sweet ride

On Saturday Cody took in our bikes for the end of year tune ups, while at his favourite bike shop he came upon this very aggressive tricycle. Lately we've noticed that Kate having trouble riding her trike because she's pretty much outgrown it - so Saturday afternoon Cody sent me and Kate to try out the possible upgrade.  The bike guys laughed at me because let's just say it was a lot of bike for a two year old. In fact it is intended as an adult toy. I bought it anyway. So while it was being serviced and sized down Kate actually came upon this two-wheeler (with training wheels). She literally jumped on it and was gone. Long story short the trike turned out to be too tall for Kate so we did a quick exchange and we now have a wheelin' two year old. It's official, she's in love. In love with her Little Mermaid Norco and its sidekick - speed. Not that you'll see any speed in this video.

Not one to be outdone by his sister - here's E.

Have a grand week y'all. We have some distances to cover.
 aj

thanks cousins

We had a great day in and out of doors yesterday with the cousins, Aunty, Uncle and Grammie. Unfortunately I didn't remember to break out the camera until pie time so that's how this year will be commemorated...

Today is another gorgeous day here and the kids and I have been making our usual rounds with one new addition. Kate received a big treat this weekend - a big girl bike - a two wheeler with training wheels. She's hooked! So we've been biking a lot since Saturday evening. Stay tuned for the video!

Happy Monday Thanksgiving. AJ

we're giving thanks

It's funny to see the word thanks in the header for this post. Recently the word has taken on new meaning or perhaps significance as Kate no longer says "thank you" rather it's "thanks". To me it's just another sign that she's growing up. I do prefer thank you but beggars can't be choosers and I'm thankful to get thanks. Out of the blue she's been saying"thanks for dinner Mama." I like that. I bet she says thank you for the whipping cream she's going to have tomorrow night.

Tomorrow we're celebrating Thanksgiving with Cody's Mom, Candace, Paul and the kids. I'm very thankful that they're coming. We had such a busy summer we really haven't seen them since June. The weather is divine and the colours magical. The best season of the year.

Speaking of this year, like most we have had our ups and downs but these are a few of the ups that I am especially thankful for: My sister's dramatic health improvement, Elliott being an early, good walker, Kate enjoying the early days of what I hope is a long school career, seeing my Calgary friends and family in a few weeks, Mexico with my Mom, Dad and Aunt for two weeks, the Grants, my husband who I love more and more deeply each passing week/month/year??? I can't commit to a daily increase. At this particular junction in my life I would say I'm most thankful for these moments...

They're not plentiful but they are beautiful. And just to clarify that is a hug not a chokehold.

Gobble, gobble everyone!
xoxo CAKE

grape fest

Yesterday was Grape Fest at Cornhill Nursery - so we braved the rain and headed out as a family. What a shame that it was raining because the festival is usually jam packed but it was pretty sparsely populated yesterday. We had a great time though. A lovely lunch, wine, cake, a band was playing outside, we had fresh pressed apple then grape juice and Kate was in her Heaven running around on her own through the trees in the rain.

It's another rainy day today here and it feels like a lazy one. Happy October everyone.
CAKE

a day in the country

The kids and I headed to the country for  a change of scenery today. We did some pumpkin picking, well really pumpkin selecting, cow tipping and a little bird watching. A lovely, warm afternoon with my favourite two little people.

While hanging out at the duck pond in Hillsborough who did we run into but New Brunswick's finest bird men AKA Cody's Uncle Dwayne and cousin Noah. We were in luck too as Kate's prized possession of the last month Megan (a Little People person) fell in the pond and had to be saved - and later decontaminated - by super Noah. Our sincere thanks to him. See you guys again soon as we are definitely going to head over to visit Noah's ever expanding animal farm.

Love to all - Aimee

ruby

Our friend Ruby turned 1 yesterday and so today we celebrated with her and her family over veggie kabobs and cupcakes. Happy birthday Ruby - we're so glad you're in our lives.

 The beautiful birthday girl.

Our party boy.

 Kate helping out the birthday girl (at least for a few minutes).

Love this classic first birthday family pose.

Nice job Laurie and Ryan - on the party front and the Ruby front.  Oh and thank you, Elliott fell asleep within moments of getting home. CAKE

no snack for you

Kate makes me laugh. Just now Cody was taking her up for books and bed and she was insisting that I her beloved Mama do it. She kept saying "no Papa you dirty." She may have kept saying it because I was laughing and hugging her with approval. When Cody finally got her heading up he remarked, "Mama's going to make me a snack." To which she replied, "No snack for you."  I guess that's what you get for leaving her for Toronto for a few days and missing her first day of school.

Kate, I'll always be here for you.

Here's another example of Kate's fearless fashion sense that rivals only her strong sense of self.

Love you baby. aj