Tessa is fulfilling the 'MEASURE OF HER CREATION'

We knew that when the time came to truly wrap up the growth of our human family getting a fur baby would likely happen and here we are.  We are closing that chapter of our lives, that baby making phase is over for us.....or rather the 13 years of trying to make babies is over!  Ugh even writing that, my heart.  It has been a journey.  The greatest joy and the greatest sorrow has come from our quest to grow our family, that statement could likely be true for every parent.  Anyway, I wanted to write yet another post this month about our Tessa and the absolute joy she has brought to our family!

 I am odd in that I get strong feelings about our homes/moving and about pets, weird but true.  I felt immediately that we should get this grey and black female mini schnauzer.  This little pup is full of feisty personality, apparently in her litter she was the one who would get everyone excited to play.  Feisty, fits in perfect with the women around here! In her crazy mode she likes to tug and fetch and bite, which we are working on hahaha. There is such an excited vibe that she brings. We love petting and holding her.

 

Her sweetness is off of the charts!  She likes to cuddle and sleeps right beside us at night.  Everyone wants to get in cuddles during the evening with her and she usually obliges as we wrap her or hold her like a baby.

 Lots of fuzzy pictures because this little pup can sure be a devious wild woman, but we LOVE her!

 She is getting pretty good at ringing her bell, still days can be hit or miss depending on how attentive we are.  We know she will figure the potty thing.  In the mean time we will just keep teaching and loving.

 I am so thankful we made the leap and brought this girl home, SO MUCH JOY!  She is filling this whole in my heart, perhaps for my family too. Tessa is truly fulfilling the 'measure of her creation' as she is part of our family, the work she brings and the love.

~ Momma P

dates with our daughters

Some times the stars align and you have a good day and go to bed feeling good about your parenting, yesterday afternoon was one of those times. Usually I am going to bed thinking about how I could have been better so a day like today is awesome for the heart!!  Graham had the day off and was able to volunteer in Amelia's class for skating and then they had a little McDonald's date after school.  Meanwhile Stella had speech at the Glenrose so her and I had lunch together at DQ before her apt.  The one on one, the discussions that happen.  LOVE it!

 

I have always been a fan of this quote and it really is true. 

~ Momma P

oh this pup

This pup has filled a hole in our home.  

She brings joy daily and we think she is happy to be part of our family if her wagging tail is any indication.  

Tessa's cuteness is off the charts!!!  

Both of our ladies have been super helpful and take the responsibility of having a dog seriously.  We have eagle eyes with our little pup in an effort to catch her before she 'goes', they know the signs and babysit when I shower or am busy with something around the house.  Actually, we try to always have someone keep an eye on her if possible.  We are pretty proud of her and her training so far.  The breeder suggested we attach a bell on a string to the back door and train her to ring it.....she does it....sometimes!!!! It is the craziest thing and super cool. Accidents still happen but the little gal is just 12 weeks old, she'll catch on.

The girls love the snuggles after school and think it is funny when Tessa goes into her crazy excited mode. Graham enjoys playing on the floor with her in the evenings.  I love that there is someone else around the house, chasing me as I do laundry, following as I vacumm. She does very well in her kennel when I have work and head to my volunteer gigs.  She is a cutie.  

 We adore her and feel like she is a perfect fit for our family.

~ Momma P

creative colouring

My girls still ask to craft almost daily and while they are really good at using their imagination to just be creative I had seen an idea for a lesson plan on symmetry.  We discussed what symmetry was, talked about our faces and some other examples and then did a fun drawing exercise.

Love these little artists of mine. Amelia had learned about Vincent Van Gogh at school so I told her she should teach us next and have us do the art project at home.
~ Mrs. P

book worms

These were our girls at Chapters today.  I'll admit it, I'm a book addict but my big girl will tell me she "doesn't really like reading!"  Ugh, I think it is the start of rebelling against your mother - tear!  Anyway, this picture tells me different. The pictures of them snuggling together reading in Mia's bed tells me otherwise.  I have books in baskets or on bookshelves in every room of our house.  I have seasonal books in bins that I bring out for every holiday.  I like to read, read, read to them!!!  Language, imagination, knowledge, adventure are all expanded through literature. We just love going to bookstores and hanging out reading books.  We didn't have much time as I was on a mission for a book for work but they found a good read and sat down together.  I sure love them and am sure glad that they have each other.  I hope they will see a book or author and it will make them smile remembering being snuggled at home reading.

~ Momma P

air band

A lot of air band lately.  The girls set up different instruments - not pictured are drums - they then just rock out, pounding or plucking to the beat.  This week the popular song has been an Eric Herman song 'Herman the Worm', that or 'the Judge' by 21 Pilots.  The videos I have are pretty rad!

~ Mrs. P

movies goers

Watching movies at the theater is definitely something our family likes to do together! 

 Two good family movies came out over the Christmas holiday's so we managed to snag some time to hit up the theater twice.  I'm not sure if it is my high school job at the movie theater concession or that my Grandpa Hudkins is still an 80 year old movie guy, either way we love a good movie with yummy theater popcorn.  It is almost in our blood!

~ Mrs. P

walking and riding with Tessa

Way back in kindergarten the students had an assignment where they were asked if they had $100 dollars what they would spend it on.  Amelia wrote she would buy a puppy!  Here we are now with this little fur ball Tessa. 

 When it is my week to drive for school we bring her with us for a few reasons; firstly we want her to get use to the car and second we all just want the excuse to cuddle her.

She is sooooooo adorable and we feel VERY blessed to have has as part of our family.

~ Mrs. P

toothless

 Our big girl lost two teeth in the spring and hasn't had much wiggly action since but that all changed this week! Her front teeth have been a little loose and she started really working at the one, post dinner Monday night we knew that guy was close to coming out so her and her dad started wiggling hardcore, there was a bit of gore but it finally came out and she was so pumped.  We pulled out the little Tooth Fairy Pillow we have and set it out by her bed.

The nerdy teacher in me has collected a few books for the occasion so bedtime stories consisted of these three reads, good ones I tell ya!  I am particularly fond of the 'Throw Your Teeth on the Roof: Teeth Traditions from Around the World' it is soooooo interesting what other cultures do.

Loosing teeth tends to have a bit of a domino affect and before I could even blog about the renewed excitement for the Tooth Fairy Amelia worked at the other front tooth and now her smile is so darling!  The kid life is good. More money for Disneyland, hard to bite apples though!

~ Mrs. P

Malanka

Malanka is a Ukrainian folk holiday celebrated on January 13, which is New Year's Eve in accordance with the Julian calendar
Malanka commemorates the feast day of Saint Melania the Younger. On this night in Ukraine, carolers traditionally went from house to house playing pranks or acting out a small play. Malanka caps off the festivities of the Christmas holidays, and is often the last opportunity for partying before the solemn period of Lent which precedes Easter.

Our biggest girl has been doing Ukrainian Dancing since September learning dances and preparing for Malanka.  The dance group is a parent run organization and is slightly different then the ballet she has done for the last two years.  Amelia made the change, wanted to follow in her dad's footsteps.  Parents are much more involved in the organization and it has been pretty cool to get to know the families, some of which have long histories with the club.  There are some real deal Ukrainian families so it was fun to talk with them about traditions or things that they incorporate into their lives from the Ukrainian heritage.  

We were incredibly proud of Amelia!!!! Her costume was stunning and she looked absolutely beautiful.  She was a touch nervous when we first arrived but we said a little prayer together and when it came time to perform her little friends encircled her and encouraged her, she was smiling as we went back to our seats and then she was smiling as she performed. 

The whole evening was incredible, from the live band playing as we came in to the scrumptious meal, the fantastic performance and then the dance after to the band.  Soooooooo fun!  Grandma Hinko joined us, as well as our friends the Watson women who came up for the weekend.  It was honestly such a wonderful evening!!  It had almost a family wedding vibe, loved it!

 So great for Amelia to be supported and it was just so lovely.   I even got a polka in with a Grandpa sitting near us, so fun!

Cheers to watching your children grow their talents.  Grateful for the joy we have in our lives, the many good things we are able to participate in.

~ Mrs. P