Birthdays and hairdos

A portrait of Lily, by Sarah.

We got to go to Sarah's birthday party today and it was great! The boys had a lot of fun playing with the cars and trains, and the girls had a lot of fun just hanging out.

As you likely know, Lily has had an interesting hairstyle pretty much since she was born. First it was sort of fuzzy, then it was all sticky-uppy, and now it's pretty long in the back (to the point where Nana is threatening with the scissors). Aunt Cathy solved everything with a simple scrunchy.

Changes her whole look, really. And makes her ever so much more like her hero, Sarah. Even Nana has sheathed the scissors for the time being.

We like the pony tail. I think we'll be doing that again.

Happy Birthday, Sarah, and thanks for the party!

Liam turns the big oh-three

photo credit: the amazing Anne Marie!

Liam turns three tomorrow, but had his big birthday party on Sunday. Wow. What a party. We welcomed our most favourite family members and friends to our home who literally showered this boy with gifts. He loves every single one -- tried to play with all of them at once yesterday, in fact.

Liam loves all of his aunties and uncles and cousins so much. Even when he doesn't share very willingly (sorry, Grant and Angeline), he's so happy to play with all of you. And thanks to Sarah, the beloved huge cardboard box now has a new purpose: rocket ship to the moon. Previously, if you were wondering, it has been a slide, a garage and a place to hide from ghosts.

I sit here amazed that time has gone by so quickly. Has it really been three years since this day?

photo credit: the soon-to-be dad who was a whole lot happier than the soon-to-be mom at 4:54 a.m., Jan. 30, 2005.

Angeline turns the big oh-two

Happy birthday, Angeline! We were honored to be invited to your birthday party and boy did the kids have fun. Liam wants to come back to play in your basement, he asks about it every day. And Lily very much enjoyed all of the cuddles and playing with your balloons.

Oh, please tell your mom and dad that we are still really, really sorry about the wall. Boys. You can't take them anywhere.

It's interesting (to me, anyway) that Angeline and Liam had the exact same due dates, one year apart. January 26 was supposed to be the big day for both. Angeline arrived early, Liam, who is never really in a hurry to go anywhere still, came a few days late.

Happy birthday, sweet little girl!

Lily's first boyfriend

Lily and mom had a great afternoon at a super-fun baby shower for our friends Heather and Ron. In fact, Lily had such fun we were the last guests to leave. I think the main reason she wanted to stay was so she could spend extra quality time with her new boyfriend, six month old Anderson. What a sweetie! photo credit: Anderson's mom Janice -- thanks!

And speaking of sweeties, here is the happy expecting couple!

Say cheese

Here's one of the (many) nifty gifts Liam got for Christmas this year -- a digital camera designed exactly for kids like him. That is, kids that will throw, drop and smear lord-knows-what all over the camera. He is having a lot of fun with it, taking photos of everyone and everything. Mostly feet and walls right now, actually, but as he gets a little bit better some of his works of art will appear on this blog for all to admire.

Merry Christmazzzzzzzzzz

Number of parties + plethora of gifts (mostly for the kids, natch) + flu which hit everyone except Lily = how we all felt on Christmas Day. It's just that Lily is the only one small enough to actually get away with it.

Now, it's on to birthdays. This month it's Markus first, then Liam. Then next month, Sarah. Followed by Grant and Lily. Buy shares in Toys R Us now!

Jingle Bells

T'was the week before Christmas
And in front of the tree
Contemplating the ornaments
Sat Liam and Lily

(Ok you sort of have to force that rhyme. Sorry, I'll try harder next time.)