Easter at Gamma's

Yes -- I am seriously behind on my blogging, but I am working on catching up! :)

Holidays in our family are so much sweeter because we get to share them with our little miss. Her enthusiasm for new experiences is contagious!

We started our Easter weekend eggstravaganza at Gamma's house on Thursday, after school. It was wonderful being able to go to my Mom's house after a long few weeks at school -- dinner was made, there were no dishes to clean up and Easter eggs were hidden for Maelyn. It was a wonderful start to an amazing long weekend.

These two are so very much in love...

Maelyn with Daddy, holding one of her Easter gifts from Gamma

It didn't take long for Maelyn to catch on to the whole routine -- search for eggs, find eggs, eat eggs -- the best gig in town! I absolutely loved watching her experience a holiday that I have loved my entire life -- her squeals of excitement helped to wash away any stress from the week. These experiences are the moments I waited years for -- this is what family life is all about!

Gamma also got Maelyn an Easter gift -- a doctor's set!

Thanks Gamma -- you spoil me!

Hmmmm.....let's look in those ears, Daddy...

Gamma also made Maelyn cupcakes for dessert...

It was the perfect start to our Easter weekend. Gamma spoiled us all!

Found new pics!

Thanks to a wonderful hand-me-down from my father, we now have a new camera. The new camera is great -- but I forgot that I still had some pics on the old camera....just thought I would share a few of the pics that I found...

Receiving a hang bao gift from Auntie April for CNY

Celebrating CNY at our favourite sushi restaurant with Nancy, Heather and James

Celebrating CNY with two other families from our travel group

We love getting the girls together -- a house full of fun and laughter!

Such a cutie!!

God-Sister Fun - Part 2

There is so much fun to be had when these four monkeys get together...

The girls dressed Maelyn up -- as the naked chef!!

The outfits were endless...and Maelyn loved every minute of the attention she was given!

To top off the dressing up experience, the girls dressed up as ladies -- very generously endowed, aren't they?Hehehe...

God-Sister Fun - Part 1

This post is way overdue, but definitely worth posting!

In February, we had one of the best weekends ever....a god-sister sleepover! Bryanna, Cassidy, and Julia arrived Friday evening, ready to get the fun started....

After changing into pyjamas, we made pizza for dinner...

The girls then enjoyed their dinner and exchanged CNY and Valentine's Day cards...

The big girls slept in the living room and they loved setting up their bed...

Who could resist these four little monkeys??

Then it was time for a movie and treats....

This is the first time that Maelyn sat and watched a movie. Paul and I felt like we were in heaven -- she was entertained and it was nice and quiet...

Bryanna, Cassidy and Julia looked after Maelyn the entire time -- and we loved having the extra help!

Bryanna, showing Paul how to use her new IPod Touch...

The big girls went and got Maelyn up in the morning -- and she was in heaven when she realized that the girls were still there!

Paul playing football with the girls in the hallway...

We then headed out to the spa for manicures and pedicures...

It was a fabulous weekend -- one that I cannot wait to repeat!! The girls are such amazing kids -- so polite, kind, very helpful and wonderful to be around. We missed them when they had gone home! Love them to bits...

Yay for Spring!!

Yesterday was such a fabulous day outside -- amazing what effect the weather has on us all!

We spent the morning outside, enjoying the freedom of being outdoors with a lot less outerwear than we have had to struggle with over the past five months. We decided to tackle the front yard and began raking the yard. My Dad took Maelyn around the block on her trike and she had a blast! We brought activities outside for her and watching her lying on her tummy, colouring us pictures, was a sight that brought a smile to my face. Her ease with the morning activities and the simple pleasure she took in colouring her pictures was another example of how our family has finally settled into a happy routine.

After awhile, Maelyn ventured to the backyard and discovered her much-loved play yard that she obviously missed so dearly -- it was a struggle to get her to come inside after an hour of enjoying her play yard.

Maelyn was 'sleeping' in her play house...hehe!

It was wonderful to spend the entire morning outside -- bring on spring!!

Later in the day Auntie Kara and Uncle Cam came for a visit and we enjoyed one of our favourite meals -- sushi!

Maelyn discovered soy sauce for the first time -- and when we weren't looking, she took the container and drank the rest of the sauce -- ewwww! Maelyn, however, thought it was the best thing ever!

Then it was time to play with Auntie Kara, Uncle Cam and Jake -- what a perfect way to end a fabulous day!

March Pics

I cannot believe how quickly the month of March passed by -- perhaps it has something to do with returning back to the classroom?!

March is always a big birthday month in our family and we celebrated my sister's milestone birthday with the entire family. Maelyn loves spending time with her Auntie Kara and when there is chocolate involved, the time spent together is even sweeter!

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Yummy!!

Spending time with Auntie Kara is the best!

Trying on Gamma's glasses...

We spent our March Break working on projects around the house. It was fabulous to get some projects out of the way and Maelyn was more than happy to help us out!

Not all of our time was spent indoors working on projects. We were able to get out to the Toronto Zoo with Auntie April and Kristie...

Maelyn loved running from footprint to footprint. She would pause and then jump on the print -- too cute!

Our neighbour dinners have evolved as our families have grown. We got together for a Sunday pot-luck dinner -- the kids played, the adults talked and we all enjoyed some great food!