Date Night I & II

Date Night I 

Graham had a pretty awesome few days last week.  Thursday BAM a date at Rexall to see the Oilers with a young chick, Amelia Ann.  It was their first solo hockey game and it went awesome, they stayed till the final buzzer. Note the backpack Mr. P is wearing in the pic, that was full of 'tools' to keep the woman 'engaged' and they weren't even needed. A bucket of popcorn was his only trick.  Amelia is still talking about her date with Daddy, I love it. However I kinda feel like I need to come up with something pretty kickin for her and I, our last venture out together alone was the library wohoo or perhaps boohoo! No I don't think I stand a chance of being the cool parent here!





Date Night II

Friday night BAM a rock out at Pearl Jam!!  Rexall again, this time with the old chick.  Super fun!!  We are both fans of good music and stretch each other in this area.  Our IPOD's play everything from PJ to The Dixie Chicks to Justin Bieber (ok maybe only mine plays Bieber).  Seeing a band you love live is such an experience, singing tunes with thousands of people who know the words AMAZING!  Just a super fun night with the hubs, remembering that we do really love each other!

Our lives have been crazy busy...tons to record because I want to remember. Tomorrow though, I need to fold some laundry so we aren't completely wrinkly peeps.

~ Mrs. P



Ch-ch-ch-changes!

I have had 'Changes' by David Bowie running through my head all day.  Our little Miss Stella is changing.  She is becoming a more content baby, this results in a more content momma.  We have had some tough times these last few months, don't get me wrong Stella is wonderful...just a bit fussy sometimes and the sleeping oh the sleeping or lack there of I won't even get started on it.  Although the newborness is gone (tear), interactive baby has rolled in and I LOVE IT!  Stella is becoming such a little sweetheart, flashing huge smiles and letting out giggles. Such fun!!!  Love this little lady (I would love her more if she started sleeping more then 3 hours at at time oops did I just say that out loud).

~ Momma P

Daddy & His Daughters

I just love, love, love this picture!  (they are totally watching songs on YouTube)

I came across this super awesome post on a blog. I read it, then forwarded it to Mr.P.  It totally makes me tear up. I am so pleased that Graham already does a lot of these 'rules', our little ladies are lucky.  I myself have an awesome Dad, I absolutely adore him and am thankful for our late night chats over Chinese food.  I know that I am totally my Dad's favourite. :P

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

THE AUTHOR

Michael Mitchell is an (almost) thirty-something dad who blogs daily tips and life lessons for dads of daughters at lifetoheryears.com. He spends his days practicing the arts of fatherhood and husbandry, while attempting to be a man of God and a professional raiser of philanthropic funds. On the rare occasion he’s not tied up with the aforementioned and other pursuits of awesomeness, he enjoys fighting street gangs for local charities and drinking from a cup that’s half full.

So awesome! ~ Mrs. P

Bedtime...my fav!

 We are finally starting to sort of get into a routine at the Polischuk house. 

Stella is now 3 months old and although NOT sleeping through the night by any means she does consistently go down to sleep around 8 o'clock each night.  Big sister Amelia usually hits the hay around 7:30.  Our bedtime routine is actually one of my favourite parts of the day, now the title may be misleading. Bedtime is awesome not because the babes are asleep and the house quiet....well perhaps that is nice too!!  Bedtime is one of my favourite times of the day because, everyone smells good after baths, everyone works together to tidy up, everyone sits together for scripture, prayers and everyone is home together.  I think it is my fav because it is peaceful and bedtime is full of tickles, stray goldfish, hugs and love.   It sounds totally cheeseball (I tend to say this a lot) BUT I love the feeling in our home around bedtime, any of the craziness or frustrations of the day seem to get washed down the drain with the dirty bath water.  Anyway just wanted to write this so I remember it, or perhaps it will remain a fav time of day as our ladies grow. Who knows but it is special to me now.

Snapped some pics of the girls before bed!

~ Momma P

Sweet Summer Days

A few of the things we've done this summer...THE ZOO

 LOCAL TRAVELS (from the pic below obviously hard play occurred)

 SWIMMING

 BACKYARD TIME



At the beginning of the summer we sat down and compiled a list. We entitled it the 'Cousins Summer To-Do List',  Iincluded were all the fun things we enjoyed doing when we were kids and a few extras. Here is what we came up with:

Cousins Summer To-Do List

Jurassic Forest

Corn Maze (hoping to still do this)

IMAX

West Edmonton Mall Waterpark

Galaxy world

Valley Zoo

Legislature Pools n Picnic

Muttart

Devonian Gardens

Space & Science Centre didn't make it back for the Sesame Street Exhibit :(
Museum

Sheep in Fort Sask

We didn't have camping or fireworks on our list and they were awesome.  I am considering this summer a raving success full of fun!  I was just pumped that Amelia could walk this year, the double stroller and sling were still essential tools for getting around though. This summer pretty much rocked! I love living near Edmonton and love having most of my family close.  We are a lucky bunch of peeps!

~ Mrs. P

9 Years of Love n Life

Does it make us sound old if I say pictures from our first years of marriage are on film?

NINE Years!!!! Wowzers!!!!

It has been a fun ride.

I still remember sitting in my mom's kitchen talking to her about this guy from work and how he had the best smile, cute ears and was super nice. Oh, I still think those things about the dude but add about twenty more positive descriptors to the list.  The cheeseball statement of marrying your best friend is so true, he is my best friend. I would say we are like Mario and Luigi but that just doesn't seem to fit. 

We have weathered changes, challenges, sorrows and joys together. 

We have learned to navigate life with prayer and pro/con lists.

We have grown into our long awaited roles of Mom and Dad. 

We have grown more in love!

Graham jokingly tells me I have everything I ever wanted (usually when both girls are crying). I do!

This is a season in life full of joy and I am relishing in it.

I think this is a great product of nine years! I am thankful for it and all that it took to get here!

~ Mrs. Polischuk (I totally remember trying this name on for the first time, also occurred sitting in my mom's kitchen...totally thought the last name would be hard for elementary students to say and spell)

A 30th Birthday Fiesta

A few months back as I was contemplating turning the big 30 and had an idea....a fiesta theme complete with fireworks!!!  I thought having fireworks would distract me from the fact that I'd turned thirty.  The ideas started forming and with help from Graham and Alyson a kickin party evolved.  Family and a few friends joined us at my Grandma Hinko's farm.  It was such a fun night!

Favourite things about the evening include:

*tacos in a bag

*taking pictures of people wearing the mustaches & sombreros

*driving the quad and side-by-side through the hay field

*seeing the kids have fun

*pinata

*glow bracelets

*sparklers

*smores at the fire

*watching the fireworks wrapped up in blankets

*spending the evening with people I adore

Turning thirty has actually gone pretty good, I only shed tears once (that was in regards to my 30 before 30 List which has yet to be found - the fact I can't find it might give some indication as to the lack of completion and related sadness). 

On the actual day Graham surprised me by coming home early from work and sending me out for the afternoon to do whatever I wanted.  I took the opportunity to check out stores that you don't take short people into, it was nice.  I brought home take out and we spent the evening together as a family, we exchanged cards and it was just a wonderful day.  August 29th is actually our anniversary too...I'm devoting a whole other post to that!! 

It has been busy, busy around our house but wonderful.

~ Mrs. P