a little story...

{once upon a time there was a little maya...she liked to eat cheerios}

{unfortunately, her sister often swooped in and stole her oaty loops}

{that's what they call them in belgium...loops}

{this perplexed poor maya, but she was thankful at the very least for her cute bib}

{she deeply desired to be two, like her sister...to walk, and talk an keep up in general}

{sometimes her sister included her...and she was a happy little camper}

{aren't their stripey bums adorable?}

{one day you will be two maya...it'll actually happen pretty fast}

{and when it does...}

{you will still have warm, fuzzy, striped, fleece, pants (no matter that they are hand-me-downs)....and your sister...will NOT!}

in the air....

Obviously, the signs of Christmas are everywhere...it's in the air!....I love it....I love everything about this time of year, especially when I'm organized....but, I have a question for you all!

I have been thinking lately about traditions. I have some great ones with my family...chinese food christmas eve and then church, on christmas morning we scramble through our stockings, have a leisurely breakfast, then head back for our presents, christmas baking with my mom and sisters, a new ornament every year from mom....

Now that Halle is old enough to actually begin forming memories, I want to make some solid traditions of our own for this most special holiday (beyond the veggie tales christmas CD that heralds everytime I turn on the van). I would like some to be meaningful, and some to be fun...I do have a few ideas!

But, I would love to hear some of your favorite traditions and rituals (especially from some of my across the ocean readers)....so, let's hear them....funny....special....weird....sacred....yummy....your favorite!!!!

ps...just HAD to throw in this picture of rupert and maya last christmas....my, how a year can change things!

grampy time...

Why is Maya so happy? Well, we've had a very fun visitor with us! The past few days, we have had the pleasure of my dad (aka. Grampy) staying with us. Halle has been in heaven from the moment he walked through the door. Maya made strange a bit at the beginning, but she seems to have fallen under her Grampy's spell too. He has been a great sport and tagged along with us shopping, to Costco, Starbucks, visiting great-grandma, shopping, Starbucks, (yes, i did mean to put that twice...it happened twice) walks, runs, playtime on the floor, tickle time on the couch and joined in on all our little routines. We had a great visit with you Dad!

{look at their mouths in the photo below...both so serious}

{sweet hands}

{stopping for a snuggle}

{maya the shoe eater loves her grampy too!}

{taking advantage of a gorgeous day and going for a run with the kids...well, they sat, we ran.}

{just wait till your metabolisms betray you little girls}

{i can't stop taking pictures of her!}

{it appears my girls love men}

{maya trying SO hard to crawl...she's not there yet, but not for lack of effort}

{it's hard work reaching developmental milestones}

good night all :)

I'm trying...

Life has been good lately. Good in the sense that after a month and a half of sickness, things have been uneventful, predictable and fun. I have been content, enjoying my family. It's a good place to be. Being somewhat of a pessimist though, I am resisting the urge to not wonder what the next hurdle will be. Isn't that awful? "Do not worry about tomorrow..." was likely specifically penned for me, but I am not always the most obedient of girls...I'm trying.

Daddy has been home a lot more lately, and we are enjoying this slower pace. The girls truly relish his presence and have been having so much fun with him. These pictures were taken a couple nights ago when he made Halle a castle for her princesses. His yearly youth overnight lock-in is just around the corner, so I know things will change soon. But, the girls and I are also anticipating our annual Dyck girl Christmas cookie extravaganza, and once again, are heading to the island at the end of the month for that. I'm also trying to get myself organized for all the stuff that Christmas brings...I hate when I'm not ready and it becomes stressful...it is SO not supposed to be.

{i love her perplexed face in the black and white}

I got a haircut this past week. At the request of my husband, the bangs are back! They are a bit stubborn as I have been wearing them pinned back for months, so I have to train them...I'm trying! The appointment coincided with a major power outage and Steve was stuck with both girls, pitch black, hungry, half-cooked dinner in the oven and a bunch of candles. Ha! He did great!! He also added something to his parenting repertoire that I don't have...changing a poopy diaper by candlelight. I think he was glad to have me home ;)

{my three sweet hearts having some bedtime snuggles}

{the girls unknowingly playing footsies as they play}

A few nights ago, I found some videos that Steve had taken when Maya was born. I had never seen them before. I had such a blast, sitting here, with a big smile on my face, watching clip after clip. I was blown away that it seems like a lifetime ago. Maya is such a part of us now...it's hard to remember the times when we were just getting to know her. What really caught my attention (other than my post-partum bloat face) was how much Halle has grown. She truly has gone from anything remotely baby-ish into a girl...a real little person. It made me so determined to soak in this time with my wee gals...such a tall order for moms of little ones, but I am trying....

Maya has two new favorite things: yogurt and cheerios. She will be eight months next week, so I jumped the gun a bit on the yogurt, but she's tolerating it great. She thinks cheerios are the bees knees! And now comes my confession. I am abusing the cheerios. These little round oat-y O's are intended for nourishment and sustenance...right? Oh dear. I am using them as a distraction and to buy myself time. That's right...need to finish supper....check my email...stop some whining????CHEERIOS!!!! The problem is, it works like a charm...throw a bunch on the floor and she turns, lunges, grabs for them (at least she's getting exercise). So, there you have it...I am parenting by cheerios...I'll work on it...I'm trying not to give her food issues already!

{big sister teaches little sister the art of the sippy cup}

And, for any of you crazy people that had any crazy ideas when you read the title of this post....NO, I am NOT trying to get pregnant...trying for the opposite actually. Crazy readers :)

* Also...just HAD to mention Maya's cute new bib from Baby Bird...oh how I love the rick-rack edging! Risa is a local gal who I know initially through work and she is amazingly talented. She has a group on facebook with tonnes of cutie things :)

no-namers

I've been getting some spam comments lately. So, I've changed the "comments" settings, but am not sure if I've done it right. I changed it to people with "google acounts"...or should it be "registered users"? Anyone know?

Thanks so much for all your comments...I love reading them....just not the ones from "no-namers" providing "adult" links....not cool.

splash

I mentioned in my last posts that I loved "nights in" with my family of four....well, I also love "nights out." Steve has to work all day tomorrow (boo), so we decided to do something fun as a family tonight. Swimming!!!! This was Maya's first time at the pool....out of uterus, that is (I still can't believe I went out in public in a bathing suit when I was 8 months pregnant *shudder*).

She loved it...we definitely have two little fishies on our hands!

The smell of chlorine...waterlogged, sleepy babes...hats on wet hair....going out for post swim treats...damp towels and bathing suits heaped into the wash...Yay for family nights :)

Oh, and since I KNOW my family will comment on this last picture, YES....it does appear that BOTH daughters have a nose-picking tendency. They're cute...they can get away with it....for now :)

less is more...{with the following exceptions}

{time spent with family}

{coffee}

{cute hats}

{sleep}

{mascara...I have blonde lashes}

{anything containing chocolate and peanut butter}

{bare feet...sorry mom}

{hugs}

{a good sale}

{lists...I love lists}

{hoodies}

{vancouver island}

{chick flicks, big mugs, sweet treats}

{someone else cooking for you}

{watching your babies sleep...and basking in the coinciding quiet}

{starbucks...the red cups are here!!!!!}

{nights in with my family of four}

{good hair days}

{giggling little sisters}

{good book, hot bath, off duty}

{love}

{being outside}

{did I mention sleep and coffee?}

{taking pictures of my girls}