First day of Kindergarten

Wow! Gavin had his first day of Kindergarten today.

I expected a sea of Mom's holding back tears and unable to believe that their baby has gone from a babe in arms to Kindergarten! I guess that is sort of what I got, it translated into snap happy Moms and Dads with camera's just a blazing.

There were some tears - Gavin cried. I don't know why I expected anything different. He cried every single day of preschool. So really this is just more of the same. I guess I figured after what amounts to a two month pep talk and some other initiatives that he would have done better.

I was seriously crushed. I walked away from the school feeling defeated and sure that I would have a repeat of last year. It is demoralizing to take a kid to school and have them cry and scream every single time - really it stinks.

When I went to pick him up I realized his class was in the playground. I watched from a distance as he ran around and played like a little maniac. I felt so much better. Maybe he'll do better this year after all. He asked me as we walked away if he could go back there again. Good sign!

A little boy, Caleb attached himself to Gavin almost right away. It was pretty cute. I guess he decided that for now Gavin looked like as good a buddy as any.

Bronwyn doesn't like leaving Gavin. I brought her home for nap time. When she woke up the first thing she said was, "Lets go drop Ganna." Meaning lets pick him up (instead of drop off - that is where the drop comes in).

All in all a beautiful and nice day.

Oh, on another note. Mari stood on her own for a couple seconds last night. She managed to keep herself balanced and stand for just a brief moment. Clever girl!

Kid picts

I have been trying to get a photo of all three kids together. Just not having the luck I'd like - here are a couple - but I'll keep trying.

Happy 20th Anniversary...

Tom and Pam. Hope you have a great day. It just seems like yesterday - well sort of - well not really at all. At least Pam looks exactly the same.

Video for Jared, Josh and Kennedy

The little princess wanted to show Daddy how she could dance, while he was building the fort. Here is a little clip.

Fort weekend

We had a lovely week. A beach day with Norah and Reed - so fun. Visits with Grandma and Grandpa, play with Max and Isaac, just lots of summer fun. The weather was finally a bit nicer this week so we enjoyed more outdoor fun.

We had planned to go up Saturday for our church's family camp, but Gavin had other plans. He decided that he wanted Daddy to build a fort. And that was the only plan that anyone could entertain. So the fort construction started yesterday. Of course, Wes' plans are always a bit more complex than mine.

I am fondly calling it the guest house. Its not that bad really. Gavin and Bronwyn are just thrilled with the idea and Gavin has been enjoying trying to help Daddy. I am not sure Daddy has enjoyed the help as much, but why should he get off scott free!

Bronwyn and Mari have been playing together more - it is pretty cute.

Highlights of my week were definitely the killer Indian food my neighbor made and shared with me. Seeing my girls learn to play a bit together. Getting Gavin outfitted for kindergarten and watching my husband indulge his children's whims. Pretty great week overall.

And in case you are wondering - still no call from Edmonton. Just waiting.

Happy Birthday Bronwyn

Today was Bronwyn's third birthday. We had a little party for her this morning. It was a bit unusual for us. Jon represented my family very well (ahem), other than that it was close friends. Very nice time.

I really don't know what I am going to do with Bronwyn. Everyone knows she loves pink and princess stuff. After this morning it is going to be very difficult to convince her that she is not a princes. Wow!! Little princess dance dresses, a bath crown and wand, little make up kits, and princess purses and shoes, and the list just goes on.

She had a lovely magical day. I asked her before bedtime what part of the day she liked best. She told me that she liked the cake best. Awwwhhh - thanks honey!

Every now and again I like to go back and read our early entries of the blog. My girl is so many miles away from where she was at birth. I never dreamt at that time that she'd be this engaging, wonderful little girl. Boy I love her!

Gavin and Mari did wonderfully today too. We really are blessed.

I buckled

I cooked supper tonight. I was going to have Wes barbecue but I thought that he'd be home too late. So I made spaghetti instead.

I didn't think I could make it to your house in time for supper Eric. And Mr. Anonymous, ya I know who you are, with an attitude like that you just might not get invited over for supper again!

Ahhh, oh well. It was good while it lasted.

My finest accomplishment ever!

I have been sick this week. Only really sick for one day, but just draggy sick for the others. Yuck! No and I don't have H1N1.

I do have to report, however, on what I consider my finest accomplishment in my life to this point. Wait - no really - its big!

I have for one reason or another been able to avoid cooking dinner for two whole weeks. Yes. It is true and no my family hasn't lost a lot of weight.

Between camping (Mom and Dad did all the cooking), being exhausted and getting pizza, going to friends and family for dinner, having Wes barbecue, or having Wes deal with supper because I was too sick - well you get the picture. TWO WHOLE WEEKS.

Agghh - I have a feeling that my luck runs out tomorrow. Any offers for dinner??

Call if you have an opening. We have no plans Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

Let me know.

Happy 70th Birthday Dad

Wow my dad is 70! Hard to believe. My dad is, simply put - the best ever.

Love you lots Dad - happy birthday.

A few more picts before bed

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.