Birthday party with the family...

As is tradition, we had a family dinner at our house to celebrate as well. As is tradition, Amanda baked the cake, which was soo soooo yummy!! We had a BBQ, and tons of chips and appetizers. Paige had fun showing off her new play dough sets to everyone. She was very polite while opening gift, saying thank you and giving out hugs. She remembered to open the cards first. After opening gifts she would yell out "Woohoo!!" when she saw what it was.

Thanks for coming everyone!

Friend Party!

On the morning of the 10th, we met 2 of Paige's friends (Clara and Amy) down at the waterfront in Downtown Burlington for some fun in the splash pad and park. The girls wanted to go in the water instantly. That was short lived for Paige who got cold pretty quickly and wanted a snack and to go on the regular park. We secured the best location in the park, under a nice shaded tree with a picnic table. We also had purchased our own beach umbrella and set that up too for additional shade. We packed a picnic lunch for everyone along with some cupcakes. Note to self--always bring extra cupcakes. Paige's cupcake fell on the ground and we gave her a new one. If we didn't have that it would have been game over!!

Aftern lunch there was more fun in the water and then it was gift time.

Great party and great weather!! Rose slept for pretty much the entire time.

Paige's Birthday!

For Paige's actual Birthday, the plan was to go to Marineland, but the pouring rain all day thwarted that plan. Instead we got to take our time opening gifts in the morning and lesiurely getting ready. We then went to Second Cup so Paige could have a chocolate milk (and we could have coffee!!), and then we headed over to an indoor playground. We had never been to this particular playground before--L'il Monkey's. It has a huge climbing structure with big scary slides. The recommended age is 4+ for he structure, but they encourage parents to go up with their kids if they want to. We took turns going up with Paige which was neccessary since she often needed a boost, and there were a lot of older boisterous boys on the structure. Some of these slides were pretty scary, so Mike took her down them on his lap. The first one I went down with Paige she took off before I had a chance to go with her, and before she had figured out that it was a long, super fast twirly one. It freaked her out a bit, but she was ok.

In the afternoon we played with her new toys (mainly play dough for a couple of hours), and then made some cupcakes. For dinner we had a dinner picnic and watched "Monster's Inc". After Paige went to bed we set up the decorations for the next evening for the family birthday party.

Happy 3rd Birthday Paige!

The year was filled with adventures too numerous to recall,
Outings and trips suited for a person still small,
So as another year has passed and 3 is her age,
We remember this past year of a girl living on Page.

After Paige turned 2, Mommy and Daddy went on a cruise,
Up to Alaska with James and with Booze,
Grandma and Grandpa took Paige to the cottage hoping for sun,
it rained the whole week, but Paige still had fun.

Sometime last summer Paige gave up on the nap,
Instead opting for the odd mishap,
Playing by a sharp table she cut her head during a fall,
Resulting in a scar and ambulance ride after a 911 call.

Paige was finished with diapers after she turned 2,
She'd had enough of sitting in pee and in poo,
The whole concept she learned quite quick,
Because of stickers on a chart which she would stick.

In August we learned there was a baby in Mommy's tummy,
A fact that struck Paige as quite odd and quite funny.
We found this out before a trip to the zoo,
And while we were there we learned that Booze had one too.

In September we made another trip to Edmonton by plane,
And went to the Valley Zoo and rode on a train,
Paige was also a flower girl in a wedding,
And was absolutely perfect, there was no need for fretting.

During the year she discovered the computer and video game,
Clearly we all know we have Daddy to blame,
With great mastery and skill I learned when I was a teen
She can use a laptop like nothing you have ever seen.

Paige moved into a big girl bed and new room,
Because her sister would need the crib soon,
We painted her room and decorated with great care,
But without bars to restrain her at bedtime, run and scream she did in there.

In April her baby sister Rose joined our family to make 4,
Paige welcomed her with open arms (and kisses, pokes, prods, and more),
She loves to help and will do anything for Rose with no refusal,
She can't wait to one day play with her "little baby Woozle".

So the year is complete,
And cake we will eat,
There'll be presents galore,
Till they cover the floor,

Here's to a new age,
To a brand new stage,
Happy Birthday to a little sweetheart living on Page.

My 30th Birthday!

Well, the dreaded day has come and gone. I have to say that I feel no different, and since the event has passed I am no longer worried about being 30. I think once I am officially "in my 30's" I may feel differently. Now when I go to the little liquor store at Longo's to grab my wine spritzers (Naked Grape...yum!)I am secretly thinking "Please Please! Ask for my ID!". I bought a magazine to read at the pool the other day and I realized there was still the "What to wear in your 20's, 30's and 40's" section. Now I have to move up a section! Time to shop for a completely new wardrobe! right.

At any rate, my life is good. A wonderful husband and 2 delightful little girls, loving family, great friends. It doesn't really matter how old I am. My friend Lisa just sent me a message that said, "Youth isn't defined by age". Why are you so wise Lisa? Or maybe someone told her the same thing in April when she turned 30.

For the big day we got up early and went to Cora's for breakfast, as per usual. I had my same breakfast that I always had, no need to get crazy.

But before that, I got to open some wonderful gifts. Paige and Rose got me an apron, a cooking with kids cook book, some oven mitts, table napkins, socks, and reusable bag. Mike got me a beautiful pearl ring and bracelet. I absolutely love them. He has always wanted to get me pearl earrings, which I have never liked, but I love this jewellery.

After quickly buying a cooler bag, we packed it up for a picnic and headed to a huge pool that is literally 3 minutes from our house in a provincial park. We had never been there before, which was obvious when we walked in and everyone had brough their own beach umbrellas or had scored spots in the shade early in the day. Us crazies were stuck in the full on sun in the 40 degree heat. Rose had to be confined to her stroller while she was sleeping, and then when she woke up we had to make shade with the combination of the stroller, and a little baby tent we had brought. Mike and I took turns with Paige in the oddly freezing water to cool off. We eventually had to wedge ourselves inbetween 3 families in the shade. It was quite nice there and Rose lied in the baby tent thing and fell asleep.

In the evening we went to my Dad and Maura's house for my other typical birthday meal of pizza and ice cream cake. We also celebrated James' birthday too which was on the 29th.

After dinner we headed to the basement for some family fun on the Wii fit. Paige really got into it and would reming everyone what to do when it was there turn. Paige has her own Mii and had a couple of rounds on the ski jump and slalom. Rose joined in for various games too.

For my birthday my dad had unearthed my old immunization record which contains all of my weigh-ins up to age 2. I seem about the same size as Paige, just a bit taller. He also found a little book my mom made for him when she was pregnant with me. It was for while she was in the hospital giving birth. It gave him instructions on breathing and coaching exercises, but also had such helpful tidbits as what to cook himself for dinner at home! Even going so far as to remind him to turn off the oven and stove. Funny to think about my dad as a 28 year old so freaked out and sleep deprived by the birth of his child that he would need lists of possible meals and recipes for the few days she was in the hospital. He says that it wasn't going to far and that he probably really needed the help.

I was also spolied with a ton of books that I need to start reading-- they look fantastic...the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series, and the newest book by Lawrence Hill who wrote "Book of Negroes". I also have bath products to use, a gift card to spend at the mall, games to play and recipes to make! A great haul! haha.

Now it's time to focus on Paige's birthday! Oh, and our anniversary which is tomorrow..

Long Weekend...

Although the holiday fell on a Thursday, we went up North on the Wednesday afternoon and stayed until Saturday.  Mike had to do some (read lots) of phonecalls in the car on the way up since it was a workday, and go into town on the Friday for a phonecall, but all in all we all had a relaxing few days.  The weather was a bit cold at first, but got better for the last 2 days.  Paige had a blast in the water, and went to the river a few times to fish.  She also had tons of fun with the resident chippie and Grandpa helped her to build a makeshift chippie cottage.  I had fun until "the incident".  I was sleeping and was awoken as a spider crawled across my face!! It took 30 years for this to happen (to my knowledge!), but it was bound to happen there.  Not that the cottage is overrun with bugs, but there are a lot more in there then at home!

Anyway, here are a few photos from the weekend.

Happy girl!

She has always liked her bouncy chair, but now she really likes the lights and movements on the toy bar.  She can only handle it in small doses though--a few minutes at a time--before it's too much for her!

Doctor's visit...

Today we went to the doctor's office for Rose's 2 month appointment and Paige's yearly checkup.  The temperature outside was over 40 degrees celsius and the air conditioning was broken at the office. Luckily we were seen right away.  Paige was weighed and measured, and then Rose was weighed and measured. 

Rose:
23.2 inches
12.6 lbs
39.5 cm head circumference

Paige:
35 inches
29 lbs

Rose is about 1 lb, and 1 inch bigger than Paige was at her age.  Rose was in the 75th percentile, and Paige was in the 10th!!! Paige has to go back in 3 months to ensure she is still growing along at the same rate, which would mean that everything is fine, she's just small!

Lucky little Rose got off easy as the office was so hot that the lab had shut down, and the fridge was too warm to keep the vaccines.  She should have gotten her first shots today.  We have to call back next week to make sure they are up and running and we can go get them then.