It makes perfect sense, really

Lily was just colouring a castle and mermaid themed colouring book, and when she finished colouring in one bit, she paused and told us matter-of-factly "It's a blue lady fish." Makes more sense than "mermaid". :)

Our days together

Something funny, challenging, or heart-warming seems to happen every day we are together. Time and again I'm reminded just how lucky I am to be home with you two each and every day, each day filled with...

SweetnessMotherly pride (Lily drawing in the lines like a pro)

More sweetness, tucking her tiny baby into bed on Tatus' pillow

Mischief (as Lukasz crawls under the chair and through my legs to get to the computer cables)

and Bliss.

Christmas Day afternoon

Christmas afternoon and evening was filled with family, food and gifts. I can't believe I don't have any photos of all the food we ate! Babcia & Ciocia Natalya made some really wonderful goodies!Wujek Daniel played Santa this year, and handed out the gifts that he found under the tree.
Everyone was amazed at how much Lukasz had grown and he was whisked away to be cuddled and played with as soon as we got in the door. Being the happy, outgoing baby that he is, he had no problem with all the attention!

Ciocia Marta helped him open his gifts:



And then helped Lily put together a big puzzle she got from Santa. (Nice hair cut, Lily. :)

Babcia got some perfume, which she's encouraging me to smell here:

Lukasz got a Steve Zissou hat!

A BIG card from Babcia & Dziadek:



This picture makes me laugh: Lukasz got a ride-on airplane car, and it's Tomek and I in the photo looking excited about it!

We inevitably ate too much and went for a walk with Babcia and Lily to help our tummys.

Babcia & Dziadek's house all decorated:

Flop!

This picture makes me laugh, too. Lukasz is such a good sport!

That's better!

Me & 50lbs of kids right there.

Lily loves to walk up Tatus and then flip over. I remember doing this, but I think I was a lot older. Like maybe 5 or 6.

Sunsets

We've been having some beautiful sunsets lately... and of course I couldn't resist taking photos of all the colours.

Lily's dexterity

In the past day or two Lily has really taken a leap in her dexterity. She's always been good with picking up and balancing small objects, (this also makes her a very tidy eater) but lately it extended to her colouring skills. She wasn't colouring much inside the lines before now, and all of a sudden she IS. I don't know if she suddenly picked it up from watching me do it all the time, or if she just decided to give it a try and realized that she can. Either way, now when we colour it's often hard to tell who coloured what! Pretty cool. :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Lily!! *photos*

Today was the first day of a weekend-long celebration. We arrived in Kelowna late on the 1st and in the morning we got to work putting together a weekend of Lily's favourite things. The weather definitely cooperated!

Good morning, birthday girl!

Tatus and Woochie catching some raysShe loves getting a turn on Uncle Shane's skateboard.

The morning was spent playing outside and colouring ... then when she went down for a nap the decorating and wrapping of presents began. I didn't really have a plan other than I'd bought a small canister of helium from Costco so I could blow up tons of helium balloons for you. The rest of the decorations just kind of formed on their own. I was really happy with the results!



Oh, the excitement! This was one of my all-time favourite moments: watching her reaction to seeing all the balloons.Down to the very serious business of opening presents and cards.

More excitement as she completes the puzzles she received as a gift. Every time she completed one, she'd exclaim, "I DID IT!" and we'd all laugh and reply, "Yes! You did it!"

You really liked the hand-made activity case your Great Aunt Mary and Uncle Jim sent--it was filled with stickers, balloons, a book, barrettes, crayons, a colouring book!
I hunted and hunted and hunted for this book for you. I remember borrowing it from the library again and again, and since you already love the dvds, I thought it would be even better if you had the original book: Madeline. (To go with your Madeline doll!)
Even Lukasz got into the swing of the festivities, bouncing a balloon around.

After dinner, it was time for... the CAKE. A delicious strawberry shortcake with homemade whipped cream, made by Gran!
I thought I might have to help you blow out the candles, but nope.I helped you eat your piece of birthday cake, but I think you grabbed all of the strawberries! :)

And then you were looking pretty darn tired. Off to bed, and then, to the beach!

The weather was perfect for our Sunday morning trip to the beach. We were able to spend a few hours there, building sand castles, and then Lily even went swimming! Lukasz spent the time hanging out with Gran & Grampa.

Boats and planes really catch Lily's attention.

A pooped Lukasz:

I was surprised and very happy that you wanted to go in the water with us, given your recent dislike of baths.


You swam on your tummy back and forth between me and Tatus...

And you even showed us your back float!! Yay!