Kids of Steel Race Day

Saturday was Hannah and Jonathan's "race day". We hadn't made a huge deal out of it in the weeks leading up to it. On Wednesday I Jonathan if he wanted to do the race and he was still interested. They were both really good about it. Hannah did two races last year (one triathalon and 1 duathalon) so she had no problems with it. Saturday morning the kids got up early because they were all excited. When we left the house around 7am it was already hot. We arrived around 8am and got the kids bikes in the transition area, then they got their registration kits and then got their "numbers" on their arm and leg. Jonathan and Hannah were both in the same age group, but Jonathan was number 12 in the first wave and Hannah was number 31 in the 3rd wave. Joel took Jonathan up to the pool and waited with him while I watched with Hannah, Eden. Jonathan seemed fine and was dangling his feet in the water, but as soon as they said "go" he froze. He wouldn't get in the water. Finally Joel got him and they ran around the pool and over the the transition area. Once Jonathan got on his bike he past quite a few kids. I was at the pool with Hannah, but I was watching out the window and saw the first and last part of his bike ride. Joel said he did pretty good with the running part, but by far he was best on his bike. As soon as I came over to him he showed me his medal and said "I won" it was really cute (all the kids get the same medal). He seemed to have fun. As we were leaving he said "next time I want to go in the pool" (except he was using an acusitory tone as if we had said he couldn't go in the pool".

Hannah did great...expect for the start. When they blew the whistle to get in the pool, she stood up and jumped in.....her head went under and she got water up her nose, so she was a little stunned. Once she recovered from that she did really great. I ran with her (and Eden in the snuggly) to the bike transition area and then Joel stayed with her for her run. She is really good on her bike, but she could have been faster if she didn't still have her training wheels. We definitely need to work on that for September. She had no problem with the running...but it is hard to get your kids to be competitive, without making it all about winning. I don't think they really get the concept of a "race" and winning yet, but that is okay.

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Cleaning house

I decided to buy the Mr. Clean mopping system thing to help keep my kitchen floor clean. I wash it once a week, but it really could use it much more (especially under the table). Jonathan and Benjamin are constantly dropping food on the floor. Hannah and Jonathan were excited when they saw it and wanted to help, I explained that it wasn't a toy. A little while later I was on the computer and I heard a noise. I asked Jonathan what he was doing and he told me that he was cleaning and he was almost done. I checked it out a few minutes later and found him in the dining room moping the floor in his underwear, it was a funny site. He had taken the mop out and had washed the living room and dining room floor....except he used way too much of the cleaning solution. I could see it all over the floor (it sprays out the front of the mop). He insisted on finishing the floor. It was really cute, but at the same time he used the entire bottle of cleaning solution! I was hoping it would last more than one day :) He actually really likes helping me clean, or just helping in general. I find that when he is being a little out of control I can get him to calm down by asking him to help me with something. He has been pretty good lately. I have had numerous comments that he seems to have really calmed down lately :) Yeah! He has been really good at "Town Hall". When I picked him up last wee his teacher was telling me how great he was doing. She said that he is a pleasure to work with. It was good to hear that. I always worry how he will behave. I know he can get a little wild with me and Joel, but was pretty sure he didn't get that way for others....it was good reassurance.

Little stinker

Saturday night was not a very fun night for us....mostly me :( Joel had decided to tell the kids that they could have a sleepover in the family room....cute idea, but the kids were a little too excited about it. I had 3 cakes to finish and was upset b/c my new printer (with edible ink) that I was going to use for 2 of the cakes wasn't working (a whole other story), so I was very frustrated. I finally started on the cakes as the kids were watching a movie and then realized that Joel was going downstairs to workout. The kids finally settled down and I got what I needed to done. Hannah was the first to fall asleep, then Jonathan and finally Benjamin. I was up until about 1am finishing the cakes and then went to bed. Just as I was about to get into bed Eden woke up. I think it was b/c of the lights in the washroom...she decided that she was wide awake and didn't finally go to sleep until 3:30am... I was so tired. I tried nursing her I don't know how many times. She was pretty happy, but didn't just want to sit still. I kept having to move her around and give her something to play with. I moved into Hannah's room so we wouldn't wake up Joel. I finally rocked her to sleep and then she woke up again 30 min later. I nursed her and then she slept again until 6am...I was so exhausted. I have no idea what Eden was thinking. Surprisingly enough she wasn't cranky on Saturday. I decided to cut her sleep short (sometimes she will take an afternoon nap that lasts more than 3 hours) and see if she slept better through the night. I couldn't decide if I should put her in the crib or not. I put Hannah and Jonathan in the crib around 5 or 5 1/2 months...as much as I like my sleep, I kind of like my little sleeping buddy, but on the other hand, it would be very nice to not have her wake up multiple times a night. I finally decided to go for it. I put her in the basinet and placed the basinet in the crib. She was wide awake, and she didn't even make a peep. She woke up 12am and brought her into bed to feed her. I would have fallen back asleep, but she had a dirty diaper. After changing her, I decided to try and put her back in the basinet. I fully expected her to cry, but didn't hear a peep. I kept waking up and listening for her, but she didn't wake up until 7:45am :) I am not sure if that was just beginners luck??? I put her in the basinet again tonight. I am constantly amazed that she will put herself to sleep (I have been trying to put her to bed and nap awake for the past couple of weeks). It is amazing what babies can do. She is such a cutie pie. She is such a happy little girl. She gives the hugest smiles....especially to her mommy :)

The New Narnia

We decided to take the kids to "Narnia - Prince Caspian" aka "the new Narnia". For weeks, whenever the kids would see a Narnia preview on TV they would say "it's the new Narnia". The kids were pretty good during the movie. I was hoping that Eden would sleep through it (we went to an afternoon show partially for that reason). She slept a little at the beginning and then woke up. Benjamin ended up falling asleep on Joel. Grandad bought the kids a huge popcorn and pop for a snack, which was great, but also meant that the kids each had to go to the washroom during the movie. I took Jonathan to the washroom and then he ended up peeing on his pants.......I was so upset with him. I knew as soon as he sat on the toilet that it was going to happen as he didn't pull his pants down all the way and started going as SOON as he sat down. I was so frustrated with him. I knew that I was overreacting, but at the same time couldn't stop myself. I feel so horrible when I do that. Fortunately it is'nt that often. Aside from that we had a great time. The movie was really good and the kids enjoyed it. Jonathan wants "a new Narnia" sword he saw at Toys R Us for Christmas. What a funny boy. As I am typing this he is sitting beside me and playing with my hair. He has been doing this lately. He will sit beside me and run his fingers through my hair. He also will come up to me and just touch his hand to my face and hold it there and then tell me he loves me. I love how affectionate our kids are. They tell us multiple times a day that they love us and are always giving us hugs and kisses.

Fireworks

We celebrated Queen Victoria day with fireworks on Monday night. Bowmanville had it's anual fireworks at the Johnson's on Monday night. Joel went out with Jonathan earlier in the day and bought some fireworks from the big truck by the Bowmanville Zoo. When we got there it was REALLY windy, but we were prepared. We were dressed warmly and I had made a nice big thermos of hot chocolate. Yummy! There were hotdogs and chips and lots of desserts to eat. The big boys (daddy included) played catch while the little kids played around. At one point I saw Jonathan, Benjamin and Joel trying to roll down a little (extremely little) hill. It was addorable. They all happened to be wearing red. Benjamin was trying to figure out how to lie down so that he could then roll down. It was so cute.
Eden spent much of the night sleeping on Sister Johnston. Doesn't she look adorable. I love that hat :)
As usual, Hannah was trying to hang out with the big girls (Stephanie and Shania who are 7 years older than her). They are nice girls, but I would much rather her play with the girls her age. Joel took her to the fire to roast marshmallows, which distracted her enough so that she eventually started playing with Logan and Bianca. The wind died down once the sun started to set, so that made it even more enjoyable. Once the sun set, Joel brought out glow sticks for the kids. A little while later, Hannah came up to me and told me that she had given hers to Brother Wry's niece (also a Hannah, and not a member). I thought that was so thoughtful of her. Once the Brother Coutts and Brother Brignall started setting off the fireworks, we got comfy on our lawn chairs and cuddled under blankets and had our hot chocolate. I loved listening to the kids as they watched the fireworks, all their "wow's" and "ooh's". It was great. Moments like these make me so happy that we have had our kids so close together. I love that they will have many of the same memories.

Funny Boy

I just had to share a few things Jonathan has said lately.....Joel was wearing a pink polo shirt the other day ( I bought it for part of his "Don Johnson" costume). Jonathan came up to him and pointed to his stomach and said "why are you wearing a girls shirt?" I thought it was hillarious :) I was trying to fix the sink in the powder room yesterday (yes, again). I had the sink all hooked up and turned the water on....and then the leaking started. I drained the water and took the sink apart and turned it upside down and then the water came pouring out (evidently from somewhere inside the sink) and all over my pants. When Jonathan saw me he said "Mommy you had an accident" I told him it was water and he said "no, I see pee on your pants". What a cutie eh!

Mother's day at the farm

We went to the farm yesterday (finally! the kids have asked me multiple times everyday last week if it was the day we were going to the farm) to celebrate Mother's Day and had a lot of fun. We got there around noon (we stopped on the way to pick up Mum's flowers from a greenhouse I love). Dad was outside so we met the new ponies and then went into the house for lunch. We were just having lunch when the Bremner's arrived. I was surprised that the kids finished their lunches and weren't too distracted by their arrival. I really wanted to take the kids for a walk to the back woods to look for Trilliums (I have tried to show them some along the side of the road a couple of times this week, but I wanted them to have a closer look). Before we were able to go, Jordan called to find out if we were going to come and take a look at his house. Rebekah, Noni and I went while Dad took the kids for a horse ride on Belle.

I havn't been back to Donnie Lutes's house since I babysat for them. I remember thinking that they had a HUGE house when I was younger....but I was surprised to find that it wasn't that big at all. It is amazing how our perspective changes. I probably thought their house was huge b/c I knew that they had money. It was really cute to see Jordan and Shannon in their own space. We had a nice visit with them and then headed back to the farm. By the time we got back, the kids had finished their rides, so they were happy to come for a walk. I havn't walked to the back forest in 10 years (or something like that), so it brought back so many memories of me going back to get the heard, or to look for wild strawberries or my personal favourite, thistle dutie (digging up the thistle plants). We found the trilliums exactly where I remember them being. It was very cool.

It is so nice to see all the cousins playing together. They get along really well. I love being at the farm where they have a little more "open range". They played on the trampoline, but the horses, in the field with the jumps and all over the place.