Crollodex

The Science Center

Montreal's Old Port is full of fun things to do. But often, in Québec, bureaucracy and special interest gets in the way of success. So I was thrilled to find that our science center rocks.

I took Riley there one morning, and we signed up for a really affordable family membership. Then we went and stared at dinosaurs. We had so much fun, we brought Kirsten back later that day. These things are big and pretty daunting, so we saw them in small doses; nevertheless, she was running around talking about dinosaurs for the next couple of days.

(download)

Early in the new year, we went back with Nana.

(download)

We banged on drums, looked at funny mirrors, and watched balls float on columns of air. Riley loved it, and I'm sure we'll be back often.

Tags dinosaurs drums nana science center
January, 10, 2012
Permalink
Tweet

Holidays 2012

After a mad Christmas vacation up North, we had a few days in the city. We put our time to good use, visiting friends, seeing some local sights, and generally hanging out.

We got out in the snow, toboganning for the first time.

(download)

Riley played with her new toys.

(download)

She particularly loved the "sandwich gloves" game, which involves stacking bits of sandwich ingredient between big, velcro-covered bread gloves. Hilarity ensued.

The weather was pretty chilly. This is how you dress inside the car in Montreal.

And she had time to play with her new BFF, Oliver. Ollie's mom and I used to hang out as kids, so this is the second generation of inter-family bathing.

(download)

Hooman and Alex were in town, so we spent a bit of time hanging out.

(download)

And Pete brought Grace and Emma over.

Not to be outdone, Angela and Maia stopped by.

Tags alexandra angela holidays maia oliver toys
January, 4, 2012
Permalink
Tweet

Christmas number two

The holiday season took ages to arrive, and then was over in a flash. We spent it in the Laurentians, which was a winter wonderland of soft snow and warm glows. Riley, of course, was showered with gifts and silly hats. She rode the chaos like a trooper, managing to avoid the much-anticipated sugar melt-downs and sleep deprivation.

We kicked off the season with a round of presents and brunch at the Smiths' house.

(download)

Later that week, it was time for dinner with Kir's family at our place. Riley cavorted with the piles of paper and tissue, and loved her new toys; her aunt Vicky put her mad camera skills to good use.

(download)

Finally, on the 24th, we headed up to St. Jovite early in the morning, stopping for breakfast and potty. The downside of Riley being potty trained is more frequent stops, I guess. Once there, we spent the day assembling Riley's new bunkbed—no ladder yet, but she's now officially out of the crib.

(download)

On the 25th, we climbed into Becky and Adam's bed at the crack of dawn, and dug through overflowing pillowcases that had been left overnight.

(download)

Once the opening was done, Riley was off downstairs for breakfast and the big tree.

(download)

We had plenty more fun the rest of the week, but that's for another post.

Here comes Christmas!

We took Riley for a walk down Wellington street today, bundled up against the winter chill.

(download)

First, we stopped in for coffee and steamed milk at Café Victoria. Steph takes Riley there all the time, and while we hadn't met the owner, Riley knew her well. She calls Riley her "little inspector" because apparently she walks all around the store, checking to see everything is just so, each time she visits.

We got back on the road, Riley sipping her "'teamee"—her word for steamed milk with a shot of Hazelnut syrup in it—from a lidded espresso cup with a straw.

Then we happened upon Santa. This wasn't planned—we actually figured Riley was a bit young to meet the Big Red Man, and might freak out—but a local charity has turned a big shipping container into Santa's workshop.

Unfazed, Riley started yelling, "Santa" and "Up!" until we took her out of her stroller. Then she sauntered up to him, and introduced herself. In the third picture below, she clearly seems to be negotiating for bigger presents.

(download)

Santa handed her a candy cane, which she munched on until her face was a sticky red mess, and we hit the park to play on the swings and crunch through the thin covering of snow, which seemed to burn off all of the morning's sugary energy.

The house is looking pretty festive by now, and we're reading stuff like 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

(download)

Training a geek

The other day, Riley saw a picture of Yoda in a Thinkgeek catalog (she loves to read magazines, and sometimes doesn't even rip them up!) She was enchanted with the little green alien, and Kir bought her a Star Wars ABC book to satisfy that urge.

She's also been learning her colors. So here's a 10-second clip of a soon-to-be über-geek.

(download)

Some recent Riley shots

Here are a bunch of Riley shots that don't really fit anywhere.

(download)

Dinner with Gabby and a cupcake

(download)

After a day of running around the house in fairy wings—the results of a Wal-Mart raid on costumes after Hallowe'en—Riley met Gabby when he came over for dinner. This was also a memorable day as it introduced her to the sugary delights of a cupcake. In this case, a Cookie Monster cupcake from the Atwater Market covered in blue icing and big eyes, complete with its own cookie.

(download)

Riley doesn't really have a sweet tooth, but that didn't stop her from making short work of the sugar-bomb.

Tags Gabby cupcake dinner fairy wings pigtails
November, 6, 2011
Permalink
Tweet

What's for Hallowe'en? Riley knows

It's Hallowe'en. Riley's trick-or-treating consisted of saying hello to a few neighbors, and then hanging out with us as we gave candy to the local visitors. She was quite happy to run around the house roaring in her lion costume.