Valentine's Photos // 2021

 

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a wonderful long weekend + a lovely Valentine's Day!

In addition to a cold stretch (like -40 e.v.e.r.y. single day this week), we are still under stay-at-home orders with the majority of places and businesses closed, so it was a pretty quiet weekend at home. 

In the week leading up to Valentines I was able to take some really cute photos of the boys! In the collage above I utilized a huge cardboard box Pier brought home from work. Like when I say huge, I mean its massive. Haesten can easily stand up in it and I am pretty sure we would be able to fit all 4 of us in there for a family pic -- next time I will set up the tripod and try it out! I knew the collage would have 9 squares so I tentatively decided the loose set-up (for example: I knew I wanted a photo of Pier and I together, the boys together, as well as singletons of everyone.) in my head before I started taking pics. It was so much fun to do and both boys LOVED blowing glitter everywhere! It was super easy to piece the collage together, I used the layout app which is really user friendly and customizable. 

For these photos of the boys in their twining red flannel shirts, I pulled the photo booth/lemonade stand Pier built a few years ago inside, and we took photos with props and decorations we had at home. 

                

Roses are red, violets are blue, being in quarantine is better with you! 

HA just kidding its crazy over here but they sure are cute and I love them so stinkin' much!!!

Anyway, we hope you all had a Happy LOVE Day. Hold your loved ones extra close and tell them you love them. If there is anything to take away from this crazy year + lockdowns, it's how important our friends and family truly are. Celebrate love each and every day! I certainly do not take it for granted that I am blessed to have these three Valentines to love on!

Red Plaid Flannel Hoodies c/o Littlest Prince Couture  

Use code "Jamie20" for 20% off your first order! Link here: https://littlestprince.com/jamie-juneau

Our Weekend // May Long

Hi everyone! It's been a minute since I've blogged but I figured no better way than to jump right on in and share our quiet but peaceful long weekend.

The boys and I have been sheltering-in-place since the middle of March. Pier is still working and is doing alllll the errands and grocery trips so that I can be home with our sons. With the exception of some neighborhood walks, we have been pretty well home bound -- thankfully the days are getting longer + the weather warmer so we can be outside in our yard! Our province is slowly starting to lift restrictions, however we have chosen as a family, to remain pretty conservative and continue to social isolate for the time being. Our primary reason for doing this is to protect Haesten as much as we can. He is immunodeficient (at an increased risk/more prone to illness). We are listening to his medical professionals and are just trying to make the right choices as they come up.

Although this weekend was pretty low key it was tons of fun + filled with lots of family time <3
The whole weekend had beautiful weather and we spent as much time as possible outside enjoying the fresh air + sunshine!!

Friday was a pretty 'normal' day for us -- Pier was at work and Colden and I spent the morning plugging away at some of his school assignments. That afternoon we set up the sprinkler (the 1st of MANY) under the trampoline -- hours of fun!

the kid has moves!

As soon as the boys woke up on Saturday, we headed to the back yard. Haesten practiced his basketball shot while Colden got his bike ready for the season. I am so, so proud of Colden, he spent the entire day out riding his bike AND without training wheels! This is a first for him and a huge milestone. He was so impressed with himself, he didn't want to stop biking for anything (even food!). At one point even our neighbors were cheering down the road for him! That evening we went for an hour and-a-half walk. We took the kids 'window-shopping' downtown, walking up + down the sidewalks. We took the long way home, stopping to show Haesten the Mirror Lake fountain and ducks!

Sunday was more of an in-home day. Colden woke up with an allergic reaction from being outside Saturday (seasonal/spring allergies) and Pier had to work for a bit so it was a pretty lazy morning. We snuggled on the couch and watched the new Maleficent film. Several of our local businesses organized a drive-by parade that we were able to watch from our deck. However, the best part of the day (according to Colden!) was after Haesten was asleep -- Pier and Colden went on a late-night glow in the dark walk!

Monday was spent in the yard playing + riding bikes for hours and hours! We took an afternoon drive around town before picking up supper to take home. To finish our long weekend, Pier, Colden and I played sight word BINGO

p h o t o  dump

dad helping Colden get his balance

and there he goes

the happiest (and messiest) baby there ever was

his cheese-face is LIFE

look mom I'm balancing!

I'm sure if things were different we would have had a busier long weekend with more elaborate plans but I am so thankful that I was able to spend this May Long with my favorite gents!

Did you have a quiet long weekend or did you have big plans to celebrate things opening back up?!

12 Feel-Good Movies the Whole Family Will Love

12 feel-good movies the whole family will LOVE! These are incredibly wonderful movies you need to watch with your kids! Wholesome films that all ages can enjoy together!

Listed alphabetically they are:

1. Babe (1995)                                                                                                                                   A heart-warming story of a pig that wants to do the work of a sheep-dog
   
   Rated: G
2. 
   Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
   The Johnny Depp version is a delightful retelling of the classic childhood favourite!
   Rated: PG 
3. 
   Charlotte’s Web (2006)                                                                                                               Based on E.B White’s classic novel, we love this rendition of Charlotte’s Web                       

   

   We also really love the 1973 animated version as well!                                                            Rated: G
4. 
   Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
   A funny comedy featuring a large, and at times, rambunctious family
   Rated PG                                                                                                                                       
   
   Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005)
   The Sequel to the 2003 film
   Rated: PG
   
5.  Fly Away Home (1996)
   This was one of my childhood favourites and I am so, so happy to be able to share this heart-warming film with my two boys.
   Rated: PG
   
6. Grease (1978)
   The ultimate movie musical, this is hands-down my 7 year-olds FAVOURITE movie. He could watch this one all day, everyday.
   Rated: PG 13
   
7. Grown Ups (2010)
   A humorous film showcasing several high school friends as family-men reuniting several years after high school.
   Rated: PG 13
   
8. Hairspray (2007)
   Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, Hairspray has fun music, dancing and tells the important story of integration and acceptance.
   Rated: PG
   
9. Matilda (1996)
   A film adaptation of Roald Dahl's story, this movie is often a favourite with all ages
   Rated: PG
   
10. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
    Mrs. Doubtfire is a humorous show featuring a family navigating familial dynamics in the midst of separation/divorce.
    Rated: PG 13
    
11. The Princess Bride (1987)
    A classic fairytale with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, and true love! The Princess Bride has become a classic film that can be watched time and time again.
    Rated: PG
    
12. We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    This movie tells the story of a widower purchasing a zoo with his two children. Sweet and heart-warming this film is perfect for family movie-night.
    Rated: PG

What is your fave film to watch as a family? Have you seen any of the movies on this list?

Our Weekend // Valentine's Day // Family Day

This weekend was perfection. It's been a long time since our little family has had a two-day weekend together and it was wonderful!

I did work Saturday but my boys kept busy helping out at the green house and running errands.

Sunday morning, we woke up bright and early, I had beautiful flowers waiting for me and Colden LOVED his KicKee Pant pyjamas and Kinder Surprises! We then went out and enjoyed a Valentine's brunch. We spent the remainder of the day enjoying each other's company, looking at paint swatches and relaxing! (so, so lovely)

One of my most favourite sights! He looks sooo big in that bed!

Those little hands gently clasped <3

Our Valentine's Tree

Each heart has a loved one on it!

Notice the new KicKee Pant jammies

Chhheeeeeeessssseee

Monday, was our Provincial holiday, Family Day. It's a day to celebrate and spend time with loved ones. My sister suggested attending a local wildlife festival and I am so glad she did! The Canadian Raptor Conservancy and Little Ray's Reptile Zoo presented live, interactive demonstrations, which were really neat. The gentleman from the Canadian Raptor Conservancy actually had birds that flew and swooped around the audience. The speaker from Little Ray's Reptile Zoo was very funny and entertaining. He was very engaging and informative while being humorous (no small feat, in a multi-generational event). Pier and I couldn't stop laughing and agreed that if he didn't work with animals, he could definitely be a comedian. We had a wonderful time in the city, we did lots of window shopping, visited the new toy section in Chapters and visited the pet store (Colden's favourite)

Colden sitting so nicely, listening to the presentation

I hope you all are having a great week and on the positive side: it's almost the weekend again!