be-four you know it

Okay, Mr. Leo, before you turn four, I just want to say how much of a treat you are to us. Your hugs and your observations and your goofy grins and your drawings and your questions and your complicated plans. You love to quietly read and loudly sing. You wonder out loud how things are made and you expect answers. You miss the kids when they're at school all day, and you make big plans for mommy to keep us busy until its time to pick up Joe. You carry your emotions on your shoulders, the heavy ones making them slump down deep and the joyful ones pumping them up and down to the groovy beats inside your head. You are wacky and funny and sweet and clever and what on earth will this year bring? I can't say for certain but... I'm pretty sure you've drawn up a plan somewhere. We'll figure it out. 

Happy Birthday Eve, Leepty-loo!

a real treat

Here's a little costume parade from the Kantor kids. Here we have...

Rocky from Paw Patrol

A fox with face paint that's been smudged while at school

A green fancy fairy lady

An angel

A Blue Jays superfan

And a Pokemon trainer

Wait - and a business giraffe

Now we're off to get some treats to last us well past Halloween 2025. 

go big or gourd home

Big plans and big ideas emerged tonight in the Kantor household for pumpkin carving 2022. Alternatively titled "Annie's many facial expressions while she carves pumpkins 2022." Everyone paired up for the extravaganza and the results are... gourdgeous. 

addictions

Once you paint one dresser with chalk paint, you have to paint them all. 

New front entrance! Pizzazz!

whatever it rakes

Leo got himself a job raking leaves. Joe helps out sometimes. 

same. as. shaq.

Very excited and proud to say that, for the first time ever, I attempted and MADE a 3-pointer in a basketball game tonight. Just a 44-year-old mother of 6, on her way to the WNBA. 

And, that's right, that ties me up with Shaquille O'Neil, who hit 1 3-pointer in his entire NBA career. So we the same. 

clara's best life

All she needs is a plate of brie and everything would be perfect. 

weather or not

David and Joseph heading out the door this morning. Both live in the same climate. But one of them is a teenager. 

picnic bunch

Leo planned a little picnic for us today. Or, rather, Leo told me we were going on a picnic today and described his dream lunch to me in detail. And I, recalling that Leo does not enjoy watching me do chores all the livelong day, decided that a picnic might be more fun and so... that's what we did. Packed up and went to Bronte park, followed Leo to the very best picnic spot he could find (atop a windy hill), ate amid the dreary clouds, talked about birds, discovered Gnome Road, played in a barn, and definitely had more fun than doing chores. Thanks, Leo. 

what a re-leaf

Went for a hike with the Dhas collection today and what a beauty of a day it was. Fall can be such a show off, what with its beautiful colours and delightful crisp air and adoring crowds. That's fine. We'll allow it. 

lunch

The day after Thanksgiving, anything goes. 

 

thankful

Thankful for a house full of people and good food and crowded tables and belated birthdays and turkey cake and leftovers and a dishwasher and the rest of the weekend off to sleep in. Happy Thanksgiving!