Birthday Party - Part 5 - Presents!

We did things a little backwards next. Instead of cake, we decided to do presents first. (Our ice-cream cake needed a few more minutes to thaw out!)

Before we got into the chaos of ripping open gifts, we got all the kids to pose on the couch. These are the best shots we could get with the rowdy crew.







We decided to do a kitchen theme for her gifts. So everyone got her food items from the Melissa & Doug collection. Gee....I wonder what Mommy and Daddy got her?

Here is Isaac helping his little sister with the presents.

Claire checking out her new cookie set.

A better look at the cookie set.

She also got an apple pie, pizza, cupcake, birthday cake, ice cream, sandwich, and cutting food set and pots and pans and serving spoons. Awesome!!! Now all she needs is her own kitchen...hint, hint.

One of my favourites was a collage made by Auntie Soupy and Mya. Isn`t it pretty!

Next it`s birthday cake time!

Birthday Party - Part 4 - Dinner Time

With all that fun, they sure did work up an appetite! It was a bit chilly out so we moved the picnic table inside for the kids. Here they are chowing down. I love that Isaac is at the table with them. What a great big brother!

Claire showing a serious pose...I don't think she appreciated being photographed while she ate.

Adam enjoying his corn on the cob.

And with the kids set the grown ups got to sit down and have a bite too.

Grandpa enjoying his Korean BBQ style ribs.

He definitely worked for his food with all the bubble blowing!

Birthday Party - Part 3 - Bubble Fun

The kids then took a break from the bouncy castle to enjoy some bubble blowing time. Anthony's parents bought these great bubble sticks that made HUGE bubbles. The kids loved this too.

Grandpa showing them how it's done.

Lots of bubbles.

Lots and lots of bubbles.

Lots and lots and lots of bubbles. Look at them go!

Isaac making bubbles.

Thaiana and Mya trying it out.

Claire watching Grandpa in awe.

Claire giving it a try herself. You can see the little bubbles she made.

You'll see those little lungs of hers in action again at cake time!

Birthday Party - Part 2 - Bouncy Castle

"Muncle Marc", Auntie Joanne, cousins Ryan and Adam were nice enough to let us borrow the bouncy castle for the afternoon. This was a BIG HIT with all the kids....even an almost 12 year old Isaac. He was "supervising" the little ones.

A view from the back.

A view of the front.

A view on the inside.

Isaac "supervising" on the inside.

Slide action pictures.





Little Adam.

Birthday girl all smiles.

A much needed water break for Ryan and Claire.

They were having so much fun. What's next now?

Birthday Party - Part 1 - Party Prep

We celebrated Claire's 2nd birthday a few days earlier with the family. Anthony's family were nice to host it at their place. There are lots of pictures so I'll post these in stages. Here are some photos of us preparing for the party.

Grandpa pouring the cupcake mix into ice cream cones for baking. This was the coolest thing ever!

Cupcakes out of the oven. They spilled over a bit, but that was fine. It gave us little bits to snack on throughout the day. You'll see a final picture of the cupcakes later on.

A photo of all my pots and pans that we brought over to do the cooking. We litterally brought everything but the kitchen sink. We made Thai food which made Anthony's parents very excited.

Here I am preparing the spring roll mix. Anthony's mom helped me roll the spring rolls.

And the birthday girl awake after an almost 3 hour nap! She was ready for her party. When I picked her up from daycare yesterday she had told her teachers that she was having a party at Grandma and Grandpa's house on the weekend. She was soo proud.

As everyone started to arrive, I got to frying the spring rolls. We did this outside in the back yard.

Don't they look yummy! And yes, my baby bump is HUGE!

Mackenzie Glen Splash Pad & Playground

We wanted to make the most out of our holiday Monday so we took the kids to a really cool park. Isaac went here with his day camp and had a great time so we thought we would try it out. Here is Claire at home ready to go with all her swim gear on.

Arriving at the park. It was really, really nice.

Isaac and Claire warming up to the water.

Claire fully enjoying the water. She can barely see her hat is so soaked.

Isaac shooting the water guns.

After some water play, they took to the playground to dry off.

Isaac tipping the boat.

Both on the slide.

Claire in the piggy.

Flipping over on the bars.

Ofcourse Claire had to try too. Here is Isaac giving her a boost.

Coming down the tunnel.

It was a great morning. We'll definitely go back again!

How is a Girl to Choose?

Tomorrow we are taking Claire to take her 2 year photos. Now we all know how much of a tom boy Claire is...but I would REALLY, REALLY, like to get her in a dress for her pictures tomorrow. She's got so many cute dresses that were bought for her and they've never been worn. So I wondered, how could I out-smart her and get her to cooperate? Well, I asked her if she wanted to play "dress-up" and this seemed to get her attention. I told her we had to dress-up and pick a special dress for her pictures tomorrow. I was getting her to buy-in, and then to seal the deal, I said we'll be giving these photos away at her birthday party (which she is SUPER EXCITED about) and we'll be giving pictures to Grandma and Grandpa. Well, the minute I said Grandpa, she snapped her head around and ran for the dresses to try on. Seriously I have no idea what magic spell he puts on these grandkids! Anyway, it worked and she was cooperative and even smiled at the photos when I said "say cheese". It was sooo fun! I told her she would have to pick one to wear tomorrow for her pictures and she did just that! I totally agree with her choice, but first...lets take a look at the options.

Dress #1 - a pink cotton stripe dress detailed with white stripes, ruffles and pink rosette. It has crinoline underneath so it's nice and flowy. She enjoyed shaking her hips.

Dress #2 - a yellow cotton dress detailed with large white daisies.

Dress #3 - another pink cotton dress with polka dot and plaid bows and trim. This dress also had crinoline underneath.

Dress #4 - another yellow cotton dress with mini embroidered flowers.

Dress #5 - a more casual dress, a yellow and pink cotton hawaiian print.

How could I pick? They were all so cute! My mom bought dresses #1,3 & 4 and the others were hand-me downs from my neices. I left the decision up to Claire and she picked this one:

I would have totally picked this one! I swear I did not sway her at all...honest to god! I just hope she is this cooperative tomorrow when we go. You'll all see the results soon!

Canada Day at TFC

Anthony and Isaac enjoyed Canada Day at the Toronto FC game (thanks Joanne for the tickets!). It was an exciting game and they had a great time. Some pictures from the game.

Great seats! Check out the view.

The boys.