In less than a week, July will begin to gather ridiculous momentum. It will involve a couple of very important birthdays (Hazel turns 1 on the 10th, and Juniper enters double digits on the 30th), as well as an extended summer trip to New Brunswick. In other words, it's going to be party, party, party. I will hopefully (as ever) be documenting it all as we go, and therefore I thought it was especially important to sneak in a post before the ball gets rolling.
Linden always seems to take the most aggressive Hazel love
Inside a big tree trunk play structure
Besides, there are, naturally, a bunch of important things to catch up on. For instance, Juniper and Linden both finished up their school years with a bang (4th and 2nd grade, respectively), Hazel become a walker, and we got a visit from Sylvia (and Theresa and Deb), just to name a few.
Plus, I hunkered down and finally put together a new video. So grab a drink of choice and a comfortable seat, and enjoy!
1. Visitors!
Though this is not a chronologically accurate way to start things off, we might as well begin with one of the more exciting events of the past couple of months: a visit from Clark's sister, (Theresa), Theresa's daughter (Sylvia) and Clark's mom (Deborah, or Deb, as the kids call her). It is always an especially big treat when we get to hang with Sylvia, who is not quite two months younger than Hazel. I think they are going to be besties as they grow up!
The first morning: Hazel enthusiastically shows (a rather concerned) Sylvia the ropes
Puppet time with Clark
Out for a wagon ride
Holding a conference at IKEA
Bathtime cuteness
Hazel poses for my photo shoot set up right before they all left
The beginning of a rather hilarious attempt to get both girls smiling and looking at the camera at the same time
Spoiler alert:
It never happened.
One of my favourites. Sylvia fits in a bit of baby yoga between shots.
Priceless
Mooooommmm... is this almost over?
"I think she's still going. You do something."
"I'm done! done! Taxi!"
Linden does a quick photobomb
Group shot!
2. Out and about
Look! We all fit in the canoe! (at least for now...)
If there's a tree to climb...
Juniper Hazel and I go for a walk around Oathill. Hazel... tolerates the stroller these days. She'd much rather be in the wagon, or walking.
Feet in the water
It doesn't get much cuter than a baby in a bonnet
I found the lady's slippers!
One day we found this cool, hidden playground
3. Hodgepodge Hazel
What? Eating in the living room?
Hazel now needs every utensil, no matter what is being served. Totally legit to use a spoon for "mango ice cream"...
... but not as useful to employ a fork to eat rice puffs,
She literally stood at the window for 20 minutes straight, supervising the driveway being repaved across the street.
Hazel REALLY likes to poke eyes. At least this was a doll, and not a Linden.
The magazine basket has become Hazel's chair. She likes to lounge and contemplate life.
Hazel's newest obsession: trying to put on her own clothes.
She can get VERY frustrated during this process...
... but usually ends up slinging it over her shoulder or wrapping it around her neck, and carrying on with life.
4. All the other stuff:
Two ladies who love the library
The door game never gets old
Mary came to visit!
Juniper reads to Hazel from "A Trail of Broken Dreams". Clearly, Hazel was unimpressed with the selection.
Father's day, in one perfectly captured photo
Last day of school silliness...
... and a nice one. Look how grown up they are! And check up that mop!
I had to include this, because I think it's so awesome. Linden did it at school, and brought it home on the last day. It is a character he invented: a ninja robot gecko. Pretty cool, eh?
And finally, here is a nice juicy video I put together. I always feel like I should get a prize when I slog through a video, but it is always worth it (in my humble opinion, anyway.) See you soon!
