terribly short

A little life was lost after a very short life, and his death has made made many many people so sad. Baby Elias, we will remember you.
When my hydrangea blooms, I will think of you.

fun in the sun

The boys and I are in kelowna this week and having fun. We've been swimming lots and at playgrounds, in the lake, riding the gator, eating yummy food and generally having a nice break. Elliott loves it here and loves his bumpa and nama and finn is warming up. Pretty nice here, eh?

bike trailer

First ride all together in the trailer around the park. Finn will do anything if he's doing it with Elliott.

we love daddy

The boys and I are in kelowna this week. When we left this morning Elliott was SO SAD to say good bye to glen - you'd think I was taking him away forever. But before that meltdown I took this cute photo on our steps:

First Steps!

Finn took his first steps this afternoon in front of Elliott and I. F was so proud of himself and E and I were so excited. I don't have a walking picture but this is finn practicing his standing earlier in the day.

heat wave

EJ has the best jumps into the kiddie pool. So hot in our backyard yesterday. Even our adult neighbors were in that pool at some point.

happy birthday canada!

Elliott is ridiculously patriotic. In preparation for Canada day he insisted on learning all the words to the anthem, bought Canada a plant for a present and was obsessed with getting a flag to wave. We had fun up at Sun Peaks. It was 7 degrees cooler than here!  

Theatre for children

We were just down at the water park and caught a park performance of the summer theatre students. Elliott loved it and has asked to go again. This slightly puzzles me because I took him to the pantomime and we left after 10 minutes because he didn't like it at all. Maybe older? Not so dark? Better storyline?  Finn liked this one too.

walking finn

Elliott has taken up a new big brother role- "walking finn". He helps finn stand up and then leads him around the house by the hands. It makes me so happy.

riverside

An amazing park close to our house was literally empty this afternoon. A little drizzle and dark clouds but it didn't keep us out. We need some outside time everyday or my head melts a little. This photo is super awesome. Finn eating bark mulch and Elliott mastered the hanging slidey thing.

going good

Finn seems so happy to have Elliott at home. They entertain each other well. Although Elliott did ask me when finn will be able to play with him :(   Finn laughs at Elliott and gets so excited to see Elliott running and being silly.

the mall

We went to the mall today as part of my rainy day plan. We spent $.25 and we actually had fun. The boys loved this little cart and then went it a few rides together. I noticed I wasn't the only mom there at 9:30am who wasn't shopping!

rainy day

It rained all day in kamloops - enough that we had a rainfall warning. I learned that it is not easy to release Elliott's physical energy indoors, and keep Finn entertained. What am I going to do tomorrow?
We have a decent Children's museum and spent the morning there. Finn rests his head on any carpet anywhere... we don't have any and I think he feels the deficiency. And Elliott loved dressing up in "old fashioned" clothes.

at the lake

We had a fun day yesterday in celebration of father's day and elliott's birthday. But I only got photo's of finn- enjoying the beach very much. Elliott swam in the lake for an hour! And caught a frog with his new 'friends'.  We are going on a beach holiday this summer and I know the boys are going to LOVE it! 

elliott is 5!

Our eldest is even taller today:) it has been a big week for Elliott with daycare finishing, his birthday party, and actual birthday today (coupled with fathers day. Actually it has been a big week for mommy). But he has loved every minute and not gotten overwhelmed once! Looking back he has grown up so much this year, and many qualities that I worried over are now gone. I guess he is moving into a new phase of childhood.

Drummer Dave rockin in the backyard with the kids.  very fun.  Elliott's pick.

our first graduation

Elliott had his daycare grad today that was very cute. All day he was looking forward to his 'grad' and then after he said "that's it! It was so short!".  Out of 8 kids 2 couldn't participate for tears and 2 didn't  because... well they are 4.
Both boys wore their 'handsome shirts.'. Not that they need those.

                   

last day...

Elliott's class came for playtime today at our house. As the left, I had to listen to Elliott cry all the way down the block. This captures perfectly elliott's entire years of drop-off's for me.
Elliott has an awesome teacher and she has invited us for any playtime at daycare this summer!

mist

Elliott loves playing with our hose- which is a great activity on hot kamloops days. Too bad we have water meters now... ;) he especially likes the mist setting. And jet because he can literally spray across the alley and into our neighbors yard.

finn is 1!

It happened! My baby is a toddler... Elliott tells me to stop feeling sad about it. looking back, the year is very blurry and still a little painful. But I am forever glad we have Finn in our family and Elliott has a brother. Finn was sick today, but I caught a few pictures on my camera. None with a cake because he refuses to eat cake.

the Y

There is a Y 4 blocks from our house and today was healthy kids days. So we rode our bikes down, met some friends and the kids had a great time on bouncy castles and playing games and having snacks. It did pour while we were there but was sunny again for the ride home.