Thrilled

On Sunday morning I got a phone call from my sister Jantina. She told that Kienan (three year old boy who had been abducted from Sparwood, BC) had been brought home! I couldn't believe it and ran downstairs to watch the news. Tears poured down my face. I was so happy. My heart had been breaking for days. He was a little boy, the same age as my Kokies and yet looked like my Kai Bear. I thought of little Koen in his place and it was so painful. It gave me a little peace knowing he had his blankies with him as I know how my boys are with their blankies:) I know there were so many people praying so hard for his safe return, and boy, prayer was answered. I'm so thankful. Abductors don't bring kids home. And literally, to their home.

I have to say that over the past 5 days, I have spent a little more time with my boys as I kiss them goodnight. Koen has been running up to me throughout the day shouting, `Kienan's home! Yay!' (with the hands in the air). We have all been praying for this little guy.

And, just for some pictures...Kai extracted his dinosaur bones from the giant clay-ish mold today. It probably took him about 2 hours. Half the time Koen was just sitting there watching and asking questions while Kai `taught' him about being a scientist. It was hilarious and cute. Kai is a wonderful teacher.

{Flowers chosen by Kai}

Have a wonderful evening.

Love, Louise

Baking With The Boys

It has been an adjustment having Gary back at work. Suddenly I'm a full time mom in the day and don't have any time to work. This means I back to full time `momming' in the day and then working at night. Totally not my favourite as it means there is no time for a break. Gary and I had a talk last night about how work is going to change and I'm looking forward to doing less after October and actually having time to do things I love.

For example, I would love to do some redecorating. If we do eventually get pregnant we will be redoing the boys rooms so that they are sharing and we will redo the baby room too. I would also love to put some photos up in the basement. I would love to de-clutter. I would love to browse pinterest and I would love to be able to read books.

Anyway, Kai had a great second day of school and got to play in the forest and cut out a sunshine. This reminded me that we should probably work on his cutting skills. That's all I got from him. When he came home we did some baking. Honestly, I do not enjoy having the boys help me make dinner. Gary loves it and always has them help him. Baking with the boys is okay and so we went out and picked blackberries and then decided to make a Blackberry Crumble. It was super easy to have them help me.

I just used my mom's Apple Crisp recipe and we'll see how it turns out. Before my mom died, she made us each a recipe book with all of our childhood recipes. It might not be the best apple crisp in the world but the taste of it brings me back to sitting around the table, with all 7 family members, having a good time. It's funny, I'm particular about certain meals. Spaghetti has to be just like my mom made it. Gary tries to make it more exciting but that's not what I like. The taste of my mom's homemade spaghetti just reminds me of the good old days. Coming home from cross country practice in highschool and just having serving after serving of that great spaghetti:)

{These aprons were made by my talented friend Ali. I love how the patterns are so `molecule-ish'.}

{Ali, if you ever start a business I will def get them modelling them nicely for some photos for you:)}

Love my boys even though they drive me crazy and I wish I could send them off to daycare sometimes. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hebert family right now as I cannot even imagine what they are going through. Little Kienan reminds me so much of my little boys. It's every parent's worst nightmare. I hope he is found quickly. In the mean time, I will hug my boys a few more times today.

Love, Louise

First Day Of School

Today Kai Bear went to kindergarten. For the first two weeks, they are just going for 3 hours each time which I think is a great amount. When he woke up and realized that today was `the day' he was pretty excited. He got dressed about twice as quickly than normal, which really, is still super slow. He gets so distracted. After the first two weeks, Gary will be driving Kai to and from school because they have an out of school care program. Should be good by saving gas and time! It is a new program and I'm so thankful for it.

At school, it was pretty chaotic with the number of parents and kids in the hallway. Koen was also trying to run away to the playground that he saw on our way in. So, amongst the chaos, I was unable to get emotional at all.

Kai is in a bigger class of 19 kids and I realized that I know the parents of 5 of the kids. Either teacher's kids or people that I have done photos for in the past. It's nice to have a connection already. I know his teacher as I taught her kids, and, I know the Educational Assistant in the class as it's my friends mother-in-law! Again, a lot of connections.

Conversations on the way to school:

Kai: Mommy, are you looking forward to me going to grade 1?

Me: Yes Kai, but let's get through kindergarten first.

Kai: Well, I think I'll pass. I'll pass the playground part for sure.

Kai: Mommy, are you going to ask the teacher to give me math homework?

Me: Uh, do you want me to?

Kai: Yes, I LOVE math homework.

I didn't ask the teacher and he didn't get any homework:) They read stories, played inside and outside and ate their snack. I have no idea what else they did because that's all I got out of Kai. He said he liked playing with his new friends (whose names he doesn't know), building a volcano of rocks, the best.

Koen and I went shopping for fruits and veggies and then played at home. What did I notice? Well, it was unbelievably quiet without them torturing each other all day long. I liked it. I'm thinking part time (every other day) will be perfect for Kai. And I. And Koen.

Hope you all had a great day!

Louise

Good Things

A few good things:

1. The water slides. This will definitely be a yearly tradition. At first when we got there, they both refused to even go on the little kid slides and I thought it was going to be a terrible day. But, after 15 minutes of going down little slides together, we advanced to the intermediate! Kai did a whole bunch of the intermediate ones on his own too. We only stayed 3 hours because Koen's lips were blue and he was shivering so much, even though it was super warm out. I can see that in a few years it will be nice to just sit back with a book and let Gary and the boys go wild.

2. After 5 years, I have no more kids in the church nursery! Today Koen went into the preschool Sunday School class. He loved it and was totally fine on his own. He was such a big boy! I'm so proud of him. He made a sheep and a bear and was so proud of himself:) I got to teach Kai's group and when Gary asked him what they had learned about, he said, `I don't know'. Thanks for listening, bud!

3. I went shopping. I bought a new pair of jeans (regular $100.00, down to $35.00!) and I bought Gary a bunch of new shirts. I also bought a Purdy's ice cream bar which always makes me feel good:) Oh yes, I also bought Kai some back to school shirts and he didn't care at all. That is so different than when I was a kid. Well, for two reasons. We didn't get many new clothes when I was his age AND once I was older and we could afford back to school clothes, it was the most exciting thing EVER!

We walked a couple of blocks to a local field to try to get a few photos of the boys. I want to get a photo of them for our upstairs hallways but alas, yesterday was not the day to get the picture I was envisioning. I was hoping they would be happy and excited but alas, they were `just' somewhat cooperative.

{An outtake}

{I found this wagon at a garage sale and think it would be great for a little kid's photo session:)}

Guess who is going to kindergarten in 2 more sleeps?! I think I'm more excited than him! Actually, I know I am.

Happy Long Weekend!

Love, Louise

Lovely and Not Lovely

Koen has been super grumpy lately. His screeching is non stop and drives me nuts. It's Kai that causes him to screech because as much as these guys are buddies, they know how to drive each other (and therefore me) crazy. Koen has not been friendly. If someone asks him what his name is, he'll say `I'm not Koen. I'm Nuffing' (nothing). Maybe the summer has been a bit too tiring for this little guy.

After dinner and bath time, Koen was playing with his cars. Suddenly it was quiet and that can only mean one of two things. Either doing something very naughty or sleeping. Fortunately, he fell asleep. I love seeing him sleeping.

He always needs his Bubi/Blue. He has a back up one that he calls `Bubi's Cousin'.

Koen always needs to wear socks to bed. He's very particular about it.

And then, he woke up.

Gary has been at work all week. I have now been home with the kids for 2.5 years. I have to say that there are days that I wouldn't mind escaping this house and going back to teaching. I have always said that I don't miss teaching but I think that now, I miss it a bit. However, I have to remember that when you're teaching, you can't sleep in until 8am and wear your pj's til 9am:) And that, my friends, is very lovely.

A couple things that are not lovely? One of our 5D's (camera worth about $1000.00) just broke. Lame. We have two back ups so we'll be fine in the mean time. Likely we'll get it fixed for about $400.00 as it has to be shipped out to Ontario.

What else isn't lovely? My stupid thyroid. Yes, I said stupid (a no no word in this house). The hormonal fluctuations from the miscarriage in July have caused me to verge on being back on medication for Graves' Disease. My next blood test is next week...we'll see what it says. I did take my meds today. Lame. I was off them for how long? 5 months? So frustrating.

Oh well, if that's the worst going on these days, I'm thinking life is pretty good.

Okay, time to get a Kokies off to bed!

Bon nuit.

Louise

All I Want For Christmas...

is math homework?! Kai is hilarious. He said that's what he wants for Christmas. He did this math book from front to back today. It took about two hours and we took a half hour break to go to the park in between. He's so nerdy and I love it! He needed some help with the instructions but he was sounding out the words pretty well on his own. My little boy is all grown up!

{Isn't he such a mini Gary?!}

He was seriously giddy with excitement that he could add 8+7 and 10+10 etc.

Koen sat at the table with him and coloured and played with playdough. I don't feel emotional (yet) that Kai is going to kindergarten. I'm more just really excited for him. I LOVED school (and Gary really enjoyed it too) so I'm thinking that Kai will too. I hope part time is enough for him!

Now he can ask his teacher a billion questions instead of me. I hope he tells me what he does each day. I hope he still thinks that his mommy is super smart:)

Bon nuit.

Love, Louise

Busy Busy!

Wow, it's almost been a week between posts! What's been going on?

{I ordered some professionally printed and mounted photos for our bedroom, excited to see them!}

Photographed a beautiful wedding Friday. Loved it. I had taught both the bride and groom in grade 9 science and now they're all grown up and the bride is a science teacher herself and the groom is doing his masters in Biology. Awesomeness. They were so sweet. During the ceremony, she sang to him (beautifully!!) and near the end was overcome with emotion and couldn't finish. It just ended with them holding each other. Lots of tears from everyone!

Saturday morning I had my first football game of the season. I love football. I don't necessarily love the pressure of being a QB because if we lose, I feel like it's all my fault. Gary and the boys came which was nice. I got to wear the socks that Koen picked out for me for my birthday (I need high socks because I tuck the plays in there). Gary was then able to give me some feedback after the game which I appreciate. I want to get better. I had one terrible punt which of course is all I can focus on now:) We lost, but it was still fun.

{These football pictures were taken with our 7D. I am not a fan. Our 5D's are way better.}

Saturday afternoon we headed to Granville Island. I had an engagement session that went super well. While I did that, Gary and the boys just played and got a gelato. I like that they can have fun while I work.

{Kai giving his advice at half time}

Sunday we skipped church and then went to my sister's place in Mission for a bbq with my whole family. They have a great yard which is one thing I really wish our house had. However, I'm not into upping my mortgage or moving to Mission to have a great yard. So, we will make this work! It's hard in the sense that I grew up on an acreage with a forest, trampoline, tree houses, pool etc. A whole lot different than the itty bitty patch of grass we have now!

I am so, so, so ready for Kai to go to school. I think the hardest part about being a mom and working full time from home is that there is a lot of guilt. I feel bad that my kids watch tv while I work. I try to limit tv to an hour after lunch but still, I feel like I should be taking them to the park and playing with them etc. I just need one hour of solid work where I'm not helping them with activity books or breaking up fights:) I'm definitely tired as is typical for this time of year. I'm really looking forward to doing less weddings next year....got to keep it fun! Anyone have any great tips for being a mom and working from home?

Gary is back at work today. Crazy. Thankfully the boys all slept in until 8am!

All right, time to hit the park. Wonder if Gary will make dinner tonight?:)

Have a great week!

Love, Louise

Gary and I

Want to see some gorgeous photos of Gary and I?! These were taken for our 6th wedding anniversary and it is one of the most fun dates we have ever had. Please leave Megan some love (via commenting on her blog post) and please let me know here what your favourite one is! I need to decide which ones to print and put up in my home:)

By the way, I have to say that I am very proud of Gary. Although I love having my photo taken, Gary is not a fan of it. He was so good about it and totally got into it. He ended up really enjoying it.

Here they are....Granville Island Date

PNE In Rain Suits

Today was the day that we had set aside to go to the PNE. The plus side was that we found out it was free admission day (still ends up costing $80.00 with parking, two kids ride passes and some mini donuts!). The downside was that it was POURING. The plus side was that we didn't have to wait for a single ride except for the Ferris Wheel, which was a waste of time.

We started out with the kiddie roller coaster which Koen LOVED.

The kids rode the rides (less than 48" admission rides) for 3 hours. We did go see Bobs & Lolo perform at the Family Theatre but the kids didn't want to do anything else except go on rides. No quad/motorcycle show for them. They didn't even care about the animals, but that was fine because the building was so humid from all the wet people and animals.

The elephant ride was Koen's favourite and Kai loved the Scrambler.

(I know my headband looks funny, i was just so excited to see it this morning because it had been missing for a month!)

This is how a mommy really feels sometimes when the day (or whole summer) is all about the kids (GASP, don't I sound mean?). I think sometimes I just feel like everything we do is for them (like ride little kid rides in the rain all day). Don't get me wrong, I love seeing them happy, I was just having a `moment'. I am also not feeling 100% due to major hormonal fluctuations and verging on relapsing with Graves' but more on that some other time. All I will say is that my hormones are CRAZY.

Can you believe we are wearing rain suits mid August? I should've had my kids in rain boots like the other kids there today! At least Kai got to try out his new rain pants and rain coat! Verdict? They work well.

The kids loved it. Kai thought he was seriously driving every single thing. It was a good day. Koen even peed his pants and we didn't realize it because we were all soaked. We got everyone into dry clothes before driving home and Koen fell asleep within 5 minutes:)

We've pretty much crossed every single thing off of our summer list except for the waterslides. However, there was a waterslide at the hotel in Whistler so that might just have to count.

Bon nuit.

Louise

Bud

Koen: Mommy, I call you bud?

Me: Sure, you can call me bud!

Koen: Bud and me go to the park?

Ah, he's so cute! I love hanging out with him. I am totally looking forward to Kai being in kindergarten as this will give Koen and I some great time together. Because he is only 2.5 years old, he can't go to preschool yet so I'm thinking we'll go to the (free and awesome!) Strong Start program on days that Kai has school.

Walking back from the park, hand in hand, Koen tells me how much fun he had at the park and how much he loves me. Two year olds are so special. Especially this cuddly one.