Easter

Easter and General Conference in the same weekend... I don't always appreciate when General Conference overlaps with a long weekend, but this year without any travel plans, it was nice.

All week we've been reading about Holy Week.  A few weeks ago when we started talking about Easter I asked Kate about the real meaning of Easter - this was after she had been talking about "The Bunny".  She didn't know.  I thought oh dear.  I know we've talked about Jesus suffering in Gethsemane, dying on the cross and getting resurrected, but she didn't know that this was Easter.  Not long ago - a week maybe, a friend shared a link of a blog about Holy Week activities.  I thought this would be a wonderful thing do, and it has been, perhaps for me more than Kate and Alice.

On Friday morning Kate and I read several chapters out of the New Testament Stories.  We talked about the pictures and the scriptures a little every day.  We kept talking about "two thousand years ago", it was a really great experience.

Friday - not long before lunch, we decided to head up to Alliston to the "sun" park.  We had lots of fun.  It was really beautiful out.  Ken decided to take a break from working and came with us.  After the park we went to lunch at Harvey's.

When we got back after the park, Fiona was asleep.  This in my mind made it the perfect time to decorate eggs.  And it was.  Kate, Alice and I had fun decorating!

We've typically done our Easter Egg hunt on Saturday.  Saturday is kind of the nothing day, so I figure it's a good day to do the hunt.  We talked about going to a farm, as we have done a few times, but we didn't.  The girls had fun hunting for eggs in the basement, and of course much fun was had by all, eating way too much chocolate!

Then before you know it, it's noon and it's time for conference.  We had lunch in the basement and the girls - bingo cards in hand, settled in to watch conference.  I had activity booklets for them and we set up the table.  This session's bingo incentive was LPS toys.  I bought a bunch second hand and thought I'd use them as rewards.  Man oh man, did Kate and Alice (mostly Kate) ever love that!  Kate wanted to watch every single session because she wanted to keep getting more LPS.  I'm not sure exactly how I feel about bribery?

We went out between session on Saturday.  The girls went to the park with Ken, I went to pick up a loaf of bread.  By the time I came back from the grocery store the girls were done. We heard the train, so we decided to chase the bunny express.  We managed to find it and took some fun pics.  I've always wanted to take two trains at the same time, and success!  So fun!

Saturday night Ken went to the priesthood session.  The girls and I had frozen pizza - Fiona hadn't napped so she went to bed just before eight.  It was a semi-crazy night, but good.

Today was very laid back.  We didn't go out.  We watched conference.  We ate more chocolate.  I really enjoyed conference.  I always do.  I am disappointed with myself that I didn't ever make my conference reminder page last time.  I want to finish that this week, or maybe next week, seeing that this week is busy!  Tomorrow is Mom's birthday, Fiona is 22 months, and another day off school for Kate.  Let the fun continue!

Oh, and here's our basket of eggs.

And here's the picture of the Holy Week wall.

The Ballet

I really don't know when I last went to the ballet.  I have happy memories, such happy memories of going to the ballet with my Grandma when I was a girl. 

I suppose it was almost a month ago, Mom and I were talking and she mentioned wanting to take Kate to the Ballet at the Markham Theatre.  The Russian National Ballet was performing Cinderella in a matinee performance and Mom thought it would be fun.  When I looked at the website and realized that they were also performing Sleeping Beauty, I told Mom that I thought they should go to that instead. 

The plan was to bring Kate down to Mom and Dad's, we'd have dinner, Kate would have napped on the way, then Mom and Kate would go to the theatre and Kate would have a sleep over with Grandma.  Then Grandma got a cough.  This was not part of the plan.  Mom was worried she'd have a coughing fit in the middle of the performance.  Yesterday she and Dad drove up and dropped off the tickets.  I felt a little sad that Mom wouldn't be taking Kate, but also a little excited that I would go instead.

Tonight went pretty much according to plan.  Kate had a nap - in her room after school.  I had envisioned her falling asleep in the van on the way down, but I didn't envision her having a melt down because she didn't get a balloon, and she needed a balloon.  (I also didn't envision her putting her coat and shoes on and walking off down the road.  Good thing Alice saw her go towards the road.  Kate running away definitely wasn't in the plan for tonight.  It never ceases to amaze me just how crazy kids can become when they're over tired!)

We drove down, arrived with time to spare.  Secured our seats and then we waited.  Kate kept checking my phone to see the time.  The lights went down a few minutes past eight and the music started.  Kate was so excited. 

Kate knowing the story and knowing the music - some of it anyway, really helped.  She could anticipate things.  During the opening scene when all of the good fairies are bestowing their gifts, she started to ask when the bad fairy would come - and then was delighted when she made her arrival. 

She only asked once when it would be over, during the first half, but she was mostly captivated.  During intermission we bought smarties and a cookie and we watched the bad fairy taking pictures with fans.  I asked Kate if she would get her picture taken and she said no saying she was scared, but she really just wanted to go eat her smarties. 

The second half moved quite quickly.  The dancing was so lovely as were the costumes.  Mom had gotten tickets in the front row.  I was nervous that it would be too close, but it wasn't.  The seats were amazing, so amazing.  I enjoyed the two female principals, the Lilac Fairy, and Aurora, but when the Prince made his debut in the second half, I was really impressed.  His jumps and leaps were amazing.  Kate audibly gasped a couple of times.  When the Prince and Aurora were dancing and he lifted her in the air above his head she said "How'd he do that?!" 

Kate's favourite part was during the wedding scene.  The wedding scene was complete with entertainment.  Princess Florine and the Bluebird did a pas de deux, as did Puss 'n' Boots and White Cat, and Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf.  All three were very entertaining, but Kate's favourite part - and her favourite part of the whole ballet "I liked it when Puss 'n' Boots and the mouse had a fight and hit each other on the head."  (I don't know where she gets her appreciation of physical comedy?!)

When the ballet was over she was just gushing and so happy.  "That was the most beautifullest thing I've ever seen."  I had a gushing moment during the ballet myself.  I thought about my own Grandma and how grateful I was to her for instilling a love of the arts in me, then I thought of my Mom who provided me with this opportunity to take Kate, and I thought of sweet Kate and how proud I was of her for being an angel during the performance, and I got a little misty. 

After the show was over ("Mom, do I have to keep clapping?") I bought Kate a fan and myself a magnet.  And I was able to convince Kate not to be shy and go take a picture with the bad fairy.  The bad fairy - he was so entertaining.  Not sure if Kate realized he was a guy.  He and the prince were my two favourite dancers in the ensemble. 

What a magical night.  What a blessed woman I am!

My First Art Model

Kate was very excited today.  She had a presentation in school this morning.  The "Scientists in the Schools" came today and did a presentation about bugs - insects in fact.  They each made a model of a house fly.  She proclaimed this a very exciting day as it was her very first art model.  (He he, she's so cute!)

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.