Thank You Thunder Bay

We have met some wonderful people here. I feel a little sad that we are leaving, because we have built some great relationships. I want to say Thank You, you've made our short stay enjoyable.


Our internet is being cut off soon, so I'll say goodbye Thunder Bay now.
I will be back posting as soon as I can. OMG I move in 2 days, I should be packing.

Nearing the end

My reader ship has dropped, maybe becauese every post has the word "pack" in it.

What you came here to hear about the kids? Right.

I can do that I guess......

We filled today with lots of playing, We met our friends at McDonalds , this was the kids first time. The fries were a hit, Ava didn't leave a nugget uneaten and chocolate milk, not a drop was left undrunk. Most importantly though there was a play place and boy was that a hit. It was so nice to have a chat with Lisa and the kids being independent enough to play on their own. Through the tunnels and down the slides they went.
If that wasn't enough, we also went one last time to the gym. I got one last sauna and a short workout. The kids had to say goodbye to some great people, I hope my Bambinos know how well they were taken care of. Sorry we missed saying goodbye to so many of you.

With a short nap in the car and an afternoon of helping me pack, they were so helpful. They knew exactly when things weren't packed just right. Emptying the boxes for me so I could repack them to their standards. They are very picky packers!

Is it an accomplishment if you've finished packing a room that didn't have anything in it? Because if so Ya me I finished packing a room. 1 down 5 to go :P

Just a Relaxing Sunday

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Some Maternity Photos

If you want to check out some of the Maternity pictures I took for my friend Lisa check out her blog. She is also a Photographer there are some great pictures on her blog as well as her website. So go check her out :)

Dear Winter,

I though we had an agreement, you would stop your disgusting behavior and I would really enjoy the warm weather. Obviously there was a little miscommunication so lets be a little clearer, By disgusting behavior I mean if I were looking out my window right now (which I am) I would not be seeing white ice crystals, fluttering out of your cold grasp. Please understand in order to keep the joy I get the first time I see you each fall. There is something I must ask of you, Please leave NOW!

Thanks
Jenn

Guess What I Heard For The First Time Today

NO!

let the fun begin!!!!!

Ya Me :)

I hope you like it!!!!!

Every other picture I've tried works just not the one I want to post mrrrrrr

Nope that didn't work!!!!!

Picture of the day

Come on you, upload upload UPLOAD!!!!!! Kick, Kick, (breath Jenn breath). I will get this picture to upload if it's the last thing I do tonight.

This Time It Was Funny

It finally happen in my house. The Bambinos have reach a new independent stage. I bet your all thinking, Talking? Climbed out of their cribs? Reading? Potty trained already? Nope they have become interior decorators, see.......


Now we have a custom designed fax machine(something I've always wanted). Maybe we could sell them on the net.

And I Didn't Have My Camera

I looked all day for the cord to charge my camera, but alas I didn't find in time to have it all charged for our walk. Which was too bad because it was a fun one. Ethan wore his spring coat from last year (ya I know, last year, this boy is saving me money on clothes lol). It must have felt weird to have a coat that stopped at the waist because he would lift up his arms, swing, rotating his upper body back and forth, drop them, run and catch up. Over and over we couldn't stop laughing. Although the best shots would have been the Bambinos walking the dogs for the first time. What a halabalu!!!!! I almost peed my pants I was laughing so hard. There were dogs, kids and dropped leashes everywhere. At one point both dogs were free, both kids were on the ground and the stroller was being blown away by the wind. Yikes, it's a good thing I wasn't alone, not that I'd have the nerve to attempt something that crazy on my own!!!!!
So there are no pictures of the kids today, but Ethan happens to be a budding photographer, so I thought I'd post one of the pictures he took of Ant.....

AHHHH!!! I hate packing why is this taking soooo long, oh ya 2 toddlers. But they are locked in their cages up stairs..... I mean napping, so back ater. Just wanted to say HI :)

Boxes, Boxes and more Boxes

Thanks for dropping by today. Unfortunately I'm packing blah. I want to get most of the packing done before this weekend so that we can spend our last weekend here doing more interesting things then seeing how much we can stuff into boxes. So short and sweet.

Things They Never Tell You

I was told wait till they start moving, they will not stay where you leave them(bambinos that is). Well not that it's not obvious, but what they left out was that neither would anything else. Everything gets moved around. You know the feeling you get when you lose your keys, you scan your brain trying remember any clue that will lead you to them. Picture that only there will be no leads as the last time you saw them means nothing, notta, zilch.
Things that have gone missing this week:

• sippy cup (6 to be exact)
• the wipes, and the refills(at separate times)
• library books
• DVD's
• dog lead
• the phone
• forks
• TV remote
• DVD remote
• Keys
• my mind

Pictures of the day, a couple more pictures from our walk yesterday....

Todays Walk

To change things up today our walk ended up on the gulf course. This meant some extra freedom for the bambinos. They took full advantage of this, running, and finding the odd deep puddle to jump into. Our walked ended in 2 very soaked feet.

Some things must come to an end

Ant and I have had a rocky relationship with a particular restaurant. It started out all roses (relationships always do don't they) A place to enjoy a Sunday morning brunch. It was walking distance from our apartment in Toronto with good food, delicious muffins and great service. Then they stopped serving breakfast, ouch. Ok ok we could deal with this and went for lunches and the odd dinner, but over time this faded. I rekindled the relationship years later with friends. It became our hangout for Tuesday night Girls Night. I became comfortable again with our regular booth and a refreshing Bellini. Until again a change in the menu hit me hard, one at a time all my favorites were removed. We held in there for a little while longer, but the Bellini's went sour and we found other places to go. I am curious as to the reason Ant and I pick this particular restaurant for lunch yesterday. Still more changes had been made since I had last been, fancier and slower (although that might have something to do with 2 impatiant toddlers, but since my kids are perfect I really doubt it). How they accommodate children, paper place mats and crayons, booster seats and oh ya the biggie apple juice comes in a whiskey glasses. So this ends this relationship, we will no longer attempt to even pretend we are friends..... This relationship is OVER!!!

19 Months

Another month has sped by.

A Bakers Dozen

12, a dozen, mmmmm I feel like a muffin.... I'm getting sidetracked already..... we move in 12 days and I hate packing!!!! Everyone asks if we've started yet, my answer is no. Normally this would be because I was procrastinating, but I have a get out of jail card on this move. We use almost everything we have here every day, so this is going to be more like packing for a trip then a move :) or thats how my mind (living in denial) is going to look at it. I think it will turn out to be a challenging little game for Ant and I, how fast can we pack all our stuff with 2 toddlers, 2 dogs, 1 cat and still be happily married at the end. And if that isn't testing us enough we somehow have to keep the entire troop happy or at least entertained for the 18 hr drive :P If all this sounds fun to anyone out there, just raise your hand we can swap lives, I'd totally be game.

I was board waiting for Ant to get home last night so I played a bit with some pictures, here is Ava and her new spring coat.....


A quick question: Why is it the kids sleep through the night when I staying up late????? If I go to bed early at least one of them is up at night. Just wondering :p

Ava's Eye

Spring makes everything better!!

I love Spring...... I love spring more as a parent then any other time in my life so far!!!! I went to the gym and all I had to do was put on the kids jackets, shoes and walk out the door. I didn't even need to carry anyone they each walked to their side of the car. Ethan actually got into his seat by himself. Windows down and the music up, and off we went.

No pictures today, I can't get them to upload tonight. I'll give you a silly video instead.

A New Freedom

Picture of the day, another from yesterdays trip to the park...... (and they did sleep through the night :)Yippee!!!!! I can do things on my own again. It's been almost 19 months and I can get out of the car get the kids out of their car seats and walk into a store. No car seats, no strollers and no one else around to help. I've made three outings. Three!!! I think thats the start of a trend. First one was at chapters, we went in, played with the Thomas trains at the back and walked out without incident. Second trip was to the post box out side of the grocery store, which meant that I deserved some chocolate for being so brave. So we went in and picked out some chocolate waited patiently at the register and made it back to the car again without incident. And then today I tried a Wal Mart trip. I cheated a little and put Ethan in the cart, but Ava walked along holding the cart. And guess what, it was without incident :) I'm so happy, and proud at how well they behave. Although I haven't tried an outing any longer then 15 minutes because really I'm brave not crazy :P
I hope you are all enjoying this great spring weather.

They should sleep through the night!

We had a fun day. Daddy was home after a long weekend away.
First off we ignored the tears and gave Ethan a long needed hair cut. It wasn't to bad after he was distracted with the remainder of chocolate Easter eggs. So now he can see without that crazy mop on his head.


The remainder of the snow was taken care of by Ethan with a little help by the 13 degrees we experienced today. He loves to shovel, he has to do a little every day, not sure what he's going to do now???? Maybe he'll help me garden (he he he).




Then great lunch and a short nap (without bottles :)

After nap time we headed down to the marina for some play time. There is a great park, there is also some construction so diggers and trucks to ooh and ah over. I got to play a bit with my camera, I need to work on playground pics cuz I only got a couple I liked. I'm sure the kids won't mind this backdrop very much. Here are some of the ones I liked.......

To Nap or not to Nap???

That is the Question I was wondering. I imagined crying and hysterics, never having a free moment during the day again...... I was a pusher, milk, pure sleeping sweetness. Drink my pretties drink.... Apparently I was underestimating how amazingly adaptable by Bambinos are, because right now we are in day two of withdrawals and really there is not much of a difference. So after a couple more days of this to build my confidence. I might gain the strength for the removal of the "night time bottle". I have to make sure I'm ready to give up my pusher status.

Picture of the Day

When does a 1 year old hold all the power?

When your peeking out from behind a curtain and they have their hand on the handle of the toilet.

"don't show weakness, don't show weakness"

Have a great day!

Running, Chairs and Danc.ing on Tables

I ran today, on the treadmill. I was a hamster in a hamster wheel for 70 mins. I spent my whole time at the Gym running. I wish I had kept a tally of all the running I've done here. I wonder if I could have run all the way home yet?

We had a great day, did you know that we only brought 2 kitchen chairs with us? Yep I wasn't thinking very far ahead when I planned that. Can you guess who wants to sit in regular chairs? Yep me and Ant, but thats not the answer I was looking for (we don't fit in the high chairs so really we don't have an option). So I can tell you've all deduced that it's the Bambinos.

Ava loves the Library, so much so in fact that she cried all the way home when we got there today and it was closed. She was so upset when we pulled away, big tears. So I let her jump in the puddles a little longer then usual when we got home.

Why doing dishes is bad for my children's health........ Seriously danc.ing on the table...... If this is what they get up to while I'm in the kitchen at age 1. At 16 I'm not leaving them home alone for a week...... think of all the shananagens they would get into......

January 11 2008

What that's not today's date???? You could have fooled me.


This winter has turned Ants hair white lol oh the stress!!!!!!

Pictures of the day

A Birthday Party

Ava and Ethan were invited to their first ever Birthday Party. So this morning, I got up all excited, wrapped presents, bouncing around getting everyone ready. I have to say the kids didn't seem to share in my enthusiasm, actually they gave me a lot of weird looks. I'm going to chalk this lack of enthusiasm up to not knowing what a party is and next time they'll join me :)
We had a great time, they love hanging out with Ezra and Matthijs.

Things I Loved About This Morning

1. Ava and I dancing to Shania Twain
2. Ethan first attempt at giving a massage
3. Playing Ring Around the Rosie, Ava and Ethan holding hands as we spin around and then we all fell down :P
   
4. Getting the house nice and clean, even organized
5. Everyone happy and excited
6. Ava and Ethan coloring while I do dishes, keeping them selfs occupied while still interacting with me
7. Being home for an early nap
   
8. Hearing them playing up stairs while I write this and not needing me at this exact moment (can I say how RELAXING that is)
   

Kiss and Tell

I was so excited when Ethan first puckered up and gave me his first kiss. Joy spilled out of my heart a tear escaped my eye. He now asks for them, Ethan loves giving kiss, but now I'm starting to wonder "have I created a monster" :P He can't stop, is there a kissers anonymous out there some where??????? some 12 step program that can help........



Picture of the day, Ethan chill'n......


Note: Ava gave me her first kiss yesterday :) more melting then my heart can take I tell ya!!!

100 th POST!!!!!

WOW! I've blabbed away 100 posts already. I'm glad you've hung around to see what my bambino's have been up to. So I thought I'd post then and now pictures.....

Ethan 100 posts ago.

Ethan now.

Ava 100 posts ago.



Ava now.


Ava seems to be sleeping less during the day now. I'm lucky if she sleeps more then half an hour. So we've started a new ritual, we get out our crayons. This is really helping her learn her colors. Today Ava showed her Daddy what colors were which. She knew red every time and green, yellow and blue 25% of the time.
Ethan has gotten really good at giving kisses. He will even give one to Ava I caught one with the camera today.........
I know this is a lot of pictures today, but I finally caught a picture of Ethan's dirty look so I had to share it with you......

Monday Morning

I hope you had a great weekend!!!!!!

Things I've learned today

This seems to be the theme title of most of the blogs I read. So I thought I'd be a lemming.....

• I actually only have one. I have learned never let your guard down. There are many phases while raising children and all though I've only been through a small amount. I've noticed some of these phases blend smoothly into the next you don't even see them happen. Then there are others that slap you in the face!!! Yesterday my children did not know how to use the zipper on my makeup bag. Today however......

If you'll notice Ava is for sale she is a size 24 months
Please leave your offers in comments.

Potty News

Late breaking news on the potty front...... I'll give you the good news first, we caught the second half of Ethan an poop in the toilet :) bad news..... the first half was found floating in the tub..... He did however really enjoyed making all kinds of grunting noises, he'd grunt and pretend to push the laugh and giggle and then do it all over again. He is so a boy!!!!!!!

The bucket is back

Well the bucket is back down stairs (it was a tub toy for awhile), and can you guess the first place it went. Yep that's right, Ethan's head..... here for all you new readers.
Ava finally got new shoes.....



Who are these people in my house??????

And what happened to my bambino's it must be something about Thunder Bay....... Maybe it's in the food?????


I had to post this pick, she looks so much like my mom in this one....



And last but not least a kiss from Ethan, he now gives kisses when you ask for them.