pics and pumpkins

I wanted to really break in the camera yesterday, so the kids and I headed out Hillsborough way for our annual pumpkin picking afternoon. I occasionally forget how fortunate I am being able to stay home with the kids every day, yesterday served as a grand reminder. I love being out of doors, standing back and just watching them. Watching them explore and create new worlds. Watching them fall in love with the breezes, the streams and with each other.  I'm taken back to the countless days that I spent doing the same exploring and creating.  In our little hamlet of Langdon Alberta, I knew every tree, every swamp, every railroad tie. I was a loner most afternoons, save for my trusted bike, and I was gone. I appreciate the trust my parents had in me to roll solo for hours on end, because I find it difficult imagining not bearing witness to my children's every little discovery.

 My tough chick loading pumpkins as fast as she could.

 I promise you this was not staged.

If I could swing it E, Mama would get you a Moo Cow.

 They're off.

 Our own interactive museum.

Our pilgrimage to the "Robot" - Elliott was adamant but a little nervous.

This morning Kate asked why our neighbour Mona was not out playing with her pumpkins the way Elliott and her have been. I told her that like Mama, Mona forgets how to play with pumpkins. "Oh, that's too bad," she replied. I couldn't agree more Kate, but thanks to you and your partner in crime I get one more kick at the can. I love you and thank you again for that. 

xoxo Mama

convoy

I think this video pretty much speaks for itself and I can't tell you who was more excited about these three LCVs leaving town this morning Cody or Elliott. I can tell you that we are very proud of all the work you do for us Papa and I think these road trains are a testament to what you are accomplishing. Truck on buddies!

happy birthday ruby

Our friend Ruby turned two today. The kids and I headed over to her Sweet Shoppe for some, cake, snacks, toys and presents. Ruby, you are such a sweet little lady. We're so happy that you're in our life and we Jorgensens hope not to corrupt you too much over the coming years.

 If only you could tell if Ruby is excited.

 My teeth are aching.

The Grants (less Leo).

 Elliott showing off his pop.

Kate and her pop.

In other news, it's official. Kate has two earrings. She screwed enough courage for the second piercing this afternoon with Papa. That is she had the courage until the little white gun thing made its appearance. All gruesome details aside, it's done, she's thrilled. And we are too.

Cheers! AJ

brave

Out of nowhere, following yesterday's quiet time, Kate announced that she wanted to get her ears piereced. "I'm ready Mama. I want to get Hello Kitty Cat earrings."

There have been many requests for earrings but we have always been very honest with her: it involves a needle, it hurts and you have to do it twice. And until yesterday, her reply was always, "Yeah, no, when I'm a big girl I will. Not yet." It was different yesterday, she kept saying yes I know it will be painful but I'm ready and by last night she was in a tizzy of excitement asking and asking, filled with bravado. So off to the mall we went as a family.

She did do so well, with a large mall audience no less. Thankfully they had Hello Kitty earrings so that was a great start. She sat bravely through the paperwork, the prepping and cleaning. Then the peircing. And as much as I wanted to believe she would work through the pain and fear. Nope. It's official, my daughter has one pierced ear.  It's sweet, she's absolutely thrilled but I fear there will be no second piercing for some time. I get it too, I remember clearly at age 13 also insisting one earring was enough for me. At least in my case it was the eighties.

No matter what, we  are so proud of her. What a brave-ish girl she is.

 So tiny.

I don't think she would look any happier with two.

Have a lovely weekend everyone. CAKE

joy

This afternoon was a joyous one. The weather was perfect and crisp when the kids and I headed to our local wooded park. I absolutely love the cool overcast weather of fall. And nothing could be sweeter than spending it exploring the outdoors with my best buddies. They were alive: happy, healthy and whole.

With my new trusted camera in tow, I captured a couple shots of this lovely dance of joy that Elliott performed for his best friend. It makes me smile. xoxo aj

stuff Kate says

I have been collecting cute things Kate has said as of late. And being that this was a lazy, rainy day, I thought I would share a few of them with you.

1. The other day, Cody and Kate were watching a fairly grownup kid show, called Arthur. It's a fast paced, involved movie and out of nowhere Kate turns to Cody and remarks, "There's no room for my imagination in this show." Amazing and true. Her imagination is coming up a lot in conversation and we're getting a sense that's where she's hanging out most of the live long day. What I wouldn't give to stop in for a visit.

2. I do recognize that Kate and her wardrobe come up a lot in this blog but fashion seems to be a genuine interest for her. This morning I chose her outfit and as such, loved it. She was in a black tee with large white polka dots, a great pair of jeans, her boots, a black faux leather jacket and a big bun on the top of her head. On the way to school we were chatting and I said, "Kate, did Mommy tell you how beautiful I think you look today?" Her response, "Mama I  don't really look beautiful, girls don't look beautiful in blue and black. I'm looking like a tough chick today." She did too, tough with a little sophistication. 

3. We have a couple wandering cats in our neighbourhood. They aren't homeless, more like free spirits. Anyway the kids LOVE them and in our afternoon walks try desperately to win their affections. They had great success the other day and Charlie sat and patiently let them both pet to their hearts' content. When we finally broke free, Kate earnestly said, "Mama I want a kitten. Can we get a kitty?  Finnegan can just go live with someone else." Oh Kate, you are truly one of us. Other than actually wanting a cat, I would never long for a cat.

In other news, we got a new camera the other day. It's going to take me some time learn it but already I'm having such fun. The kids were a little annoyed at the Mamarrazzi that occurred this afternoon but like I said it was a rainy day so they were the only subjects readily available. I can only post low res on the blog, but I think they're still beautiful. Hope you enjoy them too. 

Friends and family be warned I now have a the ability to take very very close shots. My favourite. Happy hump day.

Aimee

classes are in

All the Jorgensen kids are working their programs. At least Cody and Kate are. Elliott, um, well, he's breaking all the rules as well as my will to live; but we're hopeful-ish. In short, Elliott's gymnastics class was torture. He was the only little man in a sea of cooperative girls. He would not participate in anything that was asked of him, I believe his response to his Coach was "NO!" Yup, I think that rings familiar. Instead, and again in his own words he wanted to, "PLAY!" Yikes, it wouldn't be so bad but his lack of obedience did start to lead the others astray. That and they couldn't hear most instructions over his nearly constant whining and crying. Papa is a heck of a sport and is going to try to get him on track next week; it's been two days now and my nerves are still shot. 

Now for Kate. After a very long wait, her dance class started today. Everywhere we went this morning there were little ladies dressed in tights, bodysuits, looking sweet and civil. And there was our Kate, perfectly at ease walking into class, sitting down and waiting for instruction. At one point, prior to the parents' departures, Elliott sat next to his sister in the circle. She leaned over and gave him a big joyful squeeze. It was to die for. Of course I looked over to Cody and he was tearing up. What a tough guy. When it came to the teacher saying okay parents see you later, Kate looked over to us and said, "Okay guys, time for you to leave." No problemo little lady. At pick up time, she was beaming and said she loved dance class. I know she stretched and hopped like a bunny, the other 55 minutes of class are a mystery.

As for Cody, he's proving to again be a good little runner and tomorrow he'll start brushing up on his Yogi skills. I'll try to get some photos of that to share. In the meantime, here are a few of Miss Jorgensen's first class:

 One of the teacher's helpers leaning over to learn Kate's name.

Kate with her biggest fans in the background.

A quick smile.

In Papa's words, wait 14 years Elliott, this is a circle you will definitely want to rejoin.

It's official, this family is growing up. Yahoo. 

xoxo Mama

we owe you one

This Saturday, Grammie Donna gave us the rare but treasured gift of a night away from the house, kids and a little monotony. We headed to the island for Cody's friend Todd's, marriage to his love Rachael. We had a great time: the wedding was lovely, the setting superb and the company fu-un. We even took it easy enough that we could enjoy a very wet but beautiful Sunday. We made a quick stop to see Lydia and Carter and then home in time for a full Turkey dinner. Thank you so so much Grammie - especially for the left overs.

I often hear that Cody and I rarely make the blog so here it is, us, together and in our own wedded bliss.

Happy Monday y'all.
AJ

payback

The other day, completely out of the blue, Elliott asked a question. I don't remember what it was but rest assured it was mundane and asked in four words or less. Oh and it was simple enough for Kate to understand and answer. Best thing about the question was that once she had answered it, Elliott looked at her and asked, "but why Kate?" It was asked so earnestly that Kate sat there, thought about her original answer and further elaborated.  Bingo, he did it again. "But why Kate?" She giggled and responded again. Again, "but why?" More giggles. "Because" she answered. "But why?" He responded. "Aurggg!" Oh, not so funny Kate? "Why, why, why?" For the record, Kate broke all family impatience records, I believe she started screaming at Elliott in 45 seconds or less. 

A small victory, but a victory. And like my mother before me, I look forward to these kids getting a few tastes of their own medicine. In Elliott's case I cannot possibly imagine what that medicine will reveal itself as: grand larceny? arson? assault? Yikes. 

I have no photos to accompany the above but do have the following shots taken of a recent Elliott activity. Once we started Kate decided it wasn't too pre-school for her as well.

 Five cheerios - that's as far as the little monster got.

Kate on the other hand made us proud. Once completed she even let her brother eat the fruits of her labour. 

Three hours to TGIF - cheerio!

aj

365 sleeps

I'm sure you all have been seeing the first day of ... pictures that have been going around this week, and I did not want to rock the boat, so below are Kate's first day of second year pre-K and first full year at Montessori photos. I'm super happy that she had a few weeks of Summer camps there because there was no hesitation in her return. She walked in like she owned the place. I think like her Mama and Papa, if she has on a new outfit that she loves, she feels like the world is hers. This morning she knew exactly what she wanted to wear - the newest, most bejewelled shirt in her wardrobe.

Between her new goofy smile and my camera being a bit problematic - this is as good as I got. That, and as always, I was running late.

All grown up and loving it.

Cody wasn't able to see her off this morning so instead he picked her up for a daddy daughter lunch. I didn't hear a pile about her day or her lunch but she seemed very pleased with her morning.

So the best news of the day, the official countdown is on. Only 365 sleeps until Elliott goes to school. I'm trying to hold my giddiness at bay but the truth is I can not wait.

xoxo Mama

we're going to the zoo zoo zoo

So I finally broke down and took the kids to the Moncton zoo. I'm not going to get on my soap box for long, just a quick mention - I don't like zoos and I do not believe they should exist. Now with that said, the kids had a pretty good time. It should also be said that they would have been equally happy with a play ground and some farm animals; the goats were definitely the hit of the visit, the chickens a close second.

Visiting the lions. This was taken moments after the Papa lion tried to pee on Kate and me. He came very close. Sounds like a happy guy hey?

My kids with a couple other kids.

Uh oh looks like Elliott is getting pretty comfortable and ready to start wrestling these guys.

I forgot the true highlight to their day was being at the right place at the right time to watch one of the goats take a poop.

In other news, the weather has certainly shifted towards fall. It's August 31st, the winds have picked up, the trees are losing some colour and I cannot wait for sweaters, socks, the start of school and some classes. Kate starts school on Wednesday, Elliott starts gymnastics on Thursday, Kate ballet on the following Saturday and Cody running and yoga. As for me, I am not scheduled to start anything. Hmmm, maybe I should reconsider that. Perhaps it's finally time to pick up the ukulele.

Happy start of school to my nephews and friends and to all the Mamas that just need a break. AJ