Captain Underpants Simon!

I can't believe it, we are on our way to being diaper free!

Simon is in the process of potty training. We are at the stage when he wears underwear, but I have to carry a potty everywhere we go. So, I wouldn't say that he is fully potty trained because I still hover over him. However, he is taking the initiative and pees on the potty when I least expect it (sometimes 10 min after the last pee). He is also quite happy to sit there, read a book and do his other business.

Our garbage will be reduced and less smelly and soon we won't have to pay for diapers for nights either!

The goal was to have him fully trained before we get our puppy in two weeks. With the success Simon has had so far, we might just do it!

We are all happy to cheer Simon on. He is really growing up!

Jessica and Allen's Wedding

Pre wedding pictures.

The sista's!

Dad making Mom giggle.

Jess, Gregory and Emma.

Jess and Allen with BJ and Granny.

Dancing!

Georgia dancing with Patrick with his fast feet.

Ian fishing.

Air guitar with Lucy, Allen's mom.

Overall, it was a great night!

Canada Day In Ottawa

Every year we celebrate

Canada Day by dressing in our patriotic colours and visiting some of the local events. In Surrey we used to walk to the celebration. There was always great music on the big stage and a festive atmosphere, and we always ran into friends. . Last year we went with our friends Susan, Dan and their kids.

This year we were pretty psyched to go to Parliament Hill to watch the musical ride done by the RCMP on horses, buskers, and various groups in concert. Our big mistake was that we brought the double stroller. There were so many people that it was very difficult to

maneuver through the crowds. It was also pretty tricky to hear or see the concerts. The buskers were a big success, but I think that with kids, we prefer to stick to the smaller local venues.

We still had a great time and look forward to when the kids are older and we

can take them back to the big concerts to enjoy together.

Fishing is Gross... But Look at those Faces.

I will be the first to admit, I don't love fishing. The idea of placing a hook through wriggling worm, throwing it to the fish and then reeling in something that is hooked and living is enough to turn me off of eating fish forever.
However, I am one of those parents who seem to have this desire to make my kids happy at whatever cost. I truly enjoy seeing the boys faces when they have hooked a big one. As in-humane and gross as it may be in my own mind, I can look past it because the boys simply love it. They don't fight or argue when they fish, in fact they are quiet most of the time. They are not running around like maniacs either. Their energy is focused on where the next big one might be. I can imagine that because this is something that they all enjoy, it is not really competitive and they are happy doing it, fishing might actually bring the boys closer together! So, I will sacrifice a few worms and allow a few fish to get hooked (and released) just "for the kids", because when they are happy, I am happy. But Ian is in charge the bait.

Exploring the paths with Toby and Simon

After two days of being stuck in the house Toby seemed to be getting over his flu. It was time to go for a nice walk. Toby still had a fever and was not feeling great, but he was a little trooper on our walk and when he needed a break, he got in the stroller and sat for a while.

Here, the boys are enjoying the morning sun sitting by the creek. It's a favorite spot to throw sticks and watch them float in the current.

Toby - Up on the bridge watching the bubbles in the water.

Of course on walks that are likely to last a few hours, we have to bring cars!

Toby and Simon dug these out of one of the boxes of toys that didn't sell in the garage sale last week. Good thing no one else wanted them!

It is a bit of a tight squeeze, but as long as they both have food, they are happy.

The Tooth

This is the story of Ethan's second lost tooth.

Ethan has had a loose tooth for over a month. Since Ethan was five, he began to wish he had lost a tooth like so many of his friends. Poor Ethan seemed to feel that the Tooth Fairy was never going to make her way to our house. Then in January (I think) we were on a long car trip and Ethan managed to wiggle his first loose tooth out. Being in the car, we were not able to capture the moment with a camera. However, we had plenty of time to prepare for his second wiggly tooth to come out (a months worth of wiggling) and I managed to keep Ethan still so that I could take a few pictures while he worked at it. When it got to the point where it was hanging by a thread and it would sit on his lip, Ian and I both encouraged Ethan to yank it out.

I'm afraid!

I did it! Look!

Look Daddy!

So proud. I was so happy it was out! He could barely eat his lunch at school!

Ethan wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy to ask her if he could keep his tooth to show his friends. She brought him two loonies and left him the tooth.

We made a tooth container for Ethan to bring to school and then somehow we lost the tooth! It went missing for two days. I thought for sure we lost it (literally). I ended up finding it again and all was well!

Now, we are waiting for his top teeth to start to wiggle!

New Used Play Structure

A few weeks ago, we bought a play structure from some friends. I don't think they boys have gone a day without going playing on the swings, racing down the slide or climbing the pirate rope. We knew we needed something for the kids in the back yard, we just didn't realize how well the boys would use it! It has been such fun to listen to them giggle and play together and it gives me some time to get things done inside the house!

The picture above, demonstrated the new game where Ethan pushes Toby, not the other way around. It's the rough way of swinging, but they both seemed to like it.

Yahooo!

Simon loves being on a big boy swing.