Easter 2014

Easter brought us to Ottawa where we stayed with friends (who were out of town, but offered their fully equipped home to us), played with Grandpa Mike, did some fine decorating and searched out some treats. All in all, an excellent weekend!

MOMENT: Treats

Exciting to make

Exciting to find

The Easter Bunny didn't let the kids down. There was all sorts of hippie-like treats and toys to be had. Such a responsible (and fun) bunny. The kids hopped right to it!

Arm Crosser

Our Keva is a funny girl. Back in late September, we noticed she was really starting to imitate what she saw around her. Sometimes, her imitations were very apt, other times - they took a bit of practice...

MOMENT: Arm Crossing

Watch Keva cross her arms ... practice has been known to make perfect so there's still time! Pretty cute.

Street Party 2014

The weather couldn't be beat. After last year's rain out, it was all sunshine all day. Wonderful family time with neighbours right on our own street.

Street Party Family Photo Session

Photo Credit: Carly Slack

MEMORY: Partying Street Style

It was "car free day" on the street making it the official street party. The street was action packed with toys, games, events, and socializing. The wonderful day wrapped up with an outdoor street potluck, movie and, later, an adult tiki bar. A lovely annual event to continue to look forward to.

Music Makers

You can call us the TK2 Band. We're for hire and our calendar is wiiiide open.

MOMENT: Harmony

We have a bin of instruments. They are very well used. Sometimes several instruments are "well" used at the same time...

Hockey Happens

So, hockey entered our life this year...

First time in all his gear!
(photo bomb credit: Keva)

MOMENT: Father/Son Time on Ice

Saturday mornings for the winter found Tom and Tavish lacing up their skates for an hour of hockey. It was a great program to introduce the skills of hockey in a fun way without any competitive games. Tavish loved it. Daddy enjoyed it. Mommy approved. A win all around.

Lacing up and learning... (Photo credit: Grandpa Mike)

Dish Daughter

Ahh, we've entered the phase of eager helpfulness that is endearing for us parents. Not-so-secretly, we begin hoping that it will last forever. Our fingers are crossed.

MOMENT: More Dishes, Please!

This was Keva keen to help load the dishwasher right before she turned two ... starting the sweet spot of willing helpfulness. I'm pleased to report that, 5 months later, we're still going strong! On a side note, it's amazing to look back at this and see how far Keva's language development has come since then (end of May)! You'll have you see it to believe it, so be patient - I've only got 5 more months to cover! ha.

Bells for Bikes

An old tradition re-visited... Tom and I participated in "Bells on Bloor" several years ago and it's since expanded from the west to include "Bells on Danforth" and, well ... we've expanded and moved east so brought the whole family out to ring our bells for bike lanes.

Our family bell ringers:

Tavish & Mommy

Daddy

Keva (in tow with her own bell)

Post-ride snacks at City Hall

MOMENT: Bells on Danforth

It was a lovely fall day for an 8km bike ride across Danforth and down Yonge Street to City Hall surrounded by the sound of bicycle bells. This family likes the idea of a more bicycle friendly city and any opportunity to enjoy a safe city bike ride!

Fruit of Fall

Our second annual visit to Niagara Falls included a hike and peach picking. The following weekend, we were off to pick our supply of apples. Apple peach crisp, fruit leather, sweet smoothies ... ahh, the fruit of fall!

Niagara Falls - always impressive

Our family feeling peachy

Niagara Falls!

Off for apples

Rain or shine - pick apples any time!

MOMENT: Falls and Fruit

Both fruit picking experiences offered a wagon ride and ensured a few 'samples' while doing our work. Yum. Niagara Falls impressed as always and the hike is always rewarding - especially for Tom who carried a passenger on board his back!

Look Who's Talking!

Just a little more than 3 months after surgery, Keva found her words!

MOMENT: Animal Sounds and Parroting

It's fun how talking seems to start with "saying" animal sounds. Keva was really on a roll...



Such a roll, that she was a willing parrot every word we asked her to say! Our personal favourite is her "da-t-schhhh" aka: "Tavish". Hearing her speak is music to our ears, exciting for her, and hopefully enjoyable for you!

Senior Kindergartener

Tavish has switched schools to be in the French immersion program. He's in Senior Kindergarten!

Senior Kindergarten

MOMENT: First Day of School

Tavish's first day back to school was also my first day back to work and Caeli's first day working with us! I went into work late (and left a little early) so I could be with him when he went to school and to be there for him when he finished. The video is from our walk home. He was honest then silly. In hindsight, the honesty is painful (it's been a rough year) and the silliness refreshing - I'm ready for the summer with my kids to start.