Abby at Wiggles & Giggles

The Lakehead Music Festival was using the church on Thursday, so we moved playschool to Wiggles and Giggles! Despite smaller numbers we had a blast (adults included!)
I took this picture of Abby when we were in the tunnel... (yup, I went up in the tunnel with her!) There were really no other kids her age there when we arrived so Abby and I played in the tunnels. I can see why some kids are initially a little frightened by the tunnels ... I had NO idea how to get out at first. Thankfully there are portholes so we could see where the slide was :)
Getting our bearings by looking out the porthole.

We did it!! The slide was a little faster than I had anticipated, but really fun!

I only turned my back for a minute...

Monday and Tuesday were bright and sunny, but cold... we stayed inside. One day was okay, but by Tuesday morning Jude was a little restless... Abby had been drawing earlier in the morning, but some of her markers (non-washable type) had crept under some furniture. Guess who found them!

The phone rang just as Jude was finishing his lunch. In the 10 seconds it took me to go get the phone and return to the kitchen, Jude had dumped his plate, tried it on his head, and was trying to fit the noodle shells that remained on his tray on his toes.

My little (kitty) girl

Abby showing her "paws"

Our boys...

Hmmmm...wet willie?

Jude loves Jordan. I walked into the room as he was giving Jordan a big cuddle. Jordan was all smiles. So, I grab the camera and say "Awww Jude, nice cuddles. Do have have more cuddles for the baby?" This is what he did... some type of wet-willie/head grip. Jordan wasn't so impressed by this "cuddle".

Little guy hanging out...

These are some pictures I took of Jordan this afternoon. He's growing sooo much...


...but he's still little :)

Jude's present from Uncle Len

Uncle Len thought that Jude should have some Montreal Canadiens gear :) He loves his cozy new outfit! Thanks Uncle Len!!
Jude has taken to playing with shoes and putting on hats, whether they are his or not.

Auntie Win's visit

The kids had such a great visit with Auntie Win. We spent lots of time just relaxing at home. It was so nice for the kids to have extra one-one attention and to do special things with her. Jude loved reading stories and Abby had fun baking and playing "kitty" with Auntie Win. Abby has decided that her name is "Duchess", the kitty from "The Aristocats". "Abby" is her "pretend name".



Hanging out at the airport, making animal crackers "talk". Win's flight to Toronto was delayed, so we had an extra half hour to spend with her before she flew home.

Mummy's Birthday

My birthday was Feb. 18, which happened to be "Family Day" here in ON. Jon was off work, which helped make the day even more special.

Abby made me this birthday card :)

After a relaxing morning at home, Win, Abby and I went sliding at Hillcrest Park and then to see Abby's very first movie at SilverCity, Alvin & the Chipmunks.

Abby sitting in the theatre with her popcorn after the movie. Her eyes rarely left the screen during the whole movie!

We went to East Side Marios for my birthday supper (thanks Win & Joan for treating us!) and then came home and had cake. Auntie Win helped Abby make it, but Abby decorated it all by herself.
Abby singing "Happy Birthday" to me...so sweet!

After cake, Jon and I went out for nachos and then to a movie while Win babysat the kids. What a fantastic gift! We went to see Cloverfield, which is shot with a hand-held camera. I had to actually close my eyes when the camera-man was running for his life so I didn't lose my nachos. If anyone reading this is considering watching Cloverfield, it may be best to save the snacks for AFTER the movie :)
Beautiful birthday flowers from a sweet friend...

Hanging out with Auntie Win

My sister Win arrived last Thursday from NB. It was her first time visiting us here in Thunder Bay and her first time meeting Jordan. Jordan LOVED chatting with her!


A quiet moment with Auntie Win...

Blessings

Yesterday was a blah day. I didn't have any caffeine until the evening, which certainly could have contributed to my mental and emotional state. The day itself wasn't unlike any other day home with the kids, but just seemed to be more overwhelming somehow. By suppertime, I was ready to go to bed. Looking around the house brought me to tears (toys, dishes, laundry...) I was at the point where I felt as though I should give up on the whole PhD thing... if I can't even keep up with my dishes and laundry, when am I going to have the time and energy to work on my dissertation!? Staying home with the kids while trying to pull off being a doctoral student is my own choice. I truly love being able to stay home with our little ones. I was just wondering whether trying to do it all was just a little unrealistic...



Today, a sweet friend offered to take Abby and Jude to storytime at the library while I did some errands for playschool with Jordan. While I was chatting with another dear friend this afternoon, she encouraged me in the gifts God's given me and in my decision to pursue my education as I've chosen (without knowing about my doubts). Later in the afternoon, yet another dear friend encouraged me in my mothering (out of the blue!). God is good. He knew how much I needed to just have one little person instead of three to take out on errands. He knew how much I needed to be affirmed in what I do through my dear friends. You know who you are... thank you for allowing God to use you in my life today. You are each truly a blessing.

Just hanging out...