I literally turned around and was totally SHOCKED that this was happening before my very eyes!
It's amazing how motivated kids can be when they are after something they are not supposed to have! (Silly mommy for putting the plant spray on the 4th step thinking it wouldn't be touched.) She's attempted to get her leg up on ONE stair before, but never succeeded like this!
And then she looks at me like, "what? I'm doing stairs now. No bigs."
She's 11 months old today. and I knew this day would come. A small part of me wishes I could slow time...
Hayden has been working VERY hard at skating lessons. This is only the 3rd time he's been on skates so we are very proud!
Hayden loved pushing the cones around and it was great motivation for him to skate all on his own.
He stood all by himself without holding anything!
At Hayden's age, I think it's hard to tell what his talents are going to be. Maybe he'll never play hockey like Daddy. Maybe he'll play soccer. Or be a dancer. All that matters to us is that he doesn't give up. All we ask is that he keeps trying. Brushes himself off, and tries again.
He is as proud of himself as we are of him. And that's all that matters.
1.. Wow! WE BOOKED A TRIP TO MEXICO!! Woot!! Even though we have been talking about it for months, it all came down to this morning. Ralph called me with news of an UNBELIEVABLE deal, and before I knew what was happening, we were booked! We are going from March 12- 19th!!! The coolest part? We are going back to the spot where Ralph and I Honeymooned. Away we go, almost six years later, with our two beautiful children in tow! (Plus, Oma & Opa are coming too!) I can't wait!
2.. I think this sentiment will be shared by every mom on the planet......IVE REALLY HAD IT WITH COLD & FLU SEASON!!!
3.. The kids Tupperware "situation" needed revamping. I saw this idea in Parents magazine and thought it was cool......
I converted one of my big pot drawers into a kiddie drawer. Hayden can help get his own cups, and if things fall over, they don't get lost in the abyss of my deep cupboards. I have removed the straws since this photo was taken, as Olivia found those in a big hurry!
4.. Maybe the drawer conversion wasn't the greatest plan......
Actually, who am I kidding?! It keeps her busy for a few minutes. And happy. And quiet :)
5.. The basement is virtually finished! Ralph has been busting his butt, Ryan the carpet guy was here on Friday/Saturday and voila......
Ralph reminds me that there are still finishing touches to be made. The baseboards and the window trim have to be completed. We need storage bins for the toys, kid-friendly furniture (we're on the hunt for bean bag chairs that aren't a gazillion dollars) and some colorful stickers for the walls. And we ll know that's MY favorite part of renos.......redecorating!
6.. I'm having WAY TOO MUCH FUN moving all of the kids toys to the basement. The place where I don't have to clean up or look at mess. During the basement construction there were toys and stuff everywhere and the kids rooms were full. Now, bedrooms are for sleeping. And Hayden's time outs :)
7.. We need to buy a toilet, shower and floor tiles before the end of the month.....sigh. More $.
8.. I am desperately trying to finish Olivia's birthday invitations. Cupcake theme. They are super cute. **Sidenote** If anyone sees any cupcakey-themed items in their travels.....please let me know. I found plates and napkins. Need to find cupcake balloons. My husband thinks I have gone ever so slightly into the crazy category. He may be a little bit right :)
9..On that note.....Olivia is going to be ONE?@#!
10. Last Sunday was my last mini shift at work. My maternity leave benefits are done on the 30th of January. I have decided to continue working at Shoppers, but ONLY on Sundays with a shift from 8-4:30. I can live with that. Plus, I can keep my discount :) for makeup that I buy for freelance BLINK work andkeep up to date with makeup trends (and adult conversation!)
11. I just realized that I need to be bikini ready in 45 days. Oh God. I'm in SERIOUS trouble. I missed fitness class last night because I'm sick. And, Ralph went to Costco and bought Sweet Maui Onion chippies, Beef Jerkey and giant delicious super high fat muffins. I'm SO screwed. Don't expect to see ANY photos of me in a bathing suit.....
We spent some time in the backyard today because it was so beautiful outside. The snow was too packed for snowmen, but Hayden still enjoyed "shoveling!"
and sliding off his slide into the snow.
Olivia needed to try her new splash pants to make sure she they kept her dry. She wasn't overly impressed by the white stuff. Every time her hand touched the snow, she shivered and started to cry.
1.. This melty snow is great for snowmen. My neighbor has a very stylish snowman that looks like he was made with a kit. Wonder where she got it from??
2.. How do moms actually work from home?? I can't even send an email without one kid hanging off my leg and the other demanding my attention in the other room. Maybe I need "office hours?"
3.. I need to get Hayden into a different preschool next year. I'm not happy with where he is going and I don't think he is being challenged enough. I know he is only three but he is a smart kid and I don't want him to be bored. I think some of his rebellious behaviors are a result of boredom. Montessori in Kensington where he goes 4 days a week? Joso's in Creekside where Olivia can play too? Aarrgghhhhhh!!! And I need to decide by the end of January.
4.. Swimming lessons started on Saturday. Olivia is in the Starfish group and Hayden is a Salamander.....and they are at opposite ends of the pool AT THE SAME TIME!! Brilliant.
5.. February 1st marks the beginning of BLINK BEAUTY BASICS....my home party seminars! You will learn to put on makeup with NO PRESSURE to buy ANYTHING! I'll post the details once I have the flyer ready. Then you all have to host a party :)
6.. Random photos of......en mooi meisje en haar grote broer (a pretty girl and her big brother!)
7.. My fitness class is kicking my ass on Monday nights. I need to do more sit ups at home. Or go for jogs. But when the hell am I going to accomplish those feats? Get up at 5am? Or maybe the answer is simpler than that. Just STOP eating junk when I get home?@#!
8.. I LOVE Kijiji. I just sold Olivia's generic bedding and am poised to redo her room more girly. Her room will be ivory with different shades of purple. No surprise there! I can feel Ralph cringing somewhere......must...finish...the...basement...first. Sigh.
9.. Anyone else heard of Amish Frienship Bread? I'm "growing" a batch (of what is supposed to be deliciousness) in my panrty right now!
10. Skating lessons started tonight for Hayden. (Brody is going too.) How do you convince a child to stand up on skates when he's never been on the ice before?? He spent most of the time on his bum. It is going to be very interesting.....and a wee bit frustrating for a father that plays hockey.
In my Holiday marathon blog post, I forgot to include my favorite photo of Olivia in her pretty party dress.....
We had ditched her uncomfortable tights and shoes by the end of the evening, and the bow was pulled out of her hair, but she was quite happy to be barefoot and comfy :)
1.. On December 20th, Harm & Eva arrived from Holland to celebrate the holidays with their Canadian family. They don't really "do" Christmas the same way we do, so we wanted to make sure they did it up right......complete with Egg Nog and stockings filled by Santa Claus!
2.. We had company on Christmas Eve to share some holiday "cheer." Mommy had a lot of holiday "cheer" and had a super fun time :) We want to do the same next year but give people more notice so that they are able to join us. Growing up, Christmas Eve was always a party at our house!!
3.. Christmas morning was an early one......
Olivia worked at her own pace:
Hayden was SUPER excited about this gift!!
Santa Eva!
The newest Flames fan:
The kids had some quality time to play with their toys before we had to get cleaned up to go to Scott & Tessa's.
The ever popular photos in front of the tree:
4.. Our second Christmas started at Tessa & Scott's around 4pm. We let the kids open all of their presents first so that they could play while we opened our gifts to each other!
Aren't Ralph & Sienna pretty!!
the Christmas keg!
Mams & her boys....
So, after a VERY busy day, it was time to get the kids in their jammies! (Their new matching ones from Oma & Opa!) 5.. We decided to brave the masses and go to Market Mall on Boxing Day. We had fun! Got some good deals, and had fun people watching. Until we got home.......and realized I left a bag with 2 pairs of jeans and a sweater in it at the mall!!!!! I was VERY lucky, and now believe there are still good people in the world, because someone turned it in to Lost and Found!! Whew.
6.. On that note....I LOVE my new American Eagle jeans!! How have I not bought jeans there before??
7.. On New Years Eve, Ralph took Harm to the Flames game......his first ice hockey experience! We partied at Tessa & Scott's Monte Carlo night until 11:45 when Olivia decided to wake up and ring in the New Year with us!!
8.. On New Years Day we were all together again! We had a delicious dinner, and took the opportunity for a big family photo!!
9.. We went tobogganing, for the first time in many years, and we had a blast!! Harm & Eva had NEVER done this crazy Winter activity before, so there were lots of laughs. It was a chilly afternoon, but nothing a hot coffee couldn't fix!
10. Ralph's 33rd Birthday rounded out our holiday. Just a quiet evening of drinks and cake with a few family and friends. I think it's all we had energy for after such a busy holiday!!
Wow.....this post only took me 3 weeks to complete! My New Years resolution is that I will try really hard to post more photos. More often :)
It's amazing how motivated kids can be
And then she looks at me like, "what?
