Belated Big-girl Birthday!

In what has become a delightful tradition, we had a great birthday bash for Miss Evelyn up at the cottage. What a lucky kid, to be born on a holiday! Lots of friends and family joined us for swimming, bbq, and sunshine. The big 4 year old girl had a great time. 

Such a cutie!

How did Auntie Peeps know just what colour cupcakes to make?

Three stooges at lunch

Who, me?  FOUR?!!

Sir Sammy testing the breeze with a spinny pinwheel!!

Best seats on the lake for the Canada Day Fireworks

Every year the fireworks seem better and better!

And, the most beloved birthday guest of all... Kizzy!

I suppose a time will come when Evy won't want to be at the cottage anymore for her birthday!  Shortly followed by a time when she WILL want to be there, as long as she's up there with her 20 closest friends and a keg of beer and her parents are 40 miles away!  So, we shall enjoy these years while they are here. 

I see such a change in her in the past year.  She is definitely not a toddler and her baby face is turning into that of a sweet beautiful little girl.  She's saucy and bossy and so so so funny.  Lately she's been saying, "Oh mah gawd" about stuff, which just cracks me up.  I guess she gets the valleygirl-speak from me?  Though I swear I don't sound like that!

So a happy (belated) birthday to my beautiful big girl!  You delight, infuriate, and amaze us and fill our house with love and laughter.  Thank you.

Uncle Benny!

Little Uncle Benny is now the ripe old age of 35. OLD MAN! (I enjoy these few months where there is only 1 year between our ages.  He's just soooooo old!)

We had the pleasure of celebrating with them on Saturday and got to enjoy their beautiful backyard and the new climber! The kids had a blast and we can't wait to get back there once they've opened up the pool (ahem, hint hint). 

Henry is pretty sure he's ready for a trike

Not sure the swing is intended for this use ...

... but they sure did have a hoot!

The crazy cousins

Lee and Granny B find some shade

Auntie Kristin and her beautiful belly deliver the cake

Jack and Daddy admire the cake

Luckily the old man had some help blowing the candles out

What a lovely day!  And we can't wait to be back for more visits, especially after the new baby makes its appearance some time next month!  Woot woot!

The year in review

I'm a bit delayed in properly reflecting on the fact that the wee man is now 1 year old. 

Everyone says you should cherish these years because they go by so quickly. I'll have to agree. You would think that endless sleep deprivation and various other forms of torture such as intermittent shrieking and being subjected to a barrage of crap, piss and vomit would make it seem like an eternity. But alas, it has passed in the blink of an eye. 

Am I being sentimental? Absolutely. Is it because he slept until 9am this morning? You'd better freakin' believe it. 

Without further ado, here's a glimpse of the evolving man over the past 12 months. 

April 1 2011

May

June

July

August

September - first Pablum!

October - squeaky mouse

November - getting chilly out there

December

January

February

March

April 2012

Isn't it amazing how much he has changed? And indeed, he's gained 16 lbs this year, and has gone from a tiny little man to a big strapping lad who was launching himself off the couch cushions today. Not long left of babydom I suppose. Sigh. Oh well, at least one thing has stayed the same.... his jaunty elf ears! (Now with ears that perky, why can't he hear me when I tell him not to eat rocks? A mystery for the ages!). 

Thank you, Henry, for bringing an astounding amount of joy to everyone you meet, you unruly adorable endearing and infuriating beautiful little man. 

Love forever, 

your mommy. 

p.s. just kidding about your ears, they're totes adorbs

Fun footage

Check out this most amusing video of Henry's cake and cupcake bonanza.  Thanks to Kirk, cinematographer extraordinaire for capturing this moment! 

Henry vs. the cupcake

April Fool!

Sorry for the somewhat delayed update.  Things have been busy in Millbrook and I've been doing lots of freelance work which is great for the pocketbook, but not so good for the frequency of blog updates!  But, the most exciting thing that happened since my last post was that a certain special someone had his first birthday!

Someone likes chocolate!  He ate a cupcake in 2 seconds flat.

Look at that little face!  Isn't that what a kid's 1st Birthday photo is supposed to look like?  Can you even believe that he's already 1?!

We had a great party for the little man, and because he's such an April Fool, the day was full of shenanigans.  The food included mud pies and fish & chips.  

I also made jello in glasses with straws in them so the kids though it was juice (hilaaaaaairious!) and there were whoopie cushions, and lots of 'kick me' signs to stick on peoples backs. Ahhh, good pranks = good fun. And if you ever want to keep a pack of children entertained for hours, go with the whoopie cushion. Fart noises never get boring, apparently. 

Some of the esteemed guests

King Henry quite enjoyed himself and wasn't above giving himself a round of applause, in the spirit of celebration. 

Yes, I'm fabulous!

Aside from a minor cake malfunction due to some overzealous glazing, all went well there, even with Henry trying to sample the wares.  Evy was a big help in spraying the top of the cake with saliva when blowing the candle out. 

Looks yummy, mummy!

And, despite there being a 'no present' rule, Henry got lots of loot, including this fancy new tool belt from Rob.  Never too early to get him out in the shop, eh Daddy?

Handy little man

I now have a full year to figure out some new pranks for next year's party. Mud pies with real mud perhaps?  A dynamite stick for a candle?  Or possibly forgetting to send out the invitations and having a quiet day at home!  I guess we'll find out in April 2013!  

Happy Birthday little Hen!

A belated post...

.. to celebrate July 1st!

It was many things - Canada Day, of course. But also:

The 3-month 'birthday' of the little (not-so-little) man




And the 3rd birthday of this beautiful, amazing, hilarious (and YES, finally toilet trained - if you count occasionally crapping outside like a dog 'trained') wonderful girl


More updates to come as I sort through the bajillion pictures on my camera... stay tuned!