The Wiggles Concert - An Unexpected Surprise

Last Saturday the kids and I went to a Wiggles concert. If you had asked me a year ago if I would ever be at a Wiggles concert I would have said definitely not. For those of you not familiar with The Wiggles, they are four Australian men that sing and dance for kids. They are children's entertainers who each wear a different color of shirt and each have their own "thing" in the show. Jeff always falls asleep, Murray plays the guitar, Sam drives the big red car and Anthony is always hungry. Our kids didn't really watch it until about a year ago when Ethan caught sight of the show with a buddy and he was hooked. Of course he would be since it was singing, dancing, there are dressed up dinosaur, octopus and dog mascots and a friendly pirate.

I originally didn't even get the kids tickets but a lady at church ended up having tickets in the 7th row for sale. I thought what the heck and we were set.

As we were walking up to the Brandt Center Ethan and Sarah were surprised to find out that the real WIGGLES were going to be there. I am not sure who they thought they were going to see but they were pretty pumped when I said it would be them in person. After entering the building I promptly got them some snacks ( the show was at 5 so we opted for snacks and a late supper). Since our tickets were on the floor I wanted to have everything we needed before sitting down.

When we got to the seats we were thrilled to see that the first 6 rows were off to the side so we ended up being in the front row! I was getting more and more excited as the show approached. How fun was this going to be for them. I was so glad that I was going to be here to see their faces when the Wiggles stood right in front of them. As I listened to other parents it sounded as if they too were AS excited to see the show as their kids. Parents had told me how great a show they put on the last time they were in Saskatoon so I was looking forward to seeing it.

As the lights dimmed and the dancers came on the kids looked on intently. Well actually Sarah looked on thrilled as there were ballerina dancers as part of the Wiggles background dancers. Ethan on the other hand was excited by the show but equally excited by the popcorn I had bought him. At one point I found him hanging upside down on his chair trying to get a handful from the bucket that I had placed on the floor.

After a few minutes of dancing the Wiggles finally arrived. They drive a BIG RED CAR and even I was surprised to see that they came out on stage right in it. Strange but I was getting even more excited to see them in person. Anthony in particular looked rather cute up close and personal. Weird that I would be finding a kids singer attractive ( I wonder if my mom ever had the hots for Mr. Dressup or the Friendly Giant?) Anyway.. it wasn't about me ... I was there for the kids to have the experience ... back to the show.

Once they had driven around the stage a bit they parked the car and came right to the front. Wow up close you notice that these guys are in great shape. ( I had tried once to dance along to one of the DVD's and I was wiped right out after. Now I can see why they are in such good shape - doing 2 shows a day.) The kids were really enjoying the show however I was sensing that I was enjoying it as much as them. Lucky for me .. um .. for all of us, Anthony was right in front of us. Yup even cuter when he is dancing right in front of me. Sorry .. back to the kids. Both of them loved the fact that they were able to get up and dance right in front of their seat. Sarah did alot of moving while Ethan again split his time between dancing and eating. Next time we might have to leave the snacks til the end.

At one point the Wiggles jumped down and ran around the crowd. I am saddened to say that I think as I replay the scene in my head... that I may.. just may ... have nudged my kids out of the way as Anthony ran by in hopes that he would shake MY hand. I am sure I wouldn't do that but as I think about the moment that seemed to go by in a blur I do recall jumping up with enthusiasm with the kids as Anthony jumped down in front of us. I also remember consciously telling myself that I should sit down (which I did). At this point I realized that I was now enjoying the show more than the kids and this was WRONG -- just WRONG. I regained my composure and sat back as the kids sang and danced for the next hour straight. In the end we were all sad to see that it was over but as I left I quickly figured in my head that since Megan was only 1 I technically could likely catch a few more shows in the future with her. I can't wait.

okay some of that might be slightly embellished but seriously Sarah has told a few people since the show that "Mommy likes Anthony" after which she giggles - lucky for us she just thinks I like him because he wears the blue shirt and blue is my favorite color. We will keep it that way.

You likely all think I am crazy now but seriously there were many mom's in the crowd talking about storming the stage so I wouldn't have been alone if I had gone that route!

Ethan's Future Plans

Of late Ethan has become very concerned about getting bigger. This could partially be our fault. He is turning into such a "typical" boy these days. He wants to watch "bad guy " movies and play "bad guy " video games. When he asked when he could do these things I quickly scrambled for an answer. The best I could come up with was "when you are ten" and I showed him my hands so he would connect the idea of ten. Now he tells everyone that he can't wait til he is ten. It's going to be a long 6 years buddy!

Also on his mind is what he is going to be when he grows up. So far these are his options (although in his mind he is going to do them all)

SCUBA DIVER/DEEP SEA DIVER- He found these ski goggles of Trevor's and decided they were for scuba diving.

SURFER- would help if we lived closer to a surfing opportunity. Might make practicing easier.

ASTRONAUT - he can't wait to fly that spaceship

BASEBALL PLAYER - he recently got a bat and ball set for outside and would play it all day if we would stand there and throw the ball to him . He is a great little hitter so this may be a real possibility for him. As much as I hate major league baseball, I would watch it for you little man!

ANIMAL RESCUER - thanks to his love of DIEGO (cartoon character) he wants to own a real rescue pack (again from the cartoon - a backpack that turns into a boat, a snowboard, hot air balloon - basically any mode of transportation that you want). Unfortunately I haven't been able to break it to him that such a thing doesn't exist in the real world. I hate to burst that bubble just yet.

POLLEN JOCK -- from another movie - this time The BEE Movie. The pollen jocks are bees that wear special suits and jet packs, fly around to all the flowers and collect pollen. After he told me this he stopped to think and said " hmm mom - how will I fly ?" I said I don't know to which he replied " I guess I will just have to get some wings" Of course - why didn't I think of that. Maybe I could get myself some wings -- it sure would make running errands faster.

Brotherly Love

Everyday I have noticed that Ethan and Megan grow closer and closer. They play outside together and they love to play hide and seek together. Ethan hides on one side of the door, Megan on the other and they meet at the edge and laugh and laugh and laugh. Or Ethan hides under Sarah's bed and Megan hangs down from the top of it and they laugh and laugh and laugh.

Since Megan arrived however Ethan has always been "extra affectionate" with her --- without fail he always has an extra squeeze for her or a little "toss to the ground wrestle" for her. He rarely is mean about it but every time he is just a bit rough he always apologized to her. We didn't realize how many times this went on until Sarah recently slipped and fell. As she was crying Megan promptly ran over to her and said "Sorr wee babe , sorwee babe" all the while giving her a hug and patting her on the back. HMMM do you think she might have been on the receiving end of that a few too many times herself? Now whenever someone is hurt she runs up to them to say SOR WEE.

Excuses by Ethan

Ethan has hit that stage/age where he has can come up with a good reason to justify most anything he says or does. Here are just a couple of my recent favorites


After complaining of a stomach ache he went to the kitchen and found some gum (his new favorite treat). He brought it back, showed me that he had a big piece and told me that " this is stomach ache gum. You have to chew so that your stomach ache would go away" -- good to know!

At bed time our little night owl is brilliant at trying to find a reason to stay up later. He has used the regulars - I have to pee, I need a drink, I need a hug, I can't find my special bear etc. My new favorite is this :

" Mom - I can't sleep. My eyes won't shut -- See?" --- to which he blinks his eyes rapidly over and over. Nice try but I ain't buying that one buddy!

What was that Meg?

Well I guess it was silly of me to worry if Megan was going to be a talker or not. I had feared that with Ethan and Sarah around to do the talking there would be no need for her to say much. Boy was I wrong. She has started to chat up a storm and has now incorporated a small form of sign language with her words. The other day she wanted me to get her a drink and I wasn't in the kitchen. So first she says " a mon mom , mon mom " and holds out her hand to me. When I didn't go right away she came behind me and said "push, push" and that is exactly what she did. She pushed me down the hall. Every time I stopped she would say "push, push" and she would shove me. She will literally push you to where she wants you to go all of the time now. Today she dragged me to Sarah's room and then looked at me as if to say - good stay here -- and then she went off and played!

Other times she just likes to talk... and talk.... and talk and most of these lengthy chat sessions happen between 2 and 4 am. Trevor was away the other night and so Sarah and Ethan had a sleep over in my bed ( I know you are all thinking FUN FUN FUN just like I was !) It actually was going well until 3 am when Ethan fell out of bed. This woke up Sarah and Megan and caused quite a ruckus. Sarah and Ethan went right back to sleep but little Miss Meg was wide awake. She would not go back to sleep so I took her to the couch and thought maybe just maybe if I lay down with her she will go back to sleep. No such luck. Instead she lay on top of me and said " mommy's nose" and pointed to my nose, " Mommy's eyes" and poked out my eyes .. mommy's ears and pulled on my ears. When I said we had to be quiet because Sarah and Ethan were sleeping she said "shh shh shh" with her finger to her mouth .... only to minutes later be singing something to me. This chitter chatter went on for over an hour and a half - turkey!! boy was I tired at work the next day.

She is really trying to say most anything these days. If you ask her to call anyone she puts her hands to her cheeks and calls out their name. Sarah is "See-ya" and Ethan is kind of a garble of sounds. She yells Daddy with glee every time Trevor appears (even if he has just run downstairs for a moment)

My favorite so far though happened just the other day. I dropped her bottle lid and she bent to get and said " uh a daisy, up de daisy mommy" Apparently I have used the word oops a daisy around her because it was the most adorable imitation of it.

can you say "what a dirty face I have"?

Reading 101

In the recent months Sarah has taken a keen interest in reading longer stories and learning to read short stories herself. One morning she asked to take her chapter book on the bus. I explained to her that she couldn't take it on the bus because it was one that I read to her. She said she wasn't going to read it. She went on to tell me that she just wanted to take it on the bus like Presley did. She then showed me with her head that Presley always brings a book on the bus, opens it up and just does this ( at this point she moves her head back and forth over in front of the open pages). I explained to Sarah that Presley was reading to herself. Well the look of shock on Sarah's face was priceless. She made me show her how I could read a book to myself and she was extremely impressed by this strange ability to read without talking out loud. Oh how innocent they are- I love it!!

Bye Bye Fiderman!

Well - what is that saying all good things must come to an end. In this case it is all cute things must come to an end. For the longest time Ethan wasn't able to pronounce "sp" words. As I have mentioned before, speedy pants was feedy pants, smartie was fartie and Spiderman was fiderman.

Tonight that all changed. We were sitting in bed reading stories and Ethan was trying to say Spiderman. I slowly had him sound it out and he said I can't do it. He tried again and to his amazement he said it. He couldn't believe it himself. He quickly looked down his nose as if to look at his mouth and he said it again "Spiderman". Then he jumped up and he started cheering "I can say Spiderman, I can say Spiderman". Of course he had to run downstairs and tell Trevor his good news. Later that night as I walked by his room all I heard was a little whisper " Spiderman, Spiderman, Spiderman...." He was so proud - I am betting he dreamed of Spiderman that night.

Meeting Cousin Dylann

The weekend of Trevor and Steph's big party was also the weekend that the kids along with Trevor and I got to meet baby Dylann for the first time. Trevor's sister Karri came down and stayed for a few days with her daughter Dylann who was born in August 07. Sarah was excited to say the least. The night before they arrived she literally barely slept. She was up tons and asking every hour if it was time to get up yet? Imagine our surprise(not) when she was exhausted the next day and slept hours and hours. I think she caught a little bug as she wasn't well at the party and asked to go home soon after they had arrived. Poor girl - too much anticipation for that whole weekend.

Nonetheless, we were able to spend a few days visiting with Karri and Dylann. The kids were so happy. Ethan especially loved to hold Dylann. Not sure what Dylann thought of all the chaos but she did awesome anyway.





We tried our best to get a picture of all four of the kids together but I am sure you can imagine how that went. If you can't picture it check out these photos for a small glimpse !!

Regardless of how those pictures looked we had a fun time and were so happy that we finally got to meet her. We love to hear from Auntie Karri and Uncle Rob and can't believe how fast she is growing. Hopefully we will be able to find time this summer to meet in Edmonton because the kids are counting the days until they get to see their cousin again.

Big Cousin Sarah hanging out with Dylann

Ethan giving Dylie at little love

Ethan: I love baby Dylann

Megan: Aren't those my pants ?

Who is this crazy guy ?

Who does she think she is taking away my spot as the baby - they want a baby I can be a baby!Hmmm I don't seem to fit into this chair as good as I used too. It's like I'm almost .... too big!

A-Ha so these cheeks run in the family I see

Surprise!

For a long time I had been thinking of planning a little party for Trevor and Stephanie's anniversary. As you all know I wasn't able to attend their wedding in Mexico (nor was dad) so I was feeling really pulled to put something together. Well as always "little" and mom and I just don't seem to go together. Before we knew we were planning a mini reception of sorts.

When I first started to think of the best date I realized that even though their true anniversary was on January 18th, if we had the party on the 19th then at midnight Trevor would officially be 30. So not only could it be an anniversary party but also a birthday party. Twice the fun!!

I began to formulate some plans in my head and with mom and dad. We quickly decided we wanted to include Stephanie's parents as well. After meeting with them they advised that Steph hated surprises and we became a bit worried that this was maybe not the best thing to do. So we decided in the end to include her in the plans and swear her to secrecy (which she did a great job of - way to go Steph)

No surprise-- mom and I picked a theme so that the planning was easier. A Beach Party seemed appropriate and since it was predicted to be the coldest winter since I was born I figured it was a good way for us to pretend we were somewhere else for a night. With the theme picked we moved on to decorations, food and drinks. The decorations were enhanced by Ethan's preschool as they just happened to have a whole Beach party closet worth of decorations(THANKS Mrs. Dueck!!) I had seen some little sandal candles on the Internet so we got busy ordering those along with other beach stuff. Food wise I had no idea how much so as always went overboard. As it turned out we could have had at least 2 parties and still had left overs. oh well.

As the days drew closer I seemed to have a longer and longer list of things to do. I created a video montage for them but of course being me couldn't just pick any old song to go with it. I spent hours and nights looking through music and then organizing the pictures to match with the music. Unfortunately the program I was using was a bit finicky so I had to do it over at least 3 times - actually maybe even 4. I lost track and only remember going to bed really late and really mad many nights in a row! In the end it turned out just as I envisioned it in my perfectionist little mind and I was very pleased (tired but pleased)

As if I didn't have enough on my plate already I decided on the Tuesday night that the table center needed more than just the candle in the sand. I hadn't really thought of having little candies until I saw some great chocolate molds of turtles and remembered a friend telling me about chocolate sea shells she had once made. Well I thought how hard could it be to melt a little chocolate, mix it with some white chocolate and make a few sea shells. It really turned out to be quite easy. It just ended up being time consuming because I had to wait for the shells to set so could only do a few at a time. Again over a few nights and in the mornings and even once during a lunch hour, I got them all finished along with the little green turtles and again, I loved them.

I ended up just using brown sugar for sand and placing them right in the with the sandal. I think they turned out pretty cute.

Finally the day of the party was here. I had seen Trevor the day before and he was acting funny so I was sure that he had somehow found out or suspected something. Stephanie swore however that she was sure he was still in the dark.

Thankfully Val and Dale were our saviours and they watched the kids while we set up and then when we went early to get last minute things ready. As everyone arrived I took off with Trevor (husband) and we went to Trevor (brother) and Steph's to surprise him. When I got there he was in sweats and looked exhausted. I actually felt a moment of sadness for him as I knew he was likely going to want to stay home and there was no way in hell he was going to have that chance!! I asked what they were doing and he said just hanging out. I told him to go get changed because we were going out to celebrate his birthday. He said he was really tired and that he and Stephie were just in sweats hangin out. It was at this point that I pointed out that his wife's hair and makeup seemed to be all done and I broke it to him that Stephanie had known we were coming all along. A bit reluctant and now a bit scared of what the night held he went and got changed. When he asked what to wear I told him that anything would do, as we would be in and out of the truck all night. I explained that we would be taking a trip down memory lane in celebration of his birthday. ( Kinda true, Kinda not)

Once in the truck we blindfolded him much to his dismay. Luckily I had arranged for Trevor to drive in circles for a bit as Trevor J tried really hard to figure out where we were going. Once at the party we walked him in past the bartenders and kitchen co-ordinators (Thanks Nev, Lisa & Regan) and into the room full of people ( I think we ended up with 65-70 -oops not so little anymore). Surprised to say the least Trevor took off his blindfold to a room full of family and friends.

The night brought lots of fun, laughter and a few tears ( which we have now determined comes from Dad's genes as he was as teary as the rest of us). Having said that Dad and I were extremely happy to have been able to share this night with Trevor and Stephanie and we would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I hope they and everyone who attended had as much fun as we did.

Of course the night could not have happened without all of mom's help and all of the background support (ie putting up with me and my craziness) from my fantastic husband. Thanks to both of you. I can't wait to plan the family reunion with you next. AHHHHHHH.

Sorry no pics from that night- I need to still get the pictures from the party from someone else. I was running around that night and didn't have my own camera with me. Instead I have included some of my favorites from the video montage we showed that night.

(Did you really think I wouldn't include this one Trev? Sorry little dove )

Congrats little brother! Love Sue

Christmas 2007

Oh Christmas was sooo long ago that it is hard for me to even remember it but I will try.

This year as the season got underway I quickly decided that we needed to do something different this year. Last year the kids seemed to open every present in record time and there was no time to really reflect or realize how lucky we were and how thankful we should be for everything we have. In an effort to try and teach this to Sarah this year (and after a miserable shopping trip full of " I want that and I want that" I sat Sarah down and had a little chat about the real meaning of Christmas. I explained to her that what we should be focusing on at Christmas is the giving not the getting. So I asked her to think of what SHE thought other people would like for Christmas presents. Very quickly she started the wheels turning and she came up with the following list

Papa - The first thing that came to her mind was that papa most definitely needed a bottle to feed the calves. Regardless of the fact that I had no idea where we would get this I said great idea. When Trevor came home he advised that he knew where to get one. The funny part to this story is that Trevor and I always laugh at Val and Dale because they shop at Peavy Mart. We continue to go there and never find anything but they always come away with great finds. When we know they are in town but not at our house yet we often say ' they're probably at Peavy Mart". Well I am sure you can guess where we had to go to get the bottle -finally we find something we need at Peavy Mart.

Grandma Val - Sarah decided she could use yarn for an afghan or towels. Lucky Grandma, she got both.

Gramps - definitely needed coupons for Tim Horton's so he could get coffee. She also included a book (that mommy helped pick out)
Grandma Judy - it was off to the sewing department of Walmart to pick out patches and sewing supplies so that Grandma could mend Sarah's clothes.

Trevor & Stephie - they like to fish so they needed new fishing 'stuff '. Unfortunately for Auntie Steph we didn't buy her the new fishing rod Sarah thought she needed. Sorry!

Sarah also enjoyed picking out a stuffed animal and a new sleeper for Trevor and Steph's Baby J (due in July)

Auntie Karri -Sarah thought she would need a book on babies but we ended up getting her a book just to read for entertainment.
Uncle Rob- again Sarah remembered Rob's love for fishing so she picked some new fishing stuff for him.

For Megan Sarah went to her room, picked out a Barney book and wrapped it up before I could suggest otherwise. Poor third child - gets used Christmas gifts!

Ethan was easy - a few dollars and Dollarama found a hockey stick and a Diego piggy bank that were both a hit.

What's a hockey stick without a net right?

As for Trevor she wanted to get him a movie and when I told her my hair dryer was broken she said "it's okay mommy we can get you one for ..... oh never mind" And then raced upstairs to tell Trevor. Surprise surprise - I got a new hairdryer and it's awesome. Thanks Sarah.


For Christmas we spent Christmas eve and Christmas morning with the Jones' and then headed to the farm to have a delicious Christmas meal with the Blacks. As everyone opened their presents this year Sarah happily sat side by side with them in anticipation of seeing their faces. Quite a welcome change from the madness we had last year. All in all it turned out to be a excellent Christmas season
.

Megan quite enjoyed Sarah and Ethan's new helmets.

Looks like we should have gotten her one too!

Ethan and Sarah opening their cameras. Note in the background Megan who was happiest climbing the presents not opening them. We sure had one ticked off little girl when Gramps and Grandma took home their new microwave. It had been a favorite launching spot for her for more than a few days.

Santa is that you?

We're still alive

Okay okay it appears from this blog that we seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth. I am here to say that we are in fact alive and well-- crazy busy - but alive and well none the less. I have had a few requests to get this blog back on track including a specific request from my mom that I quit my part time job (it's full time mom) so that I had time again to update the blog. Unfortunately I haven't found anywhere on the blog website that pays for all these entries. I suppose I could start to charge a "reading fee" but I would guess that that may cut down on the number of people who stop on by to see how we are doing. I will instead just make a better effort to balance kids, a husband, work, laundry, cooking, vacuuming, cleaning toilets, picking up toys, wiping noses, wiping asses, wiping tears, giving hugs, receiving snuggles and BLOGGING.



Coming Soon: Christmas 2007 (of how far behind I am), Our first visit with Cousin Dylann, Trevor and Steph's Surprise party, an update on my new job, a mother daughter sparks sleepover (17 5 & 6 year old girls - whose dumb idea was this!)

Winter Fun

It is not often that I would group the two words winter and fun together but on this particular night in November it was winter and we had fun. The weather was just right for playing outside in the snow so after supper we all hopped into ( well okay more like wrestled, twisted, squirmed and stuffed into) our winter gear and out we went - the whole fam damily. ( I can't believe I just used the term fam damily- I have go to get more sleep). Anyway out we went and what a great time we had. We made snow tracks of almost every animal we could think of. Ethan of course was an elephant, Sarah hopped like a bunny, and I jumped like a frog. Megan was happy to get to swing in her little swing that she hasn't been in for a few months. It was a tough fit with the snowsuit and we almost got her stuck as the buckle froze and neither Trevor nor I could get it undone. We finally freed the poor girl and all in all it was a great night. They say it is going to be the coldest and longest winter since before I was even born. I suppose we better take advantage of these nights when we can.