Family Update.....

It has been a very long time since I wrote about what has been going on around here. We have been extremely busy with the kids. Joshua just finished a Spring session of ice skating lessons. He really enjoyed it and plans on going for a full year of it in September . Both Mikayla and Joshua are playing baseball, so there goes 4 nights a week. Logan is really becoming a little boy , keeping us on our toes. We are thinking about getting him into swimming lessons. My niece Shannon is expecting ab baby, they plan to induce her on Tuesday, this is her first. Everyone is getting really anxious about this. 

I have been elected president of the school PAC for next year. I have already started reading up and familiarizing myself with all that goes on. We don't have a treasurer as of yet, hope someone volunteers or I just might have to take that on as well.....

We re homed Cooper , our golden doodle because she was just too big for our family. The family we found for her is much more suitable and seems to be enjoying her. We found a 6 month or so Affenpincher and is a better fit for us. I will post a picture of him.

Pretty much sums up what has been going on around here.

Spring Break............

We are enjoying our break from our school routines. We all have been looking forward to this for awhile now. Nice to take a break. Currently we only get 1 week off for spring break, hopefully as early as next year we'll get 2 weeks. I just finished my 5th course towards my certificate. I start my last course on the 20th and finish mid April. At that point I will be able to apply to the province for my license and have to pick up a 1 day first aid course somewhere. Certainly hope I won't have too much problem getting a job after all this is done.

Hard to believe that there is only 3.5 months left in the school year. Ball season is just right around the corner, Mikayla has decided to play again after taking a break. Joshua played last year and is looking forward to playing again this year. He also has an interest in hockey. We are pretty hesitant about that one as it is VERY expensive, especially if he gets really good and wants to continue. There is a hockey clinic coming up to give kids a taste of it. We are debating on putting him in that or not.

Will update you on that. Blog soon !!

School

As most of you know I have been going to college working on my Family Childcare Certificate for the last several months. I have 2 more courses to go after the one I just started. I thought it would be useful to blog about some of my learning. The course I am taking right now is called Understanding children behavior. I am going to share with you one effective way each time I blog about Alternatives to punishment.

Punishment is NOT the most effective way to discipline. Punishment creates side effects such as fear, anger, and lose of self-confidence. These feelings get in the way of the lesson the punishment is trying to teach.

1 way to change undesirable behavior is stop the behavior. Provide control for the child. If a simple no and a quick explanation work fine;if not provide physical control. Sometimes a simple touch will do it. Other times you need firm physical control, even to the point of removing the child from the situation.

Stay tune for the next effective way, the next time I blog !!

Welcome to 2010

I hope everyone had a great holiday season and is ready to get back to regular routine.Our Christmas started a little earlier this year as we had decided to make a big purchase just weeks before Christmas day. We bought a 40 inch LCD TV for the living room. I was so excited leaving Future shop, it was a great feeling being THAT person loading up the van, rather then standing by watching other people leaving with the tv. Thinking back a picture leaving the store would have been a great memory. Paul of course was trying to ignore me..lol I don't know about anyone reading this but it was a thrilling moment.

As far as the rest of our holiday, we told the kids that they would only be getting a few things as the tv costed a lot so we can go nuts of gifts for everyone, they understood and were okay with it. Interesting theory and all but then how come it took all morning to open all the gifts???..lol I really thought we had done well on scaling back this year !!!......

Christmas Eve dinner was spent with my mother in law, Christmas day and new Years was spent with my sister and her family. Playing games, singing and enjoying a few drinks. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Brother in law Marc came out earlier on Christmas Day and visited with us before we headed of to my sister's. he brought gifts for us and the kids. Grandpa and Grandma came to visit on Boxing Day and saw all the gifts that the kids got. That's the run down on our holiday. We managed to go to a bruins hockey game as well, we have been meaning to go ice skating with the kids but we'll get there still got a long winter ahead of us..

Happy new year everyone......

Finally.....

I made it back to my blog. It seems that I have problems logging in here after not being here for awhile then it becomes a pain in the butt and just as I am gonna give up it lets me in. Anyhoo I got in and look I still have some time to blog and catch everyone up on what's been happening out here for my family.

Over the summer we once again had a honey do list around the house and pretty much got it all done. I didn't do much gardening this year as I found out that I don't have a green thumb and have really no interest. maybe later in life I will get into it. I love grass, and actually don't mind cutting it either..hahahaha Guess I don't mind watering the garden either. We re did the main bathroom with fresh paint and a new tiled floor. Paul also tiled the entrance way at the front door. Now I have to start painting down there. brighten it up a bit. I have decided to paint in shades of brown through out the house. One room at a time though, might not get to it until Spring.....

Mikayla is first year Middle school, grade 7. Joshua is Grade 1. Both have been adjusting to alot of change. Logan is the midst of potty training and being quite stubborn about it at least at home. I will be back soon....

Sunshine....

Feels great having the sun back !! Today I am waiting for a load of sand to arrive for the kids. The last few days we have been outside cleaning up the yard and getting the sand box ready. The day has come . Waits for the dump truck to arrive....

Logan's 2

Yesterday we celebrated Logan turning 2. It was a really busy day between family coming at different times. Very difficult getting everyone here at the same time because everyone lives in different cities. We are all spread out through out the valley from Chilliwack to White Rock. It worked out great had 1/2 the cake around 1pm and the rest at 7:30pm....Logan was spoiled as per usual with lots of clothes, we all stayed away from toys since he has alot already and rarely plays with them anyways. Here's him in one of his new outfits from Old navy.

Thanksgiving

It was pretty quiet this year. We had Paul's mom and brother dave over for dinner. We have lots of turkey leftover, I finally froze a package. Tonight its time to have something else to eat..lol Now its working on Halloween. I actually hate it. If I had my way I would just buy my kids some candy and watch a family movie...Paul enjoys it though, over the last couple years we have collected quite a few decorations etc.

Joshua has decided that he wants to be a bunny. Mikayla is undecided, and Logan well , he might just go as a Jelly Bean again, maybe just a different color one.

I am also suffering from a cold. I finally got it from the kids. Logan still has a runny nose. Kids go back to school and everyone gets sick.

Dance

Last night was Mikayla's first Jazz class, she really enjoyed it. We have decided to give Ballet a go too this year. The theory is that along with Ballet any dance will come easier to pick up. She met one of her friend's from her class at school as well, made the first class easier for both I bet. Only down side to picking up ballet as well is there is a specific outfit to wear. Luckily my niece Kristine took Ballet and still has some of her stuff to pass on to her.

I will upload a picture of Mikayla that I took on our way to class last night. After her first Jazz class she decided to pick up Ballet as well this year.

Big day for 2 Special Guys in my life !!!

It's my hubby's birthday today !! We celebrated it on Saturday with family. Everyone had a great time, the weather was perfect. Today is Joshua's first mini session of Kindergarten, today is when I leave him there for 1 hour. I am sorta worried about that, I hope he won't be upset when I leave. Wednesday he starts full sessions.

The weather is sure changing fast this year, sure gets cool at night. We've taken down our pool already and I pulled my tomato plants already, they ended up dying early for some reason, maybe they got a hint of frost one night.I have them all laid out ripening on the deck, but yet the neighbors still look good..Any ideas what may have happened to my plants??? They were fine until we got ALL that rain !! Here is a picture of Paul's favourite cake. Its a Bon Bon cake, little bit of filling, cake and pastry all in one. It's really good, I must admit. Unfortunately not everyone makes them, we end up having to get them from Vancouver. When we do have it, it is a real treat ! If anyone else is interested Bon Bon Bakery.

School Year Begins....

This year is especially exciting because Mikayla is in the top grade of her school, 6 out here is still elementary and Joshua starts kindergarten. Tonight we attend his open house, meet the teacher and see his classroom. Tomorrow he has his one to one interview with his teacher, then FINALLY he starts next Monday. They are gradually starting them for an 1 hour first couple days and as of Wednesday full 2.5 hrs. Joshua is in the afternoon class with his friend Spencer from daycare.

The last month or so has been quite the adjustment for Joshua. Middle of July he decides he is done with going to daycare and wants to wait for kindergarten. Let's just say it can't come soon enough..lol

As for Logan he is in the stages of attending daycare as well, we are just waiting for the paper work to be approved. Joshua was diagnosed being globally delayed, daycare has made such a difference he has caught up nicely. I am hoping Logan will have the similar experience.

As for Mikayla today was her first full day of school , so far so good. By Friday she thinks she'll have her class and teacher.

Swimming...

FINALLY Joshua got into the pool. Ever since summer began he wanted no part of the pool until just the other day. Now as soon as he gets out of bed in the morning he wants to go swimming ..LOL I am VERY proud of him ! He told me that the reason why he didn't want to go swimming before was because he thought that I had put too much water in it and that he was scared of draining...LOL I couldn't argue with THAT I thought !! Just decided that when he was ready he would go in and sure enough. Life Jacket on and he's in, now How to convince him to get out when it's time...*sigh*

Come September it's off to Swimming Lessons for him.

Cloudy Day !!!

We are expecting rain later on today, I don't mind at all we went 3 weeks with nothing but sun.We have completed some more projects around the house since I posted last. I finally have my own laundry. We converted one of our closets into laundry. We bought a stacking front loading set. Works great, extremely quiet, only noticeable thing is when it winds up to 1000rpm for the spin cycle the floor vibrates..lol Logan was quite upset when he saw his blankey in the washer and he couldn't get it back out. As soon as I gave it back to him nice and clean and dry he never let go of it for about 45 mins..LOL
We've also been doing more gardening and building up the flower beds around the yard. The vegetable garden is doing very well. We seem to have tons of tomatoes coming, I just wonder how many will actually ripen.

Logan has become a going concern that is for sure, he's shy of 18 months and has been getting into everything..lol *sigh* Long toddler stage ahead..LOL

We are also planning a trip for the end of summer vacation along with some day trips for the kids. Time to relax a bit....

Pictures

Been Pretty Hectic

Sorry for not posting for almost a month but here I am giving an update. The weather has been beautiful for the past few days I have been outside enjoying it. This year we put our pool up exactly at the right time. It heated up to 30 in no time flat. My tomato plants and potato plants have sure taken off. Today mother nature is giving everything a well needed shower.

We have been also cleaning up the front yard, weeding all the flower beds and doing some planting. Everything was let go by the previous owners, so we are extremely busy. We order 6 yards of garden topsoil to freshen all the existing plants and flowers up as well as fresh start to some plants to be planted. The mix has compost in it so it should do really well in the garden beds......

Mikayla did great in school this year. She not only was promoted to grade 6 but with honours !!!! We are very proud of her.

Logan has been walking like crazy for about the last 3 weeks or so, he's out grown his 2 naps and is down to just hias afternoon one. I must add I look forward to that time, now that he is getting into everything...LOL

Between 3 kids, a husband I still find a little time for Stampin, I haven't really made too much, still getting my supplies. It seems there is always something missing to complete a project. I have also started scrapbboks for the kids.......

I think I have covered everything.....Will blog again with some pictures.....

Busy days.....

We are extremely busy these days. The thought of it it getting worse as the 2 boys get older and into things is exhausting. Between baseball, subbing down paper routes,and not to mention all the work we have been doing in the front yard and the daily housework. Last weekend I pruned down the yellow bush in preparation to pull it right out of the ground. Didn't realize that I would be in such pain after that. My left wrist has been sore for a few days.

I have also picked up selling Avon along with Tupperware. It'd only been a few days and I already have started getting a customer base. It will take some time but I figure get the books out and see what happens. Never hurts to try. I will always have my paper routes to fall back on..LOL After ball season we might take on a few more routes. Good money in subbing ...

Moving

In a month now we'll be moving and living in a completely different area of Chilliwack. Mikayla has the most adjusting to do. She'll be attending a new school. Easier for her to make friends this way for the summer holidays. Joshua will be closer to his daycare and some of his friends.He is very excited.

I have done some packing already, got quite a bit left to do yet. Most of what is left needs to wait until the week before the move. We have been very good about keeping our lives light and not a lot of clutter.

We've also decided to hold Logan's 1st birthday before we move. We thought about having it after we moved however it wouldn't of been the same. We are planning on having a house warming party sometime after we get settled. Then before we know it Easter will be here. It's in March this year. Nice break from having it always around Mikayla's birthday.

That is about what my thoughts are for now. Gotta Jet