Back to work

So another year on and now I am back to work. We are all another year older, another year wiser, drank a little bit more, slept a little bit less and have been closer to insanity and back than ever before. We have learned to put many things into perspective, learned how to let things go and learned a whole lot about patience and laugh and smile in times of desperation...... as long as we get through the day. However we have smiled through it all and shared many laughs, lots of love, thousands of moments of joy and shared many hugs and slobbery kisses.

No job in the world can teach you the things that you learn as a parent and no job in the world gives you so much reward and warmth in your heart.

A good day at work still doesn't add up to a rough day at home.

Double trouble !!!!

What are little boys made of ? What are little boys made of ?
What are little girls made of ? What are little girls made of ?

Frogs....
Sugar...

....and snails
....and spice

...and puppy dogs tails....
...and all things nice...

That's what little boys are made from.
That's what little girls are made of.

However don't let pictures fool you!!!!!

Look who turned one!

One today!!!

Finlay had a great day celebrating his first birthday...so did Heather !!!!
She loved helping to unwrap all his presents and then proceeded to have fun playing with them too!!!
He received many lovely gifts and some spending money. Great outfits to keep his closet up to date, singing teddy bear, colourful mobile, net and fishing game, which Heather has played with non stop and we even had to take it with us on our walk in the rain. Two Thomas the tank engine sun hats from both his grannies ( great minds think alike!!!) In fact it is a blessing as now they can have one each!!! Wooden trucks and cars, noisey drum and wooden instument set, a really cute pull a long frog which bobs up and down and its eyes turn too !! Again Heather loved this toy and Finlay is going to have to learn to crwal quicker if he is going to get it !!!

So thank you everyone for the lovely gifts and cards

Summer fun

With only a week or so until I return to work, I have been making the best of the good weather and enjoying small hikes with the kids and spending time beside water.
Heather has managed to hike up Tunnel mountain in Banff and enjoyed a spot of climbing and playing with sticks....

We enjoyed a hike to Grassi Lakes....well mum hiked carrying Finlay in the back pack and Heather in her arms, thinking that Heather would want to walk all the way, after her accomplishment at Tunnel mountain....... I'm sure seeing Finlay on mum's back and the fact that there was no back up, it was tempting to be carried also. However she did hike alot of the way by herself and knowing that she was helping to pull mum up the hill made her feel proud!!!!!


Once we reached the top she was thrilled to see the waterfalls and the lakes and had a great time running over the little bridges. We had to explore the circuit three times!!!!

We also enjoyed a relaxing morning at Two Jacks Lake...water, stones and grass....that's all that kids need and kept them amused for some time, along with a ball and a water pistol !!! We discovered that Finlay is good at throwing stones as well as eating them

"Can I get any more in my mouth?"

"Hey!! Look at those big rocks!!!"

On the move

Finlay has never been quick to get the physical side of life. He took a bit longer to roll, to sit up unsupported, get on all fours, now finally moving. Heather wasn't quick either and she was not interested in crawling and was definitely more interested in being on her feet and walking holding our hands. Finlay, now that it has come, is definitely a crawler. He was never interested in being on his feet and would stand for a few seconds as we held him and then bounce for a few seconds then stick his bum out and collapse giggling at himself !!!! However on the 9th July, five days before his first birthday he started to make significant progress....a little frustrating at times but he was determined.....




and two days later, the determination was worth it. He is now on the move and exploring doors and drawers, wires and speakers, remote controls and phones, cupboards and bins. I think we are going to have to re childproof the house, as Finlay's curiosity seems to go one step further than Heather's ever did. However perhaps this is because you have so much more time with the first to intervene and distract from danger. Whereas with the second child, there sometimes seems to be more distractions for the parent.

Music on the mountain top

The next day there was a free production by Music Magic on top of the mountain.
Music magic is a music and movement program that both Heather and Finlay enjoy and this day they were celebrating the coming of Christmas at the top of Sulphur mountain in Banff.
This meant that we enjoyed a gondola ride to the top of the mountain and the kids enjoyed songs, music activities, cookies and hot chocolate.

Heather enjoying the view.

Finlay, not sure of the ride!!!

Canada Day Preparation

Canada Day is a big holiday in Canada and Canmore celebrates with a pancake breakfast, a 3 km and a 8 km fun run, obstacle course for under fives and a street parade with brass and pipe bands, clowns and street artists.
We prepared for the celebrations and I registered for the 8 km fun run and Heather was registered for the obstacle course. We bought hats, flags and feather boas, got our race T- shirts and race numbers and discussed race tactics!!!

Canada Day Races

The day started early and we were down at centennial park by 08.30 donning our Canadian attire. James was on his way home from a night shift and I was gearing up for an 8 km race pushing the two kids in the double stroller. We had our cell phones and the plan was for me to do the first half of the course with the kids in the stroller and then for James to take the kids in the stroller to meet me at a later part in the race where I could do the last 2 km and finish with the kids.
The plan worked a treat and I even managed to get a bronze medal for the category 30-39 yrs women....Wahoo!!!!!!

The obstacle course.

she went.......

over things!!

under things!!

along things!!

on top of things!!

through things!!

"The champions"