crafting with cody

Cody was watching Kate yesterday and thought yes let's do some crafts - finger painting sounds fun.  So he set Kate up with 2 jars of paints and then got on the phone.  I arrived home right around minute 3 to find the 2 jars of paint pretty much empty and the fun just starting.

 Can you see the paint clumps on her sheet? Awesome.

 The paper's full so on to body art.

The good news is the paint's all gone so we won't have to do that again anytime soon. FYI - Cody's gearing down as he got the honour of showering Kate clean. A 25 minute shower later she was but it turns out Cody's back and neck were now green.

We had a quick but nice weekend. Today we are getting MORE snow and by more I'm talking another 20 centimetres or so. Unbelievable.

The countdown to Calgary continues: 14 days!
xoxo - aj

coming home

We received a pile of snow yesterday and the kids and I are officially snowed in today. Cody tried to get to the office last night in my car and as a result got it stuck like six feet outside of the garage. It's still sitting there surrounded by 30+ centimetres of snow. Anyway there's not much to report these days so I thought I would share a video that was taken last week of a family dance. I thought it was sweet.

Did you notice Kate's nail polish? Nice.

Now come on warmer weather - especially in Calgary - the kids' and my trip is in official countdown mode: 17 days! I cannot wait (save for the actual flight).

Happy Saturday lovely peeps.
Aimee

my a big girl

For some reason whenever she should be saying "I" Kate instead says "my" and since the arrival of her big girl bed we've been hearing a lot of "my a big girl." She is a good big girl too.  Two nights in a row she has slept soundly in her new bed. Despite having a big girl pillow I am finding her snuggled up in all four corners of her bed like she slept in her crib. We're so pleased with her!

While disassembling the crib yesterday we decided to make a few more changes to her room.  Unlike Elliott's room we've never found Kate's to be all that cozy - it's been too big. The bed helps with that and we're pleased with it now. Anyway, I thought I would share the changes/additions:

Kate's birthday pom poms and bed/bedding.

A big girl lamp.

The mirror that belongs to the dresser.

Ode to helvetica alphabet and numbers images.

Though I shared a room with my sister most of my childhood, my room was always my sanctuary. And besides the countless Barbie rooms I created it was my first decorating canvas. I know that I have said it before but I hope one day Kate finds the same enjoyment as I do creating little spaces. If not maybe she'll let me continue. Elliott ... sorry buddy, I'm counting on you being apathetic but and at the same time willing to let me in every so often. 

Happy Sunday all. aj

timeout

This morning when I dropped Kate off at School I had to ask Miss Norma - "is Kate getting a lot of timeouts lately?" The answer was "no" - Kate wasn't - but they certainly gave them as needed.  I asked because lately Elliott and the stuffed animals in Kate's life have. The other night we were in the bath and Elliott's flailing arms kept hitting Kate's bucket "No touch Elliott. No touch" is the scolding he received.  When he didn't listen he got "Timeout Elliott. Timeout. See ya!"  I couldn't stop laughing.

Cody and I have tried the timeout approach with Kate but have only encountered 45 minute hysterical fits so we kind of gave it a rest a few weeks back.  As of this week she seems transformed  - actually in more ways than dealing with and doling out punishment.  Cod and I keep looking at each other in amazement as we witness her blossoming vocabulary and personality. She just seems mature. So mature that we have decided to give her big girl bed an official go tonight.  As I type Cody is up there reading to her. Prepping her. Empowering her? I'll let you know how it goes.

Elliott too has reached a major milestone - 6 months.  He's been on food for a bit but as of this week seems to be really liking it. He's rolling like crazy and we are working on the sitting up thing as he's a bit behind schedule. And though he is still my gorgeous lovely baby he's more and more frustrated with his lack of mobility. My exercise class is becoming trying as he's no longer content hanging out watching me jump around.

Blah blah blah - here's a few highlights from our week:

Timeout.

Rollover.

Our smiley guy.

Have a grand weekend all. AJ

introducing trunki

Kate's birthday gift from my sister's family arrived to much excitement this week. It's Trunki!  Perhaps those of you who live in larger centres have seen Trunkis before but we Monctonians had never.  I guess Rhonda and Norm saw them in Europe this Christmas towing one or two kids through the busy airports. Anyway it's been a hit this weekend with both the kiddies.

Poor Elliott - he's a good sport though.

Does this look like a party car or what?  I just hope it's not a glimpse at what's ahead for Kate.

Other than the arrival of new luggage we were able to get out snowshoeing again yesterday me with Elli and Cody with Kate.  Then today my heroic husband allowed me to nap while he took Kate in the backpack and Elliott in the front facing Bjorn for a wintery walk.  Oh how I wish I had seen it.  I am however glad I didn't have to witness the process the kids went through to get on Papa's front and back.

What did you do this weekend? Something romantic? Or is everyone saving the romance for Monday?
Happy Valentine's Day all. xoxo aj

one, two

It's official - Kate is two. We had a nice little party for her yesterday and most of her guests were able to make it despite another snowstorm. With that said, the first words from each guest upon arrival were "we shouldn't have been driving." So a very special thank you for making it and celebrating with us. A few highlights...

A Valentine themed birthday.

 Our baby with her new babies.

Kate and the cousins watching our fat squirrel eat.

A rare quiet moment.

Happy Birthday Kate! Pappa and I remember well the huge cloud we were on two years ago bringing our baby girl home. You were so tiny and helpless. You loved laying on our chests naked, snuggled in. You never cried. 

Now you talk and talk and ask questions all day long. You run and read books and take care of your babies and play with your little brother. We love you so much. Try to be nice to us hey? 

Love, Mumma, Pappa and Elliott

a winter wonderland

I know that the snowfall in the Maritimes has made the national news again this morning, so I thought I would share our local result. Yes we got some, scrap that, lots of snow and there's more in the forecast for the weekend. It is a winter wonderland. What a waste that there are no mountains.

This was our yard LAST weekend.

This is the yard this morning.  I'm 5'5" and the snow is at my nose when standing in our drive. It's awesome.

Video update - this was taken a few days ago. Kate's first sledding experience - or sliding experience as Cody calls it. Not sure if sliding is an Eastern-ism or a Cody-ism.

Another video - just one that I enjoy of Elliott playing with Pappa's birthday balloons.

Speaking of birthdays - we're counting down to Kate's.  She turns 2 on Sunday! We can't wait. In the last days she has shown substantial changes again.  She's all kid - next to no baby. She's into having conversations, calls on things from the recent past and loves making people laugh (until you scream).  She's also more and more into her brother - he seems to be the only person that can always soften her. This Sunday, Grammie, Aunty, the cousins and a few friends will be here for her celebration.  Stay tuned for a special Bday post.

Happy Winter to all!
xoxo Aimee (Mamma of a 2 year old)