Halloween 2009

Halloween is one of our most favorite holidays, and it isn't just trick or treating anymore. The kids were lucky to have a number of parties and events to go to as well. Here is Matthew in his new Anakin Skywalker costume. He needed a costume to go with the light sabre a kind neighbor had given him.

Emily combined some birthday gifts to be a butterfly fairy princess, or something like that. Here she is at music class.

I love the dress up day at music...it doesn't get much cuter that a bunch of costumed 3 year olds. Here you can see a princess, tinkerbell, a butterfly, batman, Strawberry shortcake, and of course Butterfly Emily.

Here Emily and our favorite veterinarian Andrew are off to a Halloween party at a friend's house. Their house and yard were decorated by a dazzling amount of pumpkins, and here we could hardly get our two carved!

Enjoying Halloween snack treats with a classmate.

Andrew was an eager helper for the magician.

Here we are with our annual ready to go out trick or treating photo. Andrew switched to Matthew's old Batman costume for the evening. Unfortunately Emily woke up from a late nap in a poor mood, wouldn't look up for a picture, and only made it to a few houses. Luckily people are so generous giving out treats, she still received enough to last her for a good long time.

She perked up later on and was thrilled by all the candies that they had all collected.

Matthew's 9!

Matthew had hockey the night of his birthday, but we enjoyed some cake after his game. I found Bruce had used our last eggs that afternoon, but thankfully we had everything on hand to make a popcorn cake. The kids were very happy we had no eggs, as they find popcorn cake a real treat.

Matthew opened some of his gifts right when he got home from school. He was delighted with everything, even the PJs we had gotten him. Here he is opening some "Tech Deck" skateboards which are all the rage with 9 year old boys now.

As "Tech Deck" is one of his current favorite things, I tried my hand at a skateboard cake. I had to bake 3 "9 by 13"cakes, to have enough height to scoop out the half pipe, and a pan of rice krispie squares to cut out the steps and other jumps. It would have looked better covered in fondant, but buttercream wins out taste wise so that's what I went with. The other boys were impressed, and that is what counts!

As with many boys Matthew's age, he really wanted a laser tag birthday, so we went to Laser Quest. I think Bruce aka the Dadinator may have liked it as much as the kids.

Happy Birthday to Matthew!!

Emily Turns 3!

Emily turned 3 on October 7th, and dressed up in her cake/cupcake dress for school that day.

She really likes pink, sparkles, princesses and ballerinas. She was delighted with her new ballet dress up ensemble!

As much fun as a party is, the kids always have at least as much fun getting ready the occasion. Here are Andrew and Emily icing her cupcakes. She chose the colors to match the cupcakes on her dress.

We had to rush off to Andrew's choir the night of her birthday, but had time for some gifts and cupcakes beforehand. She loved her new "Emily" water bottle.

Andrew worked hard to do some button sewing at school and wrapped this up to give to her as a present. It was one of the most heartfelt gifts, and she treasures it.

Someone asked the other day if Emily is less shy with the camera. I had to think back as she is such a poser now that I couldn't even remember a time when she had been less fond of being the centre of attention.

I love being 3!

With such an eventful fall, we finally got a little party going for Emily with a few friends this past weekend. We had to have a Dora theme as she is still smitten with her. I made the cake to match a map of the activities we did. The kids built their tallest Lego tower to get over "3 Hill", then they had to reassemble mixed up puzzles at "Puzzlers Corner" and build long sturdy popsicle stick bridges to cross the "Rainbow Bride" and recover the pinata that Swiper had swiped. Most kids had a good time with this, except poor Emily really thought Swiper had taken off with her pinata so was most relieved when it was found!

Emily needed no help opening her cards or gifts this year!

Fall Odds and Ends

Emily loves wearing dresses, especially if they twirl and spin nicely. She loves her special animals and dolls.

We did finally get her some bedroom furniture, and almost have it all assembled. She was pretty excited to get a "big girl bed", and sleeps well in it.

Emily now has a few little 3 year old girlfriends, and went to her first girls' birthday party that she was invited to without the boys. There were lots of pinks and princesses...pretty cute!

Andrew has been doing the Arietta choir through Mt Royal. He was just loving it and you can see him here in full uniform for his fall concert. He did really well up on stage. We are taking a bit of a break until his regular conductor is back from a very short maternity break, but hope to pick this up again early in the New Year.

Back To School

After a nice summer, everyone was ready to get back to school. Andrew started back first, and is doing his Kindergarten year in a mixed age Montessori class. As the Kindergarten kids stay for a full day, they are called the "Lunch Bunch". He is enjoying it so much he wishes he could do this for another year instead of going to Grade One next year.

Matthew started Grade 3. He is having a super year with his class and trying some extra things like choir, book club and floor hockey. Outside of school he has done well with his swimming and hockey.

Little Emily is sure growing up. Due to new Government regulations she had to wait until she was actually 3 to start preschool, so started a bit later in October. She was raring to go, and has not looked back. She attends 4 mornings a week, and would love to go 5 if she didn't go to daycare on the Mondays while I am at work. Andrew had thought she'd like a new Princess lunch bag for school. She does love it, using it for her school snack each day.

Emily and Andrew are actually in the same class as 3, 4 and 5 year olds are mixed together. Most of the time this works out lovely and they really enjoy it. The odd time Andrew feels that Emily is cramping his style.