Fighting for space on my lap to watch Team Umizoomi

Kira's birthday party - they were doing splatter paint

Kai was fascinated by the birds at the aquarium. He stood here for 10 minutes just staring at them.

Hanging out with Kermit

Hello Fishies!

Kira and Auntie Erin blow out candles on their birthday cake

Auntie Erin is so silly

"driving" to the airport

Happy lunchtime viewing, Erin!

Just for you, Erin --- here are some new pictures. I hope the picture of the husband doesn't make you lose your appetite though. His hair is nasty.

Anyhow, I've been trying to enjoy as much time with the kids as possible as they will be gone soon (sniff, sniff). Jon's overtime seems to have stopped, so it's been nice having the whole family together during the weekends again. It's almost a strange feeling as we seem to have gotten used to his not being around on the weekends. 

This weekend we had a lovely playdate with Wendy and her daughter Eliana. Kira and Eliana don't get to see each other nearly often enough, thanks to our chaotic schedules, but they sure know how to make the most of the time that they do have together. They had a blast running around and playing. I look forward to visiting again when Kira's back. 

Today, Jon took Kira up to Mount Seymour because Kira really, really, really wanted to build a snowman. Seeing as we don't get enough snow here we had to take her up the mountain. She had a blast with her friends and came home exhausted and soaked. It's nice that she's old enough to enjoy these things now.

Anyhow, here are some pictures for your "viewing pleasure"

As a fundraiser for his upcoming bike ride, Jon auctioned off the opportunity  for someone to cut his hair to however they wanted it to be. This turned out far worse than I ever could have imagined. It is hideous. He is not allowed out in public without a hat. I cannot wait to shave his head on March 13. 

Pouting cause I took his video game away. Classic. Also, note the "before" for the hairdo.

And the "after" - check out the new 'do! He's working on his new fave thing - buckling up safety belts.

Kira's "report card" from her final gymnastics class. She was super excited to see her own picture

Mellow time before bed. Kai gets jealous when Kira's on my lap and insists on climbing on too. 

We've been pretty busy around here the last month. Jon traveled to Australia for work and then returned only to head off to Vegas. He's back home now for the time being. The kids certainly missed him while he was gone, we managed to skype with him only one time due to the 19 hour time difference.

Kira continues to make us laugh with the innocent comments that come out of her mouth. As I was putting her in the carseat the other day I called her a silly monkey, to which she replied "Yes, I am; and you're a monkey". Hilarious. Today she was telling one of the ladies at daycare that her brother has a penis and so does Daddy. When the daycare lady asked what Kira had, Kira replied "I have a small 'gina - see?" and then whipped down her pants. That's my girl.

Kai has been fighting a few colds this month, but for now he seems to be on the road to recovery. He's starting sliding backwards down the stairs and just today figured out how to do one step down without falling. While it's not consistent, he is starting to learn some words. There have been a few instances where he's said words that we could clearly understand - like swing (while pointing at a baby swing, and this was heard by a friend too so I am not making this up!) and this weekend he said baby - while pointing at baby Enzo. I don't anticipate him talking for a while yet, but it is still exciting to see him develop into a little man.

The kids love playing with water in the sink - easy entertainment.

Kai's trying to learn how to climb up the slide....not too successful thus far

Crossing the "bridge" at the school playground - she is very excited to go to this school when she's 5

Climbing monster

Too cool to smile

Update via pictures (in no particular order...)

Kai's first time in the snow - his suit was a little large but it didn't bother him at all. He was mesmerized by the crunching sound under his feet every time he took a step.

Kai walking aimlessly around the front yard while Kira collects snow (aka "rice") in her "kitchen". Good imagination. 

Climbing up the back stairs

Today she wrote my name all by herself. I didn't even know she could write some letters, let alone write a word, so I was super impressed and proud of her that she could do this. She's posing with her work. 

Kira took this picture of Kai, thought it looked pretty cool.

Her hockey goalie snowman....with a basketball hat.

Grandpa Charlie's birthday, she sang him happy birthday and then helped him blow out the candle on his cake.

Colouring on the counter while Kai practices his climbing 

Kai loved this empty water jug and carried it around the house

posing for pictures for daddy. 

Kai loves walking behind the kitchen chairs all of a sudden. He'll walk all the way down to the corner and then out the other side, squeal with delight, and then do it all again. Hilarious.

And he's discovered his belly and belly button. He'll flash it to anyone that asks. 

Too cute.

Such a little monkey

Kira playing dress-up. She was a princess ballerina I think...Note the clip-on earrings too. Sigh. She's turned into a real girlie-girl.

Tearing apart her gifts on Christmas morning. I think she tore Kai's apart too, the whole thing was a big blur that was over before I could process what was happening. She really loves opening gifts - even if they aren't for her. 

We have been pretty busy lately with Kai's birthday party and preparing for Christmas. The kids have been a constant source of entertainment (not intentionally though I don't think) and have provided some much-needed comic relief while we are running around getting organized.

Kira decided this year to ask Santa for a "bike with pedals and 2 wheels" (she has a run bike right now with no pedals), I think Santa will deliver for her! She's very excited to see what Santa will put in her stocking and has been counting down the days until Christmas. She is much more into Christmas this year and it's fun to see her excitement and joy.

Today Kira + I had our dentist appointment. This would be her 2nd checkup, last time was ok, the dentist was only able to clean 2 of her teeth but did get most everything else done. Today she was so excited to go see the dentist that she actually started to pout and cry when she learned that Momma would be going first. She sat beside me for my entire cleaning with her lower lip quivering and her eyes damp. Hilarious. She brightened right up when the dentist took her to her own room ("with my own chair!") before I was done. The dentist managed to clean all of her teeth this time, Kira was even giggling during the process (she said it tickled). Afterwards she got a new toothbrush and toy - she was super stoked. Here she is in the dentist chair - she kept grabbing the dental assistants arm while she was cleaning her teeth.

Here are a few more pictures from various parties we've been at over the last couple of weeks. These include Daddy's company Christmas party for kids, Kai's first birthday party, and a potluck dinner with our friends and their kids. Merry Christmas everyone!

Walking around at Daddy's Christmas party - heading for the bouncy castle

He sure loved this stool

Yep, still loving it

Such a little character

Happy birthday little dude!!! It's not a party until Kai's removed a piece of clothing (he's a lot like Daddy)

Yummy cake, thanks for baking Grandma Rose

He looks a little like his cousin Isabel in this picture...

First pineapple tart!

Daddy is teaching Kira a very important lesson - all 9 members of the Wu-Tang Clan. She's got 2 so far, and somehow "Uncle Brian" made his way into the group. Well done Uncle Brian!!

Oh, this box looks like fun...

Maybe I can stand up....

Haha! Yes I can! Now how do I get down.

Kira fixing her hair while posing for the camera

Today is Kai's first birthday, naturally, he has no idea whatsoever, but we celebrated for him. After I picked the kids up from daycare we went down to Richmond and I got their hair cut, now Kai looks like a little man and Kira's hair is shorter and less likely to be eaten along with her meals. While we were in Richmond we stopped in for a visit with Santa, got a great picture of the kids (surprisingly!) which I will scan at work and try  to post next week. Kira also went for a ride on the little train and merry-go-round that they have in there. She had a blast and Kai loved running around and playing with all the new "toys" in the mall. 

Tomorrow we are having a little birthday party for Kai, I will post some pictures of the party later on. In the meantime, here are some older ones that I finally got around to uploading...

Kai LOVES sleeping with this green monkey, at any given time during the night his monkey is  under his belly or within arms reach. So cute.

Kira helped to decorate the tree this year....

....there were about 15 ornaments per branch which Kai knocked down as soon as he woke up from his nap

Jon purchased a chariot trailer for behind his bike so he can take both kids into daycare on his bike. Obviously it's too cold for this right now, but we did manage to give it a test run back in October. 

Kai heading down the slide with a little help from Mommy

looking at the wood chips and thinking it's dinner time

mmmmm, wood chips

The kids and Daddy heading off to the park

 

I love this picture! Kira loves to dance, but she'll only do it if she's in a "pretty dress". So here she is playing dress up and rocking out to the music. 

More adorable sleeping baby pictures. This purple elephant toy was reclaimed by Kira shortly after this photo was taken.

Kira loves this new swing at the park, she'll lie down and yell to go "HIGHER" and "FASTER", she's a little fearless sometimes, but she has a lot of fun.