catch-up

We've been here, busy sinking into our new routines - preschool, CASB courses, exam writing and extended fall work hours.  We've been watching fall arrive and pulling out all of our trusty sweaters and mittens.  We've been on nature walks to see the Kokanee and collects the first yellowing leaves.  And we've been watching this growing independence in our kids (and wishing things could slow down, ever-so-slightly).

And here's a little example of that growing independence...  

     

We're smiling about it too!  Despite the mess.

kokanne run

The Kokanee are spawning so we thought we'd head to Mission Creek Regional Park to see what we could see.  It turned out that all we could see was about ten small fish, but it was enough to put a little extra spring in Jacob's step.  And it was the most beautiful day; golden fall sun, warm with just a hint a chill in the air and a tinny smattering of yellow peaking through the canopy of leaves above. 

And then there was the playground.  Not just any old playground, but one taylor-made for little boys (and girls, of course) who love to climb!  I don't even know what you call one of these (?) but we haven't seen one since living in France.  Jake climbed his heart out and had Billy nervously hovering beneath warning him not to go too much higher.  Billy displaying any small signs of nervousness is a rare, rare occasion, so I was really torn between watching Jake and his climbing or Billy and his mother-hen-ing.

 We went back a few weeks later with a friend and her two girls and weren't so lucky with the fish spotting.  The kids would excitedly point at an upside-down, silver salmon, floating down stream and announce "fish" "look at the fish".  There are a lot of 'red-flags' here that a three-year-old and almost-three-year-old easily miss.  1) the fish shouldn't be upside-down; 2) they should be a vibrant red; 3) they are suppose to be swimming UP stream.  So we'd congratulate them on their spotting and cheerfully say "that fish didn't quite make it".  The morning turned into a nature walk/scavenger hunt instead and obviously ended-up at the playground.  

The funniest part of this entire thing was when Billy arrived home from work, Jake excitedly greeted him and when asked about his day he says - with the sincerest, most genuine enthusiasm - "Dad we saw SO many fish that didn't quite make it" and finished it off with a huge beaming smile.  Oh, to be three again.

playing catch-up and kangaroos

I have pictures piling up and really need to start playing some catch up!  Most notably are our pictures from Kangaroo Creek Farm, because really how often does one go to a kangaroo farm!?  It was just as great as it sounds, with the added bonus of the ability to just roam around with all the animals and pet them all!  So fun.  

So starting with kangaroos... you just walk around and say hello.  Or if you're Avery, you run - eagerly and with a huge smile.

And then there are the babies; two little guys around seven months old that are snuggled up in little faux pouches.  They are surprisingly small and so light.  Jake was gentle and cautious.  You can see how seriously Jacob took this baby-roo-snuggling.     

  

And on the the rest of the animals... the friendliest chickens I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.  Jake spent a long time gently petting them and they didn't even flinch when Avery tried to step on them.

  Then there were sheep, pigs, peacocks, turkeys, goats, a puppy and at one point Jake had a brightly coloured little green-orange-red parrot on his shoulder and had his arms wrapped around an emu that was much larger than him.  

     

      

It was such a fun experience and we will happily go again and again.  Petting these animals and seeing them up close had Avery squealing and both kids smiling big bright-eyed smiles.   

milestones

A day of milestones.  

For Billy, today marks his first full year as an accountant.  So congratulations to my hard-working husband.  One year down.  And some chocolate peanut butter ice cream pie for dessert to celebrate.  

And for Jake, today was his first day of preschool.  And a successful day at that!  He was calm about the entire thing - not nervous; not overexcited.  I kind of imagine Bill would've been the exact same.  He said hi to his teachers, we found his cubby, neatly stowed his shoes and backpack, we showed him where the washrooms were and he was off to explore.  I tracked him down to steal a quick hug and although I didn't want to let go, I did; and we walked away.  A really hard thing to do.  And in an instant, he grew even bigger.  

Today was a short day, just an hour and a half.  Aves and I arrived home and I watched the clock tick away slowly.  I wondered what they were doing, if he was having fun, did he realize he was on his own, would he remember to use the washroom and why the clock was moving so darn slow?  Avery and I read and all around us was a strange silence.  

I finally had enough of that stupid clock and decided we could show up a little early.  A few other parents had the same idea and we gleefully (and creepily) peeked through windows and saw our happy children playing and snacking.    

When the doors opened, Jake did not come rushing out.  He was deep in play.  But when I was finally able to catch his attention a big smile lit-up his sweet face.  We gathered his belongings from the cubby along with a permission slip for an upcoming field trip and talked to Miss Taylor for a minute.  She said Jake was really outgoing and that he was the only one answering all the questions.  I was happy and surprised.  I thought he would like school but be a little slower to warm-up.  

We drove to Tim Hortons for a timbit treat (that Jacob ordered and paid for) and he told me all about sharing and building marble mazes.  It turns out he went to the washroom all-by-himself and ate his snack of grapes and cheese fast so he could play a little more. 

We're proud parents!  No doubt.  And I am looking forward to having a little mom and Avery time.  But I still can't help but feel a teeny, tiny bit melancholy.  This marks the end of our days together and before I know it, he'll be in school all-day-long and I know I'm miss my sweet little boy and his company terribly.  

palm-beer

make this!

 

It's our best discovery of the summer -- thanks Kait and Elliot.  And since I don't think it's an actual drink, I'm just calling it a Palm-beer.  Perfectly summery.  Good for beer drinkers (Billy) and non-beer drinkers (myself).

A happy little drink made from a light beer, ruby grapefruit palm bay, a squeeze of lime and ice.  voilà!

I know, summer is winding down but you'll still want to make this anyway.  Trust me.    

puddle jumpers

On a friends' suggestion, we picked Jake up a puddle jumper, and boy, is that thing a huge hit!  It literally changed my tentative, cautious child into a pool-loving-splashing-doggy-paddling-maniac-boy.  This thing led to hours and hours of pool fun and countless lengths of the pool.    

It doesn't throw you off balance like a regular life jacket does and you can easily move around in it.  So Jake loved it!  And it meant that I could take both kids in the pool on my own.

    

I would HIGHLY recommend it for any beginner swimmers, or for anyone who may have their hands full with more than one child at the beach/lake/pool. 

Note:  in order to look extra cool in your puddle jumper, just add wayfarer sunglasses :)    

family

Here's a little glimpse of our family lately...

Billy is in work and school mode; and sadly our alarm clock has been set for six am these days.  I hate six am.  And really wish I was more of a morning person.  Thank goodness for coffee.  Especially on those mornings when everyone wakes up at the sound of the alarm.  

Jacob starts preschool next week.  I think he will love it.  I hope he will love it.  I am so excited for him and a little sad too.  Sigh.  Boy, do I ever love that big guy!  But he may revel in a little time away from home; and by home, I mostly mean Avery.  He and Avery may be walking around the house holding hands right now, but just the other day, he politely asked me to throw her out.  Like, into the trash can and out.  Sometimes it's tough being a big brother, I guess.  Other then preschool on the horizon, he's still the same little guy who loves golf, hockey, sushi, books and reads Madeline to me - reciting it word for word. 

Avery is getting new two teeth.  Loves dogs and says woof.  She also says mama, dad, uh-oh, meow, quack and cheese.  Signs please, more, milk and all done.  Adores Jake.  Climbs onto the couch and stands up.  Climbs onto the chair and stands up.  Climbs onto the stool and stands up.  You're driving me nuts with this climbing and standing Aves!  She will wolf-down an omelette, edemame beans, cheese of any kind, avocado and grapes.  Follows complex instructions such as, "find your penguin book and bring it to dad".  But makes an exception when instructed to "sit down", which she conveniently ignores.  Wants to have her soother day and night (I'm really hoping this is related to the two new teeth).  When she wants something, there is no mistaking it; she will flail, wail and throw her noodle-y body backward in protest.  It's a meltdown and because it's brand new right now, it's pretty cute (but I may not being saying that in a month or two).