Happy Birthday Oliver v 4.0

Dear Oliver,

Four years from this moment you came in to the world, early and on your own terms. I should have known then that you’d be a handful. I often say the person who coined the twos as terrible had clearly not lived through the threes yet. If I’m completely honest, much of this year was a challenge as you pushed your boundaries and tested our patience. When I’m at my wits end I think of what your Oma  once told me. She told me that when kids turn 4 they turn in to lovely little people. I’ve held on to that and I’m thrilled to say that in the last few weeks I feel like she might be right. You’ve been just delicious lately and I hope we see this side of you more and more as the year goes on.

 

This year has brought so many changes in your life. You were thrown from our quiet, isolated life in Nunavut to a world where you’ve had to navigate all new social situations. You’ve found your place among our extended family. Isaac, Erik and yourself have become the best of friends and you love spending days at Courtney’s, Oma’s and Grammy's. You've also adjusted from being at home with me to going to a babysitter and to Preschool 3 days a week. You seem to be thriving and we’ve seen so many positive changes brought on by the additional stimulation and structure that going to school brings to your life. I love hearing about what you've learned at the end of the day. And I really enjoy you singing me songs your songs. And of course, you never sing without doing a silly dance along with it. It's just the way you roll.

 

You are growing up to be a wonderful young man I can be proud of. People always comment on how polite you are and how you are very considerate and kind to other people. You wear your heart on your sleeve and that heart is huge. You aren’t shy to tell people you love them or will miss them sooooo much. I'm happy to say that you are also very, very smart. You love to see how things work and still have that love of pushing buttons to see what happens. You are forever surprising us with how your brain works. You seem to be 3 steps ahead of us most time and know how to work things to your advantage. I see your father in how your brain works and I’m already dreading your teenage years. It will certainly be interesting.

 

Through all the ups and downs you always keep us laughing. Whether it was a memorable quote or you just being the silly guy you are you can always bring a smile to our faces. Some of my favorite quotes of the year are:
-I’m a pizza eater and this is my pizza eater costume!
-(after farting in the tub) No mommy, you don’t have to say 'excuse me' if there’s bubbles.
-Get Tank out of here! He’s freakin’ me out!
-I’m all dressed and I look fantastic!
-See you at my house Santa! Don’t forget to be quick and bring Super Mario 10 with you!
-I’m sweet.... and sour.
-When I turn 8 I’m going to get boobs like yours.
-“what’s going on?” Said on the Scrambler while laughing insanely.
-Snackarama!

 Some things I want you to know about your self-

-You have a mad obsession with Mario Brothers and insist that we call you Mario. Isaac is Luigi and you call Dad Yoshi. And me, you call me Princess and I love it.
-You have learned to write your name and your letters.
-Your favorite friend at school is Brooklyn and her mom tells me she feels the same way.
-Your favorite colors are green and orange.
-Your favorite food is pigs in a blanket.
-Your favorite toys (other than the Wii) are Hot Wheels cars.
-Your snuggles are the still the best.

 

So here’s to you O-Boy.

Happy Birthday
I love you
Akuluuk

Love Mom

 

 

All things Santa

I know, I know... it's been forever since I've posted here. I'm just busy. Busy with work, kids, family, and living life. I've managed to finish my Christmas shopping before December 1st which is always my goal and am only left with a mountain of wrapping to do.

The kids are lots of fun this year because they are just that much older. Oliver is totally aware of Santa and all the fun that goes along with that. We did the obligatory visit with the big red man at the mall and I was pleased that Isaac didn't cry. Oliver talked his ear off with talk of the Mario Brothers 10 game he wants for the Wii and didn't want to leave. We left with a call of 'By Santa! See you at my house!!' as we walked away.

A couple weeks later we went to the Santa Clause Parade. I love a parade as you all know and I was excited that the kids got to see their first real southern parade.I knew the postal workers would be leading Santa's float so we got the kids to write their first letters to Santa

I'm so proud of Oliver's letter. He wrote every word himself, all I had to do was tell him what letters to write. I kept the real letters and stuffed the envelopes with ones I'd written because I wanted to keep the originals for their memory boxes.

Now Santa needs to get that wrapping done....

From now on, I'm in there!

I read an article last week that made made an impact like nothing has in a long while. I'm sure many of you have seen it being shared around Facebook. It's an entry at The Huffington Post by freelance writer Allison Tate called 'The Mom Stays in the Picture.' Allison writes about being at a family event where her son begged her to take photos with him in the photo booth. She didn't want to because she was not at her best, still holding on to some baby weight. Not dressed in her cute clothes. She goes on to talk about how so many moms avoid being in photos preferring to take them instead. She makes a case on why we should be getting in the pictures because our kids will value those pictures when we're old and gone. This is a crude summary and doesn't do her beautiful words justice but you get the gist. Her account is moving and had me in some serious tears reading it. If you haven't already, take a few minutes and read it yourself.

I really connected with her message because I am one of those woman who have very few pictures with the kids. Look back at this blog. It's not very often you see pictures of me, especially in the last year or so. When I do ask someone else to take the camera for a change I end up deleting their efforts 99% of the time. I just can't stand the sight of myself,  I couldn't care less about whether I'm wearing cute clothes, or if my hair is done. For me it's all about the weight. I've talked about it before when things were going well. I've posted about my good intentions earlier this year. Unfortunately, that and a couple other well meaning tries have ended in miserable defeat and a few more pounds. I just can't seem to get myself together and photos just show me how far away I've ended up from where I want to be. Reading Allison's words makes me realise that I'm being very selfish. Like she says, the kids don't look at me and see me as their FAT mommy, I'm just Mommy. The woman who snuggles them at bedtime. The woman who dances with them anywhere they feel like dancing. The woman who loves them for just who they are. So maybe I should give myself the same courtesy.  Not that being overweight  obese is a good choice, and I still want to fix that one big negative in my life but in the meantime this mom is going to get in the picture and stay there. I don't care how fat I think I look, how many chins you can see. I'm going to be in that picture.

In honor of Allison and my kids, I created my own photo booth like shoot. We had fun and I got some good shots. And I don't hate any of them. I look happy. My kids are smiling. That's what I want them to see when they look back when I'm gone.

 

Happy Thanksgiving

O learned this song at preschool this past week and I've been bugging him to sing it to me over and over. What makes me happiest is that he seems to find it impossible to sing it with out doing the silly dance. How his dancing makes me smile!

Sorry for the terrible quality.  I took this with my phone which apparently takes bad video.

Happy Birthday Isaac v 2.0

Dear Isaac,

Today, at this moment of this post, you turn 2. In the last few months you’ve transformed from a little baby to a little boy who can keep up to his big brother with very little trouble. I really realised that a few weeks ago when all of sudden you were making it to the top of the play place with him instead of just playing in the entrance like you always had. I looked up and you were coming down the slide which you had never been able to get to before. I was very proud of you in that moment.

 I have so enjoyed this year with you. You are at that age that everything is adorable and you are cuter than most. But of course I may be a little biased. You have a huge personality and are a child of highs and lows. I call you my little drama queen and I’m sure there are many fits and tantrums to come in our future. But with those fits comes enthusiasm and obvious joy and excitement for things that make you happy and I love that about you. You also love to cuddle and hug which I take advantage of any chance I get.

 We are all very impressed with how smart you are. You can already name most of the letters and numbers. You can count to 10 and you know all your colors. You have an amazing memory too. I usually only have to tell you once what something is called and you remember it. You are talking in full sentences and for the most part are now speaking English. For quite a while you spoke mostly Isaac-speak which meant only we could understand you.

 Isaac Speak Glossary:

Na-na Thank you. pronounced Nach (german like sound)
Titi- Courtney and Kirsty

Tooky- Cookie

Kee- Car
chuck-truck
Anoo- Airplane
ato- Oliver Pronounced Auto
Amo- Oma
Apo- Opa
Tac tow- Tractor
Bit bits- Ritz Bitz (your favorite snack)
And- Sandwich
Tooky Paws- Bear paw cookies

 Things I want you to know about your 2 year old self:

-You never go anywhere without a dinky car in hand. You call them all Twin mill 3 which is your favorite Hot Wheels car from the Oliver’s Wii game.
-You love books. If I don’t now where you are in the house it’s a safe bet that I’ll find you in your bedroom with a book on your lap.
-You’re one tough little man. You rarely bat an eye when you fall down and scrape your knee or bang your head. But if your hands get dirty you’d think it was the end of the world.
-I don’t know why but every night you take your blanket and lay down outside your door and go to sleep. I can’t imagine it’s very comfortable but it’s your thing. You’ve been doing it for about 2 months now so maybe you’ll grow out if it soon.
-This year’s go to food is a Cheeze Whiz sandwich.
-My favorite Isaac quotes of the year: You at 14 months saying ‘Mmmm, Taaa-sty’. And you holding out your hand for mine saying "rha'mon' when you wanted to me to take you to the 'Peen' (aka: Trampoline.)

So here’s to you Mr. Smiley Pants. You are such a special little person and I look forward to seeing your smile every single morning. I'm enjoying every moment of being your mom.

Happy Birthday
I Love You
Akuluk
. 

Mom

X0X0X0

 

My little lumberjack at 1 year



My 2 year old little mischief maker.

 

Oliver's First Day

My little man started pre-school today.

Oliver being Oliver I wasn't sure what to expect from him. He claimed to be excited but for anyone who knows O, he doesn't get excited about anything.

EVER.

I guess you can't change a kid overnight and the day turned out to be a truely Oliver day. He wasn't at all interested in doing what the other kids were doing, he just wanted to do his own thing. I kept thinking that at least he wasn't the kid who was crying in to her mothers lap the whole time and left early. So things could be worse. I'm sure the next few months will change O alot. He's not used to a stuctured environment like that and he's certainly not used to being around a large group of kids his own age. As much as I love his independent spirit, I hope that he learns the value and the fun that can be had with participating in a group. I haven't been able to find a way to make that happen for him. And maybe he just is who he is.

He says he wants to go back on Monday so that's a good start. I think things will be different too when I'm not there with him. Only time will tell.

FREX

FREX- Fredericton Exhibition

Also known as a sure sign summer is over.

As a kid I always looked forward to the exhibition just before school starts. I'm a lover of thrill rides although I have to say that the rides they had at the Ex when we were kids were much more exciting than what they have now. One thing that hasn't changed is the crazy amount of money you spend before you've paid for one ride ticket. No wonder we always had to beg to get mom and dad to take us. Luckily we are only catering to a preschooler and a toddler so they are pretty easy to please and don't need to stay all day.

The petting zoo was a big hit.

'What's going on!!?!!' O's favorite Scrambler quote.

Illegal roller coaster ride.

Isaac (with a little help from me) won the round we played and walked away with a stuffed shark.

You may notice the caption on the roller coaster picture. You had to be 36 inches to ride so the plan was to let Oliver go on himself. At the last minute I asked the ride operator if Isaac was too small to go on. He said that as long as he would stay sitting down, he was welcome to go along. He was thrilled to be able to go. He was raising his hands and giving the operator high 5's as the car went by along with the other kids. There were probably a few adults wondering who the crazy parents were that let their baby go on the roller coaster but I'm glad he got to go. He loved every second of it and asked to go again when they were done.

Now that we've been to the Ex, school can start. My baby starts Preschool on Wednesday and he's nervous and excited. Where does the time go?

Happy September all!