I have to say that I'm thrilled that Adara and I had our first trip out to "take baby for a walk" a few weeks back on a lovely sunny day. This was the first time she asked, so i made sure that there was room in the big stroller for both "baby and baby and baby stroller" in case they got tired and off we went. She walked a very solid six or seven blocks before giving into exhaustion. I loved it as I have such strong memories of walking my babies up and down the street.

The Great Ship Alvie

Tonight, Pirate Captain Adara and Pirate Mamma built a ship. A great and mighty ship!
With a bold and brave flag!

And many passengers carefully tucked into their beds with their babbas in the below ships...

As well as on the fore deck. We can't wait for Pirate Captain Dadda to come home and see it!

Celebrating out west

Adara got to celebrate her actual birthday out west with Len's mom and dad, and cousin Jericha and Aiden and all the aunts and uncles.