Camping in Canada another first

So this past week I said goodbye to my only daughter. First time away from me longer than 24 hours. I know she's almost nine, but the opportunity actually never presented itself until now. She was going with one of three people I think I would trust to take her. Well I am sure there are more, but as far as her friends and their parents? Ya three.

McKayla of course loves camping and the plan 10 days!!!! Way too long in my opinion, but whatever. So I said goodbye with the plan to drive out there and spend the day with her on the beach. She wanted me to spend the night so day 7 of her being away which was long and lonely for Maddox who relies on her to play with him. Marcus wanted to go he likes camping, but go hang out with 4 girls and another mom? Not so much. He pretty much stayed glued to my hip unless we were at the campsite and he was either in the tent reading or by the campfire keeping to himself.

Maddox loved the beach. We were on Lake Huron at Pinery Provincial Park near Grand Bend. It is an amazing park and the beach was great even though I hate how sand gets everywhere! Ya I am more of a pool person and having grown up around lakes ours were mud bottom and not really a lot of sand was involved. Surprisingly the water was warm. Not sure what I expected, but I thought the water being in Canada no matter how hot it gets couldn't possibly get hot enough to warm up the lakes. Proved wrong it was beautiful. Just like my pool. Well slightly cooler, but with the heat it was perfect.

We had s'mores of course both nights and only left the beach to eat.

I was actually amazed at how I didn't get one mosquito bite and I didn't even use bug spray! Crazy I know, but there really wasn't any bugs. McKayla did end up with like 4 bites, but then she was there way longer than me.

My hubby sent me there with one request somehow convince her to come back with me even though she only had two more days left. Sure enough it didn't really take a lot of convincing. As much as I rejuvenated her with family love she still really missed her daddy and knowing he would be off the next day she couldn't resist coming home with me. So we said our goodbyes, packed up the car, and drove the quick 2.5 hours home. McKayla said driving home was so fast, but then she fell asleep. The next few days was sleep catch up. She even slept in until 11:30 one morning!

If only my guy could've been there to enjoy it with us.

I am glad I let her go and it was a great first camping experience for all of us here in Canada. I am grateful for great friends who took care of her and us while we were there. Apart from coming back with a backache it made me want to go back again next year. Anybody want to come camping with me next year? Because I am sure I would not be as brave and go alone with the kids!

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My little dancer...

Backstage at showcase 2011


So McKayla has only one thing thing that she truly loves to do and that happens every Saturday throughout the school year. She takes ballet and tap and next year wants to expand and take even more types of dance. For showcase we aren't allowed to videotape, but I did purchase the video as always. Instead I got to take some videos of her during the open house weeks.

As she was preparing for her ballet exams they came in very handy to watch so that I could help her practice. She of course passed with flying colors. Plus I hear her teacher Ms. Natasha thinks McKayla is just a joy to teach and will be sad to not be teaching her next year. (She is going on maternity leave.)

I am glad my princess has discovered something she likes because honestly it is a lot having to give up Saturday mornings to take her to dance. I look forward to next year an hour later!

Her goal this summer? Working on her flexibility. I think she finally figured out that to be a really good dancer flexibility and balance and vital characteristics.

Here is a little video if your are interested. Just some fun clips of when I was actually able to go into her class to see her dance. It's funny how they always act different when you are watching. Somewhere in the middle Maddox was distracting me so my focus on McKayla wasn't that great. Plus, this was a new video cam thing and I am still trying to figure it out.



The day of the showcase came and nerves were high, but she totally belongs on the stage. She loves it.


Pretty princess backstage.



I know I have all kinds of different edits on this post, but what can I say? I can't make up my mind which way I like it!

Thank you to the TDS Dance Space family. All I have to say is they are wonderful and if you live in my area and you have a son or daughter who want to dance this is the place. We love our teachers who are dedicated and love to teach. Plus they are a whole lot of fun. Also, next year I will be there three days a week so won't that be fun? Yea I should be happy I guess Marcus isn't into team sports. I would probably have trouble multiplying myself to get him places. I am contemplating putting him in swimming again, but stalling until we figure out if we are moving or not. So lucky for him he gets to wait.



The traditional daddy daughter pic after the show.

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Embrace the Camera: December 2, 2010

This week it is nice to be back. Just some quick photos a friend snapped of us at our YW in Excellence night. It was sport themed so yes I wore wore my husband's Gore jersey because well they are my team even when they are sucking!



Maddox is eating a Twizzlers so he has a funny face w/ drool!



My pretty girl...

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What's on Charity's phone?

Date night at the hockey game. Opening night against Montreal. We won! Oh yeah!
I know this is an old one, but since this is everything I had on my phone some will be old!


So my inspiration for trying to make more interesting and funny posts has started a linky Tuesday requiring me to take more photos with my phone. This week I actually have to admit I didn't get around to taking many, but I did take some. I started crocheting this week. I know who picks up that kind of hobby in their twenties. (So sad I only get to say that for a few more months!) I am weird, but it is fun. I made this fabulous hat for my monkey and decided to also make one for a little guy I know as well.






I am not a fabulous pro at it for sure. I am self taught and still working out the kinks, but I won some patterns from innerhooker on LMM's website. I know it is funny because I usually don't win things. Honestly. I am having fun. I finished the owl hat for McKayla yesterday. I guess I will post pics of it another time. I am just excited I have cute patterns to make great gifts for people! Handmade gifts haven't gone out of style have they?



Anything better than a baby who couldn't make it upstairs for nap time? I was calling him to come upstairs and he wasn't answering. I came down to discover this!
I recognize that this is old too, but as I stated above it was on ma phone!

Yesterday McKayla had to come home from school because she was sick. I really don't think it is serious, but she stayed home today as well just to be safe. Apparently I have become a weak mother and am allowing the excuse of "my tummy hurts with only a slight fever" be enough to keep her home. I guess other mommies should be happy about it. Plus, I should believe her because she actually loves school.



She couldn't have some big test thing or presentation she is trying to get out of, right?



Meanwhile Maddox is truly worried.

So I know it sucks, but that is all I have on my phone. I hope I find more interesting things for next week. So if you want to link up got to Jessica's Page after you create your own What's on _______ phone? and link up!

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Embrace the Camera: Remembrance Day/ Veteran's Day Edition

My dad such a handsome man.



My dad on the right receiving an award.



My dad is in the middle. I think he had a great smile. He definitely loved to smile. I remember he used to ask us how we were and if we said "okay" or "fine" he would say, "You can't be (okay or fine) I want to hear you say you are bursting with enthusiasm!"

So being in Canada today is Remembrance Day. Me. I have been thinking about all of those families who have lost someone the love who was serving for our freedom. I am American so today is Veteran's Day in the U.S. I actually like the sound of Remembrance Day better. I like that there are special assemblies on this day. I like that people around the world are observing it.



For those who don't know my dad served in the U.S. Army for 26 years. He joined The National Guard when he was seventeen. (I know!! He lied and said he was eighteen)On January 20, 1960 he took the oath of enlistment in the Regular Army of the United States. He retired the end of February 1983. I was always really proud to state that my dad served our country and fought for my freedom and rights that I have today. I remember one time talking to him about how I wanted to become a Marine when I grew up. I think I was like 9 at the time. He didn't discourage me, but he did tell me how hard it was going to be. I think he knew it was just a phase and there was no way I would join. I think he was probably pretty happy when I decided to enter a very different kind of career. Looking back I don't think I would have been very good at it. I don't think I have that kind of strength or courage to do what needs to be done. Especially when it comes to raising a family and having to leave them behind. My heart and prayers go out to all of the families who are currently without their loved one trying to survive and stay strong to support them.



So today I have some pics of my dad with McKayla. The first one is the day she came home from the hospital. I love this one because I can see how proud he is to be a grandfather for the I think 19th time. I don't think that ever got old for him. I was pregnant with Maddox when my father passed away. I actually had just found out it was going to be another boy. When I look at Maddox sometimes I can feel my father smiling at me telling me I did good. Because that is what he always said when I had my babies.

This next photo of McKayla with my dad she is wearing the princess costume he got for her. I think she liked being his little princess. That summer was a fun one for us we went camping and believe it or not my kids can still remember details about that trip which is amazing considering McKayla wasn't even 3 yet. Wow makes me think about what one of my friends said about McKayla she has a fantastic memory if it something she wants to remember. If it isn't she forgets very easily.






I don't know why I don't have a lot of photos of Marcus with my dad. I think he was always busy playing, but I am sure I have some I just couldn't find any. Mom got any? I know that my kids are going to love these pictures with their papa. Because I do.

So this post is dedicated to my dad. I love you and I love how you taught me to be strong and proud of where I came from. I learned compassion and forgiveness through you and you are still teaching me today. Thank you.

Old photos of dad I have courtesy of my wonderful sister Stephanie.

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Cross Country

So weeks ago my kids had a cross country race. They trained for weeks and ran more than I think I ever want to run, but good for them staying heart healthy and building up some good muscle. I "booked" my husband to be off for the big race because my kids need encouragement from daddy. (He ran along side them.) Especially my daughter who has yet to realize how incredible she is and can become if she pushes herself. Last year she wanted to give up almost immediately and then with some encouragement placed 7th. This year she didn't train as hard as she could have. She admits to it. I told her not to expect a good as good a showing as the work that was put into getting there. I didn't realize teaching your children sometimes involved such philosophical discussions.



My son on the other hand worked hard. Not every practice, but definitely tried to get better. I think if the race was twice as long he probably would do a lot better because it seems like he can go on forever. He just isn't that fast. But if you knew my son you would know that he doesn't really mind that he isn't fast. Well maybe that isn't right. Let me just say this he has three favorite sayings. "It's okay." "I'm fine". and "sure". Let me just say until my daughter came along I thought I was going to go crazy because nothing seems to excite him. The complete opposite of McKayla who as you will see in my soon to come out birthday post of her is very expressive and gets overly excited about everything. Every once in a while you get a small little crack on the side of his mouth and you know that he is excited, but can't bring himself to jump up and down and show any emotion. Even when he is upset and cries it is very subdued and he goes into hiding.

So anyway back to the race. We went along and Monkey got into it too.




(I think he had a little too much gatorade that day!)



We ran along the credit river waiting for the race to start and took the opportunity to take some pics of our backyard. I say that because the race was being held in the park behind my house.




McKayla showing me her muscles before the race.

McKayla was in the third race with the rest of the grade two girls. She was ready I think there were 39 of them. I can't be sure.

Her goal was to stay close to her good friend Nika who is a great runner, but the run got the best of her and she just couldn't keep up, but I was proud she rallied in the end and past somebody almost catching up to pass somebody else.





In the end she got a participant ribbon because she wasn't in the top 10, but she was happy she finished strong. As you can see she could barely put on a smile for me.


Marcus before the race. I distorted his good friend Jason because well I don't like posting kids that are not my own on my blog so he will be the star here seeing as he did really well in the race and finished the best from Marcus' school.


Marcus raced 8th with the other 4th grade boys. There were a lot of them too. There were I think 5 schools racing that day. As always with the boys the race starts with a massive sprint to get in front and then the pace slows a bit. Marcus had a prime spot with his good friend Jason, but when the race started I think he lost track of the line he was going to follow because he ran straight into people the had started to sprint. The race was tough and in the end he didn't get what he was hoping for, but he ran hard the whole way and finished strong. I didn't get an after pic because he went off with his friends.



I learned something that day. I know I may be getting older, but I can still learn things. I think I would be a terrible soccer mom. I really was rooting them on and wanting them to do well. Part of me kept pulling myself back and saying hold on don't push too hard and the other part was screaming run harder I know you can push more!! I felt like I had a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other arguing over who was right. I just tried to get the balance between the two. We as parents try really hard to push our children to be better and do better and reach their full potential. I just hope I don't push them to far or push them in a direction they didn't want to take in the first place. Hopefully I can be strong and guide them without imposing on them things that they in the end didn't want in the first place.

Today was piano lessons and I learned that my son has great coordination and can do things that are difficult for a lot of people. And that was natural no pushing on my part. I think we can find the greatness in ourselves when we let them find the greatness in themselves.,

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Three of me...

Guess what we found at Zellers? Two more McKaylas. She was ecstatic to see herself she exclaimed, "There are three of me!".

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Who is it?

check out this! We are very proud.....

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