Congratulations Sandi & Curt

Yesterday Sandi became Mrs. McLaughlin. The ceremony was held in Uncle Don's & Aunt Debbie's backyard and it was beautiful. You could tell that Sandi is one of those girls who has been planning her wedding since she was a little girl & I think that she succeeded in bringing her dream to life. The weather could have been a little warmer for her, but thankfully the morning did not bring rain forcing her to put aside all their hard work & preparations to have the wedding in the church. We were wondering what was going to happen when just as they were signing the registry rain did start to come down. But it ended almost as quickly as it started & it was only a little sprinkle- but a cold one!

Sandi remembers being a little girl & dancing at Kim & Pete's wedding & those of her other Aunt's & Uncle's weddings- so she did invite Sydney too. I was so thankful that we didn't bring her because it would have been such a long day for her & we really weren't done dinner & speeches until 2 hours after she is typically in bed. So Sydney & Jason stayed with Uncle Robb & Aunt Michele & had a great time on their own.

Sydney would like to thank both Aunt Debbie & Sandi for remembering to send her a birthday card last week. With everything that they had to do it was nice that they took the time to think of Sydney. She was VERY excited to get mail again. And we learned that mail that comes in a pink envelope is greeted with much more excitement than any other colour.

The stage is set

The groom very nervously waits

First come the bridesmaids, including Cara

Then finally the one he is waiting for
& she has a tear in her eye (I think Dad did too)

But after it is all said & done, he is much more relaxed
(but Sandi looks like she is freezing)

The damage

Almost a week has past & Jason's head is healing nicely. He now only has the scab in the one spot which got the most pressure against the wall. There don't seem to be any psychological affects either. He is still eager to walk with anyone who is willing to help him & he will even hold out his arms to Sydney for her to pull him up & take him on his way. Thankfully she doesn't comply with his request.

Older than I've ever been, younger than I'll ever be...

...that was the theme of the birthday card I received from my sister & brother-in-law. This morning Sydney jumped in bed & wished me a Happy Birthday & asked me how old I was. I just told her that my age had a 3 in it too. Getting older doesn't really bother me, but it does make me stop when I realize that I am much closer to 40 than I am to 30.


I had a good day. I took a vacation day with the intent of getting a bunch of things done around the house, scrapbooking & getting a pedicure. I got some scrapbooking done & the pedicure, but not one thing got done around the house.

On the weekend Jason was starting to try and take a few steps, so I thought I would try to cap off my birthday with his first official walk. So after supper Sydney & I were trying to help him. It was very cute to see Jason walk toward Sydney, so I told Brad to get the camera. Unfortunately, this caused too much excitement for Sydney & Jason with the result her toppling over with him in her arms & his head scraping against the bricks. Looking back, yes I should have known that this might happen. The video upload isn't working right now, but I will try to post the video before the fall.

The birthday party

Yesterday was Sydney's birthday party. We had it at Lowville Park & the weather was perfect. The only bad thing was the amount of bees swarming around- luckily no stings though. The kids played on the playground, ate lunch & cake, played kick the shoe & then played in the river with the little nets that we put in their loot bags. I hope fun was had by all, because Sydney had a great time. Brad & I drove separately, so I left first with Jason to get him home for a nap. He crashed before we got out of Lowville. Sydney followed shortly after with Brad & she crashed before he even pulled out of the parking lot. Sydney & Jason slept for over two hours- which is unheard of in this household- so I think they were definitely tired.

Ellie

Ellie's sister, Katie

Emma

Alina (& Matthew, Emma's brother, is in the Snuggli)

Evelyn

Julia, Evelyn's sister, & Jason

When the wind keeps blowing out the candle, improvise.

Kick the shoe before getting in the river.

Sydney's crayfish

Three Years Old

Miss Sydney

According to child development theories the past year was supposed to represent "the terrible twos". A time where you are branching out, learning more about what is around you, what you can do, & 'knowing' what you want or don't want. Truthfully, the two's didn't seem too bad. We probably have enough fingers to count how many tantrums you had over the past year & even those were pretty mild compared to what we have observed others do (your brother for example). For you I wouldn't classify the last year as 'the terrible twos', but I would call it the year of crying. For a little girl who hardly ever cried at all from the time you were about 6 months old- you certainly became a sensitive wee thing over the last year.

There was a time that you would fall and have numerous bruises & we wouldn't have any idea where you got it or what happened, because you would never cry. Now, if you do anything as simple as bump your toe you cry & want us to kiss it. Lately Mommy & Daddy are not willing to play that game with you- we trying some tough love. I am thinking that your brother has something to do with your crying. You've loved him from the moment he was born, but I do think that you have missed the solitary attention you once got. Imagine what it would have been like if you were older when he was born?

You are quite a chatty thing & you speak very well. You still have trouble with your fff sounds & they all are still shh sounds, but you are willing to let us work with you to a certain degree to fix that. We are getting tips from Noreen- although she might start charging us soon for private consultations. You are still a book lover. Now it is neat to watch you because you will pick up some of your books and tell us or your baby what the story is about. You also will bring us books & ask us to help you because you don't know the words. Your Daddy & I are both thrilled that you love books so much & hope that it continues. You have been a good role model for your brother because he too is becoming more interested in stories.

Baby is your constant companion. You play with her, read her books, take her for walks in her stroller & sleep with her at night. The past few months there have been many phases of naked Baby, but Daddy refuses to let you leave the house with her naked- so I think we are starting to leave that phase again. Besides your kitchen, she (& her accessories) is really the only toy you play with. You still like puzzles, but have not been playing with them as much lately. You just got some new ones for your birthday- so maybe your interest will be renewed. What you do like is anything related to crafts. Painting, colouring, stickers, using scissors, & stamping. You love it all & thankfully will sit with that activity for awhile- which makes it more worthwhile to get out.

You go to daycare 3 or 4 days a week & although you have fun when you are there, you keep telling us that some days you don't like going to Jo's. It seems that you are the one who is having the most difficulty adjusting to Mommy going back to work. You also have not liked sharing your Mondays at Grandma & Papa's with Jason. Now that you are only there every other week, the Sunday nights that you have come home with us have been tearful. Lucky for you though, Mondays Jo takes you guys to the library which you love. So leaving Grandma & Papa's is tough, but getting you to Jo's Monday morning is not so tough.

Now that you are getting older, it is neat to see the difference in how you play with your friends. Before now, it would be a bunch of kids in the same room playing with toys, but not really playing together. Now, you will actually play together for a period of time. You also love when your friends will come play in your room with you. You really seem to like your room & you will often spend a lot time there by yourself looking at all your books.

You really are a sweet little girl. You are considerate of your friends, you are great with your brother (most of the time), and you do a pretty good job of listening to your Mom & Dad. If I had to pick two things right now that you do that drive me crazy, it would have to be (1) the crying and (2) the dawdling. Eating meals, unless it is something you love, is often quite painful. I don't want to be the Mom that insists that you eat everything on your plate- I just wish you would pick up the pace a little bit. Getting dressed is another adventure sometimes. You want to do it yourself-which is great- but your selection & time makes me cringe.

Next year we will be getting you ready for school & the thought of that already brings tears to my eyes.

Sad trip home from the mailbox

Tonight was Brad's "drink night" with his work buddies, so I was running solo. We had a quick & simple supper so that we could play outside before it was time for me to get Jason ready for bed. We went for a walk to the mailbox & on the way Sydney asked if there would be another pink envelope for her. GG sent her a birthday card a couple of weeks ago which was pink (GG was a little early with the card) & now Sydney is in hopes of receiving another one. She was also saying that she didn't want to open it right away, she wanted to save it until her birthday to open (she doesn't get that from me!).

In retrospect I know that I gave Sydney the wrong answer. I told her that since Saturday was her birthday there might be a card in the mail. I was thinking that Brad's parents always mailed her card, but I was wrong. We opened the mailbox & there was a card, but it was for me not her. She literally dropped to her knees on the sidewalk & started sobbing. I was so totally caught off guard by her reaction I stood there a little stunned for a minute. I told her that she could open my card if she wanted & she could save it to her birthday, but the damage was already done.

Had I known how upset she was going to be that she didn't get a card in the mail today, I would have lied & told her my card was hers. She never would have known the difference. I think tomorrow's trip to the mail will involve preparing her for the event that there is not a card there. With a silent prayer that we find one inside anyway.

She's so cute

This morning at breakfast Sydney told Brad that "tomorrow is Mommy's day to stay home with the kids".

I hope to figure out our scanner at work to share the results of our photo session from a couple weeks ago.

Locked out

Tonight I was trying to get supper ready & I had something on the barbeque. I went out for a second to check it & when I come back I can't get in. Sydney has locked the patio door on me. This is only one of the problems. The second problem is that while I was out she climbed up on the stool (not a problem) & her brother climbed up right behind her! So, before she can turn around to unlock the door for me- I need Jason to get down. He of course sees me through the door & is laughing at me. I am sure that if my neighbours could hear me they were getting a good laugh.

I am telling Jason to get down off the stool, probably said it about 10 times before he actually did it. Laughing at me the whole time. Then I am telling Sydney to unlock the door. Thankfully she knew what I meant. When I get in we have a little talk about her not touching the door.

Then not even two minutes later, Jason is climbing back up on the stool again. The child can't walk yet- there is no way I want him standing up on the stool. Until suppertime, Jason continued to test me & kept climbing up on the stool. When he would not get down, I removed him from the stool & he laughed at me the whole time. Little bugger.

Oh yeah, we were on holidays last week

After being back to work for only a month, I had a week of vacation booked. We had no big plans, just day stuff. Which by the end of the week turned out to be a good thing since Jason had a case of Roseola. Nothing serious of course, but made me feel very guilty to have to call two moms of young babies. We had visited with Jenny on the Thursday to see Baby Kaitlyn & the very next day Jason was covered in spots. "The book" says that they are supposed to be irritable before the rash breaks out, but that was not the case for Jason. He was miserable most of the day Friday & Saturday morning. Thankfully he had returned to normal after his nap on Saturday.

Our week consisted of our company picnic on a very chilly Sunday- but of course Sydney still went in the pool. When it comes to swimming, she is so much like I was as a kid. Monday Sydney & I went to the dentist. This appointment was just for Sydney to watch them clean my teeth & see what it is all about, but she was a very good girl & let them brush her teeth too. Let's hope she is this cooperative during her official appointment next February. I am sure she will be- she's a pretty good girl about that kind of stuff. I am sure when I go with Jason in a couple of years it will be a completely different experience. Currently you practically need to put him in a headlock to brush his teeth.

Tuesday we went to my Mom's to stay overnight & do some visiting with friends & family. My cousin Carrie came up to her parents so we had a nice visit with her & her two kiddies as well as my Uncle Ralph & Aunt Marlene. On Wednesday we went to Storybook Gardens & the kids really enjoyed it. At first Sydney was hoping that we were going to another cottage for our holidays, but I think she really enjoyed all the different little things we did.

Jason enjoying some blueberry pie at the company picnic.

Not fancy face painting, but she liked it.

Storybook Gardens

Sydney could not wait to see Humpty Dumpty at Storybook Gardens.

We were trying to get her to kiss the frog to see if she could turn it into a prince, but she wasn't buying it.

Don't have a good picture of Jason on the carousel, he did not like it.

How do you get a group shot of a bunch of kids?

I enjoy taking pictures, but by no means claim to be a professional at it. My hat is off to those people who have managed to get a great shot of a bunch of children. I am beginning to believe that being a professional has little to do with it- luck is the main factor at play.

After my experience with Sydney & Jason last Friday at Sears, it was no surprise that getting a group shot of Sydney & Jason with their cousins proved to be difficult. Try sitting an almost 3-year-old (Sydney), a 2-year-old (Liam), a 1-year-old (Jason), and a 4 month old (Mallory) on the couch & see what you get. We didn't get that "classic" shot that you enlarge to place on display for people to marvel at the wonder of your skills, but we did get some funny shots. You will note that trying to keep Jason on the couch was the main issue with trying to get the group shot. Mallory may only be 4 months old, but she looks as if she is trying to separate Jason & Liam from one another. Maybe she'll be trying to protect her big brother rather than the other way around.

Before the chaos, Brad got this cute one of Mallory

Sydney liked the task of trying to get Jason to sit for the picture

Which as you can see, was not a simple task

Photo Session

Today I took the kids to Sears to get their portraits taken. My hope was to get at least one good shot of the two of them together, but was not being too optimistic. Getting a good picture of Sydney & Jason in the same shot? Has not happened since he was a little baby that could not move.

Since Jason's patience, ahh if you can even call it that, is much shorter than Sydney's we did his individual shot first. Five minutes into that 'attempt' I was starting to pray that I would get any shots of him. He would not even look at the photographer, let alone smile. First we tried sitting, but he seemed to want to stand. Then we tried a few things where he was standing & then all he did was cry. The photographer told me that she didn't have another session booked for awhile, why don't I take him for a walk & try to make him happy. Translation? Take him away.

Thankfully Sydney was being the dream child. I had done a lot of prep with her before we got there knowing that Jason was going to be the challenge child & I needed her to be on her absolute best behaviour. We went for a walk in the mall & there were the mechanical rides. I thought, hey why not try it? A special treat for Sydney because she was being so good & something fun for Jason to cheer him up. Wrong. He hated it. By this time I was thinking- let's go back try some shots of Sydney, give Jason some time to warm up a bit & try again. If it doesn't work, book for next week when Brad & I are on holidays & take the tag team approach. What was I thinking doing this on my own???

We went back & Sydney did a great job. Although, she kept sticking her tongue out. A new nervous trait??? There were so many great shots of her that I had a hard time choosing at the end. Jason??? Well, we did get 3 decent shots of him. But he is only smiling in one of them. And the only reason he is smiling is because he is about to lunge at me. Thankfully she could crop me out of the picture so that we could keep it as a keeper.

The group shot was out. I did order one sheet of the semi-sorta good one (& only one) because I decided that I at least wanted to have one photo to mark the agony I suffered. Also, I had bought the kids really cute 'matching' outfits for their pictures. I figured that this really could be the only year I could do that. Brad absolutely hates Jason's shorts. They are the same plaid as the capris that I bought Sydney & she wore a red t-shirt & Jason wore a blue polo shirt. Truly they are very cute, but I am quite certain that this picture could be the one that Jason looks back on & bitches about the clothes that his mother dressed him in. These shorts will be the equivalent to the many 'leisure' suits that my brother wore in his childhood.

I tried to get a picture of the 2 of them together at home, but no luck. Jason just doesn't stay still long enough.

Travel time = Fun time

Today we took the kids to the beach in Port Dover. The time spent there was a lot of fun, but the travel time took as long as the time that we spent there. It will be so nice when Jason gets to the age that he is not so nap-dependent because then we will really be able to do more fun things with them that involve a drive to get there. The problem is that Jason really does not sleep in the car. He will eventually have a nap in the car, but there is often a lot of crying before we get the blessed silence. Then when he does fall asleep, it is never for too long. When he is tired, he wants his bed. Sydney sleeps really easily in the car, but she can also go a day without a nap as long as you put her to bed really early. So in order to have a fun-filled day for the whole family (parents included) we are best to do trips that are within a half-hour drive home.

Sydney was funny at the beach. When we got all settled & told her she could go in the water, she just took off running. The beach is shallow for a long way out, so she could run close to shore & not be too deep. When she decided to turn around & come back to us, she overshot where we were & I had to go wave her down. I thought she would have been close to tears because she couldn't see us (but we could see her), but she was just concerned that she couldn't 'swim'. Apparently she was not thrilled with how shallow the water was because it didn't allow her to swim. She has gotten really good at swimming with her water wings, but I am concerned that when we return to swimming lessons in the fall that she is not going to be pleased that she can't wear them in the water. Hopefully that goes OK. If her early traits are any indication of what type of swimmer she will be, I think she's got some of me in her. I think she will be a good swimmer, but will always use her legs more than her arms. She can go pretty fast, but she's only using her legs.

Jason too shows signs of being a water child, but he has to work on walking first before he can tackle swimming. Although, he seems to think that he can go on his own in the pool because he is often pushing me away. I would never do it, but I am often tempted to give him a taste of what would happen if I wasn't holding him in the pool. Maybe then he would appreciate the safety I am providing him. Not likely. Right now, I just encourage to stick to the sand. Now that he isn't constantly putting it in his mouth, there are far fewer battles.

Bisbee North

This past weekend we went to friends' of ours cottage. This is an annual thing that they have been doing for years, but the activities over the past few years have changed quite a bit now that kids are on the scene. Brad was commenting on how he used to take a case of beer and some Crown Royal just for the weekend. Thankfully the quantity of consumption decreased dramatically by the time I entered the scene.

It was also amusing to hear our friend Tim complain about the noise that some 'kids' were making across the lake the night before we arrived. I am quite certain that a few years ago there were nights that neighbouring cottages were wishing that the Bisbee guests would pass out for the night. You know you are getting old when you are referring to people in their late teens/early twenties as kids.

Ed & Becky brought their tent trailer up & that is where we slept for the night. It was quite cozy, but I was wishing that I brought the extra blankets that Brad mocked me for packing. It was a nice night, but did get cool in the trailer. Jason was restless around 3:30am so I brought him into bed with us & his head did feel pretty chilly. He probably would have been fine if he had some hair to keep the warmth in. I was thankful that he did go back to sleep once he settled down & realized that I was not going to talk or play with him. However, when he woke at 6am & saw that I was right there- well play time started immediately. I was thankful when he realized that Brad was there too so that he could go climb all over him.

Sydney liked her sleeping arrangement too. She got a big bed all to herself & thought the curtains were pretty neat. Unfortunately she had to have a game of peek-a-boo with Jason at bedtime which got them both worked up & had to be supervised until they went to sleep. I didn't mind too much since I was halfway through Harry Potter & welcomed an excuse to sit and read for awhile. My nose was in that book as much as possible this weekend & last night I could not go to bed until I finished it. Thankfully I finished by 11pm so that I wasn't up all night reading- but it would have been worth it if I was.

Sorry there are no pictures of Matthew Becky. I only had the camera out the once & that was when Matthew & George were in the cottage.