tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55403430395687421272012-01-28T10:38:55.454-05:00Two Kayaksnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7221100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-51958933248217860392012-01-22T10:32:00.000-05:002012-01-22T10:32:07.960-05:00

When we arrived home from Florida, the kids discovered that their snowman had melted and there was only a little mound of snow where its body was. Almost every day since, Chick and Pea have been asking to build another snowman and since we finally received a little more snow, J. was happy to take them outside to build another. Sadly, the snow wasn't as sticky this time, so J. had to use water

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-25784127178561275942012-01-19T07:58:00.000-05:002012-01-19T07:59:02.884-05:00

After a glorious week in Orlando soaking up sun, fun and everything Disney, it was time for us to head home.  Though our flight was only set to take off at 8am, the shuttle to take us to the airport left the hotel at 4am, meaning we had to be in the lobby of the hotel by 3:45am.  Waking toddlers that early is never on my "fun" list, so we left them in their PJs and put them in the stroller in its

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-37138804141698301812012-01-18T21:05:00.001-05:002012-01-18T21:05:43.909-05:00

After the spontaneous and adventurous day we enjoyed at Animal Kingdom, we decided to stay put in our hotel on this morning.  Our touring plans had us heading back to Magic Kingdom for the day, but we were all dragging a little and decided it would be best to have some fun (without traveling) in the hotel's pools.  Sure, it was only 54˚F (12˚C) but we're CANADIAN, dammit, and we weren't going to

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-28942635335601498432012-01-18T11:21:00.000-05:002012-01-18T11:21:47.625-05:00

Earlier on in the week, J. and I had made a decision to skip Animal Kingdom in lieu of spending a quiet day at the resort swimming and playing.  We had thought that the kids would enjoy a day off from traveling on buses and from the hustle and bustle of park life.  Catherine had scheduled us for an early morning breakfast at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom, though, so we thought we would get up,

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-44941155124708937292012-01-17T21:20:00.000-05:002012-01-17T21:20:25.187-05:00

Despite (or, more likely, as a result of) going to bed rather late the night before, the kids were up extra early on this morning, so we all got up, had an oatmeal breakfast in the hotel room then headed out to catch a shuttle to Hollywood Studios. This was the only day that we experienced cloudy/rainy weather, but we were prepared for it with the cutest ladybug and froggy ponchos for the kids.

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-21481101983931898522012-01-17T09:37:00.000-05:002012-01-17T09:37:56.890-05:00

We were most excited about this park as we had read so much about how wonderful it is for children.  The truth is, it's wonderful for ALL ages.  Since we had breakfast reservations at The Crystal Palace for 8:30, we were in the park before it opened to the general public which offered such a spectacular introduction for us. I was asked about my favorite memory of the trip a few days ago and I

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-13526503369573594382012-01-16T22:30:00.000-05:002012-01-16T22:30:42.099-05:00

Our travel agent friend Catherine planned our vacation for us by making reservations at various restaurants and by making touring plans with me to suit our family's needs and tastes before we left.  For every day we were there, we had a plan of which rides, fast passes and parent swap options we should attempt and in a specific order.  For an organizing junkie like me, this was awesome.  If

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-55281312272001180642012-01-16T10:39:00.000-05:002012-01-17T08:04:03.943-05:00

After packing furiously for our little family of four, it was time to begin our journey toward Orlando to begin our Disney World Vacation. Although we have been on many road trips, this was our first time bringing the children on a plane to another country. Catherine's parents generously offered their luxurious Honda Odyssey (if I had a dream Minivan, this would be it) to Catherine for the drive

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-20129857236722891132012-01-15T19:21:00.004-05:002012-01-15T19:22:15.975-05:00

Way back in September, Catherine and I planned a very spontaneous play date in a neighbouring city.  We watched the kids play and chatted about how much fun it would be to go on a vacation at some point in time with the twins.  Having no idea where to go or how to begin the planning process, Catherine took the reigns and began investigating, on our behalf, a vacation to Disney World.  Within a

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-23466941091838391342012-01-03T19:35:00.000-05:002012-01-03T19:35:54.947-05:00

Chick woke up extra early this morning (even before Pea woke up) which only gave her a modest 10 hours of sleep instead of the usual 12 - 14 hours she requires. Pea knocked over my first cup of coffee this morning onto the couch and white carpet. Chick peed her pants. Pea hit Chick with a toy pig and now Chick has a welt on her face as a result. Chick had a complete meltdown while I was

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-39721714062920664202011-12-31T14:43:00.000-05:002011-12-31T14:43:41.819-05:00

The years seem to be flying by at lightning speed and life just keeps getting better and better. I was cuddling with Chick last night, drawing circles on her palm, rubbing her back, and tickling her feet. It hit me in that moment when I realized how long it took my hand to travel from her palm to her toes; she's a little girl and no longer a little baby (though, as her mother, I will always

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-78993603329135271462011-12-28T19:08:00.003-05:002011-12-28T19:47:26.158-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, we were invited to take a trip up to my brother's new cottage to spend a few days as a family.  My brother and his family were unable to be off of work and since the cottage was sitting empty, it was a great opportunity for us to enjoy time together in a very comfortable and cozy setting. I've decided that the cottage is too beautiful to be called a cottage.  So, I've

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-39124809755923893002011-12-27T13:47:00.001-05:002011-12-27T22:14:34.370-05:00

We should have known not to tempt fate.  About a week ago, J. and I were talking about how lucky we were that we'd never had to deal with the flu with either of the kids.  Neither one of them has ever had an episode of vomiting (aside from when they were newborns).  I even noted that someone had told me to line the way from the child's bed to the bathroom with cheap shower curtain liners in order

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-8400408674165792182011-12-26T22:52:00.001-05:002011-12-27T00:50:43.094-05:00

Anyone who knows our kids knows how much they love jumping castles. I believe it stems from our early introduction to bouncy things and our encouragement relevant to gross motor skill development.  On Friday of last week, J.'s birthday, we took the kids to an indoor playground. J. had taken the day off and it was a great opportunity to do something fun as a family. While there, J. struck up a

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-71536392490754011002011-12-26T09:39:00.000-05:002011-12-26T12:18:54.435-05:00

We started the day at 8am by running into the great room to see all that Santa had brought.Minnie and Mickey Mouse were big hits with the kids.More presents and more fun.  The morning was spent playing with all the toys and lounging in PJs.After naps, we donned our best holiday clothes and held an impromptu photo shoot before heading out to Gramma and Grampa's house for Christmas Dinner.We spent

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-55520747919854898062011-12-24T19:59:00.001-05:002011-12-24T20:00:12.414-05:00

Three years ago on this very night, we knew that we were expecting.  Tonight, as the kids picked out which cookies they'd like to leave for Santa and helped fill a bowl of sugar for his reindeer, I couldn't help but feel a little sentimental.  It is a magical night for so many reasons, but mostly because of the two little miracles we've been so grateful to parent. From our hearts to yours, we

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-63359454550367667402011-12-17T13:21:00.001-05:002011-12-17T13:22:03.362-05:00

When I made this bucket list back in September, I wondered how much of it we'd be able to accomplish within the few months we had.  Now that the beginning of winter looms in less than a week, I realize that we've done quite a bit of what we set out to do. We didn't pick our own apples this year, but we did go to the apple orchard and play in the playground.  Because we arrived late, the

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-74958443498386168732011-12-12T19:36:00.001-05:002011-12-12T19:36:44.019-05:00

In October of 1996, I was volunteering at our local OSPCA as a member of the board of directors.  I couldn't work in the shelter because my heart couldn't take the sadness of the animals and I knew I'd want to take them all home with me.  J. and I were just married a few months at the time and something was missing in our lives.  I had always grown up with pets and knew we needed a little kitty

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-80218805074632664362011-12-09T20:19:00.001-05:002011-12-09T20:51:11.715-05:00

Chick and Pea have taught me more about appreciating the small miracles of each day than anyone else ever has. Not to say that I was someone who rushed through life unaware of the beauty of simplicity, but to see life through their eyes is truly fantastic. We woke to big, fluffy snowflakes falling gently to the ground this morning. So, after breakfast I bundled up the kids in their snowsuits

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-86457220749192968872011-12-05T20:18:00.001-05:002011-12-05T20:28:07.968-05:00

My lovely best friend and Godmother to the twins, Tanya, made the twins such beautiful Christmas PJs last year, that the anticipation of this year's PJs nearly sent me into a tailspin.  They finally arrived last week and we were beside ourselves with glee. Christmas PJs 2010 Christmas PJs 2011 Right? Such talent! Thank you so much, Tanya, for these sweet, handmade PJs! You're the best and we

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-49969557723567489492011-12-04T21:22:00.001-05:002011-12-04T21:51:54.380-05:00

Chick and Pea will be 28 months old on December 16th and I have been anticipating their two year molars since long before their second birthday.  Pea began teething at around 5 months of age, so I suspected he would get his two year molars early, but that was not the case.  I kept waiting and waiting and wondering what to expect when those difficult teeth finally made their appearance. Last week

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-21876808429886897152011-12-02T19:47:00.001-05:002011-12-02T19:49:18.253-05:00

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-70806527004370169692011-12-01T13:38:00.000-05:002011-12-01T13:38:50.603-05:00

Yesterday, the kids and I spent the morning at a fun indoor playground and while we were playing, the first snowfall of the season began. By the time we were ready to come home, white stuff was falling everywhere. When we arrived home, I captured the twins' reaction. A marked difference than the reaction they had last year. Last year's reaction can be seen beginning at the :50 mark.

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-62967682284818238312011-11-28T13:25:00.001-05:002011-11-28T20:15:44.769-05:00

Dear Chick and Pea, When I was little, Gramma and Grampa would tell me they loved me "as big as the sky".  Before bed, upon waking, while walking by the kitchen and in other ordinary circumstances, I would be reminded of their love for me in this way.  Now, I have passed on that message of love to you. I cannot count the number of times I tell you that I love you on any given day, but I know

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-43839121290319402692011-11-27T21:05:00.001-05:002011-11-27T21:38:02.104-05:00

Chick continues to do very well in gymnastics.  She is definitely ahead of the pack in terms of skill level and her teacher (Miss Carson) has to find ways to challenge her each time we attend classes.  Today, she learned how to do a back roll on the uneven bars. Pea knocks our socks off each week at swimming.  He has come so far and has put all that he has learned to use in the pool.  I am

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-39740649058338221192011-11-23T08:01:00.001-05:002011-11-23T08:19:43.886-05:00

Years ago, when J. finished the basement, we had visions of someday watching little ones play amid toys and games.  Sometimes, I still can't believe that we are living our fairytale.  It's amazing. This is what is seen when at the bottom of the stairs looking into the playroom. Poor Bear rarely gets a moment's peace. We moved Chick's bookshelf that J. built from her room to the basement to

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-89632398662452969732011-11-22T08:03:00.001-05:002011-11-22T08:50:27.257-05:00

A couple of weeks ago, we met our new friends, Rhonda and her adorable daughter Leah for a play date in a neighbouring city that was the midway point between us. Rhonda and I had been "blog friends" for a while, but had yet to meet in person. So, we chose an indoor playground called Tumbles 'N Toys and it was a MAJOR hit with the kids. You can imagine how thrilled Pea was to ride his very own

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-59593729304423508182011-11-17T08:10:00.001-05:002011-11-17T08:33:46.465-05:00

We love going to park during the week and we have become quite the park aficionados relevant to knowing which parks in the general area are the best. Now that the weather is chilly and many days are overcast, we tend to have entire parks to ourselves - which suits me just fine. On this particular day, I remembered to bring a towel to wipe down slides and swings from the remnants of the early

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-30027803850101287072011-11-15T20:36:00.001-05:002011-11-16T07:50:24.235-05:00

I spent the first 10+ years of my teaching career in the intermediate grades and primarily with grade eight students. Every Monday morning, we would spent quite a bit of time chatting about our weekends - what we did, who we spent time with, and anything interesting that happened along the way. It was a great opportunity for me to foster a relationship with the students, as I told them about my

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-72911618026837386172011-11-15T01:00:00.000-05:002011-11-15T01:00:09.937-05:00

When I was in grade eight, I had a friend named Stacy who was hilarious and fun to be around. I remember we used to get into a lot of trouble in class because of our non-stop chatting and laughing. One weekend, she invited me over to her house to work on a project together. Her house was lovely, comfortable and spacious. When she took me up to her room, my mouth dropped open at the beauty inside

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-92176583589938151272011-11-14T07:57:00.001-05:002011-11-14T08:39:34.915-05:00

There are three distinct lessons I've learned in the last 15-20 years that influence my parenting. Obviously, there are many more I've learned along the way, but three have struck a poignant chord in me. While in high school, I worked as a cashier at Woolco. Yes, I'm that old. Before there was Walmart, there was Woolco. The Christmas season was always met with some disdain by cashiers

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-89229168428650180752011-11-12T10:07:00.001-05:002011-11-12T10:08:23.167-05:00

We took this little video when Pea was pretty sick with a cold, so his voice is pretty raspy.  Pea just loves playing with Daddy.

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-50000574475833142002011-11-10T22:03:00.001-05:002011-11-10T22:19:18.462-05:00

See these delicious looking Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes?  I didn't make them. I did, however, make the ones you see below on the weekend before Halloween. I know. They are totally awesome and you're so jealous.  Embrace your envy. When I took these little emmer effers out of the oven, J. laughed out loud...like, AT me. But I was all: "They're PERFECT and you're just jealous that you didn't

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-6761065184006687362011-11-09T15:21:00.001-05:002011-11-09T15:21:55.233-05:00

Pea's weekly swimming lessons are going...swimmingly.  In comparison to the very first time we took Pea swimming, he has definitely come a long way.  He still finds it terrifying to float on his back, but we're working on it.  He'll get there.  Recently, parents were able to take pictures during one of the lessons, so Chick and I tagged along to be the photographers while Daddy and Pea splashed

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-39329305436512116832011-11-06T14:44:00.000-05:002011-11-06T20:11:48.778-05:00

In the weeks preceding Halloween, Chick and Pea wore their costumes (the same costumes they wore last year - because they still fit and because I hate shopping) over and over again.  Begging me, they would take my hand and lead me to where the costumes were hanging and then in sugary sweet voices ask me to put them on for them.  They were so super-excited for Halloween to arrive and were so

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-72121698814324022822011-10-30T21:47:00.000-04:002011-10-30T21:47:52.573-04:00

Since the dentist talked to us about weaning Chick off of her beloved soother, we've been researching various strategies other parents have used to kick the habit. None of the strategies we came across, however, seemed to fit with our parenting style nor with Chick's personality. After a long talk about our options, J. and I came up with our own plan. So far, it's working like a

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-77822356321114618632011-10-29T21:20:00.000-04:002011-10-29T21:20:25.103-04:00

This morning, J. and I took the twins to a nearby "U-Pick" farm that we only see as we drive past every now and then. It's not an organic farm, so we don't have reason to stop by, but J. saw that they were offering tractor rides and a "pick your own pumpkin" option on the back acres of the land. So, we bundled up the twins and headed out in search of some pumpkins. It was early in the morning

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-46853207900220496602011-10-28T00:30:00.000-04:002011-10-28T00:30:00.529-04:00

One of my regularly scheduled cleanings was coming up and I thought it might be time for the kids to get to know the dentist's office in order to foster a positive attitude toward the health of their own teeth. So, I contacted the office and asked if Chick and Pea could have a visit as well. J. and I don't do a lot of preparing the kids relevant to what to expect. I know that other parents read

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-64568240184146784272011-10-27T00:30:00.000-04:002011-10-27T00:30:01.588-04:00

In April we signed up for our very first CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and the program has been amazing. For 20 weeks we have enjoyed organic fruits and vegetables and have loved the eggs we've received each week from the pastured hens on the farm. The local, organic farm with whom we chose to work over the past 20 weeks has never failed us. Each week, we received beautiful fruit and

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-52582572712329174622011-10-26T10:32:00.001-04:002011-10-26T10:32:57.295-04:00

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-65042695201071022672011-10-25T09:23:00.001-04:002011-10-25T09:23:56.424-04:00

Almost every morning the twins have an omelette (made from the organic free range eggs we get in our CSA) prepared in our cast iron skillet and a smoothie (or milkshake, as they like to call it). I love making the kids smoothies because I can add in some ingredients that are amazingly healthy for them while not compromising the yummy flavor.  I was speaking with a mom at a play group last week

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-21500099485018816832011-10-24T19:44:00.003-04:002011-10-24T19:45:00.368-04:00

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-19589590700315316702011-10-21T19:22:00.000-04:002011-10-21T19:22:52.047-04:00

Pea's stylist, Laura (a very sweet girl from Manchester, England) did a fantastic job with his first haircut. Though we didn't talk to him about what was going to happen beforehand, he was an amazing little client and all the stylists remarked how wonderfully behaved he was (and Chick too as she was patiently waiting in the big, comfy chairs). There was no crying, whining or squirming. He sat

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-39967601115305501712011-10-20T09:17:00.000-04:002011-10-20T09:17:14.573-04:00

The weather this week has been less than ideal for outdoor play and we've only been able to spend time outdoors in between 75km/h wind gusts and intermittent rain.  As a result, we've had to spend more time indoors than we like, but have tried to make the best of it with some fun activities. We have been doing a lot of painting and I have realized that we need an easel pronto.  This realization

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-8043457252048640462011-10-18T21:48:00.000-04:002011-10-18T21:48:12.130-04:00

I've made no secret here of Chick's sleeping prowess. She is such an incredible sleeper that we are often reluctant to make any changes to her bed time routine lest we disrupt the one child who guarantees us consecutive hours of uninterrupted sleep. Tonight, though, we threw caution to the wind and decided to introduce Chick to her very first real pillow.  It was quite last minute and something

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-66918144854744571772011-10-18T08:31:00.000-04:002011-10-18T08:31:09.215-04:00

We took a ride to our favorite pumpkin farm yesterday afternoon and had a great time together as a family.  This particular farm opens up its barn for visitors to mingle with the animals, so the kids were able to get up close and personal (a little too personal for Pea at one point) with all of the animals we talk about so much through books.  We played in the corn maze, in the hay bales and had

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-75341754983116973752011-10-17T10:54:00.000-04:002011-10-17T10:54:25.077-04:00

I was looking to make something fall-friendly and comforting for our tummies on Saturday night and found a recipe for Stromboli that I thought I'd try.  I'd never heard of Stromboli before, but the recipe looked healthy and delicious, so I gave it a go. I bought a pre-made pizza dough from our local grocer because, let's face it, I'm not going to be making dough from scratch anytime soon.  I was

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-8460838993573334292011-10-14T19:52:00.000-04:002011-10-14T19:52:31.149-04:00

The last time I had a complete physical was back in 2008 - before the twins were conceived.  Three years later, I decided it was time to have a post birth check - up.  My blood results were awesome except for a little iron deficiency. Not surprising for a number of reasons, but most notably because I give blood every 56 days.  So, that will have to stop until my numbers are back into an

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-85694326620805101622011-10-12T10:02:00.000-04:002011-10-12T10:02:45.303-04:00

On a particularly chilly day just over a week ago, I decided to make the kids their very first hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. Despite using the teeniest amount of cocoa powder and the teeniest amount of sugar to cut the bitter taste, the caffeine and sugar wound up the twins something fierce. Not sure we'll be doing that again soon. This week, we gathered some pretty leaves to

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-82609905066255407222011-10-09T13:09:00.000-04:002011-10-09T13:09:43.546-04:00

This marks our third Thanksgiving Weekend as a family of four and the gratitude we feel is immeasurable. We certainly don't need a holiday like Thanksgiving to feel gratitude, but we do need one to create an excuse to eat our body weights in stuffing. Mmmm, stuffing. I was asked to bring something to my parents' house for Thanksgiving dinner that the kids of the family might enjoy for dessert. So

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-86343568650193932962011-10-05T20:34:00.000-04:002011-10-05T20:34:03.848-04:00

As our first CSA season comes to an end in the next few weeks, I am already thinking about how we will move forward for next season. While we have enjoyed the CSA and have expanded our tastes and recipes, I don't think we'll be investing in another CSA in the spring. What we will do instead is purchase all of our vegetables and fruit from the same organic farm at our local farmer's market (

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-8867951229189410192011-10-04T08:25:00.003-04:002011-10-04T08:25:24.395-04:00

I was cooking dinner the other day and had the patio door open so that Chick and Pea could play out on the deck. The following is what transpired over the course of their play. I have NO idea the significance of Ah-Bee-Yo, but it certainly means something to them. Take note of Pea's "Big Brother" attempts at controlling his sister's behavior near the end of the video. P.S. I woke to many

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-86506136183855298392011-10-03T20:12:00.000-04:002011-10-03T20:12:35.376-04:00

Sundays are good days around here. We usually make sure that all laundry is done before the weekend and that all errands are completed before Sunday so that we can have the entire day as a family and not have to run around anywhere if we don't feel like it. Chick has gymnastics in the morning, but the rest of the day is free. On this particular Sunday, J. was enjoying televised football and I

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-87963576467595869802011-10-02T22:04:00.000-04:002011-10-02T22:04:23.682-04:00

We had made plans to go apple picking on Saturday morning, but the wind and rain were too angry.  Instead, the twins cuddled up for some morning snuggles with Daddy. After the snugglefest, we decided to make some Rainbow Cupcakes. I had seen these on Pinterest and decided to try my hand at them. Totally cute and the kids LOVED making and eating them. By the time the kids had had their naps,

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-32214052858991052222011-09-26T22:20:00.000-04:002011-09-26T22:20:48.435-04:00

Chick and Pea love to talk and sing about the moon and the stars. There is something about nighttime that really makes them happy and now that the days are getting shorter, they will be able to see the moon and stars more often. Tonight, we brushed their teeth and were just about to head upstairs to put them both into bed when we made a snap decision to take them outside on the deck. We turned

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-72235820981545705422011-09-25T17:32:00.000-04:002011-09-25T17:33:01.265-04:00

At least I was able to check another item off of our Autumn Bucket List. Today, the Toronto Zoo offered all teachers and a guest of their choice, free admission. Since J. had to take Chick to gymnastics, I decided to take Pea to the zoo. We had a wonderful time together just the two of us and we walked the zoo seeing rhinos, hippos, zebras, giraffes, and other animals Pea loves. I decided not

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-45034125543782215502011-09-22T20:14:00.000-04:002011-09-22T20:14:03.893-04:00

I was able to check something off of our Autumn Bucket List even though Autumn doesn't officially begin until tomorrow. I hope it still counts! This was the very first time I had ever made Butternut Squash Soup and I have no idea why I waited so long. It was simple and delicious. I scanned many recipes online and then made my own recipe by tweaking several recipes here and there. Butternut

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-461795743631124422011-09-21T14:05:00.000-04:002011-09-21T14:05:43.826-04:00

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-75445191033086437442011-09-19T14:53:00.000-04:002011-09-19T14:59:31.038-04:00

Last weekend we were lucky enough to spend some time with our good friends Dolores and Shawn. Of course, our other wonderful friends were there to share the day and we left feeling very lucky to be a part of such a special group of friends. It was SO good to see Dolores and Shawn and to celebrate their visit home. Sadly, they had to go back to evil Alberta and we miss them already. I

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-16143196605308101412011-09-10T20:27:00.000-04:002011-09-10T20:30:47.245-04:00

We woke to a beautiful morning sun today and a cool, crisp breeze. J. decided that we all needed a good, long hike to start the weekend off in the right direction. So, we were all fed, dressed and out the door by 8:30am and hiked at a local conservation area for an hour and a half. Our little troopers did really well, walking at least 2kms on their own before each of them was too pooped to

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-64543353870621604412011-09-07T00:00:00.000-04:002011-09-07T00:00:02.968-04:00

Pea at two weeks old. Pea at two years old. Chick at two weeks old. Chick at two years old.

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-2903606258573825382011-09-06T13:34:00.001-04:002011-09-06T13:52:52.253-04:00

A few months ago, we took apart Pea's crib (he hadn't been using it as we had been co sleeping) in favor of moving a double bed into his room.  My parents had a guest bedroom suite that they donated to us, so it was a no-brainer to begin that transition with Pea.  At the time, Chick was still in her crib and sleeping just as soundly as she always does. Now that she's potty trained, though, we

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-68686973977912774872011-09-05T13:27:00.000-04:002011-09-05T13:27:01.604-04:00

If you have 40 minutes.

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-23417267171862694972011-09-04T18:23:00.000-04:002011-09-04T21:07:01.066-04:00

For the love of everything good, TAKE YOUR LANE.  I am beyond sick and tired of people holding up traffic waiting for the second lane of a roadway to become clear before they turn onto it.  Take the FIRST lane, then MERGE.  I promise that people will let you in.   Parents, if you cannot part with your precious smart phones long enough to actually ENGAGE your children while at the park,

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-83040605499852224262011-08-29T18:26:00.000-04:002011-08-29T18:26:24.919-04:00

The twins had their two year wellness check and all went well. Luckily, there were no vaccinations this time around, so it was a much more relaxed appointment. They are both doing very well and are healthy as can be. I love our pediatrician and love how well he takes care of all of our concerns. He is also the medical director of the health institute in the city, so we feel so lucky to have him

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-25596133977231016512011-08-27T13:36:00.000-04:002011-08-27T13:36:47.540-04:00

Today we say goodbye to one of the most genuine and down to earth Canadian politicians I believe the country has ever known.  Jack Layton, leader of the NDP, died earlier this week and Canada lost a hero. This was the very first election in all of my years of voting that I voted for the NDP.  I'm not loyal to any party or political platform and, as such, it forces me to investigate in the most

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-69598983041697800112011-08-26T20:39:00.000-04:002011-08-26T20:39:20.794-04:00

This post was written on our actual anniversary - August 24th. Dear Chick and Pea, Fifteen years ago, I married your father on one of the most beautiful August afternoons I've ever seen.  All of our family and friends were there to help us celebrate and it was such a wonderful and love-filled wedding. Three years earlier, on a beautiful May afternoon, I saw two boys from the living room window

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-17829426720136851302011-08-21T21:31:00.000-04:002011-08-21T21:31:15.160-04:00

Early last week, we decided to take the twins to a local zoo in which many of the animals are free to roam the grounds. We bought some treats from the zookeeper to feed the animals. Pea thought this little Pygmy Goat was the funniest little guy in the world. Chick made a friend. The dental work on these dudes made me shudder. That look on my face says it all. Chick found

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-29001368885452495042011-08-20T15:38:00.000-04:002011-08-20T15:38:14.907-04:00

Summer is all too quickly coming to an end and we can already detect a change in the early morning and late evening air. So, we are soaking up every last bit of the season that we can in every way possible. One of our favorite parks is in a neighbouring city at shares a space with a beach with which we've had an interesting encounter. If you've been reading for a while, you might remember the day

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-584946623887511212011-08-18T22:32:00.000-04:002011-08-18T22:32:57.708-04:00

The twins had a great birthday with their family and friends and now they are two years old. Just like that. We celebrated with my family on Sunday, then on the actual day (Tuesday) it was slated to be just the three of us until J. got home from work. However, an early morning phone call from Tanya would change all that. She hopped in her car with Rowan (who is just a month younger than the

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-82132523156023747322011-08-15T23:49:00.001-04:002011-08-16T13:00:57.129-04:00

On the eve of your second birthday, I am uncharacteristically sentimental.  We are a family who doesn't take anything for granted, who lives as well as we can in the present and who spends quantity as well as quality time together.  In this regard, we rarely look back with regret or with nostalgia.  We know that we have fully embraced the moments of the past two years with open arms and imprinted

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-12545793281338783922011-08-08T21:59:00.001-04:002011-08-08T22:01:28.905-04:00

We arrived home today from our time away at my uncle and aunt's cottage and our vacation couldn't have been more wonderful.  From start to finish, we had the best time and enjoyed every second of our cottage trip. Uncle Garry and Aunt Elizabeth traveled an hour from their home to meet us and escort us to their rather secluded cottage on the Ottawa River.  They said that they wanted to show us a

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-42340773861748977842011-08-02T16:19:00.003-04:002011-08-02T16:22:21.509-04:00

This month, our little family will head out on our very first vacation as a family.  We've gone to places overnight before, but not as vacations, per se.  My Uncle Garry and Aunt Elizabeth have generously offered us their cottage and we are looking forward to spending some time playing in the water, frolicking on the beach and making s'mores on the campfire in the evenings. In preparation for

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-80719795015481781322011-07-31T13:34:00.000-04:002011-07-31T13:34:20.453-04:00

I had been teaching grade seven and eight for a few years in the late 90s when I decided that I needed a break from all the marking, planning and drama of pre-teens.  I spoke to a couple of colleagues who were teaching in the primary division before deciding that I would take a year to "relax" by teaching a grade one/two split. I thought I might die. There was a lot of snot, a lot of

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-35909231610023326582011-07-27T23:34:00.001-04:002011-07-27T23:35:13.035-04:00

One morning, just over a week ago, the twins were playing in the great room seemingly oblivious to the potty chairs sitting nearby.  I casually said to Chick, "If you pee or poop in the potty, I will give you a cookie." She walked over to the potty chair and pooped.   Just. Like. That.  Likely a fluke, we knew we wouldn't see any sort of consistency for a long while.  Just in case,

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-55413911643981243182011-07-24T07:35:00.001-04:002011-07-24T07:35:49.525-04:00

Ready? Go! from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-89520742171145365232011-07-23T09:11:00.000-04:002011-07-23T09:11:48.365-04:00

When J. got home from work last night, I informed him that Chick and I had decided to spend some quality time together shopping and going out for dinner.  We left before 4:00pm and were back home by 7:30pm.  That's 3.5 hours of being an only child for both Chick and Pea.  I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but for twins who spend all of their time together and sharing parents, it's huge. We

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-18120097816117282222011-07-21T14:15:00.002-04:002011-07-21T14:16:32.184-04:00

As I worked up the courage to raise my body out of bed this morning, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't lift the twins so much today.  Within 20 seconds, I was lifting Pea out of his bed and carrying him down the stairs; my neck and back protesting the entire flight. My official diagnosis is Trapezius Myalgia - also known as "pain in the neck".  I have been given exercises to do and I'm

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-9796217156030708262011-07-14T09:14:00.000-04:002011-07-14T09:14:30.135-04:00

At almost 23 months, the babies seem to be venturing more and more into their own separate adventures.  Pea is happy to walk around exploring his surroundings, while Chick is happiest the higher she climbs.  These two pictures define their current personalities to a tee.

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-41287291971763419842011-07-06T23:08:00.000-04:002011-07-06T23:08:32.238-04:00

Thank you for all of your comments and emails on the last post.  It took a lot for me to hit publish on that one. We are getting very lazy when it comes to bringing the camera on our excursions.  Every time we leave the house I think about bringing the camera, but between the sunscreen, the hats, the snacks, the sippy cups, the sand toys and the kids, I run out of hands quickly. We are loving the

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-31436693236000206342011-06-30T14:14:00.000-04:002011-06-30T14:14:46.213-04:00

I've heard the statement "It was all worth it" relevant to the almost 10 years we spent trying to have children.  Looking at our life with our children now, of course people might assume that I feel that way. I don't. Most of the time, I agree with whomever is stating this to me.  I do so because I don't want to seem ungrateful for the life I lead now, nor do I want to seem bitter about the

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-40446551356746097562011-06-28T09:22:00.000-04:002011-06-28T09:22:35.604-04:00

I'm working on a post that is making my brain hurt.  So, while I take some more time to hammer that one out, here are a few pictures from our romp in the park this weekend.

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-4943711316911321342011-06-25T19:56:00.001-04:002011-06-25T19:57:07.749-04:00

After much deliberation and after finding an amazing deal through P@yp@l, J. and I decided to be brave and take the twins to Wonderland early last week. Though I was skeptical that there would be enough toddler rides and activities for the kids, Catherine assured me that it would be a fun day and that there would be plenty to keep the kids happy.  What really sealed the deal for us was that we

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-10646486969771418022011-06-22T21:18:00.000-04:002011-06-22T21:18:37.648-04:00

Like many other parents, we model the behavior that is expected of the kids.  Our modeling sometimes involves dolls, teddy bears and our very own Bear.  We use dolls in the bathtub to show the kids how to wash and rinse We've used teddy bears to demonstrate how to sit properly in chairs, how to slide down slides, and how to climb and descend stairs. We've used Bear to teach "gentle" touches and

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-43750770735873283812011-06-22T19:46:00.000-04:002011-06-22T19:46:13.469-04:00

Something that we do not subscribe to is the idea that if kids are too young to remember an activity, then the activity is one that should be postponed until they can remember it. If we subscribed to this rule, then why would we take the kids to the park?  Why would we read to them, cuddle them, colour with them, draw with them, etc.? I mean, if they won't remember it, why do it? Because the

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-42887702191396719882011-06-21T17:30:00.000-04:002011-06-21T17:30:30.638-04:00

While grocery shopping alone with the twins last week, an older couple approached me while I was holding bouquets of flowers up to the twins noses for them to smell.  We had been in the flower department for some time as I lifted bouquet after bouquet to each child for them to inhale.  Sometimes, the flowers and accents would tickle their noses and giggles would erupt from all of us.  The woman

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-29619189951682502322011-06-16T13:24:00.000-04:002011-06-16T13:24:03.872-04:00

Last Friday, we loaded up the wagon and the kids and went to our town's annual Rib Fest.  As luck would have it, Catherine and Hannah were free that night and we all decided to enjoy the evening together.  You can see all of Catherine's pictures from her second night at the Rib Fest here. The pictures I have are all courtesy of Catherine because I didn't feel like packing one more freaking thing

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-82523145568518735122011-06-15T12:30:00.001-04:002011-06-15T12:31:40.896-04:00

The twins and I drove up to our local organic farm this morning to pick up the first of 20 CSA Veggie Bins.  The season was pushed back by two weeks because of the cold and wet weather that plagued us in May, so we were excited to finally be on our way to pick up the goodies today. Aren't they beautiful?  I am going to freeze the leeks and half of the green garlic for use later.  The collard

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-1856162669018515152011-06-10T09:22:00.000-04:002011-06-10T09:22:05.578-04:00

Is he sleeping through the night?  My son was sleeping through the night in utero. How many teeth does she have? My daughter skipped her primary teeth altogether and went straight to adult teeth. No need for that bothersome toothfairy business. Is he crawling yet? My son was scouted by the national baby-crawlers association and given a scholarship to the Institute For Baby-Crawlers when he

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-63035960606716191412011-06-07T21:07:00.000-04:002011-06-07T21:07:20.016-04:00

Twice a week, for the past eight or nine months, the twins and I have attended a local play group I've written about before.  I love the freedom aspect of it and how easily the twins can get lost in play. What really makes any play group great, though, are the leaders who manage the fun.  Sarah and Blanca are the two people we see each time we turn the corner toward the gymnasium and the two

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-74688851968406897392011-06-04T10:25:00.000-04:002011-06-04T10:25:07.328-04:00

Since really immersing myself in EWG's site, I've discovered how to change our household in order to promote the maximum health of our family.  The site can be daunting, but over the past little while, we've been making small changes that are helping to green up our lives.  Case in point, our electric skillet (coated with teflon) has been traded in for a non toxic cast iron pan.  Isn't she pretty

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-58684447637927043612011-05-30T20:54:00.000-04:002011-05-30T20:54:07.612-04:00

J. had ten days of holidays still to take before the end of June.  Instead of taking them all in one block of time, we decided that he should take Fridays and Mondays off starting last weekend.  Brilliant!  We certainly aren't in a position to go on vacation anywhere, so this will allow us extra long weekends to be together as a family and to enjoy many "staycations" until the end of June. Early

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-57586783385236710122011-05-28T08:17:00.003-04:002011-05-28T08:17:52.276-04:00

 Creeks and Puddles from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-73047748066725171822011-05-27T08:49:00.002-04:002011-05-27T09:50:51.859-04:00

It's simple math, really. Two buckets full of rocks + Two rambunctious toddlers + One fast flowing creek = 90 minutes of pure (not to mention free) entertainment. After dinner last night, we decided to head down to a creek that runs through our town and introduce the twins to the delightful pastime of throwing and skipping rocks.  Oh man, did we ever underestimate how much fun the kids would

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-9051156600555764972011-05-24T13:27:00.000-04:002011-05-24T13:27:27.633-04:00

We took a drive to a nighbouring town's park yesterday on the recommendation of another local mom.  The park is housed amid mature trees and there is Crown Land all around.  It was really beautiful and, despite one sick baby, the twins had fun before the rain came down. On the way home, we noticed brilliant pink and purple lilac trees lining the country road we traveled.  I asked J. to stop the

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-29656333276362032542011-05-23T23:00:00.000-04:002011-05-23T23:00:10.597-04:00

The true dynamics of any family reveal themselves when one member is sick.  Take last night, for example.  At 2:30am, Chick began to cry in her crib.  Anyone who has been following our family for any amount of time knows how soundly our Chick sleeps.  We can count on one hand the number of times we've had to tend to her through the night since she was weeks old.  So, when J. and I heard her in

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-19135486680786792762011-05-22T22:51:00.000-04:002011-05-22T22:51:10.150-04:00

I'm not a fan of teeth at the moment. Sure, they are lovely and filled with the pearly goodness of calcium, but they are buggers too. Pea has a full mouth of teeth. He's got 'em all except for his two-year molars and has had a mouth full of teeth for a long while. In the very beginning, he was a little fussy when teething, but I don't recall there being a lot of pain. Chick on the other

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-14150242635877070832011-05-20T09:06:00.001-04:002011-05-20T09:07:24.774-04:00

Mom, you may want to sit down before you watch this. This 21 month old is fearless and determined. I wonder who she gets this from? Climby McFearless from Two Kayaks on Vimeo. What Pea was up to while Chick was climbing. He is a BIG flirt. Untitled from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-7850692228538996362011-05-16T14:34:00.000-04:002011-05-16T14:34:17.009-04:00

On Saturday we invited our partners in fun, Catherine and Hannah, to accompany us on a farm tour and play day sponsored by a local organic farm.  This particular farm is the one that will be supplying us with our organic veggies and pastured eggs from June until end of October.  It was a chance for us to tour the farm and see the animals in their wide expanse of a playground.  The chickens, ducks

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540343039568742127.post-27163177055721911232011-05-15T10:29:00.002-04:002011-05-15T10:56:40.814-04:00

Since Blogger has been funky all week, I'm going to amalgamate some of the posts I've had in my head, yet couldn't write because every time I tried to log on (which wasn't often, I admit) Blogger was down. Mother's Day 2011 I had a lovely Mother's Day. Sure, I got up early, made everyone French toast, did two loads of laundry, played in the park with the twins and made dinner for everyone, but

Two Kayakshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06062321249975691855noreply@blogger.com7