Birthday Party #2

The first weekend we were back home, we went to El Patio to celebrate Eliza's (and my) birthday with our family.  We took Olivia there for her first birthday and we figured we would continue the tradition.  It was really fun and the girls really enjoyed the Mariachi band!

 Aunt Murf brought a singing balloon!

 Cute birthday girl!

 Loving from her Nonna

 Mariachi!!

 Kissies from Aunt Murf

Opening the bear that Nonna got in London before any grandbabies were even born :)

GTT

We have officially "Gone To Texas".  So long Canada and thanks for three great years.  It was truly unforgettable!  It is amazing to me that Olivia knows nothing else but living in Canada.  We will miss it (well, not the 6 months of winter, really!).

Saying Goodbye

No doubt, the hardest goodbye of my life was saying goodbye to Carolyn.  I feel incredibly lucky that we met, as it is not often that you meet your kindred spirit.  My only regret is that I wish we had met sooner.   While we were so excited to move back home, there was this huge cloud over leaving Canada.  My heart still hurts because of her absence in my daily life.  It took Olivia a couple weeks to really get that she was not going to see Mimi everyday anymore and she went through a grieving process.  Amazingly, these two little girls love each other just as fiercely as their Mamas do.  Thank goodness for technology and iMessage so we can keep up with each other!

Birthday Party #1

My children's birthdays are so very important to me, as they are to any mother.  When we were planning the timing of our move, I really wanted to be back no later than Eliza's actual birthday.  For many reasons I won't bore you with, it just wasn't possible and I was crushed.  We would be home the weekend following her birthday (on a Wednesday) and would celebrate then with family.  The ever thoughtful Leroux Family hosted a first birthday for Eliza that was exceptionally special and made me feel so much better about not being home for her birthday.

 Master Chef, Marc preparing the delicious salmon

 

 Olivia and Mimi had a little gift exchange.  Olivia picked out a purple (Mimi's favorite color) Barbie for Mimi.  She was THRILLED to give it to her!

 Olivia was EXHAUSTED from all of the moving and activities and had a major meltdown because she didn't get a Barbie back from Mimi.  It was hilarious.  I was crying from laughing so very hard!

 She LOVED the cupcake!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sweet Eliza!!

ONE Year Old!!!!!!!!

I just can't believe it.  I mean, I really can't believe it!  How in the world did I just miss the past year.  It just flew by me.  I can't even begin to explain how much joy and completeness this sweet baby girl has brought to us.  She has a spirit about her that is unmatched.  She is so sweet, so funny and such an outgoing little thing.  She does things because she thinks they are funny.

This past month, she got FIVE new teeth, began walking with toys, and has really starting talking.  My favorite new word is, "Whoa" whenever she falls or something drops.  So cute!

These pictures really capture her spirit:

I went down to print her "I am 1 year old today" sign and the hotel immediately sent this up...
 

 She loved it!!  Especially the whipped cream!

So long Little Caterpillars

Olivia had her last day of Little Caterpillars on May 23rd and it was really emotional for me.  Olivia was barely two when she started there and I truly believe they had such a tremendous impact on not only her life, but her character.  They were so nurturing, compassionate, and caring.  This really made an impact on Olivia and really nurtured her sweet disposition.  She has such a positive feeling toward the school setting and was provided with a warm environment for learning how to make and maintain friendships.  I am eternally grateful we found this little school.  I can only hope her school next year will be half as wonderful.  They were so sweet on her last day.  They made her a graduation cap and gave her a fun Dr. Suess, "Oh, the Places You'll Go" graduation kit.  She was so proud.  We will really miss this place!

MOVING!

It really happened.  After several delays, they actually came and packed up our house in Edmonton.  It was very surreal.  Olivia was actually okay with the upheaval.  Maybe the promise of the pool at the hotel helped!

 Both of the girls had a BLAST playing on the cushion free couch. Eliza has a thing for sitting like a big girl on furniture. :)

 I think I have this same "moving lunch" picture from all of our moves!

Lots of trouble to get into now!

 Having one last dinner at the BEST Thai food we have ever eaten (and we have been to Thailand!).

 Olivia and Eliza, thankfully, had their own room in the hotel.  That made life so much easier on us, as it wasn't lights out for all of us at 9!  We did put Eliza in the hall by the bathroom to keep them from waking each other up though :)

O's babies were nicely tucked in every night!

 I will miss this hotel lounge.  We spent three moves here!

"Hmmm, what cocktail should I order next?"  I love her "all business" look!