Sizzling Summer ... Thus Far

Ok Ok OK! ... my blogging is at an all time low. But allow me to remind you of my "no promises" introduction to this blog in the first place -- ha! I had a feeling this might happen eventually.

So here's a quick catch-up:

*We have finally got some typical Ontario summer weather (ie: hot and humid); so our afternoons this week have been spent by the poolside at a local park ... ahhhhh! So refreshing! And Annika and Megan spent their mornings at a Vacation Bible Camp, so I got a taste of having a couple hours of independence again -- what a concept!



*Joe was off for two weeks which went by far too quickly, consumed by day trips, around-the-house projects a week at a cottage at Sauble Beach. It was wonderful! The beach was perfect entertainment for all of us and required little planning, just lots of sunscreen.



*June 28 marked a very special day for my dear friend Janice. She married her Carl, and is starting a new adventure together with him. I had the honor of standing in the wedding party and it was a wonderful celebration.


*The end of June wrapped up Annika's first year of school and she was in fact happy to have a break. While she enjoys school and is a sponge for all the French she is learning, to say she "loves" it would be a stretch. She is enjoying her days at home, especially the ones with Daddy at home too. And now on the to-do list is shopping for uniforms for September, including one for Megan who will be starting Junior Kindergarten. I'm not sure how welcome school will be for Megan however, as she keeps saying "When I grow up, I'll go to school too, right mom? But I'm still little. I don't want to grow up." So we'll see. If you hear a child crying all the way to the moon on September 2, it may be our Megs. So for now, we enjoy our days together.

*Next week we will be seeing some family from Denmark as my dad's siblings arrive for three weeks. They are desperate to meet Annika, Megan and Elia, of course, but we are all looking forward to catching up with them.

*Joe also starts a new job next week which is a much needed change and challenge. He will be managing the French and Modern Languages/Linguistics departments at McMaster University which is right up his alley -- Mais oui!

So there you have it... enjoy it while you got it! -- ha!
TTFN!

Dresses and Boots ...

A rainy day stroll to call on the neighbors was quite hilarious (from my perspective) and of course packed with animation and drama!

Two are better than One

Yesterday I was in Shopper's Drug Mart, Annika and Megan in tow as usual, picking up milk. Just milk ... a quick stop. All I needed was milk and it was our last stop before heading home for lunch. But I pushed the limit -- apparently -- and these already giggly girls went over the edge. When I saw the bright red poncho floating down from the Shopper's ceiling, my mother sense told me it was time to exit immediately; however my common sense told me "just get the milk".
BLINK.
Megan's in the cart wailing at the top of her lungs and Annika is silent. Zipped. Silencio.
In response to this wonderful scene, a clerk tried to comfort me. "I totally understand what you're going through," (my body language was screaming too!) "I have a 3-year old too. And sheesh, I can't imagine having two."

And then I stopped short. I had to set the record straight in the midst of this mess. There is no question in my mind that two are better than one, although my life in that moment wasn't exactly a shining example. These beautiful girls are in fact wonderful friends and almost always well behaved in Shoppers Drug Mart and beyond. These few shots will testify to that as their daily lives are spent in togetherness.

Easter Festivities

In spite of the snow, we had a great Easter weekend spent with family (no frilly, Easter bonnets or dresses this year). Uncle Mike and Auntie Manon brought cousin Elia -- 5 months -- for a couple of days and Grandma and Grandpa also joined us for Good Friday. And most of all it's the best to have Daddy home for a long weekend! The girls enjoyed painting eggs, not to mention sampling them along the way. Alas, what else is chocolate for?! -- these girls come by their chocolate-delight quite honestly!

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After watching "Anne of Green Gables" one night with Annika and Megan, they swore they were bored and didn't like it. And admittedly they are a little young to quite appreciate it. However, a week later they were all dressed up and on an airplane (ie: the couch) "on a long journey." Where to, you might ask? Well, "Anneshirlia" of course!

Springtime ... ?

Every morning these days includes a thorough-ish inspection of the backyard (from the patio windows) to determine who is winning, the snow or the grass. Every new patch of green that appears is met with cheers, and a declaration of "there's another sign of spring, mama," followed by an exhaustive list of anticipated activities for the summer. Topping the list is, of course, "the beach", followed closely by "wearing bare feet" and "flip flops."

But before we delve headlong into spring, here's a backward glance at the winter we've just enjoyed.

We did snow time...

and ice time...

And even a little dance time ...

Definition: LOVE

I can't resist sharing a "moment" I just had with Annika. Upon going up to her room to officially end "cozy time" (ie: quiet/rest/nap time), I picked her up out of her bed. She squeezed her arms around my neck and legs around my waist. These were her words:


"It's so nice to hug each other. Hugging is a part of love. So is kissing.
And being a family is a big part of love."


Well said.

Souper Supper

What can I say? She may be dressed up like a princess, however ...