Halloween 2018

Halloween is a favourite time for the kids in our family, and despite Mommy being at the hospital with Grandpa a lot lately, we were together to celebrate in our traditional spirit! 

MOMENT: Paper Bag Princess & a Man in Black

Keva was Batgirl for the neighbourhood party and for school, but busted out the crown and tattered bag as a the Paper bag Princess for Halloween. Tavish stayed strong as one of two "Men in Black" with his buddy, Riley. The house was decorated, the pumpkin carved, and it wouldn't be Halloween without a visit from the Switch Witch!

https://youtu.be/jIdHm7LCXIo

Saying NO

Keva: Stop! Tavish, stop doing that!

Tavish: No.

(Pause)

Keva: What? Don't say no! 

(Pause)

Keva: I said no to Ms. Pan today... she did NOT like it.

(Ivy gave me a rock and I was supposed to get it back at the end of the day and forgot)

Gratitude Jar, Year 1

We often do "Pit & Cherry" over dinner where we each share and listen to one another reflect on our day through the frame of choosing pits (something we didn't really like) and cherries (things we really like). One evening, in the fall of 2017, it morphed into a conversation about gratitude, and the Gratitude Jar was born!

MOMENTS: Sharing Gratitude

There is no rhyme or reason to when we do the gratitude jar, but works in a similar way as Pit & Cherry: we each share and listen to one another describe something we are grateful for. The only difference is that Mommy writes it down on some scrap paper with the date, and tucks it into a jar.

On the eve of a new school year (grade 4 for Tavish and grade 1 for Keva), we emptied out the gratitude jar and enjoyed reviewing our year of gratitude. We are starting fresh with a new school year, but first want to capture some of last year's highlights:

June 27
Tavish- grateful that Mme Ehrhardt chose me to be in her class again
Keva- grateful for rain: watching it, touching it, and for plants

October ?
Tavish- grateful that I'm in a band with my friends
Keva- grateful for Amy picking me up

Nov 11
Daddy- grateful for lots of things, but mostly Mommy's assistance so I can have a nap on the chair.
Keva- grateful for when I went to Amelia Ing's birthday party

Nov 18
Tavish- grateful for practicing hockey in the basement with Daddy and for swimming.
Keva- grateful we got to go swimming and to the grocery store

Dec 2
Mommy- grateful for weekends so we can hang out together as a family.
Keva- grateful because I get to have a bath.
Tavish- grateful because now I can shoot the puck higher and skate at Greenwood with Ahmed
Daddy- grateful for a nice day to clean up the back yard.

Dec 9
Tavish- grateful that Grandpa and Penny are visiting; that there is hockey tomorrow; for trying muscles; for getting a yummy drink
Grandpa Mike- grateful that we are all healthy, we walked up and down a big hill together!
Keva- grateful that we coloured on boxes; we are having this dinner; and that Penny & Grandpa are over!

Jan 8
Daddy- grateful that Grandma & Grandpa let us stay at their place for 2 weeks.
Keva- grateful to be back home and doing stuff (dinner and video games) but a bit sad though that Christmas is done

Jan 29
Tavish- grateful for Grandpa & Grandma getting to be here for a few days; for going to hockey practice with Zack's team; playing a game of hockey; batting practice; and eating shawarma
Grandpa Mike- grateful that Penny can go anywhere - fits everywhere we take her
Grandpa Mel- grateful for family. All of it. And for the kids in my life.
Keva- grateful for taking Penny for a walk
Grandma- grateful for this quick trip to Toronto that is so much fun and being with family and seeing Tavish make his own goal!

Feb 13
Daddy- grateful to have dinner as a family because I like getting to eat and chat with your guys
Tavish- is grateful for getting Grandma & Grandpa's cards (Valentine's Day) and for eating pancakes for dinner tonight.

Feb 27
Keva- grateful for having Taco Tuesday. Also, I liked serving dessert with Daddy and having Penny.
Tavish- grateful that we got mango sorbet and for getting a ride on Daddy's bike to school...and for Taco Tuesdays and having Penny.

March 28
Tavish- grateful that Easter is coming; that I got an Easter and birthday card from Grandma; that Riley came over; that I got to try a new game at Grandpa's
Keva- grateful because I like the weather today and that's all

April 27
Tavish- grateful that Daddy picked me up at school and that I have baseball practice and got to play at Riley's
Daddy- grateful to leave work early today to do pick up at Morse
Keva- am going to be grateful if we get to go swimming this weekend
Mommy -grateful for the sun on the porch and streaming through our window on a Friday evening

May 6
Tavish- grateful for the double-header and the first baseball game of the season
Mommy- grateful for Keva's can-do attitude for our first big bike ride together up the hill to Tavish's baseball game and riding back home together too! Go Team Fast Poke! Also for Tavish's great baseball coach who is kind and supportive of Tavish and his team.
Keva- grateful for the bandaid we will put on my finger

June 9
Tavish- grateful that his baseball team is doing well in the AAA tournament and that we have made the 1/4 finals! (so far)
Daddy- grateful for nice weather at the baseball park: no rain and not too hot!
Keva- grateful for going to baseball park where Mommy pushed me on the swing

July 24
Tavish- grateful for Brickworks camp!
Daddy- grateful for Mommy planning so many fun adventures for Tavish & Keva this summer
Keva- grateful that I had a fire today and that we get to ride bikes tomorrow and going to Riverdale pool! (Brickworks Camp week)

Keva is 6

It was a celebration that lasted a few days - going from five to six is a BIG deal, you know!

Birthday 'Loot Bags'

Birthday Lady with Lemonade Loot

Scooter!

MOMENTS: Sweet and Silly Six Year Old

We had a birthday dessert and a movie in the backyard with Grandpa Mike to kick off the festivities. This event introduced the scooter into Keva's life. Then, her birthday party starting with a swim followed by playground time at Regent Park with her friends. Dinner was her choice - sushi of course with Kimberley and Isabel. The celebrations ended on Keva's actual birthday with yet more presents and another round of singing with cupcakes! She is loved and is well celebrated - all six years of her! Happy Birthday, Keva.

The Big Bed Shuffle

Ever since Keva's pneumonia in the fall, she's woken in the night in search of someone to sleep with. Her single bed became increasingly less appealing to sleep in for an adult, let alone for an adult plus a child. Enter, double bed to the family! Ahhhh. Turns out, moving a new bed in makes for a lot of sleep-space changes for everyone!

Out with the old!

Preparing the site...

In with the new!

Keva's single+Tavish's single=
BUNK BEDS FOR TAVISH!

Humber Exploration

We took Sweet Ride out for a spring paddle along the Humber and found more than we were expecting!

MOMENT: Graffiti, Nature, and Play

Some amazing artwork under the bridge crossing the Humber. Tavish a strong paddler. Heron. Turtle. Dragonboat. Bridge. Playground. Portage. Family fun.

Cookie

We arrive at piano to an offer of a chocolate chip cookie that Tommy and Katie made together. YUM!

During Keva's turn on the piano bench, this conversation happened between Keva and Katie:

Keva: Did you eat a cookie too?

Kate: Yes. (pause) I might have had more than one.

Keva: I wish I was you.

The Amazing Race

Grandpa Mike has long insisted he could beat Tavish in a race.
Race day was officially upon us. The moment of truth...

MOMENT: It Doesn't Matter If you Win or Lose...

...as long as you put in the effort. I'm pleased to report that no one was hurt in the making of this moment in history when we finally know who is faster.

Couch Change-up

Sadly, it was time. Time to let the beloved blue couch go. It was the couch that hugged you back. It offered up enough space for Tom to stretch out fully and still have his arms above his head. Our family of four could snuggle together on it, and still have room for more. It has served Tom's family for decades, but finally, the springs just couldn't do it. We even explored rebuilding options. Really, we were that committed. In the end, we realized...it was the end. We have moved in a temporary new-to-us couch. It will never live up to it's predecessor. Never. But for now, it'll do. For now.

Not Room Enough for Two...

Out with the Old, In with the New

Final Couch Lounge

Hard to Say Goodbye to Something so Comfortable

A Leader On and Off the Ice

Another hockey season draws to end. Tavish was on the "Green Machine" house league team. He developed and played well. The season even ended with a tribute to his leadership "on and off the ice"...

MOMENT: A Born Leader

Easter Weekend Eggstravaganza!

Sure there was chocolate, but there was also new wheels, new gear, family, friends, and a kite!

MOMENTS: More than Chocolate to a Long Weekend!

We hit up the Hideaway Park Easter Egg Hunt, always a fun neighbourhood tradition. The kids found themselves some treats. Keva tested out her new-to-us trail bike and we were off! It was so freeing to travel together. Keva and Mommy have a team name "Team Fastpoke!" - there was no slowing us down! Tavish shopped around with his EchoAge birthday party money and purchased some better fitting road hockey goalie equipment. Keva and her troll came along for the shopping spree as well. The pads were quickly put to use in a pick up game of hockey in the alley starring Tavish in his new gear. We had a fun Easter dinner with friends including a Nerf war, of course. Finally, a visit from the Easter bunny who sent the kids on a search for their own dozen eggs then a clue finding extra treat! To end the weekend, another family bike ride took us to fly a kite in the cool April wind! Our family love, love, loves an extra long weekend!

Reading to Grandpas

Keva has been working hard with Robin (OT) and has had success with her beginner readers! Who better to read to then her captive Grandpa audience on the phone? Each Grandpa was happy to hear a story read by a keen Keva! We've certainly uncovered a gal who loves to chat on the phone to her Grandpas!

MOMENT: Storyteller

Tavish Turns 9

A tradition is a tradition after all, so off we went to the sugar bush to celebrate another trip around the sun for Tavish!

Last year of single digit celebrations!

Finest Family Celebrating the Finest Fella

Loot Bag included Tav-made Maplebutter with Raisin Toast

 

T Pancake Tradition Continues!

Sap is Flowing!

Happy (new wheels) Birthday!

Family Sushi Dinner

MOMENTS: Friends, Forest, Fun & Sweets, Syrup & Sun!

This year, Tavish expanded the 'net' to invite a few baseball buddies and a few other kids from school, along with the usual suspects. The sap was flowing, so buckets were being collected and delivered by the birthday crew! There was forest frolicking, pancakes, and sweet loot bags for his buddies. This birthday party is one of the sweetest parts of the year!

Dressing up for Dinner at Grandpa's

One of our favourite treats is when Grandpa Mike invites us to his apartment for dinner. Keva pulled out all the stops for this dinner by getting all dressed up in her dining best from the basement tickle trunk. It's such a scenic walk through the alley there too, that I just had to snap a photo...

Post-Trip Debrief

Keva has become much chattier on the phone, much to the delight of Grandma and Grandpa who are interested in hear all about our March Break!

MOMENTS: Chatting

A good phone conversation goes with the flow...sure, some of this chat involved telling about our March Break, but there were also some tangents and other stories from both sides. I love watching my children love talking to my parents!

March Break 2018

A quick jaunt to Ottawa to visit with family before we went off on our way to our annual trip to Vermont. This year was much the same with adventures in skiing, skating, swimming, and plenty of snow! Added to that this year was bowling and the indoor climbing facilities! Even with changes, the great memories and the desire to do it again remain the same.

Cousins in a Snow Fort

New Adventures Await in Jay

Keva On Jay Snow

Tavish In Jay Snow

Jay Kids

MOMENTS: Jay Play

Keva got up on skis, Tavish went higher up the mountain in snowier and blowier conditions. It was another great snowball of fun in Vermont!

Other Family

Keva has some 'imaginary' friends: Shelshe, Michael, Koo-Koo are the primary ones. Sometimes pretend Mommy, pretend Daddy, and pretend Tavish are around too...

Keva: Know what I like about my other family?

Tom: What?

Keva: They come with me everywhere I go.

Onion Duty

Tavish took back the task of pasta. This time, he was more prepared...

Penny Our Pet

Sure, she is a temporary pet, but boy does she make the obvious hard to ignore ... our children LOVE having a dog...