August

Not your average petting zoo - August 31, 2008
Friends of mine had told me about Maplewood Farms, but it wasn't until this long weekend that we went to see what it was all about. Amazing. It's a fairly big animal farm (not a petting zoo as Daddy keeps calling it) on the north shore...just 15minutes from our house! It has ducks and geese and chickens that pretty much just roam free. Then there are goats and horses and cows and sheep too! Kaden loved it. What was particularly exciting about this day though was that Kaden just decided he was a walker! He has been slowly toddling around our house, but often holding our hands, the walls or only taking a few steps before falling or sitting down to crawl. Who knows what inspired him here, but he just stuck out his tongue, put his hands in the air and laughed all the way down the paths! When he fell he squealing with delight, got up to brush off his hands, and kept on walking! He did manage to stop and pet some of the animals too. An interesting side note to this of course is now Kaden thinks he's independent enough to go it alone. We were in the mall later in the weekend and took him out of the stroller to walk a bit. He did great! But he would also have nothing to do with holding our hands. He just stopped and screamed if you tried to take his hand (he didn't care about the crowds or which direction we actually needed to travel)! It begins...

Kaden talks to the animals!
  

Here are some videos of our walking machine!
        

The long weekend is here! - August 30, 2008
The sun is still shining and now Daddy is home too! it's a different day and a different park. Kaden spent most of this visit driving the fire truck. But he managed to squeeze in some swing time too. He's developed a bit of a new habit...although I guess I started it. One day while I was pushing Kaden on the swings I rubbed my hands together and then charged! I gave him a big push as I ran right by him. He loved it. Now every time you put him in the swings he rubs his hands together as a signal for what you're to do next!

Finally, a little sun! - August 29, 2008
The sun is shining and Mommy is feeling better! No better combination then to go to the park! Kaden is getting so much more independent at the park as well. He can get up to and slide down the slide by himself (on his tummy) and he managed to get up and over the sandbox ledge all by himself today too.

Here he is perfecting his "up and over" technique.
 

And here he demonstrates just how easy (and fun) it is to slide down on his own.
 

Kaden speaks? - August 29, 2008
Kaden is actually talking quite a bit these days. Some times deciphering his lingo can be a bit of a challenge, even for us, but in context it usually makes perfect sense. He has moved on from single syllables or just the first letter of a word and is starting to try multi-syllabic words. Some words are perfectly clear (like coffee) and others come out a bit muddled (kapuh = ketchup). Of course, whenever you try to actually capture his language (on camera or over the phone) he usually clams up. In this case I couldn't even think of words to use to prompt him! Anyway, it's still pretty cute.

I'm a big boy now! - August 28, 2008
You have to give a try sometime. Normally when Kaden eats his yoghurt I hold onto the cup on his tray while he scoops. I also often have my own spoon to help him in the process. But today I thought it might be fun for him to try the whole thing himself. He seemed pleased ;]

Here's our little man in action. Yum!
 

Girl Guide Camp - August 17-23, 2008
No pictures yet as they are on other people's cameras...but I'll fill this section in asap.

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo - August 9, 2008
We were tourists in our own city. I think this is partly what kids does to you - it makes you explore! A friend that I have not seen since university was in town with her family on their way to take an Alaskan cruise. Again...despite the weather...we were able to go to Stanley Park and to dinner to have a nice visit. We took a ride on the Stanley Park miniature train. I knew the park had such an attraction as I had been on it once with the Brownies at Halloween, but I had forgotten all about it. Kaden and his new buddy Malcolm enjoyed the short ride around this area of the park, following by some playtime at the park.

A visit from Gran - August 2, 2008
Gran came to visit for a few days over the long weekend! It was great to see her and for her to see Kaden as the last time was Christmas. Lots happens in 8 months. Despite the less than seasonal August weather we enjoyed a nice weekend lazing about the house and taking in the park when the rain permitted. Kaden was so pleased to show Gran how he was starting to take his first steps. And of course, he's always happy to show anyone the park. If you'll take his hand, he'll take you down the slide as many times as you can take it!