Friday, October 12, 2007

July Pictures, 2

I'm going to keep them coming :)

A trip to the pond to feed the ducks:


...while the little sister's look on...





twins trying to escape:


Peyton & I rescued this guy from a spider web (the picture is not upside down, he is)

July pictures

Starting with some pictures....

Paige in pigtails:

Leah having a hamburger - mommy's daughter? Ha.

Leah peering into the camera:

Paige hamming it up on Grandma:

Leah can wear a pony tail too!!

The big sis:

A trip to the splashpad (but they want to play at the park!):







And Leah gets a bath in the water table (so did Paige, but I didn't risk taking my hands off of her for a shot!!)

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Summer has arrived

Hey all - yes, it's been a while. But I'm busy! Imagine that?!

Seriously - managing three kids plus a full time job is not the easiest thing to do. But hey, billions of ladies have done it before me and billions will in years to come.

'Nuff about that...

Biggest news in our household:



Little Miss Bee-ya has been so hesitant to start, but she's off and running now. And there you have it - I have managed to capture all three of my kid's first steps. We're so proud of her! Another stage behind us :(

The girls are all doing really well - they've adjusted quite well with my return to work. They adore their nanny and she's making sure they get to enjoy all the nice weather we've been getting.

This past Saturday, we wrapped us their swimming sessions: Preschool A for Peyton, and Parent 'n' Tots "2" for Leah & Paige. Thanks again, Rich for the help on the Saturday AMs. And thanks to my mom too who didn't miss watching from the side of the pool - not once :) ALSO, thanks to Jenna for substituting for Paul that one Saturday...and I personally thank you for not making me put on my bathing suit...ha!





Peyton received her first official swim badge - she's quite proud of it. This was the first class she was in where she didn't have a parent present. And she did so well! She was the "teacher's pet" always just sitting on the ledge of the pool with her hands folded across her lap until she was instructed to float, jump, blow bubbles, chase water toys...etc. She THRIVES in a teacher/student role, and we're so happy - and surprised - to see that.
Paige enjoyed the lessons from the get go, but Leah on the other hand took a class (or two) to warm up to the idea that this was supposed to be FUN! But in her defense, Rich says the water was COLD.

Chantal, Colin and 4 week old Catherine - along with Rich & De were over on Saturday night. We saw a tidbit of the green monster in Paige with the presence of the baby - but strangely enough, it was DE that she was possessive over - she didn't even notice when mommy was cuddling the babe :) But Catherine's okay - it's funny to think that in one year's time, she'll be just as rumbunctios as the others...so much can happen in a year.

Sunday - Canada Day...started off horribly! We'd planned on taking the kids downtown, but had a slow start. And by the time we were almost ready to go, the twin's nap time had arrived and everyone was in full blown meltdown. So against every instinct and belief I hold, we still packed the crew into the van and headed into the city. Along with Rich, De and Tanya, we spent roughly 4 hours celebrating in our Nation's Capital. And it was FUN! Now those who know me well know that I run a very strict and regimented household. And I am an absolute slave to the nap. As a result, my kids tend to have a lot of difficulties sleeping while out. In fact, they don't. But it worked out just fine - and the twins didn't end up napping until we were on our way home. Anyway, the weather was miserable, but we still perused the streets, people watched, Peyton got a tattoo and silly balloon, we had snacks and beverages on an outdoor patio on Sparks then we made our way home.
Some pictures ...
















and one last video...the ride home :)



So we got home, the kids all had a good nap, then (again despite cool weather) we sat out on the deck and had a BBQ with Laurie, Heron, Jenna & Mitchel, along with my mom and Tanya. Paul's parents JUST arrived home from Cape Breton, so they stopped in for a quick visit. And THEN (Rich, you'll be upset to hear this) we set up the chocolate fountain and ate chocolate covered strawberries and bananas until our tummies could take no more. Yup, nice way to end the day.

An eventful day like that led to all three kids sleeping in nice & late yesterday AM. Good for Paul, as I left the house at 6:45 to spend the morning at work. Sigh. Anyway, our PM was good yesterday, with a trip to the "big park" and then a nice quiet evening.

So that's the update on us. We have a good weekend coming up, with Dan & the family arriving on Friday. Another few weeks of work, then we're on holidays! THAT, I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to. Not too much scheduled yet (just the way we like it) but we've got a trip to Wonderland the the Toronto Zoo planned. And with any luck, the deck will be finished by then so we'll be able to enjoy our backyard again (no pressure, Paulie!!)

I'll write again very soon! Hope everyone is well!

Kari
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Monday, May 28, 2007

Go Sens Go!

OK, so maybe I haven't been terribly supportive/excited about hockey, but I will admit to looking forward to tonight's game. Can you blame me??!










Wednesday, April 25, 2007

An update on all of us

OK - I've just posted a few dozen photos, so that should hold everyone for a little while, right?

Things have been just NUTS around here as we celebrated the big birthday, Easter, then Chantal's Baby Shower (you can all now call me Martha as I spent far too many hours baking cookies - and De has photo evidence!) And, of course, prep for my return to work. April - no. MARCH & April just flew by!

So first, the girls.

Paige is walking!
View this montage created at One True Media
Finally! (Paige)

She "officially" started about a week & a half ago - but the three weeks prior she was testing herself by taking...oh, say 3 steps at a time. In the 10-ish days that she's been upright, she's perfected the skill, and we've graduated to running. Joy.

Best way to describe her? She's a CLOWN! And a trouble maker - like, seriously. She mimics everything (especially Peyton) and she's a little daredevil - not afraid of anything. She is SO like Peyton - in both appearance, and personality. We do indeed have twins in this household, and their names are Peyton & Paige.
Physically, she's about 22Lbs now, 1/2 lb behind Leah - but she appears and FEELS so much smaller. She's got a pile of teeth - I'm thinking maybe 7? And she is a biter. In a bad way. We think it's her way of dishing out affection. Nice, huh?

Leah is not quite walking yet. Maybe within the month...? She is cruising around holding furniture, walls or pushing chairs, but she hasn't braved a step on her own yet. I still think of her as our gentle giant. She is SO a mommy's girl - she loves to cuddle and snuggle. She's still SERIOUSLY sensitive - she'll be social and happy, as long as someone she knows is within sight. But surrounded by a bunch of unfamiliar faces sets her in a panic. 22.5 lbs - she's long and lanky with a crazy amount of meat on her thighs (lucky girl - ha!) She's fairer of the two, less hair (but catching up) and like her persona, her skin is incredibly sensitive too. I think I spend more time moisturizing her face than I do my own!

Paige is Peyton's biggest fan - following her everywhere and believing that she can do whatever Peyton can do. Leah plays a little more independently. She will hang out with the other two, but gets scared off by how rough her sisters can be. And they do play rough! Needless to say, it's all about "the play" in this household, and everyone's at such a great age - we have lots of fun. And now that summer is here - well these kids will be LIVING outside - we've been couped up for far too long.

Off the topic of kids - I am back at work. Started back yesterday. And it's okay - so far (ha!) Our daycare situation is fantastic, which makes ALL the difference in the world. I truly didn't think of the kids more than a small handful of times today. Because I knew that (a) they're in great hands (b) they're not missing me. My mom does Tuesdays (with Paul's parents stopping in as much as they can) and we have a nanny - Rachel, who's here Wednesday through Friday. She'll be fulltime (tues - fri) come August, but for the time being, we're easing everyone into this arrangement slowly.
I've started back at our most busiest time of the month cycle, so I haven't had many moments to think about the fact that I'm not with the girls - it's all good.

In other (baby) news...
Chantal & Colin are 3 weeks away from being due with their first baby (can't wait!!)
And Erin & Peter are expecting!! Their little bundle is due at the end of October - grandchild # 4 for Paul's parents. And we're beyond thrilled.
Finally - Vicki & Gord are expecting their first in early October - how hard they've worked to get this little one - I love hearing success stories of this nature.
All these new babies! Makes our decision to stop at three a billion times easier. Well, that and the possibility of another set of twins. Seriously.

On that note - hope everyone is well! Come by anytime - you KNOW we love visitors!

Kari
xoxoxoxox

Warm Weather has arrived! At Last!