Happy Birthday Rachel on May 24th!!

A few days late, but here are a few pics from her Tropical Party on the Long weekend. Her birthday was a busy day...school (where she had a swimming lesson), dentist after school (note the pictures of Amy--it was her first time!!) and then dance rehearsal. Rachel's recital was this weekend, with a show on Friday night, one on Saturday night and then one Sunday afternoon. I can't believe my little girl is six!! Although with makeup on for the dance recital...she looks so much older!!

Hula!! Limbo and the Chicken Dance!!!

Amy's First Trip to the Dentist...look mom..no cavities!!!

A few pictures from "The Little Mermaid"....dance production!!

What a little princess!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!

I can hardly believe that my baby is three!! On May 18, Amy celebrated her third birthday with a few friends, Grandma and Grandpa, and Baba, Deda and Auntie Lisa. It was a great day and she was once again spoiled!! Amy is so proud of the big girl she has become, as are we. Since she turned three, she has successfully slept in big girl panties and continues to amaze us and make us laugh!! We love you, big girl Amy!!

Mother and Daughter Afternoon!

Today Rachel and I spent the afternoon together. It was an early birthday present for her...one
she has been wanting for awhile!!

She was so BRAVE..no tears!!

My almost 6 year old PRINCESS!!! I love you!

This is our life...

Baseball..... two games and one or two practices a week!





Soccer....every Saturday morning 8:30- 11:30 (well I actually don't go until about 9:30!!)





Dance : Rachel is going to be an octopus in the Little Mermaid Ballet (in two weeks, three performances in one weekend!!)



and Amy who will be three in a few days...she cracks us up!! Her latest one liner, usually at the dinner table...."Mommy, did you bring your hollow leg??"

So these along with many birthday parties, playdates, runs and oh yes, teaching full time are the reasons I haven't posted in awhile!! Life is busy, crazy and full of love from my kids... isn't that what every mom dreams of?? Happy Mother's Day to all of you!!

Blessings!

Last week we headed to my sister's in White Rock for Charlotte's baptism. We had fun playing with cousins and seeing a few sights. But oh the rain....I don't know how you coast folks do it. After only two days of rain I could almost feel my feet beginning to web:) And the traffic.. YIKES! It sure made quaint little Summerland appealing! Here are a few pictures: these first few are from our walk down to Crescent Beach.. in the rain!




Here are a couple from the baptism!








Children are a true blessing.... I sure enjoyed my time off with my three beautiful blessings! This last picture was taken at Science World. We took the kids there on Monday on the skytrain...what an adventure. They were so excited! I am sure we looked like true tourists...complete with the oohs and aghh's of big buildings and other trains. Science world was great.. not many people and lots of fun things to play with. This is a guy lighting a balloon that was filled with hydrogen on fire!! I can't beleive I caught the image!!

After Science World we walked around by BC Place and GM Place before heading back on the skytrain...around 4:00 pm... yep right in the middle of rush hour. Picture this, Mom, Dad, three small children, camera, back pack...true tourists. Then imagine, youngest child falling asleep on the skytrain (which is packed with business people, students etc) then add two parents who don't realize they have to switch trains to get back to Surrey. (hey, coming in we didn't have to switch trains) So, off we get, carrying sleeping child (AKA dead weight) and towing along two other children, back pack and camera bag. Up one escalator (which was exciting in itself...we don't have any in Summerland!), across the track, back down stairs to wait for the next train. Enter. No seats, standing. Rachel staring up at all the people! Exit next stop to switch onto the train we should have got on. Up stairs, past police officers arresting someone, back onto train...extremely packed...standing room with nothing to hold onto!! Amy still dead weight (thank goodness she isn't that big!) Get off at the Park and Ride and pray the van is still there. It is :) Put Amy in her car seat...sound asleep, doing the wet noodle impersonation. We had to recline the seat to get her buckled in. Off to visit some family and share the adventure. What a great day...although it sure made me appreciate the wonderful environment I have to bring my kids up in.

One goal reached!!

We are now on spring break.... and so far it has been great!! I love being home. We have been busy so far. Saturday was Delaney's birthday and we enjoyed celebrating with her. Saturday night we went over to bid farewell to our neighbours, the Bordeleau's as they moved to Quesnel today. It was also the beginning of plumbing problems( a whole other story....but one that ended without much damage or cost) that did not get resolved until Monday afternoon!! Sunday night we celebrated Uncle Percy's birthday with dinner at their house!! Yummy!! Monday morning I dropped the van off for a tune up and ran home!! It was hard to get up when everyone else was still sleeping, but I did feel revived after my run!!

Yesterday Heidi and I shopped...and shopped...and shopped!! We had it planned for a very long time..A day in Kelowna, sans children!! I picked her up at 9:00 am and dropped her off at 9:30 last night. There is nothing like a day of shopping with a great friend...thanks Heidi for the awesome company! We both found some new duds and didn't spend too much money!!

Then today it happened. Rachel reached her goal!! Both Cory and Rachel set a goal for spring break.. Cory wanted to learn how to tie shoes and Rachel wanted to learn to ride her bike without training wheels!! Today while Heidi and I were making cards, the kids were riding in the back yard. Rachel came up to the patio door with the biggest grin... I knew right away! She had reached her goal. She was so very proud and so was I! She had done it on her own...no running behind bikes, killing my back!! Here are a couple of pictures I took when she showed Daddy her latest accomplishment!! Yeah Rachel!!

Cory is also loving riding his new bike that Santa brought him...now to work on those shoelaces!!

I am still alive..... and finally some pics of the kids!!

Here is a picture from one of Cory's final hockey games!! It was a great season and the improvement of the kids was incredible! Cory gained so much confidence, both on the ice and off!! Now it is just road hockey... until hockey camp this summer!!!!

These are a few pictures from the skating club's annual pop concert!! Cory was also in Canskate once a week...he skated to "In the Navy" and Rachel's group skated to Mambo #5!! They were very cute....although by the time we took these pictures, they were freezing!! Can you tell????

And, little miss Amy couldn't be left out!! She is so full of personality, she makes us laugh!! This is one of my favourite pictures of her. She has been loving dressing up lately and was doing some funky dance moves!!! She is definitely our little princess #2!!!

The Toothfairy and Birthdays!!

Rachel just had to share these photos for everyone to see!! She was so excited to be toothless again!!
The black smile widens!!

Cory had a hockey game in Kelowna yesterday, (which they lost by a long shot) and after going for a great lunch at Montana's with Curtis, we hit Costco and the mall. On our way home Rachel hit her mouth with her waterbottle and knocked the little tooth into an even more wiggly state. So when we got home, I pulled it out! Hers just seem to pop right out!

At first she didn't want to put it out for the tooth fairy, but then decided she should. She thought the tooth fairy would make the water yellow, but as you can see it was orange. Cory has a theory that the tooth fairy changes the water to all the colors of the rainbow!! We'll see....

She was also very excited to find a loonie in there!!

I also had a great day today!! My husband surprised me with some daffodils (a true sign spring is almost here:) and an iPod for my birthday!! The iPod wasn't really a surprise, but I am thrilled to have it. Now I just have to figure out how to actually load some music onto it! That is my next project after this post!

Heidi also brought me a great present at work today! She is so crafty and made one of her beautiful frames...check out her page for one similar! and also some Tim's Gift certificates :) Friends are true gifts...and having ones that we can grow older gracefully with is even better! It is even better when they are older than you!!!

I have never really been one to make a fuss about my birthday, but Angella inspired me this year and made me realize that it is a special day. One about me!! So here it is...a list of 34 things that I have accomplished in my 34 years!!

1. Married the best man in the world! I love you Brian!

2. Had a very sweet little boy (who is already 8!)

3. Had a princess whose giggle can make you smile on your worst day

4. Had another princess, who can make you laugh for no reason at all

5. Went to university to get a teaching degree

6. Taught a different grade almost every year since

7. Made a difference in the lives of many students (I hope)

8. Had 3 wonderful best friends at different stages of my life

9. Learned to speak French (although I have lost some of it now)

10. Developed a relationship with Jesus

11. Graduated with honours from high school

12. Learned how to parent from some of the best (Thanks Mom and Dad)

13. Made many mistakes, but learned from them

14. Lived in many different places, and learned it's not the place, but what you make of it that makes it feel like home!

15. Learned how to run and love it!

16. Travelled to Mexico with a bunch of crazy university girls and lived to tell about it

17. Learned how to drive a standard from a parent (not recommended!)

18. Bought a house

19. Renovated a house, marriage still intact

20. Went to the provincials in field hockey and badminton while in high school

21. Followed my heart

22. Taught my children to love each day

23. Learned to love each day myself...and appreciate the little things

24. Had three children

25. Lost all the baby weight (and then some!!:)

26. Became a pro at multi-tasking (mom of 3, full time teacher, wife, daughter, etc...how can you not??)

27. Perfected the art of procrastination.... isn't that what blogging is for?? (especially at report card time!!)

28. Set goals and didn't stop until they were achieved

29. Made many lifelong friends(some of whom I have lost touch with...it is a goal of mine to get better at keeping in touch:)

30. Been inspired by the determination of my sister

31. Learned that I can't do it all by myself

32. Learned that it is OK to ask for help

33. Travelled to the happiest place on Earth..twice! I love Disneyland!!

34. Realized that getting older really isn't that bad... and gray hair can be coloured!!

Wow, as we age, we sure do learn a lot!!

TGIF

What a busy week!! Last night was Show and Share at school..you know the time when the children show their parents all their wonderful work. I know the parents love it, but from a teacher standpoint...it is very tiring!! Two late nights at school in a row...the day before was a staff meeting!! So today, after being on duty, I picked up the girls from daycare and headed straight to Walmart with the 3 kiddies. It really was the last thing I wanted to do, but we needed valentine stuff and I thought if we did it tonight I could lounge around tomorrow morning! The kids were awesome..we found some cute valentine stuff, wandered through the toy aisle and found some great deals. My birthday cupboard is stalked once again and the girls both spent some money they had received for Valentine's day! Cory, only wanted to look in the sports aisle...and found nothing of great interest. He decided he'd save it...he is so much like his dad!!
By the time we were out of Walmart, it was supper. So, off to McD's! Not my choice, but it was delightful. We talked all the way there about what to order. Rachel said, "If its a good toy I want a happy meal, if not just a cheeseburger and root beer!!" well after looking at the toy, she decided it should be "just a cheeseburger". I ordered and Cory, being the little man that he is, organized his sisters. He found a place for us to sit, got some straws and handed them to Amy so she felt she was helping too!! Rachel helped Amy get settled in her seat and then proceeded to help Cory carry all the little ketchup containers to the table. We had a lovely dinner (well, conversation wise) and then headed out for the rest of our shopping. Watching my kids helping each other and not whining when I said no playing in the play area, really was what I needed tonight! They were so sweet!
Then..off to Shopper's Drug Mart in search of hockey valentines. First I thought I'd pop into the dollar store to look for some valentine pencils for my class. While looking around, Amy runs to me..."Mommy, I have to pee!" I asked the two young clerks if they had a washroom...."No, the closest one is in Safeway!" obviously, neither of them had any experience with a two year old...when they have to pee, you don't have time to walk across the parking lot to another store. I went directly to Shopper's next door, where although they dont' really have a public washroom, they are at least empathetic to the needs of a two year old and her mother!! peeing done, successfully!! Hockey valentine's, no such luck. Then Cory remembers that Daddy said he had seen some at London Drugs. (why didn't he buy them then????) so, back into the van and off to London Drugs! Success...hockey valentine's and he also found something to spend his valentine's money on!! A new laundry hamper! I am not kidding!! His choice...of course, it is a very cool Canucks laundry hamper, that just happened to be on sale for 50% off!! happy children make for happy mommies!! We came home, unloaded everything and then raced over to the curling rink..... yes, if you are wondering where Brian was this whole time...he is curling this weekend in a bonspiel. The kids wanted to kiss him goodnight, and he wanted the van as he is supposed to be providing a taxi service to the hotels later tonight!
So, after I got the kids to bed, I sat down to begin this post! It had been awhile...when all of a sudden, BANG! BANG! BANG! iceballs hitting my front window. It scared the heck out of me!! I looked out the window only to see another iceball coming toward me!! Three young pukes took off....I opened the door and yelled at them. Probably not the smartest thing to do...but it made me mad. Then I called the police...and asked them to step up patrols. My neighbor then called me and said they had done the same thing to her house. Where are these kids' parents?? I really think it is more a parenting issue than anything. Shouldn't they know where their kids are and what they are doing? If I knew who they were...I would've called. As a parent, if my child were out roaming the streets making trouble, I would want to know. So to everyone out there with kids... watch out and let parents know when their kids are doing wrong..it is not ratting them out...it is caring for them!
I am off to bed now...less grumpy than I was before. My kids showed my tonight all that I have to be thankful for! which truly is a lot!

Hockey Day in Summerland

My baby is almost 8!! Today Cory had his birthday party..his actual birthday is on Thursday, but we celebrated with his school friends today!! As you can see from the pictures, it was all about hockey!! This was the first year I bought a cake...ever..for any of the kids! Cory is part of the CForce Junior Canucks fan club at Save on Foods and when he saw that you could get a Canucks cake..well that was it!! I must say, I missed making a fancy cake, but also enjoyed the ease of just picking it up..no fuss, no muss!! Rachel and Amy also joined the ranks and sported their hockey jerseys for the occasion!!

It started with mini sticks in the basement...












And then we laced up all the skates and headed out to the Berekoff backyard rink..where they played hard for an hour and a half!!!


Then it was inside for cake and presents...it truly was the easiest birthday party I've ever done.



Happy Birthday Cory... it is hard to believe that almost eight years have passed since you surprised us as a January baby!! You have grown up so much from a 5lb 12 oz peanut to a tall, confident, smart young man!! I am so very proud of the person you have become!! We love you!!

Finally...it is here!!

I am sitting and typing this post on my new computer!! It is very fast :) I haven't had much time to figure it out, darn, work always seems to get in the way!! It arrived yesterday via courier, and I was actually home. Amy had been sick Monday night. A high fever, which prevented her, and thus, me from sleeping. I decided that rather than her passing it on to the rest of the daycare, we'd stay home.
I ran to the school at 6:30 in the morning to prep quickly for a sub and then came home and slumbered in jammies for awhile after the rest of the gang headed to school. We snuggled and watched a few episodes of Dora, played a couple of games and napped together. Around 1:30 the man came with the new computer...so very exciting! Sleep over took, though, and we napped on the couch. I only napped until Heidi dropped Cory and Rachel off, however, Amy slept for 2.5 hours. I knew she wasn't feeling well, as I can never get her to nap at home!! Brian took Cory and Rach to skating and while they were gone..yet another delivery man came..this time with my ottoman that I ordered on line. I was meant to stay home yesterday.
Today, Amy was fine and back to daycare. I was back to work. The UPS guy came by with my chair today...I guess I'll have to go pick that one up!!
I haven't yet tried downloading any photos, but hopefully this weekend!! Cory is having his birthday party on Sunday, so I will try to post a few pics of the boys on the outdoor rink!! For a hockey loving child, a January birthday is a good thing!!

Toothless in Summerland

Last night I was brushing Rachel's teeth and took a look at the recent wiggly one. It seemed very strange when on Christmas she complained that her tooth hurt. I didn't once suspect it being loose, as Cory was well into Grade 1 before he lost any teeth. After wiggling it slightly, she was convinced it would come out that night. Well, just one week later, she was begging me to tie a string around it like we did with Cory's. So out came the dental floss and I wrapped it around and gave a little tug. It pulled it a bit and with one more wiggle from mom, out came a little tooth. She was beaming...so excited to loose her first tooth! I couldn't believe that my little girl was old enough for that.
We had to call grandma and Grandpa and Baba and Deda right away..news like this had to be shared. At first she wanted to keep the tooth for a day and show Avery, but quickly changed her mind and set it out in a container of water for the tooth fairy. This morning she bounded into our room with her blackened sweet smile and container of red water from the tooth fairy. When she takes the tooth, she magically transforms the water to a new colour and leaves a toonie!! She was sure to show off her water, toonie and sweet toothless smile to her best bud Avery today!!

A few more pictures to enjoy...

I think I may have figured out what I was doing wrong on the last couple of posts and why I could only get a few pictures in them....regardless, they were published. I have just a couple of more snow pictures that were taken yesterday of Cory and Amy. Rachel was having some "issues" outside....imagine that a five year old that wanted a camera and diamonds for Christmas having issues...man I am in trouble in a few years!!! We sure have enjoyed the snow!!