Gymnastics

Jayna and Kepler started gymnastics in January. Jayna loves it and has been getting really brave.

Jayna was really scared of the beam at first, and wouldn't even do the low beam without holding the coach's hand. You can tell she's really nervous here.

Kepler isn't so sure about gymnastics.

He likes to jump and swing.

And he is usually okay with the balls and beam.

But his favourite thing to do there is try and run away from me!

Knock on Wood

I hope I don't jinx us by blogging about it, but we've had a couple days that have been above 0 degrees C lately. And it's been sunny! I'm usually not excited about winter, but snow can be fun when it's warm outside.

Gibb's really excited to get his picture taken

Jayna eating the snow as usual

Getting a ride to the forest, Kepler always sprawls out on the sled and Jayna has to hold him up

Then when she got tired of that he just sat on her lap

I think this was the most fun Kepler's had in the snow, usually he doesn't last very long outside

Pointing out all the birds and trucks

"Cooold!"

Jayna wanted to pull Kepler all the way home. I think she thought it was better than having him sit on her lap or lay out on the whole sled.

"Weee!"

Night Night

Our kids have always been good sleepers (knock on wood). As babies they would sleep through the night pretty good, and I have never had major sleep issues with either of them. They both suck their thumbs and have their special blankies (or "kie-kie" as Kepler now calls it) that they have to sleep with. As long as they have those 2 things, they are just fine.

They both are also the type of kids who are really grumpy if they don't get their sleep. When they were babies I felt like I was a slave to their naps because they had to be in a crib at nap and bed time. They would not fall asleep while I was holding them, except as newborns, unless they were completely exhausted. I'm not complaining about this, I'm so glad they like to sleep, what mom doesn't love nap time!

But now that they're getting a little older it's funny to see and hear them be able to voice their opinions about sleep.

I had to post this picture because I love it right after my kids have fallen into a deep sleep and their thumbs fall out but their lips are still perfectly shaped around the thumb, so cute!

I took this picture of Jayna last week during a nap that she put herself down for. She is starting to outgrow her naps, and so she doesn't nap every day. This day it was around 2:30 so I didn't think she was going to have a nap. I got out a couple special toys for her and hopped in the shower (Kepler was napping). 10 or 15 minutes later I get out and go to check on Jayna. And she was fast asleep in her bed. She just decided that she did need a nap!

This is a common occurence on the days when Jayna doesn't nap. She will zonk out on the couch around 4 or 5, it's the worst! The good thing about her not napping is that she will go to bed way earlier. But it's so nice having some time in the afternoon when BOTH kids are sleeping. But when Jayna is tired there is no stopping her or she will be sooo grumpy. She will just come up to me and tell me "Mommy, I'm tired. Can you put me to bed now?"

Last night we were at a friend's house for dinner. Kepler had only had about an hour nap early in the day. Around 7:30 he was getting really grumpy, and then he started yelling "Beeed, kie-kie, beeed!" Poor kid, we had to leave early because he was begging to go to bed, how can you say no to that?

I hope Kepler keeps following his big sister's footsteps in the sleep department! This is a good thing we have going.

Visitors

Brett, Jenny & Milo (Gibb's brother and family) came up to visit us last week-end. We were so surprised that someone came to visit us in the winter! It was totally last minute, and it was so fun to have visitors. We actually had great weather while they were here. So the kids got some Daddy time outside, Gibb and Brett went to a hockey game, and Morgan watched the kids for us one night so we could go out to the Keg.

Adorable little Milo with his Mama
I was so excited I caught his huge smiles!

Milo & Brett ready to venture outside, I love this picture!
Luckily when Jayna was born I bought this unisex snowsuit, instead of getting pink. It has been worn by both of our kids, and 4 others too, 3 boys and a girl, it always seem to come in handy and is just the right size.

Jayna warming up with some hot chocolate (thanks for all the cute, edited pics Jenny!)

Brett & Jenny posing, yes my brother in law is this creepy!

Jenny built this elaborate, detailed castle out of playdoh with a path, forest, princess and prince for Jayna. And even made up a song for the princess to sing...super Aunt!!
Kepler getting messy with the apples and Peanut Butter

The week-end before that I was in Edmonton with the kids.

We went and visited Great Grandma Gibb (Gibb's grandma). The kids love visiting Great Grandma! She has the best snacks, some fun toys, and Jayna loves all her jewels. Plus they always get a ride on her walker! We wish we still lived only a couple blocks away!

Grandpa & Grandma
(Gibb's parent's, I love this picture of all of them!)

Kepler giving Milo some love

Our kids with baby Milo
Cousins are so special, Jayna and Kepler love baby Milo, and think eveything he does is so funny.
(Although Kepler did try to sit on him and ride him while they were up visiting us, it was all done in love!)

Party!

I had a Valentine's Day Party for the kids on Thursday. There were 10 kids, 3 and under there and I thought it was going to be complete chaos. But they were all so good, and it was a lot of fun!

We played a couple games. Picking up hearts and putting them in a bag.

The little kids were in Kepler's room and the big kids in Jayna's room.

Dancing and musical hearts

We made a little craft

And had some snacks and cake pops.

These were all the kids there minus Rylan and baby Ivy.
(Tobin, Cohen, Jayna, Kepler, Jayci, Presley, Kyla, Emma)

Happy Valentine's Day!