Making a Run for the Border

With the dollar being so close to parity lately, Doug decided to take the day off work yesterday and join Lexi and I on a little adventure to Washington to do some shopping. I was mainly looking for clothes for Lexi and maybe a treat for myself, and we were certainly not disappointed. The border wait times were quick, and blessedly the border guards on both sides were in a good mood (read, were not power tripping A-holes). We hit Seattle Premium Outlets when it opened at 10am, and were hugely successful. We dropped around $150 at Carter's (which included a couple of gifts for friends with upcoming birthdays and due dates looming), and I was beyond thrilled to find a Stride Rite outlet for kids shoes. We got 3 pairs for Lexi, including a pair of runners for next year that would have cost around $60 in Canada for $15. Doug got 2 pairs of shoes, and I treated myself to a Kate Spade purse which I thought about sleeping with in my bed last night because I love it so much. I also scooped a black wool shift dress at Banana Republic for $50. Lexi was about done here, so we popped her in her car seat and she was out before we exited the mall to head back north to Burlington and Bellingham. We got Jack in the Box for lunch (YUM), and I hit Target for a few coveted items not available in Canada. I tried my luck at the Lululemon Outlet in Burlington, but no gems were to be had that day, and we then headed to Bed, Bath and Beyond to try and find the window valance to match Lexi's ladybug theme for her room, but we learned it was only available for purchase online (but sorry, we don't ship to Canada and it's not available on the Canadian site). Meh. Time to head home. Bonus - no duty required. Home in time to watch the Canucks game.

Doodle Doll Delight

So I'm a SUCKER for books in case you didn't know. When I hosted a Scholastic Book Fair at one of my schools back in February, I knew I wouldn't be able to make it out without a purchase or two (and hey, I was helping my school earn free books, so it was for a good cause). Along with the Olympic Mascot book I got because I was feeling all patriotic and such, I also could NOT resist this book of paper dolls.
This is the sort of thing I would have gone mental for when I was a child. I loved Barbie's, dressing my dolls, and would ask my mom to draw me pictures of make-up that I could colour and cut out myself. I bought the book with the idea to tuck it away until Lexi was older, but she recently found it and I thought 'what the hell.'

I knew the pictures would get scribbley. In my anal retentiveness I thought about photocopying the book first before I gave it to her, but I'm learning to just let go. She loved it. Here is the first outfit she coloured for "Myah."


It's a bit tarty for my taste (um, where's her TOP), and I'm not quite sure what kind of fashion statement she's supposed to be making with a horse purse, but it's pretty cute nonetheless.

Our Little Naturalist

It's amazing to me the sheer number of words Lexi is able to remember these days, usually after hearing them only once. Pappy and Nana will be so proud...

Egg-stravaganza

Easter last year was an uneventful holiday (truth be told I can't remember what we did at all), but this year I got excited about it as I knew Lexi would understand a lot of what was going on. We went shopping for our Easter treats earlier in the week, and as I scooped the foil wrapped chocolate eggs into the bag, I watched as her eyes got bigger and bigger. By the time we got to the checkout line, the chant of "Easter Bunny, Easter BUUUUUNNEEEEE" was too loud to ignore, and I relented and gave her one egg, which she devoured in a nanosecond.

Nana and Pappy arrived Friday morning, and we had Oma and Papa over for dinner that night. We had been taking care of Brutus (my parents 15 year old dog whom Lexi calls "Bruce") for two days so he was happy to see them. On Saturday morning, we took a stroll around Deer Lake and Lexi enjoyed listening to the birds sing and the ducks swim, and insisted on having a turn on the swings before we left.



Saturday afternoon we had our first annual Easter Egg Hunt. We had NO idea how this would go - it could be great or a total disaster. We had a couple of Lexi's little friends over (although one was 5 month old Tommy, so he wasn't actually searching for eggs). We gave Lexi and Abby buckets and let them at 'er. They did fairly well considering their ages (neither is 2 yet), and they did a good job of sharing. Abby brought stickers (as well as Easter gifts - Thanks!) to play with, so the girls made some pictures and had a snack. Tommy enjoyed watching it all go down, and his mom and dad brought some treats as well as a beautiful spring bouquet (Thanks!). We had some carrot cake, wine and tea, and the girls came down from their sugar high and read some stories together.



This morning we went out for breakfast with Nana and Pappy before they headed back to the Island, and tonight it will be turkey at Oma and Papa's with Auntie Cat joining in the fun. We got the border up on Lexi's wall this morning (upside down no less, not that we plan on re-doing it as one can hardly notice), and will be ordering her blinds in the next couple of days. It's been a busy Spring Break, but I get one more day to relax before getting back to the grind on Tuesday. Less than 3 months to go now before summer holidays!