I've Got News for You

Short post this week ... it is late but here is a quick run through of the week.

Lily and Jack had a quiet week punctuated by some excitement on Tuesday - a neighborhood water main break and a visit from Grandm Gail, Grandpa Tom, Aunt Kelly and Kelly's new dog Bodie. He is very cute but very messy - a couple of accidents marked the house.

On Thursday, Lily had her piano lessons. Friday was world culture day at school for Lily and Jack had a half day so that he could spend some quality time with Marcy.

Saturday we spent around the house, ran some errands and Lily and Jack had a play date with some friends. On Sunday, we visited an open house - we are looking to make a move sometime in the coming months. Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom came along with us to check out the house ... we will see how it goes.

Here are few pictures from the week.


Rolling around in a sleeping bag in the backyard.


Jack at lunch.


Jack with some block creations.


Lily after her haircut on Sunday.

Cold as Ice

A nice long weekend in the books. We had a busy week and had some nice time to relax over the President's day holiday.

We had our usual visit from Grandma Gail on Tuesday. Grandpa Tom was out visiting cousins Casey and Garrett in Colorado for the week. On Wednesday, Lily had her last cooking class after school - she made a variety of foods and desserts but did not really like any of them!

On Thursday, Lily had her piano lesson. Her playing is coming along well and she is really benefitting from her private sessions. She definitely needs more practice and her parents encourage it regularly! We finished up our week with Friday night movie and a showing of Rango.

On Saturday we had a visit from cousin Stephanie who came down from New York for a couple of days. Saturday we went to see Disney on Ice and the kids had a great time. On Sunday the kids had a chance to spend some time with Stephanie and they had a great time. Today was a play date with friends Maddie and Claire. Lily and Jack are in bed ready from school tomorrow!

That is all for now. Pics and video are below.

Special get well wishes to Lily and Jack's great grandmother aka Bubbie who is recuperating from a fall this past week.

Also, a special welcome to Aunt Kelly's new addition Bodhi, a four legged friend she picked up today.


Jack and Steph at Disney on Ice.


Enjoying snow cones in fancy cups!


Taking in the show.


Riding bikes.


Jack has the two wheeler with training wheels down.


Racing along.


A little dress up.


Lily and Steph.


Dancing around.

Climbing up the Walls

Lily and Jack want to send out special happy birthday wishes to Bubbie who celebrates her birthday on Valentine's day!

The kids had lots of Valentine celebrations. On Friday, Lily had her classroom party which included an exchange of Valentines and a party with necklace beading, hat making, and dancing. Today Jack celebrated at his school with a fun party. He exchanged Valentines and he wrote his name on all of the Valentines he gave to his friends - he has been working really hard on the letter "J." Grandma Gail took the kids to special Valentines dinner at Chick-Fil-A where there was a magician, crazy time on the playground, and of course the cow made an appearance.

Over the weekend the kids had their last ice skating lesson, both of them had amazing improvement. Lily is now gliding and is working on skating backwards, and Jack is taking little steps on his own and can get up on his own. Lily is excited for another session of ice skating especially because she has her first ice skating birthday party to go to in a few weeks, and Jack wants to take a little break. ;)

After ice skating, we visited with Mom's college friends - Kristen, Erin and Holly, and respective husbands and kids - Mark, Rob, Holden, Brooke, and Andersen. The kids had a lot of fun, thanks for hosting Erin and Rob!

On Sunday, Lily went to a duckpin bowling birthday party, she had lots of fun. Otherwise, we just hung around the house, as it was freezing outside!

We were picture negligent this weekend but here are a couple to hold you over to next week.


Jack and Lily eating lunch with Anderson, Holden and Brooke.


Posing.


Playing with the boys.

Going North

A whirlwind week in the books. Monday and Tuesday were normal days with our weekly visit from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom. On Wednesday after school, we headed off to Toronto for the weekend for Cousin Adam and Matthew's Bar Mitzvahs. We spent Wednesday night in Corning, New York after several hours of driving.

On Thursday, we headed up north to Niagara Falls. We saw the falls from both the American and Canadian sides. It was chilly but we took in the views and saw the water falling. After the falls, we continued onto Toronto. We arrived and cousin Jonathan & Corry's house where we stayed for the weekend. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins Aden, Noah and Kayla all weekend. We had a great time and Jon and Corry were so generous with their house and time - we hope to return the favor soon!

On Friday we went downtown and visited the CN Tower. All though it was pretty cloudy, we enjoyed the views and the elevator ride and the glass floor. The kids were pretty impressed. On Friday night we headed over to Great Uncle Simon and Great Aunty Ruby's house in honor of the Bar Mitzvah boys! Lily and Jack got to see all their other cousins - Adam, Matthew, Samara, Jacob and Eliana and Derek and Graeme

Saturday morning was the Bar Mitzvah and the boys did great. Lily and Jack made it through much of the service before heading off to the kids room! After the service was a great lunch and then we headed over to Great Uncle Jerry's and Great Aunt Eve's house for a visit. Saturday night was a great party at a local school with an ice rink. There were a bunch of activities for the kids and late night ice skating. Everyone had a great time.

After a good night's sleep, we said goodbye to Jon, Corry, Aden, Noah and Kayla and hit the road. After a long drive, we made it home in time for dinner and the Super Bowl. Needless to say, everyone slept well on Sunday.

On the pictures ...


On the American side of the falls.


The view from Canada is a bit better.


Jack and Noah hard at work.


A big moose.


The view from the top of the CN Tower.


Checking out the scenery.


Horsing around on the glass floor.


Little Jedi Knights.


At the kid's table with Noah, Aden and Jacob.


All dressed up.


Lily and Samara.


With Grandpa Maurice.


Skating.