Cecelia Turns Two

 Cecelia turned two this month, and today we got to celebrate with a few of her princess pals. We got to do some crafts and some colouring and mostly played in her kitchen together. It was fun to have all those little girls together for a couple hours and it was a blast to see them all dressed up.

Sledding with the Girls

On Saturday the Bennetts came over and cooked us the most delicious pizzas for lunch. They used humus as the sauce, and has fried veggies and chicken breast. I seriously have been craving them since then.
Then we took our girls out tobogganing for each of their first times and it was a hoot. Neither of them were particularly excited about it, and I think they started to get a little too cold to even enjoy it, but they sure were cute. Snowsuits make kids look so huggable. I just couldn't get over it.

Laura and Sophia are back in town

Laura came back to the great city of Calgary this week, and I was one of the honoured hits on her list. I had the pleasure of hosting the two lovely ladies for a sleepover on Thursday night. It was so nice just to spend time with them - just grocery shopping and chatting.
Then of course with Laura comes a party, and so we hosted a Christmas party for the babies of 2014 (just like the Halloween one from a couple months ago). We had another great time eating and visiting with wonderful moms and their beautiful babes. I just will never be able to express enough love for the women in my life I have as friends, and teammates in this journey of raising children. It really does take a village to raise a child - and we are in a really good one.

These are a couple of my very best friends. We had brunch together January 1st, 2014.

 Cecelia (February) - Enzo (January) - Sophia (October) - Porter (August)

A Prenatal Christmas

Witches' Brunch

Last year Laura got some ladies together for Witches' Night Out and we had a blast. There were costumes, delicious food and Halloween Bingo, enjoyed by all. I have been having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year, but I thought it would be fun to do something with the babies that have been added to last year's group. Babies and Halloween are a good mix.
We decided to combine this idea with Laura's desire to gather all babies she knew born in 2014 for a group photo, and with one of my favourite social gatherings: brunch. Thus was born the idea of Witches' Brunch. It was to be held at my house, because Laura's was a pile of boxes and a lack of furniture due to her up coming move. We threw together a fairly last minute Facebook page, and a surprising number of people were available on such short notice - that's what a group of women on mat leave craving human interaction does for you.
It was a really great afternoon, meeting new babies (and even some of the moms for the first time) and sharing things that connect us as women - food and motherhood. I really enjoyed myself, and am glad Laura and I were able to throw something together to get my Halloween decorations out of the bin that they've been sitting in my living room in for 2 weeks.

 Look at all these wonderful babies! We decided that a group picture would not all fit on my couch (especially with some kids moving enough to potential fall or knock others over) and so we moved it into the bedroom. I had 11 near strangers and their babies in my room, but it was so worth it. Look at them all! All, but one, born in 2014.

 From oldest to youngest - top left down to bottom right - 11 months to 3 weeks old.

I bought this costume for Cecelia to be a dragon, and the was informed by my sister that it is not a dragon unless it has wings. I therefore had to go to the fabric store and by fabric, and my talented mother-in-law made some wings to attach. I then attached a bow to her head so that everyone would know she's a girl dragon.

 Jackie was a huge help to get things thrown together last minute. Us ladies and our babies were very busy and distracted, so it was good to have an older wiser mom around to take care of some behind the scenes details.

 Cecelia had 3 wardrobe changes on this day. What can you do? Sometimes you've got 3 perfect outfits to wear, and you just need to find excuses to fit them all in.

 Love this baby. Hate this ugly couch.

 A lot can happen in a year.

Thanks for a fun time Laura. It was a great success, and so nice to see you for one last girl party before you take off.