Grammie Weekend

This weekend Darryl's mom came to spend a long weekend with us. She came out last year and it is always really fun to have her around. This time Lucas really took to her, following her around like he was her shadowing. I'm sure she loved it too. He would come and snuggle with her on the couch or hold her hand when they were sitting at the table. Nathan still kind of took to his mom, but if I wasn't around then he would spend time with Grammie too.

We did lots of fun stuff too. We went to the mountains and bowling and harvested all of the vegetables from the garden. Darryl made us a delicious turkey dinner and you could see how happy he is to have her around. I hope we didn't exhaust her too much because as many of you know living in a house with two little kids can be really eventful. Plus I like to keep in fun and lively.




Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Grandad's Horn

While we were in Ontario the boys got to hear Grandad play some songs on his horn. He let both the boys try to play a song too. Well Nathan blew and blew into it, but couldn't make a sound. But when Lucas tried he got quite the loud note from it.






Maybe he'll be a horn player.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Best Buddies

These two brothers have been having a really good time together lately. Tonight while we were cleaning these two entertained each other for a good two hours. It's nice that they are getting along so well. Although you can tell when they've had enough as the fighting starts. But usually they are laughing at each other, especially when the words, poop or pee are involved.



I hope this getting along continues for the rest of their lives. I loved playing with my sister for lots of our growing up.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Uncle Ian

Sorry I haven't been posting much but we have been away doing something so sad. Last week, our brother in law Ian, passed away. He was young and it was unexpected and it is so tragic. Although most of the people who read this blog don't really know Ian, they all probably know his wife Lori who comments on here all the time. After we heard the news, Lucas, Nathan, Darryl and I all got on an airplane and headed to Ontario.



Although there were happy times in the weekend, I can't help but still feel so sad for all it. I can't say I was really close to Ian, but I talk to Lori (my sister in law) probably more then I talk to my own sister. Lori is so wise and has lived through so much in her short life. Lori was even brave enough to give the eulogy at her husbands funeral. It was so well written, very sad, but funny parts too. The other person who I am thinking about all the time is Mackenzie. I think she is strong like her mom, but I also know, she is just 16.



From what I did know of Ian, he was a happy guy. They came out to visit last year and he was so thrilled about it all. He was so optimistic about Calgary and never said bad things. He was also so complimentary about the boys. He enjoyed playing with them and being around them. He was lots of fun to be around. He will be missed by all of us.

This is one of the times I wish we didn't live so far away. I wish we could be there at a moments notice. I wish Darryl could go over and fix things for her when they needed. It sucks.....

We are all a little sad around here.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Down By the River...

Emma is doing better and better. The medication has leveled out in her system and now even when we leave and you can tell she is upset, she still won't destroy anything in the house, or howl at the moon. So I do think we have made some progress. I think going back to our regular routine has really helped too.

We have also been more consistent with getting her exercise. She is able to walk on all four legs now and I take her with me when I walk the boys to and from school. I've also been walking her more in the evenings which has been good for both of us. We've also been taking her down by the river and she has been swimming. She loves swimming and it makes her coat so soft and smooth. The river runs through Fish Creek Park.


The first couple of times we did it the boys weren't really sure. Lucas brought his DS and wanted to sit in the car. But its amazing how nature brings out the "exploring" side of kids. The boys now love to go down to the river. They look for bugs and flowers, they throw things in the river and walk the paths. It's such a great feeling that the kids would rather explore nature then play video games.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

From Dirt to Dinner: Corn

This weekend we did more harvesting of our vegetable garden. For the last couple of weekends we go out and pick carrots and potatoes for our dinner. I love having fresh food from the garden. There is something so satisfying about eating the food you've grown. This evening we also had fresh corn from the neighboors. It is one of those advantages of growning your own food, is when you share it with others they often share food with you too. It is great taber corn too.


Hope you all had delicious weekends too.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Nathan Monthly Newsletter: Month 28

Dear Nathan,

You continue to grow up so fast.

Your speech is getting better and better. You are starting to use full sentences, which is great. Sometimes I still don't understand you, especially if I can't see what we are taking about. But your speech is getting better and better. With your increased vocabulary we are seeing how much you know. For example you know most all of your colors.



You have this beautiful smile. It is one of my favorite things in the world. You still love me so much. Which makes me so happy. When I've been away for a while and you see me. Like when I come home from work. You jump up and yell mommy mommy. You hug me and you are so happy.

You also love to make people laugh. If you do something and someone laughs at you, you'll be happy to do it again and again to keep them laughing. You know what a wonderful sound laughter is and will do most anything for it. You love to ham it up for people.



You have moved into your race car bed. Bedtime has become very fun with you. You like to turn off your own light and jump into bed. Then we talk about your favorite things and if anything made you sad. The thing that makes you sad is the same thing everyday. Lucas punches you. That is your sad thing everyday. Now it makes me laugh. I rub your back for a minute and then go.


Somedays you are going through the terrible twos, you can be whiny and hard to get along with. But most of the time you are a funny kid, who smiles at everyone and makes them smile back. A kid who wants to be just like his brother and loves his dad. A kid who makes his mommys worries and bad days disappear.


love mommy

Fun at the Zoo

We haven't been to the zoo, since last winter. Which for us seems like ages, but as the boys get older I think the visits will be less frequent, but no matter every time we do go I really enjoy myself. "A bit of nothing" has been talking about the zoo this summer and I was itching to go, so with the staggered entry for Lucas's kindergarten he didn't have school today, so off to the zoo we went.

The meerkats. They are usually burrowed in their tunnels, but today they were out.


My favorites the giraffes.


It's amazing how the gorillas are so human. I could watch these animals for hours and hours.


Lucas and Nathan in the kangaroo.


Lucas holding a butterfly
Lucas and Nathan looking for frogs.

In the dinosaur section the roars got too loud.

A cute picture of them in front of the fish.

Till Tomorrow

Jenn

Kindergarten

Today was Lucas's first day back to school. Last year he went to a great preschool 3 mornings a week, so that was a good introduction for him. This year we are going to the local school and it's every morning. I went with him this morning and it was fun. He knows one other kid in his class and his teacher seems really nice. I don't know that it's really hit me yet that I have a kindergartner yet, but I'm sure in the next couple of weeks it will. I know it's cliche, but that time when they are young goes by so fast. And although I'm so proud to watch him grow, I can't believe that time when he is young is gone and I can't get it back. He is such a great kid, I guess the lesson is to cherish every moment as they go by much to quickly.





Here is a couple of picture of the proud school boy. And of course monkey see monkey do. =)

Till Tomorrow

Jenn