Out of the mouths of Babes

Here are a few of the funny little phrases that Mara-Grace has amused us with lately:

-What you do-ning ?

-Hey, what you do-ning now?

-Oopsy, you not paying attention.

-Uh oh, me made a little mistake.

-Oooh oh, oopsy, that's not supposed to happen.

-Mara to the rescue!

- Me do!

-What you said?

Mara-Grace has recently begun to compare our skin tones (brought on by a well meaning, kind person) and also our hair, eyes etc.... Hair and eyes being the most talked about. Anyway, when she asks what color my eyes are and I respond with blue, she then says that she has dark dark brown. I let her know how much I love her beautiful eyes and I also remind her that we both have white around the color and we both have black pupils. She seems quite content about those similarities. She is also impressed that both she and Lady have the same color. As for her hair... well, she has talked a lot about her hair being black, and ours is not. She also made Kev lean over the tub and she pretended to mix a magic potion and turn his hair black. Now recently I told her that Poppy (my dad) used to have black hair. Just like hers. Well, this was very exciting news! Now Poppy's hair is mostly white/grey. Anyway, Mara was amazed about this incredible (hehe) fact. So, today as I am reading her nap-time story, we get to the page with a baby and Mama skunk. She points to it and says, "Just like Poppy". I ask her what she means. She responds by pointing to the black fur on the skunk and says, "Black, like my hair" and then points to the white and says, "And white like Poppy's now". Precious, what comes out of the mouths of babes:))

xo J

A special tea party!

Victoria and Mara-Grace set up a tea party in our living room recently. They both got dressed up and some of the distinguished guests in attendance were Lady, Snowy Owl, and Mei Mei Panda.

What we've been up to!

I am ashamed that it has been so long since my last post.

Things here have been a little abnormal these past few weeks. I have not been well, but believe that a lot of the trouble has been due to a reaction to a natural supplement I was taking. I have relied a lot on the support of my family. Their love and care has been so incredible. I am so thankful for them and also that I am now feeling more like myself!

Despite the change in routine etc. we are all doing well. Glad to be back in the saddle again:) Mara-Grace was testing a wee bit, and I noticed her extreme desire to have my full attention at all times. She is now back to her normal self too.

Victoria has only 4 weeks left of school (including her exam period). The year has flown by and has been another great one for her. She is really excited for her summer holidays and she is also knee deep in her fundraising for her Shave To Save mission.

I have thrilling news! Kevin and I will soon be married 15 years and we are going to London England together, alone.... Actually, Kev is being sent with work for a week, and I am tagging along. He surprised me with news that he wanted me to come along to celebrate our anniversary. He will have the odd commitment with work, but for the most part, it will mostly be a pleasure trip. Anyway, I have to say that London is truly special to me. Even as a child, I always dreamed of going. All this to say, I am beyond excited about this time away. We are travelling towards the end of June. As much as I was thrilled with this surprise getaway, I was anxious about Mara-Grace. I have never left her overnight. When I think of how far we'll be I feel a little panicked, but I know that she will be in the best care. My parents will be taking care of everyone while we are away. It will be a practice run for when we are in China I suppose:) Anyway, I have begun preparing Mara-Grace for her special week, and I feel more and more confidant about going. Whoohoooo so, London here we come! Bring on Hyde Park, the London Eye, Buckingham palace, St. James' Park.... ahhhhhhhh I am really excited and now need to prepare for the trip! It will be incredible to have some time with my Kevie in one of the most incredible cities in the world. 15 years has come and gone so quickly. We married young, truly against the statistics and odds, but here we are... I am so thankful and proud of our marriage and of one another. I have been so blessed.

I drove with Mara-Grace (Tori had school, and Kev had work) and stayed at my folks house for two nights this week. It was busy, and so good to be there. We had a very important reason to be 'in town'. Our niece (and God-daughter) Olivia was the Purple Fairy in her school play of Pinocchio. I wasn't sure how Mara-Grace would do sitting still for the entire performance but she was very much entertained! We had front row seats (thanks Sean and Tina!) and it was a wonderful time! Livy was brilliant as The Purple Fairy and I am so proud to say that Mom and I made her outfit! Such fun! She sang and danced and acted up a storm and Mara was enthralled with the entire production! Mara-Grace danced along, and at one point was so into dancing that she danced her way to the foot of the stage, thankfully the curtain closed as she arrived and I could scoop her up and back to her seat without disturbing! LOL Pictures to come!!!!!

Lots of thoughts and prayers would be appreciated for my dear friend Christina who is having a very difficult pregnancy (from the start) and is expected to have an emergency c-section anytime. May both she and baby be safe and healthy soon!

As for baby news, my cousin Robyn and her husband had their baby girl last week! She weighed over 9lbs and is simply adorable! I had the pleasure of seeing her for a few minutes on the day she arrived home!

On another note, yesterday our gerbil, Fred passed away. Jellybean had died a few months back, and now Fred followed. When I told Mara, she had a look of shock on her face and then her face crumpled and she began to cry. I talked to her about him being happy and well where he is now etc... And then as a diversion we phoned my folks to tell them the news. When she got on the phone she told my Mom that she has a new yo-yo and then she said , "and Fred is playing with Mary Joseph and Jellybean." Then she went on with her conversation. She seems to have accepted this news..... I do know that when Lady's time comes, this will be a lot harder on her. I have in a sense laid the seeds of this idea gradually. I make mention of the fact that Lady is getting to be older now and slower etc... She adores Lady...we all do. There was once a time where I could hardly even imagine life without my pup (whom I have always called my kitten LOL talk about confusing everyone hehe). But now, I know this is inevitable and probably not all that far away. I have come to accept that. I remember when she was a little puppy and taking her to the vet and asking the life expectancy of her breed. I believe they said 9-11. I also remember exhaling as it seemed so far off. Lady is now on high blood pressure pills each day along with her vitamins for her stiff legs. She will be 10 years old in the Fall. When I would take her to vet she would always be so shy and she would put hide her head underneath my arm. Well, here we are all these years later and she is still doing that at the vet's! She recently went for her check up and as I watched her I couldn't help but remember her as a little puppy and the acute realisation that she is getting quite old now. She is loved beyond measure and a beautiful, treasured member of our family. The difference is that now, I have come to understand and accept the inevitable. I know that she has had a wonderful life and I am so thankful that it has been at my side. Sniff.

Ok, on a less morbid note, Mara-Grace has been a little saucy lately. She has begun to protest with sayings like, "that's not fair!!!! not fair!!!!!"..... Hmmmmmmm Another 'interesting' little stage is that of bathroom talk. Good Lord! Until the other day, it was only something she would go off on in the house and laugh like mad. It is Ick who is the culprit:) She talks for Ick (her raccoon stuffy) and says words like Bum Bum and such and giggles and I usually scold Icky and remind 'them' that that is bathroom talk. Well, the other day we went into the store and I am having a conversation at the cash and Mara is with me and of course Ick came too. So as we are standing there and I am waiting to pay I said something like, "Are you and Icky ready to go?" and 'Ick' replies with, "bum bum! Privates! bum bum!". Goodness! Thankfully the kind lady did a pretty good job of looking as though she hadn't heard. I reminded Ick that that isn't polite and he had another little rampage and I scolded him for that and we quickly got on our way. So, Ick may not come with us places if he chooses to use those words!!!!

It is so wonderful to have some flowers planted and the gazebo up! We are ready for the summer now! The pool is open and Kev took Mara in for a few minutes last night despite it being far too cold in my opinion! LOL She was so happy and is looking forward to another dip today! Hmmmmmm Kev has a very stiff neck and attempted to suggest it was due to our bedroom windown being open a little. Then I reminded him of his dive into the frigid pool!!!!!! Hmmmmmmmm :)))

Ok, nap time is over! Lots of love from our home to yours! Thanks for checking in for news! I will do my best to post some pics and another update soon!

xo Jen