Us

(via Scrapbook.)

This is a picture by Anna Emilia, an illustrator from Finland. I don't know her, but I feel like this could be a picture of me and Mads. Doesn't it look like her? And the hair may be a little lighter and straighter than mine, but it has that same all-consuming quality. Love it.

Should Be Studying

I like this video, but it would never work for me. In fact, just watching and then posting this video are evidence of me putting off schoolwork again! Thanks for nothing Miranda July (and you too Naomi Davis and your adorable baby).

A Snapshot of Madeline at Age Two

If you ask Maddie how old she is, she will hold out five fingers and say, "TWO". She calls everyone including her mum by their first name. She knows the words to lots of good songs, ranging from the alphabet to Beyonce and the Beebs. Despite a wardrobe stocked with adorable gender-neutral sweaters and jeans, she only wants to wear her "kitty" (leopard print) shirt or "princess" (pink) dress. She often insists that the tiny bundle of hairs at the back of her head be put into the littlest ponytail you've ever seen. She throws her dolls on the ground so she can hug them and ask them "Ok Dolly? Ok?". She tells you she loves you and give you a "mooch". She's really the best.

Happy Birthday my big girl, I sure love you.

(Photo by Jessica Roberts)

Road Trip

We decided to take advantage of the warm weather today by hitting the road and visiting a couple towns east of Toronto. Maddie got to show off her Justin Bieber tattoos and the "princess" outfit she picked out, Grandma Terri found some tasty apple pastries, and I'm always happy to endlessly wander around the flea markets. All in all a pretty successful afternoon!

Kewpie Cutie

Maddie doesn't turn 2 for another couple of weeks, but we had her birthday yesterday. My mom made all the food-- mini burgers, coleslaw, parfaits, and this amazing Kewpie doll cake (which was pretty much the best thing ever). Thanks to everyone that came out, xo

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

I'd like you all to meet "The Monkey Head"-- a precious family artifact that we have been holding onto for generations. By my calculations, this little guy will be turning 40 this year, and that is cause for celebration. You see the reason my family (my sisters and me in particular) are so attached to "The Monkey Head" is that it was made by my dad in grade ten art class. And it is in fact, a self-portrait. From the individual lines of hair, the green thumbprint eyes, highlighter-yellow skin, paintbrush-poked breathing holes, and circular shoulders, to the strip of masking tape holding the whole head together, the resemblance is uncanny! It set a precedent for decades of amazing doodles drawn on church programs and paper tablecloths, and I still count my dad as one of my favourite artists. So Happy Birthday "Head", and thanks Pop, sure love ya!

Mads & Dads

I just came across a bunch of pictures from earlier this year, of Maddie wearing one of her dad's baby sweaters. I had intended to use them for a father's day post, so Eric, Happy Father's Day (oops)!

Eric in the sweater, with his dad, circa 1986:

Maddie in the sweater, with some chalk, circa April of this year:

(She even wrote her first word that day, "Tim", which I'm pretty sure is an FNL reference.)