fun stuff

Maybe it's because I realized that summer is half over... but we've been doing a ton of fun stuff this week. Maybe it's just because it's summer :)

Sunday night we went out for ice cream. You should see the boys polish of a strawberry sundae. Especially Caleb. He sits right up on his knees and just digs right in!

On Tuesday, we went to the Art Gallery. There was an exhibit about architecture and it was fun to teach Matthew a bit about that (not that I know very much about architecture, but I guess enough to give a beginner's course to a 4 year old).

On Tuesday afternoon, we decided to bake a cake. For no reason (and from a mix, of course).

Wednesday morning, the boys and I went out to the Farmer's Market downtown. We bought some cherry sauce (that is so yummy on waffles, pancakes or ice cream), some rhubarb (I'm going to attempt a rhubarb crisp), some cookies and a banana bread. We also played at the playground.

And Wednesday, Rick came home from work early and we spent a few hours at the fair. This was the first time we had ever taken either of the boys to the fair. They had lots of fun.

great grandpa

We're back from a visit to small town Saskatchewan. And we had a great time.

The boys had fun visiting great Auntie's farm. They laughed hysterically when my cousin's daughter chased the chickens around the chicken coop. They loved to pet the little baby pups. They were amazed that they were allowed to "drive" the tractor.

It was so nice for them to visit with their great grandpa and extended family.

we love you

(if you click on it, it should get bigger)

we're back!

We're back from a fun holiday to visit our Auntie Faye, Uncle Andrew and cousin Maya. We had a great time.

Here are some highlights:

Playing with sweet Maya and seeing how much she's grown. She can sit up now and thinks her cousins are just hilarious when they juggle for her and entertain her.

Playgrounds:

We played at the playground at Burger King, the playground in Medicine Hat, the playground close to Auntie's house in Calgary and also the playground at the zoo.

Swimming:

Swimming and watersliding at the hotel on the way (and on the way back), swimming at the Hot Springs in Radium and even swimming in the backyard with Maya. It was very hot while we were there so it was great to be able to cool off.

The cabin:

They have the most amazing cabin and we had such a great time. The boys saw the mountains for the first time.

The zoo:

Gorillas, zebras, giraffes, lions, kangaroos, hippos, turtles, ostriches...

And now we're back, but we look forward to seeing them again next week when they come to visit us!

family time

It's sooooo nice to be on summer holidays, to feel more relaxed at the end of the day, to have time for some fun family times in the evening.

Like last evening....

happy belated Canada Day!

Rick and Matthew both have colds, so we didn't celebrate too much.

But, we were invited over to Grandma and Grandpa's for the annual Canada Day Cake!

Mmmm. And don't forget the Maple Leaf cookies too!

And by the way, yipppeee! I'm on summer holidays!

funny things

Mommy: You're funny. You should be a comedian.

Matthew: Ummm, yes.

Mommy: Do you know what a comedian is?

Matthew: Tell me.

Mommy: A comedian is a person who tells jokes.

Matthew: I think I'll be a cameleon... Do you know what a cameleon is?

Mommy: Tell me.

Matthew: It's an animal who tells jokes! (silly grin)


* * * * * * *

Caleb (at toys r us): Mommy, sprinkler. Buy it. Caleb's house. Pleeeeeeeeease!

Mommy: We're not buying anything today, we're just looking.

Caleb: Okay.

(2 seconds later)
Caleb: Mommy, pirate ship. Buy it. Caleb's house. Pleeeeese, mommy, pleeeeeease!

Mommy: No, sweetie. We're not going to buy anything today.

Caleb: Okay.

(2 seconds later)
Caleb: Mommy spiderman. Buy it. Caleb's house. Buy it. Pleeeeeeeeese....
(I think you get the picture)

second annual

This weekend was the second annual suziebeezieland Saskatchewan convention. Nadine and I met up again and I had a great time.

Here's what we did:

The boys and I picked her up at her aunt's house (which is exactly a two minute drive from our house. Really. It is. I timed it on our way home)

We took her to a scrapbooking store that is closing down next week so everything was 50% off!

We let her shop. (well, kinda. Matthew kept recommending interesting products to her and Caleb had a two year old tantrum because we left his soother in the car)

We went out for lunch and kept her entertained by telling silly stories and throwing toys on the floor so that mommy would have to stick her head under the table to get them. Oh and of course we looked at all the scrapbooking supplies that she bought!

We drove her back to her aunt's house and sang "If I had a Million Dollars" to her and pretended to see various animals in the back of the truck ahead of us.

Just your typical suziebeezieland convention :)

Thanks Nadine! You were such a great sport and so kind to the boys! We had so much fun!

turning four

Just some photos from the big four year old's busy weekend. The cake stayed together and the party was loads of fun :)

He started the big day with a banana muffin with a candle in it for breakfast.

A cool new bike from Mommy and Daddy!
Opening presents at Grandma and Grandpa's house (he got a cool scooter and some outdoor toys)
Playing outside that afternoon with the sprinkler and new outdoor toys.

Ice cream cake with the Grandmas and Grandpas (and uncle Mark)Then the next day was his pirate party. Everybody at the party was given a pirate name. Here's Captain Matthew Firebeard! Captain Matthew's brother, "Parrot-Got-Me-Eye" Caleb:Here's the amazing lego pirate ship that Uncle Mark built for the pirate party. I couldn't get Matthew to look at the camera for this. Can you blame him? Before the big treasure hunt, the boys had to decorate their pirate treasure bags with foamie pirate stickers. On the way to the treasure, they were instructed to decorate our driveway with some pirate-y chalk pictures.
X marks the spot (quit looking at my derrière!)
Finally... the treasure!And another shot of the cake! How old are you buddy?
Building with his logs (a gift from Grandma and Grandpa D.)Caleb is learning not to break every log cabin that Matthew makes :)Mommy needs a little snuggle with her big birthday boy.

Phew! And then we celebrated Father's Day on Sunday too! What a busy weekend. But so much fun!

hope

Let's hope this stays together until the kids come in a couple hours!

Arrrggg! :)

popping in

Hi!
Just popping in during the busiest month of the school year (I haven't worked the full month of June since 2002 which means I planned all my maternity leaves very well)

And if Chrissy happens to be popping in too, here are some photos to show you what we've been up to for last little while... (just kidding Chrissy)

Caleb, just being cute :)


You know that game where you throw the tennis ball and it sticks to the velcro? Well, this is Matthew playing that game. Honest, that's Matthew.



Just in case you needed proof:



Cutie Caleb again. His favourite things to say lately: "maybe", "of course" and the ever famous "no".



Cousins Matthew, Caleb and baby Maya


Matthew getting his graduation folder (there is such a cute story to go with this)



Even though he still has another year of preschool, he still had a graduation. Isn't he handsome?


And don't forget about the pirate party coming up next weekend. Yesterday, the boys dressed up as pirates and we hand delivered the invitations (the invitations are rolled up inside those water bottles) And yes, that is a tea towel on Caleb's head :)