Message from Santa

Auntie Jane sent daddy a link to a message that she created for you, from Santa. I don't know how she did it, but it was so cool! She told us to show it to you to make sure you behaved yourself before Christmas.

Here is the link:

Message from Santa to Aidan

Double the sadness

Today your Vancouver grandparents left for Vancouver. It was a very sad and somber day. It was hard when it was just Aidan, but now with 2 grandkids it's making it very hard for them to leave. This morning they wanted to get you dressed up in your hanbok (Korean formal dress) to get some snapshots of you. Since they weren't able to get any good shots at your birthday party we decided to do a mini photo shoot. Don't you look like a Korean princess here? I can't believe we were able to get a good shot of you. 

I can't believe I was able to get a shot of you with your hanbok on! Usually it's a nightmare since
it can get pretty uncomfortable with all the different pieces.

1. Rosco enters the room
2. Going in for the kill
3. LICK!
4. Kendall: "Who licked me?!"

Your brother was amused at what was going on during the shoot.

Finally the shoot is over! You are free from your shackles!

At around 2:40pm we all got in the big car and headed to the airport. You (Kendall) were playing jam jam (clenching of the fist) with your Vancouver grandma and Aidan slept. When it was time for them to say goodbye , your Vancouver grandma had tears in her eyes and your Vancouver grandpa looked so small and sad. I felt so guilty! Auntie Jane told daddy that when she picked them up from the airport your Vancouver grandma was bawling the whole time :'-(

After we dropped them off at the airport we decided to go to Canada's Wonderland. Since daddy took a day off to take them to the airport we wanted to spend some time together as a family. Maybe the somber mood was affecting you guys because Aidan didn't want to go on any of rides.

I thought it was so cute how you were resting your head on Aidan's shoulder the whole time
you were in the double stroller. Look how unhappy Aidan looks.

My 2 cuties.

Happy 1-year birthday Kendall

Today we celebrated your 1-year birthday party. We had a more intimate party than when we did Aidan's 1-year birthday party. We only invited our closest friends. It was more enjoyable that way.

Your outfit for the party. Your Vancouver grandpa took this photo of you at home before the party.
I was at the venue doing some last-minute decorations.

The head table set up.

The banner started to droop a bit so I wasn't too happy about that, but I'm happy how it turned out.

Here's the manzanita branch with your photos. I also arranged all the flowers myself. I initially
wanted to use peonies, but they were not in season by the time it was your birthday so I went with
my backup flower- hydrangeas.

I got Flour Studio to bake 2 dozen cupcakes. This is the vanilla cupcake with strawberry buttercream
swirl. I stuck my handmade cupcake toppers on top.

My friend, Jenn, made the Goim towers. I gave her directions on what to put on the towers as well
as the spray paint colours. I gave her the dragon reference photo as well. I think it turned out beautifully.
I'm planning on keeping these Goim towers and displaying it in your room.

Isn't the cake beautiful? Flour Studio also made the cake. I gave them the cake inspiration shot.

I love how classy it is. I know lots of people do animal themes, but I wanted to do something different.
I love the rainbow theme.

The other cupcake flavour was chocolate cupcake with mint buttercream swirl.

Another view.

For the tables I made a flower arrangement of white hydrangeas with craspedias.
I put votive candles all around decorated with washi tape. I also scattered my paper medallions
that I made.

Here's how I displayed the popcorn favours. I used them as table seating cards as well.

Aidan was being a little sore sport. He didn't want to take any family photos. This is the best
one we got of him.

Your Toronto grandma and grandpa.

I wanted to take lots of photos at the party, but I couldn't. Your Vancouver grandpa took this photo
and he shot us in such a low angle. I have a double chin!

You and your Vancouver grandma.

Look how cute you are eating.

Everyone was trying to get Aidan to cheer up.

You and daddy.

Aidan was watching videos while eating lunch.

Getting ready for the doljabi. Because I was holding you I couldn't get any good photos of you
in your hanbok grabbing the 2 items. You ended up choosing the ball and the microphone.

I think Auntie Sara took this photo of Emma and Uncle Wayne. Maybe Emma ate something sour?
She's such a cutie.

The 3 boys- Austin, Nate and Asher.

Cake cutting time. I was sad to cut into such a beautiful cake.

The cake was so delicious.

The party wrapped up at 4pm.I was ready to crash when we got home, but there was so much to do!

Here are all the cards you received from your birthday party. I'm planning on keeping these.
I also kept Aidan's 1-year birthday cards in a box.

Some of these cards are Aidan's 4-year birthday cards.

Aidan got a pretty rad sweater from Asher and Austin for his birthday.

He was much happier at home than at the party.

Aidan got tons of gifts, but I forgot to take pictures of everything he got :-(

He got a Spiderman bike from Auntie Jane, tons of clothes from his Vancouver grandma, helmut and protection gear for his bike from his Vancouver grandma, a garbage truck toy from his Vancouver grandpa (Aidan asked for that), gift certificate and money from his Toronto grandparents, a tent and Lightning McQueen book from Auntie Jess and Uncle Wayne, movie certificate from Nate, and a sweater from Asher & Austin. Lastly, Auntie Sara and Uncle Dan got Aidan colouring books and roller skates. He was so happy. I was able to take a video of him trying on his skates. I think we'll go out tomorrow to try out his skates. 

I can't believe it's finally over. It took a lot of work, but I'm happy I was able to do this for you for your 1-year birthday.

Sports crazy

I hate to see my kids dressed up in non-Toronto jerseys, but daddy desperately wanted to do a photo shoot with you guys all dressed up in Canucks gear since the Canucks have their first playoff game today. Kendall is wearing your old Canucks jersey and you are wearing your customized Canucks jersey that Auntie Jane got you for your birthday. I hate to admit it, but you guys look pretty darn cute!

It was a beautiful day today (finally!) so I went out with Kendall to mail out your Vancouver grandmother's Mother's Day gift in the morning. 

She had a blast holding the package that I was going to send out. 

She is so active so I have to make sure there are stuff for Kendall to hold/touch or else she
will become restless. She is much more active than when you were a baby.

Look, the leaves are starting to sprout! I took Kendall and Rosco for a loooooong walk afterwards.
It was so nice to feel the sun and the breeze.

After dinner, daddy decided to go out to get himself new soccer shoes for this Summer. He also got you a pair of new soccer shoes as well as all the gear that is attached to soccer- shin pads, socks, pylons, soccer ball…

Here's some of your new gear.

You didn't know what the shin pads were at first so I demonstrated it by putting it on and knocking
on it with my knuckles. I explained to you that your shins were protected and having the shin pads
on would keep you from getting hurt. 

You in full soccer gear :-)

Kicking the ball.

Kendall was crawling all over the place so daddy put her in the Bumbo to keep her still.
She was not happy.