Cooper has been coming to kindergym with Layla since he was just a few weeks old. He'd look around and just take it all in. But now that he's a year old and VERY mobile, and VERY curious, he loves to get down and run around and play too. He had the most fun today when the parachute was pulled out and Gramma took him over to play. He was holding on so tight and reaching up so high. Every time the parachute went up, he would go up on his tippy toes. He loved being able to crawl under the parachute at the end too!

More kindergym fun.

Layla's been practicing her balancing a lot lately. She likes to hold onto the freezer handle and balance on one foot. And her dance teacher has been teaching them some balancing tricks too that she has been practicing. Here she is walking along the balance beam at kindergym.

A post-swim&gym lunch at Jean's. The blueberry pancakes are Layla's favourite.

I've probably already posted a photo with the caption "climbing" in the past couple of weeks. But as of late, that is Cooper's favourite thing to do. It's like he has "open-gate-radar". If the gate at the bottom of the stairs accidentally gets left open, Cooper sneaks right over and starts climbing!

Layla loves to draw faces. She's a pro! So while crafting with her tonight I decided to wow her with some paper dolls. She was so impressed that after a few folds & cuts, I was able to make a nice chain of dolls for her to draw faces on.

February 26, 2011

Cooper has given Layla's baby dolls more love than Layla ever has. He is such a sweet little boy. (not to say that Layla isn't sweet, she just shows it in different ways, and has different interests).

I'm so thankful that my parents decided to keep some of the favourite toys that my sisters and I played with growing up, so that one day their grandchildren could enjoy them too. Here's Layla showing Cooper the cash register that my sisters and I played "store" and "restaurant" with for hours and hours and hours on end. They just don't make toys like they used to.

While visiting family in Ottawa, Mercedese & Melanie introduced us to Window Writers Markers. I was a little skeptical at first that they would just be a big mess. But they really are great, and easy to wash off so I picked up a pack while we were there. Layla LOVES them!

February 25, 2011

Cooper has figured out that if he climbs the stool, he can JUST reach the light switches. And he thinks that's just great! Now the fun reeeeeally starts!! ;)

Today we had the family over to celebrate Gramma P's Birthday. Here Layla is helping Gramma blow out her birthday candles.

I love how Coop looks in his overalls. Like such a little boy. They're just so cute. This pair is my favourite, and they're starting to get a wee bit snug. He's on the last button on the shoulder straps. They're very tight from crotch to shoulders and he sometimes has a hard time crawling in them. This will probably be one of the last times he wears them, so I had to make sure I got a pic.

Layla still has "nap" time most afternoons. Most days she doesn't actually sleep, but spends the 1 1/2 hours in her room reading books, playing with her dolls, jumping off the bed (which actually sounds like she's gonna come through the ceiling) and playing dress up in her closet. She always comes out of her room after nap time with a different outfit on than what she went in with. This is what she came out with today. What a fashionista!!! ;)

The last two days have been so sunny here. Finally!!!! Yesterday was still cold (about -10 all day) but today made it up to -1 so we took advantage. Mommy bundled up the kids and we went for a walk to get the mail. When we got home, Layla ran around the backyard and played on her playset for a little bit. A LOT of snow melted while were in Ottawa. Layla loved that she could run around. After this little dose of Vitamin D and sunshine, we're all hoping that Spring is soon on it's way.

February 22, 2011

Cooper was sooooo happy to eat this apple. (in case you couldn't tell.) It started when Cooper got blackberries for dessert, and Layla got an apple. After his blackberries were gone, Cooper was putting up a fuss! I tried giving him more blackberries, some milk, but he wasn't having it. Then we realized he was pointing at Layla's apple. Layla said she was done so she gave the rest to Cooper. He devoured it. There was hardly even core left when he was done.

Mommy painted Layla's fingernails this afternoon. She loved the little flower stickers that went on each nail. I told her I wanted to see her fingernails and her face in the same picture. This is what she came up with. :)

February 21, 2011

Cooper getting one more play in with his cousin before we go home.

Layla keeping herself busy on the ride home from Ottawa.

February 20, 2011

Today we took a trip to The Museum of Civilization Children's Museum. 

Layla & Daddy. 

Mommy, Mercedese, Layla, Uncle Ned and Aaron. Here we are on a bus that was part of the Pakistan exhibit.

Layla. She said she was calling Gramma.

Coop getting his groove on.

Coop & Daddy wanna buy a lobster!

Layla the store clerk checking them out.

Working hard at the bank.

Coop & Mommy taking a rest.

Layla getting her passport stamped. As we entered the museum, they gave the kids a mini passport to get stamped at each exhibit. It was definitely the highlight of Layla's museum visit.

Layla going for a drive.

Little drummer.

Layla making "soup stew" as she called it.

February 19, 2011

Today we went to an indoor wave pool & splash pad. 

"Look Mama! Starfish float!"

Daddy & Coop under the sprinkler. 

Water baby.

February 18, 2011

We had a lot of fun in Ottawa. The first day we were there we went to a place called "Cosmic Adventures." Pretty much heaven on earth for little kids. They had a blast! Here's some photos of the fun.

Totally tubular.

The boys in the ball pit.

There he goes.

Going up.

Aaron is right behind.

Having fun in the balls.

Down he comes. Head first - getting brave!

Bottle break. All this fun is hard work!

Fun!

Climbing.

Crossing the bridge. 

Waaaay up there!

More ball pit fun.

Ahoy Matey!

The best pic of the 4 of them all weekend.

Ice cream!

The boys... just being cute!