2013 in pictures ~ september

caterpillar infatuation
holding hands
little pumpkin
grade one
kilmarnock apple orchard
new snowsuit
painting pumpkins
typical sisters

snowsuit beauty!

She's already asked me twice this month, when it's going to snow... WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?
She so desperately wants to wear her snowsuit and play in the snow.

That silly crazy girl of mine. How I love her.

adoptwalk

We spent this beautiful Saturday morning at a wonderful family event, AdoptWalk! Lots of fun activities, including a 5km walk to support a cause very close to our hearts. The donations that were raised will support both the Adoption Council of Canada and the Children’s Bridge Foundation.

The Children's Bridge Foundation is a charity that makes a difference to children in need, in underdeveloped countries. They raise funds so these children can get the life saving surgeries they so desperately need. I've seen recent pictures of two little ones in China that had cleft palette and lip surgeries. So amazing and gratifying to see these little ones lives changed through charity.

You can read more about the AdoptWalk here: www.adoptwalk.ca.

typical sisters!

pumpkin painting

It rained here all day today, which believe it or not, I loved.
I don't remember the last Saturday we had a reason to stay in the house all day! And just relax.

I promised the girls that they could paint the pumpkins we bought this week.
Believe me, they didn't forget!
They absolutely love to paint.

swimming lessons

Both my girls started swimming lessons today.

Phebe was beside herself excited... I'm not even sure if I've seen her that excited before! This is her first swimming lesson and after watching her big sister from the side lines, she was more than thrilled her time had finally arrived to have "lessons".

She did really well, her first time away from both Lilah and I. (Lilah was at a different end of the pool.) I sat back and watched from a distance, although she did catch my eye a few times and waved hysterically, shouting "Hi Mama!"

I took these pictures at home, just before we left. Can you tell the excitement levels were high?!

sunday porch pictures

Just a few informal portraits of my girls. These were taken right after their Sunday nap!

Actually, after their Sunday nap, we always take a walk over to Bridgehead to pick up a latte and have a little walk (or bike ride) around the neighbourhood block. I love our family time on the weekends. More recently I am seeing how much they appreciate their time together. I think with Lilah being gone all day, they are enjoying each other even more!

I love these girls in bunches.

( Can you tell I bribed them with gum in this picture?! Oh ya! )

apple picking

You know it's almost Autumn, when it's time to go apple picking!

Yep, that's what we did today. Apple picking has become one of our favourite traditions, although we missed out last year because we were a cross between - 'In China' & 'Recovering From Jetlag'! All good reasons, of course! However, this year we ended up back at our favourite orchard. They have lots of fun things for the kids, including the tractor/train ride, which Phebe loved. She told us, "It's a different one. Not the same as the fair!" She is obsessed with buses, planes and trains. I am trying my hardest to theme them together for her upcoming birthday, or at least choose one!

There was also a lovely little walk, through a little forest path, along the river... called the Pioneer Trail. On said trail, Lilah found herself a 'Hairy Mary' caterpillar. She was so intrigued with it and held onto it for over an hour. Phebe was intrigued too, but wouldn't touch it for anything, she is into more activities than involve danger - like climbing ladders and jumping off stuff. That's our Phebe girl!

After our purchases, we went back into the local village, Merrickville and had lunch on the patio. Likely one of the final days we'll be eating on a patio! And the girls finished their day off with ice-cream. Lilah picked the bubble gum flavour, with actual gum balls in it, yum! And Phebe chose her own, it was called Crazy Kid. Ha - so very fitting! Actually, it tasted delicious, full of chocolate pieces, candy, sprinkles. If your kid wasn't crazy before, she would be after!

It was such a beautiful day. A chilly little breeze, but beautiful warm sunshine and bright blue skies.

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[ the flickr set is here ]