dear Leo, happy belated birthday my love

It's difficult to put into words just how much we love you, Leo.
I guess putting 'love' into words is just plain difficult so I'll try to capture some of the ways that you brighten my days and make each one special in some way...

You are a great hugger.  I hope you never stop hugging me... even when you're all grown up.  On graduation night, on prom night, after a big game... and in front of your friends.

I love it when you call me 'mom'.

You are a terrific shopping partner.  Sometimes I take you out just to pass time.   I enjoy watching you flirt with the ladies and it gives me pleasure to see how much joy you bring to random strangers with your friendly smile and sweet 'hello'.  Those dimples are going to take you very far young man.

You are almost potty trained.  Keep it up.

You're doing a great job wearing your glasses and I'm so proud of  you.  I know it must be a huge adjustment for someone so small.  I hope you don't get too many Skittles or Smarties as a result.

You are the most polite little young man I have ever come across and I thank you for that.  It makes me feel like I've done something right.

I could go on and on, but last, I want to tell you how much I adore you and look forward to growing up with you by my side.  You're a good friend.

Your second birthday was amazing.  You were, as usual, a perfect gentlemen and everyone had a terrific time.

Happy Birthday my Love.
-oxoxoxox mom.

these pictures are slightly out of order, but here you go….

Just like Dad. 

Helping me water the plants. 

Birthday Fire Truck Driver

His party with Papa and Nanlynn

Happy Canada Day 2014

Cutest bum on the planet. 

Canada Day pool time. 

Loving the sprinkler fun. 

Glasses.  Lollipop.  

First beach weekend of the year.

making progress

I know I said I'd backtrack from now until the beginning of June but something amazing happened today. Ruby went to the Y without any fuss.  She walked in with me, said good morning to everyone and let me go without running behind screaming!  I don't want to jinx anything but I would call this major progress.

Yup, Ruby's growing up fast, but still very much a little girl.  I try to remember that when she's having a freak out.  She knows what a rectangular prism is and that we live in the country Canada, in North America, but she also gets very upset when I flush the toilet for her or try to pee on top of her pee.  That's a no-no in our house.

She completed a full year at Montessori last month and was thrilled about her graduation ceremony.  I think she may have been scolded behind the scenes before the show because she came on stage looking like this…

Thank goodness Ryan managed to capture her true beauty after the diplomas and roses were handed out.

We are so proud of her.

She also participated in her first Ballet Recital last month.  The show was precious and I got it on video.  Unfortunately it's too long for this blog, but here's a picture of her driving home with her rose that we gave her.  Her reaction to being handed a rose was precious. She's definitely a good little dancer and will be continuing Ballet in September.  Which will be here before we know it.  This summer, like all others, is proving to be just as fast.  But, we don't want to think about that just yet.
Let's enjoy this beautiful weather while we can.

As you can see, Ruby's very passionate. 

Good job Ruby!

so June…. where did you go?

Since I've missed so much of June (and really do have a lot to report), how about we start with July and backtrack.

This lovely summer day, July 7th, had a rather sweet beginning.
Ruby quietly entered our room at 6:56 a.m. with her new sneakers on requesting that we go outside for a run so she could test them out.  So, we did!

Matching family shoes. 

Before the big race.

And we're off!

She's fast.  I think the Nike's work.

Leo is in Sackville today so it was an un-hectic morning (no offence Leo).  I was hoping that her good mood would transcend into a perfect farewell.  She started full time daycare at the YMCA last week and drop offs have been difficult.  Today was better than a few days last week, so we're making progress.  I guess that's better than going backwards, which is how I feel sometimes.

On that note…… see ya later!
Stay tuned for more adventures going backwards from now to the first of June.

spring is here, thank goodness

Leo got his first 'real' haircut last week.  Up til now I've done the trimming to the best of my ability. Hopping into the tub together seemed to work best and I dare say his hair hasn't been awful for the past two years.... Nevertheless, his locks needed the attention of a professional so off to Sharky's we travelled.

He looks so grown up and handsome.  Ruby got her bangs trimmed at the same time (which basically happens every 4-6 weeks) and they dolled her up like Princess Leah, (which didn't last long).  In any case, it was a successful adventure.

Leo enjoying his new look. 

Happy girl goofing around. 

The kids painted while I got supper ready.  
(a bit of a gamble but it worked fine, thank goodness)

The kids are really enjoying the warm weather.  In fact, Leo reminds me every time we go out, "Don't need a coat Mommy."  We headed to the market in Sackville last weekend and as usual, it was 5 degrees cooler and much windier than Moncton, but we all had fun.

Ruby, Sunshine, Fern and Leo having lunch at the market. 

Leo and his girlfriend, Sunny. 

Along with the lovely warm weather comes.... dreaded chores.  The first check off our list was fixing the deck.  We chose a new product called "deck repair" and it did the trick.  Made our sad, faded and half-stripped deck look brand new.  Now I have to get busy in the garden.  I want to plant some vegetables for the kids this year.  There's also a lot of regular maintenance to do with the existing plants / landscaping that the previous owners planted.  And, I want to start a perennial garden in the back yard.  There's also the path beside the house that needs some love; the rock path leading to nowhere; the patio cushions; the grass; and, oh let's not forget about the Fluff that will soon be arriving.  Maybe we should sell the house and rent?  

Ruby hanging out with Ryan as he worked hard on the deck. 

One significant task that's high priority is Ruby's big girl room.  She got her new single bed a few months ago but the rest of the room is still in transition from baby to big kid.  I promise I'll get on it ASAP Ruby.  Sorry for the wait.  

Love Mom ox

what the?

Ok… so it's April 28th and still bitterly cold outside.  In the past few days we've had freezing rain, hail and I had to take out my winter coat, mitts and hat.  Not impressed.  I've been successful at getting the kids on board with my hatred of this awful weather too.  This morning Ruby insisted on wearing her little black shoes instead of rubber boots and her reasoning was, "it's supposed to be summer Mommy."
Yes Ruby, indeed it is supposed to be summer.  Another reminder of how much kids really do absorb from their environment.

Both of our kids are doing amazing and life at the Grant household has been full of changes.  Spring officially came last month and despite the nasty weather, we have managed to get outside quite a bit.

" Yipee!  I don't have to wear snow pants today!! "

Park fun. 

Park fun again.

The biggest change to strike the Grant household has been my going back to work!  It all happened quite suddenly and we managed to arrange daycare for Leo within the family, so once again, it's been a huge blessing having such amazing grandparents who live close by.  I have to admit, I often dream about moving away… back to BC or to some amazing land with sun and mountains…. but in situations like this, we are so thankful and feel blessed to have our loving families close by.  What would we do without you?

I'm employed as a Constituency Assistant to an MLA in town.  Yes, politics.  Who knew, right?  Me either.  But, it's going very well and I enjoy every minute of it.  My boss, Mr. Chris Collins is quite something and I have high hopes that he'll win the election in September.  If that happens, I'll have a job for a while longer.  Fingers crossed. 

A wise and very dear friend said to me, "it takes all kinds of situations to make a family work" and so our crazy situation is this:  Leo stays with his grandparents in Sackville for Sunday and Monday night.  Ruby stays here and we get to spend some special time with her.  I've always felt somewhat guilty about having Leo so soon.  Ruby was only 21 months old (younger than Leo is today!) when he was born.  She was still a baby herself.  So… these two days with just Ryan, me and Ruby - it's pretty special.  I love it.  And…. at the same time, I miss Leo terribly.  I think about him all day long and hope he's doing ok.  I know he's fine and if I had sent him to daycare we would all be feeling even more guilt and longing.  It's a time for growth.  We're going with the flow.   Leo's will his Nana and Poppy who we know are taking the best ever care of him and that's all we can ask for.   We love him even more when he gets home on Tuesday after supper.   My mom is picking up Ruby from school every day (except Friday because I'm off - yes, long weekend every weekend!).  I was stressed that she would be stressed with having the two of them on Wednesday and Thursday because I know first hand how challenging it can be… but she assures me it's fine so far.  Unless I hear otherwise, we'll stick to this plan until September.  

My birthday.
Leo is 22 months.  Ruby is 3 and a half.
I'm 41.
I'm growing out my hair and it's painful.

So, there you have it.  Not much has happened in this past month, yet so much has changed.  Can't wait for the nice weather so I can get outside on my bike and running with the kids.  If anyone out there knows somebody who can make our winters shorter and summers longer, please let me know.  I'm pretty desperate.

P.S.  Here's a glimpse of what happened Easter morning.  It was the first time I actually had chocolate eggs and it will be the last for a while.  Neither kid ate any real food for the rest of the day.

It's a bit long but cute.  Ruby is especially excited and Leo, stuffed with chocolate, is his typical cool self.


Cheers and good night!
-L ox

sin city

The kids are growing up fast and I've been too busy globe trotting to write it all down!  Actually, I've only been on one trip but it feels like more for some strange reason.  Getting away for 5 days was good for my soul. 

I recently joined Ryan on a business trip to Las Vegas and had the time of my life.  The highlight was not "the strip" or all the glam and lights but rather the outskirts of the city.  Nevada landscape is beautiful.  The deserts and mountains and shear grandeur of it all was truly breathtaking.  I love and miss the mountains so.  People who get to experience them regularly are very fortunate indeed.  

I decided not to tote my big camera around with me on this trip and since I'm still the only person on the planet without a proper phone, I have no pictures of my amazing week.  I planted the images in my  head mentally and know that I'll never forget it.  I also borrowed some images from the internet for your viewing pleasure.  

I was on my own for a large part of the week which was also part of the magic.  I haven't had so much time alone since becoming a mother almost 4 years ago!  I slept in after Ryan went to work and headed to the pool for a daily swim when they finally opened at 10 a.m….. where I was the only person around.  I discovered people don't go to Vegas to get up early and exercise, but I did.  Our hotel was right across the street from New York New York and the roller coaster attracted me instantly.  That was my first stop Monday morning.  So Much Fun.  I had butterflies.  

The view from our hotel  - New York New York Casino and roller coaster.  

Later that day when Ryan resurfaced from his laptop, we took a trip to the Hoover Dam.  That thing is big.  Super cool too.  Highly recommended by yours truly.  

Hoover Dam and the recently added highway bridge.
Ryan and I walked out to the middle of the bridge for an epic view.

Since I was with Ryan for this adventure, he had his iPhone and we got a few pictures of us.  (to be added soon). 

Friends of ours (and a colleague of Ryan's) moved to Vegas two years ago.  Troy isn't working at the moment so he was my tour guide when I wasn't entertaining myself in Sin City.  First stop Tuesday was a place called Red Rock Canyon.  Just 10 minutes outside of downtown and everything changes to wilderness.  We saw wild burros (or donkeys) and extremely beautiful terrain.  

Went for a hike in between mountains like this.  

These are the red rocks.  Gorgeous.  Very, very big! 

The next day we went to Mt. Charleston, a small-ish 70's style ski resort.  There were a few million dollar log homes thrown around, but mostly simple, old ski chalets.  From there we headed a bit further out into the desert and drove until we saw wild horses!  They walk in packs of about 10 - 15 and we saw several packs.  This was the highlight of my trip.  

Mount Charleston, Nevada.

One of the mansions mentioned earlier.  

Most of the homes looked like this.  

Like I said, none of these are my photos, but they could be.  This is exactly what I saw.  I was just bedazzled.  It was a gorgeous sunny day like this too.

Wild Horses.  

The horses I saw were walking, not running.  But they could have been.  

I almost forgot to mention the Cirque de Soleil show!  The entire group went to see Michael Jackson One.  It was the most amazing show I've ever seen.  Definitely the icing on the cake to end off an fabulous week away.

I'm not sure if it was the sun, the lights, the 'me' time I have been lacking, the horses, the mountains, or a combination of all of it, but I had a an amazing vacation.  I came home feeling completely satisfied.  And, I found the most amazing nachos in the world.  (Little did I know that Twin Peaks was a Hooters restaurant, but after an hour of walking the strip, starving, in search of a place I could eat lunch by myself and feel comfortable, I didn't notice the boobs until I actually sat down to order.  The boobs were big.  The nachos delicious.  And, the beer fantastic!!)  

There was a flip side to the awesomeness of the trip - our kids were home sick with a very tired and stressed out grandma.  Leo was the first to get sick and his fever spiked to 40 degrees for two days.  Ruby was next.  Bad timing is all I can say.  

Everyone is better and things are finally back to normal now, or at least as normal as they get around here.  

I want to move to Las Vegas.  No kidding.  And, after just getting whopped with 40 cm of snow on the 27th of March…. I really want to move to Las Vegas.

P.S.  A very BIG Thank you to Ryan for inviting me along on this trip and making it happen.  It was nice to spend time alone with you, too.   And finally, to Grandma - Sorry the kids got sick and didn't sleep and you didn't sleep and nobody could go outside and the stupid hospital was so crowded….. Thank you for taking such good care of my babies.  We all love you so much.  

-L

"taking care of Christmas!"

It's March Break and we're keeping busy.  Poor Leo has a gastrointestinal issue but it's under control.  The weather is chilly so doing things indoors is best anyway…. 

So far, we've been to the library, had a sleepover at Nana and Poppy's, been to the Y twice and took a long drive (both kids napped and I almost fell asleep myself). We've also been doing a lot of dancing.  I turned the radio channel on television yesterday.  "Galaxy Party" it was called.  During a very energetic game of musical chairs, I ran upstairs to get something… a snack probably.  When I came down, Ruby was dancing around with no shirt on singing "taking care of Christmas!"  The real version, Taking Care of Business by Bachman Turner Overdrive was playing in the background.  It was hysterical.  At that moment I was reminded of how innocent she is.  How young she still is.  I sometimes forget she's only three and a half.  I think she forgets too…. 

Leo's growing up as well.  He's talking.  I think he learns a new word or saying about every two days.  

He's not feeling well, like I mentioned, and when he's having pain he pats his stomach and says, "belly" with a sad voice.  Poor Leo.  I hope he's feeling better soon. 

Ryan and I are heading to Las Vegas on Sunday.  I'm quite excited to be going for the first (and likely last) time.  He'll be in a business workshop for 3 days while I find things to do on a very limited budget.    As long as the sun is out I'm happy.  A little break away from the routine is always welcome.  

There are no pictures of our March Break adventures yet, but stay tuned.  

… to be continued.