I've been waiting...

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The K-Man is 3!

 
 
Birthday fun!  Grace's cousin, the K-man is 3!!!  I feel so lucky for Grace that she has a little cousin her age.  All of her other cousins are much much older than her, we live in a neighbourhood that is mostly made up of older couples and grown up families, and unfortunately families are busy these days and we don't get to socialize with the few friends I have who also have young kids.  So to have a cousin her age is precious, especially when he is as cute as this!   
He had a dinosaur theme which was too cute.  When we arrived the dinos were all sitting at the kids' table, ready for cake.  The kids had a great time playing at the water centre, swimming, making bubbles and just running around.
And of course for a weekend that was supposed to be rainy off and on every day.... it turned out pretty nice!


How many of us remember sitting at the "kids' table??"lol


Yummy dinosaur cake!

It's always a good birthday when you get a present bigger than you are!!!  Grace just couldn't help herself from helping him!LOL

Getting a kiss from his other grandma, sweet!


"What's so funny??  Just taking the dinosaurs for a wagon ride in my pajamas."


They also wanted a little ride on the golf cart.  They're fun loving dinosaurs!!!

Don't all good parties end this way?????!  :)

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Mother's Day 2015

Mother's Day 2015.  The forecast for the day did not look promising, showers off and on, cool, cloudy.  Not my choice for weather and I love being outside, so hearing a forecast like that can put a damper on my spirits.  The day started out just like that, got great in the middle and then ended just like they said, with a big downpour! 
However the highlights as always were time with family, great meals and watching Grace get up to all her antics!  I thank God, not often enough, that I have been blessed with such a spunky, beautiful little girl.  She has a personality as big as a house and a heart to match it!  I feel blessed and honoured to be the one chosen to take care of her.  Some days I do a better job than other days but my love and in the end my commitment to her never changes.  Every Mother's Day I'm reminded of a quote by Jody Landers.  "A child born to another mother calls me mom.  The depth of that tragedy and the magnitude of that privilege are not lost on me"
So, to get on with more light-hearted thoughts... here are the highlights!
Started the day with church.  We went to a church close to my school so when we arrived I was greeted with lots of young smiling faces of my students.  The entrance procession was just about to start so I stuck Grace in the line and hoped for the best.  The children were supposed to bring up flowers for Mary and then return to their seats.  I stood waiting while Grace confidently went up to the altar with her carnation.  I lost sight of her for only a few seconds but I wasn't worried.  I had paired her up with one of my grade 4 students so was confident that the student, F, would return her to me.  That's about when I saw F. walking back to her parents sans Grace!  So here I was, standing in the aisle, trying to wave to F. discretely and get her attention, hands up in the air like "Where is she??" when who should start walking up the aisle from the back of the church?  My monkey!  She had done it all by herself, gone back to where she started and was wandering up the aisle looking for us! 
Later on during the Mass, Father calls the young children up and hands out flowers to be given to all the mothers in the church.  So up she went again.  She was supposed to come back with one or two flowers, maybe one for me and Grandma or Carolyn, at the most.  Grace walked proudly down the aisle, fistful of flowers in her hand, proclaiming in her happy loud voice "Mommy, I got lots!!!"  A small wave of smiles and quiet chuckles spread throughout the congregation and there she was, my front and centre girl holding up a big bouquet of carnations, trying to scramble over Grandpa to get back into the pew!  Never a dull moment with this kid!
After Mass, we stayed for coffee and donuts, Grace had her share, and then headed out to Grandma and Grandpa's for a visit.  The rest of the weekend was less eventful but just as fun, playing outside with the cousins, BBQ, a swim and of course the traditional picture taking moments.
 
 
 
Here's Grace preparing Grandma's gift.  She totally enjoyed painting Grandma's hand, even if Grandma didn't!
 


 Even more though, she enjoyed chasing Grandpa with Grandma's blue painted hand!!!LOL




Taking a ride on Grandpa's Gator




Grace is proud to show off her "angry face" these days!  Not sure where she would ever get the idea for that!LOL




Sneaking a cookie break

Waving good-bye to Carolyn's family from the front porch


Goofing around with Grandma's gift




Loving her Daisy

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Barney Live!!!

As planned, Grace and I went to see Barney live last weekend.  She LOVED it!  As soon as we arrived at the stage, long before the show started, Grace looked at the set on stage and said "That's Barney's shed."  She thought for a moment then added, "Is Barney here?"  That's when that million dollar smile spread across her face and she clued in to what was about to happen (or so I thought).  Grace loved the show and as long as Barney didn't come too close she was right up there front and centre at the stage.  Barney performed twice at 11 and 1:00 and we enjoyed both performances equally.  Getting ready to head home, Grace looked up at me and said " Mommy when is the surprise?" Ha!
 
We ended the day with ice cream for her and coffee for me on a nice quiet drive home while Grace napped better than she has in months! 


It was harder than you might think to get Grace to look at the camera while Barney was performing!  Here is a great shot of her back!

I still can't figure out how to upload a video on my blog.  This is what always happens.  I get this short piece that just keeps repeating.  If there are any other bloggers reading that can help me out I would appreciate it greatly!  What you are supposed to see is Grace watching Barney from her place near the stage, enjoying it greatly.  However, every time Barney comes close to her she comes running back to me!  It was hilarious to watch, I wish I could share it!