Sally Seuss and "Brud"

I had to work in Central last week, so me and the kids headed out to Lewisporte on Sunday and stayed until the following Monday (Canada Day weekend). Before we left, Jessica wasn't walking very much...however the Lewisporte air gave her back some confidence and now she walks more than she crawls.  We had a busy week, Marcus got a new helmet for his dirtbike and he had lots of fun riding it on the old highway and the dirt trail. I even rode it and was surprised at how fast it could actually go (especially we ME on it).

 

Jessica's tooth is now visible, and I think today I saw the other bottom tooth peeking through. She didn't sleep at.all in Lewisporte (or Botwood) but thankfully since we came back to St. John's she has settled in perfectly. We went to Botwood for a visit to Poppy Bob's, went for a walk on the island and visited Aunt Jenny and Claire. They enjoyed eating corn twists but other than that they pretty much did their own thing. I would have thought for sure that they would have played a bit together, but Claire did her own thing and Jessica did hers. Claire has a pair of crocs, Jessica fell in love them - I'm thinking it's because they are bright and light on her feet. She cried when we took them off of her, so we wore them back to Poppy Bob's house for the night and returned them to Claire the next day. I bought her a pair when we came to St. John's, I don't think she has taken them off

 

Marcus had his first day of camp yesterday. It's a day camp offered by the City and it's held in Airport Heights - he had a LOT of fun. I dropped him off at 8:15 and picked him up at 4:30 - he had a full day of fun and games. He was happy to go back again today. Last night was also his first night of soccer (in Logy Bay). It was absolutely FREEZING! He had a great time, and seemed to enjoy the team atmosphere. He did pretty well too, a few breakaways and he 'almost' scored a goal. It was funny to watch, the ball would break free, then it would be a big pile of kids all swarming around it. A little later the ball would pop out of the group and then the swarm of kids would follow it.  We have soccer again tomorrow night (it's 2 nights/week).

 

The Capelin are in at Middle Cove Beach, so after soccer we went down for a look. The kids from the street were also there, and Marcus held his first Capelin. The capelin were no rolling, but further off - whales were further out having a feast. The beach was packed with people hoping to bring home some fish. Jessica was more fascinated with the birds - the gulls were going crazy, even diving down and getting some fish near the surface.

 

The weather hasn't really warmed up yet - I'm sending Marcus to camp with sweaters and long pants - last night on the beach I should have had mitts on Jessica. At soccer all the kids were putting on long pants because it was so cold.

 

Uncle Jason will be home soon, Marcus is very excited. I think Marcus is then going to Lewisporte for a couple of weeks. When we left Lewisporte on Monday he had a mini-melt down. He decided that he wasnt' going to go back to St. JOhn's, that it was more fun in Lewisporte. He has it all figured out - Lewisporte is a town and he is allowed to do more things and his friends are allowed to do more as well. St. John's is a city and he is not allowed to ride his bike off of the street. It was sad, he cried and cried - I had to pick him up and  carry him to the car - it broke my heart (and Nanny's). Thankfully however, he is happy to be back in St. John's because of camp, soccer, his friends on the street etc.

 

Update: Last night we went for a walk around signal hill and then went on the south side to visit Mike (he's aboard the Marine Institutes boat). I've added some pictures of last night's adventures as well.

I've added some new pictures as well.

 

It has been an eventful day so far. I took today off from work and stayed home with Marcus and Jessica (Lee had a training course). It was nice to not be rushing in the morning and to stay while he got on the bus. I've been back at work for 3 months - it's amazing how quickly time is passing.

 

Today was the last day of kindergarten, it's a happy day - yet a little sad too. Marcus' teacher is amazing, she did up a DVD picture slideshow for each child. Each DVD had two videos; one of pictures throughout the year for your child and then one of all their 'friends'. It's AMAZING, and I cried the whole way through watching it. Marcus is THRILLED to be now officially on summer holidays, I'm in Lewisporte all next week for work so we are leaving on Sunday after swimming lessons and staying until the following Monday (July 1st weekend). Marcus is excited about his 'new' peddle bike and of course getting to ride his dirt bike.

 

Of course there is the big news of Jessica's tooth. I thought she was soon going to get a tooth as she has been chewing on anything she can fit into her mouth (which was odd for her). This morning while we were waving to Marcus waiting for the bus I saw a white speck on her gum (in the past 6 months I've thought I've seen something at least 100 times). I was surprised when I felt her gums and could feel the top edge of a tooth. Getting a tooth normally wouldn't be such a big event, but when you wait almost 14.5 months for your first one, you almost feel like having a party! She may have advanced in the teeth department, but she has stopped all progress with walking. It is almost like she has forgotten about her one week of being on two legs. She will not even let go and stop from the la-z-boy to the bay window (less than a 2' distance). She doesn't even like to stand - it's very odd. Once Marcus figured out he could walk, there was no turning back for him.

 

It's truly amazing how different they are.

 

I'll add some pictures from the past little while. This past weekend we discovered Middle Cove Beach, we went on Saturday and then returned on Sunday and had a 'picnic' supper. Marcus LOVED it, although the rocks were not as nice on his feet as the sandy beach in tilting.

 

Well it's been a while since I last posted - sorry Mom!

 

A lot has happened in the past month, Jessica has started to walk (May 23) and she's advancing in so many ways. She isn't talking much yet but she is able to communicate her needs/wants very effectively. She is still in total AWE of her big brother, tonight she was reaching out her hands to him, wanting him to pick her up. He would carry her around the living room while they were 'dancing' - it was nothing but giggles.

 

For those reading this but not in NL - the weather absolutely sucks. It's gross and very depressing. It's grey, cold, damp and windy all.the.time. We haven't spent much time outside due to the weather but a couple of weeks ago we were able to test out Jessica's new backpack carrier from MEC - I've added some pictures of our little walk.

 

Last Thursday Lee took BOTH kids and went to Lewisporte for several days - he had to teach a first aid course. It was a great break for me and the kids had a nice time with their grandparents. Marcus, Brian and Lee went to Exploits Island Thursday night - Marcus had a blast and there was a lot of ice. I've also added some pictures of this.

 

With the approach of summer, Marcus is spending more time outside playing with equals an increase in scrapes and bumps

 

Enjoy the new pictures :)

 

Oh, and Jessica still doesn't have any teeth

Julie

We had a great time. Mom, Mitchell, Brian and Sis came in to help us celebrate. Instead of having the party at the community room (where I have to feed everyone, entertain the kids etc.) we had his party at Kids Castle. I HIGHLY recommend it. They did everything. We showed up at 'party time', handed over the loot bags and birthday cake (I wanted to provide my own, but they could have done this as well), and after playing like crazy for an hour we were called into the eating area where everything was ready. 17 of his friends came to help celebrate and I think they all had fun!

 

I have new pictures to add, so check them out in the photos section. He received some GREAT presents, Lee and I are not sure where everything will fit. Mom gave him a remote control boat, the first nice day we are going to try it out in Kent's Pond. Dad and Elaine bought him a television (internal troubles at wal-mart resulted in us getting upgraded to a 24" TV - BONUS!) and Brian & Sis bought him a dirt bike (a real one). I'll post a picture of it in the photos. There are strict 'rules' for the dirtbike: 1) It's only to be used in Lewisporte, 2) NEVER to be used in town, 3) He can only use it with Poppy Brian or Daddy there. He is very excited and happy with his gifts.

 

Jessica still doesn't have any teeth. She had her 12 month needles (3) on the 26th. She freaked, it was a sin. Marcus started to cry and everything (it broke my heart). She is doing great, she weighs just a touch under 22lbs, and her height and head circumference are all in proportion with the rest of her. She's a light weight compared to Marcus at 1.

 

Lee has been working to fix up Marcus' swing set in the backyard. It looks presentable now, however in the fall or next summer at the latest we will be tossing it and buying a wooden structure. Maybe it's the fog, but it's rusted to pieces and it's only 3 years old. We put Jessica's baby swing up as well, so hopefully when/if the weather turns warm we can start playing outside.

Well last year the Easter Bunny gave us Jessica, this year we celebrated her first birthday! We had the party in Lewisporte and it was great. A lot of her friends (mostly cousins) came to celebrate and she had fun. Up until her party she had never had anything sweet, I think she discovered how much she was missing out. She devoured her cake (chocolate) and tried to wrestle Claire for some corn twists. It didn't treat her belly well however, Saturday night she cried from pains in her belly, but thankfully Gripe water and Advil fixed it

 

 

Jessica, Marcus and Lee are still in Lewisporte. Marcus has no school this week so he's enjoying the extra freedom of Lewisporte. I'll be going to Lewisporte at the end of the week and will drive back in with them. Unfortunately Jessica still DETESTS her car seat. Bride (Lee's nan) came into St. John's last Thursday and drove out with me on Friday. Lee had to stay in St. John's until Saturday, if Lee's nan wasn't with us I would not have been able to make it out.

 

I've added an album filled with lots of pictures. Enjoy

Julie