It Always Starts Like This......

"Mom, can I just put my fingers in the water?"

"Mom, can I just pull up my leggings and go in a little bit?"

"Mom, my leggings got wet, Can I just take off my skirt and sweater and jump off the dock?"

And just in case you think Evan was an innoccent by-stander.....he wasn't!  I just wasn't quick enough to take the pictures!  It didn't matter to them that it was a chilly day in mid-September. It didn't matter to them that no one else seemed to be swimming and the beach was basically empty. And it certainly didn't matter to them that we didn't have bathingsuits or towels.....apparently Daddy's coat works as a towel just fine!!

 

A Much Needed Mini Getaway

We had booked this vacation weekend to Great Wolf Lodge several months ago. We were actually scheduled to go the last weekend before school started when we all (our family plus the daycare) came down with a horrible 12 hour stomach bug.  I won't get into the details but lets just say it was not pleasant in the least!

In hind sight it was actually a great decision that we postponed the trip.  The hotel was much quieter than usual and the weather was still warm enough that the kids were able to swim in the outdoor pool and enjoy a few rounds of mini golf.

I enjoyed the lounge chair by the pool, a great book, and glimpsing the smiles of my children as they headed off for the next activity.

Enjoy the pics.............

Daddy and Evan on the Lazy River

Claire just finished racing her friend down the slide!

Friends (and some new stuffies)

Wolf girl Claire!

Evan takes his mini golf very seriously

Claire....not so serious :)

First Day of School

The dreary weather didn't deter me from trying to capture the kids "first day of school" photos.  Everyone, even the oldest who normally isn't too thrilled about rising this early, seemed excited.  Claire and Evan's school which is normally a Kindergarten to Grade 3  has been changed to a Kindergarten to Grade 8 school while the new school (that is scheduled to open September 2013) is being built.  It was a tad chaotic there this morning as the student population had more than tripled and everyone tried to figure out where they were going.  Thankfully Claire was able to take Evan into the school (as the front entrance was completely jamed and there was no way I could fit in with the daycare kids and a stroller), find his classroom and make sure he was settled.  Such a fantastic help for this mama!!!
Enjoy the pics.......................

All ready for Grade 11

A little Brother/Sister love

Lookin' beautiful and excited to see her friends

First one up at the crack of dawn and ready to go!

Level 2......Take 2

Back for another try at Level 2 - and very determined!!

Deep water!

Fearless this time.....must've been from his experience cliff jumping at Grandma's this summer

Got the back float mastered this time around too

I have a VERY good feeling that Evan will be earning his Level 2 badge this time.  Way to go Evan!!  You are working so hard.....and it shows!!

Pregnancy Update

Well, I had my last appointment with my family doctor yesterday.  On the 16th of the month I'll be switching over to an OBGYN who is in Newmarket, which should make life a little more convenient.  I showed my mysterious itchy foot (and sometimes entire leg) rash to my doctor who didn't feel too concerned that it was anything more than a pregnancy related rash (quite possibly PUPP).  There is a more serious condition where a rash can be a result of the mothers liver not functioning 100% and not removing her bile and the babies bile efficiently enough.  This is quite a serious condition with some pretty scary consequences if left undetected.  But, she didn't feel like I needed to be concerned so I will follow up with my new doctor just to put my mind at ease.

I did find out though that at the moment I have Partial Placenta Previa.....which is a condition that results in the cervix being partially blocked by the placenta making natural delivery not an option.  There is also an increased risk of hemmoraging and premature birth.  In many cases the issue will resolve itself as the uterus expands and pushes the placenta out of the way.  It does mean that I'll be going back in for additional ultrasounds to closely monitor the situation.  Many women are placed on pelvic rest and quite often complete bed rest once they are diagnosed.  My doctor didn't mention anything specifically but I think I'll take it easy for the next few weeks until a full diagnosis comes in.  Don't want to do anything to risk the health of my little jelly bean!!
So aside from that drama I actually feel pretty good.........actually better than I figured I would when we first embarked on this adventure.  I'm having fun shopping for little Avery and creating a cozy nest for her to come home to!!  We can't wait!!!

On a slightly different note, we received our Ontario Social Services Homestudy Update a few days ago.  Basically it means we are approved to stay in the "adoption line" for China for 2 more years. 

I can't imagine how much grey hair I'll have by then.....lol

Just Some Sentences..........And Alot of Pictures

I totally realized that I'm doing a rotten job keeping my blog updated this summer.  In my defense it could have something to do with being a 6 month pregnant mama with 3 other kids to care for.......or maybe I'm just lazy. You choose.............

Everything is going well with the pregnancy, although I think I may have developed a pregnancy rash called PUPP.  For the last 3 days I've had an intensely itchy red rash that began on my feet and ankles but is quickly spreading. Last night I had itchy red spots all the way up past my knees.  I've been googling (since my next doctors appointment is not until August 1st) and it is definitely not poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac....and since we have really not been anywhere where I could've contracted either of those I am ruling them from the equation.  I'm hoping to get some confirmation once I speak to my OB GYN...........and hopefully some relief!

Aside from that the pregnancy has been relatively uneventful.  Baby Avery is a busy little girl...........loves to wake up around 3 pm and kick me until 3 am..............hmmmm.............gonna have to work on changing THAT schedule after she arrives.

In other news..........a certain little guy turned 7 on July 16th.  My parents treated us to a wonderful "Pirate Boat Cruise" on the Wennonah 2...........a steamship that cruises Lake Muskoka.  It was a total hit with the kids!!  So much fun!!  Evan also enjoyed a few birthday gifts as well as an "Angry Bird Arcade Birthday Party" with his friends a couple of weeks earlier.  The cake was awesome and Evan was super excited to play video games with all his best buddies!

Getting ready to cruise on the Wennonah 2

Waiting for the pirate fun to begin......totally gonna dress up next time!!

Pirate Captain Corbin!

At one point the ship is boarded by pirates riding jet skies........a mighty battles ensues and the intruders are tossed over the side of the ship............Evan's favourite part of the show!

Local tourists get into the action.....all I could think was that they have too much money and too much time on their hands.....lol

Another group of Pirate Tourists following the ship

This was the view of the boats that followed us on the cruise....wow

Taking in all the excitement!

Meeting Captain Corbin!

A birthday is never complete without a few presents!

Evan's Angry Bird cake from his "school" party with his friends a few weeks ago. Cute, eh?

Meet Avery Lynn Sit

WE THINK SHE IS PRETTY CUTE ALREADY!!!

Oh yes, it was.............

The ultimate Grade 3 class party ......aka: Claire's Backyard Bash

Where the kids bounced....ate popsicles....and hamburgers....hung out with their teachers this year

And embraced their "sillies"

It was so much fun!!  The weather couldn't have been better....if anything it was a tad too warm.  We kept everyone cool by occassional "mistings" compliments of the water hose!!  By the end of the night the girls were wet, happy, stuffed with yummy food (thanks for taking over the grill Adam!), and ready to kick of summer vacation!!

Today marks the first day of summer holidays and while I'll still be running a daycare summer camp over the summer we plan to still fir in lots of fun, swimming, picnics and outings.....in fact we are off to the park for a picnic right now.............BYE!

IT'S A....................

                                   GIRL!!!!!!!

We had a fantastic ultrasound tonight.  Baby looked great and the technician was very sweet and showed the kids her heart, stomach, brain, little fingers and toes.  The whole time Claire kept asking....."is it a girl?"  The tech kept everyone in suspense though until the very end when she "showed" us very definite girlie parts.  So it's another for the pink team...............and we couldn't be happier.  
We can't wait to meet you Avery Lynn Sit 

Oastler Lake 2012

With the car packed to the roof tops, and kids loaded in (and dog) we headed 1.5 hours north to Oastler Lake Provincial Park for a weekend of camping where we:

Perfected the perfect belly flop

Caught a few fish

Climbed a 10 story fire tower....while mommy took pictures

Overcame a fear of jumping into the lake

Enjoyed nature....made friends with a chipmunk....and had a close encounter with a racoon

And asked many times when we can come back again.......................