Day 355 - 2010

Mitchell SOOOOO wanted to join in the fun...

that the other kids were having outside in the snow.

It was our first day of Christmas vacation and by the time lunch was over it was time to get outdoors. Majorly. The kids lasted an hour by playing in the back yard on the swings, and with the sleds and by throwing snow at me through the window. And poor Mitchell was just able to watch. Adoringly.

Day 351 - 2010

I witnessed (dare I say) a rare moment of the two of you playing well together. It tends to happen when the construction-type toys or creative/artsy type activities come out. It also happens more often when we say good bye to the technology for a while. This may be painful for the first bit but by and large the end result is so much better! (Psst - I think we are gearing up for some big changes in this area!)

Day 324 - 2010

Today was the annual Santa Claus Parade. As usual in our desire to have "everything we need" and be dressed appropriately, we ended up being late and missing the first few floats. We had to stand behind the group of people so the view was a little poor. BUT the kids loved it. They didn't care about any of those issues. It was a lovely night, they saw the lights, the decorations and the people and felt the excitement and in the end saw Santa - which was what it was all about. They are constantly teaching me how to just be content in the moment and not worry about all the what-ifs.

Day 321 - 2010

It has been airplane central around here this week. Matt took the time to show all of the other kids some of the better ones he has learned from his book. Some of them fly really well! Now if they could all just fly to his room and stay there instead of all over the house!

A thank you shout out to Aunt Ya-Ya who has supplied all of the scrap paper from work! I don't feel bad {as} about using paper for these type of things knowing we have at least reused it once!

Day 304 - 2010

Everyone is dressed and ready to go; Cierra as Harry Potter; Matt as Obi Wan Kanobi; Marlee as a princess and Mitchell as a pumpkin. We walked to the neighbours and then they left Mitchell and I to hand out candy while they met up with C & C for a little trick-or-treating. The jury is still out as to which is better - door-to-door or Light the Night. Personally I think Light the Night is WAY warmer and you get the same loot. Come on guys - no brainer!

Day 300 - 2010

After dropping Cierra of at her Halloween party we surprised grandma at her office to say hello.

Day 295 - 2010

Yep - more snow. The kids immediately got out the sleds but they did have a bit of trouble "getting going". It lasted until mid morning.

Day 286 - 2010

Mitchell tried out the park swing for the first time and as you can see, LOVED it.

Day 270 - 2010

With the new development down the street there has been a lot of truck traffic. This kids try to get them all to honk their horns. Quite a few comply and seem to get a kick out of the kids.

Day 254 - 2010

We all came out to the farm for dinner so that the kids could join Samantha for a sleepover in the bunky. Earlier in the day Marlee had her "birthday shop" with Ya-Ya and Nana.

Day 250 - 2010

Matthew is starting grade 3 and Marlee is starting grade 1 (all day every day!). Here we wait to find out what rooms and teachers they will have.

Day 249 - 2010

We spent the last day of holidays before school with friends - it's always great to play with new toys.

Day 244 - 2010

Today was Carter's last full time day with us - well sort of. He starts all day every day JK at his school next week so we will only see him on PA days and in the summers. He started coming in 2006!

Day 236 - 2010

Dunes and waterways and lots of rocks to do so. It is so neat to see two kids who see each other a few days a year just pick up and play together as if time has not passed at all. It reminds me of when I used to do the same with his mother.

Day 200 - 2010

A successful Day 1 of High Seas Adventure Camp - highlights including mustache day and a visit to the farm.

Day 196 - 2010

Matthew and Marlee took their buddies from Kidding Around (BPC class) "near water".

Day 194 - 2010

We uploaded our photos for BPS's Kidding Around. We are combining this with Summer BINGO this year and the binders hold all of our information.

Day 191 - 2010

A little cheekiness after the family reunion!

Day 189 - 2010

A summer BINGO challenge - to work on a 100+ piece puzzle. They chose the world puzzle we have and "thankfully" are all working together in a team effort. So nice when this happens!

Day 185 - 2010

Nothing beats being read to - especially Wimpy Kid's Diary by Grandpa (although he does ask a lot of questions)