Sixfoot Bay Resort

The boys went on a weekend getaway to Sixfoot Bay Resort with Isaac's soccer team as a last hooray as the summer soccer season winded down. There was lots to do like fishing, tubing and swimming. Some photos:

Photos of the grounds.




Isaac and his brother getting ready for fishing.

Watching coach clean the fish they caught for dinner.


A great time was had by all!

James Gardens

I took Claire and Thaiana to James Gardens today. I haven't been there in awhile but I knew it would be the perfect place for Claire to do some safe wandering. The minute we got on the grounds I put her down and she was off! She loves being able to walk on her own. She does not like to hold hands!

We also brought her baby stroller and the girls took turns pushing it around. Here's Thaiana first.

And then Claire's turn.

We stopped by the pond to see the ducks. This was Claire's favourite part! She said duck.....seriously....or something really, really close to that.

I also got some nice shots of Claire in front of the flowers. The grounds are so nice I couldn't resist.

Lastly, we stopped for a little picnic under the tree before we headed home.

Getting Ready for Daycare

Claire will be starting daycare full-time Sept 8th. I took her to Yorkdale today to pick up a backpack and lunch bag that we saw a few weeks ago in Baby Gap. Luckily, we got the very last one! It's a butterfly backpack with a flower lunch bag - how perfect! Some photos of her with her gear:



She's growing up too quickly!

Family Pictures

When Claire was born Anthony's co-workers got us a gift certificate to have our pictures taken with a photographer. We finally went to do these today. The photographer recommended a lovely park near the lake in Oakville. Hopefully the great scenery will focus your eyes away from our uncooperative daughter. Just a sample of her outakes:





Even though she had a bit of the fussies, the photographer was able to get some really nice shots. Example:

Don't worry grandparents! They'll be coming to everyone soon!

Cousins

We got to spend the day at the waterpark in Niagra falls with Joanne and the boys and Grandma and Grandpa. Ryan was just so sweet with Claire. He would run up to her and say hi and hold her hand and try to give her hugs. Some photos of the pair.

A gentle hug from Ryan. So tender...

Claire in Ryan's hat.

I think he's really just practicing for Ruby.....:) (Go Ruby 2012)

The kids were famished by the end of the day. Here she is looking like she hasn't eaten in days....

Lily the Lamb

As a special gift for her birthday, I took Claire to Build-a-Bear to make her own stuffed animal. She's been in love with Isaac's Build-a-Bear's so we knew we wanted to get her her very own. It was between a lamb or a bunny, and she chose the lamb (it made her smile more). We got it stuffed and dressed and ta-da! Introducing her new best friend, Lily the Lamb.

Checking out that her eyeballs are intact.

Like 2 best friends already, here they are arguing over who's the best. Claire is pointing that Lily is the best.

Reading her new friend a story.

They will be best friends for a long time.

Rock Band

Isaac picked up Rock Band with some old gift cards from his birthday he hadn't used yet. We had so much fun playing with it. Isaac really gets into the singing.

The drums are pretty hard! Especially when your daughter is trying to rip the sticks out of your hands!

Presents!!

After nap, Claire was ready to open her gifts. She got some great toys and clothes. Some pictures:

Posing in some new threads....that are not pink, yay!

A fun elephant shape sorter.

An interactive activity cube.

She was spoiled by her godparents with her own car. She couldn't wait for Daddy to finish putting it together.

The best part was that it had a cell phone. She loved it!

A photo of the finished product.

Our basement is literally a toy store now.

Lastly, we had asked for gift cards towards the purchase of Claire's new car seat. We've been so anxious to change her car seat that we picked it up later that afternoon. Some pictures before the install.

Our little girl looks so grown up in this big seat.

Testing it out. She approves!

I have to say I'm really pleased with the Britax. It's really comfortable, was easy to install and the straps and fasteners are easy to use.

Thank you to everyone for the lovely gifts and most importantly, your friendships and love for our little girl!

Fun to Be 1

We celebrated Claire's 1st birthday at Amazon Indoor Playground - her favourite place these days. We had an early morning party with breakfast and cake for everyone. The party flew by quickly, just like the past year. Nonetheless, Claire had a great time with her cousins and friends. Here are some pictures form the party. I'll apologize on the quality of them now. It's quite difficult to get kids to pose when there are so many things to do and play with!

Getting ready for breakfast in her royal throne and tu-tu.

A shot of the kids breakfast table.

Playing in her favourite pink car.

Fun in the bouncy castle.

Adam looking cute as ever. He can totally have a pink cone hat on and pull it off.

Ryan and Claire.

Jessica and Ben.

A close-up of the cake. It was beautiful and tasty too! My baker always does a great job!

The kids helping Claire blow out the candles.

And a family photo.

As expected, at this point of the party the birthday girl was clearly ready for her nap!

Thanks to everyone for coming and helping out with the party!

12 Month Milestone

Yay!!! Claire is 1 years old today! It's hard to believe that a year has flown by already. We have truly enjoyed every single second of every single day (inlcuding sleepness nights and battling the fussies!). Here is her new monthly photo.

Claire is talking (her own secret language), walking, and just a good natured little girl. She makes Mommy, Daddy and big brother Isaac so proud with all that she's accomplished this year. Here she is showing off her "It's fun to be 1" t-shirt.

Our little muchkin acting silly.

A video of how she's walking now.

Singing Happy Birthday to her at dinner and enjoying her cupcake.

And the slideshow of months past: