Belated Summer post!

Three months late but finally updating! We had an amazing summer full of joy and growth and many fun activities! We enjoyed all of the usual festivities as well as some new adventures. I have really been taking advantage of our new camera and took many shots throughout the summer. Here are some of my favourite captured moments:

Sheepishly tiptoeing onto this template, as my last blog entry declared that I would stay on top of writing and well two months have gone by without a keystroke. I guess we were too busy living again which is fine by me! I will also use this time to remind everyone that we have committed to a "no technology" time each evening after supper until after bedtime so that also has limited my blogging time but for amazing reasons! We continue to enjoy our children and their unique personalities. Our kids are hilarious and are a lot of fun. We relish in the opportunity to soak up every little ounce of those personalities that we love so much. This has been an incredible eye opener for us about just how much our children really need that one on one time with us as well as less stimulation before bedtime. Both children go to bed so much easier and sleep so much better when they have been running and playing. We love a good movie snuggle with the kids but save those times for rainy days and moments when we need to slow down and have a rest.

We were very fortunate that as of late Geoff has finally been offered a full time position at his work. The past four years had been difficult for us financially and we leaned on many loved ones to pull us through. We were supported in so many amazing ways and appreciate each and every one of those people who helped us stay afloat! Having said that now that we find ourselves in a better position, we decided our first big purchase would be something for our kids that we have been wanting to get them for several summers. We chose a play set and after 16.5 hours of building it was finally complete!

Big shout out to my hubby who put each one of those 16.5 hours in and the majority of them on his own <3 The kids love it and so do we!

We have been having so much fun!

 

In two short weeks we will close another chapter in Kaiden's young life, the completion of Kindergarten. We have mixed feelings about it being over; part relief as it hasn't been the easiest year for our little man and part sadness that he is growing so fast! Kaiden struggled with such a big change and the tender-hearted sensitive boy that we love so much didn't always want to go out the door to school. We worked with him on standing up for himself and building his fragile confidence. We have noticed such a positive change in our boy and what was slumped shoulders leaving in the morning has been replaced with leaping out the door and excitedly describing his school day to us. We know that there will be other challenges ahead but we feel confident that he has grown and adjusted to such a momentous change in his life. He is very excited that he will get to go to grade 1 when he goes back..his words "You mean after summer I will be in Grade 1 that fast"?

Our proud little Clock

 

 

Miss A continues to challenge us but amaze us with her enthusiasm and independence. She has developed into quite a chatterbox and has all of us laughing often when she parrots Kaiden or enters a room and says "hi guys". She has been fascinated with colours and walks around pointing out each colour and telling us which one is which. Her favourite is yellow followed by pink which she calls "punk". She also loves to read and be read to and asks for specific books each night.

 

We are looking forward to a break for the summer with camping, swimming, bonfires, trips and so much more fun. Kaiden would like to continue with swimming and has passed his first course so will advance to "Lieutenants" when we start up again. Okay that is all I am capable of tonight as my pillow is calling my name..

 

Until next time..Good night!

 

Catch up!

Okay so I have realized that somewhere between Easter, birthday parties, party planning, swimming and gymnastics, playdates and all the other daily life I haven't been blogging as frequently; so here I am attempting to keep up again. I am hoping that this, among my other countless baby books, journals etc; will serve as a timeline and fun trip down memory lane for my children who will be able to read and enjoy the moments we spent together ...soooo having said that, sorry for the delay between posts, we were just too busy living!

So to recap the past couple of weeks, we have enjoyed a fun filled Easter with some of our past favourite activities such as our Glow in the dark Easter Egg Hunt:

The eggs were filled with glow bracelets and treats and placed around the edge of our yard for the kiddies to hunt. We waited until after dark in order to really see them glowing. They were a bit hit!



I was also itching to get out a take a few Easter pictures of the kiddies so we did our own little egg hunt in a nearby field and dressed the kids up and let them go find the eggs while I snapped pictures. Although it was a lesson on use of flash for me, I still think they turned out cute!

The kids have both started some new activities for the spring; Swimming for Kaiden and Gymnastics for Avarie. Both LOVE what they are doing (as well as would love to do what the other is I think!) We are so proud of Kaiden who has quickly taken to swimming and is more confident in the water already!

Avarie started Gymnastics this past weekend and as suspected, quickly took to it! Her instructor commented on her balance and lack of fear!

 So in a nutshell we have been very busy, but good busy. Kaiden's birthday is just around the corner and he and I are working on lots of fun ideas for his Halloween theme. Stay tuned for some very fun and spooky photos!

Just a quick plug for our local elementary school..Island View is in the running for an outdoor classroom which would be an excellent addition to their school. Please visit http://www.majestatreesofknowledge.ca/ and vote for Island View School in New Brunswick to win an outdoor classroom.

Also this month celebrates the Pay it forward movement, don't forget to continue to do acts of kindness and enjoy others to pay it forward. Any acts big or small will be appreciated! Visit http://payitforwardsj.org for more info!

Party we did!

Another year, another anniversary of the day our beautiful girl graced us with her presence. I dreamt since I was a little girl about having children of my own.  The day I became a mom was truly a lifelong dream come true. My daughter joined our family and made us complete. Every day I wonder how I got to be so lucky. I love planning a celebration; especially one that celebrates my children. I have been working on Avarie's party for a few weeks and we got to have a wonderful gathering over the weekend for our girl. Kaiden was such a big help; he is so kind and considerate and makes me so very proud. There is nothing like having children who share in each other's excitement as much as their own. We made a balloon curtain for Avarie's door on the morning of her birthday. Kaiden was so excited for her, it was so very sweet.

He was also very excited to help me cut Minnie mouse shapes and decorate for her party. I love that they love each other so much. It is a reflection of the love they see and feel in our home and makes me so happy to see it through their eyes.
This year I decided to try my hand at taking Avarie's birthday pictures, here is a link to the ones that made the final cut.
Avarie's big bash on Sunday was a great success, the snow held off and we were joined by some wonderful friends and family. Here are some photos of our fun:
The Welcome sign:

 

Minnie ear pigtail clips for the girls

Mickey masks for the boys:

Cupcakes

The Cake:

The Beautiful birthday girl!

It was a great day and she was so happy which warms this momma's heart!

In other news..Miss A has been rocking potty training! In two weeks she has trained herself! She is wearing underwear all of the time except bedtime (as a precaution since she has been dry the past two nights!) She goes on her own and lets us know if she has to "pee" or "poop". She has a sticker chart and LOVES to choose a sticker after she goes and places it on her chart. We are so very proud of her! Big brother Kaiden has been great at encouraging her and cheering her on!

Kaiden started the "Mad Science" program at school and LOVES it! It is a "spy" program where children learn about solving mysteries. Kaiden counts down the days until it runs again and tells us all about it when we pick him up.

We are all very much looking forward to spring and Kaiden cannot wait until Easter, not unlike his mother he loves a change in season as well as holidays!

Funtastic February!

What we have been up to:

Spending more time playing with our children. We run, we turn into animals, we climb, we laugh (oh boy do we laugh!). We have learned that our children are hilarious. They have the ability to have us caught in fits of laughter. Last night during playtime they were running around singing and dancing Katy Perry's "Firework" while wearing plastic toy bins on their heads...it was a sight. We are also thrilled that when family visit they not only respect the "playtime" but they join in!

Disclaimer: Took a few pics of Ring around the rosy with Uncle puds and then it was put away for complete play!


We got a new camera!
I am sure love of taking pictures is part of my inner makeup thanks to my momma. I will say though I am not about ready to head out at an ungodly hour to stand in poison ivy to capture that perfect pic (sorry mom..not quite there yet :P) Having said that..I love love love capturing people pictures. I love getting giggles and painting memories through photos. I have been researching and experimenting with the help of my camera savy family and friends (thank you all for the patience in explaining ISO and shutterspeed to me multiple times!)

Less hours at work more at home:
G and I made the decision to drop the half day of work I had been doing on Fridays. As much as I love my job, I love my children so much more and am very blessed to be in a position to work less hours and spend more time with my kids. I will soak up every extra hour I can get with them.

Party planning:
Miss Av has a birthday coming and we I am in full party planning mode. I love everything about planning an event, especially when it is for my kids! Stay tuned for pinterest ideas and lots of Minnie decor!

Valentines Day!
I love the 14th! Not because of the hallmark part of the holiday; I feel like we express love for each other all year round and do not need an excuse to do so... however I am a big fan of pink so how could I not love it? Kaiden and I headed out Wednesday to chose his Valentine cards. I loved this part of school when I was a kid and was excited for him to choose. He smiled shyly telling me about which ones he couldn't wait to give out. We planned some Valentine treat ideas and cannot wait to put them together.

Kiddy milestones:
Kaiden has been printing, printing and more printing. He loves to practice writing notes to us and drawing and labeling pictures. He has been working hard at reading and has read his bedtime story to us several times! We love the I can read books which are very helpful for beginning readers. Kaiden is looking forward to spring because he LOVES easter and he can't wait to plan his birthday party, which he decided will be a halloween party! We figure if he wants a halloween party in May..a halloween party we will do! Kaiden rocked a new style this month and went for a "fohawk"

Avarie is getting more and more vocal. She has been putting more words together and loves to say "come on" and "I want to go downstairs" "there it is!" "all done" and more! Something really funny she has been doing is talking like a "monster". She talks in a "growly" voice and has us in fits of laughter! She has gone through a growth spurt and is so close to turning 2! She is also still her busy adventurous self..climbing, climbing and more climbing. She keeps us on our toes!

Off to watch Mickey with my girl but I will end with a morning picture...who doesn't love a peanut butter face??

Pay it Forward!

As most already know, I am very impressed with the newest city initiative  called: "Pay it forward Saint John". Here is a link to the facebook page, which contains a description as well as videos explaining the initiative and goal. The overall idea is for Saint John to become known as the "kindest city". The idea is that people will pick up a "pay it forward" bracelet, complete an act of kindness, and then pass the bracelet hoping that the person will continue to pay it forward by helping someone else. The act can be as simple as a kind word or helping a stranger by carrying their bags or paying for a beverage. It can be anything really! I am so excited about this, as for us this is an extension of our "good deed" calendar we do for the month of December. I am excited to get my co-workers involved as well as to involve Kaiden in these deeds. For more information visit Pay it forward Saint John on facebook or twitter.

Resolution

So for 2013 hubby and I decided to focus our attention even more so on our Children. We decided that from when we arrive home after work until our children are in bed we will not use any technology. We will put the cell phones and computers away and turn off the television. We will make an effort to "play" more and enjoy our time with our kids. It has been so much fun and it was such an awesome feeling when Kaiden learned of our plan. He was so very excited and immediately told Grandma when she around that after supper was "play time". So from here on our if you need to reach us phone or text after 7:30 :)