Ten Months and a Hair Cut

In two short months we will be celebrating Jack's first birthday. It's amazing how the time can go by so fast, but at the same time it's hard to imagine a time without him in our lives.

He is Mr. Personality now. He has smiles for everyone, but is a little weary of people he doesn't know. He says mama and dada in context now which makes my heart melt like nothing else. He will be busy playing, and then remember me and crawl over to me as quickly as possible while saying 'mama' over and over in a deep growling voice. Not to sure why he growls when he says it, but it's pretty funny to watch.

He will take a few steps between us, but then realize he's doing it on his own and quickly sit down. He practically runs around furniture though. He's absolutley obsessed with stairs and makes it his mission in life to catch someone leave the gate open and climb up the whole stair case at lightening speed.

If I catch him getting into something he's not supposed to, I will say "Noooo Jack" He will turn around and look at me and say "Aaaauhhh" as if to say who me?, I'm not doing anything. He will then go back to what he was doing while laughing hysterically.He is a little trouble maker and I love it. I adore his mischievousness.

He loves stuffed animals and blankets. He will spend ten minutes rolling around on a blanket and he loves rubbing his face on them. He sleeps with a fuzzy soft blanket all snuggled into him.

He is such a sweetie, and we love him with all our hearts. I feel kind of sad that he is getting older, but I also really love how life gets a bit easier at this stage, and one year olds are my absolute favourite age, so I am looking forward to the coming months too.

Also just wanted to share a picture of Claire's new hair cut. We're lucky that Claire's grandma cuts hair, so when we went for a visit today, she gave her a little trim. How cute does she look with her new hair style?

A Fun Saturday

I love Saturday mornings when you wake up and have absolutley nothing planned for the day. We get to lounge around for a bit, and then we Jack goes down for a morning nap we throw around different ideas. We could go swimming, or an indoor playground, or anywhere else our heart desires. Today we decided to try out the butterfly conservatory. So when Jack woke up, off we went.

Claire loved the huge bugs

One of my favourite pictures of Jack. He loved sitting in his stroller and watching the butterflies fly by.

She was very curious about this owl display, but when it started playing owl sounds she was totally freaked out, and this picture shows.

I signed her up for a five week bug preschool program at the end of March which should be fun. Happy weekend!

My Sweet Girl

Yesterday was rough. There were lots of temper tantrums, lots of time outs, and I just wanted it to be over. Thankfully today was much better. We had a really good day. We played, and had fun. And we spent a lot of time just cuddling and talking. She is just so funny, and I love our little conversations.

At one point, I looked over at her watching Dora and couldn't believe how big she looked. She looks like a little girl now. The baby in her is slipping away. She looked so beautiful. I had to take a picture.

Sometimes she's so full of attitude, and just wants to be independent and be a big girl. But then there's also those times where she wakes in the middle of the night scared, or needs to hold my hand to walk down some stairs and I'm reminded how sweet and innocent, and little she still is. I'm savouring her three year - oldness because I know I will miss it one day.

When Denis got home from work, we went for a walk outside just her and I. It's so nice to have that one on one time evry once in a while.

And even though it was only 1 or 2 degrees today...it was sunny and beautiful and I could smell spring. It's just around the corner.

Wordless Wednesday

Family Day

We used family day just as it was intended and had some good quality family time today. Daddy got to come watch Claire at dance class which they both loved! When we got home, Jack and Denis had a nap, and Claire and I got to have some fun.

We played with playdough

We played candyland

When Jack woke up we gave him some strawberry cream cheese toast, so we could get some baking done. Jack didn't mind at all. That boy loves to eat!

And then we got to work and made some yummy banana bread. I think baking is one of  Claire's favourite things to do.She looooves it!

Happy Family Day!

Weekends

I live for the weekends. Even though I'm home with the kids all week, weekends just feel different. Denis is home, so I'm not outnumbered by the kids for one thing. We often just laze around, and all hang out in our bed when we wake in the morning. We also get to visit with friends and family. Yesterday we were going to see my dad, so I had to get Jack up from his nap. He looked so sweet, and peaceful so I snapped a quick picture of him.

Of course that woke him up, but he didn't seem to mind.

My kids adore all their grandparents, and the feeling is mutual.

Jack had fun playing and exploring at grandpa's house too!

This Monday is family day so we get an extra day with daddy. Claire is very excited that he gets to come watch her at dance class. Happy weekend everyone!

Another beautiful Day

It's +7 and sunny out there today. We went for a nice long walk and enjoyed the sun shine. It's going to get cold again soon, so we're soaking it up while we can. I also got a new lens for my camera, and was busy taking some new pictures of what else...my cute kids! Jack is at the stage of refusing to look at the camera, and not sitting still, so it's hard to get a good picture of him. Claire's old enough that I can bribe her with smarties though, so I got lots of good ones of her.

A Taste of Spring

After weeks of a deep freeze, we have finally gotten some temps above zero. How nice to be able to get out of the house, and breathe in some fresh air. Claire pulled Jack in the wagon, and they both loved it! I think we all felt rejuvenated. I'm sure it will feel like winter again soon, but this will hold us off for now. And I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. 31 days until spring!

 

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

I'm going to try to do a wordless post every Wednesday. I will post a picture I love....most likely my kids, but may post something else every once in a while.  Enjoy :)

LIke mother, like daughter???

 I posted earlier some comparison pictures of Denis and Jack. There is no doubt those two look alike. But recently my mom commented how much Claire looks like me as a child. I don't think we look as much alike as the boys do, but I can definitley see the resemblance. What do you think?

My Little Dancer

Claire started dance class yesterday, and I was one proud mama! I've mentioned before how Claire is very shy, and it takes her a while to get comfortable in new situations. Well, it looks like my girl is completley coming out of her shell, and I am so so happy for her.

She's been going to The Little Gym for gymnastics since July, but up until now they have been parent/child classes, meaning a parent has to participate with the child. This past one that she just finished, the instructor would try to get the kids to come in to the class without their parents for the first five minutes, to get them used to the next stage. Well. Claire was the only one in her class that refused to go in without daddy. She also just didn't seem into it anymore, and was kind of just running all over the place instead of focusing on the activities. So, I was a bit nervous about dance class since they really do need to focus, and follow lots of instruction.

So when we got her ready for class, and she got her leotards, and skirt, and ballet shoes on, she was so excited. She wouldn't stop staring at her self in the mirror. She looked so adorable.

And when we got there, she was obviously excited, but so nervous too. You can see in this picture she's playing with her nails, which is what she does when she's nervous.

 But when the teacher called the girls into the room, she went right in without any hesitation, much to my shock.

And when they started dancing, she followed her teacher's directions, and did so amazing. And I could tell she loved every second of it.

Half way through, I went in to help her switch her shoes from tap to ballet, and she thought it was over, and said to me, "I want to do it again mommy."

She loved it, and I loved watching her dance. The other half of the class they do gymnastics, and while I think she still had fun, she doesn't seem to have the love for it that she did for the dance class.

Here is a couple video clips of her doing her thing.