Tag Archives: instagram

iPhoneography // Mini Ballerina

Today it was back to ballet class for Miss G and I.  And though Grae was a little bit sensitive when it came to loud stomping and ‘angry feet’ last week, this week she participated in everything quite happily.  We’d talked about how funny it is to stomp around loudly and make your feet look angry for the last few days, and with a couple of tiny reminders at the beginning of the class, she was just fine this time around.  In fact, she was having so much fun that she spent most of the class on the other side of the room, dancing and participating without any help or reassurance from Mama.  

Balletpre-class warm-up // ribbon dancing

mini ballerina // post – class beach ball hands

Have I mentioned how cute a studio filled with giggling tutu-clad toddlers is?  Trust me, it’s ridiculous.

♥

Photos edited with Instagram. Find me under jkossowan.

iPhoneography // Seaside Silhouettes

Over the course of the past few weekends, I’ve participated in an Instagram photo challenge hosted by awesome fellow mommy and vancouvermom.ca Top 30 Blogger, Natalia, who blogs at natnanton.com.  The series, entitled Through Mama’s Eyes, provides moms with a creative challenge and cultivates community amongst inspired mamas.  

On Friday, Nat presents a theme in the form of a hashtag via her blog.  Throughout the weekend, participating mamas take photos that show their interpretations of the theme and include the hashtag in their photos’ captions.  Then, on Monday, Nat showcases a few of her favourites on her blog (Grae’s photo was featured in her #inmidtwirl showcase here). It’s fun, it’s easy to participate in, and the photos can be of anything – not just your child(ren).

This weekend’s theme was #TMEICsilhouette.  I wasn’t sure I’d be able to capture a good silhouette of Miss G as she goes to bed early, and often the evening {just as the sun is beginning to set} is the best time to catch crisp silhouette photos. (I know I could take photos of other things, but let’s face it… Grae is the only thing I really take photos of these days. ☺) But tonight, when we found ourselves on an impromptu visit to White Rock Beach, the lighting was perfect, and so was Miss G’s position.  Here are a few my favourites…

IMG 5154Ocean-dipped toes.

IMG 5147Papa and his girl.

IMG 5148Wading in.

If you’re an Instagram-loving mama, be sure to join in next weekend.  Everyone is welcome!  Just visit www.natnanton.com on Friday to find out the theme, and then tag away.

♥

 Photos edited with Instagram. Find me under jkossowan.

iPhoneography // Sunday Fun Day

As I mentioned yesterday, we’ve been bu-sy lately…  So today we put away the paintbrushes and screwdrivers and had a little family fun day.  Here’s our day in iPhone photos…

Sunday Funday

 

first family seawall ride in stanley park // i spy a water park

brave until close // heat relief

beach stop // picnic lunch

papa and his girl // beach exploring

wild water baby // biking makes a girl tired (oopsies!)

sleeping beauty on the sky train // thirsty

popsicle holder // mmm… peaches!

backyard pool // well-fed belly

double fisting // dessert

♥

All photos edited using Instagram. Find me under ‘jkossowan’.

Cross Border Conversations

IMG 4603Headed out the door on our first Mama and Grae only States trip.

 

As we exited off of the highway and got onto the country-esque 8th Avenue…

Gracen: Grae Grae see horsey?

Mama: Maybe, Love. You’ll really have to watch out your windows to try to see a horsey.

Gracen: See moo?

Mama: I don’t know if we’ll see a cow, Grae. We’re almost at the border crossing now.

Gracen: Horsey, noooo. Moo, noooo. Grae Grae see baby llama? Yaaaaaah. See baby llama, pleasch, Mama??

Mama: (giggling) Sweetie, I don’t think we’re going to see a horse, cow, or baby llama today. We’ll be sure to stop and see the llamas when we go back to Manmaw’s this weekend, okay?

 

As we waited in line at the border crossing…

Gracen: (getting antsy while strapped into her carseat without the car moving)

Mama: Don’t worry, Grae. We just have to talk to the man at the booth and then we’ll be on our way again. (Not sure why I assumed it would be a male border crossing guard, but I did.)

Gracen: See man?

Mama: Yes, Lovey. We need to see the man to show him our passports.

Gracen: Man black man?

Mama: Hmm… I don’t know what colour the man will be, Grae.

Gracen: Papa man?

Mama: Yes, Papa is a man.

Gracen: Papa orange-y man!

 

As we were heading into the washroom area in Target and a large, moustached, motorbiking looking man was exiting…

Gracen: (pointing very obviously at the man) BIG MAN PEE PEE?

 

Never a dull moment with this little lady…

♥

Photo taken with Instagram. Find me under jkossowan.

iPhoneography // Accidental IKEA Morning

Somehow a quick fan stop at Home Depot became a morning at IKEA. Oopsies! I blame it on Grae… Clearly she’s the one that loves the place. ☺

Untitledmoving in // lounging

bed tester // “blankie, Mama?”

no hands // soup taster

hiding // new fabric

convinced Mama to buy restaurant food // first ever white flour pancake

♥

Taken with Instagram. Find me under jkossowan.

iPhoneography // Vancouver International Children’s Festival

Despite the weatherman’s prediction of a sunny day, in true Vancouver style, we woke up a healthy dose of  liquid sunshine this morning.  Instead of putting our plans on hold though, Gracen and I decided to throw on our gumboots,  brave the rain, and head down to Granville Island for the Vancouver International Children’s Festival as planned.  And I’m glad we did.  Gracen really enjoyed the Twist & Toddle activity tent, as well as the shadow puppetry tent, face painting station, and the musical performances, and the rain really didn’t bother us in the least.  I’m looking forward to attending again next year when more of the activities are age-appropriate for this little lady…
Children s Festival

puzzle play // water table fun

firefighter Grae to the rescue // mama’s baby bird

colouring // shadow puppetry (Grae was the fish)

face painting pro // sweet cheeks

lunch in the rain // puddle jumping

♥

If you’re a Vancouver mama heading down to the festival to partake in the activity zones, be sure to bring cash, as that’s the only form of payment accepted.  Also, something to be aware of is that everyone has to pay to enter the activity areas, including mamas supervising their little ones and the teeniest of infants, which is a little unusual.

iPhoneography // Afternoon Snapshots

Afternoon SnapshotsToday was a work day for this mama…  And although I really do like the the teaching part, I sure do miss my little lady while I’m away.  Luckily, a classroom of 25 to 30 students keeps me more than busy for most of the day, but some days I just wish I could snap my fingers, avoid the {sometimes slow / stressful} commute, and arrive at home to soak up more moments like these…

mini cleanaholic // rolling machine

making cookies // chocolate play dough chocolates

bath time mohawk // bedtime stories with baby

♥

iPhoneography // Breakfast

BreakfastWithout thinking, I put some apple slices and grapes on Gracen’s plate next to her hot cereal this morning.  Harmless, right?  Well, the moment I set it down in front of her, she started jamming the two together while announcing, “Apple – car!  Apple – car!  Apple – car, pleasche, Mamaaaaa!”  I should’ve known…  They are one of her all-time favourite snacks after all.  So out came a piece of spaghetti, and in no time the little lady had a fleet of cars to zoom around her plate.  Of course, she drove each one for a few seconds and then promptly disassembled them.  Then it was on to feeding Num (a.k.a. a tiny Hello Kitty figurine that she carries around everywhere).  Breakfast as usual with our little monkey.