Christmas and Keys

Christmas has come and gone and we're back to school and work. It was a wonderful happy whirlwind of jolly busy days and a few down days. Alexiss performed in her first concert and a kind neighbor who'd had a few under her belt saved Mark and I an awesome seat! Alexiss was trooper, even though it went past her bedtime.

Alexiss had only asked Santa for a pink pony and a Paw Patroller. Unfortunately the Paw Patroller was no where to be found, not even at the North Pole! He made up for it by hiding the Paw Patrol gang (stuffies) through out the house.

Christmas Eve we were all in a fluster, Maw in the kitchen and Alexiss in her dress. Awaiting the arrival of our close friends Matt and Cindi. We ate, we laughed....we had a great night and day. The turkey was amazing! Much better than the year I tried turkey breast in the crock pot and the plug had kinda come loose, mind you ham and eggs for Christmas was just as good, it's the company that makes it memorable.

So here we are, in 2016. Alexiss begins going to school for 3 full days instead of 2 and this Momma is going to take every other Friday off instead of going into the office. Yes, yes, I know today is Wednesday and I'm home updating the blog and that that goes against what I just said. You see, I managed to lock the keys in the truck this morning.....

So I kept warm in the entrance while calling to tell Mark what happened. By luck, he had taken the truck keys out of his pocket and put them on the hook at home! Now I just had to get home. One parent stayed and made sure I was okay, offering even after she left to help if I needed it and called. One friend had just left to go help out an aunt, one friend had gone into the office instead of working from home, and one friend said her husband was on his way to town anyway and had time to help. I figured I'd take today off instead and go into the office on Friday. More good luck, our door has a keypad, it held in for one more move before the batteries gave out. AND I got to see the most wonderful sunrise. Ahhh, life is good.

Our last summer hurrah before school

I've always been aware of online safety but even moreso since blogging Ali's Blossoming though Life blog.

Blogging has been a favorite outlet of mine since my online existence began but I find myself being leery of sharing too much and disclosing to the masses, more personal information about where we live and play. As Ali starts school, it becomes more important to keep her safe as she ventures out into the world.

I found myself wanting to share a picture of us registering Alexiss for kindergarden, but the picture was taken at the front of the school at a brick structure with a bell and the school name and year etched into it. I recognize that while this blog is used to keep family and friends in the loop in Ali's life, it's also public and anyone can stumble in here.

My first social experience online was with Her Interactive, the makers of the Nancy Drew adventure games. They had a younger audience and thus had strict rules about what people could share with each other. I always respected their wishes to take care of those who may not realize that innocent information could put them in danger of untoward circumstances. I'm thankful for that experience and awareness.

The new trend, and I LOVE it, is to have a password with your child. If anyone tries to pick them up without the password, the child is NOT to go with that person. It puts a bit of a spin on the "stranger danger" and gives them control. What a great idea, borne from technological advances but migrating to every day life away from the computer.

As I endeavor to keep personal identifiable information off of the blog, it's becoming increasing difficult. Although I cannot share her school picture I can share a few things.

Not pictured is Ali's first experience with team sports. We tried soccer this year and after the first game I had to tell Ali that sports isn't about sharing. She went with Dad and Opa while Momma and Oma went knitting. She made it through almost to the end, but it lost it's luster. I'm thinking of trying T-ball next year since it's a team but the ball isn't in a scrimmage of kids pushing each other.

Early spring and Alexiss couldn't wait to get the pool out again!

Bird watching with Oma and Opa. I love this picture!

Their reaction after peeking into our tent as we try camping and "comfort camping"

What could be better than a cookie tiara?

Ali and Jack's "first date". Jack joined us at gymnastics for "bring a friend day". Afterward we got some lunch at Tim Horton's and sat at a park on the airport runway to watch the planes.

Finally getting back into geocaching after a few years break. I hope I can keep the momentum. It really is fun, I'd forgotten all the fun benefits.

The AWESOME cake Ali and I made for Mark's birthday. I made the man and the sun, Ali did the sky and the grass.

Ali K play!

To break the winter blahs, today I made a corporate family decision to try out an indoor play park. It was AMAZING! I'd seen pictures and heard of TommyKplay from a few local moms and I was not disappointed. This is our first time to one of these types of places but from what I hear, this is one of the best for set up and monitoring stations/video feed.

They have a locked gate at the entrance and parent/s and child get a band with a number. Whenever a child leaves, they check all wrist bands to make sure you belong together. They do recommend supervision of your kids and I usually knew where she was in the play structure. There's a small canteena with kid friendly food (healthy and not so healthy) and tables with one row of comfy chairs.

I thought Mark and I would get to play a game and I brought my knitting, we didn't touch either one. Mark did get to catch up on reading though.

I did hover for the first 5 minutes while Alexiss got used to the place. Unfortunately it was a bit too crazy with kids for her to really meet up and make a friend with anyone. Despite not meeting and greeting, she still managed to play for 3 hours! This Mom mustered the courage for a short lived crawl around and a few zips down a super fast slide, Dad tried once as well! It was a little too congested to really spend lots of time in the play zone and us old folks slowed her down. Yes, I got pushed and trampled by a group of boys.

Alexiss was so good, helping smaller kids and waiting her turn amid it all. There were a few kids pushing and not waiting but it was out of pure excitement, Ali didn't boss, get angry or push back, she stood aside and patiently waited. When she was overwhelmed she'd come back for a little quiet time on the iPad. Little miss smarty pants has even packed a headset!

I can't wait to go back during the week when it's not as busy and we can bring her buddy Jack so she'll have someone to share every step and slide with.

I'm not sure if Ali's smile was bigger or mine

In three hours Alexiss took about three breaks. I had brought the iPad for Mark but Alexiss ended up using it for some quiet time. It was LOUD!

The first Ryderson veggie garden

It was a long winter, but I think I can safely say we're into spring and summer. With summer comes some super cute new dresses for Alexiss and our very first veggie garden to get those dresses nice and dirty.

The internet is truly an amazing resource. Although I'm in inexperienced gardener, it made me feel like a pro and able to gain years of knowledge that would've taken many conversations and research otherwise. Not only did I plant some vegetables, but I did companion planting! Lettuce loves and is helped by just about everything, but my radishes love their cucumber buddies. Cucumbers also like sunflowers, and you know what? So does corn! Oh, what a little society they make on their own, mingling and hanging out with friends makes them better and keeps the pests away. Not so different from us, I think.

Mark had dug and built the edge in the fall, but decided it needed a little reinforcement before the soil went it. Alexiss was happy to help.

One big yellow bag of soil was gone quick, Mark and Alexiss made short work of it, they were so excited that I could not get them to come in for dinner! As soon as Daddy was home from work, they had shovels in hand before he even stepped out of the car.

Dirty work makes for dirty happy feet!

Finally, with some arguing we got the seedlings and seeds in where Momma wanted them, not where Ali wanted to plunk them in. It was a bit of team work but we managed with only one broken sunflower seedling to show for it.

A week later and the radishes are starting to sprout up through the soil. I anxiously await....

Spring has not yet sprung!

New to us this past little while:

- Last month Ali learned about the 5 senses at school and I was fortunate to be the volunteer on the day they did a taste test of bitter (cocoa powder), sweet (brown sugar), sour (lemon juice), salty (table salt) and bland (white flour). The teacher put a little on spoons, it wasn't a full teaspoon but when I saw the kids reactions I thought maybe it may have been a bit more than a taste. The cocoa powder was first and three of them spit it out! I was proud of them all as they barrelled along and continued to try stuff out. Alexiss only liked the brown sugar and surprisingly the bland, I mean really, ick... just flour. blech.

- We started Karate a month ago with Alexiss, she enjoys meeting Daddy in town after work, it helps that we bring timbits to share. The class is called Chops through the All Canadian Karate Union ( http://www.acku.org/ ). It's a short half hour but for trying to focus and have control at the end of a day, it works perfectly.

- This week I enrolled Alexiss back into Gymnastics in Calgary. Within the first 5 minutes I knew I made the right decision and the big smile on Ali's face after was worth it. They are a little more professional and structured than the one she had been going to. The Coach complimented her on her strength and stamina after the class.

-Ali has entered the "why" stage of life. I've entered the "ugh" stage of life. lol, the two go hand in hand.

I have a few pictures to put into a slide show of Alexiss modeling her new springish outfit, but I'll give you a preview.

 

Her mad face

Mark is still working hard on the basement, we've got one room floored and walled. We also got a few second hand bookcases so we could unpack some of our books, they had gone into storage when we changed the front office room into my knitting store. There's been lots of moving and removing stuff, but we can't help but stop and look through some of the special boxes. We came across a picture of Mark when he was young.

It's been a super long winter, we had one super nice week a few weeks back and last week was the return of the snow storms. We even had to go out and get new rubba boots and jacket to match. Needless to say it made it that-much-harder to stay inside after enjoying a nice week of bikes, bubbles and exploring. The forecast looks good for next week, let's hope it sticks.

Yule Blessings, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I have a lot of updating to do, you poor people...waiting to see how our Christmas was and not a written word or picture thrown your way!

This is Alexiss having fun with watching herself run around and waving at the iPad today! Excuse the overuse of lip (or rather face) gloss.

It was what I consider Alexiss's first real Christmas where she could participate and take part in the festivities. Living rural has some advantages, like our Fire Fighters playing along and helping Santa come visit kids on Christmas Eve, complete with the fire truck and flashing lights. What a treat! I think Mark was more excited! We weren't quick enough with the camera to catch her running up and hugging him and the picture we did get captured her "What just happened, now I'm freaked out a little" look.

Lexa was spoiled this year, but it was so much fun. She was already overdone before Christmas morning! Matt, Cindi and Malcolm arrived the afternoon of Christmas Eve and the fun and games started almost immediately! Everyone but Lexa stayed up waaaayyy to late and were waaaaay to loud. This Momma tried to finally head to bed at 4AM, only to amble back out around 4:30 because of the noise. I came back out to a surprise Skype visit from Squeezer! Alexiss finally gave into the noise around 5:30AM, she came out of her room, us adults looked at each other with a "now what" look on our faces. Cindi and Matt slinkered off to bed and left Mark and I to figure out what to do. I said I'd take first turn and was victorious in getting her back to bed after an hour or so.

I saw an idea go around Facebook to write on a paper everytime you have a good memory or something to commemorate for the year, then put it in a jar and open it the next New Years. I may take it a bit further and use index cards to save them year to year. A few good things and maybe frustrating moments too, to look back on in the years to come. A physical mini-blog if you like. :D

Oh! Lexa's passed the safe weight for a car seat and has graduated to a booster!

The phrase of the week: "Which one you like?" She does it so she knows what to share with you, whether it be her stuffed toys, puzzle piece or even her boots!

A fun November

What a filled week! The weather's taken a turn for the cold and Lexa and I are already feeling the effects of cabin fever.

Everything is beautiful to Lexa these days. "Lookit my beautiful plate", "my beautiful raisin"... you get the idea.

There's been a lot of firsts

the past while. Her first toboggan ride in the backyard on a huge snow drift to accompany her first snow fort made with Dad. Her first Christmas tree decorating, for which the lights have to ALWAYS be on. Last year I really felt like it was new and fun but that the events didn't stick in her memory. This year she's much more a child than a baby.

We took full advantage of a nice day but it was super muddy! Lexa had lots of fun playing in the mud with Madison. This is just the start of it, it got much worse on the way home.

Even her face wasn't safe from the mud!

The next day we played a bit of soccer. What an outfit! Her clothes were still muddy so I dug out a pink and black checkered jacket and her black polka dotted hat. So cute!

Lexa and the Little Tree

Our little angel

 Once Ali got used to the snow last year, she loved it! This year is special and I consider it her first real snow because this year she can do more than kick it, she can PLAY in it! The weather turned so quick! The day before it was in the mid teens, but forecast was calling for snow on Sun and true to forecast, it started in the wee hours and snowed for most of the day.

This year Ali made her first snow angel, I'm sure one of many to come. So far I'm guessing she's up to about 20 or so!

First taste of snow

Want some?

Princess Snow Angel

We came in for some popcorn and hot chocolate! Ali insisted on making popcorn.

Quiet Time Sock Matching

Every other Thursday while Ali's at school, this Momma goes to meet up with Nancy at Bow Bench to work on quiet books. Where it's going to end up, we have no idea, but today was the second day and we completed a page! This week I have homework, a buzzzy bee stopping at flowers, based on this one. This week we completed a sock matching page with a dryer that opens! I couldn't have done it without Nancy's experience and knowledge for sure, I cut and did a little miniscule amount of hand stitching and Nancy set to work on her machine. We're learning for sure!

I think Ali likes it!

First day of Preschool

Today was Ali's first day of preschool and all went well. She's been looking forward to school since I volunteered to be on the board. Mind you, going to sit and play during a board meeting isn't the same as going for school, which Ali realized today.

I was there the whole 2 hours, but I was outside the room helping to process paperwork and forms. Ali was there the whole 2 hours, but she was outside the room for the beginning...until she saw the other kids leave the room to go for a tour. Her leaving them was her decision, but them leaving her... she'd have none of it. So she ambled off after the group and was content from there on in!

Yes, I got her a little sophisticated, I dare say nerdy, outfit for the first day. I cute blouse sweater vest, in pink of course, and a pink and black plaid skirt to match! Notice the new smile? It's her photo smile.

These are too cute not to share. She just gets cuter and cuter I tell ya. She was even kinda cute tonight, the second night of not wanting to go to bed. One more hug, one more song...

I got her to sing a song for you! It's the swing song, and one I made up on the fly at the beginning of the year. She likes it...

This one is Ali helping Momma knit her scarf. If you miss it..it's got hearts on it. 

A great summer day

Today we took full advantage of the beautiful weather, visiting neighbors, eating beans out of the garden, wearing a dress and a skirt, bike riding, sending comfort food to a few neighbors in need of hugs, hanging out with Kee Kee and Bad Bad Leroy then to top it all off, we went to the clubhouse for dinner and 9 holes of golf! Our first golf outing with Ali! Ali was amazing and loved running around helping Dad with the flags and washing his golf balls. As usual, I took the sights in and enjoyed the cooling wind as I drove the golf cart.

That's right! I'm eatin beans out of the garden and wearing a pink frilly skirt under my sundress!

Love em!

Waiting for Dad at the golf course

Nice shot Dad! Whoo Hooo (and clapping) ensued

This morning I was woken up to Mark and Ali fighting. Weekends are nice because I get to sleep in, but being woken up to fighting isn't my idea of a nice wake up call. It's certainly not a hug and a kiss on the cheek! As a mom, I have a hard time not getting irritated when Ali fights with anyone but me because I seem to handle her moods so perfectly and never get mad back (yeah...right..). I know Mark is not me and doesn't handle everything as I would and, although irritating, I know it's none of my business and has nothing to do with me. Dad loves her just as much, Dad cares about her just as much and Dad wants to see the best for her just as much. He also wants her to become a responsible healthy woman just as much. I also realize Ali needs to learn that everyone has bad days and not everyone in the world treats her exactly like I do and who best to be that than her dear ole Dad? So, I've resolved that it's my issue to make peace with not Mark's or Ali's duty to change who they are. They will learn and they will grow and they will love each other regardless of the little fights.