Pay It Forward

I want to bless you so you can bless others. It is called Pay it Forward. When someone has done something nice for you or given something to you, you in turn do the same to someone else. If you leave a comment on here, you may receive a gift from me within the next year and then you can do the same for others.

I got this idea from Jen & Laurie(links on sidebar) but I am putting a different spin on it. They will send gifts to the 1st 5 who comment on their blogs but I want it to be more annonymous and invite everyone to comment, not just 5.

You don't have to be a blogger to participate, just leave a comment with "annonymous" and your name and email address(if I don't already have it)

Here are the rules:

1. Leave a comment letting me know you'd like to participate, as well your contact info.

2. Post a "Pay it Forward" on your blog and extend the same offer . (again, if you don' have a blog, you can still participate maybe over FB, Twitter or just in 'real life' situations!)

3. Promise that you will follow through and send something special to 5 people within the next year.

The little something something's don't have to be extravagant, just something that you select with that specific person in mind. Who can I bless with this Pay It Forward?!!

(So many of you read our blog but never comment but now's the time - don't be afraid to leave a comment)

Micah

Micah is now 7 1/2 years old or 90 months, he tells me. He is 40 lbs. He is not tall by any means but that doesn't slow him down.

One word is on his brain all the time - hockey!!! He is either playing hockey downstairs, watching hockey games(the only thing he watches on tv is sports) or sportscentre, on the computer studying stats or sorting & looking through his hockey cards. Soon he will switch modes to football & will be looking at football cards, studying the BC Lions (he knows all the stats for all the teams though) and he'll be playing football in the backyard. Like father, like son. .


Micah has just recently started riding a 2 wheeled bike. He had the bike last year but had no desire to ride it. He didn't care if he ever rode a bike. But he is riding it now. Micah is cautious about everything he does & was afraid of falling. I went around the boulevard with him a few times the other night & away he went. So here he is showing Bryan.

Click on the picture for a close up look on Micah's face.
Micah still hasn't lost any teeth. His teeth are getting ground down to nothing. I have been told that the longer they keep their baby teeth, the healthier their teeth will be as adults. I guess we'll see. The dentist didn't seem concerned at all.


Micah is what I call cautious shy. He is quiet and well mannered. He is a boy of few words. He is doing well in school but does not speak up in class discussions. The teacher says that he always knows the answer if asked but doesn't not offer answers if not asked. Being quiet at school isn't always a bad thing. He says that his classmates get mad at him sometimes because he does his work so quietly.(it is actually because they get their name on the board for talking & he doesn't) At home we even have a hard time getting him to talk unless it is about sports. Sometimes I feel like I am prying info out of him and it seems like too much bother for him to talk. I am so glad that he goes to public school even if it is just for the socialization and interacting with others.

The New Place

We went out to Heidi & Tim's new place and had such a nice time with them. They bought an old farm place and have fixed it all up. They have been in their place for close to a month now. I hadn't seen it yet. Bryan has been there a few times on his Wednesday travels.





Poor Jaken. Calleigh was constantly kissing and hugging him and talking to him and wanting him to talk back. At one point she was laying right on top of him just trying to love him. Good thing he is used to it(from Jada).

Jaken is a happy guy. He didn't cry once. He is eating solids now and is growing big. He is about 15 lbs now. Calleigh & Jaken wear the same size diaper. LOL

The dining room, facing south. They would like to put patio doors where the big window is & get rid of that door. Behind the table is the staircase.

(I'm putting this info on for you, Auntie Roberta)
I am walking up the stairs taking this picture. This is the family room where their tv is. Micah is enjoying playing the Wii with Uncle Tim. The house originally had 2 bedrooms and now has 3 bedrooms, bathroom, family room and a hallway. They added a dormer on the master bedroom which will have a door to a patio, eventually.

The bathroom on the main floor. Calleigh wanted a bath so I put her in the tub then Heidi pretended to shower her. The left side of the picture is a mirror & behind that is the laundry.

A lot of planning went into this place. This was originally the bathroom and a bedroom off the dining room and now is their beautiful kitchen (from IKEA)

All About Simon

If you already reasd this post about Simon, please read again. I added a couple of things.

I often do posts about Calleigh and I wanted to do one about the boys as well.

Simon is 4.5 yrs old now(will be on the 29th). He is 36 lbs and 40 1/4 inches tall. He is in the 25th percentile.

He likes to be a helper but only when he chooses. He likes to help in the kitchen. He has a mind of his own. Listening is not his strong point.

He is a very polite boy with manners and loves to give hugs & kisses. He likes to cuddle.

He will only wear size 4 clothing because that is how old he is. If I dress him in something that he does not want to wear, he simply takes it off.


Simon will be going to kindergarten in the fall. He knows his colors & numbers and how to print his name. He knows the alphabet but does not recognize all letters & call them by name. He knows S is for Simon but if I tell him to find a K, he would need help.

He is a philosopher. He asks questions and we wonder where it came from. He talks ALL the time. It took him a long time to start talking and then when he started after 2, he spoke in full sentences and hasn't slowed down since.

Simon is a perfectionist. He likes things to be "just so". In sunday school, his craft has to be perfect, the glue in the right spot, everything lined up etc. At home he is the same, his toast has to be cut just the right way. If he has a granola bar & it breaks in half then he can't eat it.

Simon is afraid of dogs (and cats) and we had one jump into our fenced yard last week. Simon & Calleigh were playing in the backyard and a big dog jumped over the garbage stand, right into Calleigh's face. No one was hurt but now they are afraid to play outside.

He is so caring. He says, "I'm a good mom to Calleigh" because if she cries, he hugs her & pats her back and says "it's okay Calleigh"

Simon likes to watch tv. His favorite shows are Berenstein Bears, Handy Manny, Busytown Mysteries, and Sid the Science Kid. He also likes to play games on the computer. He plays Treehouse and Curious George games.

He can really test us at times but he is so sweet at times as well. I can attest that no 2 children are alike. Our 3 are all so different.

Lists

I don't know about you but I love to make lists.

Lists of what to buy,

lists of what to bring,

lists of what to cook,

lists of what to pack,

lists of what to clean,

lists of things to do,

and the list goes on and on.

I read a blog post on likeawarmcupofcoffee that suggested to make a list of 6. Each day make a list of the 6 most important things you want accomplish that day - no more, no less.

So I am going to try this. I'll write it on the fridge 1st thing in the morning.

Then it suggested to "complete one task before going to another". I really need to work on this. I start one job and then the kids call so I go do something else, forgetting all about the first task. Do you ever feel like you make a list and nothing seems to get accomplished? I do. I have done lots but it is a bit of this & a bit of that & often I do things that weren't on my list & leave the important things behind. I am going to try harder.

Off I go to clean the bathroom that I started cleaning this morning.

What's New?

Not this. We bought this table at a garage sale for $1.00, probably 6 years ago, thinking that we would use it for a short time & get a new one. I could not find one that I really wanted or else they were too much $. So years later, we still have this table. But....




Out with the old, in with the new
My favorite wall in the house. I am showing you to update you on the paint. I painted into the kitchen now. I like it better.

Easter Sunday

I don't have many pictures of Easter Sunday. We videoed the scavenger hunt so couldn't take pictures at the same time. On Easter mornings, we have a little hunt for the kids. Micah said that he hopes that things are harder to find this year. So, to add a little to it for Micah, I came up with a scavenger hunt. On the Saturday of Easter weekend, I just sat down & the ideas all just came to me. I will share them with you, in between a few photos.


The following is the hunt(in bold). At each "spot" I had another clue. Some of the hiding spots, I had 1 gift, some had 3.

The story of Easter can be found in a treasure hunt
Open the football(egg) and look at the clue
It will tell you just what you need to do.

Jesus is risen just like He said
Go have a look under Mom & Dad’s bed

The donkey went clippity clop through the town.
Jesus rode like a king.
Look for something that makes a ring.
(I had something by each phone)

Calleigh finding her chocolate Dora at Mama & Papa's

It was the 3rd day and the stone was rolled away.
What will we take when we go out today? (Bible)

The Lord’s supper is what it is called,
You will find something down the hall.

“Take eat and do this in remembrance of me”
Can you see something that looks like a tree?

Just showing you her Eatser dress.

The soliders nailed Jesus to the cross.
Look under the chair of who you think is the boss.

(I had taped a DVD under Bryan's chair)

Jesus is alive. He is risen from the dead.
Take a look above your head.

Jesus died because He loved us and wanted to forgive our sins.
Is there a room in the house with a few little bins?(Calleigh's room)

They placed Jesus body in a tomb & rolled a huge stone over the door.
You will find something in this room placed on the floor.

The game is now over,
Did you have lots of fun?
It’s time to put the story in order
and then you are done.

Happy Easter!!!

I wanted to get a family picture or at least one of the kids but Simon would not cooperate so most of the pictures are just Calleigh. She almost didn't wear her dress to church. I was getting ready & Looked at Calleigh in her room & her lips & all around them were white. I then realized it was Sudocreme(diaper cream) & I said, "Oh no, oh no, oh no" & she quickly rubbed it off her lips onto her dress. Thankfully I was able to get it off. (no time for pictures)

Fun With Friends

We had the Kroeker's over for supper on the 11th which was Brandon's 2nd birthday.

Calleigh sitting with one of her favorite people, Tina. We are so glad she loves Tina & Dougie(only Calleigh calls him that) so much. They love to go there & ask when they can go again.

Good Friday

On our way to Good Friday Service, Calleigh in her new church coat.

Coloring eggs

Playdough

With the school break, we decided to make playdough. The boys actually have only played with it twice becasue they have been outside so much, which is a good thing. I am glad we are having such nice weather for the break.



Kool-Aid Playdough

2 1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. salt

2 pkg Kool aid

2 T. cream of tartar

2 c. boiling water

3 T. oil

Combine 1st 4 ingredients. Add water & oil. Mix all together with a fork for 3 to 4 minutes. Mix with hands when cool enough. Knead dough, add flour if needed. Store in airtight container.

This was a really easy recipe to work with. (No wonder I liked the taste of playdough when I was a kid - 1/2 c. salt, that is alot, 1 batch, I forgot the salt & it worked just fine)

Calleigh at 22 Months

Here are just a few random pictures of Calleigh.

I was just getting lunch on the table & turned around to see her licking the margarine.
"I smell 'em"


Calleigh and Auntie Heidi. Calleigh is wearing a hat and shawl made
by Great Grandma Heiberg.

At Rucker's - she thought it was so funny to climb up on the games. She had lots of fun there not even playing the games.

In her pjamas, Micah's toque & gloves and Simon's boots .

This month she:

- is weaned

-has developed an attitude (terrible 2s) She is a strong willed child.

-loves "Bean sa Bean" aka Mr Bean. She loves this show & it entertains her for a long time.

-she is always saying new words & talks in sentences, one of her new phrases is "Don't want to"
-we are trying to get her to like her Dora potty. It is "no way Dora potty" but we'll keep trying because I am NOT buying any more diapers.(I have some to use up) She tells us when she has filled her siaper & has done this for a long time now.

(I do these updates moreso for myself so I can look back)

He is Risen

Happy Easter to all of you.

May you be blessed.

Easter Break

Micah is off school for 11 days now. We had 3 way conference,(replaces parent teacher conference) where we went to the school & Micah showed us some of what he has been learning. He is doing well in school but needs to improve on offering answers & ideas. He is a very quiet boy. We even have a hard time getting him to talk at times.

With the easter break comes a schedule. Micah & I sat down and made a schedule for the week. The boys really need that. So we stuck to the schedule & had an awesome day yesterday - no fighting.

Workbook time - Calleigh wanted to do some "workbook" too. Notice the roses. I have a wonderful husband & shows his appreciation. Thank you Bryan.

We all played outside. We still have lots of snow in the

backyard so everyone was wet when they came in.

Calleigh got up on here & kept saying, "Mom, I outside" I kept asking her to come in but no way. Then she started taking her coat & boots off out there so I had to plod through the snow to get her.

A Weekend Away

We recently spent a long weekend in Saskatoon. It started with a concert of the Booth Bros & the Crist family. Calleigh was just a clappin'.

Then she crashed....

And after the concert, she was wide awake. Nice hairdo, Cal.
Oh, I guess this picture was before she put her pj's on. I put this one of Calleigh & Cory on so you can see one of her Schnookum bows.