It snowed twice this week, bringing the stark reality home that Winter is on it's way. For Naomi and Lilah, the sight of snow falling from the sky brought about squeals of delight, snowpants, mittens, hats and scarves. Naomi asked, "Can you help me build a snowman?". I had to break it to her gently that no, this dusting is not nearly enough to build a snowman. Perhaps next week, she said!
Also with thoughts of winter on his mind, Joel was outside today preparing the frame for backyard ice-rink. I wonder if we'll get to skate on it this year? In four winters, we've skated only one year and that was pre-kids. This is really the first year that Naomi and Lilah could get some use out of it - so we're hopeful.
Honestly, we all love winter . . . when it's really winter. Not the wet, icy, rainy and warmish sort of weather that we've had in the previous few years. For goodness sake, we live in South Western ONTARIO (not Vancouver) and if we're going to have winter, I WANT SNOW!!! All you folks who complain about a snowy winter, should move south with my in-laws (who will apparently be living in the lap of luxury this winter in their new fifth wheel!).
So . . . what have we been up to?? Well in my previous post I mentioned an outdoor photoshoot we had planned. That didn't happen. I think God was trying to tell me that a Christmas photo should not have fall colours in it because he kept sending flurries whenever we rescheduled. I have finally given in, and we've booked our next photo session with the kids on November 13th - IN the studio. While I'm a bit bummed about it, I'll happily look forward to next year when we'll finally get our outdoor family photo.
The girls continue to do well at school and while the novelty has worn off for Naomi, she seems to come home happy with her day there. Lilah thoroughly LOVES nursery school and would go every day if she could. Myles misses his sisters when they are gone.
First day of school pictures for Naomi and Lilah from September.
Myles loves the swing!
We've actually had a fun-filled fall, despite all the rain. We celebrated Thanksgiving with the Millen- side of our family, and enjoyed a visit with a relatives whom we haven't seen in a while. Later in the weekend we attended the Oktoberfest parade with the Ferrara's (my sister's family), my mom and brother (who is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his family from the Philipines any day now). Naomi was fascinated with all the horses in the parade and really enjoyed spending time with her cousins, Jacob and Andrew. Lilah took advantage of Uncle Bryan's free shoulders to gain a prime seat for the parade. Myles enjoyed Cheerios on the blankie with his cousin Lauren. We listened to the "e-i-e-i-e-i-o" (popular Oktoberfest rant) all the way to lunch!
Myles and Papa Tom
Mid-October we travelled to Niagara Falls and spent the weekend at the Great Wolf Lodge with our friends, the Shutt family. To those who have not yet been and have kids, it's wonderful. We all had a fantastic time and are making plans to return in the future. Lilah suprised me the most that weekend. She hates getting her face wet and isn't much of a daredevil. A couple of times I thought she would be calling it quits, but instead she chose to make the best of the situation and even asked for more! In fact, her favorite thing that weekend was a family waterslide that had us all riding on a raft, sliding down a tube at breakneck speeds, dropping down and banking up the sides of the tube and getting soaked at the end. I was sure when I asked her if she had fun at the end that she would say no, but she amazed me by replying, "Yeah. Let's do it again.". Naomi (our animal loving daredevil) also loved this ride, but was more thrilled with the talking bear, moose and tree in the lobby. She could have sat there for hours listening and chattering away at them. Myles -- well he's a water baby, and he loved to splash around. As usual, anything where he's close to the sister's made him more than happy.
We were also fortunate to visit with Joel's Aunt Roberta and Uncle Brian from Regina while we were in Niagara. They were visiting Ontario and staying the weekend in St. Catherines. We haven't seen them since the week after we came home from China to get Naomi, so there was lots of catching up to do. I think they got a taste of three kids under 4 yrs old and we got a chance for the adults to outnumber the kids at dinner! :) Would have been nice to have an adult conversation as well, but we've learned that you can't ask for too much these days! Needless to say, we really enjoyed catching up with them as much as we could.
Photos from Great Wolf Lodge
Grandma (GRAMMUDDER according to Lilah) and Grandpa (POPO according to Lilah) Klassen, Auntie Heather and Uncle John all came for a visit last weekend and the kids had a wonderful time. We attempted to make caramel apples, but our efforts were a flop. Grandpa and Uncle John were not disappointed though!
October also brought about our kids' favorite fall event, Halloween. Anyone who knows Naomi, also knows that she LOVES cheetahs. In early October I was grateful that a friend of ours managed to dig up a "Cheetah" costume for her, sparing my having to hunt high and low to find one for her. At times, we have had to bribe her to take it off. Lilah dressed up as a butterfly this year, in honor of all the monarchs we grew and she was adorable. Myles was a monkey . . . cute, cute, cute. Anyhow, the actual night of Halloween was met with great success and a pile of candy now sits in our pantry. Not sure who is devouring it the fastest - the adults or the kids.
Lilah's works of art!
Naomi's pumpkins.
The Ball Street Trick or Treat Gang!
Happy Year of the Pig!
It was great to see old friends and to share some Chinese traditions! Pictured here are the hóng (red) sisters, Naomi, Jasmine, Vanessa and Sydney. The three eldest all are four years old and attend Mandarin together on Saturday mornings. 
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!
Even Myles is mastering the use of chopsticks! His favorite food was the soup (creamed corn, chicken and egg), which ironically was also Lilah's favorite food in China when she was a baby of the same age. Even Naomi (who is normally not an adventurous eater) tried it, and ended up devouring two bowls. As usual, Myles loved the crowd and spent the evening grinning from ear to ear. Folks are always commenting that he's the smiliest little man - and that he is. 
Lilah was excited to be able to share CNY with her Gram. She was enthralled with the young singers and dancers that performed during dinner. 
Chinese New Year is one of my favorite festivals. It is a time for renewal, a time for thanksgiving and a time to look forward to the future. Three years ago, we began the tradition of celebrating in Toronto with our friends. That year we celebrated our family with the adoption of Naomi. It is hard to believe what an amazing little gal she has become in those three short years. She is a gal who would make any mother proud, but my heart swells to know that I get to be her mom. In fact, I couldn't be more proud of each of my children. I've added a quotation to the header of our blog that really brings home the way that I feel. I am definately holding the evening sky in my hands!
