Preschool

 Eli started his first week of preschool this week.  To say he did great is an understatement. He wasn't shy, jumped right in and made himself at home.  He loves it! He's been painting a lot, I think it's his favorite station at school. When I asked him how is first day went he said " Some kids cried, but I didn't!". This is going to be a fun year.  I'm loving it too since my plan is to drop him off then head for a morning jog with Hana in the stroller.  So far, so good ;)

Cool dude walking so school

 My jogging partner enjoying a guaranteed nap in the stroller.



Happy 1st Birthday Hana

Hana turned one on Tues Sept 13th.  She has changed so much over the last year. She went from a tiny little baby who didn't let anyone hold her, change her, feed her or put her to bed except me to a social happy little girl.  She's come out of her shell so much and I'm so proud of her.  There was no way I would have imagined her enjoying a birthday party 6 months ago. Crowds and new environments were hard for her back then, but she wasn't even phased by it this weekend.

At one, she is walking more and more each day.  She says "Mom and Momma and Mommy".  Her favorite game is peekaboo.  She loves going for walks and being outside.  When she gets excited she kicks her legs super fast, we call it the frog legs.  She is quiet as a mouse most of the time.  She is such a happy girl.  She LOVES to climb the stairs and spends a lot time trying to figure out the baby gate at the bottom of the stairs so that she can bust through and climb.  She gives lots of hugs and is such a cuddler.

We had a little party on Saturday with her cousin Cassie who turned 5 and is also a September baby.   We had cake and presents first, then went over to Auburn Bay lake for the afternoon.  On her actual birthday we went our for a celebratory dinner at our favorite Chinese food resteraunt. She loved it!

The birthday girl!

Birthday cousins

Hana, Grandma and Great Grandma

More cousins!

She was mesmorized by the sparkler

This is how you do it sis.

First taste

The cake was approved :)

Asleep on the living room floor after an afternoon at the lake

Measuring Stick

I found this picture as I'm going through all our photos from this year. It was taken in June, right when Eli turned 3. Uncle Nnamdi makes a good measuring stick for Eli's growth. I wonder if they will ever be the same height? That's a tall order!

Farm visit

We were invited to one of Brent's co-worker's family farm last weekend.  It was a beautiful piece of land near Watervalley.  The owner has moved a 100 year old train station from Gleichen to his property and is restoring it as the family home.  It's quite the project but will be amazing when he's finished.  He is quite the antique collecter and hand some amazing artifacts.  We had a fabulous time there and hope to be invited back when the station is finished.

The Gleichen train station in the process of being turned into a house. It's situated on a ridge with this view:

Eli's dream come true

There is a stream running through the property (heaven!)

and a covered bridge to cross it

Boys...

Antique carriage

Happy Hana in her off road vehicle

The barn was filled with antiques

See you next time!

Makeup Artist

Eli discovered my brown eyeshadow and a makeup brush the other morning.  He really went to town and I think he had a lot of fun putting it on.  Unfortunatley, taking it off wasn't so fun for a boy who doesn't like to get his face wet.  These may be wedding slideshow photos one day...

10 months

10 months! I can't believe her first birthday is right around the corner - 8 weeks to be exact.  She's just sprouting her first tooth and is experimenting with crawling up the stairs.  She's such a happy girl and still loves her Mom the most.  That is one thing that has stayed consistent since the day she was born, I'm numero uno to her.  I don't mind one bit :)

Ultimate Trains

A few weeks ago, Eli and I checked out Ultimate Trains in Nanton.  He LOVED it!  We didn't make it past this:

There was a little train ride that he went on twice:

But he didn't even see the entire miniature train display that was outside. :

We'll have to go back but I doubt we'll get past the gigantic Thomas track again.  I think it would be a super fun place for a birthday party.  I have to remember to file that one away for later.