High Hopes

We have a trip to Cebu booked in a few weeks. Cebu is a city on the Island directly to the right of our Island. We got some amazing deals on the short (40min) flight over. Cebu is much more "westernized" then the city we live in. It's got a lot more normal things. We have been over there twice and really enjoyed ourselves. We stay at a great hotel. It's huge, has a complementary buffet breakfast, pools, gym, steam room (my fav!!) and much more. It's located just a quick, free shuttle ride, away from a huge mall. The mall has many wonderful things including a TGI Fridays restaurant, fun play centers for the kids, and 3 floors of endless stores for me to shop shop shop in!! Our trips to Cebu our like our little get away to normalcy....a break from the busy, kayos that is our city.  

We found out that they have recently opened up a new store in Cebu, called S&R. Apparently it's a costco, with a different name. They are supposed to sell everything a costco should. Ahhh I am so excited to go there and check it out. I have heard they even have "kirkland" brand products. This may seem silly or minor to some of you....but costco, superstore, walmart etc. are a few of the the things we really miss about home. There are no such - one stop shops - in our city. Going without them makes you realize just how easy those types of stores can make your life. Anyway we are going to spend quite a bit of time at this S&R when we are in Cebu. A one year membership is 700php = $14 CND. My hopes are high as to what I will find and be able to bring back to our house with us. Here is a list of a few of the things I will be on the look out for:

- Mini Wheats, Lucky Charms, Honey comb Cereal

- Cheese...a big brick of Chedder Cheese

- Protien Bars

- Frozen Hamburger Patties

- Frozen Chicken Breasts

- Cilantro

- Black/red Licorice

- Dentyne Fire (Cinnamon) gum.my fav

- Lemon Juice

- Bag of Raw Almonds

- Bread, Full on, heavy 100% multi grain bread 

- Asparagus

- fruit snacks and regular granola bars
- Venus Razor Refills
- KD - real KD

So as you can see I have High Hopes!! I would be ecstatic if we found even half of these things. I'll update with some pictures of our finds after we return from our trip.

Whatever we find or don't find the trip is going to be a welcome oasis....a wonderful, much needed taste of home.

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Video of Feedin' the Elephants!

Here we are feeding the elephants! It was such a great experience for us all. Very exciting and surreal.

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Elephants in Thailand

 

Here we are, in Thailand, getting on an elephant! It was crazy, you just step right on the huge animals neck and then sit down. It is such a wild view from way up there.....makes you look at elephants in a whole new light. Me, my Mom and Scarlett went on one elephant. My Auntie Carolyn, Uncle Danny, and Isabelle went on the other one. We bought a bunch of small green bananas to feed out elephant along the way. He ate them all!  My favorite part was Isabelle's reaction to it. She was blow away! It was very exciting for her. Scarlett was a bit more reserved, still excited but holing on very tight to me. We road them at a place which was just a few minutes drive from my uncle Dan's farm where we were staying.

 

It really was an amazing opportunity. So Glad me and my kids had the chance to do this together. 

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Isabelleism......

We have had an amazing Christmas and New years this year. My family came over here and we packed  the four weeks, f-u-l-l of f-u-n! We have been so busy and always on the go. The kids have had zero structure, sleeping in different hotels and places, going to bed late, eating out all the time, getting treats from Grandparents and uncles on demand, not having to do any chores or go to school. Needless to say it's been one giant party! It is all over now and we are home, ready to get back into a regular routine.

I have found with kids, there is always a sort of adjustment period after a trip. They need to be reminded and re-trained on how regular normal life goes. The first day we were back I asked Isabelle to please clean up her toys and straighten the shoes. These are two of her regular, everyday chores. She usually does them without much of a fuss, however since it's been a month since she had to do them, or anything else for that matter, the whining and complaining started immediately.

I took her aside and explained that the party is now over and that it's time to get back into the routine of her normal, regular life. We talked about some of the things that are expected of her ~ nothing new, just a reminder. After our chat I asked her if she understood what we talked about, she nodded and walked off (with a frown) to do her chores. 

As she was straightening the shoes I heard her say to herself "geesh, I just don't think I like my regular life much!" 

I guess that's what I get for showing her such a fun time! Give your kid a giant, month long holiday and her so called "regular life" doesn't seem so hot anymore! haha

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Isabelleism......

Here is a little fact about our little Isabelle that some of you may not yet know....she is a chocoholic. Through and through, she can smell it and see it from a mile away. It is often used as a bribe of sorts in our home. I do have her do things, "just because I said so" but if a bribe is in order I prefer to offer positive consequence instead of a negative one. Today this may have backfired a little......

I was in the kitchen making dinner with a tired, hungry, crying Scarlett attached to my leg. Isabelle was at the table coloring away (as usual).

ME: "Hey Isabelle I would really appreciate it if you could play with your sister for a few minutes while I finish making dinner"

ISSY: "Well...sorry mom, but I am coloring right now"

ME: "The choice is up to you, one choice is the right choice.....you decide if you want to be a good helper to mom or not" (just laying on a little guilt trip usually works wonders since she loves to be a good helper)

ISSY: "hummmm.....well if I make the right choice will I get some chocolate?" 

I started laughing, she's such a little negotiator sometimes, always trying to make a deal! What a girl :)

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My girls

Here is Isabelle and Scarlett on the morning of Isabelle's 5th Birthday. They are both getting so big, I can't believe it. Scarlett is 18months in this video. She's changing and learning so much everyday. She's at such a fun age!

About Isabelle:
~ She is learning how to be responsible. She keeps her room clean and can hang up her own clothes.
~She can have her own showers including soap and shampoo. I don't even have to check her anymore, she comes out sparkling! Get her own Jama's on and combs her own hair.
~She has her own daily chores including, setting and clearing the table, cleaning her toys, straightening the shoes, and doing her homework.
~She LOVES to learn and her little mind is such a sponge right now. She plows through book after book of counting, math, letters, dot to dots, mazes, spelling and more.
~She is learning how to tell time and get's her very own, brand new watch, when she's done.
~She is learning how to be a big sister. Taking care of and watching over Scarlett...and playing with her too. She is learning how to be a good example.
~She LOVES to do crafts. Anything that involves, pencil crayons, glue, tape, felts, crayons, paint, plain paper, coloring books is HEAVEN to her. She will do this for hours on end everyday. She's very creative and always trys hard to do her best work, coloring in the lines and everything.
~She has a sweet sensitive spirit and crys if Scarlett is hurt or crying.
~She loves her family and always encourages anything that we can do together.
~She's all girl and can be very dramatic! Melting down in tears over the tiniest thing....the end of the world!
~She loves school and does very well in it.

About Scarlett:
~She is sassy!
~She think's she is big and loves following the older kids around jabbering and singing, thinking she is fully playing with them.
~She LOVES to sing and read stories
~She will repeat anything you ask her too....or her very best version of it.
~She loves blankets and snuggly things.
~She likes to eat. Anything at all but especially, Popsicles, milk, pancakes, toast, rice and of course "teeeeets" (treats)!
~She loves to go for walks and swimming
~She adores her big sister.
~She likes shopping with her mom.
~She still needs at least one nap a day. Sometimes two. (her mom fully encourages this!)

WE love these little girls so much and are so glad they are apart of our lives. They fill our days with laughter and joy.

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Things I heart....

I have been feeling especially grateful so here is a list of a FEW things I heart today.....

I heart cilantro (so good, in homemade salsa, when you have gone with out it for so long!)

I heart my wonderful, helpful, make me laugh hubby

I heart my ipod, nike+, and my running shoes, all together

I heart my kids and their love for playing outside

I heart lulu (better make that a double heart)

I heart my helpful, always willing, mommy

I heart my health

I heart my computer

I heart vonage

I heart my cameras

I heart Popsicle breaks for my kids

I heart afternoon swimming together as a family

I heart Sugarland, Beyonce and Gaga for letting me sing along 

So there it is, just a few things.....What do you heart today??

 

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Nuff' said!

So I opened the fridge the other day and this is what I found: Nuff' said! 

Yes the doggy is in there but look in the door as well!! So funny, left there by my little Isabelle. I asked her what her guys were doing in there? She said "were playing outside and they were getting so hot so they asked me to put them somewhere so cold, so i did!"....these are two of her favorite toys. She loves little animal stuffys. I LOVE finding little treasures like this. I call them treasure because I know the day will come sooner than later when I don't find things like this anymore :(..... so, for now, I treasure them.  

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I heart Palmas!!

The other day we walked down to the resort located in our neighborhood. The name of the resort/sub division where we live is called "Palmas Del Mar" They have these random fun activities/party's. This one was a "Learning how to silk screen a t-shirt". We decided it would be a great thing to do to pass the time on a Saturday morning while we waited for daddy to wake up so we could start the weekend!  We had no idea of what to expect but hoped for the best. It turned out to be a pretty fun time! Isabelle LOVED the shirt she made and wore it all day long! Here are a few pic's of the shirt in the making!

So as you can see it was all a great success! I would also like to make a side note here to Grandma Jarman - Do you see the pink horse in her left hand there?? It's the one you bought for her at spruce meadows and it is a permanent fixture in her hands! Seriously she is constantly playing with it. Thanks so much for it, it's a great toy for her!

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A new MAN??

SO the other day Lance says he's going to get a hair cut, jumps on his motorbike and takes off! He returns looking like this:

I think it looks so great! It's nice and short and will keep him a lot cooler in this heat than that mop he was sportin' before. However this post is not about the haircut itself but Scarletts priceless reaction to it.....

So she comes toddling into the room where we all were and she's jubbering and playing away. She hasn't looked at Lance yet so he says "HI Sweetie!" to get her attention...she looks over at him and immediately her little chin and bottom lip start to quiver as she doesn't recognize this short haired stranger who sounds like her dad! The Little quiver quickly turns into a loud cry and then a scream as he continues talking and she continues NOT recognizing him! So he decides to pick her up and take her down stairs thinking she'll settle down in a minute and be fine. 

Well apparently he over estimated her ability to "just get over it" as the screaming continued and continued....about 10 minutes later he comes tromping up the stairs with a still screaming one year old, covered in barf! Yep that's right she screamed so hard and for so long about her dads haircut that she barfed all over herself! YIKES!! 

Anyway eventually she did get used to it and will now go to him and is excited when she see's him....It still makes me laugh when I think about her reaction! Funny girl!

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How do you know YOUR man loves YOU?

How I know my man loves me:

~ He tells me he does...everyday.

~ After dinner every night he asks me "do you want me to clean the kitchen or go bath the kids?" (for   real ladies, he does one or the other every night, and the best part - I choose which one!)

~  He watches Survivor, The Amazing Race and even "The Hills" with me so we can spend time together. NOT his top choice of shows, but he watches and acts interested...cause he loves me.

 ~ He let's me spend his hard earned pennies on clothes, shoes and accessories that he thinks are completely unnecessary, but he knows I love to shop and it makes me happy! When I get home he fights the urge to ask what the total damage is...instead he smiles and say's he likes it!

~ Even after 7 years and two kids he still flirts with me everyday. I kid you not....teasing me, tickling me, playing jokes on me, and even snapping my bra and pinching my bum! I love it and it gives our relationship such a fun playful side. Life can be serious enough on it's own. He keeps me happy by adding those lighter moments to my day. He makes me laugh and smile!

~ He walks up to the sink and starts doing dishes any time of the day- not because he loves to do dishes - because he knows how much I miss my dishwasher and he wants to give me a break from standing at the sink.

 ~ He has never once in 7 years intentionally "passed gas" in front of me. Because I am a lady and he is a gentleman and that's how it's going to stay.

 ~ He always treats the kids and I with respect. 

~ He's a very hard worker and an excellent provider. I know he will always make sure our little family's needs are met even if it means working construction or MCD. 

~ He still opens the door for me.

~ He notices, appreciates and thanks me for the work I do. 

~ He still snuggles me and hugs me and holds my hand.

~ He takes me out on a hot date once a week. I love getting all dressed up for them and find myself constantly looking forward to Saturday night! It's OUR time.

So there are just a few of the way's Lance shows me he loves me. He's a great Husband and Father.

 It's official, we have been married for 7 years. The time has really flown by for me. When I think about what we have been through and how much we have accomplished together it seems like a large amount of things in such a small amount of time. That's a good thing! 

I can't even begin to imagine what we are going to be able to do together over the next 7+ years but I am excited to find out, because I know it'll be great with him by my side!! I am so glad I have such a wonderful partner to share this life time with. He is the perfect match for me. After seven years he can read me like a book. He knows what I need, sometimes even before I do! I can't believe it's possible that my love for him is still growing but I really do love him more and more everyday.

Luv ya honey....Happy Anniversary! 

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Halloweeny!!

So our Halloween has been an interesting one here in the Philippines. They celebrate a little bit differently then we are used to. Although there is no trick or treating we did manage to find a super fun Halloween party for the kids to go to. Here they are all dressed up and ready for some FUN!

Here are some of the decorations as well as the treat bags at the party! The treat bags were a bit unusual...they did include a few of the regular "candies" we are used to such as suckers. However there were lot's of other things such as bread, jello, dried onion rings and more strange things that my kinds did not eat!

They had lot's of fun games and contests for the kids....here is Isabelle playing this "balance an egg on a spoon relay" She had a blast!

Here is my little snow white waiting in a line to get her face painted....She was so excited when we were getting ready and I told her she could wear make up! She loves make up and getting all pretty!

They had a bunch of categories for all the kids costumes and they had contests and prizes. Isabelle won 1st for the fairytale category! Here she is accepting her prize. It was a great prize a free night stay at the resort for 3 people! Nice :)

 

We decided to throw a REAL Halloween  party for our SA class to show them how we like to celebrate - Canadian style! I made up a bunch of fun treats for it. Things they have never tried....her are some "Wiches Fingers" cookies...mmmmmm and gross looking!

Also Some spider cupcakes......

Lance and I had fun dressing up......ROCK AND ROLL BABY!! ROCK AND ROLL! (don't be scared, these are just costumes!)

And then we have our little Scarlett...AKA Traffic light! I made this costume for her last minute however she did NOT like wearing it and so all I have is one quick picture and then she was just a regular toddling one year old! 

Over all we had a nice Halloween.....not the same as we are used to. We missed the fun and excitement of trick or treating for the kids. We did the best with what we had to work with and in the end a lot of fun was had by all!!

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Scarlettisim!!

Well here it is! The first, of many, Scarlettisim's. She has started talking a lot more lately...mostly just one or two word combination's. I love it because her personality is coming through so much more with her vocabulary. Here it is:

Lance and Scarlett and I were all sitting together. Lance and I were talking when all of sudden Scarlett let's out a whole long line of noisy Toot's. Lance and I stop talking to look over at her...we were watching her face until the toot's finished. She just sat there for a minute looking at us with this puzzled look on her face like - what just happened??! Then, after a second, she figured it out! A smile crossed her face and she pointed to her diaper and said: "BUBBLE!!" 

Baaaahaa! Lance I both started laughing at her one word interpretation of what just happened. So cute!

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New hair Cut, new dress!

Isabelle is getting so big and grown up. She got a new hair cut the other day and I thought she looked so much older for some reason. Here is a picture of the hair cut...

 

These next two pictures are mostly about the dress. I saw this dress at winners when Isabelle was 3. I instantly fell in LOVE with it, I knew Isabelle would looks so beautiful in it. However, they only had a size 5. I didn't care and quickly bought it anyway. I remember taking it home and looking at it and thinking maybe I was bit crazy to buy it...It looked huge and I was sure the day would never come when my tiny, petite, little girl would actually fit into it. 

When we decided to move over to the Philippines Isabelle had just turned 4. As I was packing up her closet and trying to decide which clothes to take with us and which ones to leave behind I came across this dress. It Immediately went into the "take with us" pile. There was no way I was going to miss out on her being able to wear it.

Just last week we tried it on and it fits!! She is about 3 weeks away from her 5th birthday. I am so excited she can finally start wearing it. Personally I think she looks even more beautiful in it then I imagined. She really is such a pretty girl.......maybe I am a tiny bit bias though, you know, with being her mom and all! Sure love her :D 

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YES Folks we have an Addict!!

Scarlett is a wee bit addicted to her Blanket or her "Bankie" as she calls it. We have all tile floors here so she loves to have it with her at all times. She puts it down on the floor and then lays on it. She also "needs it"  ~ and I use the term needs very loosely ~ whenever she gets hurt or  is starting to feel tired or wants to watch cartoons or wants some milk out of her sippy....so basically it's with her all the time. She doesn't usually mind which one for her "Bankie's" she has just as long as she has one. However lately that has started to change. There is one specific one that if she see's it ~ she wants it - NOW! 

So I was doing some laundry the other day and I had hung out THE BANKIE to dry. Scarlett came toddling out and noticed it hanging up sopping wet. She of course wanted it immediately...I tried to show her it was to wet with water and I needed to dry it. She wasn't catching on and was getting more and more upset  by the second "bankie mum, Bankie MUM, BANKIE, BANKIE!!!" So I quickly threw it into the dryer. Our dryer has a glass window on it though, so she could clearly see it going round and round.....Here are a few of the pictures of the melt down that followed as she watched her bankie....just out of reach!

Needless to say she was one VERY happy little girl when I brought it to her all clean and warm and dry. It got a nice long snuggle!

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