Trip to the park, photo shoot and other stuff

In anticipation of helping out with her soon-to-be arriving sibling, Baby M recently underwent a baby changing bootcamp.

After that nonsense was over, she sat down for a photo shoot in her sweet pink dress.
Close up.
A little head tilt, just like a pro.
This one is my favourite.
Ready to set what else Madeleine's been up to? Let's roll.

Well there was a trip to the park, so of course there is the mandatory baby in swing picture.

Or pictures.
Another nice sunglasses picture. Those are wicked.
Quiet time with Mom.

To quote the Baby M: "Ride 'em Dinosaur"

In the dog world everyone wants to be a basset hound. It is the perfection of dog. This on the other hand is a face only a mother, or Madeleine, could love.

This is how we spend every night. Swiper no swiping!
To top it all off, yet one more sunglasses picture. These never get dull, do they?

For those poor unfortunate souls who live anywhere other than the Lower Mainland, let me tell you, there is nothing quite like the Labour Day weekend in Vancouver. Time to hit the beach!

All Madeleine's friends were there.

This is a swing fit for a Queen, or Baby M.

Two rites of passage

When you think about summer in B.C., you realize there are two things that you have to do.

First, find yourself a silly-wood-put-your-head-through-it-thingamabob...

Actually, just kidding! I'm talking of course about the PNE.
The PNE is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and to mark the singular event, the organizational brass decided to do everything exactly the same as they have every other year. Why mess with a good thing I guess; like Hunky Bills Perogies.

Another fine example of good parenting: take the two-year old to the racetrack.

Spend five bucks, win a prize worth 50 cents. Priceless to the Baby M however.
There really was no choice when it came to going on this ride. There was crying, sobbing, endless cries of "please, please, I want to go on the helicopter". The pitiful scene finally ended with acquiescence, when Madeleine volunteered to take Dad on the ride.
The 4 H show.
Try explaining the idea of a llama to a toddler.

The second must-do of the summer is of course camping!

Happy times for the family.

Madeleine being social.Action shot! Big boot!
Life is a beach.
All castles made of sand, fall into the sea, eventually.
Baby M works on her tan.

After the beach, it is time for a tent party.

"Everyone into my tent!"
While Madeleine was obviously miffed at the campfire ban, a good time was had by all. Except for between 2 and 4 am, each night.

Good night everyone.

Another new dress, the fields are alive and a pool party.

Yup that's rights, another day another new dress.

This one is nice!
Dad and Madeleine.
Pretty girl picking pretty flowers.
Madeleine sings a song.
Hmmm, that water looks cold!
Why swim when you can float?
Look out 2022 Olympics!

Recent goings-on.

Recently I've been up to quite a bit: sleeping, lazing, dozing and I've even had a little time for some napping.

Madeleine on the other hand has been up to all sorts of trouble.
Candyish trouble to be exact.

Madeleine gets ready for the big moment.
Actually, she was born ready.

Giddyup!

Looks like everybody is getting in on the napping trend I started. Unfortunately, they are getting into it on top of me. Sheesh, do I look like a pillow?
Oh chocolate McDonald's milkshake! What responsible parenting.
We had a family visit from Toronto. They brought lots of gifts for Madeleine and their visit was over far too soon, although we had a windfall couple of hours extra.
My family.

Bonus video!!