tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57873157860383465052024-03-13T00:45:54.788-03:00My family lifeAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-35978045917689540642009-12-11T14:00:00.004-04:002009-12-11T15:16:45.620-04:00Nearly ChristmasTo start off, here are some summer pictures.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAW93HoQ9SZxuXE37wDuYi0S0Wnzk6bYJtB_ivTAoxXwtfLxJ3xR_Xz5OHxdIFZn31fk2ivnlZ0k1ncKk1O4Lki18_g2iVNYBwQpdMr9LQMKrz9h19MXcR1sQRZgT9uZSlXhvl6GM4_E0/s1600-h/2009-08-16(02).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414057559972309650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAW93HoQ9SZxuXE37wDuYi0S0Wnzk6bYJtB_ivTAoxXwtfLxJ3xR_Xz5OHxdIFZn31fk2ivnlZ0k1ncKk1O4Lki18_g2iVNYBwQpdMr9LQMKrz9h19MXcR1sQRZgT9uZSlXhvl6GM4_E0/s320/2009-08-16(02).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQFVE7FXZHfJPmqwk8C3XxRbSfFZzKTssfzWYNIqWXo3YlYlc275mHCmqUPBRAQ_3zQQokwSlaOk1rq_PpHktipvxdFULrPbFN0x7nTBgA8jdC34007O01z3UblSxnLyd5TPaw4M3Gto/s1600-h/2009-08-16(03).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414058015416315218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQFVE7FXZHfJPmqwk8C3XxRbSfFZzKTssfzWYNIqWXo3YlYlc275mHCmqUPBRAQ_3zQQokwSlaOk1rq_PpHktipvxdFULrPbFN0x7nTBgA8jdC34007O01z3UblSxnLyd5TPaw4M3Gto/s320/2009-08-16(03).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O7552SMLHJPOFJXqGH2BM-bzctsRUkuS-UwkdvuyAiURhyphenhyphenPcso1s9kx6z6BQas-ub31TmYhayP7Csc_Isk3oHqEP1HvlJG_kMZKuWYRN2d9yRR3bdBcFL2p4Zi1Ue7fcU-eSObM-hIc/s1600-h/2009-08-16(05).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414058018344561458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O7552SMLHJPOFJXqGH2BM-bzctsRUkuS-UwkdvuyAiURhyphenhyphenPcso1s9kx6z6BQas-ub31TmYhayP7Csc_Isk3oHqEP1HvlJG_kMZKuWYRN2d9yRR3bdBcFL2p4Zi1Ue7fcU-eSObM-hIc/s320/2009-08-16(05).JPG" /></a> And also some soccer pictures. Here are Makayla and Hayden at their soccer jamboree in August 2009.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCiuz3C2fdl8c4o0T9mjtJ0jXPxDNvJLht60N0s9JhxbTr2aewC808R2cIA1p5JreuGVxblhku2RxN7yK3Ih5TB3S0tEMUnfjJWpG57hyphenhyphenzT7U_sIGn0A6s0XV6afMth7PbdotwKnO-lk/s1600-h/2009-08-22(05).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414058010679841186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyCiuz3C2fdl8c4o0T9mjtJ0jXPxDNvJLht60N0s9JhxbTr2aewC808R2cIA1p5JreuGVxblhku2RxN7yK3Ih5TB3S0tEMUnfjJWpG57hyphenhyphenzT7U_sIGn0A6s0XV6afMth7PbdotwKnO-lk/s320/2009-08-22(05).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT7aQikS0Q-LRHQbjhhz2hUEEFTCzWdOvPXL-f2PTFO5pRSDElfIO_CEPCnu7BHCkKQuTos2BeM11GpKs0w7wN4FM7XnImbPLQkpfe6ApsAgqoXFAQARpqnJsIlB_m-L_RTS4KezpvLA/s1600-h/2009-08-22(01).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414057550433843874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT7aQikS0Q-LRHQbjhhz2hUEEFTCzWdOvPXL-f2PTFO5pRSDElfIO_CEPCnu7BHCkKQuTos2BeM11GpKs0w7wN4FM7XnImbPLQkpfe6ApsAgqoXFAQARpqnJsIlB_m-L_RTS4KezpvLA/s320/2009-08-22(01).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPWCPPNIGE1BzbHMEpqq4PFLkSSALOMLqCNTZ7FKfJlr4P59ctwDQUuxei_EabvvYg0FCsIvPmGolIwS9OUEhopXVGOzb3LhMVokzqraPHYyRpKgU7gxucwB52AJYSs8BUL-tBanGsWA/s1600-h/2009-07-20(04).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414057548054315426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPWCPPNIGE1BzbHMEpqq4PFLkSSALOMLqCNTZ7FKfJlr4P59ctwDQUuxei_EabvvYg0FCsIvPmGolIwS9OUEhopXVGOzb3LhMVokzqraPHYyRpKgU7gxucwB52AJYSs8BUL-tBanGsWA/s320/2009-07-20(04).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0YpVy7MPeStlCRxrTnv7KKAMfDHfpippr9Uwd81tBkhlDxm9SnTqSS-GoHvdCgxUGBJ7W-UacjXqsWrGZM7Yx9ti7wqqVjMt8ScY190c_8byzSlTMZthsVBx9UwelpkVZFqLAQ_lVmc/s1600-h/2009-07-20(03).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414057544609600898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0YpVy7MPeStlCRxrTnv7KKAMfDHfpippr9Uwd81tBkhlDxm9SnTqSS-GoHvdCgxUGBJ7W-UacjXqsWrGZM7Yx9ti7wqqVjMt8ScY190c_8byzSlTMZthsVBx9UwelpkVZFqLAQ_lVmc/s320/2009-07-20(03).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNNV1z8RDJZXJaKZFQLQ1tcKShPiiV5TkMm3vVT-MKO4jm0ThEL5xqBxxr-97HQPRgy7oFSIDQ_ROoECVNHysDboKAm7nDczejTeNt-yE7H4D7yaHmPBp8JCa9HFwQq1R7bR1T2bb42o/s1600-h/2009-07-20(01).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414057532801603266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNNV1z8RDJZXJaKZFQLQ1tcKShPiiV5TkMm3vVT-MKO4jm0ThEL5xqBxxr-97HQPRgy7oFSIDQ_ROoECVNHysDboKAm7nDczejTeNt-yE7H4D7yaHmPBp8JCa9HFwQq1R7bR1T2bb42o/s320/2009-07-20(01).JPG" /></a><br />Makayla is now 4 1/2 years old, and as of this morning, she measures 44 inches tall and weighs nearly 38 lbs. She is as tall as some 5 year olds and frequently gets mistaken for being in kindergarten already. She will be starting school in September 2010. The district has a whole year of pre-K activities for the kids to get ready to go to school. Clay and I attended the parent's meeting at the beginning of November, and then Makayla and I both went to the introduction to the school at the end of November. She loved participating in all of the activities. I think she will do well in school since she just loves to learn. She is starting to sound out words which impressed one of the teachers at the school when she said: "You really know how to sound out your letters well." She can also do some basic math addition and subtraction. If I tell her how many more bites of supper to take, she will start eating them and then tell me how many more bites she has left to take (subtraction). It catches people off-guard when she does this because it's just not expected at her age.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwDWnSgDvFNLZWwm_Swk7yQs-_63k8cy8DZjJldp0Ozewp5L0iIj64xuNm2hp30w2WpB9PzJeB6OWcJH0IGV0w4SoLHyksSutD_VCjQ42lipxFtEOGd46L46rJVJa146uUm-JqnZO5r4/s1600-h/2009-11-06(04).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414055114256648626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwDWnSgDvFNLZWwm_Swk7yQs-_63k8cy8DZjJldp0Ozewp5L0iIj64xuNm2hp30w2WpB9PzJeB6OWcJH0IGV0w4SoLHyksSutD_VCjQ42lipxFtEOGd46L46rJVJa146uUm-JqnZO5r4/s320/2009-11-06(04).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjST60JHBbBlD3Ta91Mje6_AdRil5AK1iWUJ9LWW8W0Qk04AlqJenul780rhIoywwVNJDUyXNiSUtIS0FgfHnoAE75VGkS_U7lvlnBJunAbg9E3aftg7etKt8UZ6FdPDFXemdzY1zXMvAg/s1600-h/2009-11-06(03).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414055112776421986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjST60JHBbBlD3Ta91Mje6_AdRil5AK1iWUJ9LWW8W0Qk04AlqJenul780rhIoywwVNJDUyXNiSUtIS0FgfHnoAE75VGkS_U7lvlnBJunAbg9E3aftg7etKt8UZ6FdPDFXemdzY1zXMvAg/s320/2009-11-06(03).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-S3Co3R923LuA3jO3cd5-oLSwHd7POWXW-Ld3Q1G-1QqIUVWJEX5KSqWGBkUQPj99P3qMZlPVVYGbFU0WqWlThIAurBv64Hbfie4EkeBpYR6HkUG4HJ8D35Gtfd_HR4Eu_qy1LF64KA/s1600-h/2009-11-06(02).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414055108338372946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-S3Co3R923LuA3jO3cd5-oLSwHd7POWXW-Ld3Q1G-1QqIUVWJEX5KSqWGBkUQPj99P3qMZlPVVYGbFU0WqWlThIAurBv64Hbfie4EkeBpYR6HkUG4HJ8D35Gtfd_HR4Eu_qy1LF64KA/s320/2009-11-06(02).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYNqeWlzzymqKkMAV9C_1l5r_EYh3W5nA0lWQPZK3N99JcAokAaDAesumjOhQNgDyCwgVO7YWjWCU7WzUyvKT5NpzWqXuRDfpJpOGq-JoURZOmVqtOYbfP2LFmqGVQP5r-aW0xnGRb38/s1600-h/2009-11-06(01).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414054904211181570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYNqeWlzzymqKkMAV9C_1l5r_EYh3W5nA0lWQPZK3N99JcAokAaDAesumjOhQNgDyCwgVO7YWjWCU7WzUyvKT5NpzWqXuRDfpJpOGq-JoURZOmVqtOYbfP2LFmqGVQP5r-aW0xnGRb38/s320/2009-11-06(01).JPG" /></a> Makayla dressed up as Violet from the Incredibles for Halloween this year. She had no desire to be a princess or anything girly. She said right from the start that she wanted to be a superhero.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrimrcapzvzHJ_wcn279kC26JmNtTU5wZUYG23h9QhNBGjfJO8O5dRnN4BqU-Z9fR_escBivP4-dCBO5u8V7kuYQaH3jUjZw40xtOL7XMgrhD4rezzjndvjA1x3t9yFGCjX75zHqQWAM/s1600-h/2009-10-29(01).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414054716716790402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrimrcapzvzHJ_wcn279kC26JmNtTU5wZUYG23h9QhNBGjfJO8O5dRnN4BqU-Z9fR_escBivP4-dCBO5u8V7kuYQaH3jUjZw40xtOL7XMgrhD4rezzjndvjA1x3t9yFGCjX75zHqQWAM/s320/2009-10-29(01).JPG" /></a> Makayla is back in tap dancing this year. Megan is her teacher and there are no boys in her class this year. They are going to be dancing to "Disco Duck" and "Cowboy Joe" which she insists on calling "Cowboy Joke". I am interested to see what kind of costume they get that will go with a country tune AND a disco dance.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2faw7pLE7gH3kKw7auJUOfR91cqAH1zVWjAmw1zby_SJ68-M11247jJOw4RxR-lz1jhHeci6eOTYyrv2YWTJxWRsb9A7OW5PR79ygFrnIA5ayCcFQXGOJL3i8etI1Agqpjckx05TFO0/s1600-h/2009-12-07(02).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414053975137055234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2faw7pLE7gH3kKw7auJUOfR91cqAH1zVWjAmw1zby_SJ68-M11247jJOw4RxR-lz1jhHeci6eOTYyrv2YWTJxWRsb9A7OW5PR79ygFrnIA5ayCcFQXGOJL3i8etI1Agqpjckx05TFO0/s320/2009-12-07(02).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv25sFpI8GrnbkpiyCW6ZLtgj9cVo2ClCpGP46Sy2zw8ycNox2Jk7LeHgV-rTXWIlK0-86XK0QZzX7-Gohdl1xcBdH3ioCO_ocgR9Tbit_5xOqZB-9c5nLgjGTr-zHTS_B54X2addSN0/s1600-h/2009-12-07(04).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414054211075492386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv25sFpI8GrnbkpiyCW6ZLtgj9cVo2ClCpGP46Sy2zw8ycNox2Jk7LeHgV-rTXWIlK0-86XK0QZzX7-Gohdl1xcBdH3ioCO_ocgR9Tbit_5xOqZB-9c5nLgjGTr-zHTS_B54X2addSN0/s320/2009-12-07(04).JPG" /></a> Makayla is also taking some swimming lessons. The class is "Preschool 1" and the goal of this class is mainly to get the kids to trust their lifejackets. Makayla has been very afraid in the water and doesn't want to be let go even with a lifejacket on, so I thought this class would be good for her. I never dreamed how brave she would be by the end of the class. Her last (8th) session is this Sunday, and for the last couple of classes, she has been venturing out in the water doing the doggie paddle with her lifejacket on all by herself. She never liked water in her face, and now you can splash her, and she doesn't even flinch. She will hold her breath and put her whole face in the water. I told her teacher Tristan how impressed I was at what he had been able to teach her in such a short period of time. I intend to sign her up for "Preschool 2" after Christmas because I don't want her to lose this momentum. By next summer, she will be having a blast in the campground pool.<br /><br />Makayla is also attending preschool again this year. There are 7 kids who are going: Makayla, Sabrina, Hayden, Jenna, Sienna, Marley and Ashton. They have been practising for the Christmas concert which takes place next week.<br /><br />This is the first day of preschool 2009.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkhhEi8iVhqInRgS-rxd5cdTy_EV2bHYVoH-1b0tEp8KurjmM_vx_I8LJ4gtjyTbecae3LNkrw3dSZ_YqlbJPxi5xM4LfF90_FL7HpbcnKV_VUS9k1pO3EAcw3HZQ7ceqT4KaXIiYj9s/s1600-h/2009-09-15(01).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414055443540480466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkhhEi8iVhqInRgS-rxd5cdTy_EV2bHYVoH-1b0tEp8KurjmM_vx_I8LJ4gtjyTbecae3LNkrw3dSZ_YqlbJPxi5xM4LfF90_FL7HpbcnKV_VUS9k1pO3EAcw3HZQ7ceqT4KaXIiYj9s/s320/2009-09-15(01).JPG" /></a> Here is a picture that the preschool teacher took of the kids playing with the parachute. They were bouncing "Purple Teddy" on it. Makayla carried "Purple Teddy" around with her for several weeks and since he was a FREX toy, he couldn't withstand all the abuse that he was exposed to. I convinced her to exchange "Purple Teddy" for another one, which she named "Yellow Teddy", and she continued to carry this guy around for a few more weeks. We've finally weaned her off of carrying these teddies around at all.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kjF0oKpj0hmLwzpyzn7t7dHFv-O7HoC6n5KEmcC-auwFepBgkcuOPs80v9-JUNlhhbfYJM_o3r7tXS9GzBSAdQ309-8qucnAyI0uzTEeJwJpL7uT9vOvFSIdo5JmN7JYT-kUV97zfjE/s1600-h/2009-10-01(01).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414055585196832514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kjF0oKpj0hmLwzpyzn7t7dHFv-O7HoC6n5KEmcC-auwFepBgkcuOPs80v9-JUNlhhbfYJM_o3r7tXS9GzBSAdQ309-8qucnAyI0uzTEeJwJpL7uT9vOvFSIdo5JmN7JYT-kUV97zfjE/s320/2009-10-01(01).jpg" /></a> This was a field trip that the kids took to the apple orchard to pick apples.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLJJQKL3I2243_oaixk1Rv4mZTeEdG2R0GBNSrZDz1_sTHV6raOdJpjsjVxbAgGSa-mhOfE2ocR7OU7VxnwwBzfILDT4zDom7U3ORxPXbc8WTHKm-d5xXXdcxQhPIc_tr8o-XZhxTDmY/s1600-h/2009-10-20(03).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414056105487433474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLJJQKL3I2243_oaixk1Rv4mZTeEdG2R0GBNSrZDz1_sTHV6raOdJpjsjVxbAgGSa-mhOfE2ocR7OU7VxnwwBzfILDT4zDom7U3ORxPXbc8WTHKm-d5xXXdcxQhPIc_tr8o-XZhxTDmY/s320/2009-10-20(03).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDiaz5alM8bmLByDbhXx1UKUvO1WO7n3_IrZAQ4EmX4Go2a8eHZ3UXTS4VYR0DCTBp83Fc0SjaCIvGTHalIwsQK4OVsy-6fu8jruR8kK8jU3dBDtEMp7wY-na8EGkoNKrw1-JGiUU_LY/s1600-h/2009-10-20(05).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414056358285520034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDiaz5alM8bmLByDbhXx1UKUvO1WO7n3_IrZAQ4EmX4Go2a8eHZ3UXTS4VYR0DCTBp83Fc0SjaCIvGTHalIwsQK4OVsy-6fu8jruR8kK8jU3dBDtEMp7wY-na8EGkoNKrw1-JGiUU_LY/s320/2009-10-20(05).JPG" /></a> I'm thinking that Makayla will be a lot more outgoing this year at the concert. She has been showing a more outgoing side to her personality lately. This summer, we had somewhat overcome her fear of my leaving her, and tried to get her to be more independent. In October, she went back to crying if I was leaving her. She tried this out at Tobi's one Monday morning, again at tap dancing that night, and then continued with it on Tuesday at preschool. I really didn't want to go through that whole phase again since it was awful the first time around, so I tried to nip it in the bud quickly. I tried to appease her on Monday at Tobi's and after half an hour of sobbing, I just had to leave. (Tobi told me that she quickly stopped within minutes of my leaving.) On Monday night at tap dancing, I drug her back to the car when she wouldn't stay in class and she knew I wasn't happy. She quickly changed her mind and said she would stay in class and dance. So we went back in, and she did wonderfully. On Tuesday morning at preschool, she didn't want me to leave her, so I promptly told her that she had a choice: it was either preschool or Tobi's, but being with me wasn't one of the options since I had to work. She decided that once I put it that way, she would stay at preschool. I had a couple more times that I had to be harsh with her, but it seemed to work and now she runs off into tap dancing class or swimming lessons on her own and doesn't even look back for me. I have to admit that it's a bit sad that she doesn't need me as much, but independence is a personality trait that I definitely want her to have. At this past week's tap dancing class, the parents were invited in to watch what the kids had learned so far, and she was one of the most outgoing kids by answering the teacher's questions and even hamming it up a bit. I was really proud at how far she had come.<br /><br />Christmas is coming in a couple of weeks. Makayla and I wrote up her letter to Santa together. She has been more influenced this year by the television commercials, so in her letter, she requested Hot Wheels, Twister Hopscotch, and a new DS game, along with some surprises. She is a huge fan of Spongebob Squarepants, so anything with him on it will be a hit. She helped me decorate our tree too. I have to say, it actually went quicker with the two of us working at it even though she can't reach any higher than 4 feet, and it was more fun than doing it alone.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILj57-H5thmkrchvt5z_Y7vLHYVZ5f2wWfzOEgBjPH2oJLO7M2ttlWe9ntRHQOmuGnLuqsSG874BZzJ-86RURfsq9TPO0_gCVWSIhYEgbtnS1D7MLX7FLyD2Egn0S5dvVTRnfH2V4ZEo/s1600-h/2009-11-11(02).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414056567430628530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILj57-H5thmkrchvt5z_Y7vLHYVZ5f2wWfzOEgBjPH2oJLO7M2ttlWe9ntRHQOmuGnLuqsSG874BZzJ-86RURfsq9TPO0_gCVWSIhYEgbtnS1D7MLX7FLyD2Egn0S5dvVTRnfH2V4ZEo/s320/2009-11-11(02).JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxLyr992OvLhyx84s5NvV372J9kQkxg1cFh8_N5KQd0-V0ut7uakn_KBrlJYcPwn1sPYxysQ35hhKgdJNoq0sBIaDodOZzLbZGLzXGH4lEBgPcu4ZCOto6WBB3rapobU6EJg-TABbyCM/s1600-h/2009-11-28(01).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414056705871791650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtxLyr992OvLhyx84s5NvV372J9kQkxg1cFh8_N5KQd0-V0ut7uakn_KBrlJYcPwn1sPYxysQ35hhKgdJNoq0sBIaDodOZzLbZGLzXGH4lEBgPcu4ZCOto6WBB3rapobU6EJg-TABbyCM/s320/2009-11-28(01).JPG" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-24501932939423544492009-07-16T14:54:00.006-03:002009-07-16T15:11:51.602-03:00Summer is here...I thinkIt has been forever again since I've updated this blog. Well, it is now mid-July and we've finally gotten some decent summer weather over the last week. We have had a very long spring and it has been extremely rainy around here this year.<br /><br />I noticed in my last post that I mentioned that we were looking at new travel trailers. We did find one that we liked even better than the one I mentioned. It had a wonderful bunk room for Makayla that we just couldn't pass up. We moved it to our new lot along the river at the Hartt Island Campground on Mother's Day weekend. We got some lovely weather in May, but starting in June, the weather got rotten and rainy so we hadn't used the trailer a whole lot. Unfortunately, we found out that the trailers 2 slide-outs leak a whole lot. After a hard rain one Saturday night, I went to make Makayla's bed when I realized how wet her bedding was. She thought that maybe she had peed the bed, but I knew that wasn't the case. I peeled the mattress back and we saw how wet the wood underneath was, not to mention that the bunk above her was soaked even more. I felt underneath her bed and the carpet was soaking wet and the water had started to get the wood wet that made up the frame of her bed. The fortunate part of this story is that it is still under warranty and I'm glad we found out about this sooner rather than later. We called the dealership and told them about what happened and that we would be in to talk to them first thing Monday morning with the pictures we took of the mess. The sales manager was very apologetic when we arrived and he could hardly believe that not only did the trailer leave the manufacturer that way, but it also left his dealership. Quality control at the manufacturer should have caught the fact that the slide-outs were not sealed properly as it was very evident to Clay and me when we climbed up to see where the water was getting in. They offered us a trailer to use in the meanwhile while they figured out what they were going to do. We loaded our trailer up and brought it to the dealership and then we transferred everything over to the loaner trailer and brought it back to our campground lot.<br /><br />Clay stopped into the dealership last Friday to get something for the loaner trailer, and the saleman that was still there gave Clay an update on our trailer. The dealership is definitely going to fix our trailer, but as of right now, the sales and service managers are trying to get the manufacturer to agree to give us a new one. Either way, he told us that we should probably get comfortable in the loaner trailer as this negotiation could take a while.<br /><br />This is the water that soaked through the mattress to the bottom bunk where Makayla sleeps.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RcM-ehhidhcvOTPMHDgutuMQ4mhthfXQ6XEn-2ZtKk_4RC_qHAO9dYpAA7maD8ey-IlRd6EsYCiffzRpqqhRtrEImEcz_PE-muXGeJ0Al6gtfR4egF5fI8um7FccsDjJsGnLfhuCNY4/s1600-h/2009_0705a0160.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359119179184670978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RcM-ehhidhcvOTPMHDgutuMQ4mhthfXQ6XEn-2ZtKk_4RC_qHAO9dYpAA7maD8ey-IlRd6EsYCiffzRpqqhRtrEImEcz_PE-muXGeJ0Al6gtfR4egF5fI8um7FccsDjJsGnLfhuCNY4/s320/2009_0705a0160.JPG" /></a> Her bunk beds are the part that slide out and the carpet and the foam underneath were just soaked. It's hard to show how wet the carpet was in a picture, but Clay's knees were getting wet just sitting there. And you sure could smell that the carpet had been wet on Monday when we brought it back to the dealership. You would have thought that there were a dozen cats living in there and used the carpet as their litter box.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RuMpajD7R2v2NWH-EshB32HIbcULYKX24vXQ_jmn0GkcVSoT7qlilPUwtgtFtFDGpepie8kkokk6M8GMbQljqbpvgPNGE0GG5ANHyfEO22zq0DXHQURgWCPokbu0oU6NlH7HWd1hbZM/s1600-h/2009_0705a0161.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359119173914916834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RuMpajD7R2v2NWH-EshB32HIbcULYKX24vXQ_jmn0GkcVSoT7qlilPUwtgtFtFDGpepie8kkokk6M8GMbQljqbpvgPNGE0GG5ANHyfEO22zq0DXHQURgWCPokbu0oU6NlH7HWd1hbZM/s320/2009_0705a0161.JPG" /></a> This is underneath Makayla's bottom bunk. The wood frame is all wet (dark orange part) and the carpet is soaking wet. The wood was so swollen that the drawers you see wouldn't even pull out anymore.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAIfEG2lTUDnhs8F4zX6bVDhMttffhhHYCYDj851YD4JFidjrDCsOZKDHz8YZiX9KsPIIT7kiciBTKhQv1VdbE9cQfB8p6ml7_ozr8YEk2RPlOEqVEb5izPUr3CtY805yCoBxd8wUoq0/s1600-h/2009_0705a0162.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359119166586199714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAIfEG2lTUDnhs8F4zX6bVDhMttffhhHYCYDj851YD4JFidjrDCsOZKDHz8YZiX9KsPIIT7kiciBTKhQv1VdbE9cQfB8p6ml7_ozr8YEk2RPlOEqVEb5izPUr3CtY805yCoBxd8wUoq0/s320/2009_0705a0162.JPG" /></a> This is the top bunk and how wet it was underneath the mattress.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1dPFh8sxwXOBhgHoxBgSy2o9SjjMOF_46LuHPWQvVSXmTWQ_U0fqe078uGtGJGf63ZPVieJFw3uLjlKWiB3rGLIKeLVLMHb2oKLXeZD2tAwt_Hm-nKZBPn_5cfNrPAxBelXLuLsAEGU/s1600-h/2009_0705a0170.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359118802017110610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1dPFh8sxwXOBhgHoxBgSy2o9SjjMOF_46LuHPWQvVSXmTWQ_U0fqe078uGtGJGf63ZPVieJFw3uLjlKWiB3rGLIKeLVLMHb2oKLXeZD2tAwt_Hm-nKZBPn_5cfNrPAxBelXLuLsAEGU/s320/2009_0705a0170.JPG" /></a> This is a picture of the water drops seeping in from behind the trim and going down the wall. We just aren't sure how much water got in between the walls too.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtq84HyfHc5R9PcpZFtPbUOIdPODUFSRzZbYXV1Gc7MZVD1L91pCnK1J16KsFDVGhed6ETmu3O1asTt7KSOLVBKhyuHJxxyz8Pvsa9p9YOp2H6G_VZSTJ5ggIlD3NOGUCzC4XHHq7YMug/s1600-h/2009_0705a0173.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359118800891814482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtq84HyfHc5R9PcpZFtPbUOIdPODUFSRzZbYXV1Gc7MZVD1L91pCnK1J16KsFDVGhed6ETmu3O1asTt7KSOLVBKhyuHJxxyz8Pvsa9p9YOp2H6G_VZSTJ5ggIlD3NOGUCzC4XHHq7YMug/s320/2009_0705a0173.JPG" /></a> The bottom of the curtain and one of the bench seats were wet. This is on the second slide-out.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSsVG77SMwtz8H-5nFqwCAcZBGvzFwSiKD72oJlTVScFiVt25aFQD_tMuC3-aEpqCMW-dPeb3qZYbqFoB9LUWsmzsaySWsZZwzbKNv2DYIgSdTjdb5aCaZqKAN_y8udFTlNgcntVMJvM/s1600-h/2009_0705a0175.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359118791759130770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSsVG77SMwtz8H-5nFqwCAcZBGvzFwSiKD72oJlTVScFiVt25aFQD_tMuC3-aEpqCMW-dPeb3qZYbqFoB9LUWsmzsaySWsZZwzbKNv2DYIgSdTjdb5aCaZqKAN_y8udFTlNgcntVMJvM/s320/2009_0705a0175.JPG" /></a> This is the top of one of the slides. As you can see, the seal and tape are partially ripped off.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwPS38Q2uQOD_a67ZYKQvolYUYwEEHft6-v1bzDYT0tdjeHc0DeFDFx1bqiqKznsSHSQFMqL4mHFwRtUHkV_Fx0f_FJxhFKaK7dhk5g6XZ5sqOSMRgc_TKAZ-L6LRgxuGwNZE9jKAV2E/s1600-h/2009_0705a0178.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359118781980866066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwPS38Q2uQOD_a67ZYKQvolYUYwEEHft6-v1bzDYT0tdjeHc0DeFDFx1bqiqKznsSHSQFMqL4mHFwRtUHkV_Fx0f_FJxhFKaK7dhk5g6XZ5sqOSMRgc_TKAZ-L6LRgxuGwNZE9jKAV2E/s320/2009_0705a0178.JPG" /></a>Another view of the seal on the slides.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRt_DyKjd65dk6rKaEmugcog_x8_SaFeH_nTTYuvippBflp4zkPU8hHVc3Wr1WJmzD-DgUJcEFSLLmA8KQAM-gG2f4re3y67qF5xjdaBnQn3-bomgqtYkHRmAyC_Bm-Pu7SygnZKBfZYc/s1600-h/2009_0705a0180.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359118771561462866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRt_DyKjd65dk6rKaEmugcog_x8_SaFeH_nTTYuvippBflp4zkPU8hHVc3Wr1WJmzD-DgUJcEFSLLmA8KQAM-gG2f4re3y67qF5xjdaBnQn3-bomgqtYkHRmAyC_Bm-Pu7SygnZKBfZYc/s320/2009_0705a0180.JPG" /></a> We were very disappointed that this happened since we didn't even suspect that something like this was even a possibility since the trailer was new. We are going to be patient and hopeful that this issue gets sorted out in the best way possible.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-47262684162768863012009-07-16T10:52:00.009-03:002009-07-16T15:39:36.463-03:00Summer 2009Let me fill you in on what Makayla has been up to over the last few months. She finished up her year at tap dancing and here is a photo of her with her costume on. She just loved her "tap dress"! <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zm4MvHg1NS5T4_9QML2wYxCjIEXZIRsKTbKi6DTlm_-C4YXf9ngRWTAtywDBN_XnyI8TxLaBleAFxdJCJKOKi_7-NQXpDTNHLLAMszP2OII5q9W28K1l4o41hUK7Wi1i7HrhGBEzc-0/s1600-h/2009-05-09(01).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359056505361139074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zm4MvHg1NS5T4_9QML2wYxCjIEXZIRsKTbKi6DTlm_-C4YXf9ngRWTAtywDBN_XnyI8TxLaBleAFxdJCJKOKi_7-NQXpDTNHLLAMszP2OII5q9W28K1l4o41hUK7Wi1i7HrhGBEzc-0/s320/2009-05-09(01).JPG" /></a></div><div>She and her group danced to "I'm a Little Teapot" as well as to a version of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". Here is a YouTube link that another parent posted. Makayla is on the left of most of the video.</div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rEUCzhyyEo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rEUCzhyyEo</a></div><div></div><div>There were 2 tap dance shows that were to last approximately 90 minutes and the kids were to stay backstage with the daycare personnel they had there. The ladies told me that Makayla struggled a bit being backstage without Mommy the first night (cried most of the time although it didn't appear that way when she was onstage dancing), and they suggested that I stay with her the following night. Makayla had been going through a phase where she seemed to dislike me leaving her anywhere even if she used to love to go, like preschool, tap dancing and even her sitter's house. So I stayed with her and kept trying to see if she was comfortable enough for me to leave, but we never got to that point. Since I knew when her dances were because I had watched the show the previous night, I brought her to my seat with me and we watched the show until it was time for her to go back to get ready to dance. She had no problem with me dropping her off so long as she knew that I was going to be there to get her once her dance was finished. I did go back and she came and watched the rest of the show with me and her father.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUpszpW6r2QV4knjGLkVEW8SeBZ4gJfQAbYMyxNOJyHtGTJCiZbKLPACOP43ctcwtWfFzAM4XLI2JRJy2nsJMGnCqgSwTRYFy_eHLhwqinxFBQKx8mXoOW-1xddZZt8_WpYQTAsyGj9s/s1600-h/2009-05-22(03).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359060889448855458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUpszpW6r2QV4knjGLkVEW8SeBZ4gJfQAbYMyxNOJyHtGTJCiZbKLPACOP43ctcwtWfFzAM4XLI2JRJy2nsJMGnCqgSwTRYFy_eHLhwqinxFBQKx8mXoOW-1xddZZt8_WpYQTAsyGj9s/s320/2009-05-22(03).JPG" /></a> Here is our family shot after the show was finished. Makayla received flowers and a CD from Nana.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBSprrAFQgWWAhBK8IyIVy4V3hO6JGj6D6oIZgqJjfrl4BRJfMJ0CjWzEgikG7oZQfJYNpxHBXlYfiLQkZGsweZZcbsnn-1DiEfrOHnUNxFZ-L6BXQ761MUvfdwGMF7jL3bLHepWdz5A/s1600-h/2009-05-22(06).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359060885010809842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBSprrAFQgWWAhBK8IyIVy4V3hO6JGj6D6oIZgqJjfrl4BRJfMJ0CjWzEgikG7oZQfJYNpxHBXlYfiLQkZGsweZZcbsnn-1DiEfrOHnUNxFZ-L6BXQ761MUvfdwGMF7jL3bLHepWdz5A/s320/2009-05-22(06).JPG" /></a> This is Makayla with her friend Tharen from her dance class. Tharen was born at 24 weeks as a twin, but his twin didn't make it. He is a great kid. His mother enrolled him in tap dancing to try to help his stability on his feet improve. He sure has come a long way from the beginning of the year.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KLLU8_G5VDCTpbfVb4hAEf64A6jjqxNtElc_jhJDwnaaIbi9h-Lk4OKR4Wwc2yuBRHtmvSZT2w2REAuEkbAkAuYdoUpPn4UcI4fORmxH7-yLX6OQfuwxjyl2ZhyYrcPAyQjp1wKaE1o/s1600-h/2009-05-22(10).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359060880341843490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KLLU8_G5VDCTpbfVb4hAEf64A6jjqxNtElc_jhJDwnaaIbi9h-Lk4OKR4Wwc2yuBRHtmvSZT2w2REAuEkbAkAuYdoUpPn4UcI4fORmxH7-yLX6OQfuwxjyl2ZhyYrcPAyQjp1wKaE1o/s320/2009-05-22(10).JPG" /></a> We were already enjoying the campground by mid-May and here is Makayla doing one of her favourite things there - playing basketball. It's amazing how much she isn't nearly as scared of the ball as she was last summer. She was always a bit timid when she would try to get the ball in the net last year, but this year, she has no fear.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPAqq4QBhae27rKavE3zcUMnTM_d7U46q7304AwakqNUqWcO6zgDj9PPARYJoIkaoImLBe_DtFzOSFYf4DhyphenhyphenSuBWOTnSH0I4ERRKKojM0-BfOYapUI1zC8h6Q05eecQvyae3VedK7B3A/s1600-h/2009-05-24(09).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359060156550096722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPAqq4QBhae27rKavE3zcUMnTM_d7U46q7304AwakqNUqWcO6zgDj9PPARYJoIkaoImLBe_DtFzOSFYf4DhyphenhyphenSuBWOTnSH0I4ERRKKojM0-BfOYapUI1zC8h6Q05eecQvyae3VedK7B3A/s320/2009-05-24(09).JPG" /></a> On June 4th, Makayla had her last day at preschool for this year. Here she is at the house before we left that morning.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKl3Iz5qomzdVPsHd1bjmSCCRNVMeC-WriILHkI4bHQjcI8lWFKJDkWyRgirtpEZ7HUSCN8OB-Hk44cglD6S2abkbV5Drvm4sljT9ZzKOu9gn4NpxcZ0WcE8pCPd5_XeKAAY7d24sds0/s1600-h/2009-06-04(02).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359060150737712402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKl3Iz5qomzdVPsHd1bjmSCCRNVMeC-WriILHkI4bHQjcI8lWFKJDkWyRgirtpEZ7HUSCN8OB-Hk44cglD6S2abkbV5Drvm4sljT9ZzKOu9gn4NpxcZ0WcE8pCPd5_XeKAAY7d24sds0/s320/2009-06-04(02).JPG" /></a> Makayla went to preschool with 5 other children. The ones in black hats will be starting kindergarten in the fall while those in white hats will be going back to preschool in September. Here she is receiving her diploma.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD3WCFz-MMseUfiv3cNoh7P1JakKjXZw6pNwNcCvoyy2CpQalR_57TeiT0EYFg3iKd6-UVa5gb0zdNXIaN2K95DSKaqf5dV0UuloIL6ZT3I01kvxl1D8XwDi1JmelZ5Yh0DGtt6fvCVc/s1600-h/2009-06-04(10).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359060147353005666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD3WCFz-MMseUfiv3cNoh7P1JakKjXZw6pNwNcCvoyy2CpQalR_57TeiT0EYFg3iKd6-UVa5gb0zdNXIaN2K95DSKaqf5dV0UuloIL6ZT3I01kvxl1D8XwDi1JmelZ5Yh0DGtt6fvCVc/s320/2009-06-04(10).JPG" /></a> Makayla had a very proud mother and 2 grandmothers to see her at the graduation.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3znuZemV5XN9MU44o9pr1fMMSryfB0x3M910FIopcnfawwpV0BCQU6eTZ1_f1F5CY-37as9L-8IpraImMhM1dNB74-KC9lIBVtOu8OdYYihKXvcPdq4pYUP7zRVHOnqJHf4MvFnCLAZA/s1600-h/2009-06-04(23a).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 201px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359060136868017794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3znuZemV5XN9MU44o9pr1fMMSryfB0x3M910FIopcnfawwpV0BCQU6eTZ1_f1F5CY-37as9L-8IpraImMhM1dNB74-KC9lIBVtOu8OdYYihKXvcPdq4pYUP7zRVHOnqJHf4MvFnCLAZA/s320/2009-06-04(23a).JPG" /></a> Makayla's birthday is June 6th and originally I had told her that she could have a Nintendo DS when she turned 5, since that is how old her chum at the sitter's was when he got his. However, she has REALLY wanted one since last September and after she had proven to me this winter that she knew how to use one (she showed me how it worked!), I decided that she was able to handle one for her 4th birthday. Not to mention that when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she replied with "I would REALLY like to have a real DS." So here she is the morning of her birthday playing her "real DS". She was very excited to finally have her own.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK91YSzyuKfe0diC88WG1dvG2HMRLMguZ9eHSjCDLCuNVoljzYNIy0cVeTAXZ0zUs5AbHHC617e3Nxa0mcCTD4zn8iTKyv_P545j5iD1hk04Y2Xl6JJyZ0gDq5REqWLgkaWpUGtwvYPew/s1600-h/2009-06-06(01).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359060134201078882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK91YSzyuKfe0diC88WG1dvG2HMRLMguZ9eHSjCDLCuNVoljzYNIy0cVeTAXZ0zUs5AbHHC617e3Nxa0mcCTD4zn8iTKyv_P545j5iD1hk04Y2Xl6JJyZ0gDq5REqWLgkaWpUGtwvYPew/s320/2009-06-06(01).JPG" /></a> Here is the river view from our trailer on the morning of Makayla's birthday.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vxqM4T3HLSU2rPRHx_LDPatq8zBVEq0mNtSJrFKU53PEIELwIfSxQUyX1Ynspr_SmS7TeLjgoncI8XJRl5eCHB_yWiN6NowUc_gxUwA86gGH7ea3TaKcKxGqBovKSG1owoHbXKod4ZM/s1600-h/2009-06-06(03).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359059383342608210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vxqM4T3HLSU2rPRHx_LDPatq8zBVEq0mNtSJrFKU53PEIELwIfSxQUyX1Ynspr_SmS7TeLjgoncI8XJRl5eCHB_yWiN6NowUc_gxUwA86gGH7ea3TaKcKxGqBovKSG1owoHbXKod4ZM/s320/2009-06-06(03).JPG" /></a> And here is the birthday girl!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkX-pY0eKj4faQ53J1RQcwjdXR-AbzT-ZVz1iQ4PAsTFuYtY6IXNJTlNmzOxHh0lYwlKdz0w7rAwFwbtN_1uj3BUXD-9r7Yu1gMNEx-I-QSseZ40BXVt0qhab8JW6QSCo1eOMw4RYet0/s1600-h/2009-06-06(09).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359059379549590098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFkX-pY0eKj4faQ53J1RQcwjdXR-AbzT-ZVz1iQ4PAsTFuYtY6IXNJTlNmzOxHh0lYwlKdz0w7rAwFwbtN_1uj3BUXD-9r7Yu1gMNEx-I-QSseZ40BXVt0qhab8JW6QSCo1eOMw4RYet0/s320/2009-06-06(09).JPG" /></a> Makayla wanted a minigolf party at the campground, so we invited all of her preschool friends, her cousins and some other kids we know to come have a game. It was so much fun to watch the kids running around the minigolf course, which they had all to themselves since the party was at 11am. I have to say that this birthday party was by far the most relaxing and enjoyable one that I have planned for Makayla.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqsTj3UBICTpMfncjVOIQHnEO8-N7I2Zx-6xt8FKkyG5zUVfoZmwKPn19LKloysMSKvEMs8KLR6Dco7piXcyD7JWTyvostzjFuqMTBKpKFPwjWr-MLX13rHsOoh7E9Bt_7CpohSzCmRw/s1600-h/2009-06-06(27).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359059373000055778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqsTj3UBICTpMfncjVOIQHnEO8-N7I2Zx-6xt8FKkyG5zUVfoZmwKPn19LKloysMSKvEMs8KLR6Dco7piXcyD7JWTyvostzjFuqMTBKpKFPwjWr-MLX13rHsOoh7E9Bt_7CpohSzCmRw/s320/2009-06-06(27).JPG" /></a> This is Makayla with all of her preschool buddies - Makayla, Emma, Hayden, Macy, Sabrina and Connor.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyThm3Mp4dKBun3TxoAKmuIbqUBnvqNTayCDmt61hN9iD-yKxB6QpnGkwa0UnfRDvmadmaRxpExTxiw5l04T0tTqRAVeLwT2ct6Q8Kqvgv-C6uNpgfpcRMfVGYWYpAJetAU5nyYugD2M/s1600-h/2009-06-06(31).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359059370875728130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyThm3Mp4dKBun3TxoAKmuIbqUBnvqNTayCDmt61hN9iD-yKxB6QpnGkwa0UnfRDvmadmaRxpExTxiw5l04T0tTqRAVeLwT2ct6Q8Kqvgv-C6uNpgfpcRMfVGYWYpAJetAU5nyYugD2M/s320/2009-06-06(31).JPG" /></a> This is a picture of all of the kids who attended the party - Hayden, Jessi, Makayla, Emma, Sabrina, Macy, Gracie, Paige and Connor.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1h37OYY2NFFhuDbv0qQRNUgLzkO4TIDqrAoQZoh-0ZO8GAb9PAVG_SAuVpxo-gAKg_8jHAC9bZm4ijcAdHxZf9RCHazN4rMq3Da8vvVe7HMT_bO-810_YvDOZhN7VKyLfONU4XGyMNo/s1600-h/2009-06-06(32).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359059359468970866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1h37OYY2NFFhuDbv0qQRNUgLzkO4TIDqrAoQZoh-0ZO8GAb9PAVG_SAuVpxo-gAKg_8jHAC9bZm4ijcAdHxZf9RCHazN4rMq3Da8vvVe7HMT_bO-810_YvDOZhN7VKyLfONU4XGyMNo/s320/2009-06-06(32).JPG" /></a> Here are the kids sitting on the hill behind our trailer.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGWtdRM5eREmOPRRPy7zd8AUQ7eMbilbhjbOw2cK-JOf4g3CzlqgmIxZcdcvaXqt7XSkp3fTOalBw0Uvsu1iKo2ueKmouwAYajwRTkbay_-2DwplxdcZtlddDfkivn_5dDC2ivD4U_K0/s1600-h/2009-06-06(34).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359058599425205746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGWtdRM5eREmOPRRPy7zd8AUQ7eMbilbhjbOw2cK-JOf4g3CzlqgmIxZcdcvaXqt7XSkp3fTOalBw0Uvsu1iKo2ueKmouwAYajwRTkbay_-2DwplxdcZtlddDfkivn_5dDC2ivD4U_K0/s320/2009-06-06(34).JPG" /></a> This is the golf-themed cake that I ordered from Sobeys. Not your usual cake for a birthday party, but it seemed very appropriate.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhir39z6_yKZ30o8qeuQK9o6bxQxgFGAjG9GQZl26fe_5ldkJ_MBzV0Tg3H03LZUP8_MjCF72876dKh-7zvK_QxiwV6_EmurgiP6KozxOx5bRxYxU_hxor2EKWB-EXfKtJxkXU5LHAcrJE/s1600-h/2009-06-06(35).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359058595908642274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhir39z6_yKZ30o8qeuQK9o6bxQxgFGAjG9GQZl26fe_5ldkJ_MBzV0Tg3H03LZUP8_MjCF72876dKh-7zvK_QxiwV6_EmurgiP6KozxOx5bRxYxU_hxor2EKWB-EXfKtJxkXU5LHAcrJE/s320/2009-06-06(35).JPG" /></a> This was Makayla's other favourite gift from her birthday - her scooter from Grammie.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAdwwZrypq_Xwp3mw-pzt4Fuol57itXjeQZb-m9i4XWCHfprL_5heJp0cDaKktscpefmZeCZ-shvikj4DZYxx_IhQy9TxLSzauolPbdu1P_VXS-EFo_ZOEio9-rGnJUkg6XtDspeauFA/s1600-h/2009-06-06(57).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359058598668766866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAdwwZrypq_Xwp3mw-pzt4Fuol57itXjeQZb-m9i4XWCHfprL_5heJp0cDaKktscpefmZeCZ-shvikj4DZYxx_IhQy9TxLSzauolPbdu1P_VXS-EFo_ZOEio9-rGnJUkg6XtDspeauFA/s320/2009-06-06(57).JPG" /></a> Here is a picture of Makayla trying on Daddy's hard hat.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPKrHFjEy6RINKvmAAK8Gt3M6un04ZT0QnlWU5oWsM5ZXm4y7FuxpL-4OjEwEtnyH46bPBSLHdTbE5cEcv9-A7mFBVJzRnNuiA8ylZz_4NqoIq1Trrc9yN4yiC2SVi26MI1cguPPraAU/s1600-h/2009-06-21(02).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359058592958415682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPKrHFjEy6RINKvmAAK8Gt3M6un04ZT0QnlWU5oWsM5ZXm4y7FuxpL-4OjEwEtnyH46bPBSLHdTbE5cEcv9-A7mFBVJzRnNuiA8ylZz_4NqoIq1Trrc9yN4yiC2SVi26MI1cguPPraAU/s320/2009-06-21(02).JPG" /></a>Just after Makayla's birthday, soccer started. She is playing with kids aged 3 and 4, although this is her first year playing soccer. She loved it the first practice, but I had a problem getting her to play the second week. She started crying and wouldn't go out on the field even if I came with her. I was at a loss about what to do. If she hadn't liked it so well the first night, I would have thought that maybe soccer just wasn't for her. During the week before the third practice, I tried to entice her with some rewards she would get IF she played, but if she didn't play, then we were going straight home. Once we got to the field, she was doing well before the coach arrived, then once the organized part started (as organized as you can get with 72 preschoolers and their parents crammed into 3 small soccer fields), she came back to me and wanted to go home. I knew that my rewards weren't working, so we marched back to the car, all the while I'm thinking "How am I going to handle this so that she will go play?" When I got her to the car I warned her that once we got home, she would be going into "time out". Well, she didn't like the sound of that at all. I told her that she had one more chance to get up to that field and play soccer. She ran all the way back and had a wonderful time playing the rest of the practice. And we haven't had a problem since. I think she was a bit intimidated by how physical soccer can be and she was nervous of her coach. Once she realized that her coach is a really nice guy and she just has to push right back when she's trying to get near the ball, this whole experience has become much more enjoyable.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCurB1Vmmz9axrBDk2cGZctcdai4zdidcLyU-VIKhJlGw37wecfxwx0VB51iglxWvflBKgopR2YMuwgol3cAcGhJdphJ6jrTH9bDGWpUZhfsvYOi2nmKirvIK3jIa2oJCgIvicsAiJwng/s1600-h/2009-06-08(02).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359058585799454706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCurB1Vmmz9axrBDk2cGZctcdai4zdidcLyU-VIKhJlGw37wecfxwx0VB51iglxWvflBKgopR2YMuwgol3cAcGhJdphJ6jrTH9bDGWpUZhfsvYOi2nmKirvIK3jIa2oJCgIvicsAiJwng/s320/2009-06-08(02).JPG" /></a> This is another of Makayla's favourite activites - riding her bicycle. She isn't as nervous on her bike as she was last summer. We have taken some great bike rides on the trail right by our campground.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALwOauojhpMx1SjG3brSlVpRbox_zpRjUYT-dfpItvv0yXnC1geCLcITv-7JD-L13aEV9gcTA4Bp5RcdbU0QF8UyzN9Ia-Yp8mcfirRNXqCbaTuZrX2iPndyZWARQrfViRr2VWlMoUgo/s1600-h/2009-04-28(01).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359056499480952706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALwOauojhpMx1SjG3brSlVpRbox_zpRjUYT-dfpItvv0yXnC1geCLcITv-7JD-L13aEV9gcTA4Bp5RcdbU0QF8UyzN9Ia-Yp8mcfirRNXqCbaTuZrX2iPndyZWARQrfViRr2VWlMoUgo/s320/2009-04-28(01).JPG" /></a>On her 4th birthday, Makayla was 42.5" tall and weighed 36 lbs.</div><div>She recently had her first sleepover with her cousin Gracie, which Daddy supervised since Mommy was out of town.</div><div>I asked Makayla if she wanted some strawberries, and her response to me was "I'm allergic to red food." When I reminded her that ketchup and licorice are red (2 of her favourites), she was confused as to how to resond. Now she will say that she is allergic to red food, but not to ketchup and licorice.</div><div>When I told her that her soccer team was called the Jays, she thought that I meant the letter J, so she figured her friend Josh's team must be the K's or the L's.</div><div>When she was showing her sitter how to play one of her DS games, she got frustrated when the sitter couldn't get it, so Makayla says "Oh, just let me do it!"</div><div>Her friend Josh got his hands dirty while they were playing outside, so he wiped them on the back of Makayla's shirt. She turned around and said to him "I'm not a wipe, you know!"</div><div>When asked to spell her dad's name, Makayla spells out CLAY. When asked to spell my name, she writes MOM.</div><div>She has started to try to sound out words. She nearly spelled Snoopy with very little help from me, just by sounding out the letters.</div><div>Makayla is extremely observant. I put up new curtains in the living room while she was at her sitter's and didn't tell her, and she noticed immediately, even before she got into the living room.</div><div>Makayla has been telling me that I am always right. I wonder how long that will last!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-52732822359720166962009-03-20T15:34:00.004-03:002009-03-20T16:17:40.218-03:00Winter updateThis winter has been a long one. The weather is finally starting to improve, so hopefully it will be over soon. We have been enjoying ourselves this winter by doing some snowmobiling. Here is Makayla waiting patiently for Daddy to take her for a ride.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTlUtY7OSeMaEw505A6Urx827fsiVEmNQXqNgs3ldz0ZuHL2dEpu8CYFxCcjZoutUcLDk9J7UtvlsAoNpyMYxhMJiq3eSZl8sgQUydnfieMAg-pymUBZU_85R6Q19ZdERZyTDGZJFmog/s1600-h/2009-02-22(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315341262450916418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTlUtY7OSeMaEw505A6Urx827fsiVEmNQXqNgs3ldz0ZuHL2dEpu8CYFxCcjZoutUcLDk9J7UtvlsAoNpyMYxhMJiq3eSZl8sgQUydnfieMAg-pymUBZU_85R6Q19ZdERZyTDGZJFmog/s320/2009-02-22(01).JPG" border="0" /></a>Makayla and her cousin Gracie had some pictures done in March. Grammie wanted to have some updated ones of the girls and I think they turned out very nicely.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonQA7E760tOBCCOf_3-In3bdr5K1c2_Tdl3AUqjht4FDrX_VjOM72WUQN_tJSCLMf4Pm_0r4BSEF8NEJjSgwPzRW0V9ejFpUXgOxjJ_pZoASyjycxWq_bept93Euui9KJRBL2R15iXFk/s1600-h/2009-03-07(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315341259551217378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonQA7E760tOBCCOf_3-In3bdr5K1c2_Tdl3AUqjht4FDrX_VjOM72WUQN_tJSCLMf4Pm_0r4BSEF8NEJjSgwPzRW0V9ejFpUXgOxjJ_pZoASyjycxWq_bept93Euui9KJRBL2R15iXFk/s320/2009-03-07(01).JPG" border="0" /></a>I took Makayla to see the Doodlebops when they were in town. What a great show they put on. I have to say it was one of the better ones that I've taken Makayla to. It was a kids concert and there was no story to try and follow.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kXcjHCQSbOEPJGbtE28xs2whLxuohEOwBc8IxWaAVhpFEtRwBLn4fA4GRdiH2l07uWUnxlAONFCOexr0PxfU_EOO_41cOCc0gZXr93Sj3_uXksUMkrjZHlFu8vPQS0ish1i_5sNNEKs/s1600-h/2009-03-08(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315341250789168690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kXcjHCQSbOEPJGbtE28xs2whLxuohEOwBc8IxWaAVhpFEtRwBLn4fA4GRdiH2l07uWUnxlAONFCOexr0PxfU_EOO_41cOCc0gZXr93Sj3_uXksUMkrjZHlFu8vPQS0ish1i_5sNNEKs/s320/2009-03-08(03).JPG" border="0" /></a> Here are Makayla and Hayden doing the "Bounce" out in the aisle. They had a blast.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJ376mF05bt2CNpS_QmxXBAXEZ30TcHh4bydJKWca3KyZEOOLdbzyRXfklXSFV3E1OPVcV5_UAN8C-ZDAcPVaKO2mM5uYJtiFWaFBCiX-T57eiSVoS6vROXf4149Vnnk9qo3mR-2zW4s/s1600-h/2009-03-08(04).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315341246254243762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJ376mF05bt2CNpS_QmxXBAXEZ30TcHh4bydJKWca3KyZEOOLdbzyRXfklXSFV3E1OPVcV5_UAN8C-ZDAcPVaKO2mM5uYJtiFWaFBCiX-T57eiSVoS6vROXf4149Vnnk9qo3mR-2zW4s/s320/2009-03-08(04).JPG" border="0" /></a> Makayla has been asking for a Nintendo DS since last fall. I thought that she was far too young for one, so at Christmas, we picked up a Leapster for her in hopes that she would be satisfied. She was....for awhile. Now she has started asking for a DS again. I have watched her use other kids' DS's and she can get around one really well. She probably could handle one, but I just feel like I have to draw the line somewhere. She is our only child and I don't want to spoil her too much. One day when I picked her up at her sitter's, she was holding this blue piece of construction paper in the picture below. I asked her what it was and she showed me and told me it was her DS. As you can see the arrow pad and buttons are all drawn on there. Then she found the lovely purse in the playroom at her sitter's and asked if it could be her DS case. So now she amuses herself with this piece of paper and the purse. I'm not sure how long this will hold her off for, but I have a feeling she is going to be asking for a DS for her birthday coming up in June.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfZniqrtY77RmzQnxKqi0gY21yU5lbwB6yVrc7nernXukxZZXWuYJCNB1mVlXcY4uV5a_570v-fFhtuXIML-cqcp4iaKljinYonppWLx0ijAMSKO-Y-LfMA19J893jTDteqDZL9HnS-c/s1600-h/2009-03-16(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315341242869633202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfZniqrtY77RmzQnxKqi0gY21yU5lbwB6yVrc7nernXukxZZXWuYJCNB1mVlXcY4uV5a_570v-fFhtuXIML-cqcp4iaKljinYonppWLx0ijAMSKO-Y-LfMA19J893jTDteqDZL9HnS-c/s320/2009-03-16(01).JPG" border="0" /></a>In the last week, Makayla has learned to snap her fingers and she can recite our telephone number. It amazes me how quickly she picks this stuff up. On the other hand, she calls popcorn - "corn pops" and she calls the cereal Corn Pops - "porn cops". No matter how many times I explain it, she still says it the same way. I think she likes the way I laugh at her every time.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>The tap dancing costumes arrived this week so we got to bring it home. It is very cute. It is a black bodysuit with a green tutu. The other class of kids the same age have the same costume with a purple tutu. They start rehearsals in April to get the kids ready to dance on the stage for the show in May.<br /><br />I took Makayla to her 3 1/2 year old screening this week. She did a wonderful job. She spoke with the nurse who was doing the testing and wasn't at all shy. She passed the eye test with flying colours. She could see every row on that letter chart. During the hearing test, there was one tone that she couldn't hear in her left ear. I have been a bit concerned lately about her hearing. But I wasn't convinced that this "hearing problem" wasn't just that she had selective hearing. The nurse told me not to be too concerned, that it was probably just a bit of fluid in her ear that would sort itself out. Their instrument to look in the ears was broken, so she couldn't be sure what the issue was. Makayla has her annual appointment with her doctor in June, so I will bring it up then.<br /><br />We're looking at upgrading our travel trailer for this summer. We've been looking around and doing some price comparisons. There was a used one that we looked through and loved last summer, but we didn't love the price. When we were back in the market this year, I thought I would look up this RV place's website to see if they still had that unit, and they did. And for a much better price this year. They have discounted it by 33%. The price is much more in our comfortable range and if we still like it as well when we look at it next week, then we will probably try to hammer out a deal.</div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-2233838327224123252009-02-04T14:42:00.002-04:002009-02-04T15:04:00.051-04:00January 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7ylEZl8bPMwy3Sy5-oS7oR4dq6sFJfE_9w4TfpjDSgnFG4olbWMdwOghlFjItmcdoldjkIiExw41ADhogkLAhgn5a5KT2SBRydGc6oSUFVILp_2g4MXk3JKyY8yCz7pWU0fM67acUrg/s1600-h/2009-01-10(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299019827699703602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7ylEZl8bPMwy3Sy5-oS7oR4dq6sFJfE_9w4TfpjDSgnFG4olbWMdwOghlFjItmcdoldjkIiExw41ADhogkLAhgn5a5KT2SBRydGc6oSUFVILp_2g4MXk3JKyY8yCz7pWU0fM67acUrg/s320/2009-01-10(01).JPG" border="0" /></a> Makayla with my sister, her Aunt Christy.<br /><br /><div>Makayla is growing up so quickly. I just know she is going to be starting school before I know it. Makayla is fascinated with the way people pronounce words. She has corrected me several times on the way I pronounce "garage". I sometimes say it like "garadge" and Makayla will correct me by saying "Mommy, you said garadge, but it's garaaaage." One day when I told Makayla that Grammie was going to keep her for a Saturday, she was so excited because Grammie usually takes her to lunch. Grammie pronounces "lunch" by emphasizing the "ch" at the end. Makayla told me how Grammie pronounces lunch and also proceeded to tell Grammie when she was with her that Saturday. So funny!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Makayla still hasn't picked which hand she wants to write with. She is equally comfortable using either hand and writes legibly with both. She will switch hands before you even know she has. She loves to write on her white board. She can spell and write out her name as well as some of her friends' names (Amber, Connor, Hayden). She spells CAT and DOG. She recognizes MOM and DAD. When I write them on the board, she knows that MOM is me and DAD is her dad.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>She has been practising her math skills too. She can count by 2's all the way to 10. She is able to do some simple addition and subtraction.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>She loves to play games. She got the Candyland game for Christmas and we played it all the time after that. I got Chutes and Ladders just to change things up a bit for me. She didn't quite understand how to get around the board the first time we played, but she was a pro by the second time. And just last weekend, we taught her to play the card game "Go Fish". She knows her letters and numbers so it wasn't too much of a stretch for her. We call the aces A's and the queens Q's, etc. She is a bit clumsy trying to hold the cards, but that will improve.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Makayla has a 3 1/2 year old screening that the Public Health department conducts scheduled for the end of February. There is a list of things that the kids are supposed to be able to do by this age so they will test them on those things, plus there are free eye and hearing exams. My neighbour and her son went this week and she wasn't overly impressed with the way they conducted the testing. I'm not too concerned about it and I am certain that Makayla will make it through the testing just fine.</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-9148785302104048482009-01-09T15:37:00.007-04:002009-01-09T16:41:56.580-04:00Christmas season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepKKfEKAZHZLmmyEZVu49vfA2z-g_D0FYHhAjBW3P7B1Psj3M2z4VN_iPZNRt9irTqtn-W3WvrMO_FdmWXcRCV5Cb4nEFuqco1f2Rzjiulq_DqGUdL7rFQCG04mK5mMFHrgCYw9HRJrw/s1600-h/2008-11-07().JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289396992973781506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 223px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepKKfEKAZHZLmmyEZVu49vfA2z-g_D0FYHhAjBW3P7B1Psj3M2z4VN_iPZNRt9irTqtn-W3WvrMO_FdmWXcRCV5Cb4nEFuqco1f2Rzjiulq_DqGUdL7rFQCG04mK5mMFHrgCYw9HRJrw/s320/2008-11-07().JPG" border="0" /></a> Christmas was a blast this year. Makayla was so into it. She wrote her letter to Santa and was so excited to see his reply come in the mail for her. In her letter she asked for a Thomas the Train game and some cars. Once the letter was sent, she became a bit more specific in that she wanted a race car game. I wasn't entirely sure what she meant by this, but it was evident that it was important to her because that is what she told everybody when they asked what she wanted for Christmas.<br /><br />The season started off with Makayla's dance class. Usually the parents are not allowed into the room to watch the kids, but we were allowed on the last class before Christmas. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them. I was impressed at how well Makayla follows the teachers. She is really interested in this class. I also took some videos of the dances and when I put them on our TV, Makayla will actually dance to them. We've struggled to get her to show us some of the things she's learned, so this was also a nice treat for us.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kDytQKcXWRZqqSI2pxqEWyV_LPbV-y0FJrOlJIPdOadk-aFSJoLdUfNOuU7QA8qxDXZbamW1-kSUc45luhZN_R-wBmAXwNPP9MjimfuOcN6v4sz8njnhjImcUYnnR4l0lTLpmCeC3_c/s1600-h/2008-12-15(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289382677748218850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kDytQKcXWRZqqSI2pxqEWyV_LPbV-y0FJrOlJIPdOadk-aFSJoLdUfNOuU7QA8qxDXZbamW1-kSUc45luhZN_R-wBmAXwNPP9MjimfuOcN6v4sz8njnhjImcUYnnR4l0lTLpmCeC3_c/s320/2008-12-15(03).JPG" border="0" /></a> Later on in the week, her preschool class had their Christmas party. I wasn't aware that we were supposed to invite grandparents and such (I went alone). I just figured it would be kind of like the tap dancing thing and the parents were allowed in to see how the kids were doing. They got up on stage to perform the Christmas songs they had learned, and this is how they were positioned when they first got up on stage. Makayla has the 2 boys from the class glued to her sides. The teachers wanted to fill in the gap so they asked Hayden, the boy on the left to move into the middle. He said "No, I want to stand beside Makayla." Then they asked Connor, the boy in the middle to move down a bit. He also said no, that he wanted to stand beside Makayla. So from the audience, I ask Makayla to move down a bit.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDU2XcKjaG41etdIVMvl2YKip6_SVfuIQ6qYiGCKFsr2mLzOZ1J-UnAZKWewgc7vmi7bGfx8FixZfjk3I5Fjbes-NND9wG_lgEQA9AuvtYeybwbzVPJpiIhhRY5c5TIoSj3zwzbd4z94/s1600-h/2008-12-18(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289382673145148882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDU2XcKjaG41etdIVMvl2YKip6_SVfuIQ6qYiGCKFsr2mLzOZ1J-UnAZKWewgc7vmi7bGfx8FixZfjk3I5Fjbes-NND9wG_lgEQA9AuvtYeybwbzVPJpiIhhRY5c5TIoSj3zwzbd4z94/s320/2008-12-18(01).JPG" border="0" /></a>And the boys stuck right with her. They performed their songs, or I should say, the teacher performed the songs while the kids stood and looked at her.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuJJsGsm-LJ48jdt2jw5mACxMrv7-QtvrC0DLSd0JTkqedMm0e7tpn6cZaxZleiJSPUDKXH-NXMxVhJmwyrtKRVpyXeQ8cfP92nzF3Cgdebym_3VvZPiguF9JGddSvDdnVZuBmPiqKQQ/s1600-h/2008-12-18(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289382669642411730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuJJsGsm-LJ48jdt2jw5mACxMrv7-QtvrC0DLSd0JTkqedMm0e7tpn6cZaxZleiJSPUDKXH-NXMxVhJmwyrtKRVpyXeQ8cfP92nzF3Cgdebym_3VvZPiguF9JGddSvDdnVZuBmPiqKQQ/s320/2008-12-18(02).JPG" border="0" /></a>Here is Makayla having a snack with her best buds Connor and Hayden. Even the teachers told me that she is their little tomboy.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZw7UsvAbbeaEP31vqIP2q3Ra4ih4nvmVpN7TWtNNFf3DBSeVHlgTKXBaO_tfWOo6Ym9tNpw6NEyhGroZnSpSBJxLOvJNN5V9fT2j0VPSc3I3DRFLID2tnXlPN0JPjY8_Nw_qNUq4F_Y/s1600-h/2008-12-18(07).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289382667619119218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZw7UsvAbbeaEP31vqIP2q3Ra4ih4nvmVpN7TWtNNFf3DBSeVHlgTKXBaO_tfWOo6Ym9tNpw6NEyhGroZnSpSBJxLOvJNN5V9fT2j0VPSc3I3DRFLID2tnXlPN0JPjY8_Nw_qNUq4F_Y/s320/2008-12-18(07).JPG" border="0" /></a> One of the highlights of our Christmas tradition is the trek out to the Christmas tree farm to cut down our tree. Unfortunately it was freezing cold this year so Makayla didn't want to stay out there long. We cut down the first nice tree we found. Clay made an attempt to look for another nice one, but with Makayla practically crying to get back in the truck, we decided to just stick with the first one. It turns out that this was a wise decision because the tree was absolutely the most beautiful one we've had in our 10 years of marriage.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvulxB-KWs9hWHZP-jwJO2wL-6AOe-YMy9yUVa4mkI2VkZxZr2aZEeiryBAavpO09Gc7px4oTaJcdquStxilTzjB2_dJKN2igzJnKtoL_pzmsuJdbT2FUUgdT-zUvvIFED6ZnURLZXtk/s1600-h/2008-12-14(09).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289381770822954818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvulxB-KWs9hWHZP-jwJO2wL-6AOe-YMy9yUVa4mkI2VkZxZr2aZEeiryBAavpO09Gc7px4oTaJcdquStxilTzjB2_dJKN2igzJnKtoL_pzmsuJdbT2FUUgdT-zUvvIFED6ZnURLZXtk/s320/2008-12-14(09).JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is Makayla before she was completely frozen.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zU7QaPc5qQTTNJt6jDLTew3-5smtiQJsmFRnSdTkqQezUWQKoL_s5IKt7WWUlRo9FpYh6lsFqf77-dmLRWADS-BMJhIV5nj69UnGfrXTvqUd5EaZB643lOLvCepATqZrZAOXtWyoxKo/s1600-h/2008-12-14(10).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289381766902385554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zU7QaPc5qQTTNJt6jDLTew3-5smtiQJsmFRnSdTkqQezUWQKoL_s5IKt7WWUlRo9FpYh6lsFqf77-dmLRWADS-BMJhIV5nj69UnGfrXTvqUd5EaZB643lOLvCepATqZrZAOXtWyoxKo/s320/2008-12-14(10).JPG" border="0" /></a> We cheat and use a chainsaw to cut our tree down.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA0mrToalrW-mzEfZ-0HIspAQWWR0Ad8l8usPSuUceysW86yAQyXcpi12ug10FAscrSQtgTnNrX0zJ2oNJVRIk4Nx3AkfLQEobjEfGu1IBfZ7vYnK3znEt0Ra4h7kdtAfyxYFloclj3A/s1600-h/2008-12-14(14).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289381597558128386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA0mrToalrW-mzEfZ-0HIspAQWWR0Ad8l8usPSuUceysW86yAQyXcpi12ug10FAscrSQtgTnNrX0zJ2oNJVRIk4Nx3AkfLQEobjEfGu1IBfZ7vYnK3znEt0Ra4h7kdtAfyxYFloclj3A/s320/2008-12-14(14).JPG" border="0" /></a> Now we just had to load it on the truck.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I0T8DlEC7MXb5NvDw-tKCq33alq9zW-T78zwgvX_R5ywhiqWSw4TsPhmkcwrRDZOYTxf8LUucB7AhDADAZDFo8g4n87WTI28MbtY4X4Fsjegv-IWjXL147_9jV4UXSTmIXsNP9AIoWg/s1600-h/2008-12-14(16).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289381588258231330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I0T8DlEC7MXb5NvDw-tKCq33alq9zW-T78zwgvX_R5ywhiqWSw4TsPhmkcwrRDZOYTxf8LUucB7AhDADAZDFo8g4n87WTI28MbtY4X4Fsjegv-IWjXL147_9jV4UXSTmIXsNP9AIoWg/s320/2008-12-14(16).JPG" border="0" /></a>On Christmas Eve, Makayla's sitter had a Christmas party for the kids. I was already off work but we did make a point to attend since I knew that she had invited Santa to come. Here are all the kids at the party.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-BSd97OF5llrrLXUI0iTlbhhtRJv5_zx79y8QABzxnt09VDlBp7DGMBPggMhA-4ZeliqVF_7PwR2eOZndEF3_d5mHLf42dlUZ050D6xRQZNteTU-piWpoZZxQOJ7bUYgNXmvUhyphenhyphenC56k/s1600-h/2008-12-24(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289381576811126930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-BSd97OF5llrrLXUI0iTlbhhtRJv5_zx79y8QABzxnt09VDlBp7DGMBPggMhA-4ZeliqVF_7PwR2eOZndEF3_d5mHLf42dlUZ050D6xRQZNteTU-piWpoZZxQOJ7bUYgNXmvUhyphenhyphenC56k/s320/2008-12-24(01).JPG" border="0" /></a> I hesitated to take Makayla to the mall to sit on Santa's knee since I didn't think that would go very well. Once I knew that Santa was coming to this party, I decided to avoid the mall altogether. She was fine with sitting on his lap, but I really think it was because her pals Hayden and Josh jumped up on his lap without any trouble and she was going to follow suit.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoTlxTX8TR7TjtQS2wFQRrdm8QGqETaEplfYXejirSsYMyYEohMQ2p1zDCJsizSL4tnipX9yJHJ5iNexse1FEmpAE8PNvcAIjDK8FGsh1wa0EQ1W27PRCDNNM6SjbthzkaguDzaxCF8U/s1600-h/2008-12-24(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289381575920989954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoTlxTX8TR7TjtQS2wFQRrdm8QGqETaEplfYXejirSsYMyYEohMQ2p1zDCJsizSL4tnipX9yJHJ5iNexse1FEmpAE8PNvcAIjDK8FGsh1wa0EQ1W27PRCDNNM6SjbthzkaguDzaxCF8U/s320/2008-12-24(02).JPG" border="0" /></a> The funniest part of her seeing Santa was when my mom asked Makayla if she'd seen Santa at the party. Makayla answered yes. Then Nana asked her whether Santa gave her anything. Makayla said yes. Nana asked her what he gave her. Makayla's response was "Not a race car game" which she said with a little pout. I reminded her that Santa was coming to our house that night and he may be planning to leave the race car game here.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNCrX30AoPGSdm9zmAMe-4vrgd2ybQOumwjfzA-Pvfz5CPtIrCwQKm2SouHcZAuksJNY8-AtkoK7YFylPhHya0yIS3ZaN830VqeS-stXgpG1viS5ydFg8n7XmQeedggMhqi3fvaUyLfs/s1600-h/2008-12-24(03).JPG"></a>Makayla being cute on the floor.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegGEI9YSJlPYRn93jmGFb6WnpPdSshnsDLAxrQ0VnMJzNDS4BhMB20CQXpTm9Z42AppzKcaq4WFvzlOzErvyfB44fW7TnDdGVsDKMA1-7kxzDCokjvqi7DnRpO5DR7unLwpMEljb5pgo/s1600-h/2008-12-24(08).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289381243923844562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegGEI9YSJlPYRn93jmGFb6WnpPdSshnsDLAxrQ0VnMJzNDS4BhMB20CQXpTm9Z42AppzKcaq4WFvzlOzErvyfB44fW7TnDdGVsDKMA1-7kxzDCokjvqi7DnRpO5DR7unLwpMEljb5pgo/s320/2008-12-24(08).JPG" border="0" /></a>Makayla, Daddy and Snoopy on Christmas Eve.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBoeQCwBy3fb0DdgQJD3rvmAD0PPyXUz6LqzfiZloeK8BuQDPFtX1OVG24qRkAyr4vsRUh7otL5Jn4aWSusEu7oH-hMlvDWDcyWfyL4Tb2bUrW7bV3mOmF3P6pE9xE_o1vRkSzrLsomc/s1600-h/2008-12-24(05).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289381241088331442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBoeQCwBy3fb0DdgQJD3rvmAD0PPyXUz6LqzfiZloeK8BuQDPFtX1OVG24qRkAyr4vsRUh7otL5Jn4aWSusEu7oH-hMlvDWDcyWfyL4Tb2bUrW7bV3mOmF3P6pE9xE_o1vRkSzrLsomc/s320/2008-12-24(05).JPG" border="0" /></a> Makayla and Mommy in front of the beautiful tree.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hG3JrUWEqTfZirxhmu2VQTOlWZARB2F3c0vv6C3VY68dvgSwAp6i6tePjM9jqSrrzPKh7BuFCgRmrw6Bsu9lVWmAuBpJ5S8GVBrPJkW8C2NPteaQVCLbTt_cVSQpGuU05VV5Qy6hJGM/s1600-h/2008-12-24(10).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289381233638439138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hG3JrUWEqTfZirxhmu2VQTOlWZARB2F3c0vv6C3VY68dvgSwAp6i6tePjM9jqSrrzPKh7BuFCgRmrw6Bsu9lVWmAuBpJ5S8GVBrPJkW8C2NPteaQVCLbTt_cVSQpGuU05VV5Qy6hJGM/s320/2008-12-24(10).JPG" border="0" /></a>Makayla standing in front of the new electric fireplace. Cookies and chocolate milk (as Makayla requested for Santa) on the mantle.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaN-dTIDDLWxcsn1vn4YEeXe8tj4HH_W53b4YkFa6RglbEEn36ZnnpCw9cYZApdO3Ndu_S1TSJSY3OOuyXSbgQOEUUQeAP6u5P52Gx01P_0dIJ-oOW0mR3YXOIEZoJfnp_Ke3JNXnidA/s1600-h/2008-12-24(11).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289381230380942034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaN-dTIDDLWxcsn1vn4YEeXe8tj4HH_W53b4YkFa6RglbEEn36ZnnpCw9cYZApdO3Ndu_S1TSJSY3OOuyXSbgQOEUUQeAP6u5P52Gx01P_0dIJ-oOW0mR3YXOIEZoJfnp_Ke3JNXnidA/s320/2008-12-24(11).JPG" border="0" /></a> On Christmas morning Makayla woke up to find that Santa did bring her a race car game (one of those tracks with the cars that go around using the remotes). She was ecstatic! She also loved her Leapster (which she began calling her DS) and her absolute favourite thing has to be the Candyland game my sister gave her. I can't even count how many times we've played that game since Christmas day.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We went to a pot luck party on Boxing Day for all of our close friends and their kids. It's an annual event and so much fun. This was the first year when I didn't really have to hover around the kids since Makayla was good to go on her own. The hosts' daughter is a few months younger than Makayla and totally into Polly Pockets, My Little Ponies, Littlest Pet Shop, etc. Makayla doesn't enjoy playing with these toys at all. Give Makayla a toy car and she's good to go. So the girls got out the Polly Pockets and such to play with. They handed one of the dolls to Makayla while they all played. Makayla held it for a second and then laid it down on the table and said "My girl is sleeping" and walked away. She spent most of the evening playing with the 5-year old son of one of our friends. They alternated between drawing on the Magnadoodle and playing the kids laptop.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We visited some of my extended family in Campbellton just before New Years. My grandparents still live there. My uncle and some of his family traveled from Ontario while those of us in the province drove up to see them. It is a 4-hour drive which I wasn't looking forward to but Makayla was a trooper and never complained during the whole drive up and back.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We spent New Years with our neighbours and had Chinese food. We were going to let the kids stay up until midnight, but Makayla fell asleep on the couch around 11. Our neighbours' son made it to midnight though. We had a great time.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-44432225596661641312009-01-09T15:32:00.002-04:002009-01-09T15:36:28.228-04:00Completed rec room<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3zgD9a5JQHYlDDpSeb1wVPJ_eyun4RHxdAzbPixqV0veadWICR9zFVa0gJx-NmEq8cnx7RzfhHWX1dJcgh4F8bR_obi3oiCMQArkYUhX4LtPJrpASPqG6OdmTc9WUPjS-IMG2lQfBUY/s1600-h/2008-12-11(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289380080191132370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3zgD9a5JQHYlDDpSeb1wVPJ_eyun4RHxdAzbPixqV0veadWICR9zFVa0gJx-NmEq8cnx7RzfhHWX1dJcgh4F8bR_obi3oiCMQArkYUhX4LtPJrpASPqG6OdmTc9WUPjS-IMG2lQfBUY/s320/2008-12-11(03).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJgv1VmU3w11O6bV2GQfZ-pMmc8cqHx085dTFCnnIK_TzEK3A1UfsQ2jSzjjpeq04r3b61_MlW1m2m8vHPpFblv1VlVqHppzV-lPIypV82HeiVjHpjT5B8JMkdVURhABVwE-QauN7dGU/s1600-h/2008-12-11(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289380072011153938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJgv1VmU3w11O6bV2GQfZ-pMmc8cqHx085dTFCnnIK_TzEK3A1UfsQ2jSzjjpeq04r3b61_MlW1m2m8vHPpFblv1VlVqHppzV-lPIypV82HeiVjHpjT5B8JMkdVURhABVwE-QauN7dGU/s320/2008-12-11(02).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Our rec room was completed just shortly before Christmas. We are so happy with how it turned out. The two things we wanted for the room were an electric fireplace to warm it up a bit since it is in the basement, and a new TV. With the generosity of our parents who gave us money for Christmas, we were able to get both.</div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-66991632333073401572008-12-08T14:21:00.003-04:002008-12-08T14:46:36.728-04:00Such a long time since my last Makayla updateI guess I left off my last Makayla update post saying that we had gone to the Thomas the Train show. Here are some pictures from that show.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuUcJZFLzRfZ6Z3qCQjDAcbPBYeiz3JZ-YEbWYKylgg0WStjy8L6hHc765Q6WWEPGzgyYvU__EjTj8dX08kuS5FlNdRdZosaIcIVmJGfWP-hIbeehofan7Fk3XO5dK97qiIpsuH5if-Y/s1600-h/2008-10-19(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277487704795995346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuUcJZFLzRfZ6Z3qCQjDAcbPBYeiz3JZ-YEbWYKylgg0WStjy8L6hHc765Q6WWEPGzgyYvU__EjTj8dX08kuS5FlNdRdZosaIcIVmJGfWP-hIbeehofan7Fk3XO5dK97qiIpsuH5if-Y/s320/2008-10-19(03).JPG" border="0" /></a> Here Makayla is with our neighbour's son Hayden at the Thomas show.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIQ4Mq0xd4HJzzN5Tr4J9mtM7KDEjRe_y5DaOpZFmX_zbmF-zDmBheXj2T1xEHinpJObcOiDP9cDozaCkcAL3TzCpLIfAlP9Qp51JH-zBuncbl3OiUYKcjXMOUp5F3kcal6BamjOXAq8/s1600-h/2008-10-19(04).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277487698875029890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIQ4Mq0xd4HJzzN5Tr4J9mtM7KDEjRe_y5DaOpZFmX_zbmF-zDmBheXj2T1xEHinpJObcOiDP9cDozaCkcAL3TzCpLIfAlP9Qp51JH-zBuncbl3OiUYKcjXMOUp5F3kcal6BamjOXAq8/s320/2008-10-19(04).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Makayla had 2 costumes to pick from this Halloween. I got her the Princess Fiona costume which she wore to her preschool Halloween party, but she chose to wear her Jojo the Clown costume when she was out trick or treating. Here she is with her friend Jessi.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FgHZJADaeWEVocGbEX_-igiwqrzvLJIeSqDvsLTl4B-ADXZFR4tFtJ76Toh0GQMnuOyjcYggHYiqtgiK6NCoTghgcNWiZZmq75zfn0PJ5wyli-DXRTVJw-dmQTdNw6GlrsyU6qC9AE8/s1600-h/2008-10-31(08).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277487451006570242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FgHZJADaeWEVocGbEX_-igiwqrzvLJIeSqDvsLTl4B-ADXZFR4tFtJ76Toh0GQMnuOyjcYggHYiqtgiK6NCoTghgcNWiZZmq75zfn0PJ5wyli-DXRTVJw-dmQTdNw6GlrsyU6qC9AE8/s320/2008-10-31(08).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We got home Halloween night and only got Makayla to bed around 10pm. By 4:30am she had woken up with the stomach flu. Here she is feeling very sick the next day. She is the best sick kid in the world since she never complains. Her dad could take some lessons from her!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQozEqrHbAbfAPKwLTGPTEnxYgnzSYKR3Dlk4pCgsQ5YHhGi5o7LmvBvSGzlaCgE9StELwTsP4NRsA3DFP0zdl1ux7QUKgJ4BoeKYstz8_P2HbIWQYygUMeAj9YR2YpBbkwBohCi6-0M/s1600-h/2008-11-01(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277487453276604930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQozEqrHbAbfAPKwLTGPTEnxYgnzSYKR3Dlk4pCgsQ5YHhGi5o7LmvBvSGzlaCgE9StELwTsP4NRsA3DFP0zdl1ux7QUKgJ4BoeKYstz8_P2HbIWQYygUMeAj9YR2YpBbkwBohCi6-0M/s320/2008-11-01(01).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Since we missed out on our fall pictures that I intended to have done, we settled for some homemade Christmas pictures. This is one that I took to use on our Christmas cards.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaZYQXbNmdwf0prZjBx6QY9KKjfJTCJb8tC49rDiowlfruxFyjFCOehoeBXULLLLGNrozvd-644UV3LbMExOIX9DiCzhsfXuw-qbkr4Cm-AChSbpQPWzvazcJx-vboogOoBNKDG4FFWk/s1600-h/2008-11-10(04).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277487443883791410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaZYQXbNmdwf0prZjBx6QY9KKjfJTCJb8tC49rDiowlfruxFyjFCOehoeBXULLLLGNrozvd-644UV3LbMExOIX9DiCzhsfXuw-qbkr4Cm-AChSbpQPWzvazcJx-vboogOoBNKDG4FFWk/s320/2008-11-10(04).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />At the last minute, I bought Makayla and me some tickets to go see the Franklin Christmas show. She was pretty excited to see it. She should be thrilled with the Doodlebops tickets that she is getting in her stocking this year.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLdQHitWKMWLPe499emITrjhMT-0rTunJTyLSdRs8tp-mWi6ypbyoriMaHa2MPlo5b7WMe_ARnjOCtA-lOglUmXOOuT2tw1FFH4My8X2YEN-Dl4AlZRSwn6JEMZ5g0iG7_Yvi3bZ9log/s1600-h/2008-11-27(02).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277487435729151442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLdQHitWKMWLPe499emITrjhMT-0rTunJTyLSdRs8tp-mWi6ypbyoriMaHa2MPlo5b7WMe_ARnjOCtA-lOglUmXOOuT2tw1FFH4My8X2YEN-Dl4AlZRSwn6JEMZ5g0iG7_Yvi3bZ9log/s320/2008-11-27(02).jpg" border="0" /></a><br />She loves to colour and write her letters and numbers. She can now count as high as 50.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2qbYg6j7nRiIP2CJdmLfrn1no4eXycW7Wj9zkRVUMz_eyDuFyFtr2zRhLTt5q1ar3ML0i_djXXEibUmzZ-5_ll2XJQ46j8TwacZvKXow-Cc9b9ABPgZSK5D_hbKTDcH_w_C4lJ0UkJo/s1600-h/2008-12-02(10).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277487429093335810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2qbYg6j7nRiIP2CJdmLfrn1no4eXycW7Wj9zkRVUMz_eyDuFyFtr2zRhLTt5q1ar3ML0i_djXXEibUmzZ-5_ll2XJQ46j8TwacZvKXow-Cc9b9ABPgZSK5D_hbKTDcH_w_C4lJ0UkJo/s320/2008-12-02(10).JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>We wrote her letter to Santa last week so we could give it the letter carriers during the Santa Claus parade. I asked her what she wanted Santa to bring for her and she decided that she wanted a computer game and some cars. This girl is definitely not much into dolls. She has an advent calendar that she gets into every night before bed. She loves to find the chocolate that she is allowed to eat that night. She knows that when she gets to 24, that is the night that Santa will come.</div><div> </div><div>She is hardly shy at all. Since the renovations have been going on, she understood that some people would be coming into the house. Well didn't she surprise me when the painter arrived on Saturday morning and I was in the shower, she went downstairs to chat with him. I would have thought that she would barricade herself in the bathroom with me, but that wasn't the case at all.</div><div> </div><div>I think preschool and tap dancing have helped with her shyness. She is still loving both activities. They have learned their first dance for the tap show - "I'm a little teapot". They have been measured for their costumes, now we will have to wait and see what cute outfits they pick out for the kids. There are about 12 kids in her tap dancing class and she is one of about 5 that pay close attention to the teachers. Some of the other kids dance for a bit and then like to do their own thing. Some just stand there and watch. But Makayla is taking it all in.</div><div> </div><div>I'm excited for Christmas this year since she is going to be so much fun to watch. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-36268252864278175512008-12-08T13:18:00.005-04:002008-12-08T14:03:31.752-04:00Renovations in progressWe are right in the middle of more renovations. We had taken a break after the furnace was installed but we wanted to get some more stuff done before Christmas was upon us. We decided to hire a crackfiller/painter to do some minor wall repair and major painting, as well as a carpenter to put up some new drywall in the basement where the wallpaper refused to come off easily. We also picked out some new laminate flooring for the carpenter to install.<br /><br />Here is our living room before. The walls were a light grey colour that was long overdue for a paint job.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUPvl9dgxru0P1vLgKuRlJstuG6eHfcFtI-qD7oz9JyX1E2-z9nWdhbrO6lIDV10rbY_1a93itA5Jeh8_BiRdm400GGdlMJLUgnAfwbiqemDEQbq7w3Mq04KJJd7ocMCtsik3Ymm5kx8/s1600-h/2008-12-02(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277471637006747298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUPvl9dgxru0P1vLgKuRlJstuG6eHfcFtI-qD7oz9JyX1E2-z9nWdhbrO6lIDV10rbY_1a93itA5Jeh8_BiRdm400GGdlMJLUgnAfwbiqemDEQbq7w3Mq04KJJd7ocMCtsik3Ymm5kx8/s320/2008-12-02(02).JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is the living room after with it's warmer beige walls that match the dining room and kitchen.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFdI54P_mSfgLuqQgLSwEPrv3-HiZ1ztp0kdJO5ZLiBSgt29WHAHNUwq2t5qjdMY5y1yNdVy5ItuJZ8kNIBEbogKfELvbwB3n8yvGdDdQXGvHCKevWkAZgKnhvorA5Ow2pKaIatyztxU/s1600-h/2008-12-05(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277471634054808450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlFdI54P_mSfgLuqQgLSwEPrv3-HiZ1ztp0kdJO5ZLiBSgt29WHAHNUwq2t5qjdMY5y1yNdVy5ItuJZ8kNIBEbogKfELvbwB3n8yvGdDdQXGvHCKevWkAZgKnhvorA5Ow2pKaIatyztxU/s320/2008-12-05(01).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the hallway with the light grey again.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKnu62x1vWkVMV9id2_DLFCAPV-kXVMQKp-gAEtj0neUqqffPpZGaWCXTW0MQOqREdlEj571Sei7fN6x96SIEr0erzFub7Ie-Zg67kumgCrZSKEhapJwY7gDpdBvLROo8sSacq-lA49A/s1600-h/2008-12-02(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277471629626411906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKnu62x1vWkVMV9id2_DLFCAPV-kXVMQKp-gAEtj0neUqqffPpZGaWCXTW0MQOqREdlEj571Sei7fN6x96SIEr0erzFub7Ie-Zg67kumgCrZSKEhapJwY7gDpdBvLROo8sSacq-lA49A/s320/2008-12-02(01).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now with beige.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnZ8kMyovYHIVhssMF-jKhq1R5OZOoqPJz8F4HNIIIOsF3uRi9zGOP3uBGDok7N0W0Qd3JppTwBKqjZekV7wQJmYMngIapSlvpmGj5PfM5Vekn2SfObcUfoJPspfOL9ncKZL-XWkOqMA/s1600-h/2008-12-05(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277471625206498690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnZ8kMyovYHIVhssMF-jKhq1R5OZOoqPJz8F4HNIIIOsF3uRi9zGOP3uBGDok7N0W0Qd3JppTwBKqjZekV7wQJmYMngIapSlvpmGj5PfM5Vekn2SfObcUfoJPspfOL9ncKZL-XWkOqMA/s320/2008-12-05(02).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the before picture of the foyer. You can't really tell because of the lighting in the picture but the top part is light grey while the bottom part under the chair rail is where I removed pink wallpaper.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjye59s_yXwEc7TdbknqJNEuM7d3Z9djgn0o17uDmsYhe8_Y99a661RWhzP5Or4HGshYDXr4kttxYiJpQvmFGXZ8lZ6KOxlw7x8q3GOvCpARmUgfZxU036K-fC2s3hwVr51afHRhvzpY/s1600-h/2008-12-02(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277471273176577506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjye59s_yXwEc7TdbknqJNEuM7d3Z9djgn0o17uDmsYhe8_Y99a661RWhzP5Or4HGshYDXr4kttxYiJpQvmFGXZ8lZ6KOxlw7x8q3GOvCpARmUgfZxU036K-fC2s3hwVr51afHRhvzpY/s320/2008-12-02(03).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now the foyer is completely painted in beige.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAUkJ110lIt8-rsxm9wBKy9MZwRezWaVqSRoW_7XNm3hrOX8Rs4Yj8FTrT0qktHhQZCNmDVSY1r8mwo82LaESskvLzlaMLa9m6MU6vaTKFMkYUiBKW4peVsZRglLUwhAGJWLQGuN5lMQ/s1600-h/2008-12-05(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277471264774326498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAUkJ110lIt8-rsxm9wBKy9MZwRezWaVqSRoW_7XNm3hrOX8Rs4Yj8FTrT0qktHhQZCNmDVSY1r8mwo82LaESskvLzlaMLa9m6MU6vaTKFMkYUiBKW4peVsZRglLUwhAGJWLQGuN5lMQ/s320/2008-12-05(03).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the basement family room. The brownish bottom part is wallpaper which was put right on after one coat of primer. It pulled off the sheetrock paper as I tried to remove it. No crackfiller would have been able to smooth that wall out properly.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_PHhi4HQ6BkEz6We15waFlUbyE0I-Ll58LCmnrFzDMY9kYk9aMyHtTL3YiIpYTZMcLHA9An8wC-op_7EfL6-4EgQWx-13m2rmudfSxla4oatbMw-fj3ZyszA8Rt8-za1_RRs1Jmmy3g/s1600-h/2008-12-02(06).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277471016044351218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_PHhi4HQ6BkEz6We15waFlUbyE0I-Ll58LCmnrFzDMY9kYk9aMyHtTL3YiIpYTZMcLHA9An8wC-op_7EfL6-4EgQWx-13m2rmudfSxla4oatbMw-fj3ZyszA8Rt8-za1_RRs1Jmmy3g/s320/2008-12-02(06).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />You can see the job on the wallpaper removal that I did.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtC_TKP4vOKKJ9NCWNaxASFMPL2WUvC2x1O7TNk07OAdQ44C9D0vSR21p5iV5qppKz83rEgOGoQaoHcGEr50zRj2mhuunEK2gsViLNHk2bQayXWa_5fNh_2IextfvqPk61AI0Y45ZqEY/s1600-h/2008-12-02(08).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277471013421341090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtC_TKP4vOKKJ9NCWNaxASFMPL2WUvC2x1O7TNk07OAdQ44C9D0vSR21p5iV5qppKz83rEgOGoQaoHcGEr50zRj2mhuunEK2gsViLNHk2bQayXWa_5fNh_2IextfvqPk61AI0Y45ZqEY/s320/2008-12-02(08).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The is the family room with the new sheetrock installed and the carpet removed.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYQe7aAXk1CsKHC9TGThX_-GoXQazlRiQoC4akJSWTvOpVixwsYbg_olfngz4aQmjSB_LWD0kytdtJc_6smJfbeCOJrgItHQgIgz_58cta4MBnA0pluYa8jJ0MwJVmaRq-de5BAtkij0/s1600-h/2008-12-05(04).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277471007189709138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYQe7aAXk1CsKHC9TGThX_-GoXQazlRiQoC4akJSWTvOpVixwsYbg_olfngz4aQmjSB_LWD0kytdtJc_6smJfbeCOJrgItHQgIgz_58cta4MBnA0pluYa8jJ0MwJVmaRq-de5BAtkij0/s320/2008-12-05(04).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The flooring will be installed today and the painter should be able to get back in there by Tuesday.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUEOBJ4iwX1WCjXIXzZtvFHTjSMElt-GC5L3dUNaHtqc6heA3i0PZcnYP_YGTfnB0MTYKqGtvhO1qIoe820lbQA2jy3-CTQSEWa6w1bXIHajzRj_q1bnX_F3TgET14HwMgXlp6LUmIO8/s1600-h/2008-12-05(05).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277471004893619538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUEOBJ4iwX1WCjXIXzZtvFHTjSMElt-GC5L3dUNaHtqc6heA3i0PZcnYP_YGTfnB0MTYKqGtvhO1qIoe820lbQA2jy3-CTQSEWa6w1bXIHajzRj_q1bnX_F3TgET14HwMgXlp6LUmIO8/s320/2008-12-05(05).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We also had our bedroom painted. I guess I didn't take any before or after pictures of that but it looks very nice now. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-86530751044131046102008-11-28T09:29:00.002-04:002008-11-28T09:38:21.121-04:00100 thingsStealing this from Sheri. 100 things - you have to bold the ones you've done. Play along!<br /><strong>1. Started your own blog</strong><br /><strong>2. Slept under the stars</strong><br />3. Played in a band<br />4. Visited Hawaii<br /><strong>5. Watched a meteor shower</strong><br />6. Given more than you can afford to charity<br /><strong>7. Been to Disneyland</strong><br /><strong>8. Climbed a mountain</strong> (Does climbing the White Mountains in a car count?)<br />9. Held a praying mantis<br />10. Sang a solo<br />11. Bungee jumped<br /><strong>12. Visited Paris</strong><br />13. Watched a lightning storm at sea<br /><strong>14. Taught yourself an art from scratch</strong><br />15. Adopted a child<br />16. Had food poisoning<br />17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty<br />18. Grown your own vegetables<br /><strong>19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France</strong><br /><strong>20. Slept on an overnight train</strong><br /><strong>21. Had a pillow fight</strong><br />22. Hitch hiked<br /><strong>23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill</strong><br /><strong>24. Built a snow fort</strong><br />25. Held a lamb<br />26. Gone skinny dipping<br />27. Run a Marathon<br />28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice<br /><strong>29. Seen a total eclipse</strong><br /><strong>30. Watched a sunrise or sunset</strong><br />31. Hit a home run<br /><strong>32. Been on a cruise</strong><br />33. Seen Niagara Falls in person<br />34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors<br />35. Seen an Amish community<br />36. Taught yourself a new language<br /><strong>37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied</strong><br />38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person<br />39. Gone rock climbing<br />40. Seen Michelangelo’s David<br /><strong>41. Sung karaoke</strong><br />42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt<br />43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant<br />44. Visited Africa<br /><strong>45. Walked on a beach by moonlight</strong><br />46. Been transported in an ambulance<br />47. Had your portrait painted<br />48. Gone deep sea fishing<br />49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person<br /><strong>50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris</strong><br />51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling<br /><strong>52. Kissed in the rain</strong><br /><strong>53. Played in the mud</strong><br /><strong>54. Gone to a drive-in theater</strong><br />55. Been in a movie<br />56. Visited the Great Wall of China<br /><strong>57. Started a business</strong><br />58. Taken a martial arts class<br />59. Visited Russia<br /><strong>60. Served at a soup kitchen</strong><br /><strong>61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies</strong><br /><strong>62. Gone whale watching</strong><br /><strong>63. Got flowers for no reason</strong><br /><strong>64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma</strong><br />65. Gone sky diving<br />66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp<br />67. Bounced a check<br /><strong>68. Flown in a helicopter</strong><br />69. Saved a favorite childhood toy<br /><strong>70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial</strong><br />71. Eaten Caviar<br />72. Pieced a quilt<br /><strong>73. Stood in Times Square</strong><br />74. Toured the Everglades<br />75. Been fired from a job<br />76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London<br /><strong>77. Broken a bone</strong><br />78. Been on a speeding motorcycle<br />79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person<br />80. Published a book<br />81. Visited the Vatican<br /><strong>82. Bought a brand new car</strong><br />83. Walked in Jerusalem<br /><strong>84. Had your picture in the newspaper</strong><br />85. Read the entire Bible<br /><strong>86. Visited the White House</strong><br />87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating<br /><strong>88. Had chickenpox</strong><br />89. Saved someone’s life<br />90. Sat on a jury<br /><strong>91. Met someone famous</strong><br /><strong>92. Joined a book club</strong><br /><strong>93. Lost a loved one</strong><br /><strong>94. Had a baby</strong><br />95. Seen the Alamo in person<br />96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake<br />97. Been involved in a law suit<br /><strong>98. Owned a cell phone</strong><br /><strong>99. Been stung by a bee</strong><br /><strong>100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own</strong><br />43/100 I actually got more than I thought I wouldAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-63523914401917615862008-10-24T11:19:00.006-03:002008-10-24T11:39:55.503-03:00My problems with Snoopy - Advice neededMy mood has not been good this week. I have been short-tempered with everybody at work, home, everywhere. I think it might be the change of season or maybe the fact that it's darker earlier in the evening and I feel like I don't have as much time to accomplish everything.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ur5y6rBftM-6lQazZWPwVoZOx2j-WMHRkVYToavENxF99-XrFkIFKn0cJGia4VKDu9dpEGnnB9sVVdXuzw0NynHCJGxHZtQaXJ0khHG-QXVtWQef45x6IOqtD1vLkSOAI31b9noDTCc/s1600-h/2003-09-19(03).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260727165501773026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ur5y6rBftM-6lQazZWPwVoZOx2j-WMHRkVYToavENxF99-XrFkIFKn0cJGia4VKDu9dpEGnnB9sVVdXuzw0NynHCJGxHZtQaXJ0khHG-QXVtWQef45x6IOqtD1vLkSOAI31b9noDTCc/s320/2003-09-19(03).jpg" border="0" /></a> I know a HUGE part of my mood is my dog Snoopy (7 year old beagle/basset hound mix). Her anxiety level is through the roof. She is great all day but starts panicking as soon as we shut the lights off to go to bed. It started a couple of years ago when she was scared of thunder which isn't unusual for dogs. Then we figured she must have attributed rain to the thunder so then she was afraid when it would only rain, which is pretty frequently in the spring and fall. Then it was wind that she was afraid of in addition to all the rest.</p><p>At this point, I took her to the vet to see what they could do to help me. The vet prescribed a medication to help ease her anxiety. That worked to level her out overall, but it didn't help on those nights with rain/wind/thunder. So I took her back to the vet last fall when they prescribed a sedative to use during those nights. It worked well at the time.</p><p>Last year, she became terrified of new noises or changes in the house. Last fall, we replaced our carpet with hardwood flooring and it took her months to get used to that. It was to the point this past spring that we were going to find her a new home because we just couldn't handle her anxiety.</p><p>We decided to see how she was during the summer at the campground because she hadn't handled it well the summer before. This summer, she was as good as gold. You couldn't find a better dog at the campground, but she wouldn't carry that same demeanor home with her. So our weeknight sleeping was spotty at best.</p><p>Now with the new furnace we installed this summer with its new noises, she had started waking at 3-4am every night and whining and pacing until we get up for the day. Then as soon as we're up, she will go find her bed and lay down and sleep. On these nights, I've tried ignoring her, going to her, being strict with her, being affectionate with her, and no method seems to work. Not to mention that I just don't have the patience to deal with her when I've been woken up in the middle of the night. The medication doesn't seem to help anymore either. I give her the sedative before bed just so we can all get some sleep, and she's pacing when the lights are turned off and she won't settle down. </p><p>Clay and I got fed up again a couple of weeks ago and we did find somebody else who was willing to take her, but I chickened-out at the last minute. I figure she is our dog and we should be the ones to help her. I couldn't shake the guilt that I felt about giving her away.</p><p>So I really started working with her to improve the nights. I bought books and new leashes for training and I swear, Cesar Millan from the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic channel is my new favourite TV show! In the 2 weeks, she is doing much better with the furnace noise during the day, but we've had to resort to having her spend her nights in the garage so that we can all get some sleep. My current plan is to try the garage nights for a couple of more weeks and then introduce her back to the house while we're babysitting my parents' dog for 2 weeks so they can both be in the house. She always does much better when the 2 of them are here. I sometimes wonder if having a second dog might help her behaviour, but I just can't take the chance of getting another one and being wrong because I really don't want the full-time responsibility of another dog. Anyway, I wrote an entire book about my issue with Snoopy and what I could really use is some suggestions on how others might deal with this.</p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-58017897614467821032008-10-20T14:58:00.002-03:002008-10-20T15:26:44.909-03:00October 2008 updateWe are well into fall now. I intended to get some fall family pictures done, but we have been busy and never got around to it. Now, it's quite cold out so I doubt we will get them done. I might see if we could do them this weekend but we are supposed to get snow flurries on Wednesday, so it could be wet.<br /><br />Preschool and tap dancing are going very well. Makayla loves both of the activities. I work very close to my house, Makayla's sitter's house and the preschool. I had intended to bring Makayla to work with me in the morning and take her to preschool then pick her up when it's over, however, I didn't realize how much of my job seems to take me away from the office on the preschool days (Tuesdays and Thursdays). I have had to get my neighbour whose son goes to the same preschool to take Makayla to preschool at least twice since it started a month ago and when neither she nor I could take the kids one day, they had to miss a class. This week was supposed to be fine, but then something got cancelled on Monday and rescheduled for Thursday at 11am when I'm supposed to be picking Makayla up. I believe that my neighbour can get her that day though. I just hadn't intended for my neighbour to have to help me so much. Thank goodness we're pretty good friends too.<br /><br />Makayla can now count to 20 without getting mixed up at 15 like she used to. She loves manipulating numbers. She always counts how many kids are at the sitters in the morning then she will break it down to how many girls and how many boys. She has started to ask me about addition, like she will ask "how many is 4 and 4?" I explained how she could use her fingers to add up the numbers and she has started using this technique. She likes the alphabet too and even tries to spell some words. She knows CAT, DOG, YES, NO, MAKAYLA, JOSH. I can't determine if she is going to be right- or left-handed. She can write her name equally well with either hand and she doesn't seem to favour one over the other whether she is writing or eating. I guess time will tell.<br /><br />Her favourite word lately is "actually" and her favourite colour is light blue. I can't count how many times she's told me that her "favourite colour is blue, ACTUALLY it's light blue". She can now dress and undress herself. Some shirts give her some difficulty going over her head, but overall I can get her some clothes and she can get them on. I did catch her getting frustrated with her pants the other day when she said "Oh, these friggin' pants!" Not cute. I will watch my mouth more carefully from now on.<br /><br />Makayla and I went to a Thomas the Train live show this weekend. It was quite a pricy event and to be honest, it wasn't that good. If my neighbour and her son hadn't been going, I probably wouldn't have gotten tickets since Makayla isn't a huge Thomas fan. My neighbour purchased the tickets back in May and we got 3rd row floor seats. The seats were awful. You would think that sitting that close, you would have no trouble to see. I wished we had been sitting in the stands because I know the kids would have actually been able to see the show without having to stand on their chairs to see over the adults heads. It was extremely loud too. As soon as the show started, you could hear some kids around us start wailing because they were scared of how loud it was. Overall, the show was too expensive and not very entertaining. Makayla seemed to enjoy it though and that was the main reason for going.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-73149730675949072522008-09-24T16:14:00.003-03:002008-09-24T17:10:22.800-03:00Starting new thingsMakayla started preschool on Tuesday, September 16. At first I was worried that she would be shy and wouldn't want me to leave her there, but that was not what happened at all. She was a bit hesitant at first seeing all the kids she hadn't met before. I helped her change into her indoor sneakers and encouraged her to go play Play-Doh with some of the other kids. The parents were all hanging around waiting to see if their kid was going to need them. Makayla warmed up quickly and soon she ran up to me and said "You can leave now. I'm going to stay here." I didn't leave right away, just in case. So she came back up to me and said "I told you that you could leave now." I guess that was my cue. So I was the first parent out the door.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokLWvjmrWKops33BArMAZrCK3GxZbpkylIgB5rrJbfkAHdUbZOT__KKKGynfF5b5wUatgPGMM2LJHw9Rcg08j0uvhI4tLT9WleWLNqv6c8Wejs1eX59tJoC9XqWzAPNXvwUotG72yd2g/s1600-h/2008-09-16(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249682029944961042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokLWvjmrWKops33BArMAZrCK3GxZbpkylIgB5rrJbfkAHdUbZOT__KKKGynfF5b5wUatgPGMM2LJHw9Rcg08j0uvhI4tLT9WleWLNqv6c8Wejs1eX59tJoC9XqWzAPNXvwUotG72yd2g/s320/2008-09-16(02).JPG" border="0" /></a>The preschool that is operated by the Boys and Girls Club takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11am. Makayla comes to work with me at 8am for an hour and then I drive her to preschool for 9. I pick her up and take her to her sitter's then I stop at home for a quick lunch and head back to the office. If my schedule doesn't allow me to take her to preschool, I have a neighbour whose son also goes to the preschool who has agreed that we will help each other out when things come up. Makayla's sitter has also agreed to take her sometimes as long as I give her notice since she has one other girl that she looks after that she needs to get a car seat for.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaJguyCccn6ZQnAduuryaD3tBowRMNtMwqz1KVHEY0Eq_WfkLjp3EH4V6_QYDh-2KqCELxW-x3jaPNVmjNkY85xBcGdoytgBhaJ8pljeOkh7Pe6RGsKBbMXrNnrggp8nyuiqOc7g46sU/s1600-h/2008-09-16(04).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249682042692393394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaJguyCccn6ZQnAduuryaD3tBowRMNtMwqz1KVHEY0Eq_WfkLjp3EH4V6_QYDh-2KqCELxW-x3jaPNVmjNkY85xBcGdoytgBhaJ8pljeOkh7Pe6RGsKBbMXrNnrggp8nyuiqOc7g46sU/s320/2008-09-16(04).JPG" border="0" /></a>Makayla has enjoyed preschool so far. She actually brought home some "homework" the other day. It was just a worksheet where they have to trace the letter B, but she was so excited about it. She hasn't been opening up much about what they are doing at preschool. When I ask her, she just changes the subject like she doesn't want to discuss it. She opened up a bit after Tuesday's class, so hopefully she will share more. I miss not knowing what's going on in her day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpv5hVW34YYHLnQQzmn5fgs0Jl4m9prW6z6dnhyqseboqqRM2nAeVr9BOs0Vhn5JvoLmANCZ96qzA_ED4EARoUm5si870pJs2q1T860L0ZFhU6SNqxW6EjXDEbjAyqZoiDxPjC3Rnph4/s1600-h/2008-09-22(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249682433641413986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpv5hVW34YYHLnQQzmn5fgs0Jl4m9prW6z6dnhyqseboqqRM2nAeVr9BOs0Vhn5JvoLmANCZ96qzA_ED4EARoUm5si870pJs2q1T860L0ZFhU6SNqxW6EjXDEbjAyqZoiDxPjC3Rnph4/s320/2008-09-22(03).JPG" border="0" /></a>Makayla also started tap dancing on Monday, September 22. She wasn't shy there either and she loved the class. The parents were allowed to stay and watch the first night, but starting next week, we have to stay out while the class is in session. There were about 12 kids in her class, two of which were boys. There is another Michaela in her class and my Makayla stayed glued to her side throughout the entire class. So cute. She followed the teacher very well and really seemed interested in what they were learning. The teacher was wonderful with the kids. She never stopped the entire half hour and was constantly doing something with them. Makayla was played out when the class was over. She can't wait for next week.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLVNCMOsb5tlyK-0aGxNbNyCKHZXZwuMYXm4GrZTzVvA-LNUR4Yl5mUrrMfnt5e_XgrerxEuvr0qY2boUp7R5gJ5ZgKplKPbffSLWjVrhVL6sBfze9B1GVAOZUZ4gYD5Gu3XKjCGRPOU/s1600-h/2008-09-22(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249682441898864402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLVNCMOsb5tlyK-0aGxNbNyCKHZXZwuMYXm4GrZTzVvA-LNUR4Yl5mUrrMfnt5e_XgrerxEuvr0qY2boUp7R5gJ5ZgKplKPbffSLWjVrhVL6sBfze9B1GVAOZUZ4gYD5Gu3XKjCGRPOU/s320/2008-09-22(01).JPG" border="0" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-67733346109764111942008-09-11T15:44:00.002-03:002008-09-11T15:53:44.234-03:00Fall is here<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_V06hmoIUMo34MNvS3UI6lirzIiE1vsw3I7FZi5Y-xQXIs2DiwcSGkgLRGIz_97zKJVYBlA3xN7EHr9mlb0lcmuovc5ydX9f0sP1CQyjyDJ-IctDOjl_LJF3wEL1HALffp3jmnyU648/s1600-h/2008-08-23(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244838842233896818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_V06hmoIUMo34MNvS3UI6lirzIiE1vsw3I7FZi5Y-xQXIs2DiwcSGkgLRGIz_97zKJVYBlA3xN7EHr9mlb0lcmuovc5ydX9f0sP1CQyjyDJ-IctDOjl_LJF3wEL1HALffp3jmnyU648/s320/2008-08-23(01).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The weather has gotten cooler in the mornings and evenings, and that is the sure sign that fall has arrived. We enjoyed our summer at the campground although the weather wasn't that spectacular this year. I think that I heard that we had 20% more rain in July/August than average. Makayla learned 2 new things this summer at the campground:</div><br /><div>1. To ride her bike (with training wheels) all by herself</div><br /><div>2. To swing without anybody pushing her</div><br /><div>I am very proud of her for working hard this summer to figure these things out.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Next week she starts preschool for 2 mornings each week. She is excited for this and has been asking me almost daily when she starts school. I talked to the coordinator and she told me that there are 7 or 8 kids registered, so it's a very small group, but they are all kids that Makayla will go to school with.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I also signed Makayla up for tap dancing. She has been mesmerized with anybody dancing at various events we have gone to, and even on TV's "So You Think You Can Dance". After she was registered she told me that she needed tap shoes and a tap dress, so I had to comply. I will post a picture as soon as I take one. These classes start in a couple of weeks.</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-68694540275114253002008-08-13T16:14:00.004-03:002008-08-13T16:42:07.760-03:00Our vacationClay, Makayla and I were on vacation last week. The weather was rainy and cold all week. We tried not to let that bring our moods down, although I admit that I struggled with that a lot. The week started off with me taking Makayla for her 3-year old pictures.<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1LuRXdxxNO8JKtz3-zHEGfsbtJ6GNrt7hbQDGaGoE6-q6nS8Kz_1jiKIPJPlWJwCULGR0VnqaFq7KZPLRmCWHf8RIurwwcmVUhzcgVkeqyaK2qcaFy0dwK06UzM1zS0CWBmKvS5yGqo/s1600-h/2008-08-01(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234083818612608002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1LuRXdxxNO8JKtz3-zHEGfsbtJ6GNrt7hbQDGaGoE6-q6nS8Kz_1jiKIPJPlWJwCULGR0VnqaFq7KZPLRmCWHf8RIurwwcmVUhzcgVkeqyaK2qcaFy0dwK06UzM1zS0CWBmKvS5yGqo/s320/2008-08-01(01).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXJdXKOMLJws7Pg679Fv6_LcW8ghpMELu62ZNT6DFPduwY5sPwYAa0rDPY2S0PDW_P7Yv53cqkgjUMFkFwZaXJYqazsYqVV-BhC9VUPfkwjIfFYH3NyY4kY7a02AtN3mxg38q6PSYuuk/s1600-h/2008-08-01(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234083821179011794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXJdXKOMLJws7Pg679Fv6_LcW8ghpMELu62ZNT6DFPduwY5sPwYAa0rDPY2S0PDW_P7Yv53cqkgjUMFkFwZaXJYqazsYqVV-BhC9VUPfkwjIfFYH3NyY4kY7a02AtN3mxg38q6PSYuuk/s320/2008-08-01(02).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliLLskmxN9DpS-ww-QS9yC9PrVG3rklrVm0RvON1IsUPZzRsKVy6ICGvve3q6Z6GNUS6p-sMR4LFwAa7Q6FxmOTsUyeXMGJEp89s6sL6HjUU_-X4aV5RYCq0-oYJOjseBzPXBpZSyaaI/s1600-h/2008-08-01(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234083822220043922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliLLskmxN9DpS-ww-QS9yC9PrVG3rklrVm0RvON1IsUPZzRsKVy6ICGvve3q6Z6GNUS6p-sMR4LFwAa7Q6FxmOTsUyeXMGJEp89s6sL6HjUU_-X4aV5RYCq0-oYJOjseBzPXBpZSyaaI/s320/2008-08-01(03).JPG" border="0" /></a> My mother sewed Makayla's outfit for these pictures.</p><p>On our way home from getting the pictures done, I had to stop at the office. I left Makayla strapped in her car seat while I went in for a few minutes. As a side note, my office is in a rural area and it is essentially a small minihome with lots of windows (can walk through the entire office in less than 15 seconds) where I parked right next to the door. I didn't even think about whether she might have to pee since she hadn't said anything, but when I got back in the car, she was crying and saying that she tried to tell me that she had to pee but I wasn't there. And unfortunately, there was a wet car seat. I changed her pants and put a plastic grocery bag down and got her home within 5 minutes since we live that close to my office. I took the car seat out and brought it into the house. Makayla looked at the car seat in the basement and then a few minutes later, when we were all upstairs in the living room, she says "You guys, we have a big problem. My car seat won't fit in the washing machine." She was so serious and we just had to laugh. I showed her how the seat pad came off and how we could wash it.</p><p>At the campground, where we stayed during our vacation, Makayla loved to point out all the "spider nets" that were around. As much as I correct her and say that they are spider webs, she still insists on calling them spider nets.</p><p>I took Makayla to her first movie at the theatre. We went with Clay's cousin and her two kids to the movie "Wall-E". I didn't particularly enjoy the movie, but Makayla sat still through the whole thing and thoroughly enjoyed the popcorn we shared.</p><p>We took the 2-hour trip to Magic Mountain which is a water park with lots of waterslides. Unfortunately the day was really cool to be in the water so we didn't stay long. Instead, we went across the road to a place called the "Boardwalk" where they had a park, go-karts and bumper boats. We had a blast over there.</p><p>During the week, we had some nice campfires and roasted a ton of marshmallows. Makayla has built sandcastles, played some mini-golf and enjoyed riding her bike around the campground.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIElnghwvFF4TZmI6lTMhBTkFg66IJ2Tj6yeDnrOSGn5cO3A08bmXyo-N1jPE7fXvxw75o6dQCMrYCOJcrKm3JwKmsHFQGM08NsqtVyoVujVntCerrj4r-HVkrtv_DAnhz-YT5kmPm3g/s1600-h/2008-08-07(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234088046245076882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIElnghwvFF4TZmI6lTMhBTkFg66IJ2Tj6yeDnrOSGn5cO3A08bmXyo-N1jPE7fXvxw75o6dQCMrYCOJcrKm3JwKmsHFQGM08NsqtVyoVujVntCerrj4r-HVkrtv_DAnhz-YT5kmPm3g/s320/2008-08-07(02).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj965rEmUS4nI519W6MRrlGWoOF6EAKiTXpj_NHAg9htrHqgVH7MoUkpofq7mZ0_-vAXlJ8T9gUM33xLcrw6mJHCY57KkdhLPN8_t0e50mNG0Aebrs9YdYnMk3Rqk8ktmFrtMvGXnsDJY/s1600-h/2008-08-09(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234088048321199026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj965rEmUS4nI519W6MRrlGWoOF6EAKiTXpj_NHAg9htrHqgVH7MoUkpofq7mZ0_-vAXlJ8T9gUM33xLcrw6mJHCY57KkdhLPN8_t0e50mNG0Aebrs9YdYnMk3Rqk8ktmFrtMvGXnsDJY/s320/2008-08-09(02).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVNrhhGqawUmqQdABrtbTUbuWPdPFAz3m1Ure72xwMM4F9M0xn8KH8D21V93E7aLjfaZSSE5ZII33HeGnRoysoROj6K5LOw7FIiTVdcKWFW5u4gOTHvUyzQd8CNUyNC3jEMsTqDplkBg/s1600-h/2008-08-09(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234088053597783730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVNrhhGqawUmqQdABrtbTUbuWPdPFAz3m1Ure72xwMM4F9M0xn8KH8D21V93E7aLjfaZSSE5ZII33HeGnRoysoROj6K5LOw7FIiTVdcKWFW5u4gOTHvUyzQd8CNUyNC3jEMsTqDplkBg/s320/2008-08-09(03).JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now we're back to the usual schedule and we're adjusting just fine. Now last night, Makayla fell out of her bed for the first time. Clay and I were just getting into bed around 11pm when we heard a thump. I knew that the dog was laying down so we both figured it had to be Makayla. We went into her room and she was climbing back up into bed, but she wasn't even awake. She snuggled back in under the blankets and we never heard from her until 6:30 this morning when she had no knowledge of falling out of bed.</p><p>Our summer is quickly coming to an end and with the weather being so awful, it feels like we only had about 3 weeks of summer. I am signing Makayla up for preschool in the fall. It is for 2 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I am also planning to get her into a dance class since she seems to enjoy that.</p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-29590361701811712472008-08-13T15:58:00.002-03:002008-08-13T16:13:18.764-03:00August 2008 renovation updateThe reno checklist:<br />New roof - Complete<br />New insulation/siding - Complete<br />Removal of the wood/electric forced air furnace - Complete<br />Installation of heat pump - Complete<br />New air exchanger in our new utility room in the basement - Complete<br />Taking our wood furnace and installing it in the garage - I'm not sure when the furnace guy is coming to do that, but hopefully soon since our garage now looks like a tornado blew through it.<br />Painting and putting laminate flooring in family room - To be completed this fall<br />Painting living room, hallway and master bedroom - To be completed this fall<br />Putting a second bathroom in the basement - On hold<br />Finishing our backdoor entryway (build closet/shelves, hide washer/dryer in a closet) - On hold<br /><br /><br />The reason that we are putting the second bathroom addition and finished entryway on hold for the time being is because we have spent quite a bit of money so far and want to try to sell one of our building lots to help pay the credit line down before we continue. We put a "for sale by owner" sign up on the 2-acre lot we were originally planning to build on since it is all levelled and ready for a house (which we did when we thought we were going to be building there). Not to mention that there is a lot of house construction activity in the area and we thought it would be the best time to put it on the market. Since putting the sign up last week, we have gotten 5 calls on the property. We have a pretty big price on the land since there is no work for somebody to build on the property. We're not desperate to sell it, but the money will help with the rest of the renovations.<br /><br /><br />The heat pump is now installed and operational. I love it!! There is so much more room in our basement and we won't have to be storing wood down there either. The dog is going to need some time to get used to all the new noises that the system makes. She is a pretty anxious dog to begin with and any changes are really hard for her to adjust to. She will get used to it just like she had to get used to the hardwood floors.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiko-Rcx-9iCUc_0wt0K5j7BF8ud87H96uKFl64mTP00-BAOX8L3oSohhdYRUELnVjbS94XQeZ-wmV7ELenfxjI1lBnkD-UiDFGZBuHxHMbXJoisdi0LeQTYFM-m2yk3M9k6sGQS3VRf6I/s1600-h/2008-08-13(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234082252612348594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiko-Rcx-9iCUc_0wt0K5j7BF8ud87H96uKFl64mTP00-BAOX8L3oSohhdYRUELnVjbS94XQeZ-wmV7ELenfxjI1lBnkD-UiDFGZBuHxHMbXJoisdi0LeQTYFM-m2yk3M9k6sGQS3VRf6I/s320/2008-08-13(01).JPG" border="0" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-26918737673086017792008-07-22T11:11:00.003-03:002008-07-22T11:19:54.318-03:00Funny things that Makayla saysMakayla has said some of the funniest things lately.<br /><br /><br />1. "Oh yeah. Oh yeah. I'm a winner baby." She sings this to a little tune and throws a dance in too. Sometimes she interchanges "winner" with "loser" which we try to discourage. She sang this little ditty one day at the basketball court at the campground while she was trying to get her ball in the hoop.<br /><br /><br />2. "Excuse me. Are we going back to the campground?" She says this with a British accent which she learned from a little British girl at the campground. Clay and I didn't think that she would notice the girl's accent since kids her age tend to talk so differently anyway. But she must have picked up on it because she surprised us with this line one weekend. Now we get her to say it all the time.<br /><br /><br />3. "Don't mess with the John Deere hat." She has had to say this line to many kids at her sitter's. She LOVES her John Deere hat and wears it all day every day. The kids try to get her to take it off and this line is her response. Hilarious!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcUtVoKF_SIuNkGRljxTF7SGBD6H7YnKz0GbBKJ-0PB48GKLy8nUALT84-YiHsLquxdcXLV1xjQadKCfO6ToGEaSp2IjjWMzXH3R_aAfKvI1JWFiroT8ME85Pvoy1Aga4OGPaVpDZpao/s1600-h/2008-07-03(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225842820275993746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcUtVoKF_SIuNkGRljxTF7SGBD6H7YnKz0GbBKJ-0PB48GKLy8nUALT84-YiHsLquxdcXLV1xjQadKCfO6ToGEaSp2IjjWMzXH3R_aAfKvI1JWFiroT8ME85Pvoy1Aga4OGPaVpDZpao/s320/2008-07-03(02).JPG" border="0" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-11812366771009119602008-07-03T16:02:00.004-03:002008-07-07T14:22:18.019-03:00Makayla turned 3I have been meaning to describe my little girl now that she is 3-years old. Her hair is still just as blonde as can be and has the most beautiful ringlets that really show when it is humid out. She is over 39" tall and weighs 32 lbs. The doctor said her weight is a bit low for her age and her height is above-average. Makayla is a very good-natured child. She impresses everybody she meets by how easy-going she is. I can't count how many times people have told me how they can't believe how easily this child goes to bed at night. She very rarely throws a tantrum. She is able to tell me how she is feeling so we are able to work things out by just discussing the situation. She thinks very logically, so much so that it scares me how logical this 3-year old is. We had some issues with Makayla being sassy to me and Clay just over a month ago and we had to give Makayla her first time-out. She hasn't forgotten it and still refers back to that time and how she doesn't want to go into time-out. She is also much more outgoing than she was previously. There has been such a difference between how shy she was around her 2nd birthday to how she is now. She is still cautious, but not nearly as shy as before.<br /><br />We have been going through some phases over the last couple of months. The first phase included Makayla waking up way too early in the morning. She would get out of bed anytime after 5:00am. This seemed to start when the days were getting longer and the sun was rising earlier. I used to tell her that it was still dark out so she had to go back to bed, but I didn't have that excuse anymore. There were some very early mornings for a few weeks, but she came out of this phase recently, and I can't say that I miss it.<br /><br />Shortly after this phase ended, another started. The next one includes her being scared of having a bath. She would become irrational and scream when I would turn the water on in the tub. She didn't want too much water in the tub and she didn't want it too hot. I would try to distract her by turning the water on and then taking her into her room to get undressed for her bath. She would try to get out of my grip and run to the bathroom to turn the water off. I wasn't putting more than a couple of inches of water in the tub and I would prove that to her when we got to the bathroom, but she just didn't seem to trust me. I seem to think she might have been scared of losing her toys down the drain, but I have no idea how that relates to the water being too hot or too high. I explained to her that her toys couldn't fit down the drain the same as the toys couldn't get sucked up by the vacuum (which her sitter had to prove to her recently as she was having a similar reaction at her house when she would start the vacuum cleaner). This phase seems to be ending right now. Yay!! I'm sure there will be another phase to take this one's place, and I'm confident that we will conquer it as well.<br /><br />Makayla found a mole on her arm. She is used to seeing them as I have many moles on my body which she used to call boo-boos until I explained that they don't hurt like a boo-boo does. She was so proud to be able to tell me that she had a "polka dot" like Mommy has.<br /><br />Makayla is able to spell her name if you ask her, and now she is learning to write it. She can write all of the letters really well but she struggles with the K. She tells me that the K is "tricky".<br /><br />Makayla has a little lump on the back of her neck. It showed up when the black flies came out in full force and she had some bug bites on her neck. I figured it would go away when the bites healed. But those bites healed and others have come and gone since then, but the lump is still there. It isn't an open sore, it isn't itchy and it doesn't bother her at all when I feel for it. Since it's been there for nearly a month, I thought it best to get it checked out by her doctor, so we have an appointment next week. Hopefully it's nothing to be concerned about.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-53914642244360626342008-06-25T15:16:00.008-03:002008-06-25T15:31:15.097-03:00Makayla's 3rd birthday partyWe had Makayla's 3rd birthday party at the campground where we set up our trailer for the summer. Our campsite backs right onto the playground so it's a wonderful place to be with several 2- to 4-year olds.<br /><br />Here are the kids at the party playing with the sand toys.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyrV07CeSCrRJdSZB_ZAM6P8VkYEU3wDR0sSRRVqKv22ZlzNOkCHrJjRkYH8DV17um2nHMFTSRM-j7utGSW59zySQ7TnRRLTVt0yUXoRj6QpWolkIOYM76IXu3Wpncz_ZkKCjRfZVIrI/s1600-h/2008-06-21(13).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215885181203168434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyrV07CeSCrRJdSZB_ZAM6P8VkYEU3wDR0sSRRVqKv22ZlzNOkCHrJjRkYH8DV17um2nHMFTSRM-j7utGSW59zySQ7TnRRLTVt0yUXoRj6QpWolkIOYM76IXu3Wpncz_ZkKCjRfZVIrI/s320/2008-06-21(13).JPG" border="0" /></a> Makayla is patiently waiting her turn to climb the rope on the playground.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisruFd2dwO_mTibIVc9D5fLLEaujZhKL2qWgqFov5j9mff1YRf9CTLafUpeXcVn2-ku5DmiCdst7_8IHiaCsiKqE0tspf5Jmv8z0LkJn_tXX229HhK-h5YIoD28FA2n6qynK1ANZyLAFY/s1600-h/2008-06-21(11).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215885477827953506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisruFd2dwO_mTibIVc9D5fLLEaujZhKL2qWgqFov5j9mff1YRf9CTLafUpeXcVn2-ku5DmiCdst7_8IHiaCsiKqE0tspf5Jmv8z0LkJn_tXX229HhK-h5YIoD28FA2n6qynK1ANZyLAFY/s320/2008-06-21(11).JPG" border="0" /></a> Did I mention that it was extremely difficult to get the kids to get off the playground to come over for cake and ice cream? It was another Dora party this year.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmK0T58fzW-3AfgCgzZyn1qgpLriuSFRgBZfmsjIjEp9HRxdvgxN8ZOFDSHQhxbKxgLgBrYkD5FWhXQ2toREhIplsVDdFTVosfU9r7Cl8Sk8eb3MoiGi22QP_IWe2P6TOwYEu6xJKnwc/s1600-h/2008-06-21(18).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215885815456044482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmK0T58fzW-3AfgCgzZyn1qgpLriuSFRgBZfmsjIjEp9HRxdvgxN8ZOFDSHQhxbKxgLgBrYkD5FWhXQ2toREhIplsVDdFTVosfU9r7Cl8Sk8eb3MoiGi22QP_IWe2P6TOwYEu6xJKnwc/s320/2008-06-21(18).JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the one bite of cake that Makayla enjoyed before she begged to go back to the playground.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5IKve9R_kwkw0wKJzUIv-sGGTEeocK5tR9Rk3E7Et8YKfARoB6DeMRou_4ZIvHY3FjEkvUAPoHJkZN114pAqNwOkShnp5LiVl_KbWk0jiXlAq-Yy4BUe8lYAJnqQgI8uqNMgCmRN7Nw/s1600-h/2008-06-21(22).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215886381090776194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5IKve9R_kwkw0wKJzUIv-sGGTEeocK5tR9Rk3E7Et8YKfARoB6DeMRou_4ZIvHY3FjEkvUAPoHJkZN114pAqNwOkShnp5LiVl_KbWk0jiXlAq-Yy4BUe8lYAJnqQgI8uqNMgCmRN7Nw/s320/2008-06-21(22).JPG" border="0" /></a> Here are the 3 girls at the party. We were down by the river looking to feed the ducks, but there weren't any ducks around.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDRfO8mTOBq5KVT8yDCoD5WROzAlOwirXjhddThIPjVo6yk_trIb9ofqh2Ia2q52knkY60wWbZDuuf3B5LVel9gzyVlBYbBXY0znPPfZdK-W561mIyC8mrgaY86Xa64NVdII-lo8izxY/s1600-h/2008-06-21(03).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215886759658679266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDRfO8mTOBq5KVT8yDCoD5WROzAlOwirXjhddThIPjVo6yk_trIb9ofqh2Ia2q52knkY60wWbZDuuf3B5LVel9gzyVlBYbBXY0znPPfZdK-W561mIyC8mrgaY86Xa64NVdII-lo8izxY/s320/2008-06-21(03).jpg" border="0" /></a> Overall, the party went really well. It was really low-key with some hamburgers/hot dogs for lunch, cake and ice cream for dessert and some presents. I was very relaxed, when I am generally not when I am hosting a party. Everyone pitched in to help when Clay and I needed it. Most of the people who were there are telling us that their kids want to come back and play again this weekend.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-76409659350755953572008-06-25T15:07:00.004-03:002008-06-25T15:15:03.255-03:00Another renovation updateNew roof - Complete<br />New insulation/siding - Complete<br />Removal of the wood/electric forced air furnace - Completed early<br />Installation of heat pump - Heat pump is on order. Should arrive by July 10. Installation after that.<br />Taking our wood furnace and installing it in the garage - The furnace guy is going to install it now that it is removed from the house. He found a buyer for our electric forced air furnace.<br />New air exchanger in our new utility room in the basement - Furnace guy is also installing this along with the heat pump<br />Putting a second bathroom in the basement - Probably to be done this fall<br />Finishing our backdoor entryway (build closet/shelves, hide washer/dryer in a closet) - Probably to be done this fall<br /><br />Here is the area in the basement where the wood/electric forced air furnaces used to be. Most of the stuff in this picture has now been cleared out of the basement.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VymGMPxpEbdlAULB1_X1pXrd2NAYwE1DgbDepCQ4_pyT5gA89launZTXNxmxSbo8hAgiJuGYx7gGyO4-_b95_D23451QXSV6IeKFvPZm8aGK_3kG6DhMG0mNGiA4SOzixyzT-I-D7LY/s1600-h/2008-06-23(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215883394353079970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1VymGMPxpEbdlAULB1_X1pXrd2NAYwE1DgbDepCQ4_pyT5gA89launZTXNxmxSbo8hAgiJuGYx7gGyO4-_b95_D23451QXSV6IeKFvPZm8aGK_3kG6DhMG0mNGiA4SOzixyzT-I-D7LY/s320/2008-06-23(01).JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>The furnace guy ran these water lines in preparation for our new heat pump.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifueH6DwU2EvB-Rt8sguDuR93aa914zIn9wwGtMi0hYBet7i3zyRYWyE6bucRnKwG_9_AHwM-kOkE9crwceuJjVrmwIysylEBoTtUj3NZUcNXyA6KqvKD9sPrv7kiXOhEAEUluupEXaA/s1600-h/2008-06-23(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215883398430908658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifueH6DwU2EvB-Rt8sguDuR93aa914zIn9wwGtMi0hYBet7i3zyRYWyE6bucRnKwG_9_AHwM-kOkE9crwceuJjVrmwIysylEBoTtUj3NZUcNXyA6KqvKD9sPrv7kiXOhEAEUluupEXaA/s320/2008-06-23(03).JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the area of the basement that will become another bathroom, laundry room and entryway.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZAKlxFmfc3asoeSw5hQseUDHqVM3u1uMxjw4do8dN3TY0mxgrOH3bzBb0a7EfpHVnzTEWa164eU4yfEYMvhXHA2dyM670m4pqOArZ2Fj3EQeCZv5yKB2PsFoVXNUQsUEkoEWfPc6kn8/s1600-h/2008-06-23(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215883993363196914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZAKlxFmfc3asoeSw5hQseUDHqVM3u1uMxjw4do8dN3TY0mxgrOH3bzBb0a7EfpHVnzTEWa164eU4yfEYMvhXHA2dyM670m4pqOArZ2Fj3EQeCZv5yKB2PsFoVXNUQsUEkoEWfPc6kn8/s320/2008-06-23(02).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-37655090596723846452008-06-19T13:31:00.005-03:002008-06-19T13:43:57.951-03:00Renovation updateThe new roof was installed last week and the house is almost completely done in the new siding. As of this morning, they just had a little bit around the front door, then they were going to work on the garage. Makayla doesn't think our house is crazy anymore. Now she just calls it the dark blue house.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCx5kdA1GEk2GEWP5-Dih78TM2B9QbCKSOj4sRriTGnboEMN2h_FTZLV6myNqY13fizE00vuzZdJNR-Te_XnigT6LLbsGPgGdzPPMEkIyHRGlb8xoxmT_hL3ZUNth5Kqm4tdIKBQOsEQ/s1600-h/2008-06-18(03).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213631974153780050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCx5kdA1GEk2GEWP5-Dih78TM2B9QbCKSOj4sRriTGnboEMN2h_FTZLV6myNqY13fizE00vuzZdJNR-Te_XnigT6LLbsGPgGdzPPMEkIyHRGlb8xoxmT_hL3ZUNth5Kqm4tdIKBQOsEQ/s320/2008-06-18(03).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJlL22PXFebRWCgyrg2ZDen5hU4IIYrUpyYVJ5x4QmneHNZUeDzQQLu_K-olbJMzgBXmOKhMZTL4-6XU_pauB5nDvYGzkhsnWWF5NrshxmSyDLxi7Ur31KCQOwJJpYvcN9-7XyqQt3Vo/s1600-h/2008-06-18(04).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213632043292535730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJlL22PXFebRWCgyrg2ZDen5hU4IIYrUpyYVJ5x4QmneHNZUeDzQQLu_K-olbJMzgBXmOKhMZTL4-6XU_pauB5nDvYGzkhsnWWF5NrshxmSyDLxi7Ur31KCQOwJJpYvcN9-7XyqQt3Vo/s320/2008-06-18(04).JPG" border="0" /></a> The garage should be all finished when I get home from work today.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRUJbVt5A7R9lQyYxgjzux_fuyMZhbtrhmR8nOeDwuU2oZgQFsCiSqRp4nVPat4xm8bIKWyu8rwwEvfnSP7WnGAnkajiDMM9Xtbuixz8kju9n4eRteRbc4GHLS0evQAzY02Yc7LWX9Y0/s1600-h/2008-06-18(05).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213632047324089890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRUJbVt5A7R9lQyYxgjzux_fuyMZhbtrhmR8nOeDwuU2oZgQFsCiSqRp4nVPat4xm8bIKWyu8rwwEvfnSP7WnGAnkajiDMM9Xtbuixz8kju9n4eRteRbc4GHLS0evQAzY02Yc7LWX9Y0/s320/2008-06-18(05).JPG" border="0" /></a> So to take a look at my reno checklist:</p><p>New roof - Complete</p><p>New insulation/siding - Should be complete by end of today</p><p>Removal of the wood/electric forced air furnace - To be done by furnace contractor in July</p><p>Installation of heat pump - Heat pump is on order. Should arrive by July 10. Installation after that.</p><p>Taking our wood furnace and installing it in the garage - Another job for the furnace guy</p><p>New air exchanger in our new utility room in the basement - Furnace guy is also installing this along with the heat pump</p><p>Putting a second bathroom in the basement - Probably to be done this fall</p><p>Finishing our backdoor entryway (build closet/shelves, hide washer/dryer in a closet) - Probably to be done this fall</p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-14626521132941153912008-06-09T10:58:00.003-03:002008-06-09T11:09:42.786-03:00Uncle Eric's weddingThe wedding was beautiful. The day was not too hot, nor too cold. We were all comfortable in our short sleeves without sweaters, but the black flies were awful!! Makayla did an excellent job as the flower girl. She walked up the aisle with the bride's nephew who was the ring bearer. Clay stood at the back with the kids and told them to walk towards me since I was videotaping the wedding from the front of the church.<br /><br />Here is Makayla posing for the photographer. I can't believe she sat so still for her.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7B6zLJtVbcmXZ1CmRJAdpO9v3Ua34jseyxinb8cR9w6H9eClZuiC4TtZFBvBnjdN4LoJPy2yGQIF4K3d5Sh5z4_s2E8v7m5Jqqg6-CbKSmBYRGEC1_qjIvkHwi8Va_TQKcaUuKuhcWI/s1600-h/2008-06-07(01).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209881096329944722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7B6zLJtVbcmXZ1CmRJAdpO9v3Ua34jseyxinb8cR9w6H9eClZuiC4TtZFBvBnjdN4LoJPy2yGQIF4K3d5Sh5z4_s2E8v7m5Jqqg6-CbKSmBYRGEC1_qjIvkHwi8Va_TQKcaUuKuhcWI/s320/2008-06-07(01).jpg" border="0" /></a> Here are me and Clay with Clay's brother Eric (the groom in the tux).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFst_-L9BA49m8NmjTJ4MBPOl9OlTMQWaUaxwWUw0W13Pl6U0FPgkbZe32QAuAboXECnAxEFCDHgmI0UW4ueZ7TRHDuFaJxn_PSdTZenUIk_rCq8xbd0RkU-i-A0TcuIz0oJnvjxj6iMA/s1600-h/2008-06-07(02).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209881115950184338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFst_-L9BA49m8NmjTJ4MBPOl9OlTMQWaUaxwWUw0W13Pl6U0FPgkbZe32QAuAboXECnAxEFCDHgmI0UW4ueZ7TRHDuFaJxn_PSdTZenUIk_rCq8xbd0RkU-i-A0TcuIz0oJnvjxj6iMA/s320/2008-06-07(02).jpg" border="0" /></a> Here are the 2 brothers and their wives - Cara and Eric, Clay and me.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyMlZ5_sj0UCee8smjHwi1iAs6ZgBXuAk5HlAaQUkMwYbbLkWowHzVgHcJkYvvGJKGTOWSFR2O9WnuhjnOFOAFPaCY7Jl3jEsCSZMoJ_slB-deedhRkjOOiTJcFHhmhB9TgrY3m8pR7U/s1600-h/2008-06-07(03).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209881119933690242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyMlZ5_sj0UCee8smjHwi1iAs6ZgBXuAk5HlAaQUkMwYbbLkWowHzVgHcJkYvvGJKGTOWSFR2O9WnuhjnOFOAFPaCY7Jl3jEsCSZMoJ_slB-deedhRkjOOiTJcFHhmhB9TgrY3m8pR7U/s320/2008-06-07(03).jpg" border="0" /></a> The entire family is in this picture. I was surprised that Clay's parents stood next to each other for this picture since they usually can't stand to be in the same room together. Eric is holding his daughter Gracie.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23yIfNu2DITYxm3Fgtl4hOVGON99O31E7D87wojREO6NU9ppvYPHP5M5eKFz-ru-m9dmQhnUTuQwSTE7U_LjMwBl3S7mvgM4t97anG7-qbHoQgvN5TBDVyDy2ImCNNwD3IvUbUvacR2I/s1600-h/2008-06-07(06).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209881129620819778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23yIfNu2DITYxm3Fgtl4hOVGON99O31E7D87wojREO6NU9ppvYPHP5M5eKFz-ru-m9dmQhnUTuQwSTE7U_LjMwBl3S7mvgM4t97anG7-qbHoQgvN5TBDVyDy2ImCNNwD3IvUbUvacR2I/s320/2008-06-07(06).jpg" border="0" /></a>During the reception, I gave the toast to the groom. Clay was supposed to do it but he hates speaking in front of a crowd whereas it doesn't bother me. We voted that I would probably do a better job. I think the toast went over well as people seemed to enjoy it.</p><p>My mom was invited to the wedding, so after the reception she took Makayla home to her house for a sleepover so Clay and I could enjoy ourselves at the dance, which we took advantage of. We caught up with a lot of old friends from the area where Clay grew up. We had a blast and stayed until the dance ended. It was a great day!<br /></p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-21897881984378423092008-06-09T10:29:00.009-03:002008-06-09T10:58:07.964-03:00House renovationsWe really do love our house and the house we were going to build was almost exactly like it, just slightly bigger. I actually like our current lot better than I think I would have liked the one we were planning to build on. Not to mention that landscaping is already done where we are. Our renovation plans include:<br />New roof<br />New insulation/siding<br />Removal of the wood/electric forced air furnace<br />Installation of heat pump<br />Taking our wood furnace and installing it in the garage<br />New air exchanger in our new utility room in the basement<br />Putting a second bathroom in the basement<br />Finishing our backdoor entryway (build closet/shelves, hide washer/dryer in a closet)<br /><br /><br />Here is how it looked before we started doing any renovations.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDtHhv5REYLRF7426305UK8WTYuQpZ6IllAmWcExBoc55ycvMJVv9_AiIpB9oiHzsCXtzRZjLp5zF_KKkcP1tBiYNA4nlTFBFxs6n21VQpEjQR_fZzGwtTNsAsk9KHpdMmJWHKYVipEM/s1600-h/2007-10-20(07).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209874327960909186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDtHhv5REYLRF7426305UK8WTYuQpZ6IllAmWcExBoc55ycvMJVv9_AiIpB9oiHzsCXtzRZjLp5zF_KKkcP1tBiYNA4nlTFBFxs6n21VQpEjQR_fZzGwtTNsAsk9KHpdMmJWHKYVipEM/s320/2007-10-20(07).JPG" border="0" /></a>Clay has always hated the light blue siding colour from the time we moved into this house 7 years ago. It's never bothered me, but it will look brand new when we get finished with it. Here is the colour we are going with.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyts16gIqBSVFzpsNfJvO2u1Q_EiHQ9AERBxbaht20sgQ9rLU0PjQA2t8kqZOgrRTD75WAjFdf6pyKTG8lpcrwbkVGGLc3sX5QG9VcsskGEsuoYJ1oeidf6Afxog5DBFHBPt3OpIVN2cc/s1600-h/2008_0602Image0004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209875624148855266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyts16gIqBSVFzpsNfJvO2u1Q_EiHQ9AERBxbaht20sgQ9rLU0PjQA2t8kqZOgrRTD75WAjFdf6pyKTG8lpcrwbkVGGLc3sX5QG9VcsskGEsuoYJ1oeidf6Afxog5DBFHBPt3OpIVN2cc/s320/2008_0602Image0004.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is the part under the deck where we fixed the boards and studs.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaOUOGYmSVmqpGy5D06slzu8FRvefWkLCs4-3-LK6zH8Etjv3CPYHWQnKzfaCUG9qicy_yFjZ5IwKC88VS9eL73gdk-E_Z-n3LoA41EMxNM3oqIp2B-zVey4I_f-3aFBTzxHRAuoQpcY/s1600-h/2008-06-02(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209876444240872466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaOUOGYmSVmqpGy5D06slzu8FRvefWkLCs4-3-LK6zH8Etjv3CPYHWQnKzfaCUG9qicy_yFjZ5IwKC88VS9eL73gdk-E_Z-n3LoA41EMxNM3oqIp2B-zVey4I_f-3aFBTzxHRAuoQpcY/s320/2008-06-02(01).JPG" border="0" /></a> As you can see, we didn't have to tear the deck off, we just had to remove one board to check the damage. They are going to leave the deck about an inch away from the house when they replace the board so that the seepage won't happen again.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzA3oHj641vCabx3TO_GkJRWYxp6Sg23iKg1UKH5MdIOtiMUvZt3hDDq0MkoJ_oa6OQb4FL7gWuAVwPZMk2RSAahMFMbsP-1yXUQ-7ogaySHF01fGpIOcmcyXlWjjGcCPy4rpaiVd0To/s1600-h/2008-06-02(04).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209876975044646418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzA3oHj641vCabx3TO_GkJRWYxp6Sg23iKg1UKH5MdIOtiMUvZt3hDDq0MkoJ_oa6OQb4FL7gWuAVwPZMk2RSAahMFMbsP-1yXUQ-7ogaySHF01fGpIOcmcyXlWjjGcCPy4rpaiVd0To/s320/2008-06-02(04).JPG" border="0" /></a> The siding was all removed.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQhcCWnH7CU2Z2C0wDf21UU98xdCGAUvhPdgBeMMFdXzxY9t9BlniECy6bzsKA3oVFWlMiiVbXcd4O27Kj3gr3NbQEWlC89C5Y4WzTg30ukLtBa1IVwEHDacGaS-MCD5JGchjmHZT4gI/s1600-h/2008-06-03(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209877479535491458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQhcCWnH7CU2Z2C0wDf21UU98xdCGAUvhPdgBeMMFdXzxY9t9BlniECy6bzsKA3oVFWlMiiVbXcd4O27Kj3gr3NbQEWlC89C5Y4WzTg30ukLtBa1IVwEHDacGaS-MCD5JGchjmHZT4gI/s320/2008-06-03(01).JPG" border="0" /></a> The siding was removed from the garage too.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsBz0h1LK09WwIAVoyN8ao0rduCvx6kb8xnKW8xBNK-WlG6d1E78yu-hAw3EYgX-8okwjIUss69x3gStUfGdqKA0HPcaXAOz6M4gSxOMZzxzuqy3nrDYPrRH0EUdEBiNn2WEXx1UWeWc/s1600-h/2008-06-03(02).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209877933052868066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsBz0h1LK09WwIAVoyN8ao0rduCvx6kb8xnKW8xBNK-WlG6d1E78yu-hAw3EYgX-8okwjIUss69x3gStUfGdqKA0HPcaXAOz6M4gSxOMZzxzuqy3nrDYPrRH0EUdEBiNn2WEXx1UWeWc/s320/2008-06-03(02).JPG" border="0" /></a> Look at our big mess in the yard.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvzn38uLm6iFQnjWpSzxxgPta1izwsh70UHqE1Df8t7NAC2iuWROE1jiyehDmtU5yTiHr9JDJLzjB_pw0t_c_PDhVGQr7-GSEN21JSE4IVknHa4injp3UIYcJkm7eP87lZq0g1ZrdaeE/s1600-h/2008-06-03(05).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209878187105734034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvzn38uLm6iFQnjWpSzxxgPta1izwsh70UHqE1Df8t7NAC2iuWROE1jiyehDmtU5yTiHr9JDJLzjB_pw0t_c_PDhVGQr7-GSEN21JSE4IVknHa4injp3UIYcJkm7eP87lZq0g1ZrdaeE/s320/2008-06-03(05).JPG" border="0" /></a>The roof is being replaced today and the siding should be installed by the end of the week.</p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-74796385075261894372008-06-09T09:57:00.002-03:002008-06-09T10:29:46.818-03:00Our house is OFF THE MARKETSince our house hadn't sold, nor were we getting any showings, Clay and I were making arrangements to do some renovations to our house instead. On Wednesday, May 28, out of the blue, our realtor called to say that we had an offer. Nobody had even looked at our house in 2+ months so we couldn't understand who would make an offer. She said that there was a military couple from Alberta being posted here and they loved our house online and wanted to guarantee that it would still be here for them to look at on Friday. Their first offer was a good one. It was actually our bottom line and that is the price where they were starting from. Clay and I debated that evening whether we would even counter the offer since we had made the renovation plans, but we decided to counter since we figured if we could get lots of money for the house, then we might as well try. So we countered on Thursday morning. The couple arrived Friday morning to look at our house and loved it. The countered our offer and by 12:30, we had agreed on a price. And it was $5,000 more than our bottom line. We were pretty excited....until the next day, when the home inspector came.<br /><br />So Saturday afternoon, Clay and I are out looking at new houses being built to get ideas for siding colours and window styles, etc. and we get a phone call from our realtor. She says that the home inspection went very badly (and our house is in very good condition) so we couldn't figure out what could possibly have happened. There really wasn't much, but the little things he did find, he made mountains out of them. He stepped over the boundaries of his job description from home inspector to contractor and he gave the couple estimated costs to fix some of the problems. And he blew them way out of proportion. One of the issues was that there had been water seepage under out deck so the boards and studs were rotting. He told them that the deck would have to be torn down and rebuilt, the wall would have to be repaired, the patio door replaced, etc., to the tune of $23,000! So that is what they dropped their price by. I laughed on the phone to our realtor and said "No way!" Then they wouldn't give us any time to find our own contractors to get accurate quotations to fix it. I gave them our bottom line price and told them to take it or leave because I wasn't wasting contractors' time on the weekends to come out to our place if the buyers were just going to walk. They came back and said that they were backing out. Clay and I took this as our sign that we should take our house off the market and continue on with our renovation plans. (And by the way, the following Monday/Tuesday we fixed all the boards and studs under our deck, replaced our patio doors all without tearing our deck down, and for less than $2,000. Oh well, their loss.)Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787315786038346505.post-26619070703955271282008-05-27T16:40:00.003-03:002008-05-27T17:01:36.490-03:00Makayla is going to be 3!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HMFJylcqJLdu4mFp6lxZ99PQiGujF9CvQ6f6-FasuQiAK-8LteQQaTqwRS6XUf9Jypq7xLhoCs_XyUDnRjSPJbwfzYloJLbMuLb5sDl3oBlGWLG-YEFWxFsTFmMOhIqtIDIIUvqnhjE/s1600-h/2008-05-18(01).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205144992872899778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HMFJylcqJLdu4mFp6lxZ99PQiGujF9CvQ6f6-FasuQiAK-8LteQQaTqwRS6XUf9Jypq7xLhoCs_XyUDnRjSPJbwfzYloJLbMuLb5sDl3oBlGWLG-YEFWxFsTFmMOhIqtIDIIUvqnhjE/s320/2008-05-18(01).JPG" border="0" /></a> Makayla is going to be a flower girl in her Uncle Eric's wedding a day after her 3rd birthday. This is the dress that I got for her at Children's Place on sale for $20. It isn't as formal as other dresses, but the wedding isn't really formal. The only thing I was told was to get her a white dress. Makayla loves this dress and she is so comfortable in it. The bride was happy with it when I sent her this picture, so that is all the say so that I need.<br /><br />I can't believe that my little girl is going to be 3 years old in just over a week. I have planned her birthday party for a couple of weeks after the wedding at our campground site which backs onto the playground. I invited 3 of her friends as well as her 2 cousins. She doesn't do well with big crowds, so I tried to keep it small. We're just going to do a barbecue, some cake and ice cream and playing on the playground. Her best friend at daycare was so excited to get the invitation yesterday. We left it addressed to him in his home mailbox, so he got it when he got home yesterday. He couldn't wait to tell me this morning that he got his letter and he couldn't wait to come to the party.<br /><br />As for presents, I had so much fun picking stuff out for her. She loves pretending to take pictures so I got her one of the kids digital cameras. She loves to play basketball at the court at the campground, but the balls are all regular sized, so my sister got her a small pink basketball. My parents are getting her her first bike. She will have a blast learning to drive this around the campground. Makayla also loves to play air guitar, so I found a pink Bratz guitar where she can strum the strings, push the fret buttons or just pull the whammy bar. Each of them make lots of guitar noises. I can't wait to see her reaction when she gets these gifts.<br /><br />Makayla can count to 13 without any trouble. It starts getting tricky after that. It goes 12, 13, 16, five-teen, 14, then she just gets confused. She likes to work on getting it right though.<br /><br />She told me her first "knock knock" joke last week. It went:<br />Her: Knock Knock<br />Me: Who's there?<br />Her: Boo<br />Me: Boo who?<br />Her: Don't cry. It's just a joke!<br />I couldn't believe that she was able to get through the whole thing without stumbling over the words. She must have learned this at her sitter's since we don't often tell knock knock jokes at our house.<br /><br />Overall Makayla went through the past year without much trouble. She was a very good girl and rarely threw temper tantrums...like she might have had 6 all year. Now that she's nearing 3, she's getting a little attitude. I don't like the sauciness so we've had to be tough with her. Up until now, I haven't had to put her into time-out, and it's not because I'm lenient, she just never did anything that warranted it. In the past few weeks, I've had to threaten a time-out due to her attitude, and she would change her tune. This weekend, I had to break down and give her her first time-out. It worked at the time and now when she starts to get nasty, I just remind her what will happen if she isn't nice. So far, so good...Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06745379283702982727noreply@blogger.com4