Alana
Alana turned five! We hosted a birthday in our back yard a few weeks ago, and thank goodness it was sunny. There were six kids in total (including a friend for Hendrik) and everyone enjoyed playing, searching for diamonds in the backyard, eating cake, and watching the bday girl open presents. She received some good ones, and miraculously, we didn't feel too overwhelmed by new plastic toys... most gifts are and continue to be used, played with and worn (yay!). Here are some questions I asked her soon after the big day:
Who is your best friend? Camila
What is your favourite food? Cheese
What's your favourite toy / thing to play with? Robin doggie
What's your favourite TV show? Dora
Favourite movie? "Elsa and Anna"
Favourite book? "Elsa and Anna"
Favourite animal? Cheetah (!?)
Favourite colour? Pink
What's something you don't like? Broccoli. Hot dogs.
Favourite song? "Over the castle" (Ed Sheeran)
School is so far so good with her, and she's with the same teacher and some of the same classmates as last year. She's growing like a weed, cries when she doesn't get her way (she's been pretty tired this week), and does a pretty good job keeping up with her big brother. She's still pretty hands on with Jordan, and is consistently thinking of others.
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| showing off their diamonds (from michaels, floral arrangement fillers... amazing!) |
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| bday party fun |
This one is in full swing with the new school year and is much happier in his 2/3 split than we thought he'd be. Day one was was questionable as it appeared that he was the only boy (and the youngest) in his class; he was visibly disappointed to be in a different room than each and every one of his friends. HOWEVER, he came home happy and helpful - more helpful than we've ever seen him before. I mean he was asking if he could do dishes and when I offered to dry them he said that HE would do it. And when he was finished he asked what else he could do and we were wondering what on earth was going on... it was amazing. The gusto has died down somewhat, but he's been very helpful since school started, so hurray for that. He brought in a few items yesterday for his first school assignment - "The Me Project"; these items are meant to show others what Hendrik is like and what things he likes doing, and he opted to bring in a book (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), a picture of him fishing (I printed the one of the huge pike he caught) and a pic of our family (at the cottage). We'll get to see the completed project at the school BBQ later this month. We signed up for Jordan's Run the Runway again this year, and both kids ran the kiddie trot and Hendrik was pretty close to the front of the pack. A few pics...
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| with the olders |
This one is keeping himself busy with kid-stuff; he takes the bigs to school, picks them up, and takes care of Jordan all day. I think he's doing well (that's what he says) and the time he's spent with the older ones has already visibly strengthened his relationship with Alana (she cried this afternoon because she couldn't go to the bathroom with Steve and Hendrik and said it was because she just wanted to be with Dad). Once more of his own things get going (hockey, coaching) I think he'll feel more balanced but so far so good with the stay at home dad thing.
Moi
This is the library! There has been SO much work to do in this place as it wasn't terribly organized and collections were a bit all over the place so it's a work in progress, but hopefully it will be less bébé and more cool and inviting once I figure out when and how I'll improve the decor. There was a lot of dusty and dated decor (I took it down), but I have yet to put anything in place. And I'm liking the job and the library and the school and the staff - and I like speaking French (it's coming back to me and I'm learning new words like écureuil from Frisson l'écureuil). I don't have to get up too early (7:00) or leave too early (7:45) and I'm usually home around 4:30. I can ride my bike there (it's a bit of a trek though) and hm what else... there is no shortage of things to do once I'm there. I'll have to blog more about this another time - this post has been in the works for almost a week so it's going up... SOON. Like, tonight. Other new with me things are: I did a 2nd triathlon a few weeks ago (Lakeside) and it was fun but super freezing, and as one of the few people swimming without a wetsuit I was sort of wishing I could have put one on for the ride and run. I could write more but I won't. Onwards...
Jordan
The latest news with this one isn't really anything new but it has intensified (I think): he is into everything. Any and all food in lower cupboards that is off limits has been moved to what has become a Monica-esque jam-packed don't-go-there cupboard (who knows what I'm talking about?) of food and sundries and it is ready to explode if and when anything in it is touched. I'll find something new in a downstairs cupboard (like shortening) just as he's about to dig into it and then stuff it in the upstairs cupboard and while I'm doing that he's opened up a box of pasta and he's bound and determined to dump it all over the kitchen floor etc etc. He's also bumping into things and hurting himself on an hourly basis (it seems) and has no fear when it comes to stairs or heights (like falling off beds). Sleeping is sometimes good and something not as good, but generally he's up once or twice a night - but back to sleep quickly after we've found his soother for him. Favourite foods are still cheese and Rice Krispies, and he also loves buttered toast (who doesn't), but vegetables? Not so much. He is super into trucks and cars, and wants to head straight outside when he gets up in morning (which was fine during the summer but now it's a bit tricky). He's growing quickly too, and there are days that I get back from work and it seems as if he's changed since I saw him earlier that day. Before we know it he'll be going to school too (no!) - Steve and I are so so conscious to enjoy all the time we get with this - and our other - growing beauties. 💞
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| alana at the finish! |
