Happy Birthday...

November 27, 2006
Spencer, Bryce and Madeline!! Love you all more each day.
The triplets turned 4 yesterday, and what a day!It had been snowing the whole day before-which is not a usual thing around here. We get rain, we do not get snow! So, mommy didn't get out to get any supplies for cakes, meals etc for a special birthday. When we get snow the city is not prepared. We don't have enough plows to clear all the roads, then on top of that we live on a private road-if we want it plowed we have to pay. Stuart and Dean from across the street shoveled two paths wide enough for vehicles-one from his house to the top of the road, and one from our house to the top of the road. We woke up yesterday to about a foot of snow-cold, icy and yucky. The kids woke around 6ish-earlier than usual cause they are all sick! Coughs, runny noses. I am sick as well. We went down for breakfast of waffles with fresh blueberries and cool whip (no fresh whip cream like planned). The kids ate tons of just blueberries and all the cool whip so we had to move to blueberries and ice cream! For breakfast! We gave the kids their presents-bikes and helmets. The bikes are a bit bit, but Madeline mastered it riding around the living room with no furniture. Bryce was starting to get it, but kept pushing on the brakes instead of peddling forward. Spencer was too sick to even bother with his. He sat on it for a bit then got off and went upstairs for a nap.
Anyways, I had to do payroll for work, so I headed upstairs to the computer for a couple of hours. When that was finally all done I headed down to try to throw together some sort of cake for the kids. I had bought the fresh fruit-blueberries, raspberries etc to put on a cake slice for them, but had no cake mix, and on top of that no butter to make a cake from scratch! Ugh! I was going through the recipe books looking for something that I could throw together when....Out went the power! YUCK and UGH!. We played for a bit, cleaned for a bit, read books, did puzzles, Spencer had a second nap, I make crackers and cheese for lunch. Then, they got bored. They were cold cause we had no electricity, so no heat. It was dinner time, they were whining, cold etc. We heated up Bob the Builder pasta on the camping stove for the kids with a side of apple slices, banana slices and raspberries, crackers and cheese ball. They were not impressed with it all. They were cold. It was 4 hours since we had power. So, we packed up the kids and headed out for MIL and FIL's house who had power. Stopped on the way to pick up a cake to have for the kids. Stayed at MIL's house for about an hour, then left the kids there for a sleep over. Stuart and I came home and piled covers on the bed and hoped that the power would come on throughout the night. Some houses have been without power since Sunday. It is cold here minus 3 was the high with minus 10 over night. We read for a bit, then went to sleep. The power came back on at about 3:30 am. The house warmed up and so did we. So, not what we were hoping for a birthday for the kids, but we will make up for it on Saturday for the party!

Hard Days

I knew that raising kids would be hard, but who would have thought that it would be doubley (is that even a word?) hard to fight with your husband on how to raise them. A simple trip to take all of them for a haircut turned into a husband with road rage yelling at Spencer just cause he was acting like a four year old boy. He was whining and crying because he was hungry, and his daddy didn't like it. He got a yell and a stearn warning about being quiet...which, of course, didn't help, but just made him cry even more. Mom consoled him while getting angry at dad. Which, turned into a fight about proper parenting. He wasn't mad at Spencer, but at the heavy traffic. Hungry at dinner time....imagine that!
I will stop my rambling on, and try to forget yet another fight about parenting.

Half Marathon

It's all done and over with. What a day, what a time and I can't wait to do it all again. My time?? 3:02:32 Fabulous!! I woke at 5 am to be able to shower, get ready, have some breakfast before the 7:30 am start. I was tired and grumpy. To top off the early morning it was raining!! It had been sunny straight for an entire week, and we wake up run morning and it is raining!! Blah! There is nothing that I hate more then rain...I live in a very rainy climate too. I headed out and got to town about an hour early. Enough time to walk to warm up, and check out all the activity. Stuart had started the full marathon at 6:30 am. I missed the start cause I was standing under a shelter! Start line was exciting with the whole group of 4020 were waiting to head out. We counted down from ten and then were off! I walked for the first k, and then hit a light run for awhile. I walked whenever I wanted and ran whenever I wanted. I just wanted to finish. I had some minor pain in my right leg and both of my knees. It was cold and raining-my hands were numb for the majority of the race. I forgot Kleenex to blow with...I am sure that all the people around me that heard me sniffing wish that I had brought some!! I was tired around 10k- the most I have ever ran, but I kept going. People were passing me, I was passing people. I chatted with a few, then saw the oldest lady in the race who I talked to two days before when I picked up my race pack. She was 83 and walking the half marathon! What an inspiration. I welled up with tears of joy for her and only wish that I will be that active when I hit my 80's. I saw a father pushing a stroller on the side of the road quickly removing the rain gear off of the stroller so that his son could watch and cheer for his mom as she raced along. I had a few inspirations along the way. I saw the race coordinator while I was picking up my package two nights before. It was Stuart and I am all the kids in tow. He looked at me and said 'Wow, you have already run more than a few marathons...Beautiful family'. I am proud of myself in both my athletic and family goals. I am doing the best that I can in both raising my family and also finding some time to achieve another goal that I so set out to achieve. I have achieved my goal of running in a half marathon, and do realize now that I can do it. I would like to do it again, and will for many years to come. My body aches, I can barely walk down and up stairs, but I am proud of myself. I do get to go for a wonderful massage tomorrow too! The city seems to come alive with the Royal Victoria Marathon. It has been a yearly event for 27 years. http://www.royalvictoriamarathon.com/index.php With approx 10,000 people running and walking in all of the events-8k, half marathon, marathon and kids runs. The finish line is amazing. The people cheering and encouraging you along the whole route. What an amazing experience...one that I will not soon forget.

Madeline

Madeline is almost four and always has so much to say. She is full of love, hugs, words, energy, smiles... She is a real girly girl. All pink-skirts and dresses. She loves to sing and dance, and gets embarassed when you catch her doing it by herself. Madeline loves to bake, shop, read, do arts and crafts. She loves to swim and play at the beach. She tries to act like she is older then she really is. She likes to hang around with the older girls in the neighbourhood. She is shy when meeting new people, but will quickly warm up to everyone. Her smiles is heavenly, and her pout stops you in your tracks. Madeline can be stubborn, tough, but also very understanding. She is easy to reason with and generous.

Spencer

Spencer is the oldest of the kids, and the smallest. He is sweet but can be a handful. He loves to snuggle and read books. He plays very well independently. He is the only child the we have 'Lost' more than once. One call from Stuart had me racing home to find Spencer---he ended up being in bed. Another occasion was when we were camping. He obviously loves to explore, and you can just see the wheels in his brain working overtime to check everything out. He is cute and always has something to say. He loves to give raspberries on your cheek for kisses. He likes to play with army guys and cars. He likes to bake with mom (as do all the kids). His smile makes his whole face glow.

Bryce

Bryce is an active almost 4 year old. He loves to run, jump, play ball, read books, color, make necklaces, cuddle and rough house. His smile is so charming you melt when you see it. His temper tantrums knock you to your knees. He is wonderful, but tough. He is stubborn like his mom but a big softy. He has 'his' stuff and no one can touch it but him...even if he gives it to you. He collects stuff and won't put it down for days. Loves to eat pancakes for breakfast every morning...usually eats two a day. His other favorites are cooked brocolli with cheese, chicken wings and fruit.

Claire

Claire is most certainly a wonderful kid. At 2 years old she talks in full sentances and has a total mind of her own. He facial expressions are amazing! She has a smile, frown, worry (furrowed brow), an amazed looking face...and many more. She loves to copy what you say, and repeat it over and over. A true delight to our family. She is also going through another biting time that we hope will end as well. She earned her first sticker on her 'poster' today. We didn't think that she would ever earn one, but she managed to clean up the books when she was asked, and earned the Superman sticker that she asked for! Way to go Claire! Once I figure out how to add pictures I will post some.

Our house

We bought our house almost 3 years ago. Our townhouse was getting way too small, and with another one on the way we couldn't even imagine what it would have been like! Madeline, Bryce and Spencer share one big room above the garage, and Claire has her own littler room. We figure that it is almost time to get Madeline into her own room. We are in the process of moving furniture, buying new stuff to fix, having old stuff refinished, trying to find a painter, trying to pick out colors, flooring, cupboards for the kitchen to be redone....and the list seems to go on. The old den will now be Madelines room-right across the hall from Claire. We just have to move the computer first which involves our cable company to come out to help us with that! Then, the painting, putting the furniture together, and waiting to have the three pieces that I am having refinished come back. I have my Gramma's old bedroom set-vanity, highboy dresser and vanity stool. It was built in the 1930's and needs a little updating. I think that it will look perfect in Madelines room once it is all done.

Swimming

There are so many joys to parenting. I can't even name all the ways that my life has changed since having kids. I am truly blessed with 4 little wonderful people.
At swimming last night I was in the pool with Claire and she was jumping off the side of the pool into my arms. I would catch her and she would say 'more Mommy, again!' She was kinda just leaning off the edge on Tuesday nights class, then last night she was jumping with her legs bent back!
I wouldn't have thought 4 years ago that I would have 4 kids by now. I do admit that it is not an easy job raising kids, but it sure brings you a lot of pleasure in life. I think that it can just get better as the time goes on. The way that they are all talking and using words to describe things. It is a wonder where you can find joy in, but yesterday Bryce said 'tiny'- 'this tomato is tiny.' I have never heard him say that it has always been 'little.' I smiled...knowing that I have played a part in helping learn such words, and knowing that he is just getting smarter everyday.

Lisa's Ramblings

I hit a reality as I went out to run the other day. I still don't enjoy running. I thought that over time I would start to really enjoy it...but I don't. I started to walk and ended up going about 7.5k I ENJOYED myself while doing it. I love going to the gym and getting a good workout in, and I love to walk. I am not sure where that brings me with the 1/2 marathon that I have signed up for, but here I stand. I have contemplated over the past couple of days about walking the 1/2 and seeing how that goes-maybe running a bit here and there, but simply going out and just enjoying it as a walk. 21k is a long walk, but it seems that much more manageble to me right now. Maybe by next year I will find running easier and more enjoyable. Maybe not though.
The kids had swimming last night and all seemed to enjoy themselves while they splashed and played. I was in the water with Claire- catching her while she did jumps off the edge and encouraging her to kick her legs.

Happy 32nd to me!

I can't believe that I am now 32 years old! I came home today to 4 screaming children shreaking 'Happy Birthday to Mommy'. What a wonderful suprise :) Just a quiet dinner at home with the Stuart and the kids...followed by a yummy looking strawberry cake.
I bought a five foot tall Scarecrow today-a Halloween decoration.Very cute and I can't wait to be able to put it out.
The weather is changing and you now notice the bit of chill in the air with fall coming. I used to always think that summer was my favorite, but every year when fall comes around I can't wait for it to hit full force! The cool breeze and the leaves changing.
Preschool has started for the older kids now. Mon, Wed, Fri afternoons with swimming lessons for all of them on Tues and Thurs evenings.