campfire capers

It was really, very, very cold at the campfire this evening. We were perhaps a little crazy to go out there, with the freezing cold wind and the radio saying it was the coldest night of the year so far...but I had promised two little boys that we would toast marshmallows with their friend Ruby. So we went!
Cameron is addicted to S'mores. Watch out Uncle John in Canada - you need to be ready with your campfire and toasting sticks this summer. Jamie wasn't so sure about the sticky marshmallows and didn't like having cold hands.

Luckily I had also packed some hot chocolate so that warmed up everyone before we headed home. Next time we might be warm enough to listen to the park rangers telling stories about the animals in the park at this time of year...but tonight was for s'mores and more s'mores.

thanksgiving art corner

This is our wonderful Thanksgiving art corner. As you can see, the boys have been busy at school this week.

Today Cameron produced a full Thanksgiving dinner!And this is a sweet little fluffy, pine cone, turkey from Jamie.
And finally the hand-print turkey from Cameron. This one is also a placemat that he's been using since he brought it home from school.
Rachel has been visiting from Atlanta the last couple of days and it was great to see her. I realised that we did lots of chatting, catching up, running errands, playing with the boys and Rachel even got to watch Peter Pan with Cameron, but we didn't take any photos. My mistake. Hopefully Rachel will visit again soon - we miss her!

Meadowlark morning

It's really cold here today but with two active little boys there's no option but to get out of the house for a bit of a walk and run off some energy. This morning we went to our favourite place - Meadowlark Gardens.
Cameron and Jamie both wanted to try taking photos - normally that's my job - but not today. Here is Cameron's photo...
and here is Jamie's photo...needs some work!
We were so lucky today because the heron was at the pond looking for brunch. We got really close to it. I suppose it doesn't feel threatened at all in Meadowlark Gardens. The boys loved watching it walk with its long legs and pointy beak. Do you see it behind them?
And finally, a quick play in the pig garden before leaving.
And since they look like they are on a horse it reminds me of a game they have been playing the last couple of days. They are pretending to be cowboys. Jamie decided his horse is called Hoany Pony and Cameron's horse is called Super. They are both very fast and gallop around the living room before collapsing on the floor. Pretend play is so much fun!

wellie boot walk

We haven't been to Great Falls Park in a long time but after all the rain yesterday, and the last week really, it was great to get outside for a walk today. The boys put on their wellington boots so they could splash in puddles.

Albuquerque Turkey

This morning Jamie came into my room at 6.10am singing Albuquerque Turkey. It was the first time I've heard this song but I could figure out the words he was singing. Then I looked for it online and here are the words.

Albuquerque Turkey

(sung to the tune of "Clementine")

Albuquerque is a turkey
And he's feathered and he's fine
And he wobbles and he gobbles
and he's absolutely mine.
He's the best pet that you can get..
Better than a dog or cat.
He's my Albuquerque turkey
And I'm awfully proud of that.
He once told me , very frankly
he preferred to be my pet,
not the main course at my dinner,
and I told him not to fret.
And my Albuquerque turkey
is so happy in his bed,
'Cause for our Thanksgiving dinner...
We had egg foo yong instead.

We didn't get the full rendition of the song but I'm sure you get the idea.
Since I'm relatively new to Thanksgiving I can see I still have a lot to learn.

fruit leather

Uncle John sent us some home made apple fruit leather from Canada. It came as part of Cameron's birthday package and the boys love it! I had some too - just to test of course -and loved it as well. Think we'll need to start regular care packages from Canada to Virginia.Jamie says mmmmmm....more please!Cameron says....don't touch this - it's mine!

weekly art corner

It's time for our weekly art corner with all the take home craft projects from school.

Cameron's class is studying dinosaurs for the month of November. This is a little stuffed toy dinosaur and I think the kids got to stick on the eyes and colour it. For some reason the letter H horse only just came home this week. We're betting on number 3 - looks like a winner even if it's back legs are a little short.

Here is one of Jamie's projects that he was really happy with. He loved the feathers - me too!
And finally, another Jamie project - before you ask - it is a pig with a number 8 snout and a cute curly pink tail. His eyes are a little wobbly but perhaps that's because he spent all morning with a class of 2 year olds.

school photo

The anticipation is over...here are Cameron and Jamie in their school photo together.
Do you think Cameron looks presidential?

15 hour flight...

...in economy - not me - but Grant. After living in Hong Kong I've done some pretty long flights but that's a bit of a nasty one, so i hope Grant gets some sleep and reads some good books and magazines. The house seems quiet without him, even though it is noisy with the boys. Grant is headed to India for work - have a good trip!

Kooza

Last night we went to see Kooza, a Cirque du Soleil show. Sarah came over to look after the boys and we had a 'date' night, which was really a birthday present to Grant. Some of the acts were amazing and the costumes and music were fantastic. Funny clowns and great tumbling and some amazing balance acts made for a fantastic show.

Leapster

Granny gave Cameron a Leapster game for his birthday. I was a little unsure about how early to introduce computer-type games but they did it at school and Cameron loves them so this seemed like a natural gift for his birthday. He loves it! Jamie is very interested in it too. Today I bought the headphones so he can play quietly on his own. In the grand scheme of things I think this is quite an educational choice. He's playing games that help him recognise letters and numbers and will move onto the other games he got as gifts later. It is amazing how quickly he has picked up how to use it. Here is a photo of Cameron and Jamie together this morning. Cameron is explaining to Jamie how to move the dragon across the screen.
Cameron is looking very smart in his new tshirt from Auntie Jane in Spain. Jamie is "king of the jungle" an old favourite from Granny.

If anyone has used the new Tag book system I'd love to know what they think? It looks great to me and I'm thinking about it for both boys.

birthday boy - Cameron is 4 years old!

Happy birthday to Cameron, happy birthday to Cameron, happy birthday to Cameron, happy birthday to Cameron - yeah! He was so excited this morning. Rushing downstairs and seeing his birthday presents and knowing that he is now 4 years old.

Grant stayed at home this morning to help open presents. Then he went to vote - another important day for us all - Grant is currently glued to the tv waiting for an Obama victory!

Cameron loved all his presents and is a little overwhelmed with them all. He has played with everything, looked at the books, used the new toothbrush, worn his new top and went to bed in new Thomas Tank Engine pjs. Thanks to everyone for their kindness.

This evening we took Cameron to Macaroni Grill, since we call him Cameroni Macaroni it seemed appropriate, and he was so happy to have a candle in his ice cream and that the waitress sang happy birthday with us. So heartwarming to see his smile and to know how happy it makes him feel.

Happy birthday Cameron - 4 years ago he was a wide-eyed, skinny little newborn with spider legs and today he is an active 4 year old who is starting to read and write. How time flies.

birthday party

Cameron is going to be 4 years old on Tuesday. Where did that time go? I remember when he was a newborn - all skinny with spider legs!

We had a great party today with all his friends and families. There was lots of excitement, bouncing on the moonbounce and eating pizza and ice-cream cake. What a fun afternoon.