Happy 2nd birthday Alex!

So, this past Saturday, our baby girl turned 2! I guess that makes her not such a baby anymore.

The day was fairly low-key -- just a trip to the park with daddy while mommy ran last-minute party errands. Like her first birthday, Alex's party was at Mega Fun 4 Kids and was a joint party with Isla Emerson, who turns 2 just 8 days after her. Since at age 2, both girls consider their friends to be the kids of our friends -- and since we have many of the same friends -- we decided it would be easiest for everyone (including us) to do a double party.

In all, there were 12 kids and a lot of parents and everyone had a great time. Both Austin and Alex (and many of the other kids) loved playing in the ball pit. There was pizza for dinner and two cakes for dessert (one for each kid, of course).

For Alex, I made an Elmo cake -- her favourite character next to Mickey. She loved it (which makes the hours of work it took to make it worthwhile)!

At 7:30, the party wrapped up and we all headed home. But before bed, Alex had fun opening all her presents. Thanks everyone!

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An update of what we've been up to

It's been a busy month for us, hence the lack of a general update lately. So here's a quick overview of what's been going on since Austin's birthday:

• Ryan worked long hours in March as the project he's on (a transit hub) is winding down. Another month or so, and he should be done there. Where next? Who knows.
• I have also had a steady stream of freelance work. Right before Christmas, I picked up a new client who now has me doing regular work on retainer. Some weeks keep me busier than others and so far it's going well.
• On a Saturday in March, we went to Guelph to visit Ryan's sister for the annual College Royale. Once again, we all had a great time and the kids loved seeing and petting the farm animals, visiting the greenhouse and checking out the reptiles and touch tanks in the sciences buildings. Thankfully, Alex fell asleep for about 45 minutes in the stroller which meant we were in no rush to head home that afternoon. So, we stayed until after dinner.


• We spent the Easter long weekend at home just getting stuff down in the yard and simply enjoying the nice weather. It was a nice break from the craziness and long hours of the previous few weeks.

Today, Austin started preschool again -- after a month off. Once again, it's two mornings a week. We're skipping swimming lessons this session and instead, both kids are signed up for gymnastics once a week. Alex is really only signed up because there is a parent and tot class for 2 and 3 year olds at the same time as Austin's class. So, I figured since I have to drag her to the centre every week anyway, she might as well be registered so that her and I have something to do to pass the time.

Alex was doing well with the potty training, but about three weeks ago, she emphatically decided she no longer wanted to sit on the potty. I have no idea why, but at the moment, I'm not pushing it. After all, she's not quite 2 yet.

I think that's it from us for now. Here are some other new pictures:

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