Wordless Wednesday- From Sarah Girl to Jessie Girl

Sarah has always been my "Sarah Girl."  It is the name I have called her since the early days.  I am not sure where it came from, but it has stuck.  Well my Sarah Girl has been talking about being Jessie, from Toy Story 3, for Halloween for at least the last four or five months.  I didn't think much of it because last Halloween she changed her mind about her costume numerous times.  But since the talk of Jessie has continued, we brought her back a little prezzie from our road trip to Bellevue this weekend.

Since Sunday, my Sarah Girl has been a Jessie Girl.  Happy Wednesday.

Kid Free for 24 Hours and the World is a Beautiful Place

Perhaps it was the fact that I had a full twenty four hour kid free, date with my husband this weekend.  Maybe it was the amazing weather.  It could have been the anticipation of a new school year just over the horizon, beckoning to me. Or maybe it was because I think my kids are so darn cute. But I was loving life this weekend.  I was drinking it in and asking for seconds.  It is one of those times that my glass was more than half full, it was full to overflowing.  And when that happens, it is easy to see the beauty in almost anything.

Things I am loving right now:

My new toothbrush holders

Image courtesy of The Container Store

I experienced The Container Store for the first time this weekend and picked up four of them.  The fourth one is a dinosaur, right up Jack's ally.

Enjoying the water park as much as the kids do.

Watching my sister love on her kids.

Seeing Sarah grow up before my eyes.
I am sure if I look back at my blog posts, I will have written this before.  But in the last week she has become just that much more grown up.  The way she talks to me and tells me stories.  The way she helps with Jack when he is having a moment.  The way she wonders about everything.  She is fun to take places and she can be reasoned with, most of the time (I am sure I just shot myself in the foot with that last comment).  She has a way of finding joy in small things.  The way she gets excited about things is infectious.

Watching Jack play and listening to his cute voice.
 His voice is like sunshine- sweet, happy and bright.  Last night he called his poop "digusting" and we all had a good chuckle.

There is beauty in the world

So much beauty in the world

Always beauty in the world

So much beauty in the world

-Macy Gray

Back to School Prep

As we creep towards the finish line of summer holidays, I look forward to fresh starts, new pencils and the feel of an unopened notebook in my hands.  I am excited for the start of the new school year.  As a kid, I remember feeling some of this same excitement.  I always looked forward to back to school shopping.  It was a favourite time for me, when I got to pick out a brand new outfit.  One year a burgundy corduroy was the coveted item.  This year, I started that same tradition with Sarah.  I took her on a much needed date night where we wandered around the mall, hand in hand enjoying our time together.  It seemed to be what she needed at the time, some alone time with Mommy.  Some time with my undivided attention.  She was very sure of herself as she chose her new outfit with care.  The shirt had to have butterflies on it.  The pants had to match.  It turns out corduroy is back in style and she selected some purple cords.

Sarah was lucky to get another back to school outfit from Gram and Bubby.  These track suits are the best.  Purple seems to be her colour this year.

Jack also scored a new track suit from Gram and Bubby.  This picture was taken right after we returned from the library.  He was too busy reading to pose with Sarah for a picture.  I do love how much my kids love books.

Happy weekend.

Great Fitting Jeans and Resort Style Camping

I have a bit of jean addiction.  I am always in search for the perfect jeans.  Sometimes when you try them on in the store, they don't tell the whole story. It is hard to know what they will look like in a day or two.  How will they stretch and bag out?  Will my bum look good or will it look like a wet diaper gone wrong?  A good jean will stretch out in the all the right places and when push comes to shove, can be worn for a few days.  The same can be said for finding the right family to travel with.  Like a good pair of jeans, the right family fits well, sees you when you are not at your best and stays for dessert. The right family to travel with also understands the importance of a morning latte run.

This weekend we were resort style camping at the Lynden, KOA with the H family, our great fitting jeans.  Based on our family friendly criteria, this weekend was an A.

Criteria #1 Children are happy.  Adults don't have to referee or intervene very often and can sit and enjoy some down time.

All the kids play and get along so well.  They dig in the dirt, climb on rocks and chase each other around.  The best part, almost zero fighting.

If all goes well, we will show this at their wedding

Criteria #2  A variety of activities for everyone.


It all started with the battle of the paddle boats.  There was lake racing and some boat bumping.  The good news is no one fell in the lake.

Mini-golf-  Look out Tiger Woods, we have a crew of up and comers.

Fishing.  Weeds were the catch of the day.

The wonder of bubbles never gets old.

Who packs a white shirt for camping?  Do you see how dirty that shirt is?

It happened to be Mardi Gras this weekend at the campsite.  During craft time in the afternoon, we made masks and then in the evening we joined the crowds and paraded around the campsite, Mardi Gras style.

Criteria #3 Kids go to bed and sleep.  Adults get social time around the fire.  Yummy snacks available upon request.


We were introduced to Banana Boats this weekend.  If you haven't tried them before, you really must.  

Everyone needs at least one good pair of great fitting jeans, don't you think?

Part Two: A Day at the Lake

During our vacation, we spent a few days at a cabin on Okanagan Lake.  The kids had an amazing time.  Some advice on enjoying time spent at a lake.


Choose good hosts.  We couldn't have asked for better.  They opened their cabin and trailer to us and treated the kids as though they were their own grandkids.

Make the most of your time near the water, swim everyday.

Don't bring a lot of toys or gadgets.  There is plenty to do outdoors.  Exploring, bug hunting, minnow catching and duck feeding are just a few activities that can fill your days. 

When the weather turns cool or rainy, head indoors for colouring, crafting and makeovers.

Sarah was in heaven because she had her makeup done by Grandma Lyn

Of course, a day is not complete without some good old fashioned marshmallow roasting and s'more eating.  So bring marshmallows, chocolate and graham wafers.

Don't forget to enjoy the sunset and take some good photos.

Summer Vacation Part One: Road Trip by the Numbers

As mentioned yesterday, we just spent a week at my parents' place.  I drove the kids up at the beginning of the week and Captain Canada met us on the weekend.  Here is our road trip by the numbers.

445     kilometers driven to reach our destination

152     kilometers driven before realizing my car insurance was expired

3         people asked in order to get correct directions to an insurance place in Merritt

0         number of photos taken prior to Captain Canada's arrival

217     photos taken after Captain Canada's arrival

5        days that we woke up to the roosters morning song

2         number of kids running around in pajamas well past bedtime at our family BBQ

6    tractor rides given by Bubby.

1         piggy backs given on an impromptu hike near Merritt

never enough         snuggles in one week.

4          number of smiles as we arrived home.

We love vacations, but it is great to be home.

Coming soon:  Summer Vacation Part Two:  A Day at the Lake