Eggies

We've done colored eggs before, but these are some of my favorites. The kids love doing them too. The Bug didn't want to crack them, because they're so pretty. I get that. So instead we take lots of photos of our pretty eggs and then we eat them up!

Bunny Love

I think it's fair to say that spring has been less than inspiring so far...but add some bunny ears and we have our own party!

Baby Bird

SoSmitten

First Tooth Out

This boy had a wobbly tooth for the longest time! Weeks and weeks! At one point I'd forgotten about it and thought maybe he'd just imagined it.

But finally he'd wiggled it to where it was just hanging there. For days it just hung there.
And then one night while I wasn't home, he just pulled that sucker out! Whew. Finally! But I didn't even get to see it. It's the first tooth out at our house. A big event!

We managed to talk the tooth fairy into leaving the tiny tooth behind so I could take a few photos. Document the physical evidence, in case there is ever any doubt ;)

And speaking of the tooth fairy...you may have heard rumors...yes, the Tooth Fairy DID INDEED leave $20 for the teeny tooth which she didn't even take. WHAT?? I KNOW!!
It seems the Tooth Fairy could not find $5 or a toonie. Did the Tooth Fairy forget how many more teeth and mouths there are yet to come?? At least we have determined it is the rate for a first tooth only.
So I guess the moral of this story is, kids plan wisely and pull those teeth out when Mom's not home!

Sheepy

And I know Valentine's day is like, so over, but I didn't really have a chance to play around before so I declare February as Valentine's month!
Which means nothing except an excuse for me to play with cute hearts and stuff...because I can't help myself... like I need an excuse...!
sosmitten



I've been having a lot of fun lately with some great resources from these wonderfully talented ladies. Check them out!
Vol.25
Pugly Pixel
Paint The Moon

6th Birthday Party

So, I managed to make it through the first 5 years without a 'proper' birthday party. It's not that I don't like birthdays or parties, just the ensuing chaos of a house full of sugar fueled toddlers/preschoolers is a bit too much for me. And I am so 'not martha', sadly. But we've always had a celebration with family.

Now here we are at 6, and the kids know.
We've always had cake and presents but they know now that the other kids have parties with friends. And lots of gifts. And games and balloons and all the rest of it.

And so we had a full-on birthday PARTY!
Robots vs Dinosaurs (who can pick just one?).
We rented a room at the community center. Invited friends. Painted birthday shirts. Borrowed a bouncy castle. Made some cakes and had some fun.
The kids helped decorate by helping me draw and color banners. We played a few games. We made robot necklaces from beads and string and beads and bolts and washers.
We built 'robots' from cardboard boxes and miscellaneous recycling items. They were awesome.
We danced like robots and dinosaurs. We ate chocolate cake (Bug) and carrot cake (Bee). We opened presents and ran and bounced and made lots of noise.
I think the boys had a great time.

I didn't manage to get a lot of photos, as often happens when you are busy 'in the moment' so here are a few and the lovely Mrs. M was thankfully handy with her camera and I will post a few more later too.
As is often the case, when we get together with good friends and family my heart is full with gratitude. Thank you for the love and all your helping hands. And I'm thankful for the two tiny boys who have grown and made us laugh and challenged us and inspired us with their curiosity and passion. Happy Birthday boys!
Love Mom

Valentine

Tiny Dancer

The Babe recently started taking her first dance classes. And it is just about the coolest thing ever!

She's been 'entertaining' us on the coffee table at home for a little while now so we decided it was time for some big girl dance classes. And by 'classes' I mean a room full of 3-4yr olds running around while their patient teacher tries to get them to focus long enough to figure out how to skip. Or point their toes. Or stand still for 2 seconds. It's not a formal class, but more about creative movement. Babe calls it 'ballet-ing. As in, I'm ballet-in'.


Parents aren't regularly allowed to stay in the room during class time (too disrupting) but we had a few minutes to observe at the end of class on her first day. My sassy, outspoken, uncooperative child was a model student!
She listened and focused and followed directions. In fact she was quite serious about the whole business. Although a couple of times her very serious face caught mine and burst into a huge beaming smile.

At the end of class Miss Babe was not ready to be finished and she asked if she could have one more dance. Her teacher played one more piece of music just for her. Bliss!
It was one of those moments that was kind of magical for both of us.

I tried to sneak a few shots in during her last class. And when she realized I wanted to take her picture I got 'spazz-face'. That's her favorite thing to do when I try to take her picture these days. Then she likes to look at her goofy pictures in the camera. She cracks herself up. Spazz Girl.

Royal Tyrrell

Whuhoo, dinosaurs!
We ventured out as a family one freezing cold day to go visit the museum. We've never taken the kids before and thought it would be a great way to spend the day. And it was.
One advantage to going in the winter is that is wasn't busy at all. We had a lot of room to ourselves.
Of course the disadvantage to going in the winter is we couldn't play and explore outside.
Oh well, I guess we'll just have to go back again!

Blue Guitar

My lovely sister is learning to play this gorgeous blue guitar. How cool is that?
(My other lovely sister is making herself a pair of shoes. But that's another story...)

SoSmitten

The Wesolowski/Myroniuk Family

Whew, this was a huge shoot!

SoSmitten

Christmas 2010

I think it will be fun to look back someday and remember what you were totally 'into' when you were 5. Or 3. So fun! So here's what we are 'into' this Christmas.


The Bug: Bionicles, Ironman, AstroBoy, trains, remote control monster trucks (although his real love would be a car or a train, the color blue, coloring and drawing awesome pictures, his anatomy book (how does all that stuff work?), Zhu Zhus, fleecy pants, eating mandarin oranges like crazy, and playing with anything his sister has. Whether she wants him to or not.

The Bee: Bionicles (he wants a collection and has tried to get his siblings to contribute), Spiderman, cutting and taping endless decorations and projects, the color orange, his dinosaur book, Zhu Zhus, AstroBoy, hot chocolate, candy canes, and constantly bugging his little sister.

The Babe: Making Barbie cupcakes, her new gold shoes, makeup, wearing dresses, PAJAMAS (loves, loves, loves them, especially one piece sleepers or fleece - she used her own Christmas money to buy more pj's rather than a toy), pink, ponies, Zhu Zhus, being sassy and bossing everyone around.

Daddy: Playing hockey on the neighborhood rink, eating cheese, building snow forts, cross country skiing, playing remote control trucks and cars with the kids. The Babe is the pit crew. He cooked the turkey in the bbq (no vegan meal this time). Sorry Mr. Turkey, but you were mighty tasty.

Me: drinking tea from my reindeer mug, listening to Swifty (surprisingly enjoyable), and Glee (not surprisingly enjoyable), eating leftovers instead of cooking real meals, thinking about home decor, reading Eating Alive, thinking about photo shoots I'd like to do, and avoiding laundry.

Together we have been trying to learn to skate. Daddy is the only real pro so far but we're working on it. Spending time with ShiShi. Visits with Nana and Papa and Grandma and Grandpa. Watching The Grinch, Prep and Landing and Despicable Me. Staying up too late and sleeping in. Eating lots of treats. Generally not doing too much at all and loving it!
Hope you had a great holiday too!

Christmas Eve 2010

Go Daddy Go!
Christmas Eve in the backyard.
Later ShiShi came over and we had hot chocolate and super nachos and played games with the kids before bed. I think Christmas Eve might be my favorite. I love the anticipation and the preparation for the surprises to come. And the calm before the excitement!