Spring has finally come

We have been enjoying nice warm weather (finally) in Ottawa. the kids have been in shorts and sandals for about a week now, and the snow piles are all but disappeared. We thought it was great to see Jason on the snowbanks in his sandals. For the most part, we have been trying to keep to a 2 park-per-day regimen when we aren't working. We have also been playing soccer - they both have cleats (matching), which is cute. Last night Keira had a pink dress on with ehr cleats. Very cool. Jason has made leaps and bounds in terms of his coordination. I am amazed at his accuracy when he kicks and he has picked up some fancy moves from HG. He also really loves playing with worms, which is new, while Keira actually squeals. Keira's talking is really coming along. She had some versions of 3-word sentences for a while, but has really started to get them together like "Jason squished me." this morning they were lying in bed reading and Jason said "fart" and Keira said "me farted?" and Jason said that it was him. I thought it was great that Keira can accurately use "fart" at 25 months.

where to start??!!

Well, I am just been trying to splash some pictures on the site without having much time to add stories. We are all well, with only a few minor adventures on the way.

1. Holiday - we had a great trip. I don't even remember how we found the "grand paradise samana" but it was a great hit. It was a very low key place with a low key beach. The beach was really amazing. We swam with sea turtles! Our basic plan each day was stay on the beach as many hours as we could before compromising with the kids and heading to the pool. Oh yes and eating and drinking fruity, icy drinks. I can't figure out how to add bits around the photos already posted. The one of Keira on the beach chair in her diaper is her (very accurate) imitation of all the French women topless sunbathing at the resort. I also took her horseback riding. At some point - okay as we headed down the steepest road I have EVER seen I realized that my "guide" and I had a fundamental misunderstanding. He was not trained in taking silly Canadians on horseback rides. he was a Dominican guy with a horse, as most Dominicans do. I, on the other hand, am not a capable horsewoman, much as you might assume I should be by taking my toddler on a horseback ride. But Keira loved it all.

2. Pow wow - we got back to a very snowy Ottawa for the Odawa children's pow wow. We had a great time, Keira danced but more importantly so did Jason - lots and lots. He and I both enjoyed the Mohawk singing and dancing a lot.

3. Keira in her happy st.patrick shirt!

4. Keira's Birthday - a few days before her Bday I thought I should start talking it up, you know getting her psyched up. Well, perhaps not so necessary...she basically didn't sleep well for about two weeks. First, she was aware of the cake that would be involved and then the presents and then the friends....Even now, she says "Birthday, more Birthday..." We had a great day on her actual Bday - we started with a Bday breakfast, onto Cosmic Adventures, and then met Grandad at the airport. We had presents after lunch and then dino cake later in the day. I have never seen anyone young or old enjoy their bday cake so much. She lingered over it for about half an hour. We waited until the following weekend for a bg party with all her friends and Nana which was a lot of fun.

5. Easter - we had a great easter with grandad. The kids really got into the easter egg hunt, and by next year I think it will be a real contest between the two of them.

We just went for check ups. Jason has broken the 50 lb mark and is 3ft 6 inches. Keira is 3 feet tall and about 32 lbs. Jason is doing great at school and home. Keira is talking so much. We went to register Jason for soccer and Keira got very excited" Me, me , wait wait, baby play hockey". And then all the way there, "play hockey, play hockey", And she knows what she means and shows me how she can skate!