Grammy's photos

We visited Ben in T.O. today and played the first tennis of the "summer". Score one for the older and wiser brother.

Here are some photos courtesy of my mom, who visited with us for most of the week, helping us readjust to life back home. Amongst other things, she helped with some spring cleaning in the yard and ever since she left, the kids look out their window at the garden and say "no grammy, no grammy". Which is a huge compliment since it has replaced "no truck, no truck".

For those who haven't seen the twins for awhile, our latest big thing is three-word phrases. Such as Molly saying, "Jacob boots on" when she disapproves of his choice of footwear. Jacob saying "Baba, over there" when I'm looking for the cheese. "No, no, no" although some sticklers may not count that one.

Jacob's latest passion is a book on trucks that I got from the library. He woke up too early from a nap a couple of days ago and I heard his feet trotting to the stairs. I met him on the landing, where he was clutching the book and saying "truck book, truck book". I took him back to bed, where he embraced the book, said "truck book" one last time and fell back to sleep. When was the last time you felt that powerfully about a work of literature?

- Jacob in the foam pit at gymnastics

- Still learning to jump, and anyone who has seen my "hops" will hold out little hope for these two

- rocking each other on the see-saw

- Chow time, or as Jacob calls his pasta, "more patty, more patty".

- Molly walking in the rain. She would sleep in her new boots if she had her druthers.

- Slide season has begun

- Helping grammy with the leaves

Videos from Vancouver

Molly playing peekaboo in the hotel room


Deer runs away, causing a great deal of upset. See how the expert dad solves the problem.

Back On-line

We had a great trip to Vancouver. Flights were uneventful (a very good thing). We hit all the sights (aquarium, Granville Island, Museum of Anthropology, Stanley Park, The Drive, Gambier, etc.) and ate at most of our old favourites (Marcello's, Banana Leaf, Deux Soleils, JJ Bean, etc.). I remember all the stuff I miss about being in a city, in particular Vancouver (food, coffee, action, diversity). And I remember all the things I don't miss (dreary, rainy weather every day and the traffic).

- Jacob with a mad crush on Alison

- the window seat at Gambier

- taking advantage of a clear moment to capture the view from our place

- Kate and the kids in the misty, moisty woods

- On the dock at West Bay

- Enjoying yogurts on the deck

- Where did the deer go??

- Me and my gang

- Molly goes in for the kiss

Leaving on a Jet Plane

We're heading to the airport in a few minutes. The kids are excited. They keep saying "a-pin, a-pin". I tried explaining the concept of flying to Vancouver, but every time I ask where the airplane is going, they just say, "up".

In the past week, the kids seem to have developed opinions on every issue that arises. To take the wagon, not the stroller. To push the wagon, not to ride in it. To wear the gloves that Jacob has on, not any other pair in the universe. To wear the pink sweatshirt over the truck t-shirt (Jacob). To nap later, not now. To eat now, not later. Molly has started walking everywhere, which is fantastic, but it does mean that it takes us an hour to get to the coffeeshop in the morning. Ah well, I did vow to keep reminding myself that I didn't have anywhere else I had to be - the journey is the destination, etc., etc.

I probably won't get a chance to report in until we get back on the 30th. Until then...

No Soren Lorensens here

The Charlie and Lola books are at the top of our list right now, and the little sister in the book has an imaginary friend named Soren Lorensen. The author, Lauren Child says "The very nice thing about imaginary friends, is that they will always do what you want to do, and they will always be there when you need them."

The kids are really great together these days (almost all the time). If Jacob gets tickled or hung upside down, his immediate reaction is "Maya", to make sure that she gets a turn. When we're reading "A Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats (another current favourite), at the end of the book there's a picture of the two friends walking away, holding hands. Molly invariably points at one and says "JaJa" then at the other and says "and Maya". It kills me every time. And if they're ever apart for more than a few minutes, Jacob starts saying, "Where Maya?". About a week ago, they sung themselves to sleep, both singing, "Oh Maya, Oh JaJa, Oh Maya, Oh JaJa". So I don't see them needing an imaginary friend any time soon. I read a blog comment where a woman said her twins had a joint imaginary friend - now that I can see.

We've all been healthy for the balance of the week, so spirits are high. We leave for Vancouver on Thursday for a holiday.

Still Sick

We had a fun visit from my sister and her big twins, but the little twins are still sick after a week. On the mend but still coughing and still lethargic. It's a good thing that Sean and Erin were here to distract and entertain them.

One of the highlights of the week was taking Beth and the big twins to the Raptors game Friday night. We spent the afternoon in High Park, in shirtsleeves, dropped in on Jo & Benjamin for a short visit, and ate dinner on a patio!! Summer comes a little earlier in T.O. - it was 17C or thereabouts! I'll get Beth to send me some photos to post.

Spoke Too Soon

It's a good thing I don't believe in fate/jinxes/karma or I'd be feeling guilty right now for mentioning our lengthy lucky streak for twins' health. Molly came down with a nasty cough/nausea/miserableness, probably about 30 seconds after my last post. Luckily Kate's mom was visiting for the weekend, so most of the weekend transpired with me holding a moaning Molly while Lois played with a rambunctious Jacob. Unfortunately it looks like he (and possibly Kate) are coming down with a delayed version of Molly's affliction, so it wasn't a very fun day today. Hoping that everyone will be better by tomorrow though as my sister and her twins arrive in a few hours.