Alice's Birthday Party

It's funny, or not funny? Alice and Kate both had a birthday party in 2020, pre-pandemic. Fiona had a backyard bubble (as in we bubbled with a family) birthday party, during the pandemic in 2020. In 2021, no one had a birthday party, and in 2022, only Fiona. This year, was Alice's first birthday party since the pandemic. 

Alice has a really lovely group of friends, and they regularly do things together. This was our first time hosting all of them. Alice and Fiona were cleaning the basement all week, it looked beautiful! The cleaning before the party is always my favourite part of the party! There were decorations, snacks, a pinata, and more food and cake. Alice just wanted to hang out in the basement with her friends, and so that's what they did. And they had lots of fun! 

Paige

Fiona

Zac

Leila

Heather

Caden

Adelyn

Noraa

And ALICE!

Alice is 12, part 2

We decided to have a little do-over, because second chances are good! Tonight we went out for dinner for Alice's birthday. The girls and Ken went to the South Lake Grill a couple of months ago, and they were dying for me to go with them, so off we went. The food was okay. But the company was great!

Happy Birthday again Alice! We love you!!

Alice is Twelve!

Alice decided that for her birthday dinner she wanted steak and garlic mashed potatoes. She also wanted Crave donuts. Other than that we didn't really make any plans. Crave donuts isn't open on a Tuesday, so after school when Ken picked up the girls they went to Sobey's and picked out cake slices. 

Nicole (Alice's YW's president) stopped by at some point today and dropped off some presents for Alice.

The girls were sitting together this afternoon and it made my heart happy!

Ken's dinner was so yummy!

My cute Alice!

We ate dinner, and then after dinner I asked Alice a few times what she wanted to do. I left to go do something... laundry? And there might have been a fight and then fighting, and then a bit of a collapse. It might have been really ugly, and Alice and Fiona might have gone upstairs and cried. And Ken and Kate and I spoke a lot, two hours worth of ugly, not all ugly, but lots ugly and hard. And it might have taken quite a toll on everyone, but we pulled through. We did pull together. We sang to Alice and there was cake and smiles. I'm grateful for forgiveness.

This is what Ken and I wrote in Alice's birthday card:

Twelve amazing things about Alice

1) Generosity – you have been so generous since always

2) Kind – the sweet way that you have with those around you is delightful

3) Curiosity – your world is full of questions and answers and wonder

4) Tenacity – when you want to do something, no one can stop you

5) Friend – you are a good friend

6) Sassy and Sarcastic – not sure some days how I feel about these, but they can be amusing!

7) Intelligent – you be smart

8) Peacemaker – you have been the peacemaker that we need so many times

9) Creative – I a little bit miss you making things all the time (not so much the mess…)

10) Open Mind – you’re not afraid to try new things

11) Funny – you keep us laughing

12) Joie de Vivre – we love the way you love life!

Alice, we love you. We’re so proud to be your parents. We’re so happy that you’re part of our family.

The Birthday Questions - Alice - Age 12

1. What is your favourite color? Orange

2. What is your favourite toy? Rubik’s Cube

3. What is your favourite fruit? Peaches

4. What is your favourite tv show? Wednesday

5. What is your favourite thing to eat for lunch? Instant ramen

6. What is your favourite outfit? My Thursday outfit. (Orange t-shirt, black paints, roots sweatshirt)

7. What is your favourite game? Roblox

8. What is your favourite snack? Popcorn

9. What is your favourite animal? Narwhals and Koalas

10. What is your favourite song? Pompeii by Bastille

11. What is your favourite book? Any of the Princess in Black books.

12. Who is your best friend? Addy

13. What is your favourite cereal? I hate cereal, but Reese’s Puffs

14. What is your favourite thing to do outside? Run around with my friends

15. What is your favourite drink? Grape Fanta

16. What is your favourite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? My pillows

18. What is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast? Waffles

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Steak and garlic mashed potatoes

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Alive!

Family Day

It was a quiet slow morning - except maybe for Ken. He's been working such long hours this past week - well, more than that, but specifically this past week has been extra crazy with a project that melted down a bit. I'm really hoping that this incident brings about some real changes at his work!

Getting back to Family Day, we mostly had a slow and quiet start to the day. When Ken and I realized that he wouldn't be able to walk at Greenwood with me and Milo, I asked the girls to come with me. Alice and Fiona agreed.

It was a beautiful, unseasonably warm day today, so much sunshine! Greenwood was a real mixed bag - some crazy icy sections, some dry, and some muddy muddy bits. We had a lovely walk though, and Milo had a good romp, some good runs, and some good play with other dogs!

On the way home we phoned Ken and put in our lunch order - Ken is the freaking best. We got home and our lunch was ready! We ate and then the three of us were off on our next adventure, skating. Friday night we bought new skates for Fiona and Alice. On Saturday they went to a primary activity - skating at Pat Bayly Square and Alice and Fiona were desperate to go skating again. Today's skating adventure wasn't quite as successful. There was a free skate at the arena, but both the girls felt the ice was more slippery than outside. I was having a tough time too. After skating briefly at the arena, and then briefly at Pat Bayly Square, I'm going to take my skates, and Fiona's skates to be sharpened.

Thankfully the girls were mostly satisfied, although slightly disheartened by our skate. I think mostly satisfied, because they were on the ice, and I promised to take them again.

Next up, Willowtree Farm. They were having family day fun on the farm. A horse drawn wagon ride, hot chocolate, and roasting marshmallows. We played on the new playground, and we all picked out some treats from the farm store.

Then home again. Fiona did some school work, Ken went back to work, Alice and Kate played online with friends and I took Milo for walk number two and made dinner for the girls. (Ken and I had yummy stew leftovers!)

Today was such a lovely day. I am thankful for Family Day! And I am endlessly thankful for my family. I love my Ken, my Kate, my Alice and my Fiona with all of my heart. They are my everything. Oh and Milo is pretty fun too!