Rainbow Cake and Ice Cream

I know we already technically celebrated Ellie's birthday on Friday and really, I could have stopped there. But, I HAD to make her a cake... and I HAD to invite family over for a real party.  So we had cake and presents last night. The timing couldn't have been worse because Ellie's cold and cough hit her right after we went swimming on her birthday and only got worse from there. I think we were hoping she'd be a little less drippy and a little less miserable by the time people came over for her party, but this picture below kind of gives you a taste of what the day was like yesterday.  Say "cheese" Ellie!
My friend, Alysha, gave me this cute idea to do a rainbow-cake, ...so I figured I'd make the whole evening rainbow-themed! I made pom-poms, Jax helped me do the paper garland, and he also drew her a special Princess picture.  "But Mom, aren't you going to draw her a Princess for her birthday?" "Nope, I'm working on these Pom-poms." "Okay, I'll draw her a picture." My cute and thoughtful Jax.


Ellie loves Sarah and clung to her for a good portion of the night, and like a good sport, Sarah played the awesome-Auntie role. Yes, she is even holding a chewed-up Skittle that Ellie just spit out. Like I said, awesome-Auntie.
 
Time for the cake!  (Poor Ellie still looks so miserable through her dose-y half-smile.  She won't remember how awful she felt on her 2nd birthday, right?  Right?).
 
Yum!  So glad the cake turned out!  (...I just wish that I had better lighting so the cake could look as good as those pics on Pinterest!  Haha!  Note to self: Next birthday will be during the day!  Yes.  I think about those things.  Leave me alone).

Charlie and Granny.

Hannah and Taylor.

Thanks to all those who came out!  (And yes, Jax and Noah were there somewhere....).

Thankfully, Ellie made it through the night, but the poor thing was definitely not 100% which makes me a little sad, ...but not sad enough to postpone the evening.  The best is that even after you've put forth all of this energy to make the night as special as possible for one little birthday girl, she can still cry if she wants to. And she did.  It's her party!
 

Ellie is Two!

For Ellie's birthday today, we decided to take the kids to the Water Park! It was the perfect activity for our kids!  They are all finally getting to an age where I am not entirely stressed out as they run in different directions.  It helps that Joe was there.  We had a great time!

Ellie couldn't get enough of this slide.

Jax looks like he could be a swimsuit model. Haha!

Ellie had to copy Noah, of course. At first she kept dunking herself under water (silly girl!) until she finally realized how to stay on her knees until it was shallow enough to crawl with her hands. This is how she went to and from the slide the whole time we were there. Weirdo.
After we had graduated from the kiddie-pool, we made our way over to the sprinkler park and slides. Jax and Noah can both go down on this orange slide on their own! Why do they grow up so fast?

The cutest thing about a freezing child is the cuddles you get in between being in the water and going down the slides!

A group shot, minus Daddy.

Now that's more like it!

After the Waterpark, we hit up Red Robin's for lunch. The boys thought it was so cool because of the relation to Batman and Robin, of course. Ellie was pretty somber by then from playing so hard at the Water Park (love those eyes!). A lady even approached us and told us how wonderful our family was to be able to sit so still and quiet at a restaurant.  That's a first.  (She used the word "beautiful."  I'll take it!).  I guess the ticket is, tire them out at the Water Park first!

Who doesn't love a good cheek-kiss from Mommy? She's already too cool for me.

I love this next picture. She's so "ho-hum" about eating. I, for one, was excited for my meal. I love their steak-fries and burgers! Yummy!

After our meal, the staff came out to sing Happy Birthday to her and give her a Sunday. The ice cream held her interest for all of two bites (she is SO not growing up to be like me).   The funniest part is that once we all got in the car, all of the kids BUT Ellie fell asleep on the way home, ...and she was the one who was acting the most tired!  Haha!  (* * * * So, after Ellie's nap I come to find that she now has a cough and a slight fever.  No wonder she was acting so somber at lunch!  Normally she would have porked down those fries and that ice cream.  Poor girl!)
 
Ellie, I cannot believe you are already two (going on sixteen).  You have the attitude of a teenager, yet are also the sweetest little bug on the planet.  I don't know how so many emotions and characteristics can fit into one child, but you manage it well.  Here are some things about you:

-You have been sleeping in a twin-bed since the Summer and have only fallen out a few times (knock on wood).  I love to check on you before I go to bed.  Sometimes you will wake up and want to come into my arms, so I hold you with a little blankie and rock with you in the rocking chair while you rest your head on my shoulder.  It is one of my favourite times of the day and one of my favourite things about you.  You love to cuddle and you love to sing bed-time songs.  Some of your fav's that you constantly request before bed each night are, "Acka-by" (Rock-a-bye), "Shun-shine" (You are my Sunshine), "Chide-a-God" (I am a Child of God), "Wide-wide" (Ride-Ride), and "Tempos" (I Love to See the Temple).

-You love to go to Nursery.  You've never been sad about leaving us behind  to play with your toys and little buddies.  No crying phases.  Nothing.  In fact, you don't even look back.

-Dare I admit how much you love playing on my iphone or Daddy's iphone?  It's embarrassing.  You just might have a better understanding of how to work that thing than me.  You love to play games on it, and I do my best at making sure it's not in your hands the entire day.  Then again, you ARE playing learning-games, so I don't feel like too much of a failure.

-You're fav foods are chicken and fries.  In fact, when we happen to drive by a MacDonald's you often chant, "Chicken-fwies!  Chicken-fwies!"  Sometimes you just chant it when I give you something else for dinner.  Wo is me.  You will never like my cooking.  But you always eat it eventually.  Even if it's not chicken and fwies.

-You LOVE to read books.  Each day you will bring me multiple books and shove them on my lap (pay attention to me Mom!) so I will read them to you.  Your fav's are Thomas' Snowsuit by Robert Munsch, and any A-B-C books.

-You are constantly jabbering away and singing.  You will come up to any person that will give you attention and talk nonsense.  And as long as they respond with an, "uh-huh" or a "yup" you will keep going as though you are having an actual conversation, throwing in a few real words here and there.  You also sing to yourself whenever you are playing.  I always know where you are because you are always singing.  You fav's are a combination of ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Jingle Bells.  I still have yet to get you to perform.  Any time I turn on the camera or we are on Skype with your Grandparents, you just smile like I'm an idiot for asking.

-Some of my favourite popular phrases from you these days are, "Uh-ike-it!" (I don't like it), "Dat hewt me!" (That hurt me), and "Stapp-it!" (Stop it).  Do I sense some sass?

-You are a touch too fearless for my liking.  Although you act fragile and sweet, you are really all tom-boy.  Over the Holidays, Grandpa B built a sledding hill off of the deck and you could not stop going down over and over again.  You would sit on your bum, then go on your tummy, head-first, and then on your back, head-first....  No bigs.

-You could not be any more independently dependant.  You love to be able to do things on your own, but still love the assurance of being able to grab my hand and know I will come with you wherever you feel like going.

-You love your brothers.   When you were littler, they didn't give you much thought and occasionally may have looked at you as a burden, but now that you are getting older and much more interactive and able, you are all able to have more fun with each other.  You and Noah used to be mortal enemies (and occasionally have your moments with each other), but lately you've been able to play really well with him (as long as you leave his Lego-guys alone).  The other night, you three kids busied yourself by chasing each other into different rooms all over the house.  It was so cute to watch you giggle and have so much fun with your brothers. I am grateful you have older brothers to look out for you.  Jackson is especially helpful when it comes to you.  They watch out for you by grabbing your hand when we are out in a busy public place, or when you need a friend to be with.  They will be those brothers that look out for you when you turn 16 and start dating.  Please tell me that that will NOT feel like tomorrow.

-You are really into cats and dogs.  You LOVE snuggling with your stuffed animals and usually make a meowing noise while snuggling any toy.  It's pretty adorable.  I used to think that having stuffed animals around the house were useless until I finally had a girl.  Now I see their purpose.

-You have never been one to get into trouble or be overly "busy/curious."  You are a pretty laid-back girl when it comes to that, thank GOODNESS!  Let's hope you don't decide to change that this year!  Seriously though, when I leave the room and come back, you are still in one piece, along with the room.  You can usually stay focussed on an activity or a show long enough that I don't have to worry if I am in another room cleaning, or getting ready for the day, etc.  It's relaxing knowing that.  I think the only thing that you get into that bothers me are all my shoes.  They are nicely put away in the closet one moment and the next they are scattered all over the house.  It doesn't matter how often I put them away, they are always out the next second.  You wear them, get sick of them, take them off in a random place, and find a new pair to do the same thing with.  That has been a phase ever since you started walking last year.  I am just wondering when it will end?

Ellie, I love you so much and cannot imagine my life without you in our little family.  You are already so full of personality and make me laugh every day.  You also make me want to pull my hair out occasionally, but at least that's not every day!  Good thing you are so cute!

Happy Birthday!

Bowling, Bowling, Bu-bu-Bowling!

While Bethany and Taylor were visiting during the holidays, I think we managed to squeeze in just about as much in as possible together. It was crazy, and it was fun. One of those activities was bowling.
Thanks to Granny and Grandpa always treating everyone!
And here's the rest of the crew! Bobby is looking especially as awkward as possible in this pic and I love it.  Joe's not too shabby either.
Miss you already Bethany and Madilyn!

It's funny that I only have pics of the girls in action, because my boys were also on cloud nine. They love to go bowling. It always seems to start with chanting in the car "bowling! Bowling! Bu-bu-bowling!" until we finally pull up and get their shoes on. Needless to say, we all had a good time.

 Except for one little toot....

THIS ONE! If she was not front-and-centre bowling the entire time, she was mad. Even candy would not console her. I guess she's not entirely my daughter then. Note-to-self for next time: Don't bring Ellie.

...and don't skip naps.

The Flu Bug

Is this not the saddest yet sweetest pic in the world?  After the holidays all of the kids got the flu/fever one at a time.  The annoying thing is I had just taken all the kids in to get their flu shots right before Christmas and had to deal with the tears and the kicking and screaming all by myself at the nurse's office.  I tried to explain to them that it helps so you don't get sick.  Well.  I guess I lied.  Wish I could have skipped that day had I known they would all get the flu anyway.  It was so sad to see the kids like this, especially Ellie so small and helpless, but she was extra cuddly and precious.  Poor thing.  The house went undone, but I got to spend some extra cuddle time with my kids.  One at a time.

This Little Piggie Had None

So, Sarah was over today and while we were Skyping none other than Jenny (Hi Jenny!  This is what you look like from my screen!), Sarah noticed something wrong with my foot. I was missing nail polish on one of my toe nails. The funny thing is...
...so was she. Dun-Dun-DUNNNNNNNNNN!
Weird hey?  I know.  The exact same toe on our right foot (and both purple polish to boot!).  These things happen people.  Aren't you glad you read my blog?

Ten points if you can guess whose foot is whose.

Shame on Me!

So the other day I was talking to a friend about the hardships of Mommyhood, because, let's face it, not every day is super fun nor easy.  I was thinking about how thankless our job is and how mundane it can be.  Laundry.  Dishes.  Bathrooms.  Vacuuming.  Dusting.  Sick Kids.  More sick kids.  No sleep.

Blegh.

Well I got zapped later that day.

Out of no where, Jackson started to help me with emptying the dishwasher.  And it didn't stop there.  He wanted to help me do the rest of the dishes, too.  It was so sweet.  He had a smile on his face.  He was eager to help.  It was like Heavenly Father was sending me a message that being a Mom isn't all that bad, and that my kids are pretty darn good so count my blessings already!

It's true.  I think I will count ten right now:

1) Today all three kids were at the table doing crafts and actually sharing (kind of).  It was a sweet, warm  little picture that I count as a reminder of what I have.

2) My husband woke up with the kids and fed them.  He even got Ellie dressed, allowing me to sleep in a little longer.  He does this almost every day.  What a lucky-bum.

3) Joe made an awesome roast beef and mashed potatoes dinner yesterday, and he even cleaned as he went, leaving me less dishes and clean-up after our meal.  I think I take for granted that he's a really good cook.  I got lucky.

4) Right now Jackson is creating a book with me.  He tells me what the story is about and I write it out so he can create the pictures page by page.  Right now he is colouring page four about a boy named Malry who ate 2000 pies.  While he colours, I type.  It is so cute to watch him be so creative.  I am lucky to have such a pro-active boy.

5) Noah is a ham.  His new fav thing to give me a laugh these days is wear his pants backwards.  He thinks it is so funny.  I do too (although it does slightly bother me because it looks so uncomfortable, but he doesn't care!).  Joe and I have a feeling he will be the class-clown.  Help!  But at the same time, I love his sense of humour!

6) Ellie IS the girl from Monsters Inc.  She is constantly jabbering and singing songs either to herself or whoever will listen.  Her cuteness knows no bounds.  I feel pretty lucky.

7) I have good friends.  I love our conversations and get-togethers.  I am afraid that if I ever DO end up moving away that I will never find the same thing again.  But at least I have that NOW so I will take it while I have it.

8) My husband is pretty funny.  If he didn't make me laugh everyday, I think our lives would be fairly dull.

9) Now that my kids are getting older, I feel like I am getting more and more out of church.  It is refreshing.  Sacrament meeting is still a gong show.  But it's getting better so I'll take it.

10) I'm grateful that I have arms and legs and energy to be able to do the chores around the house.  They may be mundane and I may not love doing them, but at least I am physically capable to keep my house in relative order (when I try).

There, now I feel better.

Now, who wants to do my laundry today?

Mini-Me

This is my girl.

My mini-me.

If she hears me singing at the piano she does not hesitate to join me.  Her latest thing is joining a bunch of songs together.  These days it's Twinkle Little Star, ABC's and Jingle Bells.   "A-B-C-D-E-F-G, How I wonder what you are, How I wonder what you are, How I wonder what you are, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells Jingle Bells...." and that last part could go on forever until I remind her that there's more to the song.

I guess she's got a ways to go with her song-writing skills, but the creativity is there.  She's got potential.  ;)

My Christmas Cont....

How fitting. My Dad at the kids table. We got together for an Ord family dinner (well, those who could come) at my house before Christmas and enjoyed a night of singing Christmas carols around the piano, feasting on a delicious turkey dinner and enjoying each others company.
Days before Christmas, we headed to Lacombe to enjoy the rest of Christmas with the Burnhams. Activities included sledding...
...The outdoor live-Nativity... 
(Here are my boys helping their Granny behind the scenes).
...Grandpa decided on his own to build a sledding hill off the deck in the back yard for the kids. He honestly just got to work without anyone really knowing and bam!  It was built.  It was a hit! And Ellie was especially in heaven, "Mine turn, Gampa!!"
I think she looks so much like her cousin Taylor here when she was this age!
On Christmas Eve, we rehearsed the Nativity with the children...
...And then got them dressed in their Christmas pj's. Ellie was delighted to show them off in this picture as you can see.
...Once the kiddies were in bed, we had a fondue party, thanks to Joe. There was more food than we could handle. It was ridiculous.
Then of course, Christmas morning happened!
Since Christmas was on a Sunday this year, we all got dressed in our Sunday best, went to church and presents waited until we got home...
...where of course we immediately got back into our pajamas. Who opens Christmas presents on Christmas day otherwise?
The men in their fantastic pj's.
 
Oh dear.

As part of Granny and Grandpa's gifts this year, the grandkids got spoiled with activities. They bought a cardboard house for the kids to decorate and play in. A great idea. And it held up pretty well too!

Grandma and Grandpa Burnham came up during the holidays to celebrate Rob and Colette's Anniversary as well as partake in a Burnham tradition which came about a few years ago where we each take the opportunity to talk about a lesson-learned that year.  It usually lasts a couple hours.  Easily.  ;)

Thank you, my handsome hunk, for yet another lovely year! He got me a new camera lens that I've been asking for all year (an automatic 50mm lens) and I got him hockey gloves.  He asked for them, so I hope he uses them.  I think I've seen Joe play hockey twice in our entire married life.  Maybe he is turning a new leaf? I know I'll be using my gift! In fact, this picture was taken with my gift!  Here's to a great new year.  Now to start thinking about goals....