Livingroom Campout

Last night we got into our jammies, pulled out the hide-a-bed, grabbed a bunch of blankets, popped some popcorn and stayed up late watching Indiana Jones together. Camilla was in heaven seeing as the popcorn bowl was practically as big as she was. Her and Daddy scarfed down a whole bowl of seasoned popcorn. I felt extra special because Mr. Stannix made some old fashioned butter and salted popcorn just for me! I loved getting greasy, salty fingers as I ate my own bowl. For a movie that was made before I was even born, it really wasn't half bad! I actually enjoyed watching it. Those things are classics. I think we'll plug in number two tonight!

Before sitting down for the night, we went out to use up some coupons on dinner. As we were loading up into the car, Camilla threw an "I-want-to-do-it-all-by-myself" fit. Mr. Stannix had to take her back out of her car seat and let her climb in all by herself. As she was trying to clamber up, she looks over at me putting Hyrum in the car and says, "I can't do it. I'm tooo fat!" She was on her belly with her bottom half hanging over the edge. Mr. Stannix and I almost peed our pants laughing. She was so serious when she said it! Both back doors were open to the car, Mr. Stannix on one side, and me on the other, both folded in half laughing. I laughed so hard I almost cried. I'm pretty sure neither I or Mr. Stannix ever use that phrase, so I'm still racking my brain trying to figure out where she learned it from!

All is Well

My dearest Mr. Stannix,

I've been thinking about you today. It's Friday, which means we have the weekend to spend together. I spent part of my morning getting beautiful just for you. These pictures are just a taste of what you get to come home to after your day in the office. Speaking of the office. Sorry I didn't drive you to work today, I was just so tired, being that I didn't get much sleep last night and all. Remember yesterday morning though, when I dropped you off at work, and I ransomed your bag for a kiss?

All is well at home. The children and I had a hardy breakfast of Sunnyboy hot cereal, not Hyrum of course, he's still too little. Then we had some yogurt, it's Camilla's favorite as you know. She blessed the food and was thankful for the "porridge, milt, brown shushur, chicken, rice...". I love her sweet little voice when she prays, and how all her meals get combined into one little prayer.

We spent the rest of our morning laying on the grass in the front yard. At first the grass was a little wet, but we found a good spot in the shade, right under that beautiful tree that forms the canopy around our front window. The suns rays poked through the leaves and branches as we lay. There was a slight breeze, just enough to blow Camilla's wispy pig tails around a little. As we looked up at the sky, Camilla noticed all the air planes and jet streams over head. There was also a little birdy that kept returning to the feeder for some breakfast. He sang us a nice little tune as he hopped around in the tree above. 

The children are happy. I am happy. Thank-you for all that you do to provide for us. You work so hard! We miss you lots and look forward to when you come home tonight to camp out in the living room with us. I love you darling!

Bath Time is a Blessing

I don't know if it was because my children were so crazy today, but tonight, bath time was a blessing. After dinner I ran a hot bath for both of the children. I removed Camilla's diaper (because that's all she wore today) and lifted her into the tub. I went over to the shelf and grabbed the toy bucket and dumped them into the water for her to play with. Then it was Hyrum's turn. I went into the living room to find my little boy playing quietly, grabbing at the toys hanging above his play mat and examining them like only a little boy could. His clothes were soaked from an afternoon of drooling and spitting up. He greeted me with smiles and let out a few little giggles as I reached under his shirt to pull his little arms through. I put him in the bath next to his big sister. Camilla was busy "simmin'" and splashing. Hyrum stared up at me with his big blue eyes. I got a fresh cloth and washed his little face and around his little ears. I then filled my palm with a drop of baby wash and washed his little body off. Camilla helped me rinse him by dribbling her wet wash cloth over his tummy. Hyrum was done. I carefully picked him up and wrapped him in his fluffy white towel and brought him into the hallway. Camilla wasn't done playing with her toys yet, so I left her to splash and sing in the tub. I then massaged baby oil on my little boy. I flipped him over to give his back a quick rub and giggled at the sight of his chubby rolls and tiny tush. He enjoyed some tummy time while I finished getting Camilla's hair washed. She still wasn't ready to get out. I went back and began dressing Hyrum. He giggled each time I grabbed his little arms to put them in his sleeper. We shared giggles and smiles until Camilla was finally ready to get out. As both my squeaky clean babies lay side by side in the hallway, I fell in love with their little grins and Camilla's stories. The day suddenly didn't seem so bad. I felt relaxed and content, just enjoying time with my babes. 

Todays Stats

16 hours

1 trip to the park

 4 loaves of bread

6 bagels

10 pizza sticks

12 banana muffins

 1 trip to the grocery store

6 poopy diapers
10 wet diapers

3 meals

2 snacks

2 naps
1 booby trap

8 nursing sessions
1 colored in blog book followed by
2 little arms around my neck
3 pats on the back and
1 kiss on the cheek
3 homemade pizza's for dinner

1 round of vacuuming
2 bedtime stories
1 mount Everest of dishes washed
1 very tired mamma

Sir Slobber-a-lot

Lately Hyrum has been drooling up a storm! The poor kid just can't help himself. 

His shirts are constantly soaked and my arms get strings of slobber on them when he sits with me.

After baths tonight Hyrum went for a baby-sized rocket ship ride. 

Camilla wanted a ride too, and climbed on up! (see above)

My shirt became soaked as slobber dribbled from his little mouth each time he would grin.

It was super fun though!

Along with his slobbering has come some awesome giggles.

Our little man is super ticklish and it's so much fun!!

Family Pictures

 As promised, here are some of our family pictures from this year. They were taken at a few different locations around my home town! Thanks to my talented sister and her mad skills! We love them!

Simple Pleasures

This week we had an opportunity present itself causing some big decisions needing to be made for the future of the Stannix family. We stopped over in Red Deer and then decided to stay over at the acreage for the night. The warm summer night welcomed time with family and picking fresh raspberries from my Mum's raspberry patch. We picked until the sun went down last night. Just picking, and thinking, and picking, and eating the odd plump berry. It was so peaceful, just the type of atmosphere we needed to make a big decision. As the sun set over the trees, we had finally come to a conclusion together, with advice from parents, and lots of raspberry picking.

My beautiful Mum is so dedicated to her little patch of heaven. I admire her so much!

Camilla did some picking and eating of her own today! 

 Her and Grampa quickly became best friends, filling their bellies with plump red berries.

Mr. Stannix enjoyed himself and got right into it, literally!

So grateful for the simple things in life.

Bower Ponds

Today we hung out at Bower Ponds in Red Deer for a little while. We enjoyed chasing the geese around the pond and watching them swim. If Camilla had her way she would have jumped right into the water with them. I could see it in her eyes as we stood at the waters edge. I knew she needed a day at the park when she started hanging from my cutlery drawer and trying to climb up on everything. She's such a busy little girl! She thoroughly enjoyed climbing, hanging, sliding, swinging and running. It was a super hot afternoon. The perfect day to be outside. 

Eskimo Kisses

 Today while Hyrum was swinging in his baby swing, Camilla walked up to him and wanted to give him an "ekeemo kiss". I told her that Eskimo kisses were done by touching the ends of our noses. She then took her little fingers and touched the end of hers and Hyrum's noses. We both giggled. Then I watched as a tender moment was shared between brother and sister. Eskimo kisses are so special, especially when given by a big sister! 

Camilla is such a great big sister. Often when Hyrum is crying she will go up to him and ask, "Whatsa matter High-am?" and kiss him on the cheek. Then she will pat his head and say, "You're ooootay High-am, you're ootay...." She did this yesterday and it melted my heart. I love the mini-mommy that my little girl is. It reminds me how important my role is as a mother to teach her what she needs to know and how to show her love.

I love my sweet little Eskimo's!

Our Bashful Boy

If there was one word that Mr. Stannix and I would use to describe our little boy, it would be bashful, at least lately. Yesterday morning an elderly lady approached me in the grocery store to take a peek at Hyrum and without fail, he flashed her his bashful little grin. When Daddy comes home from work he gets a bashful hands-over-the-mouth smile. If Hyrum is being talked to by a stranger, he will often smile bashfully and hide his face in my shoulder. If a lot of people are in a room visiting, and suddenly someone pays him some attention, he will make eye contact, flash a bashful grin, and turn his head to the side. In the morning when I go to get him from his crib, he will look up at me and smile bashfully. It is my favorite little look of his. Even when he drools down my arm (which happens a lot lately) or fills his pants while he's on my lap, I adore him, because of his bashful smiles!