Logan's Birthday Party

We survived! It was a BLAST! Logan had 11 friends over, so 12 kids in total (only one person didn't come that we were expecting so that's pretty good!). We did a drop-your-kid-off party this year, and Michael, my mom & I were the adults running the show. It was a movie themed PJ party. Friends came, we played til 6 then had birthday cake (a rocket ship cake that I lit sparklers on the one end to make it 'blast off'). Then we did present opening. This was the most challenging part of the day - it was really difficult keeping 11 sets of hands off of his presents with only 3 adults. I still don't have a clue who gave him a few of his recieved gifts. lol. Then we headed downstairs where I had two rooms set up. One room for the movie/popcorn, and one room for playing. The movie watching lasted about 40 mins before even the kids who were happy to just watch were too distracted to pay attention lol, so we lined everyone up and put on shoes and coats and headed outside! We ran around, played bubbles, played football, 'what time is it mr wolf', and attempted duck duck goose. :) We had so much fun!

People said I was crazy doing a drop off party with so many, but it really wasn't all that bad! sure it was go-go-go the whole time, and alot of work, but it was anticipated work. Would I do it again? Yes! Would I change things? of course! lol...I would specifically end the party half hour earlier as that's when the kids were done with the stuff I had planned and I wouldn't want to plan more because more often just ends up costing more.



So, happy birthday to my fantastic baby boy now a big THREE year old.

PS. He got spoiled this year (okay, he's just all around spoiled), our big gift to him was a quad: he looks darn cute on it!

PPS. I LOVE HIM! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Out of my element...Kyla the boxer

We recently purchased a family pass to our local recreation center, which allows us access to all their classes, various facilities in the center and the walking/running track, etc. Today I opted to give the "Big Bag Boxing" class a shot. I walk into the room and I almost walked right back out as all that was in the waiting area was 4 BIG guys (like look like they could fight UFC) and then 2 women with muscles like i've never seen (also could fight UFC lol).

Needless to say I pressed on and it turned out as the next 5-10 mins passed by the class filled with more 'normal' company, and there was 2 other ladies trying for the first time.

WHAT A WORKOUT! Holy cow...the "warm-up" was it's own workout in and of itself. By 30 minutes all my muscles and body was so fatigued I thought when I had checked the clock that it had to have been at least 45 mins to an hour gone by. I -rarely- am in a class setting where I am fatigued like that. I love my Zumba because it's fun, but I don't get out of breath by it, and trust me, I dance hard! I'm not a sweater, and I didn't sweat in boxing, but boy was I WARM!

It was an awesome class and I hope I have the willpower to stick it out. Through the summer the only classes I can attend is Tuesday nights and Saturdays that we're in town (we're away at least 2 of the weekends due to camping and a bridal shower). But as I said, if I can stick it out for a month doing that I think i'll notice some nice results

The backyard "dream"

Alright, so the first thing that you will notice in my yard is that I have kids lol, there's dirt being dug in and toys all over (I cleaned up most of them prior to this picture being taken), and this picture doesn't show the other half of my yard, but since i'm on a corner lot I have a very wide yard. Basically what the plan is, I am going to remove all the stones and rebuild the wall, which will be pushed back about 2-4ft.

So in this picture you'll see the stones. What don't I like about the stones? 1. I think it looks messy. 2. You can't put a lawnchair or any chair on it without it being wobbly. 3.Weeds are growing up and through the stones. 4. Carter (and probably all my babies) finds all the tiny rocks and things - fingers to mouth. 5. My kids can't play on it - its awkward and uncomfortable to sit on, ride on or play on.

Okay, so looking at this picture you'll probably better envision my dream. Where the wall is will be extended out more into the yard in almost like an oval shape from the tree in the far left of the pic to the start of the wall at the front left. On that oval shape will deck rail or fence of sorts (i'd love to the glass railing if I can afford it). Then we will lay down DECK instead of stone. That will cover basically everything you see in the picture (except the cement patio of course)

So as far as the wall goes, being we have the material, we will rebuild the wall in its new location with the same stone, just farther out into the yard. So in the end there will be a wall, a flower bed approx 1.5-2ft wide, then the railing, then the deck.

The only thing I didn't mention is that along the fence by that same mentioned tree (which I like and will stay where it is) I will leave a dirt area for the kids to dig around in in the shape of L in and around the tree.

So the plan is for this year: 1. Pull out all the rocks and take down the wall. 2. Mark where the wall will go and start leveling out the dirt (hoping with what we'll have to dig down in order to the lay the deck will almost fill the 'holes' and we won't have to buy much dirt). 3. Rebuild wall and fill in/level ground.

Depending how much the deck costs will determine if we get it in this year or not. I would hope so but cost is everything! I spoke to a landscaper and he basically told me if we do the work ourselves theres no reason we couldn't lay a deck for around that $1000 mark. I will go and speak to Home Depot and see what they say as far as supplies go.

PS. Leftover stone will be used to build a firepit in the far corner of the yard (not shown in any of the picture), and possibly the ground for a fort for the boys in the other corner (not visable in pictures above either).

Haven't written in a long time, so here's some catch up

First of all! My boys: Today is my dear son Logan's THIRD birthday! He barrelled into this world three years ago, rather quickly mind you, and has been a joy ever since! He has given us trials and built strengths in us too. He has tried our patience and brought us the joy of love. I have a party with THIRTEEN kids coming this evening which I will post abot later - I am super pumped! I look forward to the rest of his life and watching his sweet spirit grow and develop.

Carter is also doing fantastic! He's just right on track. He eats food like there's no tomorrow - loves everything (except baby cereals oddly enough). He's crawling, goes up stairs (not down yet - tried to the other day headfirst and got stuck in that head first down the stairs position, was pretty funny), he pulls up onto things and as of the other day can sit back down from standing (which took him a long time to figure out lol), and as of two days ago he is walking along furniture. He knows who his daddy is by name (not that he can say it but you say 'daddy' and he finds him in the room), and he waves/points at things. I look at him with awe and wonder as he reaches all of these milestones. It is just as exciting (in a different way) as it was with my firstborn. I also look at him growing up so fast and though I love seeing the development, I don't want him to grow up so quickly ONLY because the older he gets the closer I get to discussing/trying for a third! And that in itself i'm not "ready" for physically (still tramatized from Carter's pregnancy).

Michael was released as a teacher in the primary and is now in the Young Mens/Scouting program. He works specifically with the 14-15 year olds but is with all of them at various times. He is so far realy enjoying his new calling and despite the fact he now is away Thursday evenings, I am very excited for him as he really enjoys the things they do in scouts (they are certifying to do a Kayak trip).

I have been an emotional, weight gaining rollercoaster. You got it. I have put on almost 10lbs and I don't know how to wrap my mind around stopping eating. Its the ONLY thing that would make me want to go back to work because then my fridge and kitchen is not sitting in front of me calling my name on an hourly basis. I even sit here right now thinking about food, wanting to go get a snack (and I've already had breakfast and munched on popcorn). Sigh. Anyways, on a positive note I have been doing some fantastic reno planning (specifically in my backyard, post to come on that), and I have been super busy with Bowen clients and I have been super busy with keeping my kids super busy LOL. That's not true, i've scaled back alot of our schedule so we can just enjoy life a bit.

That brings me to a random comment I wanted to share. It's funny and I don't have a clue how to word it but, I almost feel like I have to many friends. I Know that sounds INCREDIBLY wrong and weird, but there are so many wonderful people here in Cochrane (and out of) that I want to be close with on a deeper level then "hey how are you" but I honestly don't know how to do that with everyone! The past few weeks we have play-dated every day of the week with different people. I feel ever so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life. I told Michael I am happy with what I have and I may just have to stop meeting new people for a while LOL.

We bought a Spray Lakes rec center membership this year. Yesterday actually. It gives you access to all their classes, and access to the walking/running track, and then to the gymnasiums and arenas. I hope to utilize some of the classes and I can't wait for the kickboxing class to start up again in September. Through the summer is boxing, Zumba, yoga. I don't love the Zumba instructor at S.L but I can't be picky at this point (financially speaking) so I'll have to just give it a go again.

That's all for now. Going to go write a post about my backyard. :D

Milk Cow

I'm not sure if any of my blog readers have milked a cow before, but it truly is as it appears on TV - you pull down and milk comes out...

I have felt like a milk cow while Carter has been nursing. He actually -milks- me! It's weird. Logan didn't nurse in such a way. Basically he latches then pulls back my nipple and pushes my breast away from him just as you would a cow! It doesn't realy feel that awesome but it's not really painful either. I find it really fascinating that he does it though. He gets all of his milk within 3-5 minutes, then stops "milking" me in that way and just nurses for another 5-10 minutes until I either stop him or he stops.

I wonder if he has jst taught himself how to get a really good drink, or if he knows that his time is limited (unlike a firstborn, when you have your kids 'close' together you don't have the same time to just let them nurse as long as they want). Either way I just think it's cool how natural instinct just happens.

I can't help myself, i'm offended

-sigh- So I am not sure if it's this recent bout of hormones or post pardum or sleep deprivation, or all of the above that I am strugging through, but I am SUPER sensative to things and very easily offended.

First thing: I went to organize a craft night and I didn't get the excitement and huge 'wow what a great idea!' feeling from people I invited so I just got super stressed out and hurt by the lack of response that I just cancelled it. I -know- that people wanted to do the craft and I -know- that people can't always attend due to scheduling conflicts, but add the weirdness of my emotions/lack of sleep I just couldn't handle it. There's no explanation other than it's just how I feel right now. I am also putting together a freezer meal get together so I figured I would just do that one activity for the time being, do the crafts on my own and keep my state in a less stressful mode. (despite the rush I get from being super busy and having a ton on my plate, in retrospect now isn't the time to do that).

Side note: I am actually going to start seeing a counsellor to just rule out post pardum or any other "serious" things my emotions could be.

Item number 2: So this weekend was Easter. I invited Michael and all his family. His inlaws and sister Tami came. :) ...I invited one sister who -said- she could come (I picked the date around her schedule even) and suddenly she couldn't come due to work. I felt a little hurt by that. Then his brother said he couldnt' come due to having to work, but then when he called earlier to talk to his dad and ask when he was coming through to pick up their car I overheard that they were going to be going to an event of sorts for the daughter. I was -very- hurt that I was lied to and offended that they didn't want to come visit us (I took it personally especially with my current state). I actually left the room momentarily to stop myself from starting to cry!

So yes, I am offended. I am going to have to work on trying to forgive them because I don't want these bad feelings towards them all on my shoulders. -sigh-

Feelings...

Its been interesting...I have been feeling really um, what's the word.. aggitated, angry, and frusterated. Not in general, but most specifically when Logan and Michael is around - maybe it's because I love them and can really let my feelings out when they're around? Sad.. I am going to see about talking to a counsellor... whether its late post pardom or even just the effects that Depression runs in my family, who knows but I certainly don't like the way I feel.