5.19.13

 Yesterday, we celebrated this beautiful girl.

 We went with a Minnie Mouse theme (although I admit from this view it looks like a baby shower).

 The dessert table.

 Minne Mouse cake!

Digging in to a cupcake while Minnie keeps watch.

What a hectic day!  We had scheduled Paige's 2 year photos on Saturday morning, but due to the rain, we had to cancel.  Then we had to make the decision to move the party inside - 20 people inside our house felt a bit crowded, but we are blessed to have that many people who wanted to celebrate with us.

Paige was spoiled with so many wonderful gifts - I should not admit this, but every parent out there with understand - there was nothing that I wanted to bury in the basement storage room. ;)

Right now the kids are both doing great.  Wyatt had attended a few pre-kindergarten sessions at the school he will be attending, and he has done so well both times.  I have no concerns right now as to how he will adapt.  It will be a bit different, as the sessions now only have 5-6 kids at a time, but after a week or so I think he will be fine.  Paige got a trike for her birthday, and Wyatt has actually been pedaling on it (much to Paige's dismay), which is great.  Paige's vocabulary is growing each day (I was quite concerned about it 6 months ago).  She continues to have NO fear when it comes to exploring.

Unfortunately, as of June 3 I will be forced into taking a leave of absence from work due to a lack of daycare (our current provider is moving).  I have tried so many people and come up empty handed (unless I want to leave my kids with someone who lists "inside time" as an activity, or someone whose rate is literally as much as I make per day).  My boss is understanding and thankfully will allow me to work some evenings while our walk in clinic is open, and hopefully something will come up quickly.

05.04.13

Apparently, some time has passed since I last updated this blog (sorry, Amanda).  In that time, I managed to turn 31 without my world falling apart. This year I had a lovely birthday. A few friends and I went to Clay Owl Studio in Winkler (a paint your own pottery place) the Friday before my birthday. It was so relaxing and wonderful, I had an amazing time.  Without sounding like a total hippie, I felt like I finally knew what it was like to be surrounded by friends who actually cared about me.
Enough of that.
I got some lovely gifts this year too (see above).  A gorgeous Guess wallet and David's Tea gift card from my sister - I cannot stop staring at the wallet. I feel ashamed to hide it away in my black purse.  But if I start walking around carrying a wallet, I suppose I'm just asking to be mugged. It could happen.  I purchased myself a fantastic cruiser bicycle (Kensington, from Canadian Tire).  Technically it's from Josh and the kids, but let's not get into that. I've taken it out twice now and I just love it. Listening to the birds singing, watching the sun set, and not getting that weird sensation when your crotch goes completely numb because of a bike seat the size of a Hot Wheels car (is it just me?).  My sister-in-law raided the store she works at for the remaining Dairy Milk bunnies from Easter (my favorite...and now they are all gone).  The painfully adorable salt and pepper shakers are from my parents (as well as a new hoodie) - but I can't decide if I actually want to use them, or just stare at them and squeal, "They're so cuuuuuute!".  Tough call.  The aforementioned Amanda got me some kickass coloured pencils (Prismacolor), which I have put to good use already.  I suppose I need to buy a pencil sharpener now. How odd, that I've been out of school for over a decade and never purchased a pencil sharpener before.  What have I done with all my dull pencils?  Thrown them out? Or do I have a stash of them somewhere in the house, just waiting to be put to good use?  Strange.
Other than that, not much has been going on. It's finally warmed up, so we're outside a lot more.  It's easier than it was last year, because Paige isn't crawling around. But it's more difficult than last year, because Paige is climbing around. Yesterday she fell off of the top rung of the ladder on the play structure, right onto her back.  In my defense, .0002 milliseconds before that, she had been following me into the garage.  Still, seeing her fall almost made me vomit, and something tells me it will not be the last time.  I have to find a balance between making sure she is cautious but encouraging her to explore. 
Wyatt had a kindergarten readiness class last week and did amazing.  He has another next week, and then a playdate for the morning with a "buddy" who is already in kindergarten, plus another meeting with Josh and I and the teacher.  We also had an offer to enroll him in a prep class for kids who are anxious or have "issues" (not special needs, but not just Joe Everyday kind of kids).  We declined that offer, I didn't think grouping him with a bunch of anxious kids would be a great idea. 
As of May 30th, we are out of daycare.  Our current provider is moving, and we still have not found a replacement. This whole childcare stuff is fun. Not really.