List of Firsts

I truly enjoy being young and learning to grow and develop through our new adventures. I LOVE being a Mom who spends a considerable amount of time at the gym. I'm currently learning that there is true fulfillment in watching twins. They are often on different lines which means I always have one of MY children to cheer for. Not that this stops me from cheering for the other players too though.
I have learned that these little guys have been spending time practicing with their older brothers and somehow seem like true naturals. Colby is quite aggressive and always puts in 110%. I love, love, love watching him run down the court as fast as he can to get ahead of the ball. He's a competitive little dude. Both boys take a couple shots a game and often sink 1. That's miles ahead of their older brothers when they were this age. I have learned that all my little people will grow up, ride a bus and attend a field trip. I just want to do it with them. And so I do. I have learned how to french braid a teeny tiny amount of little girl hair.


Finally, I have learned that sometimes kids just don't understand. First, we were driving (as we often do) on a VERY cold day (like we often had in November) and I teased Colby and Quinten about how we need to buy a slurpee. They both curiously informed me that it was a cold day - and first thing in the morning.

So, we then discussed how we could make our own slurpee. Colby (our little diligent worker) suited up, asked for some cups and went outside to the newly fallen snow. I had described how all we needed to do was add syrup and we'd have a slurpee. So I quietly began to prepare a very concentrated version on Kool Aid. All the while, Colby directed Quinten....

...and before I knew it, this is what I realized. They had decided Aunt Jemima was the necessary finishing touch. I learned I need to explain my recipe instructions a little more clearly if I want these little guys to understand. All the while, we had a good laugh. AND the results were delicious.

P.S. We did have a prepatory lesson about NOT achieving yellow snow :)

Seasonal Marathon

We've decorated, we've shopped, we've wrapped, we've colored, crafted, gone sledding baked and danced.

Bad Day

So, we spend a considerable amount of time in our car as we commute each day. Driving increases your exposure to things you might see.

We've watched someone be rear ended, we've recognized the "crazy bus" which took the wrong exit (or so the boys think), we've watched men shave their faces, women apply their makeup and both eat a smorg for breakfast, we discuss road rules (as someone is recognized as a "crazy driver"), we've been rear ended and we've had a semi blow a tire right beside us traveling 110 km - we were sure a bomb had detonated along side us.

I believe I have some days where things don't run the way I think they should. The severity of it would define whether I quote I'm having a "bad day."

But perspective is everything.

Just when I'm thinking I've had a bad day, I remember two vivid images we've seen while commuting. Somehow my day doesn't seem so bad anymore. My "bad" will be redefined to: trivial.

I will always wonder how someone is capable of doing this to their car when the speed limit is only 60 km per hour.


I suspect this image can be defined as the result of a windy day?

Thank You

We will never forget.

Mario Bros in Action

The Mom of this ensemble had the weekend off of work and an early basketball game on Saturday morning which meant it gave our family enough time to take a road trip and visit Great Grandma and Grampa Richards in Cardston. Don't you always pack your Halloween costumes when you go on a road trip? Well we're glad we did. They did their Trick or Treatin' on Saturday night. SCORE! A close-up of Princess Peach who is often too small in pictures to get a good view of.

A close-up of Yoshi because he is often too big in pictures to get a good view of. Plus, this is his best side!

Mario Bros in action.

Luigi and Mario having an average time tackling the Town of Treats.

Workin' It.

Our Sunday adventures included driving home to leave a bucket of treats on our doorstep while we visited our closest friends on our street and the heading out to Great Grandma Mathews House. We were her surprise Trick or Treaters at the doorstep arriving to visit for the evening.

All in all, an action packed weekend.

3 Days to Help

From a friend of mine - for a friend of hers.

Hi Friends,
I really appreciate you taking the time to read through this email. Tonight I am writing for your support. Helping Families Handle Cancer is a brand new non-profit organization in Calgary that was founded by a dear friend of mine. She has entered a contest for a $25,000 grant from Pepsi. Currently, her idea is in third place, which is absolutely amazing and an accomplishment that she should be proud off, but she needs to be in 1st or 2nd place to receive the grant money. Please take the time today and for the next three days to vote. Every vote counts, so thank you in advance. If you could pass this on to anyone you know who would be willing to also vote, that would be wonderful. Please spread the word through email, facebook, at work, where ever you can.

http://www.refresheverything.ca/helpingfamilies

Helping Families Handle Cancer is a non-profit organization that helps families who are struggling to pay their bills as they take time away from work to assist a child battle cancer. My friend, Carie, is a cancer survivor. She started this organization from her heart and from her experiences.

Thank you for your support. The contest ends on the 31st of October and your votes are needed every day.
Lana

Mario Cart Wii

Happy HalloWiin

From,

Yoshi

Toad

Mario

Luigi

and Princess Peach

Ohana

'Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind'

The teachers have always been saying that Will does not keep up with the rest of his class. For the record, I was not worried about such a comment. I know Will, I know he's capable ... I also know he likes to do things at a snail's pace.
Because we couldn't explain why he is the way he is, we had a Psych assessment done to understand a little more about how he learns. It was the best $2100 I have ever paid in my life. I was told who Will is and why he isn't keeping up. It has also helped me in being more considerate of his slow pace in life. My Aunt told me it's a blessing that he is so easy-going and doesn't seem to have a worry in the world...but somedays - when we're in a rush to get out the door....I became very short with patience. I am now so much more understanding.

Anyway, it also happens that the lady doing the Assessment toured Will's school to understand their methodologies and teaching styles. Based on her explanation of Will and understanding of the program - she says he is 100% in the wrong program. He is intellectually average with all other children his age. However the way Will needs to be taught and supported cannot be offered by his school. Bascially, the assessment stated he is below average in his ability to process the information he receives. He needs more time to digest the material being provided. The school presents the information in a very scheduled, almost militaristic manner. Such a program has no room for flexibility in providing additional time to Will. And when we want the best for our children individually .... we knew we had to move Will. However, if you know me then you know I want my kids to be together. And no greater disappointment could have arrived to me - to find out they are being separated. This was supposed to be our year. The year when I have more enrollment on campus than any other family. When the boys can meet up together on the field at recess. When they can be there for each other and share in fun school experiences.

After all was said and done, I (with Ryan's acceptance) decided to support Will through this year, and stay to finish Grade 2. Please know, Will comes home with 20/20 on his spelling test. He's understanding the material. But there will come a time when the demands will increase and Will's need to have more time to process will not be provided to him. It's not ideal for him to stay but he's not going to fail. He's just going to need reinforcement at home. Part of our decision making came from the scheduling nightmare that occurs when trying to deliver children to 2 different schools. As well, as consideration of the potential cost to Will's spirit when being uprooted from the only school he knows - and that his brothers will continue to attend.

I pray that we've made the correct decision. In the end, Ohana has the most weight.

Two very important people in our life quoted, "When one door closes, another opens"

I was considering moving Logan next year because he moves off the elementary campus. Perhaps, I would have stayed with the program because it was 'easy' and 'familiar.' It's very possible that Will's experience has provided the fire and drive I needed to find a source of education for all of them. My next focus: K-9 school where they can be together from this year, going forward. This brings warmth to my heart.

SAVE $$$

All this considering we live in Calgary:
I never order from the US direct to my door. I always want to avoid unnecessary shipping charges. Because finding a deal has to remain just that! A Deal!

I’ve picked up Sadies summer clothes from 99 cents per piece to as much as $5 per piece. I never spend more than $20 on a pair of shoes (I rarely go over $12). Through ordering from the US I have saved $3000 on a sectional for our basement and $2500 for our dining room table (Straight comparison between Pottery Barn Calgary and Pottery Barn Spokane).

You know what they say: “a dollar saved is a dollar earned”. And in our family I need every dollar to go as far as possible. I don’t want my children to go without - but I also can’t have them in the most expensive (brand name) apparel. Doing so would be a contradiction to my entire existence.

So here’s my tips: when you find something that is a good deal, that only ships within the US, that you shouldn’t be paying shipping costs on OR all of the above then you should ship HERE:

Ordering to the US:

Sweetgrass Montana
412 Oak Street
Box 369
Sweetgrass, MT 59484
406-335-7447

My contact at this address has been Zak. I don’t know if he’s still there but thought you should know.

The advantage to this address: It’s directly south from Calgary and the highway is safe and divided.
The disadvantage is that there is a fee per package. Fees can range from $1.50 for an envelope to $20 for a pallet (which would only apply if you're ordering big furniture).

The second option is new to me this year. I purchased a Post Office Box in Babb Montana.
It was $56 for the year SO I figure approximately 10 packages sent to this location will breakeven to my other shipping option as the Post Office will not charge per package on pick-up.

P.O. Box ? (if you buy one) You can use mine but I haven’t checked into whether there is a problem with different names arriving a mailbox purchased in my name.
4016 US Highway 89
Babb, MT 59411
(406) 732-9261
Contact name: Steve

Advantage: no per package cost after original purchase of the box.
Disadvantage: they will turn away packages arriving from UPS because the US Postage has NOT been paid.
AND it’s less direct and you travel on an undivided highway for a 1/3 of the trip.
SO Black Friday is a BIG “deal” shopping weekend in the US. (The last Friday in November). The following Monday is Cyber Monday. That’s probably my next opportunity to shop.

Happy Online Shopping!!

Yesterday

Yesterday Morning I awoke to this. Our 4 little boys under the age of 4 . We make a good team.I watched you sleep. I studied your beautifully fine features. I enjoyed the wonder of our double blessing.Only moments later 1 out of 4 of our boys mature enough to advance to days without us. I have a difficult time saying good-bye.

I will never forget the feeling of that moment.

So, how, can this possibly be the picture of today? Where did our time go?

My 4 boys under 4 have now exited the house for greater adventures.

The night before school, I walked into your room to kiss you goodnight but I was too late. I still took the time to watch you sleep. Our Sweet Quinten. and Cuddley Colby.

I know you are excited about school. And that, is what helps me get through the day without you. With change comes new adventure.

I will feel a little lost at first but I know I will grow into Miss. Productivity mixed with a touch of Miss Leisure.

First on our list; shopping and a lunch date. Girl Power!

Summer Finale

What is a vacation for us without a late departure (and thus, arrival). We told the kids to close their eyes and go to sleep at 11pm. Some of us were too excited to sleep!

Grandpa had been awaiting our arrival so he could build his step.

Please consider this formal notification of our certificate of title (of the property - not the step)How can Grampa say "No" to this:

We celebrated a triple birthday. How COOL is it that the twins were born on their Grampa's birthday. They think it's pretty cool.

Here's one of the Price Is Right Models exhibiting the birthday gift. Why not the twins? Well, they had anticipated the moment for opening all day. They were SO excited .... they imagined all the cool toys and adventure gadgets possible and then they opened this. Quinten had the most incredibley huge smile and stated, "I didn't want this." The emotion of speaking the fact out loud caused him to burst into tears. Mom failed this year. This needed to be next year's gift.
Here is the face:



But we still had fun. This is how they bath when we camp.

Then onto the true fun of the trip

Ryan's trick called the 360 degree wipeout

We're not allowed to stand in Grampa's boat but Sadie was concerned when her Dad fell. There was no stopping her standing to call over the side of the boat "Okay Dad?"

He always was

Wow, Ryan actually picked up the camera to share the fact that I am actually in attendance. I don't often see this side of the camera. None the less, all suited up and ready to go.

Yeh! we're feeling pretty cool by now. That is, until we look down the beach at our neighbors. The guys with the tunes blasting, the beach volleyball set-up, tons of friends attending and the boats parked. Huh? Parked ... What, Why?

The thing I'll remember most about this lovely display of equipment is that the music was hip and Sadie danced regularly on the beach.

I will also remember that each day 1 out of 4 boats went out to actually make use of their full potential. So I did some research to see the worth of this short season equipment.And this is how we feel about that.

We still found a way to have some fun. Thank you to Grampa and for the use of his boat. The boys felt pretty proud in their Grampa's boat.

I don't think Grampa needs an adult spotter anymore. Whenever Ryan fell, we had 5 little voices yell, "Down!" (yep even Sadie - proud to be a part of the routine).

Logan the old seasoned pro.

Colby and his Dad Kickin' it on the tube

Will decided to be Mr. Independant.

Sadie spotting for her Big Brother

And then it's just fun to splash around in the lake.

This manouvre of Sadie's had me on the edge of my seat.

Seriously serene.

and sometimes not.

Sadie manning the ship.

Logan and Shannon (Grandma & Grandpa's good friend) out having fun. Fun for Logan anyway.

The fan support

This whole process seems rather routine. I'm sure last year's pictures didn't display a huge variation from this year. But each year has it's own flavor. And it's usually defined by the personalities of the age.

I want you to know that I did have a large part in the creation of this castle. I don't stand back behind the lens all the time.

We also enjoyed our morning walks/hikes.

We enjoyed the peacefulness of nature.We found opportunity for hard work (hardly).We made friendsWe enjoyed companionship

with siblings

Sometimes when we take a walk we encounter funny things.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma. For hosting Casa Caos (as you like to call it).

Until next year: