Ballet class

Elania has been doing ballet around the house since she started watching a cartoon called 'Angelina" who is a little mouse that does ballet. We decided to put her in a ballet class. I wasn't too sure how she would do because in nursery this past month she has been clingy. Well... she absolutely loved it! It was her first class today. At first she just observed everyone, but after some encouragement by me, she actually would follow her ballet teacher. I am so proud of her! She did so well. There are about 8 three year olds in total.

Elania in her ballet outfit the day before her first class. The ladybug necklace and ring are obviously not part of the outfit!


Striking a pose!


She insisted her hair be in a bun like other ballerinas. This pic is after a few hours of it being in so her hair is kind of falling out! She has such fine hair.


On her tiptoes! Aunt Chanelle and Aunt Mardi would be so proud!

Upside down and coloring

One of Brayden's favorite things to do.


Elania and Brayden coloring together.


Too cute!


Still learning NOT to eat the crayons.

Potty Training a Success!

Elania is now potty trained! Well... just as I started to post this, she pooed her underwear! Grrrr... She went a whole week without any accidents, but today it was one accident of each - so what's with that?!

The difference in her actually "wanting" to use the potty was a combination of things. A potty chart with Halloween stickers she picked out, smarties as potty treats, and the prospect of a "potty party" once the chart was full. We had the potty party already. I cut out the chart and potty treats. So I am wondering if maybe I should continue with the chart to help remind her to go in the potty and not her underwear? But still cut out the treats? I don't know. Parenthood.

Elania on the little white potty we borrowed from her best friend, Ava. She liked that she was learning on the same potty as Ava (even though Ava didn't really learn on this potty). She thought she did and so it worked.


Having fun with her underwear.


Elania with her full potty chart.


Sparklers were part of the "Potty Party".


We gave her a present for doing so well.

Now up to date!

Well...I accomplished my goal today. I am now up to date on the blog. Hope all family enjoys the pics! I admit - it is a lot of entries, but we did a lot of things in a month! Update on our lives now...Mike is back in school. We are excited this is his last year of dentistry and then he's done!

We've tried to potty train Elania and it didn't work. She knows how to use the potty but doesn't care to. So we will try again later.

Brayden likes to copy everything Elania or I do. He has become quite the good eater and that pleases me and Mike very much! Elania has always been a difficult eater. Brayden ate some hamburger the other day...which of course Elania would not eat for anything.

I have been busy trying to keep this place in order, stop the kids from fighting CONSTANTLY, and scrapbooking. That's all for now!

Cute kids on Elania's new Backyardigan bed.

Kids posing in their new Raymond shirts from Grandma S.

Playground and Airport

What's the best thing besides the beach according to Elania? Playing on the playground! We went to a new playground in Halifax before all the cousins and Chris & Cindy had to head off to the airport.


Evan and Brayden at the airport.

Nathan giving me a big hug! Thanks Nathan!

A big hug for Elania and Daniel. Elania now refers to him as her "best friend". So cute. Elania very much misses Daniel. She talks about ALL her cousins coming to visit her!

We are glad Chris, Cindy, and kids were able to come visit us. We had a lot of fun playing. We are glad Chris didn't have to go into surgery while out here on vacation! We are praying for you Chris and hope for a speedy recovery!

Cousin Nathan's birthday

Nathan had his birthday while he was out here with us. We went to a zoo nearby, and he loved it. Especially being so close to the bear!

Elania being brave again to feed the deer.

The cougar that was eyeing Daniel and ready to pounce on him if he could have!

Elania and Daniel

More playground and painting

Cousins Brayden and Evan enjoying swinging together.

Evan is such a cutie! Check out that smile.

This is one of my favorite pictures I took this trip. Cindy swinging with Evan.

Back at home in NS, Elania and Daniel having fun painting on things other than paper!

Kite flying and playgrounds in PEI

We took the kids to the "fish" playground (as Elania called it because there was a big plastic fish) and had kite flying.

Cousin Nathan flying a kite with his mom, Cindy.



Cousins Elania and Daniel copying each other.

Elania learned some new tricks from Daniel this trip. She learned to be more brave going down slides (aka on her stomach) and climbing more.

Harbour Hippo and more

Knight Daniel and Princess Elania

It was raining on and off this day at Charlottetown, PEI. While we waited to go on the Harbour Hippo, we went to a nearby McDonalds for two reasons. To get out of the rain and have the kids burn some energy!

Elania and cousin Nathan playing together.


All of us at the Harbour Hippo.


On the Harbour Hippo. The white hands were for waving to people as we drove by.

Cousin Daniel arrives!

We were excited to have Chris, Cindy, and their kids here. Elania was extremely excited to have cousin Daniel come play with her. She always referred to him this way. We went to a beach on the northeast side of PEI. Elania was in heaven - at the beach with cousin Daniel. The beach pics are from Cindy.





After the beach we headed over to the East Point Lighthouse. We were able to go on a tour in the lighthouse. That was cool - but very steep stairs! A little challenging with all the kids!

Hopewell Rocks, NB

Our last stop was Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick. Our family.


It was great to have my parents here and to show them some neat things around NS, NB, and PEI!

Red Cliffs and the beach

The red cliffs at PEI are gorgeous. Very pretty. Elania at some red cliffs near Cavendish beach.

We found some picturesque red cliffs and lighthouse.

Brayden at the beach. Eating half the sand he touched.

Elania loves the beach. Her favorite part is running in and out of the water.

Sandland, PEI

Sandland was well done again this year. Unfortunately it had rained really hard the past while so some of the sculptures were wrecked. This was one of my favorites. It obviously wasn't supposed to be headless!

The whole family.

Us.

Mike's favorite sculpture.

My parents.