Live it!

It's almost that time...

Chloe is all ready to start school. I can hardly believe it! Yesterday she went in to meet her teacher again and get more familiar with the class room. She found out her friend Tori (from a previous daycare) was in her class and she met her teacher and took in her change of clothes, indoor shoes, etc.

Keaton was excited to show her 'around his school' and had as much fun in the Kindergarten room as she did. That is his kind of school fun!

She did great and seems excited about the whole idea of school. I'm hoping that continues... she is a bit of a home body. The build up of school and riding the 'big kid' bus has got to be exciting for any 4 yr old - I just can't beleive the time has finally come.

Some days I am very ready for them to both be in school (it's been a busy summer) but other days I know that I'm going to miss her company during the day. My baby has gone and grown up on me.

This is pretty funny

and I'm kinda embarrassed for the poor girl. Yikes.

youtube

Bling, Bling...

Chloe and I spent the day shopping for school clothes. Out of the blue, she decided today was the day she would get her ears pierced. I couldn't talk her out of it and she was fearless, not even flinching when they pierced her ears, one at a time. She picked the earrings out and sat silently while the girl marked her ears and pierced them. The only thing she said during the whole procedure was "now I have earrings just like Adison does". She was so excited to show her dad when he got home from work, running out to meet him at the front door. I think she instantly looks older. She is proud as a peacock... and pretty as a picture!

and a few sweet photos of my big boy Keaton... who is going into Grade 2 in a matter of weeks. Wow!

A weekend of fun

No wonder the summer is flying by... it seems like weekend after weekend we are busy doing fun things with the kids. Chloe and Keaton will both be in school soon so we are making the most of the rest of the summer.

On Friday night Kerri held a Highschool Musical party at her house. The McEwen girls attended and my kids enjoyed playing with them and Anna, Ben & Adi. K & Chloe aren't really "into"  the show and had never seen the whole 1st movie before but I think after watching it (and seeing the rest of them so excited about it) they 'get it'. They had fun making a tremendous amount of noise, giggling and just having a blast.

Saturday we packed up the mini van and set off for Cedardale Park in Brighton. We had beautiful weather and sleeping in the tents was not THAT bad. We were lucky to have the conveniences of Tara's trailer and we (her and Scott mostly) cooked all our food up there at her spot. At midnight when we found our way back to our tents in the dark, we discovered the one airmattress completely flat. So that was fun having to blow it back up and wake up the whole tent area probably in the process :)

The kids all got a long great and had the best time. They want to go back again and we are campaigning Nana & Poppa Emerson to put their trailer there next summer season. The kids can convince them of anything ;)

Here are some photos of our fun:

   

God Bless Lauren

I am sending my love and heart felt thoughts out to Lauren's family. Sadly, she lost her battle and now resides in a special spot in heaven. She was 5 years old, beautiful and too young. I feel sick for her family and for the life she will not live. She affected MANY people in our small community during her short fight and she is loved by our whole city. The radio is reporting her passing and there will be many tears shed today for this little angel.

Hug your children and hold them tight and be thankful for all you have. She is a reminder that life is precious and needs to be lived to the very fullest.

God Bless you Lauren. God Bless Jenn, Glenn and sister Caitlin.

Something you can do...

As many of you know by now, Shaune and I are in the process of adopting a little girl from Vietnam. The orphanage that we are likely going to be adopting from (we have not received our referral for a child yet) houses approximately 100 children. Can you imagine? The need is great for more resources and help. I imagine most of the money goes toward bare essentials such as food and lodging, etc. Myself and another adopting mother from the Toronto area are attempting to collect as many new or gently used clothing for the beautiful children of these orphanages as we can.

If you are like me, you have a lot of clothes for your children. I love dressing my kiddies up and most of their 'used' clothes could be hung back up in a store and noone would be the wiser. So, I'm not asking for only new clothing. Obviously gently used clothes are wonderful too and needed. Soft toys too (nothing heavy) and baby blankets.

If you are interested in donating any new or gently used clothing for us to ship or take with us on our travels to the orphanages, please contact me at [email protected] and I will give you more information. Anything, whether it be one outfit, a pair of shoes or booties or a whole box is greatly appreciated. I know I have many boys clothes that I will be packing up for the older children in the orphanage (age 2-4yrs old) and I am going to purchase baby sleepers and things when I see them on sale. The summer sales are on as everything goes on clearance, which is a nice and easy incentive to do something nice for a child in need.

thanks and i hope I will hear from you.

Leslie (and Leah)

Bean Bake 07

Once again the Whyte family gathered for the long weekend for an amazingly fun time at the 'Bean Bake' family reunion. What started out 30 yrs ago as a way for our large family to get together to celebrate my Grandfather (who passed away almost 7 yrs ago now) and his birthday quickly boomed into a large full-scale family party that we all look forward to year after year. I have not missed one in the 30 years it has been held. My children and husband now go with me and they look forward to it ever bit as much as I do. How many families the size of ours (my mom comes from a family of 11 children) can say they are close to all their cousins (i haven't stopped to count but there are MANY) and aunt and uncles and we DO HAVE FUN. So much laughter. I love that I have this to share with my family year after year... and now my own children as well. Keaton and Chloe had a ball. We left on Thursday and spent 4 days in Boulter. Mom and Dad had their trailer set up back there this year and I hope they'll continue to do that - it made life so much easier. I'm not much for tenting and after one night's attempt I gave up on that and enjoyed sleeping in the warmth of the trailer.

Highlight for Keaton: seeing Joel (my cousins little boy) again and running around with all the kids. Catching frogs at the beach too!

Highlight for Chloe: was probably the beach. She brought back more sand in her bathingsuit than I care to deal with.

Highlight for me: campfires and all the laughing with my cousins and aunts.

Highlight for Shaune: I'm guessing the food. All homemade. The beer seemed to be a fave of his this weekend too ;)

Saturday of the weekend is the official 'Bean Bake' and we also held an informal and funny shower for my cousin Mike and his wife Sheri who are expecting their first child in a few wks time! My mom and the other aunts thought he needed to wear a baby diaper and drink from a baby bottle infront of 100 of his closest friends and family :)

Sunday is our day when we take over Foster Lake and hold our annual Horseshoe Tournament. I haven’t played since the kids became so active since I need to keep an eye on them at the water, etc. The tourney usually starts around 1pm and finished ar0und 7:30pm. Approximately 50 players fight it out for the ‘title’ of A and B champs. My camera battery gave out before any of the winners were 'crowned'.