Hosanna and Mei Mei

Here's my big 3yr old! Isn't she just adorable?!!!!!! So the outfit my dad and mom got her and Mei Mei for her birthday. It's got a purple fur trim on the bottom. I even did their hair the same. I know. I'm crazy - but it's so darn fun!!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Zanna!

Last Saturday, Zanna turned 3! Dora was the theme of the day as you can see by her cake. She also dressed up for the occasion just in case there was a question as to who the princess of the day was. You'll likely notice I did not make the cake - it's store bought which I have been known to do. She wanted Dora and the one at the grocery store was awfully neat. It was a hit! I also did not venture into the "kids party" at this point. I went back and forth on it but finally decided that I've got one year left to get away with it. For this year we kept it to the visiting grandparents and godparents. In keeping with the Dora theme we did tacos and all the fixings which the kids LOVE! 
Some of the gifts she received was - well, dress up clothes from us. As you see she's really into it. She's got one dress she got at Christmas and she's worn it almost everyday since. It's so torn but she still loves it. She now has a purple one to choose from and some play heels.  It was still all about the American girl doll (known as Mei Mei in our house). Mei Mei received more clothes and a beautiful trundle bed that she shares with Rou Rou. Zanna got a lovely purple dress to wear along with a matching one for Mei Mei. She also got some princess themed tablewear, an Oxford University t-shirt from across the pond. And a big part of the day was the moving out of the toddler bed and bringing in the big girl bed. Her room looks so grown up now! 

A great vacation!

We really enjoyed our trip to Mexico taken in this 10th year of wedded bliss! It was truly a relaxing, pampering holiday from our regular life (which we love, by the way). First, I have to mention the food - oh, the food. We ate well, often and too much. I mentioned in the earlier post my breakfast of refried beans and pico de gallo  (yum)! I had meals that were so good and so well presented I could cry with appreciation (of course, any meal I don't have to make is automatically appreciated!)  The beach was so beautiful and relaxing. We could lay on traditional lounge chairs or these wicker beds that were so comfortable.  Of course, it was a treat to have so much couple time - we were so spoiled! It was sort of ironic that on the flights home we weren't seated next to each other on either flight - our first time apart for a week! I guess we ran out of things to talk about anyway - haha! And now vacation is over - taught lessons all morning, took Zanna to library time, made meals, did laundry, cleaned toilet, changed diapers - yep, business as usual! 

The kids did great with Mom and Dad. I was thrilled to get the report back that Will was always very helpful and agreeable for them. Zanna did well too but had a bad day on the last day unfortunately. She woke up on the wrong side of the toddler bed! Mom and Dad stayed through Zanna's birthday and left the next day. Really, the reason why I did not worry about the kids was knowing what capable hands they were in. We were very thankful my Mom and Dad were willing to watch them while we were away.

Being away from our "lives" for a week also helped remind us how blessed we are - that what we do on a day to day basis is important and has eternal significance - and that we enjoy it! Can't ask for much more than that!!!

Hola! from Mexico

I'm writing this in our hotel in Mexico - Mayan Riviera!! HOLA! Wayne and I are here by ourselves for one whole week. My folks are taking care of the kids. We're having a great time! We've gone all inclusive and one of the highlights of my day is the breakfast buffet. I've had a bowl of refried beans with pico de gallo every morning along with a mimosa. Unconventional I know but what a way to start the day. Breakfast is followed by a webcam date with the kids and grandparents but our connection has not been the best. As far as we can tell they're doing fine and everyone is still alive and well. After that it's off to the beach for our morning walk by the ocean. Lovely! Then we fry in the sun for a few hours, read a book and wait for lunch. Yesterday we really worked hard by grabbing some mats for the pool and making our way around the resort pool that loops around. Once on our stomachs and again on our backs. I think I may have worked up a sweat. The pina coladas are super yummy and we couldn't ask for a better vacation.
I know I'm the mother of a Dora fan when the Dora theme song echoes in my head wherever we go. The first day when we were trying to figure out where everything was, I had "the map" song going. Then I'd say - "how do we get to the beach? WE go past the Martini bar, through the towel shack to the beach!" Too funny! It's going to be hot today - 30 C.

Being the younger child

I sometimes lament the fact that Zanna doesn't get the experiences and time that Will got when he was little.  Of course, Will was an only child for years and it was just different. Will and I did library time, playgroups, cooking classes, swimming, etc. Today the boys have gone skiing so it's been me and her this afternoon and it's been fun. We hadn't been out all day and I wanted to take advantage of our time so I thought we'd check out the local indoor play area and see what we've been missing. The place has this giant pirate ship and castle to run around, slide down, climb, you get the picture. She so fearless - she raced right in before I could even pay and disappeared in the structure but then came back for me. From then on I had to follow her through the structure and do what she did. I am exhausted. Oh, how I missed Will and having him shadow her so I could sit and "keep an eye" on things! Maybe we're not missing out on much! Although she had a fun time and it was great to be able to play with just her and enjoy her. 

She and I do go to the weekly library time and this has been so much fun to do together. She loves the songs and rhymes and books read by the librarian. Occasionally, I'll be unable to leave Will home with Wayne so I give a list of assignments to do and get him set up at a table while Zanna and I join the group. When she turns 3 we'll be able to start the Mom and tot cooking class at the grocery store. Will and I had such fun at those! And learned a valuable lesson - cooking! Even now he goes monthly for a 2hour drop off class in the evening and makes up quite the menus! I'll also start bringing her with us to swimming - she'll be old enough to participate in their preschool program if she's willing. And I know she'll love going to gymnastics with us and being in the preschool program that goes on at the same time as Will's with our homeschool group. Come to think of it, I guess she's not missing out on too much!

Picture from Christmas

My sister Bekah and husband Tom with their sock monkey.

The 2nd picture is our family and the 3rd is for Bekah since she was sick - here's Tom getting ready to ride!

Bringing in the New Year!

We had a great Christmas! The children did a wonderful job at the Christmas Eve service and said their parts perfectly!  Christmas morning was a treat - Wayne didn't need to preach because our vicar did so we had a really nice laid back morning opening up presents and having a nice breakfast together as a family. We went to church, came home and packed up. Actually, Wayne took a nap. Then we packed up and drove all night to Wisconsin to visit my family. This picture is of my sister-in-law Brenda married to my brother Reid. The sweater she's wearing is one that my brother tweaked. You can't tell in the picture but he attached lights to it so she's flashing. Too funny!
This Christmas the presents for Zanna were all about the doll. We got her an American girl doll and my parents and grandparents got the doll presents. Ha! By the end of the evening she was recognizing the American girl box! 
We were very busy in Wisconsin - here we are snowmobiling! Dad rented some for the weekend and we had a blast. We also went swimming, the guys went skiing and Mom and Dad hosted the Hanson family Christmas with most of the Aunts and Uncles and cousins. It was a treat to be able to be a part of that. 

We stayed until New Years and then drove back all day. 

My sister and her husband had also come to Mom and Dad's for Christmas all the way from the UK and it was so great to see them. Unfortunately, Bekah got sick and was holed up in her hotel room for a day and a half!