Tired out

The kids started their swimming lessons yesterday. I was able to book a class for Bronwyn and one for Gavin both at the same time, but it is a bit on the early side. It has worked out great as one of the mom's from a couple streets over has her boys at the same time so I have someone to chat with. Her son is in Gavin's class in fact - very nice coincidence!

I love Southland Leisure Centre, they let Mari splash around in the kiddie pool while her siblings are in lessons. So she gets to have a swim time too. I have to follow her around which is a bit boring, but that is where the nice neighbor comes in handy.

The kids are loving their lessons, but they are tired. We have also crammed in a fair bit of play time with friends as well.

Oh, and we went to Superstore this evening to buy a new barbeque. I have been saving the gift cards from their buy over $250 in groceries and get a $25 gift card promotion all winter. And their barbeques were half price. We basically only paid the gst on our new barbeque, well that and the few other bits and pieces that we got tonight.
By the time we got to the check-out, waiting for someone to help us was the hardest part of the adventure, I decided we should go through the self check out since we had a big barbeque in tow. Mari was losing it, so Wes took her out to the van. I then started to wonder how to I get a cart with two kids and a barbeque out to the van. Oh, and once I'm at the van, how do we get the barbeque in it. Hmmmm. All things we should have considered.

The nice gal at the self checkout helped me ring in the barbeque as I had no idea how to do it. Now I had to start doing the other bits and pieces, which after some struggle I figured out. Nothing like trying something new when you have kids around. Then I pressed ready to pay. OK, scan the gift card. Oh, its beeping. OK try again. Wait for attendant, oh... OK. Um, can you help me again. So the nice girl takes over my payment options and helps me out of my current pickle. So glad she is so capable.

By now Wes has come and taken the other two children out to the van, which I presume is close at hand, cheekily parked in a handicapped spot by the front entrance. As I try to leave the dolly with the barbeque starts to give me grief, in fact I have no idea how to use the bleep bleep thing, it wasn't its fault. The nice gal tries to help me again but this is beyond her expertise. Thankfully a young man knowledgeable in the ways of dollies walks by and assists us, in fact, he offers to help me to my car. Good man.

Now how to get it in. Wes empties the van of all the bikes etc, but it still doesn't fit in the back.We get creative and we get the box in and we are off. I take a seat in the very back with Gavin and worry while Wes drives home safely.
Once home Mari is no longer in tears, in fact, she is perched on top of the barbeque box, insisting that is where she wants to sleep.
Average night out I suppose. Don't stare!!

Gavin's extra tooth

Gavin has an extra tooth. Well, should I say had. It was a baby tooth just hanging out in his gums. It was discovered when the dentist did some x-rays. The little tooth was in a bad spot and was likely going to cause damage to the adult tooth.

Today he had surgery to remove that little tooth.

He was very brave and so was Mommy. I don't like general anesthetic on kids, but he did great.

The actual surgery took 10 minutes. We were on our way home an hour and a half after his appointment.

Certainly not the surgical drama we are used too. And it was weighing on my mind. But now, it is done.

Thought we'd have a boring summer

We had few plans for this summer, so I thought... we'd be bored! Sheesh - was I wrong.

We have been so busy. Crazy busy. Playing with friends, birthday parties, Grandparents to hang out with and a few wee road trips.

Busy times.

The pictures are from a little trip to a farm near Calgary that was doing an open house. We went with Jolie and kids. Also from our trip to Drumheller yesterday to visit with Ali and her family, we crashed their vacation. But... we had fun doing it!

We are done the birthday parties for a couple weeks or so. Bit of a break on that front. Whew!

Hope you are all enjoying your summer as much as we are.

Roasting marshmellows

Sticky fun!

Jasper again

Sorry to break it up like this, but we took a ton of pictures.

The next day we all went to Athabasca falls and I felt more anxious than you can imagine with the kids. It is very safe, big cement walls and fences, but still, yikes the height and water made me nervous. Mari and Gavin drove to the falls with Mom and Dad and apparently she had them all laughing. She was very concerned and upset because the water "falls." She didn't want the water to hurt itself. I think now, after seeing it she'll have a better idea of the concept behind water falls.

The afternoon was shopping in Jasper. Auntie Pam and Uncle Tom gave them each a bit of money to spend in Jasper, so they were excited to do that. Then we drove to lake Annette for more water play in the sand. And I finally relaxed. It was a safe distance from all highways, parking lots, the water was calm and fairly shallow at the edges. Whew! A few moments of peace.

Gavin built elaborate canals and just enjoyed that so much. The girls tried to play "Save Mommy," but Mommy plays rougher and they ended up getting sloshed around in the very cold water, not exactly what they wanted.

We did all the things we set out to do and we managed to avoid most of the rain. It was a great vacation and the kids are already asking when we can go back.

Jasper

We had so much fun in Jasper. They were so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa. The little cabins we were in, were just by the Athabasca river. The cold, fast rushing, terrifying Athabasca river. It amazed me that things that didn't scare me before were now very scary, because I had kids to watch.

We stopped at the sand dunes, on the Jasper lake side as the water levels were too high on the Talbot lake side.

The girls were enjoying a game of "Save Grandma." It was sooo fun and Grandma was a great sport. Gavin and Grandpa explored along the beach and had a few scientific discussions. Better Grandpa than me!

We stopped up the road for a picnic at the east end of Talbot lake. We spotted a gorgeous male elk with a full rack. Pretty special site.

Wes and I took the kids up from there to Miette Hot Springs. Mom never did like the road and they declined. It seemed warmer than I remembered. The kids loved it. Mari wanted to go back to the "hod pool." Bronwyn wanted to bring Grandma back, she was having a hard time understanding why the drive up would bother her.

The rest of the evening was spent goofing off at the cabin.

Good fun, tiring day!

Sherwood Park

We rolled into Sherwood Park with a great deal of excitement. My kids just think their big cousins are SOOOOO cool.

I just can't get over how quickly time flies. It just seems the other day when I would pull up at their house and see three little head (roughly same ages as my kids) bobbing in the window excited to see their Auntie. Now, I'm rolling up with three bobbing little heads who can't wait to get in to see their big cousins.

We did lots of stuff while there. Swimming, playing, lots of vidoe games for Gavin, nice meals, and lovely visits. Good time in all.

We are home

We arrived home last night. I had planned to do a quick blog post but unfortunately I left my brain somewhere around Canmore. Still haven't found it, but I'll do my best to soldier on. There are something you can just do without, this seems to be one of them.


The kids did great yesterday - it was a long driving day. We stopped quite a lot and a couple stops were long ones - so the kids could get a break from the car. So it took us about 9 hours to get from Jasper to Calgary. When I was in University I would often drive through the park to go home for visits, it usually took me about 6 hours from Calgary to Hinton. But I had a better bladder then, and I didn't have three kids, nor a husband who has to stop and take a picture of every single mountain.


We had a lovely trip. I'll post some pictures and explain our adventures.

Road trip

We are off on a road trip.

The kids and I are going first to Sherwood Park to visit with Josh! Mari talks about Josh all the time - so its Josh's house! But we are all very excited to see everyone even if there name isn't Josh.

Then we are headed to Jasper to meet up with Wes and my folks. Should be fun if it doesn't rain the whole time.

I'll be back in a week or so armed with lots of pictures.

Happy Canada Day!

Great excitement in this house for Canada Day. We watched a bit of the early festivities from Ottawa. The arrival of Prince William and Kate. Nice that they could join the party, but I'm afraid to say Kate seems to have stolen the show.

Gavin seems to think (and I blame this on the school earth day celebrations) that you should celebrate Canada day by walking around the neighborhood picking up garbage. While I think this is a great idea I'm not willing to do it on a day when we are having company. I promised him we'd do it one day soon.

We are having the MacKenzie's and our Irish friends the Peoples over tonight. Should be fun. Wes worked today, but is home now - whew!

I worked too. I have literally been on my feet all day. Hope the food is good - that is the best outcome.

Hope you all have a wonderful Canada Day - whether you are a Canadian or not! We love the world here.

A couple extra pictures

I have a couple neat pictures of the kids, thought I'd just add them on for fun.

So whats been happenin'?

It might be easier to ask, What hasn't been happening. It has been a crazy couple of weeks. I knew it would be, but sheesh, I'm tired now.

Since I last blogged (an actual blog entry), a visit from Mike & Andrea and boys, a zoo field trip with Gavin's grade one class, we've had the last class of piano, windup barbeque with a group that we meet with and fellowship with once a month, the last baseball game, the last ballet class, a dance recital, a baseball windup get together, several play dates, several barbeques with friends, several Sunday get togethers with family, a visit from a Alex and family (who are in Houston now), we started ripping up our yard, a couple backyard picnics, a year end party for Gavin, and finished grade one. And I'm probably forgetting some things in the mix.

Mommy has come close to mental collapse, but be rest assured I am still hanging on! By a thread yes, but hanging on.

We beached with good friends today (lovely time), had a play date with our Irish friend Amy and had our first outdoor meal of the season. We have been using the barbeque lots, but it hasn't been nice enough to eat outside. Tonight we did.

Life is good at the Davis house. Crazy but good.

I have been busy taking pictures, but not downloading them. There are so many I can't even begin to start to pick. So I'll post them all - all 180! Ha ha - just kidding. Of course I have to pick. Hmmmm. This may take a while, after all my kids are soooo gorgeous.

I'm feeling almost a bit punchy. My head is still spinning from the busyness. My son has become accustom to a rather action packed schedule and is showing signs of running his mommy ragged this summer. Wish me luck. I tried to convince him tonight that we could have a couple days to just veg and relax. In fact, maybe I should enforce an all movie day, we could pull out the sofa couch and watch movies in bed all day. Hmmm. Not sure that would fly. Tomorrow we are watching a friend's daughter for a couple hours, I'm using that as an excuse to not run around doing tons of things.

Need to post

I have pictures, I have lots of news to report, I likely even have a deep thought or two. What I don't have is time. Give me a few days to get through the next crazy couple days and then - VOILA, I'll be back.

Another Saturday

Gavin is happy this morning because his baseball game has been cancelled because of rain. Now he can stay home and play wii with his Dad. The world is right for him.

June has been so busy its crazy. I think we need a day of rest any way, so the rain isn't completely unwelcome. It will keep me from feeling like we have to start on our yard projects too. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have nice weather, but we are all tired and may as well see the plus side.

I have some pictures I need to post, from our water play yesterday, yes it was finally warm enough to have outdoor water play. But, that will have to happen later, I'm too lazy to get up and get the camera.

I should be cleaning the house, the busier we are the more of a wreck it is. But, not sure I feel like doing that either.

I'm a rebel.

Saturday morning thoughts

I'll blame this post on the fact that I haven't had my second cup of coffee, nothing really works until I do.

I just had this conversation with Gavin:

Gavin - Mom, do you know what I would do if I was in a hot air balloon and it was falling to the ground.

Me - No, what would you do?

Gavin - I'd go down and scream.

Me - That is likely what I would do too son.

Yesterday I was trying to get Wes on the phone and couldn't get him. He'd set it down somewhere and he couldn't hear it. He does this fairly frequently, I don't find it annoying at all.

Anyhow, I left him a message and it went like this:

There once was a good man named Wes.

Who often put his wife to the test.

When he wasn't home.

He'd not answer his phone.

And that would be my husband WES.

So, see what happens when you don't answer your phone honey. It results in poetry that we will both regret!

Off to have my coffee. Hope your day is less rainy than ours.

Catching up

I have been so busy trying to get a few projects done outside that the interior of our house has fallen apart. So today is fix it day. Laundry, tidying, making appointments, updating the blog, dishes etc.

On top of the projects we had Bronwyn's picnic, Gavin's ball game (first one this season the whole family has gone to), piano, dance, play dates with friends, school...

This morning the girls are very busy. Bronwyn is expecting her imaginary friend Lipstick to come over. I am supposed to change into something prettier, apparently Lipstick has high standards for an imaginary friend. Mari has been working at a puzzle, it is a bit advanced for her, but she has been piecing it together. Not in the proper order and perhaps with too much force, but she has been occupied for almost an hour doing it, so who will complain?

Hope your Wednesday is as productive as mine.

Rainy week

What I was planning on doing as soon as we got back from Edmonton was getting at the yard work and planting. But...

I am facing indoor tasks; you know the ones I have been putting off all winter while dreaming about what I'm going to plant in my tiny garden. I did get a couple things done today and now I am busy hovering over my oldest child as he does his home work. Not sure how long he will drag this out.

Bronwyn is almost done her preschool. Tomorrow is her last class and on Monday she has a picnic. I am hoping for less rain on Monday!

Gavin is on the home stretch too. We are all tired of school and ready to be done, although not sure what I'll do with them once we are done. I think we'll just veg out for the first while.

I best stopped typing and start nagging, or this will never end.

Tired out

I am TIRED. We arrived home fairly late last night (9:30ish) sent the kids off to bed and collapsed.

The speech went well as did the remainder of the day. It was fascinating and I am impressed and proud of the people on the cardiology team at the Stollery. What they are trying to achieve and how they are going about it is admirable. I didn't need more evidence to prove to me how valuable they are, but I got it any how.

The kids had such a wonderful time visiting all their cousins. In fact, they are also pretty low key and tired today. Ha ha!

I will post picture later, today just a quick update.

Thanks for all the encouragement. I really do appreciate it.

A bit preoccupied

I have been a bit preoccupied lately. We are headed to Edmonton tomorrow. I was asked to put a presentation together for a cardiology conference being held on Friday.

I am nervous! I am not only supposed to speak, but also participate in the balance of the discussions through the day. There are 4 other parents that will be there also. I am excited and totally worried that I won't be able to concentrate or talk intelligently. I deal with wee people all day and a room full of adults having adult discussions is rather intimidating. I guess as long as I don't put anyone in time-out, I should be OK.

I will let you know how it goes. I have included two pictures of my little heart patient. How she started and where she is now. I'll share them with you too.

It has been a long and interesting road. Doing this presentation has forced me to be reflective and to dwell on much that has transpired. All I can say is that I am proud of my family. As I look back at our journey they have each been so great in their own way.

Wes. Well, Wes is our rock. He may be quiet but don't under estimate what he does for his family. He is steady and strong!

Gavin. Wow, Gavin has been so flexible and easy during many stressful times. He really is a joy of a child.

Bronwyn. Sigh, couldn't have asked for a tougher and more resilient little girl. She amazes me.

Mari. YIKES. Mari wasn't around for too much of the drama, but she has brought levity and yes, more drama into our lives.

Me. I do the best I can.

I am blessed. So so blessed. Not only to have my family, but my extended family and friends too.

Most of all, I am thankful. God has given us rich blessings and we thank him.

So, wish me luck!

Happy Mother's day

I have the best Mom in the world. I love her very much. Betty is the world's most fun Grandma too. I don't have a words to express how wonderful she really is. Happy Mothers day to my Mamma!

Wedding thoughts

It is supper time. Wes has taken the kids out of the house, to get something to eat. Mommy is not cooking tonight and the kids were making me crazy! So Daddy to the rescue. I may not admit it to him often, but I am married to one very fine man.

So I am watching clips from the royal wedding. It reminds me of my own. I mean, who wouldn't think of their own wedding at such a time. Although, I think I could have used a bit more money to throw at our wedding. I mean, if I had at least a million (not the lofty 70 million I heard estimated for Will & Kate's), just a measly million, wow, what we could have done. It makes our day feel a bit shabby. There wasn't even a crowd waving at us as we drove down Deerfoot after the wedding. Humph!

Bronwyn was watching a wee bit this morning before the kid's shows came on. She thought the bride was very pretty. I replied, "That young lady there landed one very large fish!" I thought internally, and she landed a very large responsibility and public life too. I wish her well with that.

Oh well. My memories of my wedding are wonderful and I am so happy with my life. I don't live in a glass palace, a real blessing when you come down to it.

I do wish them well and I truly hope they have a happy marriage and life together. After all money and position can't buy you happiness, although... it could speed up the renovations (I'm kidding!!).

A life long dream

Well, a life long "I'd like to do it."

My mommy group, as we call it, got together last night. I thought it would be the normal eating and visiting, but Julie pulled out a craft. NO NOT A CRAFT! To my delight it was all the necessary tools to do traditional Easter eggs. I have always wanted to do this and never had a chance. In fact, I felt rather smug because I knew it was something that Wes would also love to do, but for once I got to do it first!

At one point I said, as we sat around a table waxing eggs and visiting and laughing, that this is what all the old country ladies were likely doing a hundred years ago. It made me feel connected to history, even if it isn't my own.

I love these gals. I feel privileged to spend an evening with such a group of intelligent, passionate, and talented ladies.

April is a blur

So far April has just whizzed by. I'd love to say its because we have been busy playing outside in the sun. But instead we have been outside building snow forts and shovelling. There has been much whining and crying over the weather, the kids haven't loved it either.

I have taken a few pictures. So here is the recent history in photos.