milk factory blog

Granny and Kitty

So after all of my anti-consumerism grumbling, here I am posting a pic from Halloween. Greedy kids with no costumes (who want candy AND who are throwing firecrackers at pedestrians) aside, I have to admit that Halloween is starting to grow on me, especially when I receive pics like this.

Fun in the Sun!

Is there a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon with your friends? We hit the Granville Island Water Park for a couple of hours yesterday and the kids had a blast! It's funny to see the transition from being timid around the water to not wanting to leave - regardless of the chills and goosebumps.

Notes to parents:

1. The water is COLD! Our little ones range from 15 to 18 months and were like little cubes of ice - even with the warm sun.

2. If there is even a remote chance that you will be around water during an adventure to the park, pack a towel, swim diaper and extra clothes! Between the three kids, we managed to gather all the necessities but if you don't travel in a pack, it's best to be prepared.

It was a jam-packed afternoon of activities and fun had by all! Well, almost all...you were there in spirit go-Daddy-O! Thanks again to Mason's Mom and Dad for the fabulous post-water park dinner!

Pucker Up!

Aaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwww!

The perfect end to the perfect afternoon in the park.

Well, almost. The moment that followed this unprovoked attack of the Magnet, resulted in crocodile tears. Let's just say that poor little Ella was taken aback by the 3rd hug and kiss of the day and was none too happy to land flat on her back with Oliver on top and everyone around her laughing. Scared more than anything, she was laughing again in no time.

Circle of Friends

125 loads of laundry. 1,825 bottles of milk. 4,000+ dirty diapers. 8,760 long hours. 365 happy days.

Ken and I can't believe that Oliver's first year has gone by so quickly. Tonight, as we reflect on the year, we're feeling very lucky and very happy. Oliver is healthy, happy, smart, funny and very, very huggy! We've had a fun year and have really tried to appreciate every moment.

Oliver is our first child and I admit we've had rough spots learning about him and he about us. What I can't imagine is what this first year would have been like without our Circle of Friends there to support us. So, it seemed fitting to celebrate Oliver's first birthday with the Milk Factory gang. The kids are within two months of each other so it was really like one big birthday party for all of them.

They played with balloons, blocks, lego, cars and balls. They ate cheese quesadillas, teddy puffs and mooched Chinese food from anyone that would share. They fed each other. Hit each other. Hugged each other and of course, shared sippy cups. Some napped while some danced. It was fun all around!

And of course there was cake! A "super moist" cake!

Not Quite Packed Yet

Ella has been blowing green snot bubbles and is running a low-grade fever, which means that she's been clinging to me all day. With go-Daddy-O at work, she's had to resort to belly time with mom instead of dad. Luckily, she's managed to find a pretty comfy spot. The packing will have to wait for just a little while longer.

Happy Birthday!

Dancing Hands & Baby Faces

This past October, the Milk Factory Moms (and two Dads - Kevin & Nyal) strolled down to the Baby Fair - Western Canada's premier baby event. Of course, each of us entered our darlings in the Face of 2004 contest.

Adorable aren't they?! (Sorry Mason - I don't have your photo!) You'd think they would have picked one of ours!

Anyway....in re-visiting the Baby Fair web-site, I came across the guest speaker Bios. Although I missed the seminar, I found Paula Fisher's site Dancing Hands very interesting. For $65, you can learn over 100 signs in just 3 hours. AND, she'll come to you if you book a group of more than 4. Her next workshop is February 28th and the last one sold out!

Holy Crows!

Today we watched the crows from our livingroom window. Yup, you get those on the eastside. But not just a couple of crows, HUNDREDS of crows. The sight was quite entertaining for Oliver and his best bud! They were more than happy to hang out at the window off and on throughout the day.

MeeeOW!

From time to time, we have been told that our cat, Buttons, is not very nice. You be the judge...

How could something this cute be called mean?! Ok, she may have attacked a handyman (or two) and she may have a bit of a social disorder but give the chick a break...she's come a long way to now be perfectly content with being mauled and jumped on by our 9 month old son (now, before you go calling Family Services, he is always closely supervised!).

I just didn't realize how stupid she could be...this morning it sounded like there was a cat fight in our livingroom but no, it was just Buttons. Have you ever heard of a cat getting her claw stuck in her tail (not just the fur) while chasing it?! She did so this morning and it took the two of us to get her undone.