Earrings for Ali and rings for Mom and Dad

Today Ali and I both grew. Sometimes, there's something a little different about Ali. Like a switch. I can't put my finger on it, but she was acting... more mature somehow.

Me: I think you grew up a bit today, Ali.
Ali stands on toes and reaches up then looks down: Yep, but my feet are still small.

It's been a whirlwind, over committed, over busy, over heated.... you name it and I'm all over it.

Ali wanted nothing more than earrings for her 4th birthday and this Momma agreed after the fourth or fifth day of being asked. Ali was a trooper in the store getting it done, but the ride home from Calgary was a long and arduous crying event which abruptly stopped when we hit the Speargrass gates. I guess home really does have healing qualities!

I've had a tough week with emotions, stress. I volunteer on a board that Ali is involved in and this week has been about me admitting my mistakes and acknowledging my inexperience in some things as well as not taking hits and harsh judgement where not warranted. The board have all agreed to resign and make way for new members that may be better suited to do what's expected. It's a tall order and I really do hope it's successful but if it does not at least we tried in a way we can..by stepping aside and trying to repair damaged relationships. What really matters in the end is being ethical and respectful to others and valuing those we love.

We had an amazing fun wedding, we have amazing family, we have amazing friends. Those that couldn't attend were close in our hearts and minds. There were a few snags and headaches but I think we did alright by guests, although I felt like I didn't do enough as a host. The marriage was a celebration and quirky, just like us. At the end of it, we had what we needed... each other, a pastor (who was AWESOME), some rings, close friends to witness, friends and family to support us AND last but never least our daughter to share our day. Although my Pops couldn't be present, having my brother do the honors was magically in it's own way and I think everything....is..exactly...as...it...should...be.

Of course, Ali now thinks she's also married to Jack. heheheh. Oh, that's some good fun for us parents for stories later! Pics to follow. I think I did gosh darn good getting to the blog and updating it. I think I can safely forecast I am no longer stretched and committed beyond my capacity and can come and visit more often. I love it here in blog land. 

A few snippets of Alexiss

Alexiss is so dynamic that, while pictures show her adorable smile, they don't show just how much energy she's got or her sense of humor.

Alexiss was pulling her longer hair and putting it in her mouth. As a reprimand I tried to reason that it wasn't healthy to put hair in her mouth and said if she continued, I would bring her for a hair cut. The next day she decided she wanted a hair cut! There goes my idea of discipline. lol.

This month Ali also had her first dentist appointment. All went well and she was a total natural. Thanks to Gramma for the Dora book with Dora's appointment. Ali knew what to expect right from the toys in the waiting room to the bright light and opening her mouth. They were surprised that she hadn't been before. Alexiss does have two cavities requiring a little more attention at the end of the month.

I love how Alexiss runs! I video taped her running with Dad while playing golf.

Canada Day

Little Alexiss isn't so little anymore, in one month she grew approximately a half inch, it was a tough few weeks, bad sleeping, lots of eating and lots of attitude.

I hope we're at the end of that spurt for now, mix the hot weather with that and the Ryderson house became a little cranky and impatient. The last two nights have been bliss as we all try to catch up. Mark is home this week from work and I've managed to have a nap every day.

We had fun on Canada in Strathmore's Kinsmen Park. Daddy was a trooper and waited in the face painting line for just under two hours! Yep, it was a long line, but our little girl just wanted to be a pink kitty!

Patiently waiting....

Finally our turn!

Our little pink kitty!

Trying out drumming! 

We stumbled past a drumming circle and Ali was curious, we all wandered over to drum in time with "I like ap-ple pie" and "and van-il-la ice-cream"

Bribed away from the fun with an ice cream.

I didn't have the heart or the fight to try to get Ali to wash off the makeup before bed

It came off the next day at the splash park

Happy 95th Nana!

In May, Alexiss and I (with the help of Aunt Patricia and Uncle Gerry) made our way for a week long trip to Vancouver to surprise Nana for her 95th birthday!

It was a whirlwind and coming from our quiet life, it was a bit overwhelming for Alexiss. We compensated by lots of playground and down time. Auntie Jacqueline joined us at the aquarium, I thought it was going to sooth and calm Alexiss but she was running from tank to tank wanting to see it all! We had fun, Vancouver is gorgeous as always and we made some special memories.

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....

So helpful!

Said before getting out of the tub after a bath, "Come on bath water, it's not bathtime anymore. I help you down the drain" (splashes ensue)

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.