PHIL! / DADDY!!! / DADDA!!!!!!!!!!!

I was really hoping to leave a post for you about what we got up to today, but I'm falling asleep and I'm not going to make it.  Instead, here are some SUPER ADORABLE PICTURES of the Sweetest Girl on Earth. 

(And, Phil!  Although you're going to want to hop on the first plane ride home, she's ALL MINE TO SNUGGLE until you get back on Tuesday.  Don't you go getting any ideas!) 

This girl. 

I tell ya. 

I love her so much my heart hurts.

BEAST MOM cried today.

Multiple times, in fact.  And it was all Phil-is-about-to-depart-for-Thailand related. 

Dramatic, I know.

I mean, I get it.  It's ONLY for six days, I've done it before, and I have Kumari Poppins (and other people of SUPERHERO status) a door-knock away.  However, this trip is one that I have been anxious about for WEEKS and I just couldn't shake it. Worst case scenarios have been sweeping through my mind and it took Phil walking out the door before I was finally able to pull myself together.

Then I knew it was time.  

Time to wipe away the tears and put on my CAMP DIRECTOR hat (the hat I wear every time Phil leaves the country.)  For some reason, upping my ACTIVITIES GAME FACE during his work trips makes the time go by more quickly and keeps everyone happy for longer.  Or maybe I just LOVE CAMP.  

CAMP PARKINSON is in session, you guys! :)

The first 30 minutes were touch and go at best.  Jettie had just woken up from a nap and, as always, wanted an hour-long cuddle session before being put down to play.  Of course, this is prime "BUT I WANT YOU TO PLAY WITH ME MOMMY!" time and the conflict resulted in Nory staying in her bedroom all by herself.  I sat in the living room and listened as she programmed this DELIGHTFUL TOY FROM GRANDMA (!!!) to sing the lyrics "MOMMY IS NOT NICE":

So that was a good start.

I decided some quiet time would be best for all parties.  Along with a fresh pot of coffee....

Nory played with her dollhouse, while Jettie orchestrated her very own game of hide and seek, and I drank a cup of hot coffee on the couch.   

When it seemed like we could get along as a trio once again (THANK YOU, CAFFEINE!), we tackled some chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen.  We only had one slip and cry (from Nory jumping off the kitchen stool), but the cookies turned out marvelously well and we got to enjoy them with Coco when she came over to visit.  Coco and Nory played with some kinetic sand type stuff, while Juliet and I played with the toy kitchen.  We were totally IN OUR GROOVE, us four.   

Once it was dark outside, we took some glow sticks (THANK YOU, MARY!) and flashlights to the courtyard.  The glow sticks were really fun to hide and throw and push around in the wagon.  It was perfect weather and LOTS OF EXCITEMENT :)

The night concluded with a meltdown regarding ice cream desires (Nory, not me), which led to a discussion about what makes people mad and sad, followed by an episode of Max and Ruby in Mommy and Daddy's bed.  Coco persevered through all of the drama that any night with a 3 year old and a 1 year old entails and even remarked that she would come back for more fun tomorrow!  I wonder if she'll sleep on it and change her mind.  Ha!

By the time the girls were in bed, Phil had messaged to say he was safe at the Bahrain airport.  He didn't say it, but I know he totally wishes he was back home already.....

LOVE YOU, PHIL!  

Here's to a great 6 days of camp for the gals and a productive few days of learning for the Sir :)  

HAPPY EASTER!!! // OUR BUNNY BRUNCH :)

Another holiday is here and it's one of the BIG ONES, you guys!  (As opposed to the ridiculously small ones that nobody knows or cares about because they don't follow the same Instagram accounts that I do.)  I'm so glad we're all on the same page for celebrations this holiday around ;) 

HOORAY.  FOR.  CELEBRATIONS!!!!!

In honour of Easter this year, we decided to host a Bunny Brunch with friends and family that happened to be stay-cationing for spring break or weekending from work.  The gathering was smaller than usual (with so many of our Kuwait friends out of country!), but it was special nonetheless and that is what we aim for with all of the traditional gatherings we miss out on back home.  Phil and I really want to make sure the girls feel the BIG DEAL that comes along with the MAJOR HOLIDAYS, regardless of how celebrated they are in the desert.  Basically, if our family in Canada is rushing to get showered, dressed, and into the car for a road trip to a Great Aunt's house, you can bet that we'll be scrambling to make a special day happen in Kuwait too :)

Saturday morning was the BIG DAY :)  We did our best to delay the egg hunt until all of our guests arrived, but clearly we're more optimistic than the average parent and you can only distract a three year old from EGGS EVERYWHERE for so long.  Luckily, Grandma Barb came early and she got to participate in the hype of a threenager's hunt :)  The Easter Bunny rocked it this year, leaving eggs in the cutest places.  In her dollhouse, her play kitchen, her bookshelf, etc.  WAY TO GO, E.B.!!!!

For breakfast, we had a yogurt and croissant bar along with some freshly baked goods from some of our guests.  It was DELICIOUS!  Also, I got to use my fancy new THERMOS which makes serving coffee SO MUCH EASIER.  No more of that making a pot of coffee and immediately putting on a new pot of coffee.  There's a pot of coffee in the thermos and one sitting in the coffee maker.  The rushing around scenario is GONE-ZO and I'm pretty sure I want to spend the rest of my week serving coffee to those that want to get caffeinated :) #dreamcometrue

Both of the girls were wearing bunny shirts for the occasion, but do you think I could slow either of them down long enough to sit side-by-side for a photo?  HA.  This is the only picture I have of them together.  And they aren't even looking.  And you can't even tell that they are both wearing adorable bunny shirts.  But.....at least they look like they are getting along!  You can't have EVERYTHING ;)

Half-way through our bunny brunch, Nory's mind was set on having a tubby, which meant Juliet's mind was set on having a tubby, which means Phil's mind told him it was easier to just HAVE A TUBBY.  So, I chilled with our guests while my entire family abandoned us for the bathtub :)  Oy.

This time of year, we also feel a little homesick.  It's SO CLOSE to being June, but also SO FAR AWAY.  And when your child is hyped up on chocolate it feels FOREVER and EVER away.  (So that last part is our fault, but whatever.)

We miss you, CANADA!  We can't to see you for other major holidays!  Like Father's Day!  And Nory's half-birthday!   Ha ;)

XOXO   

NARRATING the CAMERA ROLL...

 ^^^  Last Friday we went to a birthday party on the opposite side of our building.  The family has an incredible view of the mosque across the street and we were lucky to witness the call to prayer from their windows.  After 8 years in the Middle East, I continue to be moved by its beauty.  

  ^^^  Left Side:  My new "Mom" tumbler and my first-time having "Jamberry Nails".  Not a huge fan of the nails but a REALLY BIG fan of my mug :)  Right Side:  McDonald's coffee is amazing.  I'm not even being sarcastic.  I actually LOVE IT. 

^^^  The good news is that Juliet doesn't eat the playdoh anymore.  The bad news is that she thinks it's for throwing all over the floor.  #progress

 ^^^  Left Side:  We found a really cheap "Gingerbread Village" set and decided to build it mid-week.  Nory was thrilled!  Right Side:  You have no idea how much glitter is scattered throughout our apartment.  You also have no idea how much I DON'T EVEN CARE :) 

^^^  Nory scored her first two baskets EVER this week!  Of course, the achievement happened the minute I stopped videoing it so I am determined to get her third basket on video this week!

 ^^^  In these pictures, Juliet is wearing a dress from the Easter Bunny under her Puma zip-up.  It's from Heidi Klum's clothing line which I happen to be obsessed with.  The clothes are so fun and bright! :)

^^^  Turns out there is a secret group of us at our building that love to do puzzles!  We've been meeting on Sunday nights and our very first group piece is COMPLETE!  Three cheers for the SUNDAY NIGHT PUZZLERS!!!! 

  ^^^  Thursday night, the START OF SPRING BREAK!  We ran around like fools in the courtyard right up until prime meltdown-time.  HOORAY FOR THE HOLIDAY!!!!

^^^  Sometimes we're driving along and it just hits us that, YEAHHHH, WE LIVE IN THE DESERT!!!  So we pull over and take a picture to remember the moment :)

^^^ "Okay, Mom.  Mom....are you ready, Mom?  Okay....ACTION!!!!!!!"

^^^  Spring Break with these two cuties! #priceless

Three Exciting Things:

1)  Our flights are booked and we will be home in Canada from June 10th to August 12th!  Although the time in between those dates is looking marvelous, the bookends have me tired already.  I'm counting on Starbucks, My Hero (as I do every flight with the girls).  

2)  June 11th is our town's Fairy Festival!!!  We missed the first annual by ONE DAY last year and so I'm over the moon about being in attendance this year.  The image of Grampy walking along with two little fairies is going to be SUPER!!! :) 

3)  Today is the last day of school before Spring Break and I am SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!  I can't wait to spend quality time with these two darlings....

A celebratory high-five to all of my colleagues that made it to Spring Break and a "you got this!" high-five to all of my teacher friends who are tagging back in after the weekend!

Summer is almost here!!!

XOXO

FACT: Our "village" includes an animated character.....

Ever since Netflix came to Kuwait, we've been introduced to a new variety of children's shows.  Shows like Ben and Holly, Bo on the Go, Max and Ruby and Daniel Tiger have become BIG NAME ACTS in our television repertoire.  In fact, some of them (well, ONE OF THEM) is an honest-to-goodness item in our ever-growing "parenting toolbox." 

Not kidding, you guys.

Daniel Tiger is FOR REAL.

The thing is, Daniel Tiger is not just a show.  He's some sort of THREENAGER-WHISPERER that turns every single parenting dilemma that you could possibly think of into a song.  A song that your child loves.  AND believes in.  And I know it sounds freaky, but I PROMISE, PROMISE it's true.

Evidence #1:  Stopping play to go potty

It's every child's nightmare.  One minute you're happily playing toys, and the next your Mom or Dad is dragging you to the potty because you're doing the pee-pee dance.  There's kicking and screaming and it's a big, painful ordeal that leaves everyone annoyed and stressed out. 

Until you learn about Daniel Tiger.

Because there's a song about that:

When you have to go potty
Stop
And go right away
Flush and wash and be on your way

All we have to do is sing the song and Nory goes off to do "all the steps!"  It's . like . MAGIC.

Evidence #2:  Leaving the house without the kids

Kids love to make it seem like you're really, truly abandoning them, don't they?  At least ours do.  It breaks my heart and I always have to wait outside the door until I hear them stop whining and crying.  This allows me to move from HOME MODE to WHEREVER WE ARE GOING MODE, knowing the waterworks are over and everything will be fine. 

But then we learned about Daniel Tiger.  And there's a song for this scenario too.....

Grown-ups come back to you
Grown-ups come back they do
Grown-ups come back

So now, we sing the song and Nory stays calm and tells Juliet, "grown-ups come back, Jettie!"  Our departures have become much, much SMOOTHER.

Evidence #3:  When something goes wrong

There are times when the Nornado comes out and absolutely everything upsets her.  Her milk isn't in the right cup.  Her dress doesn't match her lips (don't ask).  The table has a speck of dirt on it.  It's one thing after another that makes our chance of survival seem rather bleak. 

But, being the threenager-whisperer that he is, Daniel Tiger made a song for this situation too!

When something seems bad
Turn it around
And find something good

Not only does it work with Nory, but she uses it AGAINST US whenever we're frustrated or grouchy.  It's hysterical. 

To summarize the evidence I've presented in this morning's post:

"Tell me everything, Daniel...."

So now you know that we don't just have a nanny.  We also have a big cat helping us to raise our children.  Haaaaaaaa.  It takes a village, you guys.  And we've now introduced an animated character into the line-up :)

WE LOVE YOU, DANIEL TIGER!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Year and a QUARTER (plus 13 days because......you know how it is.)

A few things about Juliet Tyko at this age:

*  She is a SERIOUS DADDY'S GIRL.  Like something you've never seen before.  I really only get my share of snuggles when Phil's out of the house.  (That should equate to lots of cuddles for me when Phil is busy at work next year!!!)

*  Words she says / words we can interpret (ha!):  pizza, more, kitty cat, Minnie Mouse, Barbie, puppy, taco, noodles, milk, ball, night-night......

*  She's water obsessed - a sure sign that she's her sister's SISTER :)  She also says "wawa" for water, just like Nory did!!!

*  She loves the Happy Monster Band on Disney Junior.  It's so cute to watch her dance when they start to perform :) 

*  If you say "outside", she walks straight for the door.  If you say "tubby", she bolts to the bathroom.  Those are two of her favourite activities :)

*  Jet drives her sister CRAZY because she always wants to be doing whatever Nory is doing.  The funny thing is, the situation often reverses itself when Nory wants to receive the same attention that Jettie is getting.  #sisters

*  She has an opinion about what she wants to be doing.  If you ask her a question - food or play related - she will give you a "yaaaa!" or "no!" in response.

*  "PIZZA" lover.  Ah-hem, lover of anything with sauce.  

*  Jet LOVES to FaceTime.  She will touch my laptop and say "buppy" (for Grampy) or "nana".  Then it's my cue to dial :)

*  She's cautious around new faces and often runs for Phil or I when she's unsure.  She buries her head into our shoulders and will stay that way until the coast is clear.  I tell you, we couldn't have two MORE OPPOSITE little people in our house. 

We love you, Juliet Tyko!!!  We can't wait to take you home to Canada this summer, where we'll make "NEW FACES" become OLD NEWS before we fly back to Kuwait in August! :)

XOXO

NARRATING the CAMERA ROLL....

 

^^^  Our obsession with the tiles continues!  Stage Left:  Barbie Palace.  Stage Right: Animal Farm!  Also....kids sit in the most uncomfortable ways.  For real.

 

^^^  The QUIET ONE (who we've been told to watch out for!). 

^^^  The "can you please be quieter?" one (who we ALWAYS watch out for).  Whenever Jettie naps on the weekends, we get out TWO piggy banks and move coins back and forth....as quietly as we can...

 ^^^  MOM!!!!  Look at my chocolate beard!!!!!!

^^^  Courtyard POLICE!  Guarding her friend's bike until he returns!  Haha.

 
^^^  He's the BEST DADDY.  The girls love him SO MUCH!!!!!!

^^^  Gem wanted to get a picture of the four of us for International Women's Day.  HAAAAAAAA.  Who run the world?!  GIRLS.

 ^^^  The girls love to play "Snapchat" with their Auntie Gem.  Nory think I should get it too (as do my students) but I remain anti-snapchat because a) I don't get it and b) who has time for that?!  (Apparently everyone else is better at time management than I am....)

^^^  Yesterday Phil and I ran a girls/boys basketball session at the middle school rec night.  We pretty much got CLOBBERED by teenagers, you guys.  They've got limitless energy, I tell ya and I'm using it against them in class next week ;) 

^^^  Wearing my favourite colour with my favourite people!!!  HAPPY St. Patrick's Day!!!  (Or go-to-bed-as-soon-as-the-kids-go-to-bed day.)