July

Next stop - August! - July 31, 2009
Some final Milo-moments to round-out the month.

He's got a good grasp of the raspberry technique!

...because it makes me laugh...

My big boy - July 30, 2009
A trip to Sobey's was needed and Kaden was up to the task. He gets a big kick out of pulling the basket around the store to help me shop. He really is just the cutest thing. Then he showed off his big brother skills "helping" Milo with the buttons and giving him some love. We treated ourselves to yoghurt popsicles for snack today...Kaden liked the idea, but he didn't have any staying power to work past the cold. He had fun trying though and talking all about it!

Boys inside and out - July 28, 2009
Kaden tried a new crafting medium today - stamps. They were a big hit. Maybe because they have a certain resemblance to pushing buttons?!? Milo discovered a new part of his Intellitainer - but it isn't always fun it seems. We went outside post-dinner for our usual Daddy-vigil. Milo chill-axed in the grass while Kaden found ways to burn off steam - jumping and climbing. Bubbles were also on the menu per usual.

Kaden adds stamps to his crafting repertoire.

Look out Usain Bolt...

July cuteness! - July 27, 2009
Of course, like I said before, anything Milo plays with is interesting to Kaden regardless of age-specifications! He likes to "help" Milo with the buttons. Later in the day I tried on a shirt Milo was given at my baby shower before leaving BC. Adorable. And finally, I managed to catch a few quick pics of the boys together...combined, those last two photos would make the perfect picture!

Sunday fun - July 26, 2009
Another great weekend day - we love our Daddy-Days. We took a trip to the park and both kids had fun on the slide. Kaden showed Milo how it was done and then Milo took his first (assisted) slide. He seemed somewhat suspicious at first, but the smile at the end confirmed that he will someday be a seasoned slider as well.

Milo also got a present this weekend. We had one of these Intellitainers in BC, but it was on loan from a friend. Despite what adults might think of it, Kaden really liked it, so we managed to find one second hand for our second son! He didn't cry - which was Kaden's first reaction - but I think it still has to grow on him.

Milo explores his new toy.
Will he also discover his inner-button-love?!
       

The Roberts came over tonight to help round out the birthday weekend celebrations.
Milo apparently took a shining to Matt!

Saturday snap-shot - July 25, 2009
All the kids got in on the jolly jumper action this morning.

Ali is apparently intrigues...Milo is running and yet he can't be chased!

We took Kaden to his first soccer class today. It had it's ups and downs. He was eager to go and he was super excited to get the jersey and the ball, but we may have got there a little too early...or we may just have a toddler! He was having fun playing around with Daddy, but then discovered the pile of rocks (aka the baseball diamond) just as the coaches called everyone in to start. Enter "monster-toddler" and the remaining time at the class was a mixture of tantrum, clinginess ("Mommy hold you"...we're still working on pronouns) and eventually tricking Kaden into participating in the last few minutes. He did also sit for the final circle and happily got a sticker put on his hand (which lasted for the better part of the rest of the weekend - including bath and bed times)! He talked about soccer with some fondness after the fact so we'll give it a go next week.

My birthday weekend celebrations continued with a dinner at Gran and Grandees - thank you! We didn't take many pictures that night, but Milo took his first turn in an excesaucer and seemed to like it. He has a thing for suns.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY! - July 24, 2009
What a great day. We started the day with our best buds at Rainbow Songs and then we were treated to a lunch out - thanks Roberts! After an afternoon siesta (Milo is getting very good at sleeping in his crib for naps now too) Daddy came home early to have dinner as a family. And what birthday isn't complete without the birthday song and candles. Kaden loves it. Milo didn't get to eat cake, but he was able to help me open my gifts. He even got to sport his very own bow! Kaden was a big help too and didn't seem to put-out by having to share the gift opening duty with his little bro! I had a wonderful day :)

Today is also Milo's 4-monthiversary! He clocked it at just over 15lbs and is working on falling asleep by himself, rolling and laughing.

He's getting pretty close!

Queen Street Jazz Festival - July 23, 2009
What fun - the Roberts and Calverts took to the street to enjoy a little summer-in-the-city fun. Queen Street was blocked off for the annual Jazz Fest. The real party gets going once our kidlets are sleeping, but we had a good time dancing in the street to those performers that were already in action and the treat of the night was ice cream! Kaden has been luke warm to ice cream...more appropriately he has given in the cold shoulder (hahah) because I think he finds it a little bit cold. However giving an ice cream cone a lick was well worth any ice cream headache he may have feared. Milo didn't get to chow down on ice cream, but he used his favourite travel toy as a good substitute...he may have even had a little too much ;]

Who needs ice cream when there are cloth tassels to chew!
 

A fun day to play - July 22, 2009
During the summer, our local Gymboree had a drop in morning. It was a perfect way to get the kids out of the house to burn energy on a rainy day. We joined our good friends for a little playtime in the morning. Kaden is slowly getting more courageous. He's always been a mean-sliding and swinging machine at the park, but he has been a little more hesitant about going solo on some of the climbers in the play gym. Today he took a leap and jumped off the ledge without holding Mommy's hand. He was so pleased with himself. It opened up a whole new door of fun!

Here's our little dare devil in action.
 

That afternoon Milo took another spin in the ol' jolly jumper with his big brother to show him the ropes. As with most things, Milo doesn't get a lot of time on his own without Kaden getting involved. I think Kaden hoped his bouncing would be a little more spectacular. But he was very gently (mostly) and encouraging of Milo to keep jumping! And Milo adores any attention Kaden lavishes on him. One of Kaden's favourite pass times is books and we have added a twist - books on CD! What a hit. He happily sits and listens to somebody else read him a story. I think the bigger fascination though is that we let him use the remote! We still have to load the CD in the player for him, but after that he's got it all figured out. He can change songs, change the volume, turn the stereo on and off and even cycle through the other functions (ie radio, iPod, etc). We've established what a good volume level is and he sticks to it...if anything he goes down to make it more quiet for some variety.

"That's good gumping, Milo!"
 

Time for some jumping? - July 21, 2009
Back home in Toronto we get back to our usual antics. Milo takes his first solo flight in the jolly jumper. He seems to enjoy his new perspective on his surroundings, but he's more of a jolly runner! Kaden also takes another shot at holding his little bro - these sessions don't last long, but we're working up slowly to prevent Milo being pushed off his lap!

Here are some of Milo's first moments in the Jolly Jumper.

Fun on the Farm! - July 13 - 19, 2009
What a week! After our weekend in Ottawa we said goodbye to Daddy and prepared for our flight to the Prairies. Kaden, Milo and I traveled with Nanna and Poppa on Monday. Uncle Drew and crew were joining us mid-week and then Daddy would show up on Friday in time for Danine's wedding celebrations! The kids traveled really well (despite Kaden's first real tantrum that morning...perhaps we left snack time a little too late...or perhaps he's just two!). Milo 'ate' as everyone was boarding the plane and then proceeded to sleep the whole trip. Good boy. Kaden managed to get comfy beside Nanna and had a little bit of a nap. After that he happily played open and close the window blind with Nanna. Good times.

Once in Manitoba we drove to Carman, the town where Poppa grew up. We were staying in a B&B in town that had a living area and kitchen for us to use - perfect. There were a couple other guests throughout the week, but we pretty much took over the place. The breakfasts were delicious and there was a park just down the road. What more could you ask for. It was unusually cool weather in MB as well (apparently BC was the only province to get summer this year!). But we didn't let the weather stop us. The park had lots to play with including the best car apparatus. Kaden spent much of his time at the park driving himself (and everyone else) around in the car!

The following day we spent the morning at my Uncle Shawn and cousin Warren's farm. What a treat. Kaden had a blast looking at all the BIG farm equipment. He was able to climb around on tractors and combines, blow the air horn in the dump truck and he even got to take a ride in the sprayer. Uncle Shawn showed him how the big arms opened - it looked like a Transformer (Daddy will be impressed). Milo took it all in as well...he will be suitably impressed the next time we visit ;]

Uncle Drew, Auntie Glenda, Ben and Mia arrived on Wednesday. On Thursday we took the kids into the Forks, in Winnipeg, to go to the Children's Museum.

Kaden especially loved the exhibit with rocks, water and a button!
 

Some random cute pics...

Kaden really loved having his cousins around to play. He especially liked his older cousin Ben, who was really great with all the younger tots. Today (Friday) was also the day Daddy arrived - hooray!

Danine's big day (actually weekend) turned out to be the best weather all week - what a relief. The ceremony and reception was held on my uncle's property out in the back yard. It was a beautiful ceremony. Of all the McCutcheon first cousins (there are 8 of us), seven were able to make the journey. And between us we have 10 kids! It was quite the gathering. Fortunately my aunt and uncle were prepared (and not just because they have a granddaughter themselves), but they recently set up this amazing play structure in the yard - a good idea for toddlers and kids who are less interested in weddings (the wagon was a big hit too)!

"Weeeeeee!"
 

On Saturday morning we went back to the farm to check out the farm equipment again. There was more air horn fun, another ride in the sprayer and even a turn on the ATV. Farms ROCK!

I don't think the late night partiers were particularly enthused about this early morning wake up call!

Best "toy" ever! I'm not sure who had more fun - Kaden or Daddy!?!
         

Saturday afternoon took Daddy and Kaden for a dip in the Carman outdoor pool and then we all were part of a McCutcheon family BBQ in the park. Kaden received an umbrella as a  gift from his cousins - he LOVED it! Open...close...repeat! Milo had fun having a smile-off with the other baby cousins!

Sunday morning was our final day in Carman. We took advantage of the continuing sunshine to splash around in our cousin Warren's pool. Kaden spent most of his time jumping off the side or being tossed in the air. Milo even took his first dip! He seemed a little unimpressed with the shock of the cold, but took it all in stride and even smiled at Uncle Drew!

Kaden's number one word must be..."AGAIN!"
         

ROAD TRIP! - July 11-12, 2009
We're on our way to Ottawa for the weekend before jet-setting to Carman, Manitoba for our cousin Danine's wedding. En route we stopped for lunch where Kaden took a chomp out of a whole apple for the first time. He quite enjoyed it. We also stopped for the requisite Timmy's coffee break. It was such a windy day (isn't it supposed to be July? Yah right.). Kaden took in some muffin while Milo choked back the wind! Poor little guy. The kids did pretty well on our trip "east" although naps were short at best.

We arrived safely at Uncle Drew and Auntie Glenda's to have dinner and celebrate Uncle Drew's birthday as well as Nanna and Poppa's anniversary (both actually on the 13th).

On Sunday we took the kids to the Museum of Civilization Kid's Museum before Daddy had to head back on the road home. Kaden had a blast running amok between exhibits while stopping occasionally to get a stamp (involved using a button), talking on the old school pay phone (also with buttons), driving in some vehicles (knobs and buttons), ringing in at a cash register (more buttons), and doing a little home renovation (no buttons...but there were toy tools..."tape measure, tape measure, tape measure"...that's his sound effect for using, you guessed it, a tape measure)!

Relaxing in his pjs, Kaden kicked back on the kitchen stool to play with Poppa's calculator. Too cute.

Growing up! - July 10, 2009
Another classis "toddler smile"...who needs to see eyes anyway?!? Kaden liked the idea of his new backpack, but it took some convincing to get him to wear it. He seems happy enough now (we bought it in anticipation of needing a bag for playschool in the fall, but it will be great for him to take his own things on the plane to MB as well...although I can only guess who will actually end up carrying his things)!
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Strolling and rolling - July 9, 2009
The boys and I took a stroll down Danforth this morning to run some errands. Milo made the trip there, but snoozed while Kaden snacked on the way home. Milo doesn't get a lot of time on the floor as it can be a bit of a danger zone, but I'm trying to find time and ways to give him time to stretch and roll (I gave him a break from tummy time today). And it seems to be paying off as he spent time rolling up onto his left side.

More laughter! Milo's laughter has been elusive. I managed to get a little giggle playing with him in the swing today. He likes to be surprised (turning away and quickly turning back and blurting something...even just "agoo")! As always, after enjoying making him laugh for a while I decided to get the camera to see if there was anything left in the tanks...just a little. Subsequently to this (and not documented on camera), Milo turned the tables and was playing with me! As is typical with him these days he gets particularly crabby while Kaden and I try to have dinner (I understand the phrase "witching hour" now). I put him in the swing and played with him to make him laugh again. Thinking he was in a good mood I tried to sit down to eat. I barely had my bum in the chair when he started to fuss (aka shriek). I got back up to go get him and as soon as I got close he started to laugh and squeal! Cheeky monkey. Back to my chair to grab a forkful and Milo is kicking up a stink. So I go to get him...you guessed it...laughing and squealing. He did this several more times before I finally just got him up so that I could sit and eat.

Hooray for Daddy!
Kaden loves to go outside and wait for Daddy. Our ritual involves shouting "hooray" whenever Daddy comes home (whether we are in or out).
Again - I didn't pick the camera up soon enough, but you get the picture about how excited Kaden gets to see Daddy coming down the street (before turning on the camera, Kaden spotted Daddy and was running in circles giggling and laughing. Adorable.).

A day for family - July 5, 2009
Today was a busy Sunday. We spent the morning with Grandma and Grandpa taking a walk along the boardwalk at Rattray Marsh, on Lake Ontario. It was a beautiful morning for a walk. We didn't know beforehand that our walk would also take us down to the water's edge to throw rocks - an added perk. We were on the lookout for turtles, but they were eluded us today. Milo started the journey awake and facing the world, but apparently got sleepy and managed to find a comfortable way to fall asleep still facing forward - his cheeks propped him up enough I guess! After a lovely lunch on Grandpa and Grandpa's back patio we were back to the house to prepare for another family gathering. We celebrated Aunt Gail's 60th birthday with the extended Ross family. The warm weather allowed us to spend the evening outside, which was nice. Kaden loved chatting and playing with everyone and Milo was in high demand to be held. Aunt Teresa brought her much loved alsation cream for dessert. This dessert has a lot of history in the family and is often talked about in reference to the love affair both Craig and Chris have with it! Well...it looks like Teresa will have another hungry mouth to feed as Kaden devoured the dessert and asked for more...I was afraid he might try to eat his plate to get the last few licks!

Front Porch Fun! - July 4, 2009
Another new favourite game to play in the evenings on the porch is Water Over the Railing. It started with Kaden helping to water the plants, but apparently pouring water over the railing into the yard, the driveway and the walkway between us and the neighbours is more fun!

Cookie Monsters - July 3, 2009
Kaden and Milo helped me make Nanna's oatmeal raisin cookies.

Kaden took a crack at trying to scoop cookie dough onto the tray...it was a little too sticky though.
Beware the panicked voice at the start...the stool was apparently sliding away from the counter!

Tongs make good maracas, no?

Front Yard Fun! - July 2, 2009
I have been getting better at getting dinner on the table a little bit earlier than before so that we can have more playtime after dinner. And more importantly, we can play out front while waiting for Daddy to come home. Kaden likes to watch for Daddy coming down the street..."HORRAY"! Sometimes we just run around the yard or play with the gate...or sticks...or other random tree droppings in the grass, but often we bring out the bubbles. Being too young to play with bubble soap, Milo makes bubbles the ol' fashion way!
 

Look at all those bubbles!

HAPPY CANADA DAY! - July 1, 2009
Having Daddy home for a day mid-week is great! We celebrated Canada Day with a trip to the park. Playing at the park was fun, but more fun this time was the giant hill beside the playground. Kaden got quite a workout running up and down the hill...you've got to really swing those arms to get upward momentum! We stuck close to home in the afternoon having our snack on the porch and playing with the camera. Kaden and Daddy are perfecting their self portraits as composed by a two year old!
 

Weeeeeeeeee.......