So, don't want to nap in your bed anymore?

I guess the coffee table will have to do.

At three, I know the nap is slipping away now. But man is it nice to have silence for two hours in the afternoon. I'll miss you, naps.

Hello, six!

Today, our M-cat turned six. She was my biggest baby, almost ten pounds, and she was in no hurry to arrive. And today is her day, which she has been looking forward to for an awfully long time. And here is our day, in photos:

Breakfast in bed (sticky bun, hot cocoa, watermelon) Note to self: put towel on bed before serving six year old sticky crumby things

Friend party! M-cat chose an animal theme. This is her own version of "What time is it Mister Wolf?" (and doesn't our new sod look lush?)

 A blushing birthday girl

 Do it yourself cupcakes with the sibs

 Crazy pose: Maybe baking chocolate cupcakes with coffee wasn't the greatest idea...

New rollerblades!

 Getting some pointers from a big sister

 While big brother plays with our kid-made ropes course

We love you, M-cat. You have brought much joy into our lives these past six years!

Buttercup fairy

Ever seen one? I have. And let me tell you, they are super cute and especially fond of puddles.

Late on eight

So, a little while ago there was another birthday in our family: G-force, who just turned eight.
It began with the traditional breakfast in bed:

And them a little friend party merriment followed, which included making scrapbooks, eating donuts off strings, dancing and having a sleep-under.  I'm a huge fan of the sleep-under. Bring your pillow, your jammies, watch a movie with popcorn, then GO HOME TO YOUR OWN BED. And actually SLEEP. It's awesome.

Note the NEWLY pierced ears, still pink. I remember that I too, at precisely the same age, had my ears pierced. This was a gift from her Granny, who took her to get it done.

The big birthday gift was a pair of roller blades. G-force is an amazing skater, a force to be reckoned with on the ice, and so this gift has been a huge hit. I love you, kiddo. Happy birthday, my biggest girl.

Quidditch in the basement

Kind of looks like this:

 The balls: (the snitch is partly hidden in this photo)

 The goal post:

 And our resident house team "flying": watch out for the seeker in the pink helmet! (we're all about safety while playing Quidditch...)

Three

Three years ago, my littlest boy burst into our lives. He was stubbornly turned sideways, and so his birth was a Caesarean one. One week later, I was in the hospital giving birth again: to a cyst that my left ovary had twisted around. Ouch. I will not relive this story here, but the first weeks and months of this boy's life were profoundly difficult ones. I had four children to parent, yet was bedridden and struggling to bring baby Chuckles back to his birthweight. My confidence in feeding my newborn was low, and I needed lots of help. And so his arrival was a humbling experience for me. I leaned heavily on family, friends and neighbours, and they amazed me with their generosity. It makes me a little weepy as I think of this time in my life: utter joy in the birth of this healthy baby, frustration at not being able to attend to my bigger kids, struggle in feeding this kid, fatigue, (oh the fatigue!) and gratitude for the family and community into which he was born. You are one lucky boy, Chuckles. And I am one lucky mama. Happy third birthday.

Smell you later

Hockey season. Ringette season. It's all over. And my house smells better already. Our spring week-ends feel free again, and while I do love watching my kids playing, and watching their different personalities and skills show themselves on the ice, it'll be nice to have a little breather. Until soccer season, of course.