A visit from the Horners

~Visiting with Kevin and Lori Horner over the weekend. James didn't want them to leave: "I'll be lonely when they go." He became VERY attached to Kevin. We played a lot of games and stayed up late. The guys, and the girls, enjoyed getting out of the house for a couple of hours.
~Eating authentic Montreal bagels.
~Visting with my dad and step brother, Dave. Dad and I played a favourite game while the kids actually napped: Dominoes.
~Hannah saying her version of "two children" when we hold her and James at the same time.
~Mark and James were working on a puzzle together in the basement and James said, "Daddy you're my best friend".
~Hannah falling in love with books.
~Trips with the stroller down the hill to Tim Hortons.

~James created his first watercolour.
~Hannah can now climb into her booster seat at the table. She is terrifying us with her climbing skills. She is very capable, but we're not ready for this. I don't remember James climbing EVERYTHING. I wonder how long we have until she climbs out of her crib.
~Hannah continues to practice speaking every kind of word. She is able to say "ball" and "yes" very clearly now.
~James is becoming concerned with whether God likes his behaviour. When he is behaving well he often says, "Does God like this?"
~One day James decided that Hannah was not "allowed" to have one of his cars. She decided that she no longer wanted it and threw it. He then lectured her on not throwing things. She didn't care.
~James loves to do "gymnastics" whenever the yoga mat comes out.
~James, Hannah and I applied for our Canadian passports.

More to come.

Cute stuff

~Beach day (afternoon)! When James wouldn't nap the other day, and Hannah had just woken up from her nap, we got out a Rubbermaid bin, turned up the heat in the bathroom downstairs, filled the bin with warm water and the kids got into suits and played in the water. After the kids had a blast playing and the floor got completely soaked, I had a very difficult getting them out.
~Making my first chicken pot pie. It was so delicious! I have enough to make another one, and Mark said that the leftovers were just as good as the dinner the night before.
~Sitting on the couch with the family and the weather on the news came on the tv. James suddenly blurts out, "Oh, so it's going to snow!". Mark and I exchanged a look and couldn't help but giggle.
~Hannah is still sleeping in until after 6am! I haven't found the pacifiers yet, but I'm still wondering if it that the neighbours are getting up later. Either way, we are all enjoying getting more sleep.

Sweet baby

~Meeting Sadie Wilkinson. James and Hannah were great around the baby and so interested in her. So cute!
~James and Hannah kissing.
~Hannah liking the rice off of her plate.
~Talking to Sharon Vigoroso on the phone.
~Hannah lying on the rocking chair and rocking at the same time.
~La Fontaine park. James didn't want to leave-ever! Can't wait until we bring the skates next time.

Words, sleep, games...

~Hannah is becoming a chatty-cathy. She is not getting the words completely right, but is trying to say almost everything. "Ja, Ja, Ja" is so cute. I wonder how long it will take before she can say his name. She is especially obsessed with "bird" "book" "daddy" and "light".
~After losing all of her pacifiers, Hannah has slept 2 nights and gone through 1 day without one. She has slept better. I'm not sure if the people upstairs are not getting up as early, or if the lack of pacifier is the solution. She's doing great! I'm hoping that we are done with the pacifier forever! That would be so easy. I have actually gotten 6 hours of straight sleep. Wow! Being a parent for 3+ years has taught me not to get to excited about this lasting. You never know though...
~Working on photo albums. It's incredible how many pictures we have, and how many I need to order and back order. It's been fun sorting and reflecting on the memories. I haven't put anything away since James was 1 year old.
~Visiting Cornwall on Sunday and enjoying a yummy turkey dinner. Oh, and learning a new favourite game: Yahtzee Free for All. We have already ordered it and are excited to teach Beth and Adam when we get to Boston next. The Scott family are especially going to love it.

This and That

~James and Hannah eskimo kissing.
~Hannah asking me to read more books.
~Hannah trying desperately to talk. (Mel, book, more, yes, up, and more)
~James and Hannah jumping on the bed.
~James suggesting that we will "break" if we grow to fast. Therefore, he is not growing.
~Making 5 meals for 4 people (albeit that 2 are small children) out of a regular sized whole chicken.
~Starting to compost.
~Feeling sane and rational in the chaos of raising small children.
~Learning about Haiti (Thanks Andrea for posting an article with a bit of the history).
~Feeling well; thus, getting back to the playground after 3.5 weeks of being sick.

Finger painting

~Skating on the local rink. Hannah's first time on the ice (that we remember, anyways).

~Here are some pictures of James and Hannah's finger painting artwork. Actually, James used a paintbrush for some of the paint on one of his pictures. James painted the pictures on the larger pages with the hand prints. Hannah's are a little more rudimentary:) Today was the first time I have let her. Since she is so oral, I have always been uneasy about it. She did great!

Just back to Montreal

~Hearing the great news that a new friend, Heather, had a baby girl named Sadie (sp?) Now I just need the details.
~Organizing, and laundry, laundry, laundry.
~James asked to light the "remember Auntie Susie candle" today so we lit both remembrance candles and looked through pictures. I actually sorted through and put some of the pictures away that were still out of albums since her memorial. A healing moment.

Holiday with the Scotts

~Watching the Olympics torch relay in Orillia with family and friends. I received a coke from the sponsors, which was especially exciting for Mark.
~Spaghetti dinner with the Robertsons and a very nice visit.
~Hanging out with Katherine, Ryan and Chris, almost every day.
~Ringing in the New Year with friends and family by playing Guesstures, Poker, watching hockey, and toboganning at the Levignes.
~Attending our home church-even though we were so late that we barely enjoyed any of the service.
~Swiss Chalet with family and friends which included very funny stories and interactions.
~Spending more time with the cousins than we expected to.
~Too many treats.
~A quick drop off stuff visit by Deb, Tom and the kids.
~Visiting with the Crosbys, Galicinskis, Grandma Shelswell and Pughs (all at different times).
~More toboganning at the Levignes with more family and hot chocolate this time.