and now she is 4!

Today, my beautiful daughter, is your fourth birthday. As your parents, we celebrate today all of your accomplishments over the past four years. You are no longer our little baby dependent on your mommy and daddy to carry you along. You are now an independent, funny and compassionate little girl who has accomplished so much over the past 4 years. In the last year you:

-started your first year of school
-are always there to help mommy bake in the kitchen
-can dresses yourself, including when you have to do up the buttons or zipper yourself
-have shown us your skills in gymnastics and dance
-are learning to speak French
-are always there to take care of your little brothers
-are our lucky charm when it comes to calming your brothers - you always know how to soothe Baby I when he is crying
-can write your own name as well as your brothers'
-shown us your love of singing and dancing
-can count to 10 in three different languages
-decided to swim on your own

My dear, these are only a few of your accomplishments and I can't wait to watch you achieve even more. You have a strong personality, you like to tell it how it is but you have to be one of the most compassionate human beings I have ever met. Your love for others is like no other, please don't ever lose that. You make me laugh each and every day as you are quick on your feet when it comes to making one smile.

Happy 4th Birthday my beautiful daughter.

Love,
Mom

just checking in

Hey everyone!

I wanted to quickly drop-in to say that I haven't forgot about you guys! I have been a little MIA lately but this baby is kicking my butt these days. I was 39 weeks on Tuesday and ready for this little bean to make his appearance. We have had a few false alarms (he is a trickster already!) but I am hoping he will make his big appearance any moment now.

As we await the arrival of our new family member, we have been one busy family. Still preparing for little brother and hopefully all our parcels will arrive soon to finish off the boys room. Little Miss L. has finally got this whole school schedule figured out and started gymnastics this week. Baby D is loving all the one-on-one attention he has been getting during the day when his sissy is at school. He has been using this time to count to 10 all by himself, sing the ABC's, and loves to read a million books a day.

We have celebrated a few birthdays, anniversaries, and births in the last few weeks. Here is a sneak in photos over the past week.

Loving all the cuddles these two have been giving out lately. They can't wait to cuddle their little brother.

Little Miss L. ready for her first night of gymnastics. She absolutely loved it and rocked the balance beam!

Baby D's personality is growing each and every day. This child is always full of  the giggles.

I can't believe this little man turned one! We had a great afternoon celebrating Baby C's country fair birthday party. 

the big 2-5!

As most of you have noticed, I have been slacking in the blogging department, but this momma has been exhausted. Summer has been busy and our family has been on-the-go every weekend. I am hoping things will start to slow down soon and I will be able to get you all caught up. I had to share this quick post because I still can't believe my little brother turned the big 2-5 a couple of weekends ago.

We spent the day at my parents home where we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the St.Lawrence river. The kids splashed in the water, took a boat ride, and did a little fishing and I even grabbed a few minutes to relax too! Little Miss L. and Baby D were super excited to sing happy birthday to their awesome uncle and were even more thrilled when the ice cream cake appeared.

It was a wonderful afternoon. This kid, or should I say man, is making me feel old these days. Here are some pictures from the day...

Writing Uncle Brady a birthday message.

My happy little man.

As much as I know this guy needs a haircut, I don't want to lose those curls.

Time for a little fishing.

Baby D is always talking to and hugging his little brother.

Our little girl has been making this face since she was 6 months old. 

I love this child with all my heart and I love those lashes.

Really dad, you are going to pick that up?!?!

Time to blow out the candles.

Time for cake. Using the fork lasted all of 30 seconds.

Can you tell our children love ice cream cake?!

The birthday boy with his momma and grandma.

I love these two.

All grown up!

our little turkey is 3

Dear daughter,

Today we celebrate your 3rd birthday. You have grown so much over the past year. Daddy and I are always amazed at the things you say and do. Each and every day, we wake up to a beautiful daughter who greets us with the biggest smile and hug. You are loving, kind-hearted, intelligent, free spirited, energetic, adventurous, a great big sister and down right funny. Daddy and I try our best to be the best parents to you as we can be - you make it easier each and every day when you tell us how much you love us and wrap those little arms around us as tight as you can. There are so many things we love about you, here are a few...

• The way your face lights up as you introduce your brother to others. You are so proud to be a big sister.
• The way you like to keep things clean and organized (just like mommy) The best is when you walk into a room and say "What is this mess? We need to clean it up right now!"
• The way you look at mommy and daddy when you are trouble and say " I didn't now you were there!?"
• When we ask you if something is a good idea or whether you would like something, your answer is always "sure I do."
• The way you always yell "higher, higher" when we push you on the swing. Girl, you are almost touching the clouds.
• You are the best giver of hugs. 
• The way you come up to mommy and daddy and whisper " I love you" into our ears for no particular reason.
• We love you for being the baby whisperer, as you always know if your brother needs his bottle or a change.
• You always know the perfect time to change the subject.
• You are always eager to learn. You love learning new languages.
• The way you always think of others before yourself. 

Baby girl, there are so many things that make us proud of you. In the past year, you have welcomed a little brother into your life with open arms, you have ventured out on your own and attended dance class, you are able to count into the 20's, you know your abc's, you know how to make daddy his coffee, you know how to wash your dishes on your own, you know how to hop on one foot, you know how to sing in three different languages, you are really good at asking questions and you know how to make the best chocolate chip cookies.

We love you little turkey, keep on smiling, keep your sense of humor, and never stop being the most loving little girl.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

xoxox

happy birthday!

Happy Birthday to my talented, caring, and loving husband. We hope your day is everything you wish for and more. 

Love your,

Two crazy children and your HAW

birthday boy

Our son is now a one-year-old! I still need to pinch myself to believe it. This past Friday, our son woke up to a crib full of balloons surrounded by people who love him dearly.

Over the weekend, our little boy was spoiled, and I mean SPOILED! We can not thank our family and friends enough for all the birthday wishes and celebrating with us. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful people in our son's life.

Check-in later this week to check out Baby D's nautical bash!

and now he is One!

Dear Son,

Today is your birthday. Today you are one. It truly does feel like only days ago we welcomed you into this world. I still remember the feeling of you kicking about in my belly, the moment I saw your handsome face, the moment I held you in my arms for the very first time, the moment you smiled and giggled as you looked into my eyes for the first time, your ability to roll all over the place like a champ, those chiclet teeth breaking through adding to your fabulous grin, the moment you said "momma," the countless hours we practiced crawling together, and how could I forget your very first steps.

You have accomplished so many milestones in the past year and you continue to grow into a loving, kindhearted, and handsome boy. There are so many things I love about you - I could go on forever, but here are few that make me smile on a daily basis...

• Your morning smile followed by a big hug and kisses.
• How I have to pin you down like we are in the middle of a wrestling match so I am able to change your diaper, and at the end of it you always look up at me and laugh like I am the crazy one.
• I love the way you make a slurping sound after you finish your drink.
• I love your jazz hands.
• I love how you must open every door as you pass and then slam it shut.
• I love how you attempt the hand actions when we sing "If you are happy and you know it."
• I love how you make farting sounds on my arm when I am holding you.
• I love your stubbornness, even when I am at the point I want rip my hair out. 
• I love how you tease your big sister.
• I love how I have to hold you like a sack of potatoes over my shoulder to put you to sleep.
• I love your deep down giggle as you stick out your tongue.

I could go on and on but we would be here all day. I love everything about you, every single inch of you. You, my child, make me a better person, you encourage me to do my best. You bring pure joy into our lives and each day I am thankful for that.  Always remember to be you and that is truly all I can ask for. Happy Birthday - here is to another year my baby boy!

Love you always and forever,
Mom

birthday shout out!

Sending a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout out to my awesome little brother! We hope you have a fabulous day uncle Brady :) Baby D even decided to have a crazy hair day in your honour.

1st birthday party

This past weekend was full of f's-friends, fun, and food. I love love love a good party, especially a children's birthday party! Who doesn't love balloons, games, party favours, scrumptious food, dancing, and who can forget the famous birthday cake. There is just something special about being surrounded by sugar-induced, bouncing and giggling children. Saturday, we put our party hats on in celebration of our dear friend Baby E's 1st birthday. It was a wonderful party with lots of good laughs - Little Miss L. could not stop talking about it. For the last four days, she keeps asking when Baby E is going to have another party? Happy Birthday Baby E - you are growing up so fast... here is to another fabulous year ahead.

Loved the Hello Kitty theme - cake and cookies were beyond yummy!

Love the milk for the kids - made we want to chug back a glass of the cold stuff.

Party time!

Little Miss L. was trying to sneak out of the party with these awesome balloons.

My two handsome men. Baby D was loving all the attention.

Loved the idea of the guests leaving their hand prints on canvas for Baby E to hang in her room. Great memento.

Time for cake!

Baby E thought it was quite delicious.

The party favours were a hit - the kids loved them.

Baby E's daddy is talented - he was able to make balloon animals for all the kiddies. Little Miss L. wanted to give it a try as well.

Friends for life. Little Miss L. loves her to the moon and back as she says.

Time to pin the bow on Hello Kitty.

Time for presents!

This time of our lives is special. I love getting together with all of our friends and watching our children grow up together. Memories in the making :)