The Perrins

Back to School ... and blogging

2010-09-06T20:47:00.003-04:00

Twas the night before SK and all through the house... Just kidding. The girls are excited to go back to school. We just found out they are in separate classes so that took a bit of discussion, hopefully everything works out okay come morning. It's sort of weird, they never do anything apart, but I think those times are coming. Grace in starting Timbits skating/hockey in October and Hannah isn't interested so more separation...

2010-08-03T21:28:00.002-04:00

Hannah told us yesterday that she has changed her mind about being Hannah Montana when she grows up. She'd rather just be a Mommy. I was going to launch into my "you can be a Mommy and have a career speech", but decided to just let this one ride. One Hannah Montana in the world is probably enough...

It's been a really busy summer...

2010-08-03T20:59:00.004-04:00

Friends Birthday Parties

Sailing on Grandpa's Boat

Another 1/4 Marathon Finished

Weddings (lots of weddings!)

We've been so busy this summer between working, weddings (we've now attended 3 of the 4), birthday parties, family visits, midterm exams (for me), 1/4 marathons (for Adam), Jack and Jill Planning (for Ben and Rachel), ballet classes, and more; that we haven't been sharing it via the blog. We hope to do better in the Fall.

The cake the girls made me for Mother's Day

2010-05-19T18:49:00.000-04:00

Mini Me

2010-05-19T18:45:00.002-04:00

Hannah loves to write. By writing I don't mean composing stories, just writing letters that may or may not spell words. So when I was working on some charts for a Leadership Seminar I was facilitating the next day, Hannah wrote everything I wrote. She may not know the Principles of a Genuine Leader yet, but she has them all written down just in case!

Rome... Naples... Pompeii

2010-04-24T07:33:00.004-04:00

What can I say to describe this experience... There are a few pictures loaded below, but a picture can hardly do Rome justice. You lose the size of everything; which is enormous and you lose the sense of time that you feel as you stand in the thick of it.
The highlights were the Sistine Chapel - so moving. St. Peter's Basilica - incredible. The Colosseum! The ruins of Pompeii - I definitely want to walk those streets again someday. Last, but not least - just sitting at a cafe in a piazza on a sunny day sipping wine or cappucino.

2010-04-24T07:28:00.000-04:00

Rock Star Gracie

2010-04-02T09:03:00.001-04:00

Gracie putting on a show for Gran and Hannah (tip: tableclothes make great curtains!)

A Visit to Nanny's House

2010-04-02T09:01:00.000-04:00

Bring on Spring!

2010-03-14T09:51:00.001-04:00

2010-03-14T09:44:00.000-04:00

The girls love it when their cousin Landon comes over to play. He likes the dress up stuff too.

2010-02-21T17:54:00.001-05:00

Grace was in the Clarington This Week (newspaper) on Friday. Click here to see her.

2010-02-19T18:07:00.001-05:00

A Family Day visit to see Gran and Great Gran. The girls made Valentine cards complete with a chocolate heart for both Gran and Great Gran.

2010-02-17T20:39:00.003-05:00

We have a new addition to the Things We Like section; the Jolly Phonics program. This is what the girls are doing at school and the rate at which they are learning to read it really incredible to us.

2010-02-15T10:16:00.002-05:00

We spent a great Valentine's Day at the Ontario Science Centre. I hadn't been there since I was a kid so it was very nostalgic for me. The girls loved the Kids Space. Especially Hannah, who I quote said, "Daddy, I can't stop laughing!"

Skating in Kingston

2010-02-13T10:19:00.002-05:00

School update

2010-02-13T10:10:00.002-05:00

The girls are now in their second semester of JK and the real learning has begun. They are sounding out words and doing homework (above). The transformation from illiterate to literate is almost as amazing to me as watching them learn to speak was. This is a house that loves reading; it is rare that myself or Adam will be seen without a book, magazine, or website close at hand. So it is wonderful that the girls are now sharing in that.

2010-01-21T19:16:00.001-05:00

This winter is all about the treadmill. We can run without fear of leaving the house and possibly freezing our lungs while they are still inside our bodies. We like it so much, that we've added it to our favourite things list on the left.

Happy New Year Everyone

2010-01-02T15:43:00.003-05:00

Thank you to everyone for the cards, gifts and good wishes this holiday season! It was another wonderful Christmas with the girls. Some of our December highlights are below...

Chocolate milk and gingerbread cookies for Santa. The carrot is for the reindeer. The note is to tell Santa who the snack is from.

Hannah and Grace with this year's Christmas tree.

Going to get this year's tree.

Hannah and Grace in the Pom Pom dance at the Sisters' annual Christmas Pageant!

2009-11-08T21:14:00.000-05:00

2009-11-08T21:07:00.005-05:00

No we didn't fall of the face of the planet. It's just been a rather busy Fall this year. So here I am catching up.

Hannah and Grace's fourth birthday added two new members to our family. Dory and Nemo, the betta fish. Thanks Uncle Drew.

Our thoughts on JK

2009-09-24T20:55:00.002-04:00

Well, we're three weeks into JK and here are our thoughts.
Number One - the girls love it. They didn't cry the first day and all they want to do is go back.
Number Two - it costs a fortune. Every time they come back from school I check their book bag and there is a note from the school which involves us paying for something. Considering we're only 3 weeks in, this could get expensive (remember everything is x 2).
Number Three - We have already noticed the girls learning new things which is wonderful.
Number Four - Their class goes to the library every day so they are really enjoying reading and we read their new books every night.

Thanks for a Great 4th Birthday

2009-09-16T20:15:00.003-04:00

For all of you who helped us celebrate the girls 4th Birthday. Thanks so much for making it such a special one!

First Day of JK

2009-09-10T08:01:00.001-04:00

2009-09-03T06:01:00.000-04:00

5 Days and counting until the 1st day of kindergarten...

Hannahisms

2009-09-03T05:58:00.002-04:00

The other day I was showing Hannah how to clean something and I said, "and the dirt is gone! See, it's magic!"

Her response (with one hand on her hip): "That's not magic Mommy. Magic is when Baba puts the stuff from the brown bottle into the white milk and make it chocolate. That's magic!"

16 years and counting

2009-08-17T20:56:00.002-04:00

Today is Adam and I's Anniversary 16 years (7 married) and we still like each other in the morning. He and the girls are really the only people I talk to pre-coffee.

2009-07-14T21:16:00.002-04:00

The daycare went on a field trip to Riverview Park and Zoo in Peterborough and I was along for the ride!

Happy Birthday Mom

2009-07-04T18:10:00.000-04:00

Weird moments in the life of Grace

2009-06-27T19:27:00.002-04:00

Grace wanted her picture taken with this Zebra... obviously he didn't agree.

Annika, Grace's Barbie, all tucked into bed for the night complete with her bedside lamp on so she won't be afraid in the dark.

Drew's First Born

2009-06-27T19:24:00.003-04:00

We have another new nephew - the four legged kind - Apollo is Drew's puppy.

Papa's 80th at the Farm

2009-06-27T19:10:00.002-04:00

Making Pysanka (a.k.a. Ukrainian Easter Eggs)

2009-04-16T21:11:00.001-04:00

Back to the Zoo

2009-04-13T18:01:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago the temperature actually made it to double digits (that was before we had two sudden days of snow!) and we went to the zoo to enjoy the day.

Grace hates the cold and will probably wear a hat until August!

A little type of Kangaroo that we thought was cute.

A flower we liked.

Grace and Adam.

Grace's favourite animal (and mine as well). She named him Melman like the giraffe in Madagascar.

My Birthday

2009-04-10T15:37:00.002-04:00

Here are several shots from my birthday a bit belatedly.

Landon and I on my birthday.

The kids eating birthday cake.

Helping me blow out the candle.

And for all those who weren't there, Jeff Thomas really did show up at my birthday, it isn't a rumour.

We can't believe they're writing!

2009-03-21T08:34:00.002-04:00

Gracie's "G"s.
Hannah writing her name.

One of the most wonderful of the many things that the Sisters of St. Mary of Leuca have taught Hannah and Grace is to write. Adam and I were trying to remember when we learned to write and I think I was much older than 3. Of course the whole fine motor skills thing comes into it and that is evident - Grace finds it much more difficult than Hannah. The girls also know their letters and the sound of the letters so we are working very diligently as they are well on their way to being able to read soon. Grace walks around spelling out the words she sees on food containers etc.

Meeting Jorge the Turtle

2009-03-20T19:39:00.003-04:00

Our friends Ben and Rachel brought their new pet turtle, Jorge over for the girls to meet. In this picture Hannah is feeding Jorge some cantaloupe.

2009-03-20T19:10:00.002-04:00

Here is a video of the kids meeting Jorge the turtle.

Our favourite Games

2009-03-15T09:11:00.003-04:00

I managed to catch two of the girls favourite pasttimes on camera - Tea Party and Pirates. Adam will probably not be happy with me about putting him in the feathery scarf belt onto the internet. By the way - the plastic golf clubs are supposed to be swords and I have no idea why one of the pirates has a baby...

Landon Update

2009-03-15T09:05:00.003-04:00

Here's a shot of Landon and the girls and Adam with my Sister Stac. He is getting so big and talking non-stop, except no one knows what he is saying.

Big Girl School

2009-02-12T05:37:00.001-05:00

That's what Hannah and Grace call it anyway. Last week I registered the girls for Jr. Kindergarten starting in September. I couldn't believe what I was doing! How did we get here so fast?

A little taste of summer

2009-01-26T21:10:00.001-05:00

Since it's soooo cold outside I thought I'd post some photos from the summer to cheer us all up!

New Years Revisited

2009-01-24T08:12:00.003-05:00

Given that Ukranian New Year is upon us. I thought I'd revisit our New Years celebrations because I never did post anything back when it happened. Our New Years was a lovely one spent with good friends and the girls learned a new game - dreidel. They first discovered it on Sesame Street and wanted to play it because you win chocolate, but I did not have a dreidel nor do I know the rules of the game. Fortunately, we know someone who does. Thanks Ben, for sharing your traditions with us. The video is the end of the game where the girls had finally won all of Ben's chocolate.

More concerning Make Believe

2009-01-19T21:04:00.002-05:00

You can read all of the books Oprah is stamping with her seal of approval to help you find the real you and be better than the real you is once you find it. Or, if you're looking for a cheaper alternative (actually scratch the cheaper - their education alone is estimated at $100,000), if you're looking for an alternative all you have to do is watch your life be mirrored in a 3 year olds make believe. Apparently, I spend the majority of my life talking about pee and poo and/or cleaning pee and poo. When I'm not taking care of everyone's bowel movements, I'm taking them to the doctors because they have eye infections and are throwing up. I have been largely unaware of my fascination with bowel movements until the girls opened my eyes to it. I mentioned in an earlier post that with three year olds it's all about what impression you leave. Well this is the one I have left.

Hannah comes out of the bathroom with her doll holding its pant in her fingertips with a disgusted look on her face and says to me:
"Mommy, my doll just pooed all in her pants. It's gross. You should wash them."

Hannah zooms past me with a shopping cart full to the brim with assorted dolls and stuffed animals. I ask, "Hannah, where are you going?"
Hannah - "Mommy, I have to take all of these guys to the doctors really fast."
Me - "Why? What happened to them?"
Hannah - "They all have eye infections and they all throwed up all over the livingroom. I'll clean it up when I get back."

A day with Landon -According to Grace

2009-01-18T09:43:00.003-05:00

Grace documented our day with Landon with her digital camera.

Life at our Tim Hortons

2009-01-12T05:49:00.002-05:00

The girls newest game is playing drive-thru in their little house with the window on the side. This scares me on many levels, yet it is funny to watch and they have great imaginations. My concerns is this, we don't really go to drive-thrus/fast food that much, yet the experience of the odd Saturday morning coffee has left such an impression. It makes me wonder what other impressions they are left with. I mean we've also taken them to give toys to charity, but their not playing that out in make-believe. I guess in the end it's the chocolate timbits fault. Saturday morning coffee is often accompanied by 2 chocolate timbits. Giving toys and food to charity gives the satisfaction of having helped others which probably doesn't have as much meaning to a three year old as a chocolate timbit does. Although I hope one day it will.
Here's a little snippit from the our Tim Hortons drivethru:

Hannah: What do you want?
Grace: Two double-doubles?

Hannah: What do you want?
Me: I'll have a large coffee?
Hannah: Okay, here's your Dora bandaids, your chocolate donuts and the toy for your Happy Meal.

I guess the whole ordering process is a little redundant when Hannah is on shift.

2008-12-31T12:05:00.002-05:00

If you're wondering why another new template. I just didn't like the last one that much.

Our Christmas 2008

2008-12-31T11:43:00.002-05:00

Christmas - According to Hannah

2008-12-28T08:37:00.004-05:00

The girls both got those new digital cameras for kids this Christmas! I don't know who's more excited, them or me. Downloading the pictures they take is like walking in their shoes! I've included the highlights of Christmas Day from Hannah's point of view.
1. The flatware.
2. Mommy cooking.
3. The stockings hung up.
4. Grace about to destroy the wall. (I think this was meant more as a blackmail photo for later use.)
p.s. No walls were destroyed.

Patheon Christmas Party

2008-12-17T07:08:00.002-05:00

The girls really enjoyed Patheon's Kids Christmas Party this year. They had their faces painted as Unicorns, jumped in the blow up castle, got balloon hats, gifts, and pictures with Santa. This is the first year that Hannah was actually willing to participate in the picture with Santa although it did take some advance discussion. Finally she agreed that she would be in the picture, but would not sit on his knee, only stand in front of his legs. I'm not partial to making children sit on strange people's knees, so I didn't force the issue. What I've concluded from this experience - Hannah is going to be one heck of a negotiator one day.

Christmas Tree Hunting and Decorating

2008-12-17T07:02:00.002-05:00

Christmas Concert

2008-12-17T06:10:00.003-05:00

Here is the video of the girl's Daycare Christmas Concert. They were dressed as Christmas Cakes. What was the most amazing to Adam and I is how much they've changed in one year. They actually followed some choreography this year!

Jamaica

2008-11-24T06:12:00.003-05:00

Jamaica...the land of rum and sunshine! Adam and I have just returned from a week there for my cousin's wedding. You haven't quite seen a wedding until you've seen one on a beach at sunset. And you haven't really had jerk chicken until you've had it from a hut on the beach with no floor (health inspector, what?), it was delicious! And you haven't really lived until you've swung from a tarzan rope into a seven tier waterfall (yes, we actually did that!)

Hallowe'en

2008-11-24T05:58:00.002-05:00

Hallowe'en was great this year. We had two beautiful unicorns and we made it nearly all the way around the block before Hannah got tired. I think Grace would have kept on Trick or Treating until dawn!

Friend Thanksgiving

2008-10-21T07:42:00.002-04:00

We had a Friends Thanksgiving this weekend because we couldn't fit it into our regular Thanksgiving weekend. Here are some pictures of the highlights - Gracie and her new pumpkin hat from Uncle Ben, birthday presents from Auntie Deb, and of course, playing the Wii (Adam's newest toy!!)

A New Year a New Look

2008-10-06T21:36:00.001-04:00

I think the title speaks for itself.

What will happen to the Easy Bake Oven?

2008-10-06T21:22:00.003-04:00

The girls just got an Easy Bake Oven. It was a little nostalgic for both Adam and I as we helped them make their $7 miniature cakes because both of us had an Easy Bake oven when we were young (granted ours did not look like a microwave, more like an oven). Anyway, because they got the oven second-hand I suggested to Adam that he should go and get a replacement 100 watt light bulb (because that is what powers it) just in case this one wasn't working (we only have the spirally kind in the house). He couldn't find one. He only went to one or two stores, but still. And so I ask, "What will become of the Easy Bake oven?" I don't know if solar panels can get hot enough to bake a cake in 12 minutes, but I saw a clock on Breakfast Television today that runs off of salt and water so anything is possible.

2008-09-19T06:28:00.001-04:00

A few photos I promised to post

2008-09-19T06:24:00.001-04:00

Uncle Larry posing.

Me! I'm usually the one taking the pictures.

My Mom and my Gran (who just turned 97 on Monday)

A few shots I promised

2008-09-19T06:18:00.001-04:00

Adam and Hannah at Chuck E Cheese

Cousin Shane and Michelle

Cousin Nigel

Auntie teasing Adam

2008-09-17T20:34:00.004-04:00

It was a very busy birthday weekend for us all. The girls went to their friend Meredith's 3rd birthday at Chuck E Cheese. I'll post some pictures from there too. Chuck E Cheese made a guest appearance as he always does for Birthdays and Hannah started screaming. So note to self - no Chuck E Cheese birthdays for Hannah for awhile.
Later that day was my Cousin Adam's wedding. I'll also post some pictures from that.
The next day was the family party for Hannah and Grace. It was a Disney princess theme (Grace's choice). Thank you to everyone who shared the day with the girls and for your generosity!
The next day was the girls party at Daycare. It was a Dora theme (Hannah's choice). Thank you so much to Sister Flora for taking so many wonderful pictures!

Happy 3rd Birthday Hannah and Grace!!

2008-09-17T20:34:00.001-04:00

Special times with Baba

2008-09-09T21:03:00.003-04:00

I think they were cleaning vegetables that they had picked in Baba and Popi's garden. Crazy Baba and Popi who go to Cuba during Hurricane season ... we'll be glad to have them back home safely.

Our Day at the Ex

2008-09-09T20:55:00.003-04:00

We decided to venture out again this year to the Ex. And we decided to take the GO Train because the girls are always talking about trains so we thought they'd get a kick out of it. We were right; however, we probably could have just taken the GO Train from Oshawa to Pickering and back again and called it a day and they would have been just as happy. In case you're wondering...Grace refused to pose in front of the fountain for a picture, but Hannah was happy to oblige.

Light at the end of the tunnel

2008-09-06T17:55:00.004-04:00

Well, I'd say we're over the hill and on the easier downward slope of potty training. We're at 6 days of accident free for both girls. Which is great with their 3rd birthday coming up this Sunday.

Learning how to drum with Grandpa

2008-08-18T21:06:00.000-04:00

Fun at the park

2008-08-18T20:59:00.000-04:00

Sorry about that

2008-08-18T20:58:00.000-04:00

We sort of fell off the face of the map (the blog map, that is) for an entire month, but now we're back and we've been busy.

Baba's Birthday

2008-07-17T18:38:00.002-04:00

For Donna's birthday this year we tried out something new. We took the girls golfing with us. They did really well! Not at actual golfing, but driving the golf cart and Grace did a bit of putting. The only thing I'd change is that next time I'll get a golf cart with a built-in potty!

Pictures from the Field Trip

2008-07-10T06:07:00.002-04:00

I now have pictures of the field trip thanks to Sister Flora.

First Field Trip

2008-07-08T20:23:00.002-04:00

I don't have any pictures but want to document the girls first school field trip! One more indicator for me that they will never be babies again:( It was to the Bowmanville Zoo on a School Bus (the girls were really excited about the bus). Unfortunately, I had to be in training today so I missed it and Adam went along instead.

A Day at Papa's Farm

2008-07-06T08:17:00.002-04:00

The girls love the farm - lots of grass, sunshine, cows, HAY and getting to drive the truck for the first time!!!

Happy Birthday Mom

2008-07-06T08:13:00.000-04:00

My Mom enjoying her birthday with all of her grandchildren.

CAW Picnic

2008-06-22T19:36:00.003-04:00

This is our third year going to the GM Picnic. The girls have always been too young to really enjoy themselves there, until this year. This year, they went on rides, rode ponies, ate ice cream... and basically didn't want to leave!

Father's Day

2008-06-22T19:32:00.001-04:00

A little belated, but here was our Father's Day. Complete with homemade sunvisor and cards.

Hannah Quote

2008-06-18T19:47:00.002-04:00

"Mommy, my eyes are raining."

Our newest toy

2008-06-10T21:16:00.002-04:00

Here's where Adam and I have been spending our time.

Adam's Birthday - Grace's Version

2008-06-09T20:11:00.001-04:00

Here is Adam's Birthday party from Grace's perspective - CUPCAKES!!!!

Adam's Birthday - Hannah's Version

2008-06-09T20:01:00.003-04:00

Here is Adam's birthday Party from Hannah's perspective - CUPCAKES and random pictures she took with my camera.

Adam's Birthday - My Version

2008-06-09T18:26:00.003-04:00

We celebrated Adam's birthday on Saturday. Here is the party from my perspective - great friends, a handsome husband and a cupcake tree that the girls made for their Daddy.

Attention all Woo Hoos (you know who you are...)

2008-06-04T05:29:00.003-04:00

Can you guess which store Grace is in? Here's a hint. It's one of my favourites. But what city is it in? Yes, that's right. The Wee Hees have finally been initiated...

Disclaimer: I apologize for using an inside joke on the blog when not everyone is a Woo Hoo. If you don't understand a word of what I just said above. That's okay.

Family Mass

2008-06-04T05:24:00.004-04:00

The girls were part of the family mass honouring Mother Mary at daycare last weekend. There was a procession that they carried flowers in and then the mass. Many attempts were made to get a great picture of them all dressed up - this is the best I could do.

If only every moment were like this...

2008-05-29T22:30:00.000-04:00

First Bicycles

2008-05-29T22:20:00.001-04:00

Mother's Day

2008-05-29T21:59:00.002-04:00

The girls really surprised me this year with Mother's Day. The chose my breakfast - Banana bread, Babybel cheese, chocolate lady fingers and coffee. They gave me flowers and they made me slippers. And then they ate my breakfast!

Ukranian Easter

2008-05-06T18:23:00.000-04:00

Exploring the easter basket with Baba.

New Play House

2008-05-06T17:42:00.001-04:00

Back to the Zoo

2008-05-06T17:35:00.002-04:00

We spent most of last summer at the zoo so we were very happy to get back there again now that the weather is nice. It's a whole new experience because the girls are a year older and so much more interactive. Hannah took the picture of the giraffe.

Cute Moments - Hannah

2008-04-18T06:22:00.001-04:00

Whenever Gracie calls: "Hannah!"

Hannah says, "Yes, my Gracie Pie".

My Little Landon

2008-04-18T06:16:00.002-04:00

It's been awhile since I posted about my favourite little guy. He's getting so big.

Another Vegas Adventure

2008-04-18T06:10:00.003-04:00

Well...it was "another" trip to Vegas for me anyway. Adam goes so often that if I didn't know better I'd think he had another family there. I realized when I attempted to write this post that I took the worst pictures on vacation. All I have to show for my trip is the pictures above of us in a stretch Hummer and a photo from the Hoover Dam. Our co-travellers are sending us some pictures so perhaps they'll be an improvement. But we were there and it was 30 degrees and we stayed at the Bellagio - fantastic!!

Adam's Latest Toy

2008-04-06T15:20:00.001-04:00

Being a woman, I don't understand the need for the largest BBQ that they sell at the store, but some of you reading this might.

Dressing up some more

2008-04-06T15:17:00.001-04:00

More dressing up. Don't ask me what they're supposed to be in these pictures!

Dressing Up

2008-04-06T15:10:00.001-04:00

One of Hannah and Grace's favourite things to do is dress up. In these shots they were being Princesses.

We're so far behind

2008-04-06T14:55:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the huge delay. Here's our first snow man. Hannah named him "Frosty". Lots of fun for everyone until the snow melted and I had to explain where Frosty went...

Here's a few pictures that Deb sent me

2008-01-29T16:13:00.001-05:00

He's such a good Daddy!

2008-01-18T16:22:00.001-05:00

This is the girls new favourite pasttime - pile stuff on people. Adam is always such a good sport.

If they're not piling stuff, they're piling themselves.

I just like this one...

Happy New Year (a little belated)

2008-01-18T16:05:00.001-05:00

Here's a few more of our Christmas pictures!

Christmas 2007

2007-12-30T13:54:00.000-05:00

It was a wonderful third christmas with the girls! This year was especially enjoyable for Adam and I because the girls understood about Santa coming to bring presents and they liked tearing the paper off. It's funny how different they are...
Hannah opened each gift and wanted to either play with or try on whatever was given. She changed outfits 3 times that morning!
Grace tore the paper off and moved onto the next one.
My big focus this year was getting them to say "Thank you" to everyone who gave them something. They did very well! But let me add this additional "Thank you" to everyone who thought of us during this holiday season. We really enjoyed your company and all the food!

The Christmas Tree

2007-12-19T06:25:00.001-05:00

Due to the massive snow storm last Sunday, we did not go as a family to get our Christmas tree this year. Adam braved the elements to bring us back a beautiful tree which we then decorated. The girls really got into the spirit this year! Grace lasted about 2 minutes before she got interested in other things, but Hannah handed me every ornament until we were done. I'll have to take a picture to show you the finished product.