Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Ready for Baby!!


With less than a week to go before my scheduled c section, the baby's room is officially ready. He will be sharing a room with Layla, at her request, which works out very well as their room is right across from mine. I have posted some before and after shots so you can see what I've done. I stripped two layers of wallpaper and painted a subtle bluish-grey. I haven't dressed the walls much yet but have some ideas of what I'd like to do when baby boy is finally here. Anyways, the pictures don't do it justice so may I suggest visiting us in person!!! Look forward to seeing all of you in sunny Oliver soon!






Monday, July 21, 2008

Swingin' Good Time


We walk down this trail nearly every day and every time Greg says he's going to swing into the river on this old rope hanging from a tree. He has gone as far as to swing out and back without dropping but always has a reason not to drop. Finally he found the courage, or stupidity, to let go and fall into the Okanagan River.



His second attempt didn't go as well as a school of fish swam right beneath him and he couldn't stand the thought of landing amongst a bunch of huge carp. The dog got very upset with him every time he swung out, but Layla thought it was awesome and she too wanted to beat the heat (36 degrees). So mama watched as her naked 4 year old, her boyish husband, and very stressed out dog splashed around in the shallow river, thankful that she had a valid excuse not to be flying out on that old rope. Pregnancy can really come in handy when coming up with excuses not to participate.










Sunday, July 20, 2008

Layla's Preschool







After 3 months of trying to get Layla in childcare/preschool in our area (we looked in Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, and Keremeos) we finally moved our way up the waiting list and got her a part time spot in Nk'Mip Preschool and Daycare on the Okanagan Indian Reserve. We could not be more pleased with the facility and teachers there, nevermind the low $24/day (less on preschool days).


Layla has blossomed there and learned a large array of songs and games which Greg and I are lucky enough to recreate at home. She is given a monthly schedule of many field trips and other activities, including one day a week when she gets to go to Language to learn some of the native tongue. Now everytime she speaks gibberish we wonder if it is actually words she may have been taught in school. She has also learned life lessons about social politics, both good and bad, which have sparked many tough questions for me to come up with answers to.


The Nk'Mip school has ended up being one of the greatest high lights of our move here and are very thankful that is where she ended up. Layla loves all of her teachers and looks forward to Tues-Thurs as she knows these are here school days. If only that zest for school could last forever.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Lesson in Preparedness

Yesterday we had the great pleasure of being invited out to a friend's campsite to visit. We were going to see a friend of mine who I had worked with at the U of A hospital and her family, and the family they vacation with. This was their 12th year in a row camping in Osoyoos so I guess I should have figured they'd have a fantastic beachside spot.
At the last minute I threw a swimsuit of Layla's in my purse but didn't let her see so she wouldn't have any expectations, and luckily we spend enough days on the beach to warrant having an army of beach equipment (floaties, life jacket, water wings, pails, etc) in the back of my van. I had no idea we were in for a day of boating, tubing, swimming and so forth so unfortunately for my first blog I don't even have any pictures!

As a newcomer to blogging I realize I will need to keep a camera on me at all times, and as a newcomer to the Okanagan I realize I need to keep swimsuits and towels with me at all time as impromptu beach days seem to keep catching me riding home with wet shorts.

Of course I don't want my first blog to be without a photo so I am posting one in response to mom's last blog about Layla and Chester. This was taken last night. She insists on snuggling "someone with bones" when she goes to bed so this has become Chester's duty. We caught him mid yawn. I also included some shots of Layla practicing her rollerskating in our living room. Enjoy!