Tricycle for Two

 Since our house was a bazillion degrees today, we decided to spend the whole evening outside. Camilla begged Daddy to take her out on her tricycle and the little man and I hung out on the deck blowing bubbles. As soon as he spotted the wheels and his sister riding, he wasn't content to stay put any longer. He toddled after the trike trying to climb on and then Daddy came up with a genius idea.

 "Are you ready, buddy?"

It didn't take Camilla long to figure out how to do it all by herself. After only a few minutes she was peddling forwards and backwards. Hyrum really enjoyed hanging out on the back while she peddled her little heart out. I can't count the number of times she went back and forth in front of our little old house. It was fun to hear them giggle together. Daddy was always close by to help turn them around and make sure no one got hurt.

 They rode and rode until the sun started to set behind the rooftops. As they motored by, Hyrum could be heard making car noises with his lips. It was pretty awesome. Mr. Stannix and I laughed a lot as we watched them go up and down the sidewalk over and over again. I also giggled at the number of people who stared as they drove down our street. We'll just pretend they were wearing shoes and helmets.

Hyrum was so full of it and by the end he started hamming it up for the camera. Love that kid. Finally, Camilla's legs got tired and she couldn't go any longer. She even asked Daddy to carry her to the house after.  While she snuggled into the arms of her strong Daddy, I wheeled the trike back to the garage with Hyrum happily steering. I couldn't get over their bare feet and smiling faces. I loved the golden glow of the evening sun on their sweet skin. It was the perfect way to spend a Summer's eve together. The camera definitely got a work out, and we got some cute videos.

Summer Sun

 Today we woke up bright an early to sunshine and blue sky. My dishes sat in the kitchen and the laundry went undone. We spent all of our morning and early afternoon enjoying the outdoors. Hyrum chilled in the Nicaragua swing for a while eating fruit and crackers while I mowed the lawn. He's such a sweetheart.

When Camilla wasn't taking a dip in the pool she was relaxing on the deck with her feet in a bucket of water. It was adorable! I love the things she comes up with. 

When I finished mowing the lawn we all had a popsicle to help cool us off. I love that I get to spend the day with these two crazies! They are so full of love!

It made me giggle when Camilla finished her popsicle and then asked Hyrum if she could share with him. Like any good little brother would be, he was willing. Those two are so cute together. And when Camilla ate most of it and the last little bit fell on the deck, he was quite content to just suck on the stick.

 I am in love with Mr. Hyrum's baby blues. They are so so blue! Paired with his long dark eyelashes, he's a hard guy to resist.

Soon he found Camilla's rubber boots. I laughed out loud when I saw that he had just one on. It's seriously his trademark move, stealing just one shoe. He walked around all afternoon with just one boot on, until it was time to go inside for naps. Him and his chubby little toes totally melt my heart!

In other news, just a few more weeks until we fly out to Halifax! 

It's all Camilla can talk about. 

"After my brithday, THEN we fly to Halifax!"

We are counting down the sleeps.

Picnic at the Legislature

Last Saturday evening we got together with some friends for a picnic at the Legislature. It was beautiful! While the adults ate and chatted, Camilla inched her way to the water. She just couldn't wait to swim! She loves it there. Mr. Stannix was pretty good looking in his white tee and backwards cap, I couldn't resist a picture.

Hyrum enjoyed himself so much! He spent the evening cruising around the pools with confidence and climbing up and down the ledges. 

Camilla's favorite part was jumping from stone to stone. She had fun just being on her own and playing. She would crouch down so just her head was out of the water and swim around the pool. She also made a few friends, and had a couple girls follow her around for a while.

In all the pictures I wanted to take with her she would kiss my cheek. I was definitely feeling the love from this girl tonight!

Hyrum just couldn't get enough exploring done! He was up and down and in and out. He tripped on some underwater ledges a few times and drank some water. He wasn't too happy about that part of it, but recovered pretty quick!

 Soon it was starting to cool off and get late and we decided to call it a night! We took the kiddos back to the picnic blanket and wrapped them in towels and sweaters to warm them up. After a quick change, we headed back to the car and home.

 

 Hyrum must have played really hard because he fell asleep in the car practically before we left the parking lot. I was able to get him in the house and changed into his jammies without even waking him up. I put the bottle in his mouth and he instinctively sucked back the whole thing in his sleep before I tucked him into his crib for the night. What a great end to a Saturday!

Life Lately

Tonight brings me a fresh bathed baby boy on my hip and a 21 week baby bump. He's been cutting a few teeth at once and hasn't been sleeping the greatest (hence why I look so tired). This kid has been such a character lately. Last night he ran around naked while I went up stairs to get his jammies. I came down just in time to see the look on Mike's face when he realized Hyrum had peed on his foot while he was studying his scriptures in the big chair. I laughed pretty hard, I'm not gunna lie.

I cut Mr. Stannix's hair later that night after his Hockey practice. I told him to make sure he rinsed it really good when he went to wet it down for me. His response was, "Don't worry, you won't even be able to tell the difference between sweat and water". That guy sure knows how to make me smile!

My Backyard

Today was an uneventful holiday Monday at the Stannix home, but there are a few events that I don't want to forget about today. Mr. Stannix is prepping for a big exam this Friday (we will both be SO happy when it's finished). He studied away from home all day. The kids missed him a tonne! He came home a little bit before dinner and asked me if he could take the kids out in the "B-A-C-K Y-A-R-D" for a "S-W-I-M". Of course I said yes! I was busy in the kitchen prepping a dessert and the break was much welcomed. I turned on some music while I mixed up the dessert and enjoyed a few songs. Soon I heard my children's giggles through the screen door to the backyard. I stopped what I was doing and immediately turned the music off. I peeked out back to see the three of them enjoying a water fight. Camilla was laughing like mad and Hyrum was even enjoying getting splashed. Their laughter was music to my ears as I finished stirring the dessert and placed it in the freezer. Even while Daddy was at the BBQ cooking dinner, Camilla couldn't help but sneak up on him with a container of water and soak his pants! She giggled and giggled, and Daddy was a good sport about it. I love that girl and her zest for life! And I love my Mr. Stannix and the efforts he makes to spend quality time with the kiddos.

Happy Canada Day

Happy Canada Day from us to you! When I was out at the Acreage last I was making Hyrum ties and came across this cool Canadian fabric. I made Hyrum up a tie and sent a picture to Mr. Stannix. His response was, "Where's mine?". With a lot of help from my Mum we drew up a pattern and sewed it up. I thought they looked pretty handsome! 

Camilla and I also sported white for Canada day. I love that girls hair cut! Such a cute length for her!

We ended up keeping the kids up and taking them to the fireworks again this year. Hyrum was only a few months old last year, and enjoyed himself much more this year. Poor guy got a few good bug bites on his face though. We put them in the double stroller and walked down the road a little ways. Not as good a viewing area as years passed, but it worked out alright. 

I was glad that Mr. Stannix pushed for us to go. He knows how much I love me a good firework show. I would definitely drive to the States just for Fourth of July fireworks. I got to cozy up with my little man while Daddy snuggled his girl. Camilla loved them and was cheering and chatting the whole time. Hyrum was mesmerized by them. Mr. Stannix said it was worth the whole evening just to see his face.

We loaded the kids and blanket back into the stroller after the show had ended and walked back up the long hill to our street. I think my favorite part of the whole evening was when we were walking home together in the dark. The two kiddies were snuggled close to each other in the double quietly looking at the scenery. The orange streetlights lit up the street and sidewalk with a romantic glow. There was no one else walking on our street, just us. Everything was quiet and the noise of the traffic was finally behind us. It was so peaceful. Mr. Stannix took one hand off the stroller and grabbed mine. We walked side by side, quietly laughing and talking. It was the best.

First Haircut

Hyrum had his first hair cut today! I was super hesitant about getting it done because I kind of love his hair, but it needed a little trim. The hairdresser didn't take much off, mostly just cleaned it up. He was kind of wiggly, so she did the best she could. I ended up doing a few snips of my own after we got home because there was some that got missed being that it was too wet and stuck to his head. I already miss his little wisps and parting his hair to the side. He's growing up.

 Before

After

Camilla got a trim too! Her hair was half way down her back and was starting to look frizzy at the bottom. It needed a trim, so we evened it out and took off all the dead ends. I wish I had grabbed a picture of the length before we got it chopped. That was almost two full years of growing! Now she has an adorable, flippy-outty bob going on. She is so darling and so so grown up!

Before

After

The Perfect Pillow

This morning started out unlike our other mornings this week. When I woke up with Hyrum I wasn't feeling very good so I tried to catch a few more minutes of sleep on the couch while Mr. Stannix got ready for work. After Daddy left for the bus, Hyrum and I enjoyed a bowl of porridge. Camilla still hadn't come downstairs yet. A part of me was worried that she was sleeping so long!  Finally, just before 8:30 am she greeted me with her "good morning" at the bottom of the stairs. We all took our time getting dressed and I cleaned the upstairs bed rooms. We spent the rest of our morning watching a Disney movie and snacking on apples and cinnamon. It must be Friday. 

I had to giggle when Hyrum came over and used my baby bump for a pillow. I love that little boy and his snuggles. Lately in the afternoons he will curl up on the couch with me and just cuddle until we both fall asleep. Those moments are so special to me. He's going to be such a great big brother. I am already 20 weeks, which is the halfway mark. A part of me is glad time is going by so fast, because I can't wait to meet this new little one!

Making Motherhood a Joy

I am crazy in love with my blue eyed little girl. She brings so much joy to this family! It's so hard to believe that she is going to be three next month. I still remember bringing her home from the hospital and being so excited that she was mine. She's been a pretty easy girl to mother. I feel so blessed to call her mine. I love the things she says. I love how she says, "thanks Mamma, that was delicious!" after almost every meal. I love when she puckers up her cute pink lips for a smooch. I love the games we play before bed. I love when she crawls up on my lap in a quiet moment and rests her blonde little head on my shoulder for a snuggle. I love her every little grin, and her cute button nose. I love her gentle hands and petite little body. I love her excitement for life and her desire to try everything. I love when she reminds me to read my scriptures so that I can be "a good Mamma". She is like a little adult trapped in a two year old body, so wise and mature at times. Just typing this post brought tears to my eyes. It's so hard to describe the overwhelming love one can have for a child. I read a talk the other day that suggested four things to do for our children which were to love them, teach them, respect them, pray with them and for them. It just simplified everything about motherhood. As I've remembered these four things our days have been so bright and full of joy. I am grateful for the power of sincere prayer, and the help Heavenly Father sends each day when we ask for it, even if it's silly things relating to Motherhood. He's always there. I love Camilla and the way she makes Motherhood such a joy each day.

Melting in the Sun

Yesterday was a beautiful summer day. I gave Camilla the choice of going to the spray park, or walking to the corner store for a popsicle and she picked the popsicle. Hyrum heard the words "let's go" and excitedly ran and got his shoes. He LOVES to be outside and is constantly bringing me his shoes to put on. 

I basically opened the wrappers and handed them over to the kiddos. I could share with Hyrum as long as it stayed in his hand. I smiled as I watched them slowly follow me home, savoring their cold, juicy popsicles. Hyrum would stop every few steps to examine random bugs or touch the grass and flowers as he passed by. Camilla took on the role of protector and walked beside her little brother the whole way home, making sure he held her hand as we all crossed the street together.

I was glad he could walk on his own, because the sun quickly melted his popsicle and he was pretty sticky. He thought it was the best thing in the world. I loved seeing him slowly make his way down the sidewalk with his ball cap and big blue eyes. He is all boy, and I love it!

 

When we got home we hung out on the front step until all popsicles were finished. I ended up eating most of Hyrum's because his little hand was so cold from holding it. The closer Camilla gets to three the more and more grown up she is getting. She is so independent and helpful and tries really hard to be a good example and friend for her little brother. I was filled with joy as I watched them hang out on the front step together. They are such great little friends. What a blessing it is to have siblings to share these things with! It's so fun to build memories on these warm summer days!