The Royal Winter Fair

The last time we went was three years ago, Kate wasn't even one and Alice, there was no Alice!  We had a fun day with the girls.  My only complaint was not seeing the dog show, but shh don't tell Kate, she forgot about it!  The line up to get in was nuts and very poorly organized.  Ken shared his frustrations with the people at the information booth and hopefully they did something about it. 

Our first stop once we made it inside was the demonstration ring.  Which watched the Canadian Cowgirls do some dancing.  They were great.  They did a dance routine on horseback which was very fun to watch. 

Next was a visit to the horse riding simulator - the best substitute for pony rides available. 

Then it was time for lunch, hence why we missed the dog show... oh well!  After lunch we milked a cow, learned about all of the produce grown and produced in Ontario and we visited the petting farm!!

Next we looked at animals, animals and MORE ANIMALS.  It is amazing to me how big the winter fair is.  There are just so many animals.  I didn't take very many pictures, but the cuddling goats and the llama standing at attention were just too cute to resist. (We like llamas especially because of "Llama Llama Red Pyjama".  Thank you to Auntie Suzanne for introducing him to us!)

Next we went to watch some horses and riders warming up in the horse palace. 

 I'd never seen someone riding and texting before.

 Then Kate wanted to ride the horse again. 

 And so did Alice.

 She was SO happy!

And then we were done.  Ice cream and cotton candy in hand we made our way to visit Grandma and Grandpa.  It was a nice visit and a nice end to a FUN DAY!!

All Things Halloween!

Our first bit of Halloween celebrating was with the Tokarev's on the 27th.  Michelle, Alexei, Marisol and Amelie all came over and we had brunch and the girls played.  The girls were all dressed up.  Sadly I didn't take a picture of Alice and Amelie but I did get some cute ones of Kate and Marisol.  I love that our girls are the same age and that they get along so well.  YAY!

Later that day we drove to Richmond Hill and went to a Plumb Party!  The Plumbs are warm and fun and we love going to parties at their house.  After a yummy potluck dinner we played a big game of TABOO - men vs. women.  It was so much fun.  Last year our family did Peter Pan, this year, Snow White!  I took this picture of Snow White and Dopey before we left.

This picture was taken by Ruth right before we left.  Dopey is no longer all smiles.  I kind of wish we'd taken one when we first got there.  Oh well, we're still pretty cute.  And just in case you don't know, I'm the wicked Queen, Alice is Dopey Dwarf, Kate is Snow White and Ken is the Mirror - sans make-up.  We decided the make-up (face paint) would be more trouble than it was worth.

Our next bit of Halloween fun - was on the 30th.  I was the duty Mom at Kate's preschool.  Kate and I went as the wicked Queen and Snow White and I brought my camera with the BEST of intentions... however the camera stayed on the teacher's desk the whole time, oh well!

This brings us to Halloween Day.  Antoinette, our care-giver extraordinaire took the girls Trick-or-Treating at the Cookstown Mall.  The girls had a BLAST!

Ken got home from North Carolina in the wee hours of the morning on Halloween.  He'd been gone since Sunday and we never did get around to carving pumpkins before he left, so we carved pumpkins when I got home from work. 

Then it was CANDY TIME!! Alice was so all over it.  It was too cute.  We only went to a few houses quite close to our own home, but I swear Alice could have gone for hours.  She wouldn't even let me carry her pumpkin bucket, she was so determined (as always!).  Both the girls really had lots of fun.  Halloween really is such a fun holiday!

Kate's First Field Trip

Ken should really be writing this post as he was the one who went with Kate to the farm... oh well!  When we received the notice from the pre-school regarding the trip I wasn't sure what we were going to do.  Every child that went on the trip had to be accompanied by a parent.  When Ken saw the notice he volunteered to go.  Not only was Kate able to go, but a younger sibling was welcome too, so Ken took both girls on Kate's class trip to Round-the-Bend Farm.

The kids learned about how pumpkins grow.  They each got to pick something with the farmer and they went on an EPIC wagon ride.  Ken said that it very muddy, very bumpy and slightly scary!  I'm so glad that Ken was able to take the girls and I'm so glad that Kate LOVES preschool.

Ken took lots of fun pictures.  Here are a few.

Alice is 20 Months

I was simply going to put up a pic of Alice, and that was it, but I've been thinking and I must share Alice's latest sentences/phrases.  "Scissors are sharp," which is then quickly followed up with "scissors hurt."  (I feel to say that she does not enunciate every syllable of each word, but I can clearly understand what she is saying.)  She is slightly obsessed and if she sees scissors, she repeats this over and over and over again. (And sometimes even if she doesn't see scissors, she repeats it again and again!)  ALICE!!!!  We love you!

South Simcoe Railway - Fall Colour Excursion

1 steam train + 4 three year-olds + fall colours + potluck lunch = ONE FUN DAY!!

South Simcoe Railway which operates all summer on Sundays and Mondays has Fall Colour Excursions on Saturdays and Sundays in September and October.  This marks the third time Ken and I have been on the Excursion, the second for Kate and the first time for Alice.  We thought we'd invite a few friends and make it a party, and so it was.  We had the first four compartments in the second train.  It was a beautiful day.  I must admit, that although the script for the tour hasn't changed since the first time I heard it, I still find it enjoyable!

Alice and Ken

Kate

Shawn and Cooper

The Plumb Family

Kate and Ciaran

Kate and Ciaran and Cooper.  (I'm mad at myself that I didn't get one with Ava too.)

Alice

Happy Zorana

Kate checking out the scenery. 

Kate looking very concerned as the Conductor told the story of the ghost train.  (This was the talk for the rest of the afternoon with the four year-olds, ghosts and zombies too)

Ruth and Jasmine

Alice licking the window and me letting her.

Going under the train trestle bridge.

Cooper and Shawn

The Conductor

Jason and Ciaran

Zorana and the four year-olds.

The McCartney family and the steam train.

The Plumb Family and the steam train.

The Tiesma Family and the steam train.

Thanks everyone for a lovely, lovely day!!