Yummy Dinner

(Kai helping daddy...AKA taste testing)

Gary has planned our meals this entire week and i appreciate it so much! He will be gone a lot in the next month so I'm glad that he is doing all the cooking this week. This book is one of my fav's and we had some great cajun seasoned fish and corn cakes tonight...who knew I liked corn cakes?

Gary and I just got back from school half an hour ago (its 10:30pm). To all those that think teachers have the best job ever because they have summers and holidays off, it's true that I really do appreciate those holidays BUT when you add up all the extra evenings for staff meetings, AGM's, grad stuff, coaching, parent teachers, retreats etc...it sure adds up! I really can't complain that much but anyone who coaches senior sports (aka Gary) def. puts in their time!

Here are some pics of Kai showing how he can `guggle' (juggle). He just moves his hands up and down really fast while holding onto the balls the whole time. He then made it more exciting by standing on one leg:)

So, I kind of started a diet this week. I haven't really tried dieting in years. I don't like dieting because I don't like depriving myself of food, one of my greatest pleasures. Also, we did a cleanse 2 years ago which was the hardest thing ever and i can no longer eat brown rice because of it. We already eat quite well but I thought I would make a conscious effort to avoid cookies. So, no more baking here! I still have a good 7 lbs on me from having Kai. Not really a big deal, I'm happier/content with my body at this age than I have ever been in my life. Maybe it's because I kind of feel like it's okay if I'm a little squishy, I had a kid, and a big one at that! However, I'm slower (football, running etc) than I used to be. I really think that the little extra weight slows me down so I'm just trying a little to eat healthier snacks. I ate 3 carrots the other day as a snack (wow, that sounds like a huge snack!) and I just felt hungrier than ever. The other thing I noticed was that the carrots tasted terrible. Really, it tasted like a watered down, old carrot. I miss home grown carrots, so, this weekend we are building a garden! We already grow our own herbs and have a cherry tomato plant but now we are going to build a raised garden bed and grow some carrots and peas! We also have strawberry planters that need to be filled. Finally, we will have a purpose for all that compost turned soil that we've been making over the past 2 years! I think it's great that Kai learns how to take care of a garden too, he loves to help water the plants.

Well, I'm off to bed. One final note is that several people have asked me about why I am/was sad. It is not for myself, it is for a very good friend of mine who may have a serious illness. She had surgery yesterday and we don't know all the details right now. I don't know if she would feel comfortable with me saying anything so I won't use her name. It's just tough as she is young and has a little guy just like me. Old people getting sick makes more sense in my head, but young, healthy people that are my age? Grrrrrr.... I'm just sick of cancer. My mom had it and passed away nearly 2 years ago. My dad had it in September, had surgery, and is now okay. Ya, I've got some great genes. Anyway, just praying that the surgery went well and that there is some good news on the horizon for her and her family.

Giggers

My friend Maria reminded me that it is National Poetry Month. I don't have a favourite poem so I thought I would write one on the mornings events.
Today I saw something I've never seen in my son,
It seemed to last forever, what a tantrum!
We had been outside watching the tractors and diggers,
And when it was time to go, he cried and said `Giggers!'
When I said we could watch them after a bubble bath,
He cried and stomped, I couldn't believe the wrath.
His crying subsided for a minute or two,
While he ate a strawberry which to him is quite new.
The crying and complaining lasted almost half an hour,
While he cried out `Giggers! Giggers!' with a face that was sour.
Once he was in the bath that was bubbly,
He played with the froggies and the situation was no longer ugly!
He did not mention the `Giggers' for the rest of the day,
But I'm nervous when he wakes, `Giggers!' is what he'll say.
What happened to the days where all he needed was a `cuggle'?
Or all I had to say was `let's do a puzzle!'
I have to be strong and not give in to his rants,
What happened to my little cutie pants?
Is this the start of the terrible two's?
If it starts earlier, does it end early too?
Maybe things were just a little too easy for a while,
and now tantrums happen to make me more humble:)
My boy isn't perfect or a super manner man,
It's time to read some books and do what I can.
I love him so much, its strange watching him act so nutty,
I hope that I parent him the best I can, I love you buddy!

Happy Birthday Janny Bear

Tonight we celebrated my sister Jantina's 25th birthday and also the fact that Trisha is graduating in a week or so. I'm thinking we should've been celebrating Tyler's (soon to be bro-in-law) graduation as well....oops, sorry Tyler! Below is a pic of my little sister Trisha and I.

Here are the 5 of us under the cherry blossom tree, in full bloom, driving our allergies nuts! Jantina (birthday girl) is far left. This tree is a little special to me because my mom loved it and the last picture I have of my mom and I together, is under this tree, exactly 2 years ago.

Dad had to get in for a photo.

Kai wanted to touch the `flowers'.

I seem to be a person who blogs a lot. I feel like I shouldn't. Like I should wait until something exciting happens. But, I enjoy reading people's blogs who update frequently AND sometimes, I just need to get it out:)
As a sidenote, Kai has either reached a new stage or the fact that he has ANOTHER cold has turned him into quite a tempermental child. He has thrown about 3 temper tantrums this week that are so ridiculous, I just want to laugh at him (I didn't, but it was tough). He has never done this arms flailing and legs stomping thing before, it was kind of comical. Fortunately, it was at home:) We talked through it and all was well in the end. The other thing is that we are dealing with a little fellow that is full of energy who just wants to hit things for fun. He's not doing it to be mean, but he will full out hit anyone. I've heard there are kids that are biters, and I think i would take hitting over that. Regardless, discipline is quite tiring (especially when he is acting out around other kids) but I think it will be worth it. We love our little/big guy!

A very good, excellent, fun day!

(Kai's `chasing bubbles' face)

I don't know how today could have been any better. I got up this morning to SUNSHINE and Kai saying cute things in his crib. I went to a garage sale first thing, where they had tons of kids stuff. I got a chair and bed rail for Kai's big boy room and a couple other toys for a great deal. Then, I went shopping to buy some new shorts for the big game today, the first football game of the season! I picked up Ali and Lisa and off we went to play football in the SUNSHINE!

Well, we were playing the 5th ranked team and we are currently ranked 7th (out of 18). Um, well, can I give a few excuses? We were missing 4 of our defensive players leaving a bunch of us offensive players to fill in. It was not our best game and I can't wait til we have all our players and play them again. I threw one touchdown pass which was one of my goals for the game (normally we get more but I knew it would be a tough game). The other goal for me was not to throw an interception. Unfortunately, one ball did bounce out of our receivers hands and into theirs but she didn't get far. Overall, we def. lost but it was awesome to be out there sweating in the SUNSHINE!

Got home from football and we decided to go to Crescent beach for some fish and chips and playing in the sand. What a wonderful evening. You know when you are so hungry that it doesn't matter what you are eating, it tastes like the best thing you've ever eaten? Yup, that was it. Fun times in the sand and water. Here are some pics from the beach. Please note my new fav. pants below:)

(Kai in `ready position' to get some bubbles)

(He loved throwing rocks and shells into the water and making a splash. I cannot believe how beautiful BC is, I never stop being amazed)

He was cute on the way home. He was asking me to shake the water bottle to make bubbles and I said I was tired and wanted to go night night. He said `Mommy. Bubbi (his blankie). Night night' and handed it to me. So sweet, he shared his most dearest possession with me, even though he was tired and wanted to suck his thumb with his blankie. Precious.

(Triumphant cheer at the top of the rocks, looks like they just climbed a mountain:))

Almost Friday

(Kai in his car after we washed it, he loved dipping the sponge in the bubbles and acting like an adult washing his car)

Had football practice last night which is always fun and relaxing. Love the little workout and the socializing. It seriously does wonders for me mentally and I would recommend any kind of activity that just focuses on you as a person and not you as a mom/teacher/wife to help rejuvenate you! We have now moved up to the top division due to our 7-0 record last spring. I'm pretty nervous as some of the teams in the top division have been playing together for up to 18 years, you should see the QB's, they are amazing! We have been playing together for 3 years and have always been in the B division. I'm hoping we come away with (hopefully) two wins this season. We start this Saturday and already my stomach feels queasy with nerves:) I'm the QB and I wonder how different the rushing and defensive coverage will be in this division, it'll def. be a growing experience!

Gary's got baseball practice tomorrow night. I love that we can both play sports and although Gary won't be able to make all of his Saturday games due to me having football, I still think its great that he is able to play a bit. It is very easy for Gary and I to just stay home as we are both homebodies (if that is how you spell it), but we both love being active outside so i am so grateful for those opportunities.

Due to the fact that Kai does not love being in the stroller, we opted for a family bike ride tonight. I took him for a couple bike rides last week and he enjoyed it (he loves wearing a helmet because he saw a `cool' older boy wearing one at the park). Maybe next week if it is sunny, we'll bike to the mall or something. I just don't like biking on busy roads as I do not trust all those distracted drivers out there.

I'm def. looking forward to the summer; sun and relaxation. I only have something like 23 teaching days left and then exams and meetings etc. I'm only part time which means I teach M,W, Fri one week and then T, Th the next. I'm not trying to sound negative about teaching but I find it a lot more tiring to be in a class with 28 grade 9's than at home with just one kid (and one that I can send to time out at that!). I love my grade 9's and 11's but I've realized that it does require a lot of patience sometimes! I think if I taught two days a week each week, that would be perfect. I really shouldn't complain, I know how fortunate I am to have such a great job and schedule.

Tonight there was a new episode of `The Office' on. I was so excited, I went out and bought Gary and I a Blizzard to share:) My top 3 favourite shows are: LOST, The Office and House and there just haven't been enough new episodes this year.

Let's see, what's new with Gary??? He has lost and kept off about 20lbs since the summer so that's good for him. He had a root canal today and it doesn't seem to be bothering him at all. He is taking a Wilderness first aid course in a couple of weeks. It is week long course and he will not see Kai all week as he won't be home til after 7 pm each night. This is all part of preparing for a new outdoor leadership course he is teaching next year. At this moment, he is practicing various knots:) Gary has also been having early morning basketball practices once a week in order to keep guys a little more conditioned throughout the year. We also went to a care group leader training day so that Gary could potentially become an apprentice of a small group in our church.

So, I guess we've been busy but it's all good stuff. We haven't advertised or tried to get any business with photography lately because we feel like we don't really have time right now. We have 5 weddings in the next few months so that will keep up busy enough!

Hope you all have a great weekend, I think we will!

Monday night 5-7pm

Gary's wishing he could watch the basketball game tonight but we are off to a staff meeting. Big thanks to auntie Jackie for coming over to watch the `Onion'. That's what she calls him. How did it get to onion, let me tell you. Kai--Kaiser--Kaiser Bun--Bun--Bunion (which I said she cannot call him)--Onion. This one has stuck. He knows his name from auntie Jackie is onion. My sister Jackie does not call any of us by our real names, I have always been Weezer since she could speak.

Kai has needed Golgi to eat with him this past week. He likes to share his food:) I love dinner time until Kai decides he is done. He is the fastest eater so we have to eat fast if we want to enjoy it ourselves. He has finally learned to hold his food in his hand and say `garbage' instead of throwing it on the ground and then having to pick it up and put it in the garbage.
Oh man, i think he's too cute

Below, Kai is watching a blog video that we watch every night before bed:) (Dana, that's yours!)

I love 5-7pm. It's a time where more cuddles occur and a little relaxation takes place. Back in the beginning, when Kai was little, that was def. the hardest time ever as he would just cry and cry and cry.

I know we eat early (5pm) but that's the way I grew up. We eat at 5pm and then we have from 6-6:30pm to be wild, and then 6:30-7pm is cuddle/read/giggle time. Well, I better get some of that cuddle time before we head out the door. Sorry for the boring post but I just thought he was cute tonight.

One last thing, we found a worm after work today which was quite exciting, especially when he almost ate it. He couldn't believe we pulled something alive out of the ground.

Currently, Kai is cheering for the Tigers and Gary is cheering for the Jayhawks. Night night.

Content

If a smile is feeling a little far away, all I need is a boy who wants `cuggles' while sitting in the comfy recliner....and then maybe some pizza or a mocha or good chocolate:)

Counting

Today Kai counted from 1-10 all by himself, at least 5 times! Gary was there for it twice. Once he stopped at 9 and I asked what came next and he said `teeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnn' in an exasperated/teenage voice, it was kind of funny. He has also LOVES learning body parts and I think his favourite is `elbow' because I don't think he realized it existed before:) Wow, toddlers minds must be amazing...I wonder what he dreams about.

Baseball

I've been on the look out for some kind of climbing apparatus for our wild guy. It appears that everyone had the same idea so finding a second hand one was near impossible. I bought a climber brand new, that was 40% off, but it ended up being so small that Kai wouldn't even give it a second glance. So, I returned it. One thing that was successful was the plastic t-ball set. He has enjoyed playing baseball which is good because Gary's games will start up soon:)
We may need to work on his technique a bit:)

Seconds later he was charging to hit me with the bat. We'll also have to work on the idea that we just hit baseballs:)

Ani and B-belle (4 months old) stopped by to play. Kai was pretty impressed with Ani peeing on the potty and he wanted to go on the toilet at the same time too. So, both of them were sitting on potties. Ani was successful, and Kai just had fun:)
Well, Kai is down for his nap so I'm going to scrapbook for an hour. Have a good weekend everyone!

20 months

Our little monkey is growing up so fast

Wow, we're at 20 months already. He really hasn't changed in looks the past few months but some changes have been that he has started climbing on everything and is talking up a storm. Some words are sound kind of funny like when he says `pips' for chips. He went grocery shopping for veggies with Gary last night and I asked him what he got and he said `Potatoes. Onions. Broccoli. Peppers'. He understands and knows how to respond, it is very fun!

He has really gotten the hang of Time Out. If I say `Kai don't touch that, or you might get an owie. If you touch it you will have to go...' and he'll say `Time out!'. He does end up there about 3 times a day and he sits there very well for the minute and then he will say `Sorry. Hug'. Most time outs are due to hitting or throwing toys and he generally won't repeat the same `error' in a day. I do know that sometimes he does do it to get attention too. Regardless, I am so happy that he understands as I could not wait to start having more consequences for improper behaviour. Not sure if that's normal but I love (a bit too much) rules/structure so it works well for me:)

Above is a picture of Kai and Lodi. Lodi is no longer Lodi. Kai calls him Golgi. This is fine with me because its his first science word:) He has no idea its a science word (obviously), but it's the part of the cell that modifies, organizes and packages proteins. He loves climbing up on the bench and looking for birdies.

He loves playing outside but we don't have a whole lot to do in our yard. He does love to play basketball but I think we should get a small climbing structure of sorts. We do have a park nearby but I've realized how relaxing it is to let him run around oustide while I just sit back and relax! Right now he likes to `help daddy' by trying to collect herbs even when we don't need them. Oops!

I love being home with him as long as I have the balance of football games and practices, book clubs, nights out with friends, or walks/runs with my sisters. There are just a few months left til summer holidays and then I will be back at work part time in September. Kai loves daycare and all spring break he mentioned every single kid in his first and second daycare. He loves playing with other kids and with their toys. I really think that for him (and us) it has worked out so well. Phew! What a blessing he has been and we are praying that one day, he will have a sibling to share his love with. So, if you are the praying type, please keep that in your prayers:)