Returning to the field(s) of religion(s)

This fall I return to teaching the study of new religions. I'm eager to get back in a semi-academic groove after several years away. Eager and a little scared. I've been reading and brushing up on what I've missed in the field during my hiatus. Plus, I've got friends to direct me to what's current.
Rather than confuse this family-oriented blog with academia schtuff, I started another blog to help me focus as I get my brain working again. (Babies still sucking my brainz out.)
It's over here. The new blog. Not my brainz. Well, maybe what's left of my brainz.

All of which, combined with Abi commenting on Sikhs in their head coverings several times now, has me thinking I should really be talking about religions with Abi more. Yeah, it's embarassing to think that *I* of all people have done very little of that. *hanging my head in shame*  Things just got busy/crazy... we've talked about the afterlife a lot, so that's a good beginning.

one year

one year of life flew by. even if the year without or own home seemed to drag on.
we celebrated both our new home and the babies' first year with a party.
thanks to everyone who made it out to celebrate with us! it was a full house of fun (read - kids)

Lucy awaiting guests

Claire with cake and berries

Abi showing off her swirly dress from Aunty Rita

There were gifts to open (this was after most folks had left)

Lucy was not interested in her cake.

And they're busy doing "stuff" at home.

They enjoy going to the park with Abi.

And picnics in the front yard.

George hangs out with us too

Darla

Yes, in that familiar adage, the days are just packed.

It's Spring!

It's hard to believe that spring is finally here, but today was proof enough for me. Kids and I took a stroll to prove it. And had some fun.

buds

grass

napping at last

whee

first independent swing and loving it

under-duck

drumming; nice hat

Claire finally wakes and takes a quick swing

two babies and one big sis

mail. for who? maybe you

First Tooth

Lucy wins the first-tooth contest, but I think Claire is not far behind to cut a tooth. 
Claire's more likely to win "first to walk" as she stands on her own a lot, with good balance.

up on the roof

We visited the firefighters up on the roof this week as they camped out in support of research for muscular dystrophy.
And I hope to never climb such steps again. With a  baby in arm. (or without).

Whirlwind Week

The past 10 days have been a whirlwind of wonderful activity.  Last weekend (Mar 2)  we bought a beautiful new home. (New to us, not newly built.)  Pictures will be shared when I take some.  We saw the house Thursday night, made the offer Friday morning, had the offer accepted by noon, signed documents Saturday morning, rested Sunday, made sure all the mortgage financing was in order Monday and now we wait (im)patiently until May to move in.
To add to the fun, my BFF was in town that weekend for her brother's wedding social. She and I went out Friday night and we all partied together (with her 4 girls and my 3 - in their arms) Saturday night.
The week to follow was prep for Abi's birthday.  Thursday, her birthday, we drove out to our future neighbourhood and registered Abi for kindergarten at the school next door.  Then back across town for playgroup/baby group. 
We also transitioned her into a simple booster seat.

That night Robin took her to see Disney on Ice - a surprise - after making her favourite breakfast for dinner: pancakes with strawberries.

Friday Abi and I baked: cookies and chocolate cupcakes for dance; two cakes for her party.
Saturday morning started with dance class and celebratory snack time, then a quick stop at home to change and put strawberries on the cakes, and then out again for her glow bowling birthday party with friends.

Sunday we gathered at grandpa's to celebrate her birthday with family and eat yet another chocolate cake with strawberries (as per Abi's request of Aunty Corey).

Additional pictures:

Claire took a face plant

Lucy is sympathy-pouting

Peek A Boo

Claire's favourite game is Peek A Boo.  Typically she grabs a blanket to play. Last night she used the table to hide behind.

February

As the month draws to a close, I'm due to share a video of babies.  After much struggle with the computer and Internet connection, I present you with this series of clips of usual baby activity.

Both are crawling everywhere, climbing everything and generally making trouble.  After a bout with the gastro bug that's going around, Lucy is refusing to eat solids.  Claire, on the other hand, is on to finger foods in addition to her pureed foods.
Yes, that gastro bug hit here hard. First Lucy, then Robin, then my parents.  That was 2 weekends ago.  Claire, Abi and I were saved - until last night when Abi started puking.  She picked it up elsewhere - likely from my niece on Sunday.  I'm doing my best to keep my distance because mommies can't be sick!

We're still house hunting. *sigh* I'm still knitting and so forth for sanity. Robin's keeping busy at his new job. Planning Abi's 5th birthday party. She'll be glow bowling with her friends and cousins.

On the Hunt

We're on the hunt for a new house.
It is exciting.
And sometimes very scary - not the prospect of buying a house. I mean the houses we look at.
Seriously, homeowners, a curtain is not a sufficient divider between your bed and the toilet "en suite" you  have put in your master bedroom.
When your curved glass sunroom leaks from above, yes it is the window (above) that is leaking. No, it is not a minor "3" on a scale of 1-10.  The wood holding the glass up is a part of the window. Also, carpet should never be on the ceiling and it does not make a good wall covering for those spots where you removed the hand rail. (And carpet beneath your leaking window is not good either.)


We were very tempted by a lovely house in the city. It felt like home, but after careful consideration I knew it was (far) to small.  Imagine 3 teenaged daughters in there...

That's my craziness lately (on top of the usual - chasing the twins and Abi around).  Robin's enjoying his new job.  I'm busy scheduling house-viewings with our wonderful, very-patient-with-my-crazy realtor.

However, all of this is wonderful and exciting and things are finally coming together!

more pox and other exciting updates

Just when we thought we were done with the chicken pox, Claire broke out. Again. This time she must have caught them from Abi and she caught them good!  She has them worse than Abi did.  Head to toe and every place between including in the ears, all around the mouth/lips, face, torso, and especially the diaper area.

day 1 of obvious break out.

She seems to be done developing new pox and we're waiting on the healing of the scabs.

In Lucy news, she's quickly moved on from crawling to climbing.

In family news - Robin has finally secured a new job and starts Monday.  He's working in the same field as a call center supervisor at a new facility for in-bound customer service calls.  It is perfectly timed as his parental leave runs out that same day I think.  Just got off the phone with credit union and sounds like we're good to set up a mortgage asap. That means I can actually start looking at houses on the market. Oh, and did I mention I was offered a class to teach at my alma mater and in my area of specialization?  Life stuff is finally coming together and moving forward.  I love my parents, but I'm sure we'll all be happier to have our separate spaces again and I need a place I can easily baby proof.

ETA: short video of Lucy in motion