Un spectacle from chantal on Vimeo.

Happy 4th Birthday Keira!

Here we are! Wow, already 4 years old. Keira, mama and papa love you to no end. We are so proud of the sweet gentle little girl you've become so far. You're a joy to be with and we couldn't imagine life without you. Bisou bisou ma p'tite bijoux!

Here's Keira's day so far:
Photoshoot at mummy's work for the Toy Catalogue and other marketing collateral for toy dept. THAT went really well! Keira spent her photoshoot with my coworker's kids who are super cute! Look for more pictures next week...that's when I get the photographer's professional pics..







After photoshoot, a birthday lunch at Popessa! Yummy... Keira ate her faaaavorite dish: spaghetti!


Right after that, we cross the bridge back to the shore and head to Loblaws to get some food for tonight and buy her another Princess cake (much much smaller version). Who do we meet in the parking lot? Val-Val! Keira's second mommy. Boy! Do we miss her! We make plans to try to get together for the 23rd..

And here we are at home again. Waiting for Adam and Caleb and a sleepover tonight!

A Bright Light has Gone Out but a New Star Shines Bright

This little post is dedicated to Vaughn, a sweet little boy who has touched our lives in more ways than one. We were supposed to continue our kids playdates until one day, we found out he had cancer. We were hopeful to see him fight it, beat it and sail on through. Sadly, Vaughn lost his long battle with cancer last Saturday, November 22. We are devastated for his parents, his family and his friends. We have not seen the little boy he'd become this past year and a half...but we are grateful to him, for showing us the meaning of love and for his wonderful smile...

We Meet Père Noel!

Could it have been any colder today??




Where are you Père Noel?! We're freezing out here!!


It's him!


Hey Santa, I've been a good girl all year long...

Numéro 33, Patrick Roy!

Numéro 33, Patrick Roy! from chantal on Vimeo.

Okay, this is a moment in history. 1985-1986, I consider that to be my favourite & best year in high school. I feel like it was only yesterday... And I remember that Stanley Cup year, the fever! When we were all glued to the games, when it was all we talked about in school, when everyone skipped school to go to the championship parade. I knew all the players (stats only), went to alot of home games to get the players' autographs and had a chance to see Gretz, Coffey, Lemieux, Roy, Naslund (!), Corson (holy moly, which girl wasn't gaga for this dude), etc.

Did they really retire Roy's number and jersey to the rafters tonight? Insane! Peeps, I really am that old...

Nights up from chantal on Vimeo.

hmm..think she's singing: ahwahna bikanashaweenah.."

Giving In...

Here's Miss K happy to watch SYTYCD with us...

"mom, can sleep chyou??" Doesn't last more than 10 minutes before she says, "i wan go to my bed". But with the tv on....ah....

Sunday Detour...

Once again, we had to use our lovely health care system Saturday morning, this time only waiting 2 hours in the clinic rather than 6 (like last time). Of course, this only after 3 clinics turned us away Friday evening (luckily by phone!). Keira came down with a fever in school and I had a suspicion it was either a tooth ache or ear infection as she kept pointing to the back of her mouth all Friday. Anyways, blah dee blah it is an ear infection. Her first and one of many to come I'm sure.

As the antibiotics started working, the fever going away, I decided to take her with me to Globo to get some new shoes/boots. Apparently, her school will "keep them for her during the winter months". Grreat. She's left with all kinds of shoes too small and pantoufles at home.

Had I known the excursion Keira was going to take me on...I would have brought less bags with me! After Globo, Keira decided it was time to "p-laaaaay mommy". Play where? Ikea of course! She decided she's had fun in the play area, so off I went shopping with the beeper. Then she decided she was hungry (because after lunch at McD she needed more food right?) and off we went to the Caf for mac n cheese. After drinking her apple juice and eating 3 mouthfuls of mac, she wanted dessert. Oookay.

Then off to the kiddie section! Had to try out all the beds, the moose-rocker, the egg-thingy, the slide...and finally...reluctantly, back home to see papa. Oi-vay!

Wouldn't you know it? My new lamp broke on the way back home.. : ( But I'm pretty happy the Keikster's back to her normal self and had a fun weekend after all.

Here are some things that surprised me about Keira

1. She really is a lefty. For now.
2. She actually listens and remembers!
3. She recites the alphabet starting in french, to english and back to french and has mastered ygreck! before z.
4. Remembers people's faces, who they are and corrects us when we get confused.
5. Also remembers how to get where when in the car. Scary.
6. Can go from blazing yapping hyper Barbie-Cars-Sleeping Beauty craze to instant sleep/snore in a second. Just like her daddy! uh, minus the princess/barbie part.
7. Likes brocolli (thanks to the Broco-show, Saturdays 6:30pm, if you're interested).
8. Likes to sing in the bathroom. Alone.
9. Says "ouais!" & "because"...ALOT
10. Has been cleaning up in her classroom at school. Why not at home?!

Keira's Early 4th Birthday Party

Celebrating her birthday earlier than usual...Keira will turn 4 this year! Unbelievable...

Spent the morning at the wonderful but crazy Cache-à-l'eau amusement centre and then lunch at our place. Try finding your kid in that crazy maze! Keira, Adam and Ella tried out the trampoline too. And had fun! What an exhausting but great day with super peeps. And thank goodness my sister and Karin (with her yummy cupcakes!) helped out with the food...

Our Family Portrait

We finally got a session with Heather Ogg! I've been wanting a family portrait for a long time but could never bring myself to studios like Magenta where, although the photos are gorgeous, the shots are all the same. White shirt, jeans, same poses. I wanted an outdoor shot.

Heather is an amazing photographer and honestly, it didn't even feel like a photo session. It was fun! Sadly, Keira got sick that day and you can see it in these photos. In fact, she was sick afterwards for 2 more days but I really really love these photos. Here are some of my faves..

For more on Heather, please visit her website: www.heatherogg.com.