and again...

Last year, we spent a lot of time doing this:

Now, we're doing a lot of this:



Note that we found some walking wings (my dream from last year). We borrowed them from a friend last summer. Simon HATED them. Claire's too young to really understand. She's just really pumped to be up and moving. She's working on the backwards push crawl but, gets super frustrated. This is where she's happiest. Yeesh... she's barely 7 months old. I think I'm going to have my hands full!

Oh those British...

Every day, Simon asks me to buy him a British flag. Why? Because he's in love with the red, white and blue of Britannia. Today, we went to the British Tea Shop and Purveyor of British Goods. My assumption is that they'd have a British flag of some form or another. I forgot my Baby Bjorn and carried both kids in. Simon had made the connection of what we were looking for and hoping to buy. He was way too excited.
Unfortunately, the British Tea Shop and Purveyor of British Goods had no flags... except a lovely display flag that was not for sale (no matter how Simon tried to convince me to "Momma buy, Momma buy").
Sadly, I left the store with a baby on my hip and holding the hand of a devastated toddler who almost threw himself into parking lot traffic in mid-tantrum. (He's hard to hold on to while tantruming mid-parking lot while I'm trying to keep his sweet, wiggly sister on my hip.)
After many, many tears and much convincing that Momma will someday buy him a British flag, we headed on our way.
As consolation, we watched, on Youtube, the British flag while listening to the British national anthem. Sooooo boring but, made my little man very, very happy.

He also asks for an Italian flag and a Saskatchewan flag. If any of you dear readers come across or already have one of these flags and are willing to part with it, let me know. I have a flag aficionado on my hands.

Attach, Idiot, Attach!

I hummed and hawed and consulted like crazy. Then, I wrote, re-wrote, edited, consulted some more and created my letter of concern to my employer (see previous post).
I typed a polite little greeting, cc'd all those who needed a copy and fired off my letter.
Or I thought I did...
I forgot to attach so, I wrote another polite little greeting and attached my letter.
Eeeekk... I'm peeing my pants.
So much worry in so short a document.
I need to spend more time reading Philippians 4:6-7 and much less time fretting.

Little Miss Meek

After a lot of thought and persuasion from some work friends, I'm going to write a letter to the Teacher's Federation and my school division stating that I am upset with the way my transfer went down.
I know, I know, ooooo, a letter.
This is a really big deal for me. This means that I have to stand up to my employer, a figure of authority and say something that might not be agreeable.
This causes me stress.

Why is it that I can teach my students to stand up for themselves and to advocate for themselves but, I have the hardest time doing it for myself. It's less stressful to just roll over, curl up and cry.
Although I've accepted the transfer part and the new school and new job seem okay, I still cry when I talk to my colleagues about how things happened. That can't be good for my morale, can it?

Today, Little Miss Meek is about to make a peep. I wonder what it will be like to be heard or, if I'll be heard at all?

Blur...

I'm in a crazy blur stage of life right now. I feel like there's always someone attached to me and never enough time.
Claire is really struggling with naps in her crib... she'd much prefer just laying in my arms. So, we go out in the mornings because she still transfers so well in her car seat. That way she naps (usually a good hour and a half too). However, that still leaves an afternoon nap. Usually, we fight and I lose. Today, I just held her and didn't feel like such a failure because I didn't try putting her down a dozen times. That means my house is just on the edge of chaos and my desire to do yard work is depleted. I also wouldn't mind being alone for a few minutes in my day or answering my phone or making phone calls... sigh. Luckily, I get a pretty decent sleep at night.
Fortunately, even when not napping, Simon is content to have Quiet Time in his crib. He plays quietly or sleeps. It's good to look at him and remember where we came from... that gives me hope for Claire.
I looked at the calendar and realized that it's mid June already. Golly, how did that happen?

My beautiful man

Happy B-day (yesterday) to my love. Thanks so much for making me feel great even though half of my plans for your B-day were taken over by the kiddos. Thanks for going to work every day even when you're exhausted from a rough night with the baby. Thanks for accepting me for who I am. Thanks for your sense of humour, your great listening skills, your positive attitude and for the way you look after me and our little ones. You're the best husband and father of our children that I could hope for. I love you soooo much!

2

Hard to believe that this pretty little Missy is already 2. Happy B-day, Princess!
Love, Auntie

32 Today

I'm 32 today.
Simon walked outside and said "Glorious day, Momma!".
I agree, Little Man.
Claire only woke up once for a quick feed and Trevor let me sleep in today so, I feel like SuperWoman.
I'm so very blessed with a fabulous little family (and extended family), great friends, a continuing work contract, a handsome hubby (who makes good French toast), a great home (and an even greater one to come), an amazing church, good health and a crazy cat.
I'm exactly where I want to be in life and my only wishes are more prayers about things I have no control over.
I've known Jesus for ~30 years and He's blessed me with so much.
Thanks for all your sweet B-day wishes. I'm reveling in the sunshine today and being completely spoiled.

Oh yeah - photo proof

Not the greatest shot as I haven't actually done it since it's been cut. I kind of like the crazy waves I've got going on... makes it easy not to do. :)
Here are my 2 favorite shots of the kids this week as well!

(Dr's appt today. Simon screamed bloody murder. Claire smiled and performed amiably. Claire is 18 lbs and off the the chart for height. Simon is a whopping 29 lbs 8 oz and almost a meter tall. Simon's got a cold and losing his voice - his little raspy talking is pretty cute. Claire's trying to walk when we hold her standing. Yeesh - time is flying by for me with my kiddos!)