Day in the life....

I've been meaning to do this photo project for far too long....  it finally happened today.

This is a typical day around our house..... and yes it is MESSY!  I am not as tidy as people think ;)

7:30am breakfast

 play with baby

feed baby

make lunch

8:30am off to school

baby nap

look at but don't do dishes ;)

Quinn plays ipad while I shower

cranky baby

11:30am dancing

12:30 groceries by myself - Ian home with kids

2:30pm post nap snuggles

3:30 Hailey home from school and going through backpack

4:30pm outfit change

5:30pm girls home from swimming with mid-term reports

6:30 fun with baby after dinner

 7:30pm bath and bed

sigh... I'm tired just reviewing it.  Time for me to jet to bed!

Wish you were here!!!

What a day! 27.5 degrees Celsius. I'm sure glad I didn't work this afternoon. I feel so ALIVE! It is amazing what sun and warm temperatures can do.

I'm sitting here relaxing under the umbrella wishing Ian was home with us and that my sister could bring the kids over for a play date. That would really make this moment perfect.

August

Our summer continued...

Grandma and Papa's - We went for a weekend visit at my parents house in August.

Tutu's - We (aka -'I') made lots of tutu's for Hailey and her upcoming birthday party.  She has been enjoying dancing in them!!!

Somebody learned to walk this summer!!!!!

She is much quicker and more stable now.  She is trying to master running!  It sure took her long enough as she was almost 15 mths old.

Hailey's 3rd Birthday - There were festivities galore at the end of August as we celebrated Hailey's 3rd birthday.  Just 2 more years until school *only somewhat joking ;)

For her party there was a bean bag toss, fishing, a teepee to play in and tutu's for our dance party.  I left it pretty open with no structured games.  They could just travel about as they chose.  Maybe next year will be the first 'drop-off' party where it is just me and her party guests!

The Legislature

So if you know Edmonton, and have spent a good deal of time there, you have probably been to the legislature grounds (the government buildings).  The regular visitors come to call it 'the leg' (ledge), but it always makes me crazy writing it because it just looks like the word leg.  So out of crazy obsession I have to write the full word (just know that I definitely qualify to call it 'the leg').

Growing up we had a family tradition of visiting the legislature in the summer, playing in the pools and eating KFC.  Not sure why it was KFC but we did it every year.  We all looked forward to it.

Just a few weeks ago our family was all together again (minus my sis on a mission) with the 4 grandchildren.  We all got together to take the girls on their first 'leg' experience.  We had a great time enjoying the sun and seeing the girls excitement.  We decided to void the KFC part of the tradition as it isn't the best food for under 2 yr olds (or anyone else for that matter).

Cheers to childhood traditions that you get to carry on with your own families :)

I realized going through my pics that I have way more of my neices than my own girls (other people were using my camera to take pictures too)

Busy before?

I am wondering what I spent all my time doing before Quinn was born?  I know I thought I was really busy and didn't have time to get things done... but now I REALLY don't have time.  This summer is going to be a real test of time management.  I will master going out with 2 children.  I will get my butt back to the gym.  I will have a  clean house and cooked dinner.  Some days at least ;)  I love my girls but am struggling not to lose my mind.  By the end of the week I am really not a nice Mommy.... especially with the lack of sleep.

Hailey has started to act out.  I guess she is not happy with the lack of attention she is getting.  I am surprised it took this long to really show itself.  I am working to remember to take special moments with her and give her attention while Quinn is napping.  Her tantrums and freak outs decrease dramatically when she receives this attention so I better keep it going so I don't go crazy.

Ian came home Friday night to a VERY crazy wife.  I almost ran out the door saying "I just had to get away".  You know that feeling where your heart is pounding and you are about to break down in tears in a complete melt down?  That is what I had.  I escaped just in time (thanks to my super husband).  It was wonderful to drive a quiet van with no children demanding my attention - or repeating phrases over and over AND OVER.  Is that normal for toddlers?  Hailey will say the same sentence repeatedly, even after I have acknowledged and answered her.  Make me CRAZY!  Well I enjoyed my brief escape as I picked up a couple items at the store, filled the van with gas and picked up a booster juice for myself and my family.  It was probably only a hour but I was able to come back calm and prepared to face bedtime... and what ended up being a bad night with Quinn.

I am so grateful for Ian!  He knows when I need help and does whatever he can to make things easier for me.  I am a truly blessed wife!  I am also super grateful for my daughters.  This young age isn't my favourite time but it is a precious time that I know I will miss as they become more independant.

So blessed!

My heart is truly grateful today for the blessing these people have been in my life!  Being a mother and a wife has been the biggest challenge and blessing. 

Last week when Hailey was helping me unload the dishwasher (one of her favourite tasks) I felt like I should really thank her for her help.  I often thank Hailey throughout each day as she does nice things because I want her to demonstrate the same behaviour but this time I felt that I needed to do more than just say the words.  I squated down beside her and asked Hailey to look me in the eyes.  She did and I told her what a great helper she was and how grateful I am that she always wants to help.  The love I saw in her eyes melted my heart.  I think I felt in that moment how much our Father in Heaven loves his children.  She gave me the biggest smile and an even bigger hug and went about playing.

The sweet tender spirit Hailey brings into our home is a treasure.  She is so loving.  I am so lucky to be her Mama :)

Ian is my best friend..... that sounds lame... I have always thought that phrase sounds lame.  He is more than that.  He is MINE and I can't imagine a day without him.  He has risen to such great heights as a father and husband.  He is so loving and works so hard.  I never get tired of talking to him and I love that we never run out of things to say.  I love how he drives me crazy pushing my buttons because it keeps things fun (I still hate the tickling/pinching Ian ;).  I love how he plays with his whole heart with Hailey and teaches her all about 'man' things.  I love how he takes care of me and thinks I am beautiful even when I go a month without dressing up.  He sacrifices so much (mainly soccer time) to make sure I have some time for me.  He is mine and I will never be whole without him.

Yay for February!

I'm mostly thrilled because this means we are one month closer to SUMMER!!!!!!!  Oh sunshine and warm weather.... how I have missed you :)

We have been busy at our house enjoying each others company these past few weeks.  Hailey and Ian have been playing up a storm, we have been cooking together and doing our best to get out of the house.  Ian comes to pick us up at any time of the day then we promptly take him back to work so we can have a vehicle.  It has been a huge blessing for my sanity (Hailey's too I am sure) and it only takes a coffee break from Ian's day.  Thank you sweetheart for helping me get out of the house :)

This weekend we pulled out Grandma Ethel's bun recipe to make flapjacks (scones) and buns.  Yummy!  Grandma you have great buns :)  H of course was right in there helping too!

This morning our street was FINALLY ploughed (first time all winter).  We had a good 5-6 inches of packed, bumpy, rutted snow all over the street which wasn't very fun to drive through.  H and I watched for over an hour as the ploughs went past at least a dozen times, along with numerous trucks to be filled with snow.  Just before lunch the digger finally got to the pile in front of our house and we watched excited as it filled the trucks with snow!!!!!  I got so distracted that I forgot to take a picture ;)  Every time a vehicle went past out of sight Hailey said 'go?, go?' with her arms held out.  So cute!

Looking forward to warmer weather each week so that we can go and play outside everyday!  I miss my walks too.