Little Kid, BIG Attitude!

Sometimes I have to shake my head and remind myself that Cadence is only two ... TWO!!! Currently her favourite sport is ... skateboarding! WHAAAAA???? She even shimmies from side to side to show "how you skateboard". She's something I tell you!
Honestly, it baffles me as to where some of this stuff comes from. The other day she stood, with her hands on her hips and a furrowed brow, and barked, "What are you talking about mom?" Where did my baby go I ask you?
There are awesome things too ... apparently, my angel has shown quite an impressive side at daycare ... she was caught by another mom, putting her hat and mitts in her sleeve and hanging her coat up ... yep ... she's quite the kid! Oh, regardless, there isn't a thing I'd change about her ... not yet anyway!
And now for a couple of my favourite pics from the weekend:

Bathing Beauty

Fashion First

Getting to the End!

You might be happy to know that I'm about at the end of the 'vacation photos'. I have to tell you, I'm a bit disappointed in the lack of selection ... I usually take a ridiculous amount of pics. I almost always had the camera on me (in a ziplock bag labelled 'camera' no less), but for some reason I didn't pull it out as often as I thought! I am MOST disappointed in that I didn't have my camera with me on the eve of our arrival ... Shortly after checking into our rooms we all met at, where else, the beach bar!!! It was the most glorious sunset ever! In fact, as I recall, it was the only sunset we actually saw that week! On top of that, Cadence took to the sand immediately, building and playing and running toward and away from the waves. At one point she got about 5 drops of water on her which meant she had to take her pants off ... There we were, sipping fine cocktails as the bright gold sun sank into the horizon and as my beautiful daughter sat throwing black sand in her underwear ... precious I tell you!
I also regret not hauling my camera down to the beach on the last full day. I gave Sean the morning to go off and take a walking tour with Donna and Mark, while I went down to the beach. At first it was pretty interactive ... I built castles and towns and Cadence destroyed them! It was pretty safe ... she wouldn't go too close to the water (didn't like the noise of the waves) nor would she venture toward the pool (the sand was too hot!) so I really only had to monitor a small area. Soon into our 'play' came two lovelies who soon took over my construction. Within a short time, Cadence was running into the waves, giggling and laughing with these two sweethearts. The three would sit on the sand and wait for the waves to wash over them and carry them up the beach ... yeah ... the tide was pretty strong. What a joy it was to sit and watch her with Kylee, 6 and Sian, 4 (and did I mention I got to enjoy some leisure time too!). One of the moms took pictures and tried to email them to me, but my mailbox was full ... I am really looking forward to them ... buy oh how I wish I had some video!
Oh well, here are some photos I WILL share:
A favourite pool shot of mine (one where there is nothing pouring out of Cadence's nose for a change!):

Someone else had a Lucian birthday ... Happy Birthday Evan ... 18 and legal in St. Lucia!

Catching the 'show' at the Piton Lounge ... again!


Cadence, Kylee and Sian ... figures they hook up on the last day!

The Conveniently Late Tour

Seriously ... that's what it was called!
We booked an 'excursion' for a day ... a boat cruise ... with our toddler! Two years ago, my husband booked a 'boat excursion' for me in the Dominican ... let's just say, it was not remotely enjoyable, so, I was feeling a little apprehensive, but up for an adventure ...
It was a GREAT day!

Cadence and Uncle Mark and Auntie Donna enjoying a light snack on board:

Most of us enjoying a traditional meal at the plantation:

Someone enjoying a good nap!

A family photo at Diamond Falls:

Cadence and the boys:


Our excursion included a boat cruise halfway around the island, viewing the piton, villages and harbours, boats and yachts, as well as a land tour. We walked through the volcano, visited a plantation, mineral baths and Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens. I have lots of beautiful scenic pictures ... boring for those who weren't there ... plus, I know who you come here to see!
As luck would have it, this was the one overcast day during our week long stay ... apparently it even rained at our resort.
Seriously, if you ever get the chance to visit St. Lucia ... you MUST ... it is simply gorgeous!

Shake Your Body ...

This is what takes place after Bath and before, Books and Bed!

Busy Day!

Finally life is back to normal! We started our Saturday off in the typical fashion ... grocery shopping followed by gymnastics.
Cadence was actually brilliant at gymnastics today ... thank goodness! This was her last session for the Winter season.
'Graduation' time and guess who forgot the camera??? Oh well, we'll know better for the spring session!
Later in the afternoon, we took Cadence to the 'theatre' to see Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon. I took a couple of pics but as you can see they didn't really turn out ... apparently this is a result of the battery running low ... heh ... you learn something new everyday!




Then it was mommy/daddy time ... dinner out ... mom's favourite! And to end a great day, Cadence was asleep for Kylee at 8:02 ... oh yeah!

The "Kiddie" Slide

There were a few injuries accrued on this slide over the course of our stay. I think this was the first that drew blood .... good times!

More Vacation Photos ...

I didn't manage to capture any shots of the hummingbird that greeted us each morning while we were enjoying a cup of java as 'someone' slept, but I did manage to get a picture of this creature:

Keep in mind, Cadence has fairly big feet for her age ... size 7 1/2 (even Gwen, 4, has borrowed her footwear!).

Here are father and daughter in the beginning stages of castle building:


We actually don't have any later stages ... I think this is almost as good as it got that day!

And of course no trip is complete for Sean without a little pool volleyball, which interestingly enough was Cadence's sport of choice for most of the week ... except for skateboarding! That's a whole other story ....

Our Private Pool ...

Day 2

An itsy bitsy teeny weeny lime green ruffle bikini:

Headin' back from the bar ... soooooo good:

Uncle Mark on the water:

Heading out for mommy's birthday party:

Sittin' on top of her world:


And back in the real world all the laundry is done ... sort of!

Tell me this ... when do you consider the laundry done?
A) When everything is washed, dryed, folded and put away.
B) When all the clothes are washed.
C) When all the clothes have been washed and dried.
D) When the clothes are out of the bags and either in the washer or dryer or in a clean pile.

If you said D, then I'm done!

Day One

OUR ACCOMMODATIONS

This was our little oasis! All rooms were ground level adorable suites. We had a front room with garden doors and a patio and a large bedroom with a king size bed, which Cadence generously shared with us! We had a couple of tvs and AC units to boot. All this for sleeping! We spent hardly any time in the room at all 'cause ... we didn't need to!

OUR BEACH BABY


Here she is 'practising' in the room. The big hole in the pail certainly didn't impede her progress! Of course there's nothing like the real thing!


POOL PLAY



Cadence particularly enjoyed the kid's pool. I chose to leave her floatie bathing suit at home as I am hoping she will adapt to water wings this summer and well, I wanted to start things off on the right foot. Unfortunately, she was not very independent in the other pools. This resort had 5 gorgeous pools. The one Cadence is in has a GREAT slide ... not particularly kid friendly as you will see in a video coming up in a few days ... ouch!

A HARD DAY'S WORK


Nothing like sun and fun to tucker a toddler out!

Highlights ...

Our trip to St. Lucia was FANTASTIC!!!! We had awesome accommodations, terrific travelling companions, stellar weatherone VERY happy littlegirl, and even some time to relax!
St. Lucia would have to be one of the most beautiful places we have visited so far. The landscape is something to behold and the lushness is truly exquisite.
Unlike other vacations, this particular resort was only at 35% capacity which meant we could sleep in and still grab a lounge chair ... ANYWHERE! Although we didn't have to fight for chairs, bookings or beverages there were a few drawbacks to the limited capacity ... very few organized activities for the kiddies among the most significant. Not a big deal, but it certainly was something we thought could have added to our stay.
Cadence was an excellent little traveller! On our initial take off, she turned to me, clenched her fists and said, "Mom, I'm so excited!" ... my heart grew just that much bigger in that moment! She made a few friends at the resort, attracted a great deal of attention and solidified her 'party girl' status. Each evening we took her to the Piton Lounge for 'the show' where she danced, sang or was simply mesmerized by dancers. And every time we mentioned it was time to go she would argue, "No, the band's not done yet!". We have some boundaries to set!
And to top off a great week of fun and frolicking, our girl even managed to wake up dry each and every day .... yay!!!!!
Photos and more detailed anecdotes to follow ....

Remembering Riley ...

Today we lost one of the first of a long line of our Bichon buddies. It is a sad day for everyone, especially E & J (our thoughts are with you!). Riley was with us just one week short of his 13th birthday.
You certainly did live the life of Riley and you will be fondly remembered.
Goodbye old friend :(

We're Back ...

We're exhausted, we're knee deep in laundry, we're COLD!!!
We will update with stories and photos in the next couple of days .......

On Our Way ....

Cadence had her first 'injury' at gymnastics yesterday ... as luck would have it, I think I may have to take her to the clinic this morning, just to be on the safe side. Tomorrow, it's off to the sun, sand and poolside 'service' ... can't come fast enough! Check back next week ...

My Girly Girl!

This was Cadence last night:

She was blowing her nail polish dry!

This morning she was crying because some of her nail polish came off. That's my girl!!!!

A Morning Medley

If only every morning were like this ...

Things She Remembers .....!

Conversation on our way to Auntie Marnie's:

Cadence: Mom, what's that?
Me: That's East Side Mario's ... it's a restaurant. Remember you had pasta there.
Cadence: And I had milk? And mom, you had wine and daddy had beer.

End of conversation!

Big Jump

Our 'gymnast' is now jumping off anything ... I'm afraid ... VERY afraid!

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night!

Have you ever attempted to try summer clothes on your toddler in March? Let's just say, it's ridiculous! Not only was I unable to get Cadence to try the swim suit bottoms on, every time I tried to hold up a dress against her she threw herself on the ground and said, "No!". Great ... here's HOPING things fit! At least I know the sunhat fits ...

We discovered Cadence enjoyed our appetizers immensely ... to the point she licked the shell clean!

Once she finished up ... there was work to do for dinner ...

And to end the evening, there's nothing like a bath!

Cadence's New 'Room'

Cadence set up her own bedroom (complete with a tv!) and a store where she sells her lego guys! She's such a clever girl!

Randomness

I need to back track and share some 'random' thoughts and moments ... for posterity! There are so many things I just don't want to ever forget ...

COMMERCIALISM

Somewhere along the line Cadence has come to understand this concept. She is obsessed with asking, "You buy this mom?" or "Daddy buy me that?". When I tell her there are no more yogurt drinks, she tells me I need to buy more at the grocery store! In play, she will often buy me a 'present'. Buy, buy, buy ... and to think, this is only the beginning!

IMPORTANT WORK

The other day, Cadence pulled out her big Dora colouring book and E V E R Y s i n g l e marker she owns. I got down beside her to colour too ... as is the usual custom. Not that day ... "No, mom you not colour. This is my important work ... for my kids." Her and daddy will often 'do work' together, except sometimes when daddy is marking ... he tells her she can't help ... it's important work ... it's the kids' work. Hmmmm. This brings me to the next topic.


ART IMITATES LIFE

Cadence is completely in the imitation stage ... she imitates EVERYTHING!!! It is sooo cute (AND we soooo need to mind our Ps and Qs ... what does that mean anyway?) We had to play 'nastics this week. She gave us the blanket to do the parachute and then she 'stamped' our foot and hand and made us do a TaDa ... just like her Saturday class. If I'm making tacos for supper ... Cadence is making them too! We have to take turns being the mommy and the baby ... I mostly play the baby these days ... I do a lot of crying and she tells me, "You okay baby ... you don't need to cry." Today was really sweet ... I wish I had the camera. She had her doll on the floor and she was bent over clapping her hands saying, "Come on baby, come on!" What a great little mom she is!

GETTING CAUGHT UP

I, myself, am beginning to get caught up on things I've had on my ever changing, ever increasing list! Tonight I put 105 of my favourite photos of Cadence from last March until Christmas into a photo album. And since I've updated my computer I have sorted and labelled each and every shot uploaded ... of course, I'm probably not taking quite as many as I used to ... but that will improve soon too!


DRESSED IS SUCCESS!

Cadence is staying fully clothed during the nights. Often during the day however, she will 'drop her drawers' to do her 'business' and just not bother to put them back on. And after every bath, my girl LOVES to streak through the house. Last week she put on her "fancy" shoes ... nothing else ... and strutted around the house telling us she was 'going to her meeting'. I love shoes and I love that she is developing a love of shoes ... but Cadence ... shoes are an accessory sweetheart!!!

PHOTOS

None today ... the battery is charging ... check back tomorrow!

Our Boss

I have to admit ... my daughter is a total control freak! She ORDERS us all around ... and we don't think twice about it. Okay, maybe once in a while we insist she at least say please. "You sit here. You go get it. I need milk." Her statements and imperatives are clear let me tell you! Her latest thing is about 'fairness' ... "Put it in the middle." No matter what the object ... a snack, a drink, a decoration ... it MUST go in the middle where there is equal access to all! Crazy!

In other news ... Cadence has been keeping her clothes on at night ... yay! On the flip side ... there have been regular 4 am wake ups ... not liking that!

Here are a few pictures from a few weeks back of Cadence enjoying some time with her cousins ... they are too cute!

Lookin' Good!!!!

Much Thanks to Diana for creating a new look for my blog!
Her patience was extraordinary ...

So ... what do you think????

Meet the Baby Sister

FYI ... Louda is the name of Cadence's gymnastic coach.