Doing the Dishes or Taking a Sink Bath?

Hannah is at an age when she’s all about helping Mommy and truly, I love it!  She really can be helpful even when it takes a little longer to get things done.

One of the chores she likes to help with is the dishes.  Sometimes I pull up the learning tower and let her go at it and other times she dives right in when I’m in the midst of washing.  She throws her entire body into the process as you can see and normally ends up soaking wet!  As long as we have time to either change her or let her enjoy some diaper time until it’s pj time it’s all good.  Occasionally I have to discourage her as I don’t have time to change her after her play and let me tell you, she’s not impressed with Mommy when that’s the answer she gets.

Here are a few pics taken over the past couple of weeks.  On both of these occasions it was an impromptu decision to help Mommy, thus her choice to climb on the couch to reach the sink.  I think it’s adorable how she’s made a little seat for herself there.

Someday I’ll be longing for her to help so, when things take longer than normal right now I remind myself that she’s doing her very best to help and try as often as I can to accept that help. 

Mommy! Eggs!!

The Easter Bunny came to our home Friday night after a special request by Mommy.  I wanted to enjoy this fun time with Hannah without rushing her as Sunday we would be preparing to go to church.  I think I’ll continue this each year, not only to take the pressure off Sunday mornings but it will also be an easier way to differentiate between the fun side of Easter and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.  As Hannah gets older she will better understand the real meaning of Easter.

The Easter Bunny had left Hannah’s empty Easter basket at the top of the stairs so when she got up Saturday morning she was aware that something was up although she didn’t know what.  It didn’t take long for her to catch on to the hunt.  As she bumped down the stairs and saw her little princess toy with the hatch open and a nest ofchocolate eggs inside she called out, ‘Mommy!  Eggs!!’  What a fun, fun age she’s at!

This particular moment absolutely melted me! Can you believe how sweet and precious she is?  Truly this is Hannah through and through!!  Enjoy! 

Hannah received a couple of special treats from the Easter Bunny.  A new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD – Mickey’s  Number Roundup and also a 25 piece puzzle.  We did the puzzle together yesterday morning and she was great at putting the pieces together with some help from Mommy.

And as always, I love to see how my sweet Shaoey has grown.  Here she is last Easter in front of her high chair

and this year.  Slow down sweetie!  Mommy doesn’t want to miss a minute of your growing up and wants to slow down time so that she can enjoy and savour every single moment!

Happy Easter everyone from my little bunnykins and I!

Hop Hop Hop! Fun on the Farm

Yesterday Hannah and I met Auntie K, Uncle J, Chick and Pea at a local farm ready for some Easter fun!

Two years ago I remember stopping at this farm to pick up a fresh baked pie on my way to my parent’s place to celebrate Easter dinner.  On that day as I walked from my car to the bakery, I watched the children playing with their parents my heart hurt.  When would it be my turn?  When would I be the parent helping with the craft or excitedly hunting for eggs with my child?  At that point in time my file had been logged in for just over 3 years and I felt the end to my wait was drawing near but still as CCAA crawled through the files matching only 2 or 3 days per month, the end of the wait still seemed too far away to grab hold of.  Although the sun shone brightly that day there was a cloud of sadness raining in my heart.

Fast forward to yesterday when once again the sun shone brightly yet this time I was one of the parents that was there with my precious daughter!  The importance of the moment was not lost on me as this time my heart soared!

We started our day in the greenhouse decorating Easter baskets. 

Once the kiddos works of art were completed we headed outside.  Although the calendar said it was April 22 it was cold!  We’ve had a cold spring so far and I sure hope that changes soon.  Hannah’s first stop outside was to have her face painted like a cute little bunny!  She enjoyed this so much and kept it on until bath time last night.

Hanging out on the hay with her friends.

A wagon ride to see the Easter Bunny and collect eggs.

So many eggs!

Meeting the Easter Bunny!

After snack we wished our friends a Happy Easter and said goodbye.  We had a great time with you and are already looking forward to our next day of fun together!

Happy Easter everyone!

What Took Me So Long?

I’ve heard people talking about smoothies for a long time but I didn’t really know what all the excitement was about.  I’m a fan of frozen drinks but didn’t really know how to make them myself so just kinda let the fad pass me by. 

All that changed last week when a friend shared an easy smoothie recipe with me and I’m happy to say I’m now a smoothie convert – as is Hannah!

Melanie’s recipe consists of cranberry juice, plain yogurt and frozen berries.  I mixed it up a bit by using low cal cranberry juice and vanilla yogurt.  Delicious!!

Hannah’s version is similar but slightly different as I don’t give her any artificial sweetners so make it with regular juice and her yogurt.

Hannah loves this new little treat that we’ve found, especially since she gets to use a big girl glass!

A Treasured Time Each Week

After church on Sundays Hannah and I head to Nana and Papa’s where we enjoy lunch with them plus Sharon’s parents whom Hannah calls GG & GG.  (Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa.)  These are precious moments each week and something we adults don’t take for granted.  I can’t help but think of where we were two years ago and at the time we weren’t sure what plans God had for GG’s life as he was so ill for so long.

Hannah is the light of GG&GG’s life as well as Nana and Papa’s too.  It’s been a while since there has been a 'baby’ around and she entertains us all on a weekly basis.  GG sits with the biggest grin on his face as he watches her and she loves him too.  Their is nothing more precious than watching my baby girl hug and kiss GG&GG good-bye each Sunday afternoon after we have shared lunch and a visit together.

There are a couple of things that happen each week which make us all smile.  Hannah is normally the first one finished her lunch and calls out, ‘Ah done!’  After getting her hands washed she gets out of her high chair, runs to the family room and begins to pull her toys out of the cupboard.  It’s not long before she comes back to the table and with adorable little eyes looks up to Papa and asks, ‘Ah done?’  Papa quickly obliges and the fun begins.  Playing with pasta, colouring and lacing cards.

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Playing fort

Riding on Papa’s shoulders

Sticker fun with Nana

After a time of play it’s time to do the dishes and Hannah loves to help.  This particular week Hannah and I hadn’t been to church and were having a relaxing day so Hannah was still in her pj’s.

 

Our afternoons of fun together end with hugs, kisses and driving GG&GG home. 

By this point it’s about 2 hours later than Hannah’s normal nap time and this is what I see when I look in my rear-view mirror.

My sweet baby girl sleeping peacefully, possibly dreaming of the fun times she’s just spent with family.  Until next week….