Two in the tub

William and Kathryn often bath together because they enjoy it.  Kathryn ends up with a longer bath, which she enjoyes, because she cant use her soap while Willy is in the tub and she uses too much for me to let her use Willy's expensive (and non-rash forming) stuff.

Typically they play their own thing, but of late Willy has become interested in playing tea party with Kathryn.  I put the stool in the tub for their table and a washcloth for the table cloth and they had a blast (and the step stool got super clean too!)

Deb's journey, January 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Well, after I last updated you I had goals to get back to exercising and such... they never happened.  I spent the Christmas season enjoying sleeping in, eating yummy food and spending time with family.

I was actually scared of what the scale might say.  I could feel that my pants were tighter so I knew I'd gained weight and possibly lost muscle mass.  But I braved the scale after Christmas and was happy to see I'd only put on 3 Christmas pounds.  I got back into eating well and started exercising again and this morning I am back to a total of 20 lbs lost!  Hurrah!!

I am now back on track and looking for a 10 lb loss by my birthday, Feb 9th.  Since it is over 5 weeks away this is realistic.

The plan until then is to stay on track by 1: eating properly (focus on veggies, incorporating 1-2 dairy, 1-2 meat, 2-3 fruit daily) plus lots of water; and 2: exercising 4-5x a week.  I've decided to give myself a bit more of a break on that front because I think I pushed myself too hard and that is why I burnt out.  I'm supposed to be striving to create a lifestyle I can continue for the rest of my life and I need to keep that in mind.

Seen you in Feb!

Wheels!

Willy is really enjoying his car, a gift from G&G McLaren for Christmas! 

These pics are blurry because he's moving, but look at that joy on his face!

December 27



December 27th we really took it easy.  It was wonderful to just play with the new things and enjoy my parent's company.  I don't even think anyone got dressed until after lunch!!

Playing mouse trap with Grandpa:

 ...and with Daddy:

In the afternoon we took a nice long walk up to Eastwood park and played.  It was a really nice day and there were lots of other kids there to play with.

After supper, Shaun's parents came for a visit!

Really, is there anywhere more comfortable than Grandpa's lap?  Willy did a lot of snuggling & snoozing in Grandpa and Grampy's laps over Christmas! 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas II

My parents arrived on December 26th in the early afternoon.  They had wonderful driving weather for which I am thankful.  We spent the afternoon hanging out and playing:

 After a Christmas Ham supper and clean up,

We gathered in the living room to exchange presents:

 Mom opening her gift....

 ... a tea pot, cream and sugar bowl set!

 Dad opening his gift.....

 ...Star Trek "The Vault":

 Shaun opening his present:  model train items and gloves:

 I had wrapped my parents' gifts in two parts... here is Dad with Part II.  Interesting how the kids appeared for the Chocolate part....

 Mom with her 2nd gift:

 ... the answer to her Christmas song - A HIPPO! Guess you'll need a new song for next year Mom!

For myself I recieved some itunes gift cards, a new potato pealer and a fitness step.
Patrick got the game "mouse trap".
Kathryn recieved a barbie & sister bike - and they really peddle (they have knee joints!)
William recieved a backhoe digger and gift card for bonnie toggs.
All three kids got ornaments from Austrailia!!  And we all recieved a season's pass to Story Book Park for next year - we will get lots of use and enjoyment from that!

Merry Christmas to everyone! 

Merry Christmas 2011!

This was the first year we had issues getting the kids to get to bed so that Santa would come.  Patrick was up quite late.

But Santa managed to get to us anyway!  The kids were so excited when they saw their full stockings and Santa gifts on the couch.  They were even more excited that the Kitties had puchased them gifts AND made a treasure hunt to find them.  Such cleaver kitties. 

After following the clues they found their gifts in the bathtub of all places!  Interesting choice considering the kitties do NOT like to get wet. 

After that, we opened our stockings and then dispursed a bit to play/tidy/build.

Patrick had asked for the game Perfection from Santa and was pleased as punch to recieve it.  I helped him open it and we had a few games over breakfast.  It was super fun!  We are really going to enjoy it.

 Meanwhile, Willy was all Christmas'ed out already and watching his movie with his cup of milk (rice milk... he is still dairy-free)

 Upstairs, Shaun and Kathryn were assembling her gift from the kitties - a Barbie doll house which actually went togeter quite easily and is actually nicer inside than our house ;).  She will get YEARS of play out of this house!

 Osiris checked to ensure we hadn't missed any pieces in the barbie house box:

 After breakfast, Shaun's parents, sister Lisa and her daughter, Abby joined us for more presents fun (and junk food.... MmMMm... lots of yummy delicious and sweet things!)

Kathryn really enjoyed being the helper and passing out gifts.She even put on her "Mrs. Claus" dress.

 Willy ripping into a gift.  I was so happy to see him get into it this year.  He did peeter off quicker than the big kids and it took him until the 27th to finish opening all his things.

 Willy got a ride-on toy from Grandma and Grampy and it just couldn't get out of the box fast enough!  Here he is trying to ride it while its still in the box:

 Kathryn got this gorgeous dress from Auntie Boo & Abby:

 Snuggles with Grampy.  The youngest two wore out pretty quick. 

 Willy even fell asleep on Grampy before lunchtime (and again after dinner too!)

We had a lovely Christmas morning together and then parted ways until late afternoon when we gathered again for turkey dinner.  It was really nice to be all together and enjoy the spirit of the season with family.

The Eve of Christmas Eve

After supper, we began our Christmas celebrations!  Honestly, I wish the kids didn't have school this last week, it would have been nice to have them home helping to prepare for Christmas with me.  However, I know they had fun at school and hopefully there was some learning as well.

All three kids had a nice warm bath and put on their jammies, then we took a tour of the Christmas lights in and around Port and South.  Willy ended up having a little (much needed) snooze while we explored and then we came home to relax. 

Patrick's class built graham cracker houses over the span of 2 days this past week.  I volunteered Shaun to go the first day to help the kids assemble the frame.  The second day they decorated and then they brought them home.  I think his turned out wonderfully.

 And after this picture the kids destroyed it and enjoyed it for snack!

Willy has been having a rough go these past few days.  He's been very sad, whiney and having a hard time sleeping. 

 This was his chosent position after we returned from seeing the lights.  He was watching his current-favourite baby Einstein. 

I was hoping to get some pictures of the kids with the tree and presents and Kathryn was eager to be in them.

 Willy got up from his spot and I suggested he sit with Kathryn.  He decided to sit on her instead.

 Then Patrick joined them.

Meanwhile, Shaun was having a snuggle with our acrobatic cat.

All in all, a happy evening and a great beginning to all the Christmas fun!

Post-Vet Visit

Despite the uproar of the vet visit this morning, this is how we found our boys after lunch.



Friends

Since Isis' escape, there has been a bit of upheavel in our kitties pack-life.  Isis was the unquestioned leader with Ramses second in command.  For some reason, Anubis and Ramses have been having "words" with eachother.  We're not sure what sets them off, but Ramses always is the agressor and Anubis always appears shocked with a "what I'd do?" expression.    But at the end of the day, they are still best friends and often are found napping together. 

Cats

During rest time, Kathryn choose to snuggle on the couch and watch a movie and Anubis decided to join her....

 Meanwhile in the basement, Shaun was busy cleaning out "his"/storage room.  This is a room we don't allow the kids or the cats into, but with the door open they were exploring. 

Sirus made his way into the ceiling....

He did eventually come down on his own.

Later that night I was wrapping gifts in the basement, adjacent to this room.  We heard mew-ing and the ceiling tiles were moving.... Siris had slipped into the storage room while I was pulling out things to wrap and had made his way clear across the ceiling.  Fortunately he was smart enough to make his way back and come down without getting lost or stuck.  Crazy cat.

Haasnoot Christmas 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Haasnoot Christmas is an event we anticipate and look forward to every year.  It is generally the only time we see some of the family and everyone makes a sincere effort to be there for the event.

We took a few pictures of the kids outfits before heading out the door. 

Kathryn in her "Mrs. Claus" dress.

A happy Willy in his Christmas sweater

 The weather was fantastic!  Christmas cool and some snow,but clear roads.  We decided to take the truck so everyone could see the movie.

Watching TV

 I really like this picture of Patrick!  He's going thru a phase where he intentially makes faces in every picture.  This is a true-to-life picture of what he really looks like.  And he's happy!

Happy Patrick

Pilot

Co-Pilot in charge of pictures

 We arrived without incident.  The table was set for the big feast:

And the ladies were busy in the kitchen:

The men did their thing sharing Christmas "spirits":

In typical Willam fashion, as soon as there was food ready, he had to eat:

MmmmM Ham!

 After the delicious feast, there were lots of snuggles.

Happy in Grandma's lap

Cousins in Christmas colours

More cousin snuggles.  Love those hats!

Happy baby with mommy

Grandma Noot's big great-grandson

 Then it was time for presents!!  The girls (Abby, Tara, and Kathryn) in their Mrs. Claus' hats passed out all the gifts:

Santa's helpers

Opening his recorder

Cheese!

 Willy recieved a tractor from Karen & Leo that he tried to ride:

And couldn't figure out why we were giggling at him:

whats so funny?

 Then we all bundled up and headed outdoors.  There was much laughter when Willy appeared in his bio-hazard suit... our own little stay-puft marshmello man:

Again with the giggling... and I missed the punch line....

 There was enough snow to make it interesting, and the littlier kids enjoyed tromping around in it...

 ..and making snow angels.

There was the traditional hockey game.  This year it was girls vs. guys:

 Willy met a man with his daughter and a dog.  That was definetly the highlight of the outside adventure for him!

I fell down.  Again. 

 After we warmed up, Auntie Brenda braded Kathryn's hair.  Gorgeous!

We spent more time chatting and being together before packing up and heading home.  The moon was gorgeous and I attempted to capture its beauty: