green thumbs

I've started ripping out our front flower beds, actually all our beds, as we have too many and in the ones we do want to retain, we have a creeping vine that has taken over. So, we've decided to start completely fresh this year and remove everything. It's proving to be a lot of work, but it feels so great to be active outdoors. Unfortunately for the local worm population the kids are loving the work as well. Worm after worm is being removed from the beds, where they disappear to, I'm not sure.

In an effort to refocus their attentions, this morning I decided to find the kids their own garden tools. One minute after arriving home, they were getting busy. It's working like a charm - perhaps too good - they've deemed themselves resident designers and their style is avant-garde.

I didn't get a picture of the front steps but it's along this same line.

There truly is nothing more satisfying than spending the day outside with my favourite two little people. My only hope is that once we replace our plants, their gardening efforts can again be refocused on something else. Yeah perhaps we should save our efforts and dollars for next year, or plant gravel.

TGIF everyone!
AJ and the crew

atlantic time

We're back and I wish I could say that the adjustment back to the Atlantic was going well but I cannot. The kids are a mess. Who would think that three hours could be such a nuisance?

We had a great trip - best one ever. The kids are at the age that we can do so much and still make it home for a couple hours in order for Elliott to nap. Other than a few little lady fits and some Elliott separation anxiety I would say the 11 days were pretty close to perfect.

When we're in Moncton I do feel like we're home, but each time I get back to Calgary I'm torn as I do feel it will always be my home home. While away I sometimes get confused over where home is... it's hard to explain. I love Calgary for all my friends and family and all the offerings of a big city. Moncton on the other hands is the kids' home and they were so happy to arrive back to Finnegan, Papa and their stuff. It's simpler here that's for sure.

Anyway here are a few pics from our time away. Please note I always forget to take photos because for the most part we just hung out with friends and family... anyway here they are.

 Kate and her beloved Aidan - crafting crowns.

 Celebrating my birthday in the mountains (can you see them?) with my Mama and Rhonda.

Mmmm cake and a lot of candles.

 Decorating cookies at Allison's with our friend Grady.

 As you can see form E the boys did a more eating of icing than decorating.

Sophie and Lauren backstage at the Science Centre.

 Elliott exploring the water table at the Science Centre.

Yup he got soaked.

Painting with Aunty, she's nicer/braver than I - so the kids took advantage by painting a dozen masterpieces each.

Elliott in his camo jammies and matching painted face.

A huge thank you to all our great peeps who made so much time for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We love you all so much. Aimee, Kate and Elliott

spring hath sprung

We spent nearly the entire day outside today and it was glorious. My neighbour came by and informed me that we are expecting 15+ cm of snow tomorrow though. See Cody I told you you jinxed us this weekend by removing my snow tires.

Kate has been loving reconnecting with her bike these past days and she is looking like a superstar. She flew face first into an icy, filthy snowbank yesterday and as Cody was hoisting her out she was crying, "let me try again." Bike on sister.

Elliott on the other hand, he has spent the past few days bawling his eyes out. I think he's officially entering the terrible, give me everything I want, twos. That and a couple two-year molars makes for a very dull boy.  Oh eight hours in a confined airplane here we come.

A taste of Spring.

For you Royal watchers out there...

 Princess "Me"

Prince Eugene Elliott

Three sleeps and two days to go until we see some of our favourite peeps.
Kisses kids

the royal visit to halifax

Our whole family spent today in Halifax and what luck - it got to 15 degrees on the waterfront. It took us hours to get literally feet along the harbour as the kids were fascinated with everything. We saw ships, tractors, mermaids (I didn't, but apparently Kate did), a big helicopter, seaweed and we got to play on lots of great stuff too.

Kate was accessorized to the max with a Princess crown on for nearly the whole trip. Cody and my greatest fear was that the new and beloved crown was going to land to the harbour as she craned over the wharf's edge repeatedly. It was so funny a couple times she panicked asking Cody and me "Where's my crown?" Each time it was on her head. So sweet.

Here's some shots from our big day out:

 My little lovely family.

 Our Princess Fiona or Rapunzel depending on the moment.

 Ze boyz.

 Two Mermaids and their Merman under the sea.

We all live in an orange submarine.

 Me and my man.

 Wheeeee!

I swore I would NEVER call my daughter a Princess but she sort of is ours. Kate please don't let it go to your head.

Thanks Halifax, we really dig you. CAKE

10-4 baby buddy

This week is March break here in NB so I've been looking for creative ways to fill our time. It's funny how quickly I adjusted to Kate having school every day. So, yesterday we headed to visit Papa at work and fulfill a life long dream of Elliott's - to ride in a big truck. It turned out to be a hoot for all of us. Kate was on fire, acting out great imaginative stories in the bunk and Elliott, well you'll see. Disclaimer, please don't judge us or worse, turn us into the authorities.

Checking out the hardware. Is that correct trucker terminology?

First views.

 Who is most excited?

At this point I don't think it was Elliott.

Grampie left for two days and Cody has evidently adjusted hiring policies.

After the drive through the country Elliott got to drive the forklift too. I can see many days ahead with Cody and Elliott heading to work together. Like Mama, Kate was happy as a bystander.
Thanks again Papa, it was awesome.

ah nuts

Another weekend comes to a close and I wish I could report it was one without bloodshed, alas, I cannot. Friday our little Finnegan got fixed. Ouch! It happened to coincide with Kate's first Show & Tell at school. She took in a photo of her and Finnegan which had been taken at our Vet a couple months back. Bonus, she got to tell her class that she had just dropped him off for an operation. For the record he's doing awesome.

Then today the kids and I were outside pushing our carts around. I brought out Elliott a stroller because last week his normal cart was busted when Kate crashed. Long story short, the stroller did not have the weight or balance of the previous cart. He totally wiped out on it and the seat's crossbar busted through his face, above his lip. There's a good chance he should have got a stitch but I was feeling pretty nauseous and decided he'd just walk this one off.

For those of you wondering, yes, typically we do wash our child's face but Cody, Kate and E ran out right after dinner to take Finn for a walk. The face was a slight oversight.

In completely unrelated news, I like so many others have become a Pinterest addict. This weekend marks my first attempt at copying one of the dreamy ideas I have come across on the site in the last weeks: an art display wall for the kids. I think it went well and wanted to share it with my Pinterest followers and followees.

Lastly, ten days to Calgary. I can't wait to see all my family and fabulous friends.
Over and out. Aimee

we heart john's tractor

Yesterday we had a big snow fall. Our snow removal guys came a couple times in their big green John Deere which to a kid seems to be the equivalent of a small lotto winning. The second time the tractor showed up Kate said, "Mama, John's tractor's back." It was so sweet.

Speaking of tractors, Elliott is love with them, big trucks and trailers. He is thrilled to see them live or on You Tube. Either way, he's always left wanting "more".

Happy first day of March all. FYI - March has always been my favourite month of the year and with a visit home in just 15 days, it is again this year.

xoxo aj