They Say The Darndest Things

I took this picture of Bradyn two weeks ago, as we were heading out to her friend Diana's birthday party. She looked so pretty, and Mammarazzi couldn't help herself. Unfortunately, Miss B wanted no part of it. Even without a smile, I am stunned by her beauty every time I look at this picture. Where did this gorgeous little 3 1/2 year old come from?

Last weekend, I had my first real glimpse into what it's going to be like 5 or 10 years from now (or should I say hope?). Bradyn and I went out and ran some errands together - we spent time looking at the things she wanted, and then she indulged me while I got to shop for what I wanted. When we stopped at Tim Horton's for a snack, we talked about all kinds of things over drinks and cookies. We chatted in the car while we were driving. Yesterday, we did some more errands, and went to a little coffee shop cafe for lunch. Again, it felt like I was out with a friend. I loved Bradyn as a baby, because there are so many wonderful things to love about babies - the newborn smell, the teeny tiny fingers and nails (yes, their toes too Charlene), the way they grab your finger, the gummy smiles, the way their whole face lights up when they see you, the way they just cuddle up on your chest and fall asleep... But there are so many amazing things about 3 1/2 year olds too - playing with them, watching them use their imaginations, watching them learn new things, real conversations (even the negotiating), hugs and kisses, "I really love you Mommy"...

Speaking of the things she says, I just have to share some of the lines that have come out of our little darling's mouth in the last while:
"Good-night my sweetheart"
"Time to get up my little dear"
"My tummy is gargolating" (she was hungry)
"When Mommy was a bride, I was an egg in her ovary. And the Ms. Henryka egg got mad because I was disturbing the friend eggs at nap time"
"Mom, look at my bum - do you see poo?"
"Open them up so I can see your pretty eyes"
"It's wake-up time Mommy. Here... I'll get your glasses for you."
"Don't you have your listening ears on?"
"I don't like their attitude"
"Mommy, why does Daddy say (insert F-word here) sometimes?"
"You don't make the rules anymore - I do what I do"
"I'm talking to mommy - don't interrupt me"

On second thought, maybe I shouldn't be wishing for 5 to 10 years from now just yet.

It's PNE Time

Two weeks ago, we ventured over to the PNE for our annual visit. After getting through the gates, our first point of attraction was the animal barns. Big surprise. We met up with Bradyn's friend Jack and went through the children's farm 'market' area - it was so sweet! First you put on an apron and got your bucket. Next you planted carrots, went through the hen house and gathered eggs, milked a cow and got a carton of milk, road a tractor and got some hay, picked the carrots, put it all away and got a dollar to spend in the store (juice or a snack). I wish I'd had my camera with me then.

Next up was the petting zoo. Guesses on the first animal she touched? You got it - a goat.

Remember Brady's first trip to the PNE? Click here for a walk down memory lane:

Bradyn Hits The PNE - August 2006
Daddy had to get a current photo.

Hanging out with the cow. (I think this was our second trip back into the barn, after she saw Caleb from school and was running around with him.)

Making our own can sculpture.

This year, she couldn't get enough of the PNE bear (she was terrified of him last year for some reason).

Off to the midway, where Bradyn went on 4 rides this year. First up, the boats.

Then, the Carousel with Daddy.

The cars...

And last, but not least, the motorcycles. This was by far her favourite... the laughs and the smiles told us so.

Not too surprisingly, right before her meltdown, Bradyn got her first stick of Cotton Candy. It was so funny... as much as she'd been talking about it, she was hesitant to get her fingers all sticky. She sure was happy to show it off though.

You gotta love the eyes - they say it all.

Ladner Market

Last month, we headed down to Ladner to check out the summer market. After a brief pit stop on the East-West connector, we arrived at our destination. (Mommy didn't think Bradyn needed to take a Gravol. After all, it was only a 45 minute drive. BIG mistake. Without warning, Bradyn threw up all over her pretty dress, Baby and Auntie Molly. With cars whizzing by us, I stripped Bradyn down on the side of the highway, while she cried about having puked on her beloved doll. As I tried to put on her capris and t-shirt, the crying grew louder, because I hadn't thought to bring another dress as her back-up outfit. Who knew?)

The way we convinced Bradyn to get in the truck in the first place, was by telling her that there would be a face painter at the market. Thank God there was, and what a face painter she was. After flipping through the album, Bradyn decided that she wanted to be a kitty-cat.. a theme that would be carried throughout the day.

I don't think I've seen her sit this still in a very long time.

Isn't this just too precious? My favourite part is the sparkly pink nose. She looked so good that the lady asked if she could take Bradyn's picture for her album.

After wandering through the market for a while, Bradyn decided it was time to get down on all fours and meow like a cat. Cute at first, but this cat didn't walk too fast. After encouraging her to walk like a big girl, we met up with Salty Sam, the Port of Vancouver mascot. She wouldn't leave the poor guy alone!

One of the most entertaining parts of the market was watching Bradyn enjoy the featured musician. She had to be right up front, as close as she could be without actually touching him. She'd sway back and forth to the rythmn, tap her foot, and even shake her hips a bit. When another little girl came along, they were both up dancing, having a wonderful time.

As soon as we got home, Bradyn quickly changed back into a dress. She then promptly insisted on having some milk in a bowl, so she could drink it like a kitty cat. Watching her stick her tongue out, trying to lap it up was hilarious.

I love this picture... the look of pure satisfaction.

Our day ended with a traditional photo on the stairs with Auntie Molly and Uncle Brian.

What a great day.