My Kai Turns Five!

I cannot believe that my wee baby has grown to a BIG boy. He is starting kindgergarten in just 2 short weeks. I drove by the school before school was out, and seeing the kids out on the play ground made me weepy - I anticipate I'll be a slobbering, blithering mess the day Kai steps out the door. Anyway, off track. I wanted to be intentional about sitting down and thinking about the things I love most about my Kai. I wanted to write them down and be able to think about them, remember them and appreciate and value each moment that he is 5.

1. I love the way he looks up past his glasses.

2. I love the way he poses for every picture (one arm crossed over the other and 'the look' - see #1)

3. I love when he tries to explain something to me - the inability to communicate fast enough what his little brain is thinking.

4. I love when he tells me how much he loves Luca, and that he is the cutest brother in the whole wide world.

5. I love his various expressions ie: "Mommy, I love you more than pigs and trees"

6. I love that he is so pumped about his Webkinz dolls and going online and saving up for a bathtub so he can give them a proper bath.

7. I love that he has so many new little friends. (Other than the ones we supplied FOR him through our own friends)

8. I love that he hears adult expressions and uses them in his day to day interactions. (I gotta watch every little thing I say)

9. I love to watch him sleep - those irresistable long dark lashes on his brown skin, and his pouty lips.

10. I love watching him talk - never has a kid had so much expression!

11. The dance moves. 'Nuff said.

Malachi - I am so so so so proud of you. I'm proud that you are learning to speak with kindness, control your temper, watch your manners, read books and the answer is YES (for all those times you double check with me that I still love you when you do bad things.) It still is a silly question, but today I affirm my answer - YES A HUNDRED TIMES OVER!!

Love Mommy

First Family Holiday

Kai just after his first ever amusement park ride. Not quite sure why this pose, but he was right impressed with the whole event

Luca in his glory on the 'horsie' ride!!

Malachi in command of his first ever motorized vehicle. A good day for him all in all.

The family on top of Sulphur Mountain. The whole way up Luca kept yelling: "Up a Mountain, Up a Mountain!!"

The unbelievable view from the top!!

This is where Luca decided it was 'bight' and that he just HAD to wear my shades.

Malachi was none to impressed with the loud singing going on at this fabulous authentic Mexican Restaurant in downtown Calgary.

We had just eaten lunch beside some big, ugly, stinky camels.

We were exceptionally blessed when my parents, knowing the stress we had faced after losing the baby, offered to pay all the gas to join them on a holiday to Alberta. We did all the typical sight seeing things, and Malachi, with his larger than life personality, loved every minute of it. He declared that he wanted to be on holidays forever. My little Luca near broke my heart when after three days he begged on and off to 'go home, i go home. mommy home' This was usually when he was at the point of exhaustion. The other moments he was quite happy because he had his Papa. He has this strange obsession with an older mustached man, but the majority of his obsession is fixated on his papa. First thing his little eyes would snap open he would be asking for papa. I felt bad for my dad, who had Luca permanently attached to him at all times. He couldn't eat a meal, or visit the washroom without Luca in tow. (I know he secretly does enjoy the love and adoration of our wee 2 year old!) We were able to see my brother John's apartment for this first time, of which he is exceptionally proud. All in all, we returned home beyond exhausted but with a head and heart full of new memories. I will share just a few small snapshots of our time away.