Signs

William is having a learning explosion, and has caught on to the signs I've taught him.  I don't use a lot of sign language, just enough to communicate some basics before talking takes over.

William now signs all done (rubbing hands together), more (hitting finger tips together), and drink (squeezing hand into a fist and release multiple times).  I'm so proud of him!

He also waves for goodbye.

He's also got quite a vocab for a 12-month-old.  He says:
Hi
Hello
Kitty
Isis
Ramses (comes out aimsies)
Mom, Ma Ma
Dad (comes out a-dad)
Up
Ni-Ni (for going to bed)

His favourite words are Hi and Kitty often used together.  He does love our kitties!

SK Celebration

On June 28th, we were invited to the school for Patrick's SK class presentation/party/celebration.  Shaun had to work, so we invited Grampy to join us.  Kathryn came too, and Willy stayed at home with a sitter (and slept the entire time! Yay Willy!) 

The kids lined up and came in and did a lovely performance of songs for us!!

There were about 6 (or more) songs, two with sign language and all of them had actions.  Patrick did an amazing job!  He sang for most of them and did the actions (and sign language!) for all of them.

After one song, we all spread out in the gym to dance together.  So much fun!! 

Grampy dancing with P&K

Dancing with P&K

Proud momma!

 Afterwards there were sweets and punch and we spent some time socializing.  We also got this nice picture of Patrick with Mrs. Yuke!!

Goderich Splash Pad

We had been planning this trip for a couple of weeks!  We were going to meet James & Abby at the splash pad for some fun and a pick nic. 

Unfortunately, James got sick!!  Boo asked if I would come anyway and take Abby to the splash pad so James could rest.  The thought of 4 kids running around a large park with just me to supervise was.... intimidating!!  I asked my friend, Adrienne, to join us and she was able.  She quickly got herself ready and was at my house in less than an hour. 

We had a GREAT time.  All 4 kids were excellently behaved.  The park was very busy with about 100 kids there in two different goups.  They seemed to take turns in the water park part and having snack/lunch so it was a lot calmer than it could have been.

All 4 kids loved the water sprays!



William was right in there with them too, occasionally getting sprayed in the face by a surprise jet of water.

I have more pictures than this but blogger is being annoying so thats all I can post!

Story Book Park!!!!

For Christmas, my parents got us a seasons pass to Story Book Park in Owen Sound.  The kids just love coming here!  We generally stay half the day, because they get tired, so a seasons' pass is perfect for us.

I took a lot of pictures because I don't plan to take the camera again.  I may when we go to the water park part though, but generally, one round of pictures a year is enough. 

We arrived right when it opened but before the rides were going. Our first stop was the animals.  The deer make this whine noise that completely freaked out William.  We did stay long enough to feed them before moving on.

Next stop was was the Monkies.  W enjoyed these more.  P&K just love feeding the animals and watching them run around and play.

William liked watching the monkies play too!

Then we checked out these animals.  We liked them so much we took them home with us!

We stopped to play at one of the parks before moving on to the rides.

First ride is traditionally the merry-go-round.  The kids really love the vehicles.  I'm surprised they sat together as they generally don't!

Next up was the kid's ferris wheel.  They had been talking about this one for a long time and were super excited to get to ride:

Onward to the boats!

William was getting restless in his stroller so we took him out for a bit

Then we went over to the other side of the park where the bigger rides are.  Patrick is now tall enough to ride alone!  We went on the spinning berries first (no pics) and then this wind surfer ride.  I rode with KJ. 

We also went on the Whip-Lash ride but no pictures.

Then Shaun took them on the big ferris wheel while W and I played in the park:

 Getting loaded:

 Flying high in the trees:

 W hanging out in a swing and watching the ferris wheel go around:

After we all played in the park.  W especially enjoyed crawling around the tunnels with his brother and sister:

The kids think the expression on his face here is hillarious.  Its kind of a "whaaaaa?" look. 

 Our little Kitty and Mousie:

 Two brave firefighters:

 Sitting in one of the little houses:

Everyone was hungry at this point and we stopped to have lunch.  We packed a good pick nic lunch but also got some fries for fun:

 After, the big kids went to play and Kathrn spotted a chipmunk under W's stroller!  He found a nice cracker and then climbed onto this rock to eat it:

 W was blisfully unaware:

 And this is where KJ was when she spied the chippy:

We went on a few more rides and had a few more slides before packing up and heading home.  A great first trip to Story Book Park and we are looking forward to going back!  The kids are especially excited about trying out the water park as the wading pool was upgraded with waterfalls, fountains and buckets that fill with water and spill on your head. 

A visit from Uncle John and Aunt Valerie

The morning of June 24th the kids had professional pictures done @ Sears.  Mainly this was for William's 1-year photos but we did get some awesome pictures of all 3 kids.  They're not ready to pick up till Mid-July so stay tuned as I will post photos of the photos (my scanner and I don't get along so thats the best its gonna get!). 

In the afternoon, my Uncle John and Aunt Valerie came for a visit.  We hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving when William was only 4ish months old. 

They came with muffins which all three kids enjoyed.  Uncle John played chess with Patrick and Money Bingo and read countless books to Kathryn.  William enjoyed having extra people to climb and didn't make any sort of 'strange' which was awesome! 

Some pictures were taken. These are my favourites!!!  Unfortunately there are none at all of Aunt Valerie.  Next time we will get some.  

Walkin'

William is well on his way to walking.  He has been cruising around furnature for a long time now and is starting to take individual steps (5 unassisted yesterday!).  He loves to push things around to walk... anything really... toys, his highchair, step stools, chairs.  He's quick with the wheely walker but I wanted to share him walking with it. 

I'm sure it won't be too long before I'm posting a video of him walking independently!!

William Lovin' Isis

Too cute not to share!  William just loves our kitties.  They're not particularly fond of his affections, but Isis & Ramses do a good job of tollerating it.  Sometimes Isis will even come to William fo some hugs!

Took this video to show you just how good Isis is with William's affections.  Enjoy!

Happy Father's Day (part II)

Shaun's parents invited us for a BBQ to celebrate Father's Day.  We went over early so the kids could play outside and we could chat. 

The kids had fun blowing bubbles:

 And playing in the sprinkler:

 W is very busy these days and had fun playing in the grass, trying to climb into the flower beds and crawl up and across the deck. 

 He also was very brave and enjoyed the sprinkler!  He wasn't too sure at first, but he kept going back for more!

We had a delicious BBQ supper and then Shaun and his Dad went to see a movie together. 

Happy Father's Day Shaun!!!

Happy Father's Day to my awesome hubby and father to my kiddos! 

It wasn't entirely intentional, but we did celebrate Father's Day early on Saturday.  After lunch, I took Shaun for his surprise - a pedicure!  I think he enjoyed it as it did help a lot with the dead/dry skin on his feet.

When we got back, the kids were itching to give him their gift.  So we did!

It is a Super Donut Factory and they decided to try it out right away.

After washing all the pieces, they put it together:

 Here it is assembled:

 This is how William "helped":

Filling the donut mold with the batter:

 MMmM... freshly "baked" donuts... slightly overfilled!

 Next came the icing:

 Yum!  Chocolate donuts with strawberry icing!

William's First Birthday

William's first birthday was celebrated very low-key with family.  A made a multi-coloured, multi-tier cake - a first for me.  I think it turned out nicely.

William was sleeping with the guests arrived and was a bit overwhelmed to see everyone at first.  It didn't take him long to become comfortable and play.  

A nice picture I snapped of Auntie Boo and Grandma Dorothy:

 Grandpa and Grampy chatting on the couch:

 Lunch was BBQ Burgers & Dogs, veggies and chips!  Perfect fare for a dreary cold and rainy day. 

 After lunch we opened gifts!  William was very into it at first but got distracted easily.

 Fortunately he had lots of helpers!

 He was getting sleepy at this point:

 But we woke him up enough to sing and have cake!

 He really wasn't sure what to make of the cake.  Kathryn blew out the candle for him:

 Exploring the cake.  What the heck is this stuff, Mom?

 Cautiously trying some:

 As you can see, he liked it.  A lot.:

"Saving" some for later in his hair.  Actually it cleaned up pretty easily!

After he was done we cleaned him up and he had a nap!

A very nice, low-key first birthday for a special little guy.

William now has 7 teeth, weighs 22 lbs and is 30 inches long.  Happy Birthday Sweetie!