Now that I'm 6.

Ever since Sophia turned 6 she's been totally interested in things that Are age appropriate to her.  Starting each sentence with:  'since I'm 6 can I ...?'

And then letting her siblings know that's she's older because she's 6.

July 4th 2015

Today is July the 4th.

Started out celebrating Kylans 4th birthday at the Frankford splash pad.  Many of Christopher's nursery school friends were there.  What a beautiful

day for it.  

After the party we headed to

Quinte Isle to meet up with the Bouffards and the Cowies. 

Of course we stopped at Shroaders bakery on the way for some fried donuts. 

Had a great visit catching up.  It's so nice to have like minded friends.   Talking about homeschooling and parenting.  We are so lucky to call these families our friends.

First Family Camping Trip

This past weekend we decided to pack up and try camping.

We ended up booking at Wellsley Island State Park for two night.  For about $20.00 a night we thought it was an amazing deal.

Friday we arrived and Chris was in full helper mode.  He's such a good little boy.  We unpacked and unwound by the fire. 

Indulged on copious amounts of marshmallows and chocolate. 

That night it was rough getting the kids to sleep as there was no way to block the sun.  By 10pm they were sound asleep.  

Up at 6am we had coffee and breakfast on the cookstove.  I was able to catch a quick power nap from 8-10 am.  :). Jason  took the kids for wood.

We headed to the marina to rent a boAt for a few hours where we tried fishing and exploring the beautiful thousand islands.   Charlotte smiled the entire time. At first Chris was terrified.  Terrified of sharks and big fish.  With a lot of talk we convinced him he was safe.

We ended our boat ride with a water fight.  It was freeeeeeeezing but the kids loved it.

We headed back to the camp and changed into bathing suits and headed to the man made sandy beach.  The water was brutally cold so we only last about 15 minutes. 

Back to the site where Jason and I quickly showree she changed.  

We decided to take the kids to the local go kart track in Alexandria Bay. It was so much fun. Even Charlotte had the opportunity to go around the track with daddy.  A last-minute decision we ended up heading to Watertown for dinner at the Cracker Barrel. It's my favorite place. After which we headed to target for some shopping and of course alcohol pit stop at Walmart.  We then headed back to the campground.

It was around 9 PM so we started a fire just sat around and chatted before heading to bed around 10 Pm.

It rained pretty hard that night and we all woke up soaked.  We quickly packed up everything and headed back home.

So fun and we can't wait to go

Again. 

Great Wolf Lodge

Last Wednesday we packed up the kids for a surprise visit to GWL.   The way there we told them we'd be staying in a hotel (they love hotels)

They had no idea and the a surprises on their faces were priceless.   We ended up

also using the arcade and mini bowling ally.  Of course , along with the giant water park.  Since it was a weekday it was quiet so no line upS!

Hot coffee?

I don't think I've finished a full coffee yet?  Started out ok but ended up with Charlotte swarming around my mug like a little honey bee.

December is here all over again.  We started ramping up

Christmas pretty much mid November.

This years tree once again purchased from Switzers.  

This year is going to be another fantastic Christmas filled with family, friends and lots of good food.

Sophia has asked for a Woody doll and Christopher has asked for a Buzz light year figurine.

Our elf of the shelf Hank appeared a couple weeks ago.

Ikea trip

Since when did I become the one taking these quizzes?  This morning Sophia (5) at sunrise - before I even had the chance to stretch starts by asking me several questions.

1) mommy does Milo have a:

A) pool

B) trampoline.

2) who had a despicable me birthday party? Was it Joe? 

 

Oh my she brings me to my knees with laughter most days.

Today we decided on an impromptu ikea trip. I'm trying to completely finish the kids bedroom. 

What a disaster of a trip.  First fail of the day - kids up early.  Early meaning 7am.  Usually they are pretty good at sleeping in past 8am.

Second- zero parking at ikea.  This should have made me clue in.  Anyways after circling the lot we found a space - the very furthest space from the ginormous north York location. 

Ugh!  Instantly it starts. Charlotte wants to walk.  But not hold my hand.  This is not an option so I tightly grip her little hand as we slowly fight our way through the large parking lot.

She buckles her knees and twists and turns.  I pick her up and she arches her back and screams.    Finally I make my way to a cart.  Strap her in (thank you safety belts in shopping carts). 

She loses her shit!  Screaming kicking,  hitting me.  It's hot and humid and insanely busy.  

We must trek on.   We just drove 90 minutes to get here.   

Elevator broken at main entrance.  So we push our way through the store in the wrong direction of traffic to find a central elevator.   Of course people are glaring. Me firmly reminding Sophia and Christopher to

Hold the cart which is holding the screaming banshee aka Charlotte.  Spiralling through the store trying to find our way to the start of the store.

Ugh!  Charlotte is losing her mind.   I let her out while swooning over a 'model kids room' all three go into discovery mode - testing the furniture for durability by slamming themselves on the bed and chairs.   Time to keep moving.  I ask the other two to hold the cart again and i quickly snatch Charlotte up and rebuckle her into the cart.  

It's so busy.  She's losing her mind on me.  Part if me just wants to leave. But the other wants to finish the mission.   Must find plastic bug light, malm shelf and new duvet for Chris.

People are glaring at me : whispering - Charlotte continues to scream.  She wins this one. Jason packs her up and carries her to the van while I'm

left with team  older two. 

Easier now?  Nope. We get to the fabric section.  Oh the ideas that are flowing though my brain.  I could sew this and add this trim and ohhhhh the beautiful colours of drapery fabric.   The possibilities are endless.  

Then of course the older two start nattering at each other.  Sophia slugs Chris in the back. People are glaring, I'm trying to smile and hold myself together.   I do the right thing.  I take a way this princess stuffed puppet I intended on buying for her.  She loses her ever loving mind.  "I'll stop it, I'll stop it, I'll stop it, she yells!  Chris is crying people as looking at me.  I just want to crawl into the pillow bin and cry.  Nope:  I'm not giving up.  I've got a cart full of cheap ikea goods. We make our way to the warehouse to pick up our big ticket items. 

Holy crap!  My blood pressure is on the rise.  It's so busy, people are cutting in front of me.   I'm looking for aisle 12 bin 19-25 - Sophia and Christopher are somewhat under control now except the fact that Chris has announced he has to pee.   I beg him to hold it. I'm scrambling to make sense of the bins and pieces.  Thinking to myself, why the eff do I need to buy the legs separate to the base of the high chair?   Can't you just sell it as one piece?  Argh! 

We race to the self check- out where we wait. And wait, all the while Chris is telling everyone he's going to pee his pants.   And all the while I'm promising him the world if he holds it til we get to the bathroom.

Phew, we check out and make our way to the family bathroom...... That has 10 people waiting in line.  Frantically I push through the crowd to get outside where thankfully Daddy is parked at the exit waiting for us. (With a now sleeping Charlotte)  Jason takes Sophia as I rush Christopher to the rear tire where he relieves himself. 

Safely we exit the parking lot and head to our next stop.   Is it mommy nap time yet?

Veggie week 1

This year we joined a CSA - community shared agriculture.

We decided on the 1/2 share since its just Jason, Charlotte and I who eat veggies.

So excited to try a few recipes and discover some new healthily alternatives. 

This week included.

Spinach

Mixed Mustard greens

Mizuna

Chard

Kale

Radish 

Turnip

Chinese cabbage 

Scapes

Basil

Kohlrabi

Lettuce

The weekend was a bit hectic so we didn't get to jump in to our new basket of vegetable goodness.  I added some fresh lettuce and basil to my sandwich on Friday. Tres Bien!

Tomorrow we are making a frittata.