Hodge Podge

Olivia has been sick lately - for what seems like forever. But we have still had time to take a few pictures here and there. As always she is still keeping us all very busy...

Good night kiss for Rascal.

Ride 'um Cowgirl!

Sleepy Girls!

The new Red Wagon is a HUGE hit!!!

Future Belly Dancer.

Spring Fever

First off we started the weekend with Friday night playing in the playroom. Olivia got a little crazy with the markers and next thing you know its looking a little like war paint all over her face. The best part was then she went over and started beating on the drums and yelling something. So she was fired up about something and just having a great time.
Saturday was great - the weather just a little bit warms up and we Calgarians are out side getting all we can of what may or may not be spring. Olivia was out there too and mommy and daddy were putting together all kinds of outside toys. What fun!!!

We bought the PINK AND PURPLE (can you believe it) little playhouse. Olivia just absolutely loves it. It comes with a real working doorbell!!
The table and chairs add a extra little ambiance and Olivia is ready for entertaining. Even making sure things are cleaned up with her little broom in hand.

After all that work, it was snack time. So, Olivia decided to get it for herself and of course share a little with Rascal. He loves that!
Some for me, some for you.
And, well that pretty much sums up the weekend. Lots of outside time. It was great and Olivia is all tuckered out. It seems Stephanie was right, as soon as they understand outside, thats the only thing they want to do - go outside!

Happy Easter

This weekend we spent down in Fort Macleod. We had a really good time with Ian's family. At some point we were all there minus Kalen and she was missed. But we did have a really good time. Olivia played and played and was just so busy.

In this picture, she was wiped out even before we got there - the car trip put her right to sleep. And of course, we couldn't leave "Baby" and "Mr. Monkey" behind - they helped with sleeping arrangements.
Grandma and Papa even set up a little toy kitchen for Olivia in the basement, filled with little cups and saucers. She really enjoyed making tea for us all in the microwave.
Then we played outside a little - as you can see - and Olivia decided to share her snacks with Rascal.
We decided to get some use out of that Halloween Costume of Olivia's and surprise Grandma and Papa with a little bunny of our own. Of course the other Easter Bunny arrived with eggs filled with goldfish crackers and teddy grahms, stuffed bunnies, little people toys and all.
Olivia loved looking for the eggs with the help from Daddy and Rascal. But it was tiring and a lot of hard work for our little bunny.

Then we got all dolled up for church and a family portrait - finally - when we all looked good and pulled together.
We had a great weekend. It was fun and totally exhausting. Olivia was already in bed tonight at 6:30 and I have to say, I don't think we will be far behind!

Again, Happy Easter and Happy Spring!!! YEAH!!!

Trip to the Zoo

Olivia did good at the zoo although she had to have a nap at the monkey and the elephants.

Sunday Shopping

Olivia is a true Canadian now, as she has an igloo. Not an igloo like some people think Canadians live in. This one came from IKEA.

Winter play day

This morning we woke up to finally a beautiful day. We started out reading the flyers from the paper and after that, although still cold, it was warm enough to get out side and play. Olivia had a great time in her toboggan being pulled by Daddy. She went up and down the little hill several times and loved it! Rascal wasn't too sure about it all, but it was great to get EVERYONE out of the house and outside. Lets hope we see some kind of spring on the horizon.




Our little ski bunny had a great time. I think this time next year she will be ready for the slopes!!!!!

What Has Olivia been up to?

Reading with Daddy...

Cooking with Friends...

Reading in her "box car"...

Trying on hats...

Reading with Mommy....

Taking a break on the refrigerator seat...

and reading the paper for good deals.

So, as you can see Olivia is keeping us busy. She is growing so much. She is 31 inches tall now and weighs about 23 pounds. She walks and talks (gibberish) and even dances. She has learned to march and its just the cutest thing! We are having loads of fun with her. Even the recent appearance of temper tantrums aren't too bad...yet.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hi, and Happy Valentine's Day. We had a fun evening. Olivia requested her favorite dinner of beef tortellini in tomato sauce with broccoli. She ate lots and especially loves it with a little Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. Then I made white heart shaped Valentine's Cake for my two Harts. We all enjoyed it but Olivia really went to town and LOVED it! (Ian did too, he had two pieces!)

Olivia also enjoyed her Pink Poodle gift and she was really excited about her new washable markers.
That's it from the Harts on Heart Day! Sending everyone hugs and kisses!

What I've learned about Calgrary winter...

I don't usually have much to say unless its about Olivia. But for all of you who don't live here in Calgary, I thought I would share some of the things that I have learned about winter. What brings this on you ask? Well, it has been snowing now for about a week now.

So here we go. What I have learned about winter...

• The phrase "its too cold to snow" is not true.
• Celsius finally makes sense to me in -20 because I have never known it to be this cold in Ferienheit.
• There is no such thing as a "snow day."
• Curlers (the sport enthusiasts, not the hair ones) are die hards still coming to the rink at 7:30 in the morning.
  
• Windshield wipers don't work with ice on them.
• The more wiper fluid you squirt doesn't help.
• Salt does not melt ice on the roads at -20 C
  
• Yes, you can feel the ice under your tires as you drive.
• It can be really pretty (see picture above)
• And well, it does eventually stop, and like this afternoon there is still a blue sky up there and hope for a Chinook!

So thats that. The picture is of Inglewood Golf Course on one of these very snowy days lately. I think there is reprieve this weekend and then everything will just be really messy and dirty, but at least it won't be snowing!!

Keep warm!

Sip n' Safari

This weekend Olivia had a playdate with her friends Trystan and Marissa. We all got up and met at this super cool place called "Sip n' Safari". I had no idea what it would be like but I have heard of some other places around Calgary that are on this same idea and thought we should try it out. So, its like a coffee shop when you first walk in with cafe tables and a place to order. So we go over pay for the kids to play and then get some tea and coffees. Then we go through to this HUGE room full of toy houses, riding toys, dolls, books, slides, hand puppets, everything you can imagine.

Olivia just stood there and looked around in awe at first. Her friend Marissa had been before so she dove right in to play. Once Olivia got the hang of it, she was off to in every direction to explore. There are benches and tables around the edge of the room for parents to sit and watch or visit. They even have a little lunch menu for the little ones so Olivia enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich and a chocobanana smoothie! Her first smoothie and well lets just say she loved it so much it was her first official straw slurp!

Another reason this place is great, we can't really play outside here in the winter months...its been snowing for the past week! So this was a great day! Olivia was exhausted afterwards and slept a great nap in the afternoon.

We are all thinking we wish we would have thought of this great "Sip n' Safari" idea.

First time in the Snow

Another artist in the Family

First Popsicle

Oliva and Rascal