Welcome Baby Amadora

This past week Melissa got to hold her first new-born baby. And this wasn't just any old baby... this is a very special baby named Amadora... yes the baby has the name Dora in her name! 

Amadora is also very special in many other ways... her parents have been waiting a long time for her and got the phone call three weeks ago that they had been chosen to adopt her! We are so very excited to welcome her and are so happy for her parents!

Two Wheeler

Just before Melissa's birthday she got her first two-wheeler bike! She is so proud when she rides around on it in our cul-de-sac, just like a 'big girl' :)  I'm sure I'll post some better pics when the weather gets a little warmer. 

PS. The scarf was her own touch! 

Making Pancakes

A few weekends ago Melissa had a sleep-over at Nana & Pop's house, and as usual was spoiled rotten with 100% attention!

For breakfast Melissa helped make the pancakes, stirring the batter...

and adding the blueberries...

Yum, yum!

Little did Nana & Pop know when they did this they started something... now every time I am making something in the kitchen Melissa pulls up a chair and wants to 'help'! 

Bradner Flower & Garden Show

Two weekends ago we went as a family to the the 80th Bradner Flower & Garden Show in the historic village of Bradner.

This photo was taken in this large room which had an amazing daffodil display. 

There were over 100 different varieties of daffodils on display, with each variety in a vase with its cleaver name below it. The fragrance in the room was amazing! Melissa went sniffing to try and find her favorite! 

Melissa was very much in the mood for getting her picture taken, and kept asking for me to! Here she is posing in-front of a vintage tractor and flower display. 

Melissa's Princess Pizza Party

This morning was the highly anticipated 'Princess Pizza Party' with three of Melissa's little friends. We have been planning this party for a few weeks now and the day was finally here!

All ready for the first guests to arrive. 

Missy waits patiently at the window...

Three of the party-ers and almost enough balloons to carry them away!

Craft Time - Prince & Princess crown decorating...

The newly crowned Princesses & Princes... 

(Melissa, Kiera, Colby & Dominick)

The pizza arrived!

Shhhh... 'Her Royal Highness' is trying to eat!

'

In comes the princess castle cake...

Making a wish before blowing out the candles... (what more could this little princess wish for?!)

A close-up of the slightly tippy Princess Castle Cake. Almost like I envisioned it ;) (inspired by Aunt Brenda & a website she shared with me!)

A group effort opening the presents...

Next for a game of 'Pin the Wand on the Princess'.

Always the comedienne - Kiera pinning the wand on her nose!

Melissa shows us how it is done...

followed by Kiera...

next Dominick, spinning and then ready to go.

The final wanded Princess...

The littlest Prince (Kiera's little brother) Riley, getting a kick out of this big blue balloon. Hard to believe how fast they grow up. Next year he will be ripping around with the rest of the kids!

Thanks to all who made this such a special and memorable day! 

Melissa had such a blast she wants to do it again tomorrow! 

Melissa & Daddy's Birthday Party - Part 2

We celebrated the two birthdays with the Nana & Pop Thomas this past Tuesday evening. First we enjoyed a nice dinner out at White Spot, and then we came to our place to open presents and have cake!

Melissa got right into opening the presents...

She got a much needed jewelry box...

It is one of those boxes that plays a tune and the butterfly spins when open...

She also got her first piggy bank... and Pop helped get her coin collection off to a good start!

The princess crown cake...

Melissa & Daddy's Birthday Party - Part 1

Photography credit must go to Jason of Revival Arts Studio for the majority of these photos. It is mighty nice to have a photographer in the family! 

Friday we celebrated Ken & Melissa's birthdays with the Klassen family (my side). It was the first of the birthday parties, and so much excitement was in the air!

We strung up helium balloons...

This is a bit of an illustration of how the party was shared... Melissa in the foreground and Ken in the blurry distance. Lucky as we get older birthday recognition isn't as important. Daddy was very gracious to put up with all the princess pink :)

After visiting we sat down to enjoy the birthday cake... Melissa was full of excitement!

A close up of my first rendition of a princess castle cake...

The present opening followed...

Melissa received some great girlie gifts!

Cousin Xander was near bursting holding in his glee... the present they brought was definitely was a hit - a princess bouncy ball.

Xander & Melissa bonding over sharing the ball...

As the night went on many of us gave the ball a spin (or bounce). Surprisingly the ball held everyone's weight when it is specified for a maximum of 100lbs!

The photo of the night... Ken wearing Melissa's princess crown! What a sport :) Things a Daddy does to please his daughter.

Melissa's Three Year Photo Shoot

To commemorate Melissa's upcoming 3rd birthday we went to Perfect Moments Photography Studio for a photo session. Melissa warmed up very quickly to the camera and had a blast. She especially was excited by the way the lights went "off & off" (off & on) every time a picture was taken. She would laugh every time! It made for great photos :) Here is a few of my favourites...

Melissa was making it look like so much fun that I just had to join her for a few pictures! She was excited and was making her funny surprised faces!