Summer's end

Maia opening her birthday gift with Papa.

My little girl turned 4 on Monday. Such a big number already, I really don't know how I'll cope with ever increasing numbers. Can you imagine 13? Yee God.

Her birthday is always close to the fall equinox, and this year it was on the last day of summer. I always look forward to the fall and I think it's lovely that Maia's birth coincided with this change in season. We gave her a camera in celebration, her own pink, water-proof, bump-proof, Kieran-proof camera and here are our favourites so far:

September?

View of the river from Joel and Janelle's home.

I went to write a check the other day and you know what I began to write in the date? May. Yup, May. How the hell did it become September? We've had an extremely busy summer, so busy in fact that apparently I haven't quite digested the fact that we've had one! And I wish I could say that life is going to slow down but according to my day planner that ain't so. We have lots of Birthdays this month, including Lonny's, Grandpa Steve's, and of course, Maia's. My little girl is turning four! She starts her first day of school tomorrow at our local Montessori preschool, and is very excited to see her teachers and friends again. It's lovely to see that she has absolutely no apprehension. And I will be attending a parent-participation preschool with Kieran once a week. I know he will enjoy being around others his size. He gets so uber exited whenever we encounter someone his size, it's quite embarassing.

I've included some photos of our recent trip to Winnipeg, where we visited Great-Grandma. We met lots of relatives and ate an impressive amount of food. The license plates there read 'Friendly Manitoba' and that couldn't be more appropriate. We came home with an extra suitcase of toys for the kids, and with the realization that I don't think I want to fly alone with the two kids to Europe next year. I think water torture would be a more pleasant option.

And last but certainly not least, I have decided to put my artwork on hold for the time being. Being a mama is a full-time job, and I was getting rather frazzled (as Lonny can attest to) and very sleep-deprived trying to do my own thing as well. As an attachment parent, I am simply not ready to spend enough time away from my wee ones to run a business. I am sure that I will still find some time to be creative every once in a while for my own sanity, but the idea is to keep it enjoyable rather than the pull-my-hair-out insanity of trying to mat artwork while the kids have the stomach ful and the dog needs an emergency trip to the vet. I think you get the jist.

On the airplane!

Gloria, Grandma, and Great-Grandma in the front.

Maia in her new boots.

Maia and Melina.

Driving a Beetle at the Children's Museum. The boy was reluctant to wait his turn.

Kieran was into changing gears.

Waiting for mom to emerge from an antique shop.

Outside the Children's Museum with Aunty Patsy who took us there.

In the hallway of Great-Grandma's house. These were enforced.

Three generations!

Breakfast with Grandma.

Hanging out with Papa on the back porch.