Baby Bird

A little while ago Vaughn became obsessed with birds and even took the obsession so far that h e started calling himself 'baby bird'. I didn't
think much of it, he's a pretty creative kid that plays make believe all the time. Well it is a month later and the baby bird obsession is firmly entrenched. Vaughn is baby bird, I am mommy bird, Matt is daddy bird and so in. It gets to be quite a mouthful with great grandma bird.

It is really funny, he will say something and then add a 'tweet' on the end just to make sure you know he really is a bird. He refers to his meals as seeds and worms and our house is now called the bird house, 'Mommy bird, should baby bird go back to the bird house?". This Sunday at church one of my friends stuck her head out of the toddler room door and said, 'Vaughn is asking for a Mommy bird ... I'm not sure what that is'. That one was a little embarrassing and when he calls me that at the grocery store my face may turn a bit red but generally it's pretty funny. I especially love when he is asking for something 'please mommy bird, please mommy bird, please'. If i call him Vaughn he will often correct me, doesn't matter where we are he wants to be called baby bird.

I think the baby bird idea may stem from us calling Greta baby girl. We call her that a lot but Vaughn does not want to be called baby boy, he is clearly a big boy. Well maybe my big boy still needs to be a baby sometimes and this is how he works it out. Regardless of why, I think it's hilarious and can't wait to see how long it lasts!

Ontario Visit

It's been a few days since I've been back and since I don't feel like cleaning my house I think blogging is the appropriate thing to do.

I think that this trip to Ontario is one of the best ones I've ever had! It had all my favourite things, hot weather, family, friends, trips to the cottage, picking blueberries, walks to the farmer's markets, the zoo and so much more.

Going home is always fun but I think my family got to really enjoy the kids this time which makes the trip so much better. Vaughn was always a Mama's boy at the age Greta is at so my family didn't always get to enjoy him. Greta on the other hand generally couldn't care less where I am so she had her arms out to anyone and everyone. My Grandpa really got to enjoy her and I loved watching him hold her and play with her. Vaughn took to my Grandma and told us on several occasions that she was the favourite part of his day. She sat and played play-dough with him for what seemed like hours.

Tracy, Cara and I promised ourselves a while ago that we would go away together to celebrate turning 30. My Mom and sister agreed to watch the kids and I headed out with my two best friends for 3 much needed days of relaxation and fun. I have amazing friends here in Edmonton but there is something about the friends you grow up with that is so special. It doesn't matter where our lives take us we pick up like we just saw each other yesterday. The first night we took a late night trip to the movie theatre that made me feel like I was in highschool again. Picking up to go to a movie on a whim just isn't how my life works anymore but it felt so good. Trips to the ice cream store, walks to work off the ice cream, lounging in the heat on the dock, pedicures and shopping made for 3 perfect days. Thanks my friends I needed those days!!

We did so many fun things I don't think I can do it all justice. Picking blueberries is a favourite thing to do because it's fun but mostly because I get to take home delicious blueberries. It had been awhile since I was home to enjoy blueberry season so I think that made if feel even more special. My Mom, grandparents, kids and I all picked about 3 baskets. Vaughn was amazing and loved every minute. There was not 1 complaint and he picked 1/4 bag all by himself and didn't want to stop when we'd picked enough. My little piglet loved it too but mostly because we pushed her stroller into the blueberry bushes and let her eat to her hearts content.

I could write for hours about all the great things we did but I think instead I'll just hit some highlights
- being in Ontario while the corn was on . . . delicious
- Grandma's back yard inflatable pools . . . and weather nice enough to enjoy them
- Vaughn being brave enough to feed the deer and other animals at the zoo
- Greta quacking at all the birds at the zoo
- Vaughn declaring that the crocodile at the zoo was "THE BIGGEST ONE HE'S EVER SEEN"
- The beach . . . I love the beach
- Dragging my sister across the border for shoes and spending 2 hours in the car apologizing for the 2 hour wait
- My kids getting to know my family
- Greta lighting up when she saw her Uncle John
- The Fields . . man I like them
- The Cottage . . . every second spent there was my favourite
- Seeing my Dad and Grandma
- The weather, I LOVE humidity
- Hanging out with Tracy and Rob and even the sad moment when Vaughn walked around the house looking for Malachi because if Uncle Rob and Aunt Tracy were there than he must be too. This is a favourite because it means he still remembers them
- Going for bike rides after the kids went to bed
- Being away from my kids for a few days
- Seeing my kids again after being away for a few days


I'm sure I've missed a few things but I can't be any clearer, it was an amazing trip. This one was harder than the other ones when it was time to leave. Vaughn understands that he doesn't get to see all these people when we get home and watching him cry during goodbyes was heart breaking. I try not to think of the goodbyes though and just count myself blessed that my family loves me so much and we get to have great times together making great memories we all remember for the long periods in between visits.

Thanks for making our trip so wonderful I love you all!

Family Fun Day 2010

We don't often get time away as a family but every summer we try and do a few days together doing something fun. We usually head down to Calgary to the Zoo but this year with Matt working on the house there wasn't enough time. It doesn't really matter though because 1-2-3 Imagine with Elmo came to Captial Ex this year and we had a gift card for ticketmaster which equals 2 happy kids going to see the one, the only Elmo! We also discovered that our Elmo tickets included admission to Capital Ex so we planned our Family Fun Day for 2010 with Elmo and Vaughn's first time experiencing the midway!

We told Vaughn a few days ahead of time that he was going to see Elmo and so we counted 'night time sleeps' until the big day. I love telling him things ahead of time because it just gets so excited! The morning of Elmo he woke up and said, "Mommy we need to have breakfast, get dressed in my Elmo shirt and go see Elmo!" It's so fun now that he really understands things!

I packed a lunch and snacks for the kids, and we headed off to see Elmo. I knew that Vaughn would love the show but I hadn't anticipated how much Greta would love it. I guess that's why they charge for 1 year olds. Vaughn's little face just lit up when the characters came out, it was priceless. Greta danced, clapped and 'sang' along with the music. She was so fun to watch, she was mesmerized. After intermission the stage was turned into the Elmo's World set much to the delight of all the kids. Vaughn sang along to the theme song and was thrilled to watch 'real' Elmo and Elmo's World. The show was a little too long for Greta and well, for me too but it was so worth it. Vaughn singing along to "if you're grouchy and you know it' was one of my favourite parts of the show!

We left the freezing Elmo live show and headed into the boiling hot Capital Ex (it was hovering around 30, that's hot for Edmonton)! We started with lunch while waiting for the Fifi and the Flowertot's show to start. It was too hot to sit and watch, so we decided to skip the show and head straight for the midway. I didn't know if Vaughn would be too scared to do any of the rides but he surprised me and was more than game. He wanted to go on all the rides even the ones he wasn't tall enough for! I guess there was one exception, he did NOT want to go on the swing ride and I couldn't really blame him I hate that ride too!

Greta was sound asleep in the stroller while Vaughn rode 3 rides, played 3 games and generally had the best time. I love our family fun days because I love my family!

Pictures to follow when iphoto decides to work!

What's your sister's name?

Vaughn was asked what his sister's name was at the park the other day and this answer was . . .

"Her name is, she eats my supper!"

You can tell there was some residual bitterness that he had to share 1 of the 3 peanut butter sandwiches I'd made them to share for lunch that day at the park!

Greta's Birthday

Greta had a birthday week extravaganza or at least it felt like it. We had her party on Saturday with some good friends that love her and were thrilled to celebrate with her. Sadly, she was sick on Saturday so not really in the party girl mood.

I decided that the theme for her birthday would be Ladybugs. Can I just say that I made the completely right decision, from the cake, to the decorations, to sending my Mom to Bonnie Togs for the perfect lady bug outfit complete with antenna, it rocked! The party turned out better than I could have hoped!



Her first taste of cake was a hit, opening presents without too much help from her big brother went over great. It was a great day with great friends for a most wonderful baby girl. We had a family party for her the day before her birthday since Daddy was home for dinner that night. Vaughn soloed the Happy Birthday song and did a tremendous job! She opened presents from us and one special lady bug toy that Vaughn picked out just for her. Her actually birthday fell on our church friends park day so I made some mini banana chocolate chip muffins and celebrated with a perfect morning at the splash park, complete with a round of Happy Birthday to You!


She has been well celebrated and gets to head to Ontario to celebrate again with our family there and especially with Great Grandma since they share a birthday. How amazing is it that my baby girl shares a birthday with one of the woman I most admired and strive to be like in my life. If she can be even 1/2 the woman my Grandma is she will be tremendous!


I can't believe she is 1 already, it feels like she was just born. She has been a more difficult baby than Vaughn but I don't resent or wish away any moment, even the sleep deprived ones and there were a lot of them. I wondered if I would be able to love another child as much as I love my Vaughn. Mothers always told me that you do but I have to admit I was nervous. I know now I shouldn't have been, it's amazing how the Lord designed Mothers and our capacity to love. I don't love Vaughn an ounce less now that Greta is here but I love her equally with Vaughn. She is the light of my life, the joy in my mornings. I count myself blessed to have such a beautiful, special gift from God in my children but especially Greta since this is her birthday blog. I love her more than I can say and I can't wait to see the journey that the Lord takes her on in the years to come. I would pray that they be pain free and easy but I know no matter what comes her way we are a family and there is nothing we can't do when we do it together.

Love you baby girl!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Birthday Greta