L. O. V. E.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day from our two little ones!  Yesterday, I was off doing a photoshoot all morning, but the moment I got home, I flew out the door with the kiddies and we were off to get goodies to surprise daddy--flowers and cupcakes and BALLOONS!!  Nothing seems to be more exciting than that these days! 

One of the benefits of being a photographer is that I also seem to have a ton of props around so decorating for holidays is made nice and easy.  (Including the balloons which I used for a shoot the day before).  I might have to start hiding all these things or my kids are going to grow up thinking that this is all normal!!  Oh well, as I always say, there is always a reason to celebrate!!

The kids help to make a card for their dad (thanks to an idea Jenn Hembruch gave me, THANK YOU INSTAGRAM for keeping us in touch!)   We love daddy so much, we just had to tell him so. Gabriel is nearly bursting with excitement to share our special Valentine's day party with dad.  All this excitement and pure pleasure over little things--don't you wish you could just bottle it up and save it forever?? 

It sure was cold yesterday, but we cuddled up inside and stayed warm together.  I feel so lucky to have two littles who love each other and are soo cuddly and lovey with us.  I really, really hope they don't grow up and lose that lovey affectionate nature.  It is such the sweetest thing.  Hope your Valentine's Day was cozy and spent with those you love!

Our 2nd Christmas back in Canada!

Back in Canada, with our feet firmly on the ground and back on schedule, we celebrated Christmas with family yet again!  The Christmas season hit an all-time record long season this year--starting in October and ending the middle of January.  My son Gabriel is so very confused.  First, we started opening presents before we even got on the plane, about five days before Christmas (with my parents and sister on the other end of a skype call) and then we left our Christmas tree at home to fly out of the country to slightly warmer place to spend Christmas in Rome.  There was no snow and that was even more confusing.  And then Christmas now that we are back at home.  I am pretty sure Gabriel will still be asking if there are more presents well into July (especially since birthdays are now upon us).  It's high time we start doing a little bit more educating about giving rather than receiving.

After our trip, we arrived back home in Toronto, the look on Gabriel's face was pure amazement to see snowflakes flying and twirling around as we walked the glass enclosed ramp back into the airport from the plane.  It was magical for the kids to see. Gabriel seems to have made this strong connection between Christmas and snow.  So it was fit to keep celebrating I guess, with snow on the ground. 

As family came to visit last weekend bearing presents and goodies, we had another Christmas meal and gift-opening.  Aunt Emma and Marc came to join us and ChouChou and Fizey for celebrations.   It was really fun to see Emma and Marc who we see every Christmas, and to experience the excitement with the kids now that everyone is feeling better.  Thank you ChouChou and Fizey and Emma and Marc for doing round two with us!!

And that's a wrap!!  Ok, no more Christmas until October.  I promise!

Fourth Date of Christmas: Toronto Christmas Market!

 
YAY!!  We made it to the Toronto Christmas Market!!  Over the past couple of years this has become one of our favorite things to do around Christmas time--head down to the Distillery District, see the lights, the big tree, go on the carousel with the kids, buy some poutine and check out the local shops and vendors. 

I think it has been months since we have gone out as a family to do anything and I was really, really missing it. Our kids are so much fun and full of life.  They really take in everything--exclaiming over the lights and stopping to count them, wanting pop into places and look at everything, dance and twirl to the music, petting little doggies in Christmas sweaters, sipping hot chocolate.

Because this has become an annual tradition, I feel like in some ways it really helps me to see the changes that have occurred over time.  I remember taking Gabriel (at almost 2) here when I was pregnant with Magdalene.  We got that picture with him sitting on my bump.  And he was running every which way through the crowds terrifying us with the thought he might get lost.  Now, he very often holds my hand and we walk and talk as we go about everything we see.  Meanwhile, Maggie (now almost 2) wants to do the same thing--run around like crazy while someone chases her. 

The big carousel is always the big ticket item.  The kids just love it.  They ride up and down pretending to race each other, yelling YEEEEHAAWWWW!  

I loved this moment today of Jordan just crouching down and talking and laughing with Magdalene.  I feel like it's just been so crazy and busy this fall that I have missed so many little tiny precious moments like this. 

One of the highlights for us today was watching Gabriel as he took pictures of us.  He was delighted that I would let him hold my camera (GASP!) and let him take a picture.  He is such a natural.  Anyone passing by would laugh and exclaim how cute.  But he really does know what he is doing you know.  He aims it right at you and almost perfectly centers it.  And when he's really on his game, he says, "SAY CHEESE!"  

Poutine!!!!!

 The tree!!  Best decorated tree in the city, I think! 

Frolicking in Fall Leaves in James Gardens

Had a little bit of fun today in James Gardens with my kiddos.  Believe it or not, the fall leaves are very very behind here.  Here and there are some bright coloured trees.  But some of the major parks in this city still don't have many coloured leaves.  Let's hope that means an extended fall with beautiful golden light, crisp autumn air and a slow transition into a short winter! ;) 

We've never spent any time at James Gardens with my kids but it is such a beautiful spot with lots of lovely gardens and trails.  Many little bridges and ponds with ducks and geese.  The kids loved running through the trails, finding mucky puddles, climbing on the bridges, running through golden grasses, and throwing leaves around on the one small red leafed tree we found.  

We are still transitioning to life with only one toddler who naps.  This makes the days a little long and grumpy.  It seems impossible to get enough sleep to handle the hype of the day.  So these little morning adventures out are ways that we blow off some steam.  I always find my children are so much happier when they are outside running around freely.  And so am I.  Lately, I've just been turning off my phone while I am with them and just joining in all the little moments.   

Now that almost all my weekends are tied up with photoshoots, I am trying to make the most of our free weekdays to do things we might otherwise do on a weekend.  I am realizing how precious and limited my time with just them is.  My husband and I always talk about the fact that it won't be long before the kids will be off spending time with their friends--off to the park or a friend's house, or soccer practice, etc.   So as grumpy or tough as some moments, some days might be, we are trying to fill them up with lots of great memories and moments while I can.

 

Happy Fall & Mucking About.

Happy Fall!!  We are a few weeks into Autumn... and the weather is finally starting to cool and those bright pops of colour are coming out on the leaves.  We've been run headlong into the routines of fall--school, gymnastics, swimming, play dates, work.  The time for relaxation is over for a little while.... 

You may not have heard from us for a little bit.  It's been pretty hectic around here.  A lot of exciting things going on with the business and with Jordan's work.  But not a lot of time for so many adventures. We are hoping to carve out time here and there for that but for now we are just trying to keep our heads above water.  Sorry it's been so long!

In fact, I don't quite remember the last time we were down by the river with the kids, but since it was really feeling like fall today, we just had to get down there where the leaves turn into a spectacular display of variable colours.  It still has a long way to go; there is plenty of green left.  But it won't be long.  And I guess we shouldn't complain about it taking so long.  We've had such amazing summer weather up until now.  So here we are mucking about in the river, getting the kids filthy dirty.  They waded up to their knees and sat in the creek bed.  They slid down the hillside of dirt and mud and came home sopping wet and dirty and HAPPY!  What did I say.... you spend time with us, prepare to get a whole lot dirty and hopefully have a good time while doing it!

Happy Fall Everyone! :)