birthday fun!

the days around Ruby's birthday were busy this year. Playgroup, activities here and there, Halloween, and a visit from Nanny and Poppie!


all dressed for the playgroup party. Butterfly and Bug with princess Emma.








The ladybug cake was very well received. Once she figured out what it was, she was really excited. Blowing out the candle was a tough job.











We all enjoyed cake and ice cream...well, at least all of us who like ice cream.

ok, and to be honest, the kids really just like icing.








present time! Ruby modeling part of a new outfit. She got lots of great clothes, 'babies' and baby accessories to play with and books too. Luck little 2 year old.










Norah showing off her new princess accessories, including high heels, which she has almost mastered walking in. "Just not on the stairs, I don't wear them on the stairs"

something is in the fridge

it's Ruby's birthday cake! Not too bad looking for only the third cake mom has decorated, eh?

time goes so fast. Fall is here, mornings are chilly and frosty, afternoons are warm, but there is chill in the sunshine. We rush off to outings, school, playdates, dance class, church. We're making more 'comfort food' type meals, things that fit the fall weather better, stews, soups, fruit crisps.

Ruby is sleeping in her 'big girl' toddler bed, and is talking non-stop, wants to do everything Norah does, and is convinced the world's problems can be solved with a block of ice.

Norah has fully, finally embraced potty training - thank you Hello Kitty underwear. Honestly, it was like a switch was flipped, and what a change! We're not all the way yet, but we are so close. Apparently, she only likes pink and purple now. I asked when that happened, "yesterday, mom, yesterday".

Isaac is full of French words, makes all sorts of signs to post in his room, and likes to imitate his school's bell...much to the annoyance of his parents. He must be preparing for a growth spurt, because that boy can EAT these days.

Mom and Dad? We are busy all the time. Work, kids, ideas in the works for new things going on, planning and talking out ideas...all while running off to swimming or getting Isaac to and from school.

Fall is here, and all too soon it will be winter. Time with little children does go so fast.

Road trip - from the backseat

This is me. Mom and dad put me in the car really early one morning. This could be fun, I never ride in Dad's car. They gave me a muffin, which I shredded in anticipation of our day. Mom said that was gross.










They must have had coffee along the way, because they were in good moods. They talked a lot, that was boring.










I had to look out the window at stuff like this. It got boring, so I napped a bit. Sometimes though, there were birds. I like birds.









We drove, and drove, and drove. We finally stopped and went to a house with a little dog named Georgia. Mom and Dad visited with the dog's people, and I liked to try to kiss the dog. Mom said that was gross too. Then I fell asleep. The next morning, that cold, white stuff was all over the car. Dad scraped it while Mom said it was her turn to drive, then they got coffee. Again with the coffee - I much prefer apple juice.




At least the scenery was different today.













I tried to show Mom the mountains. Then I fell asleep.












Then we stopped so we could stretch our legs. There were dogs there, so I didn't have time to look at the camera. Dogs, people, dogs to look at!

We kept driving, and then I got carsick. Those mountains are twisty.



Then we finally stopped. We went to a place called a hotel. It had a couple of big beds to jump on and a 'wimming pool. There were also a couple of Mom and Dad's friends there. They played with me, but the tall one kept trying to take my shoes and saying they were his. I may not be quite 2, but I wasn't born yesterday, there is no way my shoes are his style. Dad left for a bit to go to a church, and then we went to meet him at a restaurant for something called a rehearsal dinner. I thought it would be boring, until I realized there was another girl there to play with!


She was 3 and really grown up, because she had a job called "flower girl". We played with stickers that mom brought, and then we colored, then we danced. Oh, and we also spilled a whole cup of apple juice, but then we cleaned it up ourselves. Mom said that could have been gross, but we were helpful.




The next day, I hardly saw Dad at all. Mom said he was busy being a "best man". I always think he's the best man, but whatever. Mom also said he was terribly handsome in his tuxedo. I was confused because we were in a church, but Dad wasn't doing the talking or wearing his usual clothes.

Mike and Martiza looked nice, and I though her dress would be fun for dressup time.



Then we had party time. I got to play with the little girl from yesterday again, and we ran and ran, and danced and danced, and I ate lots of ice cubes. We took off our shoes and put them on our hands, that was fun. The people Mom sat with were very nice, and I'm pretty sure that they fed me more treats than Mom knew about - there were m&m's on the table! Daddy was up front doing some talking. I was confused because I could hear him, but not see him, so I tried to yell for him, but Mom told me not to. So I ate more ice cubes.




Then I got to dance with Daddy. He said I made him dizzy because I ran around him in circles. Then my friend went home, and I was sad. Mom said I was tired and held me in her arms for a bit. I thought we were going to our room, but this photos says otherwise.














The next thing I know, I woke up in one of the big beds and it was morning. I know it was morning because it was light. Mom said that I slept in my dress and tights and that made me a real party girl. I don't know what that meant, but it was really confusing to still be in last night's clothes.

That was a fun trip, just me and Mom and Dad. We had another day to play at the hotel and go 'wimming. Then we got in the car and drove and drove again. They stopped and did some shopping, but that was boring. It was nice to get home again and get out of the car already. I liked riding in Daddy's car, but I don't think I want to go that far again. I was so happy to see Isaac and Norah, and Nanny too. I think if it weren't for the ice cubes, the 'wimming pool and the dogs I might have been jealous that Isaac and Norah got to stay with Nanny.

Toddlers don't accessorise well

The outfit itself isn't bad. It's the slippers that throw the whole balance off. Really, tutus and heavy knit slippers just aren't a balance of fabrics. *wink*

first day of ballet

She was SO excited to go. She looked so lovely in her black leotard, pale pink tights and pink ballet slippers. Once she realized that she had no way out of having her hair put up, she allowed a ponytail. Of course, she was the cutest one one in the class.

Miss Kate taught about 'pretty feet' and how to plie and saute, and even gave them scarves to dance with. Norah was in heaven. Isaac was wondering what his kindergarten teacher was doing teaching dance class. Must be a small town!











A rare ponytail that stayed in!

sisters

more birthday

today was rather anti-climactic after the party day. Dad and Isaac were out the door early for church, and "us girls" puttered about while getting ready for church in town. We let Norah open gifts from the family last night, and she was enjoying them this morning. The rest of the cake came with us to church and was polished off there.



opening gifts, and modeling the new tutu.
















the new bike, from Grandpa Tom. She was very excited, but it was cold out, so she hasn't ridden it yet - and we haven't found a helmet locally yet either.
She is very proud of it. Isaac is glad to share his bike riding tips with her.

the birthday party

Today was the big party for Norah. "Finding Nemo" themed, as per her request. Which was a good choice, given the large number of little boys in her circle of friends, who would probably not appreciate the pink princess theme we were expecting.

Plans were made, friends were invited. Wasn't expecting to hit the snag of not being able to find a Nemo cake in town. Thankfully, a friend in town with cake decorating skills responded to our "cake emergency" phone call and helped out.

The house was decorated, 'aquariums' were made with blue jello and gummy fish (ick!, but loved), the kid-sized tables were waiting and ready, lunch was made. The guests arrived, fun was had. We enjoyed a lunch of "octopus hot dogs", submarine sandwiches, goldfish crackers and the kids favorite party punch. All the invited guests had fun, although we missed one pair of sisters who couldn't make it because the weather was nice and their family was busy combining the land. A couple of sea-themed crafts were made, giggling was plentiful, and aggression was minimal.


It was lots of fun.
The cake, courtesy of Melissa's decorating skills, and mom's baking.









One of the doorways, transformed into ocean waves, complete with seaweed.













Norah being mobbed as she opens gifts. There was lots of gift opening "help".









Most of the guests. Really, you just can't get them all in one shot. When the average party guest age is 3....

On love seat: (l to r)
Ryker, Isaac, Norah, Keanen, Kevin

in front: Olivia and Ruby
Dreya is hiding behind mom's leg in the background, Isabell is exploring, and younger siblings Jorja, Tyler and Hailey are scattered in the room.

I am aware that Norah's dress matches her cake. Entirely coincidence. Really. It's just her most 'party' dress right now, that was weather appropriate. However, it does affirm her choice of themes. :)

took this picture the other day

Just after a rain storm breezed past us, I called the kids upstairs to see the rainbow(s). They were sufficiently impressed. This picture hardly does justice to how beautiful it was.

progress in French

Isaac can now count to 8 in French. Tells us that stories are shared on the 'tapis'. Calls his teacher "madame Kate". Is able to do "head, shoulders, knees and toes" almost completely correctly.

In Sunday School this week, he even wrote NOM:______ on his craft, then added in his name.

I don't think he even knows he's learning yet!

Norah's new obession

"hey mommy...I think that new magazine has some nice pictures in it. pictures of kid stuff. can I see? please, can I see the kid stuff in the magazine"

(not realizing the can of worms about to be opened) "sure, Norah"

"yay!"
which was soon followed by
"wow, I want this. And this. And this too. I really want this bouncy slide, maybe for my birthday, ok?"


A big sarcastic thank you to Sears and the ridiculously early release of the Wish Book, and big ol' BOO to me for leaving it on the kitchen table for a day. She's obsessed.

end of an era

the crib is down. Ruby had taken to jumping out, and climbing in on her own. It appeared to be time to dismantle the crib and 'upgrade' to the toddler bed.

We were not quite prepared for how hard it was going to be to take the crib down. It has been up almost constantly since Isaac was born, even if there wasn't always a baby using it (as opposed to bunking in with mom and dad). A slightly more emotional experience than we had counted on.

As the toddler bed got involved with our basement floods back in '05, the base of the bed is in need of sanding to fit the frame (again). We currently have the headboard up though, with part of the frame, so that it looks like more than just a mattress on the floor. I'm hoping to paint the toddler bed soon, and Norah's bed, so that they are the same colour of white. As the girls will probably be in these beds until we buy a bunk bed set, we're hoping to keep them looking nice for a few more years. The bedroom looks so much bigger without the crib, and we took the armchair out too. It's turning into a big girl room!

a summer of growth

goodness! With Norah's 3rd birthday around the corner (what? what?), I decided to update the kids' stats. It's pretty easy to do, given that they love measuring things and weighing themselves - especially in pairs.

Isaac is now 44 1/4 inches tall and 41 pounds
Norah is 40.5 inches tall and 36 pounds (same weight as she has been, just taller)
Ruby is 36 inches tall and 30 pounds

no wonder they all outgrew clothes this summer! Especially with Isaac being all limbs these days.

see that?

that honeydew melon? Ya, that one. Guess where I found that today?

Yep, in the garden. Our garden. woo hoo!

there are also a lot of green, plump tomatoes out there. A LOT. About a dozen peppers that are supposed to be yellow or red, but are still green. Also, there was rather a shocking strawberry pick done today, we thought they were done for the year.

...also, we picked over 20 pounds of zucchini...no exaggerating. 20 pounds, and still more growing. Next year? Half the zucchini plants. Lesson learned!

"Bonjour, mes amis"

Dressed, and ready to head out. It was only a half day today, and parents were invited to stay. So I did. Our local chapter of Canadian Parents for French provided muffins for snack...which meant I was baking zucchini muffins last night.













Madame Kate and her class. Isaac is in M1, M2 attends the alternate days. Kindergarten is full day here - 8:55 to 3:30. It will probably be nice to have a smaller class of 12 or so each day.


Say hello to the first French Immersion class in this town ever! Aren't they cute?














Isaac during seat work time. Lots of new words to learn. Lots of new rules to follow. Lots of friends to make.

Well, his bag is packed...

and *he's* ready to go. Mom and Dad? Not so sure.

Kindergarten starts tomorrow. Full day kindergarten, every second day. French Immersion Kindergarten.

He's excited. He wants to know where "the garden" is. He can't wait to see his "new friends" and carry his new backpack to school.

We want to know where the last 5 years went.

why bother trying?

seriously. why do we attempt to book a trip for portraits at Sears when we are in the city?

Every time, someone gets a visible injury.

Today, Ruby. We were playing chase, and she fell. Right into the metal bedframe. Nice red mark that will probably turn into a bruise, right across her left eye area. lovely.

No pictures today.

On the other hand, we got all of our school shopping done. Isaac now has his indoor shoes, a brand new backpack, some random clothes he needed to round out the wardrobe, and a kindergarten sized thermos. Big days ahead.

the beach

We may not have done much swimming, but it was still a great hangout.













On a windy day












That Norah is brave...

but loves a good "wrapped and cozy" after a dip










































the big water fight with Nanny. I think Isaac lost.












Snuggling with Dad












Sandcastle building with Nanny












Of course, all princesses are wearing their tutus to the beach this season.

the climbing

They started off the week mildly...ya right! Check out Ruby's bold moves here, with her sister right on her heels. That climb was mastered in one day.










































Later in the week, they moved on to more vertical climbs. both girls had that one mastered quickly as well. Still didn't mean we were comfortable watching it!