Vacancy

I started back at work in February and Nathan is playing stay at home dad. He is using some of the time to work on his new business ideas but mainly taking care of the kids and home. I have to say I don't love the switch. It really creates upheaval and I don't like that. I like to manage my house and family life in a smoother way, but there is nothing smooth now. I don't know how families have both parents work and still feel like family is the center priority that they are really tuned in with. Laurel asked me the other day why I have to go to work all the time, and I laughingly said, "because no one pays dad to do the laundry!" He acted shocked but kind of laughed a little too. I don't mind people thinking my job has no worth because I make nothing as a stay at home mom...I miss my full time job as mother.

The twins are four!

It seems like not so long ago my twins looked like this...

Then this...

Then this...

Then this...

Now they look like this...

I can't believe we made it to four. By that I mean, Nathan and I are relatively sane, and the twins haven't been sold to the circus. I remember about three days before they were born I told my sister in law, "these babies will be born on friday, because that is when I have decided I'm done". And wouldn't you know I went into labor on that friday and the twins were born. That is the first and last time they have done as they were asked! Really it has been an interesting and fun ride with these two crazies, but I am so glad I got to be a part of it.

Innocent playtime

I don't really know why Allison has a fascination with tying people up like a prisoner, and even being tied up herself. I recall not so long ago walking up the stairs to see Allison bound and gagged, tied to the bannister. She was just standing there not making a sound, and looked at me as if it were completely commonplace to be found where she was and in the state she was. So I get a little chuckle when I walk down the stairs and see this at the bottom bannister...

Then I wander over to where the kids are playing and see this...

But at least I know there are days they play like kids that won't promote my neighbours to call social services, they play together and share and laugh and generally make my heart smile.

A day of fun

As the weather has started to warm up we took the kids to the zoo. It was warm and beautiful, and we lost Michael again! That kid is getting tied to the stroller next time...seriously!

Then after the great zoo morning, we decided to go for a shake and onion rings at Peter's in Calgary. This place has been around for many years, and anyone who has been in calgary for any length of time has either heard of it or been there. Nathan and I went a few times when we were friends and/or dating. The kids loved it of course, and our crew got many interested looks as people drove past.

Its a miracle!

In April Nathan had laser eye surgery. After a day of sitting in the dark with his eyes closed (and sunglasses on...in the dark...with his eyes closed). Nathan can see without glasses for the first time since grade three! It really is amazing. Nathan was saying the same thing and told his eye surgeon the same. He said, "that guy really gets to restore site to the (kind of) blind...kind of like Jesus...except he charges a LOT more!".

Emma's birthday

With spring comes Emma and mom's birthday on April 6th. I am so glad the snow melted because we gave Emma a bike for her birthday and it was done up with all her favorite bike things (basket, bell, streamers). So she did get to ride it that day and pretty much every day since. Later in the week we had a birthday party for Emma at the gymnastics center here in town with family and a few friends. Emma requested a blue and yellow cake with pink polka dots and butterflies. So I came up with something that made her happy. Overall we are all so happy it is spring!

A Little Baking and Some family fun

This past couple of months have gone by pretty quickly, and we have mostly been trapped in the house as the weather has been less than agreeable. Nathan did a young mens camp in the mountains during some pretty cold weather, and the kids decided to all get sick at the same time during the same week. We were all good except Kate so we went bowling at the end of the week and Grandma came along to hold our sick little girl.

Everyone had to bowl at the same time

We have also been trying out some recipes for some goodies. The kids haven't complained about that at all!

Emma holding her new favorite cinnamon bun pancakes.

Michael helping roll out the cookies

Our tasty valentine cookies!

Finally the most exciting news for William was he finally lost his first two teeth! Although the experience was a little traumatic as he had to have them pulled by the dentist because he had his adult teeth already grown in behind the baby ones. He was very excited in the car going to the dentist, I had to laugh, he was literally wiggling in his seat and clapping saying this is going to be so great, I get to get a prize and lose my teeth! Then I physically had to hold him in the seat while the freezing went in and he cried wanting to go home. It was all over pretty quickly and he has recovered from the oral assault just fine.

Before the tooth pull. William's shark teeth.