We artists have our ways

We artists have our ways
Posted by: trinastjean.

Ana insisted this morning that the only way to fingerpaint is wearing pajamas and rubber boots. Who am I to argue?

Taking a breather

Taking a breather
Posted by: trinastjean.

Anissa and her bud Mariella were smooching and hugging yesterday in Lala's kitchen...that is, when they weren't screeching and pushing each other, fighting over toys.

Uncle Aziz Saves the Day

Uncle Aziz Saves the Day
Posted by: trinastjean.

Rain rain just won't go away in Montreal. Another icky, stay-at-home day...but, thanks to a visit from Ammi (Uncle) Aziz -who is in town, with Aunty Eolie, from Paris- the sun was shining in our living room. Anissa put on a little show for Aziz and his friend Lloyd, demonstrating all her jumping, climbing and soccer ball tricks (including attempts to "head" the ball like Papa). And when she was finally worn out, she let Ammi catch her for a few bisous. There's nothing like a doting relative to make Anissa's (and Mommy's) day!

Holy Hummara!

Holy Hummara!
Posted by: trinastjean.

Busy day. Morning: Carrefour (our playgroup). Dancing, jumping on the trampoline, then Ana's new favorite - racing back and forth across the room with all her pals. (On the count of un, deux, and BAM Anissa is off. Just can't wait for trois!) And, icing on the cake, her bestfriend Mariella is back from London. The girls held hands and trotted during Gallop Gallop.

Next we were off to Mariella and Natasha's for lunch. Ana and Lala had a great time emptying out my purse and playing with the credit cards in Mariella's new teepee. After a brief stop at home, during which it became apparent that Anissa was in no mood for a snooze (who could blame her, with such a fantastic day?), we were off to the playground. An hour later, and the only way I could get her to leave the slide was to promise she could walk the distance home. I thought it would take 15 minutes or so, but I hadn't accounted for the Hunt for Hummara.

You see, Anissa is starting to get the color thing. Her latest discovery is "hummara", Arabic for red. She's obsessed and constantly on the lookout for hummara things which she must point out, then be sure that we see, recognize and agree that they are indeed hummara. Thanks to all the hummara containers in recycling boxes, hummara doors and hummara cars, the 15 minute walk turned to 45. And then, the grande finale: a beautiful hummara fire hydrant. What a find!

I think it's time to introduce a new color. Maybe something a little less common. Chartreuse? Cyan? Suggestions anyone?

Jacques et le Haricot Magique

Jacques et le Haricot Magique
Posted by: trinastjean.

At last, an official blog entry. After weeks of technical difficulties, the slowest internet connection in the universe and a computer possessed by demons, I've managed to get this thing rolling. And what do I have to blog about? A no-nap, stay-at-home rainy day. Which meant, as all you mothers-of-toddlers know, milking every possible activity for all its worth. We colored and glued and stuck stickers and danced and played soccer and did puzzles and tickled Elmo and jumped on the bed, and in the end I had to resort to doing some pretty rough translations of a few of Anissa's french books (since Papa DID go down for a nap and was thus unavailable). After I read Anissa my version of Jack in the Beanstalk, she told me her own. It went something like this:

Jick (that's Jack)
Moo (sold the cow)
Money, no. Beans.
Psssshhhh. (water pouring sound as Jick waters the beans)
Up up sky. (the beanstalk grows)
Papa. Zzzzzz. (the giant - Papa - is sleeping. Hmmm, where did she get that?)
Chicken. No, no, NO! (this is the part where he steals the giant's chicken)
Down! (And here we see Jack chopping down the beanstalk in a big hurry)

I'd say her translation skills are coming along just fine.