DAY 3 sans Dave. Getting lost, on the beach

Five forty five came quickly this morning!  It wasn’t that I didn’t have a good sleep, It was JUST that.   I was up only once with Janna for a few minutes in the wee hours of the morning, and otherwise slept like a rock.  I find that the first week following a chiro adjustment, I tend to sleep really well.  It’s interesting all the areas that I find my adjustments affecting.  Yes, it has helped my back.  But more noticeable is my energy levels up and stress level down.  I feel like a much better person leaving my chiropractors office.  Lighter, with a bounce in my step, and clearer head.

Robyn started stirring around 5:45 am, and so I got up to get a few minutes of peace before she got too loud.  I had a nice chat with my mom, who was just finishing up a work shift, and then tried to entertain Robyn for a while I read, had a coffee, and got breakfast on the go.   She played in the bouncer for a bit, ate some cheerios, and then played with some string while sitting on my lap.  Finally, I got tired of her randomly darting her chubby little hands over to my bible pages and SCRUNCHING them for all they were worth.  I tried to introduce her to Dora, but she wasn’t too interested.

I have been noticing, lately, that Robyn is happier when more people are around.  Especially the kids.  She likes a crowd I think. When my friend, Rebekah, was watching her yesterday, Robyn woke up from her nap and was totally unsure of Rebekah as she came in to get her from the crib.  Rebekah told me that as soon as she brought Robyn downstairs and Robyn saw Naomi and Jonah and Gideon, she lightened right up.  Rebekah told me that her third child HATES to be alone.  Maybe it’s a third kid thing?

Anyways, this morning Robyn and I ate breakfast early, and then I got Jesse and Jans ready after.  I took the opportunity of the older kids sitting eating to get Robyn dressed and back down for a nap.  I broke my rule of NEVER leaving Janna unattended with food.   You never know what this girl will do.  She loves to sneak food to Cooper- give her food to Jesse- put things up her nose- but mostly CREATE art with her food.  She’ll like mash it up and draw in it, or sculpt it and stick it to things.  Of course, I should not have broken my rule.  When I came downstairs 10 minutes later, a disaster awaited me.

I took the rest of the morning to clean everything up, get dishes and laundry in, and the kids bag packed.  My friend, Kim, offered to watch the 3 of them at her place for a few hours. She has a little boy, Luke, who was born just 2 days after Robyn.  Her sister was in town, and had her 2 girls there as well.  I thought Jesse would love an older play mate to hang out with while I ran some errands. 

 I had a handful of small things to get done.  The post office for stamps, a drug store for some new concealer, a couple of groceries.  However, as the hour to leave approached, I was debating just dropping them and going to relax on the beach for an hour.  Mooney’s bay is RIGHT by Kim’s house.  I threw my camera and a towel in my bag on the way out the door around 9:30.

I dropped the kids off at Kims, and heeded her advice to do some errands for an hour, and then go relax for an hour.  She had things under control!  Well, I’m not too familiar with Kim’s neck of the woods, but I was 90% sure that a few streets up from riverside I would look to the left and see this  strip mall that had a Shoppers/McDees/and Food Basics. I kept driving and craning my head to the left at every intersection, and was surprised that it was much farther up the road than I thought.  I kept driving and driving, and wondered if I had imagined this!? I was certain the corner I had vividly in my memory would appear any second now. Finally, getting fairly close to the down-town, I had to admit my defeat and turn around.  Anyways, I ended up trying turning down a few more popular streets and not finding what I needed.  It was the first time I have ever thought I would like a smart phone. Finally, I saw a mall I was familiar with, and figured I should be able to get the things I needed there.  The problem was, I could not figure out how to get INTO it’s parking lot.  I kept getting so turned around, and when I finally got INTO the mall, I was distressed to see I couldn’t exit the way I came in.  With an hour wasted, I decided to screw the errands,  and try to salvage some time at the beach.   I couldn’t quite see how to get back on the road I needed to, and so went through MCDee’s drive thru for a coffee and directions. 

Ten minutes later, I was resting in the sun and sand without a care in the world.  I grabbed the camera and took some pictures, and then I just kicked up my feet and breathed in deeply enjoying the peace.

This creation I made for Dave

Then this little seagul came over quite close to me, and I spent the last ten minutes trying to capture a super close-up shot. 

As he started inching nearer to me (I MAY have pretended to have food by throwing little pieces of sticks into the sand close to me), the cutest-fatest-red haired- 3 year old came BOUNDING through the sand, and with a thick Brittish accent declared “ Nanny!  Look at me, I’m gonna get that Seagul, I will!”  And off he flew.

I picked up the kidlets and was sent home with three tired, fed, and happy kids and ONE steaming hot delicious lasagna.  THANK YOU KIM and JAYME!  Up they went for their naps, and I started the filing project that didn’t get done last night!  Robyn didn’t sleep too long, and so she joined me in my filing adventures.  Once Jesse and Janna woke up, I decided that it was best to put away the mountains of important paper and play with them.  They were both a bit grumpy, and I think missing daddy.  I sure am!  After some reading, we ate a delicious supper of lasagna. Jesse, Robyn, and I all enjoyed it.  Janna was being 2.  She is SO fussy with her eating lately.  I told her she had to TRY her food if she wanted dessert.  She was bawling her eyes out looking longingly at the mango we were all enjoying.  She would pick up a tiny piece of food and touch it to her tongue, and then just hold it on her outstretched tongue and WAIL with tears flying out of her eyes like a running tap.  I couldn’t hold back the laughter, and wished Dave was here to either laugh at her with me OR perhaps be a better parent and deal with it properly. 

After dinner we played outside, and Robyn managed to swallow a hunk of grass in such a way that it made her seem to stop breathing for a few seconds.   I was happy I had JUST been refreshed in infant CPR and choking, and confidently administered a few good back blows and got up the grass and hunk of dandelion piece AND all her dinner.  We called our outdoor play time quits early, and went inside for a bath.

    

It was an alright day, but I am tired tonight!  I want Dave back.  I asked the kids at different times today to “take a picture for daddy looking sleepy”  mommy is sleepy

Janna for some reason thinks this involves covering her face. I asked her several times per day to "look sleepy"

Clueless and cute!

Well, Katie is here and we are watching masterchef together, so I must be on my way!  I do apologize for all the typos and grammar and poor sentences.  I am only allowing myself 30 minutes to write these blogs, and so I’m just cranking it out.  Thanks for reading. I’m out!  

DAY 2...Swimming lessons, nature excursion, and poop

It was an extra large coffee for me this morning.  I had the hardest time falling asleep without Dave beside me last night.  Also, I kept waking up thinking somebody had broken into the house and was creeping up the stairs.  PLUS, I was up once with Janna, and once with Robyn.  Come 6 AM, I think I had about maybe 4 hours of sleep?

Anyhoo, Janna had her first of 6 swimming lessons scheduled for today.  This is supposed to be her and Daddy’s special time out, but I decided to take it on, so she wouldn’t miss out on the first one.  This involved a whole lot of prior organization.  I ended up registering Jesse for a half day of camp at gymtale, and had a friend take Robyn for her morning nap time.  I packed all 3 differing bags the night before, but it was still a challenge to be leaving the house around 8:15AM with all 3 kids.  Getting the crew dressed, and fed, and washed up, and in the van is always a challenge before 9 am.  But, I’m always up for the challenge, and we had enough time to let the dog out for a pee as well.  Here are the kids waiting to go, while Cooper does his business in the back yard.

I dropped Jesse off at a gym tale in a very confused state.  He has done preschool for a few years here, and just didn’t quite understand WHY he was there.   It had taken a while to explain to him that pre-school was over for him a few weeks back.  But he finally got it, I think.  So, trying to explain WHY he was going back for a morning without mommy was kind of funny.  Gym tale is great in the summer.  You can register for just a morning or afternoon here or there, even the day of (provided there is space).  It’s something that would come in handy at the end of a long rainy week inside, and looking for something for a busy 4 year old boy to do.  The kids play lots of active games, do an obstacle course, play on the huge play structure, have a snack, do an art activity, listen to stories, and have some just a tad of quiet play time with a variety of toys.    Lately, Jesse really wants to understand all concepts and terms and won’t let things go until he feels he has a grasp on whatever the incomprehensible issue or vocab.  The past week he has been trying to understand the term “trust.”  I think it finally clicked over the weekend when I explained that I was trusting him at quiet time to stay in his room and not go gallivanting about the other rooms waking up the other girls.  Well, yesterday after his quiet time he says to me, “ Mom, I just want you to know that I trust you so much.  I just really really believe in you.”  I felt a bit flattered and asked in regards to what.  He answered something along the lines of, “ I just really trust YOU that I’ll stay in my room at quiet time.”  Ok...maybe he doesn’t QUITE know how to use it in a sentence, or fully get it, but he is well on his way. 

We dropped off the turkey at Gym tale, and then proceeded to take Robyn to my friend Rebekah’s for her nap.  Janna was a bit miffed she didn’t get to go and play with Rebekah’s kids, but I finally let her in on the plan for the day.  “ Janna! Mommy and You are going swimming together this morning. Do you want to go swimming?!”  Janna squealed with delight and said, “ ya ya ya ya ya...YES!”  I was happy she was excited, and started explaining what we might do, and what the “teacher” might show us.  She interrupted me at this point, “NO TEACHER!! Want mama. NO TEACHER.”  I have no idea where she would have this negative idea of the teacher.  But I reassured her I was staying and off we went.

Jesse took this same class last summer with Dave.  It was at a different location, and with a different teacher.  However, it was city of Ottawa run, and their plans are pretty much the same all across the board.  Each minute by minute is planned with songs and games and skills to get the kids having fun in water.   Last year, Jesse was a total wreck and hated 25 of the 30 minutes of it.  I had much more hope for Janna.  She tends to like the water more. However, she is at this 2 year old strange phase, and unpredictable as well.   We met our instructor, Nathan, and  all piled into the pool.  All was going well the first couple of minutes. I couldn’t help but empathize for 2 parents who had clingy screamers.  However, a game approached where the instructor camea round “Watering” the little plants.  He poured a tiny bit of water over each of the kids heads.  Janna was NOT a fan of this, and from there out, she clung to my neck and was as stiff as a board not wanting to do a whole lot of anything for the next 10 minutes.  Luckily, she wasn’t crying or screaming, but she wasn’t too sure.

 I actually really liked our leader.  A big teenage guy (maybe university), he was REALLY great with the little ones, and he even sang the hokey pokey!  He didn’t do nearly as many songs and activities as the girl we had for the last sea turtles class. However, I liked it that way.  There was more time to engage with Janna in the water, and it felt more relaxed. By the third round of what time is it Mr. Wolf- Janna actually knew what was going on, and was smiling and kicking her legs a bit as we ran away from the wolf.   She also enjoyed a game where she got to pick a floaty toy out of a huge basket.  She reached for the an orange fishie, and she had to throw it in the water from standing on the edge of the pool , and JUMP IN (into my arms) and go get it. She was laughing and giggling at this point- but then a few throws later, some water splashed her face, and she was miss moody again until the end of the class.

After our swim, we had a snack at a table near some windows that looked over the rink. We watched tons of girls practicing their figure skating, and Janna kept saying, “ SPIN! Girls Spin. Wook mama!” She said she liked swimming, “wike wimming!” but then screwed up her face and said, “wet face.  No wike.” I really enjoyed my time with the munckin, and getting just the 2 of us ready in a change room, was SO much easier than juggling all the kids with Dave.

We hung out with the Potters for a while after, and then picked up Jesse from preschool.  He told me all about some big boys hitting a little girl, and said, “ MOM! I just dealed with it! I just went over, and I dealed with it.”  I asked Jesse how he dealt with it.  He responded, “ I just ran over and shouted, No hurting her. That’s not nice.  And they stopped, and I saved that girl.  But then they did it again, and so I told a teacher.  They had time-outs.”  Aw, I was proud of him for standing up to 3 bigger boys!

We came home and decided to spend some time outside and do a late lunch.  We went for a little nature walk around the back pathways and then spent some time climbing rocks and exploring a tiny patch of lawn beside our townhouse.  Jesse was excited by climbing rocks, finding sticks to whip into trees, blowing dandelions, and by competing for the most intense smile ever award... 

  Janna went for the pinecones and yellow dandelions.  She also enjoyed hugging trees here and there.  She would squeeze a tree and yell, "GOTCHA!"

And then she'd see a bug.  And her world would quickly spin apart. 

And then mommy would throw some distraction pine cones on the ground and say, LOOK JANNA! Some more pinecones...

Robyn, well she just tried eating everything.  Here is Jesse trying to pull some grass out of her mouth. 

And we have her discovering a dandelion......I LOVE LOVE LOVE being able to see the wonder in the eyes of a child as they explore.  It makes creation feel fresh and new

and last picture before mommy had to put down the camera and stop Robyn from eating it...

After lunch and naps, we had a nice read and snuggle before an early supper.  I had a chiropractor adjustment and progress check-up, and so Katie came by to hang out with the kids for the last little bit of the day.  The kids were very excited to see her.  She got a hug at the door from Jesse.  An excited, “ HI KATIE. WOOK!”  from Janna as she waved her arms and showed Katie her supper.  And even Robyn who has been back to my happy baby today, gave her big grins and leg pumps!   I was really grateful for this, as supper, bed, and bath is one of the more challenging times of day.  Mostly, it’s just that my patience is dwindling by this point.  Thank you Katie Vance!

I’m now home and snugglin’ with Janna while I type.  Janna asked me to leave when I got home! LOL.   She wanted me to go, and when she realized I was staying, she asked me if she could go with Katie, who was putting on her shoes at the door way.  If only she was a bit older and Katie didn’t have to work in the morning! One day she will have these auntie sleepovers. 

Speaking of Aunties, my sister in law is due tomorrow!  This is Josh’s wife, Kari-leigh.  I can’t wait for the little one to arrive.  Ever since I was little, I have felt this anticipation about becoming an aunt.  Even with having kids of my own it has not left.  Unfortunately, they live in Toronto and it’s not like I’m going to be able to see my niece or nephew every week, but I’m hoping they will move to Ottawa!  It has potential.

Well, I must put Janna to bed, and then get onto my organizational task for the evening.  Yesterday I finished one off my list.  Tonight I have to create a filing system for all of our stuff! I have the cabinet.  I have the files.  I have a sharpie.   I need to go and collect papers from the 16 places they are stored throughout the house, and get them all together and organized.  Normally this task would exhilarate me.  I’m feeling a bit pooped though.  Speaking of poop... Janna has gone 6 times since yesterday in the tub!  Dave told me the day before he left, “ wow- her stomach is really big.  She’s got stuff stored up in there!”  Sure enough, he was right.  How timely of him (or should I say her) to unleash the day Daddy is gone!  I am thinking perhaps that is why she was being so stiff and weird in the pool.  She was holding it in.  THANK YOU JANNA!  I would have been mortified if it was my little sea turtle who “fouled the pool.”  Oh and how foul it would have been.    I feel like a blog post doesn’t go by without the mention of poop.   Maybe I’ll try for one tomorrow.  Like seriously, there can be no more poop in this child! Jesse did his business on Monday, Janna is surely caught up after today, and my darling  Robyn is regular.  So, we’ll see.

I heard from Dave briefly today via email.  He arrived safely last night, and enjoyed his professor today.   Yesterday, I had the kids take a picture “smiling for daddy.”  This morning, I asked them to each take one, “making a funny face for daddy.”

good one Jesse!

She actually attempted a monkey face.  I didn't quite catch it in time, and one was all our sweet morning girl (sarcasm) would grant me. 

She had no idea what I was talking about

Jesse jumps in to give her a demonstration of how to make a silly face for daddy

Good effort Robyn!

Thanks for reading! Day 2 of 5 near complete. I’m out.  

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. 

Summer Vacation has arrived! (sort of)

 Thursday was Dave's last day at work, and Friday marked him being officially ON Summer vacation.  Here Jesse and I sit.  Happy Daddy is home.  Tired and happy at the end of a long school year.

  Now, he goes away from Monday-Friday of next week for an intensive course in Anacaster, Ontario.  And so, I'm not letting myself TRULY celebrate summer vacation.  Next week is sure to be a doozy with the kids on my own all week.  Thankfully, I have some wonderful girlfriends who are taking turns giving me a break each day he is away.  So, I'm hoping 2 hours to myself away from the house will be a little energy booster each day.

The past couple of days have been a glimpse of what is to come in a weeks time!  Yesterday, we packed up in the morning, and headed out to Meech Lake.  Dave's cousin (who he hasn't seen in like 15 years) was visiting at her dad's cottage.  And so we were invited to spend the day swimming and chilling on the dock.  Of COURSE it was the one seriously wet and cold and heavy day of rain we have had in a week :(  But, we went all the same, and had a great gluten free BBQ and chance to  really "catch up" with Genevieve and her husband John.  They live in Scotland, and are enjoying a few weeks vacation.  Here are the cousins! 15 years later...

Today, we got some things done around the house, hit up Canadian Tire for a sprinkler, and spent some time at the park.  The kids are currently having a good and hard sleep, and they'll be waking up soon.   Janna and Robyn are STILL snotty and coughing a bit, and crying quite easily.  I'm really hoping they clear up and cheer up before Dave leaves next week.  Here is a good representation of their moods these days

..."ehhhh.... no PICTURE"

itchy nose and rubbing boogers ALL over herself

Dave has informed me he is ready to take on the summer bloggin' for the family.   I will probably do the odd post here and there over the summer, but for the most part, Dave will let you in on our adventures through his man-eyes.  LOL.  Rumor has it, he will be doing his first post later on tonight tonight.  You can follow our family over the summer by checking in on his link here:

http://apartment1004.blogpspot.ca

Have a wonderful summer one and all.  Thanks for reading. I'm out.

Genetic cravings and my cheesecake mourning....

Growing up, and into my university years, I always sided with the nurture OVER nature arguments.  Not that I didn’t think nature had a role, but I believed in nurture about 90 percent.  After having kids, I have recognized that nature plays a much stronger role than I had given it credit for.  As much as you DO and try to shape your kids, there are things that will just BE!  There are innate things that can’t be changed, and a child has an outward reaction to all you do.  You can provide the best circumstances and atmosphere possible for your desires for your child, but ultimately a child reacts and will DO and FEEL on their own.  (Now, I must put in a disclaimer here.  I believe that Jesus that can change any heart and any life.  He can do Any work in any person.  I am talking more about temperament and quirks in my blog today.)

A few years ago, I was astonished to learn that my mom and I have this same weird sleeping tendency.  She told me that at night, she NEEDS one foot hanging out of her bed without covers on.  I do this EXACT Same thing.  I like to be all covered up, but feel claustrophobic and uncomfortable until I pop one foot off the side of the bed uncovered.  I never saw my mom do this, or even knew about it.  How weird is that?!

As of late, I have my intense desire for food that my mom loves and craves.   Dave and I have remained faithful to our green drink.  But, I am actually really enjoying it and CRAVING it daily.  My mom always said she loved getting little bits of parsley from it and chewing on them as she drank it up. I get that! I do that.  Also, my mom has this orzo bean salad recipe she makes all the time.  It’s nothing fancy, simply the ingredients you’ll see in the picture tossed with a TBSP of oil and dash of chili peppers.   About a month ago, I finally got the recipe.  I made it once, and have made it a few more times since.  If it’s not in the fridge, I feel a bit lost.

The other craving I have had this week, is for a cheesecake my mom introduced me to a few years back.  It s a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, and it is TO DIE FOR!  I can never bring myself to spend the 20 plus dollars for all the ingredients because although I want a small slice here or there, I don’t want a full cake on the counter tempting me all week long!

Well, today is Dave’s last day of work.  He has his annual staff and family BBQ at the Principals BEAUTIFUL house and yard out pas Manotic tonight for supper.  We go with the kids each year, and it’s always pretty fun.  They have a trampoline and play structure, and huge field in the backyard where a pile of kids are playing soccer.  Chuck BBQ’s and everyone brings something to contribute.  We were signed up for dessert this year, and I decided what a great time to make this cake.  I will get one slice of my delightful cheesecake and share the love with everyone else.  Well, here is the cake after cooking and cooling last night- still in the pan.   It still waits to be released from the pan, and topped with fresh raspberries, a raspberry liquored sauce in a pretty pattern, and doused in some curly white chocolate shavings.  I will do that this afternoon.  It will be stunning.

However, my heart is sad today because Robyn and I aren’t going tonight L  She is still super snotty and coughing and carrying a mild fever.  There are tons of kids at this shindig and some NEW babies, and I just don’t think it would be fair to expose the snot machine to everyone.  Also, the event is pretty much at her bed time, and she is super fussy nearing her nap and bed times with this nasty cold of hers.   The baby needs her rest.

So, I am looking longingly at my cheese cake, and SERIOUSLY considering just cutting a slice out of it and keeping it here for myself!  How tacky would that be for Dave to take a beautiful cheesecake to an event with a huge hunk out of it?  Kind of funny actually... I think I might J  Well, that’s all for now.  Laundry needs in, breakfast cleaned up from, and I don’t know how long Jesse and Janna will be entertained by their current activity.  They have found a box of cards and notes, and are loving looking through them all! Thanks for reading.  I’m out!