Dada and Son

Here is Dada and Munchkin playing games.......oh dear! I hope Dada doesn't let go! I can't see the expression on Munchkin's little face, but I have been told he enjoys this game.

And...Dada had an unfortunate encounter with a hack saw while he as at work the other day and the hack saw won. Dada went to the hospital and they fixed it up as best they could, and then put a rather impressive bandage on it, and told him not to get it wet. This meant that Mama and Dada switched duties for a few days. Mama did bath duty, and Dada took over food duty. We didn't get a picture of the bath...but here is dinner time. It looks to me as if Munchkin behaved like a little gentleman and Dada handled his new duty quite well. Now..

I'm not sure that a little gentleman would look like this when dinner was finished, but here is Munchkin...I guess it was time for a bath then!

The weather in Florida today is decidedly cool. We went for a walk earlier and discovered that when you were walking and in the sun - it is really quite warm....so Poppa has gone for 9 holes of golf. Taffy and I are watching CNN and doing some knitting. All is well.

Toys & Tables

This morning the sun was shining brightly and the temperature was lovely and mild. But....the weather channel said we were going to get some rain this afternoon. So Poppa & I decided after breakfast, that we would go for a stroll before it rained. The bears wanted to come with us, but we told them we would take them shopping later if they waited at the villa and behaved themselves. I'm not exactly sure that they behaved, but I think they had some fun. Of course, when we came in they were sitting nicely on the sofa watching the cartoon channel. It still wasn't raining when we got back and Poppa almost went golfing. He got all spruced up and got his shoes on, grabbed Squeegie and went out the front door. In about four seconds he was back in....it was starting to sprinkle. Taffy was quite anxious to go shopping since we had run out of desserts and she has a sweet tooth. So - off we went to get some groceries - got home in time to see Dr. Phil and have supper.

I have the back and one front finished on that sweater for ME! It is looking quite nice. A simple pattern that looks complicated. I'll try and get some pictures up soon.

Look at this picture of Munchkin. He is learning to reach for the toys and look at the concentration on that little face as he strives to get it just right. And then, there is another pic - our little Canadian Male Munchkin model has now decided that perhaps he would rather be a lion - they live in warm climates - enough of that snow already! I told him he should have come to Florida with Nanna - Hee!

Monday Again!

Time is flying by quickly as my vacation is almost 1/3 over already. I captured this moment on one of those cooler days we had - this is what Poppa and the bears were doing while I was getting supper ready. You might notice that the bears each got a pair of socks to keep their feet warm. I advised against it, but Poppa thought they needed them and we left Wal-Mart with little socks in our bag that day. We went for a walk after breakfast this morning, then spent the rest of the day in or by the pool. The weather was sunny and the temperature got to 80F..wonderful! Squeegie and Taffy stayed inside where it was cooler to avoid sunburnt fur. Now Poppa has gone golfing and I am getting ready to make supper. This sitting around the pool is great for getting books read........I'm on my fifth book since we arrived! I have finished the Friday Night Knitting Club and recommend it for anyone who wants a good story...you don't have to be a knitter to enjoy this one, but, you might want to learn to knit by the end. I'm now reading Night Fall by Nelson DeMille...........which is promising to be a good read as well, though totally different of course.

Got a nice picture from Mama this morning and thought I would share it with you. Aren't they both just adorable! Mama tried to get one with Dada in it, but apparently he got tired before she got the camera all ready and focused......so Munchkin posed cutely for us all by himself..well almost.

Have I mentioned how much I love warm weather and swimming pools or how much I loathe snow and cold? If not, consider yourself informed!

Food for Thought!

Today's pictures arrived from Mama this morning. Our little Munchkin is growing up so quickly. Yesterday when he was at the doctor's office, he got permission to try real food. So, last night, he got his first taste of rice cereal off a spoon. Another new experience for him. Apparently he loved it, didn't have any trouble with it at all. As you can see, Mama had fun helping him out!

Now - as promised, here is a picture of Taffy working on my new sweater with the pretty Lion Brand Wool Ease yarn I bought yesterday. She is wearing one of her new outfits - the purple one for Thursday. Squeegie isn't in the picture because he went golfing with Poppa. I'm still liking the pattern and the yarn.

It was a nice day today, finally starting to warm up. When I got up this morning it was only 30F outside! So the "hard freeze" they kept talking about did transpire. But it got up to about 60F this afternoon, and in the sun it felt much warmer! Poppa & I sat outside and read our books for a while until he went golfing with Squeegie! Oh - he' s home...off to get his supper ready!

Discovery!

Now here is an interesting development - apparently due to the change in position afforded by the new chair at his house, Munchkin has discovered that he has feet...and that if he stretches just the right way he can actually touch them. He is working on remembering to open his little fist so that he can grab them, but they never stay still very long, which makes it difficult.

Very chilly in Florida today...we wore jackets when we went out to get some groceries. Actually, yesterday, we were on a mission to find a Home Depot and happened to find a JoAnne's before we found the Home Depot. It was right beside a K-Mart. Since we had no idea that K-Mart even existed any more, we decided to stop in and explore. Suffice it to say that we found a few things and spent more money to bolster the American economy - in an effort to back up the new American President and his desire to set the economy back on its feet. Then I thought it would be nice to vist the JoAnne's since we were right there. Again, out came the debit card - I went looking for patterns for little boys and found a pattern I liked for myself. So I bought the yarn and the pattern book. Then we went to the Home Depot, but didn't really find anything we wanted, so we stopped at a Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner. Now - in case you don't already know - I seldom eat steak - I usually don't like it. But because of the cheese, I think, I decided to have a filet stuffed with white cheese and bacon. It was absolutely delicious - tender and cooked to perfection - really good! Anyway, by the time we got home it was time to finish off my previous project, so I could start on a sweater for ME! Hee! I've got about three inches done and I'm quite liking it so far. I'll take some pictures tomorrow so "you-all" can see what it looks like. But - I needed a cable needle (yes - there are some cables). I made do last night with a double pointed sock needle - but a cable needle is so much easier.....so...today we went to Michael's (which is really close) and I picked up a cable needle, four stitch-holders, a needle nest, a counter, some sewing needle and some thread.........oh yes ... and two balls of Patons Stretch Sock yarn which was on sale. I now have lots of knitting to do for a while! Then we went for a few groceries - which is where this story started.

Meanwhile...Munchkin had an appointment at the doctor's today for his checkup and to get another shot. He was very good, and only cried a little at shot time. He weighs 18 lbs. now and has grown another inch since his appointment in December. Here he is modelling his "Future Rock Star" outfit, while sitting in his special chair attempting to grab those elusive feet. At least - he was until Mama called him..........at which point he looked up at her and said "What Mama?"

One More Chair

Today has been a lovely day in Central Florida! The sun was partly obscured by clouds from time to time, but overall is was a sunny day. The temperature reached about 74F which is perfect for sitting outside reading a book in the screened-in pool area. So I did that, while Poppa went golfing - well he isn't home yet, but it is getting cooler outside and I should get vegetables ready for the steamer for supper - so I came inside. Oh, but earlier in the day you'll never guess who went for a bath! Taffy was thrilled, but Squeegie protested all the way, from getting him un-dressed to finally closing the lid on the washing machine! But, I insisted - they had been sleeping in motels, and sitting on all kinds of furniture and in some warm weather, and I think Squeegie forgot his deoderant one day.......and the rest is history.

I received pics this morning from Mama and lo! and behold! Dada and Mama (note spelling change - Mama is spelling it this way.) went out and purchased a new chair for their place. Here is the photo. Can you tell who that is perched in the new chair? Oh my goodness, Munchkin is growing up while I am in Florida.......who would have thought? Not only that, but I get the impression that he is reaching out to play with that complicated looking amusement toy beside him.

Oh - the dryer appears to be finished.......I'll go see what is happening in the laundry room. And........this is what I found. Ooooooh! They smell so nice and fresh and feel sooo fuzzy! Little darlings they are!

Better go get those vegetables ready...............

Great Heavens

I just realized I haven't posted in days...I guess because we have now settled into a "holiday" routine and there really isn't a lot to post about. We visited with Poppa's cousin and his wife - they are flying back to Canada today I believe. Poppa has been golfing and showing a slight improvement each time - which makes him happy. Squeegie and Taffy are working on their tans and generally lolling around. Our little Munchkin keeps on growing back in Canada and fine tuning his delightful smile! The weather has been cool and we haven't even been in the pool for the last several days (including today). I think it is supposed to stay cool this week and then start warming up again. I have finished a second pair of socks for Kev-Inn and now I am out of sock yarn...so of course I went on-line and ordered some more...hopefully it will arrive soon. Auntie Colleen gave me that book by Kate Jacobs called The Friday Night Knitting Club. I am almost finished it and am enjoying it immensely! Thank you Dear!

A Flurry of Activity

Oh my goodness! So many activities going on around Munchkin's house! You're not gonna believe what that little guy is up to. Here is a picture of the test run of the Jolly Jumper! Yes - at three months of age, our Munchkin is driving his own jumper. On close inspection, I'm not sure that the little legs actually reach the floor, but he looks to be enjoying one of those little pink things while pondering his current position.

Squeegie was just as surprised as we were to catch Taffy toddling across the parlour. I thought he was going to fall right off the chair, but he managed to stay there.

The weather was overcast and rainy today - and there wasn't much to do, so we decided to take a run to the grocery store to get some fresh salad ingredients. This time we decided to check out the Winn-Dixie since it is right next door to the Post Office where we wanted to stop anyway. We now have so many groceries in this villa that I think we can eat until it's time to go home without buying another thing! We've just gotta stop doing this shopping thing - because when we were done at Winn-Dixie Poppa decided he wanted to go to Lowe's which happens to be right next door to Wal-Mart. So he drops me at Wal-Mart and he goes to Lowe's. At Wal-Mart I discover they have put out a whole new bunk full of one-sies.............so Taffy got three more, and Squeegie got a pair of sweat pants.........Lordee..........they've both spent more than the allowances they had saved now! The sun better come out tomorrow and keep us away from the stores!

Now, meanwhile back at Munchkin's house, he decided that since he enjoyed the Jolly Jumper so much (or at least chewing his little fist while he hung there), that he should check out the Exersaucer as well. I felt quite proud of the little gaffer when I saw him standing in this ingenious device created for the pleasure of little people! Just look at him....what an amazing baby...I'm sure he must be the most amazing baby ever........oh wait...........is that what every grandparent says about their special grandchild? Hee!

Fists and Ducks

Our little Munchkin has made a startling discovery! If he pushes those little pink things that are always waving around near his face towards his mouth, they make marvelous chewing toys. He is having so much fun doing this (you can tell by the delightful little smile behind the little pink fists) that it is getting difficult to obtain a photograph of the little guy without the chewing toys implanted in the smile - Hee! Another startling discovery - Taffy has found that she can stand up all by herself! I know it sounds unlikely - but here is the picture to prove it! Just look at that - isn't it too cute for words?

We took the car in for an oil change this morning and I got half a sock knitted while we waited for it. As it turned out, Zipper required an alignment as well, so it took much longer than anticipated. Since I already had half the sock done, this resulted in a completed sock...so I have one pair finished for Kev-Inn! I think he will be pleased.

Once the car finally got finished we decided to visit the Florida Mall since it was only 10 minutes away. Once there we shopped at the Build-A-Bear store and got Taffy a couple of new outfits....pics will follow ... eventually. We also stopped at the Food Court for Chick-Fil-A for Squeegie - so when we got home we weren't hungry...so we had a banana split for supper - Hee! What?? We're on holidays - we can have whatever we want.

Later in the day....there was some kind of mishap and our little Male Munchkin Model changed his outfit........to show off his ducky outfit now that it fits so well! And as usual he looks absolutely......I know, but I've gotta say it....DUCKY!

At the Villa

Does anyone know what/who this is? It looks to me like an adorable teddy bear...just look at those ears and that tail. But the face is obscured?? Who can it be?

We arrived at the villa on Sunday in the late morning...and spent the rest of the day getting un-packed, settled in, and fetching supplies and food. We went on a shopping spree the next day at Wal-Mart where Taffy got several new outfits, some for winter at home in Canada, and some for winter in Florida - or for summer in Canada! She was thrilled to find some little velvet tops and pants. The little tops could substitute for dresses if Nanna makes some little pantaloons for underneath...so she was pleased.

The following day we went to the "other" Wal-Mart, checked out the Target, the Dollar Tree and Michaels. Squeegie got some new summer one-sies and still has lots of his allowance left to go and eat at Chick-Filet (his favourite place to eat in Florida - he's not so fond of the KFC down here).

Yesterday we lazed around - reading books, writing blogs and knitting/watching TV. Poppa's cousin and his wife from Rexdale are in Florida. They came over and we all went out for dinner and had a really nice visit.

Now - here is the answer to the question at the top of the blog. Yes...you're right. The teddy bear in the picture is really our little Canadian Male Munchkin Model in his latest excruciatingly cute outfit. He was really enjoying this gig since he felt warm and snuggly and fuzzy - which is all good! He is talking to his Christopher bear.........and Momma couldn't understand a word, but they appeared to have an enjoyable conversation........until Momma took Munchie to Canadian Tire where he gazed in awe at all the wonderful stuff there.

Today Poppa has gone to the golf course, so I am getting a better opportunity to explore my new computer.........right now, I think I'll go check to see if it is warm enough yet to sit out by the pool. Later...........

Treasure Island, FL

January 2nd found us wending our way across bridges that were almost 8 miles long to get across the bay at Tampa so we could stay on Treasure Island. Once again, we chose the Best Western - and I must say, the staff at this hotel was outstanding, efficient and friendly. We were in a room facing the ocean this time, and so we ended up splashing along at the ocean's edge once again. We both found our legs getting a little aggravated with us for putting them through all this....so we retired early. But, we did stay a second night since we weren't due at our villa until the 4th. It was great, the ocean was close, MacDonald's was just across the road and there was a Publix and a CVS just up the road..what else could we possibly need? Squeegie and Taffy chose to stay in the room while we walked on the beach, but they kept an eye out for us from the hotel room. We walked from one end of the island to the other along the street and then returned via the beach. Our room was really a suite with a living room, kitchenette, bedroom and bathroom. We so enjoyed our stay, that we are planning on visiting there again next year!

And our Canadian Male Munchkin Model was keeping the home fires burning, trying a new career move with fashion and flair!

Naples, FL

Early on New Year's Day we left Miami Beach and headed out to cross to the gulf side of Florida. This required driving through the Everglades, which was quite interesting in itself. The camera, unfortunately, was packed in the back of the car someplace so I didn't get pictures. There were multitudes of large birds camped out in the swamp...and we saw alligators laying around in the sun on the edges. It is quite a large expanse of swampy land, with creeks running through it. We arrived at Naples in mid-afternoon. Naples appears to be a city for rich folks....large, gorgeous homes and buildings. We decided to take a break from the big-name hotels, and stayed at the Lemon Tree Inn. It is a rather quaint little place - less sophisticated than Best Western, but kinda home-ey and fun for a change. We had our own private little screened in lanai which we used to have our morning coffee. It was a few blocks to the ocean, so we strolled past all the big homes and got our feet wet again - this time in the Gulf of Mexico! It didn't seem very long and it was time to pack up again and hit the road for our next stop.

And - by the way, here is what our little Canadian Munchkin Male Model was wearing that day... while Dada helped him ride his favourite Christmas present...aren't they cute?? !!

Miami Beach, FL

We arrived in Miami Beach on December 30th, and decided to take the room for two nights since we didn't want to be looking for lodging on New Year's Eve. So we booked into the Best Western right on the beach. They didn't have any oceanfront rooms left, but kindly found one on the corner so we could see the ocean from our room. The room was quite nice, on the sixth floor - but I must tell you - the parking situation in Miami Beach is AWFUL! The hotels do not have parking space, so we had to find a City Parking spot and make sure to feed the meter all day. It was free to park from 6pm to 8am...so we only had to do it during the day, but it took a LOT of quarters. Ignoring that, the beach was wonderful..and although the water was cold, it was much warmer than I expected. Poppa went swimming way out deep, but I stayed close to the shore. We spent hours wandering up and down in the surf. We wandered up and down the streets close to the hotel and found a cute little place to eat, called the Chicken Kitchen. The food was good...lots of rice and lettuce and chicken...yummy! Then back to the boardwalk - which was right at the back of our hotel. On New Year's Eve there were fireworks out on the beach, but after two days trudging through the sand, the surf and the streets, we all fell asleep before the big ball fell.

Ashburn, GA

OK - the second night on the road, we stayed in Ashburn, GA. We were starting to get anxious to get to Florida, but at least the weather was warm enough for us to shed a layer of clothing. Squeegie took a few minutes to find his clothes and decide what he was going to wear, but eventually he picked an outfit and we had breakfast at McDonald's and headed south again.

January 3rd

Someone (Hi Granny Maureen!) mentioned that they were wondering where we were now. So, we spent New Years' Eve in Miami Beach at the Best Western. There were fireworks on the beach, which we could see out our window. But, after several days on the road, and a long day strolling through the surf and swimming in the ocean, we both fell asleep about 11:30 and missed clanging in the New Year.

In the morning we went for a quick stroll in the ocean again, and then headed for the Gulf Coast. We spent a night at the Lemon Tree Inn in Naples. Naples appears to be a spot for the rich to hang out...beautiful homes and nice beaches. The Inn was somewhat quaint and home-ey. I got some pics, but left the wire to download from the camera in the car today...so tomorrow. We stayed last night and are staying tonight at the Best Western on Treasure Island (just off the coast at Tampa. Tomorrow morning we will head for Davenport, FL where we will spend the balance of our holiday.

We are both starting to get some tan, and are NOT missing the cold and snow in Canada though there is the possibility that we are thinking about the folks we left behind.

Squeegie & Taffy are having a good time, but Squeegie isn't too fond of water and is wondering why we have to keep going over long bridges - Hee! We went over a causeway and bridges to get to Miami Beach, and then today over three long bridges to get to Treasure Island. I'm sure he'll recover by tomorrow afternoon when we head further inland.

Here is Munchkin pretending to be an angel, and doing a fine job too! He is in Windsor, ON visiting his Gramma for the New Year's holiday.... so I haven't gotten any more pics for a few days.