Halloween

Sophie wanted to be Emma Wiggle for Halloween again this year.  It didn't matter what we suggested she made it quite clear that Emma was the choice.  So, Emma it was!  Sophie's grade is part of the parade at school as well.  Here she is with her nurse and EA.

Lucas was Smurfette.  What can I say, I have a daring boy with a good sense of self and humour!

Zoe was Rapunzel and she came trick or treating with us for the first time.

Lucas went with all his buddies again this year and a couple of the moms tagged along with them, they became the candy haulers as it is all about the quantity for these boys.

Sophie went with all her school friends for the third year, these girls love Sophie to pieces and Sophie was so excited to be out with them all for trick or treating.  They are always sure to bring Sophie some candy from each house.  She can't eat any of it so I get a few snacks ;)  Zoe had a blast with the older girls and they made her feel so welcome.

The best part is it only rained a tiny bit and it was much warmer than last year.  Hurray!

Closing down this cottage for the last time

Near the end of October Lucas and I closed down the cottage with one of my girlfriends and her son, a good friend of Lucas'.  We had a colllldddd weekend that was a bit stormy but we got it all done.

 
We had to really pack everything up this year and bring it home because we are not going back to the same old cottage next year.  We are reno-ing this cottage to make it more accessible for Sophie and to give us some more space in general.

It has meant a lot of planning but we are excited to see what the new expanded cottage looks like in the spring!  Lucas is very hesitant about changing anything but I think all will be forgiven when we get settled in next year.

It will be so nice for Sophie to have a bedroom instead of having her bed in the living room.  We will also have a shower that is accessible for her for the first time!  It will all be a big change for the better.  We love spending time at the cottage and Jason's mom has made it a special place for all of us to go to together every year.  Come on spring!

Thanksgiving Smiles and Sunshine

Back it up to October again.

Thanksgiving was a little later this year on the weekend of October 12th, so many leaves were down but it was a beautiful day, if not a bit chilly.

We headed out to my mom's for dinner a little early and took a detour to the park we go to each year for Thanksgiving photos.  This year it was just the four of us but I got some great photos.  We rode the little train and the carousel and just had a nice walk while Lucas scootered along up and down the hills.

We have so much to be thankful for. Sophie and Lucas have both been very healthy this fall.  When days are hard or especially tiring I remind myself of that.

Lucas wanted to ride both the carousel and the train and Sophie was quite happy to do the same.  We had the carousel all to our selves.  The train was busy and we had to brake for some Canadian Geese which added some excitement for the kids.

The holiday weekend was over in the blink of an eye as always.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Grade Three

Since I haven't blogged all summer I figured I should at least show a back to school photo.  Sophie is loving grade three and we are getting settled in to the new school year nicely.  Lucas is having a great start as well and he has continued in the gifted itinerant program this year.  He has his first cluster session for grade six this week.

Waiting to have her name called to meet her new teacher!

Easter 2014

We had a pretty quiet Easter this year.  My parents were away and Sophie had pneumonia so we kind of laid low around home.  We had an egg hunt in the morning which is always a hit around here. Later we went for brunch with my niece and my sister.  The food was great and we were all stuffed full by the time we were done.

It was a beautiful sunny day and I was able to get the kids corralled long enough for a few photos!

A birthday celebration

The day after Sophie's birthday we took a chance and headed out for a few hours to go bowling.  We had a little Sophie celebration with my family and it was more than enough to keep Sophie happy and wear her out for bedtime.

Sophie enjoys bowling even though it is loud with music blaring and lots of people around.  We went to glow bowling which adds a fun touch for the kids.  Lucas and Zoe were amazing bowling coaches/helpers for Sophie.  Although Sophie was often more interested in the little girls bowling in the lane next to us lol.

Game. On.

Lucas, my super competitive boy, ended the game with tears when he realized that Jason and I were going to beat him.  Even though I explained we had 30 years more experience than him it didn't help one bit.  He pouted his way home.  What can you do.

All was forgiven after pizza and cake arrived and Sophie was in her element having Happy Birthday sung to her yet again.  It is her favourite song after all.

I think 8 is going to be a great year.