A Birthday Party for Matthew

Today we celebrated our friend Matthew's birthday with a party at his house. Matt and Nik enjoyed themselves, and Nik was very excited when he won the "pin the spider on the spider web" game. We've known Matthew for almost two years now - we met at a music class when the boys were two. It's fun to celebrate with our friend!

Happy Halloween!

Matt and Nik had a very fun Halloween this year! We began the day at Uncle Norm and Aunt Sandy's house... and Uncle Norm was so silly when he tried on Matt's astronaut helmet! We enjoyed brunch together and the boys received a bagful of treats from them.

This afternoon Matt and Nik helped Dad set up the decorations in preparation for the trick or treaters. Dad did a great job carving pumpkins, adding fog machines and inflatable decorations, and installing various lights to the front of the house. The boys loved it! If you look closely, you can see Matt in the playroom with the remote control for the fog machine. He would run to the playroom each time the doorbell rang so that he could create more "fog."

Then it was time for the boys to head out to the neighbours to go trick or treating. They came back with lots of yummy things! Happy Halloween!

Halloween Party with our Friends

This afternoon we went to our friend Jules' house for a Halloween party with our friends. The costumes didn't stay on long, since the kids were all too busy running around and playing to worry about bulky costumes and helmets. They always have fun when we get together! The highlight of the party was when all the kids went trick or treating from door to door since their bags were bulging by the end... Matt and Nik are excited to do more trick or treating tomorrow night!

Preschool Party

Today was party day at preschool, and parents were invited to stay and watch the children sing their songs and talk about all the things that they had been learning throughout this past month. The students were also invited to wear their costumes, and Nik and Matt were excited to show off their "fighter jet pilot" and "astronaut" suits to their friends. As you can see from the photos, both boys were very engaged and participated in all the songs. Nik was excited about the five little monkey poem, and kept trying to tell the teacher about the book that he has at home about the five little monkeys. Matt was eager to answer a question about the artist Emily Carr, and could tell why she was 'eccentric' because she hung chairs from the ceiling so that people wouldn't stay at her house for too long. It's impressive to see how much the boys learn and remember after each class!

After the parents left, the boys enjoyed a party with their classmates, complete with popcorn and treats from their teachers. It was a very exciting day for Matt and Nik!

First School Photos

Today we received the proofs from the photos taken at school last week. As you can see, they were saying "cheese" as the photo was taken... we just can't believe that they are old enough for a school photo already!

Redwood Park

This afternoon we spent about three hours playing in Redwood Park. A new playground has just opened there, so we went to check it out. There were several other children playing there, including a five year old boy named Owen, and he kept the boys busy as they chased him around and tried out all the new equipment with him. As well, the park is full of huge trees that are shedding their fall colours, so we went and explored lots of piles of leaves. What a beautiful relaxing afternoon!

The Apple Barn Pumpkin Farm

Last weekend we took the boys to the Apple Barn to get our pumpkins and apples, and spent some time exploring and playing at the farm. It was a sunny day, which was a nice change after days of rain, and we enjoyed a family day together. Both boys loved the various slides and ran through the maze. The pumpkins look great outside our front door, and we'll carve one or two of them next week!

Nik - Feeling Better!

Nik has been battling a fever and stomach flu over the last few days, so it was a relief when he finally had a peaceful night's sleep last night. In fact, he slept so well that his hair was sticking up everywhere when he woke up this morning! He found this hilarious and wanted his picture taken. It's nice to see him smile again after the last few rough days!

Matt - All Plugged In!

Matt is always fascinated by anything "technical" - and he has already figured out many things work, including our iPhones. When I saw him "plugged in" to Dad's phone listening to music yesterday morning, it made me wonder if this is what we'll be seeing a lot when he's a teenager?

A Day with Dad and Uncle Norm

Last Saturday Dad and Uncle Norm took the boys to Vancouver to watch the Canucks Open Practice at GM Place. Matt and Nik enjoyed watching the team practice, and were especially fascinated by the coaches' whistles. They have been playing "hockey practice" for the last few days, and they are always blowing their whistles!

Then they went down to Yaletown and stopped at the Roundhouse to check out the big locomotive and turntable. They spent time checking out all the levers and dials, and Matt even blew the whistle.

Then they headed out to a restaurant for lunch before heading home. Thanks to Dad and Uncle Norm for a fun day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday at preschool the boys made "apple turkeys" complete with froot loop and candy tails. Nik could barely wait for the picture to be taken before he started eating all the tail feathers!

Wiggles Concert

Last night we took the boys to Vancouver so that they could enjoy the "Wiggles" concert. We began by meeting Oom Arie and Uncle Steven for dinner at a neat pizza place in Kitsilano. They had a great area for the kids to play in and the boys enjoyed spending time with their uncles.

Then we headed to the concert. Both Matt and Nik thoroughly enjoyed the 90 minute show, which featured lots of singing, gymnastics routines, and one of the Wiggles even came into the audience to say hello. It was a very interactive concert, and it was neat to see the boys sing along with some of their favourite songs.

Matt and Nik reluctantly waved goodbye to the performers at the end of the show. Nik said that he liked watching the Wiggles sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" while Matt decided that he loved everything about the concert. It was a nice family evening!

Building with Toothpicks and Marshmallows

Every day, Nik asks if he can "do a craft today." So on Wednesday we got out the toothpicks and marshmallows and spent some time building structures. Matt built a few "turning things" while Nik created long rows of squares and large circles. The structures didn't last long, because Nik insisted on eating all the marshmallows!

Party Day at Preschool

Today was "Party Day" at preschool. At the end of every month, parents are invited for the first half hour of class, and the children sing their songs and share what they have been learning for the past month. It's also a celebration for students who have their birthday during the month. Matt and Nik were very excited about today's party day, and it was so cute to watch them perform all their songs. Both boys were active participants in all the songs, especially the ones about Winnie the Pooh, their "Going for Goodness" song, and their hello and exercise songs. They also entered into the discussion with the teacher as she reviewed some of the curriculum from the last few weeks. It was great to see them so engaged and involved in their school activities, and to meet some of the other students and parents as well!

Frog in the Car!

This afternoon we were heading home when Matt said, "Mommy, there's a frog beside you." Sure enough, we had a little friend who joined us for the ride home. As soon as we parked, Matt and Nik dove into the front seat to try to catch him, and Dad joined in as well. In the end, the little frog was given a new home in our bushes - can you see him in the last photo?

The Last Weekend of Summer

The weather has been gorgeous lately with sunshine and warm temperatures, and even though fall has officially started, we're still enjoying this stretch of nice weather. Today was bright and windy, so we headed down to Crescent Beach to fly kites and play in the sand. We all had a great time there, and Dad helped the boys build a deep pit in the warm sand. The weather forecast calls for cooler temperatures next week, so we know it's probably the last weekend of summer. The boys will be so upset when they can't wear shorts anymore!

B is for...

This week is "B" week at preschool, and the boys wore their BC Lions jerseys as part of their show and tell. When they came home, they were thinking of words that started with B. The conversation went like this: "b...b... bathtub, b...b... ball, b...b...bed, b...b... book", and ended with Nik yelling, "b...b.... booger!" I am truly raising boys!

Helping Hands

Matt and Nik love to help us with all the jobs around the house, and this weekend's job involved removing a large hydrangea bush. Nik decided that it would be best to pull it out with the tractor, so once the ropes were attached, they used their tractors to pull.... of course it didn't budge, but Dad eventually dug it out!

Printing Practice at Preschool

Matt and Nik have settled in to the preschool routine very easily, and each day brings new and exciting things for them to learn. On Mondays, it's phonics day and they practice a new letter of the alphabet. Here's a few pictures of them with their "a" work, plus a sample of their printing and colouring. On Wednesdays, they do art, and on Fridays they do a science activity. Both boys love going to preschool, and they are always eager to show off the things that they have learned. In Nik's words: "it's great!"

First Day of Preschool!

Today was the first day of preschool at Wind and Tide for Nik and Matt.  It was pouring rain when we arrived, so they didn't want to pose for a picture, but Mom couldn't let the moment pass without a quick photo!

Matt quickly settled into the classroom, which has ten boys and ten girls, while Nik took a little longer to relax and enjoy the toys and routines of the class.  Teacher Disa is a very gentle teacher, and we know the boys will enjoy three afternoons a week with her.  They're growing up so fast!

The Fair at the PNE

This past weekend we headed over to the PNE to see the sights and sounds of the fair.  Matt and Nik loved the PNE, and eagerly explored the fairgrounds.  We went to the livestock barns to see all the animals and participate in the children's barnyard area. We know that Grandpa will be happy to see Nik riding on a Kubota tractor - his tractor of choice at his own farm!

Of course, no trip to the PNE is complete without rides, and Matt and Nik rode on quite a few throughout the afternoon.  Matt's favourite was a ride with a "moving" floor, while Nik and Dad rode above the fairgrounds on the ferris wheel.  The racing car was also a big hit.  Both boys were like monkeys when they climbed on several of the higher rides, and Nik was especially determined to beat a few of the bigger kids to the top so that he could be the first one down the slide!

We met up with our friend Logan to watch a show called "On The Edge" that involved quad racing and trucks trying to push each other off the stage.  Then we watched some of the BC Lions practice before heading home.  It was a fun afternoon at the fair!

Logan's Birthday Party

Last Saturday we celebrated Logan's birthday with a Monster Truck party!  Nik enjoyed making a monster truck poster, while Matt preferred to play with all the monster trucks and race cars with some of the other boys.  Happy Birthday to our friend Logan!

A Week of Playdates

Last week we enjoyed three different playdates!  On Monday we went to our cousins' house to play with Cameron, Joel and Tyler.  Matt and Nik loved the pirate ship that they have in their backyard, and it was lots of fun to play together.

On Tuesday Charlie and Graeme came over to play.  The  boys had a great time driving on the tractors, digging in the sandbox, and playing cars in the kitchen.  

On Thursday Logan and Darcy came over to play, and we enjoyed the sunshine while playing on the tractors and the bouncy slide.  Our neighbour Brett also came over when he heard the commotion outside, and everyone enjoyed a sunny day treat.   It was a great week with friends and family!

First Lions Game

The boys have been asking to go to a football (American football not voetbal) for some time now so on Friday we headed to BC Place to watch the BC Lions play the lowly Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

We first stopped at the Volvo dealership to pick up the SUV which was in for regular servicing. Matt and Nik were lucky enough to get a tour of the mechanics shop and even got to use the hydraulic lift. Since the dealership is right next to a new Canada Line station, we decided to take public transit to downtown. The boys really enjoyed the ride and watching all the people on the train.

Once in the stadium there was lots to see and experience. After touring the concourse, the boys wanted to check out their seats. From there they ate their hot dogs (they prefer to eat their hot dogs in stages), watched the teams warm up and the blimp flying around above their heads. Soon it was time to announce the teams. Matt and Nik cheered loudly and joined in when it was time to sing "Oh Canada".

The game started on a highlight with a spectacular touch down catch by the Lions. After the Blue Bombers scored a touch down of their own, the boys had enough and wanted to go on a skytrain ride back home. While there were still 4 minutes left in the first quarter, they had lasted just over an hour in the stadium and witnessed their first touch down.

Another fun afternoon and evening filled with new experiences. Oh, in case you were curious, the mighty Lions lost 10 - 37 to those lowly Bombers - good thing we left early!

A Beautiful Sunny Beach Day

Today was a beautiful, warm day and we headed down to the beach to spend some time playing with our friends Jules, Adelaide, Logan and Darcy.  The group had a great time running around, digging holes and jumping in them, and making sand creations.  Matt hardly stopped running long enough to eat, but Nik made sure that he enjoyed all our beach snacks.  We finally had a sunny beach day!

Fun with Gail

Yesterday morning Gail watched the boys while Mom had a dentist appointment.  When Mom got home, the boys were very excited to show all the chalk drawings that they had done together - it's a town with a complete train track, beach area, a giant's house, and lots of sea creatures.  It's great that they had so much fun with her!

Climbing onto a New Playground

Yesterday we met our friend Matthew and his big brother Aidan at a new playground that just opened up in our area.  It has lots of things to climb, which is great for Nik, our monkey boy.  The boys all had a fun morning playing together and we'll be spending lots more time at this fun playground.  The photos were taken with Mom's iPhone, and the quality isn't too bad!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

This afternoon we celebrated Ethan's birthday with a party at the Rec Centre.  It's hard to believe that everyone is starting to turn four!  Here is a picture of the group that has been together since birth - Logan, Jules, Ethan, Nik, Charlie and Matt.  It's always fun to get together, especially when it's a birthday party!

Opa's Birthday Brunch

We celebrated Opa's birthday together with a family brunch this weekend.  It was relaxing to spend some time together, and Matt and Nik loved having everyone around.  Oom Arie and Uncle Steven, the indulgent uncles, gave the boys with new pirate Playmobil, which was a huge hit!  

Blueberry Picking Time

Oma's blueberries are ripe, and we picked some on Thursday afternoon when we stopped by to give Opa some birthday wishes.  Both Matt and Nik love being in the field and quickly picked three pounds each - with the help of Oma and Opa, of course!

Playing at Charlie's House

This past week we went to Charlie and Graeme's house to play.  Charlie was great at sharing his toys, and the three oldest boys had a fun time playing together.   Charlie's mom and I just wondered - how can two households have so many toys and yet there are no duplicates?

Laundry Room Update

The laundry room is almost finished, and both Matt and Nik have enjoyed watching the changes.  The cabinets and countertops were installed last week, and Matt spent most of the day watching the three workers.  We were thrilled to see the new stainless countertop, and the sink is so large that both boys can fit inside!  The cubbies also have new hooks, the drying racks are up, and the closet doors are back on.  We're just waiting for the plumber to install the faucet and the cabinets need a few more details - and then the room is done!