Happy 4th Birthday Abigail!

Last weekend, we celebrated yet another milestone in our home.

Miss Abigail Marjorie Lynne Bickmore turned the big 0-4!

It was an exciting time for sure.  The thing is, she "got it" this year.  She knew what a birthday was really about.  She has been to a couple of birthday parties and for about 2 weeks before the big day, she asked almost every minute when her birthday was. 

When she woke up that Saturday (Nov 30th) she awoke to some simple birthday decorations in both the kitchen and the living room.  She was tickled pink and practically floated with excitement the whole day.  She and I had to go and pick up the cake and she had to tell everyone it was her birthday.  The cake she picked out was a hockey cake.  I had them girl it up with pinks and purples.  Why she wanted a hockey cake is a bit beyond me.  I tried to get her a girly princess one, but no luck.

It was hard to not give in to the temptation of letting her have a small party, but I made a rule when the kids were little, no friend party until the age of 5.  Until then (and even after) it's a simple family party.  It consists of my parents and us.

For some reason, this year it felt perfect!  We had them over for lunch and cake.  Abby opened presents and just beamed when we sang to her.  The rest of the afternoon, the kids played with her gifts and got along....damn near Hallmark I tell ya!

So, in what is now ordinary yearly fashion, it's time to overload you with pictures!  Starting with the "remember when" ones.

Here she is on her "birth" day.

First Birthday

Second Birthday

This is the point of the blog where I win Mother of the Year.....for some reason, I am unable to find ANY pictures from her 3rd birthday.  I am positive I would have taken at least one and I am also pretty sure I had written a really nice blog post last year, with a heart-felt letter to my little girl, but I can't find it either...so I will just include a picture of her at age 3 until I can do better!

I just love this year's pictures....you can see the pure joy and excitement in her expression.

Now, what would I say to my little girl this year?  I would probably tell her this:

Dearest Abigail,

I love you even more this year then I did last.  You see, as each year passes, my love for you will grow more and more.  As you grow and learn new things, there are more things to love.  I love that you can chat up a storm or look after your babies for hours.  I love that you are the only one that can turn our crazy kitten into mush and have her give you kisses.  I love that you are now going to school and come home to share your new knowledge with us.

You are all I could have asked for in a little girl.  You are kind and generous and willing to share with others.  You have so many little friends and are well liked.

You are willing to help out and do what you can around the house.

As you become just this little bit older, you are seeking your independence.  It's hard to watch you do things for yourself, but also a moment of pride, knowing just how capable you are.

You are full of spunk and attitude.  Don't dare tell you "no", for if we do, a full-on pout will show itself and there is a good chance you won't talk or look at us until we trick you into thinking we have a cookie for you.

You are full of smiles and giggles and they both light up a room. 

If there is one thing you can grow up being confident in, let that be our love for you!  Your whole family loves you and would do anything for you.

You are turning into a fantastic little lady and I can't wait to see what the next year brings for you.

Love Mom

Good Night, Sleep Tight - Episode 1.0

I didn't want to miss my goal, but I'm too pooped to write tonight.

If you need something different to read and you haven't checked it out already, head on over to my other blog

http://amybickmore2.blogspot.ca/

Would You Rather.....? Round # 1

I needed a few ideas for a blog post and I thought...what better way then to search the net and then play a game of:

Would You Rather....?



Go way back in time and meet your ancestors
(pre 1800's)

OR



Go way into the future and meet your great grandchildren
(post 2200)

 For me, this was pretty easy, I would pick the future.   While it would be fascinating to see exactly who I came from and get some insight as to helped make me...me, I could research that if I was truly interested.  But I would be so curious to see what future "Amy & Brian's" are like.  Plus, let's not forget all the other things you could find out by going into the future.

Which would you pick and why?

Go to http://www.rrrather.com/ for more questions

Pop Quiz

Here's the question I pose to you:

You make cookies for a  meeting at your house tonight.  The presentation looks like this:

 

One plate is for the meeting, the others are extra set aside for your family.

The pop quiz question is:

 

When your husband comes home to have one, which plate will he eat them off of?

 

 

 

 

*if you picked the fancy on the right, there is a good chance you will be correct*

Wear Sunscreen

I've been going over some old songs lately to add to my I Pod.  I came across The Sunscreen Song.  Anyone else remember this song?

It came out just after I graduated high school and it's been 14 years.

I listened to the lyrics and I must tell you, it's all very good advice.  They always say hindsight is 20/20.  It's so true!  If you think back 14 years to the problems you had, you will realize they were probably pretty trivial.   

Listen to the song and read the words, tell me they are not 100% true!!

 

 

Update on Life - Abby Edition

So yesterday was the update on Hayden and as promised, today is Abby's turn.

With her 4th birthday just around the corner, she has started junior kindergarten this year too.  The first few weeks were rough.  While she loved school itself, getting her there was a different story.  The walk to the school and into the yard was like making her walk the green mile. 

She has a temper to her and don't you dare tell her no.  She's so much fun to be around though and still loves to play babies.

She has a natural affinity to animals.  We got a new kitten in May and she is the only one that can pick that cat up when it's going all crazy and have it just lay there in her arms and give her kisses.

Here is a little look at my baby girl.

Update on Life - Hayden Edition

So, I have pretty much ignored this blog since May.

It's not that I couldn't have written, but as everyone knows, life sometimes gets in the way.

I haven't stopped blogging, but have been focused on my other blog more than this one.  A number of reasons for that I guess.  Part of it being that nothing real exciting has happened with us, just regular everyday things that most families deal with.

Anyway, here is a quick update.

The kids are great!  Hayden finished up grade 1 in June and headed on into grade 2 in September.  He is on the cusp of his 7th birthday and is in love with all things sports.  Hockey in particular.  He plays for the local team here and never misses a Peterborough Petes game.  If the Leafs are on tv, he insists on staying up to watch them and if he goes to bed before seeing the end, he will ask the results first thing in the morning or hunt down the Sports channel in the morning to see the recap of the game.

He's missing a few teeth and has the gooniest grin.  Not a day goes by that he doesn't make us laugh.  He talks CONSTANTLY, but we are working on that.

Here he is!

 

 

As for Miss Abby?

Check back tomorrow for a little update on her!