Last Day of Three!

Since it is Cameron's last day as a 3 year old, I wanted to ask him a few questions. So tonight before bed I asked him the following. I think he might have been a little tired because his answers weren't typical Cameron, but maybe this is a sneak peek at his 4 year old self.

Q: What was your favorite thing about being 3?
A: Playing with legos

Q: What will you miss the most about being 3?
A: nothing

Q: What about turning 4, are you most excited about?
A: I can't wait to do flips

Q: What will you remember about being 3?
A: Doing boring stuff

Q: What can you do when you are 4 that you can't do now?
A: Maybe I could do flips and stuff.

So apparently being 3 is pretty boring, aside from legos and turning 4 means you can do flips and stuff! Not bad!

Happy last day of being 3 to our happy, funny, charming little boy. Brian and I can't believe we are through the threes, but are definitely looking forward to 4. I think it is my favorite of all of the ages so far!

Writing Celebration

The other week at school, Addy's class had a writing celebration where everyone got to read to the class a story that they wrote and illustrated. Addy's was called Camden comes and it was about her teacher's son who came to the classroom. She did a great job and was very excited to share her story with the class. We're so proud!

Strike!

A few weeks ago it was a cold and rainy weekend so we took the kids to "Family Bowl" at the local bowling alley. It was the first time we had ever gone bowling together as a family and it was super fun! They turn out the lights and put up the gutter bumpers and now I think it would be hard for me to bowl any other way! The kids loved it!

The never-ending-ever-lasting-longest-bridge-in-the-world!

One of the things on our list to do was go to Granville Island. I was in charge of navigating and according to the walking map of Vancouver, which was my trusty partner, it looked like it was pretty easy to walk there. I decided it didn't look too far and that we could easily walk there. Famous last words. The first step required walking all the way across to the other side of the city (which according to the map shouldn't take more than 20 minutes). The kids were already complaining before we were halfway, but we soldiered on. Then we got on the bridge. At first it was exciting because we could see exactly where we were headed, Granville Island Public Market! It was just below us...but there was a problem. The bridge just kept going. We had no way down so we just kept going, and going, and going. It truly felt never-ending, but we had to just keep walking. There was nowhere to stop and nowhere to sit so we just kept going. I think about three-quarters of the way across we all got a little delirious and suddenly the bridge became the funniest part of the trip. Why did I think it was good idea to walk all the way across town? Why did we have to walk on the busy, loud, narrow bridge? And why did it feel like the bridge was never going to end?
Finally, we made it to the other side and we made it to market. As a reward for their hard work, we spent a ton of time at the kids market and the kids got to play in "adventure zone" while Brian and I just sat, thankful to be off the bridge. I don't know how the kids had the energy to keep going!
We ended up taking a little passenger ferry back across to the other side of the city, but there was still a lot of walking back to the hotel and I'm really impressed that the kids made it. According to the fitbit, I walked 9 miles, and it felt like 8 of them were on that bridge!

Cold, forced smiles on the bridge. Even the sun seemed to be worth complaining about. 

oh wait, the end was near!

 New burst of energy at adventure zone! 

 These were painted concrete silos on the island at the concrete factory. The last part of the old industrial area. 

 Happy to be on the ferry headed back instead of the bridge! (which was right above us)

O Canada!

This year we decided to do something totally different for Thanksgiving and we headed up North to Canada. It was the first international trip for the kids and it was super fun! We stayed in downtown Vancouver and saw a lot of the city. The kids were most excited about swimming and donuts and they got to do a lot of both! Our first stop after checking into the hotel was going swimming in the pool. The kids were so excited they didn't even seem to mind how chilly it was. It was a great hotel and we were right next to the waterfront. We didn't have Thanksgiving dinner but we had the best key lime pie any of us have ever had, so maybe that is our new tradition!
We had Tim Horton's donuts for breakfast twice and had nutella and strawberry crepes for lunch! Who needs turkey and mash potatoes? The kids were in heaven.

I'm Grateful For...

This year, both kids spent a lot of time at school talking about what they were grateful for and what there is to be thankful for. Cameron said he was most grateful for his "avenger toy" which made the list above anything else (I question if he is referring to an actual toy he has, or is confusing a "thankful list" with a "Santa list"). Addy had a much longer list and it totally cracks me up.
First, I love that the chickens made the top of the list and that mom and dad are 14th and 15th on the list. I also love that she is grateful for homework. And of course calendars! How would we stay organized without our calendars!?

Last Sunday, the kids helped fill boxes with Thanksgiving day food for families in need. They did a great job and really enjoyed it so I think this will be another yearly tradition for us.

I am grateful for these 2 incredible kids and my amazing husband! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Class Pictures

Both kids got their school pictures back and they are great (for school pictures)! I will always enjoy how the school pictures manage to capture the familiarity, awkwardness and sweetness of my kids.
Cameron got several poses, all of which crack me up (his stiff smile!) And Addy is getting through the growing-out-her-bangs stage, slowly but surely.

Hard to believe this is what a 7 and soon to be 4 year old look like!