Norah and her buddy S - two preacher's kids
Norah and L from church afterwards. L was in a tap group, and they danced with their bears.
Before leaving the house
Sunday, April 06, 2008
more ballet recital pics
Last minute practice with the girls
Norah and her buddy S - two preacher's kids
Norah and L from church afterwards. L was in a tap group, and they danced with their bears.
Before leaving the house
Norah and her buddy S - two preacher's kids
Norah and L from church afterwards. L was in a tap group, and they danced with their bears.
Before leaving the house
The ballet recital
Not a wonderful video, but a friend did it for me while Ruby and I watched. Norah is the third dancer from the right in the front row. The one who is a half beat ahead of the rest of the girls. :)
Saturday, April 05, 2008
the reluctant ballerina
Tomorrow is Norah's ballet recital. All the kids from the "dance school" are performing. Today was the dress rehearsal and photographs.
As Rob will miss tomorrow's performance (conflicts with the afternoon service), he was elected to take Norah to the rehearsal.
Mom got her all dressed and ready to go. Hair done, 'makeup' on (beige eyeshadow and lip gloss). Bag for entertainment ready.
Word has it that the dance part went beautifully. Norah is right in front, smiling a big beautiful smile.
Then it was time for pictures.
Despite being told in advance that she would be doing photos, she did NOT want to take part. Arms crossed across her chest, lip in full on pout, she insisted that pictures were not going to happen. Rob was backed up by the other parents "I'll give you some cookies for her", "let's see if we can help make her smile". Nope. So the photographer let her stand where she was, and grouped the other girls around her for the group shot. Right in front, still displeased with the idea, Norah stood, cranky.
Let's just hope that tomorrow goes better, because mom is going with both girls, during nap time for the "real show".
As Rob will miss tomorrow's performance (conflicts with the afternoon service), he was elected to take Norah to the rehearsal.
Mom got her all dressed and ready to go. Hair done, 'makeup' on (beige eyeshadow and lip gloss). Bag for entertainment ready.
Word has it that the dance part went beautifully. Norah is right in front, smiling a big beautiful smile.
Then it was time for pictures.
Despite being told in advance that she would be doing photos, she did NOT want to take part. Arms crossed across her chest, lip in full on pout, she insisted that pictures were not going to happen. Rob was backed up by the other parents "I'll give you some cookies for her", "let's see if we can help make her smile". Nope. So the photographer let her stand where she was, and grouped the other girls around her for the group shot. Right in front, still displeased with the idea, Norah stood, cranky.
Let's just hope that tomorrow goes better, because mom is going with both girls, during nap time for the "real show".
Saturday, March 29, 2008
If it's not one paper, it's another
We have two local papers here in town. One is the one we have a subscription to - mainly for the comic relief. There are often some really amusing slips and grammatical errors in there. Did you know that so-and-so from town was on a Mexican cruise to the Port of Varta and Matzaland? True example. It would be a fine paper, really, if the local "news ladies" allowed their submissions to be edited. In fact, nothing that is submitted by someone outside the paper staff is edited.
Then there is the other paper, the one with the new editor who has put Rob on the front cover, and then followed up with a full page interview. This family is turning into the town's media darlings.
As evidenced by this picture taken on Wednesday.
I'm pretty sure the photographer didn't plan to use this picture for the paper. However, despite using a digital camera, in an age where you don't have to print the bad photos, this staff member tends to only take one shot of a subject. The rest of the photos from that day at the library did not turn out very well. One more page for the family scrapbook!
Then there is the other paper, the one with the new editor who has put Rob on the front cover, and then followed up with a full page interview. This family is turning into the town's media darlings.
As evidenced by this picture taken on Wednesday.
I'm pretty sure the photographer didn't plan to use this picture for the paper. However, despite using a digital camera, in an age where you don't have to print the bad photos, this staff member tends to only take one shot of a subject. The rest of the photos from that day at the library did not turn out very well. One more page for the family scrapbook!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Happy Easter to all. We had a lovely Easter here today - can you believe it is our fourth Easter here? A morning egg hunt, umbrellas and new toothbrushes for the kids, fresh hot cross buns from the oven for breakfast (with coffee, but that's a given). There were also some hard boiled eggs, decorated by the kids. Like their mother, all three kids turned up their noses at the eggs. They did want more chocolate. Um, no.
Nanny and the rest of us went to both services with Daddy. The girls had lovely new dresses, with matching ones for their 'babies', and new shoes. However, with a morning temperature of -7, we didn't wear the new white shoes until we got to church, and all three children went with rain boots and winter coats. It did warm up to 7 above 0 this afternoon, and the sun was beautifully warm.
Which made for lots of mud outside the church at the second service. Let's just say that the girls' tights are probably done. Muddy as it was, it's a good sign that the snow will eventually leave...right?
before church, watching Dora so Mommy can get dressed - a Sunday morning tradition
"Mom, the sun is in our eyes, do you have to do this? And no, we won't put our dress shoes back on. Can we just go eat more chocolate now?"
Happy Easter to all. We had a lovely Easter here today - can you believe it is our fourth Easter here? A morning egg hunt, umbrellas and new toothbrushes for the kids, fresh hot cross buns from the oven for breakfast (with coffee, but that's a given). There were also some hard boiled eggs, decorated by the kids. Like their mother, all three kids turned up their noses at the eggs. They did want more chocolate. Um, no.
Nanny and the rest of us went to both services with Daddy. The girls had lovely new dresses, with matching ones for their 'babies', and new shoes. However, with a morning temperature of -7, we didn't wear the new white shoes until we got to church, and all three children went with rain boots and winter coats. It did warm up to 7 above 0 this afternoon, and the sun was beautifully warm.
Which made for lots of mud outside the church at the second service. Let's just say that the girls' tights are probably done. Muddy as it was, it's a good sign that the snow will eventually leave...right?
before church, watching Dora so Mommy can get dressed - a Sunday morning tradition
"Mom, the sun is in our eyes, do you have to do this? And no, we won't put our dress shoes back on. Can we just go eat more chocolate now?"
Saturday, March 22, 2008
3 kids on a footstool
Isaac sat on the kitchen footstool. Norah sat on his lap, and they called Ruby to join them. This was a spontaneous event, not staged for the camera. They are as sweet as Easter chocolate.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Holy Week is almost upon us
One of the busiest weeks for a clergy family is almost here. Not only are there extra services, but the church Stew supper is this week. Dad also has a day trip to the cathedral for a renewal of ordination vows, then rushes home for a Maundy Thursday service.
To mark the upcoming week, there was baking.
To mark the upcoming week, there was baking.
Isaac
This past week was Isaac's second round of report cards. Which means now is as good a time as any for a review on our almost 6 year old.
- he's doing great in school. In a K/1 split, he is actually able to count the highest en francais...his teacher stopped him somewhere around 130 and determined that he was able to keep on going, and going. He loves math, and is working on figuring out multiplication on his own. He has all the French letter sound and sound combinations down - a grade 1 skill. I'm sure we have his six month of speech therapy to thank for an awareness of letter combination sounds. His biggest areas of opportunity include paying attention at storytime and knowing when to not share his ideas. That sounds like our son.
- He's signed up for the upcoming soccer season. He's also hoping to play baseball this year. Thanks to our Wii, he's quite the baseball and golf fan. He's turning his train tracks into golf courses now, and he's posting signs all over the house indicating the par level of each hole he dreams up.
- Isaac is apparently a rather popular little guy at school, but he seems to have no awareness of it. All the kids in his class seem to love him, and he's totally oblivious to it. I've heard from his classmates mothers how much the kids he's in school with enjoy him and have funny stories about him...but we can't get a word out of him about it. Typical, right?
one of his first photographic works. yellow balloon in the window
- It looks to us like he's growing taller, and more grown up looking every day. He's 44.5 inches, and 42 pounds, and size 12 shoes. He's not big, and unfortunately for him Norah is catching up to him quickly. His favorite colour is green, and he's not willing to part with a favorite green t-shirt that is now almost 2 sizes too small...it's in his "non-public" clothing drawer.
- he's doing great in school. In a K/1 split, he is actually able to count the highest en francais...his teacher stopped him somewhere around 130 and determined that he was able to keep on going, and going. He loves math, and is working on figuring out multiplication on his own. He has all the French letter sound and sound combinations down - a grade 1 skill. I'm sure we have his six month of speech therapy to thank for an awareness of letter combination sounds. His biggest areas of opportunity include paying attention at storytime and knowing when to not share his ideas. That sounds like our son.
- He's signed up for the upcoming soccer season. He's also hoping to play baseball this year. Thanks to our Wii, he's quite the baseball and golf fan. He's turning his train tracks into golf courses now, and he's posting signs all over the house indicating the par level of each hole he dreams up.
- Isaac is apparently a rather popular little guy at school, but he seems to have no awareness of it. All the kids in his class seem to love him, and he's totally oblivious to it. I've heard from his classmates mothers how much the kids he's in school with enjoy him and have funny stories about him...but we can't get a word out of him about it. Typical, right?
one of his first photographic works. yellow balloon in the window
- It looks to us like he's growing taller, and more grown up looking every day. He's 44.5 inches, and 42 pounds, and size 12 shoes. He's not big, and unfortunately for him Norah is catching up to him quickly. His favorite colour is green, and he's not willing to part with a favorite green t-shirt that is now almost 2 sizes too small...it's in his "non-public" clothing drawer.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
extremes
Thursday morning was a bit of a shock to the system. Mom was up and out early, anticipating a temperature of -15.
Not so much. It was -39, with a wind chill of -42. No wonder the road felt 'bumpy' - the van's tires were frozen.
By 1pm on Friday, it was 4 degrees above 0. (well, technically, according to our friend Melissa who works at the weather station it was 3.8...)
It's fun to play in the yard and hear the water running off the roof, and the cars driving by splashing through big puddles. Perhaps Spring will arrive one day!
Not so much. It was -39, with a wind chill of -42. No wonder the road felt 'bumpy' - the van's tires were frozen.
By 1pm on Friday, it was 4 degrees above 0. (well, technically, according to our friend Melissa who works at the weather station it was 3.8...)
It's fun to play in the yard and hear the water running off the roof, and the cars driving by splashing through big puddles. Perhaps Spring will arrive one day!
Friday, February 29, 2008
happy sister mornings
Isaac went off to school today - especially excited because it was a fundraiser day for Telemiracle, and he got to pay $1 to wear pajamas to school. How fun is it to wake up, have breakfast, take of your pjs *then* put on pjs to go to school?
The girls had a typical morning home. First, they dressed up and spun around to music.
Then they hugged, which often turns into spinning and falling down.
Then they took turns being the baby and mom, feeding each other food they made in the play kitchen.
What a fun morning!
The girls had a typical morning home. First, they dressed up and spun around to music.
Then they hugged, which often turns into spinning and falling down.
Then they took turns being the baby and mom, feeding each other food they made in the play kitchen.
What a fun morning!
Monday, February 25, 2008
part way there
the girls room is on it's way. with some juggling of placement, we're almost finished. Rob is in the city for work stuff in the next 2 days, and is picking up (hopefully!) some shelves for the wall above the "tea table". There is some art-work to come for that vast expanse of wall...no re-doing our first apartment's blank walls here. Also, the blue chair will be sprayed lime green, when it finally is warm enough to get out to the garage to do it.
a happy 2 year old, on first viewing of her new bed
"I can touch the ceiling!"
The new beds, lights installed. Probably will never be this tidy again.
Moved the dresser and bookshelf.
The dress up and tea corner. Waiting for the last minute touches....
a happy 2 year old, on first viewing of her new bed
"I can touch the ceiling!"
The new beds, lights installed. Probably will never be this tidy again.
Moved the dresser and bookshelf.
The dress up and tea corner. Waiting for the last minute touches....
Friday, February 22, 2008
The best-laid schemes o' mice an 'men
to quote Robbie Burns....
Aaah, yes. Plans. What looks like a great plan on paper, isn't always so in reality.
The beds came. We had purchased a set of bunk beds that could either be stacked like bunks, or as two separate twin beds. Given the girls young age, we thought that up and down bunks may be a bit too grown up at this point. It's not easy to find bunks these days that are possible to be separated that are a) not too boyish or b) too expensive. We thought we had such a set.
then we assembled them. The space had been measured out, and made sense. We had not factored in the height of the headboards and footboards of the beds being just so tall and, well, present in the room. It's not a big bedroom to start with. Once we had the beds in there, it was obvious that we either needed to get rid of the girl's dresser, or knock out a wall in order to have enough space in the room for them to still be able to play in the room.
We took another approach, and stacked them as traditional bunks. It wasn't quite what we were going for, but it seems to work!
pictures to follow.
Aaah, yes. Plans. What looks like a great plan on paper, isn't always so in reality.
The beds came. We had purchased a set of bunk beds that could either be stacked like bunks, or as two separate twin beds. Given the girls young age, we thought that up and down bunks may be a bit too grown up at this point. It's not easy to find bunks these days that are possible to be separated that are a) not too boyish or b) too expensive. We thought we had such a set.
then we assembled them. The space had been measured out, and made sense. We had not factored in the height of the headboards and footboards of the beds being just so tall and, well, present in the room. It's not a big bedroom to start with. Once we had the beds in there, it was obvious that we either needed to get rid of the girl's dresser, or knock out a wall in order to have enough space in the room for them to still be able to play in the room.
We took another approach, and stacked them as traditional bunks. It wasn't quite what we were going for, but it seems to work!
pictures to follow.
bye bye baby beds!
we took the big step this week, and moved the girls out of their little girl beds. Ruby was getting big for the crib mattress, and we had a friend going to Calgary who offered to get us stuff at Ikea. Ahh! A plan was hatched, and came together quickly. Big girl beds would be bought, little girl beds moved out and put into the yard sale pile. Here is one last look at the room as it was.
Friday, February 08, 2008
busy winter days
Time is going by so quickly here, despite the cold, house-bound days. We've been in a deep freeze for quite some time now, and are currently under yet another wind chill warning. This morning, it was -25C with a wind chill of -37C...and it's supposed to get colder. It hit -56C with the wind last week. The house is keeping us warm, and we're thankful for a good working furnace. See all the ice and frost on the basement door? Even the hinges are frosted up.
The kids have been making the birthday party circuit lately. We had a fantastic "Family Fun Day" the other week, including swimming, lunch out, a movie rental (Ratatouille, which they loved seeing on the big screen in Saskatoon), followed by tobogganing the next day. That was actually the last day we were able to play outside, it's been too cold since then. Ruby had a mini-getaway with mom to Saskatoon, while the bigger two went to a bowling birthday party. Isaac's Wii bowling skills served him well, although word is that he found a way to cheat. cheat at bowling...who knew!?
the girls at Aubrie's garden birthday party
We're dreaming about tropical vacations these days, and wondering if it's better to go away and have to come back to the cold, or to just wait out the winter. I think our next "big vacation" may just be a road trip to the Edmonton Ikea for new beds for the girls. How exotic!
The kids have been making the birthday party circuit lately. We had a fantastic "Family Fun Day" the other week, including swimming, lunch out, a movie rental (Ratatouille, which they loved seeing on the big screen in Saskatoon), followed by tobogganing the next day. That was actually the last day we were able to play outside, it's been too cold since then. Ruby had a mini-getaway with mom to Saskatoon, while the bigger two went to a bowling birthday party. Isaac's Wii bowling skills served him well, although word is that he found a way to cheat. cheat at bowling...who knew!?
the girls at Aubrie's garden birthday party
We're dreaming about tropical vacations these days, and wondering if it's better to go away and have to come back to the cold, or to just wait out the winter. I think our next "big vacation" may just be a road trip to the Edmonton Ikea for new beds for the girls. How exotic!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
haircut!
After too many days of watching Ruby get food stuck in the front part of her hair, or pushing it out of her eyes while saying "can't see", measures were taken. A quick sit down on the kitchen counter, a couple of snips with the sharp scissors, and a smile later, voila! Bangs.
Friday, January 04, 2008
this photo kind of sums up 2008 so far
Ack. Influenza. We've all had it. Not fun when we all get sick at once. wheezing hacking coughs, fevers, chills, aches. Nice. Today seems to be better, and we're hopeful that tomorrow is good, since we're hosting our annual Epiphany open house!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Christmas
We haven't had a chance to update since Christmas. Time just flew by on Christmas Day, and we didn't pack our camera cord when we traveled.
We woke the kids up on Christmas morning (we have a schedule to keep, with Church at 10). They had a blast opening gifts - they are in their stockings in the picture above.
After church in the morning, we loaded up the van and drove down to Nanny's house in the city. It was a nice drive, and SO nice to arrive to an already made Christmas dinner. We opened a few more gifts, including the surprise Wii. There was much excitement, but the kids eventually went to sleep that night, in their new sleeping bags. While at Nanny's, there was some shopping, a trip to the Fun Factory and the Enchanted Forest (drive through light display), lots of playtime and snacks. Lots of fun. A great Christmas, indeed.
Here is Ruby, stripping down to put on the new clothes from Jack and Grace.
The girls in their new dresses from Nanna and Poppie. Ruby is proudly holding her push ladybug toy from Gramma D.
The kids at Nanny's house, in their new sleeping bags, camped out on the floor.
Monday, December 24, 2007
the children were nestled all snug in their beds
or at least, in their sister's bed. This is how I found the girls tonight once all was quiet.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Church tonight
Christmas Eve is always a crazy night here. I won't go into detail (really, you don't want the full details... It was a nice service, and mom only had to climb under the bathroom stall divider once when Norah locked herself in while stuck on the toilet. Ruby was upset because she couldn't find "baby Jesus" at first, then she dragged the poor doll all over.
At least she was paying attention, and yelled "baby Jesus" when Rob was talking about her previous day's theft of the baby from the manger.
Isaac has a mild fever right now, so we're praying he's feeling better by morning, and that Rob gets home safely from his other service.
baby Jesus thief!
I just think Isaac looks "too cool" here. That's Kevin on the left. He's lots of fun, and so are his parents.
At least she was paying attention, and yelled "baby Jesus" when Rob was talking about her previous day's theft of the baby from the manger.
Isaac has a mild fever right now, so we're praying he's feeling better by morning, and that Rob gets home safely from his other service.
baby Jesus thief!
I just think Isaac looks "too cool" here. That's Kevin on the left. He's lots of fun, and so are his parents.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
the Pageant
The cast, note the dressed up moms.
a shepherd, 2 wise men, 4 angels, Mary, a cow, a donkey and a star
Isaac doing his bible verse reading. He did very well.
After the pageant, Ruby took off with baby Jesus (she tried to take the whole manger). We took the kids over to the hall to start the party, and Ruby used the baby Jesus as a weapon. What an angel...
Decorating the tree. They also had lunch, which was somewhat healthy (even though all the kids had a homing device for the sugar). They got to destroy the gingerbread house and all received books and gift bags. It was a great success.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Ballet!
Norah's ballet class had their 'open house' today. Fun! We all went to watch our favorite little ballerina in action. She was so cute! She's the blonde with the ponytail in black and pink, if you aren't picking her out easily.
what is really neat is getting to watch "Miss Kate" in action...especially because Miss Kate is ALSO Mme G, and Isaac's kindergarten teacher. Norah and Isaac both adore Miss Kate/Mme G.
Bethlehem walk
One of the churches in town where our other church is hosts an annual "Bethlehem walk". We headed out there last Friday night.
How neat! They had some people dress up as characters from the nativity story, and sharing their story with us. Then they had a marketplace, where you could sign the census, get some shekels and 'purchase' things like hand made tree ornaments, mandarin oranges, candles and hotdogs (that you could roast on the bonfire outside). The kids thought it was really neat, especially when the women at the live animal booth - really - let them pet the little white bunny. There were sheep, a chicken, a piglet, goats, a duck and the cutest bunny you ever did see. Then we went back inside for snacks and entertainment. Fun night!
Not great pics, but it was dark!
How neat! They had some people dress up as characters from the nativity story, and sharing their story with us. Then they had a marketplace, where you could sign the census, get some shekels and 'purchase' things like hand made tree ornaments, mandarin oranges, candles and hotdogs (that you could roast on the bonfire outside). The kids thought it was really neat, especially when the women at the live animal booth - really - let them pet the little white bunny. There were sheep, a chicken, a piglet, goats, a duck and the cutest bunny you ever did see. Then we went back inside for snacks and entertainment. Fun night!
Not great pics, but it was dark!
Christmas preparations all over the place
Gingerbread man decorating in Sunday School
Gingerbread house decorating at home. We used a kit, as the kids aren't gingerbread connoisseurs enough to warrant making one from scratch.
The tree - look, it's low down this year! We may get a full sized one next year and not have to worry too much. The kids did all the ornament hanging.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
what is most likely to drive a small handful of adult women to drink?
pageant rehearsal.
8 children. 2 one year olds, a two year old, 2 three year olds, one age 4, age 5 and age 7. 8 excited children, who find their costume accessories to be great weapons - and we didn't even let the shepherd near his crook. Teach them a short, basic song, have them walk and sit. Play some bells.
who knew it would be that crazy?
Perhaps next Sunday will start early with the moms enjoying coffee with Irish cream...I mean creamer!
They will be adorable. The grown up sized angels, not so much.
8 children. 2 one year olds, a two year old, 2 three year olds, one age 4, age 5 and age 7. 8 excited children, who find their costume accessories to be great weapons - and we didn't even let the shepherd near his crook. Teach them a short, basic song, have them walk and sit. Play some bells.
who knew it would be that crazy?
Perhaps next Sunday will start early with the moms enjoying coffee with Irish cream...I mean creamer!
They will be adorable. The grown up sized angels, not so much.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Where the wild things are
Apparently, the wild things are at our house. Baby in a cage!
Actually, they are playing monkey, and it's Ruby's turn to be the monkey. I don't get it, but they find it hilarious.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
the good, the bad, and the ugly
good:
- Christmas preparations are nearing completion. Tree is up, things need to get mailed, but are almost ready. Christmas pageant is almost complete and ready to rehearse this weekend.
- It's stopped snowing, finally, and has warmed up a bit. Only -15 today.
- there are some delicious gingerbread cookies in the cookie jar, thanks to a kid/mom effort yesterday afternoon. they smell divine.
bad:
- hot water heater may have died today. nice.
ugly:
- Ruby's near black eye, after a small run in with either the dehumidifier in the basement, OR a hockey stick. The kids aren't filling in the details.
- Christmas preparations are nearing completion. Tree is up, things need to get mailed, but are almost ready. Christmas pageant is almost complete and ready to rehearse this weekend.
- It's stopped snowing, finally, and has warmed up a bit. Only -15 today.
- there are some delicious gingerbread cookies in the cookie jar, thanks to a kid/mom effort yesterday afternoon. they smell divine.
bad:
- hot water heater may have died today. nice.
ugly:
- Ruby's near black eye, after a small run in with either the dehumidifier in the basement, OR a hockey stick. The kids aren't filling in the details.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
get me out of the kitchen!
This has been a week of baking. Our church had our annual "cookie walk" today. I brought 21 dozen cookies, 3 different varieties, plus have another 3 dozen egg nog drops for our post-Christmas party. Isaac's school had a turkey dinner for the students on Friday - and the K students were delegated desserts. Another batch of cookies - this time we did multi color honey cut outs (red and green, of course). Then for the cookie walk bake table, I did a cherry pound cake and decorated cupcakes. We're doing a lunch after church this Sunday, so I did up cupcakes for the kids too. Plus, I'm bringing a big pot of soup for lunch after church too.
Cupcakes, anyone?
Cupcakes, anyone?
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