Yellow Panther Patch? Check!

He's got two pretty patches on his belt now :)

Santa's Message to RW

We'll be sharing it sometime tomorrow.

http://www.portablenorthpole.ca/watch/yMjXqZc9Rz9PAXmuUqU8sA

Extended Punta Cana Slideshow

Finally got around to gathering all my point 'n' shoot photo's. Obviously the quality isn't that great and some of them are pretty blurry due to a certain 4 yr old who stole the camera, I think they're great though!



Enjoy!!

TKD Videos

Dry Nights

Could this be it? Is he finally done with pull-ups? He's gone 4 consecutive nights (5 within this past week) where he's had dry nights! He's got one more night to go and then we need to keep up our end of the bargain... RW gets a new sleeping buddy - Jedi. 


Thankfully Jedi can sleep through the night too!

TKD - Patch #1

Robbie was given his first patch last night! He was so excited and proud to show it off :)

And the icing on the top - he got a new red stripe too!

(video to follow)

Photo Slidshow

I decided to play with iMovie and LOVED the way this turned out. If anyone one wants copies of the pictures just ask :)
Mom/Dad - feel free to share them with the Parr's, Green's, Coupland's, etc.

Punta Cana Video's

I'm still working on a couple of things but here's a couple of video's





I went zip lining with a bunch of people from our group. It was AMAZING, I was sooooo scared but after that first line was done it was a breeze. What a way to enjoy the amazing landscape of the Dominican



and then I was lucky enough to go Deep Sea Fishing with people that came down for Alison's wedding. I've never fished in my life but after this experience I'd definitely want to do it again!

Kailey's Birthday

I just got around to taking all the pictures off of the memory card and onto the computer. I don't have a lot of time to edit so I'll just put this one up to give you a taste of how the party went!

Halloween

We spent the weekend up in Cold Lake to help celebrate Kailey's birthday (pictures to come!) the following day was Halloween and the kids were so excited to go hit the houses together. Can you believe that some of the kids started at 4pm?!?!
In true RW fashion, he was running up and down the driveways and could not get to the next house fast enough! Kailey was right there with RW and was yelling "trick-or-treat" at the top of her lungs!
Little Lana was less than impressed at first (hence why there's little pictures of her). I woke her up to get her fed and dressed and she just wanted to snuggle, she sat in the stroller for the first block and just watched the kids in action. I took her out after a good 20 mins and took her up to the door with the other two kids and then she was hooked, she was running up the driveway and then gave a good "trick-or-treat" (and quite clearly!) said her thank-you's after she was given candy and then wanted to walk to the next house. Unfortunately her little legs don't move as fast enough to keep up with the bigger kids so she did get a little frustrated at times. Next year I have no doubt she'll be right beside her brother the entire night!

"RW Stop Squinting!"

"Chheeeeeeeese" 

 "Cheese!"

"Get that thing out of my face"

"RW! Say Cheese"

RW: "Cheese! Look at his costume"

 Me: "Put your hand down and say cheese!"

 My butterfly with a baby

 Action shot

 Post trick-or-treating, a little Toy Story on the IPad before bed

 The two on the left are quite content with the movie, on the other side of the couch

 there's a stare down in the O.K. Coral

 Baby Ella <3

My Lucha Libre

I LOVE IT!

In one month...

The perfect backdrop for my sissy's wedding <3

BIG HUGE THANK-YOU

Gido & Grandma.They took the kiddies to Galaxyland for the morning and Colin decided to book us in for a couples massage. 


It. Was. Heaven.


Thank-you, guys!

Photo of the Day

Happy Fall!

Just when I think I'm about to go on a photography hiatus I take this lovely picture of my better half that reignites my love for photography. 

RW's Scooter

I love how Little Lana just follows him around like his little lamb.

Roberto El Ariste

Isn't he cute?!

(possibly the last time he'll be on his scooter this year!)

Look at Him Go!

Vote for us!

What was that? you want to help vote and send us to Disneyland? well sure you can...http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/57104/voteable_entries/8482106?order=recency

RW's first day of preschool

Well as predicted it was a great success. 


He wasn't too excited this morning (in fact a little bit of a grumpy gills, to be honest) I think it has to do with the fact that he's been waiting for this day since he started potty training. We got to school and he started to perk up and the excitement was contagious. We buzzed ourselves into the school and off we went to the right wing and to the very last classroom, we were the first ones there. Mrs. Heather greeted us with a big smile and showed us where RW got to hang is gear, where parents had to sign their monkey in and as we were signing him in he was off playing in the sand box. Robbie met about 6 other children, all very nice and sweet. Today was an introduction day so it was only an hour long and they split the classroom up so that it wasn't so packed, seeing as though the parents got to stay for that hour.


The kids played for about 30 mins and then Mrs. Heather gathered the kids and read them "The Kissing Hand" it's SUCH a good story about a little raccoon's first day at school. Afterwards the kids did a little craft to signify their kissing hand. RW traced his right hand and decided to make an imprint of his left hand using paint, Mrs. Heather toped it off with a heart shaped sticker to go in each hand.


He had a blast and was very good, lately he's been "teacher watch what I can do" or "teacher like this" (in TKD) but today he didn't interrupt and answered Mrs. Heather's questions really well when spoken to!


We're so proud of our little man. 

Who is This Child?

Is it the fact that he's not in a day home anymore? I have no idea why my little man seems so.... grown up. In the past 3 days he has amazed me (and even had me shed a couple tears) with some of the stuff he's come up with.

Here are a couple of comments that gave me the warm 'n fuzzies:

"You're the best mommy ever!"
"Wow, what a great dinner Mom"
"Have a good sleep!" (As I finish tucking him in and am closing the door to his room)

Lana had hurt herself and she started, RW got down from the kitchen table, onto his knees and stretched out his arms welcoming her for a big hug. Of course she went running to him and took him up on the opportunity to snuggle with him (he usually denies her of hugs 'n kisses).

Yesterday was so stinkin cute. Daddy was home all day (but the kids didn't get to see him on Friday because he worked so late) I asked the boys what they'd like to have for breakfast; the convo went a little something like this:


Me: Daddy, would you like some eggs?
C: Yes please!
Me: How about some hash browns and toast?
C: Oooo yes please
Me: RW, would you like some hash browns and toast?
RW: Oooo yes please
RW: Daddy, you don't want eggs, do you?
C: I like eggs, Robbie
Me: RW, would you like some yogurt too?
RW: Yes please!
Me: Daddy, would you like some yogurt?
C: No thank you
RW: Daddy? Do you want some yogurt?
C: No thanks, Robbie
RW: Daddy, you should have some yogurt.
C: Okay Robbie, I'll have yogurt.
Me: What would you boys like to drink?
C: Water, please
RW: Raspberry Juice, please... Daddy you don't want to have raspberry juice?
C: No bud, I'll just have water
RW: Daddy, you should have some raspberry juice.
C: Okay Robbie, I'll have raspberry juice.

That kind of thing went on all day. RW had a shower with Daddy, got to smell "like a man" just like Daddy (cologne) and went to Home Depot with Daddy. He was Colin's shadow all day and it was so cute to watch. I've noticed a change in him these past couple of days, makes me sad to see how big he's getting.

I think one of the big things is that the drama has almost been complete striped away when it comes to discipline. Don't get me wrong, there's still crying that goes on but none of this "HMPH" while he sands there in front of you with arms crossed, hands in armpits with this face that looks like he just smelt last weeks garbage. (He picked that up from the day home... awesome, hey?)


I will sign off with a convo Colin and RW had:
"Daddy, remember that we have to get that flag?"
"What flag?"
"The flag in the world with the water"
"Huh? You mean in Mario Bro's?
"Yeah! In Mario we need to get that flag in the water world... but I'm not allowed to talk about it"

HAHAHA. Little trickster. He gets to play a little bit of Mario when he has dry night or naps but the rule is he doesn't talk about it unless we're playing it (or else that's all he would talk about!) but he tried to weasel his way into a convo.

TKD

Our little guy is starting to thrive in this kind of environment. They mix games and exercise with practicing TKD and RW seems to be picking it up quickly. He's learning that the quickest way isn't always the best. Today he got his blue stripe for being able to kick the target with one foot while his other foot stays planted on the floor... without falling. Now, RW's flexibility wasn't the best but it's definitely improving since he signed up. He was able to start with his fighting stance, kick the target (with a "YAH!") and then return to a fighting stance again.


He has one more stripe (yellow) and then he'll have the full collectors set. Then they focus on the other side of his belt where he gets badges for perfecting the skills and performing different patterns and fighting combos.

Spray Park

Red stripe!

He is SO proud to have two stripes!

Look What RW Got

His first stripe on his belt! (please excuse the horrible expression, he went without a nap today)

4yr Stats

We saw our Paediatrician for RW's 4 yr check up. He looks to be in perfect health, says the Dr. I mentioned Lana's current health issues so he was pretty thorough in his check-up. He's 41 lbs and 40.3 inches!
I talked to him about our trip to the Dominican that's coming up (in 86 days... but who's counting :P ) and he gave me a card to a private clinic which can advise us on all the current immunizations. He said we may all need to get Malaria shots.

On to another update - Preschool. We're moving RW to another preschool, for the last time (asuming they like us in our interview). Our first choice (Northeast Christian School) decided to open up a couple more classes! With this preschool he will make friends that will last with him for years (hopefully) as the preschool, kindergarden and grade one's are all in one wing of the school which goes up to.... grade 9 I believe. I'm in the process of getting a criminal check so that I can hopefully help out the teacher on some days!

TWD #3

TWD #2

Taekwondo

Untitled from Heather S on Vimeo.

RW's 4th Birthday Bash

He had a great time with all the kids AND adults. The day went by too fast but it was great to catch up with everyone, I think we had about 20 people people show up. Thankfully the weather was nice enough, we were hoping to turn on the sprinkler and fill up the pool but unfortunately the pool got a couple of puppy bites in it so the kids ended up migrating downstairs.

We filled our bellies with BBQ'd ribs, rice, potato salad and veggies along with his Optimus Prime cake, ice cream and trifle! (Thanks Carin!!)

Unfortunately my flash went kaput during the party so I didn't get a lot of pictures and the ones that I did get aren't that great. If any of you have some could you please send them my way?

Gymnast

BIG News

RW's been wearing undies during his naps for 5 days now!

PLUS, last night he kept his Pull-Up dry!!!! I woke him up to pee before I hit the hay @ 11 and woke him up @ 5:30 to void again.

We are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo proud of our big boy!!

The Mascot Lover

He has to hug every mascot he sees - quite cute!

Capital Ex

What an AMAZING evening!!

By far the best part of the day. He won Mr. Tickle from beating out the rest of us by aiming the water gun at the bulls eye. He was SOOO excited to get him (he's got most of the Mr. Men books, including Mr. Tickle!)

RW got a matching Daddy tattoo!

Rode on a horse.

Did a couple rides solo.

Best picture we could get with the two of them. Little Lana won that pink gorilla and a little fish by "fishing" in one of the midway games.

Mommy was quite content wih the kiddie rides!

The End.

Jedi

It must run in the family... he has an undescended testicle.

RW's Birthday

I'm going to try and make his invites this week (we're off camping for the weekend) but I wanted to let everyone know the date will be on August 7th! After celebrating Canada's birthday I think he's expecting floats, bands and people throwing candy... I hope I can whip up a part that's just as fun :P

Canada Day

What a perfect day.

We went out to Ft. Saskatchewan to spend the day with one of our girlfriends and her friend. RW had a blast, we sat on the edge of the street and watched the parade go by and when they threw that first handful of candy he was sold! I think we'll take him to the Capital Ex parade because he had such a great experience with this one. Little Lana was perfect, she sat on Daddy's lap for the most part and waved her little flag.