The big kids are having a sleepover at Gramma and Grampa's house, and Clay and I went out tonight for supper and a movie tonight. Deacon joined us, of course! We had a delicious supper, then went to the Broadway Theatre to see Revenge of the Electric Car (which was really interesting, I recommend it!)
This is my preferred type of high school reunion: hanging out with people I went to school with...and liked :) Noriko moved to my town when I was in grade 12, on a one year exchange program. She's been back a few times to visit since then, and today she came over for a visit. It's crazy how things change so quickly - the last time she was here, Markus was a baby, my one and only. Now Deacon - baby number 4 - is here!
It was so great to see you again, Noriko!
It was so great to see you again, Noriko!
Today was my father-in-law's birthday, which of course is shared with his twin brother (left). The kids, ever concerned with being invited to birthday parties, determined he had to come here so that we could make him a birthday cake (because in their minds, that's the whole point of a birthday party). Markus has been poring over the fliers that come to our house, looking for strawberries on sale so we could make the strawberry shortcake that Pappy requested.
The kids turned this picture into a bit of a gong show - but they're a cute gong show :)
The kids turned this picture into a bit of a gong show - but they're a cute gong show :)
Isaiah, blowing out the candles as we celebrate his eleventh birthday! Our kids refer to him as "the crazy-haired guy", and they love their big cousin like crazy. Having lived in Africa for the last 7 years, this is our kids' first real experience getting to know this crew of extended family, and we are loving the time we get to spend with them and reconnect before they make the trek across the world again in a few months. (Where owning a dog will finally become a reality for this dog-crazy boy!)
Markus and his cousin Julia, having a great time on a sleigh ride downtown today. Markus made sure to keep an eye out for horse poop...five year old boy for you :)
I don't recall these two asking for permission to get so big. I also don't remember saying, "Okay sure, you guys just go ahead and grow up while I blink." Seriously, how do kids grow up so fast? These two are seven and almost six already!
I don't recall these two asking for permission to get so big. I also don't remember saying, "Okay sure, you guys just go ahead and grow up while I blink." Seriously, how do kids grow up so fast? These two are seven and almost six already!
Sweet Deacon is seven months old today!
He is sitting like a champion, still not interested in rolling much, and gets ticked off if I leave him on his tummy too long because he pushes himself backward into all kinds of strange places. He wants to put everything in his mouth, but hasn't been having the greatest time adjusting to solid food. His bottom teeth are on the move and I suspect they will make an appearance soon.
What makes Deacon awesome though, is his who he is, not what he does. He is so sweet, joyful, and altogether FUN! I love you Baby!
He is sitting like a champion, still not interested in rolling much, and gets ticked off if I leave him on his tummy too long because he pushes himself backward into all kinds of strange places. He wants to put everything in his mouth, but hasn't been having the greatest time adjusting to solid food. His bottom teeth are on the move and I suspect they will make an appearance soon.
What makes Deacon awesome though, is his who he is, not what he does. He is so sweet, joyful, and altogether FUN! I love you Baby!
I've had some Saskatoon berries stashed in my freezer since summer, with the intent of savouring the goodness of summer berries in the dread of winter. It turns out winter hasn't been all that dreadful this year, but I decided to get baking today anyway. I whipped up a pan of Saskatoon Berry Platz.
Having grown up eating plenty of good Mennonite food, platz was one that I was unfamiliar with until I worked at Ten Thousand Villages.
"You've never had platz?!" A co-worker asked, incredulously.
I had been missing out. So have you, if you've never had it.
Having grown up eating plenty of good Mennonite food, platz was one that I was unfamiliar with until I worked at Ten Thousand Villages.
"You've never had platz?!" A co-worker asked, incredulously.
I had been missing out. So have you, if you've never had it.
Bailey has been waking up too early lately, and last night she went to bed too late. She gave up napping a few months ago, but the recent lack of sleep added up to a tired girl who fell asleep this afternoon when I was nursing Deacon. I left him to have his nap with her. Aren't they adorable?
My mom and dad arrived this afternoon, home from a winter getaway to Hawaii. They were gone for two weeks, and were missed terribly by this little crew! We spent yesterday making a welcome home sign: the finger-painting and foam stickers are their handiwork, I just made the letters :) The spelling of Gramma and Grampa was Markus' idea.
Now the big event on the kids' horizon is having a sleepover at their house next week.
Welcome home Mom and Dad, we're glad you're back!
Now the big event on the kids' horizon is having a sleepover at their house next week.
Welcome home Mom and Dad, we're glad you're back!
My mission to create latte art saw a turn for the better today. It's a heart! A little bit pathetic, but a heart nonetheless! Now...if only I could replicate it. It's hard to make progress when I only make a few lattes everyday, but at least it's something.