PhotoShoot

It was quite the challenge to take these three out as mother and photographer but they did a great job cooperating and I managed to get some pics!

Catching Up...

I had a fantastic trip to Vancouver last week. A great opportunity to catch up with old friends and family. I love this city.

Thanks Marni & Bev for making such a huge effort to make this happen. I can not believe it has been 15 years. I was made aware of how fortunate I am to have crossed paths with so many interesting, fun and caring people. You two rock! I can not wait to see you again and hopefully this time it will not be another 15 years!



My hosts were absolutely amazing. I have NEVER eaten as I did on this vacation. Fine dining was where it was at. This school friend and I have ALWAYS picked up from where we last left off. So thankful for this unique and sincere relationship. There is never a moment of silence and in the rare case there is we are typically thinking about the same thing. I swear she can read my mind. She has made such an effort to know me ... and for that I am thankful. I love you E!!!!



It had been 4 years since I last saw my grandparents. These two people have been such a huge influence in my life. My grandmother does not have a harmful bone in her body. She has ALWAYS taught me to accept what life brings you. To grab hold of each day and make it as good as you can. She loves poetry and has written many poems in her lifetime. She is the queen of inspirational quotes and poems. One I will never forget which I remember seeing in her house for a VERY long time is:



It now sits in her room in the care home where she lives daily with a smile on her face. She is no longer the woman I remember. She has been fighting dementia for many years and although it has created a mask, she continues to show us and the staff just how loving she is. This woman had fun no matter what she was doing. I remember having bubble fights with her while we would wash the dishes, seeing her with bubbles hanging from her chin! I remember how much she loved to dance the chicken dance. I remember the stories she told us from her childhood. I remember how she always had a smile, a hug and kind words for me. It is truly amazing to think they have known one another for 79 years, married for 70. My grandfather's love for her is evident in the way he looks at her and how he insists to faithfully see her each and every day. My heart melted when he said "I have been a lucky man ... to be married to her ... I could not have been blessed with a better wife, and mother for my children."

Thank you grandma and grandpa for being amazing grandparents. My grandfather continues to support me to this day. He calls me to check on me. We have spent up to 45 minutes chatting and laughing together on the phone. He makes tapes of himself singing, and telling stories of his childhood for my kids. This is one cool man! A person I will always cherish. I love you grandma & grandpa!




Goodbye Vancouver! Until the next time! :)

Sleepover!

The kids had a BLAST at their "camping" sleepover last night. The best part of all was hanging out with a really cool woman! I love this woman, we have been through so much together. I am incredibly fortunate to have her in my life. Thanks for the "vacation" Tara! I kept commenting on how it felt as though we were on vacation. She really took care of us. :)

And yes! It was a VERY early bedtime tonight.

Last Day of School

I cannot believe he will be finished grade one tomorrow. There has been so much change this year and he has managed unbelievably well. I have seen so much progress with his motivation to build friendships. I have heard from other adults about conversations he has with them. He is becoming more comfortable at school and seems to be enjoying it.

Tomorrow will be a tough day for this little guy. He has difficulty moving on to new stages because it makes him sad to leave the old behind. He will miss his grade one teacher and his principal who is moving on to other opportunities. A huge thank you to the fantastic staff who have had such a positive impact on his school experience.

I love you little man! Congratulations on a successful year in grade one. I am proud of who you are!

TWO!

It's her big day tomorrow! We celebrated one day early. She certainly knew something exciting was happening but did not quite grasp the concept. She did sing Happy birthday to herself and ran around the house in anticipation. She was very excited to see her cake and all of the excitement in the house got her pretty hyper. It was very evident that she was trying to figure it all out... it was obvious to everyone how much she loved the attention and all the fun!


I was VERY impressed by your Dad's Makka Pakka cake. Way to go DAD!!!

I can not believe two years have passed! Her birthday always sneaks up on us with the Christmas prep and festivities. It was only in the past few days that I really realized how much she has grown up. Her pronunciations are a little delayed, apparently that happens when you are lower in the birth order, but she is trying most every word which I am typically able to decipher. She watches her brother and sister intently and tries to do most everything they are doing. In fact most of the younger toys are being set aside for playmobil and pixos! :) She loves to cuddle and hug. She loves to read, and colour. It looks like she may be a lefty! She is abosultely adorable. I have looked upon her with awe over the last few days thinking of just how fortunate I am. Happy Birthday little R!