crazy hair

I just love taking pictures of the girls when they have crazy hair or crazy expressions. Just thought I would share a few.

This one has both :)

I know they will hate that I saved all these silly photos, but I'll live with the consequences.

Lookin' for clues.

Covered in marker, sweeping the floor, crazy hair and that far away look. Does it get any better?

Amelia's self-styled hair.

Ice cream sandwiches and sprinklers

'Nuff said.

btw, that's not a bikini that Ember's wearing but a "kiwi"

Changes, part II

I had a short pang of sadness as I realized yesterday that it would be my last Friday morning with the girls for a while. I've got a job!!

Well... for a while. I was offered a temporary position at Nova Scotia Community College to fill in during summer and help out in September.  When I applied for a job with NSCC in February (see previous posting "Ch-ch-changes" or whatever I called it) the HR guy said it was close, but I thought he was just being nice. I guess it was closer than I thought. The position is mornings, 5 days a week and only lasts for 2.5 months, but it's a foot in the door and more experience for my resume (which was getting very out of date)

This time, I'm excited and not feeling torn. It will be the best of both worlds - making a little money, getting experience and interacting with adults in a different environment - plus we can still do fun family stuff in the afternoons and on weekends!

I was originally to start on the 16th July, then the 23rd, now they have finally agreed on the 18th so I can get trained before people leave on their vacation. Hmmm... now I just have to practice talking to adults and remember my training!! Wish me luck!

And oh yes, because these things always happen at once, Ron is going to Ottawa for about one month to do the Honour Guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is a real honour for CF members, so he will be gone July 23. Hopefully our transition will be smooth and I will be able to handle the girls myself. This is the first time in almost 2 years that Ron will be away for any length of time, so that will take some getting used to again! EEek! Wish me more luck -LOL!!

Since I hate posting without pictures, here is are some shots from one year ago in honour of our first year in Halifax.

Those hot summer nights...

are causing the Smith family some sleepless nights!

Both girls are napping now, which is unusual since Amelia has stopped napping a long time ago. She usually has quiet time in her room where she can read or play quietly. Not today. Getting to sleep at around 9pm last night and being up at 6:15am this morning will do that to a 2 and 3 year old.

It also doesn't help that our house is like a sauna, the sun is still shining until 9:30pm, and the girls are now sharing a room (most of the time). I have been trying to transition the girls into sharing a room for about 2 months, but in hindsight this time of the year was not the best choice - given the factors above. The novelty of being in the same room has not worn off yet, so there is still a lot of giggling, jumping from bed-to-bed, potty breaks, and the occasional quarrel. Oh well, that's the way it goes I suppose!

I'm glad we don't have the heatwave that's happening in the US, or we will all be moving into the basement and I'll be sleeping on the couch!

This was taken at Grandma Carol's in April after the girls stayed up partying until around 11pm

I hope everyone is staying cool, as you enjoy these hot summer days (and nights!)

First beach day!

We had our first beach day of the year on Sunday. It was a perfect day, so hot you actually wanted to jump in the cold ocean! It didn't even feel as cold as usual.

This year we plan to make it to the beach (any beach - there are lots to choose from) as often as possible. We might as well enjoy the coastal living while we are here!

Take a look at the beautiful mermaids I found in the sand!!

I know it's been almost a month since my last posting. We have been keeping busy but I don't always take the time to do this as often as I would like to. I am realizing that I don't always need to make my postings long and detailed as a letter would be. I'm going to try to write some shorter postings more often and see how that works for me. Y'all are be no means obligated to read every single one!!

Piddy dwesses

It started when Amelia was around 2 1/2, and Ember has started it up even earlier. Picking out her own clothes and rejecting certain ones. Lately they only want to wear dresses. In a pinch, a skirt and top will do, but generally, it must be a dress. Especially ones made by Auntie Jen.

The current favourite dresses. For those of you who haven't met them, that's GG and Grandma Carol with us; both of whom are harder to capture on film than Bigfoot.

I'm fine with the dresses, my only rules are: 3 day maximum per dress and no dresses to bed. And if it's really cold or we go to the playground, they need to put on pants or shorts. We found out the hard way how difficult it is to climb on the playground with a dress on. Especially a dress held up with elastic around the top. Although we have the rules, they are often compromised when I don't feel like having a battle, such as wearing a light cotton summer dress with a long-sleeved shirt and tights. It's quite the fashion statement.

our favourite "dress up"dress

And if a pretty dress wasn't enough, they often have to put on a "dress up" dress over top of their regular dress. How did I end up with such girly-girls??

We have some particularly cute dresses that Auntie Jen made 2 years ago that now work as tunics to be worn with leggings. I just can't put them away yet! As far as I'm concerned Auntie Jen can make us as many dresses as possible, since they will all get worn! (was that a subtle enough hint?)

The girls with Auntie Jen and Uncle Brent and Penny the dog.

Phenomenal felafel

Ron's birthday is next weekend, and since he has to work for part of the weekend, we decided to celebrate this weekend instead. It worked out well, since he got Monday and Tuesday off for volunteering a few extra hours at work on Friday. You can't complain about a four day weekend!

Last night was the birthday dinner at a Lebanese restaurant which was incredible. I love middle-eastern food and since we eat it quite a bit at home (hummus, baba ganouj, pitas etc.) I was hoping the girls would eat it too - but you never know with kids. They often reject food that they ate with gusto the night before.  Amazingly, they did not disappoint! I was so proud that my girls tried pretty much everything we put in front of them and ate more than they usually do at a restaurant. And the food!! delicious, phenomenal, wonderful. That is something that both Ron and I hoped to instil in our kids; an appreciation for foods from different cultures.

Since Ron had the day off, today we decided to go to the Discovery Centre in Halifax. There is a new display up with dinosaur bones, and moving "dinosaurs". As usual, the girls were more interested in the other exhibits that are up all year round. We had fun with the bubbles as well as the model suspension bridge, among other things. Perhaps we will try to visit again and they will be more receptive to listening to the information about the dinosaurs and hopefully there are no visiting school groups!!

Ember and a baby Ankylosaur.

Amelia and Ember helped me make a cake for Ron yesterday, but I'm thinking we will have to hide it tonight after a crazy evening of screaming, running around and a lot of crying. It's amazing how much the sugar and chocolate affect them. It won't be hard to make the cake disappear, since Ron and I love chocolate cake. Good thing birthdays only come once a year :D