Spending a day in Galaxyland

I won two WEM All Attractions Passes at work about a month ago. Friday I took the day off work and took Draya on her first visit to Galaxyland. We had a blast! The nice thing was that I only needed to use one pass as with a small child the grownup (taller) chaperon rides free on most rides. And ride the rides we did. We rode every single ride that a 42" person could go on - which is actually quite a few. Most we rode at least twice, some three times and a few four. I even took her on the galleon (which cost me six bucks because the chaperon doesn't ride free on that one - but how could I say no). I am so glad that she's a ride lover. She didn't even complain too much when told that she was "still to short to ride the mind bender but if she kept eating lots of vegetables mommy in order to grow would happily ride it with her someday."
We had burgers in the food court for dinner. I finally pried her out of the amusement park around 7:30 so that we could hit Zellers and buy her Dora toothpaste, princess bubble bath and a lovely princess Halloween costume. My second pass is good until Dec 20, I'm sure we'll be going back before then.

Riding the carousel.

The ball areas were a big hit.

Climbing.

Resting on the train.

Driving a car.

Flying an airplane.

Mommy caved and bought her one round of whack-a-mole.

More climbing - the 2nd time we went into the play area.

Driving a bulldozer. She also drove the fire truck twice.

Driving a three wheel ATV.

Bumper cars! She had a little trouble steering and pushing the gas pedal together but eventually figured it out.

TuTu Princess

Draya has a red tutu with black polka dots. It's part of her ladybug costume. She likes it a lot - so much in fact that she has slept in it a few nights recently. She wears it to put on ballet performances for us. Today she wore it to the hospital to visit T. She also brought her ladybug wand. Patients, visitors and nurses alike were quite charmed. But when-ever anyone asked she was quite adamant - no she wan't a fairy, she was a princess.

You know that your spending too much time at the Fringe when...

Today Mommy took Draya to see two Fringe shows. The Too Tall Princess and Alberto The Dancing Alligator. She really enjoyed both. We also went to Kids Fringe, watched some outdoor shows, ate some Fringe food, and basically hung out on site with friends for the rest of the day. Daddy and Mommy have both been at the Fringe a lot recently because Daddy is busking and Mommy is a volunteer Team Leader. So, tonight, after taking Daddy to the gas station to put air in our car's leaky tire, Mommy and Draya dropped him back off at the site so that he could go see a show. We dropped him on the corner of 83rd and Gateway and right after he closes the door Draya pipes up with "This is where Daddy lives." You know, I'm sure some days it feels that way...

Draya's First "Real" Hair Cut

Draya had her first haircut at a salon today. All that she has had up until now is bangs cuts by Mommy. We went to Beaners in Sh. Park. She got to sit in a Barbie car and she had a braid with beads put in. Unfortunately Mommy forgot the camera. She also had great fun playing with another little girl in the ball area.
Afer Beaners we went to Millenuim Place, had lunch, went swimming in the wave pool and played in their indoor play area.
A pretty nice afternoon all in all!

Chuck E Cheese

We went to Chuck E Cheese for the first time. We went for Draya's friend from daycare's birthday party. When you arrive they stamp glow under fluorescent light numbers on the kids and parents wrists so that people can't leave with children that don't belong with them. I guess that it's a nice security feature, odd but nice.
There are loads of games and little rides and such that you need tokens to play (the birthday hostess supplies some thankfully) and most everything spits out ticket that can be redeemed for 'prizes'. Draya and Daddy played a lot. Mommy sat with the grown-ups.
The pizza smelled great but tasted mediocre at best. The birthday cake was good.
There was a 'show' where all the kids were encouraged to participate (Draya didn't) and of course there was someone in a Chuck E Cheese mouse costume who leads all of the kids in a parade around the restaurant. Draya didn't like the mouse. She hid under the table.
We redeemed Draya's tickets for some little tattoos. She really liked those and has already had me put some on her arms.
All in all it was an okay experience but thanks to the giant mouse I don't think Draya will be asking to back any time soon. Mommy is okay with that. Although maybe their salad bar is better than their pizza.
We didn't take any pictures.

Capital Ex 2008

K & I took Draya to Capital X today. We got her an unlimited ride wrist band in advance because we knew that she would be tall enough to ride enough rides to make it worthwhile. And ride rides she did! We just bought tickets for ourselves so that we could alternate riding with her. I think next year I'll get a wristband for myself as well. Maybe one for K too. She likes it that much - it would probably be worth it.
Draya's favourite ride was the giant slide. We rode it twice and I know that she would have happily gone down it a few more times if it hadn't been costing mommy tickets. She also enjoyed some of the faster/spiny rides too. She is SO her mother's daughter! :)
We did take lots of photos. Same promise as usual, I'll post them as soon as I have time...
She and I both tried our first corn dogs. They were actually pretty good. An okay once a year treat. And they make 'kid' sized ones. But the midway corn cob on a stick was pretty bland - that's what I get for trying to find something healthy.
Near the end of the evening we went into the Sportex to check out the butterfly room. Turns out that one shouldn't go into a room filled with butterflies if one is skittish about insects. Daddy had a wonderful time. Mommy was glad to leave when Draya needed to go potty.

A Trip to the Farmers Market

Today we took Draya to the downtown Farmers Market. We bought all kinds of cool and yummy treats, including some tasty Indian ice cream.

Draya Does Devon

Draya went to Devon Days with Nana & Papa this past Friday.

There was lots of yummy food. For dinner Draya had a taco & for dessert she enjoyed lemonade and mini dough nuts.


On the midway she rode her first 'spinny' ride.


She also enjoyed driving a truck.



She and Nana fished for lizzards,

and rode the train together.

Draya rode the trian twice. The second time she got to ring the bell!

She rode the fishy ride twice too.

That night we camped with Nana & Papa in their 5th wheel. Nana bough Draya some new jammies and a toothbrush. Here she models both while jumping on her bed.

On Saturday Draya went to see The Little Mermaid at Horizon Stage.
Here she is doing pre-show colouring in the lobby and parusing the program...

Three days of family visiting

Draya's Great Auntie M, Great Uncle L & Cousin B were in town this week on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday. On Tuesday night Draya & I went to Nana's house for dinner with everyone. It was B's first visit to Edmonton since Draya and her cousin G were born. He was very excited to meet them and we were all thrilled that they finally got to meet him!
On Wednesday L, M, B Uncle R & G came to our house for pizza.
On Thursday I took the day of work and the 5 of us went to Telus World of Science. Here are some of the photos that I took there...

This is one of Draya's favourite attractions - the driving video games by the cafeteria. Someday she'll actually be old enough to put money in and play them.but until then she just loves turning the steering wheel.

Draya plays God - moving the sun and the earth around.

Draya helping B build a sand dam and study erosion.

Washing up after.


This visit Draya actually wanted to sit on the police motorcycle. Maybe someday she'll be up for a ride on Papa's bike!
Playing the... ummm... flatulence piano.

Sliding down a giant tongue.

A good long lego play session with B.

A Trip to the Mom & Pop & Tot Fair

Today Draya went with Mommy, Daddy, I, G, H & J to the Mom & Pop & Tot Fair at the Sportex. At11:30a.m. bundled them into wagons and off we went...



The first we stopped at when we arrived was the petting zoo.

After much petting and watching the kids washed their hands,

and went to ride the ponies.


Then it was time for a rest,

and a snack break.


We then all wandered in the direction of the stage area. Max & Ruby were performing at 1:00 p.m. and we still had some time to kill. Daddy took Draya to find a spot to watch the show from while H & Mommy took the other 3 children to the bouncer tent (Draya still won't go in one - memories of last Canada Day). When we were done bouncing we found Draya trying her hand at mini golf in a WEM play area.

The kids coloured and slid and golfed and played with a bowling set and in a wadding pool full of balls until the show started.




At 1:00 p.m. they watched most of the Max & Ruby's show. The 3 year-olds lost interest mid way though and went back to playing. After the show we gathered for food in the Sportex Restaurant and then gathered up the entourage and walked back to our house.

It was a fun and somewhat tiring afternoon!

A Visit to Nana's

Yesterday Draya and Mommy went to spend the day with Nana while Papa and Daddy put in our new kitchen floor.

Nana & Draya watched birds through Nana's dining room window.

Then Nana showed Draya how to roll out cookie dough.

But Draya found other uses for the cookie cutters.

Finally, Nana read stories to Draya and they went to sleep together in Nana's big bed.

Fun in the Snow on Family Day

On Family Day Daddy & L & P took the girls to Ft. Edm. for a sleigh ride. While they waited in line the girls played in the snow...

L & all 3 girls.

Draya & P.

Draya and G make snowballs.

Draya distracts Daddy with her cuteness...

... and then wings her snowball at him.

I & Draya make a snowman.

Eventually everyone climbs on the sleigh and Daddy and daughter get their photo taken together.

Mommy spent a quiet afternoon at home alone cooking and doing laundry.