keep on partying

We had another party today ... invited everyone from meeting to come for lunch and cake. This time I made the cake! Keithan's real birthday is tomorrow, but we're done with the parties ... and especially cake. Feels like I've gained 5 pounds this week!

oops

I don't know what happened there in duplicate ... but I don't know how to get rid of it. Sorry.

I really should take the kids swimming more often! Samara took one session of swimming lessons last year. She never passed because she wouldn't put her face in the water for three seconds. Don't know if she'd even pass yet!! She's very concerned about drowning!

I really should take the kids swimming more often! Samara took one session of swimming lessons last year. She never passed because she wouldn't put her face in the water for three seconds. Don't know if she'd even pass yet!! She's very concerned about drowning!

I'm three ... in two days

Yesterday we had the big birthday party at the swimming pool. It was lots of fun for Samara and Keithan, but Rhett wasn't too fond of the water. Keithan used to be afraid and now he has no fear. Not sure what is worse! The good thing was the kids had fun and nobody drowned!

twas the night before ...

Keithan's birthday party is tomorrow and I'm not even panicked!!! His party is at the swimming pool and I bought a cake tonight at Sobey's. I almost feel guilty about that as this is the first cake I haven't made for the kids parties!!! But, I will enjoy going to bed early tonight. The best part is tomorrow the mess won't be here!!! Hope I don't forget my camera!

new fence

Hopefully we have our fence sooner than later. This is what we picked out, now we have to find someone to install it! Can't wait!

enjoying the sunshine

We have been outside enjoying the weather the last few days. The house is feeling neglected - and looks neglected at the moment. I was wishing today that my kids were old enough to play outside unsupervised so I could get caught up on my chores. Often need to remind myself to enjoy this stage of parenting!! Most of the time it is lots of fun. But the other part of the time is, well, frustrating and exhausting!!

unwelcome visitors

I've always said all are welcome here ... but we had some unexpected guests who did some damage this winter. Disgusting is the only word for it. The mice had a wonderful time creating grass mazes in our neighborhood ... and destroying one of my apple trees. The tree damage was my fault for not protecting it but it is still annoying. If I don't blog in two weeks time it's because I've contracted Hantavirus!! When I was raking up all the dead grass I didn't know at the time it was mouse damage so now I'm a little worried! When I phoned Health Link they said symptoms are similar to flu with a high fever two weeks after exposure. I've got it marked on my calendar now!

last leg of journey

Was a wonderful trip ... visiting lots of family. But we were glad to get home to dad too (and I'm sure our hosts were glad to see us come ... and go)! Thank you Michelle, Julie, Grandma and Wendy for your hospitality!

second leg of journey

some photos from our road trip

These won't be in any order ... but it will give you an idea of who we saw and what we did!

exciting photos ahead

Although I'm sad to say goodbye to my old camera (non-digital) I am excited about my new digital camera. My old one cratered. Since December I've had to hit it to get it to work. But I found out when I got my last film developed that it was hit one too many times! I haven't got my new one yet ... I ordered it online a couple nights ago. Can't remember much about it other than it is a canon and it is titanium and it is 10 megapixel (and it was on sale)! Guess I'll have to figure out how to shrink pictures down to send via email or mom and dad will be 3 nights downloading photos on dial-up!! Our old one is only 4 megapixel ... from the dinosaur age! Not much else is new. I'm a day and a half away from our big road trip to visit the new babies and great grandma. Unfortunately I won't have my new camera in time :(

happy birthday daddy

We celebrated a couple days early ... but it is more fun to have a birthday party with the guest of honour present. We just lost one full time morning cook (going to Walmart) and one more full time morning is leaving at the end of the month (going to the oilfield). Phil will be opening in the kitchen till who knows when ... and not home till who knows when! We have one more Filipino coming next weekend. We hope she's half as good as the one we have now. Anyway, I digress ... Phil's birthday is on Sunday. A little history - we went on our first date seven years ago tomorrow! I guess we've both aged a little ... but I'll just keep my photo off the Internet for now!

more nanny news

This is where I'm at now: My interview with the Filipino in Singapore went very well. Now I've completed my paperwork ... again! I just hope immigration will let me have two applications because it would sure be nice if Elsie could eventually come. Anyway, if all goes well we could get our nanny in 3-4 months. Clean house here we come! I am so exited for the day I can get up and just get myself ready for work. The current Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday morning struggle will be history. If I get the kids up too early they are of course tired ... and then wake up and head in all directions when it is time to get in the van. If I leave it to the last minute then they have all kinds of trouble choosing their cereal, or deciding what to wear and DON'T want to be rushed. I'm sure you are getting the picture. AND, Wednesday nights might become a dream too (instead of a nightmare)... come home to supper started and help to get the house ready for meeting. Hope it is a short 4 months!

the kids

Keithan was happy to get his skateboard for being potty trained. It has been a long painful process. I'm glad I don't need to buy any more diapers for him! One more to go!

signs of spring

Unfortunately all the signs of spring are INSIDE the house, with the exception of the wreath! The snow is slowly melting but we still have lots left. The big flowers I almost put in our garage sale last year ... but I was actually happy to see them when I dug them out of storage this spring.