hanging out

We stayed close to home again this weekend. Kate had a Halloween themed dance class that included a fundraiser fair with juice and cupcakes. Ah, it was 10am, why not get our sugar on. We raked leaves, went biking, ran errands. Cody and I also had a date night and while we were out, the kids learned and nearly perfected a new trick.  Check it out.

I guess Elliott is living by the mantra whatever the four (ish) year old can do, he can do better, or, at least as good.  It is unnerving to watch but I try to live by the mantra that I have to demonstrate confidence to help instil their self confidence. So far, so good.

 Taking a break from the bike trailer to stretch their arms and legs.

Friends hanging out enjoying the sun and the leaves.

Have a frightfully excellent Halloween week. We're looking forward to all our friends' and families' photos.
CAKE

our big boy

A couple things to record for posterity:

1. Elliott is sleeping in a big boy bed. He actually has been for a month now and he's loving it. You can see the pride each and every time he climbs in and miraculously, he stays put, which he had ceased to do in his crib.

2. He is trying out the potty and some big boy under pants. Yesterday Grammie Donna was with us for the day and took Elliott to get his first underwear. After a bit of hesitation he put them on and then it wasn't long before he sat down on his pink potty and again with a little coaxing from Grammie had his official pee in the pot. Awesome! Thanks for the head start Grammie.

Here's the proof:

Movin' on up.

Cute buns baby.

xoxo CAKE

falling

It's Sunday evening and we're exhausted from a beautiful Fall weekend. My old wrist and hip are inflamed from the yard work we have just started. The bags are filling up and the trees are still full! Perhaps if my little children didn't jump in every pile I made, the job would be quicker and the raking would lessen. With that said, nothing is more beautiful than watching these little souls run through the leaves, stare up at the changing canopies and seek out spooky references in neighbours' yards. I love October. Especially October here in the East - no snow, just sweaters and colour.

 Happiness is to me ... my Pumpkin Pie.

Hangin' with the wing man.

No rest for weary bones.

I'm falling...

Happy Birthday party night to my sister. Wish we were there to raise the roof. CAKE

discussion forums

It seems these days every time I ask people for electronic, sewing or health advice they say: Google it and check out a discussion forum. Yuck, I say. Maybe I'm lazy, maybe I don't follow electronic advice very well or maybe I just want an all-knowing blood-pumping real friend in my life. Alas, Google, my friend, I guess it's just you and me. So this is the issue, I have been having an awful time downloading my photos from my cameras. I figured the old card was worn out, but then it started with my new camera card, following Thanksgiving. Long story short, it wasn't the cards so I thought the problem must lie with me and screwing up the somewhat complicated settings on my new camera. However, it turns out (according to a Mac discussion group) that many many people in the Mac community have the same issue. Boo Mac. Good news is these guys gave me some pretty awesome advice. None of it fixed the problem but it gave me some bandaid aids. I guess you'd say I'm just a thoroughly modern problem solver. Or lame.

So, now, on to the last two weeks of our lives. First Thanksgiving was awesome. Grammie made a delicious dinner and dessert, the kids played like crazy (occasionally unsupervised) and there was lots of wine (and I'm the only wine drinker) and time spent outdoors. See pictures below.

This past week, Cody has been working like crazy so the kids and I have been spending long hours as our power threesome. Papa did get some quality time in this last weekend to take the kids to a Touch a Truck event and swimming. Again see photos below.

The weather is gorgeous here: mild but wet so we're using it to prep ourselves for the impending doom and gloom of day light savings and snow. Update complete, now on to the babes...

 The big kids with Carter's spooky class Scarecrow.

The Champions on their school's new playground equipment - shout out to your Mama and Papa for their fundraising efforts!

It's not exactly a photo finish race.

This thing made the Mamas ill just observing.

Pretty lady.

 Handsome gent.

Showing off his muscles.

The quiet kids' Thanksgiving table.

Thanksgiving Monday and heading to the woods for that which we now call a hike, aka, a stroll through the woods.

Yes sorry Elliott, the splash pants were a good idea but Lydia was the only one with a spare pair.

I think Elliott is like his Papa, he looks great in pink.

What the heck??? Are you posing and smiling Candace.

Oh no... no way... you too Donna?
Oh the power of a blog. You know you're going up so it's up to you if you're going to smile about it.

Cody's jacket lives to tell the tale of our lazy hiker Elliott.

Works for me Lydia, I'll take one in black.

Rain maker? For those in the know.

Kicking sparkling Terra Nova tires at the 'Touch a Truck' event.

Our tough chick Kate with her bro riding shot gun.

Whewpf that was a lot of work. I hope you enjoyed it.
Talk again soon(er). Aimee

desperately seeking octovin

Lunchtime with Kate is sometimes like a treasure hunt. She begins a story with complete sincerity and I have to go hunting for clues to try to make it make sense to me. Today was a sweet hunt. It started with the man Octovin. "He was a little scary but I was brave when Mrs. Raybold pushed the button and the music came out. His music is sad and mad. Do you know he lives in a place that is called Germany? It's over a very big bridge. I am going to be brave and drive there after lunch. Do you want to come?"

By this time I figured out she was talking about music class. And I predicted it was Beethoven. She agreed it was, but still insisted it was pronounced Octovin. So like all modern parents we went to the computer and YouTube'd him and his Symphony No. 9. When his image came up she called over Elliott and told him to be brave, "that's what Octovin looks like." As the music began, she closed her eyes and began to lead the orchestra. Here are snippets of her conversation: this song has a big girl song and a baby song. I love it. I love this song, it makes me jump. It looks like a monster is coming in Beethoven's house. It's still going up Elliott, it takes a long time. When Papa comes home I'm going to show him Octovin's music. That makes me jump. I couldn't hear my ears. They're singing kind of loud. I'm going to pretend that's Beethoven singing.  You know I'm making that music, I'm singing that. I really love this. I really love it.

Talk about music appreciation. I can honestly say I have never appreciated it as much as I did just now. Thank you Mrs. Raybould, thank you Ludwig van Beethoven and thank you Kate. I think Elliott sends his thanks too.

Here he is.

Happy Friday! xoxo the gang

seven

Happy birthday to our dear friend Finnegan who turns one today or seven in dog gone years. Thanks Finn for the companionship, wrestle sessions, hair everywhere and Barbies with no hands. And thank you for the excuse to eat chocolate treats tonight with your biggest, little fans.

The love of a little man versus...

the love of a little lady.

Stay safe out there little friend.
Love, CAKE

kid love

Last night when the kids were coming in for dinner I reminded them to take off their shoes. Problem is for the most part they wear Blundstones that are difficult to get on and off. Elliott called for help and Kate quickly responded. "I'll help you El." And she did and when she was done he simply got up and said, "Thank you Kate." I then came over and took Kate's off. Sharing is caring.

Two days ago Kate was sitting grumpy on the front steps because I made her wear a jacket over her cool shirt. Elliott marched right up to her and pointed "Mad. Kate, mad." Then he pointed at himself "Happy." It was a hit with me so he's been consistently letting us know who is feeling what. In our house, that's happy or sad.

Yesterday morning I was doing Kate's hair. It's one of my favourite parts of the day. She loves the attention and I love to create a little something in her locks. That being said, I told her as I always do, "Kate, you are so beautiful." Her response, "You're not, you're plain." Ouch. Ouch on a personal note and ouch, who has taught this kid manners? I told Cody and he was like oh yeah, she didn't know what she was saying. I beg to differ. She knew. And I know this is just the start. Thanks Fancy Nancy.

Who are these big kids?

Thanksgiving is fast approaching, I think I better start thinking about gratitude. Maybe I should be grateful to Kate, get myself a bedazzler, and get fancy.

Happy garbage day. Aimee