And the Week goes On

Well we are now at the end of Day 4 this week and although I was to have tomorrow off I am working it in order to have Ethan's birthday off next week.

I'm happy to report that we are all surviving (as I knew we would). Megan has taken a liking to Mrs.B and although she still clings and screams when I leave she is happy soon after. Ethan is suffering the most as the early mornings are tough for him. Our little sleeper is not happy to be woken before he is ready. To say the least it is like waking a bear from hibernation in the middle of January- not good. Yesterday Mrs. B even found him sound asleep behind the living room chair when she called him for lunch. She said that he had likely been sleeping for 20 minutes. Not sure if I should feel bad for him or be concerned that no one missed him for that long. Mrs. B was making lunch and the other kids didn't tell her where Ethan was.

Sarah is still loving school and comes home knowing something new everyday. She has quickly learned how to count to 10 in French and I have to say she even pronounces most of the numbers right! I can't say that is so for the days of the week. I just kinda giggled when she sang the days of the week song like this:
lundi, mardsy, mecredi, coursty (or curdsy a few times). I suggested that perhaps it was lundi, mardi, mecredi and jeudi but she insists that it is definitely curdsy! whatever -- all I know is that I made it through "curdsy" and I only have one more day of work til the weekend. Have a good one everybody!

Return to Work-- Day 2

Lost : Patience

Last Seen: Tuesday afternoon at the office.

Lost Tuesday evening before, during, and after supper. Again during snack time, story time and many times during the bedtime routine!

If found please return to Susan and Trevor Black immediately.

Our kids thank you in advance!

And We're Off

Today marked my first day back to work in over 14 months. To say that it was a bit of a shock to the system is an understatement. Surprisingly we got the kids up and ready and were even 10 minutes early to the sitter so had to sit outside and wait (this will never happen in another million years I am sure). We got the kids settled although Megan was less than thrilled to stay. Trevor dropped me off and my day began.

It's hard to describe how I was feeling. I truly like the people I work with and so it was nice to be back in their company again. Much is the same and yet things have changed. I fought a terrible headache and flu like achy feeling all day so trying to read my files was pretty useless. I definitely have lost enthusiasm for the job but am sure it will all come back when the files feel like my own again.

I am happy to report I didn't cry at work although I teared up when I read some comments on the previous post. Funny though as we arrived home I was really anxious to see the kids and one look at Megan turned me into a fountain again! Luckily she had a better than expected kind of day and Ethan did awesome so I can't ask for much more than that. Sarah arrived safe to school and although the bus took her to our house after school they realized before getting her off that she was supposed to be at the sitter. Whew -- that was close.

After getting really really tired kids into bed I began the preparations for tomorrow. Here we go again! Let's hope tomorrow goes as good as today.

What a year we have had!

Wow just typing the title brings tears to my eyes. This may be harder to write than I thought. As I sit and write this it is the night before I return to work. I am officially done this maternity leave and as there are to be no more(for sure this time) I am struck with great sadness. When will I ever have times like this again. An uninterrupted year to spend with my kids. It truly has been the best time. When I think back to only a year ago Sarah was just turning 4. She was starting preschool 2 times a week, loved to dress up, was just starting to become a bit particular about her clothes and still napped in the afternoon. Ethan was just turning 2. We couldn't keep him off tables, counters or things in high places. He had long curly locks and was already showing signs of being a real charmer. Megan was new and yet it felt like she had always been a part of the family. We couldn't remember not having her around. Today I have a kindergartner, a preschooler and a toddler - I can't believe it.

Again more tears are streaming down my face as I think of the things I am going to miss most by being back to work. I absolutely loved to sit with the kids in the morning and watch the neighbourhood gang get on the bus. This year we could have been watching Sarah. Along those lines, the returning of the school kids at the end of the day signalled play time outside. We would sit with a snack on the step and wait for the kids to descend the bus. As soon as backpacks were dumped in the yard, kids would gather and playtime would begin. Of course it was always nice for the parents as since we were out there watching the kids we got a chance to visit one another too. We are certainly blessed with a great street and awesome neighbours.

I also found the utmost joy in seeing the kids grow and bond with each other. Ethan is quite quick to defend his older sister if we are disciplining her and is super protective of Megan (although unfortunately his over zealousness in this area usually means that he ends up being the one to squish her or something all the while thinking he is such a help to her). Sarah as well has mothered Megan right from the start and while we finally have convinced her to put Megan down, Megan now goes to Sarah to be picked up. With Ethan Sarah is always there to give him a hug when he is sad and again be his defender if he is in trouble. The love that has grown between the three of them warms my heart every time I see it.

While I realize that I am making it sound like I am going off to the torture chambers I know that I am very lucky to have had the time that I did have. I got a few extra months and more time than most. They are going to be in excellent hands with our sitter Mrs. B, and we will now just have to work harder at making the most out of our time together each evening. I am keeping my fingers crossed about a part time job I applied for, and promise to have nothing but a positive attitude when I go to work tomorrow. As for tonight though -- I think I will continue to sit here and cry for a bit longer. I hope not to do it at work tomorrow so best get it all out tonight. Wish me luck!!

Rudolph is that You?

Today on the way home from Derek and Lisa's Megan took a tumble. Not thinking that it was anything more than her daily trip over her feet I scooped her up, gave her a kiss and we went on our way. Once at our destination however I noticed that the little fall had left her with a skid mark on her nose. As the day went on it became more pronounced and she soon looked like Rudolph. Poor Maggie - a tough week adjusting to the sitter and now this. Here's hoping next week goes better for her!

See my nose?!!

Hmm- I am going to have to work on my running- it didn't work out so great today.

Preschool Bound

With Sarah in school, Ethan knew his turn was next. Unfortunately for him he started a week later than Sarah and to an almost 3 year this appears to have been worse than waiting for Santa. Everyday Ethan would ask if today was the day he got to go to Mrs. Dueck's ( I think he has his first crush) and finally today I was able to say yes. After getting Sarah on the bus (and explaining to Ethan as I dragged him OFF her bus that I was going to get him to Mrs. Dueck's) we dropped Megan off at her friend Kiedis' house and we were on our way. Ethan walked in with an air of confidence and an attitude that seemed to say " I'm here -let's get this party started". Having been to the preschool twice a week for a year to drop off Sarah and pick her up, it was an understatement to say that he felt comfortable there. He seemed to feel like he was home! Along with his best buddie Drew and his rescue pack back pack he was set. Excited to show everyone how fast his new runners ran he took off for the gym and didn't look back. After a brief moment of distress for both he and I, when he wanted the "metercycle" even though another boy was on the motorcycle, Ethan quickly was diverted by all the other options before him. What did he choose? A hula hoop! I always knew that hip action we saw at his first birthday party would come in handy at a later date!

Not one to miss a beat, Ethan announced when school was done that he was ready to go to the sub place. Apparently because Sarah got to go to Quizno's for lunch after her first day he assumed that he got to too. How could I say no- he was so excited. So after we picked up Megan (who cried the hour we were gone- sorry L & D) we zoomed to the sub shop, picked up lunch and returned in time to be there when Sarah hoped off the bus from school. Another great morning !

I'm ready to go (too bad school didn't start for another hour)!

Aren't we just the two cutest kids ever !

Look out Kindergarten Here I Come!!

Well after counting the days for the last 2 weeks, Sarah's first day of Kindergarten has finally arrived. The anticipation and excitement leading up to this day was almost too much for her. Last night at supper time she had a minor meltdown all because she didn't know how to write. Nothing could convince her that she didn't need to know that until Grade 4 - she was devastated. Upon awakening this morning however she was recovered and back to pure excitement about the day. As you may have guessed she has had her 1st day of school outfit picked out for months now. An early birthday gift from the Jacksons, Karen new the dress would be a hit and it was. She has been trying to wear it for days now seemingly paying no attention to the rule that it was to be saved for today. Each day she has put it on in hopes that miraculously I have changed my mind. Too her disappointment she has had to take it off each day until now. Getting up quickly and having a good breakfast she jumped in the shower and finally was able to put on her new dress.

Since the plan was for us to drive her this morning she didn't get to take the bus with the other kids on the block. She did however have a chance to run out and see them before we left. Connor and Christian (seasoned veterans in Grade 4 and Grade 1) appeared far less excited than Sarah announcing that this was the worst day in the world (part of me thinks Christian was a teeny bit excited for Grade 1 but couldn't let that show in front of his big brother!)

After dropping Ethan and Megan off at the sitters for their first day there, Trevor and I took Sarah to school. Along with all the other parents of kindergartners we wandered around not quite sure where to take them and not quite sure we were ready to let them go even if we could find where we were supposed to be. We soon made it to her classroom however and her day began. I was overcome with a few tears off and on and have no real reason to explain myself. I wasn't sad she was there or scared for her but just emotional. The teacher got her to pick out her name tag and when she did I felt this proud moment even though she has been able to do that for 2 years. It was all strange but luckily I held it together (and so did Trevor - hee hee like there was any chance of him tearing up- that I would have loved to see but he's not a sucker like me!)

After getting her settled at her desk we slowly made our way out the door and while I felt the urge to linger outside the class Trevor had to be to work so I reluctantly gave him a ride and continued on to the gym. A morning free for me- hasn't happened in 14 months. I figured a good workout would energize me for the day. I was doing great on the elliptical for about 40 minutes when a commercial came on for a new birthing program on TLC. In it the dad announces "It's a girl". I instantly flashed back to when we had Sarah and all of a sudden couldn't believe that time had gone so fast. It seems like just yesterday we were telling people "it's a girl" Now we are saying "she's a kindergartner". Needless to say I got all teary again. Yes there I was on the elliptical, tearing up hoping that those around me were thinking "wow she must be working out hard she is sweating from her eyes!" I know - they likely were thinking 'man if it upsets you so much to do the elliptical maybe you should get off" . Luckily there weren't many around and I pulled it together quickly.

Along with the rest of the eager parents I was back at the school with plenty of time to spare. Sarah came out with her little friends all in a line, smiling and happy but announced that boy she was tired. And she was exhausted. I think this is to be expected as it is such a big transition and adding French to the transition makes it even more tiring. On the way home she talked about playing in the tool center and the food center. I asked her if she learned any French and wondered out loud how you say good bye in French. She thought about it for a moment and said " Du ta vay" I said " Oh I thought it was au revoir" to which she giggled and replied "oh yeah that's it". Silly girl!! Thankfully she had a great day and is looking forward to going back next week. Until next time -- Au revoir mes amis.

Getting ready

Official Door Picture- the ladies at Trevor's office advised him that he needed to have a door picture so each year you can see how much they have grown- assuming you take the picture in front of the same door each year.

Can you tell who the Kindergartner is?

Sarah in front of the school

Sarah in her new desk

Ethan's favorite time of year

This spring when we first arrived at the cabin Ethan ran around to the front with a look of great anticipation. When Gramps asked what he was going to do he excitedly said he wanted to throw the apples from the apple tree into the lake like last year. Much to his disappointment we had to break it to him that the apples wouldn't be ready to throw until the END of summer!

Well that day arrived and Ethan was as excited as ever! After picking up all the semi-rotten ones that had fallen to the ground he stood at the edge and let them fly! At one point I started having serious concerns that he may end up throwing like me. One try landed the apple in my eye and I was directly beside him! Another landed an apple 2 yards behind him! Trevor arrived on the scene however and determined it was all in his release so with a little coaching the apples were (generally) makin' their way forward into the lake.

The highlight of the day came however when Ethan ran out of apples to throw. After some beggin' he got his dad to agree to one more bucketful. Trevor wandered over to the try and jumped up to grab a few from the branch. Unfortunately he grabbed the whole branch and it broke right off. Branch -actually limb better describes it, apples and Trevor landed on the ground in one big thud. While I laughed, Ethan delighted as he now had more apples than any little apple thrower could want.

Ready

Set

Fire

Done

"They" were right again

Whoever 'they 'are were right again. In the potty training world, 'they' say that your child will do it when they are ready. Well Friday morning morning Ethan awoke ready. To my amazement he announced at breakfast that the "pee was comin" and so after rushing to the bathroom -- he went. An hour later - same announcement, same race to the potty, same result -Success. 7 times more that day same story - "the pees comin -- run run run - pee pee pee- cheer cheer cheer. He woke up dry and stayed dry all day. Not foolish enough to think that this was a miracle I awoke Saturday full of anticipation for what the day might bring. Except for a couple of accidents when he knew he had to pee but didn't want to leave the toys he stayed dry all day again. Sunday and Monday - nothing different. If I wasn't a miracle believer before I sure am on the road to being one now. He appears to get it and that is that. Wow - I thought boys were supposed to be harder than girls- he is 5 months ahead of where Sarah was. If Megan could be five months ahead of him then I could potentially be diaper free in 16 months, 15 days and 2 hours. Ahh I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Here's some cute pics of our proud big boy. Note the underwear is backwards on purpose so as to see the picture on the back. I can't see how the butt would be comfy but it's apparently the only way to go !

The Newest Edition

After much anticipation and some predictions by Sarah as to when her new cousin would arrive, the day finally came when Karri and Rob welcomed the first edition to their immediate family and the newest edition to the Black family. Today Karri gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Dylann Alivia Cales weighed in at 6 pounds 13 ounces, is 22 inches long and has a bit of dark hair. After seeing the pictures this morning, Megan squealed with delight and started waving at the computer. Sarah claims to have known she would be a girl and was only off by 6 hours on her predicted date of arrival (had their been a pool going I am sure she would have won). We are thrilled to officially be an uncle and aunt and can't wait to meet Dylann in person at Christmas time( that seems so long to wait) We hope that all goes well as they bring Dylann home and start this new journey as a family together.

Hangin' out at 3 days old waiting for G & P and lookin' just like my daddy

Tidbits of Conversation

Sarah came into the computer room while I was updating the blog. She was playing dress up with her friends from next door. This is the conversation that occurred

Sarah , holding up two dress up dresses: Mom which one would look better for radio?
Mom , laughing to herself: Do you know what radio is?
Sarah: no
Mom: It is something that plays music but no one can see you
Sarah : Oh .... I think I'll wear a crown too!

Hmm do I feel old today.

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In an effort to attempt the potty training with Ethan again (we let off on holidays because there wasn't much point-- well there is a point but who wants to stop on the side of the road 10 times in an hour when you have 14 hours to drive home). Anyway what I have started to do is put Ethan on the toilet with a potty seat every morning. This morning he was sitting there and squirming around when he bumped himself on the 'splash guard' of the seat. All of a sudden he was in tears and he yelled out " I broke my penis". Well what is a mom to do? I am sure I took the wrong approach but I couldn't stop myself. I burst into laughter. Truly it was uncontrollable laughter which only upset him more. He told me to stop laughing - his penis was broke. Again I tried my best to hold it together and to assure him that his penis was fine but he was distraught and I was barely keeping the tears back. The poor little guy! Sorry buddy - I should have offered you more support during your trauma but I couldn't help myself.

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Sarah came into the living room the other day and sat down on the couch. She said "Mom the marker dropped on the floor and colored all over my feet" As I glanced at her multicoloured feet I asked if that was the truth. Sheepishly she said " No, I colored on them". I may be sleep deprived and suffering from a general lack of brain cells most days but even I wasn't going to buy that the marker jumped up and colored her feet! Nice try though Sarah. (and kudos for fessing up without any cajoling from me!)

Family Vacation

I am in the process of blogging about our great family vacation this summer but there is so much to write about that I am way behind on our life in general. With so much going on I am going to jump ahead and out of order so as to update you on the things happenin' right now. The family vacation stories and pics are on their way but here's a few fun stories about our everyday life for now.

Our Family Vacation 2007 -Part 1

As many of you know our family vacation this year was a road trip to Dawson Cree, BC to visit Trevor's sister Karri, her husband Rob, Karri's belly which as Sarah will tell you houses her GIRL cousin and to attend the Packard Family Reunion. A road trip(with three kids under 5) may be a daunting idea to many but we thought it would be a fun experience. We had confidence so we knew we could make it. That "confidence" came in the form of Grandma, Papa and their 5th Wheel. Luckily G & P ( not to be confused with P & G=which I think is proctor and gamble) were coming along with us so if there was going to be misery it was going to be shared misery which made us feel all the better prepared to attempt the trip.

G & P arrived on Friday evening to find that we had packed everything but the house itself. ( actually we didn't pack Megan's inhaler or Trevor's allergy meds either- but more on that later). After finally getting car seats arranged, suitcases packed, the fridge loaded (in the camper that is) and the DVD players hooked up we were ready to go. Saturday morning we handed off Megan to G & P as they were in charge of her for the day. We squeezed Ethan and Sarah into the van and we were off. Ethan was still not feeling well after having a terrible sore throat and cold for the past week so he was quickly unamused by the basket o'entertainment that I had carefully created for each of them. The tray we bought him wouldn't stay in place and nothing would stay on it because he kept tilting it the wrong way. We soon relented to putting on a movie for him which was sooner than we would have liked but he was feeling so bad that nothing else was going to work. Sarah and I played little dolls and Polly pockets. One little conversation sticks out in my mind - - - Sarah had just given me a boy doll who was fully dressed in a tuxedo but appeared to be missing his feet altogether. I asked her where his feet and shoes were. She quickly looked up and said " I don't know - just pretend he lives in Hawaii " Hmm. I understand the no shoes in Hawaii with all the sand and all but I think they still need feet though??!

After some sticker booking, coloring, reading, more doll playing we arrived in a town just past Saskatoon for lunch. Stopping at the town's school yard we picnicked and let the kids play. Megan was particularly found of the space and seemed to relish the opportunity to be out of that damn car seat. She walked all around the playground while we ate our lunch ( we had our eyes on her at all times) but she was 100% content.

After lunch we headed to our final destination for the day: Silver Lake. Papa's sister Barb and her husband Iver run the golf course and campground there and since it was a significant birthday for Barb (more than 59 less than 61) we were staying for a few days to celebrate.

And celebrate we did. Barb's four boys Darryl, Norm, Don and Dale were there along with Darryl's wife Lana and their daughter Olivia. Hot dogs were roasted, cake was eaten, beer was consumed. The only unfortunate part of the whole weekend was that it was beyond sweltering hot. And as adults we couldn't handle it so one can only imagine the toll it took on the kids. Megan was sick the first night up screaming and crying and sounding like she had croup. AT 1 am the camper was our only option so as Sarah slept soundly right next to us I rocked and bounced while Megan cried and finally slept. Oh you feel so helpless when they are sick. On a more positive note I'm happy to report that Ethan slept in the tent that night for the first time and it looks like we are moving his room to our backyard as soon as we are home. I think he slept for more than 12 hours straight.

After another day of swimming in the little lake, playing on the swings, crafting, eating and overheating, the meltdowns that were on the horizon all day arrived. Megan was so hot that we finally took her into the lake (against her will) to cool her off. As other campers watched we dunked her while she screamed at the top of her lungs. I was waiting for Social Services to be called as it sounded like we were torturing her but really it was for her own good! Sarah was so hot and tired that after trying everything to please her to no avail we finally but her in the car, turned on the air and some Anne Murray and in minutes she was out. Ethan decided to join her just for fun and to cool down. He too fell asleep and ended up sleeping 12 hours again after we finally moved him to the tent because he didn't want to get up. When it finally cooled down Megan enjoyed hangin out, relaxing and wandering even though she was coughing lots and still under the weather.

Monday morning we packed up but this time Trevor and I took Megan and G&P took Ethan and Sarah. After saying good byes we were on our way to the next part of our adventure.

On our way

Looks like there is barely room for Ethan and Sarah - we almost had to leave them behind!

Just hanging out enjoying the freedom of no carseat for a few minutes

A quick swing before getting back in the car again

At the campground

Air conditioning in +37 weather is the greatest gift in the world

Wide awake one minute ..... sound asleep for the next 720

Playin in the dirt

In the camper

Sarah just couldn't keep Papa away from the Pollly Pockets

Peek a boo

Another Princess in the Making

This morning Megan and I were up early. Let me rephrase that - this morning Megan was up early. I was an unwilling participant in the early rising but not much I could do about it. I plan to get back at her as a teenager.

Anyway we went downstairs and she wandered into the play room and headed straight to the dress up area. She stood in front of the hats and gestured in a way that made me think she wanted to wear one. I took down a cowboy hat and placed it on her head. She looked at me, took it off, threw it on the floor and gestured again. This time I picked up the tiara and placed it on her head. She happily shrugged her shoulders, looked coy, smiled and toddled off content to be a princess for the morning. Looks like we have another princess in the making. Can one household live with two princesses?

"Camping" with Friends

This weekend we had the opportunity to go "camping" with friends. In all actuality they camped and we commuted. Our friends Karen, Quinton and their daughter Lily , along with other friends Kim, Dave ,Evan and Andrew plus a couple other families reserved sites at Echo Valley Camp Ground near Fort Qu'Appelle. Being only a 25 minute drive from the cabin we drove out and "camped" with them during the day and evening and then went back to the cabin for bedtime.

The weekend was great. Out of pure luck the camp sites were within eye and earshot of the kids playground so on Friday night the kids played for hours over there while the adults enjoyed a nice steak dinner and then engaged in some friendly bocci ball (damn Quinton for his long throws!). Of course the evening couldn't end without roasted marshmallows and smores. Ethan appeared to love the smore however it took him 40 minutes to finish the one and only one he had. Now that is savouring one's food. I on the other hand didn't have that will power and ate mine in record time!

Sarah and Evan having no fun at all - yeah right - they had a blast goofin' off together

Saturday was a bit raining but that allowed Sarah, Grandma Judy and I the chance to run around the yard in our bathing suits. Lucky for you all, Trevor was golfing so there was no one to take pictures !! Whew. The boys enjoyed (well maybe that was the wrong word-) endured a game of golf and then Karen and Quinton stopped by the cabin for lunch and a visit with my family. Ethan and Lily enjoyed cuddling on Q's lap for movies because on a rainy day that is just a fun thing to do.

Movies and flashlights -Lily's prepared for a Dora-a-thon - Ethan for a power outage. Someone is going to be disappointed! Looks like Q can handle it though.

That night we again drove to the campground and feasted on bush pies- another yummy camping tradition. What is better than pizza filling between two slices of bread roasted toasty on the fire! Hmm - I'm hungry just thinking about it. At one point during the night all 7 kids were huddled in Kim and Dave's camper coloring and watching a movie. We couldn't have asked them to be any better!!

Karen catching a snuggle with Ethan.

Sunday was a scorcher so we stopped by the camp on our way to town and played in the paddling pool for a bit. Megan got to enjoy the experience for the first time as we had left her home with Grandma and Gramps the previous two nights. Not alot for a toddler to do while camping except eat dirt and panic people by walking to close to the fire. Of course G & G didn't complain about the one on one time they got to spend with Megan.

When the rain kept us from the campground the kids entertained one another by building tents out of the two big chairs. Megan found her own hideaway under the kitchen sink -- a perfect fit!