Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I managed to sew Katie a green shirt special for the day! She searched around and found her green skirt to wear with it and wanted green hairbands (4 of them, two on top and two on the bottom). You can't see but she also chose white tights with blue polka dots. They're marking the day at school today and I'm one of the parents bringing the snack. I made little green bags to bring the store bought rice krispee treats. I made bags because health/food regulations say I can't bring anything home made to eat. Says nothing about home made bags. And I just thought it would be fun.

Katie wanted Sam to wear green too so she picked out the clothes and thankfully Sam didn't veto. I also managed to get her in pig tails, which is great because it's so cute. Worth a few "Ouchie"s.
I'm wearing a green shirt too but you don't get a picture.

By the way, it's snowing.
PS...I am feeling much better today...strollercize helped and even though I didn't get to bed particularly early (read in bed until 11:30) the 6am wake up felt great. Must have been the sore tooth making me so tired yesterday.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

It's a start

Hello again,

Sam is currently walking/running/jumping around the house without a diaper. When we came home from coffee she insisted on taking of her pants and then I found her a few minutes later with her diaper off, sitting on the toilet. And she did NOT want her diper on afterward. I'm not saying that we're officially starting potty training but that we seem to be getting closer to that point. WOW it feels soon to be here and I'm grateful that Sam's showing her own interest. She did also have two successful, self initiated pees on the toilet last week as well.

Just felt like sharing and we'll keep you posted!

Recovery

Good morning! This morning we have already done some painting. I've not brought out the easel in ages since the time it takes to set it up seems rarely worth the little time spent painting. But it was time and the girls enjoyed it.

Last week I made finger paint for the girls. I've done this before, basically cooking cornstarch in water and adding food coloring. It works but is very gloopy and makes the paper warp when dry. We had played with some crayola colour wonder finger paint right before and it wasn't quite as much fun. It takes a moment for the colour to appear, which I think really throws Sam off, as she doesn't see the colour.

I showered (quickly, as usual!) the other morning and heard chairs moving. The girls built a train while I was occupied. They are so creative. =)
I'm feeling a bit grumpy and out of sorts today...had a wisdom tooth removed yesterday (as well as one last Tuesday) and I'm feeling tired and a bit sore. Overall the extraction was easy and the dentist is great but I think it's wearing on me a bit. Another day and I'll have more energy I'm sure!

We have plans for a coffee date this morning and I'm not sure what else later today. Hope you enjoy your day!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Yet Another Milestone...

Well, I wasn't planning on posting again so soon, but I have an important milestone to report.
It may not be immediately obvious, but look and you will see that Katie CUT HER HAIR. She found tiny scissors in the bathroom drawer (which I immediately went and moved) and snipped. I have no idea why, though clearly she can see a bit better (at least I can see her eyes more) so perhaps she's done the right thing. It's not terribly noticeable but definitely snipped. Maybe we'll talk to our family stylist (Simone) and see if we can officially finish up the new style. (for the record, safety-wise, Katie can use scissors and we often let her cut paper with them. They use scissors all the time at pre-school and she's quite experienced.)

I should have suspected something when she disappeared for a while after she was combing and barrett-ing my hair. I was reading to Sam and inwardly applauding myself on the quality time spent playing with the girls instead of washing dishes. I will say I'm quite happy that I:

a)Managed not to yell
b)Managed not to laugh

as I think both of these reactions would have perhaps encouraged her. I did calmly explain that cutting our hair is not something that we do ourselves but something that we leave to the professionals. I didn't even glamorize it by taking pictures right away but waited until the girls were ready for bed and I remembered that I wanted a picture to blog while they were sleeping.

Sam thinks it's all very funny.
Funnier still...when I was grabbing the girls toothbrushes, it took me about 20 seconds to realize that I was looking at the missing lock. (please excuse the messy bathroom drawer and on one hand, don't tell me your drawer looks better than this....on the other hand, if it does, please tell me how?!)
Amidst all this, I managed to make an amazing loaf of bread (since Steph and her little boy W were joining us for dinner). The recipe is one my mom uses and somehow it still worked perfectly even though I forgot to split the loaf in two. I made a Perfect Super Huge Double Loaf without meaning to. How lucky is that!? Mmm...cheesy!
Last week at strollercize (I'm going more now, but still just walking...foot injury may be improving, orthotics may be helping, hoping to run again by Spring...the current snowing weather outside suggests this may not be until June) they had a soccer camp going on in our space. We managed to get our workout done around it but our little kids were sure mesmerized watching those big kids. (Sam, M and D...Katie's running around somewhere else)
Speaking of soccer..did we mention that we've signed Katie up for community league soccer? Yay! It's starts at the end of April (ahem, weather permitting). I'm excited about it in general and even more so when I found out that a good friend of hers from preschool will be in her group as well. Hopefully that helps make it a fun experience for all. And Ben has volunteered to assistant coach, so I'm sure that will help too. Yet another (#3462) reason to look forward to spring.

Girls are sleeping, hope you have a good night.
Heather
PS...While I think of it, Happy Birthday to Auntie Andrea!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Sew Good!

Katie made herself a desk for colouring. Not that we dont' already have a few good places to colour, but what's better than a space you make for yourself?
Sam, just being goofy.
I've been sewing more than knitting these days. I finished up a shirt made from the pattern that Auntie Alli gifted me for Christmas. The fabric was bought at a garage sale last fall. Kind of bright but I like it. I had issues with the sleeves and ended up redoing them with elastic...I could not stretch my arms to pick up the girls before I fixed it so that was a no go. I definitely have plans to make the longer tunic and dress versions sometime down the line.
The buttons on the back are kind of silly...I need Ben's help whenever I want to wear it...so weird! (though I may try buttoning it up halfway and slipping it on and finishing the buttons myself)
Amazing how a box can keep the girls busy.

The girls in their new skirts. Made from this pattern. I didn't put on the called for pocket since, though cute, it obscured the cute printed fabric and that I wanted to see more of. Bonus...the girls both love the skirts. That doesn't always happen!Katie made this sign for their bedroom. Apparently, it's their address.
At Gram and Papa's place for dinner the other week, Katie brought out the cards and she and I played Go Fish. I'd taught her a little while ago. She actually gets most of it, but often will pick up a card and tell me what it is right away. And does other little things that are "wrong" in card playing, like showing me her cards, that are just Oh So Funny. Makes me look forward to playing all sorts of gamnes with the kids as they get older.
Last week we went to Millenium Place with a bunch of friends and after swimming and playing in the playground ended off with picnic lunch. So much fun. I'm really looking forward to doing more of this outside in warmer weather. (which is getting a bit better but still very wintery.)I'd write more but have to get ready for school I'm not dressed and we leave in 10 minutes. And the girls are only sort of dressed. Wish me luck!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Some Tired and Some Fun

Sam has not been napping for a while now and while we're getting more used to the idea there are still some days when she's cranky/tired and you know she could have used a nap. Like when she falls asleep on a chair at 4:30pm:
Or with Dad around the same time, another day. Maybe Dad could use some naps too? =)
Katie found a new use for my pretty yellow headband. (she's using the place mat as a mirror since it's silver on the back) The girls are having lots of fun playing lately. Like cuddling up in blanket piles on the floor.
A few weekends ago we saw Fred Penner. It was a great show.
The girls enjoyed it but looked pretty serious throughout. We had lunch at a preschool friend's apartment the other day. Katie with friend N and S. There was a Korean style of sushi/rice roll served and Katie scarfed it up and wanted more. She's very good with the Thomas training chopsticks.
S's brother H is a little younger than Sam but they get along great too. It was a great afternoon and the kids have so much fun playing together.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

More movies...

Here's another video of the girls gymnastic-ing.

Untitled from BabyLuch on Vimeo.



And this video is of Katie singing, taken yesterday. We've fallen in love with the Sound of Music since I showed the movie to the girls over a few bays back when they were sick.

Untitled from BabyLuch on Vimeo.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Jumping Bean

Here's a video of Sam jumping on the trampoline when we did gymnastics the other week. More video's to come soon!

Untitled from BabyLuch on Vimeo.

Endless Winter

Hello March!

Great to see you...it's been what, about a year since we saw you last? Should be a good month, with a couple of Auntie's birthday's coming up. I do have a tiny bone to pick with you though...

You're MARCH...it shouldn't be blizzard-ing and -40 with the wind chill. I've had it up to here with shovelling snow (I rant on Ben's behalf) and as much as I love a stew/soup, I'm kind of hankering for a burger or pizza on the BBQ. I don't think any sane person should be asked to withstand this much cold and winter. Not fair. I'm tired of dressing the girls up in puffy coats and hats and I've been getting lazy on mitts(...hands in pockets please!). I miss spring dresses and playgrounds and everything else that comes with it.

Please send your friend Winter away. Now. And don't bring him with you next year. And don't let the door hit him on the way out.

Sincerely,
Heather