Funny words

Little C- "My tummy is broken"
Me - "what's wrong"
Little C - "no burp mommy" then he burps and says "it's fixed mommy!"


Little C - "mommy, do you want some coffee"
Then he was off to the kitchen to make me some! What a thoughtful little man!!!

Toddler words

Little C and Princess Bean are talking more and more - and keep us impressed and laughing most days!

Little C
- Last night serving dinner - "No mommy, no touch, that is hot". "Mommy be careful with that" Thanks for the concern little man.....
- Other week walking down the road - "Mommy you need to be on the side of the road. Over here..."
- Favourite saying - "Not yet" (in response to bed time, meal time, bath time)

Princess Bean
- In the car trying to keep her from falling asleep - "stop that!"
- At dinner time will chant "dinner time, dinner time" and run to her chair
- Handed Deric something and said "There you go" - Impressive!!!

Embarrassing Mommy moment
- At work reading an email from a friend about being a mom. my phone rang and instead of answering, Hello this is Margaret, answered saying "Hello this is mom".... Good thing I knew the person calling and could recoup! But how embarrassing.

A boy and his train

I have posted before that Little C LOVES trains. Pretty much anything train is a big hit!

At home depot last weekend we found this train. From the moment Little C laid eyes on the package he was in love. He helped carry the case out of the store into the house and followed daddy around while it was set up. Both him and Princess Bean played with the train all day long.

What fun

A week in the sun

Last week we were in Florida!!!! It was great to be in the warmer weather (although it was a little chilly for Florida) - we swam every day, explored the beach, collected shells, relaxed and played lots outside.

I was not very good at taking pictures - here are the few that I have - Princess Bean and her extra curly hair (gotta love the humidity) and Little C loving the beach.

We can't wait to go back!!!! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa...

Not too cold for me...

Fall Leaves

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! We had 2 kids in costumes!!!!! Once Little C agreed to wear his costume, and many people commented on how great he looked, he ran the streets yelling "I am Thomas!".

It was a great night - fun for all. The hard part was explaining how every night is not trick or treat night!

I am what I am...

Last year for Halloween, Little C decided that a costume was not cool. He screamed whenever I brought his pumpkin outfit over to him. For his Halloween party at ECFE and finally on Halloween night, he refused to wear his costume! He decided he was going as himself!

Fast forward one year.... I started asking Little C what he wanted to be for Halloween. One day in Costco, I saw the costumes and started to show them to him. "Would you like to be a cow?", "no, no cow"; how about a horse "no, no horse". This continued for every costume I showed him.

A few days later (in the peak of his Thomas the train love), I asked if he wanted to be Thomas "Yes, I be Thomas". I am thinking - all right, I will have a child in a costume this year. So off to Target we went - Little C, found the costume, and carried it all the way home - excited as can be. Bliss for all.... or so I thought.

Last weekend was Zoo Boo - we took the kids; Bean in her Pumpkin outfit, and a Thomas the train for Little C. However, when we arrived - Little C announced that he is not Thomas!

I am what I am.... Smart little boy.

What are we up to?

Little C - Favourite show is WORD WORLD - Try to say that... I think he can pronounce it better than me... go figure. Back to riding his bike everywhere. Favourite foods - PB&J sandwiches, eggs, oatmeal, spinach stuffed raviolis, pizza.

Princess Bean - Talking up a storm and loves to chase her brother. I am sure one of these days she will catch up. She is attempting to learn to kick a ball - which is pretty funny to watch... Favourite foods - yogurt, raspberries, cheese, mac & cheese, green beans.

Mommy - loving the beautiful fall - the leaves are absolutely beautiful - definitely the most striking of the years we have lived in Minnesota. I am looking forward to parents visiting this weekend.

Daddy - has lost 16 pounds!!!!! Great job - I commend him for his dedication to the diet!

To my little boy 3

You are 3!!! It is hard to believe that 3 years ago you entered our world and changed it forever (for the better of course).

You are full of life and laughter. There is never a day when you are not laughing hysterically and making me laugh too. I love your energy and zest for life. You make me appreciate the small things - the other day we were going to the car and you saw the moon and wanted a better view. You notice the yellow leaves, the boats on the water and the bugs on the ground! The world is a funner place with you.

This has been a busy year for you..

First, we remodelled the house and you got a new room. You are now on the second floor with all the rest of us and are sleeping in a big boy bed. Shortly after you moved upstairs, you started climbing out of your crib, so we knew it was time. For the first couple of nights you would climb out of bed and come looking for us - and we would take you back to bed and often fall asleep with you. Now, you ask me everynight to lay down with you and cuddle with you for a "few minutes". I rarely say no and we talk about things you did that day and what tomorrow holds. Last night when I ask you about the day you said "we had fun mommy. Daddy was funny".

You have also become quite the responsible big brother. Now that your sister is walking, you keep charge of her and make sure she doesn't go where she is not supposed to. When you stop her from walking to the road, I sometimes answer"thank you Mr Policeman"!

You play with your sister all day long - I sometime wonder what you would do without her! I think your favourite game is to climb in her crib and play Bunny! We build a fort, and the two of you jump around with froggie and bunny and make up new games. Bean loves this too - you make her laugh like no one else! You two also love to tackle each other and roll on the ground.

Preschool also started for you. You love it so much! The other week you were the leader of the class - the teacher said you were a natural leader and liked to be in charge. The only bad part was that the leader got to bring in a favourite toy from home. You brought your Thomas the Train book and toy. Oh how you love Thomas!!!!

I look forward to each new day with you and wonder what you will start to do next. You are a pro at kicking a soccer ball and shooting hoops! You ride your tricyle to the grocery store, and love to meet new friends at the park.

I love you Little C!

This is what happens when mommy leaves and goes to work....

Let the party begin! Mom is out of the house....

A pretty girl

A fall weekend at the lake

A beautiful weekend at the lake... what more can you ask for - the sun was shining, temperatures in the 70's and Mama and Papa joining us.


We had lots of fun exploring.... And swimming (Bean with Mama after dunking her face)
And finally the naked party... jumping off the dock with papa

Little C is 3!

A good friend of mine has a tradition in her house - on your birthday, you can have the cereal of your choice. I think this is great since we don't allow sugary cereals in our house and gives the kids a special treat (without being too bad). This year, Little C got Lucky Charms!!!! The marbits are the heros, but in total Little C and Bean ate about 3 bowls of cereal Saturday morning - A real treat!!! Blowing out the candles!
And so proud...
Bean and her war paint! Believe it or not, she did this herself, while eating the cake with a fork! You've got talent little girl!

Way too much fun

Colin and Anna are playing more and more together. This was so cute - Colin was so proud and Anna giggled away. They actually kept taking turns (but I had to push Colin around....).

Enjoy...

Cheerios....

A new way to eat... Who needs hands.

Block party Fun

A Block Party - how fun is that???? Especially when equipped with a magician, fire truck and great food!

Colin's favourite by far was the scooter he claimed from another boy and the fire truck. Although the peanut butter rice krispie treats were good for a dinner!

Anna loved the food - couldn't get enough of it!!!! After dinner, she even went back to where we were sitting to eat the food off the ground! But the fire truck was pretty cool too...

In line for the truck - not sure what is happening, but it has to be good right?

Now what?????
This is soooo much fun!
Anna thinks so too.

I just wonder why....

I think my kids have a pack - "Let's not let mom and dad sleep in EVER"!

Last week, Monday and Tuesday - Bean was up at 6:15 am, Little C slept until 7 am
Remainder of week (and weekend) - Little C was up by 6:30 and Bean slept until after 7 am

So, when you want it most (over the weekend), we were still up early.

This morning - alarm goes off at 6:15 - both kids asleep! Both slept in until almost 7 am.

And the trend will continue.... and I just wonder why!

The nerve...

Just had to pass on the story of our evening grocery shopping trip

The scene - I picked up Little C and Bean from Day Care (which is odd in itself since they are stay at home kids), and headed to Lund's, our neighbourhood grocery store. Kids are both very tired and a little cranky. But I needed to pick up Daddy's "surprise" birthday cake since it was the only night we could celebrate.

What happened - I collected our cake from the bakery and Little C wanted to carry it. I said no since I didn't want it dropped on the floor. So next we went to the freezer section to get some ice cream, while Little C whinned at my heals. Bean was running in the aisles, happy to be free and gleeing with joy.

The Aftermath - An older lady in the aisle turns around and yells at me "Why don't you just leave now with your children. They are way too noisy for this store and have no right to be here"!!!

Can you believe that!!!! All I could do was stand there and look bug eyed at her. Yes my kids were a little loud, but really......

A friend came up with a response that I wish I would have been smart enough to say "The last time I left them in the car while shopping, I got in trouble from the police"!

Paris - the pictures

The classic.... The famous....
A church of course....
A funny view... putting things into perspective
And of course, the hotel.

As you can see, I am quite the tour guide.

Pondering this...

After being out of town for 9 days, I began to realize what I missed most about my babies - the laughs and giggles that they are so willing to give. It is my wish to soak this all up while I can!

Below is a quote I recently read which sums it all up!

The biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three of them, sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.

What are we up to?

Fall is approaching and lots of activity going on. Colin and Anna still love to play outside - and they are playing more and more together

Little C loves - over the past couple of days, we have been colouring with sidewalk chalk. We draw roads and people and he loves to drive the car and pretend that he is a car. Favourite foods are still spinach ravioli and pancakes (he loves to dip them in syrup). Favourite book is Brown Bear Brown Bear

Princess Bean loves - loves to chase her brother and tickle him (although he doesn't always want to be touched). Bean is talking more and more, saying "thank you", "all done" "please", "bunny", and counting 1,2,3! Favourite foods are pancakes, cheese, pasta, and yogurt.

Mommy loves - being home once again, although getting over the jet lag is getting old! I do miss Paris though - what a beautiful city!!! Am reading a new book "Boleyn Inheritance", but being so tired at night is making it hard..... My favourite love of the week - went home for lunch on Monday, bean was in bed and Colin and I played outside (colouring and playing ball) for about an hour - what an indulgence!

Daddy loves - Back on his diet, he has given up coffee and cheese! But that brings in Green Tea in many flavours!!!! Birthday weekend is coming up so we shall see what celebrations are coming up....

Paris!!!!

I am in Paris! What a great experience to fly Business Class overseas - makes you feel like royalty.

Work is going well, but am very tired from our full days plus all the extra stuff that comes after the session is done (typing, printing, organizing and going out for dinner). But, that is all worth it, since I am in Paris.

THe one downside - I miss my babies!!! There are a few pictures on my camera of them last week, and I keep looking at them and wondering what they are doing! I am sure they are fine, but can't wait to see them (and talk to them!).

(pictures to come since they seem to be taking forever to upload...)

Toddler talk - the wee version

Cute....

A new favourite

After a little convincing, we were all loaded up on bikes. Daddy had the hard part of pulling the extra 50 lbs (could be worse right?).

Colin LOVED it!!!! So much so, that later in the day he asked to go again. He grabbed daddy's helmet and shoes to help him out even.
So, here we are loaded up - Lots of elbow room for drinks and snacks - perhaps that was why Colin loved it so much? Hmmmm....

My favourite place to sit and think

Or just hang out....

And finally... the unveil

I know, I know.... I have said that the house remodel has been done for a long time. And yes, I am finally posting the pictures.

But I have to admit - yesterday when taking these photos my neighbours had a good laugh - I was asked at least twice why I was taking photos of the house. So thanks for the laughs!!!!

Just as a reminder... Here was our house last summer - in the beginning of August!

And the new and improved version this August...
The back yard
And the view of the house from the back
So there it is... our new house. We love it!!!!! My favourites are the big deck and our Master Bathroom.

What are we up to?

Colin - Talking lots (and we are even starting to understand most of it now). Less "Colin-ese" as we call it. Since on vacation last week, Colin has learned that he loves ice cream and swimming (before it was just water). Last week, after getting out of bed he asked if he could have ice cream for breakfast. He settled for Lucky Charms (another vacation treat not allowed in our home). His new favourite phrase is "Stop it!" I wonder where he gets that from....

Princess Bean - IS WALKING!!!!! I am so proud of her. After holding on to our fingers for the last month and refusing to let go, even though she was barely holding on - she has finally taken off. Within 3 days, she was walking across the room (doing laps) and barely scooting! No more dirty clothes for me! Yeah....

Mommy (or Money, as Colin says) - is back to the grind at work and missing her Canadian vacation. I just finished the book "The Other Boleyn Girl" and loved it! Looking forward to more Tudor era books. Also gearing up for my trip to Paris - depart Aug 28th!!! I guess I better start practicing my French.

Here are a few Canadian Vacation Pics:

Colin and Kim

African Lion Safari - Colin's favourite was the ball maze. I think he would have stayed here all day. But then we found water!

Anna in the Petting area - baby goats! She just wanted to chase them around. Too cute.

Hanging at the cottage - my new antique high chair from Grandma!

Diving into the chips!

Canada - here we come!

On July 24th - we left Minnesota for our trek to Ontario. It was a long 14 hour car ride - but we were all pumped to go. Colin was sporting sun glasses and had his calculator ready for the ride (mommy had the DVD player just in case those didn't last too long).

But look where we ended up!!!!! After a short stay and Grandma and Grandpa's, we headed to Lake Muskoka! What a beautiful place to hang out.

We invited friends to join us - Colin and Anna had a blast playing with the other kids (6 in total) and mom and dad had fun catching up and reminiscing on old times. Deric even went to the Spirit of the West concert - how Canadian is that, eh.....

More photos of fun to follow

Five!

August 3 marked our anniversay. Happy 5 year Anniversary to us!!!

Has it really been five years already? Time does fly.

What I love:

• Your smile for every baby and toddler we see walking down the street
• Your beautiful voice - and the musical talent you have passed onto Princess Bean.
• That you left a great job in Michigan to move to Minnesota for my job
• That our marrige is not perfect, but we accept it and it is ours
• Your devotion to our kids
• Your willingness to stay home all day with the kdis and then on some nights go to work after I come home.
• Hearing your voice on commercials
• Having you cook tasty dinners each night!
• Your eye colour which changes daily - and how you passed them onto Little C.
• Your love for all types of music - especially bag pipes and celtic folk
• That you married me.

Here's to another 5 years!

This girl is a walking....

I am big little girl now...

Loving eating with a fork! Perhaps this will mean less food in her hair?