Countertop Cooking

One of Maya's favorite places in the house is the countertop ("the gray one").  She loves to sit here when we're preparing dinner.  She likes to help out with the cooking and has learned a lot already.  For instance:

• Don't touch the food on the cutting board.
• Don't touch the knives.
• Don't touch the stove. 
• Salt tastes good.
• Something is hot when you see steam.

Here we are making green beans and pasta (with sauce, of course).

Decorating Our Christmas Tree

Maya's Second Birthday

 Mommy and Merry made animal cupcakes!

 The Birthday Girl

 Pierre, the Quebecois Puppet

 Uncle Gar and Pop-pop Charlie

 Balloons are the best.

Sil-lay.

 Mommy and the birthday girl.

 In awe of her presents.

 Modeling her new necklaces.

 The new dollhouse mansion.

 Blowing out the candles.

The Mountain Climber at the Arboretum

Thanksgiving

This year, we hosted 16 people for Thanksgiving. 

It was exhausting, but totally worth it.

 Nana and Auntie Kate

 Is Maya coveting Louise's cupcake?  You betcha!

 Mmmm...turkey cupcakes.

 Tina, Louise and Susie

 Karen, Jon, Merry and Craig

 Deep in conversation.

Bushkie in some intense play with Maya and Louise.

Lazy Autumn Sunday

 Maya likes to raid the big people bookshelves.  

A favorite recent one is about pregnancy and birth.  

She loves any page with a doctor on it.

Chillin' in the playroom.

Halloween Siren Song

Halloween II: Revenge of the Zebra

Maya insisted on being a zebra this year.  

(Good thing she has a crafty mommy.)

 Looking for the big kids.

 Front view.

Special Halloween bag from Grandmom.

Maya and the costume designer.

Checking out her wares.

Tail view.

 Desperate for bubble gum. (Not gettin' any.)

Daddy and his little zebra.

Looking for stragglers.

Grandpa and Grandma Come for a Visit

 A lesson in sweeping technique.

Checking out wild animals on the Blackberry.