another day, another birthday

Well, we've gotten through birthday number 3 of our February/March birthday run.  Clayton had a good time turning seven.  He was given some ramps and half pipes to go with his tech decks and those have been keeping him busy.  He requested a Superman cake, but I convinced him to settle for a Superman logo.  I tried to make it look alright, but here's my pathetic non-crafty attempt:

Clayton told me as long as I tried my best it was good enough.  Big vote of confidence.  Oh well, it still tasted good.

And here's just a fun picture of Malcolm falling asleep after begging for a sandwich at bedtime.  That always makes me laugh.

Seven on Sunday

Here we go with the list for this week:

1. Beautiful spring weather that has rejuvenated everyone.  We'd better not take it for granted because they're calling for snow this week.  I realize this will not be prairie snow by any stretch of the imagination, but when you don't get more than a dusting all winter, the thought of it is kind of depressing.

2. Speaking of imagination - it's great to have kids that can dream up so many stories and games. They keep each other and me entertained.

3. The ability to read.  I have been reading the Lightning Thief series and I realize how grateful I am to be able to take myself away from life for a brief period of time and be anyone, anywhere, doing anything imaginable.

4. A husband that tries to hard to be everything he needs and wants to be.  He works so hard at school, and at work, then comes home and strives to be a great father.  We wouldn't trade him for the world.

5. The ability to work and the blessing of employment, even if it is infrequent. 

6. Having been taught how to work when I was young and not being afraid to tackle it head on.

7. Sisters who inflate my ego a bit when they call me to ask questions about kids and household things because they think I might know something after having been there.  I like to think I've learned something, but somedays I wonder.....

First BBQ of the year

Today was such a nice day we decided to take a break and head down to Barnet Marine Park for some crabbing and hot dogs.  The picnic was great, the crabbing was cancelled because the tide was waaaaay out, too far to be able to throw the lines.

You can see all the pier posts and get right underneath to the water.  Below is a picture of all the starfish hanging out on the posts and rocks.

We had fun just wandering the beach exploring, building sand castles, and stopping to see the flowers. 

Monkeys and Blossoms

These two monkeys are really keeping us on our toes lately.  After spending a day cleaning up flour from someone stabbing it with a pencil, erasing pencil off the walls, breaking up fights and hugging them when they fall out of the trees, it's nice to take a moment and enjoy the beautiful blossoms coming out all around us.  Dad asked me to put on a few pictures of the flowers as they appear, so here's a start.  The cherry blossom trees just opened up this week, and our greenery in the front patio has little purple flowers peeking out from under the leaves.  It's a real breath of fresh air in March when even the plants are ready for spring. The landscapers were even mowing the grass this morning!   

Seeing Double

For three weeks of every year we have two boys who are the same age.  This year they happen to be three.  What a crazy time!  For anyone who has twins, I feel your pain.  It seems the minute Spencer turned three he became three times as stubborn, three times as cranky and a whole lot more independent.  We've been dealing with this with Mac for a year now, and we thought we had it figured out.  But Spencer has spent the year watching and waiting - and he can lay it on pretty thick.  Malcolm, on the other hand, has let Spencer fill that role and has reverted to wanting help with everything.  He apparently can no longer get dressed on his own, his legs no longer work and he can't manage to lay down in bed and go to sleep alone anymore.  And this was our best sleeper!  We, of course, will ride it out and see if things get any different once Malcolm turns four on the 19th.  Some people say change is gradual with age.  I don't know.  This time feels like we were hit by a truck and it just keeps going!  We love them though.  All I can wonder about is what it will be like when they are teenagers....HELP!

Dan's Seven on Sunday

Dan is this week's guest writer.  Let's see what he found good in this week...

1. Having two three year olds at once.  It gives me something to look forward to for age four knowing that three will end.  Of course, one day they will be two fifteen year olds...
2. I can ride my bike in February.  (motor and pedal).
3. Grateful that children forgive easily and are resilient.
4. The canadian women honored our canadian pastime by kicking american butt.
5. Grateful for the olympic hockey tournament format.  It's nice to be able to lose a game and still take home the gold.
6. I'm grateful I haven't been admitted yet due to my stress levels with school.
7. Parents who drive their children to 6 am hockey practice so they can grow up to score game-winning goals in overtime in the olympics.  (Heck yeah!)

Date with Stanley

Here's a photo that Dan is very proud of.  He considers it the "best day of his whole life".  He was able to visit the Canada Exhibit downtown in the Olympic hooplah and he thinks he's figured it out - this is the only way the Canucks could get the cup here.  LOL. 

He and his clients visited all the festivities today and had a fab time.  I think he will take the older two down on Friday so they can have a taste of all the fun.  It is almost over, but what a good time it turned out to be. 

"I BELIEVE"