a few notables + pics

new wheels and yard work

After years of resistance, we finally bowed to the circumstances of a busy 5-person family and bought a second vehicle, and our driveway is now perma-crowded. We were on a tight timeline, and finding something that fit the budget and two tall drivers was challenging; we ended up buying a Highlander - a vehicle that wasn't much on our radar due to its hefty price tag. Long story short, we found one that is a bit older but in good shape (hopefully) and the kicker is that it FITS us, and there's room to spare for the kids even when the driver's seat is maxed back. We picked it up this morning and made for Kilally Meadows where we enjoyed a walk in the woody meadows before catching a bit of baseball and heading home for lunch.

I haven't posted since last week (or the week before - ?) - so some news of the triathlon is due; I finished it and loved it! I mean let's be honest, I didn't looooove every second of it but the challenge was welcome and being part of a big event was great, and I really felt like I accomplished something at the end of the race (and it was only 10:30 - the entire day lay ahead!). The swim wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, though I was fairly slow; I had a hard time finding the right gear and rhythm on the bike, but it wasn't too taxing (this might mean I didn't push myself hard enough); and the run was tough - my legs were heavy and I had a hard time getting into a rhythm with pace and breathing there too. I finished in just over 1h 22min and came 20th in my age category (35-39). The best part about it all - okay wait there are a few best parts: 1) I made working out a priority pre-race; I didn't want to be completely unprepared - so this meant exercising 3x/week. 2) I hung out with friends - this means lots of laughter and good talks and quality time together (yay). I signed up for another one in September, so I need to do my best to improve fitness levels so I can push myself a little more.

A few more events that are noteworthy include last night's role exchange; Hendrik and Alana played mom and dad and tucked us into their beds before coming downstairs to "do jobs" ("like blogs"). Unfortunately they didn't do the laundry (though they probably would have tried) and I fell asleep in Alana's bed without brushing my teeth only to be awaked by some of their upstairs-and-downstairs shenanigans. They were reaaaaally cute emulating our nightly activities and commentary on behaviour that is much wilder than Steve and I as kids (we just wanted to go to sleep!): Alana said, "I'll just be down the hall in case you need me" and Hendrik came with a charged up glow-in-the-dark book to show us (but we were both half asleep and not interested). Alana changed her mind and bunked up with me in her single bed (squish) and Hendrik and Steve slept in our bed. I think they had tons of fun, and I personally enjoyed being in bed at 9:30... 

Lastly, we finally had a ceremony next door to celebrate George the cat's life - one that came to an end several months ago. Liz had us over for the full ritual with mucho involvement for the kids; Hendrik dug a hole and Alana helped prepare the offerings (food, gems, candles), and then everyone played instruments and sung kumbaya and talked about George before Liz deposited his ashes and covered them up. But what I must mention is the note Hendrik wrote on a typewriter that Liz gave him earlier in the day. It belonged to her grandfather, and after years in her garage she felt that it deserved a new home - in ours! Hendrik lugged it over here and the two of us got it figured out on the back porch before he typed out the following letter:

"rip here lays the cat named george"

this one loves being a big sister :)

new to us - 1920s typewriter, and the ink still works!

prep

musical march

in he goes (i wonder what the kids were thinking about at this moment...)

captain underpants, of course 💛 

this is what happens when i clean

long weekend fun!

When everyone sleeps through the night, the 6:00 wake-up call (from Jordan) doesn't seem so bad - and I feel SO much better than the usual multiple wake-ups and back-to-sleep struggles that all three kids take part in. After some debate, we spent the long weekend at home and took turns camping out in the backyard with the big kids. We also went car shopping (no luck), hit up some  fabulous parks in Strathroy, went to CTC Obstacles (London's newest obstacle gym - everyone loved it), went to Heeman's for strawberries, and enjoyed some down time at home with dad around. I also did a bike-swim-short run in preparation for the short triathlon I'm doing this weekend, and it's the only time I will get that sort of multiple workout in before Sunday's race. Hendrik is doing tennis lessons every afternoon this week, so as long as Jordan is up early and napping twice, we can all hit the park and/or pool afterwards (yay). Alana had a friend over this morning and I thought all of the kids would be interested in making bread (I was hoping they would be - we needed it for lunch), but the girls chose playtime - so Hendrik and I made bread in a bag.  It's a great activity for kids, and the end product is delicious... Try it! I also meant to share this chewy granola bar recipe - it also delivers a delicious end product and is super quick and easy. I'll leave you with a few pics and be on my way... I have yet to decide if I'm going to take a short nap on the couch while the kids watch a(nother) show or if I'll down a coffee. Happy summer!

playing the amazing labyrinth

my grocery list was hijacked....

I LOVE summer dinners!

playing at a school in strathroy

strathroy park play

a perk of visiting car dealerships with kids? mammoth balloons

sandy fun at storybook gardens

a fun-packed summer post :)

back yard fun

a new grill!

our big bunnies :)

we made oobleck this afternoon - so fun!

Over the course of the last few days there have been several moments I wish were caught on camera, including:

1. The kids trying to out-wedgie each other (yes really). They were giving themselves massive wedgies and then keeling over from laughter, and Alana actually gave herself such a huge wedgie that she fell down. For. Real.
2. Hendrik and Alana playing Captain Underpants on the trampoline IN their underpants.

I did capture the following moment on camera - the two olders sitting down quietly at their desk to colour/do workbooks/craft after lunch on Monday:

I'm trying to get in 30-45 minutes of reading (or blogging) after lunch and so far so good. There has been some mild pushback, but they both seem happy to be making comics (Hendrik - titled "The Mysterious Fart") and colouring (Alana, with the Spirograph).

And I can't believe it's August! Only a few more weeks (3) until the reality of a new routine will set in. I think I'll switch modes here and recap life with individualized blurbs:

Jordan
This little was under the weather last week and with multiple night wake-ups and an early start to the day (we're talking 5:30ish), nobody woke up feeling rested. Thankfully he's feeling better, and is back to more of a predictable routine - waking around 7:00 and sleeping for a few hours in the afternoon. He is in serious destructor mode these days, going for anything that is in order with a mission to make mess make work and make chaos. The tupperware cupboard, the pantry, the fridge, the books, the drawers full of clothes - anything goes. He also LOVES the dishwasher - he hears it open and he appears instantly. The cutlery is the main draw, and he is a help when it's clean (but will also remove dirty cutlery, no problemo). He's big into cats and dogs, loves eating toast, cheese, and rice krispies, and likes being chased, biting people, and giving high fives. He also likes feeding himself, exploring outside, hunting for soothers in his room, and cuddling with the big tiger Auntie Claire and Auntie Karin brought for Hendrik when he was born. There must be more but I'm on to the next one...

alana got glasses last week but the prescription is super mild so she doesn't wear them much. cutie!

Alana
This one is excited to go back to school, and I'm hoping that the absence of a few of her besties won't make it any less exciting. She LOVES swimming, and will jump at any chance to head to the pool where she is happy to roam around on her own. Steve took her for an after dinner swim on Monday night and she wanted to DIVE off the diving board... because it hurts her tummy when she jumps in. She has this cute jump-in technique that is almost belly flop - but not quite... so she'll likely be learning to dive and/or jump in feet first in the next few weeks. She's been getting up early and going to bed late, so is quick to tears when something doesn't go her way. I think it's also a stage, and as with Hendrik we have to remind ourselves that she's still little, even though she's big. She's been a night wanderer - coming into our bed in the middle of the night, displacing Steve or me back to her digs as it's too hot and crowded for the three of us in our queen-sized bed. She's super proud of her newfound ability to do the monkey bars, and parks with the bars are near the top of her to-do list. Going to Thames Pool is favourite activity for all, as it means we can swim and then play at the amazing playground. She's learning how to read some basic books, and loves Fancy Nancy, anything Frozen, Barbie books, wearing dresses, eating ice cream, and provoking her big brother. Her birthday is coming up so we need to start thinking of gifts... Dresses, maybe a transformer, the Frozen movie - these are my current ideas. Onto the next one!

doing water fireworks with oil, water and food colouring...

Hendrik
Just now, while making his Mysterious Fart comic, he said, "I love farts. And I love fart comics. Maybe my comics will be in the library one day... I want to be an author when I grow up so I can write silly books." How much do I love this? Minus the fart focus (but really, whatever). When I was little I wanted to be an author too, and I love how much he loves reading and creating. He is usually quite eager to swim, but with his dead-dying toenail he's been reluctant because it feels weird; I'm hoping it'll just come off already so he can get on with summer water fun. We went to Port Stanley on Sunday - where it was hot hot hot and busy - and he spent most of our time there under the umbrella putting sand in the cooler and reading his joke book. He has a few more weeks of soccer (it will be HOT tonight) and I can't get much info out of him as per what he wants to do in the fall (I'm thinking two activities - swimming + ?). He is getting more and more comfortable on his bike (no more training wheels) and loves taking the biggish hill down to the local park (Doidge). Again, there must be more but I'm drawing a blank.

The Bigs (Me and Steve)
Look at what Steve got to do at work this morning:

I still need to get the scoop - but how cool! Hendrik lost his glasses twice this morning (which almost never happens) so I was looking for specs while Mr. was - what do you even call this?! Anyways, he's enjoying work despite the heat, and is happy to come home to super soakers and kids that are eager to soak dad with buckets of kiddie pool water. It looks like he may have to put his work world on hold for a while come September because I got a full time job as a school librarian at a french immersion school with the Catholic board (it was a job that just sort of happened - not one that I went after per se). So big changes are coming for everyone, and to be honest I have mixed feelings: leaving Jordan, spending less time with the kids... I think these are the big ones. And as with any new job or opportunity, I feel both excited and nervous, but it's good for me - I'll get to see if this is work I enjoy, and my schedule fits with that of the kids (summers off, Christmas holidays, spring break etc.). I have a triathlon (a short one - Iron Girl) coming up in (gulp) 11 days, and I need to NEED to get a few swims in before then as I haven't been working out much at all. Steve is headed west that weekend for a wedding, so Grandma and Gramps are going to come and hang out with the kids. Here are a few more photos - stay tuned for more... Hope all you readers are having a fantastic summer!

LOVE this... moments of peace and caring between them can be few and far between...

the mysterious fart is real

picking blueberries at kusterman's on a VERY warm day... the kids loved it!

a few days ago hendrik made plans to use random parts from a fan to make a turbo toilet 2000 ... finished product coming soon!

the latest library haul, minus a few fancy nancy's

first cottage trip of the summer + more!

family pic from my sister's wedding last month

We are home from a week at the cottage and the kids can't wait to get back up there again. They were at the Brinkman-Tukker abode for a full week, and spent most of their time swimming, fishing, crafting, and playing games. Steve's parents knocked it out of the park again - with meals, activities, patience, and childcare while Steve and I booked it to Gatineau to move out of our condo. "I wish we were driving back to the cottage right now," said Hendrik on our way out. "I wish we could live at the cottage," said Alana. Maybe one summer they can, but not this one. Steve is back at work this week (check out this article that landed their crew on the front page of the paper, pic below) and Hendrik is in sports camp in the afternoons. I couldn't find anything right for Alana, so we'll spend the afternoons running errands and hanging out at home while her little brother naps. Today she pretended to be mom and I was the kid - so I told her I wanted her to read me stories and tuck me in for a nap - win win! 

front page a few weeks ago - steve is on the far left

way more sibling love at the cottage ... love love!

they couldn't get enough

Jordan loved it up at the cottage too, and spent most of his time lounging in his chair, swimming in the kiddie pool, eating and sleeping, and playing in the sand and water down at the beach. While we were in Gatineau, I finally picked up Scaredy Squirriel and  Have You Filled a Bucket Today? - which is a bit cheesy but has a great message and the kids do like it, and when I asked if they'd filled anyone's bucket that day or if anyone had filled theirs (you fill someone's bucket by doing kind/thoughtful things for them), Alana told me that Justin had filled her bucket (heart melt!). He was great with them, and I know both H and A had a great time hanging out with him.

loungin'

alana and justin playing alana's rules othello 

hendrik's dino craft, complete with food 

i had to selfie, otherwise i might not make it in any pics!

getting' sandy

CLASSIC. love the gogs.

driving the boat

some of the cast and crew: me and jordan, justin, jordan, gramps, unc and jordan, alana on a boat

so much fun down by the water!

doing a nice and then a crazy pic is one way of getting hendrik to maaaaybe make a nice face in the first pic. not sure why the resolution is so poor but ??? a great group for summer's first cottage trip!

In other news, both big kids are over 60 pounds despite the fact that Hendrik has 21 months on his younger sister. They DO feel heavy. I knew it. Hendrik dropped a massive bucket of water on his toe early in the week, and the nail will fall off one day soon. He wondered aloud what would happen if he put his toenail under his pillow; would the toenail fairy come? I really have to put my thinking cap on for this one, because I don't think such an offering could be refused. It's bed time - more to come soon, I promise!

goodbye gatineau, chapter closed! 

summer so far

the bigs - getting along! - downstairs

We're a week and a half into summer and so far so good; Hendrik survived his first (and only) week of full day camp, and Alana and Jordan and I got into a bit of a routine with morning activities and afternoon naps/down time. This week looks different though - both big kids are home, and they're happy to take it a bit easy despite the fact that they're staying up late and getting up early, even though they don't have to. I'm trying to get out to a park in the morning, enjoy some down time in the afternoon while the little sleeps, and then get out again in the afternoon for a combo of errands and something for the kids. This morning we enjoyed the park and splash pad up in Ilderton, yesterday we had a first time visit to Kiwanis Park (great park, average splash pad - maybe not a repeat visit park for us), and on Monday we walked up to Ryerson School where the kids had a great first visit at the various play areas. They've been asking for TV ALL the time, so I'm surprised/shocked that they are playing nicely in the basement right now - no demands, no TV requests, and no fighting... craaaaazy! And they were both very well behaved at the Honda dealership where we ate lunch while the car was serviced. I have a huge list of potential activities while the kids are home, but that wasn't one of them; we've had a few rainy afternoons, so indoor activities around the house have included baking (they make up their own recipe) and cleaning ("cleaning") - both done with mucho gusto. The baking involved a trip to Bulk Barn (always a highlight) where the kids picked out a few custom ingredients for what turned out to be cupcakes... and they did turn out, but no one has requested their desserts after day one's bake it and eat it excitement. Last week Alana got a new bike (!!) and I don't even have a picture. We went in to get her a new helmet, and found something in the second-hand section that works perfectly! Hurray. We're going to try to get down to Pinafore Park in St Thomas, and maybe out to pick some cherries in Arkona, but for now I'll enjoy the quiet... while it lasts!

hendrik's recipe, rockets and chocolates

look at this handsome dude, going on 14 months