Are Bento Boxes Worth the Investment?

Do school lunches stress you out? I used to dread it. While it's not at the top of my list of fun things to do it is definitely more enjoyable these days. Yes, I enjoy making school lunches. What do I give 100% of the credit to? Bento boxes.

I was very skeptical making my bento box purchase.

Would it hold enough food for my fast-growing boys? Would the liquids make everything soggy when it was tossed around in their backpacks? Would my kids make a huge mess trying to get it open? Is it actually worth all that money?

Five Things to Talk With Your Child About Before Kindergarten

My youngest is going to kindergarten in less than a week. You would think I would be emotional, especially being the highly sensitive person that I am, but somehow seeing her brothers go through it and embrace various aspects of school, I'm excited for her. Now I know that the back-to-school outfits, supplies and haircuts are important but here is one other area that I would recommend working on a week in advance too: Preparing them emotionally for the transition.

What else would you add to this list? Hope back-to-school goes well for you!

Love,
Louise

Life is Good

I feel so much better this week!  I think that reflecting and figuring out what needs to happen makes a huge difference.  Also, because I wasn't sure if I should get back into teaching, subbing has been so good!  If you're not sure about something, try it!   Subbing just once a week has been so great and I will not be doing more than that, especially as we have two weddings coming up which leaves me with about 30 hours of work afterwards for each one :)

 Today I subbed Science 10 and Biology 11 which was very fun as those were my old classes.  Also kind of fun to look at the lab next door and see Gary and his class doing an experiment.  It's where Gary and I met; we started teaching science the same year.    I will definitely miss forming those connections with students as a big group of people I am currently connected to are old students of mine:)

The kids are enjoying daycare so that is good as it is a priority to me.  Phew!

{Nya feeding herself breakfast.  She's my little bud.  We all love her like crazy and like I've said 100X, she brings us so much JOY to our house}

The video below shoes Kai getting Nya up from her nap.  I missed the part where he got her out of the crib but he is very helpful.

The older the boys get, the more I realize how different they are.  Kai is more serious, athletic and loves to know how everything works.  He excels at math and reading.  We did not choose the school Kai goes to based on academics, we chose it based on developing his whole self.  However,  I am thankful that there is a Math Enrichment program that he can be part of as he did most of grade 2 math last year and I want school to be challenging for him (in a good way).   Sometimes I think of all the cool things we could study if we home schooled (based on all of the kids current interests and questions etc) and I'm pretty sure I would do an awesome job of it :)  But for now, we feel very comfortable and happy with our current decision.  Kai gave school a 9 3/4 yesterday so I think he's a pretty big fan!

{Koen counting all of his cars.  Apparently there are 66 which is a crazy amount but I think we've just bought 3 brand new?  Also, he has played with them for 1-2 hours daily for almost 2 years now so they are well worth the investment!}

 Koen is eager, energetic, and imaginative.  He plays on his own all day but NEEDS to talk to someone all day long too.  So he'll play (usually racing cars) and then show me every 10 minutes who is in the lead or ask who I'm cheering for etc.   Koen is into Amazing Race Canada, Cars, and Tarantulas.  In regards to tarantulas, he wants to know who could defeat a tarantula and who a tarantula could beat etc.    It's a very boring conversation but we have it daily.  I just need to reiterate that Koen talks all day long.  Oh yes, he also loves to have the conversation `What is healthier?'.  He's into making healthy choices (example: on our trip he would often order salads when he was allowed to have anything!).  So, when I made them share a cotton candy from the PNE (over several days, I know, I'm crazy) we tried to figure out what was less healthy.  He came up with `poisonous berries':)  He is interested in adding more fat to his diet so he has more protection in his midsection when he wrestles with Kai.  When Koen jumped on Gary the other day he said, `Good thing you have so much fat daddy!'.

We had our friend Leah over for dinner last night.  It was our first time having Thai food since `The Incident' (food poisoning in Thailand) and it went well.  Leah sat next to Koen and got to talk to him aka listen to him the whole time.  Leah, Koen can't wait for you to come back again and catch more (pretend) spiders in the basement! 

This weekend I have two sessions that I am looking forward to which is great.  I'm going to be a lot better about only saying `yes' to what I love doing :)  

Finally, next month, Gary and I are going away for 24 hours!!! The pressure is high to have so much fun in 24 hours so we'll see what we end up doing :)  If you have any suggestions, let me know!  So far our ideas are hotels + hiking/biking at either Harrison, Whistler, or Vancouver.  I would say `camping' but Gary will be on a hiking trip all week before or after we get away.  

I hope you have a great weekend!  

Love, Louise

Love

Sometimes just seeing them all together, not beating each other up, just fills my heart to the brim.  Sounds cheesy but it does.

According to Kai, he had the best first day ever.  This may have something to do with his `very funny' teacher and the fact that she gave them popsicles :)

{Grade Two!}

Koen is not as pumped about preschool as he's at the same one and it's going to be a similar program to last year.  

Nya did not love all the driving around today.  Kai had a half day and Koen had a shortened preschool day so I was Mrs. Taxi Driver.

Very thankful to be their mom.

Love, Louise

Change

I am in a very `interesting' place in my life right now.  I feel content and thankful BUT I feel like there is more.  I'm not truly happy.  Like, maybe 7/10 but I know I could be happier/more joyful.  Yes, as my friend Jen pointed out, I quantify everything!   

I've been at  home for almost 5 years now. Wow!  I'm so sick of facebook and the media and a calendar that's too full.   I want to spend a year somewhere with my family, contributing in a way that makes a difference and just living simply.  I know we could do that here but I really do want to live overseas.  I'm not too sure anymore that it would be Kenya as I feel that safety would be a bigger concern.  We will see.  This would be in about 4 years or so but I wish it was now.  My main concern for my children going overseas is their health so I want to wait until Nya is older.  Also, I would love for them to remember it and be really involved in the community we end up at.  

Gary and I are not in an awesome place.  We're fine, just not awesome.  We are 100% committed to each other, but man, we are not having a lot of fun together.  I know it's not all about fun, but right now we are just busy and tired with three young kids and a business and a house and a job and child care and groceries and a yard and vehicles and family and friends and church and school...you know, life.   Just like so many other people I guess!  

In the meantime, I want to make changes here.  I want to get off of facebook although probably not completely as it's useful for our business and keeping in contact with relatives and family far away.  I want to do less photography as I dream of free Saturdays and evenings.  I have been doing it for so long and I'm going to start subbing again to see how I feel.  I'm already subbing the first Friday for my favourite teacher; Mr. Gary Chapman :) I'm thinking that in 2014, I might just do several photography sessions on one Saturday a month.  I want to join a sports team.  I miss the hard work, camaraderie and competition.  I wish I could play football but it is so tricky being in Vancouver.  We will see.  

Anyway, those are just some thoughts, on to photos of our long weekend!

On Thursday we went up to Seasons in the Park at Queen Elizabeth Park.  We went with Gary's family (just adults) for his parents 45th wedding anniversary.  What a great restaurant!  We will definitely go back, just Gary and I, as I think it would be quite romantic.  The view is awesome and so is the food.   Big thank you to my sisters Jackie and Maria for each taking a shift babysitting!  Maria and I swap babysitting at least 1-2/month and it's so great to save about $50/month :)  Besides, we know each other's kids so well which leaves us both feeling very confident.  Usually the `rule' is that the babies need to be in bed already but on this day Maria had to dinner and bedtime for all three!  Three cheers for sisters!

On Friday, I was supposed to go hiking with Lynette but she injured her back.  So sad :(  We will plan to go again.  I really needed a day away as I haven't been away from my family for the full day (besides photographing weddings) for at least 3 years?  I'm pretty sure the last time was when I went kayaking with friends three summers ago.   Oh my goodness!!! I need a vacation from my family!!  I have gotten away with just Gary in that time, I think the last time I was 12 weeks pregnant with Nya, so almost 2 years ago.  As soon as Nya sleeps through the night consistently (she's back up again at 4 or 5am) we will hopefully get away for one evening? 

So instead of hiking on Friday, I went to a playdate at my sisters in the morning where I brought boxes of my clothes I was getting rid of and everyone got something.  Then, Jan and I swapped a box of boy and girl clothes! So great.

After Nya's nap, we went to the PNE.  Fortunately we could get Kai and Koen the Junior ride passes but that is the last year for that as Kai is technically in the next size now which doubles the cost of the rides.  I guess next year we can just to go the PNE and walk around but the rides are our favourite part!  We'll see.  There is no way I'm paying $40+ for Kai to ride on the rides.  We brought our own food but they were thrilled that they were allowed to share cotton candy.  I think next year we will do the Northwest Washington Fair instead, although I haven't even looked to see if it's more affordable.

Unfortunately Nya was unable to do anything as I wasn't going to buy her a ride ticket. There wasn't really anywhere for her to run around so she was stuck in our arms or the stroller.

Talking about eggs (picture above), did I tell you that Koen tested positive for Salmonella? Yup. From Thailand.  He seems to be better now but that was a long 3 weeks of needing to be close to a bathroom at all times.  Nya was also tested last week, don't have the results back yet...

The Octopus was a bit too scary for Koen as it can get spinning and dropping pretty fast.  We saw the Superdogs show and Koen said `Too bad their isn't a Superfish show so Gordie (our fish) could be in it!'.  Also, he asked if Bailey and Boom Boom (my sister's dog and my dad's dog) would be in the show.

This is Nya's classic smile to strangers. She especially likes smiling at men.

So apparently Koen loved the roller coaster, his face says otherwise.  He is trying to lift his arms up, so funny.

Below is Kai's favourite ride.

You can see that Koen wasn't so sure about it :)  Kai gave the day an 8 3/4 out of 10.

On Saturday, we went to Brae Island in Fort Langley.  We pretty much had the whole beach to ourselves.  We had a picnic and played in the sand and water.  I really like this beach because it's close, warm and  not busy.

On Saturday night, the boys slept in the tent in our backyard with Gary.  Koen did not make it there overnight as he was sent in to his bedroom.  

On Sunday we went running in the morning (in two shifts, as per usual) and then went to church.  And, because I love Kai's writing and spelling, here is his current Christmas list.  This way, if  they ever say they want something, I don't have to hear them ask over and over.  I just say `put it on the list'.  I especially like how he wrote `Cotton Candy' (#6).

It's back to school tomorrow!  Nothing really exciting though as Koen is just back in preschool and Kai goes to grade 2.  We found out his teacher and classmates and are very happy with it all.  I hope that he is challenged enough, especially in math, as he is no longer in a combination (split) class.  We will see!  The cool thing about his teacher is that I taught her kids science back in the day.  Kai couldn't care less about back to school clothes, it's so funny to me.  I babysat my nieces last night and they showed me their outfits already laid out.  

I hope you had a great long weekend!    I think we are going to have a picnic dinner to finish off our holidays.  What an awesome summer.  I'm exhausted but it was a good one!  

Love, Louise

Menchies Makes the Summer Top 5 List

It's been a week since I blogged!! Miss me?   So what have we been up to?

Zumba: I went and it was okay but I didn't love it as much as I thought.  It was a room full of Lululemon in a club...I'm more of a hiking wearing MEC clothes girl.  Going hiking next weekend with Lynette and looking forward to it!

Sickness: Nya had a fever for two days but seems okay now.  Not a teething fever, a high one.  Her two lower molars are making their way through and it's going to take a month...she doesn't teeth well.  Back up at 4 or 5am for a feed.

                                             

Work: I've had five photo sessions this week.  Now I have two weeks to get caught up before my next session. Phew.  Gary goes back to work tomorrow!! This is a good thing.  Space is healthy for our marriage and we haven't had a whole lot of it in the last 8 weeks :)  I hope to start subbing once a week and the end of September is busy with two weddings in a row (we usually just do one per month).

Playdates: Lots.  I'm not good with too many as it throws everything off balance (getting work done while Nya sleeps, cleaning while the kids play nicely etc).  I need to limit this to one per week too or I end up having to work til 11pm which is not fun.

Smoothies: Started having smoothies for breakfast packed with fruit, veggies and flax.  If you have a recipe you'd recommend, please let me know!!  I need something healthy that astes good.  My kids are way better at eating their fruits and veggies than I am.  So far, it's been really good.

Hockey Camp: Kai had a week of hockey camp in the mornings.  It was just run by the city so nothing fancy.  He loved it though so that was great.  It was a week of playing hockey which got his muscles back in shape after his illness.  Glad he loved it!

Cement: Gary finished off the cement pad and learned a bit in the process.  May have to refinish the top after the winter:)  Thanks Gary!

Church: I asked the kids if they wanted to go to church or go hiking.  They chose church.  My vote was to go hiking as I wanted to do Lower Falls with them :)  Oh well, I had fun hanging out in the nursery with all the mommas and babies.  Nya did not want me to leave her alone. At all.  She is G.R.U.M.P.Y.

I have no idea what these spy glasses are for.  Koen made them in Sunday School and proceeded to play `Spy' with his stuffed animals all afternoon.  He is sooooo good at playing by himself.  He has a fabulous imagination.

Menchies: I have several groupons and today we went.  It made the top 5 events of the summer for them.  They loved it and cannot wait to go back.  They are putting `Menchies gift cards' on their Christmas list.

Shopping: While in South Surrey, we did a quick shop at the GAP outlet while our kids ran wild.  I need to replace a lot of my clothes and apparently Gary and I like stripes?   Gary also got a green long sleeved dress shirt that looks pretty good on him :)  It helps that everything was on sale, and up to 60% off.  It's probably good we went with the kids so I didn't have time to do any more shopping.  

Babysitting: We babysat Isaac one day this week and also will next week.  He's so easy to take care of as he loves all of our toys and the kids play well with him.  He spent over an hour on the trampoline, by himself, jumping on top of the balls. Him and Nya could live outside.

Hung out with sisters: Had playdates and took some pictures of my littlest niece Grace.  Her big sister Hannah had zero desire to be in the photos.  

Back To School: Had some back to school photo sessions.  Here are some pictures of Koen.  I love having the kids write their own name because it allows you to see how cute their writing was when you look back a year later.  Koen wanted to wear his hat:)  My kids did not get a lot in the way of new school clothes.  Some jeans and runners. That's it. No new shirts.  They just have so many already.  They don't care at all about clothes so that's good.  Well, a shirt with Mario or Pokemon is cool to them but that's about it. Oh, and Koen likes this hat.

Koen is just going back to preschool.  Sooooo ready for kindergarten but he's a January baby!

Kai is looking forward to going to school but he doesn't care who is in his class or who his teacher is.  So easy going that way.  

All righty, time to relax as tomorrow it's back to `normal'!  Three kids at home and Gary goes to work!  We'll be going to visit the kids daycare so they can familiarize themselves with it and she can get to know them briefly.  I've been making meals and freezing them in preparation for Gary going back :)  

Have a great week!

Love, Louise

PS Don't forget to tell me your favourite healthy smoothie recipe!!!

School's Out!

{Thank you for all of the comments in the last post.  I knew you were out there!}

Our Kai Bear has finished grade 1!  He had a great year and is looking forward to grade 2.  His report card had comments about his ability to lead and be inquisitive and entertain his class (`Mommy, I'm known as the class clown!).  He did so well in everything and as usual, the one thing to work on would be his neatness/focus with writing and drawing.  Can't be good at everything!  He excels in math and loves it so we will be working through a grade 3 math book this summer :)   More importantly, it is so great to see that he works so well with others as well as independently.  That he shows self control and eagerness.  I should mention that at home, there may not be as much self control with his brother around...  

I saw his first report on the last day of school.  He didn't work on it at home so I had no idea what it would look like.  I should let you know that he decided to do in on tarantulas because I don't like them at all and they gross me out :)  Look what he did!

Koen (or `Look Mommy, I'm Darth Maul!' below) just finished preschool.  He still has another year of it.  He is soooooooooooooo ready for kindergarten being a January 2 baby...I feel bad for him.  He knows all his letters and the sounds they make, can put some 3 letter words together using magnets, can count up to 115 and recognizes numbers up to 100.   He has started adding and pretends to do multiplication (Mommy, what's 140 times corn?  Nothing!  I ate all the corn!).  He, like his brother, does not enjoy writing or drawing.  

{And the rest are just iPhone photos...}

Koen is...a little more `spur of the moment'.  He doesn't really think ahead with any of his actions or words, he just goes.  He is the one we really need to watch out for safety wise.  He is silly and energetic and loves learning.  He is very excitable and loves his daily cuddles.  He doesn't ask too many questions but he will talk.  All. Day. Long.

The moment Nya turned one and started fighting Koen for toys, Koen fought back.  Nya will screech and scream and Koen will grab.  These two are now in a new stage.  I'm so glad that they got along so well for that first year.  This should be interesting.  We have to make sure that just because Nya screams the loudest does not mean she gets what she wants.

For finishing grade 1, Kai picked `sushi' for his dinner.  So, we went and got a party platter.  We probably needed more food because the kids just pounded them back.  Nya had a harder time eating them but enjoyed the rice and avacodo.

Koen got to pick dessert for finishing preschool.  We haven't gone yet but we will go to Menchies on a sunny day this week.

I should say for Ms. Nya.  She has changed.  She REALLY wants to get her own way.  Do not try to take off her shoes.  Or take her away from the stairs.  Or take away her toothbrush.  Or try to hold her hand while she walks.  She now walks independently for at least two blocks.  She loves life and wrestling and being outside.  She is still long and so thin.  She has continued to use the toilet and has even gotten to the point where she will walk to the bathroom and grunt so we know she has to go!

And, I am ready for our trip!  Well, still have to get a few more things (mostly medicine).  People's responses are always one of two:

1.  That's a long flight and it will be so hot there.  You are crazy.

2.  That sounds so fun!  Can't wait to hear about it.

Obviously I prefer to hear #2.  I know it's not going to be easy.  I don't even know if I should bring a book with me because I truthfully don't know if I will get to it based on the traveling we've done with our kids in the past.  However, we are adventurous and love trying new things and I think it will be totally worth it!

I had my last session today.  Well,  in Whistler we are doing some extended family photos for our family but then that's it!  Well, and I guess Gary is taking photos at grad, but then that's it! :)

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love, Louise

Kai's Class

This morning we went to Kai's class.  They are learning about families and communities and so we had half an hour to share about our family.  Wow, seriously, I am so thankful for our family.  Thankful for our health (I ran for 18 minutes (6 min run 1 min walk X 3) yesterday without taking any beta blockers and my heart rate was NORMAL!?) and for each other.  Gary did a small demo involving an exothermic reaction (gives off heat) with some gas production and a nice `pop' at the end which they loved.  I really should've taken my camera but I did have my hands full with Nya.  

Last night I gave Nya a bottle and then breastfed her (if she's sleepy enough I can switch her over from one to the next) and she slept from 8:30pm until 5:30am!! Awesome.  Not expecting it again but still, so great!  I am planning/hoping to breastfeed her longer than I did the boys, if she'll let me.  The reason? Well, she's my last AND I would like to breastfeed her in the Philippines.  She will be 13-14 months old then.   In regards to her being our last, I may have looked up information about adopting from Uganda as we are thinking about teaching there for a year in 2014ish.  We'll see:)  We do still have all of our adoption info with the ministry (as our adoption agency shut down) and it's always a possibility...

 I bought her pants/tutu from a store in Langley called `Once Upon A Time'.  I've sold a bunch of stuff there too. That way I can spend what I make by selling stuff and don't spend any money:)  I bought Kai a new raincoat (he lost his other one...what a punk) and winter boots there too.

Seriously, this picture is terrible (iphone pic)!!  I should remember to take my real camera but its hard when juggling kids.  One thing I was thinking was that Gary was the cool scientist doing the demo and I wish it had been me.  Why? I think it's good for them to see women being scientists too.  

And Koen.  Wow, he is at a tricky age.  He is our most difficult child these days.  He just doesn't seem very happy.  I mean, he does have a non stop cold but still, he's just grumpy.  You can see it in the picture.  He's still pretty easy going but just not happy.  He does love preschool and Sunday School though so that's good. He also enjoys going for bike rides and going on any errands with Gary and I.  Maybe he's just not happy because he's stuck at home with me all day:)   And truthfully, maybe he's just more like Gary.  Gary doesn't really smile and that doesn't mean he's sad, it's just him. 

All right, better go hang out with that grumpy boy of mine.  Thankful for so much these days.  Today, thankful for Kai's teacher, his class, and his love for school.  

Love, Louise

Preschool!!!

Oh wow, we have been waiting for this for fooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeever. Koen was so excited to be a big kid and go to preschool. He actually said he was an adult as he let go of my hand and ran across the road. We had to talk about that:)

He had a great time but was happy to see me afterwards. Poor guy didn't get a new backpack (stuck with Kai's Diego one from 3 years ago) or new clothes but he couldn't care less.

{Kai: Mommy, I'm going to get all the stuffed animals and then we can sit with them and you can take a picture okay?}

From what I've seen so far, I really like the preschool he is at. It's a different one than the one that Kai went to but I think it's perfect for Koen. It is more play based and meets in a church building. Also, they sanitized the kid's hands as they came in....not to sound all germaphobic but that was awesome.

The van was crazy quiet with just Nya in it. It was a bit sad but a bit awesome too:)

Kai has been pretty tired after school. He's feeling the challenge but so far it seems okay. They have him set up with the grade 2 reading books but will still be working from a grade 1 math book. I'm looking forward to meeting with the teacher next week to talk about it in more detail.

Hope you are having a great week!

Love,

Louise

Grade One

Today I took Kai to his first day of Grade 1! From now on, Gary will be bringing him back and forth (on his way to and from work) but I wanted to do it on his first day. Kai wasn't nervous at all and I was trying to hold in my nervousness so he wouldn't get nervous:)

I wish I had taken more `Back To School' photos of him but alas, I had 10 other kids that I also took photos of as a fundraiser (so fun by the way!). I did get some of him actually on his way to school today so I will post them at some point. You can see on the top right photo that our chubby little Kai Bear is now a tall, lean, lanky Kai Bear. So funny. Gary was like that too until he stopped playing basketball:)

So, the big thing about this year? Kai Bear is in a Grade 1/2 split class. Fortunately I had known there was a split class back in June and I sort of assumed he'd be in it. I've heard that it's for kids that can work more independently and might need more of a challenge. I think it will be tougher for him, which makes me nervous, but also happy. I know it will be good for him.

I'm sad that there's only 3 people that he knows in his class. There are only 8 grade 1's in that class and all the rest are grade 2's. Fortunately Kai is okay with that and he still met up with all his buddies at recess. It's harder for me too because I'm rarely at the school so I don't get to meet the other moms and I also lose touch with the grade 1 moms because I'm in a different wing of the school. Oh well, change is good:)

It was sooooooooooooooooo quiet with just Nya and Koen today! I can't wait for Koen to go to preschool on Thursday. I'd send him to kindergarten if I could but he still has to wait 2 years for that! I really think that if I spent time trying to read with him he could. I should probably get a workbook for him, like I did for Kai, and spend some time doing it each day.

By the way, gave all the boys hair cuts on Monday morning and I did Koen's way too short. He has the smallest head in the world and now it looks smaller. Is there a trick for making your kids head look bigger? Let his hair grow?

Nya is still wonderful. She makes me want to have more babies:) I mean, I'd be way too sleep deprived, but still, there's just something soooooooooo special about her. Her smiles and giggles make me so happy.

I hope you had a wonderful day. I have to really start meal planning.

Love,

Louise

PS If you haven't seen...the staff at the high school (including Gary, he's in the lab coat) are in this...it's pretty funny:)

Quick Five

Just a quick 5 point update of life around here:)

1. Gary and I get to go on a date tonight! And, we get to use a groupon for it with a free babysitter (my sister and I exchange babysitting evenings). Win win.

2. Koen has started swimming lessons. I was so nervous! How would my baby do with a teacher? In the water? So far, he's doing well! He is not scared of the water but he does not like getting water in his ears which I'm assuming is related to all the ear infections he's had over the years. I'm thinking he likely won't pass but boy, is he cute:)

3. Kai got his first report card and I was so excited to see it. I will try not to brag but I will say that I don't think we need to have any concerns about him school/social/emotional wise at this point. There was one thing that he needs to work on a bit more and that is his fine motor skills. No surprise there. Mr. Kai isn't a bit fan of detailed drawings or making his letters perfect etc. Although, according to wikipedia, fine motor skills includes video games and I do have to say he excels there! Anyway, I'm so happy to see that the boy we know and love is a pleasure at school too. Some of the comments were things like `eager and inquisitive learner and grasps new ideas quickly' and `contributes thoughtful ideas and questions..' etc. I went on a field trip with him yesterday and his buddies were so happy to see him and put their arms around him etc. He loves school. I am happy that he loves it so much. It will be interesting to see what Koen thinks of school but he has such a long ways to go. He starts preschool in September and he is soooooooooooo excited about that.

4. We have the smallest yard in the world but the boys use it (this picture shows 1/4 of our yard). They will play soccer for an hour a day, either indoor or outdoor. Kai continues to encourage Koen all the time to ensure he always has an active participant. I think all of the sports play with Kai has definitely helped Koen develop his athletic skills, that's for sure!

5. Now, all of this is not to say that our kids are perfect. They were both up for the day at 5:20am. Fortunately we do not have to get up with them, but still, they are going to be tired!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Love, Louise

Party and a Lens

We had Koen's 3rd birthday on his actual birthday. It was hard planning a 3rd birthday because he doesn't really have any friends yet:) So, we just had his 4 girl cousins who are closest in age to him. He wanted a `Space Party' so we decorated star cookies and painted rockets. We also had pancakes and cupcakes:) Koen had fun but it was weird to have such a small party for him.

{My mischievous niece Sami}

Kai gave Koen one of Gary's old basketball trophies and proclaimed that it was a trophy for being the `World's Greatest Little Brother'.

And what else is new?

I'm so thankful that Kai went back to school today! For the first time in his life, I found him annoying this weekend. Isn't that mean to find your child annoying? He will just blab on about the same thing for 20 minutes straight (some Mario game) and will purposely do anything to drive Koen crazy (walk on his toys, take his blankie etc). Also, he bites his nails like crazy. I am not a fan. I made him wear socks on his hands. It was the first time I've ever felt annoyed by him so hopefully a little space will cure that:)

Also, as the end of 2011 approached, we made just a few business purchases as we won't be making many in 2012. Baby is coming in prime photography time (beginning of summer) and we'll likely be making only 40% of what we did this year. So, I bought this antique stroller (which I will use this Thursday for a a newborn session), a laminate `section' for indoor studio photos (in stroller photo), some newborn props, and....a new lens:) We ordered the 85mm f/1.8. I couldn't justify spending an additional $1000.00 for an f/1.2 so hopefully it is as good as all the reviews said! Can't wait for that package to arrive in the mail!

No idea why I'm blogging so much but I have to say that as I make my 2011 photo book, it helps to have everything recorded via the blog. That's how I remember what we did each month of the year.

Went to the TMJ specialist in Chilliwack this morning. Had my mouth splint adapted again but really, it is not hopeful. Once baby is born, he may try another manipulation with anesthetic but likely I will have this forever. Great. I know it could be worse but it is frustrating to be `falling apart' at this age (thyroid and jaw). Truthfully my life isn't much different, besides pain from chewing and having to cut my food up smaller, but I'm worried what the bone on bone will do as I age. Can't be great. Oh well, again, could be worse.

I'm loving this one on one time with Koen again. Yay for school:) Hope you are having a great start to 2012!

Love, Louise