ZZzzzzzzzzz

Wow - I'm tired. I'm sitting her half asleep.

The kids and I drove up on Tuesday with Mom and Dad to Jasper. Dad hauled their trailer - so we camped for three nights there. It was great fun. We sure missed Daddy on the trip - but someone has to bring home the bacon!

We spent a lot of time in Jasper when I was little so it was a real treat to go there with my kids. Next time Wes has to come too.

We got to spend some time with Tom, Pam and kids while there. Gee those kids are so great. Wes and I were just remembering a time when those kids weren't much older than ours. When we first started dating Tom and Pam brought the kids to my house for a visit. Wes was reminding me of Kennedy sitting in the big blue chair telling us the story about "Jon and Bat." So cute!! They are growing into such great young folks. I am truly proud of them.

Ahhh - how the years go.

I have three very tired little campers upstairs all asleep and I am about to join them.

Here are few pictures.

Word to the wise

Give children watermellon before bath time - not after.

Just in case you didn't know that!

More busy busy

We have definitely not been as busy this week as we were last week and weekend. It has been the usual playing and getting together with friends. Still on the go!

Yesterday was wonderful for me as I got to see two of my dearest friends, Andrea and Mel, and visit with them and their children. Yeah for good friends!

I wanted today to talk about the friends we met up with today. We met Jolie and kids and Julie and kids at Lake Chaparral today (don't know how to spell that). These ladies are just great. Their kids are lovely. This is the crowd from Gavin's prenatal classes.

When we were sitting in a room with all these other Mom and Dad's discussing the upcoming delivery and baby I never dreamt that we'd continue a friendship long past that course. It really shocks me. There are four of us who still get together pretty regularly, and a few others that keep in touch.

What a blessing these ladies have become. Not only are our kids all in the same age range but they have become friends. They are some of the kindest and least judgmental people I have ever met.

It is strange the paths that life leads us down. It is just so nice to have friends to travel with along the way! Thanks ladies for a great morning.

Crazy busy week

Wow - I mean really wow. This week has been nutso!

Monday we had Mel and girls for a visit in the am. Then we drove out to Mom and Dad's in a crazy thunderstorm, for a visit there.

Tuesday through Thursday the kids were at VBS. I stayed all day with them too. It started at 10 am and went through 3 pm. So Bronwyn didn't really have a decent nap for three days. Let alone Mari - she just hung out with Penny most of the time.

Today we went over for Max's birthday. Bronwyn finally fell asleep in my arms at 4 pm. I brought her home to sleep and returned to get Mari who had been sleeping in Isaac's crib. Natasha brought Gavin home an hour later - after a substantial water fight. He was wet!

By supper time Gavin was having meltdowns everywhere. Everything was upsetting him. EVERYTHING!

My hope is they have a really good night tonight. Because we have two birthday parties tomorrow and one on Sunday. Really I think every kid we know was born in Mid July.

I haven't taken pictures - I've been to busy running. I haven't been thinking much. In fact I wrote a post on this blog that was intended for a different one. It was totally out of place here and not the kind of content I usually have - so I deleted it - hopefully not too many of you read it. Not that I'd be embarrassed, it just isn't my usual stuff. A bit more "open" than I would like. This just shows how incredibly tired and confused I am.

My hope is that I won't be babbling incoherently by Monday. Wish me luck!

My kids made me coffee

Often in the morning the kids wake up while I am nursing Mari and they come pile in bed with us. If Mari isn't awake before they come she is very soon after their arrival. Most days we play and talk in bed for a while. I endure a lot of elbows and kicks and other unintentional injuries.

This morning Gavin decided that he and Bronwyn were going to go make me my coffee. I told him not to - that I'd get it in time. But he insisted. They trotted off down the hall and pushed their little chairs up to the counter.

I couldn't tell if he was using real coffee or instant (I use instant when I have milk coffee). I got a little worried about what exactly they were doing. I got up and checked in the kitchen. He had pulled out my little single cup coffee maker and had got the coffee from the freezer. He had already added the water to the coffee maker, and had a cup in the right place to collect the coffee.

He was adding the grounds to the holder. I checked and he was doing a great job - he hadn't emptied the old grounds out (his mother is lazy and doesn't do this right after making my coffee - not his fault I'm lazy). So I did that for him.

The only other issue that I had was the dirty cup that he chose to use. I understood though, he can't reach the cupboard with the clean cups and this one was on the counter.

I was actually pretty darn impressed with the two of them. Bronwyn was helping out like a good little assistant.

Clever little monkeys!

Wow time flies

Last night I was reading some of the blogs that I like to keep up with. I was a little annoyed with some of my friends who haven't updated in a while. Then I realized that some of them had more recent updates than me! Oops - pot calling the kettle I believe.

We have been busy. Last week we had at least two pajama days. Play with friends at home and at the park (thanks Jenn and Jolie - it was great fun). Visits with friends of my folks. You know the usual busy busy stuff. At least two trips to Dairy Queen for ice cream (again thank Jolie and Jenn - oh and you too Val and Megan).

We all had head colds last week. I was actually pleased, figure we can get the bugs out of our system. That way when we get a call for surgery I won't be so worried about them catching something.

We haven't heard about a date yet - still just waiting. Enjoying our time this summer.

I am sure I could write a lot and tell lots of stories but frankly I'm a bit too tired tonight. God bless you all - who ever you are, where ever you are.

Hats with whistles

Honestly what was I thinking??

"Oh my gooness gooness..."

as Bronwyn says.

We have had the craziest weekend. Wes took Friday off and we have been doing a little mini vacation all weekend. Because we are on call for surgery we really haven't been able to plan a vacation. We also tend to work on the yard or the house most weekends.

This week Wes took off Friday (in lieu of Canada Day - the unpatriotic...). We took the kids swimming Friday morning, then to the mall for lunch and shopping. They just love swimming. Saturday's big adventure was working in the yard. We have to do some of that right? And then going to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner.

This morning Daddy insisted we go to Family day at the Stampede. We had to be there before 9 to get in free. Now those of you who know Wes, also know nothing excites more than something free. He was on a tear! We got there by gum. We walked in the front gate walked a few steps and I stopped and said, "Can we just relax now dear?" He laughed and off we went.

I thought it was going to be a rainy miserable day - but it ended up being beautiful. We had a great time. Which is a lot for me to admit. I hate crowds and busy places and hassles and well just about everything that comes with the stampede. But, the kids had fun and well so did I - surprise!!

My highlights of today were Bronwyn having her first taste of cotton candy, making a face and spitting it out! Gavin and Bronwyn getting to try the "How to milk a cow display." Mommy deciding it was a fun idea to buy them cheap little cowboy hats with whistles attached. We weren't a foot out of the store when I realized what a mistake that was. Mari did SOOOO good. She just hung out in the snuggly and slept and ate and looked and - wow never knew a little girl could be so good.

So today was about making the kids and my husband happy. Oddly enough that makes me happy too.

On top of all that Mari also got to meet her Uncle Brad for the first time last week. It was so nice to get to see Brad. We hope to see more of him when we go to Edmonton.

Happy Canada Day

We have been celebrating by playing in the backyard. First water play of the summer. Wes is working, but promised he'd be home early. Brad is coming over for supper I believe - we haven't seen him in ages. In fact, he has never seen Mari. We are looking forward to that.

Hope Canada Day finds you all well. Enjoy the festivities and relish for at least one day in being a Canadian. Its pretty great!

Here are some picts from today and the last couple weeks - lots of backyard play. Who says you can't have any fun even when everyone you might play with leaves you!

Tooth report

I forgot to add in the last entry that Mari finally has some teeth. The two bottom front teeth poked through mid last week. On Saturday one of the top teeth surfaced. The top tooth has been visible under the gum for a long time but it took forever to break through.

You know she has had hardly any teething symptoms. She doesn't drool, her cheeks aren't rosy, she hasn't had the bum rashes that Gavin got, nor has she had many cranky spells. Its pretty weird how teething affects one baby (Gavin in particular) so hard and another baby hardly at all.

Lazy weekend

We have had a pretty lazy weekend so far. We've tackled a few projects in the yard. Did a bit of laundry. Chased kids. You know the usual fare.

I have become the plant waterer. My folks are away so we went out to their place and I watered their plants. Our neighbors are away so I have watered their plants. I also watered my own. You see - I'm the plant waterer.

The first rule of watering plants - never give Gavin the hose! Dangerous business that.

I think it just maybe time to bring out the water guns from storage.

Once again, this seems to happen every summer, we are the only people still in Calgary. At this time every year all our friends and family ditch town and go to various destinations. Which leaves us here by ourselves, wondering where everybody went. Actually that is not entirely true. We had lunch with Rick and Val today after church which was very fun.

Best run get the kiddies a snack. Maybe a freezie - hmmm lets see. Enjoy your lovely, lazy summer days.

Busy times

Summer is here - officially. I haven't been keeping track of all our activities. Spruce Meadows with good buddies, bike riding with Max, bacon and eggs with Daddy, gardening with Mom, Dinosaur Museum with Pop's and Grandma, Sunday's with Robbie & Carissa... the list goes on and on.

Here are a few pictures.

A head injury waiting to happen

That is our Mari! She is pulling herself up to everything, getting on her feet - her tiptoes actually. She pulls herself up to the end table and then wobbles wildly as she releases her grip to try and grab whatever she can get her hands on. Today we had several pretty serious tumbles.

Bronwyn is sick tonight - not sure why or whats wrong - just keeping an eye on her.

Earlier Gavin was upset that I wouldn't let him do something. So he said to me, "If you don't let me do this I will... I will pull down my pants."

That is now our favourite threat! I told Wes on his way home that he better be here before dinner or I'd pull my pants down. Is that too much of a visual for most of you? Well it should be.

I pulled out an old exercise tape this morning. I am so in need of some exercise and I get so little. I was watching these willowy young things do these series of stretches to peaceful music. I looked around me and realized how opposite to this in every way was my situation. I am not willowy - more baobaby (OK I know that is not a word). I am not in any kind of shape these days. Nor is my surrounding peaceful. I had the older kids jumping around me trying to also do the exercises, while Mari was screaming and screaming trying to get to me. Once she got to me she cried and cried once I put her down.

Well at least I tried eh?

Little monkey

We can't leave Mari alone for a minute these days but that she's pulling herself up on something. We caught her hung up on the little riding plane. She was actually standing at one of the other toys, and when she fell (as I was running to catch her) she didn't bash her head because she hung on to the toy with one hand. She was hanging like that still as I scooped her up.

She has also been working at getting up the stairs. Yoicks! She is only 8 months old and actually doesn't officially crawl yet. Although you wouldn't know it as she creeps so fast.

We are in the "just keep them alive" phase of life again. I must confess I'll be happy when she's out of it (for safety reasons).

Do you know that the spell check on blogger thinks yoicks is a spelling error - really, what is this world coming too.

My curtains

Here are the curtains. I am not terribly happy with them. They aren't exactly as I had imagined - mostly because I made a pretty stupid error when I was deciding how much fabric to buy. But they are up and I'm not redoing them.

Jared, Josh, Kennedy...

Hey guys. Tell me that this doesn't look like your dad when he's grumpy.

A new week

So here we are - Monday. A new week has started. Wes is back at work, our usual weekend chaos is over and we are having a pajama day. The kids, who normally start the day with "Where are we going today Mom?", today asked, "Can we stay in our pajamas today?"

We are having a basement pajama party. Wes set up an old TV of ours and the VHS recorder. So we are watching old movies and hanging in our pajamas. These are the days that I always pray a parcel doesn't arrive or the gas man doesn't come.

We had a super nice, if cold and snowy, weekend. Well, once we got over Mommy's very grouchy spell on Saturday morning. Wes took Gavin and Mari out for to the library while I slept with Bronwyn. I was a much nicer Roberta after that. The only real casualty seems to be my begonias - I forgot to cover them. Oh well.

Hope, Darcy and kids came on Saturday night for a much overdue and enjoyed visit. Yeah for good friends!

I made curtains for our basement window on Sunday. I don't sew much so it was a bit of a trial. To my credit most of the really bad language swirling around in my head didn't come out of my mouth. A bit of a triumph that!

I just have to put some loops on the back and we can hang it up. I'll get pictures when I am done. So you can all see my masterpiece (s). Next time I decide to make curtains, someone remind me of how frustrating it is.

Bronwyn is wearing her underwear this morning. So I am waiting for her to say - "Mommy ma poop." Which means that she has already peed in her pants. Its just a matter of time.

For those of you who are keeping track - no we haven't heard from Edmonton yet.

Mari is pulling herself up on things and trying to stand. She is nuts!! She has a high pitch scream - the kids say she sounds like a baby pterodactyl.

Gardening

We have been gardening. I have a very little patch that I have been working on for some time now. It is coming along nicely. Its mostly perennials, but I have a 8 x 6 section or so (my 1/4 section) that I have dedicated to veggies. The tomatoes are in. We will plant the beans tomorrow. The kids love to dig and play in the garden. Bronwyn walks on everything whether a plant, a weed, or a rock! There are a few I am not sure will make it after a run in with her.

We need more dirt for the last section of that flower bed and then I'll turn my attention to a new area. I'll likely add a bit next year too. I just like to see how things do, how they winter and if they are successful before I get carried away.

There is never an end to the potential work we can do. It is just very very nice to get something looking like it is close to being complete.

Some pictures

I'm too tired tonight for words - but here are some pictures. The tree is our crab apple in the back yard - I love it at this time of year. Another picture is of Mari getting caught up on the crossbar under the coffee table - silly little goof loves to climb through there.

Oh ok one fluffy kid story

OK - so here is one story about the kids.

I called Bronwyn for supper the other night. She came in and protested that she was not Bronwyn but princess.

I said - Bronwyn get up to the table.
Bronwyn - no, ma no Bronwyn ma princess.
Me - Bronwyn, I am not calling you princess. Time to eat.
Bronwyn - WHAAA HAAAAA (major melt down with many tears ensued)

Later I told my Dad this story. He laughed and then said - really what harm is there in humouring her, she is only 2 1/2.

Indeed!

Putting off posting

I have been putting off posting. I have been very conflicted lately about writing an update. We have been so busy that there is almost too much to report. And my inner thoughts have been a bit all over the map lately.

I think the anxiety of just waiting to hear from Edmonton about the surgery is starting to rear its ugly head. We've been pushing so hard to get somethings done at home here so we can bring Bronwyn home to a comfortable situation. Yet there is so much to do.

I for the most part don't think about the next step. I have a philosophy that I don't want to think about anything until I have to. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit it isn't in the back of my mind. When people ask me what plans we have for the summer I just say - well we can't really make any plans we are just waiting. Or if they don't know Bronwyn and her condition I just say - no, no plans.

I mean really it shouldn't be a hard question - Wes and I aren't planners any how. We talk wildly about doing things but never seem to get around to focusing on it. Once we get the work done on the house that we currently have going I want to take a break and just live for a while.

My heart has been saddened by events around me, many of which we have no direct contact but which give us great pause and concern.

I have delighted in watching my kids as well as others start the business of summer fun again. It really is lovely. Our neighbors little guy Isaac was watering in his back yard again - just thrilled to be out and free to move and explore - what a gift and what a joy to watch.

If you asked me what my feelings are I'm not sure I'd be able to answer. I know tired isn't a feeling and yet that is the predominant state for me. It is getting better though. I'm not bizarre tired like I was a month ago. Just good old fashioned worn out now.

Don't get me wrong my life if filled with joys. I am so thankful for what we have and for our blessings.

Right now we are in move forward and don't think about anything too much phase. I'll likely be there until Bronwyn is well in the clear.

So you see this is why I haven't been posting. Fluffy reports seem somehow empty and deep thoughts to hard to corral.

I do have some lovely pictures on my camera - when I get a chance I'll post some.

Indoor weather

We are trapped in doors today. For the third day in a row. It has been miserable rainy and cold. So we are all inside. In fact, Gavin didn't go to preschool today. I kept him home. Bronwyn is sick. Not too sure what is wrong with her. Just keeping an eye on her. So we are at home!

Wes has been instructed that he is to come home and wrestle with Gavin or take him out or do something to burn off some of his energy! His life depends on it!

Mari is kind of fussy today too. She isn't taking naps well and I just can't hold her all day - this appears to be upsetting to her. Poor little tyrant. Mari is also very close to crawling. She gets on her knees and rocks back and forth and then lies down. She just has to figure out how to get one forward at a time and she'll be crawling. I'm not sure I'll notice as she is a very fast creeper and gets around pretty darn quick already.

I am hoping tomorrow is a sunnier day. I think we'll go see the grandparents - a bit of a break!

The real mother's day

Yesterday was my real mother's day. The actual mother's day was a bit of a bust for me. A nice day - but not exactly a special I feel pampered day. I basically chased the kids at Mom and Dad's while Wes, Jon and Dad watched hockey. So you know...

Saturday Wes worked. But yesterday was lovely. We have had a really low key weekend. After church we went for Chinese and then kids slept and when they woke up I took them to the neighbor's to play while Wes fixed the kitchen sink. We then ordered pizza and had a great visit with some really great friends. We are so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors!

Today Wes worked but came home early. The Mackenzie's came for supper and again we had a lovely visit.

This felt like mother's day - so I'm happy!

We've also been enjoying playing in the basement. The lights aren't all in and the plug ins aren't covered and their are lots of touch ups to do on the paint and the baseboards need to be put on - but wow its nice to have the extra space. Wes has done a really fabulous job - I am very proud of him.

Dancing queen

I asked Bronwyn after Gavin's first soccer outing if she would also like to take soccer. She responded that she wanted to take "princess class." So I offered that in lieu of princess classes maybe she could take ballet when she turns three. As inviting as classes that would actually teach her how to be more of a princess are - gulp gulp - I think dance may be more productive.

She is sooooo excited. She practices her ballet around the house. The other day at Grandma's Gavin was singing while drumming on every plastic container Mom owns. They were both singing - I have a cute video of that too. (They are in their pjs cause I always put them in pjs before we leave - they don't dress like that all the time).

Gavin started singing a song for her to dance too. Not exactly sure what language it is but who wants to quibble over details.

I missed the really cute part of the dancing because my memory card was full so I had to go through and delete some things so I could take a bit of video. It ran out before the grand finish.

What talented kids I have eh?

Life continues

We are continuing on here same old same old. Tonight we decided to go to IKEA. Because dragging tired, hungry kids who need a bath out instead seemed a great plan. Seems unfair that we make these decisions regardless of how they are doing and then get upset when they behave badly. Really not fair for them.

We are making progress in the basement. The next job is getting the office (general junk room) cleaned up so we can turn that into a little room for Mari. Then I can put her in her crib and just let her cry and cry and cry - oh I am so heartless! She has bullied me long enough her time is soon up! Tough talk I know. The reality will likely be far more wimpy.

I got the kids little shirts for mother's day. Gavin's says - Mom's #1 fan, Bronwyn's says - Mommy's Canadian Princess, and Mari's says - I love my Mom. Gotta toot your own horn in this world.

Well - I need to take my tired self to bed. I'm too tired to even do my cross sums. Pretty darn exhausted.

Mother's day thoughts

Wes told me once that he thought that having children was the best decision that he (and I together) ever made. It was simply put - but he is right. These three wonderful little humans are our joy.

I love being their mom. I know they know that I love them and their response to that love is pure. I trust that God will protect them and I have to let them live life. I rely that one day they will realize that I am not perfect and for now will just forget my failings.

I write this knowing that I am not the only mother who feels these things.

I am so encourage by all the wonderful examples of motherhood that I see daily. I'd like to give a big cheer for Moms everywhere! Thanks for the light that you are in my world.

Sweet little boy

Today at Gavin's preschool they had the mom's come early so they could have a little Mother's day party. They sat us down on their little chairs (some say "have a seat", I say "half a cheek"), brought us cake and juice. They then had a couple songs to sing for us and then gave us a calendar they have been working on since mid April.

Gavin was beaming. He kept watching me while he was singing and he had the biggest silliest grin on his face. It was SOOO sweet. Obviously the other mothers felt the same way. Several were wiping tears from their faces by the end of the second song (not me I was raised to be unemotional and callous).

There isn't much that would make this Mother's day nicer at this point.

Ahhh, my little boy - I just can't believe it! He's growing up.

We laughed

Bronwyn often tells me stories that end with - "and we laugh and laugh."

Today Grandma Joan came to visit and brought the kids their Christmas presents (I know I know). Anyhow, Gavin opened his and wanted to open Mari's but Joan wanted him to wait until Bronwyn got up from her nap for that. So he went and dug out a colouring book of Bronwyn's. It has a princess on the front and has been buried under stuff for quite a long time.

He gave it to Joan and told her that she could give Bronwyn that. I found that very fun and was teasing Joan that next year at Christmas I'd come to her house and check out her house, find something I like and then "give" it to her. And we laugh and laugh!

Anyhow, then Bronwyn got up and Gavin showed her the colouring book while she opened the other gifts. She walked around hugging the colouring book and thanking Joan for it over and over. Joan insisted she was happy to take credit for the gift. Again - we laugh and laugh.

I also find myself laughing a lot over Gavin's interpretation of a Home Hardware commercial. They have a little jingle - Home owners, helping home owners. The other night in the van he was singing that little song like so - Home homers help me home homers. So help me I can't get that out of my head. Ahhh - so cute.

Any way - I have to go to sleep.

Weekend fun

We were camping at Mom and Dad's this weekend while Wes sanded the floors in the basement - we are getting closer - hurray. It was such a nice stay, a great break from reality for me. I still have a great amount of sympathy for the generation that doesn't want to leave home - why would we!!

We are home tonight and everything is covered in dust - EVERYTHING! Oh well, I didn't have enough work to do - so this is actually a good thing.

Wes has done an amazing job so far - I have such a talented and smart husband.

Speaking of smart and talented, on Thursday and Saturday night Mari slept for at least 6 hours - pushing 7. Crazy great eh? My Doctor suggested starting her on protein early to see if it would help her sleep better - something to do with her iron levels. Well, both of those nights she had pureed ground beef and carrot. She had it again tonight and if she sleeps that well tonight that may be all she ever gets to eat!

The little picture of Bronwyn was taken at Mom's. She is wearing a little outfit that Mom and Dad were given when I was a baby. It is from India. Oh, and she doesn't have rabies, Mom lets Bronwyn have her Tums.

I am off to bed, hopefully it will be a longish sleep.