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

sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

We did it again. Christmas 2013 is now complete for the Jorgensen Champion clans. I think we were all in agreement that it was the best one to date. PEI was very relaxing and we made it outside a few times to make the most of the season of snow. A big thank you to our wonderful hosts who put up with us, our mess and our craziness for almost five days. Cody and I got away a few times with out the kids to snowshoe, hit the local CrossFit gym and see some of Cody's High School friends. 

Our Christmas Angels (if in name alone).

 Elliott on the real Santa's knee.

 Red was the theme of the season for Grammie.

Janice and Paul trying to make a dent in it all.

In Elliott's words, "do you see all my weapons?"

A sweet Champion moment.

I'll take one in medium and one in large. You do the guessing.

After all the festivities it was time to enjoy the fruits of their labour. In this instance a game of Doc McStuffins Operation. Actually I think it was about six games of Operation.

 Setting off in our two horse open sleigh.

Our beautiful kids: Kate, Carter, Elliott, Jessica and Lydia. 

The snow was glistening.

Part one of the sleigh ride complete, let's go sliding.

Kate's description of her first go down the groomed hill: "I wanted to cry on my way down. Did you see me? I wanted to cry but I didn't and it was so fun."

Aunty and Elliott going "so fast".

Me and my littles heading back up for another run.

Proof that I was there too.

Thanks to Candace for planning our special sleigh ride. I honestly have never had a better outing with my family. Neither kid complained once. Rather they were blown away by the whole event: the sleigh ride through the woods, sliding down a groomed hill and the fresh baked cookies and hot chocolate. I have this new found faith that we may get these kids skiing yet!

On to New Year's and New Year's Eve. I can't imagine the joys the 2014 will bring but look forward to sharing them with all of you.

CAKE

tidings of comfort and joy

I can't believe I've found time on Christmas Day to update the blog but as it turns out we had a late night last night so the kids and Cody are down for a mid day nap. We've had a busy couple of days and when they wake we're packing up and heading to another celebration on PEI. This one is slated to last four + days! Though very thankful, I still can't believe we have Cody until Sunday.

On to this morning's festivities...

The kids didn't wake until just before eight. I believe that was the best gift they could have given us. They were absolutely darling and so excited to see that Santa had remembered them and again put them on the nice list. They would have been pleased with the candy treats Santa left but as it turns out Santa and their family were very good to them. They have a year's worth of new toys, activities and books to keep them busy and engaged.  Many many thanks.

Around noon we were able to FaceTime with my Mom and Dad in Mexico. The kids did a show and tell of quite a few of their new treasures and then my Mom took us on a virtual tour of their beautiful new home.  They're in Mexico for three weeks and will be enjoying their Christmas gifts of new umbrellas and chairs later today oceanside. Though I would have loved to be under the same roof this time of year, I can't think of a better place for them to be on their time off.

The countdown is complete.

 Best photo of the day goes to the first photo of the day. Are these kids drunk?

 Our 2013 tree.

 Kate pleased with her glass cupcake.

 A commemorative book from my sister's family in Calgary.

 If Kate wasn't rolling around, hugging gifts she was bonking them off her forehead in excitement.

 Aaaaaah! Monster High from Grandma Sherri and Grandpa George. Those are for big girls.

 Though it doesn't sound festive, Cody and I bought our own gifts this year. I opened his and he opened mine. The surprise was seeing what the other chose for themselves. Big surprise Cody's box was from Rogue.

 Yup - a weightlifting belt!

Hey big guy.

Oh and look Cody got a rug hooking kit. So thoughtful.

 Elliott and batman.

And a new set of battles begins for our young hero. Dragons!

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Joyeux Noel to our friends and family. We love you so much and are very thankful to have you all in our lives.

Cody, Aimee, Kate, Elliott and Boo

cost benefit analysis

I bet if you asked most mothers they would have a number in mind, a sweet spot if you will, of how many minutes their child needs to have played outside in snowy weather to have made the ordeal of getting them ready for said snowy weather worth it. Today we achieved that sweet spot and the benefit far outweighed the trauma of getting ready.  I have to stop here and qualify my trauma. It has in the last four and a half years lessened as I have gained a pile of knowledge on minimizing the anguish of fighting uncooperative boots, snow pants and mitts.  It costs more but it must be said that good gear is worth every penny. Bogs. They're simple, warm, slip-on and seemingly never wear out. So purchasing a gender neutral colour has ensured that we can get both kids in them for at least one winter each and then they can be passed on to friends. Next boarding mitts. They are super long have very strong velcro that you can tighten them on the outside of the kids' jackets. So far we have not had a single complaint from the kids on mitts falling off or snow in mitts. Heaven! Snow pants. The ones we have have inner pants that have very effective elastic bottoms that go around the outside of the kids' Bogs ensuring no snow can slip up those pant legs. Today for the first time in four years of parenting through a lot of snow it was hunger that brought us in rather than malfunctioning gear.

We received 20 - 30 cm of snow on Sunday and we're forecasted to receive the same today and even more Sunday.  Yikes I have already shovelled the walk twice today and an hour later it needs it again.

Eye spy a little boy stuck under a tree.

Eye spy a little girl hiding under the trampoline.

Elliott isn't exactly thrilled in this shot. He's been fairly blue fighting a cold and probably a little pink eye as well (he is on medication).

Unlike her brother, Kate always has a smile on outside. 

Today does mark our first stay at home, storm day.  It's been a nice one, save for the weeping battle of getting Elliott's medication in his eyes. Poor guy. 

Six more sleeps until show time and I'm not bragging but I finished my shopping and wrapping. Unfortunately I have also finished eating all our baking too!