Glamour Girl

Bailey is going to a birthday party tonight and she asked me to get her dressed up. Meaning hair, makeup, and nails. (if you click the picture you will see she has glitter on her face.) There will be boys there. SHE'S SIX!!!! At six I thought boys were gross. It was all about Barbies and playing dolls. Not getting dressed up to go to a party. I'm not a foo foo poo poo girl. I don't like to get dressed up or put on makeup. I like to hang out in my ugly sweats and painted sweatshirt. So you can't blame this one on me. (I think I'll blame her Auntie Mandy and Auntie Angie.)

The Sound of Spring

The kids are off for the next four days. Teacher Convention is happening in Edmonton. I have to think of some creative ways to keep them entertained. One obstacle I'll have to get through is limiting Riley's time on the DS. We picked it up for him last weekend and now it's about time that I start cracking down on him. He's a pretty good kid, so I don't think it will be too much trouble. (knock on wood)

Yesterday Bella and I headed out to pick up the other two after school. Sometimes that little girl blows me away. We were walking our path. Bella yakking her face off. Me doing the usual "Wow", "Okay", "That's really interesting". She stops. "Let's go Bella." "Wait mommy, listen." I hear nothing and start walking again. "Mom, stop." "Bella, I don't have time for this." "No listen." This time I try to listen. I hear cars, a siren, and truck backing up. I look at her. "Don't you hear the water." I listen again. "Yes I hear it". Looking around and in a whisper she says to me, "That's the sound of Spring." The snow melting and running into the drain is the sound of Spring to her. I thought the birds chirping would be the sound of Spring. Nope. When the snow is gone she gets to ride her bike, play outside, and go to the park.

It's Friday

I am so happy that Friday is here. It seemed like a long week even though it was a short one. Make sense? I'm sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee and watching the sun rise on what will be another glorious day.

I'm crossing my fingers that all of us will be healthy this weekend. Bella has been sick all week with an upset stomach. Poor thing can't seem to shake this illness. Bailey finally got over hers and knock on wood, Riley doesn't get it. We have a lot of things to get accomplished and I need those kids in fighting form. We are going to the dreadful Ikea to buy shelves. It is not so bad when it is just the two of us. But when you throw those three in the mix, let's just say I would rather have my teeth pulled with no freezing. If we bribe them with something good, I'm hoping they'll behave themselves.

Family Day

The kids spent the afternoon outside playing in the snow. The temps were warm enough that no hat was required. It took Riley about an hour to build up a little slope so they could take their crazy carpets down it. Dwayne was able to dig out our BBQ and we can hardly wait to cook on it. Overall it was a great Family Day. Here are some pics of the kids doing their thing.

My Life Sucks as a Four Year Old

This is the face I got today when I did Bella's hair. Her hair is long, thick, and always getting in her face. She didn't want her hair like this. It wasn't cute. (her words) "Oh well, I'm the mom and I get to decided what I do with your hair," I told her. "And when you're old enough, you can do your own hair." How many of us have heard that line before. After I was finished I had to take a picture of this poor, sad, face.

Bella Returns and A Touch Of Spring

Bella is back and things are back to normal. Yesterday was her first full day at home and she hasn't missed a beat. I'm the one that is taking a bit to get back into the swing of things. It didn't take her long to start bossing Riley and Bailey around. It was like she wasn't gone. The only evidence would be the suitcase that I have yet to unpack.

The weather yesterday was BEAUTIFUL. I think the temp. was 10 degrees. That's shorts and t-shirt weather. You would think it was Spring. The kids were out with no winter gear on. What usually takes 10 to 15 mins. to get the kids dressed only took 5. But of course we don't get too excited. Alberta weather changes all the time.

That's about it. We are off to the mall this afternoon. No I'm not crazy, we have some things to do. Then I'm off for a girls night with the cousins. Bella is mad because she can't come. A few alligator tears fell. She'll understands when she's older.

Oliver The Great and Other Things

First off, no he's not dead. Riley found Oliver sleeping like this a few days ago and I couldn't resist putting it up. We were laughing pretty hard over this. What a pup. He has brought so much laughter back into our house. We find ourselves watching him and Max instead of the tv.

Today is a catch up day. Bella is back tomorrow and I want to make sure everything is done so I can spend the day with her. She hasn't had her thousand kisses a day (though I'm sure her Grandma and Great Auntie Judy have tried.) and I need to do that. I can't believe how much she was missed. Our family always seems out of order when one of the kids are gone and her absence was felt by everyone.

HURRAY FOR THE LOST TOOTH!!!

Well it has finally happened. Yesterday Riley finally lost his first tooth. After a day full of pulling and twisting we finally got it out. I don't think I've seen the kid so excited. He was crying and laughing at the same time. Crying because it hurt and laughing becuase it was finally out. The toothfairy arrived at approx. 9:00. I believe we were her first stop of many.

Another Weekend In The Deep Freeze

Once again Old Man Winter is not done with us just yet. Today the expected high I believe is going to be around -24. With the windchill -39 to -42. Ouch. The kids were lucky today and were picked up by one of the mothers at school.
Not much happened this week. Riley still has not lost that tooth that has been loose for over two weeks now. He wants to do the string on the doorknob trick this weekend. I'll let everyone know how it goes. As for Bailey, well she is just happy to be here. She pretty much stays the same. Nothing exciting has been happening with her. Izabella leaves on her vacation tomorrow. Sad times for me and fun times for her. It's all good. She woke up this morning with the biggest grin on her face. Holding up one finger she says "Just this many days!" I hope everyone has a great time visitng with her. I'm sure she'll come home with tons to say.
Anyway that's about it. I wish all of you a happy and safe weekend.

Sensitive

Out of all the kids, Bailey is the most sensitive. Her heart is so big, that I'm amazed that it fits inside her little body. Last week her class watched Homeward Bound. When I heard the title I knew instantly that Bailey had a melt down. Her teacher, Mr. Hughson, was shocked when she started to cry. He has never had a child cry in his class over a moive before. I guess I should have warned him or sent him a list of movies that Bailey can't make it through without shedding some tears. At one point she had to leave the classroom. It's the part where Sassy falls into the river. (I guess it doesn't help that our cat is named Sassy.) I hope she doesn't lose the sensitive side when she gets older. Too many of us are harden by the world.

Enough Said

Bella sleeping at Amanda's wedding in 2005.

Finally Friday

Happy February 1st. I'm so glad that a new month has started. The count down to Spring has begun. This past week was so cold that I think we can take whatever weather February has in store for us.
This month Izabella gets to take a trip to Chilliwack with her Grandma and Great Auntie Judy. Since this trip has been planned, that's all she has talked about. She is very excited to see her Opa (my dad for those of you who don't know who Opa is.) and everyone else in Chilliwack. She leaves on the 9th and I'm already starting to miss her. I'm always saying that it will be nice to have a break, but when it comes down to it, I don't want her to go. Bella and I spend so much time together, that I think I'm going to be a little loss without her.
This week really did take a long time to get over with. The kids and I have endured the cold walks to school and home. I'm suprised by their ability to handle the cold. This morning it was a balmy minus 23. When we get outside Bailey looks around and says, "It's not too bad out here." Not too bad out here?! She sounded like an old man when she said it. You know your live in the North when one of the kids say that.