Just some more pictures...

A totally uninspiring post...but there are pics of the girls. Which is all I really want from this blog anyway.

Hailey has been very into Birthday's lately. In fact she sings 'Happy Birthday to you' many...many times every day. So after hearing it for the 100th time last week. I decided that it was probably time to have a mock party. My mom used to do this all the time for my dolls...and I thought it would be fun to pass the tradition on to my girls. So we made cupcakes, decorated them, sang happy birthday to the doll and then went to town. Dolly even had a taste.


On Tuesday this week my cousin Emily called me up and asked if she could come visit. Of course we were soooo excited to see her and her boys. Hailey loves her two year old Roel and could hardly contain her love - see their cute little hands??

The four kiddos.

On Wednesday we had a 'Japan day'. We're so lucky to have Yuka in our family - especially when she goes to Japan and buys cute things for my babies. A few years ago her and Alisa (and Jeff) brought back this adorable Ladybug outfit for Hailey, and then just last week they brought back these adorable leg warmers. So it seemed like the perfect time to pair the two together.

Hailey couldn't stay out of the fun either.

And finally - poor Hailey, Paige has no mercy.

Oh March

This has been an amazing March. The weather has been fantastic! Which means we've been spending a lot of time outdoors doing things like this:

Having two kids is all about the swings...they just make me so happy.


Hailey on her slide - she's looking so grown up hey?

On the merry go round - net thing (by far the favourite ride at the playground)

A little yelling at mom to put her camera away was necessary I guess

Now Besides the park, we've been having fun here at home...especially on St. Patrick's day. We (I) had a lot of fun with the green. The kids just thought I was crazy:

Green Pancakes

Green Mac 'n Cheese

Green food is fun - but nothing beats a little dance party:

The Macarena?

Or playing with the door jam:

Please ignore the greasy hand printed walls...I have kids

Or crawling up the stairs:
Cute legs hey?

Or standing and walking along the cabinets:

Did I mention she JUST learned to crawl? How did this happen already?

Anyway, that's what our last few weeks have been like. We're worn out, I've been sick, and I'm really really ready for spring to officially arrive. But overall, we're enjoying life.

Quick explanation about my 'sketching'

Thanks for all your comments on my last post!! I Love the Love. But I think there may be a bit of a misconception about how artistic I may be. Let me explain:

So I didn't completely sketch the pictures on the canvases from scratch. I found some silhouettes on line and then sketched from those. So I'm not some genius artist...I just copied them. I actually traced the giraffe - so anyone can do that. The other two I just sketched while looking at the real picture because it was easier then cutting it out and tracing. So it really was easy - and I'm not an artist by any means. I'm just good with an eraser.

p.s. I'm also sure it would be easy to cut out brown paper and mod-podge on it, or even vinyl if you have a cricut or a vinyl cutter. But I'm sort of done with both those mediums right now. So Paint it was for me. But either paper or vinyl would be really cute too!

A few weeks of reflection

My mom's brother passed away quite quickly this last week and feeling some of the pain my mom felt has made me really think about how much I love and adore my family. My parents: I don't think I could love and appreciate them any more. My Dad's the sweetest person I know. My Mom is my best friend; well one of them at least because my husband truly is, and then I've got all my siblings and in laws too. We're all just such good friends. I'm so blessed. I'm even more blessed because I have the best two daughters in the world. My two girls have been cute as ever these days too which has made it so easy to love my life. I'm usually an emotional mess for months after I have babies, so it's so nice to feel that little cloud of darkness being lifted finally. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's just the ages of my girls, but life is really good right now.

Now onto an update. We spent a lot of time these last few weeks watching the Olympics and cheering for Canada. I'm so proud of my country! Honestly, I LOVE being Canadian....love love love love love it! It helps that all my family lives here - so I never would want to live anywhere else. But I still just love where I live. 14 Golds helps too! Record breaking is awesome too. Such a cool Olympics! Anyway, besides the Olympics we've been busy playing, reading (Oh how I've missed my reading obsession), sewing a little, crafting a little, walking in the beautiful weather, and I've recently started swimming. The BEST workout of all time. I go twice a week in the evenings with my sister in law. You won't even believe how quickly the inches are disappearing. It's magic!! Besides that, my life is just so normal and happy.



Anyway, here are some pics of the girls.



Paige - she is just the sweetest thing ever, cuddling, cooing, crawling, rolling, babbling - it's all adorable!

Hailey - this girls cracks me up all the time. Seriously, she is such a goof. We were watching the Olympics when she created this outfit. Who can resist a full body leotard? Not Hailey.

Do you ever take a picture that makes you laugh ever single time you see it? This one just cracks me up.

And finally, evidence of my sewing:

A friend of mine posted a link to curtains like this on her blog. Hailey's room needed them. I decided to make them instead of buy them. NEVER AGAIN. The $20 I spent making these sure beat the $60 price tag in the store, but I think my time is worth way more then $40. I'm glad they're done, and they really are beautiful. But I'd much rather be playing with Hailey and Paige then sewing all day long. However I think I will be adding a few rows of ruffles to Paige's curtains. But 4 rows is vastly different then 20. Trust me.

But because they were so cute, I thought that maybe I should do something for Paige's room too to be fair. For those of you who have seen her room since she was born, you know that it wasn't really a baby room. It used to be the office. When she was a new baby we moved the desk out, but left all our paper and two filing cabinets behind. Well this week I decided to de-office her room and make it her own. So that means decorating too. I have been thinking for months and months about what I want to do. I'm still not decided, but these canvases are a good start. Cute hey?

Seriously, so easy. I just painted some dollar store canvases pink and then sketched animal silhouettes on the canvas and painted over in brown paint. EASY as can be!! Fast and cheap too!

Anyway, that's it for now. I'm glad that once in a while I can have a good mushy lovey dovey post, because there have been quite a few complaining sad posts too. I'm happy to be so happy.

p.s. did I mention that at 8 months Paige has 8 teeth and can now crawl! YAY PAIGE!

Good Job Running!

We like a LOT of praise in this house. Hailey cheers me on for EVERYTHING!! For example, the other day I was opening a pickle jar and struggling - just a teeny tiny bit. So Hailey starting cheering, "just a bit harder mommy...a little more...keep trying...YAY!!! You did it! You're a big girl mom!!". Or today when she announced she had to go potty and we were no where near one - so I picked her up and ran! When we got there she clapped her hands and said "Good job running mom - you did very good!". There's nothing quite like a personal cheer squad!

Here's a pic of my cheery little two and a half year old (a little washed out by the flash I forgot I had on).

By the way, for my records a few other cute things Hailey says these days:

-Mom does crap = mom does crafts

-Where's my crap-pack? = where's my backpack

-Dad will shwish-ix = dad will fix it

-I want shwoo-shoops = I want fruit loops

-I want creamo = I want Ice cream

-Hello Pager = Hello Paige

-Run a me = Run with Me

-Say De-dong = ring the doorbell

-Dad a White trash = Dad's White trash....bwahahaha. That's totally his own fault. He taught it to her to say about me (because we are cool like that) and it totally backfired. Because of course Mom's not white trash...dad is!!

Lately...

So the missionary finally came home! We had a fun day - we did lots and lots of waiting. Ashley's flight flew out of Texas...right in the middle of the biggest snowstorm in history (well, I can't actually confirm the 'in history' thing, but there was a LOT of snow according to the news). Which of course meant her flight was hours later, which then also meant she would miss her connecting flight home. She made it almost home - and in the end we all decided to pick her up in Calgary and forget about her connecting flight to Lethbridge. Really, Calgary is so much cooler - I might be biased though. Anyway, it wasn't the best situation for everyone because a lot of people couldn't drive up here in time...but it all worked out. Ashley was SURPRISED to see us. Tears were shed, hugs were given and lots of good memories were made.

The sign Lauren and I made

Paige anxiously awaiting Ashley's arrival

Here's a picture of Hailey and the return missionary...Someone's playing shy

Then this last weekend the family decided to get together for a little ice fishing and little quading and a little sledding. We had a lot of fun...I had a lot of fun, after I calmed down from my little freak out over driving the car on the ice that is. Honestly, there is something soooo wrong with driving your car on water. So wrong. But it was fun. We all lived.

Ben and Paige on the ice

Paige and I

Hailey and Addie - I love their faces. I asked them to smile and this is what I got. Gotta love 2 year old.

So that's it.

p.s. Look who's trying to crawl!!

I don't think she's actually anywhere near being successful, but she's sure trying! Cute eh?

Returning Missionary

Ben's sister Ashley comes home from her Mission a week from today. Hailey's getting very excited to meet this mystery 'Assee'. When Ashely left, Hailey had just barely turned 1 - which means she doesn't quite remember her. So to make the homecoming much more exciting, we have been prepping Hailey by looking at lots and lots and lots pictures of Ashley. It's always good to know who you're welcoming home. We also decided yesterday to make this chain to count down the days until Ashely gets home.

A little 'Hailey smile' for the Camera while hanging the chain

A little chearleading pose

Me calling out: who's coming home?

Hailey responding: Assee! YAY

So we've been using using getting to see Ashley as quite the incentive for things these days. Like going to bed...because Ashley goes to bed too. Or eating gross food for lunch...because Ashley eats all her food at lunch. You get the idea.

I don't think Hailey was quite convinced though

Anyway, we're all excited for the homecoming next week. It will be fun to have the family together again (plus three new babies that were born while Ashley was gone). The only problem I can forsee is that Hailey might be a tad dissapointed when Ashley doesn't actually come home to our house. Maybe a visit is in order.

Barbie's gone Wild!

So this last week Ben's Aunt and Uncle dropped off some of their old Barbie's for Hailey to have. Oh boy does she love them. In fact, in honour of loving them so much she decided they must all ride around in their car naked.

They look like their having way too much fun...or not. I guess that depends on who you are??

In other news...I think I've decided that two of my favourite things ever are these two:

Really...they are so cute. On my list of favourite Hailey/Paige moments? Probably Hailey tickling Paige, or Paige going in for big slobbery kisses on Hailey's cheek. Or, Hailey trying to change Paige's diaper. Oh...wait maybe the way Paige looks at Hailey like she is the best thing in the entire world. Or how Hailey cheers every single time that Paige rolls over or does anything semi noteworthy. Or how nothing calms a crying Hailey like a cooing Paige. I could go on...and on. Honestly this list never ends. One thing that I can say for certain though - is that I'm so lucky to have two girls! All you mom's of two or more girls know what I'm talking about - it's AWESOME!! I'm just so happy and content with out family right now!

A few things about Paige these days:

• She loves to roll all over the house - EVERYWHERE!
• She is getting up onto her hands and knees and rocking back and forth
• She is now LOVING solids - and is such a messy little eater
• She has 4 teeth - all on her bottom and I can see 4 on the top making their way through
• She does NOT like teething - or having a cold - or anything unpleasant really
• She loves her mommy, her daddy, and her sister. Grandma's are tolerable. People that look like me are ok (i.e. my sisters)...and NO one else! Really...if you're not on that list, don't even bother. She won't put up with it. She'll smile from the comfort of my arms, but never in yours.
• She sleeps on average about 11 hours each night. She has turned into such a good little sleeper (minus the odd day of sickness or teething)
• She loves to wave her arms and hit things (see pic below) - she LOVES it and finds great pleasure in smacking my face. hmmmmm.

A few things about Hailey these days:

• She loves to play make believe all the time. Everything is a mommy/daddy/baby etc
• She is now potty trained (see previous post)
• She no longer naps (boohoo)
• She gets scared of noises at night and hates hearing the train whistle (at night only)
• She can count to 10 - and knows her ADAD's (uh I mean ABC's - and she doesn't know them all...only a few of them...but that doesn't stop her)
• She's learning her colours and is so close
• She LOVES to talk on the phone
• She knows all her shapes - even the hard ones I didn't know until I was 5
• She is getting sooo good at talking - and might just have a bit of an attitude.
• Her new favourite toy (besides the naked Barbie's) is this Piano (see pic below) - also from Ben's Aunt and Uncle. We listen to the demo songs on it ALL - DAY - LONG!
• She loves pretty much everyone she knows...that is unless you steal her toy (or are about to steal it, or even look at it...she's two you know)

Anyway, that's it. Life is good.

The Potty

So, I don't think I ever mentioned that Hailey is now potty trained!! Yep...I finally broke down and decided to go for it. I may be a bad mom...but potty training was the LAST thing on my priority list. I did NOT want to be cleaning up poopy panties. Honestly, I'd much rather change a million diapers then clean poo out of underwear. Blech. But finally the peer pressure got to me. It just seemed like all other kids in Hailey's age range were either potty trained or in the process. So I did it. I bought a book (because if you know me, you know that I can't do any sort of parenting without a book), and we got to work! I owe Hailey a TON of credit, the book plenty of credit, and me...NONE. That's how easy it was. One week and done! I may have just caught Hailey at the perfect time...she was ready enough that she had control and understood the concept, but not too ready so that the novelty of it all wore off months ago. If that makes sense. Anyway, we bought a copy of The Potty Bootcamp online and it sure helped (the $5.95 price tag was unbeatable too). So at just under 2 1/2 years old, Hailey can now proudly say that she's potty trained...well actually she'll just show you her pants and give a little booty shake in the process. She is my daughter you know. I'm super proud...and I just really hope things stay this way (because honestly, regression does happen to the best of us). But so far I have a pretty good track record...I did potty train my little sister 20 years ago and I'm pretty sure she's still trained - so I have high hopes that Hailey will follow in her auntie's footsteps. Sorry to my un-named sister...is that too much info??

Anyway, here is the most modest picture of Hailey during the whole process. I guess wearing panties all day long requires high heels (and hiding from the camera). Maybe that's where she got the hip shaking idea too?

p.s. for those of you who are currently hating this easy success...just remember it's early days still. Plus I still have to train Paige in a few years - I can already guarantee I'll have my work cut out for me with that one!

The Olympic Torch relay

So yesterday Lauren and I took the kids downtown to watch the Olympic torch relay as it passed through town. The streets were lined with adults and children just cheering and cheering! My eyes were definitely tearing up as I saw the immense amount of support we have for our country and how united we are...either that or I was still recovering from an unfortunate run in with my eyes and loaded bottle of perfume...oops. But in all honesty, it was really inspiring to see everyone out and so excited for our country! I'm now so excited for the Olympics this year. We don't need to win or anything, but having it so close to home will be so fun! Here are some pictures from the day!

My favourite moments?

1. Driving downtown and passing all the school children wearing their matching "Canada" headbands and cheering like you wouldn't believe

2. Hailey waving her flag and cheering for everything and anyone - including a random bicyclist

3. The beautiful weather...the Chinook made it all so much nicer

4. Singing O Canada when the flame was passed onto the next Torch Bearer

5. The Mounties dressed up in their Uniforms

6. The Passing of the Flame

7. The Happiest smile ever on the Torch Bearer's face as she ran down the street - I'm sure that was an amazing experience for her!

8. The cute kids we brought along for the experience

Anyway - overall I'd say that the day was magical! I'm a sucker for this type of thing, but honestly it was so cool! Go Canada!!

Haily smiles....

Do see anything in the following pictures that resembles a smile?

I can NOT get that two year old mine to smile for the camera.

Getting the 6 month old to smile - or look at the camera - or make a pleasant face? A thousand times easier.

You'd think even after a wonderful stolen treat of chocolate Hailey would at least give me something but nope. That's it. She has a beautiful natural smile that I sort of captured on her last picture - but asking to see that for the camera is a bit much I guess.

p.s. here's one just for laughs!