She's only little once

I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher.  Ever since I was little, that was my plan.
My dream became reality five years ago when I got my first LTO (which is a fancy acronym for saying that I was covering a mat leave).  This was followed by another, and another, and another, before finally landing a half time (permanent) position.  Throw in a year off on my own maternity leave and then follow it was a 0.8 position (the teaching lingo here --- basically means that I was teaching 80% of the week).  It was an ideal situation for me.  With a one year old toddling around at home, I was fortunate enough to have two afternoon's off a week to come home and play with my little girl.  Two afternoons a week to do all of those other chores that I had been neglecting as well.

But it's finally happened.  After five years of teaching, I have finally gotten full time work.  As exciting as it is is to finally have full time (and only a 7 minute drive from my house), I was a bit sad when offered the job.  I really enjoyed my two afternoon's at home with my little girl. So after some discussion with the hubby, we decided that it would be best for our family for me to take a part-time child care leave.  I put in my letter earlier this week and I'm officially back down to teaching 80% of the week!  Go figure eh!  I am fortunate enough to get Monday's off next year.  Woo-hoo! A whole extra day :) 

I look forward to taking Kennedy to swimming lessons, and to Kindergym, and the library, and all those other fun things.  I know that I will never regret spending an extra day a week at home with our little lady.  I will never regret not having the extra moola in the bank account as it doesn't add up to the memories we will share together.  I'm happy to have made the decision (and for a supportive husband who helped make it happen).

Who knows when I will go back to full time.  It's nice to know the option is there, but I feel so fortunate that we are able to do this for our family at this time. 

And on the days when I may ponder our decision, I will remind myself that she is only little once.  I only get to raise her once. 

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful daddy, and my amazing Grandpa's.

Love, Kennedy

A few of the blogs that I read on a regular basis have gone through a bit of a dry spell. My fellow bloggers were starting to slack, and I was disappointed every time I checked online to find that nothing new had been posted. So I sent them a cheeky message and told them to get their butts in gear and get typing. So they did, and I am thankful. However, now I can be the slacker. So I better get to work.

It has been a busy week in our house with lots of fun (sprinkled in with writing report cards for this teacher).  This afternoon, we set up some chairs under the tree for a little quiet time, and daddy and K had a nice little snuggle.  Melts.my.heart.

Tickle Time

It's the second day in June and it's a cold, rainy, miserable looking day. 

What happened to our beautiful May?  I want it back. 

Unfortunately due to the weather, we had to postpone a birthday BBQ for daddy today.  It's not the type of day where we want to be running around the backyard in.  Hopefully the weather cooperates for next weekend though.

This morning, before I put the little lady to bed for her nap, I did a little poking around in her mouth and felt another little staple poking through.  Another tooth will up her number to 9.  She has been such a happy girl the past two days, so it obviously isn't bothering her.  I think that I credit the baltic amber necklace that she has been wearing since she was six months old for that.  Teething has never been an issue for us - knock on wood. 

This morning she has been running all over the house and tickling daddy and I.  She wiggles her fingers against our chest or arm and says "tick-ah, tick-ah" in her own little baby way.  Of course, we pretend to giggle and tickle her back.  It's turned into her new favourite game.  I think that she learnt how to tickle from reading the book "Tickle Time!" by Sandra Boynton.  What a fun little book to read together (same author of some other popular books like Barnyard Dance).  I think we may need to get some more of these fun books. 

Mommy loves to buy books!

First Cottage Trip of the Season!

It was the first trip of the season.  The first long drive up to the cottage.  And what a weekend it was.  I can honestly say that I can not remember such a beautiful May long weekend (heck, I remember one May long weekend when there was flurries in the air).  But this weekend was an absolute gem.  We took along a few friends, including the three little musketeers (seen below having an outdoor "bath" in the pool).  Although K is the oldest by 5 and 7 months, she may just be the tiniest of the three. 

We look forward to spending many more weekends up at the cottage with these great friends (and others) and watching the babes grow up together.  

K's tree

Last year, the year of Kennedy's birth, we decided to plant a tree to celebrate the joyous occasion.  However, we were hesitant to plant it at our house as we just don't know if we will be in this house long term.  So we asked my parents who just moved (literally days before Kennedy was born) into their new home if we could plant a tree at their house.  It was a win-win situation as K got her tree, and Grandma and Grandpa got some much needed landscaping at their new home.

Fast forward to this spring.  Mother's Day.  Here we are standing by her tree.  The goal is to get a picture of Kennedy every year.  We'll watch them both grow together.

a beauty day

Today is an absolutely beautiful day outside.  We spent some of the day playing in the yard (and going for a walk with good friends - both mommy and baby).  I swear that today, Kennedy figured out how to run.  When I picked her up from the sitter, she said that she was running - and I witnessed it this afternoon.  Her little legs go go go and then the inevitable happens... she trips and falls.  Super cute to watch her little arms flail as she goes.  She loves to explore the yard and was helping mommy pick up pine cones today.  What a good helper she was putting them all in the bucket. 

She also did a couple of new signs today!  Ones we have been doing for her for a long time now.  She signed all done and also did eat!  One proud mama here!  Her favourite sign to do is more (which also means help) and she will sign bath consistently.  Yeah K!

My second Mother's Day

Even though Kennedy doesn't quite understand what Mother's Day is, she still made the day extra special for me.  With all the snuggles, smiles, kisses, and giggles.  It was truly a great day!

Baby chicks

I was fortunate enough to be born and raised on a farm.  We had all the space we could ever desire to roam, play, and explore.  As children, we spent countless hours four wheeling through the fields, playing in the river or in the corn field, riding the tractor with our dad, biking back the lane and playing around the barn.  I have many great memories of the farm.

A few days before Kennedy was born, my parents moved off the farm and into a beautiful new house.  We no longer have a field of cows behind the house or barn cats to play with.  However, we are still lucky enough to have some "farm connections".  The other day, Kennedy got to go with Grandma and Grandpa to see a barn full of new baby chicks.  29 000 baby chicks in one barn.  And yes, she said woof woof when she saw them. 

Here she is petting one with Grandpa: 

Woof Woof

We were thrilled when Kennedy started saying "woof woof" when she saw a dog.  It was amazing to watch her face light up and how she connected the animal and the animal sound together!  We started having her "preform" to everyone we saw, asking her to tell our friend what the dog says.  Woof would be the reply. 

What we don't always tell people is that the bird also says woof.  So does a cat.  What does a cow say? woof woof.....

Maybe we just need a little bit more time to perfect our animal sounds before we start showing off!;)