Horton Sure Knew How To Hatch An Egg

We like the book Horton Hatches the Egg- a lot.
It is a definite family favorite.
We have been reading it at night since Ruby was very small and have video of her 'reading' it when she was about 2.  (She obviously couldn't read- but she did have it memorized.)  I've said it before and I will say it again- child prodigy.
Anyway, recently we were watching some old video and there was my sweet little two year old Ruby reciting Horton in her sweet little 2 year old 'accent'.
I could not believe that she was now 4 and a half and 'reading' that same book to Myers- who could now recite all the important parts himself.  Where did the time go?
I made the comment to Justin that I feel like I didn't enjoy our time enough- that I feel like it goes too fast and I wish I could go back and do it all over again- I would be way better at it now.  (I think)
And then Justin said something that was wise beyond his years.
He said, 'You are going to say the same thing in a few years about this time that we are in right now.'
It really got me thinking.
I mean who would have thought Horton could cause such deep thinking.
Is enjoying the moment an unattainable goal?
Is it possible to really grasp the fleeting moments and savor them?
I feel like no matter how hard I try there is no possible way to actually feel like you have done your best and enjoyed every moment like it was meant to be enjoyed.  But I feel like I really WANT to enjoy every moment, yet I go to bed and I feel like the day has just gone- and there was no time to savor it.
Memories are made and forgotten.  Magical moments are swept aside because there is just too much to do, there is always the next thing to check off the to-do list.
So for the one hundred millionth time I vow to enjoy the moment.
To enjoy where my kids are now and not to wish that they were at a different stage.  Things pass by too quickly and apparently there are no do-overs and no time machines.  (who knew?)
I know I can't enjoy every single moment and that there will still be regrets, but I can do better.
Thanks Horton.  (And Dr. Seuss- that man was a genius.)

Because, I mean seriously, who wants to take any moment for granted when you have these cute little faces to enjoy....

And some random wonderful quotes- thank you Pinterest...

“Give your child a compliment and a hug; say, ‘I love you’ more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of ‘what if’ and ‘if only.’ … “Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey and share our love with friends and family. One day, each of us will run out of tomorrows. Let us not put off what is most important.  Pres. Monson

“You have nothing in this world more precious than your children. When you grow old, when your hair turns white and your body grows weary, when you are prone to sit in a rocker and meditate on the things of your life, nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out ... Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value ... The baby you hold in your arms will grow quickly as the sunrise and the sunset of the rushing days.”

~Gordon B. Hinckley~

found here

Springtime in Alliance

Spring has been beautiful here- and what I love most of all is the constant bloom.
Just when I am sad to see some sort of flower go another beautiful one pops up.
It is beautiful here.
We can now say that we have enjoyed every season here in Ohio.
Spring might just be my favorite...
Though I do love when the fireflies come out....
My very favorite street in springtime is Glamorgan.
It is lined with the most beautiful trees full of white blossoms.  (I'm pretty sure the inspiration for the song Popcorn Popping came from this street)

I took the kids for a little drive one night so we could enjoy the splendor of spring.
Ruby is a girl after my own heart and always gives me the reaction that I hope for.  She loves flowers and anything beautiful- so I love showing them to her.
Sometimes I wish they would just last longer.  But like I said- when one ends another one blooms.

You Know How We Feel About Cleveland...

We have been taking quite a few trips to Costco lately.  Really is there any place that is more magical than that place?  It even rivals Disney World.  It is an hour away so it means that we get to explore more of Cleveland (to make sure that our trip is worth it).  And with our limited budget it means we are always searching for things that are free.
Luckily it isn't too hard.
Lately we have visited The Great Lakes Science Center.

It was really fun.  They have a planetarium and a few animals to see.  It was fun.  The kids loved it.
Ruby honed her puppeteering skills.

While Myers honed his insect skills.

We had a good time.

On another trip we headed to a great park that Justin found online.  It was called Preston's Hope.

They had a little city and a great teeter totter and some great equipment to climb.
Myers and Ruby were pros.




Justin on the other hand needed some help.


Look at that cute little bum...


- and of course we made sure to use the swings.

It took a lot of coaxing but we finally got Myers off the swing and got to Costco.

Did I mention that I love Costco?
But not as much as I love Cleveland....
And maybe I was being a little bit hasty when I said it rivaled Disney...

And I made Ruby a new outfit-

I love it and she loves it!
I used this tutorial for the skirt.

Proud To Be

Sometimes my friends here in Ohio forget that I am Canadian.  I mean, let's face it, I'm awesome enough (in their eyes) to be American.  (I don't tell them that all Canadians are awesome- I want them to think I am special...)  But there is the odd moment in the day that I remind them of how very not American and very definitely- Canadian that I am.

For instance....

I say washroom instead of restroom
I say I wrote a test instead of I took a test
I call these candies rockets instead of smarties

Just so you don't feel bad- we still have smarties.  They just look like this, taste way better, and are filled with chocolate!.

I call balls of cooked bread dough buns instead of rolls
Target is still new to me- and the novelty hasn't worn off- (it NEVER will)
I say supper instead of dinner
I say grade one instead of first grade
I say koopon (coupon) instead of Q-pon.
I will be talking about the weather and say something like- it is supposed to be in the high 20's all week- and my friends will be shocked and horrified at how cold it is going to be.  In other words I speak in Celcius instead of Fahrenheit.  (I barely know how to spell Fahrenheit- let alone know how to switch between the two.)
My holidays are named differently- Family Day vs. President's Day, Victoria Day vs. Memorial Day, Veteran's Day vs Remembrance Day,  Black Friday vs. Boxing Day.
I celebrate Thanksgiving in October instead of November.
I say homo milk when I am referring to Whole Milk.  It can get a little awkward in a store when I say- 'we need some homo.' or 'don't forget the homo' or 'do you have any homo?'

I guess what I am saying is I am Canadian at heart, and I love it.  I wouldn't change all my querks for anything.  I like my differences.  I'm proud of them!  And it looks like we will be heading back to Alberta soon!  Justin got a job!  I'll fill you in on details when we have them all- we are excited though!

Bieber in the Bathroom

Just a few things to keep you up to speed with what is going on around here.

First of all- My April fool's day consisted of some great conference talks, some family time, and bieber- in the bathroom.
Justin was clever and thought for April Fool's he would make a life size Justin Bieber and place him in our shower for me to find.

It was a good trick and it scared us all.  Especially Noni- who walked in the bathroom to find Bieber staring at him.  We all had a good laugh- though noni was a little bit hesitant to go to the bathroom the rest of the day.  I think he is over that now.

Secondly- I saw this in the parking lot of GoodWill yesterday.

I know- it doesn't really look like anything.  Let me tell you what it was.

A MONKEY in a kennel.
Yes.  A MONKEY.
I made three attempts to get a good photo (I even followed her into the next parking lot- she drove around the corner to the next store)  I was unsuccessful all three times- so you will just have to take my word for it.  There was a MONKEY with a DIAPER on in the back of that car.

Recently we ordered some dishwasher tabs online.
Yup- one box of dishwasher tabs.  It was cheaper- what can I say?  I love online shopping.
Anyway- that wasn't the point.  The point was that it came in this box.

It seems a little excessive.  Don't you think?

And just because I could really use some delicious cake right now- here is a picture of Justin's birthday cake.  Home made black forest.  Seriously delicious- especially the day after for breakfast!

Also since Justin turned 32 he really has gotten older.  He now cuts everything up before he eats it.  Even his SALAD.  I am seriously speechless....

And lastly- This is what I had to fish out of Noni's nose today.  A googly eye (booger covered none the less).  And a big one none the less.  It was almost a take-you-to-the-doctor moment.  But luckily I did it- I'm awesome.  I should pick stuff out of people's noses for a living.

Look at that cute little guys face...  he sat like that for a good while.  I'm not sure if he was embarrased because of what happened or if he was sad that it was removed.  Probably the latter.  Let's be realistic...

As you can see things are a little crazy and a little bit awesome here.  The months in Ohio are winding down and I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little sad.  Especially when I hear it's snowing in Calgary when it is a beautiful 20 degrees here.  (celcius of course).  It hasn't snowed here for months and months.  I can't say the same for Alberta.  In fact I am almost forgetting what real snow is like......