B-B-B-birthday!!! :)

We gave it to her at the breakfast table, she wouldn't eat until it was OPEN! :) Thank you Nana and Grandpa, the card was loved, and went to nap-time with our dear three year old Mercy.

I did not plan a party, I planned a 'Tea' with one special little friend. They played dolls, ate amazing rainbow colored cupcakes (thanks to Oma's special treat!!) and enjoyed being Three, together. *Sigh* I have to say, having simplicity feels so satisfying. Mercy's Birthday Requests: one balloon (thank you oma), One specific friend, and PINK-ness. (so i put out some pink things)

We read a new favorite story ( thank you Uncle Eric and Aunti Ann for the lovely book!).

Visitors, the zoo, cupcakes, a walk through the grasslands, treats, friends and now i'm making Pizza, yum. It has been a week of Birthday for Mercy, and now it is coming to a close. Enjoy the photos. :)

Rainy Day, Animals Play, Want to Stay, If We May.

Family Day: Celebrating Mercy!! She will be Three on the 28th!! Wow, where did the time go? M: Merry- joyous, cheerful, giggly. E: Elegant - loves dresses, pink, and matching her outfits! R: Rascal - oh, sometimes she gets that look in her eye..... C: Careful - always watching her steps. Y: Yammer(er) - I know, it isn't a real word, but it fits into my language just fine. :) Yammer: to talk continuously!!!! loudly!!!! :)

O'Hoy there!

Fresh air whisked under our hems and our hair as we awaited boarding of the HMCS Shawinigan and HMCS Sunnyside on Sunday afternoon. Our day had been pleasantly full of rest, and now we were ready for a small adventure. Our tour guide brought us all over the ship, and sometimes spoke in whole phrases that I could not comprehend since the terms were all navigational or Naval in nature. We looked, we listened, we learned about what the ship does and where it goes. Mercy was sad that we did not leave port. Julia dressed like a 'sailor', at least, I told her that her outfit looked JUST like a sailors', and so she wore it. Good family times. Weekends of quiet rest, down time, ice cream for dinner and vegetables for dessert, games of Chess, family prayer, small town fairs, and fellowship at church. Thank you Lord for all these good gifts.

*Bahahahahaha*

Oh the days when Mercy slept on the table.... i almost forgot about that. I love looking through old photo albums, they make me laugh!! ((Disclaimer: don't worry, i've never had a child roll off a table... she was a very very new baby in the picture, and i assure you she did not roll until she was like... 15 months old! hahaha ))

Skip School, go to the Zoo!! :)

Heehee. *hand over mouth sheepishly*

Yep, only four days of school under our belts and we are skipping out already. For good reasons of course: birthdays to celebrate!! :) Dave has his big day on wednesday, but since that is a work day for him, we took our Family Day today instead. Our birthday policy is that everyone gets the day off school and work, and we spend the day together.




The zoo was so so wonderful. I loved walking all day, enjoying animals that were lively and interested in us - having the kids at such a great age to enjoy the creatures! :)*sigh* I love family days. We were all exhausted by the end of it, especially in the heat today. I am so thankful for water fountains and large water bottles. whew. I can't wait to go back.

cuddles with a nice niece.

We spent the afternoon and evening with a sweet snuggles. :) Fun times with Cousins! I cannot believe how easy going this girlie is... just fine and dandy with going on a walk with us, having me feed her ( i don't usually ), sleeping in a strange room in a strange bed, being surrounded by loudness and children, when she is usually surrounded by peace and simplicity! hahaha. she was fascinated by the kids!

Sunny Days!

Oh Sun! Oh glorious bright shining sun that draws us out to play! *sigh* We picked up a friend and followed a path. we watched living things inch along so slowly, and others fly away so fast we couldn't identify them. I heard children whispering to each other, "I LOVE nature, it is the best thing ever". I saw hands holding hands, and sisters finding bugs for a brother they love. We ran from a non-existent bear ( thanks to Mercy ). We picked flowers for a friend's birthday and rescued a few snails from the middle of the path ( where they are sure to be stepped upon, and must be moved to a branch of safety!).

good. day.

On the Necessity of Naps, and other truths of childhood.

for now, the photo says it all.

Yep. You guessed it, A Back To School Post. how unoriginal!

:) It was a special day. Two at school, wow. Here they are: Fresh cut hair. Soapy clean ( for a little while ). So ready to see old friends (julia) and ready for something new ( sammy).

Julia and her little buddies were all hugs and holding hands, and giggling like little girls do. They love each other so. All of the girls in her class are super sweet kids. I feel so blessed to have a wonderful peer group for Julia. Anyway. they had a great day, half day. :)

IT was a special occasion for all. Even I experienced Day One for my school duties... i am the yard duty adult for first break on tuesdays you see. I enjoyed starting the school year off with these kids, getting to know their faces once again.

*yawn* nap time. i stayed up too late... not used to routine yet...waking early...*yawn*