Who are those beautiful people?

I just have one little question... is this not the most gorgeous family you have ever seen?

Charla just updated her blog with some pictures from our family photo shoot, and they're so beautiful they brought tears to my eyes. I can't imagine a more perfect way to capture my little family.

The picture above was taken at the very end of our photo shoot, and the kids were exhausted. I was grinning at Brandon because he was sitting on his Daddy's lap saying, "Cheeeeese. Cheeeeese. Cheeeeese." He just kept repeating it, over and over again, and it was adorable. He was so good the entire time--all three of them were. My kids love a camera.

Check out the blog, and check out Charla's website at http://www.charla.ca/. She's amazing.

I can't hear you...

I'm pretending I didn't notice that Thursday came and went without me posting a single picture. I'm thinking instead of pictures every Thursday I should just post excuses for why I'm not posting pictures. That would be fun, right?

We did, however, undertake a photo-related activity last night. Shaun and the kids and I all went to Middle Cove Beach for a family photo shoot. The weather was gorgeous, the light was awesome, and the photographer was a blast. We haven't had a really nice family picture taken since the summer when Kyle was about 7 months old, so we were overdue. As soon as the photographer has them ready I'll be sure to share!

Let it snow!

I woke up to the most beautiful sight this morning! Snow! The kids and I were all terribly excited. Imagine my happiness when it continued to snow right on through the morning and we ended up accumulating about two inches of snow. It was a sight to behold. I even took pictures to document the occurrence. I never expected to be so lucky as to experience snowfall on May 26th.

If you're wondering what happened to the real Betsy (Alien abduction? Medication? Too much Wheel of Fortune? Perhaps this is just the result of spending all day with preschoolers?) I would like to assure you that she's fine and well. She has decided that since all the begging and demanding in the world has not been able to sway this Newfoundland weather she's going to deal with it the way she would her children--reverse psychology.

So What

If this doesn't make your Monday then nothing will!

My occupation

I was at a doctor's appointment not long ago, and the receptionist asked for all my pertinent information, including my occupation. When I stated, "I'm a stay-at-home mom," the receptionist replied enthusiastically, "A domestic engineer!"

*receptionist throws big, cheesy smile at the mommy*

Now, I know this woman was just trying to brighten my poor child-centric life, but I don't particularly care for the term 'domestic engineer.' Every time I hear the phrase I want to scream, "But I was a REAL engineer! Or I could have been if I hadn't been too much of a control freak to let someone else spend their days with my kids! I have a degree!" I don't need to be placated. I don't need a little pat on the head for encouragement.

What I do all day in no way resembles engineering. So far I've had very little use for differential equations and thermodynamics. And to call me domestic is an insult to the word--I can clean like a maniac, but the moment I think about laundry or cooking I shudder.

The next time someone asks me what my occupation is I'm going to say, "Kyle, Natalie and Brandon are my occupation." One of Merriam-Webster's definitions of the word occupy is 'to engage the attention or energies of.' Well, they occupy me all day, every day. Waking or sleeping they engage most of my attention and all of my energy. If they don't have all of my attention at any given moment they'll quickly stage a battle over a toy or accidentally dump water all over the floor to make sure they get it back.

It's not always fun, it's never glamourous, but it's always a rewarding challenge. I'm totally okay with my three little monsters being my occupation. I'm a mom, and I really don't need a fake title to legitimize it.

Right on time

Here they are! And on time for once! I know, you're impressed. Hold the applause.

Weekend in review

Whew! Shaun is home, and I finally feel like I can type in complete sentences again. I kind of fell off the face of the Earth last week.

Today marked the sixth day in a row of beautiful weather, and we have spent a ton of time outside again. I'm more of an indoorsy, television-watching, net-surfing, treadmill kind of girl, but one winter in Newfoundland has turned me into a fresh-air freak.

We kicked off our weekend with a trip to Canadian Tire on Saturday morning, and we bought Kyle his very first big-kid bike. We inherited a bicycle for Natalie from a friend a few days ago, and she's been pestering us to get it out and put it together for her, so in the interest of eliminating as much sibling rivalry as possible we needed to get one for Kyle, too. We should have known, however, that Kyle would ride his for two minutes and then quit while Natalie would want to spend forever riding her bike up and down the street.

Yesterday we played in the backyard and also went out to Middle Cove Beach to let the kids throw rocks. I know this sounds dangerous, but it's really the only thing to do at Middle Cove Beach. It's not like you can actually go in the water here--it's freakin' freezing. Brandon wanted to go in anyway, but we talked him out of it.

Today is Victoria Day, so Shaun's home from work, enjoying a three-day weekend. This morning I noticed that it was already 60F at 8:30 AM, so we decided to drive down to Bay Bulls and go on a boat tour. It had to be closer to about 40F out on the water, so the kids wanted to spend most of their time inside the cabin of the boat, but we all had a great time spotting icebergs and puffins anyway. Natalie loved the boat and looking out at the scenery. Kyle liked his lunch (a PB&J sandwich) and peeing in the miniscule boat bathroom. Brandon was pissed that we put him in an enormous life preserver and then wouldn't let him walk around--but he was also appeased by his lunch. It was a fairly typical outing. It reminded me, once again, of why we rarely attempt these ambitious adventurous excursions.

Now, I would never ask for rain, but I desperately need to do laundry, and it's really impossible to talk myself into housework with the weather outside begging to be enjoyed. So, while I won't ask for rain, you might want to ask for a little rain to be sent my way if you care at all that my children will be forced to go naked starting tomorrow.

Single Mom's Log - Day 5

Have lost the will to blog. Too tired. Not from taking care of children but from spending hours and hours outside due to amazing weather. Running everyone ragged so that we will all sleep soundly at night.

Time on parenting island almost over--husband returns tonight. Thank God.

See pictures. Sorry for delay.

Footie-Jammie Boys

Don't Kiss Me!

Brandon Loves to Swing

I Picked You a Flower, Mom

Single Mom's Log - Day 2

Weather: Cold. Flurries this AM. Gray skies. Pissing me off.

Been on parenting island for over 24 hours now, and so far no sign of mutiny. Perhaps aided by efforts to keep children busy every waking moment. Also lucky that today is Little Gym day. Have not had to break out foam stickers or Wii yet. Saving that for emergency.

Happy to report that all signs of cold and ear infection have vanished--expect them to return now that I have mentioned it.

Received word from husband that he arrived safely in land of sun and warmth. Idea of him enjoying sun and warmth also pissing me off. Hope he works long, hard days with little time for meals or sleep. Must remind him not to bring home any swine flu.

Weather forecast for tomorrow looks promising. Hoping to send children outside for extended periods of time. Also planning dinner with friend. Wish this could involve alcohol, but good conversation and tiring out children will more than make up for lack of drinks.

Item of note: For first time since moving here saw fire truck and ambulance on our street today. Was not kidding when said my life is exciting.

Seriously?

I would like to note that it's snowing again today. It won't make the snow log since it's not accumulating--probably because the ground was already wet since God knows it's cold enough--but it's been snowing for an hour or so. Real snow. Not flurries. And I'm really not happy about it.

Seriously? On May 11th? Snow?

I give up. Apparently my 'Dear Newfoundland' letter didn't work. I'm going back to bed. Wake me up in June.