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.

Ian's Birthday Getaway via instagram

Last weekend Ian and I skipped town to celebrate his 33rd birthday (when is it no longer 'appropriate' to share ages?).

I had planned a weekend without kids and booked Ian off work for the Friday so we would have more time.  We drove into Edmonton by lunch, spent the afternoon with the girls running some errands and made dinner for my family.  We stayed to eat and then said goodbye to the girlies with a big thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for babysitting :)

We stayed 2 nights in a hotel in the west end and spent our time shopping, sleeping, watching movies, relaxing in the hot tub, going out for dinner and I sent Ian for a massage (I tried to get myself a pedicure but it was all booked).

 

 

It was wonderful and relaxing.

*I think this past week back home with the girls was extra hard after experiencing the freedom of our previous weekend ;)

Not much different here...

It appears we are dealing with the same sick little girl one month after my last post!  I am grateful, in the midst of more illness, that it seems to just be Quinn now who is getting 'knocked out' with infections.  Hailey is almost 4 now and her symptoms are generally pretty mild, or doesn't get the illness at all.  For that I am very grateful.

It is just the regular fever, cough, runny nose.  We are coping at a fairly normal level with a few more snuggles, more broken sleeping, less eating and quieter play.  By Friday though, I was pretty desperate to get out with some friends and had a great 'getaway' from the Isackson hospital for a few hours.


We couldn't be more thrilled that spring has arrived here.  It was +19 yesterday and we had a wonderful day playing outside and working a bit on the yard.  Our backyard is still too wet to rake so that will be a project for next week (or the week after - apparently it is supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow - geesh).

I am very excited for this summer!  For the nice weather, for our 2 week trip to BC, for more days at work and more days playing with the girls!  More than anything though I am excited that I have no babies under 2 yrs and am NOT pregnant.  I'm thinking it will be the best summer in 4 years :)

Will it EVER END?!?!?!?!

You may be thinking from the title that I am speaking about Spring.... I'm not, though that can't come soon enough.

I'm refering to the CONSTANT illness that has plagued our home since the snow fell last year.  It has been a good 6 months of never ending colds mixed in with 3 rounds of the stomach flu!!!  Seriously, WHAT IS GOING ON?  I'm going to step out on a limb and say THIS IS THE WORST WINTER EVER!!!!!

Okay, the excessive drama is over... but really, why are my kids sick all the time?  I know the obvious culprits are the fact that I take them to childcare and group play places for children on a regular basis.  Also, I'm sure the lack of outside time plays a big role, but with the weather so cold and now the snow being higher than their heads, there aren't a lot of outside options.

If I knew I wouldn't loose my mind within a week I would quit working, stay home and never let my kids near other children.  Then they would be healthy.  But that isn't going to happen.

I am really hoping that when spring does finally come and we get outside to play that the illness will be over and maybe we can have 4 months of health before the snow flies again.

How depressing!

Hmmmm... Is someone turning 2 soon?

It must be getting close to that time as I am seeing some extra "spunk" in miss Quinn. I find it very interesting to see how my girls are different as they encounter each new stage.

I love them to bits and enjoy watching their imaginations develop. Quinn is chatting up a storm now (though I might be the only one who understands her), and Hailey is learning so quickly.

The girls always look for each other after primary class and give each other a big hug. Hailey gets upset when Quinn is upset and Quinn follows Hailey everywhere.

They are too cute. But I am kind of biased.

2013

Wow... December 3rd?  Really?  That was the last time I blogged?  Hmmmm, I guess I have been busy.  Who doesn't have a busy December!  Well it is a new year.  We had a GREAT Christmas, a Great New Years and have been trying to recover ever since ;)

I must say that is a pretty awesome summary of the past month! 

We are now getting back on schedule, back to organizing, back to meal planning, back to work, back to the gym and attempting to get back to sleeping through the night.  Why is it that you have to re-train children every time you go somewhere? or every time someone visits?

We have made resolutions, goals and are pondering many 'big' questions like 'more babies?' and 'build a house?'  Those are yet undecided... or decided for a much later date!!!!!

We are focusing on getting our bodies back in shape.  It is a scary day when after 6 years of marriage you look back and say 'MAN WE WERE HOT' and 'WHAT HAPPENED?'.  I'm determined to kick my butt back into shape and am so proud of Ian who is putting in more effort than me.  I'm looking forward to our summer at the lake, rather than dreading the swimsuit season ;)

We are well (besides the non-stop colds that keep coming).  We are happy and we are so very blessed!

Here are a few favourite pictures from our holidays...

This kid will do ANYTHING for marshmellows :)

Ballet class has now switched to tap for the rest of the year

Nothing more important...