bannock

 
I love bannock. 
Seriously.
Working various summer camps during my summers bannock was a treat.
We made our first batch of campfire bannock this past weekend.
It was a hit.
 Flour, a pinch of salt and water.

 Mix.

 Wrap on a  stick.


 Cook.

 Enjoy!
We like our bannock with a little peanut butter too.
The air was crisp and there was snow in the bush but warm bannock was perfect.
 
For those of you who know me, you know I do not have a cat.
Yes that is my son, my cabin, my antique childrens desk from kijiji that I love but that is not my cat.  I had a very hard time explaining this to the cat.
The cat met us on a walk.
The cat followed us.
The cat stood at the window and meowed.
The cat came in.
The cat checked out each room.
The cat lay on the floor while I made supper.
The cat watched my son draw for twenty minutes.
My husband put he cat out.
Five minutes later the cat was back in.
The cat stayed for supper then my husband went to check on the cat.
Cat was curled up on my husbands pillow.
The cat was escorted home.
I love cats. This friendly feline let me carry her around and sat with me while I watched the boys play.  The cat also loved to watch the squirrel eat peanuts and try to carry away the bannock cooking stick up the tree with us.  Sadly I think the cat wanted to eat the squirrel. 
A very exciting animal filled weekend at the lake.


rascal 2.4

 
This little rascal loves the dock at the lake.
(I am never far behind, trust me.  I rarely take my camera on the dock and when I do I give myself the talk before had that if anybody small falls in the water the camera will probably go in too because I don't want to be the Mom with a great camera and no kids, I'd much rather be the Mom with no camera and great kids!)

 But when he does this, my heart drops...and stops.....
I think this dock is like 100 years old at least.
 ..and then he turns around and does this.  "What now Mom?"
"I'm not doing anything wrong...."
And then this smile with a hug so cuddly it cannot be put into words.
His face?  He had a run in with our new deck.  It was dark, I guess he didn't see it right at nose level....
Part of being two my poor little guy.  We are joining a gym club in winter to help with coordination :).
It actually looks worse in real life.
 
Little rascal, you've grown so fast. 
You are two and four months.
You love your Mommy and Bubble Guppies like crazy.
You won't drink milk. (thank goodness for IOGOO)
You love oatmeal.
You now proudly announce when you have to use the potty and made your first trip home from the lake dry!
Your favorite food is chips, fries.  When ever we pass a McDonald's you announce your hungry.
You drink tons of water and juice is big treat.
Costco pizza is a favorite meal to share with your Pa.
You won't go near your bike.  You prefer to be pushed in red car.
You fill your pockets with stones unless you are dropping them in any body of water close by including lakes, ponds and puddles.
You are a pro at doing canon balls into the pool.
You could eat rice everyday.
You make the kissy sounds but don't actually touch your lips to the person, very European.
You watch your big brother draw and are close to drawing a circle. 
You like it best when I trace your hand with brown marker and we draw leaves on it to make it a tree.
Phrases we hear a lot are:
 "Bubble Guppies please...pleeease....pleeeeeaaase!"
"Go potty now!"
"Water please"
"Goodnight Daddy, luv you"
"Paaa, nah!"
"Freddies!" (Shreddies)
"More muffin please"
You are sweet and have your own mind. You like puzzles and stacking wood shapes.  You love being read to and love reading your own books.  You sing some words in ABC"s, Twinkle Twinkle, and Mary Had a Little Lamb.
You are cuddly and love hugs and kisses from Mommy the best.
We love you!
 
 


pumpkin party!

 The day was warm and sunny.
 The hugs plentiful!
 Lots to talk about.
 Lots to discover.





It was a great day at our local pumpkin patch.  Big Brother and I had a super great time in the field but Little Brother was quite upset there were no cats AND no Uncle Derele!
Great fun and two big pumpkins that came home with us!

farm fun

Seeds in the wind..... 

 Fuzzy caterpillars....
 Examine-ing straw....

 Favorite hay bale that terrified Mommy...

 You could sit up there all day....

Sunflower that was picture perfect.  The branch had broken and I picked it off. Big Brother later told me I'm not supposed to pick other peoples flowers. I'd love to bring some home for us to paint. 

see for miles and miles

 
The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched-they must be felt with the heart.

My two boys. You are like night and day. 
You show your love for each other so discreetly it is often only in photos I can find it.  Today Little One decided he wanted to hold Big Brothers hand.  Melt. My. Heart.
Your big brother let you lead him through the field and you loved it.

Today my heart is extra full.
I may not always see it but I feel your love with my heart.
 


the day the cat ruined my shot


I love cats.  I don't know which picture I like more!
This kitty loves my boys. Skitt-ish farm cat she is not!
 
 
 
 
 
This little boy loves the farm kitties.

Shooting in manual is going well.  The more I practice the more I learn. 
The farm is probably my favorite place to shoot other than the lake.  The lighting is so great and the props purrrr-fect!


Fall Farm Trip

 Aunty Connie Didn't waste anytime putting this boy to work!
He carefully washed each carrot when we got home while I baked fresh, juicy farm beets. Yum!
 Fresh air, fresh food and a perfect morning.  I'm not sure who had more fun, the boys or me!
 Goof ball of the day award goes to....
 I couldn't pull you off this fence!
 Or away from the hay bales....
Or the cat! You love the kitties!
 Yes, Sweet One, you are trying to feed a cat an apple!
Looks like you need to spend some more time at the farm!

Family Talent Night 2013

 The talent award goes to my buddy who snapped this shot of our little family!
I love a great family picture and this one tops the season!
 The talent was great but the visiting with friends was just what my heart needed.
I'm so lucky for good friends with great kids.
This big reader LOVES Go Dog Go!
His big brother is reading to us now!
Wow, summer 2013 sure has brought a ton of change and talent!
 

First Day of Kindergarten!

 Today was your first day of Kindergarten. Wow.
You woke up, ate breakfast, did Kumon, practiced piano, had a photo shoot and off we went.
Just us.
We walked.
You talked about the trees and birds.
I talked about listening to your teacher.
You asked about recess and snack.
I reminded you to listen to your teacher.
 
 You are 5.
You are confident.
You are kind.
You LOVE nature. Trees, birds, animals of all kinds.
You draw squirrels, Egypt and ninjas with equal details and thought.
You ride your bike with ease and grace.
You print your name (on the lines too!), numbers to 20 easily.  You can print higher but I'm not pushing it. Yet.
You read.  No just I and am. You read there and very and play.  Yeah, big words.
You love apples and eat 1-3 a day.  You drink milk. Lots.
You laugh for no reason. You laugh at your own jokes.  You love jokes.
Your smiles melt my heart.
You are so sensitive to those around you.
Piano. You practice three times a day.  Sometimes short sometimes long.  You always hop up on the bench without a complaint. 
You love money. We will work on leaning coin names soon.
You tolerate your brother but I'm guessing you wonder why he is so demanding when you are so laid back.  I wonder this also.
You love time with Pa.  You are careful not to tell me about watching too much TV at his house.  I am never sure what you two do but you are best buddies. 
You love fishing and are ready to eat any kind of fish you can find.  Your Dad recently surprised us all with $50 worth of Alaskan King crab from Costco-just for you!
You are an amazing little boy.  I love with a love that I can't describe.  You make me smile when I really need it and you spark my love for life.
You made me a Mom. You are my son and I love you so much exactly the way you are.