Wrapping up 2013

So much has happened over the past few months, and it's nice to start 2014 by looking back over some of Will's photos from the fall. At the end of September, we celebrated Ben's third birthday. Both Nanas were there, and we had some friends over for pass the parcel and pin the tail on the Swiper (a character from Dora the Explorer). I think that he was a bit overwhelmed by all the activity, but he definitely enjoyed the cake. Now that it's January, he says that he has been three "for a long time!".



As I look back on the fall, sleep has been a big theme. Ben went through a period of waking us up most nights. One morning, Will found him passed out on the sofa with his bear behind him and a beer in the background! Of course, Clara's nights were also interrupted, and I've also been going through a period of having trouble sleeping even when both kids are asleep. We're slowly getting there, although as I write this we're struggling to get Ben to take a nap. 


 
Ben continues to be very helpful with Clara, singing her songs, bringing her toys and telling her he loves her. His language is incredible now. He has just started to ask us questions about ourselves ("how was your work today?" "what is your favourite?") and he has developed an interest in how things work ("where do the wires go?"). His favourite activities right now are to go to Nana's, play "robot turtles" or watch music videos with Will, and to play "cash register" with anyone who will give him the chance. 
Little Clara is growing up fast! She started rolling over when she was 5 months old, and at 7 months is just about to sit up on her own. She continues to be a very happy little baby- especially when she is with someone familiar. Clara's life improved dramatically when food was introduced. She loves eating, and will plow toothlessly through whole pieces of meat or fruit.
 We've enjoyed having lots of visitors this fall. Maggie visited in September. In addition to playing with the kids, and catching up, she and Will had an adventure canoe trip to Rogues Roost that Will enjoyed tremendously. In October, my dad stayed with us. It was great to have the chance to spend a block of time together while I was off work. He and Ben enjoyed playing on the iPad together, and he helped me with a lot of little errands that I felt ridiculously triumphant accomplishing (a shed lock with multiple keys- yippee!). Our friends Tracy and Troy also stopped here during a trip across Nova Scotia. We showed Tracy the community garden and went for a nice hike by the sea. 




Of course, the fall also brought holidays. Ben was Thomas the Tank Engine for Hallowe'en and went trick or treating with his friend Louis. We had a relatively quiet Christmas. We cut down our tree from a snowy forest, and have a very nice Christmas day with my mom and our friends David and Alison and their kids. Ben and Clara received lovely gifts, and we've enjoyed being able to relax and spend time with them. It's also been uncharacteristically snowy for a Halifax Christmas, which has allowed for a bit of cross-country skiing and tobogganing. Today, about 20cm of snow are falling, with winds "gusting to 80 along the coast" (says Will), so we foresee some excellent tobogganing this weekend.  

 




 


Looking back on 2013, we feel fortunate to have seen a lot of our family and friends recently, and to have my mom in town with us now. We've had some nice opportunities to work on house projects together and I'll post some pictures of our new bathroom and bench soon. With the kids getting older, we're hoping to be able to spend more time on our own, non kid-friendly, interests soon too. Best wishes to everyone for a happy 2014! 

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