Heritage Day in Fort McMurray

Today we checked out the Heritage Day Festival with Auntie Jenn, it was fun.  We played a few games and checked out the petting zoo, which was totally the highlight for Miss Amelia. They had a stage and dancers which Miss Amelia also enjoyed, she danced a bit shakin her booty.  It was a beautiful sunny day, a rarity for this summer....we've had a ton of rain!  

Later we ended up meeting up with Grandma, Auntie Alyson and Auntie Leslie for Japanese food.  Having a girls lunch date at Fuji is a Fort McMurray tradition. Family is important!

A good day!  ~ Jenny

Smiley Girl

the evolution of a baby smile

June 27th ... sweet sleepy smiles!

 July 16th ... pre-bath cuddle smiles! (attempted picture)

July 21st ... morning hang out smiles! (attempted picture again)

July 28th ... two month smiles! (closest to capturing a smile pic to date)

Stella Charlene is actually a smiler or perhaps she just seems smiley because her big sister Amelia Ann was so serious.  We love seeing her smile!  It is fun kissing under her chubby cheeks or giving noisy kisses to her hands, both of which usually result in rewarding smiles. In the last few days just talking to her and being silly might get you a toothless grin.  

We are so glad she has come to our family.

Stella is such a sweetheart! 

~ Mrs. P

Glasses

Amelia says to Graham and I, "squirrel wearing glasses".  It makes me wonder if she thinks my eyes look like this when I wear my specs instead of contacts.  Kids are hilarious!!!  I love it that she is talking and can share her thoughts with us.  What a funny girl!  Man we adore her!

~ Mrs. P

Family Picnic...Living Room Style

We needed to do something to shake it up.  Why not a picnic in our living room?!

So we ordered take out, put out a blanket and had a picnic.  I usually only allow messy food at the table but memories are more important.  I think Amelia had fun, she didn't know what to think at first but said 'picnic, picnic' a few times in her sweet little voice.  I know Tula our puppy had fun, she made out with a whole chicken finger.  I just love our little family!

~ Mrs. P

Little Momma

Amelia Ann is a great momma! 

She ensures her Babies/Minnie Mouse/Winnie the Pooh are always taken care of. Pushing in the stroller, wrapping her babies tight, giving them Mia's milk and burping them, she practices these responsibilities.
  It is amazing how she is naturally a nurturer.
 In The Family: A Proclamation to the World it says, "By divine design...mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children".  Wow!  This little two year old is already for preparing for her divine role, it is lovely.  I've been able to snap pictures lately of Amelia being a little momma.  It is beautiful and makes me more conscious of how I am mothering, little eyes are watching.  I am helping her learn her divine role.
It is wonderful to be a woman.
~ Mrs. P

Hero Worship

There is a serious case of HERO WORSHIP going on at our house!

Amelia Ann is soooooo in love with her Daddy! Grandma Hudkins has said that when the new baby comes it is important that Dad naturally take a larger with role with the older child, well that is totally what has happened at our house. Amelia adores her Dad! We are talking Mom does not even exist when he comes home from work. I am mostly ok with it. He is such a good Daddy, playing out in the backyard, patiently showing her things and letting her take his hand off to whatever room in the house she would like to explore ( she often cons him into watching tv in our bedroom - cool for whatever reason). She wants Daddy to help her with dinner, Daddy to bath her and Daddy to put her to bed. Yup, the lady who gave her life takes the backseat. Honestly though I remember when we found out during our pregnancy that Amelia was a girl, one of my first thoughts was how cool it would be for Graham. I adore my Dad, there is just something special between Daddy's and their daughters.

I love the last picture in this post of Super Dad Graham, carrying both of his ladies. It just makes me smile thinking there is more hero worship in the making with our new little daughter. Graham jokes about being surrounded by girls but he loves it!!!

~ Mrs. P

The Legislature Pools

We had some rough moments at the Polischuk's. Fussy people, momma with a lack of patience and being couped up in the house resulted in a day that frankly kinda sucked....so we had to shake it up the next day and decided to cross something off of our summer 'to do' list. We literally did make up a list of things we wanted to do this summer and hung it in the kitchen.

The Leg is such fun! This is the coolest place for short folks to wade around and play. The pools are shallow and there are trees around so it is easy to find shade to lay your towel down. Last year Amelia wasn't yet walking but this year, wow look out she was on the move. We met up with friends and Auntie Jenn was even able to join us. Stella hung out in her sling. It was a fabulous afternoon had by all.

~ Mrs. P