NARRATING the CAMERA ROLL...

Fresh peas in the pod from the garden.  I'm pretty sure I need to pack some of these for the airplane to Kuwait.  I am a BIG FAN of things that are both a SNACK AND AN ACTIVITY :)  (Plus, see how sleepy they are making her...HA!)

Nory and her best friend Coco :)  She's grown quite attached to this puppy since we've been home, looking forward to her big, slobbery kisses every visit to Nana and Grampy's house!

We love this little Ergo Baby :)

Fishing with Maria and Scot.  No luck on the fish-front but we still had lots of laughs :)

Our rainy day tradition :)  I was out there too!

On our way to the pub.  Both girls in jammies and Nory INSISTED on bringing Lambie and a picnic basket :)

"Come on, Sister.  You just have to move like THIS!"

Late afternoon pizza party - just us four :)

Holding tight to her new kitty and LOON WHISTLE from Aimee and Patrick!  They also got her a beautiful amethyst, stating that EVERY GIRL NEEDS A ROCK COLLECTION.  I love those two so much! xo

This teething toy is our current fave.  Especially after I figured out to thread a ribbon through it.  Life with this nubbly ball thingy has gotten so much easier since the ribbon discovery!

We like BIG BUBBLES and WE CANNOT LIE.

In addition to coveting a flash mob (potential 30th birthday gift, PLEASE?!), I have always wanted to try making big bubbles.  I remember seeing them at the beach the summer I was pregnant with Nory and I decided that THIS SUMMER we were finally going to make it happen.  Nory is fascinated by bubbles and I couldn't wait to WOW her with massive ones in our Canadian backyard. 

Phil was well aware of my intentions to create a Lakefield Disneyland out back, however I can't say he demonstrated much confidence in my abilities to do so.  If only he knew me in our university days (#modelstudent).  OBVIOUSLY I researched the HECK out of big bubbles (what do you want to know?!) and was WELL PREPARED to say TOLD YA SO in a couple of hours. 

Based on my research, I wrote down two different big bubble solution recipes and two potential sketches detailing how to create the big bubble wands.  After little hesitation (ha!), I decided to go for the elaborate recipe (more ingredients must lead to success, right?!) and I also decided to go for the elaborate wands because............GO BIG OR GO HOME, people.  With my list of materials and my bubble wand sketch, I began my walk through the town of Lakefield to secure all that I needed to make my BIG BUBBLE DREAMS come true.  Phil sent my Mom along with me for moral support.  I'm telling you, the man sensed DISASTER, foreshadowed by my high-pitched enthusiasm whilst reviewing my list.  "A washer, two eye hooks..........two 12' pieces of dowel......".  HAAA!!!!  Alas, off I went - head high and heart pumping. 

First stop was the good ole IDA.  This is where I picked up the glycerin, which seems to be the "magic ingredient" when it comes to bubbles of gigantic proportions.  I lucked out and found it in the first aisle I browsed (ah-hem, without having to ask any employee for assistance)!  I checked off the ingredient and grinned my way out the door.  THIS WAS REALLY HAPPENING!  I'm not sure I've ever felt this elated leaving the drug store. 

Then it was on to the hardware store.  This is where I met a very kind man named Curtis who walked me through the store and helped me select all the various pieces I needed for the wands.  I could sense he was skeptical of my end goal (#teamphil), unsure if I would be able to assemble the random pieces I purchased into anything that resembled the sketch I carried in my hands.  At one point, he double-checked that I had a saw to cut the dowels into smaller pieces, to which I replied, "I don't think so, but can't I use a steak knife?"  This is where he smiled politely and directed me to the exit with a sincere "GOOD LUCK".  Who knew those flimsy sticks were un-cuttable with kitchen equipment?  NOT I.  

Last stop was Foodland for the remaining solution ingredients.  I floated through the aisles on cloud nine, picking up such things as baking powder, cornstarch and dish soap.  It was all so joyful, right up until I was at the check-out and spotted plastic big bubble wands for $3.99.  That part was a little deflating - coming across as more convenient, time-consuming, and affordable.  BUT, I decided to laugh that one off and keep my eye on the prize.  I was going to have homemade big bubble wands that would be passed down through the generations with my special big bubble recipe.  The afternoon was destined to be AWESOME.

Impeccable placing of this consumer product, Foodland ;)

Upon arriving home, I got crackin' on the solution and then immediately into the wand-making.  Turns out we had to recruit other members of the neighbourhood in the process (#borrowedasaw #andadrill), but it eventually came together and I was ready to put my makings to the test.  I didn't expect to have an audience on trial #1, but when you involve the entire community (ha!), people flock to watch the big moment.  My heart was racing as I dipped the wand into the solution and then nervously drew the sticks towards my chest.  THIS WAS THE MOMENT I had been dreaming of for THREE YEARS....since the summer of 2012....

Here goes my first attempt....Phil's face totally says "all she's going to do is make a mess!"

Now Phil's face is saying, "OMG!  She ACTUALLY DID IT!"

 YES I DID!!!!!!!!

Academics are LEGIT, you guys.  Researching, diagramming, questioning, building......

I still cannot get over Phil's face in that second bubble picture.  He was so proud of me and IMPRESSED!  I felt ON TOP OF THE WORLD ;)

It wasn't long before Nory had to give it a try too:

That face tells me the process was ALL WORTH IT! :)

Here are some more pictures of our AMAZING BIG BUBBLES THAT WORKED!!!!!! 

The bubbles were just as amazing as I remember them being that Summer of 2012.  And turns out I AM JUST AS AMAZING as I was the day Phil married me in Summer of 2010 ;)  Big bubbles are sure to be a Parkinson Summer Tradition :)

CONVERSATIONS with NORY :)

Conversation #1 

Nory: Can you open the door please, Mom?

Me: Of course, Sweetie.

Nory: Thank you, Your Majesty.

She has referred to me as this three more times since!

Conversation #2

Me:  Here, Nory.  You can have a small piece of chocolate.

Nory:  (jumping up and down with a huge smile on her face)  YAY!!!!!  Every piece of chocolate is YUMMY EVERY TIME!!!!!!!!

This girl knows what's up.

Conversation #3

Phil:  Nory, would you like to help me do some laundry?

Nory:  (in a sing-song voice) Yes Sir, yes Sir, three bags full!!!!!!!!!!

Conversation #4

Spontaneously...

Nory: (runs over to Phil and gives him a hug)  Daddy, you're MY HERO!!!!!

Nory and her Hero at Niagara Falls :)

You know how I love matching? #momfail

Turns out there may be a case against it.   

GASP!!!!

Nory wonders if I should even share this story.  It is SUPER embarrassing.  For the both of us.

I’ll cut to the chase.

I put on Nory's swimsuit so she could join her cousins for a swim in the lake.  However, while I was putting it on, I noticed that it was definitely tighter than usual and I made the assumption (you know this won't end well) that Phil disregarded my strict instructions to NOT PUT SWIMSUITS in the dryer.  I was pretty annoyed because I had told Phil several times to hang the suits to dry and I assumed (again, this won't end well) that he saw himself as a God of Laundry and could do as he pleased with the items he washed.  

Nory - stage right.  In the swimsuit that had......shrunk. 

Well.

It wasn't long before I thought Juliet would also like to swim in the lake.  So I went to the diaper bag to retrieve her matching swimsuit and this is where things blow up in my face.   

BIG TIME.

I knew instantly that I had made a huge mistake and burst out laughing.

Turns out our 35 month old daughter was wearing a 3-6 month swimsuit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Which meant I had to do the walk of shame to my husband and my daughter.  And apologize.  For my wrongful assumptions.  And for the uncomfortable swimming experience...

Some morals to this #momfail:

1)  Matching can work against you if you fail to be diligent. 
2)  Never assume.  (Duh, everyone knows this!)
3)  Phil is a saint for laughing and forgiving. 
4)  These are the stretchiest swimsuits ever.  And the girls will be wearing them for years to come! 

Their differences blow my mind.

I mean I know that siblings can be very different from each other.  I see how I am different from my own siblings, how my nieces (and nephew!) are different from each other, and how kids I teach are different from their brothers and/or sisters.  But when you have children of your own and witness the uniqueness of each of them, it's a definite AHA MOMENT (as Oprah would call it).  Side note:  Did you know that "aha moment" is a term that has been added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary? 

We'll start with looks.  Heaven knows personality is a whole other ballgame ;)

Below you will see a picture of Nory at 6 months and a picture of Juliet at about 7.5 months.  This means I've tried my best to account for Jet's 6-weeks-early status. 

ELEANOR DOUGLAS

JULIET TYKO

I believe there are four main things we ought to discuss:

Discussion Point #1 - Please ignore the fact that Jet appears to have a kick-A$$ tan.  In REAL LIFE (as opposed to bad-lighting-and-instagram-filters life), the two of them have fair skin.  And Jet's might be even more fair to tell the truth!  ALSO, I wish I had a picture of Jet in that same bikini but I didn't have any that gave us a clear view of her face! 

Discussion Point #2 - Nory was born with a full head of hair and had her first haircut when she was 8 months old.  Jet will be 8 months old next week and didn't really have ANY HAIR until we came home to Canada.  Luckily, the Canadian air has served her scalp well and we have clearly visible wisps going on up top.  Like their skin tone, Jet's hair seems to be coming in more fair than Nory's.

Discussion Point #3 - Based on our interactions with the public, we have come to the realization that Nory is a "spitting image" of myself and Juliet is a "spitting image" of her Daddy.  Very few veer off course from this consensus.  If anyone sees even a TINY HINT of either child in the OTHER PARENT, please share it with us!!!  I keep searching and searching for a piece of me in Juliet (and a piece of Phillip in Nory) and it's difficult to find!

Discussion Point #4 - Maybe this discussion point should be classified as "the elephant in the room"?  Let's discuss the SIZE OF EACH CHILD.  Check out Nory's rolls, people!  She was a chunky wee thing.  And Juliet is just a.....wee thing.  No chunky about it.  Seems to me that Juliet could be our long and lean gal, with Nory maintaining her strong and muscular build :)

If it weren't for their big smiles and beautiful blue eyes, you might assume they were best friends rather than sisters ;)  #samething

Their sister-bond in action!

Let's move on to PERSONALITY.  

Nory was given the nickname "NOR-NADO" early on and I think we nailed that one on the head.  She's a SPITFIRE, she is!  A super energetic (SHE RARELY STOPS), really enthusiastic-about-everything, passionate (kindly put), and hilarious little girl.  I know we're thick in the terrible two's, but she seems to have an added "zest" to her that makes me think we've got it coming.  That being said, she is a full blown people person and loves to pass out spontaneous hellos, hugs and snuggles.  Her name means "bright, shining one" and she most certainly is that.  We love every single part of this wild child.  Even on the days she stares us straight in the face and does exactly what we're asking her not to do..............HA!

FULL OF BEANS, she is!

ICE CREAM!!!!!

CHEERS!

Moving on to Juliet.  The sweetest, calmest, most easy going little thing around.  I swear, if ALL BABIES were like THIS BABY, we'd have at least ten more ;)  She has these big, happy eyes and a big, happy grin that are almost permanent fixtures on her face.  (Now excuse me as I tap on every piece of wood around to prevent any 180 instigated by the above statements).  I love her patience for Nory and the way she accepts (and maybe even ADORES?) the lack of personal space between the two of them.  And the way she remains un-phased after surprise encounters with a slobbery St. Bernard.  She's the BEST.  There was a time, though, when I wondered if she would ever show us a bit of an edge.  A side that demonstrates boundaries and limits.  Well, we've recently found it.  Don't ya dare come between this girl and her food!  (That's a HOIT TRAIT and she can't be held responsible for acting like the rest of the clan.  We like our food and we need it often.  Just ask Phil.)  I can't wait for Juliet to reveal more of her sweet self.  We love her so much!!!

HOORAY FOR SUMMER!

 

 

Chilling with Daddy!

Three cheers for.......EVERYTHING!

So there you have it - two sisters different as can be, but united by a sense of joy that parents dream of.  We can only hope they learn to embrace each other's differences as we do and grow to be the "best friends" Nory talks about every day at age two.  Seeing them grow up together is already proving to be a wonderful blessing.

Cuddling on the couch :)

Nory feeding Jet at NORJET MANOR.

Lounging and laughing :) xo

We love you, Eleanor and Juliet.  We hope you stay the BEST OF FRIENDS as you grow up! XOXO

WELCOME AUGUST (I guess).

Turns out I'm not the optimist everyone believes I am.  At least in the time-left-in-Canada sense.  Because last week, as I was thinking, "boo - less than one month left in Canada", others were remarking, "oh wow - you still have almost a month left!"

Sigh.  August 19th is coming up all too quickly.  And there's been some crying on my behalf.  #getittogethergirlfriend

I know we have one of the luckiest jobs in the world - with a whole 10ish weeks off in the summertime.  But those weeks FLY BY.  Especially when 10ish months are spent away from our family and friends.  Alas, the only way to snap out of my Realization of Departure is to think about the upsides.  Which is how we started August 1st.

While laying in bed this morning....

Phil:  Yes!  We only have 20 more days left of chores for THE YEAR!

Me:  Make that NINETEEN!

Then we laughed at how spoiled we are.  And how we're going to ask Kumari to have dinner ready for August 20th when we arrive in Kuwait.  (I repeat, SPOILED).

August is sure to be a month of ups and downs.  

Visits with you - UPS.  

Goodbyes with you - DOWNS.  

Riding the train at the zoo with G.G. and the girls - UPS.  

Taking a plane ride across the ocean with the girls - DOWNS.  

Not doing the dishes again for 10 months - UPS.  

Abandoning our Canada house for 10 months - DOWNS.  

Reunions with Kuwait friends - UPS.  

Leaving the girls to return to work each day - DOWNS. 

Thank goodness Christmas just gets closer and closer.  That, somehow, makes everything seem survivable ;)  (As does back-to-school shopping).

In addition to our obnoxious start to today (really, it's okay to admit we were totally obnoxious...especially when coupled with the tongues-out picture), we said farewell to Maria and Scot (who visited for two nights) and have chosen to lounge for the remainder of the day.  We've done a lot of playing on the floor, reading, crafts, movie-watching (sort of, two year old style), and NAPPING (Juliet and I).  It's been the perfect way to embrace the rare day of JUST US FOUR. 

Tomorrow we look forward to the arrival of PARENTS-TO-BE, Aimee and Patrick, who are coming for a sleepover :)  Their little son or daughter will be joining the world this December and I can only hope that that lucky little one becomes birthday twinnies with either Juliet or myself.  Although, no matter what, December remains THE BEST MONTH OF THE YEAR.  Less than five months until Christmas!  WHOOP!!!!

Sending you warm wishes for a HAPPY, TEAR-FREE, FAMILY-FILLED, and SUNNY (or puddle-filled, whatever pleases you) AUGUST!  And if you can FedEx any strength my way, I'll make you the best darn virtual cupcakes EVER! XOXO

Parent Communication at its FINEST.

While laying in bed, reflecting on the worst Nory tantrum of all time…

Phil:  Do you know what finally made her stop?

Lindsay:  No, what?

Phil:  I farted.

Bet you’ve never seen that one in a parenting manual ;)

A girl can't be THIS SWEET all the time.

_________________________________________________________________

On the way home from renting “Tangled” at the movie store…

Lindsay:  I can’t find Nory’s Rapunzel toy anywhere.  I think we left it at the hotel in Niagara Falls.

Phil:  No we didn’t. 

Lindsay:  But I’ve ripped the house apart looking for it.  I’m telling you, she is nowhere to be seen.

Phil:  She’s in my packsack. I’ve just been lazy and haven’t taken her out yet.

Lindsay:  (Annoyed) I’ve been looking for Rapunzel for THREE WEEKS, PHILLIP!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Phil:  (Grinning) Well, Hun, I didn’t know that you were doing that.  This is why communication is so important in a relationship.

HA.  Thanks a lot, Dr. Phil.  

_________________________________________________________________

Just Phil and I, chatting upstairs the other morning…..

Phil:  So, once you’re ready, we’ll leave for the Z-O-O……(pause)…..I have no idea why I’m spelling that out for you.  

Lindsay:  (laughs) I was wondering the same thing!

It’s got me thinking, how do people communicate when their children can spell?  ;)

Are you smarter than a toddler? #momfail

Nory looks me up and down, then asks in a state of confusion, “are those undies, Mom?”  Sigh.  Just got busted by my two year old for wearing boot-ay shorts.  At (almost!) age thirty, I suppose she has a point. 

NOTED.

HEY Y'ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Enter my (brief) return from an internet-less world. 

This little blog and I have been unable to connect lately (what has it been – three weeks?).  Oddly enough, as much as I love posting on here, I haven’t missed the interweb NEARLY AS MUCH as I predicted I would.  After enduring the initial shakes of withdrawal early summer (not lying, I think that’s a thing), it’s been somewhat relaxing to enjoy life without it.  My phone has become a full-fledged camera/teething toy and even when I hop onto wifi at Tim Horton’s, I find myself restless within minutes and ready to get back to the house.  My Instagram feed bores in comparison to my conversations with Juliet and Nory, both girls eager to share what’s on their wee little minds.  Facebook, the most ancient of the social media platforms (dinosaur-type stuff, my students say), remains a necessity for making plans and keeping up-to-date on the lives of you awesome people.  So in terms of that what’s-going-on platform, I check whenever I can (still happily and excitedly, just for less time than before).  And as for the Pearl Curriculum – I really have to be in the mood to write and I also have to have CHILD-LESS time to write and sometimes I’d just rather sleep or read a book or chill with Phil (HA!) than pack up my computer and all of its accessories for the big walk to free wifi a few numbers down.  Turns out barriers are legit.

Anyways, this morning I woke up early, finished an AMAZING BOOK and then – with everyone still snoozing away (and a super clean house, courtesy of yesterday’s newfound productivity), I opened up my computer to type.  Center Stage is playing on our DVD-only TV, the screen door is letting in the crispest air of the summer, and I have a big (and SECOND!) coffee beside me.  I’m not sure when I’ll be able to post this from a Word document to Blogger itself, but it’s enjoyable nonetheless.  Disclaimer:  please be aware that if I happen to find another good read (at our local bookstore called “HAPPENSTANCE”!), I might abandon this post completely.  With the way we roll during the school year, the summer season is the only time I have to read a book without forgetting the plot and having to re-read the same sections to remember what the heck is going on.  Gotta embrace this summerseasonreadingseason (and my internetless life is totally accommodating!). 

So – other than this jibberish we’ve been spoiled with MANY visits from MANY friends and family.  Today, Phil’s parents and brother arrive and his mom will be with us through until next weekend, too!  They are bringing the trampoline and NORJET MANOR with them, so Nory is sure to be in backyard heaven within a couple of hours.

Time to go for our early morning walk.  We don’t have a dog, but it’s like we do.  Walking morning, noon and night!  Love you’s. XO

P.S.  The name of the AMAZING BOOK I just finished is “I’ll Give You The Sun” by Jandy Nelson.  I couldn’t put it down.  SIMPLY. COULD. NOT!  Thank you Professor Spring for the recommendation! xo

P.P.S.  At some point in time, WE WILL GET A DOG.  Not sure what kind yet (the battle of the breeds is a constant topic of conversation in our house), but the gender and name have been secured:  a BOY named ZEPPELIN.  “Zepp” for short.  Don’t you dare go and dog-name steal that one ;)  (A boy for Phil’s sake.  “Led Zeppelin” is Phil’s favourite band.)

#momfail

I’m going to start fessing up my mom-related mishaps with this hashtag in order to make other mamas out there feel like the all-stars that they are.  I know you should never seek pleasure in the failures of others, but I’m okay making an exception in this case.  I’ll gladly be the gal you can laugh about!  The thing is, when you’re a mom yourself, and other moms screw up, it magically makes you feel better.  Not superior.  But better.  In the “other moms make mistakes too, I can go on, it’s not just me” sort of way.  Or maybe it’s only me that feels that way?  #guilty  #buthonest!

I screw up A LOT and this one knows it!

Here are three of my latest #momfail situations that come to mind:

1)   Strollers have breaks, right?  Ones you’re supposed to put on to prevent the stroller from moving?  Well, it just so happened that I was at the pool one day and totally forgot to use them.  So, whilst socializing on the other end of the pool, I noticed the breeze pick up and – consequently – our beautiful new stroller rushing towards the deep end.  No child was inside (they were also socializing), but I did have to run across the (wet!) pool deck to rescue our expensive buggy from potential disaster.  Only about 6 people saw.  That I know of.  (I repeat, NO CHILD WAS INSIDE!)

2)   For Father’s Day I purchased a “Coolest Dad Ever” t-shirt for Phil to wear.  I gave it to him a day early and, like all things NEW, he decided to throw it in the wash.  Well, didn’t it come out about five sizes smaller – fitting ME rather than him!  Guess who was the “COOLEST DAD EVER” this Father’s Day?!  HAAAAA.

3)   Nory requested Kraft Dinner for dinner.  (No, this part is not the #momfail…..unless you’re more into nutrition than we are).  Anyways, I was super tired this day and was rushing to prepare it when, MINDLESSLY, assumed I was making a bowl of cereal and poured enough milk in the pot to drown the noodles completely.  Kraft Dinner soup?  Sigh.  Nory barely touched it.

If you ask Phil in private, I’m sure he’d think of a few other #momfails to add to this list.  BUT, if I were anywhere within earshot, he’d deny remembering even the three mentioned here ;)  That’s what good daddy’s do! 

I will make sure to send you more as they happen.  MOMS UNITE!  We’re all in this together!  XOXO