Hanging Out at the Park

I don't think Emma is having much fun.

Jamie was determined to conquer this one.

On top of the world . . . well at least the playground.
Thanks again to Adam for these amazing pictures.

Victoria

Well, we headed off on another Schwakida weekend . . . this time to Victoria where we stayed at their parent's house close to Sydney.  The kids always have a great time together and the parents aren't so bad either. :)  On this day when we arrived their was a need for some tech support so where else better to call than Dubai . . . yes our tech support came via Dubai on this trip (thanks Jay).  We managed to hit some of our favourite spots when we go to the island and plus some.  Another great weekend with friends.

Searching the tidal pools for sea life.

The Girls!

One of our favourite things to do is the Bug Museum in Victoria.  Lots to see, touch and learn.

Petting Zoo at Beacon Hill park.  Lets just say that this exploration was a little more "cheeky" than usual!

Meeting Pete

I am not sure how Michelle does it, but she always manages to sign us up for a wide range of experiences that simply enhances our lives.  This time we got to see the author of Pete the Cat, Eric Litwin, read aloud his books and share some songs with the audience.  The highlight for me was hearing little Emma finish the lines form the story Pete the Cat before Mr. Eric could.  As a result, she was called up on stage to meow like a cat with Mr. Eric . . . my budding superstar.  Gee . . . she sounds just like her mother when she was a little girl . . . always the Star Performer.

Christmas

Well it is that magical time of the year, where we love hanging out with friends and family and taking care of one another.  I love this age where the kids marvel at the wonders and magic of Christmas.  The decorations, finding that perfect tree, the Christmas lights, hot apple cider at the money lot, pictures with Santa and of course the excitement of the days festivities.  Every year on Christmas Eve, our family goes skating and then heads over to grammy's house to make gingerbread houses and for a yummy dinner.  This year the kids were ecstatic about their gifts from Santa.  Each of the boys received long boards and Emma got the Stompeez that she had asked for.  I love watching them open their gifts and share in their excitement about what they got.  Opening new gifts, playing with their new toys and of course sharing this time with their cousins and grandparents.

After a very long journey the longboards were a big hit. 

Jingles

Every year we get a little visitor from the north that likes to keep an eye on the kids to make sure that they stay off of the naughty list.  Our little Elf is named Jingles and we often find him in different places around our house.  Here are some of the different locations that we found him in.

Lantern Festival

One of the events that Emma's preschool puts on is a Lantern Festival where the kids make lanterns in class and parade around the grounds near her school.  It is a fun community event where there is a drumming station, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, and often a juggler of some kind to entertain the kids.

On this evening it was raining a little so the main event of the night who was the comedic act of a juggler took place in the gym.  So lets set the stage . . . yes, I must admit that I am a little sarcastic with my kids at times and they have grown to question most things that I say.  I have had this long, ongoing joke with them that I used to be a part of the Mexican Circus . . . why Mexican?  No reason at all . . . it simply started as a joke that a colleague and I played on some students at Outdoor Education, so I just kept it up with my kids. Lets just say that on this night my joke bit me in the butt as one of my kids said out loud, "my dad knows how to juggle . . . he used to be in the Mexican Circus".  So lets just say that when the juggler needed an assistant, who else would he ask but the ex-pro from the circus.  Boy did my kids have a good chuckle as I was dragged up on stage for some tacky jokes.

Do you think Josh is enjoying the show?

Halloween

Well, another great year trick or treating around our neighbourhood.  The kids always get a kick out of running around from house to house with their cousins.  Lots of candy to be had by all.  This year, Josh caught me off guard by wanting to be Dave from one of my shows that I watch.  An easy costume that got a lot of attention from those at school and around the neighbourhood.  Jamie decided that he wanted to be a spy with all of the spy gadgets to keep him entertained.  Emma decided that she wanted to be a cat . . . well at least for most of the time.  At all of the pre-halloween parties that she went to, Emma went as a cat, but on the evening of the big night . . . Emma decided that she would rather go as Ironman.  Yes . . . Ironman.  I guess that is the influence of two older brothers.

No he doesn't look suspicious at all!

Josh even has attitude.

Thanks again to Captain Canada for these amazing pictures.

Emma loved sticking the different stickers and face parts onto her pumpkins.

Love this picture of you Josh.  This is so up your alley. 

Look at the concentration. 

Family times are great times!