Zoe has the upperhand

Never doubt the ability of a four year old to out whit or out reason you....

The family was at Ikea, near the end of our tiring trip, Zoe had found a stuffed puppy nearly as big as her and really loved it (it was unbelievably soft)..

We told Zoe to "put it back with its family".. and Bruce started to work on her doing it.. while I was finishing up shopping... Bruce told her, "put the puppy back with his family so he won't be lonely"....

Zoe grabbed another puppy and handed it to Finn... problem solved.

(yes, we bought two puppies!)

Kindergarten preview!

Zoe is going to be in Kindergarten ... Sept 2011.. can you believe it.. wow!

We just went to the Ready Set Learn Preview at Campus View Elementary.. our catchment school. They have both an English and French Immersion Track. I really like the French immersion teacher.. and I'm aiming for that for Zoe. We have one more preview at Hobbs. Then an info session at night, then on the 31rst we sign Zoe up.. wow...

Zoe said she really like the kindergarten (New School) and wanted to know if she could go back tomorrow.
... better than what she said at first.. "can we go now???".. she was quite nervous that we were going to leave here there.

First trailer bike ride!

Zoe had her first trailer bike ride.. that is a bike that hooks behind the parent's bike.. the child can pedal (or not) and just has handle bars (no front wheel).

We went for a weekend of fun in Vancouver. Stayed at the Times Square hotel.. it was a great home away from home, little kitchen, laundry, bedroom, etc. We didn't set out to rent a bike, but it was perfect.. we got bikes for ourselves, I pulled a Chariot with Finn (covered kid seat) and Zoe on a trailer bike... it was a perfect day and a perfect way to get around the west end of Vancouver. We biked over to the beach, then to Granville island, taking the bikes on the Aquabus... we played, shopped, ate... then unfortunately it started to rain.. and we had to get the bikes back... Finn fell immediately asleep... and Zoe was tired, and was quite the tropper... she got very wet right away, and it wasn't long before she had a ribbon of splash up her front (from Bruce's tire), and down her back (from her own)... I have a fond memory of her saying "I'm done with this.. no more.. I do not look like a princess. I want to change right now".. as she was climbing back on the bike. We made it home and it was a lovely weekend.

(I do not have any pictures.. I didn't even bring a camera)

Zoe on the phone

Zoe has inherited "Carrie's gene".. as Bruce calls it.. the ability to talk without coming up for breath... she can do it on the phone with Nana.. I've also seen her do it with company. She can also tell long wonderful stories and makes up beautiful songs.

repeat Invisible friend

Zoe has an invisible friend Andy, who comes with us often, reads stories with us, takes care of her.. is an older brother, sometimes her prince, sometimes they are "married".. he is taller, strong. (he started hanging out with us on Saturday, and just cuddled with Zoe in bed).

Swimming

Zoe and Finn have become quite the swimmers. This is the first time Zoe managed the "river" all by herself.. She can now just touch the bottom and keep her head above the fast moving circle of water... She loves it. She is also in love with diving into the water with the help of her goggles.

Finn has always been a natural swimmer and although he did not do it this time, he loves to go down the slide and will go under water.

Both kids need to start swim lessons.

Zoe was telling Finn a scary story about being taken by something.. I think aliens... and she said, "And then you will be farted right in the eye!"

there was also talk about being eaten, "put right in here"; I have no idea where here is... but it didn't sound fun nor good.

banding together

Zoe and Finn are starting to play together.. and never more so than when one of them is presented with some kind of opposition. Today I took them to the cupcake store (it serves mini cupcakes to suite any child's fancy, as well as good coffees for adults)... there was a boy..about 3 or perhaps younger.. who kind of pushed a toy (in not a nice way) towards Finn. Upon seeing this Zoe stomped over and gave him the evil eye... then Finn chipped in.. shoulders wide... and gave a pushing motion (without contact).. and it seemed to escalate from there... not long and the little boy in question was under the table and not happy...

I was proud of their banding together.. but had to take them out of the store before it escalated.
In the car I told Zoe that it was quiet time and Finn needed to nap. Zoe protested long and hard... "No, Finn doesn't want to nap. Tell mom no nap. Don't you want to be my friend Finn. Finn can't be my friend if he is napping. Tell mom no nap"

Now they are in the bedroom playing something about boats, islands and getting dressed up in outfits.

on aliens...

Zoe has a lot of knowledge about Aliens....

every now and then she will pop up with something like:

"Mom, did you know that aliens do not wash their hands after they go pee?"

"Do you know what aliens eat for dinner? " "They eat candles."