One step closer to JK

Jude has been in a parent-child Preschool Play & Learn program through the Ontario Early Years Centre since the beginning of April. Today they "graduated". They've learned about the weather, days of the week & months of the year, letters & numbers. They made butter and went on nature walks. Jude had a taste of what school will be like in September when he starts JK.

He and his good friend Sophie were in the preschool class together...

My little boy is growing up.

A new friendship is born...

...meet Shasta, the newest addition to our family.

Shasta is a rescue dog from a Northern fly-in community. We weren't necessarily looking for another pet right now...

BUT when we happened to see the ad for her shortly after it was posted AND saw her sweet face in the pictures, it didn't take long for the possiblity of getting another pet over the next year or so to get bumped up. We went to meet her and then deliberated over Happy Meals. Our primary concern was for Bij, our 9-year old female cat. She's a beautiful cat, just not a children's cat. She comes out once the kids are in bed. The kids get REALLY excited if they happen to see her dart past them because she generally just keeps to herself in the basement on her washer/dryer-perch. Grammy said that if Bij didn't cope well with a new animal and threatened to run away, she would adopt her.

We wanted the kids to have a pet. Bij isn't really their pet, but mine & Jon's.

We could have opted for another kitten, but it's difficult to keep a cat indoors when 3 children are in and out of the house from the yard so frequently. We didn't want to have to say good-bye to another curious kitty who fell victim to a busy hill street.

And so, we adopted this adorable 10-week old puppy who will likely become a medium to large size dog. I've never had an indoor dog. Ever. I'm not even really a dog-person. But this puppy is wiggling her way into my heart.

The kids are happy. Jon's building fences, in the rain. We're learning how to house-train a puppy, in the rain. I took her to the vet today, with 3 excited-to-have-a-puppy children. We all miss Nala. Jordan still asks where she is and then in the same breath says she's "in the box". We're opening our hearts to another friend.

I love these hands...

... and the man to whom God gave them. I love that the hands that wielded a hammer to build our family a home are the same hands that gently hold me, make pancakes for the kids, dry tears, give tickles, help Abby write letters to the Tooth Fairy, work to support our family, tie shoes, play guitar, hold my hands...

I praise God for these hands, and for the one to whom He gave them...

Saying Good-Bye to Nala

 

When we got home early this afteroon, a neighbour came over to tell us that our Nals had been hit by a vehicle. He had moved her to the side of the house. She was already gone when Jon went to see her. Nala loved being outside and would run out every time the door was opened. She loved chasing birds and trying to catch bugs in her paws. She especially loved being outside when the kids were out. She would jump up on the outside of the kitchen window when she realized that we had come inside (often scaring me if I was standing there doing dishes!) Last week she actually got out on our balcony and jumped up on the roof to get closer to the birds! She usually just stayed in our yard or on the warm sidewalk beside our house... something must have caught her attention to make her cross the street this morning.

She loved to curl up on top of us. Last night she made herself comfortable on Abby's back while we read a story together. Abby loved it. We'd always find her sleeping with one of the kids... she loved curling up with them and they loved her. Abby called her Girly Sweetie and was always excited to see her. She was a sweet kitty and we'll all miss her.

We've had lots of conversations about Heaven and what happens when animals die. Abby made her a cross and gave her a little stuffy. It's been a sad afternoon, especially for Abbs.  Jude cried when he realized that Nala was never ever coming back. 

Good-bye Nals, we'll miss you...

Auntie Win & Auntie Joan's Visit

The kids loved having their aunties here to visit!  Auntie Win slept in Abbs' room and Auntie Joan slept with the boys.  We visited the Terry Fox Monument...

Played at the airport (the aunties actually put money in the rides... Mummy and Daddy usually just let them play on them!)

Abby got a manicure and pedicure from Auntie Win (while she at her PB sandwich.... talk about princess treatment!)

We explored the beach and searched for rocks to bring home to paint.

We celebrated Jude's birthday with more icing (and a little bit of cupcake)And painted rocks!  There were also soccer games & freezies, restless nights & walk-in clinic visits with sick little Gomers.  Overall, despite the little ones being sick, it was a super visit.... it made us all long for the summer when we can perhaps travel to NB to see family again!  Love you guys!!!  Thanks for EVERYTHING!!

Jon's breakfast resourcefulness

My sisters, Joan & Win, visited during the last week of May. It was amazing to have them here, especially since the kids were sick and Jon was away for most of the week. While they were here, they pretty much took over the kitchen preparing meals for our family to share and to freeze (for which we are very very thankful!)

On Monday, they were busily making pasta sauce, fruit smoothies & preparing veggies for lunch. As it was a holiday, there was no real rush for Jon to eat his breakfast..... however, by the time he got to making his toast, Win & Joan were already in full-swing! Jon, as the considerate and resourceful guy that he is, decided to just move his breakfast-making outside...

Jude's Diego Animal Rescue Birthday Party

We had Jude's Diego Animal Rescue Birthday Party on May 23. 

It was chilly (as it always seems to be when we plan outdoor parties), but the rain held off !

We had animal costumes and facepainting, made spotting scopes and decorated butterflies...

The kids made a chalk animal mural on the retaining wall & were tatooed with Diegos.

Auntie Win and I stayed up way too late the night before decorating the cake she and Auntie Joan had made for Jude (while Jon and I went on a mini-date... THANK YOU!) 

Jordy only made an appearance for the cake.  He had a nasty eye infection and cough so we let him watch Cars in attempts to keep all other little people healthy.

For the "loot bags", we coiled a 24" gummy snake in a cup with chocolate "rocks" (also used around Jude's rescue jeep cake... thanks for introducing us to chocolate rocks Mrs. Angela!)

Jude was thrilled to have both his aunties here for his birthday this year.  It was so nice to be able to celebrate Jude's 4th birthday with family AND friends.