Trip out East Part Two: The Residence of Choice

Upon arriving in TO we had to wait FOREVER for our rental van.  We understood when we saw the Quebec plates that it must have been driven in special for us from Montreal.  We figured that a Quebec van was actually a good thing, because when our DD Brucie, was a crazy driver on the 401, we knew people would just say "Crazy Frenchman!"

While waiting in Terminal 3, an Airport Policeman (? I had no idea)  on a scooter came scooting by, he was very nice to stop and let us take pictures of his "hog"... the kids were pretty impressed!  I would have been impressed had he let them actually take it for a spin!  

Our residence of choice in Belleville was Chateau Paradise.  What a LOVELY place to stay.  We had the most amazing hosts, the most delicious food, the greatest laughs and we felt completely welcome by everyone, including Charlie!

Mark's sister Andrea and her husband Ken were so gracious... they bought special food, craft supplies and had Treehouse On Demand for the kids, they had Coke for Mark and they bought a coffee maker and brewed coffee for me each day, complete with flavoured creamer!  We were so spoiled!  The kids ate Froot Loops in a trough sized bowl, they drank Sunny D out of coffee mugs and they colored and played play-doh and did stickers till their hearts content!  And of course there was that cool helicopter and oh, not to forget to mention, Charlie.  (I think I will do a post all about Charlie, including the story of our one night stand... keep checking for that one!!!)  Here are some pics of the kids being spoiled rotten.

Play doh creations...

Yum... pancake breakfast...

The famous "sauca"  with balls of beef...

Coco sharing her pizza...

And the only word to describe our stay...

Trip out East Part One

We had a completely wonderful trip to Ontario!  Everything went so well.  I think I will Blog all of this in segments because I really was a good Mommy and took lots of pictures!

I'll start at the beginning... the first flight!  The kids loved the airport and the airplane, and even Coco did super great on the plane.  It's a 2 hour flight but with the whole process of getting up at 4:30am, then driving to the airport and checking in, then going through security, the kids did remarkably well.  I haven't flown (flied? flew? flewn?)  in a long time, definitely not since the new security due to 9-11 and I'm not normally a deceiver, and I honestly didn't try to sneak anything into the plane... While waiting in line they come around and ask if you have any creams, lotions, gels or liquids.  We all said no and then when my bag went through it's special tunnel, they pulled me aside and went through it and discovered a giant jar of butt cream (Nicole's not mine!)  Oops!  They are actually quite lenient for mom's flying with babies.  Unfortunately they must have thought Mark looked a little suspicious because while one worker was digging through my bag, the other one was asking Mark to remove his watch, wallet, belt, jacket, and shoes.  Once he was redressed, we were able to purchase our Tim's and board the flight!

Jayme sat with Auntie and Uncle for the first part of the flight.  Brady sat with us, both got window seats.  It was still so dark in Winnipeg when we left, so they didn't get to see much during take off.

The typical out the airplane window shot!

I must say that I really loved WestJet, they were so accommodating to us flying with a baby and they were so happy and nice, I liked them!

So here's my second attempt...  

Nicole loves having an audience, and the audience loves her.  I had to set the camera on the counter to catch her on this video, she often gets upset when I point the camera at her, so I tricked her this time.

Singing in the Tub

I've been trying to catch Nicoley singing and finally I did while she was in the tub... so cute!  She is singing "Stand up Baby, Stand up..."  My favourite part in the "ooh a ooh"  

I'm sorry it's kind of blurry... it's my first attempt at posting a video, I think I may have used the wrong setting!

New and Exciting

So I'm wondering what's new and exciting around here, and I can't really come up with much.  I feel that life is very, very enjoyable, very, very amusing, very, very busy, and really very satisfying, but that may not constitute exciting to all who read this.  But nonetheless here is what's "new"

Nicole has a new obsession with her Dora doll, she takes it everywhere and even sleeps with it.  She gets quite upset when anyone takes it or plays with it, or when I make her leave it in the car ("Dora can't go swimming Sweetie")  Brady has come to know, as only a  big brother can figure out, that he can get quite the rise out of his little sister if he torments Dora.  Today he was holding her (Dora) hostage with a plastic knife held to her neck.  (Do I need to be concerned?)  Needless to say he was very sorry after the spankin'.

Jayme loves reading, she's been good at it for quite some time, but now she actually likes it, she really enjoys Junie B. Jones.  We've even ordered a 10 pack set from Scholastic and she's agreed to let that be considered her allowance for the next month.

I've started teaching aerobics at the church on Thursday mornings... 

We're going on an airplane soon... THIS is exciting.  I'll try and remember to take lots of pictures.

Nicole says many more words, among her new favourites are "C'mon Dada" (or Mama, or Jay, or Brady)  Whoever she want to do something for her (usually find her susu)  Another favourite is "Show on"  we have a big TV addict on our hands.  She uses "help" a lot too, again usually for finding a susu or when she gets "stuck" in her highchair... watch for a video to be posted as soon as I get around to it!

I guess that's all I can think of that's new around here!  Life is good.

My Son, the Sweetheart

Today Brady made me SOOO proud... it was Book Sale day at school, the grade sixers were selling used books for 25 cents a piece, so Brady brought the loonie and a couple of quarters that I "paid" him for cleaning his room and bringing in the recycling bin from the back lane.  He bought a Dora book for his sister (so thoughtful!) and some truck books for himself.  A buddy of his had forgotten his backpack at home today and therefore his loonies were forgotten as well, so my sweet little guy gave his loonie to the buddy!   While walking home with the buddy and buddy's mom, the mom told Brady what a good friend he was and Brady didn't know whether to say "Thank you" for the compliment or "You're welcome" for the being a good friend!  His buddy had only bought one book with the loonie from Brady, so he proudly showed his mom the change he got back!  Sweet deal!  After Brady was given his change back I took him to the mall to buy a big gumball with his "moose money" and I told him that Jesus was proud of him too.

Nicole's First Swimming Class

This morning Nicole and I started a Mommy and Me swimming class... she LOVED it!  She is really quite the water baby.  I tried to get her picture a few times and I kept getting the back of her head because she was looking and pointing at the "wallow".  She kicked and splashed and "dumped" off the edge of the pool!  I think she liked that part best, we'd sing Humpty Dumpty and then she'd jump and said "dump dain" (jump again!)  

Brady's Shiner

The pictures don't really do it justice but this was a doozie!  This morning Brady was racing with a girl in his class and one zigged while the other zagged and they collided.  It started swelling right away and by lunch time it was red and by 3:30 pick up it looked like Brady was wearing purple eyeshadow!  Mark told him that that's what happens when he chases girls... and he adamantly reminded us that they were "racing"

Princess Party

Nicole was invited to a Princess Party.  It was just for her, no Big Brother, no Big Sister!  She got to keep the crown and as you can tell by the smile, she sure had fun!  I really couldn't get over how cute she looked!

When she got home she seemed really excited to show Daddy, Jayme and Brady her crown and her treat bag, with a

 bracelett and a ring and some treats!

  She

 tried it all on and pranced around like she was the princess!

Nicole's Social Life

Since I have my mornings with just Nicoley, we have been keeping ourselves busy!  It's almost too quiet to just stay at home (Ahhh! What will I do when she goes to school?)  

We go to friends houses, have friends over, go to the mall, or go to McDonalds.  It's fun and actually easy having just one kid.  She still loves her Susu, so when we drive places it's allowed and it sure is quiet!  I sure do forget that one-child life, and funny how I thought I was busy then!! ha

Max and Nicole at the Playland

Copy Cat

It's so cute to hear Nicole copying so many of the things we say.  She says them so cutely and so sweetly.  She tries so hard to say everything we tell her.  We ask her to count and we say "one" she says "two", we say "three" she says "four" we say "five" she says "six" then she copies seven, eight and nine, then she says "ten!"

Today she came in from playing outside with Brady with a new word: "Farthead"  Unfortunately she said it so clearly and it actually sounds quite cute... from a one year old.  Hmmm, I don't remember the other two saying things like this at her age, she must be advanced!

The New Guy

So they've finally hired our new Kindergarten teacher.  I guess all my hounding the principal really helped!  Friday at lunch Brady comes home with a note in his backpack saying that their new MALE Kindergarten teacher will be starting on Monday.  (emphasis mine)  I tell him and he says "Oh yeah, he was our helper today"  So I start... 

"How old is he?"  

"I dunno, he never told us"  

"Well old like Daddy or old like Grandpa, or younger?"  

"I dunno"  

OK, so then "What does he look like?"  

"He has black hair and he's tall"  

Then me: "Was he nice?"  

"Yeah"

"Was he loud?"

"No"

I wasn't getting much, I'd have to wait for the meet the teacher coffee and muffin time.  So I met him today and sure enough he is tall with black hair and nice and not loud.  I guess time will tell.  It is a male dominated class this year so I guess a male teacher can't be a bad thing.  S'all good.

One Week In

Well we've just finished one week of school.  Not such a bad start, we had a few issues to iron out, but overall not awful.  Jayme had an after lunch panic moment where she decided that she was unable to attend school due to the fact that we were all going to be at home without her.  Once the drama ended... we all felt better.  

Brady still has no teacher.  He started the year with a sub and it's rather day to day at this point.  We get to the doors each morning and wonder who will be greeting the class of, well still babies in my opinion, babies who need stability and firmness.  Although at this point I think that school is more about the buddies, the gym, and the new songs he gets to learn.  The teacher therefore is inconsequential.  Which is good, maybe it's just me who is stressing about this subject. Too bad I get dirty looks and curt answers when I ask (daily) if they've hired someone.  Maybe Mark was right, I should have put my resume in!

I have enjoyed my mornings with Nicole, she has had quite the social life!  She has had coffee out 3 times and had one friend over for coffee.  Well OK maybe for Cheerios, but she has quite enjoyed all this time alone with Mommy and has decided to become extra cute!  

Brady's Next Birthday Party

It's only September, and Brady's birthday is in March, but we often will talk about what the next party theme will be.  OK so I'm a teacher, so yes we do theme parties (I'm not the only mom out there who does)  We've done princess (Jayme's 3rd - before we knew that she's not a "princess girl"), we've done Clifford, quadding, barn theme, just to name a few.  So the kids are always thinking about what the next theme will be, they get to pick (sort of) now that they're older.  Jayme wanted Spiderman, but I convinced her that a "Craft Party" would be much more fun, and girl appropriate.  So Brady had a great idea today for his next party.... it will be a Surprise Party.  He comes to me and says: "I want a surprise party for my next birthday.  You and I will go out and all my friends will come here while we're gone.  They have to get here before me.  Then Mrs. Moore will be in charge of them and we'll come home and the whole house will be dark, and you'll unlock the door and then turn on the lights and all my friends will yell "Surprise""  Well that's planning... and I thought I was the planner!  I guess I should ask him what day he would like his Surprise Party!

All About Nicole

             Mark said I should do a post all about Nicole and she is just so darn cute that of course I agreed.  Here are just a few of my favorite pictures of her.  She is such a funny little thing and she has so much personality.  She laughs so easily, screams so easily (especially when her brother bugs her) and she cries so easily too, although I think this is forced, she really knows how to play us!

She is talking so much now, today I think she repeated the last word or two of everything I said.  I guess it's time to ask Mark to start watching his language!

We really enjoy her so much, we are quite taken with her. 

Nicole enjoys playing outside, we put up a new backyard play structure this summer and the kids love it! It has a tall slide for big kids, a baby slide for babies (Nicole has lots of friends) It has swings (Coley's favorite) and the "piece de resistance" is a Letkeman Sized tire swing, is a semi-truck tire and it authentically Jade. It easily fits 3-6 bums, depending on the size. Nicole's favorite thing to do on the swing it to run into it and swing back on her tummy, she lifts her little legs and swings a few times, then runs into it again and swings again. Hours of fun, I tell you.
   Nicoley, as we often call her, or Coco, or really any other pet name, including, but not limited to Boo, BooBoo, Dolly, Poopey (which is German for Dolly... not the other thing) , Coley, Rolie Polie Nicoley and CoCo LaRoque (her stripper name?).  This one came for a couple on Brady's soccer team, the dad  liked the name Coco while they were expecting, but the mom insisted that with the last name LaRoque, it would sound too much like a stripper, so I think they picked Julianna.  Nicoley likes to talk on the phone, she picks up any toy phone, real phone, cell phone, or even remote control and "answers" it "Hello" Then she babbles and tilts her head back and laughs and says yah, yah yah, and then usually the caller wants to talk to me, to which I have a short sweet conversation and then tell her that it's for her again, and then the process repeats until I tell her to say Bye Bye.
Nicole is such a Daddy's girl, more so than the other 2 were at this age (of course Brady is a little Mark now, but he still always has loved his Mommy) Nicole LIGHTS up when Mark comes in the room, it's almost pure excitement. She giggles and runs to him, he of course is smitten. If I try to take her from his arms, she adamantly shakes her head NO, and slaps my hands away, then cuddles down into his shoulder. It's really quite cute, and sometimes we do it just for fun, to see her reaction.
This was a picture from Nicole's First Birthday, she absolutely loved her cake, so much that she was licking her plate clean, she was lucky to have 3 little parties for her birthday, that's a lot of cake testing for a one year old, not that she complained!

More Summer Fun

We had so much fun at the lake this summer.  We were blessed to have good friends out to visit with.  Mark did a lot of quadding and took Brady with him a lot.  Brady is quite the little man, he would ride all day and he doesn't complain at all.  He figures he is on a first name basis with Mark's quadding buddies, he says things like "There's Harv's quad" or "Harold has the fastest quad"  We do teach him to say Mr So and So, but he really thinks he is one of the boys.  

Both of the kids took swimming lessons at the lake pool, they did great and passed their levels.

September Start Up (Boy Child)

It's Brady's turn to start school.  Today was his first day of Kindergarten.  He was so excited, he was up just after 7 am and came bounding down the stairs with a big smile on his face, although this is pretty normal wake up routine for him, he is a morning person... like his dad (NOT his mom).  We

 walked to school and he kissed me (3x's), kissed Nicole (4x's) and gave Jayme a hug (only one).  He went in, looked back and waved and that was that!  That was when MY tears started, I knew he was ready, I knew he was excited and I knew he would be absolutely fine, but for some reason I still cried.  I didn't think I would miss him, because truthfully I am kind of looking forward to some time with just Nicole and well, he is busy and I could use that break from him!  But still, it's a change and my sweet little guy is entering into the whole new world of public schools and it will be different now forever.  OK I'm welling up again now.  When I got him at lunch time, I got the biggest hug and the tightest squeeze, and that made me feel so good.  He had a great morning... they went on a tour of the school, got to run around the gym two times, got to go to Music (the teacher is pretty - score) , listened to 3 stories and sang O Canada, just like at a hockey game.  He sang a few lines just to tell what the voice sounded like on the intercom... "O Canada, our home is made of land..."  He looked so handsome and grown up today, I am so proud of him.  I was so happy he was home, we even did 4 puzzles, played 3 games and had a "nap" on his bed, complete with snuggles.  Boy do I wish Kindergarten would last forever (OK, tears again)

Summer Fun

Here are some cute pics that really just say summer.   My sister (the amazing talented Cate, of Cate Photography) did a photo shoot of the kids eating fruit, this was a job to put up artwork at Fresh Cafe on Corydon.  So yes, the Letke-babes are "art".  Go check it out and check out Cate's website too: catephotography.com

Nicoley loves fruit and was more interested in eating it than smiling for the pictures, good thing Mark was around, because this daddy's girl smiled for him.   

September Start Up (Firstborn Child)

Well here it goes, I'm going to try my hand at this blogging thing.  Those who are looking at this probably know us, so I'll just ramble on about the kids and put up a couple pictures and that will be that!

Jayme started Grade Two today... I can't believe it!  She is getting so big.  It was a really early morning today and the adreneline  rush only lasts so and so long, so yes, there were tears.  "I forgot my snack inside at recess and now I'm starving"  Normally there wouldn't be tears about snacks, but today with all those emotions and feelings, we had tears.  I'm 25 (ok maybe not) and I sometimes have a hard time handling my feelings, I can't blame a 7 year old who is starting a new school year, in a new class, with some new students, and a new teacher and in grade 2 there's a new door to enter.  These are big things... not to mention the end of a relaxing summer where our day plans didn't ever even begin until 9 am. So I need to remind my self that these tears and the "sassy/grumpy" talking (and calling Brady "worm boy")  are the result of an over tired, over newness, under slept little girl and not the results of Grade Two Attitude... let's pray that that doesn't come later.