Tis the Season

The Smith Family has been way behind getting ready for Christmas this year with a extra busy travel schedule since November. Now that Chad's last trip for the year is behind us, we were finally able to go get our tree. The kids were super excited and Matthew insisted on helping Chad carry it into the family room.

All smiles while getting out the ornaments!

Anna's job was to pass Matthew the bulb ornaments so that he could put them on the tree :-)

The finished product - photo courtesy of Matthew Smith Photography!

Harvest Run - Matthew's First Race

Matthew ran in his first race on Saturday at the Valley Harvest Run. It was 400 m - one lap around the track at Raymond Field. He was very excited!

And he's off!

...going so fast on the back stretch that his hat flew off...

Matthew post race with his medal - we are so proud of you big boy!

Basketball!

Matthew patiently waited all through August for the arrival of September because that is when basketball classes started. His teacher told me today that at circle time he is always talking about playing basketball. So far he loves it!!

Terry Fox Run 2010

This morning we went to Bedford to run the Terry Rox Run. This was Matthew's first year where he was really keen to actually run - and he did quite well. He had his own running number and loved crossing the finish line. Anna ran for a while too, and even had a pit stop mid race. This morning was her first outing with dry pants!!

Smith family at the finish line :-)

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

I'm little late with Sissy's birthday posting because we spent her birthday travelling to NB to visit with family and it's been busy getting back into the swing of things. I'm pleased to say that the long drive went quite smoothly, with both kids behaving really well. On Saturday we had a reunion at Ed's cottage where the kids enjoyed playing with their cousins, kayaking, and splashing in the water. Matthew even got to drive the pontoon boat! Sunday saw us break up the trip home with a visit to Magic Mountain which both kids loved. So it was a pretty fun birthday weekend for Anna.

What can a say about our little drama queen. She is full of personality - feisty, persistent, independant and charming all in one! Just as easily as she can throw a tantrum, she can smile sweetly and dish out the love. She's more fearless than Matthew at that age in many ways, and always wants to do what her big brother is doing ("me too" she says). She has always called Matthew "Nany", and he seems pleased that Sissy has a special name for him. Ask what her name is and she will reply "Sissy Anna" - what a doll! She loves to run and race and play with Matthew, but also loves her dollies, tea set, kitchen, and shoes! She often picks out her own clothes too! Her vocabulary exploded when we got back from ON and she puts multiple words together...pretty much communicating whatever she wants. We're trying to learn basic colours and numbers, but so far most things are yellow :-) We have also just started potty training, and it's going really well. Anna's eating habits have been improving, so meal times are becoming more pleasant. She loves bananas, apples, peppers, grilled cheese, and has now added chicken (and of course any little treats!).

My baby girl is not a baby anymore - she is really growing up into her own little person! Happy Birthday Anna - we love you!

Happy Birthday Matthew - Caribou Munroe Islands Provincial Park

To celebrate Matthew's 4th birthday yesterday, he requested that we go to a beach with little waves. So off to Pictou we went, in search of Caribou Munroe Islands Provincial Park. It was a great park, with a nice picnic area, sandy beach, warm water, and little waves!

I can hardly believe Matthew is 4 already...I can still remember walking around Millwood subdivision wondering if I was really in labour. Many, many hours later I was holding my perfect little boy. He is a busy boy and loves all sports so far. He just finished soccer this summer and is getting ready for bball in the fall (and swimming and skating too). And he's already requested that he take baseball and football classes when he's bigger! He still loves being outside and going on our adventures to new parks...especially amusement parks. Matthew cannot get enough of rides and slides! He has a great memory and loves to count and learn his letters - he's always pointing out letters on the signs to me when we drive home from school. Dora, Diego, and backyardingans and very popular, as are superheros - especially Spiderman! But Lion King is still a frequently watched movie and we're planning to go see the musical in TO next spring.

Matthew is a really great big brother and loves his sister very much. Though they do have their squabbles, I'm generally amazed at how well they play together. It is always cute to hear him taking to Sis the way we talk to him..."see this Sissy? I will share this treat with you as soon as you finish your supper" :-)

Love you big boy!!

Birthday Fun - August 21

We had a very small, but fun birthday party for the kids yesterday with the Smith's, Barker's, and Fraser's :-) First stop Treehouse, as requested by Matthew, and then home for a BBQ and cake. I can hardly believe my babies turn 4 and 2 later this week. Thanks for coming everyone!!

Here's Matthew on his new big boy bike and Sissy in her nightie!

Go Daddy! Middleton Century Ride - August 15

Last Sunday Chad embarked on his longest ride yet - 100 km - by taking part in the Middleton Centennial Ride from Middleton to Annapolis and back. There was a great turnout with well over 100 riders. Sissy, Dad, and I saw Chad off...Nana and Matthew were still sleeping!

Dad and I took the kids to Jubilee Park in Bridgetown to surprise Chad at his last pit stop. We raced, played baseball, and had snacks.

Smith family at the Bridgetown pit stop just before Chad started out for his last leg!

Woo-hoo - here is Chad coming in for his last few metres. We were all there cheering for him!

After the ride there was a bike rodeo, bbq, and bouncy castle...our kids were first in line for the bouncy castle!

Upper Clements Park - August 14

After fun at Port George, we headed out early Saturday morning to Upper Clements Park with Nana, Grampy, Grammie, Grampy, Uncle Sean, Aunt Cathy, and Shay. It was a beautiful day and a great time was had by all! The flume ride was the highlight for Matthew, who was just tall enough to be allowed on the ride. We even took his shoes off to prove that he was tall enough.

Sissy was pooped by the end of the day and crashed a little after 4:00...

Camping at Port George - August 13

Last weekend we spent a night out at Port George, thanks to Anne and Jim who graciously lent us their trailer and Linda and Bob for bringing it to the shore! The kids really enjoyed themselves - they ran and played, and of coarse, roasted marshmellows :-) It was a late night...they were so wound up from all the excitement!

Atlantic Playland - July 4

After driving past Atlantic Playground more times than I can count, we finally made the trip to Lucasville to check it out. The highlight was without a doubt the waterslides. Matthew probably went down 30 straight times and so loved it! There was lots to do, even for Anna, who also really enjoyed the day :-)

Growing Up...

My babies are really growing up...Matthew had his first soccer practice yesterday and Anna is now in her big girl bed :-)

Random Family Pictures

Matthew was so excited to see Lily, who he hadn't seen since we moved home. He just loves her and is always very gentle.

Me and Owen

Getting so big!

Anna just couldn't understand why Matthew wasn't getting up when she called him...she was missing playing with her brother while he was on the "sick bed".

Day two of being sick improved considerably after lunch when Aunt Lauren was making cookies!

Owen and Nana

The three Barker cousins :-)

The entire Barker family!