The Week of November 17-23, 2011

Since I'm so far behind, I'm going to give you the week in pictures (with captions).

Nanna was here and then she left.



While she was here, we went to CHEO and gave presents in Alexander's name. We also donated a breast pump (that Carrie gave me) to the General. Christmas in November!


We visited with Ethan (Ed's grandson).








We hung out (literally).


It snowed last night (4 inches), we brought the snow inside.


Artemis on her soapbox.


We are anxiously awaiting Uncle Andrew's visit on Friday!

Another Post about Poo

First off, I can't believe that we've only been officially toilet training Artemis for one week. It feels like at least twenty two weeks.

Today started out as usual. Artemis tells me her diaper needs to be changed so we go into the bathroom and perform a big rigamarole change it. Except that today, for the second time, she told me that she NEEDED to go (not that she already HAD). And so the waiting game began.

She wasn't big on sitting on the toilet but was VERY interested in rummaging through the "everything" drawer with the condition that she could play with items IF she sat on the toilet. Five minutes and 28 items later, the game was still interesting (for one of us) and then she paused. I pounced like a person that wanted to avoid cleaning the floor a mother bear and made IT (and the intended target) just in time. Artemis had no idea that she'd just completed one of the greatest accomplishments of her short life, and seemed pretty surprised to find something in the bowl. However, she thought that it was awesome that everyone was jumping up and down and singing something about her and a toilet. She was beaming from ear to ear.

Not to be outdone, later on, for the first time, Max patted his bum and told me that he needed a diaper change. Sure enough, he was right!

Who knew that this toilet training thing was contagious.

My mother tells me that this is the reason why I don't have any friends without kids. I have no idea what she's talking about. Doesn't everyone love to brag about their kids bowel movements?

My poor kids.

  Besos, The Zoo

Fun with Nanna

Kraft and You can Help Food Banks like House of Lazarus

Kraft Foods is supporting local food banks across Canada this holiday season. From November 3, 2011 to January 31, 2012, they are donating $1 (PER DAY, PER PERSON) to each person that enters their name.

One of the Food Banks on their support list is our local food bank the House of Lazarus.

This registered not-for-profit Canadian charity is a community outreach mission that offers food, clothing and pastoral care to those in need. Their Thrift Shop (for clothing) and Household Goods Shops are open to the public and The Zoo has been a weekly fixture for several years now.

We opened our doors in 1986 in Dundela to offer some relief to those experiencing poverty in the surrounding communities. In October 2000, we moved to our current location in Mountain, Ontario.

Our funding sources include; The United Church of Canada, Household Goods and Thrift Shop, Thoughtful Contributors, Caring Partners, Generous Donors and Recycling Programs (Electronics, Clothing, and Metal).​

Kraft has already given away $33,860 (out of $50,000) so enter your name, EVERY DAY and help my small town (population 32 horses, 53 sheep and 12 people) get some more of the pie.

Important Note. Once they reach the $50,000, DON'T stop voting. The food bank with the most votes receives an extra $10,000!

Tiz the season to give, especially when it costs you nothing. Thanks for your support.

Connect with the House of Lazarus via their Website or Facebook Page.

Have you Voted for the House of Lazarus?

Note that this campaign has ended and Kraft has removed the voting links on their website.

  Besos, The Zoo

Max's Favourite Shirt

Today, Max proudly showed me the two "Mr Potato Heads" that he'd made. Yes, everyone has a nose on top of their head.

But, that's not the point of this picture. With all the different coloured feet and noses (not to mention 40 other pieces), I like that he made them identical.


Kind of fitting as it was two years ago today that Alexander's water broke and I was admitted to the hospital (until the kids were born, 4 weeks 5 days later). November 8th is a hard day.

By the way, when the picture was taken, he was headed off to get an arm for Mr Potato Heads EYE.

Playing together.

Hey, this hat doesn't fit!


And now for the title of this post. Max has a favourite shirt.


He picks it out whenever I let him he can. He always picks it when the rest of his ensemble just won't work with said "favourite shirt". In turn, I usually have to change his undershirt and pants (and sometimes even his socks). Yes, I'm one of THOSE mother's.

Once, my mother called me in a panic asking me "what happened"? "what was wrong"? She'd seen this post (scroll down to the bottom, see what she was concerned about!) and wondered why Max wasn't colour coordinated. Seriously.

Thankfully, I like the shirt. I just wish that everything he had coordinated with it (smile).

And a picture of yesterday’s lunch, one of my favourites (only because I can't eat caviar EVERY day); falafels, whole-wheat mini pitas (not shown), couscous with onions, tomatoes, parsley, feta and kalamata olives and cucumber salad with yogurt and garlic. Yum!