A tisket, a tasket! What's that in your basket?

Raspberries and Cherries filled their baskets!  I was pleasantly surprised when Silas appeared to be actually filling his basket!  I thought he would just pick a berry, eat a berry.  Or maybe steal from Sophie.  But no, he actually picked about a quarter of a basket of berries!

And then he tasted one.

And another...mmm...

And that was the end of that.  He finished off the basket and then ate as he picked.  They probably should have weighed him before and after the picking.

If you give a Silas some milk...

...he will want some chocolate to go with it.

He will put his hands in the cup so he can get the most amount of chocolate all over himself.

Mmm...chocolate.

And when there is no more left, he will look at you, with this shocked expression, when you tell him he can't have any more.

What do you mean, it's all gone?!?!

Beach Time!

We recently got back from our holiday at the beach.

We were lucky enough to go with some great friends of ours and I have come to the following conclusion-it is absolutely fantastic going away with another family!  The kids had built in playmates for 10 whole days and it was wonderful.  All 5 of the kids got along extremely well which meant less squabbling between siblings.

 It was a relaxing week sitting next to the water....or as relaxing as you can get with a toddler.  

So, maybe relaxing is not the right word.  But the weather was perfect and everyone had so, so much fun.  Sand castles were built...

...ice cream was eaten...

...and Caleb and Sophie practiced their swimming.

We were lucky enough to get a place close enough to the beach that we could walk.  Or bike.  Silas is quite the little cyclist now.  He can't keep up with the big kids yet but he is getting there.  If only he would stop getting distracted by trucks.  And dogs.  And puddles.  And other bikes.  And people.  Yes-if only he would quit getting distracted by every single thing that he spots, he would not be far behind Caleb and Sophie at all.

And the best part about the beach?  Apparently, it's a very good place to nap.

Happy Birthday Caleb!

And just like that, Caleb is nine.  It does not feel like it was nine years ago that he was born.  Or that it was six years ago that he started playschool.  Or four years ago that he learned to ride a bike without training wheels.  In september, he will be in grade four.  Caleb keeps telling me that he'll be in division two and on his next birthday, he'll be 10.  Double digits.

It goes by so fast.  I remember when Caleb was born.  He was the first baby to be born in my extended family in a while and he was loved.  But wow, did he cry.  During the day, he was content.  He liked being in the stroller and swing.  He was happy as long as he was moving.  But at night, or when he in a room with a lot of people, he would become overstimulated and cry.  And cry.  And cry some more.  Ryan used to drive him in the car at night.  Every night.  Just to get him to sleep.

But he outgrew that.  And now, he is a happy and easygoing nine-year-old.

He's still sensitive.  And a little bit quirky.  But he's kind-hearted and empathetic.  And I think those traits are most important of all.

Caleb learned to read chapter books this year.  I think that is so important to note.  Less than 2 years ago, he didn't know all of his letters.  He couldn't label them, write them or make letter-sound connections.  And now he's reading chapter books.  And best of all?  He loves it.  He is asking to stay awake to read.  He reads in the car.  Caleb is proud of himself.  And we are so, so proud of him.

So happy birthday, Caleb!  You are my favourite 9-year-old ever!  I know you are anxious to grow up but please, just enjoy being a kid for a little bit longer.  And keep being the wonderful kid that you are  ♥