xo

Today we remember and honour Carol Ann. We love you, Hansen family, and know your world will never quite be the same. We pray Grammie Carol's joy and strength and fierce love will always be with you.

father greg

Henry's godfather got promoted! Here is Fr. Greg, formerly Deacon Greg, formerly Greg, on his ordination day. David and his sisters' families were happy to be in attendance to cheer for and pray for Fr. Greg, while me and the kidlings cheered from afar. It was quieter that way. We are excited for him and can't wait to hear about all his priestly adventures.

soccer star

Here he is, No. 3. This will be our Monday night from now until August. And he is So Excited... look at his kick... that's excited.

growing

All of them. Some of them too fast.

purple

Her choice.

p.s. I'm not very good at painting toenails. Or braiding hair, but that's another day.

victoria day

Well, where are these kids going? A beautiful holiday day, gorgeous sun and bright skies. Backpacks ready. Snacks packed. Happy faces. Could be a day camp? A family hike? Picnic?

Nope. Daddy's office. David promised them a while ago that, one day, he would take them to his office so they could do fun things like run down hallways and sit in the twirly chair at his desk. So, this Victoria Day, that's what they did. They packed up colouring books and favourite toys and went with Daddy to an office building. And as a special treat, they... scanned their faces.

I asked for photocopies of their bums but that was a no go.

what's old is new

We're recycling here at the Kantor house... my toys are now their toys and we had such fun playing dress up today! Hooray! And thank you to my Aunt Dorothy, who made lots of the clothes for my Cabbage Patch dolls. I'm pretty sure I didn't thank her enough at the time but now that I look at those tiny clothes and little stitches, I'm really grateful for that time and talent. So glad.

Again, hooray!

mama's day

Happy Mama's Day to all, especially you, Helen Girodat. We love you and miss you and you are a lovely mom.

Over here, we took a little Saturday field trip to the Aberfoyle Antique Market because... you know how little kids love antiques (ie. they don't. But they did like looking through the giant bin of old Hot Wheels cars at one of the vendors. And Joe was weirdly fascinated by a very realistic-looking wood carving of a fish eating a fish.) Anyway, I enjoyed moseying and looking around. And I think the kids would have liked it more, because there were interesting things like a giant airplane propellor, but it was So Hot. See their red faces? It was just too hot. So back home.

Other weekend activities included Mass, sprinklers, breakfast in bed, lots of construction paper artwork, and a walk. I feel celebrated. Plus I got a pitchfork, so I'm a happy gardener.

nine months

Ta da! She's nine months! (two days ago...)

spring cleaning

squeal

She wakes up happy. 

fighting fighters

Look at these two hugging...

... so sweet... so fake. This hugging is forced. After fighting. Which happens all the time. Antagonizers, both of them. Endless. All day. And usually the hugging leads to more fighting.

to each their own

Well, the debate rages on in our house. Dandelions - friend or foe? Those over the age of seven would like them eliminated from our yard, while those below the age of grown-up reasoning believe they are so very beautiful. Joe has delivered some powerful (yet still unconvincing) speeches about how we should not be "destroying God's creation!" Also, he challenged me with this:
"If you don't like dandelions, why do you say you love them when we pick them for you and put them in water?"
My answer had something to do with me loving the act of giving, more than the gift itself. And also, thank you for picking them out of my lawn.
Anyway, we may never have an answer that everyone can agree upon. In the meantime, our yard looks terrible and our neighbours may hate us. The decision-makers of the household think it's probably time to call in the reinforcements. Maybe while those opposed are at school.