Sleepover with Princess Simone.

We had the privledge of having Cousin Simone join us for 2 sleepovers while her Mommy and Daddy went away for a break. We had so much fun having a girl around. It was like having twins with her and Luke only being 10 weeks apart. As you can tell from the pictures they have very similar interests. Where one went the other was close to follow. It's amazing how the littlest things can consume a toddlers mind and provide excitement for such long periods of time. Simone doesn't have steps in her house so Luke and her played on the steps for half hour stretches at a time. Often when Simone left the room you could find her playing again on the steps. Luke and Simone are on similar schedules and have a lot of things in common. They both have white knit blankies that they sleep with, they both suck their thumbs when they are tired and when they see their white blankies, They both love baths and going for walks with their moms. They both wear sleepsacs to bed, sleep with their blankies and have a teddy bear. If I had twins this is how I would picture life. It was really neat having her over and opening her suitcase to see such a display of PINK! and she had little hair clips and pink booties. So cute. We are so thankful to have such a precious little niece who we get to spend so much time with. Thank you Auntie Mel and Uncle Pete!

One of These Things is not like the others...

Can you pick out which one is different?

Our First Snowfall

This is our first snowfall. The boys were so excited to get outside and play in it. It did take1/2 hour to get them all dressed and bathroom runs etc. One mistake I made was getting Luke dressed first. He couldn't even stand up in his snowsuit and winter boots. He was laying like a ball on the floor crying the whole time I got Andrew and Sam ready. He's so determined to be like his brothers and play in the snow. He ended up crawling most of the time and I brought him in kicking and screaming after 15 minutes because he was losing his mittens and his boot once. The joys of Toddlers and the snow. My plan this winter is to play with the older two outside while Luke naps.

Simple Woman # 9

FOR TODAY
October 8, 2009

Outside my window...
SNOW! Can you believe it? There is a good inch of snow on everything. It looks so pretty but I'm not quite ready for it yet. Sam still needs a snowsuit and all of the boys need winter boots. If they do make outside to play today it will be in their rubber boots!

I am thinking...
That I want to accomplish something today and feel productive. I plan to cut up old jeans into squares to make a denim rag blanket for Andrew's bed. Sam has one that I made already but I'd like one for Andrew too.

I am thankful for...
dinner with Mom last night while our husbands were working.(Ken's in Regina at a teacher's convention and Dad is driving the truck for beet harvest.) I'm sure most women can relate, getting through the day is fine as well as putting all the kids to bed on our own but dinnertime it sure is nice to have your husband around and to share your day with each other.

From the kitchen...
bread in the breadmaker, chocolate chip cookies in the oven, leftover macaroni casserole for dinner and homemade applesauce.

I am wearing...
jeans and a brown short sleeved shirt.

I am going...
to bundle the kids up soon and take them for a walk in the snow. It will probably be an hour of dressing them and undressing them and 20 minutes of walking but oh well. Fresh air is good right and we have to enjoy this snow before it melts.

I am reading...
a Todays Parent magazine

I am hoping...
that we have a fun day playing. Cousin Simone is coming for a sleepover tonight. Her Mom and Dad are away for a few days of relaxation. Can't wait to have a little girl around the house.

I am hearing...
the radio, Andrew and Sam playing lego and Luke getting impatient in his booster seat. He just finished his snack and wants out and the timer on the oven. The last of the cookies are done.

Around the house...
outdoor toys need to be put away as well as lawn chairs and the kids swimming pool. Bathrooms need cleaned Uggghhh. Beds still need to be made, a load of laundry or two.

One of my favorite things...
pumpkin pie with whipping cream at Thanksgiving.
a nice long uninterupted bath in the tub.
a massage.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Ken gets back Friday night, Simone will get picked up Friday night and Dwayne and Trixie arrive to Coaldale Friday night then swimming Saturday and get togethers with family, Sunday church and Thanksgiving dinner.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...(No pictures today, for some reason I haven't taken any for almost two weeks. )

Simple Woman # 8

A Picture Thought: Last weekend we went to Pumpkin Fest at a local greenhouse. They had a petting zoo, horse and wagon rides, pumpkin pie and lots of games for the kids to play. The boys were actually quite timid of the animals. You can sure tell they aren't growing up on a farm.

FOR TODAY September 30, 2009

Outside my window...
cloudy and +8. Really cool. They've been calling for rain last night, then this morning and now early afternoon. We have yet to see it.

I am thinking...
that I should take the boys for a walk/bike ride before it rains.

I am thankful for...
my great sister in law Trixie who I just talked to on the phone for an hour and a half. We have the greatest chats and I always end up smiling lots after our conversations.

From the kitchen...
I'm stumped. I have no idea what to make for dinner. Groceries are getting low and my creativity isn't there. Maybe BLT's...

I am wearing...
maternity pants that I have to keep pulling up and a teal long sleeved shirt and my black down vest. I'm still chilly though.

I am going...
to Bible Study tonight with my husband. We go to a mixed Bible Study every 2 weeks and we are studying a book called the Ten Commandments. We are on Commandment #9 " You shall not be a false witness against your neighbor." Duet. 5:20

I am reading...again...nothing. I do need to read more other than children's books.

I am hoping...
that things go better for Sam soon with me dropping him off at preschool. I was bragging about how great he was adapting to it and then the last few times he cried his heart out when we left him. He is always fine once I'm gone but he can really pull a number on me while I'm there. He likes going still but he wants us to stay with him. This morning was a bit tough because I left him crying and then we went to Women's Bible Study where I left Luke in the nursery crying as well. Why can't children see that these things are fun for them? Don't they want a break from me as well? I guess I shouldn't complain. Someday I will be wishing they want me around more or that they would be more attached to me. Sigh...

I am hearing...
treehouse on TV which has been on for far too long. The boys and I are going to go outside as soon as I'm done this.

Around the house...
upstairs windows to clean, kitchen floor to scrub, toys to organize etc. etc.

One of my favorite things...
lately a big bowl of chocolate icecream with sliced bananas and chocolate chips. Not at all good for me!!! Well the banana is.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Thursday and Friday will be housework days, library with the kids, maybe a playdate and a haircut and highlights for me. I can't wait for some pampering. I'm going to go for red highlights this time for a change. Could be interesting.

Simple Woman # 7

A Picture Thought for you: This was a few weeks ago at the park. Three of my monkies were climbing around.

FOR TODAY September 22, 2009

...Outside my window

Sunshine and +29. Thankfully it cools down at nights, tomorrow they are calling for +32.

..I am thinking

that tomorrow would've been my mom's 54th birthday and I'm also thinking about my cousin Kelly who will be having a C-section tomorrow and welcoming her 2nd little girl into the world. Praying that all goes well for her and the delivery.

...I am thankful for

playgroups and Bible Study groups that allow me to get out with other moms and women and that also give the boys a break from me while they play with other kids their age.

...From the kitchen

tonight was cheesy potato scallop, Honey BBQ meatloaf and Corn on the cob.

...I am wearing

black yoga capris and a black tank top

...I am going

to start preparing for Bible Study soon. We are studying Acts.

...I am reading

nothing. Any good recommendations out there?

...I am hoping

to sit in the bath tonight and relax after I put the boys to bed. Ken is at a meeting and I plan to go to bed early.

...I am hearing

my wonderful dishwasher cleaning today's dishes

...Around the house

I've been procrasinating on my bathrooms all week, I have potatoes to peel so Ken's mom can can them for me, and a kitchen floor to scrub and that's about it.

...One of my favorite things

is getting a phone call from family out East. Today my Aunt Carolyn called out of the blue and we had a great chat and then I got an email from my Aunt Debbie. What a treat. Both are my mom's sisters.

...A few plans for the rest of the week

Tomorrow Sam has preschool, I have Bible Study while Andrew goes to storytime and Luke goes to the nursery, Thursday will be a day at home and Friday I'm getting together with my good Friend Amanda for a visit.

For My Wonderful Brother!

Happy Birthday to my dear brother Kevin who I miss so much! I'm thinking of you lots today as you turn 35. You are a wonderful brother and a great friend! I miss our fun times together and I wish we had more of them. When I do come home to visit, I can hardly wait to see you and that huge grin! Boy do I miss that grin. I am so thankful that I have such a great brother to grow up with. You have turned into quite the young man. Owner of a business, a husband and a great Daddy that loves his daughter so much. I love spending time with you and seeing so many traits and characteristics of Mom and Dad in you as well as myself. Today I hope you have a wonderful day with friends and family and I hope you know you are in my thoughts and prayers today and everyday. Love you.