Evergreen Brick Works… or as Aidan would call it- Sick Bricks

We woke up this morning with Kendall coughing pretty badly and me not feeling so well. I let Kendall sleep in a little bit so we didn't make it to church this morning :-(

Daddy still wanted us to go out as a family as it's the last long weekend until school starts on Tuesday. I suggested we go to Evergreen Brick Works.  I had heard about this place from my co-worker and she said it would be a great place to take the kids. I didn't think daddy would oblige as Evergreen Brick Works is close to downtown and he never likes going there. 

It was a scorcher of a day. I think it was close to 40°!

There was a beautiful pond at the Weston Quarry Garden where you and Kendall looked at turtles, tadpoles
and bugs. 

Lounging by the red Adirondack chairs by the pond.

You knew that these were lily pads. I don't know how you knew, but you were looking for frogs. Unfortunately
we didn't see any. 

The beautiful surroundings.

Everything is possible.

You and Kendall took turns watering the plants at The Children's Garden in Chimney Court.

You asked why it said 'Valley' and I said it's because we were by the Don Valley. I don't think you understood.

Inside the Young Welcome Centre. You and Kendall wanted to pose with your butts out. Aish!

The Kilns building. This was a really neat space where bricks were once fired. 

There were lots of graffiti on the walls and equipment. You said they weren't graffiti, but Pokemon designs.
Now that I see it, it does sort of look like Pokemon designs.

Kendall in front of the many graffiti signs at the Brickworks.

Daddy wanted you to pose in front of this cry baby photo. I asked you why daddy wanted you to and you said,
"It's because I'm a cry baby." True dat!

We went over to The Pavilion to check out the Farmer's Market and most importantly, to check out the food.
We got this pulled pork thing from Pimenton and it was delicious!

Fish tacos. This was okay. We also got Jamie Kennedy's infamous frites, beef dumplings, chorizo sausage
wrapped in pastry, fresh oysters and fresh squeezed lemonades. 

My family.

Enjoying the view. What a great day we had.

The best weekend in a long time…

This weekend was the best weekend I've had in a long time… I've been filled with so much sadness with memories of my dad that it's been hard to be happy… I was so sad to see this long weekend end.

Friday night my friend Lana treated me to my early birthday lunch at a great Japanese restaurant called Kasa Moto. Then on Saturday we just relaxed at home by having a barbecue in our backyard. On Sunday we went to church in the morning and then Kendall and I met with Auntie Jess and Uncle Wayne downtown to check out the Victorious Festival (a Christian festival with proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society). Daddy took you swimming so you guys didn't go with us. We tried to get halmi to go, but she just wanted to stay home :-(

Today (Civic Holiday), we went to Canada's Wonderland in the morning where we rode lots of big kid rides (the first time you were able to do so!) and then we went for a outdoor BBQ at Sunnybrook Park with Auntie Sara, Uncle Wayne, Auntie Jessica, Uncle Wayne, Emma, Noelle, halmi, Dan's mom, brother, Dan's SIL, Sophia and Isabelle. It was such a nice way to end the weekend. I just wish halbi was with us…

You riding the carousel. I realized that you were tall enough to ride a lot of the big kid rides. We ended up
riding Klockwerks, The Fly and Thunder Run. You had a blast!

Kendall stayed with daddy while mommy and you rode the big kid rides. Here she is doing the kimchi squat.

On our way to Sunnybrook Park, you guys passed out. Celebration!

It was supposed to rain today, but it turned out to be a gorgeous day. 

We didn't even have to bring any toys. All the kids had a blast running around. We must do it again!

Kendall was having so much fun. Here she is hopping towards me.

"Hi mommy!"

Uncle Wayne got all the kids (minus Noelle and Isabelle) to carry the mat to the car. You guys were being
good little helpers…

…but failed miserably #fail.

Her first Tiffany's

Today was a special day. We wanted to treat our mom to a day of shopping and dinner to celebrate her birthday. It's been a rough year for all of us, especially for her. We met our mom and Auntie Sara at Yorkdale this afternoon and browsed at a few stores before we headed for dinner at Seoul House. It's been so long since we had a day of shopping together. With our dad being sick and Auntie Jess and I taking care of kids, it was really hard to make time to do something fun for us. Although I did have to take you with me, you were really good (besides eating like a pig!).

Us sisters pitched in to get our mom her first Tiffany's piece. You can see from your grandma's face that 
she was so excited and happy. Just seeing that expression made it all worth it :-)

Isn't the necklace beautiful? It's the mini double heart tag pendant. She absolutely loved it!

Your outfit of the night. You looked like an angel from above today.

Life of a mom

If you are a mom, then you will know that nap time is king. You basically have to arrange your day around it. Also, if you're like me where your toddler is no longer taking daily naps, but when they do, you basically honour that time. 

I usually take you out first thing after I drop Aidan off at school because that's when you're in the best mood- you're fed and you're not cranky. Today, I took you to the park because the weather was nice and then we went to Michael's to pick up a few craft items for a scrapbook project that I'm working on for missionaries- Bryan and Christina. Since Michael's is close to Auntie Jessica's house, we stopped by for a play date. By the time we left Auntie Jess' house, it was time to pick up Aidan from school. Lo and behold, you fell asleep on the way home. I had to chill out in the car for a good 15-20 minutes in order for me to let you sleep a little longer. 

And look how happy you are after your nap. That makes it all worth it!

Last supper

We had our last meal with our great aunt that was visiting from Korea today at Milestones. I'm glad she was here because she kept my mom company while she was still fresh from the loss of losing her husband.

Missing in photo are Emma, Aidan, Uncle Wayne, Daddy (they were sitting in the opposite table).

A Petite and Posh Party

You were invited to Deniz' 3rd birthday party today. It was at a dress up/tea/social boutique called Petite & Posh. I really didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was a little girl's dream. There was a dress-up/makeup/karaoke room, a tea party/fashion show stage room and a hair salon/spa. 

The lobby area. It was decorated like a french boutique.

And happy birthday to the birthday girl- Deniz!

They had clothes/accessories for sale in the lobby area.

You were in love with this seating area. You kept coming back to it and making me sit beside you.

The tea room. All the staff had on black and white outfits. So cute!

They served all the little girls pink tea and finger foods- mini sandwiches, veggie/cheese sticks and cupcakes. 

Here's the food spread.

Your seat.

The birthday girl sat at the head of the table.

"I'll take a heart-shaped sandwich please!"

This was the dress-up room. There were racks and racks of dresses and tutus that you were all allowed
to try on.

Elsa joined us at the party and gave us all tiaras and wands.

You weren't so interested in the dress-up aspect of the party. You only wore the tiara.

The other girls, on the other hand, all dressed up as Elsa or Anna.

They even had makeup applied to their faces and had their nails painted. 

Kendall and mommy #selfie.

Here's the group snapshot.

My little princess.

There was a mini fashion show at the end. The birthday girl didn't have a problem posing for the cameras.

You posed with Elsa.

Who doesn't belong here…

Time for the dance party!

What a great little girly party.