Keeping Busy in the Long Cold Winter

 The long winter meant a few days curled up on the couch.  Here are the boys, huddled up and recovering from some sore tummies.  Note the bucket there to catch any emergencies...

 Arlo taking a turn as a bicycle taxi driver, and Otis taking a turn doubling his brother on a motorcycle.  Both of these pictures are taken on one of our many regular trips to local museums.  This is at the children's museum, in Hull, a couple of blocks away from our old house, in the same building with the Museum of Civilization (renamed the Canadian History Museum now).

 Arlo trying his hand at laying bricks.

 Momma and Arlo building Indonesian shadow puppets in a stilt house.

 Otis wearing traditional Russian clothing, and standing outside a pyramid.

 The three Kalynuk boyz.

 Jenny and Otis get ready for a run down the ice slide at snowflake kingdom during Winterlude.

 Arlo and Mommy racing down an ice slide.  Arlo jumped the gun it looks like...

 Hold on tight Mamma!

 Wheee!!!

 Look at those smiles!

 Broomball anyone?

 A nice big sled means that everyone tries to get a ride...I think Otis is under there maybe?

 Arlo and Thomas and Owen (his friends 'the twins') enjoying a break from the Winterlude cold for a snack...

 Otis with a mouth full of Beavertail.

 Mushroom head!

 The long climb up the sled hill.

 Arlo is focused on the task at hand, while Lucy is enjoying the views.

 Ready, set, Go!

 Did you see me?  What a rush!

Here we come!

 Hold on tight!

Bare Boyz!

What is it that makes kids want to jump around in the buck naked?  

Snowy Saturday Fun

When the whole family is up before six, there is no reason we can't get out for some early morning play in the snow.

Check out the heights of the snow banks.  This one has been flattened down as a sled run for the boys.  We can step right into our backyard from the top.

Mmm cake!

These shots were of the boys coveting leftover cake from daddy's birthday.

Bath time blitz!

Every day it's the same old thing...it's all going calm and then it is obvious that one or both of the guys is deliriously tired all of a sudden...Well -Ok it isn't every day, but often enough.  Then it is a calm -collected, panicked -full speed, organized juggle of bodies in our bathroom(really not meant for 4 people at once) as we bathe, brush, and prep for bed time.  Usually these are some of the best moments of the day, with lots of cuddles and kisses, and bed time stories all snuggled up...but it is also the time of the day where so much is riding on the crest of a wave (to use a surfing analogy)... Don't go quick enough and you might be riding that bedtime wave for a long and slow hour or more, but push it too quickly and it can be a big wipeout, with tears and zaniness all around.  Her are a few pics from tonight.  The boys were both home sick at different times last week (vomiting for at least 24 hours) and this weekend none of us were totally 100%.  Hopefully we start this week off ok tomorrow.  They both are doing better with the transition to days at school, but would rather be home with mamma.  They are both showing things that they have picked up already (good and bad things I guess...but many good things).

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Arlo says...happy birthday to you....I hope you have a good day.

Otis says...mragghha...call ya later

Tough Guys

Have you ever tried to hold squirmy kids who are wearing polyester track suits?  Like grabbing a greased pig!

Tough guy team.  Thanks grandma n grandpa for our new outfits.

Cold day fun

Yesterday was blisteringly cold, so we stayed inside for the whole day!  Luckily Cheryl stopped in and we came up with great projects, like the tower Otis built (and then destroyed by pulling over).

Star-fruit discovery!

Arlo was super excited to buy a star fruit this week, and has been waiting for it to ripen for days.  Both he and his brother enjoyed their taste test today.  

As you can see, Otis also loves his morning smoothies.  

Happy 2014!

The boys rang in the new year with some friends last night, calling it a night at about 9pm finally.  Today has been all about staying home and playing, with a couple of trips outside for fun in the cold cold sun.  Now it is downstairs for some lightning McQueen and pizza, Arlos' favourite combo.  Happy new year indeed.

Santa pic

Home for a rest

Arlo n Otis were rock stars on their trip to Lindsay and back this past week.  The trip home to Ottawa was a welcome one for the boys as they were looking forward to getting back to their Christmas gifts, and to their last week at home with their Mamma before school starts for the whole family next Monday.