Sam strikes again!

Remember that video of John sleeping that Sam had made several weeks back?    I had truly been impressed at that time to learn that Sam even knew how to record movies let alone do something so clever as to video tape his Dad in such a funny way.

However, this past week John came across even more footage (this time on our cell phone), made by ...none other then Sam himself.     

I'm afraid this kid is shaping out to be a real Steven Spielberg in the making.  

  Granted Sam's technique is quite raw and unrehearsed, but the dialogue in this particular footage had John and I laughing hysterically for quite some time after.
  My favorite part is when he confesses to Jessica about all the times he was mean to her back when she was a baby.    CLASSIC!!!!  

PS:   It might be hard to actually understand what Sam is saying part of the time, but hopefully you hear the funny parts.   Or perhaps this is just one of those moments when you have to be the parent to actually enjoy it;)

Cute + Awesome= my kids + their Dad

A couple of times this summer we have gotten the kids out after dinner to enjoy an evening bike ride.   We try to tell the kids that the exercise will be good for them.    Somehow though, we always wind up at the nearby park, and Jess almost always gives up before we are even half way there. 

 But it's fun just the same.  

I got a little chuckle last week as I surveyed my family while they prepared to leave.   For a brief moment I wondered if I should really let these kids out in public.   Aside from the fact that I looked horrible, I couldn't really say that my kids looked any better.     In the end I decided that it really doesn't matter what we look like and I should just accept and embrace my children's styles of choice.  

It's who they are!

Abby for example rocked a pair of pink plaid shorts and a black checkered hoody.   

Most kids wouldn't be able to pull that off with the flare that Abby does.

I got a kick out of Sam's outfit only because of his socks.   

Earlier that day I had come home with 12 brand new pairs of socks for him to wear and he was SOO excited!

I think he tried on half of them within the first hour!

Really though- Sam and Abby have nothing on Jessica.

Her outfit is truly the one that made me nervous to venture outside of our cul de sac.  

I mean - what exactly does this outfit say?

More importantly what does it say about us?  Her parents!

I think what Jess was trying to convey with this outfit is:

"I'm cute and awesome and I don't care what people think!"

And she's right!

Speaking of Cute and Awesome:

I think I see where the kids get it from!!!

The moment when all is right

The other night we went on yet another fishing excursion.   

Not far - just to St. Mary's.  

John's Dad came along with us this time, and I always like it when he comes along.   

It gives me a reason to sit in the back of the van with the kids.

 And sitting in the back of the van with the kids - is a real treat!

For fifteen or twenty minutes (each way) there are no dishes to do, no calls to return, and no messes to clean up.  

In fact - my entire TO DO list is left at home, and the only thing there is "to do" in that moment is talk and visit with my four little ones. 

It's quality time I tell ya.  

Abby tells jokes.

Sam tries to shoot me with his laser nerf gun.  

Jessica gives a detailed play by play of every animal she spots out the window.

And Nate watches on - smiling and sometimes dancing from the confinement of his car seat. 

When they ask- I tell them stories and try to make them as good as possible.  

We're all together.   We are all happy.  And for a little while- they think I'm funny.

It's a precious,  PRECIOUS moment!

Dear: Dad

"Please please please PLEASE can we get a dog?   The neighbors are getting sick of sharing theirs."    

Love from, 

Your kids.

...and wifey;)

Sam's Birthday Party: Next year...the kids will sign a waiver form!

Sam turns 6 this coming Sunday, (August 14th) and he has been begging me for about a hundred million days now to let him have a birthday party.    I can't say I love Birthday parties and I realize that makes me a lame boring old mom.   I think my lethargic attitude about Birthday parties has more to do with my lack of creativity then anything.  

 Combine my parental patheticness with the fact that Sam's birthday is in the summer and you can understand why our cute little guy usually misses out in the party department.   

This year though- I was determined to throw him a "Real" party.   

And according to Sam it had to include "real friends.  Not just sisters"    (His words-not mine.)

  

* So his big day birthday celebration began with Jessica and I setting up the annual "Wall of Fame" which we do for the kids when they have a birthday.   For a week or so our kitchen wall is covered with some our favorite and most embarrassing photos of the birthday kid.   I LOVE this tradition as it brings back lots of fun memories.

*Then it was breakfast in bed.  All of Sam's favorites:  Eggs with cheese, vanilla yogurt with dumb dumb cereal (don't ask;), and a cup of milk that he got to drink with his new silly glasses straw!   Thanks for that Aunt Crystal!

*Then it was time to party!!!!   6 kids, ('cuz he's 6)  one big bounce house, water games, cake, ice cream, launching home made rockets high into the sky, and a home made Pinata!   John made the pinata himself after Sam requested to have one shaped like a rocket.    I was so happy John made it because who wants to spend $25 on something that a bunch of kids are just going to beat to death?    (sorry-have I mentioned that I'm a lame mom?)

The hit of the party was without a doubt the game John made up where kids took turns sitting on a giant inflatable skidoo while he sent them flying across the slip n slide.    

Luckily there was only one collision.

Oh and there was also that one time when Everett went flying right into the Raspberry patch, but other then that- it was all good.

(If Everett's parents are reading this: -Don't worry. He enjoyed the ride!;)

All in all - it was a lot of fun, and Sam can finally say that he got to have himself a party.  

And you know what- he deserves it!

This boy is such a special part of our family.  He's a little bit crazy.  (certifiably;)  He's LOTs of fun.   He's happy 99.9 percent of the time.  He's a sensitive boy who feels deeply.  He's an entertainer.

 And he's still willing to cuddle with his mommy.  

This kid is definitely worth celebrating.    

Happy Birthday Sam!!!!   

**********

John made up this video of his super fun and SAFE (sarcasm intended) activity he did with the kids.

I'm thinking a waiver form might come in handy next year.

  

Glacier

We are falling in love with Glacier.  

We haven't made much of an effort to explore it as much as we have Waterton but every time we do we are surprised by how stunning it is.   

It's HUGE.   And chalk full of kid friendly hikes.   

I read through our Glacier Hiking book and dog eared the pages of TWELVE hikes that we plan to do with the kids.

John is determined that we spend all of next summer exploring this beautiful place.     

Usually when we go to Glacier we walk around swift current lake and then finish off with some fishing there as well.      It's the perfect stroll and just long enough for a group of kids who lean towards the wimpy side when it comes to outdoor adventures;)    Yesterday we decided to push the kids just 10 minutes further and check out Lake Josephine.     It's about a 0.3 km hike from swift current lake (the one right below the hotel)  yet it is soo much more secluded.     Even Sam was happy that we'd gone the extra short distance by the end of it.   

As always the kids had to ride on the "Elephant Trunk,"  a name we gave this tree trunk when we all unanimously agreed that it looked like an Elephant's head.   

As we neared Josephine we found this tree that had recently been used by a Bear as a scratching post.       

We also found this beautiful butterfly that stayed still for over an hour!  No matter how close we got to it, it never moved!

 

   I tried to identify it later at home and the best I could determine was that it is a Papilio-multicaudata or the two tailed swallowtail.   

At least that's what I told my kids it was, and they totally believed me;)         

Which is perhaps why hiking with kids is so much fun.    

Even when you have no idea what you are talking about - they still think you know everything!

I'd better enjoy that while it lasts;)

It's not about the fish

I have to admit the kids enthusiasm for fishing is beginning to wane this summer as we have failed to catch any fish.   And we've made A LOT of attempts!   Considering our successful evenings fishing in Waterton last year it has been a bit deflating for the kids to never even get a bite.    

Still- John is determined that we utilize our naively purchased Alberta fishing licences and stick to the nearby lakes and rivers outside of the park.   

Which brings us to our Payne Lake trip on Thursday evening which I  like to refer to as:

"Our Family Fishing Gong Show" 

 (Take:  SIX!)

And gong show it is.

Once we finally decide where to fish (which is a feat in and of itself) there is the task of getting the kids and the dingy ready.   John spends a couple of years  (I exaggerated slightly) inflating the boat while the kids jump around inside it.

I let them- because I know John secretly enjoys that;)  

While John struggles with the kids, and the boat, ...and the gear...

I pretend I don't know these crazies and venture off to take pictures of the beauty around us.

I'm all about appreciating the beauty around us.   

(Especially at times like this.)

After a while some of the kids get tired of waiting. .....

But eventually...after the 20 minute drive there and the 30 minute set up...finally it is time to start fishing.  Usually John gets to be the one to take the kids out - while I remain on the shore.   

I generally spend this time fishing, taking photos, playing with Nate (who never lasts long on the boat), and listening to the sounds of my families voices float across the water.

    

Yep.  I have a lot of love for the people in that there boat!

Sometimes Grandpa joins us, which is always a treat.   This week he even brought along his brand new fly rod!   

He has some great fishing stories!

 Nate often stands at the waters edge anxiously watching for the boat to return.  It is amazing how a little bit of slime and mud can keep a little boy happy.  

Eventually, (as in an hour later!)  after the mosquitos have eaten me alive, and just as Nate becomes whiny - the other half of our family comes back.     

Empty handed.  (Again.)  

But still happy.

And it is in that precise moment, as I watch them approach with the sun setting behind them, that I realize

It's not about the fish!!!

And suddenly the fight it took to get the kids out here seems so utterly and delightfully WORTH IT!

What "the funnest day in the WHOLE WORLD" looks like:

My brother Chad has been spending a lot of time with his family this summer at a quaint campsite near pincher creek.     On Monday we drove out to spend the day with them and it turned out being one of the kid's favorite outings of the holidays so far!

But of course, how could it not be?

*  Beautiful scenery

*  Fun in the nearby lake

*  Bocce ball 

*  Quad rides 

* Splash parks

* The BEST tinfoil dinner EVER made

* AND an outside movie while the sun set behind us

It was delicious, and fun and relaxing.

And Perfect!

I love this picture of Jessica.    

Not only because she brought me a handful of handpicked flowers (my favorite thing ever!), but her entire self is covered head to toe with dirt, sunscreen, chocolate, and melted marshmallow!  

                       

In case you were wondering- this is what "the funnest day in the whole World"  looks like!!
Just ask my kids;)

When the kids are bored....

We're officially halfway through summer break and the kids are beginning to complain more and more that they are BORED.   

 Am I the only Mom out there who is NO FUN?

Luckily they found a pack of balloons one day and managed to make their own sort of fun by creating little people water balloons.    

I thought it was cute when I found Miss Pinky (because she was pink of course;) sitting on our couch with a pile of books.    

(She clearly likes to read.)

I figured it was getting out of hand when I walked past the bathroom later that day and noticed Abby actually bathing her little balloon Baby in the sink.     

 Still, I held me tongue and didn't say anything because I'm striving for "fun mom" status here.

However, I had to draw the line that night,  when I found TWO of these little water filled friends tucked snugly into bed.    Water balloons in BED?!!!

Even a "Fun Mom" has to draw a line somewhere.   Right?

Our front yard in July- An old folks home perhaps?

I posted a collage much like this in June showing what our front yard looked like then and figured I should do the same now.    It's fun to see the changes as some plants begin to bloom and flourish.    

My favorite plants this month have been the lilies and the bee balm.    

I also love how much the clematis has grown since last year.    You can't see it but on the left John built a 4 lattice frame for yet another vine - a Virginia creeper-which I know I am going to really enjoy.   

 That's FOUR plants climbing up the front of our house now!!!

I've been a little self conscious lately that our home officially looks like a couple of old people live here,  with such a scattered arrangement and assortment of things growing.     

Luckily, we usually have a plethora of bikes, balloons, dolls, balls and kids clothes scattering the lawn to indicate otherwise;)  

Saturday Fun

We spent Saturday afternoon outside...  in the hot HOT sun!

We started out at Waterton Dam where the kids enjoyed playing and wading in the water.   Abby's friend Cody was there and so she spent most of her time playing with him and riding on his family's jet ski and tubes.

  Nate was happy so long as he could hold the cell phone.   

(Some kids just can't be torn away from their toys;)

Sam and Jess dug for shells and buried each other in the sand.  

We finished off by fishing at Payne Lake for awhile.    

Is there any better way to end a day?

I think not.  

"I didn't plan to be a witch: And other suprises of a joyful mother."

The title of this post is actually the name of a book that I once came across a few years back.    I never did read the book (because sigh...I didn't think I needed too;)  but that title is one I've never forgotten.   In fact, it's usually the first thought that pops into my head right after I've lost my temper about something.    

Like the time Abby and Sam decided to set up a a veterinary clinic in our front room and made toilet paper casts for each.and.every.one of their stuffed animals.   

There was toilet paper EVERYWHERE!  (except where it should have been)

One look at that mess and the "witch" in me came out as I threatened to wrap THEM up in toilet paper if they ever made a mess lake that again!  

Or there was the day last week when Abby and Jess decided to paint their fingernails with bright green nail polish that I bought for them last year.  It didn't take more then five minutes for Nathan to get his hands on it and dump the contents of the bottle all over our white fluffy basement carpet!  

Yeah...I definitely got "witchy" then!   

It is always in moments like this, that that darn book title pops into my head.  Without fail, I feel a pang of guilt as I realize just how hard it is sometimes to be the JOYFUL kinda mom I want to be.

  

I tell ya-being a witch is way easier.   It just is.

Speaking of witches- Jessica was thrilled this week when I came home from Calgary with a costume for her to wear this Halloween.    I had intended to put it away for the next couple of months, but Jessica wouldn't hear of it, and insisted on trying it on right then and there.  

She wore her "witch outfit" to dinner that evening while she ate not one -but TWO helpings of spaghetti and corn:  (Frankly, she can wear whatever she wants if it'll help her eat that well;) 

She was still wearing her witch outfit when we all decided to pile into the van later that evening and go for a little drive:  (Doesn't she look excited to be going?)

I have to admit- she seemed a bit out of place as we followed Grandpa through a field to check out an awesome fish pond that he knew about:  (the broom is a nice touch eh?)

John, Max and I got a kick out of watching her excitement at feeding the trout and watching them jump: (I mean really it was quite a sight;)

And my heart melted when she got her fingers pinched in the van while coming home and she cried like a baby, but still insisted on wearing her hat.  (like any brave little witch should;)

As I looked over these pictures of her from that evening I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming gratitude for these little kids that are testing me daily yet at the same time (hopefully) shaping me into something I would never have been without them.   

Sure I have my "witchy mom" moments but I'm more inclined now to be a little bit more accepting of myself.

Because as Jessica has so perfectly demonstrated:  

When done right- being witchy can actually be pretty dang CUTE!

The Fort AND Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump

We recently took the kids to the Fort Museum in Fort MacLeod and had a great time!   John and I hadn't been here since we were both kids, and we were pleasantly surprised to see how kid friendly it was.   

We had fun touring each cabin and exhibit and the riding demonstrations were very cool!

They had a little booklet for the kids that contained pictures of various items throughout the park.  IF the kids could locate every item in the book, they got to choose a treat!  It was a great way to keep them interested as John and I tried to explore as much as we could. 

This photo I love.     I love how Nathan is freaked and genuinely wants out.   Jessica has just gone and figured out how to get out.    Sam on the other hand doesn't want to simply squeeze between the bars.   He's clearly aiming for a authentic jail break.   And Abby is perfectly content to remain behind bars.   

John and the kiddos in front of the Cavalry.   

Man I wish I lived back in those early frontier days.    John would have been a handsome cowboy.   

We had planned a picnic for lunch but the rain started to pour as we left the museum, so we decided to eat in the van and drive 10 minutes further to the Head Smashed in Buffalo jump.     The kids enjoyed that museum as well-though I didn't take any pictures so I clearly must have been feeling a little worn out:)   

That's 2 of our summer items checked off the "To Do" list.   

And in one day!

How efficient are we right?

1.  We drove out to Waterton on Friday in hopes of hiking to Bertha falls with the kids.    Unfortunately the weather put a damper on those plans;)    After going a part of the way in the rain we decided to turn around a go back.   We reached the van just as the rain stopped.    Figures;)

2.    Sam conquered a fear this week and jumped off the diving board during swim lessons.     He prayed each night that he'd be able to (cute;)   and imagine how proud we were when by the end of the week he was jumping off withOUT his life jacket!  

3.   We've reached that point in the summer break when the kids are ready to go back to school.   They've come to me several times complaining that there just isn't "anything to do."     So I made them wash the van;)

4.   Sam figured out a way to enjoy some fresh apple juice on a hot day!   We've had LOTS of picnics this week.

5.   The kids are LOVING the spray park in Waterton and stopping there has become a mandatory part of our trips out.    (Whether I've packed their swim clothes or not;)  

6.   If you read our previous post you already know about our two newest members of the family.   I'm happy (well sort of disappointed;) to announce that the two minnows named Mango and Angeline are both still alive and seem to be doing quite well.      The kids had grown bored of them by the second day, and I'm now planning a trip to St.Mary's this week to return them to their home.     We are clearly not pet people;)

7.   We attended the Alberta air show yesterday and had a great time.  John was in heaven watching all of the planes and jets and the kids did surprisingly well.    Unfortunately John sprained his ankle running to the van afterwards and is now having to elevate his foot and use crutches as much as possible.  Poor man.  

8.   We were invited to join another family out at our Bishop's cabin this past week.    It was a gorgeous place with lots of fun things that kept the kids happy for much too long.   Hot dogs, marshmallows, quad rides, games and more.    I'm now plotting our move out to the country.    Wish me luck;)

When my words come back to haunt me...

We spent yesterday morning out at St.Mary's exploring and fishing.    While John and the kids searched below the spillway for fossils, Sam focused all of his energies on catching a minnow instead.     I love watching him when he is most determined, and believe me- he was determined!    After a few misses we finally caught a good sized fish worth keeping.   When Abby and Jess saw Sam's new pet they each wanted one of their own too.    The kids each filled their water bottles with pond water, added a few plants and oi la... finally something that the whole family can agree on;)  

Sadly Sam's fish died in a tragic drain accident shortly after we arrived home.   (As in- he was accidental dumped down one.)   Sam was devastated, though I admit I was quite happy myself.    You see I had recklessly told the kids in a moment of insanity that "if they could keep their so called pets alive then I would consider letting them get a gecko."      I don't know why I do that?   Why do I make promises like that with them?   Oh I know why - It's because I was one hundred percent certain that all three minnows would be dead by the end of the day!

However, this morning I woke up to see that the other two minnows (now affectionately named Mango and Angeline) have survived the night and seem to be doing just swimmingly.  

DRAT!

I'm really starting to worry that I'll have to eat my words and the thought of a gecko truly makes my skin crawl.

On another pet related note- Abby has officially started her "Pet Sitting" business.    This was again another promise I offered up with no intention of actually fulfiling.    Way back in February I told Abby she could watch other people's pets in hopes that she would stop nagging Daddy for a dog of her own.     At the time- it seemed like a fair compromise.  

Well- she has held me to it (because you know-they always do;) and yesterday produced the first of many posters that she plans to distribute around town.      Luckily I intercepted that plan  suggested to her that this old blog of ours might be a BETTER way to get the word out to a lot of people.  (..or six?;)    

As a result, she has confidently put me in charge of advertising.    

So there you have it.   If you have a pet that needs babysitting- you know who to call.

...But Please DON'T!!!!!

National Parks Day makes for a Beary close encounter

Well John is midway through another one of his fencing jobs for the summer and the end is in sight.    Unfortunately he was working today when the kids and I decided to head to Waterton in celebration of  National Parks Day.     What can I say- I'm a succor for large crowds and limited parking;)    The park was much busier then I expected it would be but that's to be expected when you combine free admission AND absolutely perfect weather.   Not a breeze!

The kids had a great time at the splash park before we decided to have a picnic down by linnet lake.    Prior to this - I had spent a large chunk of the afternoon trying to talk the kids into a hike - with little luck.   They all flat out refused the notion of a hike because they were all afraid scared of running into a bear on the trail.     (that might have something to do with the abundance of scary bear stories they told each other the last time we went to the mountains but whatever.)    Anyways, by the time we had finished eating I had done a pretty good job of convincing the kids that a walk around Linnet Lake would be perfectly safe even without Daddy.   Seeing as we are so close to the hustle and bustle of the town site-no bear would come miles within us.   

So they agreed.

And we set out on a lovely Saturday afternoon walk.    Linnet is actually one of my favorite walks, and it's easy peasy for young kids.

We sang songs, we saw a HUGE and beautiful butterfly that I suspect was actually a moth of the Imperialis variation (I just finished reading about Moths so I'm like totally an expert now),  and we took lots of pictures as we went along our way.     

We were having a lovely time despite the fact that every 15 seconds I had to reassure Jessica that we were NOT going to see a bear, when all of the sudden we rounded a corner only to come within feet of .... a BEAR!    As soon as I realized what I was staring at - I froze.    The bear looked up and stared straight at us probably wondering what we were going to do.

For a second I struggled to know what exactly it was that I should do.     Play dead?   Yell?  Stop drop and roll?   What exactly was it they tell us to do?    I seriously wondered how I was possibly going to throw myself over top of ALL four of my children and protect each one of them.    In the end, common sense returned and I simply grabbed Nathan into my arms and urged all the kids to follow me, walking backwards all the while speaking as calmly yet loudly as possible.    

Textbook right?      

I'd like to say that as soon as we were out of sight of that bear that we all calmed down, but nope- adrenaline continued to course through my veins the entire way back to the van.    The kids will never forgive me either.  In fact as we bravely ran away they kept insisting that they will NEVER go hiking with me alone AGAIN!!!  

Oh so sorry - for keeping you ALIVE!!!!   Good grief!

Perhaps the saddest moment of all though came when I got to the van and realized that my camera had been hanging around my neck the entire time!  

NOW WHY DIDN'T I THINK TO TAKE A PICTURE??????