Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to all!!! I can't believe this year is almost over...it has gone so fast!

Davram has started kindergarten...he loves it so much! He is learning to read and write. It is hard to believe how big he is becoming...sometimes I wish I could stop time and keep him just how he is now. Alannah has been taking her dancing class and is doing so well. Her Christmas recital was today and she knew all the steps. And just to make the show a little more exciting she decided to lift up her dress right in the middle of the dance...hehehe...she's so cute! Elijah is entertaining. That kid just loves to get in to everything...he is keeping me on my toes. Just today he managed to climb onto the computer desk and knock our 24 inch monitor off and onto the floor...he is only 18 months old!!! yeah, good times:) But when he looks at you with his big blue eyes and his mischievous little grin you just have to love him:)

We finally finished our basement this year...we have loved being able to have a giant sized playroom for the kids and all their toys. The kids love having so much room to run around and spread out more. Hopefully we will finish up the bathroom and the other bedroom soon. Though it took us four years to finish the playroom...so we'll have to see, right??

So,I'm wishing all a wonderful Christmas season and a fantastic new year!!!

Summer

SO, it's been awhile:) The summer went by so fast I can't believe it is already over. We had a really good summer. Davram, Alannah, and Elijah all celebrated their birthdays, which were lots of fun. I also celebrated my birthday, and Andrew and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. And most of that happened in the month of June:) We spent a wonderful week in Kamloops at my parents' place. The weather was fantastic and the kids had tons of fun with their grandparents and aunts and uncles. We spent some time at Hat Creek Ranch, where the kids got to go for horse back rides, feed chickens, ride in a stagecoach and sleep in bunkbeds(on the top, no less)...it was a very full 2 days:) Unfortunately, the weather at home was not quite so wonderful, so we didn't get out as much as we would have hoped. We discovered that Elijah does NOT like swimming...every time we take him near a pool, he simple cries until you take him far away from said pool. This is sad for Davram and Alannah since they love swimming and would live in the water if we would only let them. I know I am a terrible parent for telling them they cannot live in the water;) The rest of our summer consisted of outside play, complaining about rain, cabin fever, and talking about what things will be like when September comes around.
And now that September has started, things are a bit different in our home. Davram has started kindergarten...he goes two, sometimes three, times a week. Alannah has started dance class. And swimming starts on the weekend. I was watching Davram today playing with toys, and I suddenly started to tear up. When did my baby get so big? I'm sure at some point every mother asks that question...I'm sure my own mom asks that question still today. But it really struck me today that my first baby is becoming a real boy...and now that he has started school, I will lose a lot of our precious time together. Don't get me wrong...I'm glad Davram loves school and is excited to go, but I am missing his silly giggle and all the fun games he invents for us all to play and how he can take any toy you give him and come up with some way to incorporate it into his game. I love being able to spend more time with Alannah and Elijah, but even they notice that the day is quite the same when Davram isn't here. He is a beautiful, smart, brave boy who I am so proud of...everyone loves him. I know he will do great things in his life...and I hope everyday that I can help him in some way become who he is supposed to be.

April and May...

So it's been almost two months since I last wrote...and here goes!
April went by so fast that I don't even remember what happened. Elijah got 6 new teeth so he now has 8 total. They all came at about the same time so that made for some fun days and nights:) But he has the cutest little smile now, so it all worked out. He loves to eat granola bars...he bounces when he sees the box for them...and it always keeps him happy.


Alannah discovered that she wants to be a Chipette:) She loves to watch the Chipmunks movie(the Squeakquel)and dance and sing along to all the songs. It is really cute to watch. She is also potty trained now...she only wears diapers at night(and even then she is dry some nights). I am so proud of how hard she worked and that she was able to do it so quickly.

Davram is a fun boy...he has been really into computer games lately, much to Andrew's delight:) He plays command and conquer every morning...and has also learned how to play the new starcraft beta this past week. He loves it! He is also finishing school up next week. Today was his last day in class. His next two days are parties where they aren't actually in the school. It's exciting for him but a little sad too...he's getting so big and smart! He's really interested in learning how to spell and how to do math...it's so amazing:)






It's been a really good couple of months...busy but really good. Andrew and I are enjoying our time with the kids...they do so many amazing things in a day that I can't keep track of everything:)

What to do?

I sent Davram and Alannah to Calgary with my mom today. It's spring break and I thought the kids would love the adventure with gramma...and it would be awesome to have a few days for Andrew and I to have mostly kid free:) When they left this morning Elijah was asleep, which means I was all by myself. And the first thing I did was think "What should I do?" And oddly enough, I couldn't really think of something that I would love to do, other than play with the kids...but they aren't here. There are plenty of things around the house that NEED to be done, but nothing that I really wanted to do. And so I thought to myself "how odd". It is funny that when I actually have the time and ability to do something for myself, all I want is to be with my kids:) I know that they are going to have a really great time visiting everyone...they were really excited to go see their aunt and uncle...and to do something with gramma...and I know it will be good for Andrew and I to spend some time with eachother and I'm very thankful for my mom and her willingness to help us out, but I really want my kids to be home soon:) So, we'll see what I get accomplished over the next couple of days...I think Andrew is taking some time off so we can hang out together...maybe we will get some work done on the basement...maybe not, but we'll have a good time I'm sure:)
I also took my van into the shop today cause it has been making weird noises for a couple of months...we thought it was probably a loose belt, and so did the guy when we dropped it off. But when they called Andrew they told us that it wasn't nearly so simple:( Turns our we had an engine leak and a power steering leak...and the real kicker was that our warranty had run out 2 weeks ago. Thankfully they are going to cover the repairs out of good faith, because the problem has obviously existed for longer than 2 weeks. Andrew and I wonder if it is a lingering problem from my accident last summer that wasn't noticed by the body shop. But good news is that the van will be fixed by tomorrow and it will be covered by warranty...I am so grateful for this. I am also grateful for Amanda (B) for helping to see it from this perspective...it is such a wonderful blessing and a small miracle that is helping this to be done this way...what an amazing perspective on something that I was worried about. I am truly grateful to my Heavenly Father for helping my family with this...we have truly been blessed and we continue to be blessed everyday!

Life...

So, it's been a few days since my last post...and funny enough, not much has really happened:) I presented my first sharing time this past Sunday...it was a little nerve-wracking, but I had a lot of fun teaching the primary children. I hope that it went as good for them as it felt for me:) Funny how it is always like that.
Davram has been learning different science projects at school, getting ready for their science fair at the end of the month. He really enjoys getting to tell me all the different things they have learned...so far we have been taught about chemical reactions, physical change, gravity, refraction, and air pressure. He wants to show me all the experiments at home:)
Alannah is the most beautiful little girl that I have ever seen...she is starting to become more girlie lately, which I enjoy. She has always seemed a little tom-boyish, but has recently started to want to wear dresses all the time, put her hair up, put makeup on, and play with princess and barbie dolls:) I love it!
Elijah is a cutie...he loves to make you laugh. And he will do anything he possibly can to get involved with what his brother and sister are doing:) He also always wants to play on the computer...it must be in the Buchanan blood:)
It's been starting to get nicer outside, which is very exciting for all of us here. We are looking forward to the days when we can run outside without coats on, and just enjoy the sunshine...those days can't come soon enough!

He's got teeth!!

Well, one tooth:) Elijah's first tooth finally popped up on saturday...wahoo!! He is so eager to be a big kid, but just hasn't quite been able to make it there. Hopefully this helps:)
So, what have we been up to this past week? Hhhmmm...I remember being really busy, but not much else:) Davram went to visit the senior center with his preschool class this past week. He had a lot of fun with the people there...he got to make friendship bracelets with them, sing songs to them, and have a snack. He was all disappointed that they didn't have cookies for snack like his teacher had said they usually have...it was really funny when he was telling me about it. He was talking about it like it was the worst thing to happen to him ever...silly boy:)
Alannah is such a sweetie...she loves to help me take care of Elijah...and her own babies:) She loves pretending to be the "mama". She puts on her plastic high heels(cause I always wear heels...lol), and carries around a purse, with her baby in his stroller...tells the baby to calm down and makes the crying sounds for the baby. I love to watch her come up with little games. She also loves to play any kind of game that Davram will come up with...which is also very fun to watch.
Andrew and I went out for dinner on friday...it was fun to spend some time with him. We got to talk about grown-up things like movies and books. I'm hoping that we can start to go out more regularly...we haven't gone on dates lately, which we both miss. We try to spend time with eachother after the kids go to bed, but it would be nice to leave the house just the two of us as well. I'm thankful for family members who are willing to help us out by watching the kids. We are both very lucky to have good families:) I have been very blessed!

Busy, busy, busy...

This week has gone by incredibly fast so far...I'm sure it is because I have been busier than I have been in a really long time:) It's been good, but I'm tired!I got a new calling at church this Sunday...I am now the first counselor in the primary presidency. I am humbled and overwhelmed by this calling. I am also excited to begin to work with the primary children in our ward...they are a wonderful group of kids.Davram, Alannah, and Elijah have been pretty good this week:) Alannah is still working on potty training. Davram went to the senior centre with his preschool class this week, and we went for his kindergarten open house which he really enjoyed:) Elijah is moving all over the place. He doesn't like to stay in one place for too long. He really loves pulling up onto things so he can stand like a big kid:) He also likes to be involved in whatever Davram and Alannah are doing...it's really cute to watch him trying to be big.Andrew and I are actually going to go on a date this week! We are going out for dinner with his brother and wife...a few hours away from the kids sounds so good right now:) We haven't been able to go out just the two of us for awhile now, so it will be really nice to be just us and talk like grownups...and maybe refer to eachother by our real names and not just "mommy" and "daddy"...hehehe!

Potty Training

I have a love-hate relationship with potty training. I love that it means no more diapers...no more messy cleanups...more freedom...all those things, but at the same time I hate the process of getting to no more diapers. Right now we are training Alannah(that sounds funny, but whatever). She has been doing really good. Everyone always says "wait until they are ready", but what does that really mean? Alannah has been willing to go on the toilet for about 6 months now, but never consistently...it makes me wonder if I should have tried harder 6 months ago, but I didn't want to scare her away from it(plus I had just had Elijah, and quite frankly didn't have the energy for it). I hate the "accidents"...the always needing to be near a bathroom just in case...the making sure I remembered to bring(along with every other necessity that comes with taking 3 kids out in public) an extra set of clothing just in case...I hate just in case! So we are on day 4, and right now she is only having about 1 accident a day, which I'm quite impressed with cause it took forever with Davram to get to this point. What else is there to say about it? It is a crazy process and yet at the end you have watched your child accomplish something great. Davram was so proud of himself when he was able to go in the toilet consistently...and Alannah is very happy to be a big girl now. I'm hoping that I haven't jinxed the process by writing it down, but whatever. Here's to more accident free days!

For Auntie Mandy

This is a little video that I made for Auntie Mandy of Elijah playing with his Christmas present. It is his most favorite toy...he loves to sit and play with it so that it makes noise and lights up. It always makes him smile to have this put near him. He's getting pretty good at it too!!! Thanks Auntie Mandy and Uncle Bruce!!!

KISS!!

Since Valentine's day is on a sunday this year, we decided that we would celebrate tonight instead:) We also thought it might be fun to celebrate with the kids too, instead of getting a babysitter...so we packed everyone up and headed into Edmonton to go to Denny's for dinner. Now Denny's may not seem like the most romantic choice(though romance was pretty much a non option with 3 kids coming with us), but it is the restaurant that we went to 7 years ago on Valentine's day, after which Andrew proposed. We were a little worried about taking the kids out to eat...the last time we went out for dinner it was a complete disaster and we vowed to never ever ever do it again. But the kids totally surprised us tonight...they were so good, listened really good, and they ate their dinner without any arguments. Which also meant that Andrew and I actually got to eat our dinner and talk to eachother.
Andrew bought me a Cricut machine for Valentine's and some roses...I'm excited to start working with my machine to do some scrapbooking. I've been doing digital scrapbooking but I still really like to do the traditional ones as well...I have been trying to work on our wedding scrapbook for a while now(I know, we've been married for 7 years), but with the basement still being renovated I haven't really had a place to work on it. But hopefully in the next little while I will be able to set my stuff up and really get back to it:)
Happy Valentine's Day!!!

First Kiss

Today was Davram's valentine's party at preschool. We spent the week making cards for all his friends, which he was very excited to give to them. The class got to join in with the other 4 year old class, which is a big thrill cause they see the other kids but never get to really play with them:) When I went to pick him up, one of the parent helpers walked by and told me that her daughter kissed Davram today...that's right, Davram received his first kiss today! Only 4 years old...what a stud:)
Elijah is crawling all over the place, and is now also very interested in pulling himself up onto things. He likes to walk along the edge of the couch...and today he very much enjoyed getting to stand up in the bathtub:) It's fun to see him getting so big. Davram today got upset that Elijah crawled over to the game that he and Alannah were playing and knocked it all down...so funny:) They talk about how much they want him to be able to play with them, but when he does they get upset:) Andrew and I have been wondering if Elijah is more aware of what bigger kids are doing, or if we notice it more because he is around bigger kids:) He is so concerned with the way that other people behave and they way they look. Elijah wants to be just like everyone else...but who can blame him?

Alannah and I got to spend a little time together while Davram was at school. Being the middle kid, she doesn't get to have alot of one on one time with either Andrew or myself. It's fun to watch her come up with games to play when Davram isn't around...usually he is the one that dictates the way a game is played:) I do know however that Alannah is absolutely in love with her big brother...she thinks he is the greatest thing ever and I hope that never changes.

Hhhmmmm...

This has been a pretty quiet week around here...I've been sick so we haven't really been doing anything to exciting:(
I had Davram and Alannah make their own Valentines for their friends...which they were very excited about. It was a long process but the turned out really cute:) We made little love bugs, like ones that I had made when I was in kindergarten...so cool:) I'll take a pic and post it later...
I was making a smoothie for the kids the other day, and when I was cutting the strawberries Davram was asking how I could do it so fast. I told him that I was really talented...and he said to me, "Are you going to be in the circus?" hehehehe...so funny...made me laugh like crazy. He's so cute!
Anywho, not much to report I guess...maybe I will have more inspiration tomorrow. Goodnight!

He's going to save the world!

So today was a crazy day...Elijah was in a bit of a mood so he pretty much refused to do any normal things today, which meant there was a lot of crying and fussing all day...which also means not much gets done by mommy:) Davram, Alannah, and I did manage to have some time to play some Lightning McQueen( I believe we watched the movie 3 times...they all kinda blend together, so it could be more or less), but not much more for mommy play time.
There was one little moment with Alannah that I wanted to share today...she is so sweet and pure that I love having "real" conversations with her. She is so inspiring to listen to and be around...I love my little princess:) So, during one of Elijah's rare content moments of the day, Alannah and I were watching him play. He crawled(that's right, folks, he's mobile!) over to us and pulled himself up on the wall. Alannah asked me why he was holding on to the wall...I told him that he needed to so he could get up. And Alannah's response to me was "He's going to save the world!"...I'm not sure why but that really touched my heart...she has so much confidence in her little brother that she thinks he will save the world. I almost instantly had this overwhelming feeling that Elijah would indeed be part of saving the world...it made my heart ache to think of what amazing things there are in store for my little baby. It made everything else in the day completely fade away...it was a great day!!!

Five Generations

I talked to my mom on Monday morning and she told me that her and my dad were going up to visit my grandma Willison for a few days. That simple statement immediately made me think of this picture. It was taken the summer of 2006, when Davram turned 1. Featured is my great-grandma Crawford, Grandma Willison, my Dad, myself, and Davram. Five generations. Everytime I look at this picture I think about my history...what makes up my family. This picture brings up so many memories that I don't even know where to start. I am grateful for my family and all the amazing things they do and have done. My family is filled with wonderful people who have very giving and compassionate hearts...I strive everyday to be more like them:) One day maybe I will be. My great-grandma passed away 2 and a half years ago...and I still think about her on a regular basis...she was a wonderful lady! I am grateful for the gospel that has taught me that my family is forever and one day we will all be together one day...it is such a comfort when thinking of those that have passed on and those we miss everyday.

Kindergarten

I registered Davram in kindergarten today. It is hard for me to believe that he is old enough to be going to school...where did the time go?? I'm sure just yesterday I brought him home from the hospital. When I told Andrew that I was going to register him today, his response was "kindergarten... great googely moogely...Boy needs to slow down :-)". We talk about our kids growing up all the time, and we always end up a little teary eyed. I'm excited for them to become bigger and see all the things they each will do, and yet I wish that I could stop time(most days) so that I can spend more time with them as kids...maybe tomorrow I will let the house be a mess so that I can just play with the kids:) That sounds like a fantastic idea!

Okay, so I started this and then we all got sick so I haven't had a chance to sit and write anything...
Last week was pretty much a write-off as we all got sick, but there is one story that I wanted to share...it's pretty lame and makes me feel a little silly, but here it is anyways:)
On Thursday night (after 2 completely sleepless nights with Elijah) I noticed that Elijah was pulling at his ear alot...so I thought he must have an ear infection to go along with his cold and that is why he refuses to lay down or eat, right? So I decided that I would take all 3 sick kids to the walk in clinic on Friday morning, since our regular family doctor doesn't work on Fridays, and it is nearly impossible to get any sort of last minute appointment at our regular clinic. So, off we went, keeping in mind that there are 2 walk in clinics in the same building, so we will definitely be able to see someone. It was really cold and none of the kids were very impressed about having to go out. We went into the first place where when I tried to go in Alannah stopped walking and I bonked her in the head with Elijah's car seat...good one, Mom...which sent her into screaming tears, but who can blame her, those car seats are heavy. So I go up to the receptionist to ask if there is space available for a walk in...she proceeds to tell me that the doctor is fully booked for the day because he is leaving early. Okay, I'll head upstairs to the other one. No, sorry, she says to me...they are also completely booked all day. I'm sorry, but aren't these places designed for someone like me...someone who's kid got sick unexpectedly and doesn't want to have to go sit in emerg for an eternity?? but okay...she tells me I could head over to the hospital cause sometimes the clinic there will take walk ins...like I want to take another chance at this walk in thing? Or I could come back at 6 for the after-hours clinic...yeah, cause I want to spend all day with a very miserable baby...and two unhappy preschoolers....good times. So out to the van we go...and back home. I call our regular doctor's clinic in the car and the only available appointment is at 3:20 with some dr I've never even heard working there before...but so be it. Thankfully, Andrew decided to work from home on Friday and now that his conference call is done I won't have to take all 3 with me. So Elijah and I go to the doctor's office(in St. Albert)...Elijah falls asleep on the way...the first he has slept in about 3 days. We get called into the actual office...and wait...and wait...and wait...and wait. I am finally able to see the doctor at about 4:15...turns out another patient was having chest pains. So the dr checks him out...no ear infection...just a regular old cold. Yep, after all that...it's nothing. What a good day:)

Let the games begin!!

So I surprised Andrew today when I told him that I wanted to start a blog for our family. I've been thinking about it for awhile, but kept thinking that we don't really do anything very exciting most days, so what would be the point...but then I really starting thinking about how much my kids change everyday and what I have the potential to forget. So I decided this is how I will remember all that we do in a day. This is also how I hope to keep my family more up-to-date on the goings on of the Buchanan household:) We may not do very much in a day, but one day we are going to look back on each day, and hopefully have a happy memory attached to it.

This week the kids have been sick...Alannah was the first to start coughing on Monday and it seems to have infiltrated the ranks, claiming Davram and Elijah. Andrew and I have managed to avoid it, though it is still early in the game:) It is sad to see my little babies all sick and miserable, though they try to get through it so bravely, playing and laughing with one another.

Davram's preschool class held their mini Olympic games this past tuesday. I was able to stay and watch all the events, which was so fun:) Alannah stayed home sick with her daddy(which probably was the best thing for her as it meant exclusive claim to daddy cuddles). Davram took part in hockey, figure skating, bobsled, cross-country skiing, and curling. They got to light an Olympic torch(made from construction paper), and had a torch relay. They each got a medal during the closing ceremonies, which they were all very proud to hold up and display for their photo:) They also sang a song called "Proud Like A Mountain", which had me tearing up a little while I watched my handsome 4 year old sing his little heart out and smile at me complete with shiny eyes and dimples...talk about heartbreaking! It amazes me everyday how big he is...and how big he still has yet to become...oh dear, I'm starting to tear up just thinking about it!

Alannah has been sick so she hasn't been particularly active this week...though she still is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. Sometimes I just stare at her and wonder why I was so lucky to have been chosen to be her mommy:) She loves to be my helper, making sure that Elijah is happy and well...telling Davram to stop doing something with her little hands firmly on her hips:)

Elijah is starting to figure out how to crawl...and how to pull himself up on the furniture so he can stand like his big brother and sister:) I can't believe how big he is...it is hard to remember what things were like before he was a part of our family. He is such a happy soul...and I know he was given to us to teach us to be happy and to always have a smile on our face...it's hard not to smile when you see Elijah:)

Okay, so I should probably stop for today:) Everyone has probably already stopped reading...but there it is...my first blog post. I promise they will not all be this long...well, hopefully not.
Until we meet again...