Sometimes there's a maple syrup festival, sometimes there's barf.

Today's plan was this, Emily and John Inca and their three adorable children were going to come for lunch, then we would head over to Orangville for the Optimist Club Maple Syrup Festival at Little Island Lake Conservation Area.

I can't remember exactly when, but at some point this morning Kate said, "Mom, I don't know what's wrong, I pooped and I ate breakfast but I still feel like I'm going to barf."  I felt a little concerned, but told her that maybe it was gas.  She lay down for a minute, and then she scampered off to play somewhere so I didn't think again.  That is until she barfed all over the hall landing in front of the office.  I think it's pretty amazing that this was the first time the carpet was hit. 

Emily was amazing.  She helped clean up Kate, she held the bucket while she barfed.  She helped bathe her, so I could go clean up barf off the carpet, and the walls - eek. 

Ken continued making lunch - tomato bisque and grilled cheese sandwiches - marble cheese for the kids, and harvati with avocado for the grown ups. 

We did have a lovely lunch, and we did have a lovely visit.  I just really hope none of the Lim-Andersons get sick.  I hope none of the rest of us get sick.  Poor sweet Kate.  She has been sick way too much - once in January, twice in February and again today.  Too much! 

Trying to take pictures of Hazel was "fun" because Alice was so helpful.  I can't fault her though, Hazel is so cute, and Alice loves babies!  There might have been some fun with Hazel - giving rides to toys, and playing with dinosaurs.

After Kate was all cleaned up she settled in on the couch to watch a movie.  She fell asleep and the rest of the kids just kept on watching.

Thanks for coming to play!  We loved the cupcakes and the company. 

Pre-School Duty Day

I was the duty Mom today.  I should check the calendar to be accurate, but I'm not going to.  I think this was my third duty Mom day this school year, but I'm not sure.  Tottenham Co-operative Preschool is a parent run, non-profit co-operative.  Lots is expected of the parents.  We do some of it.  We make playdough, we do fundraising that we can - which isn't much.  I feel a little guilty about that, but just a little.  I brought my cell phone and I was planning on taking pictures of Alice with her teachers and one of her and me.  Well, one out of three isn't bad is it?

Before the school year is over, I must get a pic of Alice with her teachers!  We did happen to pick up her class pictures today - which were taken on February 25th, so that's fun.  Alice looks so lovely.  The photographer was great to watch.  They did the photos on a Tuesday and a Wednesday, neither of which are school days for Alice.  The parents of kids not in class that day, brought their child, then left as soon as the pictures were done.  The photographer - Phil Steingard really performed to get the kids to smile.  I am just so pleased with Alice's picture.

The class picture is another matter, but hey, you can't win everything!

Mom was supposed to come up and watch Fiona today, but she's had a bad cough all week and didn't feel up to it.  Being a duty Mom is fun, but it's a pain, well, not that Fiona is a pain, but having to arrange care for her, that's a pain. Today Ken watched her.  They had a fun morning together. 

Alice had fun!  As duty parent I have cleaning duties, snack preparation duties, and supervising duties.  I had to clean the kitchen, we brought honey dew melon, Easter cookies, yogurt tubes, and apple juice for snack, and I had to stand at the top of the play structure monitoring the slide.  As well I did get to play with Alice a little, and sit with her on the carpet a little.  Alice got to turn off the lights, be the leader of the line, carry the bag and count everyone in the bathroom.  Alice really does love preschool.  Mrs. Jandl and Mrs. Apps are wonderful women that run a wonderful program!

Mornings and Afternoons

Sometimes...  sometimes mornings are ridiculous.  Kate was late again today, she was defiant and rude.  I was starting to lose my temper.  It wasn't pretty.  I decided instead of driving the already quite late Kate to school we'd walk.  The field is just a little muddy.  We said a prayer together just before this picture was taken - we hadn't said morning prayers yet.  For a brief moment I didn't feel like a complete failure.

After we dropped off Kate, Alice asked to walk past the park.  Alice and Fiona were only wearing thin coats, and I didn't really want to go, but I said yes.  We stayed for a little bit, and then continued home.  I was still feeling a little down - the walk and prayer did help, but returning to a messy house with a grumpy Fiona wasn't the most fun. 

Fast forward to this afternoon.  Fiona went to sleep early and Alice wanted to watch a show by herself on the laptop, so I had some lovely chill and create time.  Last night Kate wanted a superhero cape, and then Alice wanted one too. 

This morning I felt like the worst Mom in the world.  This afternoon, I was the Mom of two cute little superheros.

Meet Lightning Storm...

 and Rainbow Flower!

Slow down, the bunny will still be there.

I got stopped in a speed trap on the way to the mall, and that's what the police officer said.  He pulled me over for speeding, he took my license and registration asked me a few questions, and then went to his SUV.  I sat in the van with the girls crying a little because I wasn't sure how we were going to pay for the ticket.  Kate started to cry a little.  I just felt dumb.  It's a place the police often sit, at the bottom of the passing zone on hwy 9 just east of the Beeton road.  I wasn't paying attention this morning.  We were all excited about our excursion - emission test and BUNNY, and blasting the hey hey hey song never helps!  Well, happy Easter to me, because when he came back he told me it was my lucky day because he was just going to give me a warning.  I cried a little more, I was so grateful.  (Crying...)

Next up Canadian Tire for an emission test - the van passed, and the girls and I had fun looking at tents and patio furniture.  Then the mall.  We went straight to the bunny, Fiona took some coaxing - she's clutching a chocolate egg in her hand.  Kate and Alice were very excited.  Alice had told me ahead of time that she wanted to stand and hold the bunny's hand, I think it actually worked out very well.  Kate of course was in all her glory.  I asked Kate afterwards if she would be too old to see the bunny next year, the disgust in her voice answering no, it was amusing.

We had a great lunch, a fun time playing in the play area, we just had a lovely time, and the girls were so great.  When we were walking to the van in the parking lot and I was thinking about what a great day I'd had with my girls I almost forgot the way it started!  I'm not sure why I didn't get a ticket this morning, but I would like to think it was a tender mercy from my Father in Heaven. 

MARCH BREAK!!

Day One - Saturday - Barrie, Sherlock's, Nana and Papa
No pictures.  I always feel guilty when I don't have a picture to document the activity.  I have more pictures than is generally reasonable, so I'm not sure why I get upset at not taking the occasional picture. 

We drove up to Matt and Emma's and had lunch.  We had fun talking and hanging out.  Gordon generally enjoyed having the little girls around.  I think anyway.  He had fun with Kate, that I know for sure.  We brought home some clothes of Ally's, some toys and books and a few more pictures.  Alice asked if she could come over to Ally's house another time when she was alive again.  It was a lovely visit, with a little lingering sadness, but that is to be expected.

(Matt and Emma have so much to sort through and part with.  I can't even begin to imagine how incredibly hard it would be.  The girls each adopted a stuffy - Kate a dog, Alice as bunny, and Fiona a baby, and a mule for good measure.)

We left later than we should - oops, and with a stop at Michael's to pick up more embroidery thread, we hurried home to Tottenham, and Nana and Papa.  We had a nice dinner - breakfast for dinner, and a nice visit. 

Day Two - Sunday - Meeting Rose (and Jon too)
We were on time for church today!  YAY!  Nana and Papa joined us for sacrament meeting and then set off for Laura and Joaquin's.  Church was church - good, nursery, a little crazy!  We have so many wee ones, and they come with big ones!  I do love going to church.

After church was over we headed south to Brampton to go visit with Emily - one of my YW from Richmond Hill.  I was the second counselor when she was a laurel.  She's always been so awesome.  I was so excited to meet her hubby Jon and her sweet baby Rose - who is four months old.  She's a sweet smiley little thing.  I got to chat with Emily (Meg, Ted, and Kirra Cox were there too, Meg and Emily were roommates at BYU, and Kirra is one of our nursery kids in Orangeville.) and have a little cuddle with Rose.  My phone died, so Emily and Jon took some pics.  I'm sad I didn't get one of Emily and I with Rose - oops!  I guess we'll just have to do that next time.

Day Three - Monday - Change of plans - quiet time
We were supposed to have Diane,  Luke and Maya come over today, but after chatting in the morning we decided to postpone until Friday.  Diane and the kids weren't feeling 100%, and after a go, go, go weekend, it was kind of nice to just hang out at home for the day.  The girls had fun playing and we made a trip to DQ for free cone day!

Oh and I almost forgot about this funny thing.  This morning Fiona got out of bed and wandered away.  I was only semi-conscious when she did this and even though I knew Ken wasn't up I just let her go and didn't go after her.  A little bit later when I did finally get up, this is where I found Fiona, fast asleep.  She transferred back into bed, and slept for a little while longer!

Day Four - Tuesday - Plumb Fun
St. Patrick's Day!  We had Lucky Charms for breakfast - confession, we've been eating them for a few days now, because we bought them a few days early!  We might just love them too much!  Ruth,  Ava and Julia came to play.  The girls had so much fun playing.  Julia was a bit lost, but she watched Pokemon on my phone - so that worked!  Ruth chatted with me while I did dishes.  Dishes... ugh. 

It was just a lovely day.  Alice was given an Aurora Princess sweatshirt like Kate's - so sweet, and we just generally had a lovely day.  How often can I repeat myself?!  Friends are such blessings.  I was going to take a pic of all the girls wearing green - they were at one point all wearing green, but not exactly the right sort of green, but I never got around to it.  We took some playing pics instead.  Oh and lunch... we had green pancakes (which produced an interesting side effect that I hadn't thought of), and I bought cookies.  I forgot to take pics at lunch too.  I did however remember to take a pic later of Alice with her second cookie.  GREEN!!  (Oh and Ruth brought green grapes, and green spinach!)  We are blessed to have so many wonderful friends.

Oh and I almost forgot!  Ava - darling Ava, made this picture for Kate.

Day Five - Wednesday - Bizzy Beitzs
Busy it was at Bizzy Bees!  That's the thing with doing anything inside over March Break - there are hordes of people everywhere, not to mention that it's half price day at Bizzy Bees, if you bring in a food bank donation, which Sarah and I both forgot to do!  I think I visited twice at Sarah's not long after William was born in September.  I think I brought lunch both times.  I think?  In any case, we did get to visit some, and the kids had lots of fun even in the midst of the chaos!  William is so big now.  Babies are little for such a short time, it's an obvious thing to say, but something that is still so striking each time it happens!

I tried my best to get pics of everyone, but of course it was just with my phone, and blurry is, well, expected when you are photographing children in a play place!  One pic stands out to me - Bridget at the top of the wall.  She was looking at her Mom, and after I took the pic I realized that it wasn't because she wanted attention, it was because she couldn't get down.  Oh and Abigail.  Not one un-blurry shot of cute Abigail.

And fun with hairstyles.  Fiona and Alice... mini tag team of terror!

Day Six - Thursday - Toronto Fun with Zorana and Ciaran
I had originally invited Zorana and Ciaran up to us with the hope of a music concert.  Zorana and I have been threatening to flute it up for a few visits now.  It wasn't meant to be, Zorana had a tighter schedule and driving up to us just wasn't in the cards, so we happily went to them.

First on the agenda was crafting and more crafting.  The girls (and Ciaran - expert stapler) all figured out how to share the space and Fiona had fun in the little kitchen corner.  Kate and Ciaran really do get along very well - thick as thieves and all those other cliches.  Alice had a bit of a hard time figuring out her place, but I think we had a break through today.

After lunch there was a puppet show, more play and then we walked down the hill to the park.  This was where Alice and Ciaran connected.  They were off to the races down the hill (and back up the hill too afterwards - so cute) and Ciaran was holding Alice's hand to protect her most of the way.

The day was filled with good conversation - albeit interrupted half thoughts sometimes, but my visit was lovely.  Dear old friends, are just that, dear, so very dear! Zorana and I should have taken a picture of ourselves... but we didn't!  Next time!

Oh and I must document the ride home.  The ride down (as it usually is) was without incident, direct, fairly quick, no stops.  We made it down in an hour and fifteen minutes.  Home was a different story.  First I had packed snacks for Alice and Fiona, but not Kate.  I felt badly, and offered to stop for timbits.  So stop number one, Tim Horton's drive through.  From there (on Don Mills) we drove north up to Sheppard, where I knew the road would actually be moving, so we joined the 404 north.  From there to the 407, then tp the 400, where we met traffic again.  Alice had dropped a granola bar, but because of the traffic I was able to retrieve it for her - so I didn't have to stop.  But then, after we got to hwy 9, I pulled over for Alice.  I can't remember the reason now.(The water bottle - I remember now - I threw it into the back seat but it hit Kate's foot instead and was rolling around the van.)  Fiona and Kate both fell asleep on the way home.  I woke Kate up, she walked inside, but then she went back to sleep.  She slept until 8:30 or some crazy hour, and then didn't go back to bed until almost 2 a.m.  It was a LONG day to say the least, but one I'd happily repeat!

Day Seven - Friday - Make-up at McD's with Diane, Luke and Maya
I suggested McDonald's play place in Bolton as Luke and Maya were both coughing still, and I wasn't sure if Diane wanted to come all the way up to me.  It was a little crazy - March Break Madness everywhere, but not too bad.  The kids didn't really play, because they don't really know each other and there were kids everywhere.  Diane and I were able to talk - mostly all about school.  I felt nervous going to meet them today.  I always feel weird going into school, or seeing people from school, when I'm on leave.  I love the people, but not the dread when I think about returning to work.  I can really be quite overwhelmed by fear - if I'm not careful or prayerful about it!

I didn't take any pictures - I meant to, but the kids were busy and all over the place and it just never happened.  It's silly too, but one of the best things about the McD's experience today was the toys.  Sometimes the toys are really awesome.  They were Barbie toys, and we bought two extra.  We came home with three dolls, a car and a horse.  Kate is in love with her horse.

After our fun visit with the Pellarin's we made a trip to Walmart, and then to Petro Canada where we tried to get a car wash again - no luck.  I did however finally order a replacement Petro Points card!  Car wash here we come... some day! Then it was home, pizza making and a mostly quiet evening.

Day Eight - Saturday - movie, shopping, driving
We had talked a few times about figuring out a trip to see Cinderella.  Saturday was a quiet around the house day - which was good.  The plan was to have a quiet morning and then Ken would take Fiona on a drive, and I would take the girls up to Alliston to see the movie.  Fiona was supposed to sleep so Ken could do some work.

Kate, Alice and I did go up to Alliston, and we did see Cinderella at the Circle Theatre.  I really enjoyed it so much, more than the girls really.  We don't go to the movie theatre very often and given their behaviour today, that is just fine!  Kate wanted to leave during the movie, and Alice, she sat in my lap for most of the movie.  I'm not sure if Alice sat in my lap because she couldn't see, of is she was afraid.  She was definitely afraid when the carriage was turning back into a pumpkin.  I am happy that we went, all things considered.  I love the movie.  The message of the movie was so lovely.  I want to watch it again.

Ken took Fiona on a drive.  She fell asleep, but woke up when they got back home.  They did have a fun time together, but Ken got no work done.

After the movie the girls and I went shopping at Zehr's.  Kate fell asleep in the shopping cart.  I should have taken a picture, but I didn't.  Both girls slept on the way home, but thankfully both girls woke up when we got home.  Kate and Alice played happily, and would have stayed up all night if we'd have let them.  Fiona crashed around 5:00, or maybe a bit before.  I worked on the blog book, and Ken worked.  It was a great day.

Day Nine - Sunday - That's All Folks!
Which brings us to today.  The end.  I told Michelle last week (via Facebook messenger) that next year, we were coming to visit them in St. George.  I really did mean it.  I just messaged her to tell her that.  Stay-cations are fun too - and this year we had a great Stay-cation.  Ken didn't take any time off, but he had a great work week, so that's great.  Ken has been working so hard.  He's so awesome.  Oh and he made such a yummy dinner tonight - Thai soup, and cold rolls.  So good.  AND the best part, he even cleaned the whole kitchen afterwards! 

It is late, I am tired.  It's been a wonderful week.  I'm glad I don't have to go to work tomorrow.  I'm glad May 19th is still two months (well just less) away.  I do need to go into school soon, but we won't think about that just yet!

We had a fun day today.  We didn't make it to church on time, but we were there for our sweet nursery kids.  Funny story - Alice joined Kate's class today as her teacher was away (all the Sunbeams joined other classes).  When they went to visit the font - the class was about baptism, Alice started to cry.  She was standing inside the font when she thought the teacher told her that they were going to fill up the font and wash her away.  I told Alice that when you get baptized they fill up the font beforehand, and your SINS are washed away.  I think we need to go to a baptism before too long!

I took some pics of the girls in their matching dresses.  It was cold today, so the sweater dresses were perfect.  Alice cleaned up the front room on her own tonight - she's on a kick for that right now - I hope it lasts forever.  And Kate had some Kate-fu lessons (Kung fu) with Ken.  Fun, happy, silly, wonderful times!