Jam Packed Saturday!

It's only 10pm and I'm ready for bed! I got up & got ready for circuit class & Auntie KK came with me. We got home from that & had some lunch & then took the kids for a walk in the woods and they were busy! There were banks to climb & slide down, trees to hang off of, ditches to explore.... just to name a few things. The recent thaw & freeze weather made for great smooth slopes for sliding. They were so tempting that even Nanny had to give them a try!


At the end of the walk the girls wanted to be carried for a bit. They think it's pretty fun when Daddy carries "too many girls". He eventually had to put them down and then they tackled him ;)

they tickled and shook him like mad and they howled with laughter at their "attack"

On the way back, some crazy old guy jumped out from behind the trees at us, hollering "WHO'S IN MY WOODS?!?!?!?" The girls were nonplussed and calmly said "these aren't your woods Grampy!"

We got home & got everyone ready to go for supper at an Italian restaurant downtown. Nanny decided to try the fish & chips and we learned that you really should stick within the house specialty. They served her Captain Highliner! It was sooooooooooo not impressive. Also their bathroom was a bit gross, the toilet was so disgusting that I got the Mr Clean down off the shelf and cleaned the seat & rim before I'd let Honey sit down! The rest of us had great meals and enjoyed every bite. The girls ate like champs, must have really worked up an appetite out in the woods. Sweetie had her chicken fingers & some fries, some of Grampy's spaghetti, some of my fettucine, and a piece of Murray's pizza and was still hungry for dessert. How any of them had time to eat, I don't know. They talked a mile a minute the whole time we were there! The people in the booth behind us were grinning at us every time I walked by their table on the way to the bathroom & told me they were very well entertained :)

Splish Splash I Was Rolling in a Puddle....

Nanny & Auntie KK came to town yesterday and the girls were pretty excited to see them. They'd been helping me tidy up the house and did quite a bit of work in anticipation of our guests. I might start telling them Nanny's coming more often!
Nanny brought them a present, although it was her birthday. They each got a waterproof suit which they immediately wanted to try out. It wasn't raining out but luckily it had been warm enough to melt a bit of snow & make a few puddles for them to jump in, splash in and SIT in. Nothing like a thorough product test! The company should consider putting these girls on the payroll, they gave those suits a run for their money but they held up and the only leaks they had were in their winter boots. Eventually their feet got cold & they wanted to go in.

Before our company arrived, the girls decided they wanted to take some pictures and here's what caught their eyes.

In honour of the birthday girl, I baked a cake in my new cupcake pan that I got for Christmas from Karen. The colours didn't come out quite the way I'd planned but it all tasted good and there was lots of icing to go around and those are the main things about cake :)))

The girls had been working on a box and adding drawings to it for awhile to give to Nanny for her birthday and they went through the whole collection with her. She should be set for fridge decorations for awhile yet.

The Reveal

Well nothing so dramatic as a stalker, it was our visitor from last summer Tory! She would like to know what she's won. I didn't really have a prize in mind, this blog isn't really a big money maker.... but I feel the need to come up with something... so Tory has won a free family photoshoot next time they visit (no expiry :))) Thanks for sending me a note so I don't have to wonder anymore!

10,001

and no comments??????? darn elusive stalkers!

Got there already!

wow! 2 visitors since that last post so now we're at the 10,000 mark. So who was it? Old Nanny? Princess Pamela??? I know you two tend to check at night before bed so could it be?????

TEN THOUSAND!

We're at 9998 hits on the blog! Who will be #10,000?!?!??! I'm curious, if you notice the counter is right at 10,000 when you're here reading, let me know! leave a comment & stake your claim :)))

Back to the woods

The girls wanted another trek into the woods today but this time with more refreshments! Sweetie loaded up her backpack with as many snacks as I'd allow (Fruit to Go, kiwi & grapes and one chocolate & one cookie for each of us plus her water cup).

They were really keen on having the "picmic" in the woods. We were barely past the edge of the trees before they started asking "is this a good spot for the "picmic"???" I made them hold out til we got to the main trail where it's a bit wider. I was reallllllllly tired this afternoon and I had a hard time dragging myself along that path! especially when I kept punching through in spots and sinking. By the time we got to the big trail, I was ready for a nap. They were psyched to eat their stuff and had a grand time eating their goodies and thought it was just wild having a "picmic" in the winter :) I wonder if they'll remember any of this fun stuff we did when they were young? Luckily it's all catalogued here just in case I have to prove anything or I'm not around to tell them anymore.

After the happy "picmic" everything went to crap. Lovey got disoriented or something when we came out onto the main trail and was adamant that the way home was the way we had gone yesterday and the other two wanted to go in the opposite direction and mayhem I tell you. mayhem. Lovey screamed and cried so loud and so long, her voice was still hoarse at supper time. I'm terrified that this totally unreasonable fit is an indication that she's about to go under again but she has so many of them, it's hard to tell. She finally gave up and started following us "the wrong way" but then something else made her mad and she started throwing her cup on the ground. When that didn't garner her any attention, she came closer and started whipping the hefty cup at ME! That did get my attention and I told her if she did that one more time she was getting a time out when we got home. (then I put the cup in my pocket as I really didn't trust her! lol)

We headed for home and after a minute or two she came up beside me and said "I just wanna hold your hand Mumma". So just when I'm ready to turf her, she gets all cutesy. Figures. ;) The other two scampered along fine and enjoyed figuring out the route. Even though it's pretty well marked & trampled by this time, they still like to ask every 5 minutes "is THIS the right way Mumma?????" Then when they hit the field, they bolt for our house so it's a challenge to keep up, especially if there's one lollygagger hanging back.

Somewhere along the line, I lost that cup I'd tucked in my pocket & I had to send Murray back into the woods to search for it after supper. Luckily I had a pretty good idea which section I'd lost it in & he didn't have to trek too far.

Ohhhhh!!!!!! I have a product recommendation!!!!!! Murphy's nails are the pits. I used to keep them pretty well. Then, I got pregnant and I wasn't able to get at them so easily as he prefers to sit on my lap, facing away when I do it. Once my belly expanded beyond a certain point, I couldn't reach around to do it anymore. Then the babies came and who had time for doggy pedicures? He HATES it too but his nails are a total disgrace so I've been trying to get at them a little more often & get back in the habit. It's not going that well and every once in awhile, I cut the quick and those suckers bleed like a son of a gun! yech! A few weeks ago, I saw an infomercial on "Pedipaws" and thought "hmmmm maybe???". I checked out the website but with all the extras, it was close to $40 and I wasn't that sold on it. Then at the vet, I saw these special stickers that go on the nail and they change colour where the quick is and then you just trim below where it stops and easy peasy. Stickers were $15.99.... but I thought it was worth it if it helped. It didn't. $15.99 + tax down the drain. A few days later at Walmart, I saw they were carrying the "as seen on tv Pedipaws". It was only $19.99 and since I'd been willing to try the $20 stickers I figured what the heck and this time got lucky. It works! He still hates it but I no longer have to chain him to the banister and blindly cut away. It's basically a mini sander that is battery powered and isn't very loud at all. I can file down his nails bit by bit and check to see what I'm doing. He shakes like a leaf but stays put and I haven't hurt him with this thing. I'm totally sold on it and recommend it if you have trouble with regular nail cutters.

Sleepover Success!

Well THAT went much better than I expected! I was rather nervous that Boo would get uncomfortable after Teena had left or would wake up later on confused and scared or something. Sweetie was also thinking about these possibilities because she said "Boo, if you wake up, I'll be right there & I'll tell you where you are!" I think Sweetie rather liked having a roomate for a change, except for when Boo tried to creep over to her side of the bed, then she wasn't so sure about this whole sharing thing! lol

Anyway, we had a dry night & no freak outs :) Which reminds me! I still have the bed thingy you sent for her in case of accidents. Oops! sorry! She wanted it underneath the sheets so it wasn't noticeable this morning when I was gathering her stuff. (do you like how I'm blaming this on a 4 yr old?????)

Breakfast was a little sketchy, she had a bowl of cheerios but then didn't want to eat much & didn't want any fruit or toast either. I think there was too much playing to do to be messing around wasting time on eating! Luckily it was a sugar free for all at playgroup and no one went hungry there :) You can thank me later muahahahaha!!!!

never a dull moment!

You know how we hate to sit around & get bored here! LOL

Sooooo, I dropped the kids off at school, then zipped downtown to browse a shop there for potential bday gifts for my MIL but I was too keen and arrived 35 minutes before opening. I decided to pick up a tea (my love of hot drinks you know!) and drop in to visit my Aunt Cathy at her office and gave her the tea. Of course this takes me way longer than 35 minutes so I dash back to the store & see nothing that I think is suitable. However, Teena had mentioned she saw the items I had in mind at another store so I race uptown and find exactly what I'm looking for & then some. So I'm all set for the birthday girl, except for the cake but that'll come in due time.

I finish up that shopping with 12 minutes til pick up at he girls chool, only to realize, I forgot to hit he grocery store & get some peanut butter (a freakin' staple at our house!). I go tearing into Walmart to get this, see a few other items on the way & I'm back out in my car in 7 minutes and get to school on time! yay!

We got home for lunch & while they're eating their scrambled eggs, I put together a chicken casserole for supper (plus an extra for the freezer for just in case) and mixed up a batch of cookies.






They decided they wanted to plant the seeds from their apple at lunch. I had a niggling suspicion that you can't just throw an appleseed in a pot of soil but what the heck. They've been saying lately that they "miss" their flowerpots from Old Nanny last year. (she gave them each a flower plant and they were in loooooooooove with them). We got out the dirt, the pots & the watering can. They were incredibly pleased so it was all worthwhile.

Then I gathered up my snow fairies for a hike in the woods. As with any outdoor plan, I had some resistance initially but after a couple threats of a time out, we were off.

The snow is hard enough to walk across with only minimal punching through so we were able to get across the field without much delay. They stopped here to hold hands and told me to put this on the computer for Princess Pamela. They think they're internet stars now you know!

It was a long walk and Sweetie had packed a bag of grapes just in case she needed a snack. Sure enough, she did! Honey asked if she could have some so Sweetie gave her the baggie first and Honey said "I just took one!" and Sweetie said "that's ok, you can have as much as you want!" (boys, take them out in the woods and they're super sisters). Lovey was also offered some grapes and we set off again.

The day was pretty mild so they got hot with all the layers and we left the hats in a tree along the trail. Then they needed their zippers opened and Sweetie & Lovey wanted their coats off entirely. I was pretty warm myself and I wasn't runningall over like pinballs on a bonus round.

They loved the woods but got tired and the walk back was much slower. Next time they want to pack a picnic with drinks etc so they can have a good rest & go further. Little girls with big plans!

We got home in time to bake the cookies & get the casserole in for supper. I totally forgot about the potatoes & had to cheat in the microwave to have those ready in time but that's why God gave us technology right??? :)

Now the BIG news here tonight. Boo is having a sleepover. Teena has to go out of town early tomorrow morning so Boo's staying here til her sitter can pick her up for playgroup. The girls, all 4 were beyond excited when we told them this morning at school. Apparently they must have talked about it in class because their teacher mentioned it when we were picking them up.

I was at my circuit class when they were getting ready for bed but I got home just in time for tucking in so Murray didn't have to fend for himself too long (but what a trooper for being willing to!)

Settling down to sleep took quite awhile but I think everyone had drifted off by 9:30. Not too bad for the first ever. I'm sure it'll seem more than decent come ten years from now and they're staying up til 3am! :)))

and we're off!

another week started & another Monday survived. Mondays always feel harder to me although they're probably not much different than other week days. It's just that it is THE furthest point from the weekend! With all those days stretching out in front of me that I'm responsible for, it sometimes leaves me feeling pressured with how to fill them. What will we do? Where will we go? How can I make it fun????

Yesterday was plenty busy and no worries about filling it! We went to church in the morning, just the girls & I. Murphy is able to hop over the fence so Murray stayed home to make sure wouldn't escape and go visiting the neighbours again. After church there was a congregational meeting that started late and lasted 3 hours! We got back to our house just in time to pick up the boys and get to my parents' for supper. (and a yummy one at that!) Then when we got home it was the kids' bedtime and that was that! A couple of the moms looked after the kids whose parents were attending the meeting and the girls said they had a lot of fun playing with everyone but that it sure was a long time! When we got home there was a voicemail from Nicolle telling me how good the kids had been and how impressed she'd been with them etc. I played the message for the girls and they thought that was something!!! :)))

They went to school today & I went to the gym and also got them registered for gymnastics. They're excited about starting that again and luckily they had a family discount so that made the cost a little better!

Lovey had an eye appointment today. They wanted to check her since it's been a year from her last visit and there was some question about her depth perception last time. She did fine this time around so there's no more worry about that. She's far sighted but the doctor said pretty much all kids are at that age & most outgrow it soon. She got a free pair of sunglasses so the other two were a little miffed about that but for being so good at the office, they all got to have a little treat when we got home so they got over it.

Since there's still light after supper, Murray took them all out to play for a bit while I cleaned up and they played for quite awhile, enjoying this unusual activity!!