Winter Wonderland

It is fitting that my last post for February be about snow.  We woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland this morning.  Everything was covered in heavy wet snow...it was so serene.  Too beautiful for words, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Winter Beauty

It is snowing outside as I write this post.  It is so beautiful!  This was taken earlier tonight.  I can't wait to see what the Winter Wonderland looks like in the morning.

Arabella & Emily

We really do have the best babysitter.  And we sure are going to miss her when we move. 

Last night, I had Emily come over for a few hours so that I could get some much needed things done around the house.  Arabella had a blast - they played and ran and did playdoh and a few other things.  Arabella hates when it is time for Emily to leave.  They always have so much fun together.  And it wore Arabella out so when it was bedtime, she was out pretty quick!

Snow Fort

Sunday was fairly mild so in the afternoon, Arabella, Max and I went for a little walk to check out the snow that feel on Saturday.  When we finished with the walk, Arabella and I decided to make a snow fort.  It wasn't huge - I just dug out an area and then tried to build up the walls.  It was the first one we have ever made and it came out halfway decent.  Arabella had fun, and that is all that matters!

So True...

Friday Fun

Last Friday, I picked Arabella up from school and we headed to June's house for an afternoon of fun.  Laura and her girls were there as well - all of the kids had fun playing inside and out in the snow.  I enjoyed my time with two of my favorite moms.  Laura & June had fun snuggling Max.  It was nice to have a afternoon just hanging out and talking.  Thanks June for a great afternoon - it wasn't that we did a lot, but that we were able to spend time together. 

Cuties

One afternoon, Ronald and Bram stopped by to visit Baby Max.  Ronald was so cute and is fascinated with Max.  Two adorable little guys!

Swim & Gym

Last week, Arabella and her class had a fun field trip to the Pointe-Claire pool for Swim & Gym.  They spent about 30 minutes in the gym playing around and then they spent about anoter 30 minutes in the pool.  Arabella had a great time - she loved running around the gym and then couldn't wait to hit the pool.  Such a little mermaid! 

 And she is off...kicking away on a kick board.

 Max was so good the whole time.

Almost her whole class in the small wading pool.

After, the class, the kids had a snack and then we played in the pool while waiting for her swim lessons.  We ran into one of my friends from the gym, Theresa and her daughter.  She was so excited to see and finally meet Max!  Arabella had a fun time hanging out with Lucy.  She even got a "behind the pool scene tour" from Theresa when they went looking for Theresa's son who is on the swim team. 

 She even practiced her hand stands! 

More Snow!!

It seems like every Wednesday we have been getting hit with snow.  Last week we had a pretty big storm that dumped heavy wet snow.  It coated everything in a beautiful white and it was so pretty.  And now again, it is Wednesday and we are getting more heavy, wet snow.  I know it is February and we are supposed to get snow.  After all, we live in Canada, but I wonder when it is going to start melting.  At this rate, the movers will be trudging through snow to load all of our things on the moving truck.  I sure hope that some of the snow melts by the last week in March!

Have Passport, Will Travel

It's official, Max has been issued his Canadian passport!  After all of the headaches, paperwork and time spent waiting, it is nice to have one item checked off the to-do list.  And we really do need it since we are going to Charlotte this weekend to house hunt.  He even looks excited and happy to have it...

Next up...filing all the paperwork needed to apply for his US documents...not looking forward to that headache!

Happy Valentine's Day

We had a nice, low key Valentine's Day.  Arabella had been so excited for the day to arrive - she was having a pizza and pj day at school and then giving us a little Valentine's Day concert.  She would practice her songs quietly around the house, it was so cute.  She couldn't wait to give me the Valentine she made for me.  I have to admit, her arts and crafts that she makes are my favorite gifts, she puts so much time and effort into them, and is so proud of them, they are all beautiful and have become treasured gifts of mine.  This years card has to be my favorite:

Arabella loved opening up her Valentine cards and she even opened up a few for Max.  I didn't want to get her candy or chocolate since I knew she would get a fair amount of it from school, so I opted to get her something she loves - French Macarons.  She had no idea what was in the box and was so excited when she opened it. She even had to put them out on a fancy domed plate.   

Her school concert was adorable and once again she sang her heart out!  She was also very excited to give me the special Valentine she made at school. 

After her concert, she couldn't wait to get home to open her Valentine box and read all the cards from her classmates.  You are too sweet Arabella.  I hope you had a fun and loved filled day.  I know I did - I was able to spend it with my 2 favorite Valentines, Arabella & Max. 

Touchdown

I love when Max does this and it makes me think he is going to be into football...

Winter Beauty

I love the way the wind drifted the snow here.  It reminds me of the sandbars at the beach during low tide in Westbrook.

I See You

Grammie's Visit

Grammie was here with us for a week.  It sure was nice to have an extra set of hands around the house - she helped with laundry, read to Arabella, watched Max while I ran errands, took Arabella to school and went to a doctors appointment, and gave the right amount of support.  I am so thankful to have such a great mom who loves to spend time with Arabella and now Max. 

We didn't do too much.  She wasn't here to sight see this time, just spend as much time with Max and Arabella as possible.  And that she did,

She played dress up with Arabella:

They colored and did craft projects:

They read stories:

Played Playmobil:

We had a snowstorm and of course Grammie had to go out and shovel even though we have a plow service.  I know she misses the snow and cold weather.  It was hysterical to see her bundled up and shoveling!  There were huge drifts from the snow, it was so beautiful.  Once the wind stopped, it was fairly mild out, so we suited up and headed to the sledding hill near Arabella's school.  It was so much fun to spend the afternoon in the sunshine and snow and go sledding!

This is the deep end of our swimming pool...filled with snow!

And Grammie snuggled Max ALOT...

Getting love from both...

And before we knew it, it was time for Grammie to fly South again.  It was hard to say goodbye and Arabella said it perfectly when she told me "when Grammie leaves its no fun".

Thank you for coming to visit Grammie!  We loved having you here and we miss you, but know we will see you very, very soon.