Mexico 2009 ~ the pool

If you ask the boys what their favourite part of the trip was, they will always say "the pool".
It had a pirate ship, a castle and disney characters painted on the walls.
9 waterslides, including this froggie slide (Caleb's favourite)Lots of little areas for kids of all ages to splash and have fun!

On our very first day there, a teenage girl came up to me and gave me her blow-up tube. She said she was leaving that night and wanted to give her tube to some kids so they would have fun. We had a lot of fun with that tube. And then on our last day, we passed it on to another family :)

One day, Caleb said "Mom, I saw another lady wearing a zucchinni too!" Silly boy!The pool was just perfect for us. It was not too deep for Caleb or Matthew. They could walk and swim around comfortably. Rick and I enjoyed sitting in the pool and watching the boys play. It was even heated! We all agree, the pool was the best!

Mexico 2009 ~ the ocean

Hello!

Earlier this month we escaped the cold Saskatchewan winter and headed south to Mexico again. We had a great time! It had only been ten months since our last trip to Puerto Vallarta, but we just couldn't wait to go back. We found things alot easier this year (not that they were hard last year). The boys were a year older and that really made a big difference.

We were so glad to see the ocean again. And the warm, sunny weather.

(not too sure what Caleb is doing here, but he's cute! This year, he enjoyed posing for the camera so we have lots of photos of him with cheesy smiles and silly poses. He's getting so grown up.)

The boys had fun, splashing around. They loved to jump the waves, search for seashells and explore the rocks.

This next one is probably my favourite photo of the whole trip. :)

More details of our trip to come. (I need to get my journalling down before I forget it all).

january

It's been so cold...

(here are some cold weather pictures)

And now it's warmed up a bit...

(here are some warm weather pictures)

And Rick had a birthday too!

And that is a brief summary of our month, so far :)

ten on tuesday

1. My grandpa has been sick lately :(
2. My sister is expecting a baby in June!
3. It's beginning to look alot like Christmas.
4. It's very, very, very cold here this week.
5. Brrr.
6. Today Rick booked a trip to Mexico for our family. We're going in Feb.
7. I wish we could go today.
8. Caleb made a gingerbread lantern at preschool today.
9. Matthew's Christmas concert is tomorrow night.
10. Wow, that wasn't too hard. I'll try to post more often.

tagged (twice!)

Hello,

Remember me? I think I might be hibernating :)

Well, I was tagged by Susie and Jenny L.

I need to go to my fourth folder and show you my fourth photo:

This was baby Caleb's first time on the ice! Way back in 2005!

We had a terrible skating experience this week (on this same outdoor rink) when Rick decided to take us all for an after-supper skate. Well, we didn't realize how bitterly cold it was. We also didn't realize that Caleb's helmet is a bit too tight. I do not recommend trying to force a tight helmet on in the middle of a bitterly cold evening. Let's just say that we "skated" for about 5 minutes and then decided to spend the evening doing something else.

Sending you all very warm thoughts...

how we spent our October

Hi!

October flew by and I didn't even post once. Oops.

Here are some highlights:

October 4th

We took the boys skating. This was Caleb's first time on skates. We tried to keep it a positive experience for him. Matthew remembered how to skate from last year. And everyone liked the vending machines at the rink!

October 6th

The boys and I had eye appointments. They did a super job. And we all have 20/20 vision (even me-I'm kinda proud of that).

October 12th

It snowed alot. We couldn't believe how much it snowed. We were a bit worried that winter had come early this year. But it melted later that week.

October 13th

We celebrated Thanksgiving at my parents' house. We had lots of turkey and pie. The boys (especially Caleb) had fun singing Kareoke. But when we were leaving, Caleb fell down the front steps and scraped up his face pretty badly. Poor guy.

October 14th

I voted. :)

October 15th

I got my haircut.

October 18th

Matthew started hockey. He's the one with the black helmet. He did a great job! It's so cute watching the little guys play. We could even see a big improvement just over the course of the hour that he was on the ice. His team is the Penguins. And he's number 12.

October 2oth

Matthew went to the dentist. Caleb "observed". His first appointment will be in six months. We were pleasantly surprised to run into one of Matthew's little friends at the dentist office. It was the highlight of the dentist appointment (that and the new toothbrush!)

October 22nd

We made pumpkin spread for our bread and also pumpkin milkshakes. Yum. Franklin liked them too. He was visiting from Caleb's preschool.

October 23rd

Matthew's Kindergarten Welcome Liturgy at his school. I was lucky to be able to get some time off work to be able to attend.

October 24th

I got sick :( It was no fun. I missed Matthew's hockey game the next day and also passed it on to Rick.

October 26th

We were able to attend a Pats hockey game with Matthew's hockey team. We had fun. It was great for the boys to see a real hockey game.

October 29th

Matthew's first show and tell day at school. He needed to bring something about himself. Because he likes building lego so much, we made a little album with photos of all the lego sets he's built at his Grandma's.

October 3oth

The boy with 100 costumes chose to wear his batman pyjamas to preschool on Halloween. As long as he's happy...

October 31st

Happy Halloween!

Our costumes...

Thanks to my mom for sewing me the cutest Little Red Riding Hood costume. I love it! (there are even real cookies in the basket)

Matthew the wizard.

Caleb the knight. We had beautiful weather for Halloween. The boys had a great time and loved getting so much candy! My mom took them trick or treating at the mall during the afternoon too!

ten on tuesday

1. It really is Tuesday. I cheated last night and did ten on Monday!

2. Caleb had a much better day at preschool. Thank you for all your prayers and sweet words.

3. The boys played hockey on the front driveway tonight with the neighbourhood kids (and their dad).

4. No, we don't have any snow yet. :)

5. Matthew had a substitute teacher today. Her name is Mrs. R. because her real name is too hard to say.

6. Matthew's class went to the gym for an assembly... or maybe a liturgy. We're not too sure. There was a song that he's heard at Church before... Hmmm. Maybe it was a singing practice for the liturgy that takes place on Friday! (I'm like a detective)

7. It's picture day this Friday at my school and I don't know what to wear.

8. I scrapbooked! Yay!

9. I'd still like to do a challenge Katy (and everyone else). Let me know what you'd like to do.

10. I'd better get to bed while it's still Tuesday. I've been staying up way too late for last little while.

Goodnight!

ten on tuesday

1. Caleb is having a tough time getting used to preschool. It's getting better, but it's still hard for him. He goes today. Wish us luck.2. Matthew is really enjoying Kindergarten right now. It's amazing how much French he is learning.

3. Here's a little peek at my classroom (this is me singing "bonjour mes amis" with some students in my class):

4. Except now we have this carpet:

(so the kids don't have to sit on the floor anymore-it arrived a day late-the day after that photo was taken)

5.And we have these little carpet squares to put on the big carpet:

6. And these shape/number carpet squares too!7. Here are the curtains that I sewed to cover my bookshelves in my classroom:

8. I've also been busy making a felt board and felt board characters. It's more fun than I thought. Today I made a turkey with various coloured feathers. (Canadian Thanksgiving is just two weeks away--gobble, gobble)

9. I mailed out my cards to Chrissy today too. But I forgot to take a photo of them. Mine are the pink and black ones :) It was nice to do some card-making again. I really should scrapbook again. Anyone interested in a scrapbooking challenge?

10. Please keep little Caleb in your thoughts and prayers. I'm sure this will get easier. I am very thankful that he has such a kind and caring teacher. Thank you.

PS. I'm actually posting this on Monday night, but just pretend I did it on Tuesday, okay?

:)

come and see

Today was Caleb's first day of preschool. It was a come and see day at the preschool and moms could stay. On Thursday he will go all by himself for an hour. And next Tuesday, it'll be for two hours. I'll be the helper next Tuesday so we will ease into it nice and slowly.

Dear Caleb,

I am so proud of you today. It was your first day of preschool. You were so excited to go see Mrs. Brown and all of the toys that you looked at when Matthew went to preschool there.

A few weeks ago we went on a date to buy your school supplies. You loved picking out a new backpack, crayons, markers, glue sticks and napkins. And then we went out for lunch at McDonalds. You loved that too.

You've been drawing pictures for Mrs. Brown for weeks with your new markers. And today you proudly gave her your colourful drawings. She was so happy. And so was I. I'm glad that you like her so much and that you shared your pictures with her.

Last night we worked on your homework funsheet. You used your new glue to stick some of your favourite things to the paper. You put a picture of Baby Bear, some super heroes, batman, toopy and binoo and honey nut cheerios. The theme at preschool for the beginning of the year is "favourites". And Mrs. Brown said you should wear your favourite outfit to school today...

I love you, Caleb. You had fun playing with T-Rex and sliding down the slide. You drove the police car and played in the kitchen. You found your mailbox and put your supplies away. You had such a great first day of preschool. You were so happy and so grown up!

Lots of love,

Mommy

first day of K, hooray!

Dear Matthew,

Today was your first day of Kindergarten. We are so proud of you. You got nervous a few days ago and you weren't too sure about staying alone. But Grandma reminded you that you always had fun at preschool and you were alone there. You reminded her that preschool was shorter than Kindergarten. But then (smart) Grandma asked you if you could have stayed a little bit longer at preschool if you would have had to and you said "of course". But you were nervous, nonetheless.

And then last night, Mommy and Daddy started to panic a bit. We got nervous about you taking the bus and being at such a big school. But we knew that you were ready for this and we knew that you would have a nice teacher to take care of you.

So this morning we snuggled a little extra and we built a fort in the living room. You were happy and relaxed and looking forward to going to school. Then you painted a picture for your new teacher. (it's a picture of you playing on the playground)

And you got all dressed up in your back-to-school clothes and shiny white runners. We took some pictures in the backyard. (Caleb's big day is next week... stay tuned)

Then, we came inside and you had a hot dog for lunch. Daddy came home from work and Mommy had to leave (it was the first day of Kindergarten for her class too). You and Daddy and Caleb waited for the bus on the driveway. (Grandma took pictures and offered moral support) While you waited for the bus, you boys played tennis.The bus finally arrived and Daddy helped you get on.
There you are (it's also comforting to see that the bus has passed the safety inspections!)

Daddy followed the bus to school and met you there.And he took you to your classroom. You met your teacher and you had a great day!

You:

-sang Bonjour mes amis, Aurevoir mes amis and Alouette.

-drew a picture of yourself

-had a banana chocolate chip muffin for snack.

-brought your canteen water bottle to drink.

-put away all your school supplies.

-played with the blocks and made the Eiffel Tower.

-played outside at recess.

-got on the wrong bus afterschool, but were so brave and got to the right one before they left. (phew)

-got a present (buzz lightyear slushee maker) from Grandma when you got home.

Sweet Matthew, we are so proud of you. We know that you are going to learn so much at school and we are happy to watch you take this big step in life. We love your enthusiasm, your positive attitude, you kind heart and your "holy daring". Enjoy this special time. I know we will.Lots of love,

Mommy

P.S I'm not nearly as nervous (even though we're sending Grandma to watch you get on the bus afterschool next week)