Maui (Madeleine's 18th Month Birthday)

Hawai'i has many islands, today the family was off to one called Maui. And when I say today, I mean today because it was literally a day trip. There and back again in 12 hours. Maui is beautiful, smaller than Oahu (and yet still has a Costco?!? - that means it's Cobbler's favourite Hawaiian island). It was beautiful and quite the adventure. Baby threw a hissy-fit and the VISA went awol but aside from that, it was an awesome day; check out the aftereffects of the earthquake off the coast of Samoa in the background. Glad the family survived the tsunami warning.
Mom gives Madeleine some love; hopefully someday she'll remember how much I love tummy rubs.
Madeleine returns the favour.

Watching the waves.
And feeding the fishies.
Ohh, the legendary shave ice, which immediately preceded what will so be known as the legendary Baby M meltdown.
Madeleine spies a strange creature.
Madeleine stakes a stroll through the botanical garden.
Tiki!!!

Aloha!!

We certainly are the traveling family, nomads if you will. Next stop Hawai'i!!

Aloha!Baby M certainly didn't take very long to getting used to being a beach bum.
Dad helps Madeleine take a dip into the Pacific Ocean.
Before you knew it, she was way out there.

Sandy toes.
Baby Madeleine with the Father of Surfing; I don't know what his name is.
Dad needs to work on his tan.
Madeleine and Mom at the famous Waikiki beach. Is David Haselhoff in that life guard tower?

Dad and Madeleine hanging loose as they say. Tomorrow: Maui. Good night.

End of Summer

Why is Madeleine so sad? While one might be tempted to account for her anger by citing the usual understandable concerns: denied desire to remain outside, refusal to request for cookie, having diaper changed etc... In this particular case, it is because she was told the bad news first: summer is officially over!
Some plebeians might think that the end of summer is discerned by something lame like a date on a calendar, how pedestrian!! In reality, we all know that the real measure of when summer ends and winter begins is the Church Country Fair.
Ah the Church Country Fair, the land where time has no effect. Although this year was the 50th anniversary, much like the PNE, every year at the CCF is exactly the same. Everything is in the same place, everything tastes the same and everything costs the same amount. Ah the Egg McDash's, breakfast perfection, for only 4 tickets.
This child's game of skill is no match for Uncle Aaron.
One of the highlights is the Cake Walk. For those of you are unfamiliar let me explain: there are twelve individually numbered pieces of paper on the floor in a circle, a lively tune is played and the participants walk around in a circle until the music ceases at which point everyone is on a particular number. One of the participants then picks a number out of a hat, if you happen to be standing on that particular number, you win a cake of your choice. Basically it is an overly elaborate draw.
This was Baby M's first Cake Walk.
Winning it was a piece of cake!!
Madeleine says, "Bye bye summer, see you next year"

Extra Labour Day Post

Hello loyal blog readers. Yesterday I promised a few more pictures, and here they are!

Madeleine cooks her grandparents a scrumptious meal.

This is my experiment with the self-timer and light exposure.
Baby M's back.
A while ago me, Dad and Baby M went on a field trip to the oval. The idea was that many, many pictures would be taken. Unfortunately, the battery in the camera died after precisely one photo. This is that photo.

Labour Day Weekend.

Madeleine celebrated the workers' holiday by going for a swing. She was really excited because...
Grandma and Opa flew all the way from Toronto for a visit.
Editor's Note: Thanks to Dad for wrecking an otherwise nice picture with a goofy face. Mr. B
Grandma walks Baby M, Baby M walks me.
Cuteness up close!
Cuteness at a distance!
I was going to put a few more picture taken with the other camera, but apparently someone forgot to erase all the cross-Canada pictures so uploading is going to take like 5 million years. Check back tomorrow for some more weekend photos. Until then, satisfy yourselves with this handsome hound:

Random Acts of Cuteness

Presenting a basset's efforts at making the world a slightly better place but adding some great pictures of Baby M. I call it, random acts of cuteness.
Check out Madeleine's new chair, a bargain from Winner's!!
One terrific hat-wearer.
Blue shirt, blue eyes, perfect match.
Baby M, near. Chair, far.
Announcing her presence, Madeleine. Yah, yah, yah...
A quiet stare.
Madeleine taking lessons on dog walking. Can't wait!