Violet, Paleontologist.

We all went to the Museum of Nature last Saturday. The Museum is still about 2/3 closed for renos, but the part that is finished feels world class, and really, everyone is just there to see the dinosaurs anyway...and the exhibit on traditional Japanese flower arranging of course!
Dinosaurs are what we promised Violet - and perhaps we sold them a little too enthusiastically, because on the way to the Museum she kept asking,
"Big dinosaurs with big teeth?"
"Do they make noise?"
"Do they move?"

We wandered through the fossil room first, and they had one of those tables set up where kids could dress up as accident prone paleontologists and dig for fossils.
Triceratops teeth!
Then on to the dinosaurs. Violet saw the exhibit, and ran ahead of us into the room. Then she froze. It looked like 10 dinosaurs were about to eat her. She looks so small! We spent a good long time looking at them before she would consider touching one of them. Jem was unimpressed by the dinosaurs.

In other news:
Violet bit Jem. Chomped down hard on his poor little finger. That was our first case of sibling violence, but it seems to have been an isolated incident.

They still love each other.

Tea Party

This morning I was having a tea party with Violet. She's a real hostess.
"Here, have some chamomile tea, it will make you feel better" she said handing me the cup.
"Thanks Violet, this is lovely tea"
"It has barium in it!"

(She got the 'barium' from one of Curious George stories she loves)

Family Portrait #2

Violet drew our family. I don't know why Jem is drawn 3 times and I'm sideways (drunk again!), but I think it's amazing. 

Super Sister

When I returned from Toronto a couple of weeks ago, having been apart from Jesse and UV for a couple of days, I was surprised by how much Violet had missed Jem. She gave me a perfunctory hug, then asked "Where's Jem!? Can I see him!?".  She peered into the car seat, grabbed his hand, and then held it while we wheeled our way, slowly, out of the train station. Since then she's been super-sister. I think she's clued in to how much he adores her. She can make him stop crying just by sitting next to him, and she really likes that. She brings him toys, holds his hand as he jumps in the Jolly Jumper, and provides a running commentary on his actions.

"Mommy! He's taking his socks off again!"

"Mommy! Jem is talking to me!...what's he saying?"
It warms my heart. 

How can you not love a face like this?
She helped me in my first attempt in making bread from scratch. The process wasn't as difficult as I had imagined, but the result wasn't as wonderful as I had imagined.

She just tells it like it is, that girl.

Since we're on the subject of eating. Jem has started more interesting solids.

Squash!

Shoe leather!

Jolly Jemper

Man, I am on fire with these titles!
We bought Jem a Jolly Jumper a few days ago. Does he ever love it! We can't stop laughing at his screeching and bobbly head.
Sorry for the nausea inducing close-up.

Putting the Fun back in Funeral

My paternal Grandfather passed away last Thursday, peacefully (well, I imagine a morphine drip is peaceful), surrounded by his children. He had lived independently until a few days before his death and had reached the excellent age of 90. Even though he has been a part of my life since as far back as I can remember, I didn't really know him; he was always so quiet, or out gardening. I wish I had asked him more about his life, especially about his immigration to Canada from Ukraine.

Jesse and I packed the kids in the car and drove to Toronto to attend the funeral. I hope this doesn't sound too morbid, but we had a nice time. We even got a little giddy about our 'funeral date night' when my Mom looked after both kids for the evening wake (yes, it's been a while since we've been out alone together). The services and gatherings were really nice, but it was the bonus time with family we don't get to see very often that made it so fun.

We took both kids to the service the morning after the wake, and I was obsessing over what to say to Violet about the body in the casket. As it turned out, I had to hand her over to Aunt Nina while Jem was fussing, so I missed the moment. Violet didn't seem phased whatsoever by the body, but she did start to get a little noisy after a while.

Nina asked her to be quiet.

She asked "Why am I being quiet for?"

Nina said "For Jesus"

Violet pointed to her Great-Grandfather in the casket and asked "Is that Jesus?!"

I could only see from the back that people were doing their best to keep a straight face. At the lunch after the service, Violet managed to get three different people to give her a slice of cake. She then ran around the hall for an hour shrieking "I'm ping-pong running!".

Jesse and Violet headed back to Ottawa in the car on Monday, but I decided to stay with Jem and take the train back later. We all delayed flights and work to spend that extra time together, and I'm so glad we did. It was nice to just have one good natured baby to take care of (though I missed both UV and Jesse very much) and just hang out together.

Jem had a good time too- especially reading a magazine in his new hat with Uncle Max.