Like Father, Like Son

Shari has permitted me to make my first "guest post" - this blog seems to be sacred amongst friends and family so I will try my best to not "sully the brand"!

In cleaning out the garage the other night, I found a set of kids golf clubs that had fallen behind some garage clutter. Aidan saw them the next morning and asked for some golf balls. I grabbed the camera and got this funny video of his first hole of the season - I was amazed how much of my golf game Aidan has already picked up (pause Shari's theme music way down at the bottom and turn your speakers up for his play by play commentary).

The duff off the first tee is a Snider tradition (we don't warm up as we would not want to waste one of our few good shots at the driving range). The first hit is typically followed by an excuse - in this case you can hear Aidan say, "that doesn't count, it was just a little one". After another duff or two, the best hit of the day will invariably go into the trees. How Aidan picked all this up so quickly from me, I'll never know - almost brings a tear to my eye knowing that I have already passed on a Snider tradition! Next week's lesson will be "the foot wedge" so he knows how to get his ball out from behind a tree "accidentally"!

a nature walk....& ride

There is nothing I love more than spending time outside. And today was no exception. I loaded up Aidan and Maelle and we spent a good part of the morning at one of our most favourite spots....creekside at Fish Creek Park. This time however was a little different. Instead of all of us hiking, we decided that Aidan could ride his bike along the trails. Needless to say he was thrilled! He did awesome! All he kept saying was "I am so ready to mountain bike now!" That's my boy!

A great place to cool off and have a snack.

(Oh...and of course throw a few rocks!)

This was Aidan's idea for a photo op!

Stopping to have a closer look at some wildflowers.

I love how interested these kids are in the great outdoors! They are starting to ask more questions and actually will stop and examine things in more detail rather than just let things pass by and go unnoticed. I am so thankful that we live in a place where there is so much nature right at our doorstep. I also love that as the seasons change there is always something new just waiting to be discovered.

Here's to a fun weekend...outside!!

Oh...yes we are managing to get packing done. We are making good progress and actually have concluded that Brent and I get twice as much done after the kids go to bed than trying to pack when they are up. Just the other day I realized that a few of my playroom boxes had been unpacked the day after I packed them up. Perhaps this area will be the last one to do! That...or I need stronger tape!!

a summer day

I know it has been a good day when....there are traces of sand and pea gravel from one end of the house to the other, the dishes are still piled in the sink from some great meals outside on the deck, the laundry is still in the same spot that it was 8 eight hours ago, and there are remnants of tiny puddles throughout my kitchen from playing in the pool. I know that these are all good things even though my to do list for tomorrow has just gotten longer, but it means that I too enjoyed a fabulous summer day outside. And even though there is a huge mess to clean up long after the kids have gone to bed, I can at least sit back and smile knowing that everyone had a fantastic day outdoors.

pass the peas please!

Well, today we hit yet another milestone with Bree and Jenna. It was all about the first day of trying our first veggie....peas! I took my chances and made up a quick puree this morning (I absolutely LOVE to make baby food...call me crazy but I do!) and have it ready to go at lunchtime. Well...let me tell ya...these girls gobbled it up, and gobbled it up fast! I couldn't believe it. Even Jenna whom I thought would send those peas right back at me, couldn't eat them fast enough. I was one proud mama!

Bree

Jenna

I think we'll venture into the world of sweet potatoes this weekend!

Oh....before I forget....here's a cute pic of the little ladies having a bit of fun together. So cool that they are starting to really enjoy each other's company!

just me......& Bree!

After a fun morning play date at a friends house, the kids were exhausted. That is...all but one. I had one little lady that just didn't feel like a nap and after many unsuccessful attempts I finally gave in. How could you not give in to such a wide grinning toe playing blue eyed babe? So...Bree and I hung out. We pulled out the camera and did a little photo shoot while the house was quiet.

But soon all good things must come to an end and the house was no longer quiet. Bree and I were joined by the noisiest members of the family.

Wait...what's this? They are all quiet! I am spared some free time to do some fast packing while the kids work on a Gruffalo puzzle book. I have no idea how Jenna can sleep with all the commotion going on around her. But...maybe she is smarter than we think!

summer's here...finally!

Welcome summer! It's about time!
We have been enjoying some hot temps these last few days and that means hanging out in the backyard and taking in some good ole' r & r. And with the hot temperatures making outdoor living that much more enjoyable....comes the cooling off factor. In this case the swimming pool and buckets. Buckets filled to the brim with chilly water that is looking for a good place to land...

....and little Aidan will do quite nicely! Always the instigator and forever a great target!

And with summer....comes the water fight. And who better to kick off a season of water battles than none other than....

...Auntie Kylie! Auntie Ky was back in full force on Friday ready and armed for battle. Armed against the impending forces of 4 and a half year old Aidan, and his now partner in crime two and a half year old Maelle. Both teams duelled it out and although their was no clear winner, everyone was full of smiles and giggles...and very, very wet!

Auntie Ky and I enjoyed a leisurely afternoon in downtown Calgary having a great lunch, doing a little shopping at Mountain Co-Op (I behaved...well sort of!), sipping some lovely Caramel Frappucino's on a patio, and cooking up a fab bbq to be enjoyed while the boys headed off to a game of tennis and a pub night. A great way to spend a summer's day! So nice having them living here!

Having a little break from all the crazy action taking place in our backyard, Maelle enjoys a yummy snack poolside.

Even Bree and Jenna got in on some summer water fun...

...although I think Miss Jenna prefers the luxury of a warm bathtub!

So as summer makes it's way slowly to us, I am looking forward to quite a few more days of summer fun outside. It seems to be a nice distraction from all of the big brown boxes that are starting to fill up the vacant corners of our house, reminding us every day that there is a larger task at hand that needs some attention. Three weeks today...we move!!

puzzled

I love watching Aidan and Maelle figure out their puzzles...and boy are they good at it!

I love watching the girl's figure out each other.

I love watching Bree figure out her new toy.

And Brent and I...well, we are currently figuring out how we are going to pack up a house in 3 and a half weeks! Our new possession date is August 7!

birthday girl

Guess who is 8 years old today?
A big Happy Birthday to DAKOTA!


She enjoyed her day with a special treat in the yard, a new toy for tossin', and a great walk with mom.

And here are a few cute pics that I just couldn't resist not posting. We had some fun with Jenna and Bree outside after dinner tonight. And, of course, I couldn't just let the evening playtime
slip by without taking a few pics!


Bree showing off those huge kissable cheeks. And believe me...those cheeks see their fair share of kisses!



It is so much fun to watch the girls learn and discover new things. Jenna has been just fascinated with this multi-coloured elephant for days!

Oh...and I couldn't resist not to share Aidan's fashion choice for today. It all started with a new pair of shoes....


....and although he knows that it's not St.Patrick's Day (or even close to St.Paddy's day) he claimed that he thought they would be "fun" and "he hadn't worn them in a while". Gotta love that independent spirit of our little Aidan.

peek-a-boo

Capturing a cute game of peek-a-boo with Bree.

so not a girly girl!

If there is one thing about Maelle, it's that she is definitely not a girly girl. She loves to get in there and get her hands (and toes) dirty perhaps more so than even Aidan. She is quite the "go-getter" and has such a competitive nature -don't know where she gets that from ;) - that it rivals even me! Gotta love it!



Such lovely gardening attire! A pretty blue "party" dress, and her "wellies"!

potty training 101

What do Strawberry Shortcake, Barbie, and colourful fish all have in common?

Yep....all of Maelle's big girl underwear. We have once again entered into the world of potty training. So far it has been 3 days, and we have had both successes and accidents. I think Maelle is going to be a little trickier to train than Aidan. But...so far it has been quite humorous to say the least. Here are a few "Maelleism's" that have had us all in stitches and I needed to get them recorded somewhere so I can look back on this one day for a good laugh. And then I figured rather than write these in her memory book, I thought that you all would enjoy a good chuckle...so here goes:

-when Maelle sits on the toilet she sings the ABC's, Itsy Bitsy Spider, or a song she made up called "I love hot dogs"

-she can look through her book about going to the potty and tell us exactly what is happening on each page

-she insists that her miniature Upsy Daisy sits with her on the toilet so that Upsy Daisy can hear her "tinkle" or "plop"

-if you ask Maelle if she needs to go to the bathroom she'll respond with arms folded across her chest, a foot stomp, and a "not yet"

-after a successful trip to the washroom, Maelle follows up her business with an "ahhhh....that's better" or "that was a big one"

-when Maelle has an accident (thankfully these have all been outside) she claims that she has "peed on her body" and "needs new shoes"

-perhaps the best moments though....when she is successful, she runs around clapping, dancing, and yelling "I did it Aidan" Very cute indeed.

Who knew potty training could be so entertaining?

Happy Canada Day!

Here's wishin' everyone a very Happy Canada Day!!