Meeting Santa

 

I suppose stunned is better than sobbing?  This was the first photo that was taken.  After this the photographer, in an attempt to get her to smile shook some bells which Kate reached out for.  So instead the photographer tried to play peek-a-boo.  This is when Kate noticed me and started to cry a little and reach for me.  I thought I'll comfort her and we'll try again.  She was instantly comforted but when I turned back towards the man in red she screamed and clutched onto my sweater.  So stunned it is!

Stanley

Today Kate and I had the pleasure of having lunch with "Uncle" Stanley.  He's my dad's uncle - so my great uncle and Kate's great-great Uncle.  He really is so great.  We had a delightful time chatting.  It's so lovely to be with family, to feel at home with them in a way that you can't quite feel with anyone else.  Stanley is an amazing man.  He was the principal viola for the TSO for forty years.  He was telling me that he's been a member of the musicians union coming up 73 years.  They're having some sort of party to honour him.  I sat down and interviewed Stanley three years ago - asking him about family, his experiences growing up and all sorts of things really.  I just recently transcribed the tape and then wrote him a story.  I gave him the story today.  I hope he likes it.  He seemed tickled!

Fangs

I never thought trying to capture evidence of Kate's fangs would be so difficult.

After trying - there were lots more pictures than this I felt it was hopeless.  I mean she looks funny enough with the fangs - forget what a mutant she looks like trying to capture her from underneath?!  I was going to give up until the other day when I felt around in her mouth - as I do from time to time and felt a little something in the middle.  I was spurred into action!  Our sweet little dracula!  She has two middle bottom teeth and fangs - four teeth in total.  Who knows when this smile will change again.

The Royal

Ken and I both have fond memories of going to the Royal Agricutural Winter Fair as children.  And not that Kate is able to make memories she'll keep yet, but we thought it would be fun to take her to the fair, and fun it was!

Our first stop was the horse ring.  We watched a horse and rider being presented, and then we walked around a few of the horse stalls.  Kate was so excited.  Our next stop was the petting farm, goats, and cows and sheep oh my!

They had cups of food for sale that you could feed to the animals.  I fed the animals while Kate watched.  Every so often she would sort of touch an animal.  There were sheep, goats, llamas, and calves.  This picture is not even remotely flattering of me, but it is funny.  I was just slightly icked out by the calf putting his very wet nose all over my hand.  Ken remarked, at least I've never been sneezed on by a cow!  And just in case you were wondering, I used lots of hand sanitizer and washed my hands several times.

After seeing the little animals we walked past the BIG cows.

Our next stop was the Superdog show.  It was super.  The dogs were great.  First on the program was the high jump.  Then came the races.  The show was about 35 minutes long.  Kate got into it shouting at the dogs.

After a morning of almost more excitement then she could handle Kate fell asleep.  Ken and I enjoyed yummy Indian food and walked around a little bit more.  Hopefully we'll go again in a few years, when Kate will actually be able to remember, for now, she'll have pictures.

Ten Months Old

To mark the occasion of Kate's turning ten months old, Ken took a picture of her.

We went to church and I took a picture of her.

It was a beautiful day so we went to the park.  Her Daddy needed to see how much she loves the swings.

After the park we walked past the Tottenham Cenotaph.

We paused for a quiet moment of respect.

And to end a lovely day, Kate had a bath.

We love our cute girl so much!