Norwex junkie

I went to a Norwex party last week and now am the proud owner of some (more) of their products. I have ordered a few things from their online store, but it was interesting to have a presentation to see what all of their products do. I was sold on the toilet bowl cleaner that doesn't have any harmful chemicals, since Anna loves to play in the toilet. I'm not fully sold on the antibacterial qualities of their clothes - how long is the silver going to stay in the cloth for? I'm not that hung up on bacteria, anyways. I don't need my whole house sanitized. I also got one of the window cloths, since every window at Anna height now has hand prints and gets licked, I thought a non-chemical solution would be good. Time will tell how I like all of the products. I'm hoping that they perform and that they didn't just sucker me in by appealing to the idealist in me.

Music Together

Anushka and I started a music class a couple of weeks ago and have been having lots of fun going to class as well as listening to the CD at home. She recognizes the songs and even does some of the actions. She spins around in a circle for one song, she sings bum, bum and she even wiggled her finger this morning to the worm song. I was hesitant to take the classes because they are so expensive, but we decided to enroll with Anushka's birthday money. A great investment. I'm sure we will be taking another one after this. One of our friends has joined us, which makes it even funner. The only problem so far is that the songs get stuck in your head so easily, making both Jeff and I a bit crazy.

Lion King

I took my niece to see the Lion King play last week for her birthday. It was awesome. We had seats near the front of the first balcony, so I couldn't see the actor's faces completely (I should have brought my glasses, oops), but it was still so entertaining. All of the costumes were phenomenal and it was polished from start to finish. I would definitely recommend it, even if you aren't the biggest Disney fan. I think my favorite was the stilted giraffe, although each of the animals were uniquely done. I found a clip from over ten years ago. It was from a Rosie show, so it doesn't capture the set or the feeling, but it does show the neat lion costumes:

Goof the poof

I have been having lots of fun being at home with Anushka. She is one goofy kid. I love her.

The messiest meal - EVER

Well, maybe not the messiest meal of all time, but this definitely in the top five:

I love this picture...

She is such a toddler now - walking around, telling me what she wants to eat...

Motion Notion

We got out for our first camping of the year at Motion Notion. It wasn't camping like any we had done before as a family - we got to do it in style in Chris' tent trailer. The festival was alright - I hadn't been to this new location, near Drayton Valley. I didn't get much time in listening to music, it didn't work out with Anushka. It was awesome to camp with so many friends, to reconnect and to relax. The weather was pretty good - hot on Saturday, followed by the wicked storm, and then a cloudy Sunday. Anushka loved being with the other kids and we had a hard time getting her out of the river. I didn't take many pictures, but here is one from the beach.

No Doubt

We miss you!

Since my last post, we have been busy, busy, busy. Lori and Caleb left for home, and we are definitely sad to have them gone. Anushka couldn't stop hugging her cousin, she must have known she had to give extra for the time away:

Easter Bunny

The "new" kitchen set

The hammer

It looks like video works in my picasa album, so let's see how it works:

From Anna - Year Two

Water and sand toy

Most mornings now Anushka hops off the bed and heads for either the lazy susan for food or the back door. She loves to play on the deck with her water and sand toy. And she loves to get dirty.

Another successful meal

Vegetable couscous and steel head trout.

Now that's a good sleep

Sometimes when Anushka won't go to sleep we take her for a walk. This particular evening, the walk was successful.

Summer fun

I have yet to get a picture of the chariot hooked up to the bike, but Anushka and I have been having a great time tooling around the river valley. She is content to be going fast, though sometimes getting the helmet on and getting into the chariot can involve tears. The whole family went on a bike ride this weekend and we were out for the half an hour of rain on Saturday. I love riding in the rain, but poor Anushka had a wet bum when we were done, so we will have to check out where the chariot lets in water.
Another fun adventure last week was checking out the spray park next to the Hazeldean Community Hall. Anushka loved it and didn't want to get out, but I had to take her out because she was shivering so much (I can't believe it is July and it is still too cold to be playing in water outside...). She then had fun playing at the park - on the swings, in the sand and the funnest of all was playing with Ryan and Dejan. Hopefully we will get out there more often, since it is so close.
We went to Mill Creek pool on Sunday for a bit. It was a mild day, so it wasn't too crowded and we got a little bit of sun. I could have handled a few degrees warmer. That's all for now. I don't seem to be able to get my camera out these days (most of the previous posts were pictures I poached from Lori)....but I guess that means I am enjoying summer, so that's not a bad thing!

Who says boxes aren't fun?

Caleb in the Little People Noah's Ark box.

Anushka must have thought it was Christmas again, she got to "help" take Caleb's presents out of the boxes for repacking. She had a great time.

Four generations

The little man likes his pears

Oh, did I mention she can go up stairs now, too?

Making a break for the stairs at the Becher household. She tries to convince everyone to hold her hand so that she can walk down the stairs, but she will reluctantly go down backwards if no one will help (and she has even experienced a full tumble to the basement...ouch).

Cousin bonding

Caleb, happy as always, Anna, wondering why she has to share her toys, as always...

Great Grandma Meyer

I think the only person happier to meet Caleb was my grandma. Look at that smile. Such a great photo.

The Safari - Round Two

Caleb was amazing while he was here. He got used to being poked and wacked by his cousins. He also solidly sits up now and babbles (gee, I wonder where he learned that from!) He was enthralled with the safari and was content to sit and play for a while. He also liked the car (except when Anna was shaking it). I love how is tongue sticks out while he concentrates. Love you, little guy, can't wait to see you in the next two weeks.

Good to see you, Kev

I had a great visit with my brother over the last week and a half. Hard to believe that we hated each other growing up. Thanks for the cute nephew, too. Hopefully we will catch you on Skype as much as possible.

Did I mention that Anushka is walking? (The Anna update)

At the airport on June 20, Anna took her first dozen steps unaided, and she has been going strong since then. She now walks half the time and crawls the rest. We had her in dresses for a couple of days, which I think was motivation to walk, since her knees kept getting caught on the fabric. She still manages to get just as dirty. A new phase begins. She never does one thing at a time, so she is also cutting 3 molars and another lower incisor. I couldn't tell if she was cranky because of that, or because of the baby (Caleb) in the house. She can now come close to saying "baby", and I'm sure she will be looking for him in the morning when he is not here. Her vocabulary now includes "ice", "hi", "byebye", "cat" (although she still likes to go "kkkkiiiiiii" when she sees a cat), as well as the usual "mom"and "dad". She wants to say belly button really badly, but all she can manage is "be be" (she likes to show your hers and to find yours). Her sign has come together and she now regularly signs "water", "please", "thank you", "more", "all done". Not surprisingly, she doesn't sign "milk" very often, since she can say boobboob, which gets the same result. I'm sure I have forgotten many of the other amazing things that she does, but I should sign off now.

Father's Day

Goofs

I don't know who is more goofy - Jeff or Anushka. Underwear on the head, it is pretty funny...

Adelina's first birthday

The first year of Anna's life we got to know lots of mom's with babies around her same age. As a result, we have been going to many 1st birthday parties in the last little while. Here is one that Lynn just sent around of some of the girls playing at the pool (Megan on the left and Adelina in the middle). Congratulations to all of the mom's and babies that have enjoyed the wonderful first year! Soon after this picture was taken Anna almost pushed the birthday girl into the pool. That's our girl.

I'm a God Mother

Anushka and I drove to Vermilion for Caleb's baptism on Sunday. Here we are after the service (Shawn, Lori's brother and the God Father, Kevin, Caleb, Lori, me and Anna). The drive was great, and it was lovely to hang out with the Jacula's at the farm. I especially enjoyed playing on the wii fit.

Meeting Caleb