Happy New Year! I think this year I would like to write a short blog post everyday to keep a short record of what we do. You know, we have 3 kids that are 4, 2 and 4 months and life is busy. That said, we make it busy, we do something every day and it will be fun at the end of the year to see a compilation of our activities.
We were actually up past midnight on NYE! We had invited Jayson's work buddy Joel, his wife Stephanie and their 4 month old boy Zack over at 7 - had some wine, bubbly, cheese, chocolate dip for fruits (Lily LOVES!) and other snackies. It was a fun evening, Ken (our British neighbour) came over for a glass with us. Fun times.
Jan 1 - We went to the movies and saw Wreck it Ralph. Kids enjoyed it, Lily wasn't too scared, Johnny ate lots of popcorn and Violet seemed interested in the big screen.
Jan 2 - Back to work for Jayson... Lily was off from school, so we went to Amazon indoor playground for the morning, had lots of fun.
Jan 3 - Met up with Katie and her bunch (Ben, Adelyn, Max) at Busy Genie Indoor playground, had lots of fun, stayed until 1. I got to go to Toys R Us and groceries alone!
Jan 4 - Met up with Vicki and her bunch (Ryan & Chelsea) at Busy Genie. Went through McD's drive through after and had a fun night in when daddy got home.
Jan 5 - Went out for breakfast at the Grenadier, had a lovely breakfast (mostly trying to convince Johnny to eat and Lily to sit still). Violet sat on my legs and was a happy camper the whole time. After breakfast, Jayson and I got our flu shots, kids were awesome, they waited in the van the whole time while we each took our turns. Dropped Jayson and Johnny at home (they napped for 3 hours!) I took Lily for a bang cut and then swimming. Lily JUMPED off the diving board (with a life jacket) by herself. She most definitely loves the water and enjoys her classes. Stayed at home after and hung out.
Jan 6 - We invited Katie, Nigel and their gang over for supper.... after cleaning and getting ready, we went and hung out at Toys R Us for a little bit. Ended up buying a bigger roast to make sure we had enough, Jayson cooked it really yummy, it was chaos and crazy after our guests arrived, all went very well, not too many tears, and not too much yelling and lots of running and play for the 5 walkers! Kids were pooped and had a nice sleep!
Jan 7 - Lily off to school, I miss her at home already! Took Johnny to Busy Genie, we bought a 3 month membership, so I might as well use it! Unfortunately, it was a shorter visit than usual. Johnny got into a little fight in the ball pit with a boy bigger and older than him. Not a good sight, but he sure can hold his own.
Jan 8 - Oy. I was sick during the night, energy was completely drained, so that meant that Jayson took the day off and brought Johnny to his Annette CC playgroup. By lunch, I was feeling better and played with Johnny and Violet and we all had a 2 hour nap. Fantastic! Jayson had a work meeting with the Smid's and that went very well. I am so proud of him, he works long hours everyday and I truly feel like he and I are partners in this thing called Parenthood.
Jan 9 - Took Johnny to a new community center called Mary McCormick. He had lots of fun, it's a huge gym, LOTS of running, he made a friend and played soccer. He enjoyed himself and then had a 3 hour nap. Violet was of course awake during that time. Lily is back into the routine of school. Tonight, she was trying to be a hot shot and show me her running handstand. Only problem is that she actually did one and let her hands fall out, so she fell flat on her face. Funny. But not.
Jan 10 - Johnny, Violet and I went to a new place for lunch today, we met up with Vicki, Ryan and Chelsea at ??? it has a fun little play area with a train table, a kitchen and lots of toys, and good hip food. We were there for almost 2 hours. We were on our way out when Johnny and Ryan thought it would be fun to fight (real fighting) and push Chelsea out the door.
Friday Jan 11
Oh boy - what a day. Our morning started off fine and after dropping Jayson off at work, I had an appointment to see Dr. Papadouris with Violet and Johnny. We checked in at 9:25. 5 minutes to spare. However, we were finally brought into a room at 11:15. Johnny was as great as can be in that situation and Violet didn't say a peep. She was awake the whole time. Johnny played games and watched videos on my phone and we chatted. They were both not very happy to get their shots. He got the flu shot and Violet got her 4 month vaccinations. Violet weighs 16.5 lbs.
We got home around 12:30 and had lunch. Nap time! When Lily came home, I told the kids that if they behaved that we would go to McDonald's for supper (Jayson had a 6pm hockey game). Things got a bit out of hand before leaving, but I figured that if we didn't go, that it would be punishment for me since I had to cook and clean up whilst entertaining them, so off we went for some nuggets. Kids played a bit and we got home at 7:30 - Jayson got home shortly after and we did bedtime together.
Sat Jan 12
What a fun but BUSY day. Johnny started SportsBall - it's a private club where every Saturday, from 10:00-10:45 he goes with Jayson and plays different ball sports. He had a blast this week, Jayson said that he always made sure that daddy was close by, he listened to what the coaches had them to and he enjoyed every minute of it. After was Lily swimming - and then I went and got my hair colored, it was a nice little break! Pizza for supper of course!
Sun Jan 13 - We went to the Science Center, the kids always run around like mad there and that tires them out! After that we just hung out at home
Mon Jan 14 - Today is errand day, so I took Johnny and Violet and we went to Real Canadian SuperStore, it's huge and there is a toy section and Joe Fresh, so we spent 2 hours walking around and finished off with groceries. Johnny had a lovely 2.5 hour nap! Violet slept the whole time. She woke up about a minute before Johnny's nap. No break for me!
Tues Jan 15 - Every Tuesday we go to the Annette CC, Johnny really had a lot of fun there with the mini cars/motorcycle, he was exhausted at the end. We left before circle time. No complaints from me! Lily has been doing really well in school and the teacher keeps mentioning that she likes to play in the house/kitchen area. Does that mean that she is the next Martha Stewart?
Wed Jan 16th - We met up with Vicki & Chelsea at Mary McCormick center, Johnnny ran the whole time we were there and was a great boy, he had lots of fun. I got to chat a lot and I had Violet in the carrier most of the time. After that we just came home and Johnny had a 3 hour nap. I looked at the school calendar tonight and noticed that Lily has a day off on Friday, not sure it would have been very funny waiting for bus outside on Friday morning! Ah, we interviewed a babysitter tonight. She had mentioned to me via email that she had an evening job. I thought that it was at a restaurant or bar. She is a stripper. The end.
Thur Jan 17th - After dropping Jayson off at work, I took the kids to Busy Genie. We hung out there till lunch time and then came home for naptime. After Jayson came home, I was able to go and do a quick grocery by myself, so easy food shopping alone!
Friday Jan 18th - Lily has a day off, so happy! We all dropped Jayson off at work and yahoo! I have a cleaning lady booked for 10 - so we came back here, after getting the kids timbits of course ;-) Then we headed to this new indoor playground in Etobicoke. Active Mind for Active Kids. What a great place, it's huge, and the kids had a blast... we'll be going back for sure! When we came home, I paid the cleaning lady and we just hung out (Jayson was home for a little while at that time, drama at work). Nothing unusual at night.
Sat Jan 19th - Kids were up early, so we all got ready and went out for breakfast. What a great meal, kids were well behaved and food was yummy! Jayson and Johnny went to Sport Ball and Johnny played baseball... I don't think that he liked it as much as hockey. Then Jayson took Lily swimming while Violet and Johnny napped. Jayson also took Lily to mastermind toys to buy a birthday gift for Maxime. At 3:30 we ended up going to Ikea and checked out the beds, I think that we might be getting them bunk beds, but we're still not sure. The kids ate meatballs there for supper and inhaled them. Walking out the door at Ikea, Lily, YELLING & Singing the national anthem, very cute. She sure loves singing that song!
Sun Jan 20 - Lily had a birthday party at Maxime's today, she was very excited, kept saying that Maxime is her best friend. I think that she enjoyed playing with his sister the most. They had a magician and cake, Lily was happy and spent the rest of the day trying to say "Abracadabra" unsuccessfully, but she tried. Jayson took Johnny skating (aka hockey with daddy) and I don't think it was as successful as the first time, but they got out and that's what counts. Violet and I got to take a 2 hour nap today, thanks to Jayson! And then she was awake from 1:00 until 8:00, let's see how long she sleeps for! It has been a few rough nights, she doesn't cry (fantastic!) but she wants to nurse a lot and even though we co-sleep, sometimes I wake up and have a hard time falling back asleep.
Monday Jan 21 - Oh boy is it ever cold today! Even though I got to nap a bit yesterday, it has been a bit difficult this morning.... but we're still going out! We just went to Busy Genie, I guess I should have gone and done groceries or other errands, but Johnny needs to run and maman needs a break! That's all we did today. Johnny was very happy to see Lily come home from school. He really misses her.
Tuesday Jan 22 - Tuesday mornings we go to the Annette CRC. It IS FREEEEZING today. Poor Johnny had a hard time walking from the van to the front door of the rec center, so I had to quickly run Violet in and then run back and get Johnny.
Wed Jan 23 - Today is grocery day, we headed over to Real Canadian Superstore and we managed to walk around there for more than 2 hours. Came home for lunch and then while Johnny was watching tv, I unloaded the van. OH boy. Today is the coldest day ever!!!!
Thursday Jan 24 - Johnny, Violet and I went to Active Minds Active Bodies - we were there from 10-1 alone! We had a blast, the kids and I slid and used the plasma cars and ran around each room. Johnny really likes that place. After it was home for nap. We had A&W drive thru lunch.
Friday, Jan 25 - Today we just ended up going to Toys R Us. I think we were there for about 2 hours and I ended up buying a new car seat for Violet and and a booster seat to use when we need an extra seat for a child who is 4 and over. Violet isn't even 5 months and she is already the owner of 3 car seats ;-) The current one is borrowed from Vicki and it is SO heavy!! Jayson ended up working a bit late, but was still home for bath and bedtime. Awww, so cute, Johnny went into bed with Lily... too bad he fell out at around 3am!
Saturday, Jan 26 - Today is always a busy day for us, lots of comings and going.... First off is Johnny's Sportball session, Jayson went with him and not sure he enjoyed it as much as last time, but, it's good running around! After, I took Lily for her swimming lesson. Johnny and Violet took a little nap after we got home, so Jayson brought Lily to the grocery store because that's what she wanted to do with him. We had steak for supper and the kids ate some. They ate more than we thought they would, probably because the desert was chocolate ice cream! Violet is growing up so fast. She's almost 5 months and she is licking her lips when we're eating... soon baby soon!
Sunday, Jan 27th - Today, we're going to Active Minds Active Bodies. Jayson has never been so the kids and I want to go show him. I, personally like showing him where we hang out so that he can picture what I am doing with the kids during the week. First though, we went out for brunch, I had seen a restaurant along the way and we decided to go there. It ended up being a buffet brunch.
http://www.muddyduck.com/ The kids ended up being fantastic. Jayson and I were able to eat (although I ate with Violet on my legs most of the time) and food was good. I would like to go back and check out more of the food. Maybe one day when we have a babysitter! Or less kids with us, haha. Lily went and got her own food. So cute. After we went to AMAB and we were there from noon until about 3... I thought for sure the kids would fall asleep in the van while I went into Sherway for a few minutes, but nope, they were watching Ice Age and on our way home, we picked up pizza for supper. After supper was a dance party in the living room. The kids sure love dancing. Jayson picks up good tunes for them to dance to. I was able to dance with Lily in my arms and because she is getting bigger and heavier, this might not be something that I can do many more times. That makes me super sad. However, I feel like I have had her in my arms so many times, as many times as I possibly could, especially when she was a baby and that makes me super happy.
Monday, Jan 28th - SNOW DAY! Oh wow, did it ever snow a lot during the night. The weather is beautiful though, so the kids and Jayson and I played and shovelled outside for about 45 minutes before the bus showed up. Jayson worked from home today. I took Johnny and Violet to the Runnymede Church on Colbeck. It's a community run program (not city) and Jennifer (Jack & Ella), one of Katie's friends invited us. I think I might join if they have room, Johnny enjoyed it and he was able to run around and use plasma cars and play with Jack and make new friends. It's not very far and there is parking. Always a plus ;-) We ended up going to walmart after for some errands and then some lunch. When we came back, I put Johnny down for a nap and Jayson worked downstairs until 5. When Lily came home we drew and colored. They were very happy to see daddy arrive so early!
Tuesday, Jan 29th - Today is at the Annette CRC. It was a fun morning, raining so hard when we got out! After, we went to Walmart and got Violet's passport picture done. She was sleeping soundly, but we managed to wake her up and get her picture. First pose worked well! Stopped by to get the forms and yippee, am going to get her passport done. Hopefully I will get it in time and be able to go and get our order in Niagara Falls, US. We ordered Lego's and chairs for the kids. SO cheap! When are we moving to California.....
Wed, Jan 30th - I was so undecided today on what I wanted to do... snack bag was packed, so we went to the Busy Genie. We were there until Johnny was getting tired so we rushed home and then he had a nice long nap. After Jayson came home, and Violet was taking a short nap, I went to the grocery store. Johnny is quite the athlete, he can kick a ball, hit a stick and a ball and SCORE! He sure loves playing ball!!!
Thursday, Jan 31st - What a fun morning, we met up with Katie and kids, Jennifer and kids at AMAB.... the kids ran like crazy everywhere playing with everything and getting plain exhausted! We ordered pizza for lunch and since we were the only ones there, we ate in a party room. Fun times! We left at 1:30, Johnny fell asleep in the van and I managed to bring him in the house - he slept until 4:15! would not get out of bed... I am very tired, Violet isn't sleeping much and oy, maman is starting to get very tired! 4:30 rolled around and yahoo - Mamie shows up! How fun.... 5:00 and the kids are gone to eat at McDonald's with her. Jayson and I ate supper in front of the TV ;-)
What a great fun first month of the year!
