Pianists

We were given a small plastic piano when Tavish was a baby. He was drawn to it then and still is now. Seems Keva also likes playing the keys and, it turns out, they both enjoy playing for an audience...

Keva's act: Cute & Composed

Tavish's act: Lovely & Lively

MOMENT: Born Entertainers

A favourite memory of Tavish with the piano was captured on video when Kate was visiting with her daughter, Sophie. Tavish was crawling and would make his way to the piano, pull himself up, and play the piano for her. She was the perfect audience. Recently, Keva's taken to standing at the piano and hitting the keys when others are watching as well. Her performance is less flashy, but equally as intentional. We've even been the audience for a Tavish and Keva duet which is a whole new level of entertainment yet to be caught on video. If it ever does, be prepared to play audience again!

Solo Spinning

Third time is a charm for Tavish and his new wheels. The third time on it and the training wheels were removed. Three rides without them, and he's able to do it all himself, even starting. There's no stopping him now. So, we went on a family cycling adventure in our new 'hood to celebrate...

Tavish on two wheels and ready to go

Keva needs a helmet too

Double the fun

Biking at Leslie Spit

Well deserved snacks before heading home

MOMENT: Solo and Double

There is no denying it, Tavish was ready ride like the wind. He controls and varies his speed, he maneuvers around obstacles with confidence, and has the stamina to go the distance. It was time. We have access to a double chariot through our generous new neighbours, so we piled it with two kids in  helmets and brought along Tavish's bike. Off we went to check out the nearby Leslie Spit (car free) where we let Tavish take off on his own two wheels. He rode for over 3km and was asking to ride more. Such a good time, our boy is a real biker now!

Going Up

It's happening, she's on her way up! She has defied gravity perhaps a little too well though because she hasn't found her way back down yet, so it's Mommy, Daddy or Tavish to the rescue! Gone are the days of long post-nap plays - they've been replaced with a cry out for help to rest her tiring legs...

Helping hand tempts the stand...

Very exciting site, she's up!

Stuck standing in captivity, less exciting...

MOMENT: Knees to Toes

Tavish has been holding Keva up and hauling her around for awhile, so she had some encouragement to discover the world from beyond the floor. The independent exploring started in her little, little kitchen and progressed to rising up all over the place, taking her view of the world from ankle height to knee height. Next up, walking?

The Big Apple

This moment of escape and parental solace brought to you by the bravery, love, and support of Grandma and Grandpa Mel. They held down the new home and the two kiddos while Mommy and Daddy took on Manhattan. Sure, it was for less than 48 hours but it felt like freedom - we went without snacks or a diaper bag! It was just us, no set plans, and every intention to sleep in! It was bliss. Thank you for making our first time away together in over 4 years happen, Mom and Dad. Look how relaxed we look... maybe we should make this an annual (or monthly) thing? ha.

Lunching with lemondae

Being a part of it - Time Square

When we returned, it was to a home full of four happy faces accompanied by stellar reports for how they made out in our absence. From the accounts of how smoothly it went, I'm hearing that we should go for longer next time! 

Grandma's happy face is missing from this photo, unfortunately...

Light Work

It's true, many hands make light work. Thank you to our parents and their hands for assembling, moving, cleaning, repairing, sanding, laundering, grandparenting, and being all around great helpers. Your combined efforts made quick work of the settling in process. Yippee!

MOMENT: All Hands On Deck

Turns out, I like things set up the way I like, and I like it that way now. I'm demanding, but the place looks great so I guess my mission was accomplished! Grandpa Mel even put his shadow to work and played with him and, and, and, and ... Thanks again everyone!

Sanding the kitchen table with Grandpa Mel

Avoid-cation

It's true. The kids and I dodged the heavy lifting required of a move. Well, there were movers for the actual lifting, but you know what I mean. We picked the perfect place to go too. The company was grand(parents), the scenery was wild(life), and memories were made (and captured).

MOMENT: Movie Montage

Kids and grandkids arrive at Grandma and Grandpa's. 

Co-captains of the boat

Frog finder

Taking in the sites - I

Taking in the sites - II

Tavish and the turtle

Playtime with Grandpa

Bathing Beauty...

...with an audience

Taking care of some paperwork

Mommy and Tavish

Waiting for the fish to bite...

...hoping Grandpa has better luck

Mommy and Keva

Grandma with her grands

Happily hangin' with Harper

Cousins cycle

Grocery getters

The trip was just too good to summarize in a short little video, so I had to make a longer one and include the above photos. So, take a seat, put your feet up, and enjoy the montage of moments that great memories are made of...



Meanwhile, back in southern Ontario...

MOMENT: Moving Mayhem

Tom was a trooper. He supervised the rest of the pack up after returning from dropping us at the airport, cleaned up the "old" house after our belongings were loaded into the truck, went to work for a few days, then met our stuff at the "new" house and began working to get it set up for our arrival. Phew! Moving is a nightmare, but letting you avoid the initial part makes Tom even dreamier... :)

One Year Old

Enjoy the last of the monthly mug shots of Miss Keva. It's unanimous (I only asked me), she gets two photos in honour of her first year. So, here is her face at twelve months of age at breakfast and then at dinner ... there was a long (and loud) drive from Winnipeg to Fort Frances in between. She was still all smiles though, so it was obviously still a good birthday.

MOMENT: Twelve to One

Breakfast and her water bottle

Smiles over supper

Our one year old is engaging more and more all the time by imitating and initiating interactions. She's closer to using a more identifiable wave, she 'talks' back, blows raspberries, and is a real smiler! Looking forward to many more years in the company of this lovely child. Happy first birthday, Keva!



FLASHBACK: Tavish Turns Onederful

Smiles over syrup

Tavish's first birthday fell on a Wednesday. We kicked off the festivities by hosting the family for lunch the Sunday before. That was Tavish's first taste of cake ... sure, it was the healthiest cake I've ever had and there was no icing (what? he was the first child... I was more particular then!), but he really enjoyed it regardless. His actual birthday was spent at a maple syrup farm with our friends, Andrea and Darius, where we explored and they tasted syrup for the first time. Also a hit. His birthday party was planned for Saturday, but we cancelled it because Tavish was pretty sick. It was a bummer, but his first year was certainly celebrated but it would appear that I wasn't as big on taking videos then, so enjoy the photo based video tribute to Tavish turning one!