New Home!!

This post is way overdue!  I had in mind to put together this pretty little slideshow with the progression of our new home, how we saw it being built from the ground up, but life gets crazy and there are so many things to do!  Moving house is a big job and doesn't just end once you're moved in. The unpacking, the storing, issues that pop up that need to be seen to, and obviously you go crazy with wanting to decorate the entire home ASAP!  I wish we had unlimited funds, and more hours in the day!!!!

So before it's real old old news...we have built and moved into our new home!
We signed out papers a month ago already!  Time flies.  From Durham, we moved to the Town of Apex - the Peak of Good Living!  A railroad town, and said to be the highest point, or I guess peak, where the railroads meet!  We hear the trains on a daily basis, which I was worried about the noise, but now it's become background noise.

A 6 month process, a lot quicker than we thought, and we have one beautiful home, (if I say so myself).  So great we had some personal choices, so it really feels like the home we've always wanted!  We had a wonderful construction manager, so it all went pretty smoothly.
The girls still ask to see the old house, but I think they're feeling at home now.  A week after being in our new home, Addison said one night, "Please can we go to our home!"  Guess in her mind she felt we'd just come for a holiday!

We couldn't have had the timing work out better, we were really so lucky and blessed the way things worked out.  We are able to enjoy summer in our home before school starts  in August  Our choice to move, was mostly based on schools, we really wanted a stable option for the girls and not have to worry about applying through a lottery system and hope to get into a school and then not even have a good back up base school to go to if the lottery didn't work out.  Last year, Emma was able to start Kindergarten and we applied to all the charter and magnet schools but got into none.  It was disheartening.  So we placed Emma in a Transtional Kindergarten class, which I'm so glad we did, it's really helped her mature more in all aspects.  This week is our last week of preschool for Emma - can't believe we're at this point already!   I'll be happy to be done with 40 minute commute to her school every morning but sad that preschool is done.  We had wonderful teachers that have really helped prepare the kids for their next big adventure!

Emma got accepted in a year round school assigned to our neighborhood for her Elementary years. We were really hoping for this (we had to apply through a lottery system, this time I wasn't upset if we didn't get in, I knew our base school was a good option too.)
She'll begin school in August.
I found a preschool for Addison, which feels like a good fit, Addi is excited about the start of her new adventure, getting practise carrying her sister's backpack into class most days and Emma has been talking to her about preschool and what she'll be doing, so definitely getting some preparedness from her big sister!

Here are some pics of different stages on the house being built.

progression of the stairs

We're excited to have some family visit this year!  You're all welcome to visit any time, our doors are always open to you all!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

So much I want to catch up with, but not enough time!  I'll hopefully I'll get our blog up to date!

But I had a few minutes to wish all our family and friends a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

So nice to have this time of year in addition to Christmas to say THANK YOU to you all for your love, support and just being you!

I'm so thankful for our family (near and far), my wonderful grandparents that stay so strong and keep this family together, the great teachers Emma has this year as she gets ready for her big year next year and all the wonderful friends we have in our life that we know we can depend on at any time. For the lovely State we're living in and now call home and all the good things that come along with that.

Our girls bring us so much joy....I'm thankful for their love for each other!

I'm looking forward to the family time this weekend!!!  Always fun when daddy gets to stay home and we can stay in our pj's a little longer with nowhere to have to rush to, except for maybe a Black Friday deal!!  (Just kidding)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Kids ideas

I'm proud of my Emma.....it always amazes me with the ideas the kids will come up with and how they execute them.   I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to making things that I need to bite my tongue when the girls want to make something on their own.  I always seem to want to add my ideas of how it could be better.
3
Thankfully this time I was getting ready to take the girls to school so the girls had time to themselves to do whatever they wanted.

Emma took my calender page which I was going to put in recycle.  Flipped it over and drew her picture and decorated with stickers.   There was a hole through which she threaded ribbon which she tied to some plumbing wire to make the handle.  I obviously had to help with the tying but that was it.

Addi and emma worked together to put Addi's together.  For the hole emma just poked a pen thru the paper.

They are so proud of their creations and I'm so proud of them creating something of their own and working together.

"Let's go fly a kite...."

The last picture was Addi sitting and saying "I'm just waiting for the wind"

Start of another Preschool Year

So Summer Break is done!!!  What a great summer it was.  Lots of time spent at the pool - my goal was to spend plenty of time at the pool so the girls could learn to swim. So that, along with lessons really helped and I'm proud to say that Emma can swim an entire length of our neighborhood pool all by herself!  Addi still needs to learn to lift her head or roll onto her back to catch a breath, but she's diving for rings and swimming at the shallow end and just loving it!

This summer we managed to find some fun activities to do, like Gem Stone Mining, a day trip to the beach, exploring Three Bear Acres where we did some tobogganing and other fun outdoor activities, playdates with friends and visiting parks, a trip to California and Toronto...busy busy busy!

Now suddenly we have to get back into a routine.....Emma's Preschool is back in session!!
Emma is attending the TPK (Transitional Pre Kindergarten) 5 day 5 class, after last year (Emma had a hard time understanding why she had different teachers to the year before), I was apprehensive of how she'd do, adjusting to new teachers again and just having returned from Toronto yesterday!  But I was so impressed by her confidence, waking up excited to go to school, walking into class like she knew it, looking at the dress up stuff, sitting down at the drawing station and drawing a rocketship! Emma gave Addi and I a hug and kiss goodbye and that was it!   I know Emma's going to do so well this year and I feel even more confident about our decision to give her another year in preschool.

We asked Emma about her day, and she said her happiest part of the day was going to school, but her saddest was not spending the whole day with Addison!!  So sweet!  Their bond has definitely grown stronger this summer, they still definitely have their squabbles, but for the most part they seem to enjoy each other's company and need each other to play.

When I had dropped Emma off at school, I felt the same way as I did dropping her off the very first time she attended preschool - you'd think after year 3 I'd be used to it.  Guess now it's the pride and relief that your child is happy and I am happy!

Addi's been asking to go to school, but she'll get one more year with me, then start when she's 3 almost turning 4!  We had a good day of doing activity books and riding her scooter, I get to have some good quality time with her while kaach is in school and then I get some quiet time with Emma when Addi takes her afternoon nap.

To our frist day of the last year in Preschool....

this bag was once so huge on her back

finding her hook 

Dress Up

Drawing/Writing station

Emma wrote this is at school, but her teacher told her not to do the block letter like the E
Funny enough she saw us writing that way this weekend for the wedding and she copied what she saw.

Happy Happy 5TH Birthday!!!

Our little girl is now 5 years old!!!  Our big but still little girl!

We made sure to celebrate a birthday week with Emma, since one day goes by so fast, we have to make the most of it!
Emma's birthday week was filled with a trip to the Life and Science Museum, Lunch with Daddy, Pullen Park after mommy took a few 5 year old photos, dinner at Emma's favorite, "Mellow Mushroom", then Defy Gravity on her actual birthday and an outing with dad (a surprise) to Frankies (a Fun Park).
Of course I had to make Frozen themed cupcakes but for her party with her friends,  Emma wanted a Pool Party with her friends and Frozen decorations, with a Pool cake, which was super fun to make!
I'm definitely learning alot with these birthdays in terms of cake decorating!
The reaction of Emma from seeing the cake, makes me so happy!  Addi was mesmerized too - I have my work cut out for me when it's her birthday!

The whole week we had threatening rain for todays party, but the weather held out and we were able to have a funfilled day!  Just as we got home, the sky just opened up, great timing!

Another birthday gone, another year older....5 years old!  How did that happen so fast?

Emma, We wish you days, months and years of happiness, you make our world so much brighter!  Thank you for 5 years of joy, you're our world!  We hope you had a wonderful birthday!
We definitely enjoyed planning your special day and celebrating till you passed out!!

Life and Science Museum

Pullen Park

Mellow Mushroom Dinner

Frozen Cupcakes

Defy Gravity

Party Photos

ready, aim, squirt!

water balloon fun!

Emma telling me the cake was to her liking

Friends since birth

Taken down the crib rail

So finally we've bit the bullet and have taken Addison's crib rail down! 

This was a big decision....how badly do we want Addi running to our room at 6am possibly 5:30 in the morning?  How often we ne Lately Addi has been calling out "Mommy/daddy,  I'm awake, please come get me out!"  This was an improvement from just crying upon waking to be taken out.

And we loved how we could leave her for just a few more minutes.

So tonight while the kids were in the bath Rod and I dismantled the crib to become a toddler bed.  The girls were curious what was going on.  When we told Addi what we were doing she immediately understood and said "yay now I can get out of my crib by myself!!" And started jumping up and down. The excitement and satisfaction was so cute to see.

Emma was excited for Addi...saying that if addi wanted to she could sleep with her if she was scared.  And could wake her in the morning. Followed by some good night kisses.

I'm hoping this transition will go well.   I've already had a request to sleep with her....A request to put the rail back up.

And so far she hasn't rolled off the bed.

My little girl is growing up so fast.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

Feeling honored and blessed to have 4 father figures in our lives!  Wishing we could all celebrate today together!!

To my dad....putting up with all us girls, now I understand why you had to go golfing once a week!  We've given you grey hairs, but you've always remained calmed and never raised a voice!!  You taught us so much when we were young, and still continue to teach us!  I don't think I could have done a lot of things if it weren't for you!   Thank You for your love, your thoughtfulness, your inspiration!  We Love You!!!!
I will always know, Dad knows BEST!

Kungs - The best Grandfather and GreatGrandfather!  So much courage, strongwill, care and love to offer!  Despite all you've been through you still have a smile on your face!  Our family would not have been so connected if it weren't for you and Pops.  Your love for Pops runs through all of us, I'm so glad we get to pass it on!

Dad Roy - A father to Rod always, a father to me for 9 years!  You climb mountains for your family! You raised a wonderful son and for that I'll always be grateful!  Thank You for all you do and for all your love and for being a great Ye-Ye!

Rod - I could not ask for a better dad for our kids!  Only you can get certain giggles out of the girls, and can swing and do other funny tricks which the girls love.  The girls and I love you more than words can say, it's so amazing to see the girls love grow more and more for you everyday (mine too, even after 9 years)! Thank You for going above and beyond for us girls!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!

Last Day of Preschool for 2013/14

This year of preschool seems to have passed even quicker than last year!  Just as we got into routine and felt really comfortable with our teachers and our teachers with our kids, its time to say goodbye already!

Another year under our belts and one more to go!

All the kids in the class are off in different directions as they start Kindergarten in the fall.  Very exciting and nerve wrecking for the parents and kids.  We've decided to keep Emma back a year, and with kindergarten starting so soon (or so it feels) I'm pretty happy with our decision.  In terms of staying connected with the other parents, its feels kind of sad that we're not following that same path, but as I said to the other moms, I'll just learn from them!!

A collage we put together for the teachers and parents

Emma has grown so much and has learnt so much.  She's growing up so fast and with how fast everything is moving, I feel as though I don't get to cherish every moment enough.  It's great though that we received a journal from the kids, and you kind of get insight of what they did at school and how they really felt about certain things. Usually after a day at school I'd ask, what did you do?  What stories did you hear?  It's always, I can't remember or "Nothing!", my favorite, "I'll tell you later at dinner."   Also thankful for the teachers always posting on their boards outside the classroom what they did that day.

The weather has warmed up nicely, feels like summer is here already.  We've started heading to the pool and can see us being there most of this summer.  I look forward to summer with the girls (I can see my consumption of drink (not only water) will be increasing however!)
But it should be fun and hopefully I can find some fun activities to keep us busy...hoping to explore a lot more with the girls and make the most of our time together!

Can you believe this was Emma last fall and this is how she looks today (ok, maybe it's just the hair, but to me she seems like a baby girl on the first day!  So much change in my eyes.  Love you Em!

                

Emma's last day - water day - Addi making herself comfortable with Emma's class

Emma and Jenn

Emma and Leigh

I'll have to post pics of Emma's journal and some of her artwork.....just wanted to post this before the next school year creeps up on us!