Canada Day solo

Happy Canada Day!  I am wearing a reddish tank top today, and that is about the extent of my patriotism this year.  With Dave leaving earlier today for a week long trip to Hamilton, we actually celebrated yesterday with the kids.  Barrhaven had a great little fair going on, and so we hit that up in the afternoon.  You can read all about that adventure and see plenty of pictures at Dave’s blog here:

http://apartment1004.blogspot.ca

 I guess we hadn’t thought through Dave taking over the family blog a few days ago.  Because, he won’t be here all week to have any clue what’s going on.  So, I figured I’d blog about the fam this week.  This way, he can stay in the loop as well.   

Leading up to Dave’s week long intensive course, I kept on saying how good it would be for him to have a little trip away.   Hopefully he’ll have some time to himself, and a bit of free time to decompress from the craziness that IS a teacher’s world in JUNE.  However, my sinful nature is peeking through a bit this afternoon.  I feel a wee bit jealous.  Now, I know Dave is going to be sitting in a classroom ALL day, and then doing some reading and assignments in the evening.  But, that sounds like such a nice relaxing week to me!  To not be needed by little people for a bit.  To wake up and have a quiet and clean breakfast. To drive to school in the car and listen to whatever you want on the radio.  To fill ones head with something either than nursery rhymes and baby babble.  To eat dinner without having to get up 12 times during the course of the meal.  Mostly, to get a good night sleep without multiple children up here and there and everywhere.   Anyways...I’m sure he’ll enjoy it for a day, and then miss us terribly.  I think that is actually what it would be like for me.  I’d be in heaven for a day, and then miss my babies and the chaos!

So, onto my delightful reality.  Today has been awfully busy!  Dave and I got up an hour before the kids to read and pray together and just talk a while before he left.  Dave had to pack up all his stuff and do a few last minute things around the house.  I proceeded to get the kids up, fed, dressed- ALL the while cooking Daves meals for the entire week!  I couldn’t send him without food, as I know he’d probably eat fries and sausages ALL week long L  So, I had curry on the go, and some shepherds pie, and hummus, and a ton of snacks to keep him fed (cheaply) throughout the week.   Once Dave finished up his stuff, he took the kids out of the house for a few hours while Robyn napped.  He took them in the bike trailer to shoppers for a few things he needed, followed by the park, and then to play in the sprinkler out front.  I wanted him to wear them out so I could relax with them at home in the afternoon.  While they were running off their steam, I took the opportunity to clean up the DISASTROUS kitchen followed by the entire house! 

We spent the last 3 days living like we were on vacation, and sort of neglected the house aside from dishes and laundry.  I normally sweep and tidy up twice per day, and the amount of toys and dust and dirt that accumulates over 3 days was nuts.  So, I literally RAN around the house dusting and picking up, and sweeping and mopping! I got most of what I wanted done, and then we all enjoyed lunch together. Dave took off shortly after the kids went down for their afternoon naps.

The day has been decent.  Robyn had a hard time getting down for her nap, and I had to go in and nurse her to get her drowsy.  Nursing this child has turned from a beautiful thing to a terrifying thing!  A few nights ago, Robyn started biting me during nursing!  She has 2 little razor sharp teeth, and she doesn’t just tug or chew.  She will unpredictably SINK those teeth in and lock her jaw!  It almost breaks skin each time, and causes me to SHOUT in pain- followed by frantically shoving my finger in her mouth and between her back gums to unlock her jaw-lock latch.   This scares her and then she starts bawling!  And then she needs more nursing to calm down.   Ugh.  Jesse and Janna both did this like twice, and my tricks for getting them to stop have not worked on her.  Sitting down to nurse her is suspenseful and uneasy!  I sit there taking deep breaths and on edge watching for any sort of sign it’s coming.  But there never is one.  Ugh.  Anyways, this afternoon after a good bite, and then a calm down, she finally passed out.  

After kicking my feet up for 20, I decided to make GLUTEN FILLED cookies!  I rarely bake gluten filled stuff while Dave is around because I feel guilty he can’t eat any!  But, we have a whole week, so I went on a search on all recipes.com.  See, I don’t have a huge pantry of baking supplies, and with everything closed I was working with just a couple cups of flour, no butter, no chocolate chips, etc.  I DID have just 2 cups of oatmeal, though.  I LOVE oatmeal cookies, and finally found a recipe with GREAT reviews and it contained shortening.  I had just enough of each of the ingredients, and so Jesse and I set to work mixing up these beasts!   I promised the kids a few cookies after they cooled for an afternoon snack.  After Jesse had a quick chat with his grandparents, we all sat down to enjoy these delicacies.  They are delicious!  (Sorry Dave- if you’re reading this)  Janna however, doesn’t like the walnuts in them.  Jesse only ate 1 of the 2 I gave him.  So, I’m thinking the kids aren’t the biggest fans!  Which is just fine... more for me! He he he...

Since the kids had a busy morning, we took it easy after cooking making and snack time.  We did some play doh, read some books, and then I put on a couple short TV shows before supper.  All was going smooth and calmly, and as I was trying to get dinner on the table, of course all 3 of them erupted with issues at the same time.  Jesse's was of the poop nature and I was needed in the bathroom.  Janna was of 2 year old tantrum nature and I was needed in the living room.  Robyn was of baby nature and decided she was starving and needed to be fed in the dining room. I needed to be in the kitchen cooking.  When it rains it pours I guess they say.  Anyways, I took a deep breath and mentally came up with a plan of defense to get everyone happy and to the table in the most orderly way.  Jesse first so he could help me out as soon as possible.  One messy wipe and clean up later, I got Jesse feeding Robyn while I dealt with Janna's anxiety over a skittle and bug.  And then supper on the table!   

While I appreciate Jesse's help, it was certainly the messiest feed Robyn has ever had!  Luckily I had planned on baths tonight anyway!

Dave is probably rejoicing he wasn't here to clean up this girl!

Bathing all 3 of them is quite the process, and not too bad if Robyn is happy, but she’s been a fussy baby lately!  The past week, it’s like she’s a different kid.  I’m hoping it’s just the STILL lingering cold.   Dave thinks its teeth and her wanting to be more mobile.  I hope not.  Teething pretty much goes on for the next 2 years.. so I’m crossing my fingers for the cold!  I got her in the bath first with Jesse. I let JEsse play and soak while I deal with the babe.  She is a wild child in there, and kicks and tries to roll and drunk her face and arches herself backwards into a bridge.  It is a bit scary.  I hold on for "her" life.   Afterwards I dress her and diaper her and let her chew on bath toys in the bumbo.  NExt Janna hops in with Jesse. I'll let Janna play a while while doing Jesse's hair and getting him out and dried off in his PJs.  Then I finish Janna off.  Well, today, Janna decided it would be fun to "foul" the tub.  Thank goodness JEsse and Robyn were all done and clean.  However, it resulted in having to take Janna out, clean the tub and bath toys (GROSS!!) and then put her BACK in to get properly cleaned up.  What a process. 

I was wiped by this point and did Jesse's bedtime routine in a record 3 minutes, and practically tossed Robyn in bed.  Janna and I are now snuggling while I type.    It is time for her to get to bed and I have some picture to order to finish up my 2012 scrapbook. I have the months of November and December to do, and would like to get it done this week.  I made a huge list a few months ago of all these things I’d like to get done before Dave’s time off.  I have done pretty week working away at them.  There are 5 things left!  So, I’m hoping to do one each day this week.  It will likely to dependent on the moods of my kids...which will affect my energy level and time availability!

Well, thanks for reading.  Here are some pics of all of us.  I told the kids I was sending them to daddy and to look happy for him!  

CAN YOU SMILE FOR DADDY????

CAN YOU SMILE FOR DADDY?

CAN YOU SMILE FOR DADDY?

Thanks for reading! Wish me luck for the remainder of the week.  I'm out.