Diaper Delight

Worried it'll be a stinky entry? Worry not, it reeks of sweetness and cleanliness...

Don't throw the baby out with the diaper pail...

Helping to sort the (clean) loot

Clean diapers for all (Chomper too)!

MOMENT: When in Diaper Pail...

...help out and enjoy the ride! Turns out, there are some memory-making perks to doing your own diapers.

Randy Returns

In our family, the Christmas season isn't upon us until December the 1st and December the 1st is marked by the return of Randy the Reindeer. Again this year, he didn't disappoint, he helped our family feel festive and prepared for the 'big day'...

Tavish and Randy the Reindeer

MOMENTS: Randy Says...

Feeling festive...

...and the feeling is contagious!

The spirit of giving

Getting crafty...

...and messy

The face of a trooper who was sick for most of December...

Although I think Tavish might be onto "Randy", he played along and excitedly found him with his daily note even though he was one sick little guy for the majority of days. Nonetheless, he'd find out what the activity was for the day (walk to soccer and stop for hot chocolate, make Christmas crafts, go skating, donate toys, buy food for food bank, decorate for Christmas, go to a museum, etc) and then adjust the "number of days until Christmas" Nutcracker we had out. Randy really is becoming a season staple around here...what has 'he' gotten us into? (wipes sweat from brow)

Two Little Monkeys

Our two little monkeys were jumping on the bed. Luckily, no one fell off and bumped their head...

MOMENT: Monkey See, Monkey Do

Tavish started it. Keva joined in with a little support from Daddy. When I arrived on the scene, Keva knew exactly how to play this new game as it'd been going on for awhile by then. No bed springs were harmed in the making of this memory...

Reading

Tavish has been ready to read for quite some time. This is not surprising for a kid who knew his alphabet by age 2, knew the sounds to all of the letters shortly after and just loves books in general. He wasn't interested in exploring the reading option this summer (he'd already mastered: off, egg, stop and a few other words), so we shelved the idea. There is certainly no rush. Then, the end of November came and Tavish was obviously keen and ready. So, what's a Mom to do other than kick off the adventure in a memorable way?

MOMENT: Words Get Hammered

I located a box that was just right; dug through Tom's dusty ol' golf bag (who has time for golf with two kids?!); got out Tavish's tool box; and put the trusted black Sharpie to work... Voila. Our little guy was reading! Seeing him less than half an hour later, you can imagine how he's doing a month later ... needless to say, spelling words to other adults has become a less reliable way to keep things from him.

Santa Claus Parade

No, not the really big one in Toronto. We sat that one out this year but we did catch the Ottawa Parade though. In fact, we did one better than that, we were IN the parade in our old home town!

Can you spot the eager float riders?

MOMENT: Friendly Festivities

We made an extra long weekend visit back to Ottawa to spend some quality time with some quality people. Some of this quality time was spent atop a float in the Santa Claus Parade with Tavish's buddy, Sofie who asked to be in the parade and her Daddy was able to make it happen. They were kind enough to invite our family along for the ride. So, amid the falling snow and cold, we were waving and well wishing just a few floats up from Santa himself! Such a great way to start off the Santa season. This was a highlight of our visit indeed but truthfully, just being reunited with some best buddies helped make things merry and bright for our whole family.

Sofie and Tavish riding on the float and ready to wave

Squeezing some eager parents into the wee-window

Snow added to the extra-festive feel

Dynamic Duo reunite at the Children's Musem

Lucy, Keva, Tavish & Sam settle in for some couch time

Final squeeze in the dress-up bin best!

18 Months

Here's our Keva at 18 months. Well, a few days before then a few days after ... turns out, I failed to capture a shot on the actual 'day'. You get the idea though of our bright eyed and happy girl who is now a year and a half!

Sometimes pensive...

Sometimes playful!

Little Helping Hands

In our house, our littlest helping hands make work light and fun...

MOMENTS: Keeping Clean Company

Keva's company while keeping the home may not always be truly helpful, but it certainly does provide some comic relief!