Saturday, July 30, 2016

I don't want to miss this...

It is so fun when only one child is awake because you get to see them in an entirely new light that you seem to miss with the chaos of other children running around.  I was able to have Adaya as my only child awake this morning.  She is such a fun bubbly child and does the funniest things.  One thing Dayday seems to love and never tires of is music.  She either asks to have the radio going or the tv to watch her shows.  Today after she helped me with laundry she pointed to the tv and said "BOP!"  which is for Doodlebops.  When I didn't answer right away she pointed to the tv and started to twirl and dance around in circles.    I asked her if she wanted the elephant show instead and she swung her arm like a nose and said bbbrrr!!  She then ran over to the couch so delighted to listen to her music!

Adaya is obsessed with blowing her nose and will pull out a new kleenex for each new blow.  She will then look at the kleenex and respond "ewww....boooodies!!!" Dayday is also self potty training herself.  She will point to her diaper and say "pee pee" then run off to the potty.  Most of the times she will go pooh on the potty then.  Sometimes she will pee!  She amazes me everyday!

Friday, July 29, 2016

Gross Man!!

I don't know how or why but kids say the funniest things! Yesterday when we were taking a walk to driver our library books back to the library we saw a guy walking without his shirt on.  And for some reason, which I am definitely not complaining about, Jessa thinks it is gross! So when we saw the guy waking I was hesitating because usually little missy will say eww!!!( As she points at the person) why doesn't hat boy have clothes on?!

But today since it seems to happen often with the weather being nice, she simply said in the most disgusted voice as if I had just asked her to touch pooh... She looks at him and says Gross man! Put on a shirt!! 😂😂😂 I know I shouldn't encourage sassy disrespectful behaviour but out of the mouths of babes is the funniest thing ever!  

Geocaching, Secret Gardens and Pools

Today I woke up with a desire to do something different with the girls.  I considered going on a hike but with not very sturdy double strollers I kaboshed that idea, and thought some more.  Then I thought of the dear world of geocaching.   What in the world is geocaching you ask! Well it is like a treasure hunt! You use gps coordinates to find a certain location! Once at the location you look for a container that contains a treasure!

So off we went on our pirate treasure hunt! We spent the morning looking for our first geocache to find it unfortunately empty but it was fun nevertheless! We left a dinosaur that we were there.  But on our travels we came across a beautiful garden that is tucked up just at the front of the park where we were at! The layout of it totally reminded me of the movie the secret garden and Jessa agreed that is what the name of the garden should be!  We tried to find the next geocache treasure there but just couldn't find it so we will go back another day and try to find out where exactly it is hidden!  

The girls enjoyed playing at the park for the rest of the morning and it turned out to be a fantastic day! On top of that J wanted to go to the Fort so we tagged along and checked out a wading pool that was there!  Jessa and Adaya loved the water but Adaya would get cold and then want to take the beach towel in the water with her! Children are so fun! I sure am glad I am a mom!

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Car Rides

Whenever we seem to drive somewhere as a family Annalina decides that is the time she always wants to eat!  So Jonathan told me that I needed to sit in the back with the girls.  Well at first I was a little perturbed that I had to crawl over everyone to get in the back but it has proven to be these moments where Heaven's windows open.  Jessa and I seem to have fun sending text messages to grandma and bumpa or taking selfies!  I will let the pictures speak for themselves!

One time I had given Adaya a pen and paper to color because she gets antsy and found she was coloring on herself.  I sent the picture to my mom who commented Caught pen handed!!  I love these treasured moments of giggles and quiet laughter as I know it won't last forever! 

Monday, July 25, 2016

Jessa's first talk

My girls constantly amaze me!  I love them more than words can say!  Jessa gave her first talk on Sunday.  I was meaning to get a picture but with Jonathan holding baby Annalina and my phone getting lost in the van on the way into church we missed capturing that moment on film!

I had really been struggling to write Jessa's talk because nothing seemed quite right whenever I wrote it.  It just didn't sound right.  I said a prayer after I wrote about three talks that my mind would be open to what I should write for Jessa to say.  The primary hymn I Love to see the Temple popped into my head.

I love to see the temple.
I'm going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit,
To listen and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God,
A place of love and beauty.
I'll prepare myself while I am young;
This is my sacred duty.
I love to see the temple.
I'll go inside someday.
I'll cov'nant with my Father;
I'll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I've learned this truth:
A fam'ly is forever.
So I started to write the things down that we do in the temple or learn and came to find AGAIN my talk wasn't right!  So what was I missing?  I finally asked Jessa for her help and the words quickly came from the mouth of my little babe and this is how her first talk came to be written.  
 The temple is Heavenly Father's house.  I know that Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to live with Him again.  The temple helps us so that we can live with our families forever.  When we go to the temple we can feel God's love and learn about Him.  The temple is really pretty and I felt happy when my grandma took me for a picnic at the temple.  It makes me feel happy that I can go inside someday.  I love being able to learn about Jesus and Heavenly Father and feel the spirit.  In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.   

Jessa was the cutest when we got to church and as memebers of the ward gave their talks at the pulpit she kept asking is it my turn do I get to go to the tall one?  I reminded her, that her talk was for primary only.  She is a powerhouse that one.  I admire her courage and bravery!  How I love my little chica. 

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Treasures

Yesterday was a day I have been looking forward to for quite a while.  My friend Jenny and I were able to finally connect after months of both having schedules that wouldn't coincide.  Her visit left my heart feeling full and the girls were so happy to be able to play with the big girls.

Jenny is a friend I admire because she is full of talent, creativity and kindness.  Her house is absolutely gorgeous with the way she has decorated it and has such an air of being so homey and picture perfect out of a magazine at the same time! So after my visit with the greatest in the west, I decided to set off on my own decorating adventure and start to decorate the blank walls in our home.

I woke up Friday morning resolved to find some pieces that I could use within our home to make it my style and a place where others would comfortable to be.  I said a prayer that I would find some classic pieces that would fit within my price budget. 

The first piece came a lot sooner than expected as I took the girls to throw out the trash.  There sitting beside the garbage bin was a beautiful canvas word sign.  It obviously had been there a few days because of the dirt that covered it but I decided to take it home and clean it up.  It now sits on the entrance of our bedroom wall.

The next classic pieces I picked up were some sweet little ceramic birds that I put in the free bird cage I had got from a garage sale.  I have come to find that some of the greatest treasures can also be the cheapest.  The girls had fun looking at all the treasures they could find in each store.

However, when I walked into a store that just sold furniture and decorative pieces Jessa loudly commented with a huge sigh, "This store is BORING!"  I had to giggle because she is coming into herself more and more each day.  She constantly blows me away with her knowledge and sass but man do I love her for it.  So although we missed the K-days parade I was happy to find some pieces that would make our house a home!  

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Birthdays and Surprise Visits

This weekend took off with a bang and kept us running until just now!  It has been a weekend that has left my heart full and content.

Saturday was J's birthday so I decided to keep his birthday quiet and not make it a big deal but still make it special.  So I was ecstatic to find out that Slide the City would be near us for his birthday!  It was only $10 for a family so as soon as the girls were up I was getting them ready to go in swimsuits with their hair all dolled up and ready to go.  The girls woke J up with a Disney happy birthday song and then we took off running to get to Slide the City.  We got there and realized that it was going to be a fun packed day and also one where we would need to have patience as the lines for waiting were quite long.  The girls however were champs and took the sights all in as they waited!  The girls went down twice with J and then on our last time through I decided to brave it and go down; so we went as a family. At first I considered taking baby A with me but then decided against it when the sweet lady behind us offered to hold her so that we could go down together.  It was a little scary and not something I would do over and over again as the rest of our crew did!  I was more than happy to relish in their fun in watching them zip down the hill and capturing photos for great memories.

Sunday afternoon I got a text that my friend Melody and her family wanted to stop by that evening for a visit and so I was excited to have some precious time with her!  When she got here and we started talking I realized that it would be a longer visit than originally planned and they ended up staying the night.  However, Jess woke up at 4 in the morning and went looking for me.  I had been sleeping in the playroom with Annalina since we had come home from the hospital or with Dayday and so she went looking for me there  However, that is where our guests had been staying and so she woke up their 18 month old who refused to go back to sleep.  I got my girls back to sleep and at about 5 we went downstairs to visit.  Melody, Brennan and I.  We talked and talked and it was nice to fill my heart with her friendship and love.  They ended up staying for a late brunch and then leaving.

It was right after they left that I found out that we would be hosting some more guests as J's family had decided to surprise him and come for a visit.  We did a quick clean and pool set up so the kids could all play in the pool.  When they got here the kids were all quick to go in the pool.  It was Jordan's first time in the pool and he was delighted with a huge grin and giggles as he splashed around in the water.  His teeth were chattering the entire time and he was more than happy to be having so much fun.  It made me really grateful for my  background in early childhood and seeing the delight of a child not normally able to play so freely in water have that type of opportunity. I love that my girls play all day and leave my house in a disaster because I am learning that at the end of the day the memories made are more important than a house being clean all the time!  It reminds me of the quote "excuse the mess, my children are making memories"  Maybe I should make this sign as a reminder that messes are okay and definitely not the end of the world <3

Friday, July 15, 2016

We're cracked!

Lately I have been having a really rough time getting the girls to leave Annalina alone when she is sleeping! They are constantly loving on her too much! Honestly maybe the better way to say it is, they are going to love her to death.  I had tried time outs, redirection, spanking, yelling, pulling my hair out, going crazy literally.... With no change.  I was so frustrated and really at my wits end.  That the next step was going to be just cry all day long.  However, when a huge problem occurred yesterday and I called my mom to pray with me a thought came into my mind.  Teach them with eggs.

So this morning the girls and I talked about activities they do with Annalina.  I then had them drop their raw eggs into bowls.  Jessa's egg cracked and all the yolk ran out quickly.  Anaya's egg didn't crack so then she picked at it until it opened and all The egg white ran out.  We compared their eggs to Jessa's being the egg dying.  Adaya's egg had brain damage and we talked about this is how it is when they are being too rough with Annalina.

We then talked about the things babies need like milk,move, and sleep which was water and a pot.  We then let our baby sleep so she could grow.  We then did the same activities as we had done before but when we were able to take Annalina out of her she'll she was full and healed and wasn't cracked.  Jessa seemed to really get it.  So our code for when the girls are being too rough is EGG! Let's hope it works.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

The girls and I spent a fun and relaxing day at the farm.  For ththe longest time I had been humming and hahing about taking the girls there but when I finally told Jessa about going;she said this is going to be so fun!!!! Day day loves animals.  And then I thought to myself duh! She does love animals!

When we got there the girls were so excited that they spent s lot of the time just taking everything in. We walked over to the petting farm and Adaya, miss fearless, was mower than happy to stare at the animals and watch what they were doing.  Jessa likes to think things through. Both girls warmed quickly to little bunny Oreo and over the course of the afternoon they were brave enough to feed the goats and bunnies hay, and to chase after the chickens.  Since the farm ain't actually officially open for the public we didn't have to pay and when the tour groups left we had the farm to ourselves.  The girls played in the dirt piles and played on the various parks that are around.

I was so impressed with Jessa as she decided she wanted to play on the bouncy animals that in the course of her play she had lined up the animals by category and colour.  I asked her if she had done this on purpose or if she just lined them up... It as neat to see a glimpse into the way her mind works.

As a treat to end the day we went and got quick sips from the gas station. The back story?  I decided one day to treat the girls to a slurpee... Because I know they aren't good for you I bought a small one for us all to share.  The girls of course were bickering over whose turn it was to have a drink.... So I made it into a game of quick sips.  Each girl would have a quick sip turn and pass it around.  It quickly turned into a game of who could drink the most the fastest and the girls really enjoy having quick sips as a treat!

It was such a nice and relaxing afternoon that it made me grateful for Heavenly Father's creations.  Both the girls and I can't wait until we can go back and enjoy the quietness and sacred time to enjoy being on the farm.


Whee, Doh, and Amaluna baby

Today we finally went and did our taxes and we're pleased with the results.  So J suggested we go out to supper to Soda Jerks.  I love getting the taco salad there and it is fun to just have a family meal with the minis that I didn't have to cook!  The girls weren't too hungry for the popcorn they scored at the tax office so they ended up not eating much.  However, in J's attempts to get them to eat he promised them the park but then some nasty storm clouds rolled in that left us at home watching one of the movies we scored from our ice cream adventure the day before.  When the sky cleared I ended up taking the girls outside and playing with them on the swings.  I love the delighted giggles and sheer joy that shines on the girls faces as they enjoy the swing games we play!

Adaya's vocabulary is blossoming quickly and it is fun to hear her as she finally says "dohhh" when we get "ready, set" to push off and swing.  Day day has gotten it figured out and she will say whee for when she wants to swing and doh for when she wants topsy turnies....

When Jessa was a baby we lovingly named her a amaluna baby after we attended a performance by circus de solei because she loves to be a daredevil!  So I loved seeing her graceful amaluna moves as we layer on the swings tonight before we came in for bed.  These truly are the days I will always cherish.

We all scream for ice cream

I love that most of our summer days have either been spent in the backyard playing in the pool or going to the parks around town.  It seems like each time we have went there then Ross are constantly making new friends to play with for the day.  We have yet to run into any of the same friends that we have met before but here is hoping we can find some that we will be able to plan some play dates with.  Yesterday Jonathan tagged along as we went to the park and then asked if we wanted to go get some ice cream s he has been craving some more coconut ice cream that he didn't have to share!

The girls were more than excited to go get some ice cream and so I suggested we stop at the local ice cream parlour before heading back out to the Fort!  Man am I glad that I made that suggestion.  We stumbled on not only our ice cream but a Disney movie deal where we were able to buy some movies for the girls.  Two of the movies were Tinkerbell ones and I have to now admit that I really love those storylines!  I love being a mom and being able to imagine a world of magic and fun again.  Childhood simply is the best!

Monday, July 11, 2016

Bowling fun!

I so wish that summer wasn't flying by as quickly as it is! I can't believe how the precious hours of the day seem to go by so quick and that I am not getting all that I want to ever accomplished.  I feel like you either choose to be with your kidneys or have a clean house... Maybe at this age I just have to accept that it is one or the other!

On Saturday we went on a bowling date! It was fun to see the girls having so much fun and the excitement they had to be there!  We arrived about half an hour before the bowling depot opened and so we went spent the time wandering the streets of downtown Fort Saskatchewan! How fun it was to hold Hands all in a line and just pretend as if we were tourists and new to the town.  I hadn't been feeling so hot all day and so to go was joyous and a great treat then laying in bed at home.

Jonathan treated the girls to some supper at a donair place... That turned out to be really disgusting!  Haha and I feel bad now for trying to get the girls to have at least five bites before we would take them bowling.... Man they are obedient little girls! On the upside though the table we sat at was really cool and the girls loved lounging in chairs that had pillows they could lean on while they ate supper!

Bowling turned out to be a hoot we used the bowling ramp for the girls and at one point Adaya was beating all of us, it was so funny especially since she lost interest half way through the game and we had to literally bribe her to come push the ball.  She was more excited about pee pee (going pee on the potty).  She ended up chickening out when I did try to take her because the toilet was too big for her little fun!

After our game finished we took the girls to an ice cream shack where we got some cones.  The girls had cotton candy but Jessa fell in love with Jonathan's coconut cone and ended up getting his instead. All in all it was a great night and we would love to go again when day day is a bit older!

Saturday, July 9, 2016

It just won't close!

Have you ever just had one of those weeks where you are more than ready for it to be done??  Or are you more like me where you are so tired/ grumpy/ drained but wish there was some pause button so you could pause your life and come back when you are feeling more refreshed and ready to deal with the world!?

I love my girls they are fabulous!  They make me laugh and sometimes even cry because lets face it being a mom is SO hard but SO worth it!  Well by the end of this week I had had enough.  I just needed a breather and J was nice enough to take the older two so I could do groceries alone with ballerina baby!  I didn't realize how hard nightshifts are for an entire family because realistically it feels like you are a single parent until day offs come.  Oh glorious days off, they are welcomed by everyone and I am grateful for all the work J has been doing to make our house more homey!

So I wish I could say my grocery adventure went off without a hitch but it ended up that the lift-gate latch wouldn't close and I ended up being in the parking lot for an hour trying to figure it out!  I even tried to drive home and get J to fix it when I got there but it opened as soon as I pulled into reverse and then I had all these wonderful people honking at me to let me know!  After several failed attempts to shut it and pleas to Heavenly Father I was able to figure out how to close it again!

That was my day and the girls seemed to be quite happy having a day to spend with Ya-ya!  And for that I am grateful <3

To cheer up my glummies I chose to stop at a garage sale on the way home!  I was excited to find a box of musical instruments that the girls quickly dug into when they discovered it!  The girls broke into a dancing parade as they twirled and drummed around the house!  Oh how I am grateful for summer days and hidden treasures at garage sales!

Friday, July 8, 2016

Time to Giggle!

As summer hit this year it feels like life has really flew into the full swing of things... or wait maybe that isn't true it seems like ever since Annalina has graced us with her sweet presence I have been off and running.  The girls are growing quicker and quicker everyday and I am grateful for all that they teach me each day!! 

J decided that with another baby coming into our family that he needed to start basement renos so a few days after bringing little miss dolly home from the hospital he was into the full swing of things or trying to finish our basement for a nice playplace for the girls!  I am excited because it also means that it will double for our school room and I am excited to have another place to try my hand at creating and decorating! 

Jessa has been saying the funniest things lately and she is always such a ham without knowing it.  She tries really hard to make us laugh and I just wish she realized how funny she truly is with her quick wit and how on the ball she is with understanding the world around her.  J seems to have a knack of commenting constantly on the prices of things wherever we are that Jessa has picked up on.  One day as the girls were busy playing in the living room J and I were having a conversation about the basement and J stopped in mid sentence, "I have to..." and Jessa innocently piped in "pay!"  We both looked at each other and burst out laughing.  Well played little one well played! 

Adaya is such a hoot as she becomes more sure of herself and grows from baby into definite toddlerhood!  She constantly keeps us on our toes as she is into everything and really gives us tons of laughs and smiles.  She loves to have Jessa push her in her baby stroller and so you will see Jessa pushing Adaya in the dolly stroller as they go shopping and raid my cans that they put in their baskets and take into the living room to make me some special meal!  Adaya decided also about a week ago that she was going to try out this potty business.  So on her own we have successfully had a little girl poop on the potty twice!  I don't know how ready I am for this next big step for miss doodle doodle but I am thinking it is time to go dig out the potty for her to use on her own!

Annalina is growing quickly and loves to be held constantly.  It is so fun to have a baby in the house again and see how much she is loved by the little girls.  Jessa is constantly kissing and hugging her and telling her that she is just SOOO cute.  Whenever Jessa is loving on miss dolly too much I remind her to get out of the baby's face to which she responds, "but... BUT she is just SOOO cute, I just LOVE her!!!"  Adaya also loves babykins and will lay down and pat her tummy.  This is when I will place Annalina on Adaya's tummy and Dayday with giggle with glee.  If the baby starts to fuss she pats her and says, "pat pat!" 

These are the things that make me love being a mom! 

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Happy Birthday Canada!

The days leading up to Canada Day quickly brought tears to my eyes as I remembered that this year we would no longer be going to Drumheller for Canada Day.  Grandpa Bear passed away in February and so that meant that we wouldn't meet all the family down there and spend the day watching the parade, helping the little girls chase after candy that was being thrown, and then meet Grandpa at the legion afterwards.  It's still hard not to think about because I still miss Grandpa Bear every time I think of him. 

I was excited to hear then that our ward was being a part of the parade and was more than happy to join in on the fun!  The little girls were invited to ride on the float wearing their Canada Day colors and wave their flags representing a country their heritage had come from.  So it was a huge bummer when Dayday doodle came down with an AWFUL fever the night before.  It was touch and go all night as I fought to bring the fever down.  The morning rolled around and the fever had broken even though she wasn't her usual self I was playing it by ear and seeing if we would be able to make it to the parade afterall.  However, as I said a quick prayer to know if we should go poor Doodlebop became sick all over and that quickly told us that we definitely would NOT be going after all. 

I was a bit disappointed as I realized that this Canada day would pass with no sweet memories for the girls to cherish.  Dayday spent the day laying on the couch and sleeping so I checked with J if I could take Jessa to a neighboring town to celebrate with her.  We headed off to our party but it seemed strange for just the three of us girls to be going without little miss sunshine to be tagging along.  However, the time spent with Jessa alone nice to build that bond. 

Jessa indeed loves her sister and constantly keeps her in her mind.  When Jessa found out that she could get a flag and some other Canada day goodies she was quick to ask if we could grab some for Dayday too! It touches my heart to see Miss. princess love her sister so much and to think of her even when they are apart.  Jessa really does have a sweet part to her that I hope she never loses.  I also hope these girls are friends forever! 

Jessa enjoyed some bouncy castle fun, blow up basketball, Canada Day tatoos, and eating a Canada Day birthday Cake!

There was the sweetest boy at the basketball activity that when he realized just how short Jessa was in comparison to the game would hand her a basketball every turn.  What made him even better is he would make sure that he gave her a ball before he took a turn even if that meant he had to wait longer.  There is always good in the world, even if we forget there is!

Now you are probably wondering how miss. dayday faired in losing her Canada day but have no fear because we brought Canada Day to her!  She had a blast waving her flag and wearing her fire fighter hat!  She was excited to tote her "pitties" and wear her Canada Day flag tatoos to match Jessa. 

It was a great day being sick and all!