Chopped and crushed.

Our lovely maple trees are going to be "pruned". That's an arborist's friendly way of saying "chopping a limb off." I guess we could say we're downsizing them. WAH! Poor trees! *Sniff sniff!!*

Oh the other hand, we're keeping the wood, and maybe one day we'll get an open fire pit. There is actually one you can buy at Crappy Tire that is LEGAL to have. You can actually have a fire in your backyard without getting a permit first! Wahoo! (I think maybe I should move to Nunavut. Not only do they not have restrictions on backyard fires and clothesline locations, it's also the perfect climate for me!)

And in the fall, I like to watch the leaves falling from the trees.

The above is a quote from Ole Risom and Richard Scarry's book "I am a bunny." Philip's favorite. Still. If only the kids would like it more...then he could always read it aloud without embarrassment.


It started dreary looking, and rain was predicted for our walk. But it cleared up and was lovely and warm (warm for me, chilly for everyone else). I even saw a white tailed deer hide in the bushes, but only for a few seconds. The more social members of our party, and the children, however, missed seeing this beautiful, elusive creature. I guess that only leaves me as a witness.

We went for a walk here again. There probably are better walks around, and perhaps, even closer ones. But this one used to be closer before we moved. So anyone who has visited us for any length of time has probably gone here. But I still like it. Or, perhaps, am liking it more. I think it is growing on me. I may even, as time goes on, begin to enjoy the landscape in Ontario. I confess that it has already, in three years short time, become less flat.


Don't I just have a natural artistic flare?


Dead organic matter rotting on the dirt, only to become dirt too. Oh yeah, and people walking by too.

I love fall!! On the subject of leaves...we had 17 bags of leaves picked up as yard waste last pick up time. That was only two weeks worth too yet! I nearly cried when they took them away. Such a shame! Just imagine what a huge pile and what huge fun I could have had in that huge pile. But now my yard is neat. *Sigh*


Just to prove that me and my baby did come along! Just in case you thought it was the deer that had been taking all the pictures.


A bridge over troubled waters.


Looking at the sights we've all seen before...but still is worth seeing all over again. After all, it's necessary to have fresh air far away from houses and with as few people around as possible, right Dad? That's the best way to invigorate me. :)

So...who wants to go for a hike? Last week Derek asked if I would come with him. Oh! Oh! I do believe that if I didn't have kids I'd have hopped on a plane that very moment. OK, maybe Phil would have stopped me too...but he was at work at the time. :o


More wildlife. The teeniest tiniest turtles I ever did see. Very cute! There were two of them, plus a squished one. They had to cross the path to get to the river. They're so small, so I assume that the just hatched recently. Isn't it amazing how God has made them so slow, but still born knowing how to get to the water?

Out-law

Two things made me suspect that my candid photography was not appreciated.

*evil chuckle*


It gets dark MUCH too early now. I officially un-approve of time change. It isn't as dark as the picture, but the sun started setting around 5. Think of how many more pictures I could have taken if there was more exterior lighting!
*cackle cackle!*


It's still fun in the dark though--as long as you're not tired. Yesterday we were driving home in the twilight.
"Wah!"
"What's the matter Melanie?"
"It's dark, Mommy!"
"Yes. It's dark, Melanie."
"I don't like it. I might cry, Mommy."
She really likes saying she "might" do this or that, as a mild sort of threat or plea. My usual response is "Well, I might spank/put you to bed."


We had to get a bigger car seat for Matthew, so Nathan is busy filling the empty box (just about as tall as him) with a tonne of presents for Grandma. How come I don't get presents like that? :p OK, well, it's just a box full of his toys, so I'm not THAT jealous.


Our mini mop. Nothing like a boy that works just as good as a Swiffer.


Cleaning up the table while I'm slacking. :) Almost makes it worth making the food. Although if he didn't have a female helper, I would still have to go through and clean up anything he deems "too challenging."


Bonding with the bedtime story.

Eatin' like a horse.

About a month ago I was spoon feeding Matthew directly from a baby food jar (yup, they all say specifically on them to not do that :) ) for dinner. I couldn't understand why he was so grumpy, since he was obviously hungry.

Philip says, "That's because he wants YOUR dinner."

So ever since then he's been chowing down our food, with a few exceptions--raw carrots and other too-many-teeth-required food. Also nuts and a few other allergy prone foods that the docs advice keeping away for a while yet. It's so much funner eating yourself, and making a mess of it!



He's also drinking from a cup mostly now too, except his "bedtime snack". Yay! I'm feeling less like a cow and more like a person again. A while ago myself and two other moms were feeding our babies at church and some guy came along and said

"Looks a like dairy farm with all the cows lined up!"

GOOD THING I had a baby in my arms and not something hard and small that I could peg at him. Good thing for HIM anyways.

Ouch

Time for shots again.
Poor kids.
I delay it until they're old enough to know what's happening and can work themselves up into a fearful state.
But it's over now.

Melanie was telling people she had an owie in her belly from the lady. Must not hurt that much if she's that far out in locating the source. She was also complaining about owie ears. Belly, ears, shoulders, same thing, right?

Spring and Work Perks

Spring has returned early this year!

We had lunch outside. I was barefoot. It was sooo lovely! An unexpected bonus. :) We took some "time off" after lunch and just enjoyed the weather, 'cause we just had to. Now what other jobs are this flexible?


A bit of soccer and digging to tire them out before nap time! So very smart of me. *I strain and groan and bend while I pat my back*


Kisses from Babies-kinsies. He's bouncing up and down and "singing" off of my cheek. Oh so sweet. Might have to use some rubbing alcohol later. :p

I'm a horrible brain washer:
"Do you love me Melanie?"
"No."
"Wah" (Very fake cry by Mommy Roze)
Shy nod and shy grin by Melanie--translated to: "OK fine, I love you."
"Do you love me?"
"Yeah!"
Big hugs!

I've tried the same thing on Nathan.
"Am I beautiful?"
"No." (Typical guy response)
I pout by sticking out my bottom lip as far as I can and screw up my eyebrows to form a very comical expression.
"Am I beautiful, Nathan?" I repeat, while jabbing him in the ribs a few times.
"Yeah, you are!"
Big grins!
His future wife/girlfriend will be very grateful for all this effort that I'm putting in. Just so you know that I'm not doing this for my own personal pleasure. This is all for the greater good.


Giggles are definately another work perk. Just like sunshine and Rozes. Har dee har.

Had a wonderful visit this evening with a quiet shy and introvert family. We clicked. *click* It's nice to get a fresh perspective on things. So here's a question for you: Do you think that home visits should be done by two elders, or would it better for it to be done as a elder/wife couple or should home visits be only done to "problem families" and a more personal elder/ward relationship be maintained throughout? After all, so much time and effort are put into these visits, but if there is no personal relationship before the visit, how can the time be used properly in up-building each other?

This visit has sparked in me a desire to verbalize a more sober side of me.

I'm reading through Jeremiah during my "lunch time break" these days. I was really struck by 31:3,4
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful."

I don't think that I've taken God's love very seriously in the past. But now I have kids, and I often can see parallels between me loving my kids and God loving me. Oh it is ever so hard to be patient and forbearing and having everlasting love. I have absolutely no excuse, but yet I spurn God with everything I do. And yet God assures us of his love. Also what struck me was that He says I will build you up AGAIN and you WILL BE rebuilt. So despite our efforts at breaking things and being destructive, God assures us that we will be rebuilt. We won't be left in our own hands. He will take complete control. And after all that we've done we can still be joyful, and oh how much we deserve to be destroyed.

It's just another manic Monday

It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my funday
My I don't have to runday
It's just another manic Monday

Yup, that would sum up the mood of the day. Thank you Bangles for your ever-so-accurate take on it.

So why the bad moods? Well, it all started at about 12 in the morning of today. And each of the kids had a go at ensuring that my mood would be a killer today. I hope they felt that it was a success. :p The kids are crying because I told them too. Misery loves company!

The non-manic, but also non-funday part of Monday.

Babykins getting underfoot once again.


Painstakingly trying to hit the keys one finger at a time. Good fine motor coordination practice.


You broke my concentration Mom!


That wasn't my idea. Really, it wasn't!!

So what do you do on a rainy Monday to improve the atmosphere? I had to delve into the deepest reserves of my tiny little brain way down in my big toe to come up with something innovative. (Oh wait, I forgot! It was my heart that was in my big toe, my brain is where it should be. It's just half the size it should be, since I had to share it.)

Well, here it is:

I think it's time for a much needed group hug!

Ahh, now we feel much better!

A happy ending for you, my reader.

Finish the old before you start the new.

Would someone please help me get out already!!

He sure looks like his cousin J...n there! Anyone else see the similarity?

Little man has discovered the joys of getting into everything. He's cautious enough (of too afraid :p ) to not try get out with only his poor balancing capabilities to depend on.


What took you so long Mom!


He's pulling himself up more often now--but only to his knees. He'd done it to his feet earlier, but fell, so chickened out. On the second one he's starting to slide over, and is appealing to me for help.


I got the toy I wanted though!

A Pictorial Story of the Story.