Elijah's Birthday Party

This morning we had Elijah's birthday party! 10 kids (plus Jayden was sick so he couldn't stay) and just us and Alex's mommy! We did a Backyardigan's Theme... I drew these two, Pablo and Tyrone, to help add to the 'theme'we began outside and all hid our eyes while I hid some plastic bugs and pumpkins for the kids to use their magnifying glasses to hunt for them. Brock is a natural hunter, like his Daddy, he found the most!Annabel and Elijah trying to see through these silly magnifying glassesLuke found a bug!
do you know what this is? I thought it would be easier to 'design' and make a Magnifying Glass cake than a 'Backyardigan's' character cake... it was so simple and honestly, quite cute! The kids loved that there were bugs in and on the magnifying glass
(keep looking below for more pictures)

we each made a paper 'crown', which we were excited about!Then we opened gifts. This was fun for EVERYONE... especially Erica who kept wanting to open the gifts that we were getting to yet! (it's okay, Satu! It was cute)Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Elijah, Happy Birthday to you!

It was a very fun time and really successful for a Kids Only party at this age! (thanks Marlene for helping out since you were here anyway!)
Enjoy your goodie bags kids, thanks for coming and for the assortment of very fun and exciting gifts! You'll have to come over and help me play with the things soon!

Miss Mel, Welcome

My friend, who worked with me at Kids Club, has got a blog up and running! Yea! Check out her link on the side or click here... MEL. Welcome, Mel, to the world of the bloggers!

let's go swinging! "swing-ing, swing-ing"

We went out to the park last night before bedtime. It was a beautiful evening. Here we all are on the swings!Elijah started out on Jason's lap and Samuel on mine until more swings opened up for us...this is the longest Elijah has ever stayed on the swing... he usually loses interest quite quick; we think he stayed on for a good chunk of time last night because his brother can now swing too, which he was excited aboutweeeeeee...can you see all three of us?

I'm a Big Boy Now!

what a big helper I have. I had a productive day today baking Elijah's birthday cake, a batch of Jason's favourite muffins (banana chocolate chip) and homemade pizza for dinner. Elijah always, I repeat always, pulls up a chair to the counter to help himself to who-knows-what and to see what I am up to in the kitchen. So today he helped beat the eggs and sugar, pour in the milk...and he was in charge of spreading the pizza sauce on the pizzas. I had to run downstairs to grab my camera to show you that my baby is not a baby anymore! He helps out all the time. In the kitchen, loading his own dishes in the dishwasher, cleaning up Samuel's puke...he's an amazing little guy!ready to eat the yummy pizza for dinner!

Wyatt's special day

Today we went to Wyatt's birthday party. They boys had a lot of fun playing again. Wyatt isn't in our home anymore for daycare, so for the boys to not have that time to play day after day all day long has been a bit sad for them. Here we were trying hard to get them both to show me their orange fingers from all the cheesies they were eating...Hard to believe these little guys are three already! Happy Birthday Wyatt!

First Visit to Willow View Farms

Friday was a beautiful day, so a trip to Willow View Farms was a must!Elijah didn't last too long sitting in the wagon...
He pulled Samuel, who loved the bumpy ride, out to the orchardBlowing a fluffy dandilion (what are those things called at this point?)Still sitting, surprisingly, and smiling as always!Playtime in the Farm's grass area... we stayed there while the boys played and explored for a good 2 hours!The Animal Barn was open for the first time today too, so we saw the 2 potbelly pigs, miniature horse, goats, sheep, chickens, bunnies...!

What a fun day!

The Seasons of Change

isn't this a beautiful bouquet of flowers to be decorating my table? Jason brought them home from a Food Show he was involved in on the weekend...perks of his job. This is the second vase-ful of gorgeous arrangements his female co-workers have 'encouraged' him to take home to me...I guess they feel bad for me when I am 'stuck at home' with our 2 kids while he has to do a weekend stint. Thanks Ladies! I love them! The leaves are turning, the air is cool; it will be Fall in 2 days. There is something about Fall that is just so welcoming. It's the beauty amongst the trees, the fun times going to the apple orchard and the pumpkin patch... I don't know. But I do know I love this time of year!

Welcome Fall!
And for all of you with little ones at home, keep reading the next post. The changes around us are new to our children...and they want to soak in all this new information. Why not help them grasp the season of Fall with the following ideas. Simple ones, so don't be intimidated!

Learning about Fall can be this simple:

Here are some songs & movement activities for you to incorporate into your Bedtime routine, walk outside, while playing with toys or looking out the window... copy and paste to a word document, print it out and put it on your fridge as a reminder!

Happy Autumn (Happy Birthday)
Happy Autumn to you,
And the wind says so too.
All the leaves wave good bye,
Happy Autumn to you!

Leaves are Blowing (Twinkle, Twinkle)
Leaves are blowing all around
From the trees onto the ground
Let us rake them in a pile,
then jump in them with a smile.
See the leaves all over you
Brush them off when you are through.

Autumn Winds (Row Your Boat)
Blow, blow gusty wind,
Blowing all around.
Leaves are twirling, dancing, whirling
Covering the ground.
Blow, blow gusty wind
What a breezy day!
Blow the leaves, as you please
But don't blow me away!

Leaves (The Wheels on the Bus)
The leaves on the trees turn orange and brown, orange and brown, orange and brown
...all through the town.

The leaves on the trees come floating down... all through the town.

The leaves on the ground go swish, swish, swish (or crunch, crunch, crunch)... all through the town.

Leaves (Mary Had a Little Lamb)
Leaves are falling on the ground, on the ground, on the ground
Leaves are falling on the ground
Red, yellow, green and brown.

two more... stand up and help your kids do this one!
Scarecrow, Scarecrow (remember the Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear poem?)
Scarecrow, scarecrow turn around
scarecrow, scarecrow touch the ground
... reach up high
...touch the sky
...bend down low
...touch your toe.

Pretend you are leaves, scarecrows, spiders, clouds or the wind... and sing this to the tune of "10 Little Indians":
Dance, Dance, Dance little {spiders} x3
Early in the morning.

Then continue with HOP, SKIP, WALK, JUMP, CRAWL, TWIRL...you get the idea! 1 syllable action words and end with SLEEP!

Have fun with your kids!!

Crayola: The Art of Childhood

Week #4: Pass-Along Story
Have your child create a multi-page illustrated storybook. Start with a title and cover page. Then pass the book along to another family member, who will write and illustrate the first page. Continue to pass the book around, giving each family member several chances to see what has been added and bring a new twist or turn to the plot.
(maybe for the older kids, but it could work for those with 3-5 year olds too...)

Team Tina and Bacon Bits

To all my faithful Blog Readers. I thought I would do a post about a Family from our church... to seek your prayers and possible support. I have included an article about this family, that was written in our local paper... and you can read about it in The Province by clicking here.


"JOHN MORROW / The Abbotsford News
Jody Carson, flanked by her family and Team Tina member Doreen Bauman, chats with Mountain Park Community Church pastor Terry Kaethler on Sunday during the unveiling of a campaign to raise money for her friend, Tina Bacon. Bacon was diagnosed with cancer one month ago and is currently pregnant with her third child.
By JOE MILLICANAbbotsford NewsSep 05 2006
Friends of Tina Bacon are rallying around the Abbotsford woman as she faces up to a breast cancer diagnoses at the same time she is pregnant with her third child.
Bacon, who is married to Matt and already has four-year-old twin daughters, received the news of her illness just one month ago.
For the next three months, she will undergo a modified form of chemotherapy. At that point, according to friend Jody Carson, she will have a caesarian section to give birth to her child and then start aggressive chemo followed by radiation.
After hearing of the 30-year-old's plight, Carson decided to do something about it.
Carson has personally made a large number of Team Tina T-shirts, which are being sold to raise money for the nanny she hopes will provide relief to the family as they cope with the illness.
There will be extra work, however. Because the C-section will remove the baby as quickly as possible - so Bacon can begin her advanced treatment - the family will have to contend with looking after a premature child.
"What do you do? It's a horrible situation," said Carson, pointing out that the baby will likely have to remain in hospital for three months.
"It was so aggressive she had to have her breast removed that week (of diagnosis). She starts a modified form of chemotherapy this week, which is I suppose as good as it can be."
Carson said she wants to raise $10,000 altogether.
"It was my own idea and it has just grown bigger and bigger," she said, pointing out she was hoping to sell 50 T-shirts but has already sold 120.
"I have always been attracted to her great personality and it is being tested in this situation."
Carson's behind-the-scenes work was only unveiled to Bacon, and her teacher husband Matt, during a Sunday service in Lower Sumas Mountain Road's Mountain Park Community Church.
"Tina's a very steady person, but she was beaming," said Carson.
"Her husband was more emotional. He said 'today is the first day since this happened that we felt we could get through all of this.' "
As well as the T-shirts, Carson said she has organized a Trekin' for Tina event, which will be staged on Sept. 23 at Teapot Hill, near Cultus Lake.
People are invited to wear their T-shirts and raise money beforehand, she said."


If you are interested in supporting this Family by donation, feel free to leave me a comment here and I will personally email you information to make that happen!

Home Sweet Home

Sherry, thanks for the idea for the title of this post BTW!
Jason was away in Toronto for 9 days for work...well, not all for work. He had the opportunity to stay a few extra days to visit with Kevin, Robin, Brandon and Zackary too! He had a great time away but definitely missed us here at home (or so he says!)going to pick up Daddy at the airport last night with a handmade flag and all "welcome home Dadda"Elijah was very excited to see the plane land and see Daddy walk off the plane and wave at ushere he comes! Samuel was happy to see his Dadda too

Elijah thought Jason was on the plane the entire time! Every time we'd talk to Jason on the phone, he would say "airplane, too?" Like, can I come on the plane with you too, Daddy? And as unbelievable as this is, Jason did not mind flying at all, in fact he said he quite enjoyed it! Did I really hear him? You may know that he has been one to drive everywhere and not be entertained one bit to fly, say South for a vacation. Hmmm...last night he even said, "it would be nice to be able to fly somewhere for the sake of the boys' experiencing it BUT before Sammie is 2, of course." I don't think it will happen, but it sure is nice that he isn't so against that concept of travel anymore! (and Kevin, I know it was your idea to convince Jason to move us out your way while you showed him all the sights...sorry, as cheap as a house right on the lake is, we'll stay put here. Nice try.)
Oh, and Kevin and Jason even had lunch with Bob and Brenda yesterday!
We're glad to have you home, Hon!

Day Trip into Langley

We went into Langley earlier than we needed to be, so that we could look around the "Langley stores" and meet Miriam, Travis and Bradley who coincidentally planned a trip to Langley too yesterday! We met the three of them for a special lunch at Red Robin. Take note: don't tell your kids you'll see a train when you go to a Red Robin Restaurant. You'll know what I mean if you have ever been to the Abb. location. It is not a standard that all RR's have this! Although once you've been to the Abb one, your kids quickly learn to associate RR with "that train that goes around and around and around". They boys were a bit disappointed needless to say.Bradley!Travis shows Sammie his Woody from 'Toy Story'

We went over to Willowbrook together after lunch for a look around. Didn't find much, but Elijah seemed to score this yummy treat from Purdy's!Rainbow Sherbet with sprinkles on top!

next: BBQ at Nathan and Jenelle's

Dana held Sammie for a bitElijah loved Chase's skateboard! Hmmm...maybe he'd like one for his birthday?Danika pops herself down on a rock and watches all the action
Mercy loves balls!Jenelle takes a turn holding Sammie too!Caleb whipping his jacket around1, 2, 3 GO! The kids kept taking turns going down the slight decline on the trikes and scootersSmile Alise!Nathan built us a fire to roast marshmallows!PJ Picture...Elijah and the girls! Tatiana 'hugging' Elijah, Danika and Alise

Crayola: The Art of Childhood

Week #3: Inventors Create
Gather recycled materials, such as old shoes, worn out clothes, buttons and paper towel rolls. Gather craft supplies, such as Crayola Model Magic, Markers, and Glitter Glue. Have your child combine these items to create inventions - identify a problem and construct the solution.

(an idea: "Shoe-a-saurus"... get a shoe box and allow the child to create their own dinosaur with 'recycled junk')

I bet the mom's with young kids are dismissing these ideas b/c you think your children are too young. WRONG... you don't need to bring out the scissors and as long as you aren't looking for the perfect masterpiece, these little guys can and do a great job too! Let them try; which is up to you!
Even if you swirl on some white glue on a piece of construction paper and then allow the child to sprinkle on some glitter (fairly controlled as far as mess). This art experience makes quite eye appealing fridge decor. (see photo of one 2 year old doing this in my home)
FYI: It's the process not the product!