Age old Question

Why is is that every time I come into the kitchen there are more dirty dishes in the sink????

I am soooo sick of washing dishes and loading and unloading the dishwasher. If my chubby parts weren't constantly screaming at me for more food, I would just toss it all in the garbage.

For Erica

The Stool

Matthew has carried this stool around with him since he was about 10 months old (some of you may remember it from him learning to climb up into the chair) he has now figured out it is the key to the world of the counter top. Instead of shooing him out of the kitchen I am trying to slowly have him help me do cooking stuff. This afternoon he helped by carrying the mayo from the fridge to the counter top. Not much but it keeps him busy and interested. He is learning that the stool is only allowed around the island not at the stove or the sink. It is so funny to see his little curly blonde head slowly emerging over the edge followed by "Wow".

(The nakedness is the result of spaghetti for supper.)

The Chair or More Importantly Dino Dan

Since Christmas morning we have put this chair to good use. Matthew is watching Dino Dan who along with Cailloo (have no idea how to spell that but Mums around the world will know what I'm talking about) create this kind of stillness in my toddler. In fact if he is watching DD and I even try to check the menu to see what shows are next or what shows, heaven forbid, Mummy might want to watch, I get a squeal of alarm and frantic waving of arms. What do they do in the production of these shows that causes this response?? All I can say is thank goodness he isn't into Dora (backpack, backpack, backpack backpack, aaarrrrgggghhhhh).

Magic Papa

So Matthew is typically a pretty picker eater unless apparently his Papa is eating something. They were eating a pulled pork taco with sour cream, avacado, salsa and lime. He won't eat meat unless it is the shape of a chicken nugget not to mention the corn tortilla! The next night he sat with his Papa and ate chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese, basil and almonds with peas and mashed potatoes!!!! (translation: peen=plane)

The Hair

After Matthew's bath each night we blow dry his hair. It creates the most awesomest coiff.

The best way to get a picture of Matthew: distract him with the TV, have him point out the Teradactyl on his jammies and ask him to show his teeth.

A little backlight to creat a halo effect.

I know he's mad in this picture but his hair looks great!

This isn't so much about the hair as it is about him hiding inside the new bin we bought for the Christmas decorations.

Mackenzie Came to Visit

While Mackenzie was here last weekend we tried to get some good pictures of her with Matthew. These are the better of the results of this attempt.

Oooh so close and yet so far.

In the end we did pretty good but its not so hard when your subjects are this good lookin'.

Where did the Kitty go?

Today Moe was flushed out from under the covers in Mackenzie's room and there was a bit of a frantic chase around the house to find out where he went.

I came into the kitchen to see this accompanied by: "eeis, eeim, food" Translation: "There he is, I see him, he's eating his food."

Poor Moley, there really is no escape.

Melt My Heart

Snapped this the other day as Matthew was trying desperatly to climb into my lap to see "Machew" in the camera. It's those eyes man, they get me every time.

Waiting for Garbage Trucks with Papa

Every Tuesday morning when the garbage trucks come by there is a big production to get out there and watch. We can hear them coming for at least 10 minutes before they come by our house so there is a lot of waiting in the cold dark early hours of the day.

This week Papa was here to stand outside and wait with Matthew. At least it wasn't raining.

Still waiting. The truck must be pretty close now as they have moved into optimal viewing position.

The big moment has arrived. Papa got a good week when all three trucks come by (garbage, recycling and yard waste) so he got to stand outside extra long.

New Video Camera

This year for Christmas I got an HD video camera so I'm posting the first one. I only hope it is better than the old camera.

Christmas 2010

WARNING COLLASSAL POST

Although this post is very long I think you all should know that I whittled 70 pictures down to these 24

PART I

Christmas morning started bright and early at 7am since that is when Matthew wakes up. He was our gift sherpa this year.

He was very interested in everyone's gifts and wanted to help rip paper all over the place.

I got this weird long skinny gift from Mum and Dad and could not for the life of me figure out what it was.

HOLY CRAP it's a Norwex Mop!!!! OMG YAY (ten years ago I would never have thought I would utter those words.)

Matthew was equally excited.

Look Nana and Papa got some cool stuff too!

Hey there's that cutie again with lint brush that came for him in the mop box.

Daddy got a cool jacket.

And near the end Matthew got stuck in the pile of wrapping.

PART II

After a nap, Matthew got changed into his new Christmas Jim Jams and started round two of presents. There was more than one round because we way overestimated his attention span this year.

Daddy brought in the easel from Grandpa Rick and Grandma Ida. He's only a little excited.

Daddy helped him get started.

BIG smile

Enjoying the crayons (we are still working on not eating them)

Grandma Joyce got him this great bean bag chair.

It's a little tough to get out of though...

PART III & IV

After yet another nap, he changed into his snazzy Christmas sweater and turtle neck and read books with Grandma Joyce.

Aaron and Uncle Brian were wearing their caps and Matthew had to be one of the boys.

Yes this is the best picture of the three of them I could get.

Matthew came back a few minutes later with his hat turned around like Uncle Brian.

After dinner and a bath, we have our fourth outfit for the day. Puppy jammies and a housecoat from Grandma Joyce.

Even though its been a long day he is still moving so fast I can't get a still picture on him in his robe. Oh wait...

I think we've finally hit the wall.

Jacket pics