Training Wheels

Somehow I couldn't find this photo the other day when I was looking for it.  Finally, the right child on the big bike.  Since Calvin is constantly trying to get on this bike it looks like Sarah will soon be getting a new bike..again.

Hands

David's grandma was over this afternoon (with his mom).  I've always loved old people's hands.  All the wrinkles make me think of the passing of time and make me wonder about what the hands have experienced.  How many spring rolls have those hands made, how many times has she held a child or grandchild, how many clothes has she washed and put away, how many meals served, tables wiped and people hugged.

Grandma was holding Lauren and I couldn't help but notice her wrinkled aged hands and Lauren's new little baby hands.

Training Wheels

So two days after Calvin learned how to ride his trike properly, he got on Sarah's new bike with training wheels and has now mastered that skill as well.  Way to go Calvin!

TV and Piano

Sarah thinks she's big enough to hold Lauren.  I'm not really in agreement with this, however cuddles on the floor can be ok.  What a bunch of cuties.

Lauren loves her music.

Sweetness

I just can't get enough of those eyes.  Is it just me, or does she just keep getting cuter!?!  I took these pics today just before dinner.  I love the discovery of the feel of grass between her toes.  She is changing and growing so fast!  Today she pulled herself up to standing twice, seriously, she's only 6 months!  I'm hoping it was just a fluke and won't happen again for awhile.  This girl has place to go and things to see.

Dragon Poo

We're still potty training over here.  I usually have Calvin wear his underwear for a couple of days in a row and then go to pullups for the rest of the week. I know I should just insist on the underwear, but it's so much work and so difficult when we're out or there's things going on.  I just have to get with the program and stick to  it.

Today was an underwear day and to all of our surprise...no accidents!  This little guy even did the #2 on the potty, without me making him go and forcing him to stay on.  As soon as he went, he checked it out and exclaimed, "Dragon Poo!"  Our kids are into naming their poo.  A huge one is a dragon poo, therefore Calvin was delighted.  After all my praise and excitement he got back on and said he wanted to "do another poo."  Two minutes later, it was a snake poo (you get the idea).  It's amazing how much joy we can find in poo.  I hope that one day he looks at these pics and reads what I've written and finds the amusement in it (as I do).  We're so proud of you little buddy!

Tricycle Riding

Guess who can ride his trike?  Calvin's been working at learning this skill for quite some time already.  The other day it seemed to just click and now he's off!

Blocks

The pics say it all.  I'm loving Calvin's focus as he builds his towers.  Our Moms with a Camera photography group is doing a 7 day photo a day challenge, the idea is that you're intentionally using your camera everyday for a week.  I pretty much do this anyways, but I'm trying to be more intentional in my composition, attention to backgrounds, lighting, etc.  I was really happy with these pics, not sure which one is my favourite since I like them all for different reasons.

Sweet Potatoes

This past week we started Lauren on solids.  So far it's just been rice cereal and sweet potatoes.  I can't quite figure out what she thinks of them but she seems to be a fan.  The other two kids are keen to help feed her every chance they get.  This time it was Sarah's turn to help out.  She told me that she was going to feel Lauren and I was going to take pictures. Sounded like a good idea to me.

Lauren and the Activity Centre

Loving her activity centre (and soother)!

Blowing Bubbles

I love bubbles.  There's almost something magical about them.  Yesterday in the early evening we were in the backyard blowing bubbles together (one of the happier parts of the day). 

Our Moms with a Camera challenge this past month has been the rule of thirds.  This is basically looking at a photo as a grid with 9 blocks.  The idea is that you want your subject to be in one of the columns (preferably to the side), some things I've read even say that the left is preferred since that's where our eyes naturally go.  You also want to try to get the eye closest to you to be in the cross section of the top of two of the columns.  I've been loving the experience of trying to train my eyes to think in regards to better composition while taking photos.  I like how Sarah's blowing the bubbles into the "negative space" on the photo.  These photos tell a story and capture Sarah in a moment of playfulness and wonder.  Love that!

Morning Reading

Calvin was way too cute while he was reading the other morning!

 

Lauren is 6 Months

A half a year... seriously...where has the time gone?!?  Lauren is busy, busy. She can army crawl really well, can easily lift herself to hands and knees (can fully crawl up to 2 paces).  Rolling is already a thing of the past since "crawling" is a faster method of travel. She has also started to move her bottom to one side to get into a half sitting position while she plays. 

We continue to be blessed with her lovable personality!  She is such an easy going, happy little girl. I'm not sure if it's all the new movement skills, but Lauren's been getting up after sleeping for only about 2 hours.  I have to often settle her down a few times in the evening once I've put her down.  We're looking forward to longer stretches of sleep.  In time.  Oh well, we're happy with where we're at.  Looks like it's time for a baby gate though.

Mothers Day

Yesterday we packed up the kids and headed to White Rock for the part of the day. The weather was beautiful and warm.  The kids had a great time watching people fish, looking at crabs, etc. It was overall just a great day.   On the way home we stopped at Costco and I got a bew bike. I haven't had a bike since I was an early teen.  We got a chariot trailer for the kids and just needed some bikes for ourselves.  We've been trying to think of ways to get more active and spend quality time as a family, so bike riding seems perfect!

"Reading"