Thankful Thursday - 219

This week I am thankful for...

1. Future wedding slideshow ammo. I went to take the dog out to pee in the middle of folding laundry the other day and came up to this. I was feeling a little tense, so this broke that wall down and got me laughing pretty good! Should Dom decide to get married one day, this is 100% coming out at the slideshow (or whatever technology exists at that time).

2. Sushi date. Dave and I had a small dinner one night, and at 8pm we were both feeling really hungry. We never get takeout, but I was feeling some sushi, and could justify it since we never do it! It was so nice to sit with each other and talk over some food, not that the sushi lasted long!

Denji Sushi's "Favorite Roll" combo! California, Dynamite and Yam roll with miso soup. Perfection.

3. Good little moments. Life feels a little upside down and inside out lately. My work suddenly picked up as I'm in charge of prepping our new website to hopefully launch next week, and it's been an adjustment having me be the "working" person in our home, while David's work has slowed to a stop pretty much, so he's been with the kids a bit more. (Honestly, suuuuuch a nice break for me!). So amid all this chaos it's nice to step back and appreciate the nice little things - I guess that's kind of what the Thankful Thursday posts are all about anyway. 

I sat in the sun and Dom got the bucket out, filled it up, and got them each a sponge to wash Daddy's car.

We visited David's parents and met their new addition, Hiker.

Dom slept from 2-4 one day. Normally he doesn't nap at all, and his quiet time is 12-230, so this was strange! He had a tummy ache the next day though, so maybe he was fighting something.

Quarantine - Lightening Up

Is it weird that when I read the word lightening (in post title) I think about pregnancy? This is a term used for when the baby drops into the pelvis... 

Anyway, that is not at all what this post is about! We've been under quarantine for over 6 weeks now, and have very recently decided we are ready to lighten up and see a few select people again, while keeping our distance. I took the kids to the park across from my parents house and my brothers came to play. We then went to the back yard and sat around the table. 

David's parents got a puppy last weekend, and I really wanted to meet the fluff-ball. We asked if they'd be comfortable with a visit, so yesterday evening we went over after dinner for a couple hours and hung out in the back yard. Dom & Em were too busy with all the toys to even come close to us, and we were able to stay at least 6ft apart. So do-able! It was so nice to see them again, and I hope we can continue to have little visits like this, while still following the guidelines. 

There are some people who have expanded their quarantine circles to include all family, and that is so tempting, but I also want to wait. We're all low risk, but I don't want all of society to think this way and then have us backslide and be in another COVID pickle. I'll wait until the beloved Dr. Henry gives us the go-ahead. 

Speaking of Dr. Henry, we were talking last night about how most every other province has press conferences where their Premier speaks and provides health updates. I love that in BC we have enough faith in our health minister and public health officer (I think that's her title?) that John Horgan can step back and focus on premier things, while they focus on keeping the public safe. I love the amount of trust BC citizens have placed in Dr. Henry and her guidelines/rules; they have kept many more of us safe than if we had not heeded her warnings. 

This is Hiker, 10 week old Sheltie pup <3

He was a little nervous about the kids, since I guess being born during a pandemic doesn't allow a whole lot of socialization at a young age! I guess we'll just have to come around more often :)

She kept holding out her hands and saying, "old it. Enny!" Translation.. "I want to hold Benny". His name is Hiker, but who's going to correct her when that's so cute?!

I bet Hiker and Benny would play so well together. We should plan a play date! (I say, not having any ownership or responsibility for either puppy haha!)

Thankful Thursday - 218

This week I am thankful for...

1. Costco Company. Ashleigh and I went to Costco this week and stood in line for an hour and a half to get in. We expected an hour, but that was a lot! I did a huge shop and ideally won't have to go again for a long time! I also picked up this awesome book that Dom LOVES. It was only $9.49, so it was a no-brainer for me. It's filled with all sorts of questions he asks me every day. Such as... "Where does poop and pee go?" "Why do we poop?" Is he three or what?!

Dom can now tell you about sewers and the sewage plant in case you care to know :)

The foldable wagons were on sale this week. I FINALLY bought one. So good for beach, library, camping, etc. 

Oh gas prices... If only I went places so I would have to re-fill my tank.

2. Relaxing my rules. I'm strict about screen-time, and always have been (for both myself and the littles). I'm starting to relax a bit and allow them some TV time every day because it's good for my mental health. So much easier to cook dinner when they're learning with Mickey Mouse! We also watched Lady & the Tramp while Emilia snuggled her Lady stuffy. That one now has to come to bed every night with her as well as her teddy bear. 

Always asking me to build a "house", which Dom decided to fill with stuffies this time.

3. Online games. As a family we love to play games, but obviously things are a little different now. We did a Zoom call and played some online Codenames the other night and it actually worked out great! I'll do it again for sure. 

4. Good things. There are some good things to come out of this whole crisis so far. First of all, the earth is getting a break; a breath of fresh air. Humanity is returning in many ways and people seem to be going out of their way to be creative in ways to give, or cheer others up. In many neighbourhoods people are painting rocks and placing them around frequently walked areas. I stumbled across this bunch on my walk with Sherlock and the bright colours made me smile. 

If Dom & Em were just a little older I'd love to do this with them. I have fond memories of painting rocks as a kid, especially at the cabin. 

I was cautiously optimistic that we might be able to have a small family gathering for Emilia's birthday on May 9, but I'm starting to wonder if that'll be a thing. Everything is such a rollercoaster. I am looking forward to some sort of routine and normalcy again... eventually. 

We have Sherlock's surgery follow-up appointment this afternoon. Also feeling optimistic about this as he's been seeming really upbeat and healthy this week! Lots of energy and love to go around. 

Puppies, Toddlers & Productivity!

Focusing on feeling productive this week. Started and finished a new puzzle, going to start a new book, picked up the pens again, and did some cleaning and organizing around the house! Part of my sanity revolves around feeling useful and productive, so I've had to change gears a little bit and give myself some grace!

Just because he's cute <3

1000 pieces on this puzzle mat I borrowed from Scott & Ashleigh. So nice to be able to roll it all up and get it out of the way when I'm not working on it. 

Cleaned Dom's room adn got this map up on his wall. We got it from a neighbour and finally got around to hanging it up. He loves it!

That and the firehouse. We also have our old TV stand in his room that we just haven't been able to part with yet. It's perfect for storing toys, books, diapers, etc. and playing on.

Here's a close-up of part of the map. It has all these silly illustrations of where animals come from all over the world. 

There is talk of a virtual book club reading this book together. I've been meaning to read it, so what better time than now?!

Poor Sherlock. I found him locked in jail with the other kids yesterday. 

While I folded laundry, Dom set up a picnic in Emilia's room.

Dom has been asking a out God a lot, and talking about God. I told him we have a book about God, so he was asking to read the God book. We read the creation story, and I just had to wonder what Adam and Eve are up to behind these bushes! HAHAHA!

I've been trying to get her in this jean jacket for ages, but she kept refusing. Finally she brought it to me yesterday and asked me to put it on. Love how it brings out her blue eyes <3

And finally, we had Benny over for a play date and Ash brought bubbles. Dave took out his camera and he got some awesome pictures!

He's such a sweetie; honestly soooo snuggly too! Way more than Sherlock ever was. It's hard to capture how tiny he is without seeing him in person. 

What are the chances?!

Starting that "pointing" behaviour already!

You can kind of see how small he is here, compared to Dom's sandal.

Such a crazy old lady. The faces she makes totally reminds me of when she was a newborn and made the CRAZIEST faces!

Throwback!

Benny's first photobomb

His lips <3

Looks like a Nike ad

:P

Sherlock came out to play, too. He's SO good with Benny. I truly think they'll be great friends; very similar low levels of energy and submissive demeanor. After these photos I realized how badly he needed a groom. Dom helped me do that yesterday for about 30 minutes. 

Benny just pretending to be brave. A little bit of forced perspective, but he really is so tiny!