August - WEEK EIGHT

Sunday - Church in Barrie (Cookstown Ward), came home and packed up to go to Peterborough, drove to Peterborough by way of Port Perry where we had a fun time at a park by the Lake.

Monday - Ken worked in Peterborough, the girls and I did stuff - swimming,  the Lift Lock, had lunch, the riverside zoo and train and playground areas.  Had Indian food in the hotel (take out).

When we went to see the Lift Lock Kate kept calling it Clip Clop.  It made me giggle. 

The Riverside zoo is quite small, but you can get nice and close to the animals.  The river otter, and Kate and Alice's reaction to the otter - awesome.  I kind of wish I'd gotten video.  The river otter swam back and forth along the length of it's pool while Kate and some other kids ran back and forth.  It was a cute little race!

The train ride was fun.  The girls loved it, even if Kate had her fingers in her ears for most of it!

The camera battery died just after this picture, so I didn't get any pictures of the playground.  After we went back to the hotel I charged the battery and the girls charged theirs.  Alice had a nice nap and Kate fell asleep watching Blues Clues on DVD.  

Tuesday - Ken worked a half day in Peterborough.  The girls and I went swimming and packed up the room.  We looked into going on a Lift Lock boat cruise.  Had lunch, Ken joined us, we got cupcakes at Dancing Blueberries, went back to the zoo/train/park, drove home via Newmarket where we had dinner and went to Mastermind. (Oh, and Alice is 18 months old!)

We started out today with a bit of a rush.  We rushed breakfast and then rushed Ken to the job location.  After that we took it easy - sort of.  We went for a swim and played in the hot tub.  The girls love the hot tub.  After we left the hotel our first stop was the lift lock boat cruise.  When we went to investigate the Lift Lock boat cruise, Kate could actually say Lift Lock, I felt a little sad that I had taught her to say it properly, but not entirely sad.  I learned that the cruise was two hours in length and as much as I'd love to go through the lock we'll have to do it another day.  I can't imagine trying to contain Alice on a boat for two hours.  I could have done an hour I think, but not two.

After that we drove around for a bit, then stopped and had lunch where Ken joined us - yay for 1/2 days!  Next was a stop in at Dancing Blueberries - to buy CUPCAKES!

Then it was pretty much nap time for Alice, but we all wanted to go do something fun with as a family so we went back to the Riverside Zoo.

After our adventures at Riverdale Zoo we drove home.  Both the girls napped and Ken napped a bit too.  Ken and I enjoyed the drive.  It is a beautiful drive along highway 7A.  We imagined all of the cute little places we might live if we wanted to.  Our dinner in Newmarket was cuckoo - Alice was nuts - oh well!  And the trip to the toy store, not so much.  It was fun but it was too much.  There were too many things for Alice to get into, hence we bought a book that I didn't want.  We did have a very fun little mini-vacation.

Wednesday - Went to visit Grandma and Grandpa, my visiting teachers came over, and we had pancakes for dinner - Kate's were of the bunny variety.
Kate has been trying out going to the bathroom by herself.  She doesn't consistently go independently, but so far it's been okay.  This morning she wanted to go by herself, but that was after I'd taken Alice out of her chair.  Kate actually told me not to come but invited Alice.   As far as I know Kate went without incident and then proceeded to go in her room, pick out some clothes and come downstairs.  When Alice didn't follow I started to head upstairs to get her but then Kate stepped on a toy and started to have a melt down.  As I was comforting Kate, I heard a call of distress from Alice.  I pried myself away from Kate and ran up to the bathroom.  I took one look at Alice and then went to get the camera.  The noise of confusion that came from Alice as I turned around to get the camera was funny. The worst part is, Kate hadn't flushed.  It was thankfully only number one, but even still - gross!  I promptly put Alice in the bath where Kate soon joined her.  Hence we didn't get to my Mom and Dad's until much later then I had originally anticipated.  I LOVE this picture.  I'm not sure how Alice will feel about it in the future, but I LOVE it!

We had a nice visit with Grandma and Grandpa.  Mom is doing so much better.  She was actually up walking around.  We got back in time for my visiting teachers to arrive.  We had a nice visit.  And wouldn't you know when I went to get Alice up from her nap, Kate fell asleep.  Kate eventually woke up and she and Ken made pancakes.  I love watching (or just listening to) Ken and Kate in the kitchen.  They are so cute.

Thursday - Last swimming lesson - at the indoor pool... and then ?
Today was the last swimming lesson.  Kate was given a report card.  I watched her during her lessons and although there was some progress it was limited and even though I knew she wouldn't pass her level I was still a little disappointed to see the report card.  She looked decidedly uncomfortable in the water most of the time.  She did put her chin in the water and today she put her mouth in the water for Krystal.  I'm glad we did it - the swimming lessons that is.  Kate enjoyed her lessons - I think it made her feel like a big girl.  Krystal was so great with Kate, she was very patient.  She took Kate at her own pace and never pressured her. Kate did a good job following instructions and listening to the teacher - a risk taker she is not.  Risk taking - I like that she is cautious, but I do hope that I can help her learn to take the risks that are important. 

As for the rest of Thursday... it is a total blank. 

Friday - Went downtown Toronto to visit friends, after dinner went to get ice cream downtown Tottenham.
I have so enjoyed this summer.  Part of what I've enjoyed so much, is not having to rush.  I was hoping to leave the house around 9, but that didn't happen, and that was just okay.  Alice was so cute at breakfast.  I think she might have eaten a few bites of her rice krispies, but mostly she just enjoyed feeding her dog.

We did eventually make it to our playdate at Emily's house.  Emily and her two cute kids - Holden and Lauren, and Janelle and her two cute kids - James and Nigel and me and my two crazy kids hung out, played and had lunch. (Emily made a really yummy veggie lasagna.)  It was nice to visit.  The kids were really cute.  I brought my camera with me and took a few pics just before Janelle left. 

Both the girls fell asleep on the drive home.  It was nice to have a bit of time to myself, although I don't remember what I did!  After we had dinner we went on a walk to the post office, we got ice cream and then we went to the park.  It was a lovely day.

Saturday - Whittamore's Farm, then a long drive, then dinner out in Alliston, a stop at the "sun" park and grocery shopping.
Whittamore's Farm is just around the corner from the Toronto Zoo.  We have driven past it so many times, but after being at the zoo we just need to go home, not somewhere else.  Last night Ken and I talked and talked about what to do today.  I was up for something different, but I wasn't sure exactly what.  We never did make a decision and so this morning we still weren't sure what we were going to do.  After some debate, we decided to go to Niagara Falls. 

Just before we left the girls and I went to the Tottenham mall so I could pick up a renewal of my allergy medication.  When we got to the mall we just had to visit the new dollar store.  I purchased a cleaning brush for Kate (she's trying to be Cinderella!), a letter tracing book for Kate and two chapsticks - one for Kate and one for Alice (I know, I'm dumb).

We went back home picked up Ken and started driving to Niagara Falls.  Or at least that is where we were headed for about two minutes until Kate asked where we were going and when we told her the Falls she begged to go to a mall.  I suggested a farm, and that seemed good enough.  Someday we'll stop letting the three year old make our decisions for us!  We started driving east on highway nine and I looked backwards and thought, that's why you don't give an 18 month old chapstick.  We pulled over, Ken cleaned her up and we were back on our way.

Whittamore's Farm is fun.  There are a number of things to do.  We were there for four hours and we had a great little time.  Far and away the favourite thing was the bouncy barn.  Both girls LOVED it.

Both girls (and Ken) had turns milking the cow.

Caterpillars are always captivating.

There was a cute chicken show.  (Why did the chicken cross the road, roll in the mud and then cross the road again?  Because he was a dirty double crosser!)

The girls enjoyed the sand pit too.

We even went on a hay ride.  It was very literally a hay ride, we sat in a wagon that was filled with hay - not even hay bales.

And then one last stop at the bouncy barn before we had ice cream, bought some fresh produce and started making our way home.

After our lovely time at the farm we piled in the van and headed west and north.  We took a very round-about route - we followed ninth line for a long time and when eventually drove west, through Bradford (eventually), up to see Lake Simcoe in Innisfill and then on to Alliston.  We drove for two hours while the girls napped, we're crazy like that.  We went out for dinner, went to the park and then went grocery shopping.  I just love jam-packed Saturdays.  I love my family.  I wish summer could last forever.  (But of course I need to remember to be grateful for having the summer off, and I am grateful, so grateful!)

Alice is 18 Months

Words, words and more words.  That's what I think about the last few weeks with Alice.  She is really trying to communicate.  She says a few words clearly - no, (okay now I'm drawing a total blank) and she says a lot of words that we can understand but probably no one else!  She has been my little shadow this summer, never wanting me to be out of sight.  I'm going to miss her so much when I go back to work.  I just hope the transition isn't too hard on her.  Ken has been calling her La-la lately and I think it's really cute.  She calls herself Ahla - I think she calls herself this because that's what Kate calls her when she's upset with her... so Alice might hear that a lot?!

Alice Speak
Mama
Dada
Kay = Kate
La = Glasses
Key
La = Flower
Bear
Gulping sound - she wants water
No
(Ken's addition to the list...)
Ball
lla - Cinderella
Baby (whole word)
Pee
Poo
Nuuh - nurse
Various animal sounds:
Dinosaur, monkey, sheep, pig, chicken, duck, elephant, dog, cat, chick, horse, goat, lion, bear, bird (twee twee),
She does a lot of animals.
Duh- Dog
Cow
ka - Cat
ella - elephant
ja - giraffe
ussa - outside
sta - stroller
Kaaa - Car
Pa! - Park
I'm sure I'm missing a lot, she says so much now.
(Back to Wendy - I just wanted to add a couple more)
caw-caw = marker
cra-caw = craker

August - WEEK SEVEN

Sunday - BARF!
Saturday night/Sunday morning it was my turn, Sunday afternoon it was Ken's turn.  I'm just thankful that there was enough space between turns that we were able to take care of the girls.  It was unpleasant and awful, but we were all able to take care of ourselves so that was a blessing.  We obviously didn't go to church and we obviously had a quiet day.

Monday - Alliston - Sunpark, McDonald's, Dollar Store.  Evening grocery store trip to Schomberg.
The ladies and I had fun in Alliston today.  We had fun at the Sun park (the Rotary park).  We went for a walk in the forest that is behind the park.  It's fun to explore the paths through the trees.  I wasn't planning to stay in Alliston that long, I was going to head home directly after the park but Kate asked to go to McDonald's and I thought, why not, so we did.  She didn't want drive-through either, she wanted the restaurant experience.  Next she asked for a new colouring book so we went to the dollar store and bought $12 worth of awesome, just check out the hats!  It was just a random fun kind of day. 

We bought bunk beds - well an invert-able loft bed.  Kate thinks it's fun.  At some point I want her to sleep in it, besides just napping, which she decided to do at 6 p.m. 

Alice is in love with the bath right now.  She asks to have a bath multiple times a day.  I think she is part fish.  She just loves the water.

Tuesday - Returned book club book to Orangeville, Swimming Lesson, Fixed Plastic Cover thingy on van, Dinner out at Mr. Gigi's in Beeton.
Today was another random but fun kind of day.  A few things that are noteworthy.  1) Book club - I'm part of a book club, though not a very good member.  I've been to two book club meetings - both of which were in my home and I have yet to finish a book before book club night.  The book this month was The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.  I didn't go to the meeting and I only finished the book last night.  I loved the book, it was so good.  It's a movie too.  Part of the reason we went to Beeton and ate out was because I wanted to go to the library and check out the movie.  2) Kate's swimming lesson was in an indoor pool in Tottenham today because it was cold and rainy.  The town councillor has an indoor pool and let's people use it.  Weird, random, but kind of fun. 3) I had the plastic cover thingy that is hanging down at the front underneath part of the van fixed today.  Goodbye scraping noise every time we back out of the driveway - YAY!

Wednesday - Visit Grandma and Grandpa, Play at Crosby Park in Richmond Hill, and a Thunderstorm.
Mom's still in bed, her back is still a mess.  I'm glad for the support she has around her - she has so many wonderful friends that have been popping in to make sure that she and Dad are okay.  They are well taken care of.  I really hope Mom starts to improve soon.  We stayed perhaps a little too long.  I say that because instead of falling asleep on the drive home Alice fell asleep nursing before we left (and then we didn't leave right away) and then when I put her in the car she woke up and Kate started asking to go to the park and then Alice started saying park, park, so what the heck, we went to the park.  The girls had fun.  We did have perfect timing leaving the park as we got to the van just before the heaven's opened. 

Thursday - Swimming Lesson and Marisol came over to play.
It really was a quiet relaxing week.  Kate was a trooper in her swimming lesson today.  The outdoor pool was cold because of all the rain and she didn't cry.  I was impressed.  Marisol came over to play after swimming lessons.  I think Kate is really going to miss Marisol this year.  Heck, I'm going to miss Michelle - we really need to do better at getting together this year.  It's just so difficult when you go back to work. 

Friday - Swimming Lesson, finished Lucy's dress, walked to the post office, mailed Lucy's dress and Suzanne's curtains and bought the girls ice cream.
We had a make-up swimming lesson for the missed lesson last week and it was at the indoor pool again.  Kate put her chin, mouth and nose in the water today.  She is getting much more comfortable in the water.  I'm not sure if she'll get a sticker - as in I'm not sure that she's met the requirements for whatever level Krystal has her working on, but I'm glad we did lessons this summer.  After the lesson we came home, I put Alice to bed and I went to work.  Kate watched videos while I worked on Lucy's dress.  Then I made Lucy a card and as it says above, we went to the post office.   I'm excited for Lucy to get her dress!

Saturday - Upper Canada Mall, Visit Grandma and Grandpa, Crosby Park RH
Yesterday I did a stupid thing.  See this spot.  This is the spot where I left my camera.  It stayed out all night.  (Alice and I were hanging out in the backyard and I hadn't taken pictures in a few days so I decided to take some pictures and then, well, I put the camera down and I don't remember the rest.  I didn't remember anything until I went to grab the camera this morning and it wasn't in the bag and I thought, no way, I didn't?! But I did.)

Can you see the spot still?  Man I feel like a tool.  It's a good thing I'm so careful with my stuff.  Not sure I should really be including this, but perhaps my children need to have evidence that I do irresponsible things too sometimes, and not because I meant to or I was disrespectful, I just made a mistake. 

Today was a weird day.  It was a day that felt like it happened to us.  We needed to get new shoes for Kate for the fall so we went to the mall.  But we went a little late and dragging Kate around to buy shoes wasn't the most fun thing ever and then there was a cranky/tired melt down that I did not enjoy one little bit.  We did have some fun and we did get cute shoes, it just ended badly and that made me sad.  After lunch we drove down Yonge Street from Newmarket to Richmond Hill.  Ken then continued to drive around while I did some shopping for my parents.  Then Ken did some more driving around while I delivered the groceries.  And wouldn't you know that as soon as I got back in the van both girls woke up.  And they both wanted to see their grandparents so we all went up and hung out for a few hours.  The girls really do love their grandparents.  (Mom's still in bed...)

When we left it was too late to do anything but find a park.  So we went back to Crosby Park.  I suppose there are any number of places we could have gone to, but I really do like Crosby Park.  Ken and I took turns eating our dinner and running around after the girls.

When it was time to go we needed a bathroom.  There was a stinky diaper to change and Kate and I needed to use the facilities. Sadly the little community centre/pool was closed. Pictured below is where Kate relieved herself.  After she was done she informed me that it was my turn. 

There might have been enough cover - okay not really, but what do you do when you gotta go?!  As I was saying there was some cover for a three year old, but no, I didn't take Kate up on her offer!

Someday these ladies will sit in these seats and they'll be going somewhere, without me and without Ken.  I'm thankful that day is still many, many years away.

I suppose today wasn't such a bad day.  And I suppose having a quiet random kind of week isn't too bad either.  Two more weeks of summer and then the dream... nope, let's say it like this.  Two more weeks of full time fun with my girlies.  Two more weeks of being a full time wife and mother.  And then I'm still a mother and a wife and I get to be a teacher too, to other peoples precious children.  I really do have so many blessings.

Trying not to panic

Just breathe.

Now that the sister visit is done it feels like school is around the corner so that means it's time to panic.  I like what I do, I'm blessed to be a teacher, but I love being with my children more.  Yesterday I was freaking out (on the inside mostly) because I feel so miserable about going back to work, but it's the right thing to do and I don't get that.  How can leaving my children be the right thing to do?

There's a scripture in the Book of Mormon - Alma 34:27 which reads: Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

The prayer in my heart yesterday was how I reconcile the feeling that it is right for me to go back to work even though I desperately don't want to leave my babies.  The answer was this, there's a student out there that needs me.  And that answer spoke some peace to me and I was grateful for it.  That was something that gave me peace when I went back to work in April, thinking about the impact that I could have on the children that I teach.

I just checked to see if I ever blogged about it and I didn't, last year's talent show.  I love organizing/ running a talent show at school.  It's a funny thing to do because well, it's a grade 7/8 talent show and the kids are 13/14 years old.  Sometimes the talent is amazing, and sometimes it's good enough.  I love doing the show because every year there's some kid who does something that surprises everyone and that kid is a star.  This year's star was Gavagar.  Without going into too much detail Gavagar has a number of challenges that other students don't have.  He will have to have support in his life for lots of things.  He's one of the ones you worry about.  He asked me about the auditions when the auditions were over.  And truth be told I almost didn't let him audition.

He did audition and he performed and he blew everyone away.  He did a dance routine to a song called "I Can Transform Ya" (which I'm currently listening to on youtube).  He did a fantastic job.  He was so great and it meant so much to him.  He was so happy and the kids were all so impressed.  It made me so happy to provide this opportunity for him.

Today's panic was about time.  I feel crazy when I think about all the things I want to do before school starts.  I have two and a half weeks and there is too much to do and there are just too many people that I want to see.  I feel like I should take a moment to sketch out the next two and a half weeks and come up with a plan, but I don't know when to do that - perhaps if I didn't blog then I could!

I wonder if I'll find some perspective tomorrow... or will I find something new to be panicked about.  I so want to live Ground Hog Day (the movie that is) for a while... I suppose I'd tire of it eventually.  I just want more time, but then I always want more time.  Right now I'm wishing it was earlier in the evening so I could have more time to sleep.