What's Black and Blue all Over?

It's Emma! Well, not all over... but she did end up with a goose egg on her forehead last night. As mentioned previously, she likes to walk around with things over her head. While doing so last night, she fell and managed to land on the leg of one of the stools. It was an immediate goose egg and bruise. We knew this one was going to be bad. Still, she's so cute!

Step Back in Time

Abigail had her pioneer village fair in the gym today and I told her that Emma and I would come by to see her. It was so nice to see her face light up when she noticed that we were there. Funny enough, there was also a bake sale happening (fundraising for the school in Sierra Leone that they're helping to build) which allowed for classes to see the pioneer villages as well as buy homemade baked goodies - and Ethan's class was in the gym when I arrived. Good timing or what!

P.S. Anyone recognize the dress? I figured it was the closest thing that we had to a pioneer dress and it worked out perfectly!

Jumper

Ethan "warming up"

Today was the track and field meet at the Civic. Ethan represented Kedron P.S. in the long jump and high jump. Since Ethan was only to be participating in the morning's activities, the plan was for him to call home and we'd go and pick him up. Austin, Emma and I decided to surprise him and go early, in the hopes of catching him before he was finished competing. We showed up as he was warming up for the high jump. He did well and placed 4th overall. I could tell that he was upset at his standing as he really wanted to be able to go to the regionals. I found out later on that he hadn't placed at all in the long jump. He felt that he could've done better but the pressure, the cold, the rain and a sore leg had contributed to his downfall. I remained positive and praised how well he had done and encouraged him to start working now for next year! I'm sure the trip to Bulk Barn helped cheer him up!

Austin waiting in the cold for Ethan to finish!Emma preparing to go see Ethan. I actually put her in the snuggli while we were at the Civic.

The Sky's on Fire!

I just wanted to post a couple of pics from the bbq on Monday night. I went to do it yesterday but our new camera wouldn't work when I tried to turn it on. Surprisingly, the same thing happened last week... so we'd returned it for a new one. When the same problem happened on 2 different cameras of the same model we figured it was time to try a new make and model! Bye-bye Kodak and hello Canon!

The ward bbq was bigger than ever! It was nice to see that the weather didn't scare anyone off! As long as you dressed warmly, it was fine. I was just happy that I didn't have to put on the winter coat I'd brought with me! The kids had a fantastic time - Ethan went swimming in the heated pool, Abigail went on a walk with the "teenagers" (Shawn had given her a phone to use and she called him to say that she was on a walk . Shawn had to question her to see who she had gone off with and he was happy when she said Corina, Amanda and some other very responsible YW. There was only 1 guy who we knew had to be Jeremiah. He's turning into quite a ladies man! I guess he's following in Gaelan's footsteps!) and Austin loved playing in the games room. I think that air hockey is his favourite.

One of my favourite parts about ward activities is the friendships that the kids are able to nurture and strengthen. We've actually had a lot of activities in May and I, for one, am extremely happy about it! Bring 'em on!

The fireworks were fantastic this year. I love seeing how excited everyone gets at seeing them, with the kids all sitting as close as they possibly can. Everyone would clap and ooh and aah over them as they went off. Emma was getting tired and wanted to nurse - that is until the first bang went off! Then she was all eyes... until her hunger took over! Here we are all bundled up and enjoying the fireworks together.

Victoria Day Weekend

The weather this weekend has been cool, windy and rainy. Not the best combination for being out of doors! We made the best of it though and ventured to local areas for some family fun and adventure!

On Saturday we went to Port Perry and after the kids played at the park, went for a walk along the heritage trail there that borders Lake Scugog. From there it was a short walk to the main street in Port Perry where quaint shops draw in the tourists like flies to flowers! We discovered that Tribal Voices has recently opened shop in Port Perry and Shawn says that when he makes it rich, he wants to furnish our home with wares from the store. The kids were all especially taken with the weeping yogis. Our next stop was the Nutty Chocolatier where the kids feasted upon ice cream cones (Did you know they have a frequent users card? Not that we come that often but still!). Even Emma was treated to a baby cone!

Monday dawned sunny but the temperatures were still, how shall we say it, refreshing! Shawn wanted to get us out of the house early on and his choice of destination was Lakeview Park. There were actually a surprising number of cars at the park today, given the cool temperatures but the view was beautiful, was always! We didn't stay long but still had a taste of the bugs (there were millions of little buggies lining the playground equipment and the wooden posts there and I got 2 on my lips!), the wind and the rain.

This still left lots of time in the day for Emma to get into lots of mischief! Here she is sitting in a cupboard that we thought we'd barricaded (see the cord tying the 2 cupboards together?). She *knows* that Abigail had been storing her Easter eggies in there and so Emma's been bound and determined to make her way into the cupboard. She's a little choco-holic already!

The holiday weekend wouldn't be complete without the ward bbq at the Brady's. We're just heading there now! Happy Birthday Queen Victoria!

Especially for Nana!

Nana's been pressuring us to cut Austin's hair for a while... not that she was the only one, but she was the most vocal! There are always two sides to every story though and we've had an equal number of people voting to keep his hair long. Well, last Wed. I succumbed and cut away. (Austin was one of the ones who wanted it cut and I figured his vote counted more than the others!)

Mother's Day at the Farm

This past weekend was truly beautiful - we were able to spend the day outdoors on Sat. as the weather was perfect! We journeyed to the farm to see Nana and Papa and the menagerie of animals. The kids went for pony rides while the girls (Rachel, Naomi, myself and the two babes) went to Jordan and Shannon's to see their new digs. It was neat to be able to go back in time to see a home that I remembered from my teens when I babysat for the Lutes. The home was as I
remembered it except that it seemed larger in my youth. It's funny how much things change even when they stay the same! Perspective is everything! It was nice to see all the work that Jordan and Shannon have put into the house making it their home; they were even gardening as we pulled up in the driveway. Oh, my little brother's all grown up!

Posing on a log in the back field

When we got home we ventured to the back forest on a walk with the kids. Rachel had set her mind to taking a walk to see the trilliums that she knew would be in bloom. We had 7 of the 8 kids in tow (Ethan was busy collecting steel along the railroad tracks with Daddy and Papa - about 800 lbs of it!) and they were all good for the walk.Look Ma! No hands!

I had cuddled (aka trapped) Emma in the snuggli for the walk as I didn't want to worry about running after her or having her trip through all the horse poo in the back fields. She was a good girl!

Daddy follows in Emma's footsteps

After the walk, we finished up the preparations for dinner and ate our first meal of the year outdoors! Some people complained about the mosquitoes but they didn't bug me at all (poor Noni got 5 bites on 1 foot!). It was also nice because Uncle Joe and Bubee joined us for the evening. Uncle Joe enjoyed showing us some of his old family pictures on his ipod. Very cool.

I think that all of the family enjoys it when we get together because there is always an abundance of homemade goodies! Who doesn't appreciate a treat now and then, right? Ahh, the beginning of a summer of family memories!

Jack in the Box

In case you didn't believe me that Emma likes crawling into things, here's another example. While I was putting Austin to bed, Emma crawled into his suitcase. She's just like a little jack-in-the-box as she fits into anything! She even tried to get into the cupboards at the doctor's office yesterday. There's no stopping this girl!

Bigfoot

The funniest thing today was seeing Emma sit herself down in her carseat (she's been doing that a lot lately -- seating herself in Eden's bouncy chair on Friday night and rocking herself in her carseat today) and then noticing her HUGE foot. My first reaction was what did she manage to stuff down her sleeper leg and then my second thought was "That's her diaper!". Yup, it was!

It's My Birthday and I'm Having a Party!

I suppose the title of the post should really read "It's OUR Birthday and WE'RE Having a Party!" since Benjamin and Emma will be joined by the bonds of "birthday-dom" forever(as if familial ties weren't enough!). The festivities began with a yummy chicken and ribs dinner followed by 2 spectacular birthday cakes (thanks Auntie Rachel!). Then the kiddies were spoiled by the family with wonderful presents! I'm not sure who's more excited: Benjamin or Papa!My Birthday Girl!The Birthday Boy!

Auntie Sarah calls to send along her birthday wishes!

Hard hat, anyone?
The construction set from Nana and Papa was certainly a popular gift!
Three Babes!

My Baby's All Grown Up!

Today's a super big day for Emma -- she's ONE! My wonderful visiting teaching companion surprised her with her own birthday cupcake. Here she is all "lit up".
More pics of the big birthday celebrations to follow!

Rubber Ducky, You're the One!

Austin was the star of the show (don't all parents think that?) last night at the JK Concert entitled "Bed and Bathtime" in which the kids dressed up in pajamas and brought their rubber duckies! They performed songs and poems for the adoring audience. Austin is crouched down in this pic:Check out Austin's fab moves in the video below. (I've tried twice to upload the video but it's not working... I'll try later.)

I think my favourite part of the night was all the kisses Austin kept blowing us onstage before and after the performance. Afterwards, when we picked him up from his classroom, he told me that he kept blowing me kisses all the way down the hall. Isn't he too cute?