Kiara's Shakedown by the Po-Po!

Owen Sings Peaches

Owen's dad gets to pick the music on his iPod. It is a wonderful thing to be able to shape young minds!

McGivern Kids and The Olympic Torch

Took the kids to go see the torch in the 'Burg this morning. Too bad Mommy had to work....(we missed her) 'cause the experience was really cool. Go Canada! and Merry Christmas all.

It's beginning to look (and taste) a lot like Christmas!

The lights are on the house, the tree is up and Ju is baking Christmas treats. The energy of the children is at a fevered pitch....which of course coincides with cold weather and the inability (desire) to go outside and run around. We indeed have a crazy house....

Colm intently measures proper dosage for the drop cookies!

Owen tries to accomplish the task without the bald cookie monster making off with the goods.

Kiara's "bff"....Santa Claus.

Owen clings to his "buddy".

The lights are on the house, the tree is up and Ju is baking Christmas treats. The energy of the children is at a fevered pitch....which of course coincides with cold weather and the inability (desire) to go outside and run around. We indeed have a crazy house....

Lazy Weekend!

What is typical.....this is!

Kiara the BALLERINA!

Thanks to the wonderful folks at the Children's Treatment Centre Kiara is in a Ballet Class. That is correct, do not adjust your screen. With the help of a patient and generous instructor and like volunteers Kiara has this great opportunity. She is enjoying the heck out of this and so am I, as this is a Daddy and Daughter project. Thaks to all involved in setting the opportunity up for all these beautiful ballerina's!

Happy Easter

We had a great Easter. Colm was sick for most of the week leading up to the main even. In one of "THOSE" moments that you remember always, Colm vomited on the table and himself during Easter Dinner at Rick and Marj's House. C'est la Vie! We made it through without causing any horrific chain reaction but WOW!

Dad of course is continuing to assist with Candy Disposition.

Old Man take at look at you life.....

No, not an old man.....but Owen being silly.

Punishment and Pants

Owen was up to some of his old tricks tonight and ended up in a little "time-out" (see picture). While in said time out he continued to whine about being turned loose and exactly when that might happen. I suggested that he need be quiet lest he remain longer in time-out or finish his sentence sequestered in his room. After seeing his face lighten at the prospect of spending time in his room for time out instead of in a corner I figured I'd better clarify that he would not be there to spend time playing with toys or trinkets. So.... I said in a very authoritative sounding voice that I would "take every source of possible pleasure from his room" before he went in. A very meek and sad sounding Owen replied "even my pants".

Julie and I tried unsuccessfully to hold ourselves together but succeeded only in giggling like idiots in front of a confused Owen.

Colm makes a Pinata

All the kids decided today that it was there respective baby's birthday. In their honour of these very special stuffed animals it was suggested that cupcakes should be constructed to make the occasion festive. I smelled a sham but it is still the middle of winter and we needed something to do to avoid driving each other around the bend. Well, birthdays it was. In celebration after dinner Colm fashioned his own Pinata from tissue paper and this is the video of the boys holding the pinata for Kiara to hit.

Ready for Valentine's Day?

Somebody is......

Chilly?

Sometimes it can get a little cold in the basement after a bath......watch out for that breeze!

R.I.P. George

 

After bringing the kids a couple of years of joy. Our Beta fish, named George, passed away this week. There was a small ceremony before a flushing to "return him to the sea". He will be missed.

What do you get....

when you have a witch, Batman and Indiana Jones at the same place at the same time......apparently a mother load of candy. What a great Halloween.

 

Cause even Spiderman gets cold ears

... Sometimes!

 

Fall Fun in the Fallen Leaves

It's like a tradition. Every year at Rick & Marj's house they rake all the leaves up into a big pile. (There are a lot of leaves). They then invite the kids to play as they see fit.....it has been something that they have enjoyed every year, this being no exception. Just keep an eye out for the dog poop!

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Birthdays and Bandages

Owen (our baby) turned FOUR recently. He had a great little party with close family and mommy made him a "Lightning McQueen" cake. She really is a very talented woman. Owen is also starting school in JK this year. Julie and I were cleaning in the kitchen with Kiara and the boys were playing ("jungle Gym" on the couch no less) Owen jumped off the couch and fell on his head. A nice gash ensued and Julie was off to hospital with the bleeding lad. The boy ended up with Three STAPLES in his melon to close the wound. PS. the staples were administered with no freezing.....YIKES!

Niagara Falls & MarineLand

We gathered up the kids and headed to Niagara Falls for a look at the natural wonder itself and a trip to Marine Land. We had a great time and got to stay in a hotel, which is always wonderful for the kids.


Here we are at MarineLand Taking a little break.













Colm, Owen and Dad riding a roller coaster! The boys got the front seat!












Kiara relaxing (for half a second) and saying goodbye to the hotel.












Here is the clan at the "mountie" by the Rainbow bridge.


















Children (and Mom's) Mecca......the Hershey Store in Niagara Falls












Some requisite hotel room wrestling. (Kiara and I were on the same team battling the boys)













Just a really cool pic of the kids checking out the Killer Whale aquarium at Marineland.













Kiara was intent on the Beluga's in this picture.













Road Trip Refugee's!


















What a beauty!














Owen is all tuckered out in the car.













A great picture of the family by the falls.














The boys at the Guinness Museum.

Kiara visits the fire hall.

Kiara got to go and hang out at the firehall with Papa (er...Captain) Jim this morning. Boy did she have a great time. Many thanks to Jim for the private tour and good times. See the video and some pictures. Kiara told Mom when she got home that she works at the firehall now....