Hey family and friends! I am officially retiring my first blog, Pickles and Peanut Butter, and am starting a new one! Please feel free to join in the fun!

Whispers in the Wind

becky-whispersinthewind.blogspot.com

Post Three Hundred and Eighty One and Counting...

Okay, first heat wave of the summer.... and we busted out the sprinkler for the girls to cool off in!

SO MUCH FUN!

I have *way* more photos than these - what an amazing photo op!

These were the cream of the crop!

Post Three Hundred and Eighty and Counting...

When it rains for days on end, I have no choice but to make the indoors more interesting...

And when we are done building forts, its time for a walk in the rain!

And when the sun does manage to shine, and the ground dries just a little...

Bust out the sidewalk chalk!

Post Three Hundred and Seventy Nine and Counting...

In keeping with Easter traditions, my girls decorated some eggs... but not with dye, rather with markers!  The not-so-washable-for-grown-ups-only markers from mommy's collection of stuff... and yes, the eggs turned out beautifully! 
And so did their fingers...

 

Just look at that concentration!

Olivia kept pretending to eat her eggs... getting marker on her lips... which Grace found hilarious!

Post Three Hundred and Seventy Eight and Counting...

Rain.  Snow.  Rain and snow.
Repeat.
Ugh.
Not favourable weather for playing outside.  And let me tell you, the girls were starting to feel it.
Solution?
A walk with their new umbrellas!

And their favourite part (other than the umbrellas)?

WORMS!

Post Three Hundred and Seventy Seven and Counting...

On Saturday, it was my Grace's friend Grace's birthday party - did you follow that?  Grace had a pony party!  Yes!  Pony rides for all the kids, as well as chickens to chase and pet!  It was a great time!
Grace (mine! and her friend, really...) had a "perma-grin" the entire time!  As soon as she was befriended by a pony (named Prince) it was all over... love!  She couldn't wait to get going.  And she didn't want to stop!  She did a great job taking turns.  I have to admit I was surprised!
Both girls had a wonderful time playing together... their giggling was very catchy!

The party was put on by Suzanna Smith (bottom right), owner of Cherry Grove Stables.

Thank you, Ms. Smith, and Miss Grace!

Post Three Hundred and Seventy Six and Counting...

March break continued...

On day three, we worked very hard on our decorations for the party we were planning for Sunday:  the first day of Spring, *and* a surprise party for Oma's birthday!

On day four, we worked on Oma's treasure box - as well as a box each for the girls.  Painting was serious business, and they were just as into it this time as they were with the birdhouses!

On day five, we decided that some time spent soaking and relaxing was in order!

Post Three Hundred and Seventy Six and Counting...

Ah, March Break.  My Grace's first one!  And I get to spend it at home with her!
And as day two comes to an end, I have to share our wonderful successes from the last two days!

On Monday: chocolate chip cookies!

  The girls each had their own bowls, tools and various ingredients to work with... resulting in a beautiful and happy mess!  So much so, that we are going to have some more baking later in the week!

Day Two:  painting birdhouses that Opa made for us!

The girls worked so hard!  I have never seen such concentration from them - at the same time!  And Grace was very pleased when I assured her that we are going to hang their houses in the yard - very soon!

Post Three Hundred and Seventy Five and Counting...

As desperate as I am for spring... this weekend's wet snow was perfect for making a snowman!  The girls were thrilled when Jeremy started rolling the first ball!  They couldn't believe how big it was!  It ended up being almost as big as Grace. 

And, of course, being made of snow... our poor snowman was bitten several times... 

Post Three Hundred and Seventy Four and Counting...

So, I have rather slacked off on my blogging for the month of February... so let me make it up to you with the first of two posts!

To celebrate Family Day, my parents came over to spend the day with us - and share a turkey dinner.  It was delicious!  And my girls just could not get enough of Oma and Opa!  By the time the day was winding down, all four of them were wiped out.  They ended up playing 'get ready for bed' and taking turns tucking each other in... after showering, of course!

So Family Day was a roaring success of family, food and fun... with lots of love and kisses thrown in for good measure!

Post Three Hundred and Seventy Three and Counting...

Two years ago today, my little Livie was born...
Yes, today is Olivia's second birthday!  Can you believe it?  My baby is getting so big! 
To celebrate, Oma and Opa, and Uncle Rob and Aunt Natalie came for a little party.  She was very happy to see everyone!  Oma and Opa spoiled her with a new baby buggy, and Uncle Rob and Aunt Natalie spoiled her with some gorgeous new clothes!  She had a great time opening her gifts, and Grace barely restrained herself as she 'helped' Olivia with the wrapping paper!  (Thank you!)

It was a great day!

Post Three Hundred and Seventy Two and Counting...

The sun fought really hard to shine for a while today... and the way it made the snow glistened, it just begged us to go out and play for a while!

My girls are completely addicted to eating snow and ice in all its forms... regardless of how cold their little faces or fingers may be...!

Post Three Hundred and Seventy One and Counting...

Being at home means spending more time with my girls.  And despite the pain and discomfort, I am really loving it!  Just that closeness, and the sensation of not being so rushed and harried is wonderful.  I mean, we still have a routine that we follow, and JK and daycare to attend some of the time... but we still get to be together just that little bit more.
And I am soaking it up!

And being home means taking advantage of little opportunities - like having a special guest come by for a snack:

This little guy had been stalking my bird feeder in the yard, and I decided to take pity on him, simply  because Olivia just loves squirrels.  I opened the door (while he was at the other end of the yard!) and put some seed on the step just outside the door... and waited.  Moments later, he was perched just on the other side of the glass from Olivia.  And she was thrilled!  She sat there talking away to him, and just watching him nibble.  It was great fun to watch her!

Post Three Hundred and Seventy and Counting...

Even though I am not having the easiest time getting around, the girls certainly have some swing in their hips and wiggle in their bums!  Their newest hobby is watching *some* music videos and shaking their itty-bitty booties!

I wanted to share, too, how well Grace's printing is coming along!  She is constantly asking how to spell words out loud, and rhyming words and asking for help to spell words to print.  It is so wonderful to see her growing love of the written word!

Just a small example of my big girl's hard work!

Post Three Hundred and Sixty Nine and Counting...

There was a surprise waiting for my little ladies when they got home from school today!  A special Christmas package from Aunt Jenn, Uncle Josh and cousin Eli!  They were so excited!

They both got a gorgeous new outfit - which they will look amazing in!  Livie got some adorable Hello Kitty sheets, and Grace got Frankie Stein from Monster High!  Both girls say a big "Thank you!" to their auntie, uncle and little cousin!

Post Three Hundred and Sixty Eight and Counting...

There is a lot to be said for the patience of grandparents.  They put up with so much from their own kids, and yet willingly let themselves be a favourite plaything of their grandkids.  There is nothing a grandparent likes more than to be the centre of their grandchild's attention.  And here, for your viewing pleasure, is just such an example:

It certainly started out innocently enough... but all three looked ready to go into battle in complete warpaint when they were through!

Post Three Hundred and Sixty Seven and Counting...

Today was the first day back to normal.  For everyone but me, that is.  Everyone was back to work (except Jeremy!) and back to school.  Lucky for me, Jeremy was off today and we could spend some time alone together.  And it was wonderful!
But, I missed my girls and couldn't wait for them to come home again!  They spent some quiet time together watching a movie on my laptop: My Neighbor Totoro.  A great movie!

So cute!

If you look closely, you can just catch the side of one of my crutches in this shot, between the armchair and laptop...?  I am still coming along slowly, but much better than this time last week!  I am sort of hobbling/walking with my crutches tight in my grip.  I am getting around more easily, but am still swollen, stiff and sore.  Still any improvement is better than no improvement!

I thank you for your get better vibes and well wishes!