The Finale Of β€˜The First Birthday’


09/15/21

Lake slept through his first night in Holland, minus a bottle delivery somewhere in there.

We messaged the Oma downstairs, to come retrieve him at 8:00 if she would so desire πŸ˜‰

We wanted him up to try to help the jet-lag become fully extinguished, but we ourselves really did not feel like getting up at that time πŸ™ˆ

So, Oma and Opa did take him, and a happily decorated downstairs awaited him for the morning of his first birthday πŸ˜‰

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He had a fun morning with them, a β€˜special bonding time for just them’ let’s say…the fact that us parents still slept, having nothing to do with itπŸ€ͺ

Come afternoon, Opa had a break to take from work, so it was time for Lake to open his present from them 🎁 

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A super cute little Vespa was unwrapped and made for the perfect photo prop as well πŸ˜‰

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Though I’m not so sure what the chances of getting it back home with us are πŸ˜¬πŸ™ˆ

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Later in the afternoon the little one wasn’t super pleased with the idea of a nap, so Mike and I took him for a walk, which is almost always a guaranteed way to get him asleep, for at least a little while.

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We ended up going almost 5.5 Km, walking through the neighbourhood and to the bridge/β€˜water lock’ nearer town, reading how they created a way for the fish to swim upstream, despite the river technically being blocked off.

Lock – A lock is a device used for raising and lowering boats, ships and other watercraft between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways.

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Journeying on, we walked by β€˜the switch’, a second hand store we frequently went to when we lived here, but they’ve since downsized and it was a little bit disappointing πŸ˜’

Back at John and Inge’s, it wasn’t long until Opa and Oma De Jong came over for a little afternoon dessert in honour of the day 😊

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A cornflake, white chocolate and almond base, topped with whipped cream and strawberries.

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A really nice, light and simple dessert that satisfies the sweet tooth without being over filling β˜ΊοΈπŸ‘ŒπŸ»πŸ“

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Uncle Erwin also popped in for a little while on his way home from work, getting in some soccer training with his nephew – aka, keeping him busy so us other occupiers got a break πŸ€ͺπŸ‘πŸ»

It was also the night for broccoli tart. A celebration treat especially for the parents for keeping Lake going for a year I suppose πŸ€ͺπŸ˜…

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All in all, I think it’s a good thing in a way that Lake won’t recall this birthday, as it would be a fair bit to live up to πŸ™ˆ

A pre birthday cake & gift giving in Saskatchewan, a pre birthday at his Aunty Judith’s with a meal, cake and gifts and then decorations, gifts and treats, after a morning spent with Oma and Opa on the actual day OF his birthday πŸ˜…

Special or just spoiled? You decide πŸ˜‰πŸ’—

A Tropical Welcome!

Well, an occasion occurred this week, which I wasn’t ever really considering as a future event in my life… our baby shower!

In Canada, it is more customary to have a shower AFTER the baby arrives but due to me being someone who does much better with time to prepare, wanting to be able to enjoy the shower rather than be learning the new baby ropes during a celebration, having summer weather to enjoy and covid being a weird post baby thing to factor in, we opted to have it pre baby H’s arrival πŸ˜‰

I’m so happy we did and thankful for each one accepted the β€˜out of the ordinary’ and made the time and effort to make it such a special day β˜ΊοΈπŸ’—

To begin with… the theme, location and wording needed to fill out the information for the invitation was decided upon.

Obviously, β€˜tropical’ was what we went with πŸ˜‰

I didn’t have to do very much for this event, for which I truly do feel rather guilty about.
The sister and mumsie gathered decorations, worked on the details, recipes, food planning, games and all else that goes into hosting such a soiree.

Not to mention all of the outdoor work and preparation that Mom and all the family members put in πŸ’—

On the Monday before the shower, I treated us girls to manicures and ice cream as a pre shower treat… even though ‘post baby shower’ back massage trading, is probably in our futures as well 😜

Wednesday came with some balloon blowing up, thoughts on deck seating arrangements and a game plan for the following morning.

That night and I’m sure before as well, I have no doubt prayers were going up all around us for nice weather.
The forecast had been bouncing back and forth between full rain, part rain, cloud, full cloud, part sun… you get the idea πŸ€ͺ

What we got was a nice, cool, clouded morning for set up and then a perfect mix of sunshine, blue skies and fluffy clouds, with a hinting of a breeze come start time ☺️
Making for a absolutely, perfectly comfortable (and bug free) environment πŸ™ŒπŸ»

Using a mixture of leftover balloons from my wedding and some new color assortments, my sister rigged up this awesome display ☺️

Painted cardboard cutouts made up the backdrops base and then balloons strung together with fishing string were added using all means of adhesion πŸ€ͺ
String, tape, wire etc.
Greenery and tassels were added in accordingly and how I wish balloons would last and that the whole thing could be transferred to the babes room to be.

Mumsie and the sister-in-law worked tirelessly on deck and house prep.
Chair placing, table arranging, deck furniture wipe downs, bug prevention, food layout and all else!

It takes a village to raise a child they say… but I think also to throw the pre party πŸ˜¬πŸ™ˆ

We even had time to sit and rest up, get in a back massage and change outfits, before guests began arriving at 3:00 o’clock ☺️

It was a potluck style spread of edible enjoyments, both savoury and sweet 🍽

Refreshments aside from water, were a coffee punch and sparkling peach lemonade πŸ‹πŸ‘πŸ₯€

The β€˜event’ began with a welcome, a prayer and then the indulgence of enjoying all the fare.

Following that, the first game was passed out.

The winning guest matched 7 of the 15 language/word combinations πŸ˜‰
I did a trial run of the game pre party and got ONE right… mostly by accident πŸ˜‚

Next up was the play dough game.
Everyone was separated into groups and given a couple colors of play dough.
They were then given instructions and a 5 minute timer began.
Each team had to create a baby and then whatever embellishments they wanted and or could accomplish in their time limit.

It was then left up to me to judge which one I considered to be the best… and the worst πŸ˜‚

The one on the very bottom being the chosen winner and the middle-ish/to the right, being picked as, the least appealing.

After laughter subsided and belly’s were satisfied, gift opening began… and continued… and continued!

I was truly blown away by people’s generosity.
Not only in the gifting but in the efforts made to come, food that was brought and the overall feeling of love and support… and the many uplifting compliments on β€˜the bump’…which is truly such a nice term when in reality it could be called such things as, β€˜the protrusion’ or β€˜the beach ball’ for example πŸ˜‚

Mingling and munching continued on throughout the time together. It was a very enjoyable day and I felt very spoiled, thankful and blessed πŸ’—

(If you were able to attend and have pictures, I’d love it if you could send any! ☺️)

So, in conclusion… little bebe will not have to go without and this mom to be, can rest easy in checking items off the list and knowing what’s left to get in order to be prepared πŸ€“πŸ‘πŸ»

Thank you SO, so much to everyone who made this special celebration possible!

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A Blessed Little Bundle Of Sarcastic, Introverted Goodness

Sunday June 11th –



The day 22 years ago that a blessed little bundle of sarcastic, introverted goodness was born πŸ˜πŸ’•

Me I mean 😏

As I did my hair for church, I heard the coffee being sat down that father had delivered.
I went to retrieve it and this is how it was presented πŸ˜‰πŸ’•β˜•οΈ

Upstairs for the Sunday morning bacon and eggs I went, enjoying it and happily wearing one of my new necklaces πŸ˜‹

(Who else kind of try’s to plan an outfit around a new piece of jewelry when they get some? πŸ™ˆπŸ˜‹)

Anyways, off to church we went πŸ˜ŠπŸ’’

It was a simple lesson about Mosses parents and here’s a smidgen of what I picked up πŸ˜‰

How we need to pray and trust God to answer, be it moments or years down the road but we can know that he will always answer.
It’s up to us on what attitude we take during the waiting process.
Something which I personally, could be reminded of often.

After church it was a lunch out, in honour of my being born.
What better way to be celebrated then with food right? πŸ˜πŸ˜‹

We chose Montana’s to eat at and I ordered the ever tasty, though I always forget just how spicy, Kapow shrimp is.
I may or may not have requested bites from everyone else’s plates too πŸ˜‹

 

 

Always wanting chicken and being interested in tasting the reuben sandwich… both were good too πŸ‘ŒπŸ»

The family jokingly told the waiter to let the staff sing happy birthday to me but I told them if they did, it would ruin lunch so they told him not to do it… but to still bring the birthday dessert 😏😜

It was a cold cookie with ice cream and after tasting it, we understood why it was freeπŸ™„

Then to Starbucks for a free birthday drink😎
Something you can’t really pass up if you’re near enough to a Starbucks and your wallet means anything to you πŸ˜‹

A big size/venti lime refresher with coconut milk,  filled my belly and my taste buds sang a happy (Hawaiian like) song πŸ˜‹πŸŒΊπŸŒ΄πŸŽΆ

(I always forget which drink size goes by what name πŸ˜œπŸ™„)

A customary Sunday nap was taken by all 😴

Dad made us some Virgin Caesars and a while later Mom made cheese bread and heated up some leftover farmers sausage soup for a snack.
She also made dad AND Mikes work lunches.
Another perk of being the birthday girl πŸ˜‰πŸ‘ŒπŸ»

I began the process of sorting through pictures on my phone πŸ™„
A process I abhor.
I decided that every time I’m on my phone I have to delete at least one photo or if it’s pictures of house ideas, I have to create a single collage to keep, rather then multiple/hard to find photos 😬

I got distracted by the pretty sky which matched the lilacs 😊

And had to take a picture… πŸ™„

I never even do anything with my photos!
I’m a horrible album maker so I don’t know why I’m such a photo hoarder? πŸ€”

Speaking of photos though, has anyone ever gotten a blog printed into book form??
I’m considering doing that to kind of save/have a tangible story in our home but I’m horrible with computers and would like to hear some recommendations if anyone happens to have any? 😊

Or if you’re just a smart computer person and have time to help a simpleton in the Prince Albert Sask. area, let me know that too πŸ˜œπŸ™ˆπŸ’•

 

Monday June 12th-




Back to being uncelebrated πŸ™„πŸ˜œ

But that didn’t mean there wasn’t still cake 😎

 

 

It’s awful having it around though because it becomes my breakfast lunch and go between snacks 😬🍰🍴

Mother was headed off to work so I was alone most of the day.

Finding meaningless tasks to occupy myself so I didn’t have to begin what I’d been putting off for weeks… 😬

Folding the clothes in our drawers πŸ™„πŸ™ˆπŸ˜‚

I try so hard, really I do.

But as much as I like a clean kitchen, I cannot seem to keep my clothes folded.

I know some of you are shuttering at the very thought… forgive me πŸ˜‹

But finally downstairs I went, sorting and folding clothes and then boxing up home items we’ve been accumulating so they aren’t stacked all over our room.

It always feels so good afterwords πŸ˜ŽπŸ‘ŒπŸ»

Garage sale #2, where ya at?! 😜

After a quick chat with my sister-in-law, I hurriedly finished the pile I was working on to go sit outside.
She’d told me the UV index was surprisingly high… and my tan was fading 😜

Also, I needed to reward myself for accomplishing what I had…
Yes I’m a self rewarder and I need to promise myself things, to get stuff done πŸ™„

Also, yes, I am an adult… ish 😜

I was in charge of supper and chicken had seemed like a steady meal of late, so I made the meatloaf Mom had suggested the night before.
(It’s just so hard to NOT make a simple chicken dishπŸ™„)

Once Mom was back from work, we decided to go for a walk/jog before the guys got back for supper.

So bear spray and water were readied and off we went for an hour-long bout of exercise.

Bears have been spotted a fair bit around the area lately, adding an extra adventure factor to the walks 😜😏🐻

Meatloaf, fried rice and a caprese salad was prepared for dinner, with Dad questionably eyeing the salad 😜

           The salad was a copycat of one, Mike and I ate in South Africa.
Just mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and cucumbers sliced and layered, salt and pepper and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar (the odd basil leaf would have been tasty too but I only just thought of that now 😜) πŸ‘ŒπŸ»πŸ˜ŠπŸ₯’πŸ…πŸ§€

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