

I wanna go outside and play, too!!
I imagine that a destroyed train station is a pretty common scene is most parent's homes. You should have seen what happened to the wooden set this afternoon once Claire plowed through it!

Even though I had a very low key day, I didn't get the camera out... and then when I did, the battery died, so yeah, you get this picture. I really should make more of an effort when I make these committments, eh?!

My little fish goes insane in the bathtub, she flings herself all over the tub, stands up, crawls over Callum, and will bend over and throw her face into the water and drink. It's an insane 15 minutes every night, and I often worry she's going to drown herself at any moment.

um, yeah. Making bread totally fits into my "Everyday" series, because I make bread all the time...
ahem.
anyway, last week I mentioned that I tried making yeast bread by not cheating and was pleasantly surprised with the results. Unfortunately like my experience making bread via the cheater method, the second attempt wasn't quite as successful. The bread looks delicious, but doesn't taste as good as the first batch last week. I have no idea why, but I'm placing my blame firmly in the snow quietly falling outside.
I'm considering taking an afternoon course at my local college on bread-making. Seriously. You can take a class. I'll report back, because I know you all want to whip out your yeast and knead yourself some bread.
In other news, tonight Steve and I had tickets to see The McDades in Nanaimo, a birthday present from my Mommy, and they were really very good and I'm sure at least one of their cds will be making its way to our collection soon. Unless we don't buy cds anymore? Does anyone know? Are cds antiques yet? My only complaint is that they fuse jazz into their style and that's all cool but I hate the frenzied jazz ending (which I'm sure has a technical musical name but I'm not even remotely musical). Just a personal thing, I really don't get it, and tend to feel like it should have ended several minutes before it actually does.
I apologize for two days of crappy photos. I'll make an effort to do take a decent photo tomorrow.
Easily the most read book in our house right now is Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever!. Every day this book makes it way into a lap, and we dutifully go through it, slyly skipping pages, to much delight.

I know Richard Scarry makes an entire generation nostalgic for their youth, but let this be a warning to you; as an adult Richard Scarry is well, a little annoying. Don't get me wrong, it's a great book. A fabulous book, in fact, but every day when that little butt is pulling itself up onto the couch beside either Steve or I, we exchange a glance. A glance that says WHY THE HELL HAVEN'T YOU HID THIS DAMN BOOK ALREADY.
But I'll take Richard Scarry over Disney any day.
Every afternoon after Callum wakes up from his nap we snuggle with his sippy cup and blanket and discuss world events. well, we discuss world events from a 2-year olds perspective. One of my favorite moments of the day.

Napping, camping style!

Not today, but too cute not to post. We even moved her around and tucked blankets around her. She slept like that for an hour, at least.
We're off on a weekend get-away with the lot of us to Tofino!

See you Sunday!


Today was one of those days where every decision I made felt like the wrong one and I found myself surrounded by cranky children, a burnt lunch and a very thin thread holding my patience in check.
At least I had George.
(and Canadians? Barrak Obama is just a man. Albeit, seemingly an exceptionally cool man, but just a man and the lot of you running after the motorcade? Crazy.)
I was having this conversation with my Mom about kids learning to eat and how many of my Mommy friends can't tolerate the mess. I flippantly said something along the lines of "well, maybe my kids aren't as messy as other kids...", to which my Mom casually raised her eyebrows, glanced at Claire and said "uh, no, I think you're just easy-going".

I don't know, I still maintain my kids are extraordinary...

A minute later she started knawing on the table. I think she's teething...
I had a eventful day, today. The morning was lovely with happy children playing peacefully while I read, nap for the Bear and Callum painted. Then Callum and I made bread (real, knead it yourself bread, instead of the cheater bread I usually make) and damn, it's easy. Although it is time-consuming and I'm not exactly full of patience so during the second "wait another eternity for more rising" we went to the park, then a quick trip to great-Grandma's house (today's bribe in an effort to stop the full-fledged temper tantrum as I tried to convince a tired 2 year old that we needed to leave). Home again, another round of napping while I cooked the bread and made the dinner and made a few phone calls. An hour later the kids were up (and cranky!) but we all played, set the table, and then stuffed ourselved full of warm, straight-from-the-oven fresh bread.
oh, and if you're looking to win a Miracle Blanket for you, or someone you know who has, or will have, a new screaming baby, check out my friend Laura's blog. She's got a give-a-way! Hee! Free stuff!

Not my proudest parenting moment, but it worked. I bribed him with this cupcake to get him to behave...

Today we took the kids over to Newcastle Island with some friends, and while Steve ran around the island to train for his half marathon in March, we hung out with this little guy.

well, we hung out with him from a healthy distance, of course.

Callum's version of Hide and Seek, I guess the first time we built a fort I told him to hide in it...

I had a delightful day, first driving into Nanaimo to spend the afternoon with the lovely Miss Laura and a very blurry Gwen who simply doesn't stay still long enough to admire her! She is a very busy little bee! We took a walk to Strong Start which was really very awesome. If you live in Nanaimo, I highly reccommend it. The facilator at the location near Laura was fabulous, too.
I would have liked to stay longer but The Bear was in desperate need of some sleep so into the car we went. By the time I got to Parksville, both kidlets were out so I returned my library books (and yes, I am THAT mother and leave my children in the car, the drop-off box is outside at least), grabbed a coffee (McDonalds, cheapest coffee I know of) and spent some time sittin' and knittin' at the beach.
Then I crashed my Mommy's house and demanded she make me dinner. She obliged, of course, because I come with grandchildren. Yes, I am THAT mother and use my children to my advantage.

Another dusting of snow doesn't seem so depressing when you see it through the eyes of a toddler.
I can remember telling a friend of mine when Callum was about 11 months old that he was in the "book phase", bringing me book after book to read to him while he snuggled in next to me. My friend commented that he didn't think that was something every kid did.
I still believe that every kid will go through a phase where they are fascinated with books, and then some kids fall head over heels in love with books. I am not going to declare that Callum falls into the latter category just yet, he's only 2, but right now he is an avid bookworm and it makes me want to eat him up. This morning while I was reading, he snuggled up next to me, his own books in hand, and quietly "read".

Until his sister cruised over, then he alternated between reading, and knocking her over with his feet to ensure she didn't interrupt his moment.
For Michelle I got my butt in gear. This is kinda cheating though, Callum took this picture, but this is the everyday.

Maybe I should do the entire month in Callum pics ;).
I should also note that I totally stole this idea from SouleMama, I'm not entirely sure I mentioned that last year, but if you're not reading SouleMama, you really should. Her blog is fascinating (to me, anyway), and she's a fantastic writer. There is a reason why she's popular. And no, I don't know her, I just like her blog.
I had this idea that I would once again do the Everyday series that I did last February and here it is, basically the 6th of February, and I haven't even started...
I had a lovely birthday at least.
Maybe I'll start tomorrow.
I am up in Banff having myself a lovely time with the girls being pampered and spending myself a little bit of money! Quite enjoyable!
The most exciting part? New bras! Seriously, it has been something like 3 years since I bought new bras (breastfeeding will do that to you!) so it is lovely indeed to buy pretty bras that actually fit. I can just tell you're excited for me!
We also spent the morning at the spa, then a late lunch followed by shopping. Could I be any more lucky!
Hopefully my babes are being good for their Papa and Mammai this weekend, too! I miss my little rottens, although shopping (and flying!) without them is quite enjoyable. There is something about only worrying about your needs that is just decadent.