Vancouver Aquarium

Melissa's Saturday morning started abruptly with me waking her from a crazy long sleep-in (figures she chose to sleep in on a day that we had early plans!) As we were getting ready, I was telling her where we were going as plans weren't 100% until late the night before. I asked her what animals she expected to see at the aquarium (animals that live under water). Her best guess was that we were going to see ducks! Boy was she surprised to see all the amazing underwater life... although we did manage to see some ducks on the walk through Stanley Park!

In the first room we were thrilled by sharks and turtles which had no fear of people...

When Kiera & family arrived we hurried outside to catch the dolphin show...

which the girls had the best seat in the house for!

Next we headed over to the beluga whale outdoor show.

Lucky for us we sat in the "dry" section, some late arrivers may not have heard the warning and got pretty soaked!

Melissa and Kiera at the beluga underground exhibit looking at the big, white, blubbery masses maneuvering through the water...

The cutest little sea lion which was so entertaining chasing his tail/flippers. 

There was a heavy debate between Kiera & Melissa on whether he was chasing his "feet" or "tail"... 

Melissa making light of the subject which Kiera was very serious about!

Next the girls were engaged in a live show by Bobs & Lolo...

Melissa was really feeling the music and took to her feet and was groovin'

After the show, we went through some of the other rooms and found the jelly fish (which were my favorite ... so very intricate) 

Melissa in the children's play area which had this cool tunnel aquarium...

Unfortunately our time was cut short and we didn't get to see everything, but it would be nearly impossible as there was so much to see. We definitely will return again another time to do some more underwater exploration!

Papa's Work

This weekend we made a visit to Papa's work, as they were having an open house. We enjoyed a barbecue lunch and a little ride in Papa's truck...

First Haircut

So Ken has been on me to get Melissa's hair cut. I have been very reluctant, but finally agreed this past week as it had become quite the challenge to keep her hair out of her eyes. We booked a hair appointment and had Melissa all pepped up... and then our hairdresser was sick. Melissa begged and pleaded... then asked me to do it! So I got out my hair cutting gear and did the honours...

A before picture of her beautiful long locks and a very eager little girl...

Sitting very bravely on my barber's chair... 

(well honestly she is busy watching a Dora video)

Snipping off the curly, blonde tips...

Her new set of bangs to help keep her hair out of her eyes...

Countless times asking "am I done now?" This was a new challenge for me, cutting the hair of a short attention spanned, fidgety, little girl!

Melissa is so very proud of her new haircut, and if she remembers she will ask you if you like it too! I personally am still adjusting, I was very attached to her long hair... but I know it will grow back :)

Lil' Baker

Melissa was more than eager to help bake some Easter cut-out cookies for her Preschool Jr. Easter party. Why I even make these cookies is beyond me as they always turn out to be so much work... but so yummy! Well I know the reason we made them this time is because we had bought these cute Easter cookie cutters a few weeks back, so we had to put them to use!

Melissa rolled her dough flat... VERY flat :)

Our Easter shapes... a bunny, lamb, chick, tulip, and egg. 

Then we iced them...

Melissa's finished chickie!

Two-Piece

For those of you who knew me before Melissa, I always kept my nails painted. Since she has been in our lives, this hasn't been a very high priority for me anymore. Last night I decided it would be a fun girl thing to do, paint our nails together! Melissa quite liked it and she sat so very still, unlike I had expected. She chose her colors... her toes are really hard to see as they are a light pink. Her fingernails are a silvery clear glitter.  

I can't resist buying swimsuits for Melissa. She was trying them on last night, in preparation for our swim playdate this morning, and we discovered she has outgrown most of them. Good thing I just bought her this one. At first she kept saying it was too small and was trying to pull it down over her tummy... guess she wasn't used to the idea of a two piece suit ;)

Typical girl move... checking out her backside!!!

Animal Picnic

The other day Melissa requested that I take down all her stuffed animals from their display up top of her hutch shelf. She had a lovely plan in mind of making them a picnic...

All the stuffed guests were arranged on her a little blanket and served up her finest spread... (although there seemed to be some discrimination)

Rabbit looked favored, he had a specially made "burger"...

One big happy picnic :)

My how she's grown...

Yesterday I brought out one of Melissa's old toys for a little friend to play with... I think she had a bit of a flashback as she quickly got underneath it like old times! Can't believe how big she has gotten in just less than 3 years!

Melissa 4 months

Melissa now (almost 3 yrs)

Pony Bath

Today Melissa got this new toy, a little bath-tub & shower... which is the perfect size for her My Little Ponies. When I saw it, I knew that I would have loved it as a little girl, as I spent hours and hours bathing my little ponies. It's definitely proven to be a hit!

Pumping the water out of the shower head...


Drying the pony off...

A smile for the camera (you shoulda seen the out-takes!)


Here is a video of it in use... the water does pump better than she can get it to go! Soap pumps out when you pump the left button.

Rocking Horse

When the first Klassen grandchild was on its way (cousin Xander), Papa had a friend build a rocking horse. A plaque is added for each grandchild as they are born. Melissa is at a perfect age where she really enjoys rocking on it. This last visit Nani snapped a picture of our growing girl on the rocking horse.

Beautiful Day

On days like we have had this week, Melissa says to me spontaneously... "It sure is a beautiful day today Mommy!" Wanting to get outdoors and take advantage of the sun, we went to the playground at Mill Lake with Kiera & family.

Melissa & Kiera in the middle of a game of 'hide & seek'. This is Melissa hiding (not counting) from Kiera. Well if she can't see us, then how could we possibly see her? 

Kiera looking everywhere (but straight ahead where Melissa is hiding in front of a tree)... where could Melissa have gone? 

Found you Melissa!!!

Running to the lake to see the ducks...

Watching the ducks...

Kiera enjoying the teeter totter... Melissa still pouting after having playground frustrations. She was put off by unknown kids playing on the slide she thought Kiera and her had sole ownership of. It's a rough life!

Crumbs in my bed

Melissa has cute names for various things, but one lately makes me smile every time. She is getting over a cold, and the other morning she was in bed with me watching cartoons. I noted out of the corner of my eye that she was picking her nose, so I told her "Stop picking your nose". She said, "But Mom, I have crumbs in my nose". I said, "I don't like crumbs in my bed!" 

I figure calling it crumbs is far cuter than the alternatives :)

Happy Valentines

Tonight for Valentines dinner Melissa & I enjoyed heart shaped pancakes. We are both on the last stretch of a nasty cold, and our appetites aren't up to par. So pancakes proved to be a satisfying and festive dinner.

Wishing you all a special Valentines with the ones you love :)