Dylan is full of stories and creativity lately.  There are a few "gems" I've been wanting to share.

"When I'm big and a fire man, i'm going to take my fire truck and go get a dog from the pet store and i'm going to name my dog Cutty"

"When I'm big and a fire man, I will need somebody to drive my truck to Edmonton because I don't know the way"

In talking about being a fire man, he was also surprised to know he can't take the big fire engine home with him at night.  He said he'd have to buy a truck like daddy's.  But blue.

He is currently saying he's going to be a fire man in Calgary and live with Grandma.

Out of the blue one day, he said "When I am a fire man and a daddy I will name my son Magnet"

It took about a day for me to figure this one out, because he kept telling me that Grannie would be happy that his son was named Magnet.

Finally I said.... Margaret?  Yes, Magnet.  I'm going to name my son Magnet.

He's started calling all babies Magnet- he laughs and thinks it's funny.  We've been in various restaurants/stores and will hear a baby make noise.  He always says, that's Magent.  He sarcastically asks how Magnet gets so many places, since the Magnet thing started in Vancouver.

He suddenly refers to "Moaney"  the fire guys have to go save Moaney.  Not sure where he got this name.

He is developing a sarcastic sense of humour.  (oh oh)  Having snack before bed one night, our little friend pointed to a cookie and asked what it is.  Now our little friend should know, he's 3 1/2, but didn't know.  Dylan told him it was a pizza.

There are many incidents of this sarcastic wit as of late.  I have noooo idea where he gets that from.

haha.

Ohhhh little Dyl.  

We are blessed with such a sweet little sassy soul.

 This little boy 

 Rode this giant water slide

 and was so proud !

We spent a long weekend in Vancouver, and Dylan LOVED the aquarium.

Beyond loved actually.

night market on the coast

 The third night of our Vancouver trip we stayed in Richmond.

I saw a small sign about a night market. 

We kept Dylan up late and went.  It was an interesting mix of asian food, and strange things to buy.  It was neat though because of the diversity of people there, the sheer size, and the interest factor.

It's the second largest night market in North America.

Mat ate some gross stuff.

Dylan ate potatoes on a stick.

I turned my vegetarian nose up at all the odd delicacies.

What can I say, he's cute, he's wacky, he's silly, and these are some of the faces that we see often but that don't always get captured.

Dylan

3 1/2 yrs

We like to eat out, and were really excited when Cora's came to Kamloops.  We've been many times, and always leave upset about the children's meal.  The other weekend we decided to give Denny's a try- it'd been forever since we've been.

I think we have a new breakfast go-to spot !  

Thumbs down Cora

Thumbs up Denny's

Sleeping beauty

I've been a photography rut lately- since closing my business and being able to just photograph for me, I've sort of missed a step with my continued learning.  Or I've slacked and haven't found much inspiration.  Today, during a rare nap in my bed, I captured some images that I think are magically beautiful ones that in years to come I will look back at lovingly.

Water Baby

True story- It's been so long since I blogged, that it took a bit to get in to my blog again, AND the format has changed, so i'm sort of confusaled by it.

I have a bit of a story to tell, it involves a boy, a beautiful outdoor pool, and a wonderful milestone.  So you might know the boy.....  

So here is the milestone.  Our little man is  JUMPING OFF THE DIVING BOARD AT THE POOL.   Yup, he's 3 yrs old !!!  I think he's a superstar, it's crazy he can do this !

It started the first time I took him to the Brock outdoor pool.  We were in the kiddie pool, and he asked if he could go on the diving board, which is in the part of the pool that's 10 feet deep.  I was like.... no hun, you're not old enough.  He looked so sad that I thought, well, I'll ask the lifeguard.  So I find Mr. 20 something lifeguard and say, " my son is 3 1/2- he wants to go on the diving board, is he too young?"  I'm getting ready to console him when Mr. 20 something says , "he's good to go"  WHAT???  Do you see this precious young thing, my sweet little boy?  3 1/2 years, did you think I said 13 and was referring to another child?  Hmm.  Clarified with him.  Nope, he means this small child.  Ohhh K.  So Dylan is crazy excited that the cool lifeguard said yes.

We are at the pool alone, so I don't have anyone I can panic with.  Instead we head over to the deep end,life jacket on, and I tell him, "mommy will catch you at the bottom"  He answers back with "i'm not scared".  I almost told him right then and there that someone might poop their pants with fear, and it for sure wasn't going to be him.

So in the water I go.... up the steps to the diving board he goes.  No fear, no hesitation.  With the biggest brightest proudest smile on his face he walks to the end of the diving board, like he owns the place, and jumps.  Straight off.  Down into the water.  I won't lie when I say I was really scared and really feeling like my heart was beating crazy fast.  This is my only boy, my precious baby who is submerged in 10 feet of scary pool water, about to pop up.  So up he came-- I grabbed his hand and he doggy paddled to the side.  It wasn't water splutters or fear that came out of his mouth, it was the same word over and over and over again.  Again, again, again again.  

So what did I do?  Yup, I was really nervous, but like the good mommy I am, I cheered for him, told him what a good job he did, and said how proud I was of him.  He didn't need to know that I almost threw up from fear.  

It actually was a pretty special moment because I had just witnessed his first ever time when he set a goal, he  tested his limits in a safe way, and came out of it feeling such a sense of pride and accomplishment.  It was one of the most amazing moments of his young life.  I was really excited to see that sense of pride in mastering something new.  I'm sure we will see it again as he grows up, but not with such childish, uncensored joy.  It was pretty neat.

So that day, he jumped and jumped and jumped until his little arms could barely pull himself out of the water.  There were no cameras, no moment captured, just the memory of his face.  And actually, I think the memory is better then any photograph could have shown.  

But today we were back with Daddy, and the camera.  So here is my baby... taking a risk, excelling, and marveling in his sense of accomplishment.

 Again again again !!!!!

PS.  If you know that Lady with the baby, would you please coach her in less obvious ways to stare?  Cuz she was really getting on my nerves. 

Sunday

We had plans for our Sunday, that fell through at the last minute.  Our baby boo was upset about the change, so we hyped him up on the idea of an adventure walk looking for owls. 

 A photographer that Mat follows on twitter had taken some owl images and was super friendly and amazingly shared where to find them. We went for breakfast, and headed out for an adventure walk.  Dylan's first hike.  In total we probably walked for 2 hours, and our little trooper did great.  

We never found the owls, but we did trek through a lot of snow, mud, and sagebrush.  At one point the very snowy, icy hill going down was too steep for Dylan and I.  We had to make a decision.  Venture down and fear falling, or turn back.  Instead I sat on Mat's coat, Dylan between my legs and we slid down.  Totally fun !  Apologies to anyone who hikes that part after us, it's now like a bobsled track.

 Going down.... almost done.

My big/little Dyl, out today for a walk, in his new Montreal Canadians hat.  

 With his dad

That he loves very much

Dylan left a dinosaur in our bed last night.  He was a bit pesky and bothersome.  

This is how I found him.  

And these are the shenanigans

(No, Mat was not impressed...but I was amused)

Yup, this is an example of how I spend my nights when I can't sleep.

Annoying my tired, patient, hard working very sleepy husband.

Processing the images

Blogging.

Dylan had a friend over this afternoon.  He often greets friends in his Lightning McQueen underwear, because he loves LM, and because he's free and easy when we are home.  Today he was even more free and easy then normal.  His little buddy, who luckily he knows very well, showed up this afternoon and Dylan wasn't willing to put on underwear, let alone pants.  When Milan left, he stripped right down.... and put MY new boots on.

ohhhh toddlers.  gotta love it.

so happy-so free-so without cares-what a great stage.

 I finished this furniture re-do a few weeks ago but was hesitant to post it.  I know it won't be everyone's style, and I think it doesn't photograph as nicely as it should, but here we go.  

In an ongoing endeavor to keep up with the ongoing toddler mess, I scooped this box up for a good price for our shoes and winter gear for the entry way.  I apologize if you like cherry wood, but it wasn't my style- just too traditional for me, but I loved the function of it !  

Before:

So after sanding, and sanding, and sanding, and painting and distressing, and painting again, and less distressing, here is our new entry way shoe box.

  Thoughts?  Too rustic?

The new fabric is a french traditional pattern which I LOVE.

Thanks Dyl for being my Vanna White.  :)

Still deciding on the hardware.  I sprayed it a pink for a touch of whimsey, but it's not the right pink.  My go to girl who likes to thrift and do house stuff suggests a yellow.  

What do you think?