Games

After dinner is done, after stories are read, after kids are in bed, after chores are done...

...daddy's play games.

Cowboys don't smile...

...but they do take care of their horses.
I arrived home last night to find the kids in full costumes, Owen as a cowboy with his trusty horse Millie. Isabelle was dressed as a fairy, but was already disrobing - the fluttery fairy shoulders were irritating her face.."no like" was heard a few times as she removed the offending costume.

Nora is such a blessing in our lives, taking such great care of the kids, getting dressed up with them, taking them sledding the first day it snowed, making wonderful meals and keeping our house running like clockwork. Thank you Nora!

Overheard

Isabelle has been talking up a storm lately, it seems each day she is speaking in longer sentances and learning new words. This morning at 6am, snuggled next to me in our bed she said...

Hi Mama

Hi Dada

Where Owen?

Where Bella bottle?

Where Bella bear?

I lu ooo (I love you)

Show mama? Bella show?

Where Bella Gabba? (in reference to her favourite show Yo Gabba Gabba)

Where Bella Piggle? (her other favourite show In The Night Garden character Iggle Piggle)

Where Bella lambie?
More Gabba

Nature Table Tree

Months ago, I started reading Amanda Soule’s book The Creative Family and was inspired to start a Nature Table. In essence it is a seasonal area for bits of nature to reside, but more than that it is intended to be a place to enjoy the beauty of nature, perhaps a place for quiet reflection...a very special place. I talked to the kids about this and we immediately labeled the table on our front porch The Nature Table and the kids would put all of their treasures on that table. It quickly became covered in acorns, twigs, pinecones, rocks and other wonderful items. Yes, it was a nature table, but it was not very visually appealing or inspiring. Not something that one would want to come back to again and again to look at. So I have been thinking and searching and trying to figure out where, inside my house, did I dare set up a nature table. The front hall table seemed to me to be the best place, but for all sorts of reasons I could not figure out how to do it. Until I took a peek at Martha Stewart’s website this morning. She has a Christmas Workshop that has 6 weeks of projects leading into Christmas. Decorating, baking, gift making. I clicked on Week 5 interior decorations, saw this greetings tree and it was like a lightbulb went off. Perfection.


I love the idea of the branches giving some structure to the nature table. The little pots can be changed seasonally and added to as the kids find new treasures. It will work in all seasons and we will be able to incorporate some of our crafts – decorate with hand made paper snowflakes after Christmas is over, tissue paper flowers in the spring, green paper leaves in the summer and so many great colours in the fall – leaf rubbings in red, yellow and orange. It will work with all of our holidays – red hearts for Valentines day, decorated eggs hanging at Easter, tiny flags for Canada day…the ideas are endless.

I cannot wait to get home tonight and get started on our new Nature Table Tree.

Are we having fun yet?

Last year, Ajax started doing the Santa Clause parade at night and continued that this year. It was a freezing cold night -10c (14F). The Stephen Family came for a play date and attended the parade with us. We got there early to get a good spot and get set up. The kids drank their hot chocolate, played a bit in the snow, saw the first few floats that came by and then we bailed on the parade. The kids were frozen, Remy (the dog) was frozen, the adults were frozen and frankly we were all pretty miserable. Owen was the first to announce that he was "done" and the rest of us happily followed him back to the car where he and Isabelle cried almost the whole way home. Not such a happy parade experience this year...maybe we will find one next year that is held during the day.

hello monday

hello bottle with almond chocolate milk & goat milk
hello pulling hair while drinking "buh-buh"
hello sippy cup for drinks outside of the kitchen
hello kids with clothing on before the TV gets turned on
hello snuggling together in the princess couch
hello sweet blonde heads
hello Leapster game
hello pre-breakfast snack of fruit loops and organic bears cereals
hello tv show to ease into the day
hello monday from owen & isabelle.

these are a few of my favourite things

I have been reflecting lately on our blessings and how very lucky we are. As I look around our home, there are so many things that make me smile.
A basket full of warm hats and scarves and mittens - reminding me we will not be cold this winter.

A shelf in my kitchen with cookbooks, new and old - reminding me we have lots of food to eat and time to be creative and make wonderful meals.

Fresh flowers in my home - reminding me of the beauty that exists somewhere when our world is covered in snow and ice - thanks dad & Barb
Photos of my children and loved ones that remind me every moment how very lucky I am and how much I am loved.

Take a moment today to reflect on your blessings and what you love in your life right now.

perfection

crackling fire

playing candyland
chilling by the fire
snugging with bottle and bear
hot cocoa in special mug

sitting in a princess chair reading books with fancy shoes on
footed sleepers and fancy shoes

us 3 snuggled together reading one of my favourite books Piggies

the only thing missing was Adrian...we hope you had a good night daddy...we love you and missed you...other than that perfection

Terrible two? Says who?

I was looking through our pics for stories that need telling and I came across this gem. Isabelle and Paige in the hotel bathroom at Great Wolf Lodge. They were in there for only a few moments when the laughter pulled me in. This is what I discovered:

Playing with toilet paper is a rite of passage in my mind. I have some great shots of Owen doing this very same thing. I love the look on the girl's faces...you can see the laughter and joy in their eyes.

Who says two is terrible?

Perhaps the mother of this child:

Look mama...more here...

YES...there are parts of two that are simply divine...and other parts are just plain terrible.

Baby Alive

Owen and I were in Toys R Us over a month ago and he spotted a doll and said "Isabelle needs this doll for her birfday. Can we please buy it for her?" He is such a great big brother. Did not ask for any toys for himself, that trip, and was really thinking of just her...so sweet.

Fast forward to last week...Isabelle's birthday. He was so proud to present her with the gift he chose. He "helped" her open it up and showed her everything it could do. As soon as it was acceptable (maybe 10 seconds later) he grabbed it for himself and did not let go until he was asleep...with the doll tucked in safely beside him.

My boy xoxo.

Prezzies

Grandma and Nana both brought Isabelle some wonderful gifts last week. She (and Owen) could not be more thrilled with them all.

Thanks so much to both of you xoxo

The Perfect Sweatshirt

Two years ago, when Kaitlin was in her first year of university, she bought Owen a grey and purple Western U sweatshirt. He wore it every week to karate because Auntie KK did karate and Auntie KK gave him the sweater. He wore that sweatshirt until the arms were only 3/4 sleeves and the neck was so tight it pulled his eyebrows up to his hairline when taking it off. He loved that sweatshirt so much. I think it was becuase it was a reminder to him of his Auntie K even though she was far away at school.
Well...Auntie KK has hit a homerun again. She bought Isabelle a wonderful University of Western sweatshirt for her birthday. Like everything, Bella rejected it at first. Now it is the only thing she wants to wear. She loves pockets right now and this has a kangaroo pocket right in front that she can put both hands into...a wonderful thing in her mind. It also has a hood...another great thing according to Isabelle. It is perfect in this wonderful fall weather we are having right now - not too hot and not too cold...just perfect.

Perfect for jumping on the trampoline.
Perfect for playing soccer.
Perfect for digging holes.

Perfect for being thrown into the air by daddy.Thank you Auntie KK. Thank you for being the perfect sister and the perfect Aunt.

xoxo

Remember

Today I am remembering. Remembering my Grandpa Bud. Remembering my Grandpa Den. Remembering all the men and woman who have fought and sacrificed for my freedom. Remembering to be thankful for all that I have. Remembering to be thankful that my husband, my father and my brother have never had to go to war. Remembering to hope that my son and daughter will never have to go to war. Remembering to teach Owen and Isabelle the meaning and importance of this day. Thank You!

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Happy Birthday Auntie K

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday auntie K K
happy birthday to you

we love you Anutie K K
have a great day!
owie & bella
xoxo

A perfect night for celebration

We celebrated 2 birthday's last night - Isabelle's 2nd and dad's with a great little party. Nana & Papa were in town and it was wonderful having them with us.

Isabelle got well and truly spoiled; a few very cool dolls, her very first Barbie (thank you Nora), a Western University sweatshirt from Auntie KK (thanks Kaitlin, I love that you are carrying on the tradition) and some much needed jammies.

It was a fun night, just spending time together as a family. Nana and Isabelle had a pizza party.

Papa and Owen sat on the couch playing Nintendo DS games.

We all played Owen's new Twister Hopscotch game from Nana & Papa (he loves it - we played again this morning). Sing on green, clap on red, dance on yellow...such fun!
"I wove ooo Aunie TayTay" Isabelle got to talk to Auntie KK on the phone - she loves to talk on the phone and she loves Auntie KK - just look at the smile on her face...so sweet.

And Isabelle's word for the evening? Tink You. Loved it. She was saying it over and over, it was very clear and she was very happy. We were all pretty darn happy to be celebrating with her and seeing the excitment in her eyes.

Happy Birthday Dad!

&

Happy Birthday Bella!