August 25: On our way home from Canada, we spent a little time with Laura Marie’s great-grandmother and great-aunt in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.  Sitting at the dinner table, she leaned over and quietly confided in me, “I can’t tell them apart because they both have white hair.” Continue reading

August 24: * We spent all day in the old city of Quebec.  Laura Marie saw a wedding party leaving a church, and said excitedly, “I never saw a bride getting married in Canada!” * We passed a street musician playing Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” on an electric piano—and Laura Marie loves Beethoven.  After walking away, Continue reading

August 23: * Today we went to a fancy chocolatier on an island near Quebec.  They had the fanciest chocolate everything I’ve ever seen.  Laura Marie wanted a gumball from a machine. * We explored Canyon Sainte Anne.  They had a really cool kids area with a big Sudoku puzzle the size of our living Continue reading

August 22: * At breakfast on this day, Laura Marie had a lot of thoughts to share with our hosts.  Such as: “We’re staying here because we’re on vacation.”  “I don’t remember home because we’ve gone to so many places at Bed and Breakfasts.”  “I have a passport, too.” * While I was brushing her Continue reading

August 21: * Staying in a Bed & Breakfast in Saint-Adele, Laura Marie talked nonstop to our hosts at breakfast.  One story began, “One time I was tired and grumpy because I didn’t get enough sleep…” and she launched into a long and detailed story.  She also told them, “All day long I think about Continue reading

August 20: * As we drove from Toronto to Quebec, Laura Marie was in the back seat singing away.  When Carolyn and I turned around to look at her, she said, “You know, guys, I need my privacy singing.” * Laura Marie and I have a running joke where she talks about Muenster cheese and Continue reading

August 19: * Last night I went to sleep wearing a t-shirt with a pocket, and in the same room as a four-year-old.  This morning I woke up with little dolls in my shirt pocket. * We visited the castle Casa Loma.  Carolyn had told Laura Marie about a spiral staircase there.  Laura Marie kept Continue reading

August 18: * Apparently our Toronto wakeup call has a slight variation.  This morning the day started with two of Laura Marie’s dolls–Snow White and Lambie–squealing in a very high-pitched voice, “Wake up, sleepyheads!” * At the Toronto Zoo, Laura Marie took one look at the baboons and, without a word, cracked up laughing.  When Continue reading

August 17: * On this day we discovered that our daily wakeup call throughout the duration of our vacation was going to be a certain four-year-old girl standing next to our bed yelling, “Wake up, sleepyheads!” * While eating at Rainforest Café in Niagara Falls, I noticed that Laura Marie’s attention was fixed on something Continue reading

August 16: * We thought Laura Marie might sleep late after getting to bed late.  But nope—we awoke with her standing right next to our bed, shouting, “Wake up, sleepyheads!” * During breakfast, Carolyn poured syrup on Laura Marie’s waffle.  Laura Marie remarked, “How sweet of you!” * As we rode the Maid of the Continue reading