My sister's family came out to Lloyd for one of the weekends they were visiting. It was crazy to transport everything back and forth for just a couple days but it was special to have them come to our home. We are missing them very much now :(
Friday, August 19, 2011
Galaxyland
Lately I have been spending far too much time reading other peoples blogs, instead of writing my own. Here are some more 'catch up' posts from our summer (I guess it isn't over yet - Our last adventure will be Hailey's 2nd birthday tomorrow).
One of our days in Edmonton we took the girls out to Galaxyland (really we were shopping and made a stop to play). They got to ride on the train, Hailey went on the carosel and they all played in the ball pits.
the only pics that turned out were in the ball pits
The twins loved it and had a blast - Hailey hated it. You'd think that a child who loves balls would love a whole pit full of them? Not so! this picture clearly shows her dislike when we 'made' her go in. She did have fun though in the tunnels and on the slides. She also loved the carosel and talks about the 'horsie-ride' all the time.
Here is auntie Christel with our sweet Quinn
Friday, August 12, 2011
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)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
one of THOSE mornings
Yes I do put my child in front of a movie with dry cereal and fruit in order to sleep in longer! I'm such an awesome Mom ;)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Quinn's Baby Blessing
We waited longer this time to do our daughters blessing so we could have as many family together as possible. Quinn was just about two months old when we blessed her at my parents home in Edmonton. It was special to have her grandfathers and uncle invovled in the blessing. We also had many friends over to join us for the blessing and dinner. We were missing a couple of my sisters (one on a mission, a sis-in-law in Africa and the other in Vancouver). We also missed our Lloydminster friends.
Thank you to all who were a part of it!
I guess I need to crop creepy micheal out of this one ;)
(my sister and brother-in-law trying to steal my child ;)
COUSINS!
I know, 'where have I been?' Our family has been away for the majority of the summer. I was too busy visiting to do any blog posts. I hope you are ready for some catch up :)
Hailey's twin cousins from Switzerland came for a 3 week visit this month. Last time they met, Hailey was almost 1 and the twins were 9 mths old. This years get together was way more exciting for the little toddlers (as I am sure it will be every year from now on). It invovled a lot of playing, screaming, running, tantrums and learning to share. I think all of the girls picked up both good and bad habits from visiting each other :)
It was so sweet to see them together and wonderful to see my sister as a mother. It has been very hard to be so far away from her and her family. Thankfully we have skype though and get to see each other usually around 3 times a week online.
classic wheelbarrow rides from Papa! He used to do this with us when we were little. As each child was added to the 'barrow' they got less impressed with the ride. This was their first day together... they were still getting used to each other.
The child sized chairs were a huge hit. Good thing grandma had one for each of the girls. Hailey dragged hers numerous different places.
Snack time outside is way easier to clean up :)
more cousin fun to come...
Hailey's twin cousins from Switzerland came for a 3 week visit this month. Last time they met, Hailey was almost 1 and the twins were 9 mths old. This years get together was way more exciting for the little toddlers (as I am sure it will be every year from now on). It invovled a lot of playing, screaming, running, tantrums and learning to share. I think all of the girls picked up both good and bad habits from visiting each other :)
It was so sweet to see them together and wonderful to see my sister as a mother. It has been very hard to be so far away from her and her family. Thankfully we have skype though and get to see each other usually around 3 times a week online.
classic wheelbarrow rides from Papa! He used to do this with us when we were little. As each child was added to the 'barrow' they got less impressed with the ride. This was their first day together... they were still getting used to each other.
The child sized chairs were a huge hit. Good thing grandma had one for each of the girls. Hailey dragged hers numerous different places.
Snack time outside is way easier to clean up :)
more cousin fun to come...
Friday, July 15, 2011
11 tips to keep your house tidy
A friend commented a few weeks ago that she 'doesn't know how I do it' (she was referring to keeping my house clean, even with children running around). That got me thinking and I realized that it isn't even a counscious thought for me. It is just what I do.
I got it from my mother. She is a very tidy woman and expected that from her children as well. I'm sorry to say though that simply expecting it doesn't mean all children will become tidy (I have a very messy sibling that will remain unnamed ;)
So here is a list of some simple things you can do to keep on top of the clutter:
1. (and MOST important) is to never leave a room empty handed! You know how items somehow appear in rooms they don't belong in? If you are heading that direction, or passing by, pick up that item and return it to its rightful place on your way. This is what I find really helps me keep things clean (especially with a toddler who likes to move everything all over the house).
2. Have your children help with clean up. Expect them to clean up an item (ie. train set) before they move onto another set of toys. Also have them clean up the room before you leave it. Of course this doesn't always happen - (especially for impatient me who doesn't like to wait for Hailey to do it by herself - it could take years ;) So for those times when the kids don't do it themselves there is #3
3. use quiet/nap time and bedtime at night to do a full toy pick up in your playroom (what is left from the kiddos 'clean' at least). it really only takes 3 minutes to put the toys in their proper place. Still leaves plenty of time for you to nap or work on a project.
4. be organized! If everything has an assigned place you won't get collections of 'random' items lying around the house. I am a huge fan of tupperware and my label maker. Sort things and label them. Get hooks, shelving units, baskets, etc and sort them out.
5. have a cleaning schedule. You can plan to clean one or two rooms a day (or if it is more your style set aside a full Saturday to do everything at once). I prefer to do similar things together on the same day - laundry day, vacuum day, bathroom day, dusting day, yard day.
6. always clean your kitchen before you go to bed. It makes a HUGE difference to wake up to a clean kitchen then to face a day with a dirty one from the start. I lack all motivation to clean the kitchen if I wake up to it already dirty. It is easier to maintain a clean kitchen than to always be 'catching up'.
7. Along with #6 you can try to unload the dishwasher shortly after it is finished cleaning. Than you have an empty/dirty dishwasher to add to that gets the dirty items off the counter right away.
8. If there is just too much to do (or you are 'too pregnant' or 'too exhausted' with a new baby, or it is spring and every single item in your home needs a clean over) than you can get a team to do all the work so much faster. Find a friend and trade days where you tackle each other's houses as a team. Plus you have someone to chat with while you work :)
oh and of course hubby has to be in charge of his own space (which is the garage, his bathroom, the yard and his side of our room- his domain, not mine). I don't touch those usually. Sometimes I have to pester and nag and guilt trip to get them done but 95% of the time I don't have to do anything with them.
9. allow yourself a 'stash room'. One room in your home where you can chuck stuff that you really don't want to deal with at the time. A room that no one but you sees ( I use my office/craft room). Plan to clean this up every month (or so - mine is going on 6 mths dirty probably). No one has a perfectly clean house ALL the time :)
10. every month choose a room and reorganize the drawers/shelves (you knows those cupboards you toss tupperware into in the kitchen, or the clothes drawers that are unfolded and containing clothes that no longer fit your children - note to self I need to do both of those). It helps you see what items you have and what condition they are in.
11. If you haven't touched it for 6 mths or more - GET RID OF IT! I am not a collector. I will be the mean mom who keeps her children's drawings on the fridge for one day then throws them out (I did this with my students as well - poor kids). If you aren't using it, then you don't need it in your house. Or if it is something you have rediscovered, that you want to use, put it in a place where it will be seen and therefore used. Of course you don't have to throw it out.... sell it, donate or repurpose the item :)
Don't be hard on yourself if things aren't in perfect (or even decent) condition. Right now my home is no 'show home' with our newest addition keeping me tied to the couch all day - and her mouth. *so don't come by to check on me ;)
But if you put the hard work in at first to get it in good order, then maintaining that order will be far easier (and quicker) for days to come. Then you can relax and enjoy your clean home for the 5 minutes it will remain so ;)
Jen
just a note for Ian as I know he is reading this thinking 'great ideas jen - do you do that?' Remember dear... we just had a baby. Think about the way it USED to be (and will be again in the coming months ;)
I got it from my mother. She is a very tidy woman and expected that from her children as well. I'm sorry to say though that simply expecting it doesn't mean all children will become tidy (I have a very messy sibling that will remain unnamed ;)
So here is a list of some simple things you can do to keep on top of the clutter:
1. (and MOST important) is to never leave a room empty handed! You know how items somehow appear in rooms they don't belong in? If you are heading that direction, or passing by, pick up that item and return it to its rightful place on your way. This is what I find really helps me keep things clean (especially with a toddler who likes to move everything all over the house).
2. Have your children help with clean up. Expect them to clean up an item (ie. train set) before they move onto another set of toys. Also have them clean up the room before you leave it. Of course this doesn't always happen - (especially for impatient me who doesn't like to wait for Hailey to do it by herself - it could take years ;) So for those times when the kids don't do it themselves there is #3
3. use quiet/nap time and bedtime at night to do a full toy pick up in your playroom (what is left from the kiddos 'clean' at least). it really only takes 3 minutes to put the toys in their proper place. Still leaves plenty of time for you to nap or work on a project.
4. be organized! If everything has an assigned place you won't get collections of 'random' items lying around the house. I am a huge fan of tupperware and my label maker. Sort things and label them. Get hooks, shelving units, baskets, etc and sort them out.
5. have a cleaning schedule. You can plan to clean one or two rooms a day (or if it is more your style set aside a full Saturday to do everything at once). I prefer to do similar things together on the same day - laundry day, vacuum day, bathroom day, dusting day, yard day.
6. always clean your kitchen before you go to bed. It makes a HUGE difference to wake up to a clean kitchen then to face a day with a dirty one from the start. I lack all motivation to clean the kitchen if I wake up to it already dirty. It is easier to maintain a clean kitchen than to always be 'catching up'.
7. Along with #6 you can try to unload the dishwasher shortly after it is finished cleaning. Than you have an empty/dirty dishwasher to add to that gets the dirty items off the counter right away.
8. If there is just too much to do (or you are 'too pregnant' or 'too exhausted' with a new baby, or it is spring and every single item in your home needs a clean over) than you can get a team to do all the work so much faster. Find a friend and trade days where you tackle each other's houses as a team. Plus you have someone to chat with while you work :)
oh and of course hubby has to be in charge of his own space (which is the garage, his bathroom, the yard and his side of our room- his domain, not mine). I don't touch those usually. Sometimes I have to pester and nag and guilt trip to get them done but 95% of the time I don't have to do anything with them.
9. allow yourself a 'stash room'. One room in your home where you can chuck stuff that you really don't want to deal with at the time. A room that no one but you sees ( I use my office/craft room). Plan to clean this up every month (or so - mine is going on 6 mths dirty probably). No one has a perfectly clean house ALL the time :)
10. every month choose a room and reorganize the drawers/shelves (you knows those cupboards you toss tupperware into in the kitchen, or the clothes drawers that are unfolded and containing clothes that no longer fit your children - note to self I need to do both of those). It helps you see what items you have and what condition they are in.
11. If you haven't touched it for 6 mths or more - GET RID OF IT! I am not a collector. I will be the mean mom who keeps her children's drawings on the fridge for one day then throws them out (I did this with my students as well - poor kids). If you aren't using it, then you don't need it in your house. Or if it is something you have rediscovered, that you want to use, put it in a place where it will be seen and therefore used. Of course you don't have to throw it out.... sell it, donate or repurpose the item :)
Don't be hard on yourself if things aren't in perfect (or even decent) condition. Right now my home is no 'show home' with our newest addition keeping me tied to the couch all day - and her mouth. *so don't come by to check on me ;)
But if you put the hard work in at first to get it in good order, then maintaining that order will be far easier (and quicker) for days to come. Then you can relax and enjoy your clean home for the 5 minutes it will remain so ;)
Jen
just a note for Ian as I know he is reading this thinking 'great ideas jen - do you do that?' Remember dear... we just had a baby. Think about the way it USED to be (and will be again in the coming months ;)
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