Isn't it unbelievable how quickly a year goes by?? Looking at this picture, I find it difficult to imagine that one year ago this little boy was a newborn baby! Those two hour feedings, sleepless nights, projectile poops and first smiles seem like just yesterday. Yet Myles is no longer a baby, and we've progressed to a picky eater, temper tantrums, weird poops, first steps and first words! Yes folks, he's now a toddler.
We celebrated Myles' birthday twice this year, to accomodate our trip to Florida (which happened the week of Myles' actual birthdate). The first party, was on the fourth of March with our family and a few friends. We visited, played, ate cake and skated our hearts out. 
Cousin Venrick was probably the most enthusiastic of the skaters, as you can see from the photos below. We are so proud of him. Having just arrived in Canada in November, we are amazed at how quickly he 
has absorbed so much Canadiana. I know, there is more to Canada than hockey . . . but in our house, it's close to number 1! Joel found out that Venrick didn't have a hockey stick, so he went down to the depths of the Klassen sports store and sent him home sporting a shiny new stick. But not before he gave him a few lessons on how to use it. For me, watching Venrick and Joel was a reminder of the winter before Naomi arrived. It was the first year we had a rink and I remember Joel barking out drills as I skated around windshield washer containers. It was also a prelude of days to come -- Joel and the kids doing drills!
Myles' first foray into chocolate birthday cake was a little slow to start. But the end result looked like this! When it came time to open birthday presents he had lots of help!
March 8th we started the long drive to Kissimee Florida. Our three day journey meant that the kids got to watch a LOT of television and play tons of video games. I have no idea what folks did before the evolution of DVD players, but we are sure thankful that we had one! Overall the kids did really well with the long drive.
When we arrived in Kissimmee, they were eager for some time in the pool, and that was pretty much where they spent the next 7 days. Naomi quickly gained confidence in the water and was soon bobbing around like a fish. Lilah was a little more timid and preferred her daddy's arms. She has always been a little more cautious about things, and swimming is no different. So she and Myles spent more time in the shallow waters of the hot tub for most of the week, but we did see lots of progress as the week went on.
On the 15th, Joel's parents drove up from their campsite in Punta Gorda to help us celebrate Myles' first birthday. We enjoyed a relaxing day with them around the pool and in the condo, then headed out to an all you can eat seafood buffet for dinner. We headed back to the condo for cake, where Myles had lots of help devouring it.
You will notice our friends Leevi and Simon in the photos helping to teach Myles the finer art of cake eating. In fact, they and their parents (Janet and Darryn) shared our condo for the week.
By Wednesday night Janet and I had decided that communal living really has it's benefits, and we had voted Joel off the island at least twice! Darryn had so much fun that he spent the latter part of the night sleeping beside the toilet -- or perhaps he was sick with fear of being voted off as well! Needless to say, we had a very enjoyable vacation and are looking forward to a return visit next year.
We returned home to bitter cold temperatures, but within a few days the Florida weather followed us home and SPRING arrived. It is so refreshing to be able to enjoy the outdoors! All three kids have been speeding up and down the driveway, either by bike, trike or pushing a walker. The kids have also rediscovered driveway chalk and are decorating all over the place! Myles of course, had to learn the hard way that chalk is not for eating - note the little blob of yellow on his chin!
And so I end this post with a new toddler in the house. Since our trip to Florida, Myles has learned all the typical toddler behaviours. It's startling how that happens overnight! Yesterday, Myles was heading down the laneway pushing his walker. At the end of the lane there is a rope that we've taught the girls not to cross on their bikes. The wise toddler in our home got to the rope and I tried to turn him around to head back to the house. Unfortunately he didn't seem to like that message. My actions were met with some serious squawking and a huff as he swung his walker back around and headed for the line. In the end - and after three attempts to teach him the rules, I ended up resorting to picking him up and carrying him to the house. Again met with squawking, but the score still stands with mom leading the game! Probably not for long though!
Then again, I'm used to that!
We awoke Easter morning - happy to see that the Easter Bunny remembered we weren't at home this year.
function in Teeswater later in the day!
of the afternoon, Naomi was well on her way to her $350 goal (which she did meet last week) and was more familiar with Papa Tom's 7 brother's and sisters, as well as my (too many to count) cousins and their families.
The girls also loved the lion dance and were thrilled to be able to be a part of the parade. Watching the unique friendships that these girls have developed is certainly a lot of fun!
