Saturday, December 3, 2011

Today

Today, instead of finishing the laundry, cleaning the bathroom, and the many other things I had on my list of things to do before I had to go to work, (which by the way, never seems to get smaller) I started a back tickle line with my kids and niece Bella. We all sat in a line and drew pictures on the person's back in front of us, then told each other what we drew, then we'd say "switch" and move around so we were drawing on someone else's back. It was the best half hour of my day! I had forgotten how fun it is to play with my children!

By the way, in case you were all wondering...Nate did very well going to Kindergarten his second day. He told me he wasn't going to cry this time, and he didn't. The third day went just as successfully. And now, while he's been going fine and there's been no tears, and he seems to be happy when I pick him up, he tells me every night that he doesn't want to go to school anymore. I'll ask him why and he'll come up with some silly reason like he doesn't like "role bear" (a puppet bear that Miss Pati uses sometimes), or that he doesn't like Mr. Nosy (yep, the one from the Mr. and Mrs. book collection! Remember those?). What a kid. Although, its nice to know that he love's being at home with his family and misses his Momma! well at least thats why I think he doesn't want to go to Kindergarten! Who would when you could spend the day drawing on each other's back's! Here's to hoping that one day he'll be as excited to go to school as I was when I was a kid!

School Pictures!

Its that time of year again. Why is it that when we think of school pictures, we think negatively. Maybe its that awful paint splattered background, or that you get one shot to get the perfect picture. Either way, your lucky if they turn out good. Well my friend Devon (whom you should all know by now cause she always take our pics) has a great deal on for doing school pictures. Go check out her blog @ devondurocher.com (click on her blog) for more details. Seriously, take advantage because its a steal of a deal and your child will be guaranteed a great picture, or maybe even two! Hope everyone is getting into a nice routine for the new school year!

First Day

The day I got married I was ready to be a Mom. We decided we would do nothing to prevent our first child from coming into our home, and four months later I was pregnant and so very excited! I don't know if any other pregnancy will be quite like the first one. everything so new and being experienced for the first time. I was thrilled to have a little boy and Nate seemed like the perfect name. That pure and perfect love that you have for that newborn is un-describable. Of course as time goes by that love changes. That once perfect little babe start's to talk back, starts to test your patience, and can frustrate you like no other. There are moments where you feel like you may not even like this little monster thats taken over your precious little angel. Do these feeling make you love your little child any less? I think they make you love them even more. You realize the potential that your child has and just yearn for them to be happy and successful, and you probably make it your life mission, to have this little person become the very best that they can be.

Nate has always been a special child. So loving, smart, funny, helpful...the list goes on. But he has definitely tested my patience. He is very sensitive, emotional and cautious (I never wanted to label him as shy, I thought cautious was a better, more positive name to call it) These things that I'm definitely not. Its been a battle for me to accept that, and let him do things the way he needs to. I'm still learning. But it also makes me feel the need to protect him and watch out for him more then my other two. I'm always worried he won't speak up, that he'll get pushed aside and forgotten. My heart just ache's with worry that he's scared or sad when he's away from me and I can't comfort him. Well, yesterday I had to do the ultimate and completely let go (in a sense). Yesterday he started Kindergarten.

I was very excited for this day but very terrified at the same time. Is he ready? Can he really do this all by himself? Will he speak up for himself? Let these people see who he really is and not shy away from new experiences? I've been preparing him for awhile. He was very excited all morning, and up until we walked in the door of the Kindergarten. As soon as we walked in I could see the terror in his eyes, and he just looked up at me, and my heart dropped. Oh no I thought. This is going to be painful. Miss Pati came over and greeted him and helped him find his picture showing him where he would hang is jacket and backpack. Then told him to say goodbye to his Mom (Me). He turned around and his little arms went around my waist and would not let go. He started to cry. My heart melted. But I did what I had to do. I said, You'll be just fine, I'll see you in a couple of hours, pried his hands from around me, and bolted up the steps and out the door before I could change my mind and rescue him and take him home where he is safe and loved. As I was leaving I heard one last tortured MOMMY. Really one of the hardest things a parent has to do. I prayed the whole way home that all would work out, and he would calm down and have a fun day. Well, my prayer was answered. He survived, had a good time, and is even talking about going back. I guess this will be a challenge for both of us. I know that he has to experience this to grow up. It will be hard, he will have challenges, but he'll be better for it. And he'll blossom into something even I never knew he could.

Nate, I love you so, so much. I'm so proud of you for being brave on your first day! Isn't he so handsome!

Waterton Weekend!

We took my Grandma's trailer to Waterton last weekend. Wow. It is not easy getting everything packed up. Ryan took the boys out to Cardston Thursday night so I only had McKenna with me Friday to get everything ready. Grocery's and packing and loading took way longer then I thought. I was definitely grateful not having the boys at home too. McKenna and I headed out to my Grandma's in Raymond later in the afternoon and we loaded up the trailer. Ryan met us out there after he finished work and hitched up the trailer, and we were off! First we stopped in Cardston for some yummy dinner (summer stew) thanks Connie. Loaded up the boys and headed to Waterton! By the time we got there, unhitched the trailer and hooked everything up (Full hook up is the ONLY way to go) it was pretty late. My sister in-law came for a quick visit (she's living and working there for the summer) we set up the beds and went to sleep. The kids were so excited about sleeping in the trailer!







The first thing Ty said to me when he woke up was "Its morning! Sleeping in the trailer is so fun!" I think its safe to say they love camping in the trailer. After breakfast we headed to the park to play for a bit. It was a pretty chilly morning, so we were hoping the sun would eventually make its way up.









After the park we headed back to the trailer for a snack and met Dad and Penny at the trailer. The kids were so excited to see them. Now that they're living in Okotoks we don't get to see them very often. We decided to make the trek up Bear's Hump. Nate loves to climb and is a natural at it. He loved off trailing with Grandpa and cutting up the harder parts to climb. My dad said he'd never seen him so fearless! (he's a very cautious little guy). Ty on the other hand whined the whole time, and wanted Ryan to carry him the whole way. McKenna loved the climb too. She didn't want to hold any of our hands and did it all pretty much her self. When she'd get to a hard for her little legs to reach part, she'd just stand there and wait for Penny to help her. It is definitely a hard hike, but so worth it when you get to the top. What a gorgeous sight!











We spent probably a 1/2 hr at the top and then headed down. Ty absolutely loved going down. He tried to run the whole way, with Ryan and I constantly warning him that he could fall...well, of course he eventually did and scraped up his hands and elbow. Seriously, he's been falling so much lately he's a walking scab! After the hike we ate lunch at the trailer and then walked to the beach and threw rocks in the water. Nate and Ty were on the scooter and bike, and McKenna rode in the stroller. It was so beautiful near the water, no wind at all, which is amazing for Waterton. We walked by the water until we reached the main street and then went and got ice cream. Played at the park again for a bit. Shannon had a break so she brought her tennis rackets. Nate and Ty loved trying to hit the ball with the racket. Nate had a few good hits. Then we rented a Surrey bike, said goodbye to Grandpa and Penny, and rode around town for a bit. Wow. Every time we rent one of those we realize how out of shape we really are! The kids loved it though!















After we took the bike back we walked through some of the stores and the kids picked a treat from the candy store. We headed back to the trailer for dinner then got ready for bed. We were all pretty exhausted. The kids watched a movie for a bit, and then we put them all to bed and they were all asleep within 15 minutes. Ryan and I played a few games and then went to bed ourselves. I think we were in bed by 9:30pm. While we were getting ready for bed the rain came, and it rained all night, and was still raining when we woke up. So we woke up, packed up, and headed for Cardston where we spent the rest of the day with Roy and Connie. Around supper time we headed for Raymond, unloaded the trailer, visited with Grandma for a bit, and then headed home. It was so nice to sleep in our own beds! We had such a fun time though. Can't wait to do it again next year!







Summer's End.

Now that summer is over for most of you, we still have a week before Nate officially starts Kindergarten full time, I hope you all got to enjoy the couple of hot days that we had last week. We sure did, and are hoping for a few more! Wednesday we went to Galt Garden's for a picnic and to play in the fountain with my sister, brother, and his family. The kids loved playing in the water! Then Thursday we went swimming with my friend Lindsey and her family, her mom and her sister's, and their family's. We went to the Stirling Pool. They have a nice little pool with a fun water slide, which Ty loved! I think he got Linds to take him down like 20 times! Thanks Linds! I grew up in the same ward with Lindsey, Steph, and Natalie. It was fun catching up with them, and seeing how much our little families have grown. Their home was like a second home growing up and hopefully I'll get to spend some more time with them. Well, the summer always seems to go by so fast. I hope you all enjoyed it, and did everything you wanted to do. I'm actually looking forward to the Fall and getting into a good routine. Here are some pics of us playing in the fountain at Galt Gardens. Sadly I didn't get any of us at the pool.










Calaway Pics!































The Fair!

Last night we decided to go check out the Fair here in Lethbridge for Whoop-up Days. Ryan and I hadn't been since we were teenagers, and our kids love to go on rides, so why not go check it out... Wow. It is so stinkin expensive. First of all, Ryan and I had to pay $12 each to get in the gate (thank goodness the kids were all free). To get a bracelet to go on the rides was $40 each, even for my 2 yr. old. They had no family package deal. We ended up buying 40 tickets for $40. Most of the rides were atleast 3 tickets each. The boys got to ride on 4 rides, and McKenna 3. They still loved it and had fun. We also had to purchase a couple of Elephant Ears, which the kids LOVED! If your really wanting to go check out the fair with your kids, go in the afternoon between 1-3pm. All the kids rides are one or two tickets. A way better deal. Then atleast the kids could have ridden 10 rides each for $40. We considered it but decided not to go then cause Ryan couldn't take the time off work.

Sorry honey, next year, whether you can come or not, we're going in the afternoon!


I was reading a blog the other day of a girl I know of, but have actually never really spoken to in person, and went to comment and she had 32 comments! 32! Wow. Now that is blog love! That would be nice! If you read my blog but never comment, please don't be shy and leave me a comment. I love knowing who is reading my blog. I will do the same for you!

**oh, and check out my new header! Aren't our new family pics awesome! My friend is the bestest! Check her out at devondurocher.com

Lately!

This week has been pretty awful. McKenna's had a fever for four days, so she's been cranky, whiny, and clingy. Not to mention she hasn't slept very well at night. Its been a long week. We were able to go to Calaway Park yesterday with our Olsen cousin's. We had so much fun! The kids were so brave, and went on pretty much every ride they were big enough to ride. Of course Nate needed to warm up to the ride's (like he does everything) but after a while he was really brave and tried tons of rides. I was so proud of him. McKenna was definitely better, but not her normal happy self. I miss that little girl. She did go on a few rides and seemed to have fun most of the time. She loved the ball pit! Ty was a crazy man. He wasn't afraid of anything and would have rode the big roller coaster if he was big enough. It was a really fun day, and the weather was perfect.

A few weeks ago we went to Writing-On-Stone with our Olsen cousin's. We had so, so much fun! The kids loved climbing in the Hoodoo's. It was a little stressful for Jacki and I because all the kids had no fear and would get so close to the edge. It was so fun though. Then we spent a couple of hours at the river. They have an awesome beach, and the kids had a blast playing in the sand and water. It was the perfect day! I think the perfect end to a hot day is a big thunderstorm! and we got it driving home. It would have been a lot nicer if we were cozy and safe in our home, but I do love thunderstorms! Sadly I got no pictures because I have no idea where my camera is. I'm feeling quite lost without it. I do have pictures of Calaway (which I'll post soon) because I borrowed my friends camera. Thanks Devon! We have some exciting things coming up: a weekend in Waterton with my Grandma's trailer, and the Hasegawa retreat in Kalispell.

The other day we were telling the kids that we might be moving to Raymond to build a house next Spring, and Nate said "Mom, I don't want to live there because there isn't a McDonalds there!" Glad he has his priority's straight! And no, he doesn't get McDonalds very often!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Waterton my friend...

we were finally able to make it out to visit you for the first time this summer! Thank you for the good weather, yummy ice cream, and lots of FUN! We love you! I promise we won't wait so long to come and see you again.












Best Part of Summer!

SLURPEE'S! I love them. I remember riding my bike daily as a child to go get a slurpee (remember Dayna!). Not much has changed. When I get bored, we go get slurpee's. Which lets be honest, is a lot!

Poor Bear

This is Poor Bear.




I have no idea why, but that's what Ty always calls him. Before bed he'll say "I need my poor Bear" The other day Ty and McKenna were fighting over him. Both saying "that's my poor bear!" "No, its my poor bear!"

I think he's a pretty lucky bear to have these two cuties fighting over him!




Today I told Ty that he was impossible, and he said "No, your a popsicle!" LOVE HIM!

Canada Day!

Every year we go out to Raymond for the parade, and spend all day at my Grandma's with all of my Mom's family. I've been doing this since as long as I can remember, so it's so fun to pass this tradition on to my kids. We eat food all day, visit, and play games. The kids always have a blast playing with their cousin's and playing outside. Hope everyone had a fabulous Canada Day! I'm sure grateful to live in such a beautiful country!