Gioia and Liam make Berry Ice Cream
Awe, what a simply delightful afternoon with Liam and Sansie. We were invited to join them in a cooking class for little folk! Berry Ice Cream and Frozen Yoghurt was on the menu and the kiddies got to pour and mix and blend and taste test and MESS in their little aprons. Next week we will be making Valentines goodies, so I must remember to wear red. Gioia was so pleased with herself, she held on tightly to her ice cream and only shared a taste with Justin. Thanks Michelle!
More Cheese please
This weekend Uncle Justing spoilt us by taking us to our new favourite restaurant. Gioia wowed her uncle by showing him how to make a mini pizza with all the toppings.
Sharing a moment with Ronald
Enjoying a really cheap curly cone with Ronald McDonald, a rather creepy mascot if you ask me.
Girlie stickers
I printed a number of these cute girlie bug stickers and have been looking for places to stick them. Here are the last two on Gioia's vitamin and medical boxes. I think they certainly 'cutify' the tupperware.
Red Bearded Giant in my House
Neil and Kayleigh came for a meeting at our flat to discuss their save the date emailers. Gioia had other idea's for Neil! Gioia-Town was happy to welcome Neil into it's midsts. Climbing into the housie was easy, but then he decided to defy the laws of proportions by leaving through the front door. Gioia-Town registered a 6 on the richter scale!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Pretty in Pink
Too early, too clever
This morning around 5am Gioia needed a potty stop, she got out of bed and took herself to the bathroom. She was very quiet so I yelled to her 'what you doing kiddo?' she replied 'get up and come here and see what Gioia is doing', so I did.
Just before Johan left and all the rain we were in the garden and she was trying to hang hearts in the tree but the branch was just out of her reach, with a great sign she declared 'I'm too heavy!', to which I replied 'don't you mean short?'.
Just before Johan left and all the rain we were in the garden and she was trying to hang hearts in the tree but the branch was just out of her reach, with a great sign she declared 'I'm too heavy!', to which I replied 'don't you mean short?'.
Friends work together
My friend Lena emailed me her pics from Serinie-pies party, I love this one of Gioia showing her support to Serine by being her back-up blower.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Can you 'spot' Gioia
Nana bought Bean this spotted bug tent...what a creative housing facility for the short folk.
One more week of voting
This Face of Calora competition has exhausted me! I'm the type of person that opens any Christmas gift under the tree with my name on it. Waiting to see who made top ten is too exciting for me to bear. This is the last week of voting, thank goodness.
http://www.calorababy.co.za/competition/gioiabenade
This little girlie is exactly what the brand is looking for. I think you would all agree? I will post results shortly. And NO, I am not a stage mamma, but if I had to, I would gladly arm wrestle my way in wearing a tiger print bikini in a bath of chocolate mousse.
http://www.calorababy.co.za/competition/gioiabenade
This little girlie is exactly what the brand is looking for. I think you would all agree? I will post results shortly. And NO, I am not a stage mamma, but if I had to, I would gladly arm wrestle my way in wearing a tiger print bikini in a bath of chocolate mousse.
Time out!
This is not a means of restraining her, mind you its not a bad idea. I spent some time cleaning her car seat. It began to take on a smell of its own. I washed it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle and the colour of the water was shocking! Putting it back together was a feat and took all of twenty minutes. To test the straps Gioia was happy to park cheesy for two minutes...she loved the unusual experience and was resistant to getting out. Maybe I can move her into the garden and make aeroplane sounds for the full Kulula experience.
Sorting out the fridge, the pantry and the oven
Pretend play at its best. I just love listening to her logic as she explains to me in much detail what object goes where.
Colouring in Gioia-Style
No need to get dressed for arts...Gioia just needs to be comfortable to be creative.
Say Amen then Eat up
My mom taught Gioia to say a basic grace "Dear Jesus, thank you for the food, Amen", since then we have elaborated a little and now she thanks Him for Bubbles her fish and for the rain and for her Mommy and Daddy. She is such a delight! This morning we decided to have our scrambled eggs in the warm sunshine on our little stoep overlooking Gioia Town and the wet shrubbery. After eating up she washed her personalised fork and plate with the garden hose! So domesticated...I learn from her daily.
Dog Tired
Gioia nearly slept 12hrs after the busy Saturday we had yesterday. She looks so big in this photo, it amazes both Johan and I. Where has our little baby gone?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Gioia Town update
Posted in Gioia Town
Here is Gioia, armed with her super cute new garden bag! Johan spoils his little lady everytime he comes home, she also got a matching chameloen watering can, ready to plant and weed. The new little green Birdie house in Gioia's strawberry patch comes from Granny-B and Plumbago. It fits in perfectly, all I need to do is find some seed for the feathered folk to nibble on and Gioia Town will be abuzz with twitters and tweets. I can't decide on a vinyl theme for kiddo's house, so for now I have added bug girls to her front door. She loves them, and has named them and greets them whenever she enters her pixie castle.
Saturday is Party Day
My little monkey was dressed in her polka dot shorts for Miss Serine's party at Zita Park. The dark grey rain clouds hovered above our heads while the girls enjoyed pink carrot cake, chocolate cupcakes and sweet juicy watermelon. Gioia managed to fit in a sneaky trip down the super tube.
After a quick nap and a fall off the bed (carpet burns are awful) we were off to Mikayla's red and black garden party. Gioia wore her super cute ladybug outfit, however the wings, gloves and sleeves did not make it to the party. Her mood seemed sad after the fall. I think falls hurt more when one's heart misses one's Daddy. The sweets from the party pack helped!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Gioia's Choice
Gioia has not been sick once in about 18months...I'd like to think I have a hand in that...
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
...who is Mom?
Gioia picks up things so quickly...I call my mom 'Mom' and Gioia calls me 'Mommy', but yesterday she started calling my mom, her granny, Mom too. At first I was almost offended as thats MY name, but then we realised she was simply imitating me. So when she comes running down the passage yelling Mom I know she means Granny. While writing this I recall the same happening while Oupa Giep was visiting us after Christmas. By the time he left she was calling Johan 'Dad'. Johan kept reminding her that she needs to call him Daddy as she is still his little baba, and that's what kiddies call their Fathers.
Trim and Blowave
Posted in a serious haircut
My monkey just loves the hairsalon...we are visiting my folks in Kroonstad so I took her to Carmen for a trim and a shape and Gioia looks like a little Cupie Doll. She sat perfectly still for Carmen while she snipped off Beans ends and then leaned down on her elbows while the hairdryer buzzed around her beautiful little blonde head. The result had me in stitches and I wanted to parade her up and down the main street to show her off. Our little girl is so beautiful it takes my breath away.
...lunch in Kroonstad
Gioia just adores a bowl of ice cream, and we left the little container of hundreds and thousands on the table while tidying up and she opened it up and emptied it completely onto her small spoonful lump of white ice cream. She was of course completely thrilled with the result.
Bloomers
The parenting book I am currently reading encourages parents to teach their children, especially girls, to be modest. Since Bean no longer wears nappies the world of toddler underclothing has only disappointed me. Gioia is tiny, and all the panties I have bought to date reveal to much when she wears her pretty girlie dresses. I have found a few pull up pants that I have her wear over her panties. At a recent visit to Parys I mentioned my thoughts on the matter, so my Nana made Gioia these little Bloomers...I just LOVE them, because the reveal nothing and she can jump on a trampoline and when her dress flies up one can see these cute spotted numbers.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Jingle Jangle outing with Daddy
Johan gives me as much time out as I need. Between house hunting and family adventures I have had to get some design work done, so Johan and Gioia left me in our quiet little flat for a few hours. I like updates as I dont want to feel like I'm missing out too much so Johan mms's me photos.
Baby Bean
Whenever cousin Graeme comes to visit Gioia seems to turn back into a baby, she wants to sit in his chair, ride in his pram, and drink his bottle. We let her pretend to be a baby. I'm not sure how 'healthy' it is but she seems happy and after Graeme has left, toddler Gioia returns and then she prefers drinking from her sippy cup and sitting in her big girl chair.
