Merry Christmas 2013

From our flannel clad family to yours....

Fun Family Firetruck Flannels with Monogram Tshirts. Yes, we went there...

Wishing you all the blessings on this Christmas season.

And the Happiest of New Years!

Super Sixth Birthday

Jman in his littleness days.

Can't believe that our biggest little will be six this week. Seems like just a short time ago we were prepping the guest room into his nursery. Painting and collecting all the necessities needed to welcome our little 'bean'.

And now we celebrate the sixth year of his joining our family. Time is slipping away so fast. Preschool came so quickly and now kindergarten has been completed. And now I find that I have hardly had a chance to blink let alone breathe, but half of first grade has already lapsed.










We invited a few friends to mark this momentous milestone.  It was a superhero kind of day.

Capes and Nerf guns, spidey silly string and take down the bad guy were just a couple of fun activities in which these boys took part.

Then it was Batman cake and snacks while watching the Lego Batman movie.  A simple but very fun and high energy day. 

Happy 6th Birthday Jman!

Annual Smalliver Light Tour

Jammies are on and blankets to keep us snug,
Next on to Timmy's to fill up our mugs.
The route is planned out for the brightest of brights,
We are heading thru Smalliver to see all the lights.




Carols are sung while we go a gazing,
At the wonder and awe of the displays so amazing,
Thanks to all the good people of Smalliver for the spectacular sights,
And Merry Christmas from our family to yours on this wondrous winter night.

Where has this month gone...

This year has slipped on so quickly. Especially with a newborn and busy grade 1 student. And although I don't always have time to share it with you, we are making the most of every moment and trying to spend more time with our kids. We try to live in the moment and be present with each child.

I find that although I am off on maternity leave, I seem to be busier than ever. Being treasurer with the school PAC has stolen away a lot of my time but I will be pulling back some of my time in the new year.  I only have 12 months with the little one and I want to spend as much one on one as possible with him. And I have not been able to give back to Jman's class as I did in the beginning of the year. His teacher appreciates any extra parent help with fun math or language games.  And it enabled me to make more connections with his classmates and how his progress and development was shaping during their lessons.

I also love my mornings spent at StrongStart with Ryguy (our newest name for the littlest one). Even though he is only 5 months next week, we love the songs and watching all the big kids play and interact. And it's just so good to spend that time with other moms and parents. And it's a huge bonus that my wifey, Shannon, is the most amazing StrongStart facilitator ever and we get to spend time with her as well.

Some news for us...
Jman lost his first the other day, Monday December 2. It has been loose for awhile and he kept wiggling it around with his finger. Then at his dentist appointment on Monday past he asked Dr. Noftle if he would take it out so he wouldn't swallow it. So out to came with a little freezing gel and a tug. Love these stages in his life. And so happy we can share them with him. His favourite part of having a hole in front is that it is perfect spot to fit in a straw. So funny!

Ryguy has been sleeping more regular hours. And just last night he slept over 7 hours straight. Mama is loving that! He is now almost 14 pounds and 60cm long. A great little eater like his brother. And he loves to share his adorable smiles and grins. Sometimes he adds in a little gurgle and giggle and the ever present nose crinkle to melt your heart. His favourite activity is sitting in his bumbo seat and watching his big bro play with his lego. All the noises and imagination play from Jman keeps him well entertained and a huge help to Mama when dinner needs to get made or a quick jump into the shower. Love that they are already getting along. We love the age difference and how helpful Jman has become and how attentive Ry is to his big bro's activity.

Scott has some great news too! He applied for an instructor's position with the Sheriff Services. There were interviews, physical tests and Powerpoint presentations created. And his hard work and determination were rewarded with a successful acceptance to be an instructor. He just found out this week so more details will be revealed as we know. He will still perform his regular sheriff duties on a daily basis but when courses come up in this region, he will go to those training facilities to teach for the days needed. Very exciting as only a couple years in and he has moved forward in his work goals. Very proud and happy for him.

We are so very blessed and hope to share more with you as the year comes to close... Stay tuned! And thanks for stopping by to read more of our adventures...

Just today...

Just today, I took these photos. A little snapshot of what we were up to today.
Come take a look...

Smiley Ryder sitting up on the couch.

Jackson getting ready for training with Daddy. Fourth stripe tonight, next week is test day.

Newest seasonal installment in the Schaffrick Art Gallery

Scott was presented with this relic at his dentist appointment today. Scott circa 1987. 

Crafty Ladies

I meet up with two very special friends about once a month.  We like to make things. Sometimes it's seasonal (pysanka at easter, wreaths in december), sometimes it's just for fun (painting bird houses), and sometimes it's just delicious (freezer filling perogies).
We share our creativity but we also share our lives. We take time out to just enjoy the company of each other while making something with our hands.
This past get-together was spent making some super cute sock snowmen at my place. They turned out really great. I love that we all make the same craft but they always turn out so different. Just like my special crafty ladies.

Say 'Hello' to my sock snowmen family. I love how they turned out and even resemble us in a freaky but oddly cute way.












And a picture of the littlest as he is now four months old. Where does that time go...

Cousins to the rescue...

Two new happening here this week...
First snow fall of the year. Not too much and gone by lunch, but enough for Jman to dig out his snow pants for school. And mom discovered he no longer fits his boots, rain or winter. Thankfully he has a bigger cousin nearby who had a smaller pair in storage. Thanks T! Guess we're shopping for new boots this weekend.

And this guy tried out the Jumperoo. Loved it! Especially all the interactive lights and sounds. Still needs a little wedge pillow for support, but getting stronger by the day. Another great new-to-us gift from cousins on the coast. Mahalo nui!

A Super Kinda Halloween

We had a superhero kinda Halloween. Jackson picked the theme of our outfits, Justice League. And it all started from there...

First things, first. SuperHero signals must be created to call all the forces of justice.
Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and The Flash...Amazing job boys!

Then they suited up for a night of crime fighting and candy gathering from all the good citizens of Smalliver. Watching for evil lurking in the shadows and fearlessly keeping the villains at bay.

Scareview was no match for our dynamic duo of cuteness! Games were played and Boo Bucks earned!

And our littlest Superman was there to back up Big Brother at every Halloween challenge!

Mission complete! Ghosts and goblins keep in check for tonight! And Boo Bucks kept safe in the hands of Batman. And rewarding sweets and treats collected and consumed. Just another night in the life of these super adorable justice seekers. But stay tuned until their next adventure in Smalliver...

Never too young to learn to do laundry...

All warm and toasty from the dryer. 

I love love love this little muffin.

Quick Cuties

Just wanted to share some pics of the kids I have taken over the last week. And let you know I am still keeping on top of my self challenge to take at least one photo a day.

When I captured the pictures of Jman & Ryder together, I didn't notice the size difference in my boys until I looked at it on the computer. J is so big and my littl'in is still so little. But growing fast...

So blessed to have this time with both my boys.

 Thanks for stopping by to share in our moments.

Sew now I do this...

It's not like I have a lot of spare time with the new babe, Ryder. Or even that I am bored, nope got lots on my plate thanks! But I seem to love adding just one more ball to the juggling mass I have suspended above my head.

I started making these reusable snack/sandwich bags last year when Jackson started kindergarten. I couldn't justify buying plastic bags to put in his lunch just so he could throw them out and do it all over again the next day. We are trying to teach our kids to be responsible citizens of this earth and take some ownership in keeping it clean and keeping it green. Every little bit counts so we try where we can. Ok, Eco-speech done for today. 

I love that they are made of a sturdy PUL that comes in super cute patterns and colours. My clean up is so easy; wipe it out for simple crumbs or give it a more thorough clean in the dishwasher flipped inside out in the top rack hung on the glass rungs or in the washing machine ( but Velcro tends to stick to other washing). Then I just hang it up for a quick air dry for lunch making in the morning.

I have also started using the snack bags as soother holders. Keeps the fuzzies and ickies off when in the diaper bag/purse etc. Love finding new uses all the time!

After a few moms saw my bags they wanted to get on the green less wasteful bandwagon. I do not claim to be a master seamstress at all, total beginner would best describe me. But when I set my mind to something, I try try try until I get it. So here I am with a new bambino and I think to myself, I should motivate myself, give myself a challenge, get out a little more... So I signed up for a table at a Smalliver craft fair at the end of the month. Just a little one, no huge Christmas market, it's just me and my little bags. And I have invited a friend, Rose, who is a super sewer, to share my table with her beautiful aprons. She is just too talented with the fabrics.

So if you're looking to get a little greener or just think my little bags are cute, thanks by the way I do too, let me know if you want to order a set or two for yourself or loved ones. Leave me a comment sew we can make it happen. 

Already have orders pending for Christmas presents for a whole family. And I am hoping to make superhero themed ones for Jman's birthday goodie bags. Oh, the ideas are endless...

Budding Photographer

When using the medium of photography, one must choose a subject of interest. Something that captures your attention and your heart...

-JPS

Jackson  overheard me mentioning my challenge to myself to take a picture a day of our family life. He decided that he wanted to document his love of Lego.  So randomly while playing Lego, he will jump up grab our camera and snap a picture.
Here are a few of his latest installments.

Jackson's passion for his subject shines through each frame he snaps. Love that he is capturing these special moments of his own life and documenting the extraordinariness of his everyday.