Come a long way!

2.5 months ago we started here... lots of water and lots of rotten flooring :S

Tonight, after Steve and Martin did finishing work all afternoon we are here:

It's coming along and I'm so thankful!

Ps. Dad O. this is for you with love :)

Makes Me Smile

We haven't had a face this cute around here since Sam lost his first top tooth :)

I guess I could have washed his face first but every time he grins at me and every time I hear that tiniest of lisps I can't help but smile.

It's a Wrap!

Today Leah had her final vaulting moment...or at least final until she talks me into driving her over there because she has an open invitation to stop by to work in the barns or have a lesson.  Thanks to Alisa and Barb who have been such an amazing part of Leah's life these last 3 years!! 

 

Today they had the usual October show and Leah was allowed to participate as her final vaulting event.  She went as Pippi :)

 

I haven't seen Leah vault much for the last few months as I was dropping her off and Steve was picking her up and I have NEVER seen her vault on Tristan - the team's biggest horse.

I will admit that while I think her mount up is absolutely beautiful and stunning for such a tiny girl/huge horse combo, I always hold my breath until she's actually up!  (It's quite hard to see but it's the first couple seconds of the video where she gets on Tristan by running beside him, giving a big jump, throwing her leg up and over all the while using her arms to pull herself the rest of the way up.)

It was a very cold but VERY fantastic day.

The In Between!

 Because our outside looks like this...almost straight mud... in the back yard...

on the side 

and in the front!

But we can still use our tramp!!

This would be our room, our bed, their mattresses, their clothes, their toys, OUR combined MESS!

So we're sleeping here!

 So when my neighbor phoned me up yesterday morning and offered her clothesline for my wash??!?!?!  It was fantastic! That fresh air just perked us (maybe just me :) ) right up!  Thanks, Sue.

Another Beautiful Day

This morning I called my sister and announced I was going on a field trip and I did not need a babysitter! 

 

There may or may not have been a bunch of moms/dads/teachers who felt sorry for Cara and Cody as they were subjected to "stand together, SMILE!" for about 80 pictures.  But I really wanted to get a nice one of them together also in celebration of being 5.  I think this was picture 88 and the first one that Cara smiled.

See?

For you Auntie Care.

An absolutely gorgeous day at the salmon spawning grounds!

Leftover Paint

A little while ago there was a post on facebook that went something like this...

 

"You might be dutch when".... and there were so many great comments.  Then the other day I just laughed at myself.  If the shoe fits, wear it!

 

The twins were doing some finger painting (with brushes) and called it quits long before their ice cube tray palette was empty.  I just couldn't wash all that paint down the drain so I mindlessly started using it up.

As I proudly enjoyed my relaxing moments production I smiled... I know I might have some dutch blood when I have to stop everything I'm doing to use up the rest of some mixed up, already been enjoyed finger paints!

and the "babies" are.....

• FIVE!!
• super excited to be on the brink of opening some gifts
• giving me cheesy grins with their cakes

I tried a birthday party for the two of them together.  They were both allowed to pick 3 friends.  One little girl couldn't come. That made seven 5 year olds under my care for 2.5 hours.
I learnt something about myself.
A kindergarten teacher I am not.  Next time I won't be trying to mix boys and girls again!

Sure am thankful for these two, though, everyday brings another bit of fun!