Yesterday Andrew and I decided that we would take the kids to the beach today. We're not sure how many more times we'll get to go this summer, and with the weather so nice...

Last night was sooooo hot, it took us till about three to get into a good sleep, then Davey woke up at 415 and stayed up (though just playing and singing mostly) till after 530. So by the time morning came, we weren't sure if going to the beach with all three kids was the smartest idea we'd ever had.

We went anyway.


Instead of bringing the wagon, today we decided to bring the picnic table. It was still hard to get David to sit still while he was eating, but all in all, less food ended up covered in sand than usual.


I believe at this point there were four different sand castles being built. Very unusual for my brood. Usually they collaborate on one HUGE hole/castle near the water. Still, they look like they're having fun.


"Auntie, look at THIS boat!!!


Andrew taught Ashlie how to make towers for sand castles using wet sand. He's the king of castles. Here she is practicing her technique. This afternoon she wrote a story about how to build them, which I will post on her blog in a second.


Watching the yachts. All three kids loved the boats. Especialy when the boats went faster than they were supposed to (this is the no-wake section of the beach) and created some big waves. At first Davey was the only one who would stand near the water, the girls would run screaming up the beach. By the time we left, all three would stand waist deep in the water and laugh hysterically at the waves. One day we need to go to Cultas and body surf in the waves...


When we got home from the beach, Jade and David were both asleep. Really, really out of it. So while they were sleeping, Ashlie and I wrote some stories, and then a little photoshoot. Here's the pretty girl. Oh - and by the way...DEFINITELY made the right decision on going to the beach. It was about fifty degreees hotter at mum's than it was at Crescent Beach. SO glad we were there today, and SO glad mum has air conditioning!!

You asked for it...

Denise asked for "an about to pop prego pic". Here it is.

Of course if you want to see more of me looking huge and uncomfortable (though not in profile). You can check here.

Thursday with Davey

Davey finally noticed Tink's bed today. At least, today he demanded to be allowed to get in it. Immediately tucked himelf in and played with her bears and doll.


And seems really to have grown attached to this bear. He calls it "Beanu". Or at least, we think that's why he's repeating beanu so much. Here, they're tanning on the lawn. Later, Davey felt Beanu and said, "Hot" before picking him up and moving to the shade. Apparently that wasn't cool enough though, because...

He got up and walked straight to the pool with the bear. Time for a dip little friend!!

And now that he's cooled off in the water, Davey carries Beanu back to the shade to rest on an adirondack.


(as an aside, I was given that bear for Christmas 30 years ago. We were just commenting on how well it's stood the test of time. It's currently hanging out in the sun in the slide house. Hopefully he won't suffer any ill effects of his dip in the pool.) Here, Jade and Davey share some popcorn. Mnnnn.

Then went inside to practice being cheeky monkeys.

And back out for more popcorn.

She's almost here...

Only 7 days till Tink's ETA.

wow.

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Update:
I had my 39 week appointment today (thurs. 20). Nothing going on in terms of labour happening any time this century. Which is fine by me since Katt goes for surgery on Monday and we can't both be in the hospital at once. I'm hoping Tink waits till Katt is sufficiently recovered to watch Davey before she decides to come. Sort of.

Appointment was fine. Saw that locum doctor who was so awful last pregnancy and he was fine today. Though when we were talking about all the pregnant women ready to give birth he did say it's "calfing season". My mum thinks he's really a vet and that's why his bedside manner is lacking.

I've managed not to gain an ounce for the last month. Not surprising when you consider that my belly is so huge there just isn't room for me, Tink AND food (or drink most of the time for that matter). And for all those of you who complained last pregnancy that I didn't have a pregnant waddle...Oh I've MORE than made up for it this time. Yah.

anyhoo. That's the news on the new baby front.

Davey likes Tink's crib. Insisted on having a rest in it while I changed this morning. I wonder if he'll want to have naps with his sister when she arrives?

That's my boy! No shoes, no shirt and feet on the table. This is one classy eating establishment!!!

While we were eating dinner, two of Davey's dino buddies went for a cruise around the yard. Later Davey went and got the third dino guy and pushed them all over the yard. His other favorite thing to do is get in with one of them (even that is a tight squeeze) and pedal round the driveway.

Davey's first time eating a hotdog the "big person" way (aka in a bun with ketchup instead of cut up into bite sized chunks).

Here Davey is singing his favorite song (You are My Sunshine, of which his favorite part is Sunshine Happy) to his favorite new friend. Awwwwwww.

Can you guess what the kids had for lunch today???

Here's a clue...

And another...

Hmnnn, maybe Jadey's telling?!



And after the raviolis (they were SaveOn's brand of healthy root veg. raviolis. YUM) we had watermelon, strawberries and grapes (I love summer, don't you?!) we had popsicles. Mnnnnnnn...





Ahhh Andrew. Just loves having his picture taken. Can you tell?

And this is what the poor man has to wake up to in the morning. WAAAA hoooooo




Now continuing with strange people...Jadey, why are you wearing a life preserver to go down the slide??


And just what have you taught my son???

Welcome to our new look

Mum warned me that having a girl would mean Davey got slighted.

I'm not sure if we're going to change the name of our blog. But I've been wanting a new look for our blog for a LONG time, and when I saw this tonight it was too good to pass up. I mean, HELLO there's a fairy on it!! So, at least while we wait for her to arrive, this site will sport a fairy.

And since you can't have a blog with a boy's name and girly design, I've temporarily changed the name.

It might last, it might not.

I'm sure I'll get bored with this look eventually and change it.

In the meantime, Davey's learning to share his blog.

Enjoy.

What a Day!

My goodness, what a day we had today! We'd made a corporate decision to NOT do anything today except relax. Last week was a week where all of us had appointments and so all we did was run, run, run. Knowing that today was supposed to be sunny (and expecting it to be like yesterday) we planned on being outside alllllll day. Boy were we in for a shock. It was hot enough when the sun shone on us, but as soon as it poked behind a cloud! Oy Vey and Cold!

Anyhoo, here's a picture of Davey enjoying his breakfast smoothie while it was still actually warm out. Shortly hereafter he decided to have a nap.


Awake again, and time for lunch. We began with a bowl of fruit salad, and then he had roast potatoes dipped in ketchup. Very yummy. I particularly like this picture because he looks so old in it. It's the skinny neck. Babies don't have skinny necks. In fact, babies don't have necks. They're just one big ball of chub. My boy is growing up. Bittersweet that.


One disappointing thing about today was that Auntie Katt and the girls were trapped at their house waiting for a contractor. They were pretty sure it was an exercise in futility since (the guy was supposed to replace a counter top in the bathroom) they were fairly sure the builders or whoever was sending the guy wouldn't have had the foresense to send a plumber to remove the sink as well. Eventually, I drove over and picked up Ashlie (Jade was napping). And eventually a contractor showed up. Unfortunately the dimwits who sent him sent a CABINET guy instead of a COUNTER guy. So Katt was trapped at home all day for naught. I understand she was very polite and well mannered about it. That's why she's the nice sister.

Oh - and here's Ashlie...her first reaction to the new pool:

AND we got to put the sprinkler part on. Understandably Davey doesn't like it much. But Ash loved it. I'm sure it would be even better if it hadn't been so cold out!

The First Big Milestone of the Day: Davey learned how to make his screwdriver work! Up until now, the button to make the driver part of his powerdrill/driver has been too hard for him to push. It requires quite a bit of pressure. Today, after not playing with it for a few weeks, he managed to make it work. And proceeded to use it on everything around. Including his own face. Masterful!


Finally tiring of practicing with the drill, he ventured into the pool. Here he is ordering Ashlie about.


And as you can see, she faithfully follows his orders. Or something like that. They may have been fighting over the balls. Or discussing the weather. One can only hazard a guess.


You know, that slide might not look like much, but in the right hands (or bottom), it makes for quite a ride. Note the force at which Ashlie hit the water...she's generated quite a splash. Almost, almost made me wish I could use it. Perhaps if it were warmer out?


Young David agreed with his mother. "It's just too cold out to be in the pool," he said (yes he really did), "I think I'll rest on this blanket for a moment."


"Well, while I'm here, maybe I'll just rest my head a bit."

Despite the fact that the rest of us were shivering with cold, we could not pry Ashlie from the pool. She was quite the mother to these little dino babies.


Oh finally, the sun came back out, and the kids ventured into the backyard for some swinging. Ashlie invented some tricky stunt moves on hers, while Davey alternately watched in awe and (as seen in this picture) pretended not to notice how very clever his cousin is.


Expounding on the correct technique for her triple-something-or-other-wotsit-move


David might look like he's in pain, but he's really just talking about the stunts he would do if he were only allowed to be in a real swing and not this confounded baby contraption.


Oh! Jade is finally up from her nap and has decided to join us at our house! YAY!!


She was absolutely adorable today. Just look at those perfect pigtails.

And finally, the excitement of the day over, David decides to clean up the house for mum and dad. Notice how thorough he is, he even took the cushions off the couch before vacuuming? Oh and it really is on. That was his second big lesson for the day. Using the shop vac with it actually turned on! And he has now mastered turning it on and off himself. His mother is VERY impressed!


Even more so that he can vacuum AND read at the same time.