A day at the Farm

When I was little, some of my most favorite memories involve Spring time!  The weather was getting nice, the snow was almost gone, the sun was warm, but most of all Spring Break, which meant time off from school!!!  When I would head back to school, kids would talk about their time off and what they did.  Some went to Mexico, others watched tv, some even went swimming!  

All their stories sounded so boring compared to mine, because no one (according to me of course) had as much fun as I did, because I was at my Grandpa's farm!  I have so many fantastic memories of being there, getting to bottle feed 1 hour old twin calves, have mud fights with my cousins, and eating my Grandpa's hamburgers.  

One year my cousins and I even got to become good friends with a cow named Limpy (only 3 legs, hence the name, we were creative!), we loved that bovine and visited everyday, bottle feeding it and just loving farm life.  Grandpa and my mom thought it was best not to tell us that we were just helping fatten this cow up for the dinner table!  After all we were just kids from the city, and we would be devastated.  A couple months passed and Limpy was gone - we knew where our friend had gone, but did not let on, until one night at dinner.  Grandpa had made his famous hamburgers, the three of us  (cousins) looked at each other and all at once announced that we thought Limpy made the best burgers around!  Needless to say, Grandpa and my mom almost fell off their chairs!

Anyways, my Grandpa passed away when Grace was only 9 months old, we were all sad to have lost this great man, but I was especially sad to know that my kids wouldn't get to spend their Spring Break at the farm.

Spring was in full bloom, and because we live so close to the outskirts of the city - there are hints of spring in the fields.  I'm sure I annoy Mike, because as we are driving I become a giddy kid again looking for the fresh calves in the field!  To me, a calf is one of the cutest things I have ever seen!  Definitely missing the farm on Spring break!

However, thank goodness for friends and family -  We loaded up the girls with their rubber boots and spare clothes and headed to the farm for the day!  Thanks to Uncle Norm and Kim for having us!

Grace hanging out on the tree swing

Olivia and Bailey

Olivia and the mud

Uncle Norm and Grace

Well Grace and Olivia absolutely loved it!  I could see if we ever lived on a farm we would have to get the girls those fancy dog collars that shock them if they roam too far off!  Grace was just happy to swing in a swing from a tree, and Olivia was happy to snuggle with the dog - as long as we were outside! Both girls loved watching the cows, feeding the horse, chasing the cats, and jumping in the mud puddles! We weren't even out of the driveway and both girls were fast asleep - all in all a fantastic spring day to spend on the farm!

Grace's Birthday Party

Well, Grace's party is over, and I think it was fairly successful!  And by successful, I mean, no major meltdowns, no double presents, no trips to the ER (I will explain later), and happy, tired kids!

We had Grace's party at Mike's school, because it is easier to have a whole bunch of kids that have been chugging juice, gobbling cake, and slamming candy expel energy in a gym rather then a living room!  Grace wanted to rollerblade, play wii, have a game of floor hockey, dance, go wall climbing, and run - so why not have it at the gym?

Hard to believe that Grace is 6!

Grace invited the usual crew - cousins, good friends, that we classify as family, along with some school friends.  One of the little friends has severe allergies, so an epi-pen was on hand, just incase.  Another friend chokes extremely easily!  I was a little worried, but luckily had my good friend Jenn on hand to monitor the eating situation!

All the events that Grace wanted to happen did, along with a candy bar, cake, and snacking on sandwiches, fruit, chips and of course cake!

Grace had to have a hockey cake!  Thank you Costco!!

After the party we headed back to Nana and Gpa's for a BBQ, and met up with those that weren't able to make it to the gym!  More presents were opened and more food was consumed!

These are the Hello Kitty and Angry Bird Balloons - they were a hit!

All in all it was a great day - and I can say that I am officially jealous of my six year old and her sparkly Toms!

Stylin' 6 year old in her Toms from Auntie Dayna, Uncle Dannie, and Leo

It's Spring!

Spring has sprung and we are ready for it!  

The end of winter brings the end of winter sports for the girls, Grace's 6th birthday, Spring break for Mike (which is almost over), Grace's birthday party, and then Spring Break for Grace!

Early in the month we attended a Easter egg hunt at Becky's cousin's church.  It was supper fun, there were crafts, then a movie, and then they let the kids have at it!  There must of been thousands of eggs for the kids to find!  They even had a little area for kids 2 and under, so that they would have a fair chance.  Olivia LOVED it - because if you know her, her food groups include, cereal, ketchup and candy!!

Grace and Mike attended the last Hitmen (WHL) home game of the season with her team, as a team yearend function.  The kids had fun, and Grace loved it because she got to have ice cream!  Weird how for my kids, their fun depends on the food that is served! :) Mike arranged for after the game, that a player would come out and sign autographs for the kids, as you can imagine, the Airdrie Firehawks were thrilled!

Olivia completed her last class of gymnastics - we noticed a huge improvement in her coordination and balance.  She went back to see her physiotherapist last week, and she was very impressed with her improvements.  A step in the right direction for our little Lou Lou!

We started the ball rolling for assessment purposes for Olivia and her funding for speech therapy.  We have to go back in April to complete the test.  If she receives the funding she will go to school next year - GASP!  If she does not get the funding required, we will put her into a small preschool class, so she can adapt to being away from us.  It's hard to believe that she will be three in September.

Grace and Mike played in a wrap-up game last night.  It was Airdrie Firehawks VS parents!  Needless to say, the kids kicked butt!  It was fun to watch, because the smiles lit up the ice.  I'm sure some of the Dad's maybe feeling a little tight this morning.  One of the dad's had the same gear he had from 20 years ago - I was impressed the it still fit.

Tomorrow brings Grace's party.  It's hard to say that we are parents of a SIX year old - WOW!!!!  Grace always throws pretty cool parties, and this year will be no exception!  We are heading into the Gym at Mike's school, there will be rollerblading, dancing, playing wii, and whatever else the kids want to do.  This year for goodie bags, we are trying something a little different then my standard chocolate and Chapters gift card.  There is going to be a "Candy Bar", where the kids can load up on candy (we will save this to the end, get them sugared up and send them home, hahahaha!).  The girls will take home Hello Kitty Balloon bracelets, and the boys get to take flying Angry Bird balloons.  I can't wait to see them - we are getting them made from a mom on Grace's hockey team- I will post pictures for sure.

Well winter is officially over, the days are longer, the sun seems warmer, and we can't wait to get outside!  Hope your Spring is shaping up as nice as ours is!

Big Day in the Harper House!!

So today was a monumental day - at least for the almost, so very close 6 year old!!  Grace lost her very first tooth!

Her bottom tooth had been a little wiggly for a few weeks now - but nowhere close to coming out, that is until lunch time.  I heated up some pasta for lunch, first off came the Frank's red-hot, after all can't have pasta without Franks, according to Grace.

Next came the Costco size container of parmesan cheese - you know the one, the one with the forever stuck lid, that as a parent I feel it is ok to open with my teeth - but scold Grace anytime her mouth gets close to the top of that thing!!

Well today, unfortunately, I was not on the ball and that container got close to Grace's mouth.  Next thing I know there is a shriek coming from that soon to be 6 year old!  The bottom tooth was gone, now just a hole with some blood - but no tooth!  Literally NO TOOTH!!!  Grace, devastated started searching the counter, the floor, her sister's hand, the dog's mouth, but the tooth was gone.

I know what you are thinking...Did she swallow the tooth?  Or perhaps the tooth is in that very large economy sized container of parmesan cheese?  So be warned, if you come here for pasta and ask for parmesan - you may get a little extra treat!

Grace came up with the wording for this letter all by herself!

Eyes open and mouth open is a difficult concept!

Happy February, Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy February, Happy Valentine's Day!!

Well another month is upon us and it has been steady!  Grace played in a tournament last weekend in Claresholm - she did great.  I snapped this picture of her and thought it truly captured her spirit for the game!!  We have another one day tournament in Chestermere on Monday!  Nana watched Olivia during the Claresholm tournament and took her to gymnastics!  Then on the Monday after the hockey tournament, poor Bev fell while running and sprained her wrist and broke her ribs!  She's hoping to get out to the tournament on Monday!

Grace LOVING the game!

I attended an information session for a preschool program for Olivia at the beginning of the month.  The preschool is run out of a public school here in Airdrie, it is called PIP - Preschool Intervention Program.  It seemed like a great program, as it has all the therapies (OT, SLP, & PT).  The therapists will work one on one with the children in their particular area of need.   Olivia will have to be assessed, and if she qualifies, she may attend the 4 day a week program.  After seeing the program, both Mike and I had mixed emotions, excited at the prospect of Olivia flourishing, but sad at the thought of her being without one of us for 2.5 hours a day!  However, after speaking to a good friend, she shed the perfect white light on the subject.  She asked if we would pass on therapy for Olivia at the hospital, and that we need to think of it as a therapy based program, rather then preschool!  Thanks - that was just what we needed.  Now we wait for the assessment!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Most people have an idea and notions of what they want and what they should give for Valentine's Day!  My only request this year was a box of 64 Crayola Crayons!  I know - LAME!!  But I have developed an addiction of sorts!  Pinterest!  I found this melted crayon art and was so hyped to try it!  I think Mike only bought me the crayons so I would stop talking about it!  Anyways he came home last night with my perfect gift - keep in mind it was MY idea of a perfect gift!!  1 dozen pink Gerber Daisies, a 2kg box of Dad's oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and a box of 64 Crayola Crayons!  Ahhhh, Heaven!  Only my best friend knows me that well!  Anyways check out my melted Crayon art below - it is going to go in the girls bathroom!

Crayon art - before melting

Crayon art - after melting

Mike was at the Flames game tonight - so no special Valentine's Day Dinner for us!  Instead, I got to spend time with my favorite 2 1/2 year old watching our favorite 5 1/2 year old playing hockey!  Can't really think of a better way to spend my day!!

Me and Lulu at Grace's practice!

Is it really Winter??

It is hard to believe that it is the last day of January when you look outside!  We have no snow, and have only had one super cold week this year!  Grace is very disappointed that there has been no snowman building, no tobogganing and just a few trips to the outdoor rink!

With that being said - we are not complaining!  In fact we were thankful for a mild winter day this past Sunday.  We headed west to Lake Louise to take in the Ice Magic - Little Chipper's weekend!  What a fantastic day - there is for sure more snow in the mountains, and as a winter lover, it was nice to see!

We had an excellent time, they had activities for the kids at the townsite of Lake Louise.  Grace got to try her hand at ice carving - Becky had told her it was pretty tricky, as it was an activity that she did while attending SAIT.  There was an ice tunnel, ice slides and a mini golf course made of ice.

Grace chipping away

Olivia heading through the tunnel

Olivia LOVED the slide!

After trying the activities downtown - we headed up the mountain to the Chateau to take in the ice carvings and to do some skating on the lake.  Becky has a new telephoto lens for her camera and she was anxious to take some pictures and look like a true tourist!  Many photos were taken, and the lens is well loved!  Grace could of skated all day if we let her.  The view of the lake and mountains never get old, and Mike has added an item to his bucket list.  Every year Lake Louise puts on a pond hockey tournament on the lake.  Hard not to want to play in that epic event with that amazing backdrop.  One year he will participate - I am sure!

Unreal View

One of their favorite things to do together!

"Getting ahead"

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!

A quick update...

Hard to believe that we are well on our way with the month of January.  With that being said, it seems like the New Year brings hustle and bustle to the Harper House!

This past weekend was spent in two different rinks, a hotel, and 2 different homes for birthday parties!  Busy - just the way we like it!

Grace had a tournament in Rimbey, it was lots of fun - she won the "Heart and Hustle" award for her team during one of the games.  The highlight of the trip - staying in a hotel with a water slide!!

We capped of the weekend with celebrations.  First off was Abbie's 5th birthday (Grace's cousin), and then off to celebrate Leo's first year!  Hard to believe he's one already!

Grace and Becky are off to the Flames game tonight - hopefully it wont' be a sleeper like the last game we went to, where Grace actually did fall asleep!  Olivia gets to hang out with Nana and Bubba!

This weekend brings another hockey tournament (4 games), start of gymnastics for Olivia, more Flames games for Mike, and a post Christmas party at Bev and Norm's!  Good times all around!!

Grace with her new toque - Heart and Hustle!

Grace going down the waterslide