I was all set to upload these pictures on the heels of that wedding post and then....blog apathy seems to be setting in. Sigh. In any case, I couldn't let a calendar month go by without a post so I'm getting this one under the March wire.
Things have been OK recently. Holly and I went through some nasty sinus issues while the kids continued to be perfectly healthy...so some pros and cons. Max and Leo are clipping along - they've wrapped their skating lessons and have one swimming class left before the snow melts. Leo has been going to a bunch of birthday parties lately so he's starting to have some social circles like his older brother. The kids had a March break week full of fun at their daycare, with people stopping by to do drumming workshops, give ballroom dancing demonstrations and hold exotic bird shows. The educators also helped the kids make their own soup recipe and really went all out for St. Patrick's Friday, allowing "Larry the Leprechaun" to get in and run amok in the classrooms before the kids' arrival (green footprints were all over the place, the toilet water was green and the kids' pictures in their family photo albums were green-moustached). It was magical for the kids.
Today we went to a sugar bush set up just east of downtown Ottawa with friends and the kids went bananas with both taffy-on-a-stick and maple cotton candy. The two bouncy castles were also a big hit. Now everyone is sleeping off the fresh air.
A while back, I had transferred all of the pictures from our phone onto the computer and was shocked by the number of pictures I hadn't seen before. Then again, I guess I never have the phone on my person, so it makes sense. I'd like to present to you the highlights of six months' worth of phone pictures.
The boys at last summer's Bluesfest. Man that was a crazy haircut for Leo. We look forward to taking them again this year.
Max and Leo are such goofs whenever they get around these statues at the Ottawa airport. Nothing like making out with a dead prime minister.
Kerry and Henry sharing some sunshine.
I have no idea what is up with this expression on Max's face. Slush Puppy brain freeze? This was at the Carp fair last summer, sharing a lunch in the very very steep grandstand. Those clothes still totally fit Max...he will grow sometime, right?
Lining up at the Merry Dairy at the Carp fair. The woman who operates this fresh frozen custard truck lives around the corner from Auntie Melody's house and we support her whenever we can. I love that she spends a lunch hour a week outside my office in the summer time!
I can only guess that this picture was taken at a point in time where it was amazing to see Henry standing. There was a time where he didn't "roar around"? Please.
I've been staring at this picture for months now - Holly uses this as the wallpaper on her phone. The kids definitely love going to Midway and every time a Groupon pops up, we jump on it.
More fun at Midway, in the massive bouncy castle area.
Daddy, killing "Sabotage" on Guitar Hero with Henry strapped to him. YEAH!
Leo, before visiting the exhibit on the Queen at the Civ.
Max, getting his first taste of rock climbing.
Leo rockin some sweet Central American styles!
Wow, this picture seems so alternate universe right now. I can't even conceive of a reality where Henry would fall asleep on a pillow on someone's lap. Yet, this happened. Goodbye, babyland!
Yeah...one of those moments where we probably should have been less concerned about taking a picture and more concerned with dealing with our children.
Henry having a great time at the Winnipeg Children's Museum.
The big boys checking out a diorama at the Manitoba Museum
So this one time, Leo kind of had his way with all of our Euro board games simultaneously. Holly had ushered the kids away from the mess but left it on the floor so that I could appreciate it. Thanks Leo.
OhmyGod OhmyGod OhmyGod DARTH VADER!! I'm fiiiiiiiiive!
Even while strapped into a stroller, Henry is capable of picking on West. We're going to have to do something about that.
Once again, in what parallel universe did this actually happen???
I was so honoured to be welcomed into the International brotherhood of new moms.
Max's awesome pirate birthday cupcakes.
After two flight legs and hours of travel, Max finally packed it in on his way out to BC in October.
Daddy and Auntie Laramie taking the top two spots at a Settlers-Carcassonne-Ticket tournament at the Ottawa Geek Market in October.
HEY! Who let him near the toilet again??
Our street can be really pretty in the fall.
The first evidence of Max learning to spell. And in French! This is "l'autobus"
Sometimes the boys crash together in the same bed at night. So cute!!
I have no idea what we're watching here. It must have been something special, because Henry doesn't usually show any interest in TV.
Is this a prank?
Sup playa? Yeah, I'm hitting the 19th hole.
Henry dimming and summing with his Auntie.
Leo's first day alone on skates. I had accompanied him on the ice for four classes but he went it alone on the fifth.
Dad and the boys at the Raffi show.
There's a what? Where? Whatever, you're crazy. Take the picture.
Mommy dug up some of her desiccated (yet extremely special) stuffed animals while cleaning the storage room.
Max with one of his "school-age" (that is, older and totally cool) friends.
Max taking a flying leap into the deep end of the Dovercourt pool.
Do I even want to know what sage advice Nana is passing on to Max?
Henry, in the role of Mexican snob.
Play kitchen: before.
Chef Max and Engineer Leo introduce play kitchen: after.
Daddy totally schooling Henry at Super Mario Kart.
I love this. When people sit down for an intimate one-on-one with Leo and open the dialogue with "Leo, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?", he opens with "I like Mom."
Pastry chef Max with some of his creations.
Pizza chef Leo, who is known to despise pepperoni, topping off his personal pizza with, er, pepperoni.
I can't believe I'm sharing a kebab with the cutest boy I've ever seen...holding a kebab.
Henry and Mom braving the weather at the Dovercourt winter carnival.
Max's highly-detailed Duplo creation: a dinosaur zoo. I like the meat piece, myself.
Max, happy as a very, very cold clam.
