5 years ago...

Oh goodness, does 5 years ever go by too fast. Our little man is growing more every day, and it's so hard to remember when he was tiny - yet it feels like only moments ago.

We had a lovely day, presents after breakfast. Treasures unwrapped, and enjoyed. Including the much desired "switchers and connectors" for the train track. (thank you toysrus online shopping!) A road trip to the big city (although, he's not too thrilled about being at Nanny's house without Nanny "you shouldn't be in people's houses when they aren't home"), with the requiste TimBits stop. A supper out, with a 'fancy, big-boy drink' that came with orange wedges and 3 cherries on top, AND the waitstaff singing him a personal birthday greeting. How can a boy not love that special day?

He is now sleeping off the sugar buzz from the drink and the whipped cream from the ice cream sundae he was given at dinner.

We forgot our camera connector, so no pics until we get home again. Instead, may I offer up some stats for your enjoyment.

Isaac
at birth - 8 lbs 5 oz, 22 inches long, blue eyes, no birthmarks, all fingers and toes
age 5 - 41 pounds, 42.5 inches tall, blue eyes, a good number of scars, one finger broken along the way.

We decided after a small falling mishap last week involving his face and a milk crate to delay his 5 year portraits until our next city visit. He's sporting a rather lovely yellow bruise across his right cheek. Until next time!

shhhh

If you listen carefully, you will hear it. Ruby talking. She's a quiet little one, but is developing quite the vocabulary. "tank oo" "dere you go" "top it" "help pease" "music dance?" Every day she seems to be picking up new phrases, as well as words. How fun!

moving outside

the wonderful days of Spring are here. the sun warms the earth and the growing grass is greener every day. We are spending more and more time outside, hoping to enjoy the yard before mosquito season begins.
chasing bubbles around is always a treat










new skills include climbing










but she still wants to hold a hand on the slide - unlike her brave, winter self. probably the lack of snowsuit padding.














the swings - occasionally a fight over whose turn it is to use them, and who gets to dig in the sand.









hanging out under the slide. we're finding lots of ladybugs in there.

dinner with the future fasist dictator, the raging capitalist, and the utiopian dreamer

A snapshot of dinner time conversation at our home

I - hey dad, can I tell you a funny joke?
D - sure
I - what do birds do in the air?
D - I don't know, what do birds do in the air?
I - you tell me
D - when do you tell me the funny part?
I - I don't know, when is it funny?

-- supper is consumed, and older 2 children ask for more --

R - more! more!!! please...please (frantically signing please at this point)
M - you have food, right there
R - more!!! (pushing existing food on plate aside)
I - (laughing) she wants more because I have more. Do you? do you want more when I have more?
R - MORE!
D - our future little capitalist consumer, keeping up with the siblings

----

I - hey mom?
M - yes
I - know what?
M - tell me, as long as it's not about how deep the pool is
I - hey dad?
D - I'm not talking about the pool either
I - No, when I grow up...when I'm big...everyone in the whole world is going to listen to my words.
D - really?
I - yep, and they are all going to do what I say, everyone in the whole world. they will listen to my words
D - those are some big plans
I - yep, they will all do what I say

----
N - (who has been silent through most of the meal) hey mommy, hey mommy, hey mommy?
M- yes
N - *big sigh* oh mommy, after supper, I go put on ballerina dress and we play school
M- sure, after your bath
N- and I put on ballerina dress, and you be the teacher and I be Tiffany
M - who is Tiffany?
N - me, I be Tiffany, and I dance in my ballerina dress and spin and spin and spin and den I fall down and we all be happy

----

we have no idea who Tiffany is, or where she even heard the name. hard to keep a straight face through some meals around here.

outside time!

we got to play outside today for a good, long stretch. It warmed up to 17C, and was just lovely. Ruby managed to figure out how to climb the ladder to the slide, Norah discovered that she doesn't like going very high on the 'big kid' swing, and Isaac found that he can indeed ride his bike on the grass.

Jordyn, Jaycie and Joey stopped by with their mom, and all the kids had a great time playing for a nice stretch of time. The days are getting much longer, and the yard is so much dryer now. Very nice.

Although, we're kind of kicking ourselves for the swing set we have. What were we thinking, only getting one that can take 2 swings when we have 3 kids. grumble. Not to mention that it's tilting to the side a bit after the winter. And they are all getting big for the little playhouse. We did get to see a ladybug in the yard today though, that was lots of fun.

that *that* winter!

it is currently 15 outside - 60 for our American readers. Finally, it's beautiful outside. "Lake Rectory" is visibly shrinking from hour to hour, although the yard is still a muddy mess. We are still avoiding playing on the grass, but we have been able to expand to the back patio and deck from only the garage. In fact, just looked out the back window - the lake is GONE, instead of the large mess we had only yesterday. Wish we took pictures of it.

Windows are open and fresh, spring air pours in. Nice.

Finally was able to capture Ruby dancing

Easter treasures

- the arrival of a package from out west. New clothes for kids, and some airplanes to play with. Yay Grandpa Tom!

- a bag of goodies from the 'big city', new outfits for all, including matching (yet reversed) ones for the girls. And the GoGoTV game, what kid doesn't love to see themselves on tv?

- watershoes in the Easter baskets, in anticipation of trips to the lake this summer. Also, new toothbrushes for all, and a board game too

- a bag of beautiful picture books, from the Archdeacon and his wife. Books that our kids aren't quite ready for, but that we can't wait to read to them.

- the best gift of all, the promise of eternal life, through the death and resurrection of our Saviour. The most wonderful Easter treasure.

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter from our family. We had a colder morning than expected, and we had to dress up warmer than anticipated when leaving the house.








Ruby













Norah, who has had a very cranky Easter morning. Naptime needs to begin right now.









Isaac.
Check out how short those sleeves are becoming, that shirt fit him at Christmas!















A rare pic of all 5 of us. not an easy task to get 5 people to look at the camera, AND keep 3 from running off.

Easter weekend

playing the new game, GoGo tv, where the kids are on the screen, playing.

New outfits for the kids too :) thanks Nanny.

road trip!

Dad had to be at the cathedral today for a noon-time service. We all tagged along, and got to have lunch with the clergy of the diocese afterwards. The kids were very impressed to have been blessed by the bishop with the big hat.

Then we went to WalMart. Oh goodness, I think half the town was there. Never have we seen such a busy store. It's not even Christmas! Plowed through the shopping list, and got most of it. Long day though. Good to get home after such a long day of driving.

Hard to believe we're getting ready to celebrate our third Easter here.