Happy Halloween!

We're the spookiest family on our block this year. Hands down. (The kids helped with this photoshop project and had WAAAAAAY too much fun...)

Pump Track Party!

We've discovered a "pump track" in Gatineau Park and it's a load of fun for the whole family!  On Thanksgiving weekend, Mara took a rest while I took Zella and Max up with a couple friends from across the street, and Paddy of course!  Video editing has also become my new obsession and my second job.   I think it was about 1 hour of editing for each 5 seconds of video. George Lucas, eat your heart out.  (Full credit goes to the kids for the choice of sound track).

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving weekend for us was quiet this year, I finished chemo on the Friday before. So lots to be thankful for but at the same time lots to stay quiet and close to home for too. Saturday morning we managed a hike, which I was very proud to be able to accomplish. The two photos above show the kids wandering across a beaver pond bridge and then the larger landscape photo shows the area where we had snacks and slept in the sun while the kids played.

On the way out of the hiking area Paddy managed to find a porcupine and in defence of his family attacked it. Nose full of quills he returned to us triumphant. And stupid. He's done this 4 times this year!

Fall

The first shot is Zella and her new teacher Madame Sylvie, Zella is very happy and adjusting to grade two really well. Lots of homework! I can't believe how much really.

The second shot is Zella in the schoolyard showing me where she and Jacob have built a bird nest for the local bird population over the winter. She and Jake have been working on it every day for the last two weeks of recesses. It's a bit of an obsession really.:)

And the final shot is the last of our nasturtiums with the Fall sun shining through them.

I miss it.

I miss my hair. Cancer sucks. This is supposed to be a blog about the kids growing up, but I miss my hair and I'm trying so very hard not to let my cancer affect their little lives. I hope I am doing a good job.

Fashionista playmates

So another Pizza and Wine Friday night at Peter and Kim's tonight. The usual routine for these evenings means lots of fun adult conversation with wine and nibblies and then pizza delivered to the front door. What makes the evening totally relaxing for all of us is the division of kids and adults. As soon as we arrive there, as was the case tonight, or if they arrive at our house, as will be the case next time, the kids take off and entertain themselves for the ENTIRE time.
Tonight the kids managed to create a fort in the DARK backyard, put on dress up clothes, apply make-up and rationalize to us the need for them to have double servings of brownies for dessert. Yes, Hannah is wearing my $700 chemo wig. It looks better on her.

Dancing with the Stars

Dancing is always big in our house. This week I downloaded some new stuff from iTunes, mostly Katy Perry. Anyhoo, the kids have been dancing up a storm, complete with costume changes. Max is a fierce dancer, as evidenced by his shot above. The entire time he dances he looks like he's about to set off to war. Although hopefully not in that outfit. Which, yes, is an off the shoulder (waaaaaay off the shoulder) spaghetti strap silk dress. Zella is an elegant and powerful dancer. Her body is made for dancing. I could watch her dance for hours. Max uses up most of his dancing energy in the first 6 minutes and then settles in to watch Zella complete the show.