Wordless Wednesday - Leap Year!

This post doesn't really relate to Leap Year. I guess now it is not really "wordless" either. Oh well. I won't have a blog post from February 29 for another 4 years! Just had to post something!

Arts Night

It was Arts Night at the school tonight. I have to say that I kind of dread these events at the school. We have a teeny gym and it is difficult to fit everyone inside. Last year we managed to get a seat in the 2nd row, but then people came and sat on the floor at the front and then stood up to take photos and videos. This year we also got seats in the 2nd row (mind you I got there really early to get these seats!). We were able to see the girls, but once they were done we were stuck sitting there for the duration of the night. We didn't mind that much, but even if we wanted to leave, it was virtually impossible due to all the parents standing along the walls.

But the girls were so excited for us to be there that it made it worth it! It was wonderful to see the excitement on their faces. Addie kept looking at us and grinning, and although it was a little difficult to see Heather, she was one of the most enthusiastic elephants in her group. I was filled with pride as I saw some shy kids not moving very much, and then I saw Heather getting into a groove!

My formally shy Addie. Look at the joy on her face!

Heather was in the 2nd row so this was really the only good photo of her.

So proud of those girls!

Home!

The day is finally here! Daddy comes home today and we are all excited! We have all been sick since Jeff left 5 days ago so you better believe that I am the most excited of everyone!

Jeff sent me a text at 3:00 to say that the plane had landed. Yes! The plane arrived 30 minutes ahead of schedule! However, since it was so early, there was still another plane in the gate! Darn! Jeff had to sit on the plane for 30 minutes. Not early after all.

Jeff arrived at the luggage carousel and immediately noticed some red luggage going by. Nope, not his. Or was it? 15 minutes later and guess what? That red luggage is still going around. Well wouldn't you know it - it IS Jeff's suitcase! Darn! Another delay!

Meanwhile, we worked on a poster for daddy.

Addie and Lauchy decided to wait for the van outside.

Yay! Here it comes!

He arrived home to this:

Jeff was so excited to see the kids that he forgot his sweater on the van. Thankfully he noticed within 5 minutes and after a quick phone call to the transit company, the driver said he would bring the sweater back.

The van arrives, Jeff goes out and comes back inside with not only his sweater, but his wallet too! Bonus! He hadn't even noticed the missing wallet! Thank goodness he realized the sweater was missing or else who knows where his wallet would have ended up!

We are all so happy to have him home!

Getting There

It has been a rough few days with all 3 kids sick, Jeff away, and then with me getting a wicked cold as well. What has made it most challenging was having all 3 kids home on the days that I would normally have a break from them. Let's just say that the 4 of us have spent a lot of time together since Wednesday!

I had the opportunity to go out with friends last night to celebrate my friend Carrie's book. You can read all about it on Carrie's blog and also on my friend Cathy's blog.

I also hired a sitter to come for a few hours today and I spent the entire time reading by myself in Chapters. It was awesome!

When I got home I coaxed all the kids outside for some fresh air. As usual, Tassie joined us in the back yard.

This seems like a great place to sit!

Oooh, that's awkward!

While Tassie watched over us, this is what the rest of us did:

We are all looking forward to Jeff returning home tomorrow! ♥

An Opportunity...

There was a babysitter here tonight. My clever little boy seized the opportunity to finally do what he was been wanting to do for ages. Let me show you...

Note chair pushed under shelf. But
what is missing from shelf, you ask?

Note egg shaped piggy bank
on shelf above Lauchy's head.

Close-up of piggy bank.

Lauchy has been asking and asking to play with that piggy bank but I keep putting him off. It is not a toy, it will break, etc. He clearly knew that mommy wasn't at home tonight and got the piggy bank down for himself. What a monkey! And he didn't even break it!

Found!

We stashed a few notes in Jeff's suitcase while he was out giving his public lecture.

Freshly bathed girls being sneaky!

He'll never find them!

He e-mailed last night to say that he found the notes and the chocolate that I included. The girls were so sad about Jeff leaving and this is a short trip! In April, Jeff will head to South Africa for 32 days! A whole month without seeing the kids. I don't know how they will all do!

Feeling The Love!

The kids all had fevers again today. The girls have been coughing and coughing. Lauchy's nose has been oozing green fluid all day. It has been a long, tiring, and cranky day. I haven't gotten a fever (yet) but I have also been coughing and can feel a tightness in my chest and aches in my upper body. I am definitely fighting something off. And oh yes, Jeff got picked up at 3 a.m. last night and headed to Salt Lake City.

On my own with 3 sick kids. But I don't think I've ever felt more loved than today! I had friends offering to get me groceries, friends offering to loan me DVD's. I had another friend offer to come over tonight so that I could go for a run (too sick to, though).

We went out briefly this morning to pick up some videos and when we got home I found this in the door...


A Venti Caramel Macchiato for me (at least I think it was that - it said CM on the sleeve) and a hot chocolate for all 3 kids! Talk about spoiled! It was from my lovely friend N! What a thoughtful and much appreciated surprise! Starbucks is one place that I would never venture into on my own with 3 kids, but I do enjoy their coffee! This truly was a treat for me!


Not long after another friend showed up at the door with a frozen lasagna for me and the kids! I mean, come on! How lucky can I be? It was such a thoughtful thing to do and again, very much appreciated. Just one less thing to think about today.

I just want to thank everyone for thinking of me today! Wow! I have an amazing group of friends and neighbours!

The kids are in bed and I am all ready to curl up with this (the book, not the phone!).


♥ Thanks again friends! ♥

Loaded Up!

Jeff and I visited the International Travel Clinic today to get vaccines. Why? We are going to South Africa in May! Actually, Jeff will be there 3 weeks ahead of me for work and I will join him for 10 additional days.

We were each given 4 needles, a dose of medicine to take orally in a few months, 2 prescriptions to fill before we leave, and a "Certificate of Medical Contraindication to Vaccination". That one is for Yellow Fever.



Is that all then?

Fever

Addie presented me with this note this morning:

It was followed by this one:

It turns out that all 3 kids were fevered last night and today. I was pretty certain when I went to bed last night that none of the kids would be going to school or preschool today.

They spent a lot of time watching the tube.

And they got to have apple juice and ice cream.

After watching TV, Lauchy laid on the couch.

Within 1 minute he was fast asleep.
Within 2 minutes Charlie joined him!

Shortly after that, Tassie joined the couch crew.

I think the girls will be well enough to attend school tomorrow. Heather really wants to go as her class is going skating. Addie is not keen to go at all. In fact, when I took her temperature last night and she found out she had a fever, she actually cheered and celebrated! She was so excited to miss a day of school! When I asked her why she didn't want to go to school she said it was because then she doesn't get to be with me. What a sweetie!

Bubbling Brew

We did this activity last year. It is so simple and the kids love it.

Each child got to choose their food colour.

Everyone took a turn adding baking soda.

I love the colours mixed together!

These ones remind me of cream soda. Yum!

But don't actually drink it! Yuck!