Science & Tech Museum

One especially wet Saturday we went to the Science & Tech museum after snagging a free family admission from the library. This is one of my favorite things about Ottawa so far.

The museum was a lot of fun and to Jack's delight it had lots of buttons and switches and levers. The kids hands on area was amazing and I wish there was an admission for just that section. They also had a lovely baby section with loads of balls, which Will loved.

Driving a space ship

A panel of buttons and switches and levers

Muscle Man 

Jack's race face on the bicycle

And Ben right in the middle

Will having a blast in the baby area

Ben and the Smart Car

The last bit of the museum was a train car and small train table. Of course, the boys wanted to play at the train table all day even though they have one at home.

This was a great museum, loads of fun for everyone and if we get another free pass we'll probably be back.

Happy 1st Birthday, Will!

After a relaxing Christmas at home, it was time to celebrate Will's first birthday. It's hard to believe we've had a year with this little guy. He is still our most smiley baby. He has surprised us from the start and continues to do so. I was so sick during pregnancy that we thought for sure it was a girl, but surprise! a boy. He's also been our most mobile baby, which was a surprise and keeps us on our toes. From rolling all over the floor and ending up under the coffee table to having a proper crawl. Now he loves to stand and usually tries to do so while holding onto someone's leg, which makes it quite difficult to move. He loves his brothers and gets quite upset to leave them for naps or bed. He loves the water and I have found him multiple times splashing in the toilet bowl when the lid has been left up. He is our pickiest eater so far and doesn't like most foods his brothers gobble up. On his list of things he won't eat is eggs, cheerios, and oatmeal. He absolutely loves PB&J, Dad's spaghetti and pancakes. 

Unfortunately he had to get some jabs on his birthday, but he also had his favorite meal (Dad's spaghetti) followed by his first taste of cake which I think made up for it. 

After helping me make Will's birthday cupcakes, the boys were excited to decorate their own.

Will seems to have thoroughly enjoyed his first bit of cake.

Happy 1st birthday sweet, smiley Will. We love you so much and are so thankful to God for you.

A Canadian Christmas

After what has felt like months traveling, moving, and unpacking it was glorious to not really have any plans for our Christmas holiday. John had 2 weeks off work. Our only real plan was to take some time during naps to organize the basement, which had been storage to everything we didn't know where to put.

We enjoyed time just playing with the boys, going for walks, reading books, watching Christmas movies and just enjoying the time together in our new home. Here are some highlights.

A CHRISTMAS TREE

After being away in the States for Aunt Mimi's wedding and American Thanksgiving, the first order of Christmas business was to of course get a tree. After not finding a place to actually cut down your own tree in England, we were excited at the prospect of reinstating this tradition. It was fun, but the good trees were a longer hike so we opted for a Charlie Brown tree. This has somehow also become a tradition for our first Christmas in a new place.

Helping Daddy cut down the tree.

Daddy carrying the tree, Ben and Jack.

THE GLOW FESTIVAL 

A venue filled with Christmas light displays. This year's theme was around the world. You were given a passport and had to get it stamped at each country. It seemed a fitting theme for the past 3 years of our life.

It's almost like we were on a date!

Everyone was joyful in the shot except for Ben.
He was upset that he wasn't allowed to climb onto the chair by himself.

London Bridge!

THE NATIVITY PLAY

Jack was a shepherd in his school's nativity play. It was pretty adorable.

CHRISTMAS FOODS

Jack helping with the Yule Log

The finished (and half-eaten) Yule Log

  

A traditional English Roast complete with spuds, cheesy cauliflower,
roast carrots and parsnips and Yorkshire pudding.

Of course, no English roast is complete without a tea and hot sticky toffee pudding.

 

THE QUEEN

Watching the Queen's Christmas Message. It's become a tradition.

TIME AT HOME

Sporting their Christmas shirts from Aunt Barbie

Stories by the Christmas tree

PRESENTS

We just love the wonder and excitement that comes with having littles around this time of year. It was a wonderful Christmas Holiday.

Watching for Rudolph