Two weeks ago we decided to go see Santa at our local mall. We’ve never attempted this milestone-moment before so we thought it would be a fun thing to do this year.

Who doesn’t like looking at photos of themselves sitting on Santa’s knee as a kid?

Santa’s ‘house’ was decorated in a very bright and non-traditional way. Not my personal favorite but the kids loved waiting in line looking at all the bright and exaggerated decorations. After waiting patiently for our turn we placed Claire & Rhys on Santa’s knees. We stood next to them so it wasn’t too terrifying and they ended up being quite brave and only cried a little.

I imagine it would be really scary as a little kid to have an older gentlemen with a great white big beard in a red suit asking you what you want for Christmas. Especially, when a. you don’t know what Christmas is and b. why are you sitting on his knee?

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Claire & Rhys will be turning two in December. Wow! Where does the time go?

I have now been back to work for one year and Jimmy has been a stay-at-home parent for one year. Needless to say it has been a very fun and exciting year for us but also very hard at times. Toddlers are a lot of work and require a lot of patience and guidance. We are so happy we were able to make the sacrifices that allowed Jimmy to stay at home with Claire & Rhys. It has been good for all of us.

Like most siblings Claire & Rhys are the best of friends at times and the worst of friends other times. Rhys is quite a comedian and makes his sister laugh a huge belly style laugh that is so awesome! They are very tender with each other.  They hug and kiss and snuggle up for story time together.

Jimmy has captured some really nice moments on video of Claire & Rhys together. Here are a few highlights:

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In-between neighborhood adventures Dad briefly let his gaze catch the seasonal leaves that adorn the fleeting fall change…

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I inherited this nice sewing box when my Mom passed away. It’s nearing the one year anniversary since she left us. Lots of feelings right now.

To say that I think of her often is a true understatement. She’s ever-present. Being an at-home parent now, like she was, certainly affords me time to reflect upon her Mothering days.

This sewing box is special to me because I remember sifting-through it and sorting it for her since an early age. While I do consider her as more of a knitter, she still found time to stitch and hem too. She was quite skilled in both realms.

This said, when it came time for Dee and I to utilize some of the needles and thread inside I couldn’t help but feel Mom’s presence. I know for a fact that she would’ve loved to see our two little owls run about and she’d think the labor-of-love was pretty neat.

Love you a whole bunchie-onechies Mom.
– Jimmy

We decided a few months ago to make Claire & Rhys’ Hallowe’en costumes this year just to try it out and get creative…. it was so much work!

The kids really liked wearing the costumes though and it felt really good to make them together (Jimmy & I) with some wine of course! in the evenings leading up to the Hallowe’en weekend. Jimmy made the masks and I made the wings and bodies – a great team effort.

We had two parties to go to and Claire & Rhys’ very first trick or treating adventure:

• We had the multiples group party on Saturday which was at a local community centre. They both ran about in their costumes for 1.5 hours and had great fun.
• The next day we had a party in our building with all the other parents and kids who live here which was also very fun.
• On Hallowe’en night we drove up to Faye & Niels cul-de-sac and went trick or treating along with their neighbors. They live in such a great spot with so many friendly families and young kids. It was a nice place to start off Claire & Rhys trick or treating adventure.

Claire & Rhys were really excited to follow the older kids around and say ‘trick or treat’ and have candy put into their bags. It was difficult to get them back in the van and go home for bedtime. It was a cold night but we had a great time and are already looking forward to Hallowe’en next year!

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Rhys saying woo-woo:

Claire & Rhys looking at photos of themselves:

Multiples Group Hallowe’en party (Claire loved the baby stroller):

Adventurous Rhys:

Rhys taking a reading break:

Successful completion of our 1st Hallowe’en event. Jimmy with his little owlets:

On our way out to go ‘trick or treating’:

Excited little owlets running to their first ‘trick or treat’ house:

Very first trick or treat:

Rhys was a bit chilly perched in a tree (He was safe! – I was right next to him)

Trick or treat frenzy at Jordan & Dustin’s house! Note the toothbrush – Jordan is an Orthodontist

Spooky skeleton:

Having a blast!

It’s cold! Time to go home:

Back when the weather was balmy and the kids didn’t need three + layers to stay warm…they sure loved going down the slide at the park all by themselves!

As evidenced by their giant happy smiles….aren’t they growing up so quick!?!

 

 

 

This past Saturday we made plans with some friends to meet up at a local pumpkin patch…… local  being a pumpkin patch that was about an hour away from our home.

Claire & Rhys aren’t really into leaving the house early in the morning especially to drive in the van. The drive out was a bit hectic with keeping a close eye on Claire as she gets car sick and keeping them both distracted from their obvious dislike of our journey. Once we made it to the farm all our spirits were raised and I was so happy and excited to go for a hay ride.

We got geared up with gum boots and warm clothes….it was very cold at 9:30am in the morning. It was spooky too with all the mist in the air. We walked to the front gate and found it closed…I was curious why the parking lot was empty! The pumpkin patch didn’t open until 10am. All was okay though because there was a petting farm at the front gates so we walked around and said hello to the chickens and cows. Rhys was running around squeaking in happiness. He likes making chicken noises

We finally made it in and quickly got on the very first hay ride of the day. They had live music on each hay ride as we were led out to the pumpkin fields. The fields were so muddy but very fun. We let Claire & Rhys wander around aimlessly. The ground was uneven but soft so Rhys was tripping and falling everywhere into the mud. It was so funny! and he was a good sport about it…. he would jump right up and keep going.  He wasn’t hurt in anyway. Just covered in mud but that is the best when you are little.

Claire & Rhys selected two small pumpkins to bring home. One of which Claire insisted on carrying by herself in a large plastic bag. The bag was as big as her! We heard from our friends that they were outside the front gates in a very long line-up waiting to get in. We were all starting to get cold so we hopped on another hay ride back to the main stage area singing old ‘McDonald farm’. They had some fresh apples waiting for us as we departed the hay ride and we waited for our friends with Claire & Rhys sitting on hay stacks eating their mini apples.

We had a brief visit with our friends who finally got through the crowds then we had to get back home for lunch and nap time.

A great Saturday morning

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Jimmy captured some more B&W pics of Claire & Rhys: