More retro pictures…and five videos!

Following up on the last post, here are some more pics from the archives. These are all from July and focus mostly on Bluesfest and a medieval fair we visited.

Holly assembled a craft for the boys at the cottage last summer, using a large egg carton. Sections of the carton were painted different colours and the boys were to find things in nature that matched the various colours and sort them into the appropriate containers. This is Max with his collection.

One of the surest things in life is that at some point over the course of his birthday weekend, Leo will pass out on the couch.

We celebrated Leo's birthday at our old neighbours' place.  He was four.  He had some ice cream.  He was having a good time..

One of the last times Henry got to wear his Coachella shirt (sniff).  He got some kudos as we cruised the grounds of Bluesfest.

Leo, hamming as per usual.

My favourite picture from Bluesfest last year.  Leo belly-splashing me while Laramie laughs in the background - hilarious.

Max getting down to Keys 'n Krates.

Part II.

Henry exploring behind one of the beer stands at Bluesfest.

So one day, we heard some water running in the bathroom.  For a particularly long time.  We investigated and found the above tableau.  Could have been a lot worse.

Sigh.  I can't believe it was only a few months ago that Henry was still in a crib.  It really feels like forever.  He certainly got in some weird positions in the crib!

This is at Saunders Farm, where Max was rowing Henry in a grounded row boat.  I'm pretty sure this was before Henry got stung in the face by a wasp.

Oh yes, Max in a pillory.  This is from a family excursion to a medieval fair south of Ottawa last year.  Lots of Renaissance wear, lutes, folk dancing and opportunities for mocking.

So then it was my turn.  That yellow thing at the right of the picture is a wet sponge that was either about to hit me or was already rebounding.  The kids really had at me.

This is Max, chilling with the man-at-arms.

This is Sir Shanton, who selected Holly to be the favour for whom he would joust.

  Unfortunately for him, his horse had a bit of a tumble as I was taking this picture.  Crazy timing…but the horse was totally fine.

And here is the rose that Holly received from Sir Shanton.

The jousters in action.

The jousters REALLY in action.

Somebody who may or may not have been decent at jousting may or may not have challenged my manhood and may or may not have tried to take holly home with him.  Grumble grumble.

I never really mentioned how hot it was that day.  Seeing a picture like this after this past winter makes me even angrier about our weather.

Medieval times=violent times.  So of course it was necessary to have an archery range for the kids...

…as well as a fighting ring for kids to unleash on each other.  Sadly, Leo never had a chance here.  But in a couple of years, we'll see where things stand.

Two of the more recognizable people in Ottawa last summer, walking down the street together: Nana in her wrist cast and Spiderman.

Max and Henry, taking a picture in front of a tree that came down in a storm two doors down from us.  The same storm that made my trip to the US Scrabble Nationals a bit of a gong show.

Cue the quote machine: "I'm NEVER tired!!!"

Buckle yourself in - you're in for a wild ride through some of the Stardom boys' best dress-up sessions of last summer.

Someone's going to regret this later.

The combination of what the kids are and aren't wearing is simply amazing.

The three Stardom bros aboard the Science and Tech Museum's snowmobile.

And one last video.  We have a longer video of Henry just munching on the cucumber himself, but this video makes me wonder how many parents end up filming events that end like this.  I suppose most people would delete them…but Holly left this one intact so I figure it's fair game:)

Brothers

This is not going to be a long post, I just wanted to write this down more as a note to myself than anything else.

I just went into Max and Leo's room to give Max a "dream pee" (a mid-sleep trip to the bathroom to avoid potential accidents) and found him curled up with Leo in Leo's bed. Max's behaviour has been challenging lately and he is frequently getting into it with Leo. Seeing them together in bed is a pleasant reminder that regardless of the disagreements the two of them may have with each other, when we're not looking they just might be doing all sorts of things to strengthen their relationship with one another. I hope that someday Henry and his brothers will share some private moments like that with each other.

It's been a long time.

There are so many pictures and so many stories that I can't possibly hope to recover quickly, but I will go back and try to rescue some stuff from the crypt for the one or two people still checking in with this blog. I present to you some interesting pics from June of 2013.

Weep! Our highchair done all growed up and supported three kids. Now fly! FLY! (No seriously, can someone come grab this?)

Three pictures from Open Doors Ottawa at the OC Transpo Garage. First, we have Leo, the ham, in a motorized minibus that puts in appearances at parades and such.

What Max would do on every bus if left unchecked.

Awwwww. A comforting hug while going through the double decker bus wash.

Max had started doing a lot of drawing last summer. This might have been his first attempt at drawing a copy of a picture. Not bad!

A look into the future, when Henry turns 17.

Me, taking care of my son at a kid's birthday party. I also babysit so call me if you're interested.

If it's a post about my boys, there's bound to be a Star Wars picture somewhere in it. Well, here it is. This is at Westfest.

Henry. Watermelon. Cute.

Leo tries on my Canadian National Scrabble Championships shirt on...

...right about the time he told me that he had sliced his toe in my absence.

JBack visits and gets in on a fondue party.

Max, Leo and Auntie Karen get into a treasure chest full of booty out at Auntie K's cottage.

Two serious dudes out on the water.

Henry getting a little excited on the Civ Museum's camel.

Two great pictures from when the boys' Grandma visited from Winnipeg last summer and took them out to the Star Wars Identities exhibit at the Space and Aviation Museum. This is BEFORE the kids got into the exhibit. Excited? Holly always (half) jests that we could put an album together filled only with pictures of Leo with funny expressions on his face.

This is the boys pretending to be Han Solo, trapped in carbonite.

Max and his friend attack a Pirates of the Carribean mural while Henry looks on.

The first time, but not the last time Max and Leo are up in a tree together.

Grandma visiting with her son and youngest grandson. I'm 99% sure that this is at Lions Park in Ottawa, but I can't totally remember being there with Henry and Grandma. Reasons to caption photos closer to the date when they are taken...

Father's Day with my boys.

Leo's team photo with his soccer team. The coaches might be smiling because the ordeal is finally over:)

Max continues to hone his spelling skills in the tub.

When Mom and Henry get together, buckle up!

Two pictures from a day at the park for Max's soccer. This is Henry and Leo in the fan caravan.

Max, either during a stoppage in play or while his incredibly stacked team was dominating in the other teams end.

Holly has really taken it upon herself to encourage Max to pitch in and help in the kitchen whenever she can. He's pretty proud that he can crack eggs now.

Henry and his cousin West, chilling in a chair.

Grandpa Wayne taking a swing at Spidey at Leo's birthday party. Get 'im!

Oh, topless Leo. I love the look on his face here - caaaake? For meeeee?

When Henry's hair gets long, it's just amazing.

Not a great picture, but it shows all of the boys working together, digging rivers and making dams in the sand. This makes me smile - the thought that every now and then, all three boys will have a common purpose and will all work to achieve something together. Something I will always enjoy watching and encouraging.