5th birthday!

Fun in Oroville!

Am I done yet?

We've had an amazing summer! Counted up the days, and we actually spent a total of 4 weeks in Oroville. Guess you can do that when you're "self-employed!" Ryken and Elliana, both love it there. All we do is go to the beach, the library, and the park. With a few rodeos, and demolitian derby's in between. Whenever it's time to go, Ellie puts on the pouty face, and demands that she's staying in Oroville. Maybe next year, they can both stay, longer, with Pa & Grandma D! Ryken had a great birthday, and had a pirate party with his friends. Everyone got an eye patch, a pirate name, and searched for the treasure chest, with Rob. They all had a great time! So awesome to be able to have 16 kids over in the backyard, and still have room to spare. Ryken is very excited to be 5!
So after a fabulous summer, fall begins. As does Kindergarten. we were able to meet the teacher at our house, before school started, which was great. Then the first week, and the first day of uniforms! Didn't go over too well with Ryken. The first day, was just until noon. That weekend, he tells Granna, that school was so long, and he thought that it would never end! Not even a full day yet! So I made the executive decision to pick him up at noon for the first full week. I don't want it to seem like he's getting an easy out, but at the same time, does a 5 year old need to bet at school for 6 hours? After a full summer off, with no time away from home at all? I think a slower transition, is what he needs. He keeps saying that he'd rather be at home. On the drive home, he asks "am I done school yet?" we'll see how the full days go next week.
Ellie is now in her big girl bed. She'd doing really well! We did try to take the susie away. Try being the key word. We thought we did it all right. Bought a new toy, to trade for the susie. She went, and threw the susies away all on her own. Then that night, she needed them back. We stood our ground, and offered her, her blankie instead. After about 45 min of screaming and throwing the biggest fit she's ever thrown, she was so hoarse, she could barely talk. She went to sleep around 10:30pm that night, and was up around 5:30am! And every night thereafter....with no naps!!! She had been napping 2 hrs a day, and sleeping from about 7:30pm-7:00am, when she had her susie. She was miserable! I kept looking at her thinking, who is this child?!?? Finally after 10 days...I caved. Bought a new pack of susies, and she's been sleeping ever since.Oh well. She might have won this time, but did she? I think it's a small price to pay, for a child who will actually go to sleep! We'll try again in a month or two. I know she won't be taking it to kindergarten, so does it really matter? Today I asked her "Elle, you're still my baby?" And she replies, "no I'm a big girl...sorry" Me too Ellie! They really do grow up too fast!

my big kids!

Well, it's been a few months, so here I am again with updates on our little family. We moved in December, just in time for Christmas, to a home that we'll be at for a long time. We're slowly making small changes, painting here and there, adding flowers, building a playground, to make this more like our home. The kids love it, and there's lots of room to run. The dogs love it too...yes I said dogs! we recently added a chocolate lab puppy to the mix: Trixie. She's a beautiful dog, and a great friend for Eddie. Very sweet, and great with the kids.
Ryken is almost done preschool for the year, and will start kindergarten in Sept. That was tough! Hearing friends talk about sending their kids to kindergarten, I always thought I wouldn't be like that. Teary eyed and sentimental...but I was wrong! Choosing the right school for him, thinking about where he'll be making friends, and what environment I wanted him to be in for the next few years, was hard! We ended up with a school close by, and I feel great about it. He seems to act older than his age of 4, and loves hanging out with our new neighbour who's 8, and very cool. ;) He's also a head taller than everyone in his preschool class! We recently had a mother's day tea party, and he did so well singing all the songs and doing the appropriate actions. In the car ride on the way home, he asked, " so mom, did you like your mother's day surprise?" I assured him that it was the best one ever.
Elliana is talking a mile a minute, and I've got a few cute stories. A few months ago, she was probably 22 months, she called me into her room around 3 in the morning. "Hi mom!" " Hi Ellie, it's time for bed." "Rykee's sleeping?" "yes" Daddy's sleeping?" "Yes" i replied, "Why isn't Ellie sleeping" She responds with a one shoulder shrug. "get baba?" she asks, "no" I reply. "read story?" she tries again.
"no" I say firmly. Then in her little one and a half year old voice, she says,"move it or lose it!"
I literally rolled on the floor laughing! This child will not be one to be pushed around. She knows what she wants!
2 weeks ago, i cut my foot pretty bad. Long story short, I had to have surgery to repair some cut ligaments and tendons. Ryken has been a great helper, and about 5times a day, he'll ask me how I'm doing. Rob has been doing bedtime with the kids, and a few nights after my surgery, Ellie asked Rob to pray. He assured her, that yes, we always pray before bedtime. Then she said, "pray for Mom's owwie foot." Awww.. so sweet! It amazes me that an almost 2 year old, can put that thought together. Knowing that we pray for things that we need help with, and that we should pray for my foot! I hope and pray for both of my children, that they will always have a relationship with our Lord.
Tonight, Rob was giving the kids a bath, and making their hair into shampoo mohawks. Ryken turned to Ellie and said, "Ellie your hair is funky!" Now, for about the past 2 months, if you say that to Elle, she'll reply with a scream, and get terribly upset. The girl likes to have good hair! This time she looked at Ryken and calmly said, "My hair's not funky, it's beautiful!" You tell him, Elle!
So now, I sit here with my foot up, and think I should be journaling more often. There's so many cute stories that happen every day, and I need to remember them! I'm planning Ellie's party, and can't beleive that she'll be 2 in 5 days! (If you ask her she says she's 4, but then she corrects herself, and says..."almost 2!" Not being able to drive (it's my right foot) and sticking close to home, makes me realize how lucky I am to have the family that I do. Not lucky, blessed. Rob has been a huge help, and always tells me to rest my foot, and not worry about getting anything done. which for me, is kinda tough. Anyway, I'm learning.

Christmas already? How did this happen? Ryken just finished his last day of preschool, for the Christmas break. Elliana is going to be 19 months? Really? They are getting so big, and sometimes, I try to hold on to them just a little longer. I've been helping out with Ryken's Sunday school class, and he thinks it's so cool that I'm a "teacher." I'm really just there to help out, but it's alright if he thinks that, keeps him in line. ;) Every time I'm there, he has to sit on my lap for the circle time. Almost like he's staking his claim. Funny, 'cause he's not usually like that, but I don't mind. He's not going to want to cuddle forever. I'm kinda dreading the day that he won't want to hold my hand in public. I know you have to let go, but it's going too fast.
Elliana is talking a mile a minute. The phrases that she comes up with daily, astound me; "now what?," "look at me," "see that?" " I want that one!" "rocky, rocky 2 minutes, mommy" " what'you doing?" "Eddie barking?" "try it on?" (at the store, looking at clothes.)"away 'n manger." "jingle way!" And my absolute favorite..."mommy hold you!" That one gets me everytime. I can't resist it. Doesn't matter where or when. When she says it, with her arms up, looking at me emploringly, I have to pick her up. And then she giggles. What a little imp. She already knows how to work me over. I don't mind though. Holding her and rocking her for "2 more minutes!" warms my heart, and reminds me of how little she once was.
They definately keep me running all day, but then comes bedtime. And as we're reading a few favorite stories, I hold them a little closer. And think, "let me hold you longer."

Let Go!!!!

I've been meaning to write a post about Ellie's 1st birthday, but time keeps slipping away. She turned 15 months yesterday, and is getting to be quite the handful! That 1st year really went way to fast, and I'm a little sad that my baby's growing up. Her birthday was so cute, and she had this beautiful pink, tulle headband/veil. She liked wearing it, and I think she knew she was the star of the show. She didn't want to miss a beat, and decided that she would have neither of her usual 2 naps, that day. And she wasn't even crabby! She opened her gifts, played pin the tiara on the princess, had her first chocolate cupcake, played with her friends, and had a great afternoon! She could walk along furniture at this point, but definately preferred crawling. She could go a lot faster, and needed to chase Ryken as fast as she could! She likes her own toys, but there's something alluring about a big brother's car that's kept behind his closed bedroom door. She doesn't give up too easily if Ryken is playing in his room with his door shut. Screaming, crying and banging on his door will be sure to follow. On her birthday she could say about 22 words, one of her favs.."basketball." She definately has a mind of her own, and knows what she wants! She has no problem getting her point across. she loves music and books, and is often found in a corner, quietly looking at her books. She is also very cuddly, and loves to rock with me. She gives great hugs and kisses, and has an infectious giggle. She thinks Ryken is the coolest boy ever, and loves following him around.
At 13 months she took her first step!She also had over 60 words. At 14 months she added "let go!!!" to her repetoire. Forget holding her hand while she walked, she could do it by herself! Changing her diaper has also turned into a bit of a nightmare. she doesn't want to take a break, she's afraid of missing out! She does love her dollies, and likes to give them a susie or a little bottle. Now at 15 months, she usually can repeat what you tell her to say. She watches us pray at dinner time, and is smiling with anticipation of the end, just so she can say, "amen!" So cute!!! She knows to say "pease," and "cacuu." If she hears our dog barking she'll yell "Eddie..wuiet!!!" She absolutely loves him, and has to see him everyday. She loves the cat too, is usually gentle, if the cat sits long enough while she screams with excitement at it. She loves the water too. swimming, splashing in her wading pool, watering my flowers with me, as long as it involves water, she's happy.
We're going through a bit of temper tantrums these days. If she doesn't get her way...watch out! She throws herself back, and i have to catch her head so she doesn't bang it on the floor. Then she just lays there and cries! AGHHH!!! She is getting a little bit frustrating! Then on the other hand, she has her terribly sweet moments. She can smile a second after screaming, and start laughing! She is full of beans, and keeps me on my toes. She's still seems small to me, and I like that. She'll always be my baby girl!

I had to write about a very cute, yet meaningful conversation that I had with Ryken a few months ago. it was a very warm day in the first week of Dec. Elliana was having her afternoon nap, and Ryken and I were taking advantage of the warm weather, and spending some time outside on the trampoline. After playing for awhile, we laid down on the trampoline, and started finding shapes in the clouds. We were talking about life, and I asked him who made the clouds. "God did" he said. Then I asked him if he knew that God lived way past the clouds. And he told me that, past the clouds were the planets. I said, " even past the planets!" Then I said " did you know that you can ask God to live in your heart? Daddy and I did that, and God lives inside of us." "But I didn't do that," said Ryken. " Do you want to?" I asked. He looked at me very seriously, and nodded with the cutest smile on his face. we said a little prayer, which he repeated after me, and when we said "amen" I told him that Jesus will help him know what's right and wrong, and that he will be with him wherever he goes. "Even as far as the mushroom park?" (a 20 min walk from our house ;)
Yes, I assured him, even as far as the mushroom park. We continued watching the sky change shapes, and after about 10 min, Ryken looked at me and said " did God just come right down from the clouds and into my heart?" Oh, my heart just melted. So sincere, and so in awe. Child innoncence. So pure.
He'll be starting preschool next week, and is so ready for it. He knows all of his letters, and can recognize them. He can spell his first and middle name, and loves to watch monster truck videos on you tube, with Rob. They went to Monster jam, and Ryken was so excited to see all of the monster trucks. It's his new obsession. He loves to make you laugh, and is starting to be very helpful around the house. Still loves to cuddle before bed, which I hope will last for a long time. He's getting so big and grown up! I love his hugs, and his face is so expressive, that you can't help but smile. My little Rykee...not so little anymore.

Well, since Christmas, we've had a few things going on around here. Jan. seemed to fly by with the kids keeping me busy. Elliana discovered her love of touchy-feely books. We read them every night before bed, and she know exactly which spots to look for on the pages. She also does not like to share them with Ryken. When he sits beside her and touches the book, she grabs his hand, pushes it away, and starts hitting her book and screaming. We have attitude already! She has "found her voice" and everyone knows it! When she screams so loud, i tell her very loudly to "stop screaming!" She does stop...looks at me, and start giggling. She is really very funny, and loves to giggle. She always wakes up happy in the morning, and is usually the most chatty, then. She says a few words already, "da-da, ma-ma, wow" and we've even heard a few times, "hi dad." She waves and claps her hands, signs all done, and leans in when you tell her to "hug." she's going to be 9 months in a few days, and I can't believe it! She's almost crawling now. she rolls around everywhere, and can get up on her hands and knees. Not quite going forward yet, but give her a few weeks, and she'll be everywhere. Ryken has said that when she starts crawling, he needs a baby gate on his door. He's quite protective of his cars...which she loves to play with! I just painted her room a very pale pink. Looks quite pretty with her pink crystal chandelier (which she reaches to touch every morning) and the "La Belle Princesse" sign that I hung above her crib. I'm trying to make everything so cute and girly, but I can just see her being a total tom boy, trying to keep up with her big brother. I can't wait to see them play and grow up together, but at the same time, I'm trying to hold on to every sweet moment. The smell of her hair, the feel of her soft, pudgy knees, her low voice babbling away, and the way she looks at me, like I'm the only person in her entire world. Mine too, Elleroo.

Christmas

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and once again, I'm in awe that we're already in another new year. We had a great time with both sides of our family, and Rob had 5 days off to spend with us. Ryken was so excited that it snowed! we haven't seen a white Christmas in years, and it was beautiful. Actually it's snowing as I type this. I love the cozy feeling of being snowed in. (For about 3 hrs, then I need to get out!) We spent Christmas eve with Rob's family, and Ryken had a great time with all of his cousins. The kids picked names this year. It was nice to see them enjoying the one or two toys that they got, instead of so many that they don't appreciate them! Elliana had a fever about 3 days before Christmas, of 103. Took her to the doctor right away, and he couldn't find anything wrong. Still had it Christmas day, and we chalked it up to teething. She is getting up 3-4 times a night, and is happy during the day, but miserable at night! She slept way better as a newborn! She's probably had a full bottle of advil by now, and i can't wait for these teeth to come through! i sewed a quilt for her for Christmas, and we love cuddling with it. She's gotten big so fast, and i feel like i already miss that little baby stage. Not that I want another one, yet, but running around after Ryken, I feel like i should've spent more time with Ellie. I've put Ryken on a waitlist for preschool, and if he gets in, that'll be a few hours of just me and Ellie time. She loves to chat, and can wave, and sign "all done!"
Ryken was veyr excited about Christmas, and loved his toys. For Brunch at my place, Uncle Justin dressed up like Santa, and Ryken wanted nothing to do with it. We've always told him the real meaning of Christmas, and that Santa's not real. When he saw him, he said, "thats just uncle Justin." But he wasn't so sure. Elliana loved him! Smiled the whole time he held her. Ryken wouldn't even stand by him.
We went up to Hemlock for the New Year with our friends Ryan & Erin. Had a great time playing games, and taking it easy. Rob took Ryken snowboarding and he loved it! He did so well, I couldn't believe it! He lasted for over an hour, and only fell twice. He could use either foot in front, start on his own, and at the end of it, he was even jumping a bit! He got new ski goggles and thought he was so cool...I did too! i can just see him in a few years, heading to the top of the hill, with his dad.
Rob wants to take him a few more times this year.
Can't wait to see where 2009 will bring us.

Elliana turned 6 months old Nov.24th. How did that happen?!?! She is rolling over like a pro, sitting pretty steadily by herself, and the other day, she pulled her legs up a bit, and was rocking on her hands and knees. No! She's way too little to crawl. I started her on cereal a few weeks ago, and am introdcing fruits and veggies. So far her fav. is sweet potatoes. She always tries to grab the spoon and feed herself. We're doing sign with her as well, and Ryken loves to show her how. She's still saying "mama, dada," and other baby babble. She loves to cuddle, and her favorite thing to do is watch Ryken. She tries to watch him constantly.He can just be sitting beside her, and she'll look at him and laugh. He is so cute with her, and loves to make her smile, although sharing his cars is still a bit tough. We're all set for Christmas, decorations are up, presents are bought. I'm looking forward to some quality family time this year. Christmas day is going to be a little quieter for us this year, which I'm totally ready for. With all of our extended family traditions, we've never really taken the time to do our own family traditions, and we'll be changing that this year. Brunch with my family at our place, then no plans for the rest of the day!
Our house is still on the market. No offers in sight. Not sure if we want to drop huge in price, just to sell. Then we'd wait it out in my parents suite, 'till we found something that we liked. I've never lost money in real estate, and i really don't want to now! But the market is awful for sellers! I haven't found a place that i loved, so i'm leaning towards sitting it out for another year or 2. Ryken loves his neighborhood. Great friends, huge cul de sac, and having a park in the front yard doesn't hurt either. We'll see. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be...right?

We went to Ryken's cousin's birthday party a few weeks ago, and it was a superhero party. Well now, everytime we play, we have to pretend we're super heroes. The good guy...the bad guy...save Elliana!!! Lots of fun. :) The other day we were in getting ready to rush out the door, and I couldn't beleive we had time to spare, without being late. I thrust my fist into the air, and shouted "I'm supermom! do-do-do-do-do-do!!!" Ryken looked at me and said, "mom you're not a superhero." And I said, "didn't I tell you? I'm supermom!" He believed me for a minute or two. But then He looked at me suspiciously, and said with those expressive eyes of his, " but mom, you don't have a cape!" Ohhh...shoot. Should have thought of that I guess.