Valentines Day

Will you be my Valentine....... Juliette and Virgil were in a playful mood when they had these pictures done. The lady that owns the herbal magic shop in Merritt was booking free mini photo shoots for kids Valentines pics. I think they turned out great.

Harrison Hot Springs

Grandma joined me and the kids for the weekend in Harrison Hot Springs. It had been 16 years since I had last been there with my Mom. Things were different yet very much the same.  We went for a brisk walk in the morning, only the odd person out walking their dog. 

The kids fit in perfectly with this local.

We went in the Harrison hotel to warm up and dry off by the fire. This giant teddy bear was so big Virgil didn't even notice what it was until I showed him.

I remembered the old copper piano in the Hotel. I took a little walk about tour of the hotel, The copper room is still a charming spot with live music. I remembered dancing on the dance floor with Henri. Good times, good memories.

Grandma and Juliette with a fuzzy big tree.

Virgil enjoyed hanging out in Harrison. After a chilly morning we all went for a swim in the hot spring at the public pool. It felt wonderful. It was pretty warm for the kids so they were happy hanging out on the top of the stairs.

Winter fun

The kids helped build their snowman with the crazy pine needle hair. Our neighbours golden lab came over and fetched the sticks out of the arm holes. They were sad when it melted away days later.

Finger painting at its best! who's idea was that anyways??

Virgil's first haircut, he wanted to sit in the blue angels plane. I was sad to see his little baby curls go. We took home a blue sachet with his curls, a certificate and before and after pics.

He wound up getting a cute mini shag haircut and looked like a little man.

Juliette returned to the barbie car to get her bangs cut.

and fingers painted, pink.

Keneesha called to ask if I could help her make a chocolate cake for "National chocolate cake day" It sounded like fun and i knew the kids would love to help too.

double chocolate bliss.

Christmas 2011

A Tradition, making a gingerbread house. I thought this was a good idea until things were underway. Juliette decorated this side of the roof and did a nice job managing to put most of the candy on the house......at first.

Virgil's side of the roof needed a bit of help as most of the candy that went on the roof was half eaten or sucked on, after a while he didn't even bother putting it on the house he just gobbled it up.

It was a good team effort and thank goodness only happens once a year cause the results of all that sugar was crazy, I mean the kids actually went crazy, hyper!!

We went to a pancake breakfast at the civic centre and Santa and his entourage were there. The kids were a bit unsure at first, But Juliette went straight for Mrs. Claus's lap leaving Santa's lap free for Virgil. They were all smiles when they got candy canes.

Christmas morning, The Toy Story theme was the hit of the day for Virgil.

A trunk of princess attire and tea parties made her day.

Also this over the top glitzy homemade (not by me) doll house was left by Santa, tucked away in the closet to be found .

Round and round we go....

Look here comes Buzz and oh wait its Buzz Jr !!

Picture with personality

What an Angel.

And look another Angel, Notice the black eye.

Juliette's 4th Birthday - Stanley Park Christmas Train

The polar express was the theme of the Stanley Park Christmas train. I was looking for something to do on Juliette's actual birthday and found tickets for the celebration of lights. Darren flew into Vancouver the night before Juliette's Birthday and surprised her in the morning. He had been away working in Ft, Nelson for the past month.

This was our first time going on the train ride. The kids enjoyed it despite the rain.

All aboard!! whistles blowing....

The Celebration of lights was pretty cool, it must have been alot of work to decorate all the displays.

This lucky girl got another birthday cake, a dairy queen ice cream. Not sure if it was more for us or the kids but needless to say, we all enjoyed it.

Finishing off the day playing with all her new toys.

Juliette's Princess party

After going to her friend Maddy's princess party, Juliette decided she wanted to have one to.

Tiara and all, this pretty in pink princess was ready to take on the day.

Oma had stayed with us for a couple weeks before heading to Vancouver for the party and helped with the" Princess Juliette" banner. She was put to work curling ribbons until the wee hours of the night.

I ordered the Barbie topper cake from safeway and made the bottom one with the grass. By the time we were ready to eat it, barbie looked like she was ready to topple over from poor construction and heat of the room.

Once again she got spoiled with wonderful gifts; barbie's, fairy dora, clothes, princess figurines, etc.

Princess Sarah and prince Joey were among the guests in attendance.

A special moment shared on a special day.

Ballet Preschool

Juliette started ballet in the fall, and she was a snowflake in Cinderella's ball. 

 They were so cute up on the big stage in the civic centre.

 Juliette is raising her arm to the crowds applause. Oma was with me in the front row videoing.

This is a picture of my mom (Oma) after one of her performances. She studies the Shaketi method ballet for about 12 years.