Hello all.
It appears I have filled my quota for storage space on this blog. As opposed to paying money for extra storage, I have decided to end this blog and continue with a new one. I hope you have enjoyed all of my photos and stories, and look forward to sharing many more with you.
Please check out my new blog.
http://conleysinfinland2.blogspot.fi/
Love Kim
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
PACKING
Heading out tomorrow afternoon to Canada, I cannot wait!!!!!! Lots of emotions running through my head - absolute fear of the 9-hour flight with two kids and me, complete excitement of playing with all my nieces and nephews, and sadness that I'm gonna go three weeks without seeing Andrew.
Maddy and Andrew are off to the movies this afternoon to have a Daddy Maddy date. I think he's gonna miss her like crazy.
Very strange to pack for the kids knowing it's crazy hot in Canada, but it can't last forever. And me packing for a hot summer but also our Peru adventures in the mountains and the jungle.
Can't believe it's been a year since we were in Canada. Can't wait to see everybody in person.
Now back to packing. See you soon.
Maddy and Andrew are off to the movies this afternoon to have a Daddy Maddy date. I think he's gonna miss her like crazy.
Very strange to pack for the kids knowing it's crazy hot in Canada, but it can't last forever. And me packing for a hot summer but also our Peru adventures in the mountains and the jungle.
Can't believe it's been a year since we were in Canada. Can't wait to see everybody in person.
Now back to packing. See you soon.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Mom With Two Kids
Maddy's school is closed for the month of July, and I was really looking forward to having her at home. Of course things change when you have two kids at home instead of one, particularly since Maddy decided she doesn't need naps anymore.
I have to admit, there have been some moments where I thought I wouldn't make it through the day, but overall we had a lot of fun.
Wading pools, numerous beach trips, shopping trips, parks, bike rides, playdates, and playgrounds. Almost every day we had something going on, which really made July fly by really fast! The best part for me has been watching Maddy get so excited about biking. She's gotten a lot stronger and more confident, and it's been fun. Charlie doesn't mind riding in the child seat on the back of my bike, although the other day he thought it would be fun to try to give me a wedgie while I'm driving. Fabulous...
Maddy and Charlie also had some really cute play moments together, which makes it all worth it. And Maddy and I got lots of snuggle time and playtime during Charlie's naps.
I am going to miss her on Wednesday when she starts going back to school, but I have to admit a part of me is looking forward to having that 1.5 hour break in the middle of the day that I have grown accustomed to enjoying :)
I have to admit, there have been some moments where I thought I wouldn't make it through the day, but overall we had a lot of fun.
Wading pools, numerous beach trips, shopping trips, parks, bike rides, playdates, and playgrounds. Almost every day we had something going on, which really made July fly by really fast! The best part for me has been watching Maddy get so excited about biking. She's gotten a lot stronger and more confident, and it's been fun. Charlie doesn't mind riding in the child seat on the back of my bike, although the other day he thought it would be fun to try to give me a wedgie while I'm driving. Fabulous...
Maddy and Charlie also had some really cute play moments together, which makes it all worth it. And Maddy and I got lots of snuggle time and playtime during Charlie's naps.
I am going to miss her on Wednesday when she starts going back to school, but I have to admit a part of me is looking forward to having that 1.5 hour break in the middle of the day that I have grown accustomed to enjoying :)
Friday, July 20, 2012
When in Rome....
Well, we've been in Finland for 2.5 years now, and every once in a while I feel brave enough to embrace a Finnish culture. The past couple of weeks, the grocery stores have been full of strawberries, jam sugar, special picking buckets, and all kinds of jars in all shapes and sizes.
I've ignored this tradition for the past two years, but decided brave enough to try it out this year. I took the kids strawberry picking and then decided to make jam...
Well, let's just say the jam was a bit runny but it was an experience. Of course I used Tupperware instead of the air-tight jars and really had no clue what I was doing when it came to the "water bath" process, but it tastes yummy and I added some corn starch to thicken it a bit :)
I think next year, I'll still pick strawberries, but maybe make a pie instead....
I've ignored this tradition for the past two years, but decided brave enough to try it out this year. I took the kids strawberry picking and then decided to make jam...
Well, let's just say the jam was a bit runny but it was an experience. Of course I used Tupperware instead of the air-tight jars and really had no clue what I was doing when it came to the "water bath" process, but it tastes yummy and I added some corn starch to thicken it a bit :)
I think next year, I'll still pick strawberries, but maybe make a pie instead....
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Charlie Version 1.75
Hard to believe it, but in 3 more months Charlie will be turning 2 years old. Time definitely does fly by, but Charlie is definitely not your typical toddler quite yet.
Despite all the problems we've had with his health and development, I am very blessed that Charlie is generally a very very happy boy. He is always smiling and is usually very easy to please - as long as you give him exactly what he wants. I am in denial but he definitely gets his stubbornness from somebody I know.....
We continue to go to physiotherapy and Charlie is now pulling himself up onto everything. His newest talent is climbing - stairs, chairs, desks, toys, etc. He is very fast at crawling, which is likely why he doesn't feel the need to learn how to walk yet. He's very content at crawling and can very easily sprint across a room.
He isn't talking yet but definitely recognizes words. He will point at Maddy or Tucker or the fish or the boat if you ask him to. He definitely knows what we're saying sometimes. We go to a neurologist in September about his speech.
I am very happy to report that he has learned how to hug! Ahh, we can have a rough patch but one big squeeze from my little man and all is right with the world...
His eating is coming along very well. He is so active that I cannot get him to gain any weight at all, but he is definitely eating. His favourite food is actually meat, which is good. Sausages and fish are likely the favs right now. His newest craze is using cutlery - doesn't matter if you're only feeding him grapes, he needs to have a spoon or a fork in his hands. Mind you, 95% of the food doesn't end up in his mouth but we're applauding his efforts and hopefully he gets the movements down pat soon enough.
He is becoming more independent and learning to play on his own sometimes. There have been a few occasions where he plays with his blocks or books and gives me 10 or 15 minutes of time to do something I want without him following me around.
Although Maddy is doing a great job of loving her little brother, there are still moments where he wants nothing to do with her, and has learned the art of pushing. The two of them have been fighting over me now that Maddy is home for the summer, and it's caused some friction between the two of them. Charlie doesn't like sharing me and is pushing Maddy out of the way. Truth be told Maddy is egging him on by being extra cuddly and calling his name while she's hugging me just to get him going. I can already feel the love....
I believe his attachment to me is getting less, especially now that I've done six months of school. It was wonderful to see him greet Oma in the airport with open arms, and give her extra special hugs. I'm sure she's looking forward to many more of those in Canada when we get over there soon enough.
While in Canada, we are going to be having an early 2nd birthday celebration for him. I have told him he's not allowed to get any presents unless he learns how to walk. Let's see how well of a listener he is....
Despite all the problems we've had with his health and development, I am very blessed that Charlie is generally a very very happy boy. He is always smiling and is usually very easy to please - as long as you give him exactly what he wants. I am in denial but he definitely gets his stubbornness from somebody I know.....
We continue to go to physiotherapy and Charlie is now pulling himself up onto everything. His newest talent is climbing - stairs, chairs, desks, toys, etc. He is very fast at crawling, which is likely why he doesn't feel the need to learn how to walk yet. He's very content at crawling and can very easily sprint across a room.
He isn't talking yet but definitely recognizes words. He will point at Maddy or Tucker or the fish or the boat if you ask him to. He definitely knows what we're saying sometimes. We go to a neurologist in September about his speech.
I am very happy to report that he has learned how to hug! Ahh, we can have a rough patch but one big squeeze from my little man and all is right with the world...
His eating is coming along very well. He is so active that I cannot get him to gain any weight at all, but he is definitely eating. His favourite food is actually meat, which is good. Sausages and fish are likely the favs right now. His newest craze is using cutlery - doesn't matter if you're only feeding him grapes, he needs to have a spoon or a fork in his hands. Mind you, 95% of the food doesn't end up in his mouth but we're applauding his efforts and hopefully he gets the movements down pat soon enough.
He is becoming more independent and learning to play on his own sometimes. There have been a few occasions where he plays with his blocks or books and gives me 10 or 15 minutes of time to do something I want without him following me around.
Although Maddy is doing a great job of loving her little brother, there are still moments where he wants nothing to do with her, and has learned the art of pushing. The two of them have been fighting over me now that Maddy is home for the summer, and it's caused some friction between the two of them. Charlie doesn't like sharing me and is pushing Maddy out of the way. Truth be told Maddy is egging him on by being extra cuddly and calling his name while she's hugging me just to get him going. I can already feel the love....
I believe his attachment to me is getting less, especially now that I've done six months of school. It was wonderful to see him greet Oma in the airport with open arms, and give her extra special hugs. I'm sure she's looking forward to many more of those in Canada when we get over there soon enough.
While in Canada, we are going to be having an early 2nd birthday celebration for him. I have told him he's not allowed to get any presents unless he learns how to walk. Let's see how well of a listener he is....
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Maddy Version 4.5
So Maddy is four and a half years old, and things have really been changing. She is such a big girl now and turning into a princess! If she had her way, she'd change her outfit 20 times per day. She's expressed an interest in becoming more independent, and we're slowly becoming open to new ideas from her. She can dress herself in the morning, including picking out her clothes - which usually ends up as a personal contest to see just how many items of clothes she can select. Leggings, skirts, long sleeved shirts and shirts over top are much more fun than just picking a single dress. She also wants to brush her own hair and brush her own teeth. She knows to take her dishes to the sink after meals, wash her hands and face and ask to be excused.
She's also decided that naptime is no longer her thing. Very sad to see this go but happy that it's taken this long!
She's a very happy and energetic girl. Extremely inquisitive and will ask you anything she doesn't understand. She enjoys dancing and singing, including all of the words to Abba's "Mamma Mia" and dancing to Katy Perry's "California Gurls" or Shakira's "Waka Waka" song. She has also really started to enjoy drawing and colouring!!! She can draw flowers, butterflies, rainbows, hearts, fish, lollipops, snowmen, and spaceships. She can write her full name and spell mom, dad, stop, yes, no, cat, dog, and a few other words. She can do addition and subtraction of all numbers below 10.
Now that school is closed for the month of July, it's been more challenging to be at home with both kids, but it's been fun to spend the days with Maddy and watch her interact with Charlie. Very caring, nurturing, and absolutely is thrilled when she can make Charlie laugh or giggle. This usually involves falling or running into things on purpose, he'd get a kick out of Wipeout or America's Funniest Home Videos, likely.
It's been a joy to watch her become a really involved big sister, and an independent and happy big girl.
Looking forward to seeing what the rest of age 4 will bring.
She's also decided that naptime is no longer her thing. Very sad to see this go but happy that it's taken this long!
She's a very happy and energetic girl. Extremely inquisitive and will ask you anything she doesn't understand. She enjoys dancing and singing, including all of the words to Abba's "Mamma Mia" and dancing to Katy Perry's "California Gurls" or Shakira's "Waka Waka" song. She has also really started to enjoy drawing and colouring!!! She can draw flowers, butterflies, rainbows, hearts, fish, lollipops, snowmen, and spaceships. She can write her full name and spell mom, dad, stop, yes, no, cat, dog, and a few other words. She can do addition and subtraction of all numbers below 10.
Now that school is closed for the month of July, it's been more challenging to be at home with both kids, but it's been fun to spend the days with Maddy and watch her interact with Charlie. Very caring, nurturing, and absolutely is thrilled when she can make Charlie laugh or giggle. This usually involves falling or running into things on purpose, he'd get a kick out of Wipeout or America's Funniest Home Videos, likely.
It's been a joy to watch her become a really involved big sister, and an independent and happy big girl.
Looking forward to seeing what the rest of age 4 will bring.
Mom's Visit
A few months ago, I logged onto my email and discovered a message from my mother which stated "Would you like your mother to be there for your birthday?". What a fabulous surprise for my mom to come here and visit, especially since we are coming to Canada in a month's time.
Of course Oma was welcome and we were thrilled to have her. At least in Finland, she doesn't have to share the kiddies with the other grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. She had them all to herself, and extra special cuddles were saved just for her.
She was here for about 10 or 11 days and it was wonderful. Very relaxing. No major plans, just little day trips and excursions. It included an opportunity to meet most of my Finland friends, a zoo trip for Canada Day, a beach trip on my birthday, a day in Tallinn (where my mother had never been yet), playdates at our house, park trips, walks, sauna and pool time. And four days at a cottage on the lake.
Was wonderful to have her here and was easier to say goodbye at the airport knowing we'll see her in just 3.5 weeks.
Of course Oma was welcome and we were thrilled to have her. At least in Finland, she doesn't have to share the kiddies with the other grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. She had them all to herself, and extra special cuddles were saved just for her.
She was here for about 10 or 11 days and it was wonderful. Very relaxing. No major plans, just little day trips and excursions. It included an opportunity to meet most of my Finland friends, a zoo trip for Canada Day, a beach trip on my birthday, a day in Tallinn (where my mother had never been yet), playdates at our house, park trips, walks, sauna and pool time. And four days at a cottage on the lake.
Was wonderful to have her here and was easier to say goodbye at the airport knowing we'll see her in just 3.5 weeks.
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