Erin's Trip to Calgary

I realize I'm so behind, but I want to post some pictures from the last few months. Baby pictures coming soon :)

Erin was able to travel with my parents in February when they came to see all of their kids throughout N. America. Since my Dad started and ended his portion of the trip in Texas, they saw an opportunity to kidnap a granddaughter and enjoy her company for 2 weeks. Elaina has been on a couple trips with my Mom, and so it was Erin's turn for a special vacation with them (plus she wasn't in school so her schedule allows for such a trip). They spent a week in Calgary and then a week in Utah.

She never whined or cried for me, but I know she looked forward to talking to me every day on the webcam. I'm glad she felt comfortable enough with family that she didn't get very homesick, and with so many people to love her, she was too busy to miss me too much!

Of course I missed her a lot too, but I think opportunities like this are great for the kids, and I'm glad she was able to have such a great time with her extended family. I knew she'd come back to me, so I allowed myself to enjoy the 2 weeks of an open schedule to get projects done before the baby comes, to spend some extra quality time with Elaina, and to let myself relax a little in ways that I wouldn't normally do (ie. I took a bubble bath at 8:30 am one morning....just because I could!). I read, I napped, I accomplished things that have been on my to-do list for years, I cleaned, I sorted baby clothes, I had lunch dates with Mike (without kids), and I did lots of playdates for Elaina. It was fantastic!

Reading stories with Nanny M

Before Erin left I thought it would be a fun idea for the girls to create home-made Valentines for Erin to take to family in Canada. The project included 14 Valentines from each child. That's 28 Valentines. A million stickers. Lots of glue, cutting, markers, glitter... I realized by the time it was too late that I was crazy since the girls' attention spans only allowed them time to create 1-2 Valentines at one time. It took forever, but when I see the pictures of Erin handing all of them out, I'm glad we did it. Above is her valentine to my brother, David. Below is her Valentine to Papa.

Valentine's Day also lasted the entire month. Every time I talked to Erin on the phone she wished me a "Happy Valentine's Day!" whether it was Feb 6, Feb 14, or Feb 20. And after she got home she continued to tell me Happy Valentine's Day! I think Valentine's Day lasted until St. Patrick's Day.

Aunts & Uncles are the greatest people ever!

She was really excited to put snow down my Dad's shirt. From what I heard, the camera wasn't available the first time, so she did it again. Then they didn't get a good picture, so they did it again. I'm not sure how many times they did this in order to get a good picture, but I love that my Dad was a good sport about it and put up with getting snow down his shirt over and over again. That's why grandparents are so great! I'm sure Erin thought it was hilarious to play this "tricky" game over and over again.

When I was growing up I used to love to have sleepovers at my Nana's house. At night, before we went to bed, the tradition was that we would blow out the lamp (she did this with all her grandchildren). I did this until I was an adult because it was tradition and because I loved it...I still do! It is an old kerosene lamp that her family had when she was a child. I love that the tradition continues with the great grandchildren!

She learned to play dominoes and loved it!

My Dad taught Erin new tricks.

More stories with Nanny M

Right after Erin arrived she asked if they had any dress ups for her. Luckily they actually did! Phew! Otherwise, I'm not sure what this girl would have worn all week!

Erin with my Grandpa

Erin took a day trip to Banff with my parents, my sister Heather, and her boyfriend, Trevor:



I look at these pictures and wonder if Erin even walked at all that day. She certainly got the royal treatment:

she even convinced them to carry her and feed her caramel apples at the same time! I guess when you're cute you can get whatever you want...from people who aren't your parents. For some reason the charm doesn't have the same effect on me & Mike :)

Erin and the RCMP Moose at the Calgary Airport. Elaina met up with the same RCMP Moose on her special trip with Nana back in 2007

Now she's off to Utah! She certainly knows the drill at the airport. Apparently she arrived at the ticket counter and told the lady at the check in all about the procedure to getting on the plane: putting your suitcase on the scale, waiting in line, taking off your shoes, putting your backpack on the conveyor belt, etc. Little Miss Independent!

Dance Bring a Friend Day

Twice a year Elaina has the opportunity to invite a friend to come to dance with her. I was so excited this spring when she asked if she could bring Erin. Erin loved being able to dress up like a ballerina and go to dance with her big sister

Fun Days at School

I think Kindergarten teachers are the best! They never miss an opportunity to celebrate - and usually for the most random occasions. Elaina had a blast dressing up for special days throughout the year. These are some of my favorites...

Pajama Day

When the letter of the week was P, the kids got to wear their pajamas to school. Elaina wore her robe over her pajamas. She thought it was so silly to be wearing her pajamas to school!


Hilarious Hat Day

When the letter of the week was H, they had a "Hilarious Hat" day. Elaina wore this hat that my parents bought her in Thailand a few years ago. Part of me felt a little badly for Mrs. Nelson that I was sending my 5-yr old to school with a hat that has lots of bells on it...but only kind of badly :)


Erin and I met her for lunch so that Erin could also wear her "hilarious hat" from Thailand to school on Hilarious Hat Day. I think they both looked pretty great!

I was impressed with how creative many of the hats were. Mrs. Nelson commented that the kids in Elaina's class always go all out for the festive days at school...more than many of the classes she's had in the past.

Here is Elaina with two of her friends in her class - Haleigh on the left and Cathy on the right

Erin, Haleigh, Elaina, Cathy

Wacky Wednesday

When the letter of the week was W, what better way to celebrate than to have a Wacky Wednesday! Elaina thought she was the silliest girl ever because she wore her shirt and pants inside out and backwards, she wore mismatched socks and shoes, and then she got to decorate her face with stickers, wear all sorts of crazy jewelry, and do some funky hairdo. We had fun putting this outfit together, and she looked great!

Cowboy Day

When it was a dress-up day at school I usually tried to meet Elaina for lunch so that Erin could also have an excuse to dress up. I found these foam cowgirl hats and the girls decorated them with stickers. I think they both looked like adorable little cowgirls!

Texas Performance

We spent all year listening to Elaina sing Texas and cowboy songs that she's been learning at school so I was so excited for her Texas performance. All the kindergarteners had matching t-shirts and they sang songs that they've been learning all year.

Elaina, Becky, and Mrs. Nelson

Getting ready for the big show. Can you tell she's a performer? She's so excited!!

Elaina and Erin with their friends, Christalin, and Alize

Vocabulary Detective

Each of the kids got an award throughout the school year. Elaina's award was for being a "Vocabulary Detective" meaning that she is always interested in finding out what words mean and then remembering the word to use in future conversations. It was a very appropriate award for her - she's always asking what words mean.

Easter!

Easter is always full of so many fun activities. Erin had an Easter party at preschool...



Elaina had an Easter egg hunt at Kindergarten...




And of course we had an Easter egg hunt and decorated Easter eggs at home...

Vet School & School Carnival

The Vet School at A&M puts on a community open house each spring. This was the first year that we attended and we were really excited to go. The lines for some of the more popular events was really long and so we skipped those, but still enjoyed the petting zoo, a horse show, and seeing some dogs that are up for adoption.









Following the Vet Open House we went to Elaina's school where they were doing a school carnival. Elaina was really excited to show off her school and we had a lot of fun here too.






I was exhausted by the end of the day. I was almost 8 months pregnant and had woken up at 5am to make cinnamon rolls for the school carnival's cake walk, and then was on my feet most of the day. My contractions were strong by the end of the day and I knew I overdid it. But it was a fun day with the family and I was glad we did everything we did!