Happy Halloween!

From our friendly pig and tiger.

The Current Food Fad

All the rage over cupcakes has passed, as have the ones for donuts and fish tacos.

Currently, the big thing in restaurants is Ramen.  Yes, Ramen.  When we told TomDad and Lynda we thought we should go out and try it at the Japanese noodle house Kenzo, they did not look particularly enthused.  But they went with us and it was a fun experience.

Here's a bit of info for you:

These are not instant noodles.  These noodles are made the day before in a $30,000 machine, and then they sit out over night.  They are made with soft wheat, which is not the typical North American wheat used for bread.  The owners of the restaurant contacted over 100 millers in Canada before they found one in Manitoba who could provide soft wheat for them.

It's also not broth made from powder.  These broth is simmered for 24 hours to get maximum flavor.

We thought the food was good.

I love my kids. I love my husband. I love my life.

Just uploaded a bunch of photos, and as I was quickly going through them again so they'd all be upright, tears formed.

After Benjamin was born, both John & I realized how big Helena was.  She wasn't a baby anymore, as made obvious by the new baby in the apartment, but she also wasn't a little toddler either.  We were forced to realize that she's getting big.

Ignore the dirty face and just notice how old she looks.

She's starting to read letters on cereal boxes, in books, and on signs.  She likes to get the mail to see if there's any with an H on it, because she knows if there is, it's for her.

Having a kid who is 2 1/2 years old is so much fun.

Then there's Mr. B.  He is so smiley, so alert, and so long.

His fingers, or someone else's, are in his mouth at least 50% of the day.  He loves to grab, and he's already going after food on his parents' plates. He laughs when someone howls "ahh-ooo" over and over again.  He has rolled over in both directions a few times and it's obvious he wants to be on the move.

Having a baby who is 4 months old is so much fun. 

Besides the kids, there's John.  My hardworking, studious, list-making, always-trying-to-go-to-bed-earlier husband.  Also known as Helena & Benjamin's Duplo-loving, book-reading, song-singing, bath-giving daddy.

Having a husband who loves me & our kids, and shows that love to us everyday, is so much fun.

I'm loving my life right now.  Livin' it and lovin' it.

Fun with Family

Grandpa and Nana Lynni visited last weekend. 

 

 It was a whirlwind of fun - in restaurants, on the streets of Toronto, in a barber shop, in a variety of stores, and at home.

Lynda could always get smiles out of Benjamin by saying "Nana Nana Nana" over and over again.

 

Helena loved introducing them to her Bob horse (named after their horse) and to Grandpa bear (named after, you guessed it, Grandpa).  She also "taught" Lynda how to put a puzzle together and how to play Dominoes. 

Just chatting it up with Grandpa!

Studly, don't you think?

Looking for something to read?

If you're looking for something to read while you waste time on the internet, here are a few suggestions:

1)  John & I used to regularly find things that are different between the U.S. and Canada.  Now that we've been living in Canada for 5 years, though, the differences don't really become apparent until we go back to the States.  It's kind of weird.

But a friend recently shared the blog What's Different in Canada with us.  It has some great little factoids, some that we hadn't come across before.

2) The number one thing that Americans ask us about living in Canada is health care.  Of course.  Here's an interesting article on the myths surrounding Canadian health care.

3) The hardest part of living in British Columbia was regularly hearing negative comments about the States and Americans.  Sometimes I just yearned for someone to say something nice about my country.  A friend posted this on Facebook today, and I enjoyed reading why the U.S. isn't completely bad.

Helena says... (Part Two)

Recently at a children's Bible study, Helena learned the story of Abraham and God's promise to him. We went over the story with her, and we connected the story to her memory verse from the study: "I trust in your word" (Psalm 119:42). God promised Abraham that he would have lots and lots of kids (as we put it), and Abraham trusted God's word; he trusted that God would do what he promised. And, of course, he did.

I also taught Helena the "Father Abraham" song (Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you, so let's all praise the Lord.). I like to change the word "sons" to "kids," to include daughters like Helena, and because its a better rendering of what God promised to Abraham anyways.

The other night at bedtime, I sang the Father Abraham song to Helena. Lying there in the dark, I tried to make the connection again for Helena. "Abraham trusted God's word."

To this, Helena promptly responded, "You didn't trust God's word, Daddy."

I was a bit taken aback by this bold assessment.

"I didn't? Why not?"

"You only have two kids."

Helena says... (Part One)

"Daddy!" she yelled from the other side of the door. I was already halfway down the hall. I turned back.

"Daddy! Come back. I wanted to give you a kiss!"

"Daddy!"

When Charlotte helped her open the door, I was standing there.

"I wanted to give you a kiss."

We had already exchanged hugs, as usual. We often exchange kisses, too, but not that
morning.

She gave me a nice kiss on the cheek.

"Now you can go."

That really makes a dad feel like a million bucks!

Helena the Photographer

The camera has become an object of interest for Helena, so we sometimes let her take pictures.  Here are some of the better ones (I didn't include any of the 20 pictures of our couch cushion or the one of the laundry rack or the one of our wood floor!)

Ballet with a friend

 

Helena was invited by her friend Lily to attend ballet class two Saturdays ago.  

Despite the fact that she stood with very little movement the entire class, she seemed to have really enjoyed herself.  Sometimes it just takes a bit of time to feel comfortable.