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!

A Walk Around the Block

The first, of I hope many, many walks around the block this year!

The Last Dance Class

I'm not sure how well this session went for Alice.  I aged her up and I'm not sure she was ready.  I think her free spirit wasn't ready to be reigned in.  It wasn't a total loss.  Alice participated more than she didn't.  Kate loved it.  There wasn't a concern about that.  I thought it would be cute for the girls to be in class together, and it was.  They did dance.  Mom and Dad, aka Grandma and Grandpa came for the last class, although I think Grandma was a little embarrassed by Alice, and Fiona too for that matter - they were both all over the place.

Either way, I'm grateful for the opportunities the girls have to take classes, and I'm grateful for their teacher Andrea.  Dancing is good for their little souls!

Seventy-Five

We've called him old man for as long as I can remember - us kids that is.  Seventy-five seems like the number for the anniversary of a store, not the age of my father.  I look at his face, I'm not sure what 75 is supposed to look like.  What does 75 act like?  I'm not sure what age Dad has ever acted. 

We had dinner at Mom and Dad's tonight.  Mom made roast beef, roast potatoes, carrot and turnip, and peas.  She ordered Swiss Chalet for my crazy fussy children - so above and beyond, I was both touched a slightly depressed thinking about it - the fussy children that is.  (They really don't like meat - or cooked carrots, who are these children?!)  Andrew brought a Billy Miner Pie from the Keg, but Dad didn't tell Mom, so they got a Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cake from Baskin Robbins.  Andrew also picked up donuts for my girls - as per my request. And for his birthday we gave him butter tarts and oh henry bites.  I suppose it makes sense that there should be extra dessert when it's Dad's birthday, he's always loved treats!

We had a fun night.  The girls love playing with Rayna and Andrew.  Mom was in the kitchen lots - taking the turn for dishes from Dad.  And Dad, he just sat enjoying it all, taking it all in.  Watching his crazy grand-daughters and loving it.  He was a happy lad tonight - not grumpy at all.  He didn't sneak off to his bedroom, and he didn't fall asleep in his chair.  I guess I would say that 75 agrees with him!

I took some pictures with my phone because although I charged the battery I forgot the battery at home.  ARGH!

Happy Birthday DAD!  We're so glad we got to celebrate with you! Here's to many more! 

Zoo

We renewed our membership to the zoo today.  We received a 15% discount to renew a month early.  I had been thinking about our pass expiring in April.  When it came right down to it, there was no choice but to renew.  I am so NOT done with the zoo yet!  I love it there!

Today we went to the pandas first, then to Australasia, then lunch, and then to Africa.  Walking around in the warm, humid (albeit stinky) pavilions, I felt like I was on a tropical vacation.  I did.  Call me crazy, but I did.  A fun, warm, slightly stinky holiday!

 The bird - a Blue Crowned Pigeon, came out from behind the bushes, and poor Fiona lost her mind.

Taking this picture...

...made me think of this picture, pregnant with Fi - in March 2013.

Today we learned about the gorillas.  Charles is the silver back of the group.  A group can only have one silver back.  Charles is 43 and is mellowing in old age.  The oldest gorilla is 48, a female named Josephine.  Johari, daughter of Charles and Josephine, carries around a stuffy - she was hand raised, she's 14.  Ngozi, 17,  is mother to two of the gorillas currently at the zoo - Nassir 5 1/2 and Nneka 18 months.  And last is Sadiki 10.  At some point Sadiki, who is also Charles' son, will have to be separated out from the rest of the group because he will become a silver back and he will fight his Dad.  The keeper explained that after a certain age, males leave their groups and form bachelor groups until they are old enough and tough enough to start a group of their own.  When Sadiki is about 18 he'll be introduced to a new zoo to be a silver back there.

We also learned about the pygmy hippo - his name is Henry and he's 21.  There used to be a female at the zoo, but she died.

I love the zoo!

Twenty-One

I've been thinking all day about what to write about Miss Fiona.  And now I'm tired and it's gone again... okay wait - MINE!  One of her new words this month was mine.  Oh my goodness, so funny to hear her say it.  Even funnier (well sometimes not) when she's saying it about something that isn't hers.  She also wanders around the house calling Mommy - that is when we're not in the same room, and even when we are in the same room she likes calling Mommy over and over and over again.  Her language is coming along slowly.

I took her to the Doctor on the 26th of February for her last shot and her 18ish month check-up.  Dr. Nauth asked lots of questions about what she's up to, including questions about gestures.  At the time I thought, yes, she gestures... I think?  Well since the appointment when she gestures to communicate a million times a day, I think oh yeah, that one, and that one.  So many gestures!  She was doing some frantic pointing this afternoon to show me what she wanted.  It's too cute to when she nods her head yes, or shakes her head no.

I'm trying not to think about May 19th, and when I do think about it, I try to think about the positives... she's going to be with Ken three days a week, and it's only six weeks.  Oh my sweet Fiona, I just love you so much.  You are so much fun!

A Novel!

Kate's reading has astounded us for a while now.  It isn't just her ability to decode, it's the way she reads with such expression.  We have wanted her to challenge herself, and have tried and failed to introduce chapter books a few times.  Today Kate brought home her Scholastic order.  In it was Rainbow Magic, Florence the Friendship Fairy.

When Kate picked the book a couple of weeks ago, I didn't think much of it.  It came with three bracelets, and I thought it was kind of silly, but it was within the price limit, and I thought, it's her choice, so whatever.

It was after dinner and I can't remember exactly what we were all doing, but I asked Kate to read a chapter.  The book has little black line drawings on each page, a friendly sized font, and short 3-4 page chapters. 

She read the first chapter, then she kept going, and kept going, and going.  I followed along the first little bit, but then Alice and Fiona would interrupt here and there.  The vocabulary was perfect, there were only a few words in the whole thing she didn't understand.  She just kept reading. 

I don't know how long it took either, but little Miss Kate finished the whole darn thing!  All 157 pages, in one sitting!  I was so impressed and proud of her.  I feel that it's going to be very important for Kate to find the balance between pushing herself and enjoying herself.  She has so many talents, but talents are nothing without hard work to develop them!

Way to go Kate, I'm so proud of you!  (Dad too!)