If I wrote everything I want to for the past three weeks, I'd be here all day. As I don't have the time I will try to hit as many highlights as I can. I may have to break it up into two posts.
August 13 we had William's 5th and Robert's 3rd birthday parties combined. The theme was star Wars. It was amazing. We had more then 50 people which was stretching the capacity of my house a bit, but the love that abounded more than made up for the lack of space. We even had a full size R2D2 balloon and a Darth Vader pinata, both of which were a big hit. The boys got so many wonderful toys, including superhero items, star wars items, legos, a bike (Robert), ice skates (William), battling robots, remote control cars and so much more. We have been opening them slowly since we got back from Dallas so the newness will last as long as possible! My heart was so full that day. I tear up thinking about how wonderful it was. One of the highlights was singing to the boys in front of their amazing two tier star wars cake with light up Millennium Falcon. Their faces were priceless. We have left up the decorations so that Robert can enjoy them on his actual birthday, so I feel like I've gotten my money's worth out of them. Win win!
That Sunday evening we had William's "Big Kid Celebration" where the celebrate all of the kids graduating from the preschool into the Children's ministry at church. They had it set up so cute and each kid got to say their name and where they are going to school next year. William said he will be homeschooled and took his little goodie bag with great interest. I cried happy tears and tried to soak in the moment. He's getting so big so fast!!!
Monday we left for Dallas in order to catch our extremely early flight Tuesday morning to Montreal. Tuesday morning at 3 am, we (Francis, his dad, the kids and I) piled into the van and headed to the airport. We had plenty of time to get to our plane and even played a little Pokemon Go while we waited. All in all our trip there was uneventful. We even got to skip the extra long customs line and go through a shorter one because we had small children with us. We made it to St Lazare before dinner and were welcomed by Nana Phillips (Francis's grandmother), Aunt Melo, Uncle Vic, Uncle Jim, cousin Sarah and her husband Jeremy and Cousin Matthew and his wife Laura. Cyndy and Abby joined us shortly having had a bigger adventure at the airport than us and we all had an enjoyble evening eating, laughing and catching up. The kids all loved the house and especially the Foosball, air hockey and ping pong tables in the basement. They wanted to play there whenever possible.
Wednesday after a good breakfast with Nana Phillips, Cyndy, Francis, his dad, the kids and I all headed to Ottawa. We visited the Air and Space Museum there. It was so cool to see all the old planes and the boys could not get enough information about space. the kids all got to participate in the "space program" there. They dressed up in space suits and "traveled" to a distant planet, were they camped out in tents, planted and "ate" food, encountered and collected aliens and conducted experiments in an amazing self contained unit. They had a blast! We also got to have a Star Trek experience. We got to try out each position in star trek and even complete the Kubiashi Maru (sp?). I failed miserable and wastold I'd make a great communications officer. I was not shocked. William liked beaming himself up and Robert like shooting the targets. Hannah loved being able to run around and touch everything. Fun was had by all. By this time it was getting late in the afternoon, so after a poutine snack break, we headed to the hotel in Ottawa. We planned on taking a short nap, but all fell asleep until 6:30 pm. This ended up being a good thing. We got up, had dinner at St. Huberts and then rushed to Parliament Hill to see the light show they were putting on. Were it not for the delay due to a fireworks show nearby, we wouldn't have made it on time, but we walked up just as it started. It was truly amazing! It would give Disney a run for it's money and was educational to boot. Cyndy and Abby got up really close and said the view was even more impressive. Such a fun night!
Thursday we headed back to Parliament Hill and again made it just in time to see the changing of the guards. Francis's father did this in his youth and his pleasure at all of us experience it was palpable, making the whole scene extra memorable. We got a picture with one of the guards afterward and the kids thought that was pretty cool too. We all then drove over to Mt. Tremblant for the afternoon after a Tim Horton's donut snack. Because out rental was a van and the kids were loving cousin time, all four kids were in our car (with Cyndy and her dad in the other car) the whole trip. They were so good! The whole trip the kids were amazing in fact. They made the trip more enjoyable for their great attitude and fortitude. On the mountain everyone but Hannah and me went luge-ing down. We all rode the gondola up to the top and looked out at the view. The kids couldn't wrap their mind around how high they were, but the lake below had shrunk considerably. We had dinner half way down the mountain and had "beaver tail" (a sweet dessert) before going back to St. Lazare.
I guess that's it for now. Kiddos need me!
Stay tuned for part two soon.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Thursday, August 11, 2016
August 11, 2016
I have a 5 year old! There I said it. It still doesn't seem real. 5 years ago today I became a mom for the first time. I'd been in the hospital 3 days in labor, but it was all worth it when they handed me him. My sweet William. Happy birthday, buddy! He is articulate, doing first grade math, nearly a month into kindergarten, is reading many words, and has enough questions to fill a library of books. He's tall and strong and loves most everything. I love him so much!
This week has been busy. I've been cleaning the house and packing for Canada in addition to everything else going on. Tuesday we went to Toys R' Us for William to get his birthday balloon, crown and announcement at the store. He then used his R Us dollars to buy a small toy. Robert brought along some money for himself and picked out a small Batman car. Fun was had by all, but I was pooped by the end. My boys take their time when making decisions! Hannah didn't care. She walked up and down ever aisle grabbing, picking up and carrying everything in sight.
Wednesday we went to the Children's Museum. It was fun and Hannah even tried to help a little boy older than her learn how to walk. It's getting harder and harder to keep track of all three kids, so I'm glad that I can generally keep all three kids in sight while there.
Today the birthday boy chose Chuck E Cheese for the morning's activity. Google was wrong about the time they opened, so we ended up eating cookies in the mall until they actually opened. It only cost me $10 for an hour and a half of fun, and the kids got 450 tickets. They used it to get 16 mini snakes and a plastic hopping frog. So...my house is now infested, lol. We will be going out for dinner tonight to Olive Garden, and then the boys' birthday party (they are having a combined party) is on Saturday. They are having a Star Wars party and we are expecting a fun crowd of people. We can hardly wait!
This week we have also been watching the Olympics. The kids were less than impressed with the opening ceremonies because they wanted to see people compete, but since then they can't get enough. William is learning a bunch of the countries' flags and will be a great announcer as he gives me everyone's places and scores as they come up on the screen. He's even learned some of the athletes names and gets excited when they come on the screen. Robert loves trying to replicate what is going on (especially the gymnastics) and yells "go USA" and "we won" pretty consistently. He gets really excited when we actually win. It's super cute. Hannah is just happy everyone else is happy and joins in the fray whenever she can. I'm happy to be passing on my love of the Olympics to the next generation.
That's all for now.
This week has been busy. I've been cleaning the house and packing for Canada in addition to everything else going on. Tuesday we went to Toys R' Us for William to get his birthday balloon, crown and announcement at the store. He then used his R Us dollars to buy a small toy. Robert brought along some money for himself and picked out a small Batman car. Fun was had by all, but I was pooped by the end. My boys take their time when making decisions! Hannah didn't care. She walked up and down ever aisle grabbing, picking up and carrying everything in sight.
Wednesday we went to the Children's Museum. It was fun and Hannah even tried to help a little boy older than her learn how to walk. It's getting harder and harder to keep track of all three kids, so I'm glad that I can generally keep all three kids in sight while there.
Today the birthday boy chose Chuck E Cheese for the morning's activity. Google was wrong about the time they opened, so we ended up eating cookies in the mall until they actually opened. It only cost me $10 for an hour and a half of fun, and the kids got 450 tickets. They used it to get 16 mini snakes and a plastic hopping frog. So...my house is now infested, lol. We will be going out for dinner tonight to Olive Garden, and then the boys' birthday party (they are having a combined party) is on Saturday. They are having a Star Wars party and we are expecting a fun crowd of people. We can hardly wait!
This week we have also been watching the Olympics. The kids were less than impressed with the opening ceremonies because they wanted to see people compete, but since then they can't get enough. William is learning a bunch of the countries' flags and will be a great announcer as he gives me everyone's places and scores as they come up on the screen. He's even learned some of the athletes names and gets excited when they come on the screen. Robert loves trying to replicate what is going on (especially the gymnastics) and yells "go USA" and "we won" pretty consistently. He gets really excited when we actually win. It's super cute. Hannah is just happy everyone else is happy and joins in the fray whenever she can. I'm happy to be passing on my love of the Olympics to the next generation.
That's all for now.
Friday, August 5, 2016
August 5, 2016
The Batman dynasty has ended it's unchallenged reign. Thanks to an influx of cute clothing from Nana as well as pulling out all of William's old 3T clothing, Robert has managed not to wear batman shirts 3 whole days this week. He still prefers batman (even batman socks, shoes and underwear if he can swing it), but he has softened a bit and chosen other things to wear. To say I'm relived is an understatement. I like that he wants to wear Batman, but I don't miss the meltdowns that were occuring once he had worn all of his Batman clothes. It's the beginning of a new era.
It's been a busy week. Last Saturday after running morning errands, Francis, the kids and I decided to check out a local public pool called Adamson Lagoon. They have a large pool with lily pads you can jump across, a few slides and a kid area with a shallow pool. It was so fun! Even when applying sunscreen more than once, we all got burned. But the kids had too much fun to care. Robert would not go down one of the slides, so I sent him down kicking and screaming. After a big show at the bottom of what a horrible mom I am, he was begging to go on it again less than 5 minutes later. He went on it non-stop for the next hour. Go figure. At the end of the day I said to Francis, "I'm glad we got our money's worth, because it will be a while before we get to come back." God must have laughed right then and there.
At church the next day in the bulletin was an announcement that that evening the church was hosting a free event at Adamson Lagoon. Sooo... since the kids all took a nap, we went! It was later than we were normally out, but it was so fun and I'm glad we went. The kids sure love the water!
Monday was grocer shopping day. We are still doing school in the afternoons and some days run more smoothly than others. Tuesday we went to the Library for a "Dough Show" sponsored by dominoes. I thought it would be an educational event, and it was at first. The lady talked about the ingredients in dough and how they prepare it, then she started kneading the dough in front of her and tossing it. Without much warning she smiled and said, "oops!" and tossed it into the audiesce. The next 30 minutes consisted of her and others tossing pizza dough into the audience for the kids to play with. Then they took volunteers and let them try their hand at pizza throwing. William was chosen and at the end he threw his dough to Robert. Both were very pleased. Hannah wandered all over, but had a great time also. At the end, everyone was served fresh pizza. It was very good. Overall a successful day! Tuesday was also Francis and my 8th anniversary. To say we are not gift givers (as in it is not our love language) is putting it mildly, BUT Francis actually got me a gift before our anniversary for the first time ever. I got him a gift too, in fact. We might be getting better at this anniversary thing. I got a new carpet cleaner! Yeah, we needed it. We did get each other cards and we went out with the kids to Paolo's for an Italian dinner. 8 years have gone so fast, and I am so thankful for the man that I get to call my husband. I love you, Francis!
Wednesday and Thursday I let each of the boys choose what to do as this is our "off" week. Wednesday Robert chose to "stay home" except for going to the library to check out new books. It was a nice quiet, relazing day. William on the other hand chose the Children's museum. Shortly after we arrived, William says, "Mommy, I think that's a huge baseball." I turn around and sure enough there is "Kaboom" the Brazon Valley Bombers Baseball team mascot along with two of the team players. They hosted story time and both the boys were so excited to have the players read to them, get their autographs and take a picture with Kaboom. Kaboom stuck around to play with the kids and William and Robert enjoyed a game of tag with him. Super cute! Just as we were about to leave, they make an announcement that their are snakes and lizards in the red room if anyone wants to hold them. The boys and Hannah go running and spent the next hour holding and petting all sorts of snakes and lizards. Hannah was more interested in watching, but the boys held everything they could.
Thursday afternoon Francis came home to watch the kids so I could go to two doctor's appointments in peace. It was nice to have an afternoon that was quiet, and to make some progress on what's been going on with me lately. Thank you Francis. You are a keeper!
Today we went out a splash pad with the Jones girls and their mom Robin. Now that Hannah is walking more, I was able to stand in the shade and not follow her around constantly. That was nice.
That's all for now!
It's been a busy week. Last Saturday after running morning errands, Francis, the kids and I decided to check out a local public pool called Adamson Lagoon. They have a large pool with lily pads you can jump across, a few slides and a kid area with a shallow pool. It was so fun! Even when applying sunscreen more than once, we all got burned. But the kids had too much fun to care. Robert would not go down one of the slides, so I sent him down kicking and screaming. After a big show at the bottom of what a horrible mom I am, he was begging to go on it again less than 5 minutes later. He went on it non-stop for the next hour. Go figure. At the end of the day I said to Francis, "I'm glad we got our money's worth, because it will be a while before we get to come back." God must have laughed right then and there.
At church the next day in the bulletin was an announcement that that evening the church was hosting a free event at Adamson Lagoon. Sooo... since the kids all took a nap, we went! It was later than we were normally out, but it was so fun and I'm glad we went. The kids sure love the water!
Monday was grocer shopping day. We are still doing school in the afternoons and some days run more smoothly than others. Tuesday we went to the Library for a "Dough Show" sponsored by dominoes. I thought it would be an educational event, and it was at first. The lady talked about the ingredients in dough and how they prepare it, then she started kneading the dough in front of her and tossing it. Without much warning she smiled and said, "oops!" and tossed it into the audiesce. The next 30 minutes consisted of her and others tossing pizza dough into the audience for the kids to play with. Then they took volunteers and let them try their hand at pizza throwing. William was chosen and at the end he threw his dough to Robert. Both were very pleased. Hannah wandered all over, but had a great time also. At the end, everyone was served fresh pizza. It was very good. Overall a successful day! Tuesday was also Francis and my 8th anniversary. To say we are not gift givers (as in it is not our love language) is putting it mildly, BUT Francis actually got me a gift before our anniversary for the first time ever. I got him a gift too, in fact. We might be getting better at this anniversary thing. I got a new carpet cleaner! Yeah, we needed it. We did get each other cards and we went out with the kids to Paolo's for an Italian dinner. 8 years have gone so fast, and I am so thankful for the man that I get to call my husband. I love you, Francis!
Wednesday and Thursday I let each of the boys choose what to do as this is our "off" week. Wednesday Robert chose to "stay home" except for going to the library to check out new books. It was a nice quiet, relazing day. William on the other hand chose the Children's museum. Shortly after we arrived, William says, "Mommy, I think that's a huge baseball." I turn around and sure enough there is "Kaboom" the Brazon Valley Bombers Baseball team mascot along with two of the team players. They hosted story time and both the boys were so excited to have the players read to them, get their autographs and take a picture with Kaboom. Kaboom stuck around to play with the kids and William and Robert enjoyed a game of tag with him. Super cute! Just as we were about to leave, they make an announcement that their are snakes and lizards in the red room if anyone wants to hold them. The boys and Hannah go running and spent the next hour holding and petting all sorts of snakes and lizards. Hannah was more interested in watching, but the boys held everything they could.
Thursday afternoon Francis came home to watch the kids so I could go to two doctor's appointments in peace. It was nice to have an afternoon that was quiet, and to make some progress on what's been going on with me lately. Thank you Francis. You are a keeper!
Today we went out a splash pad with the Jones girls and their mom Robin. Now that Hannah is walking more, I was able to stand in the shade and not follow her around constantly. That was nice.
That's all for now!
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