March 22-26th Aquarium and Great Wolf Lodge

     So our weekend adventure plus a few days was going to the Aquarium in Toronto and then continuing on to Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls.  We were going to leave on Saturday morning but lucky us ANOTHER snowstorm.  I am so sick of the snow!!!!!! This has been the longest winter ever.  It was coming down fairly hard and I was super frustrated, I mean it's March we need spring and summer, our bodies need spring and summer I am craving the outdoors without having to get 3 little's all bundled up. Finally at about 12 it started to slow down again so we hopped in the vehicle and headed out.  The roads weren't great until we hit the 401 and then it was sunny skies and clear roads, what a difference a few kilometers makes.  The kids were good and we headed to the mall once we got to Toronto.  Which was an experience in itself.  Shopped for a few things, changed the girls diapers and then ate supper in the mall (as I was changing their diapers I thought maybe I should have brought the whole diaper bag in, instead of just 2 diapers) but then we carried on.  As we were eating ice cream (the mall was packed so we were eating in a corner and I was sitting on the floor with Abbie on my lap) I felt something extremely wet pour on to my lap, you guessed it Abbie had blown right through her diaper.  When I went to stand up it looked as if I had wet MY pants.  Rushed her to the washroom,  took her diaper off and then had to put her pants back on, without a diaper.  As I came out I told Alin we need to go quick she will not last like this without wetting her pants again.  Long story short she wet her pants, through the stroller and then I had to lift her up to take her to the truck with pee all over me and my shirt covered as well....The joys of motherhood.  Took her to the truck and changed her in the back, we then headed to the hotel to refresh and relax. 

     The next morning we got up had some breakfast and then got ready to go to the aquarium, we were meeting the McAteers there.  It was a zoo it was so packed, we should have known better because it was the weekend but it was still fun and the kids still had a great time.  We ate lunch and then headed to Niagara Falls.  The kids traveled well and when we arrived at Great Wolf Lodge it was great to get checked in, grab our swimsuits and go swimming in the 29 degree waterpark forgetting all about winter outside. 

Our hotel deck, this cracks me up, Mason a goofy smile on his face, Dani with her hands on her hips and Abbie hanging out wherever they are

Bowling which was new this time 

The entry 

All the kiddos.  Eloise, Daniela, Evie, Mason, and Abbie

March 27, 2014 Happiness

Today we were driving back from another mini holiday.  It was a 7 hour drive and the kids were rockstars! As we were driving home I was thinking I wonder when and where are next holiday will take us and what do I have to look forward to.  When we finally got home and the kids were playing in the living room with Alin and I engaged in playing with them, with no distractions I was reminded of this quote.  Bathing them, getting them ready for bed and kisses and hugs, nursing ( which I'm trying to wean...Abbie your winning) this is my happiness, where everyday happiness entails cooking, snuggles, laundry, reading books, crafts and even disciplining in love (which I dislike by the way) you 3 little love bugs and your dad are the reason my heart is content and happy.  Sweet dreams, love you forever and always, Mom

Our Love Story...after kids

March 21, 2014

Today we went to the science and tech museum while Alin did taxes and got to stay home by himself and enjoy peace and quiet while sipping a duet coke and munching on crackers( I think next year I should switch) the kids had a great time at the museum and it wasn't busy.  Had a snack there, had 2 meltdowns both from Daniela.  First because she couldn't see me she ran ahead while we we were going thru the train, then because she couldn't carry her water thru the museum.  I'll be excited when all that energy is put toward snuggling and hugging me.  

I also had to capture these 2 pictures this afternoon Daniela helping Abbie out if her high chair and the epic fail nap time (but tons of giggling)

I love the concentration and those little hands

When we got home I finished packing for our trip to Toronto.  At 6:30 Kiefen and Kierren came over to watch the kids while Alin and I went on a date, to a fireside at the church featuring Josh Hawkes.   Some of the take-aways from Josh Hawkes fireside last night were

1. Dignity is over rated. 
2. When one of the wheels comes off you have the opportunity to be grateful for the three wheels that are left. 
3. We sometimes don't extend kindness to those who don't demonstrate outside or external disabilities. Sometimes we make the wrong assumptions about who needs the help. 
4. Be quick to observe, wait for the prompting and then just help. 

He was a great speaker and had a great sense of humour.  He told a few person stories, super funny but the last little story he told was that his twin sisters each grabbed a arm of his and were running up and down the street with him and the neighbours were concerned about it so they called his mom.  So when they came in from playing his mom asked them what they were doing and they told her that they didn't know if he would ever feel what it felt like to run and they wanted to show him,  what it would feel like.  

A little background information on him he's had cerebral palsy since birth but has since gone on a mission, married had 2 children, been a bishop, is a prosecutor lawyer and was in Ottawa to try a case in front of the Supreme Court of Canada and took the time out to do this fireside.  

It was a really uplifting fireside and sure made me grateful of the blessings of having a working body...a working body in progress.

Jen and Erik Jakob's sat next to us and after we went out for frozen yogurt and visited.  It was fun and great to visit with them

Ps as a side note after visiting she sent me a note. Hi Shannon. It was nice to see you last night. I just thought I'd let you know how awesome I think you are. The way you love your kids and husband is wonderful. You give it your all. Alin's a great guy and I'm so happy that you are together on your adventure. I'm sure he appreciates a good thing when he has it! Just thought I'd let you know that during your daily slog with the kids, people like me notice the amazing things you are doing.
It was such a nice note to get.  

We got home and all 3 littles were still up snuggling on Masons bed with Kiffin and Kieren watching a musical number by Kieren.  We payed them (50 each) and then started the bedtime rituals.  We also packed the truck for our mini holiday tommorrow, 11:30 time for bed, before Abbie wakes up in 10-15 minutes.

March 17, 2014 Happy St Patricks Day

HAPPY ST PATRICKS DAY🍀

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

We had green smoothies (avocado, pineapple and ice) I actually loved it, the rest of the crew was divided on its deliciousness.  Of course green pancakes followed that plus cucumbers. It was a fun day, we played at home, while Abbie napped and then when she woke up we got dressed in our green and went to the Museum of Civilization (children's museum) while we were there we went to a maple syrup demonstration.

So the kids were able to make maple syrup/ice suckers.  

Then home and Alin bought us green shamrock cookies to celebrate.  

March 15, 2014 a letter to my husband

Tonight as I was putting kids to bed (what a nightmare that was, Abbie screamed for a very long time and was a huge turkey!) and you are out snowmobiling...jealous I love snowmobiling.  A million thoughts have been running thru my head.  Probably helped that the missionaries were here...again  

March 13, 2014

This morning Abbie and I went to the doctors.  Poor little one recieved her chicken pox vaccine and you know what she was a ROCKSTAR!! Said a quick "arm, momma, milk" then fine for the rest of the day

- macateers

March 11, 2014 How moms feel daily...or at least this mom

An example of what this mom feels like more often than not.  Today as I was getting the kids ready to play outside in the snow which is a feat in itself.  Daniela started crying that she couldn't find her snow pants (I lay their snow suits, boots, mitts, toques at the door) as the crying escalated and was taking turns with her whining I remembered that she wanted to wear them right before nap time and that I had taken them off her in the bedroom.  So I went to get them from the bedroom, put them beside her in the entry way told her "here you go" and went into the kitchen.  Not 2 min later I hear Daniela say "I found it mom!"  

"Really!?!!" Is the first thought that ran into my head, are you kidding me.  Then I thought this is actually how you feel most of the time... The breakfast, lunch and dinner just magically appears on the table on clean dishes, the laundry fairies fill your drawers with clean clothes, things get picked up done and organized just by magic. It would be easy to get super discouraged, or feel under appreciated and I'm not going to say that I never feel that way because I do BUT we had a lesson in Relief Society that was talking about the service we do in our families and that all things are recorded.  Those little acts of services that no one else knows about... we know about them and we do them because we LOVE our families and in this season of my life that's what's entailed, will this win me any awards or accolades with my peers. No. But it will make our house a home, put clean socks on our family and I'm starting to be okay with that.  I write these things done so that when you have kids of your own you will realize you are not alone in the feelings you have but you will know that it is worth it. Love you sweetie pies

March 11, 2014 "Watch Me"

My last journal entry I said I would expand on the "Watch Me" phrase it's funny how kids want us to watch them all the time.  It doesn't matter what they are doing or if it's the hundredth time, the words "Watch Me" escape their lips.  I notice that there are some times where I'm distracted that they repeat it over and over and then walk over to me and say "Watch Me" put hands on me to emphasize the importance of what they are about to do, and then run to show me some amazing jump, fast running or anything they deem amazing.  I read an article on the use of technology, specifically iPhones and that our children suffer from the overuse of them...not by using them but by parents being so engaged on them that they don't pay attention to their kids.  That eventually kids will stop saying "Watch Me" because they can see our time and efforts are focused on something other than them.  This really struck a cord with me because for me it may not be the iPhone that's the distraction but the laundry or trying to clean something or doing a hundred other things that need to be done but are in now way as important as the three little voices that say "Watch Me" so my goal is to let other things slide while I WATCH my littles.  

March 6 2014

Tonight I need to write on how thankful I am for my little family, sometimes I feel like I just share the stressful, busy moments and while there are a lot of them...there are also just as many moments that cause me to pause and my heart to burst.  Mason and Daniela's giggles and chuckles can put anyone in a good mood.  Sometimes I just look at them giggling hysterically with their little mouths open just a bit, showing those pearly whites, their heads thrown back and their little shoulders shaking up and down and I want to record every single second of it.  I want to be able to replay it back in my mind when they no longer feel like that's cool to laugh with such abandonment.  With no cares.  I want to remember the silly things they find funny and how you can do the same thing a million times over and they find it as hilarious as the first time you did it.  I want to remember Abbie going up to Alin and saying in her 17 month voice "Ase me" and Alin chases her around the living room and the minute he turns his back she'll yell again for him to chase her.  To which she will usually run straight for the monstrous red bean bag chair and dive in all the while giggling away.  How the girls hair goes crazy in the gym downstairs when there jumping in the bouncy castle.  Charged with electricity standing this way and that and underneath that mop of golden hair and mop of "clean carmel" hair are huge grins as they both jump watching us to watch them. ( I have another thought on this line about watching them, I'll save for tomorrow's journal entry) I watch the way that Abbie looks up at Daniela and Mason and the admiration and love is tangible.  Whenever Abbie wakes up from her nap and stirs even the slightest bit, Daniela eyes light up and she'll turn to me and say " Abbie up" I always say to her "Quick go get her" and away Dani will run, throw open the door and say "Did you have a good sleep" I know we say this to our kiddos lots but it's do fun to see the phrases you use on them come out of their own little adorable mouths.  My other favorite is when Dani puts her arm around Abbie and says "it's okay sweetie pie" So today Abbie woke up calling mommy as she usually does and when I didn't answer as quick as she needed she called for Dani it was cute and wonderful and made my heart so happy that they have sisters.  Sorry Mason if mom was more on the ball, we could have had more and maybe given you a brother. ( but those sisters of yours adore you, look up to you and think your the greatest thing ever)

I don't usually take the time or have the time to just go back in after your all sleeping...since it's such a fleeting phenomena but tonight I did and my heart was happy. I'm so blessed to be your momma. Sweet dreams my 3 

March 1, 2014 In like a lion...boo

So it's been a busy week, I dropped my iPhone in the toilet, broke the entry way blinds, then when I was putting the kids down for a nap I felt like the room was a little chilly.  So after the littles fell asleep I went to check the thermostat.  Long story short we had to replace our heater, it was 7 at night when someone came to look at it and then they came the next morning to install our new very expensive heater.  The adventuresome side of me told the kids that this was going to be fun we would pretend we were camping and watch the fire and roast marshmallows. Alin put space heaters in the kids room and our room, and we hunkered down for the night (Alin slept in the kids room because we were nervous about a fire starting.  Our house is perfect for a heater failure as we have a gas fireplace downstairs and a wood burning one upstairs.  We haven't had a fire since Mason was born, before that we used to have one every night... When we had it going I remembered why I love fireplaces so much.  Not only do they make you feel cozy but watching the fire is therapeutic to your soul.