kate's first reader

It feels like a long time coming but it's official, Kate brought home her first reader this afternoon. I believe she read it five times on the way home in the car and then a couple more just now on the couch with me. So proud of you baby! She says she loves reading and can't wait to get the reader that her friend Chloe currently has.

Here she is...

Keep it up my love. I hope you love it for life.
xoxo Mama

17th on his 35th

I have this funny feeling that we will be sharing Cody's birthday with the Maritime's annual Blizzard Beatdown Cross fit Competition for many years to come. 2014 marks the second such celebration. Year over year it has been an amazing transformation in Cody - physically and mentally. He is so strong and focussed yet still pretty fun to watch.  I think the largest Eastern Cross fit Competition is a wonderful way to gauge your past year and start setting goals for the coming. A ranking of 17th out of 86 competitors seems like a goal actualized.

I'm so proud of how you competed this weekend Cody, especially after I went to the gym this morning and left feeling absolutely spent. The thought of having to do four more workouts in the next 24 hours is too much for me. A huge congratulations and a big birthday shout out.  I hope you enjoy your hot dogs on white buns this evening - you earned them!

Cody and his biggest loudest fan.

 Climbing up the Snatch ladder.

Nothing like a couple laps around the old gym to prep you for a snatch series and skipping.

Beautiful burpees.

Last workout of the tournament - kettle bell lunges and swings.

 

Cody and his six a.m. besties - Guy and Shannon.

Cody and his texting bestie - Alex.

The money shot!

Chilling - because it's all over. 

Love you Cody. Hope 35 is very good to you. 

Aimee

snow shoes

Last Sunday, Cody talked us three lazies into hitting the trail on our first official family snow shoeing adventure. I use the term adventure loosely as the sum total distance covered was roughly one kilometer. But as Cody pointed out, their legs have to work much harder than ours. In order to keep their shoes apart they basically travel in a semi-squat. 

Besides the fact that Cody and I were lamenting not being able to carry on for hours, I have to say it was super fun. The kids were in the grand spirits that only the great outdoors can inspire. 

Our hard working little people. 

Just before the half way mark Elliott was losing steam and looking for a little refreshment.

In other news, the kids are adjusting to being back into school routines. Yesterday when I picked Kate up she looked beat. When asked how her day was, she replied, "Good. But I forgot what a long day school is." Break my heart. And then this morning Elliott wept into his yoghurt and granola when I mentioned it was a school day. Kate's response, "Oh brother, he's crying again!"

On our drive home from school today Elliott earnestly asked, "Mama, is this a race car?" Of course I answered affirmative. His next request is that I speed up and "pass that guy". Then it was the next and then the next. As we neared a stop sign another car was in front of us and in all seriousness he was devastated that we ultimately lost: "We are losers!"  Man I can't wait until I'm trusting you to drive me around town once I'm deemed unsafe for the roads.

Last story. I was on my way downstairs after blow drying my hair (in other words Elliott had been unsupervised for a few minutes) when I noticed a beer on the stairs. I picked it up confused - it was cold. Elliott saw this and he informed, "Oh I put that there. I got it from the fridge to drink but I couldn't open it."  It feels like we already live with a teenager.

That's the news from here.

Hope everyone is staying warm. The CBC reported yesterday that parts of Australia were roughly 100 degrees warmer than parts of Canada.

xo CAKE

a new year

2013 was a pretty great year. No complaints from me. As I write this my big kids are happily playing fort on the coffee table. I would say that's been the biggest development of the past year. There are officially no traces left of baby in this house and only a little bit of toddler. The two of them are fast becoming great playmates, more independent and even helpful. I love big-ish kids.

Cody and I rang in the New Year with some very charming company. A bunch of CrossFit crazed guys and their lovely, much more humble wives. We had dinner, drinks and even danced the night away. For the first time in many years we actually made it to the drop of the ball. Kate and Elliott on the other hand had a special night with their old babysitter (home from Uni) complete with lemonade and caramel corn. Life is on a bit of an upswing.

Big plans for the start of 2014. We're going to finally take the kids skiing. Kate's continuing to learn to read and grow her hair. Elliott's going to try destroying fewer of our possessions. Cody's learning French and participating in a weight loss challenge with above-mentioned CrossFit crazed friends. I'm going to take this family closer to Paleo living, learn to rug hook, do three consecutive strict pull ups and learn to do double unders (skipping). Wish us luck!

So happy New Year everyone. To our friends and family in the West, the kids and I are planning on travelling to see you all near the end of February.

Laughter & Cheer
xo The Jorgensens