Another one!

I was away from my boys all weekend, attending a convention in Winnipeg. When I came back, I discovered that Zachary has another loose tooth. Any guesses on when this one might fall out?

The Tooth Fairy Lives On!

Zachary woke up this morning at 5:30am and found under his pillow, not only a letter from the Tooth Fairy, but a beautiful $5.00 bill.

The skeptic was proven wrong!

Here is his letter from the Tooth Fairy.

Dear Zachary,

Congratulations on losing your first tooth! What an exciting time for any child. I am so happy that you put your tooth under your pillow for me. Now I can make sure that another little baby gets on of his or her teeth!

Losing your first tooth is a pretty big deal, and you sure had a lot of people around to see it happen! How exciting! Not many kids get such a big cheer.

I have left you $5.00 for your first tooth. Now please remember this is only for the first tooth. Your nest teeth won't get you quite as much money. Your mom tells me you have done a good job saving for the things you want, even saving half the money for your Wii. Way to go!

Congratulations again, Zachary!

Love,


Tooth Fairy!



Jessica

Look Mom!

"My tooth is really really loose!"

That's what Zachary told me when I picked him up from YMCA Day Camp today! I checked it out, and sure enough, one very loose tooth. At first I was very excited, but then I realized that with Zachary planning a trip to Manitoulin Island to visit his Aunt Leanna this weekend there was a distinct possibility that I would not be around for the momentous occasion of "losing the first tooth". I have to admit that I got a little panicky about that.

It's funny. I dealt okay with Zachary's first day at day care when he was 9 months old. I dealt fine with his first sleepover. Even the first day of school was no biggie. But I really want to be there for my very first baby losing his very first tooth!

We talked about the Tooth Fairy, but Zachary remains skeptical.

Me: You put your tooth under your pillow and when you are sleeping, the Tooth Fairy comes and takes your tooth and leaves a surprise!

Zachary: I think maybe not, Mom. I think that you are teasing me.

Then we made our way to the Running Room for the 20 Minute Challenge, where Zachary proudly showed a few of the staff his loose tooth (Thanks everyone for making him feel so special).

With Zachary and Corbett strapped in the stroller, we went for our run. As soon as we got back, Zachary jumped out of the stroller and asked if he could go into the store to get a free toothpaste sample (irony is always at work in my life).

Suddenly, as he was speaking, I realized that there was a hole where is very loose tooth once had been!

Me: Zachary! Your tooth is gone!

Zachary: (with a mixture of joy and terror) What!?! Gone?

Random Spectator: Oh Oh! Maybe he swallowed it!

At this point Zachay gets a little panicky.

Me: Don't worry, bud. Even if we can't find the tooth, the Fairy still comes, I promise. Yay, dude! You lost your first tooth. (Big Bear Hug for my big boy!)

At this point about 35 people who had been participating in the 20 Minute Challenge all start to cheer and clap. What better way to lose your first tooth? How many kids get to feel like a rock star when that happens?
I will admit to getting a little teary here. Those who know me, know this doesn't happen often!


After rummaging around the stroller a bit, we found the teeny tiny tooth. We quickly brought it into the store so that we could tuck it safely away in an envelope, where even more people cheered for the man of the hour. Store Manager Reed even took a picture! I have to remember to get a copy of that.

On the way home we stopped to see Grandma Margaret and Grampa Peter, who had just returned home from their vacation to show off the missing tooth!


Check it out!



A proud boy and his proud Grandma!

Once again, thanks to everyone who made my son feel so special about losing his first tooth!

For the record, he is still skeptical about the Tooth Fairy, but has put the tooth safely in an envelope, under his pillow. I promise by tomorrow morning he will be a believer!





Jessica

Berry Berry Good

I have been itching to take the kids strawberry picking for quite some time. When Zachary was two and a half years old and I was pregnant with Corbett, my mom and I took him and it was so much fun! Corbett is now the same age Zachary was then, so we decided it was time. A friend of mine's parents own a farm in the area and he let me know that the strawberries were ready. We were able to go out there this weekend with some friends of ours and everyone had a great time!

I am not quite sure what to do with all those strawberries yet, but so far we have had a strawberry rhubarb pie, I made some freezer jam, and we each had a bowl of strawberries with sugar on top. I still have about 12-14 cups of berries left!


Zachary, Emma, Cassie, Raedah, and Corbett picking Strawberries!


Daddy and Corbett pause for a picture!


Zachary and Emma showing off their hard work!


And after that, the kids all got inked. They've been bugging us for tattoos, and we finally gave in!



Okay, seriously. Canadian Red Dragon, the tattoo shop where Jordan and I got our tattoos done was having an anniversary BBQ this afternoon so we stopped by to say hi. All proceeds from the event went to the Sudbury Food Bank. I always try to support the Food Bank, so I was happy to go! They were giving temporary tattoos to the kids. For the record, they had pretty butterflies, and kid-friendly tattoos. All four kids picked snakes. Corbett and Zachary were upset to hear that the tattoos wouldn't last forever, like Daddy and Mommy's. I am in SOOOO much trouble with those two!

Have a great week everyone!

Jessica

RIP Pumpkin...

My friends little kitten passed away today during routine surgery. Her heart just stopped beating for no apparent reason. When they performed the autopsy they discovered that her heart muscles, etc. were enlarged to 6 times their normal size. Pumpkin probably would not have even made it to her 2nd birthday.

Understandably my friend and her young kids are crushed, so whether you pray, meditate, or just send positive thoughts, please do so for them tonight. They have had a rough couple of months and this doesn't make it any better.

RIP Pumpkin, I am glad that you got to have some great days with your family. They sure loved you.

Jessica

Karate Kid!

Okay okay. I know the title is so terribly trite, but it's late and I can't think of anything else.




Zachary started Karate lessons today. His group of 4 nad 5 year olds are called "Tigers" At the end they all practiced standing like "Tiger" statues, before they bowed to finish class. Zachary actually won for standing still the longest. Anyone who really really knows Zachary can attest to what kind of feat that is. Even when he is sitting he is moving.

Just wanted to post this for his Gramma and Grampa who are in California visiting my brother.

Speaking of being in California, this is what Zachary said to me this morning...

"Mommy, do you remember my Grampa and Gramma? Margaret and Peter?"

"Yes Zachary, of course I remember them"

"They are in California. Are they coming back?"

Too cute.

Jessica

Canada Day Celebrations

Canada turned 141 years old on Tuesday. So our long weekend was all split up, but we made the most of it.

Jordan was on graveyard shifts so the kids and I called up some friends and we all headed over to Science North for the Canada Celebrations. There were 3 adults (Michael, Raedah and myself) and 5 kids (Zachary, Corbett, Emma, Cassie and Aiden)Aidne's sister Abigail was sick so she couldn't come. The kids had a blast, and there were lots of activities for them to do. They saw a turtle, a snake, got to ride a pony, play on some of those massive air inflated bouncers and slides. Elmo, Dora, Diego and Bob The Builder all made appearances. We ate hotdogs for lunch and enjoyed some nice weather.
Actually, I found that there wasn't as many activities to fill the day as I thought there might be, but kids are so amazing in that they can find the fun in anything. Fun is definitely contagious.

We didn't stick around for the fireworks as they start pretty late, but opted instead to go have a barbeque at Michael and Tracy's house, so we could get a chance to see Abby since she was feeling better. All in all, a great way to spend a middle of the week holiday!

Enjoy the pics. Especially the last two!

Zachary on his horse! Corbett was definitely NOT interested in the pony rides. "I'm to smalllll" he said.


Big slide! It was really cool. All the kids, except Corbett who was too busy chasing Elmo, took a turn!

There was a fire truck there and the kids were allowed to get on and check it out. It was pretty cool.


They had firemen there too. Helloooo fireman!


Corbett is telling the fireman in the back of the truck what sound a fire truck makes. It's "wee-ooo, wee-oooo" if you weren't too sure. He then followed that up by dispensing a disgustingly large puddle of drool on the fireman's boots.


A brother shot. I don't get many of these, so I figured I should use it to prove they can get along for at least 5 seconds.


Corbett and Emma. All tuckered out after a long day.


But wait until you see what a little rest can do....




"Look mommy! I am art!"
I am SO happy that was washable marker, and not Sharpie marker, which is his all time favorite.

Happy Birthday Canada....

Jessica