Baa Baa Black Sheep

Activities with Daddy

 Martin got all professional with the pumpkin carving with the girls this year!

 They all piled into the bathroom downstairs to check out the pumpkins!!  I thought it was hilarious how they took this whole process so seriously!

 Cleaning the seeds to roast, they all helped out, not sure how involved Maria got, she really wasn't too fond of the slimy goo.

 Later the big girls and Daddy went outside to clean up for winter!  Lauren stayed in and colored.  She really gets into coloring for quite awhile, I'm not sure I want her to be growing up so much already...

 Pictures in the leaves!!

Get Away

This past Thanksgiving weekend Martin and I were able to get away for a few days.  We decided to take a road trip to Cape Breton as the colors were showing their best.  We made a stop in New Glasgow to take a look at the rental properties.  Also stopping to check out an empty lot for some development possibilities.  Real Estate is always a hot topic when we get out on our own.

Next stop was the Red Shoe Pub, owned by the Rankin family in Mabou.  We had a great pub experience, but didn't stay late enough for the live entertainment, as our pillows were calling us.  We then headed to Baddeck where we booked a room at the Inverney Resort for two nights.  We had a great stay, taking in the busy holiday vibes, tour groups, family gatherings, and other couples seeming to get away from it all. 

 

As we walked through Baddeck, we saw a kid's yellow boot in the water just off the walkway.  We also took the opportunity to take the ever popular 'selfie'.

 

On the Sunday we went for a road trip, on a mission to find a certain waterfall.  We stopped for the views, breathe taking, and full of color.

We took a side road thinking the waterfall might be down there, we only seemed to find an off road dump.

 We also saw these cows, just randomly grazing on the hillside

 Potential??  There is always potential

After driving for quite sometime, we decided that we weren't going to find this waterfall and that we would head back to Baddeck and drive out the next day to find another.

 

We again took off down some dirt road, crossing this single lane bridge with a gorgeous scene.

 We continued on this dirt road, reassuring each other that as long as there were power lines we were good.   When we hit the snowmobile roads, we decided to turn around and track back...

 Then all of a sudden there it was an official sign leading to a parking lot full of cars and a detailed map on how to hike to the Waterfall??!!  we so didn't take the most direct route there, but we did have fun on the way.  The hike took about 20 minutes and 20 minutes out, it was a gorgeous climb with many awesome views.

 another selfie, what fun

 Martin decided to see if he could hike to the top of this waterfall, I got a glimpse of him half way up, but then he disappeared for a good 20 minutes until I saw him again on his way down.  He said that the waterfall continued on further, how awesome it could have been to continue to hike on up, but that would require some pretty good climbing equipment.

 On the way home we stopped at Rita's Tea Room for thanksgiving dinner and pick up a little souvenir for my mom who has wanted to go there for some time. 

 

We had a great weekend away, it was so nice to have adult conversation continuously, enjoy every meal in silence or at least proper conversation, the ability to sleep in, and most of all, no watching the clock for bathroom breaks, and food breaks.   Thanks Mom S. for watching our girls.

Highlights from the Fall

Half way through October, what a gorgeous fall it has been and continues to be.  Trying to recap all we have done in the last 4 weeks or so, lots is all I can say...

 

Starting with Maria,  she continues to soak up all kinds of new and great things at school.  As she sings her songs, recites her bible scripture, participates in weekly chapel, and shares what Mrs.Wilson is teaching her, we feel a confirmation of making the right decision in sending Maria to the Christian school here.  Maria has also had a birthday!  Our oldest is now Five.  Today she was about to put her underwear on and saw the number 4, she declared, "mom, there is a number four on this, I'm five, it doesn't fit me!"  I then told her I wear size 7 and am 31 so there, end of discussion.  The struggle with Maria is her melt downs on Fridays especially,  school certainly tires her out, hoping she adjusts soon.

Nicole is doing really well with preschool, learning her colours, numbers, and ABC's.  Nicole seems to be developing a strong liking for everything pink and pretty.  She seems to think that she can only wear skirts or dresses.  I found a pair of pink jogging pants yesterday, there was no fight in wearing those.  Pink pants it is!  I still struggle with Nicole and her inconsistent use of the toilet but small steps and slow progress are being made.



And then there is Lauren, what a kid!  She has lots of personality, the ability to melt you, make you groan, and then just shake your head!  Lauren has a few bad habits we are trying to break, for example; throwing and hitting.  She has broken a few things, including her smoothie cup, and most recently my glasses.  Lauren does not like being left out and is determined to go along with Maria to school or Nicole to Sheilagh's, or with both girls to Sunday School.  She also seems to have very strong vocals when she's mad or when she's excited.  We aren't quite sure what to do with such loudness,  Nicole seems to get close to matching her, but Maria just puts her hands over her ears!!  Lauren is also starting to have some words and even sentences, I can recognize words with the syllables or sounds... her chatter is coming along.

 

With the new routine of school every day for Maria, a few half days for Nicole, and coffee break Thursday mornings, we are a busy household, spending lots of time in the van.  Saturday is our go no where day.   Martin falls in and around these schedules too, with no routine in his work schedule, he's here when he's here and gone when he's gone...

My parents were down for a visit recently and we had a great time, mom and I got a day out, pretty much, Lauren tagged along for awhile.  Martin and I got away for a few days and had a great trip to Cape Breton, will post that later.  We celebrated Maria's birthday, and we went to the Aylesford Zoo in the valley.  We sent my parents home this past Thursday.

 

 

Well that is a brief recap of our lives as they are now.  Not getting into too much detail, but as you all may experience, life moves quickly as the kids grow, entering new stages, leaving behind others.  I continue to strife to be a good wife and mom, praying fervently for peace, patience and understanding.  And amidst it all, remembering to enjoy the moments and instead of wishing them by.

First Day of school for Maria and Nicole have passed and we are getting into the routine quite well.  Maria has said she is a 'math girl' and knows all about math already!  Nicole enjoyed meeting all her new friends and was told she was a great helper! Lauren, well she's just kicking it up a notch in personality, climbing, and being loud!! 

 

 The forced smile on my face is something common this early in the morning, patience and perseverance is essential to getting out the door for 7:30am every morning. 

20 months and she's walking!!!

The Conclusion of Our Summer in Ontario

I have wanted to do a blog again to conclude our time in Ontario, but was overwhelmed by all the pictures(and I don't even have them all yet, Katrina.) Finally deciding to just do it and post it.  We did so much and had such a good time, I could write on and on about what we did and the adventures the girls had, the relationships that grew, the stories that were shared, and the memories made.  Thank you families and friends for a great time!  Love each and every one of you!!

 Fun times at the Cottage with the Schuler family

 Nicole driving Uncle Ed's boat!

 

 Maria and Nicole collecting shells at the cottage

 

 Allison and Lauren

 

Hot Tub!!

 

okay, so I thought hard about a caption for this, just not sure...it's just that this is the only picture of the two of us...

 

 What, you left the girls out in the boat on their own!!!  MARTIN!!  (okay so we was standing right beside them and I cropped him out)  I can't lie...

But this he did do, tied the girls on the back and took them all for a cruise around

 

Memories had camping with the Geertsema family

Aunt Katrina, doing what she does best, crafts, stories, and songs! and according to Maria, braiding hair too.

 

Singing 'itsy bitsy spider' with Anneke, love that girl! 

Cousins, playing cars, and below as they did most of the time, using their imaginations

 

 The youngest two of the bunch, such cuties they are

 

For Lauren, camping was just exhausting, all that work!!  This was more of a tantrum then a nap. Such a girl this one!!



 

More memories and trips in store for the summer, this time right here in Nova Scotia and also in P.E.I, stay tuned but don't hold your breath!