Fabulous time in Strathroy

On Sunday we headed off to Strathroy to celebrate Mariska's birthday. We all had a fabulous time!! The kids got to jump and jump and jump so more on the trampoline. Then Mariska got the bright idea to start a water fight with Gerben. What a great time it was. Everyone, except me, was SOAKED!! The best part was when Al got out a 3rd hose and gave it to Kirsten. She snuck up behind Gerben and just let him have it! He was drenched!! It was the best!! I will be attaching lots and lots of photos to this post as it was an awesome time!!









Natalia ended up with about 50 mesquito bites all over her arms and legs because she spent the majority of her time near the pond trying to catch frogs. She never did catch one but she liked to pretend she did and seemed to get quite a kick out of the ones that Kirsten caught for her.





Here's a few of the trampoline pictures as well as a fabulous one of Kirsten. I only wished Miranda would be just as accommidating for me. One of these days I am sure she will give in for me.

Potty Training!

I don't know what I was thinking but while we were away we decided that it's about time we get Natalia toilet trained. She is so ready. She tells me when she goes, she is dry most of the day and she has a strong interest in using the potty. So out we went and let her choose her very own potty and underwear. She, of course, choose a Dora potty and princess underwear. As soon as we got home to the cottage she had a big poop on the potty and then nothing after that.

Starting Monday, I cut out the diapers all together except for naptime. For some reason she had a huge aversion to peeing on the potty but she went ballistic when she wet herself. She yelled at me that she doesn't wear underwear, she wears diapers. I was horrified that I had traumatized her but it was pretty funny too. Atleast we knew she didn't like being wet.

It's been a constant battle since. I am still sticking to the no diapers during that day and she continues to have accidents although she does have some success too. Finally today, she peed on my floor like 4 times in the space on about 2 hours and I lost it. I yelled at the poor kid and told her that we don't pee on mommy's floor. She was pretty upset but guess what...since then she has been great she has peed and pooped on the potty several times today with only one more mild accident. Thank God! I think we are finally getting somewhere!

Day 2 in Mars Hill North Carolina

The weather is absolutely gorgeous here in Mars Hill. There is a fabulous cool breeze coming off the mountains and the sun is shining brightly. We couldn't ask for anything better. All the girls wanted to do today was go swimming and really, I can't blame them. The water was fantastic and they both seemed to love going down the waterslide with daddy. I think Emma liked it more than Natalia. The girls are getting along so well. They are constantly laughing and playing together. It's really nice to see.

Here's a scrapbook layout that I worked on today. It shows several of the photos that I took of the girls at the pool. You can click on it to make it bigger if you wish.


These next photos are just random ones that I have taken throughout the day today. Most of them are off the views from our balcony.





And this last one is my favourite photo of Emma from today. I don't know why I love it but I do.

Beautiful Mars Hill North Carolina

We have arrived at our destination for the next 4 nights. It was a very long drive but quite uneventful. The girls did fantastic in the car. The both slept the majority of the way and there was no crying or fighting to speak of! To say that I was impressed would be an understatement. We dropped Jessica off at her apartment yesturday and then toured around doing some errands before we crashed for the night at her place.

Today we drove for another 4 hours to where we are now in Mars Hill. We are staying at an amazing place at the top of a ski hill. The views out our windows are absolutely spectacular. We even get a wonderful view of the sunseting into the mountains from each of our 2 balconies. The kids are all settled in and dying to go swimming tomorrow. Gerben and I are looking forward to relaxing on our balconies and enjoying the cool breeze and gorgeous views.

Here is two quick photos of the girls at one of the rest stops on our way.