Happy Birthday Darryl Weekend!

We had an action packed weekend, that included Darryl's birthday celebration. It also included an amazing theatrical show of the Lion King. Lucas, Darryl and I went on Saturday afternoon to see Lion King. It was amazing. The best musical I've ever seen. The costumes were INCREDIBLE! I would recommend if you ever get a chance to see the show to pounce on it. Even Lucas really enjoyed it. I was kind of worried about how he would react, but he did great, although he sat on my lap the whole time.



Afterwards we had some friends over for steak dinner and cherry cheesecake, Darryl's favorite dessert. I often rant and rave about what a great husband and father Darryl is. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful man to spend my life with. He is funny and kind and caring. He is an amazing Dad to those two kids. Tonight he was teaching Lucas how to throw a basketball and yesterday helping him learn to golf. Today he made us dinner and he even made his birthday dinner. Yep, I did good.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Vegetable Garden

While we were away the vegetable garden exploded, so when we came home it was harvest time. I wanted to pickle the beets and we have zucchini coming out the yin yang. We have been eating the lettuce (and sharing it with anyone who wants it) all summer. The potatoes are also looking good. But rather then harvesting them all at once, we done some every couple of nights when we eat potatoes.

There are many reasons we grow vegetables, it's cheaper then buying them, I love to watch it grow, we know they have no pesticides, no gas is used to deliver the vegetables. But my number one reason for growing my own vegetables is the way they taste. They taste so damn good.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Monthly Newsletter - Month Forty Eight

Dear Lucas,

A couple of weeks ago you turned 4 years old. We were having a grand old time in Kelowna when this happened. You were a bit confused about why all your friends didn't come to Kelowna and why there were no presents (they came before we went). But I was glad you enjoyed all of your many birthdays equally.

This last month you've spent the last 2 weeks being sick, which has been a challenge for all of us. You really didn't want to take your medicine. We were doing all kinds of tricks to get you to take it. I can see your stubborness coming out, just like your mother. You have also become much pickier when it comes to food. You use to eat EVERYTHING, but now most things we put infront of you, you don't like or want. Eventually you'll eat it, but not as enthusiastically as before.

You continued to enjoy the water this summer. While we were in Kelowna you worked on your floating and putting your head in the water. You start swimming lessons next week, so that you can continue that progress.

You and Nathan continue to have a love hate relationship with Nathan. Sometime you boys play together and wrestle and have fun. But sometimes his copying you drives you crazy. I think this relationship is what you guys will be like for years to come.

You are growing up. Really I can't believe you are 4. Next week you will be starting preschool. It seems old to me. When Mackenzie was here I really started to notice it as well. You didn't need me around as much. You were happy to play with her on your own. Although I love to see you be independant, it's bittersweet to me. It seems to be that now you are 4 the world expects you to be more independant. The world is ready for you to do things on your own. As for you, I'm not sure that you are ready, I'm not sure if I am ready. But here we are at the age of 4, the age of independence. But no matter how old and how independent you are my arms will always be open to come home to.

love mommy

Kelowna: The mother edition

One of the first times I came to Kelowna was with Tammy and her two boys. One was 5 the other was just shy of one. It was a great time and I have so many good memories of it. On that trip I finished 2 books.

This trip I am the one with two boys. And I'm sad to say I haven't even finished one book! Granted it's a long one, but gone are the days of reading outside until the sun went down. Or reading for hours on the beach between swims to cool down.

And although I miss books, I know I will get to read them for my whole vacation again. But there will be very few years my kids will want to make sandcastles with me.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Kelowna 2009 Part One

I'm sure you could guess by the lack of blog posts, but last week we drove out to Kelowna. I was lucky enough to have Dad come with us and spend the first 4 days out here. The kids and I are so lucky to have grandparents who are so involved in their kids lives. I think Pop had a good time too. So for the last week we have been enjoying the heat of BC. I've been swimming almost everyday. Excpet for the day it rained. Auntie Karen also joined us out here for a couple of days, so Lucas and Nathan have had the treat of being not only with Oma and Opa, but having Pop and Auntie Karen here too. Here are some picture highlights.

Auntie Karen was helping Lucas learn to swim in the lake.


Nathan and I in the water. This

Nathan enjoying himself (or at least smiling for the camera)



Lucas, Pop and Nathan in the big hole in the sand.


Pop, Nathan and Lucas playing in the sand


Pop and Lucas having a water canon fight.


All of us at our favorite dog beach. The sand is good and the dog can be free


The ducks are pretty tame at the beach, they are use to being fed by the tourists.


Nathan LOVED the beach. Lucas wasn't feeling well so he got to chose when we would leave, which was always too early for Nathan.



A hilarious sign at the beach. No mooing (someone erased the r)



Not only have we been at the beach, but we've been playing with pill bugs.


And chasing bubbles.


And running around.

Hope you are all enjoying your last weeks of August as much as we are.

Till Tomorrow (or maybe next week)

Jenn

Nathan's Monthly Newsletter: Month Sixteen

Dear Nathan,

This weekend you turned 16 months old. It has been a really eventful month for us as summers usually are. You spent most of it with Mackenzie your cousin and some of the time with Aunt Lori and Uncle Ian. You also spent time with your Auntie Lexie and Grandma and Pop too.


Although Kenzie was here for a whole month you never really took to her. I don't know if it was her black hair or if you are just going through your crazy mommy stage, but over the past month you have really wanted to be with me. There have been a couple of sweet times that you will go to Dad or Grandma or Pop. But really I am your preferred person. One night this month Grandma came over to see you. You were in the tub when she got here. She played with you for a bit in there and then we got you into your room. As soon as you got your towel off you crawled right over to her naked and all and hugged her for minutes and mintues. She rubbed your back and you almost fell asleep on her. It was beautiful, and pay back for all the love and time she gives you as well.



Speaking of love and time we do videoconference with Darryl's mom every week and she has taught you how to blow kisses. You are really good at it. Better then the regular open month kisses you give. You also had a great time with Lori and Ian too. With all the company here we have been doing lots of fun things, which is a great way to spend the summer, but a little hard on your schedule. You have done quite well though and are pretty adaptable.





One thing that does need improvement is your sleeping. You have been waking most nights and don't fall asleep without one of us in the room.


You continue to adore your brother and want to do whatever he does. We are driving to Kelowna tomorrow and for everything that Lucas has I'm sure that you have one too. Lucas got a new "computer" for his birthday, so I have an old Diego compter for you too. I downloaded a bunch of games for Lucas on the ipod touch. Pop download a bunch of games for you so you can play them as well.


You are also listening and understanding better. You are shaking your head more if you really mean no, rather then agreeing with every question we ask. Or I can ask you to go throw something in the garbage and you'll do it. I am looking forward to you talking more. You are still just using sylables to describe stuff, and it is coming along, but not as fast as I like.
Phycially you started walking at the beginning of this month. This has been GREAT! I love that I don't have to carry you anywhere. You are also trying to jump and love to dance. You can spin and walk backwards and clap your hands. It is awesome. Like I said you want to be just like Lucas, so if he climbs somewhere you want to climb it too.




I love you baby.

love mommy

Crossing it Off My List

Today I completed one of the things that was on my life list. I have always enjoyed biking and swimming so thought I should compete in a triathalon. Mom and I have been training for the last couple of months and today was the day to do it. We had to show up before 7:30 to get our number written on our arms and legs and get a timing chip which you wear around your ankle. Then we had to sit around for hours waiting for the Olympic Women and the Olympic Men to start. I was amazing that there was a women there doing the Olympic distance who was in a wheelchair. So someone lifted her into and out of the water and she did it all with her arms!! Isn't that amazing. So after a long wait it was finally time... the men sprint went first and then the women's sprint. Mom and I hugged each other a ran into the water. We did have our own cheering section of Tammy and Shaun, Dad (in his "SHE WAS RIGHT", shirt) and Alexis and Darryl and the boys.

Mom and I happy to be doing it together (and to be starting)


143 women raced the sprint


Look at us all out there

The swim was harder then I thought it was going to be. I've probably done the most training for it, and I really like to swim but it was still a challenge. I did a fair bit of it on my back. When we got around the far buoy one woman yelled, " yeah we are half way done". Most people find the swim the hardest part. Even though I completed 750m in 23 minutes, it was still tough.




Then you get pulled out of the water and run to your bike. For real competitors every second counts, but for me, just wanting to finish, I kind of hobbled to the bike, not really ran. Put on my helmet (which is a rule, you have to have your helmet on and strapped up before you can get on your bike), dried my feet and put on my shoes. The bike part was not bad. There is a wicked hill they make you do, twice! So I got off my biked and walked up part of it. If nothing then to give my quads a bit of a break. One of the cool things I found was that riders cheered each other on. Even though it's a race everyone want's everyone to finish. The other thing I really remember about the biking was smiling. Throughout the whole race I smiled. When you spend so long preparing for something it is such a thrill to accomplish it. I was happy to be there and be doing it.

Good picture of the transition area where everyone's bikes are kept.

The sad part of the day was that Mom blew a tire on the bike ride, so she was unable to finish it. I felt so bad for her as she has worked just as hard for it. But we all know she would have completed it and that an equipment problem was what kept her from it. I couldn't be more proud of her and the guts and dedication it takes for a 50 year old women to do a triathalon. And I will be forever greatful that she was my training partner because I don't know if I would have done it alone. So thanks mom!

The last part was the run. I was certainly sore after getting off the bike and didn't think I would be running at all. But after a bit of walking to limber up my legs I walked one light standard and then ran the next set.

Crossing the finish line

Even though I am completely exhausted it was a really good experience. I completed it all in 2 hours and 13 minutes (although official times aren't up yet). I think I may even do it again next year.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Jumping

Another way the world is such a different place compared to when I was a teenager is that the camera is a toy. Not a tool to capture a moment but a toy to make moments with. One of Lucas and Mackenzie's favorite things to do over the last month here at home was to take pictures of him jumping off the bed. Here are some of his kung fu moves.

The river dance move




Even Kenzie would take some with him



Looks like he is higher then the dresser


Kung Fu legs

Till Tomorrow.

Jenn