A-Tisket, A-Tasket...

...a green and yellow basket! Seems fitting that AK is loving this song with Easter just around the corner!

We took a visit to the dentist yesterday. I prepared AK by discussing it with her on Monday during our visit and then reminded her when I called on Tuesday. She decided that she was a big enough girl to sit in the chair by herself this visit! I bit back my giggles as I watched her struggle into the chair on her own... but she was determined and she managed!

AK was very excited to see Dr. Campbell and showed her Lovey right away. AK explained that Lovey wanted her teeth checked too. AK loved how the chair reclined right back and sat very still with her mouth wide open, waiting for the dentist to start her work. AK did really well with the poking and scraping but didn't enjoy the polishing very much. She did well but you could tell she was uncomfortable with the unfamiliar sensations. She held on to Lovey with one hand and I held the other hand.

All is good - cavities are still there but are not progressing. Lovey's teeth look fantastic as well! Back again in 6 months for a regular checkup.

Get Well Soon...

Whenever we go to the grocery store, the foil balloons always catch AK's eye. She always asks for one and today I decided to give in as she wasn't asking for candy (balloons are easier on teeth, right?).

She first picked out a Dora and Boots balloon and I was happy as she usually likes the "get well soon" or "happy birthday" ones best. She then put that back and picked up a "get well soon" balloons.

Me: That's a "get well soon" balloon. Why don't you pick the Dora one as you're not sick?
AK: ... *cough cough*... ...*cough*
Me: *big sigh* okay fine, you're sick. Let's get that balloon.

People love AK, she was dressed in a "princess" dress today as it was a day to dress up as your favorite character from a book. AK insisted she was Sleeping Beauty. Lots of people at the grocery store smiled at her and spoke to her.

We had supper with Forsyths tonight as my friend Beth from the UK is visiting with them. Molly and Jake now have a t-ball set so AK gave it a whirl. She kept getting her hands backwards (right hand on top of left), missing the ball, hitting the t-ball stand... I think she gets her athletic abilities from me. Bummer!

Garden time!

I know this isn't really a great photo of AK - she's the wee one in pink at the very back... but isn't it lovely to see her class out in the garden? Sounds like the garden project has been a great success with loads of things being harvested and eaten.

Pass the Kleenex please...

I had a very special moment with AK's teachers today.

They told me that they have been talking with the children about feelings and encouraging them to share their feelings. They noticed that AK seemed rather quiet for a few days after that. Finally, on the playground one day, she went up to one of the teachers and shared that she feels sad when she goes to Daddy's house because she worries about Mommy being alone.

Wow. The teachers and I all had tears in our eyes. They reassured me that they were happy that she had shared and they comforted her. They said that ever since then, she's been her usual happy self.

As sad as I am to hear that AK worries about me, I'm so grateful that she has a safe place and caring teachers to share with. AK and I had a chat when we got home and I think she knows now to not worry about me. But if she does, she knows she can tell me or her teachers.

What a beautiful love that lives inside this wee little girl... fittingly one of the crafts today was painting the top of a plastic bottle and then cutting it open to make a candle-holder that looks like a flower. My beautiful daughter's light shines not only from her candle, but from within her soul. I'm a very lucky mom.




Rest assured that no AKs were harmed in the making of this video...

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..."

Monday blahs

Mondays always come so quickly!!!

AK and I had a lovely chilled-out Friday night. We tried to interest Ben and Hunter in pizza and play at the Doghouse but they weren't biting so we went home instead.

Ballet went well on Saturday, the teacher is preparing the children for their examinations next month so the windows are covered to minimize distractions to the class and I cannot watch. It was weird to drop AK off and run out for a coffee this week... guess that's how it goes but it felt strange to not be there outside the classroom the whole time. Speaking of the examination, I have the pleasure of paying $55 for said examination. Wow. I nearly fell over when I read that. Thought ballet would be cheaper than hockey but I'm not so sure now!

I'm finding it a bit challenging to keep AK informed about what's coming up in her life... I like to prepare her so she knows what's coming next but we're at the point where she wants to go NOW. She was ready for Molly and Jake's birthday party as soon as she woke up on Saturday! She got upset in the car when we left for ballet as she wasn't dressed in her princess dress for the party. I had to explain that we'd be coming home, then we'd be having lunch and nap before we went to the party!

The drive to the party at Public Beach was a long one - traffic was diverted and backed up nearly everywhere! AK actually skipped her nap but nodded off in the car, just a couple of minutes before we reached the beach. She was a bit anti-social as a result, not unhappy, but she played by herself in the sand for nearly 2 hours! Cindy and Brent did a great job creating a Smurf-themed party. Molly even had a beautiful blue dress to wear!

I settled AK in with Molly and Jake for a sleepover that night, as the Huys were hosting a Singstar night! I'm still a bad singer but I'm an alright dancer :) That was lots of fun and I'm so grateful to Cindy's parents for keeping AK overnight as Sunday morning dawned with a wee bit of a headache! AK had a great time with Molly and Jake and I just got this email from Cindy:

"Jake is in Molly's room right now calling out "Annabelle... where are you? Annabelle... Annabelle..." so funny!"

We headed down to the duck pond with a few friends yesterday, which was really nice. There were nowhere near as many ducks as I've seen lately so it was quite comfortable. There was, without fail, always one duck hanging out by the hand AK was holding her bread in, waiting for her to toss that last little piece out! I have some photos but they are at home on the camera. Will have to remember to put them up soon.

AK had a wonderful nap on the couch yesterday - she seems to really like the idea of napping on the couch as opposed to her bed. I didn't mind at all - I puttered to my heart's content and none of my noise woke AK up. I actually put together most of a cheesecake yesterday - first time I've ever done one that is baked - had to call my grandma to see if it was cooked enough to take it out of the oven as the instructions were confusing to me. Turns out it was well done, and I could have taken it out long before I did! Oops - I'll see how it tastes.

AK was very happy to see her Uncle Derek when her daddy picked her up yesterday. It is really fun to prepare her for visitors and see her excitement when she sees someone. Even though family may be far in miles, they are always close in our hearts.

I wrapped up the weekend by watching the sunset on the beach with Richard and a bit of wine... it was a beautiful evening and we saw some lovely colors as the sun went down. Bliss xo

I'm back!

Some computer problems, busy times at work and a few weeks later... I'm back!

Here's a cute little story from Jess to get me back on track!

"Oh it was the cutest thing when I got them both strapped in the car yesterday. I was getting ready to shut Ak’s door and Hunter looked over at Ak and asked her if she wanted to talk. She replied back “sure” and starting chatting about the letter L!"

AK loves her letters these days... she'll randomly see a letter, sound it out a few times, and then let me know what words start with that letter. She will also sound out a word and tell me what letter it starts with. I was blown away when she participated along with a game that was going on in one of her videos... she identified each picture and correctly told me what letter was the first letter of the word, and I'm certain it wasn't by memory as I hadn't put that particular video on for quite some time.

Smart cookie!!!

We are well and happy, very busy, especially dealing with defiance!!!