Matthew 18 Months

This handsome little fellow is 18 months old! Time certainly speeds up with each additional child. I feel like he was just a tiny baby and suddenly he is turning into a little boy in front of our eyes.

Matthew is such a happy guy. He is quick with a grin and has an infectious laugh. He sleeps well at night and for his afternoon nap and has a hefty appetite like his siblings. His favourites are pasta, bananas, oranges, toast and coconut butter, avocados and he LOVES smoothies. When he sees the blender he starts jumping and squealing in excitement.

Matthew is a cuddly boy and loves a good snuggle. He rests his head on our shoulders and pats our back. It is the sweetest gesture and as a result...he has no shortage of cuddlers.

His siblings adore him. It doesn't matter who is arguing, in a cranky mood or sulking about something...if they see Matthew they light up. He is the first to rush over to a brother or sister if they are upset and hug them or rub their back. Everyone can't help but smile when he is around.

Matthew loves to be outdoors, to go on a walk and animals. He lights up when he hears music and claps off beat adorably.

After screaming whenever he has been left anywhere without family (like at nursery at church) he has finally accepted that it MIGHT be fun to play and finally waves goodbye now without any tears which is a big relief!

We are so blessed by Matthew. He is such a sweet and fun little addition to our family. I love seeing more of his personality shine through!

October 2016

October is my favourite month and this year did not disappoint. We had a busy month full of thanksgiving festivities and soaking up one more month of beautiful leaves and sunshine.

It was an exciting month for Ben, Jake and Ella as they headed off to school for the first time.

Ben entered grade 4, Jake entered grade 1 and Ella started junior kindergarten. They take the bus and adjusted very well in a short period of time. We are excited for their new adventure!

September 2016

We had a full September with a beach festival day. Ben caught his first fish, Jake has high hopes for next year! They got their face painted and also tried paddleboating.
Ella started her Ballet class again, we went to a church picnic, our favorite restaurant, an outdoor movie and Ella and Jake went to a kindergarten open house. They both loved it so much that we are discussing enrolling them in school. Jon and I got to enjoy a night out by ourselves at his cousins wedding and we enjoyed apple picking at the end of the month.The weather was very warm and it certainly feels like we got an extra month of August!

Ben's 9th Birthday Letter

Dear Ben,

How time flies when you are having fun! And you know how to have fun!
You are always ready with a newly invented game, joke, contest or activity. You keep everyone entertained and on their toes.

You love to create! I remember when you were only 2 and 3 years old and we had your "craft bin" in your room. We would put you to bed at 7:30 and listen to you draw, colour, paint, cut and paste your nights work. You would chat to yourself the entire time. I wish I had recorded those moments outside of my memory! I couldn't think of a day, at that time, when you wouldn't be exactly as you were right in front of us. But it was a blink.

Now you are becoming a young man. Only one year away from double digits. You hang on the cusp of childhood with a brimming maturity.

Your personality is evident of the kind of person you will always be I believe. The inherent parts of you that have been unchanging. You are kind, sensitive, determined and creative. You are thoughtful, optimistic, enjoy a good laugh and competitive. You like to do well and will work for the results you want. You like to know the rules and have difficulty accepting exceptions or unfairness.

I enjoy your company. You are someone who I am glad to have in my life, not only as my son but simply as someone who makes my life happier and whose energy I enjoy being close to. You are without a doubt one of my most favorite people. I hope we will always be as close as we are now. At 9 years old you tell me everything. Every thought and feeling and encounter you have. Every problem, success and interesting fact. Sometimes I am fascinated, sometimes I pretend to be;) I hope you always feel like you can tell me anything.

I hope that you give childhood one big go this year as it comes to an end.  I am going to let you play too many video games, eat ice cream for breakfast, savor every cuddle and snuggle, read an extra bed time story to you, even though you could read it faster yourself. I will appreciate when you tuck your hand in mine and ask for a back scratch. These years, with you, have been the best ones of my life.
I love being your mother.

Happy birthday my darling boy!

Mommy xo