December 21, 2011

Three Rules of the Cotterill's

1. Don't sit next to Kai at dinner. 2. Don't play "Apple hockey." 3. Don't sit next to Mel when playing Canasta.

December 19, 2011

Happy Holidays

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Quote of the Day

Ian: "Mom, I'm making something that's like adult stylish!"

December 11, 2011

Milestone


Kai can (correctly) count to 10!

December 1, 2011

Quote of the Day

Me: "Remamber, you put lotion in your hair?"
Kai: "And Mama said 'Oh no!'"

November 28, 2011

Quote of the Day

Kai: "Mama, I'n scared a the rhino-saw-sir-us."

Quote of the Day

Kai pointing at the smakoe detector: "Yook that thing! That thing keep safe!"
Me: That's the smoke detector."
Kai: "Oh! okay!"

November 23, 2011

Quote of the Day

Kai: "Mama, look this!"
Angrily at Ian "I have it first!"

November 21, 2011

Birthday (cup)cake

Aaand we have a two-year-old!


Was it really two years ago that I had a newborn infant? I remember it like it was yesterday, yet he is becoming so much of his own person and he is miles away from being a baby anymore :(

Sometimes we ALL need to sleep in the same room


We have always (partially) co-slept. Our family just works that way, but when you have a wiggly 2 yer-old and a big six year old plus two adults, the bed can seem a little too "cozy." We have come up with a few solutions, one being a small bed on the floor for Ian, and he was enjoying it so much I had to capture the moment

November 15, 2011

October 26, 2011

Quote of the Day


"Noooow"

Quote of the Day


Me: Ian if you caould make any wish whay would it be?
Ian: I'd wish I could have a chocolate bar whenever I wanted, and that we didn't have to pay for our own lights and water!

October 12, 2011

Quote of the Day

"That's not a circle Mom, it's a sphere!"

Quote of the Day

"I miss Bria, Mama! I miss Bria and Maama (Grandma) and Sharon Mama!"

September 26, 2011

It's not just a cupcake...


it's a way of life!

Quote of the Day


"Want a bananapacock Mama!"

Pride


He didn't win a race, or get a smartest kid in the world award, he was called "kind". I went to pick "the big boys" up from school today and the lunch time supervisor came over to tell me how Ian had helped a friend open and sort out his kunch when he was having trouble. She told me he was so patient and sweet. For me, as mom, these moments fill me with pride and help me to remember that these little people I call my children may not be the image I held in my head of who I though they would be; they are better!

September 1, 2011

The Return of Routine...


I have been trying to get Ian back in the habit of getting dressed before noon, and in bed before 9pm, in the spirit of a smoother transition back to school. I found this site with four different morning and bed time routine reminders. We have been using ours quite successfully. Ian likes that he can use the dry erase markers on the glass of the picture frame.

In the Kitchen

As per my previous post I have been hard at it in the kitchen experimenting with crackers and making preserves. I found a great recipe for cheddar nippers on all recipes.com, the kids gobbled them up.


I have had a huge success with jalapenos this year so I jarred some using this recipe.


Next up, salsa and my favorite, dill pickles. Happy cooking!

Photos of the Month




August 1, 2011

July 28, 2011

Food

I have been attending la leche league meetings for a few months now and our last meeting was about breast feeding and nutrition. I have to admit I didn't really feel like there was going to be a lot for me to take away or to contribute to our discussion as Kai is almost two (gasp!) and only breast feeding a few times a day, so I am not that conscious of what I eat in regard to breast feeding, I even drink occasionally. The topic of conversation turned to nutrition for the whole family and we had a nice discussion about some of our favorite family foods. i was surprised to find myself returning to the conversation, in my mind, over the next few days. My inspiration has taken the form of homemade yogurt,

slow cooker blueberry applesauce (or as Kai calls it Seasauce),

and homemade cheese spread.


I find it interesting how sometimes inspiration can take it's own sweet time to sink in.

July 3, 2011

Web

First for Ian


First of the Season

First jam

First Harvest

Memories


I don't know who lived in this house, or if was even livable anymore but it always makes me feel sad to see a home torn down. It feels like all the memories are being let lose into the atmosphere.

June 23, 2011

These Days


June is a busy month in our family; it is my mom's birthday, my sisters birthday, our wedding anniversary, two cousins, two aunts, and a best friend have birthdays. I have decided to only give DIY cards, and this is one of them.

We have five displaced birds living in the tall grass behind our house, Mama bird is feeding them faithfully and we are hoping the stray cats of the neighbourhood will stay away.

I have mastered the art of bread maker bread!

There has been a lot of painting, and eating art supplies!

Father's Day 2011




I am so greatful for the wonderful father's in my life. My husband has become the father I always knew he could be, I am especially greatful, this year, to have my grand father in my life, and I have a father-in-law who kind and gentle and an amazing role model to my kids and his own.

June 14, 2011

photo of the Month

My favorite two photos the month; you guessed it both of my kidddos!