The Magic In Ordinary Days.....

I watched a movie a couple years ago called "The Magic In Ordinary Days". I loved the movie - one of my favourites! The title of the movie has always rung true with me. With such a hectic life full of hockey, skiing, photography, housework, kid's school activities and just the hustle and bustle of life, I have grown to appreciate the quiet, ordinary days in my life. I have been fighting a bad cold the last couple weeks so today I just stayed home with Jack and basically did nothing. It was one of those "ordinary" days that I treasure. I didn't have anywhere to go, anything to do and just was quiet. Jack wasn't very interested in watching TV so I kept it off. He spent the majority of the day building lego (his Dad's old set - how timeless of a toy is that!). I puttered around doing a bit of laundry, tidying up somewhat and just being still. There truly is "magic" in days like today......a little kiss on the cheek from Jackson here and there, watching him play quietly with his toys, enjoying a warm cup of tea and just being still enough to look around and appreciate all that I have.

I have been taking pictures of my kids where they are just doing what they love, whether it be building lego, drawing, colouring, writing or reading and I am growing more and more in love with these types of pictures. They are truly the essence of who they are right now in their young lives. I know I will look back on these someday and these images will take me back to our life.....to what I have grown to love....and that is "the magic in ordinary days".

Just Life.

I took these last night. It was a quiet evening, Kris was working at the office and the boys were reading and drawing so I grabbed my camera and shot off a few snaps, quietly, without flash so that they wouldn't notice and stop what they were doing. My favourite photos of my kids are not the posed, portrait shot, but just "everyday"... life....because this is how I want to look back and remember their childhood.

I challenge all of you to bring out the camera and capture your children's lives "in the moment"....don't make them look at your camera all the time and smile, just take pictures of them being them. You'll love the results! These are a bit "grainy" b/c I upped my ISO so that I didn't have to use my flash, but I love them nonetheless!

The New Do!

After our cupcake baking, Jack and I headed in to FINALLY get his hair cut. I couldn't get over how different he looked when he stepped off the chair.  Wow....can't decide if he looks older or younger?

Cupcakes!

Jackson wanted to have a "Green Day" today, so he he dragged out some green toys and asked if we could make green cupcakes. Why not?!

Best part of making cupcakes is licking out the bowl!  I still remember doing that as a kid.

Jack thinks it's pretty cool to use the blender....I do too, until he lifts th beaters out when it's still on and icing flies all over my freshly cleaned kitchen! Oh well.....

Waiting for the cupcakes to cool, under the watchful eye of  Theodore the Chipmunk! ;)

Mmmmm, Mmmmmm.....icing!

The incredibly talented "sprinkler guy" - Mr. Jackson!

I asked him what he thought of "green day" so far and got a big thumbs up!

Delicious!

Have I mentioned I love cupcakes? I do. They are probably one of my "favourite foods". I likely make cupcakes twice a month and the kids know that all they have to say is "let's make cupcakes" and I'm good to go. They are easy to make, and fun to do with the kids. I let them lick out the bowl - both the icing and batter, usually followed up by a big glass of milk. I don't even want to guess how many batches of cupcakes Jack and I have made over the last couple years. He is my "helper" and the older he gets, the more jobs he gets to do. Just recently I have let him crack the eggs (not always the smartest thing on my part), but he loves it. Today he was the "mixer" and the "sprinkler" and he got to say what colour the icing would be. He wanted to have a "green day" so he gathered up some of his green toys and brought them all to the kitchen to "watch" us bake.

I treasure times like this. Soon he'll be in school and I will be making cupcakes by myself! Oh, tearing up....gotta go! Here are some fun pictures from our "green bake-a-thon" this morning!

Cheers!

More Winter Fun.....

We had a fabulous four-day weekend at the cabin. The kids skied non-stop and tubed in between. It was just one of those weekends where I wished this is where we lived year-round. Oh well, all good things must come to an end and it's time to head back to reality. It's a cold day today, but the boys still planned to ventured out to ski. I guess I better get packing as soon we'll be heading back to Oakville. Have a great week everyone.

Lighting up the Sky!

Tonight Asessippi put on a spectacular fireworks show. We were lucky enough to watch the entire show from our deck of the cabin. We were thoroughly impressed! Thank Asessippi. Here are a few images.

Fun Times!

We've been up at the cabin the last few days enjoying time outside. The boys have been tubing and skiing non-stop. Today is a bit cold, so I'm not sure how much "outdoor" activity will take place today. Kris joined us Friday night and the kids were so excited to get out and have some fun with their Dad.

Here are a few images from yesterday's fun!

Miss. Mena

I had the pleasure of photographing this sweet eight-month old this afternoon. She wasn't to keen on me, but thanks to her Mom, we got some great smiles! Here are a few of the many....