In No Time...

... we will be packing up and moving out! I have a MASSIVE pile waiting in the kitchen for Jonathan to transport to the Explorer!
The girls are asleep, and the realization that we're leaving for the summer is sinking in!! Gracious!
We're off to Saskatchewan to a guest ranch with Jon's family, and then we'll make a quick pit stop to do laundry back here, and then off to Ohio for the summer!!!
We are SO BLESSED to be able to do both these trips. I'm almost giddy I'm so excited!!
But don't worry... I'll keep ya posted along the way!!
Bye for now!

This girl...

... is growing like crazy! And I'm sad. I'm sad that I've missed out on so much over the last 4 months due to:
1. not connecting with her as fast as I would have liked to
2. feeling overwhelmed by her evening crankiness when I can hardly put one foot in front of the other...
3. wanting perfection when perfection doesn't exist
4. feeling like I should be a better mom and in some ways, not knowing how to be
5. being busy with another child and not being able to give Larren my full attention

But... I'm excited about the "baby stage" we're at right now... the discovery. The wonder. The babble. The smiles. And I'm trying to enjoy EACH day, EACH hour. And not live in regret for things I've missed out on. Ya can't go back... only forwards.

Belated Birthday Gift

The main birthday gift that we got Alia took a little while longer to build than anticipated... but it made it's arrival this past weekend, and Alia is quite excited!

She woke up Saturday morning, and took off for the living room! Her biggest concern... "Where Daddy buy it? Where Daddy buy it?" I tried explaining that the students at his school made it... but it just wasn't the answer she was looking for, I guess!

It didn't take her long to get set up for a tea party!


It also didn't take her long to discover this handy dandy trick...

Maybe this will detour her from climbing up her toy shelf, Larren's crib, the bookcase... you name it!


As much as I like the table... I think it's going to have to move to the basement in the very near future! The main floor of our house is quickly being over run with toys, baby items, baby dolls, and now children kitchen items! Better yet, maybe we should just move her table and chairs right on into OUR kitchen... our table is looking a little shabby compared to the new set! But for some reason I just can't picture Jon, my dad, or any other guest being very cozy for too long... so to the basement it is!

Out with the Old and In with the New

Last year Grampa made Alia a playbox out of some scrap wood we had laying around. It served it's purpose well... but wasn't the prettiest thing you'd ever seen! We weren't necessarily thinking about beauty... just functionality! Add being ran over NUMEROUS times by snow mobiles last winter... and it was looking quite disturbed!
SO... we decided to skip the scrap wood and go straight to pressure treated lumber instead. We also moved the playbox to a different location, to avoid it being used as a snowmobile parking spot! If it gets ran over this year... well, let's just say the driver will be limping away at best!

The old playbox in it's sad state

Jon and Grampa building the new playbox, just in time for Alia's birthday!


Alia and Daddy breaking in the new playbox, good and proper

A BIG Hip Hip Hooray...

... for the modern conveniences of parenting! I forgot we had this little wonder worker, all stored away in the basement... just begging to be played with! And Larren is complying very nicely!

Every Big Helper...

... needs proper attire! And Gramma Great made sure Alia was well equiped!

Alia got this apron for her birthday, and if she could have slept in it... she would have!!

Good As New

Alia and Jon repaired their first car together the other night!! (My, how I adore Jonathan in his role as father, by the way! I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful he is!) I fixed quite a number of vehicles with my Popsy... and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that Alia gets to have the same pleasure!

**Sorry for the HORRIBLE lighting and shadows in these pics... when there's a "moment", it needs to be captured, regardless of photography "correctness"! Thanks for your understanding in this matter!!**

The problem: A broken steering wheel linkage



The solution: A daddy who knows what he's doing and a little admirer who's MORE than willing to help! (And this round do hickey thing to hold it in place!)




A "thank you Daddy... you're the best" hug


Taking the car for a test spin (I should note that the opening door to her car is on the OTHER side... but she insisted on getting in "Dukes of Hazzard" style!)


The steering wheel is as good as new!


They make quite a pair, these two... Alia will be one well versed little girl!

"Thank You" Just Isn't Enough

I have had a difficult last couple of weeks... if I want to be honest! Just feeling overwhelmed, over emotional, over tired, over grouchy... and needing a change. Jon called his Mom last week, and she was here in a day and a half to lend a hand! Her help this past week has been amazing. The title of this post says it accurately... thank you is NOT enough!

On Tuesday, I was told to go out and do whatever I wanted for the evening. It took me awhile to think of what to do... but I decided to just grab my camera, head through the Tim Horton's drive through, and go for a drive! AHHHHHHHH! With each passing minute I felt myself relax more and more. I can't explain it, but it felt SO GOOD to be out of the house!

The sunset behind our place...


The lake near where we live...





I grew up in the flatlands, and I live in the flatlands... but boy, do I miss the mountains of Wyoming at times!! These cloud formations appear often, and when they do... I sometimes pretend they are mountains in the distance!



As the moon came out... I decided it was time to head on home!


And this is what was awaiting me... my mother in law cuddled up with my little sleeping beauty!

What beauty indeed.

Pure Joy

Not for Parking

We live in an old house... so, our window sills are quite wide. Just the right width for Alia to park her little derriere up there, in fact! I can't even count the number of times I've walked into the living room and found her perched on a sill... pleased as punch with herself!

Remote Fun

I got a new camera remote the other day... so Alia and I have been messing around a bit!

Here, Alia is in complete control of the remote... I LOVE how her little tongue comes out when she's concentrating!

For the Birds

Birds and I have never really gotten along. They freak me out just a tad... to be honest!
Well, this particular bird is going to be packing up and moving out VERY soon!

I just washed all the windows... inside and out. Which, I might add, is one of my least favorite chores (although I did actually somewhat enjoy it... and I cleaned the oven with a tad bit of joy, too... I'm baffled!).

And THIS is what my clean sparkly windows are destined for. With the occasional lick mark, finger print, and nose press from my 2 year old... but birds are much easier to relocate!

Treasure

Our driveway is of new fascination to Alia. There's nothing special about it, really. It's just full of gravel, and the odd rock.
Here's the sequence...
Head for a stroll

Find wonderful treasures

Examine the "gold"

Then stuff it in the "trunk" for later!

Later comes to a brief halt just around laundry time... when Mom empties pockets and pouches of sticks, gravel, rocks, and the odd coin Alia's managed to unearth!

Ahhh....

... my friend borrowed me their swing...

and oh... am I ever thankful! Why I haven't bought one, I'll never know! But now... now, I've experienced their wonderfulness, and there's no going back!