A little Christmas Cheer to share

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1238076341

violating child labor laws?

Ruby woke up from her nap and wanted to join in on the tidying that Isaac and mom were doing. I guess letting her run the vacuum keeps her from being afraid of it.

random pics

Norah after ballet class. One of our many, many snowy days.

note the snow in the van, it didn't melt. You know it's cold when you can sweep the snow out of the van.








Reading together. Note the summery clothes. We're trying to hide the summer stuff, but they keep finding more. Parents are putting on sweaters, and kids run around in short sleeves. Makes no sense.








Storytime with Dad.











Mom's project for the front entrance. It holds at least 4 snowsuits and accessories.

In retrospect, buying it earlier in the year and starting the staining process before the temperatures dropped below 0 would have been a good idea. Hard to do a good job when you can't feel your fingers.

Christmas is on the horizon

so I changed up our look for the season. At least, it's wintery for now. More tweaking to come.

You may have noticed that there is, once again, a little wish list for the kids on the right hand side. You may find there isn't that much on it. After the last 2 birthdays, and subsequent gift piles, we're actually rather panicked - heart palpitations - about the idea of more toys in the house. All three children have lots of clothes (to the extreme) and we're not really needing anything right now for them. What a blessing that is! Between feeling as though we are living with great abundance, most things seem to be recalled these days. If it's made in China, it seems to contain lead paint, or be a choking hazard. Trying to actually come up with a wish list is hard work. The only 'big ticket' item that the kids could really use is a bigger playhouse for the yard, but that's for months (gasp! months!) from now.

not for the squeamish

there have been a few too many injuries here lately. In the space of a week, each child has had one major owie. Most involving profuse quantities of blood.

Last Tuesday, Ruby bit partway through her tongue. Lots of blood. All contained in bathtub, thankfully.

Saturday, Isaac fell in tub (hmm, trend?) and did some damage. He bit partially through his lip and has loosened his top two teeth. Trip to dentist to follow. As mom was out, dad dealt with the blood - not his strongest suit. Apparently the bathtub was reminiscent of a scene in Psycho. Ew.

Yesterday, Norah took a big fall while playing chase with Ruby. Massive goose egg on her forehead where she connected with a door frame.

This has not been a great week. AND it's been snowing almost non stop since Saturday.

Ruby's new expression

Generally said while on the change table....

"taller than you!"

She finds it very exciting to be taller than someone. The hard part of being the youngest must be always being the shortest.

yesterday's crafty activity

they were too busy painting to look at the camera. We were painting toilet paper rolls, Norah wanted to make a castle. Then they got bored and moved on. Anyone want some partially painted toilet paper rolls?

conversation tidbits

Norah "mom, when I grow up, I'm going to be a woman like your"
Mom "yes, sweetie, you will"
Norah "not like daddy. I don't want to be like daddy"
Mom "why not like daddy?"
Norah "I don't want to have a beard. I love daddy, but I don't want a beard"

fair enough.

winter's influence

it's only been snowy for a few days, and already we're climbing the walls.


Ok, it's really just Isaac who is climbing the walls. See?

and winter is here

It's pretty much official now. We have about 3 inches of snow outside, it's cold AND Rob got the snow tires put on his car today. The kids got to do some "snow angeling"...and they ate a lot of it too.

<<< "mom! the snow is blowing into our eyes!"







That's a better shot!

"Hey mom...

can we go snow angeling today??"

That was the first question after this first, early morning look out the windows.















Sure we can...and now mom and dad get to fit in some appointments to change over our vehicle tires from all season to snow. Makes us long for the days when the first snowfall was really exciting, instead of a reminder that winter is long.

goodbye...

Fall. Farewell for another year. It was lovely, but short. You came, you turned the leaves beautiful colours, then they dropped to the ground. Now winter has pushed it's way in early and rudely, and we will see you next year, Fall.

We broke out the winter coats and boots today. It's currently snowing.

pics of the girls from today

Ruby wore one of her new outfits today. She loved it...but didn't want her picture taken.


















She *really* didn't want her picture taken.












the cheesy grin

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