Very Vogel: August 2009

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Loooong Days

The last couple days have been LOOOOOOONG. To say the least.

They are the first 2 days back with all 5 kids after 3 weeks off. And to put it nicely, its kicking my butt.

Sometimes I really question if I have made the right decision. Of course, I love the fact that I never have to put Sweeter & Spud in Daycare.... But

Maybe I am not cut out for this?

Maybe I am not doing a good enough job?

Maybe I do need to have a job with adult interaction to stay sane?

I don't really have the answers.

I simply keep plugging away at it every day, and hoping that it is the right decision, and that it will be alright.

But on days like this, I really wonder.

Oh...and in case you are wondering, I have neither the time, nor energy right now to do my last vacation post. It is coming.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

My new Obleek

Totally off topic, as I have one more holiday post to do, but looky what I ordered! its a custom purse from Obleek on Etsy...love. You get to pick your purse design, and then customize it by picking a fabric, the number of pockets etc, etc.

Since I somehow got paint on my old purse during my recent home reno's I actually did need a new purse.

They also make custom camera straps, which I also want...ahem...need.

Isn't it pretty? Mine is in a fabric a little different from this one (Antique Brown Damask if you are interested, and looking on her site)

My hope is that the purse will be big enough to throw a couple diapers, wipes and a sippy in along with my essentials, so that I don't have to carry a diaper bag.

I have heard nothing but rave reviews of the bags she makes, plus they are all handmade and the seller is located in Edmonton! And considering the whole thing came out to less than $70 dollars with my add-ons, and with shipping, I am pretty pumped!

Not that I think anyone cares about my new purse, but I am excited and wanted to share an awesome find. Etsy is a terrible addiction!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Holidays Part 2: Calaway Park

The next day, we went to Calaway Park. I was a little concerned about going, as I had no idea how many rides Sweeter would be able to go on, nor did I know if she would even like any of them. We were a little early getting to the park, so it wasn't open. Sweeter was FA-REAKING out that we weren't going to the rides (for some reason a 3 yr old brain doesn't quite comprehend the term "CLOSED") and I was stressing because she was yelling, and Spud was crying...we were off to a great start to the day, when suddenly...we found...A PLAYGROUND! As if dropped from heaven for our very use (OK. Maybe there was a school. And we randomly stumbled upon it. But thank GOD we did.) After a quick play, we headed to the park.

First Ride

High-Five after (Sweeter was a little scared, but she was so proud that she did it!)

Spud's fav part of the day..a place where he could run free! I love the 2nd pic, just because of the interest the fence adds to it.

The best pic I could get of my 2 kiddos.

Driver Spud. The kid loves steering wheels!

Proud train passenger

Daddy/daughter ride!

Spud's usual expression throughout the day. He was NOT happy to be penned in a stroller

Just before we left...can you tell he has had it? look at those heavy eyes!!

Nothing keeps 2 grumpy kids quiet like Rainbow lollipops!

After the park, we headed to Cochrane, in search of a highly recommended ice cream store, http://www.mackaysicecream.com/. MMMM.

Spud passed out on the way home, and we spent the remainder of the day swimming at the Hotel Pool.

Holidays Part 1 : The Zoo

The first stop on our vacation was the Calgary Zoo. We took the kids last year when Spud was only a couple months old, and I can see this becoming an annual tradition! The day was beautiful, and we managed to see pretty much the whole zoo before we had to leave because of Spud's nap time.

Boy meets Tortoise....

Daddy and Sweeter watching the Hippos

Mommy and Baby Giraffe (last year I got a pic of the baby when he was brand new! So cute)

Tiger checking out the kids

Sweeter meets Elephant

Silverback Gorilla

Sweeter watching the Gorillas

The baby Gorilla, so much like Levi! Last year they were both Newborns, and the similarities between them is almost creepy!

Meeting of the minds!

Levi Chillin'

Lions

Hippo's going for a swim

Eating Breakfast! The Hippo's are HUGE!

Hope you enjoyed, and stay tuned for more Holiday pics!

Home again, Home again....

We made it! Yesterday's travels were less than stellar, but the rest of our vacation was simply fantastic!

No, I did not forget my camera, and yes I have a ton of pics I want to post, but I haven't got around to downloading, or editing them. I am hoping to post some later today or tonight.

Cody and I both started back to work today, lucky for me I only have one dayhome kid here today! I cannot believe how much he has changed and grown over the 3 weeks I didn't see him! I swear he has grown a full head of hair, and lost all his baby fat. He looks all grown up!

As for my monkeys, they are great. Spud in particular is loving being back home where he has free range to roam, and Sweeter wanted to go directly to the basement last night to play with all her toys.

Being gone is great, but it sure makes you appreciate home too, huh?

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

How Am I....

supposed to say NO to this??????

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Not Me Monday!

As always, please head on over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/ to see what Mckmama and Co. have not been up to!

Wow! I haven't done one of these in awhile!!

Lets see...

This week, I have not...

enjoyed just hanging out with my kids. I have not realized that taking care of the two of them is pretty easy peasy.

was not puked on by Spud. I have not been puked on by him so many times that this no longer phases me.

did not send my daughter back to her own bed somewhat angrily in the middle of the night, as I had already been up with her once. She did not start to cry, and it did not end up that she had had a bad dream. Thank goodness her Daddy rescued her. And for the record..I Did feel like crud after I found out she was scared. :(

did not spend too much time sanding wax crayon off my table.

did not allow Sweeter to pee on the grass in the middle an open field surrounding a playground. NEVAH! My kids are civilized.

Was not relieved when my kiddos went to bed last night. I always want to spend time with them regardless of the fact that they are cranky monsters!

Until next week!

Plethora

I have been knee deep in a plethora (isn't that a great word??) of home improvement projects. I guess vacation to me = catch-up-on-all-the-things-you-have-been-putting-off time! I am really excited about the changes though. No I am not telling what they are...not yet anyway. For those of you who know me real life, come on over in a couple days and see. For the rest of you (Is there really anyone else reading??) I will perhaps post pics in a while!

OK, OK...here is a teaser of the prep! Guesses??

And just because I think my kids are C-U-T-E, and even cuter when they are sleeping, check out these pics!

Truly, is there anything better than a sleeping child?

Friday, August 7, 2009

Slacking

I have been slacking in the "blog" department the last little while. Right now, I have no kids in my dayhome, as they are all on Summer vacation. I am just lovin' the time I have with just my kids! It's hard to imagine that I used to think caring for the two of them was tough, Now, it truly is a vacation for me!

Yesterday, we headed up to Edmonton, I took the kids to Fort Edmonton Park in the morning, and then we went back to my sisters for Spud's nap. Once she arrived home from work, we went and did a little shopping on Whyte Ave, and had supper. I of course, managed to forget my camera in the car AGAIN!!! So frustrating, as Sweeter had a blast on the Steam Engine, and Carousel at the park, and I would have loved to get a pic or two.

I have 2 more weeks "off" and then I am back in full swing with the Dayhome come August 25. We haven't got any plans for the coming week, but the following week, we are off to the zoo and Calaway park in Calgary, and then meeting up with my family in Fairmont for a few days! I cant wait, and you can bet I wont be forgetting my camera!!!

4 years ago....yesterday

4 years ago, Cody and I were married...okay make that 4 years ago, yesterday. No I didn't forget, the kids and I were just MIA the whole day yesterday!

I cannot fathom how 4 years have come and gone, but I guess we have been busy! Ya know, with having 2 kids, moving 3 times, building a house, new jobs...etc. etc. etc.

Happy Anniversary my husband! Love you so much!