You know you're in America when...

Nick says to Grandpa, "Can I please have a weapon?"

Enough said.

Mom

It was my Mom's 60th birthday the other day. 

Okay, well nearly 2 weeks ago now...

I was just letting you ease into your 60's Mom, you know, 

instead of bombarding you on the day with lots of that 

"oh welcome to your 7th decade" stuff... ;) hehe.

I love you more than I can express, and miss you just as much. Thanks for all the love you've poured into my life. I owe so much to you.

Ballet concert

Did I ever EVER think a child of mine would wear makeup at 5 years old?

Nope.

Did I surprise myself by thinking it was sorta kinda fun to indulge
this girly side of my daughter that only faintly exists in me?

Admittedly, yes.

 She was blissfully happy and I found myself very much
enjoying the day with her.

She's had such a fun year doing ballet.
She performed so well on stage with her group, paying attention to detail
and feeling so proud to be doing it in front of so many people.
Perhaps it's not such a terrible thing to let her continue for a bit... the jury's still out...

Luckily the makeup is only for the concert - it's more makeup
than I have ever worn, even on my wedding! :)

3 on 2

3 years old and on 2 wheels.

Go Nick.

I'm telling you, my sister's trick really works!

He's always been coordinated and hugely interested
in anything physical, but this is cool. 

Wish I'd tried it with all the kids, but then
you tend to go with what they are interested in...

Can't wait till he's confident enough to go for a real bike ride!

Well done Engel

Andrew's grandfather turned 90 last week and we all travelled up to make an event of it, of course! He's such a trooper. What a weekend watching our kids interact with one of their great grandfathers. Looking forward to more of this at Christmastime...

Here he is playing Uno with Laura, Alie and me. I won and he accused me of cheating. The question is not whether he still has his marbles, it's whether or not he can handle losing! :)

He was rather impressed at the ability to see ourselves as we took the photo!

At the end of the party...

Quote of the weekend courtesy of Daniel (and proof that I underestimate what kids are capable of):

"Do you know what my favourite part of the party was? Listening to Opa's stories about his life when he was younger. I even understood some of what he was saying." 

Never say they don't pay attention.

Stick it

Did you know stick insects are the "newest-coolest" birthday gifts? 

This one was a friend's thank goodness. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, 

but [call me a controlling parent] don't wrap it up and give it to 

my child without my tick of approval! :) 

But it is a really really awesome insect...

3 and counting

Nick turned 3 a day after his birthday...because he spent his birthday sick on the couch after throwing up overnight...lucky for him he was too young to really know the difference and we just made it his birthday the next day. Easy!

Daniel told Nick maybe the round green present was lettuce. After Nick opened the ball, he looked at Daniel and said, in all seriousness, "Daniel you're wrong, it wasn't salad!"

Keepin up with the siblings with his own scooter

He wanted green and blue cupcakes.

Too easy.

Happy birthday little big kid.

We love you like crazy.

Not to worry, we won't let Aunty Sharon keep you.

7 years, really?

7 years wiping bottoms. Kids close enough together not to have had a break. (mind you, not quite as close as my cousin Shelby who had 3 kids in 2.5 years, which paid off at least a bit in terms of less years changing dirty bottoms!!) :)

So that's that. Nick turns 3 tomorrow. A week ago he was wearing nappies and didn't care, and today he's standing at the bathroom door telling me he's busting. Gotta love it.

Dislike

Dear Head Lice please go away

Don't come back any other day

You should be gone by now

But you returned - I know not how

The only comfort I can muster -

Is that it's in clean hair you cluster

Bleh.