Thursday, June 26, 2008

School's out for the summer

What an amazingly fun and busy week we've had. I have taken more photos this month than probably the last three months combined. Now comes the daunting task of going through them all to delete the bad ones.

Cooper is actually the one who had a lot going on this week. Tuesday he had a bike trip to Matsqui Pool for a swim and a BBQ lunch. It was quite a long way to ride (took about 1 1/2 hours). I met them at the pool in my car to watch them swim and have lunch. Him and his buddies had such a great time in the pool. Then after scarfing down a couple hotdogs (I wouldn't let him have a third) they mounted their bikes again for the long trip back to school. I knew they were going to bike past our house on the way so we hung out in the front yard waiting for them to come by. I had my camera ready but he never came. Finally one of the mom riders yelled at me to say "Coop felt barfy, he's riding in one of the escort vehicles". Maybe it was all that pool water he can't help but swallow mixed with the hotdogs - good thing I stopped him before he ate that third. By the time I got up to school to pick him up he was okay and just seemed excited about the day.
Wednesday was Sports Day. Cooper and Hudson both woke up with such bad allergies. Coop's eyes were almost swollen shut. I loaded him up with everything I could think of and hoped for the best. Hudson soon cleared up ans was ready to go but I continued to worry that Cooper would even be able to enjoy the day. This is always such a fun day that they all look forward to and Cooper was in tears thinking that he wouldn't be able to go. But he pushed through and by his third or fourth event all the drugs took hold and he really cleared up.
This year we had three participating so for Tony (who took the morning off), Nana, and I the day is spent jumping around the school field trying to find all of them in their events and trying to give them all equal time. They all get assigned to a team color and they all got blue which was good when it came to who won. Everyone was equally happy. This was Coop's first year participating in the afternoon events (only for grades 4 & 5) and he had a lot of fun. Hudson went back to his classroom for a movie and Reagan and Tag hung out with me and Nana. Tag did so well just going with the flow and watching all the action. He seemed to manage to always be in the right place at the right time as far as treats went. He ended up with popsicles, suckers, watermelon, and who knows what else.
Tag always a faithful spectator - sometimes more interested in his sucker than anything else. By the end of the day they were all so tired. Everyone was in bed with lights out by 7:30. I wasn't too far behind.

Today Cooper's class with about 4 or 5 others were going to the Cultus Lake Waterslides for their year-end field trip. For the last couple of weeks I had been tossing the idea around to pull Hudson and Reagan out of school and take all the kids and join Coop up there. I knew Reagan would have some frineds going because other Moms were doing the same thing and then yesterday we found out that one of Hudson's friends was going too. And since H and R had nothing really very exciting happening for their last day of school we decided to go. The weather yesterday was so great so we were looking forward to a great day. This morning we woke up to very grey skies and cold wind but it was too late - the decision had already been made. We walked Cooper up to school to get on the bus with his class, went to H and R's class to let their teachers know they wouldn't be there and get report cards and then we walked back home to pack the van with our picnic lunch. When we got there the buses had just arrived and we all flooded through the gates. The kids wasted no time stripping down to their swim suits and running to the slides. The Moms all huddled with coffee cups and our kids beach towels wrapped around ourselves. It was cooooooold! Despite the cold and the small patch of rain the kids didn't complain (can't say as much for the moms). I strapped a lifejacket onto Tag and he was off. Usually he would just hop between the two hot tubs with an occasional stop on the kiddie slides. Hudson spent a lot of time with him and so did Reagan. Coop was off all day with his friends doing the big rides. The school bus left at 1:30 but the teachers brought the report cards so we took Cooper's and stayed for a few more hours. Coop and a few girls from his class were the only ones left so they grabbed Reagan and rode the big slides over and over again until we finally headed home at around 4:15. Hudson and Tag stayed back in the hot tub and were quite happy.
Reagan was shivering so hard in this shot she kept dropping her cracker. It was such a fun last day of school and I'm so glad I decided to take them all. A great kick off to summer. And summer is finally here - I have the sunburn to prove it. :)

Tomorrow we stay in our jammies with no where to go and no lunches to pack. Yipee!

Monday, June 23, 2008

SIX

The fresh face of six.
She made it through her sixth birthday with flying colors.The day started with Reagan opening up her gifts, which included a new big girl bike. Her very first bike of her own that wasn't a hand-me-down boys bike.
Then off to breakfast at McDonalds for the whole family. Birthday breakfasts are a tradition that Tony started years ago with the kids and at that time they were just with him and the birthday kid. But over the years the rest of the family got invited along.
Then we headed to the bowling alley for a party with all her little friends. They bowled, ate hotdogs and pizza, opened presents and had cupcakes. We had a little craft planned but we ran out of time - luckily Reagan didn't mind when I told her that she could still do the craft at home.
When we got home from the party Aunty Mary, Olivia, Rochelle, and Jake were already there. We enjoyed a fun afternoon with them - Reagan trying out her some of her new things and just good old hanging out.
Opa also dropped by to give Reagan birthday wishes and a lovely bag of candy (nothing better for Reagan). I think he enjoyed just sitting back and watching Reagan enjoy her day.
Reagan had requested tacos for her birthday dinner so we decided to go with a fiesta theme. I hung a few decorations and we had umbrellas in our drinks.
Then a few more gifts to open and a bit more play.This 'skip-it' wa a gift from Nana and a big hit. It didn't take her long at all to get the hang of it.
The day ended with build our own ice-cream sundaes for dessert (Reagan is not a 'cake girl').
As I tucked her into bed we talked about the day a little and how she had such a fun day doing all the things she loves. Being with her friends & family, playing outside (her absolute fave), having her big cousins visit, eating ice cream (another fave). She had an absolute joy of a day and I don't think anything could have been better for her. I was amazed at her ability to handle all the excitement with such calmness - not one tear all day. I was really proud of her and I can't remember any of the kids birthdays that I have enjoyed as much as this one. I think over the years I have sometimes let all the choas and busyness of the day take over and I forget to stop and enjoy the day with them. I was very conscious of that this year and it was so much better.
Happy Birthday my baby girl - mama loves you.

Friday, June 20, 2008

Happy Friday

Today was a full, busy, good day.

1. Last day of swimming lessons for Reagan and Tag. She moved on from crocodile to whale. He needs to be a salamander for a little while longer, which is okay because he informed that he hates "dumb, old" swimming lessons. The teacher pours water on his head even when he askes her to stop.

2. Kindergarten graduation. Very cute. Reagan was blessed this year with an exceptional kindergarten teacher and class. A really great group of kids and parents. Her and I both made some new friends this year. Very thankful for that.
3. Camp Rock. Enough said for anyone with kids about the ages of mine. The new Family Channel movie was on tonight at 8pm sharp and Cooper had the living room all set up for it to start. We had lots of candy and the kids had a great time. As you can see by the photo, this movie didn't provide as much entertainment if you were over the age of...say...12. Dad, put down the magazine, you're supposed to be watching.4. Reagan's birthday eve. Cupcakes are baked and frosted, goodie bags are filled and presents are wrapped. She is very excited and just a couple of minutes ago wondered downstairs saying that she is too excited to sleep. I really hope her day delivers. She so deserves it. Still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that she is 6. I am not going to get sappy but I can't promise the same a couple months from now when my baby turns 4.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Something...

I don't want to forget.
After running really hard all around the yard Taggart stopped for a moment like he was really paying attention to something.
me: what is it Tag?
Tag: My heart is beeping.
me: it's beeping?
Tag: Yup.... Is that good?
me: Yup, that's good.

And another something...

Reached over to 'fix' Coop's hair the other day and he says: "Mom, I've got a thing going here." (dripping with 10-year-old attitude) A thing?
Cooper: I've really been into fashion lately, hey Mom?
me: Ya Coop, you have.
His camo shorts and his red t-shirt are his extent of fashion but in his mind that is a coooool outfit. Bless his heart.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Another reason I love our neighborhood...

and our neighbors. When someone gets something fun it's exciting for all. This went up yesterday in the yard right next door. And we even got some sun to go with it.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Haven't seen the sun for so long that it's too bright to keep your eyes open.Yesterday afternoon we just sat out on the deck and soaked it in eating watermelon and ignoring the fact that it was dinner time and I had nothing to eat. So eventually we headed out to get some take-out.

I feel like I've really been neglecting my blog lately. Life has just been ticking along with very little to report, it seems. But I am looking ahead to a busy two weeks with school year-end stuff and of course Reagan's birthday next weekend. Can't believe my baby girl is going to be 6.


Happy Father's Day to all the papa's. We love you.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Weekend photos

Saturday was Lyndon and Erin's wedding. It was beautiful and Erin was gorgeous. But of course, in my heart, my kids stole the show. I know they're mine and I'm biased and I probably shouldn't say it but... "Aren't they just so cute?".

Here's the day...in photos:My handsome boys
Notice that Tag is carrying Evie's bouquet. :)

My kids were so happy to see Evie and spend time with her. Tag actually cried when he had to say goodbye to her. Looking forward to July when they come back for another visit.It was a great day and the kids were troopers. Such a great memory, for Reagan especially, the fancy dress and fancy hair-do. She didn't want the day to end.

This morning we all slept in and had a family day together at home. The weather held again and we even got outside. Shouldn't be surprising since it's June but let's not talk about the weather anymore...

A good old game of football

which always turns into wrestling.Love this one of Tag pulling up is pants
And on a completely different note - something about my girl. Of course I love my boys and I do not have a favorite child but I am so thankful that I was blessed with a girl. And the fact that I got this girl is another blessing in itself. She is happy and funny, she is a joy in my life that I can't explain. I find myself looking at her often, wondering how I ended up with someone like her. How did I get so lucky? She makes me want to be the best Mom that I can be. Girl power!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Change is good

Every once in a while I like to move things around. Usually it's my furniture but in this house there isn't too many ways I can go. So I decided to change things around a little here - on my blog. I changed the color. Got tired of the green and decided to go simple. Really into the clean look of white right now. I added some slide shows of the kids; thought it was a fun way to share more of my many photos. Would have done one of Tony and I, if we actually had any photos of ourselves. Very sad, really.
Don't know how long it will look this way but for now - hope you like it.