This is Christian when he was a toddler. This is why John should never be mistaken for her Dad. This is why I occasionally think people are just being nice when they say that Marie-Hélène looks like me.
Author Archives: Jacinta
Swimmer
July 12, 2010 – 7:00 am
Because we’re travelling this summer, to a place with a pool, we registered Marie-Hélène for swimming lessons so that she gets comfortable with water. For two weeks, Marie-Hélène jumps in the pool with four other toddlers while the teacher encourages them to blow bubbles and kick their legs.
During her night time bath, Christian declares from the bathroom, [...]
Swimming
July 8, 2010 – 9:38 am
Marie-Hélène is so tiny, everyone says. It’s true. This week we’ve started swimming classes, and Marie-Hélène like every other kid who is not a child of the Michelin Man family, ends up shivering. And when she’s not holding on to me with a crab-like pinch, she’s holding the noodle right to her chest. “Put them [...]
Gardening
July 7, 2010 – 7:00 am
One of my main occupations when I was young, up until I left home, was yardwork. I weeded flower beds, tilled the soil under cedar trees and picked out debris from long rock beds. I also weeded the lawn, one row at a time, and by the time I would be done the front yard, [...]
21
July 6, 2010 – 7:00 am
Today, one of the guys in this picture is turning 21… He may be the tallest one, in case you need a hint. Do you know what their lookin’ at?
I’ll give you a clue…
Yup! We walked down the street from the Palud condo, in weather so hot, you suntanned in the shade, to see the [...]
Forget the cupcakes
July 5, 2010 – 7:00 am
Cathy, number one commenter on this blog, and longtime family friend, hosted a party the Sunday before Marie-Hélène turned one. For the party, I brought cupcakes. I had in mind to bring chocolate cupcakes filled with cream, but the night before, realised that I didn’t have the necessary muffin-tin for extra deep muffins. In the [...]
Oh Canada!
July 1, 2010 – 7:00 am
Not far from our home, the tenants of this building all hung flags from their balconies. Next year, if they do so again, Marie-Hélène and I will go count them… Do 2-year-olds count? Past 10?
Today, we’ll be hanging around here… having Grandmaman and Grandpapa over for supper and cake.
Have a lovely day!
1 year
June 30, 2010 – 9:53 pm
Dear Marie-Hélène,
As I write this, I am listening to Enya, which in your uncle’s and aunt’s book, is totally not cool. Nonetheless, it was the soundtrack to your birth, upon the nurses’s suggestion at our prenatal class. It has been a year since I listened to her music, and as it is with music, I [...]
Letter to Grandmaman and Grandpapa
June 29, 2010 – 7:00 am
Last Friday, the grade four class at Taché School threw a little party for Marie-Hélène. Since September, we’d been paying monthly visits to a group of about 20 students as part of a national program called Roots of Empathy. From the first visit, when Marie-Hélène was just a little lump, lying on a big green [...]
Monday
June 28, 2010 – 10:34 am
Marie-Hélène is taking her morning nap. The dryer rolls in wrinkle-shield mode, as John has forgotten to take out his clothes before leaving for work. I have lots of pictures to share… Marie-Hélène and a cat! Marie-Hélène and a cupcake! Our garden! Coming soon, I promise!
For now… here’s to a new week, a morning with [...]