Good Bye 2012! Hello 2013!

A few days late, but better late than never right?

The kids have been out of school for 2 weeks, and they were not happy about this. I thought most kids enjoyed school breaks and counted the days. But not mine! We had to make a count down chain for the first day back from Winter Break.
Christmas was good. They asked Santa for a bicycle, and the fat man remembered! Right down to the colours requested! 

 We warmed the garage up and let them ride their bikes in there.

 We have been skating

Both kids skated so well, it was like they never took a skating break! Connor watched a little league hockey game today, and has talked about wanting to play hockey now!
We also went sledding:

 It was nice to have a 2 week break with them, but they are really looking forward to going back to school, and seeing their friends. Although we did have friends over, apparently it wasn't the same.

Happy Halloween!

This was to be our first Halloween in school. I was going to be the parent volunteer today and help out with all kinds of craft projects, help chaperone the school dance! And maybe carve the class pumpkin! I was so excited! But Connor woke up sick this morning, and as the only parent home, Caitlin stayed home as a precaution. So YEA! We all stayed home and feeling a bit under the weather. 

But we were able to carve our pumpkin last night before everyone became sick! And man, did we have fun! Although next year, I will try to remember not to buy such a big pumpkin! That thing was heavy! We went over to our neighbors house and carved pumpkins over there. I hate to admit it, but I have never carved one by myself, so we joined them for moral support! And they fed us dinner and let the kids decorate cupcakes (BONUS!!)

Decorating cupcakes

We adopted Grandma Helen

Bailey

Miss Nancy, Caitlin and Miss Sandy

Miss Sandy and Connor

Miss Nancy, Caitlin, Connor and Miss Sandy

Connor poking the pumpkin

our finished pumpkins. Ours is the middle one

The 5 pumpkins!

Happy 4th Birthday

 It seems like yesterday we brought you home from the hospital.

 

And now you are in kindergarten! Man how the time has flown by! You guys bring joy to my life, even the times I get flustered by you! I love you lots and can't remember what life was like before you came along! 

Happy Birthday midgets! 

Love always,

Momma!

School Days

We cut the apron strings a little early, the kids are in kindergarten and just love it! Full time school! Like the big kids! Monday through Friday 8:20am to 2:55pm! Just like the big kids mom! Big adjustment, but I have talked to Mrs. O'Doherty and Miss Maich, they are both adjusting wonderfully and are joys to be around. Both have made friends, although Caitlin is a lot more social than Connor is. 

First Day of School!!!

Hugs Before School!

Back packs are almost as big as they are!

After School on the Second Day!

I hope they always have this love of learning and school! I had to pick Connor up from school the other day because of his cold that made his eyes drain uncontrollably, and he cried. He was so upset that he had to come home with me. But, after a quick trip to the doctors and prescription eye drops, he was able to go back the next day.

1st Camping Trip

We bought a pop up camping trailer to force us to explore our new world. Our first trip out in it, we stayed within 2 hours of the house, just in case we had to leave and come home earlier than planned. We visited McRae Point Provinical Park, Orillia, Ontario. It is on the northern side of Lake Simcoe. But the kids really enjoycRae Point Provincial Park in Orillia Ontarioed themselves and can't wait to go again. Even Kaiser had an enjoyable time! The kids played in the lake, roasted their first hot dog and marsh mellows over the campfire, threw rocks and hiked the nature trail! We took the canoe out for a little while.

The Maiden Voyage

Well, we have been here in Canada for about 15 months and really haven't left our little corner of the world. So, to force us to explore our new homeland, we bought a Pop up trailer and canoe. I know, not very exciting, but it seems we are boring people now. Everything came home on Saturday, and because today was a holiday here, we strapped the canoe to the top of the van and went on our maiden cruise.
It was fun, just sore shoulders from rowing. And sunburn, because I forgot the sunscreen in the van.

 All Connor cared about was fishing.

 Caitlin wasn't at all happy about the boat rocking while we were trying to balance it. But she managed to get a little fishing in.

Dude still fishing

 We found a beach we could play at. The kids had a blast. The water wasn't deep, but it was easier to leave their life jackets on them.

So, although we are out of shape, and we are sore, we had the best time playing around today. Hopefully the weather holds up and we can go out next weekend! And maybe with the trailer!

Papa Gene and Grandma Joyce

My parents had the opportunity to fly up and visit us. We have had so so much fun!
We hit all of the midget's favorite places. We have been swimming. So much swimming!
We went to the zoo.

 Then we rode the York Durham Historic Railway to Uxbridge.

 Connor looking exhausted. Papa Gene and Grandma Joyce have been great at wearing the kids out.

 Caitlin found someone to carry her.
We went to Niagara Falls.

 On the Lady of the Mist heading towards the falls.

We have done other things, I just haven't taken my camera. Bad mom! Oh well. Papa Gene and Grandma will be heading back to their house Thursday morning and we will miss them.