First Day on the Slopes

Antalya resists things she doesn't understand.

Especially if that something involves anything else touching her, or any stranger talking to her. 

This is why we continue to struggle with things such as band-aids, visits to the doctor, and her hair pulled back in a ponytail.

So when it comes to new experiences, we try to expose her to as much of the new experience we can before the actual experience.

Next week Antalya will have her first ski lesson at the National Ability Center.

We really, really, really want this to be a positive experience! 

Jason and I enjoy skiing, and it would be so great if this were something that we could do as a family. 

And it's right up her alley - Antalya loves speed, loves being outside, and loves anything she can control herself. 

So to get her ready for her first experience, we decided to take the girls to a local ski resort, watch the skiers, and have a picnic. 

The weather was absolutely gorgeous. 

Fresh snow, the sun shining, and blue sky. 

We took time to point out the big boots, the tall skis, the helmet, the gloves, the coats, etc.

And then watched as the skiers young and old came down the hill and then stopped. 

After our picnic, we decided it wouldn't hurt to ask if we could hop on the lift since there were no lines.

They said yes!

Watching the skiers whiz down the slope from way up high on the chair lift was perfect.

The girls love it!

It was a completely free family activity.

And hopefully when next Saturday rolls around and a stranger is trying to fit Antalya with a pair of skies, she will remember how much fun we had on our "ski picnic" and be happy to go along with the flow of things.

October

Wow! October completely got away from me. It's been a busy month with lots going on.

So here's a quick catch up with photos...

Antalya turned FIVE!!! There was much celebrating!


On Antalya's birthday, Victoria gave her the best gift possible. She asked for her to push her in the swing (usually if anyone except I pushes her, she instantly decides she doesn't want to swing). This let to helping each other in and out of the swing and taking turns pushing. It did this momma's heart good to see them playing so well.


It seemed we had more than our share of Halloween parties this year!


We spent three wonderful days camping and hiking at Zion National Park with some of the cousins.


We had a fun outing to HeeHaws farm with the cousins.


Antalya had her first dance performance with the Pals dance group. When she realized everyone was watching her and clapping for her, her face just lit up. It was so fun to watch her. Her group is performing at the Festival of Trees this year and I can't wait to watch her again!


New Family Photos!


We found lots of witches at the WitchFest with Gramma.


Trick-or-Treating Fun!


Hope your October was a good as ours!

Free Day Out... 'Cuz It's Been Awhile

It's the end of the month, our budget is blown, and we still don't have income. So, instead of heading to a park like we usually do when we need to get out of the house, we decided to head downtown.

We didn't want to pay for parking, so we found some free metered parking (Saturdays the meters are free) near TRAX on 3rd South. Our first stop was the new art installation next to Capitol Theatre.

The girls had fun running through the metal poles that move and make noise when you push them. It's supposed to resemble a field of grass.


When we had had our fill, we hopped on TRAX (we were within the free-ride zone) and rode the train to the Clark Planetarium. The exhibits are all free. We didn't pay to watch a movie, because our girls wouldn't have sat through one anyways. I wasn't sure there would be enough to keep the girls entertained, but we found plenty to do.


When it was time for lunch rode the train back to the car and drove a few blocks up to the State Capital Building and had a picnic on the lawn. We eventually wandered inside. I was glad it was a Saturday and no one was trying to work. You wouldn't believe the echoes!! They seemed to go on for minutes. Antalya was in heaven - a very loud, full of lots and lots of yells heaven! And Victoria thought the marble staircases were pretty amazing to run on.


It was a perfect outing - few tantrums, new sites, and all we spent was a few dollars on gas to get there.

The Moment

A couple miles from my parent's house is a beautiful canyon. I have so many memories of hikes, picnics, campfires, cook-outs, and late nights looking up at the stars. A few years ago they put a pay station at the entrance and starting charging $7 a vehicle to enter. The put a damper on my visits to this beautiful place.

Just last week I found out that Antalya's National Park Access card will get us into the canyon for free (did you know anyone with a disability just needs to take proof of the disability to a rancher station and they are given a lifetime pass that can be used for free entry to all National Parks, National Forests, and BLM land?)

So this morning we packed a lunch and headed up the beautiful canyon. I had visions of us spending the entire morning hiking, throwing rocks in the stream, and exploring nature. I should know better than to set such high expectations.

Antalya picked a picnic table to sit at and we started our picnic.



Soon the girls discovered the stream, and so we moved our picnic to the water's edge.


As I was sitting there thinking enjoying the sound of the flowing water and the birds chirping I couldn't help but think what an absolutely perfect it was. No sooner, than I thought that, I heard a loud rumbling coming down the trail. Victoria suddenly jumped into my lap screaming "hold you, hold you" in her sweet little voice. And just like that our wonderful morning out in nature was so rudely interrupted by this monster tractor, that began work 200 yards from where we were sitting.


The rest of our short-lived picnic played out with Victoria clinging to me for dear life, Antalya peeing in her pants, and then running off bare-foot, leaving me to clean up as quick I could, grab shoes, and go chasing after her with Victoria crying on my hip.

But that's life isn't it? Moments of absolute bliss that give us a short reprieve from all the upset, chaos, and hard work of everyday. The challenge is learning to appreciate those short moments when they come around, and adapt to change when it suddenly throws your plans out the window.

Camping Trip

I have always loved to camp. In fact before I got married I would camp almost every weekend during the summer, even if it just meant throwing a tent up late Friday night in a nearby canyon only to take it down at first light the next morning. When I am in the mountains I feel more alive, more like my true self.

Once I got married and then after Antalya was born, we still camped quite often. In fact, the within a week of Antalya getting released from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) the three of us were sitting around a camp fire with friends for the weekend. She was still on oxygen (ya, I know, having my infant and an oxygen tank near a fire is not the smartest thing I have ever done - good thing I'm getting smart with age).

But then life caught up to us. And I suddenly realized it has been almost four years since I have been camping. So when my brother-in-law invited us to go camping with them, Jason and I jumped at the chance.

We were a bit nervous of how they would be with the campfire, how anyone of us would sleep all in one tent, and how to keep Antalya from wandering off, but they both did surprising well. Only once did Antalya wander off, and it doesn't even really count because she went to the horses at the camp next to us, they stayed a safe distance from the fire the whole time, and as far as sleeping in a tent - not a peep all night (which is a complete miracle for Antalya who normally wakes up crying several times a night).

I only got a few pictures before the camera died, but the girls loved roasting hot dogs over the fire, going for a hike the next morning, playing in the hammock, and even taking a short ride on the neighbor's horse.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

It's been almost two years since we moved here to London.

On our very first day here in London, while walking through Hyde Park, my mom and I stumbled upon this amazing playground that was built after the death of Princess Diana. Since that day, I have been wanting to get back there with the girls to play. Now, with only a few Saturdays left, and Jason spending every minute preparing for exams, I decided it was time for me and the girls to make the journey.

You would think that since the playground is in London, and we live in London, this would be easy enough, but it's not (hence the reason it's taken me almost two years to return). If I opted for public transportation it is over an hour away with several transfers. Or if I drove, I would have to tackle the London traffic with no guarantee that once we arrived I would be able to find parking.

I decided to take my chances driving. After a 20 minute detour trying to find a place to fill up the car, we made it, and even found parking nearby.

The playground is pretty amazing. The main area is filled with sand and water, with a huge pirate ship. But, that's only one part. There is also a little kids play area, a teepee area, a wooded play area, and a musical area.

The girls loved running around seeing all there was to do. We were all a bit sad when we had to head back to the car before the paid time on our parking space lapsed.

Carnival Fun

There is nothing that makes me feel more like a little kid than carnival rides. I love the music, the crowds, the cotton candy, the lights, the grins on little kids faces.

So, of course, when I saw that the traveling summer carnival was going to be at our local park this week I made sure to have an entire afternoon free to take the girls.

We had a blast! It was Victoria's first real time experiencing rides of any sort. She was in love with these little cars. I think she went on them at least ten times.

It made me day seeing her cute smiles and waves each time she passed by me. And as soon as the ride came to a stop she would quickly say, "one more!", with a huge, hopeful grin on her face.

Antalya loved it all! But that's no surprise. She is my thrill seeking daughter - the louder and faster, the better, when it comes to her preferences.

She was stuck riding the littlest rides with Victoria for most of the time, but once Jason arrived, she and I quickly headed to the big kids lines.

She absolutely loved the one that plays really loud music as you go round and round so fast that you have to cling on to the handle bar to not be thrown to the other side of the car. This is a picture of her excitement before the ride even began. I think I can fairly say, that once we got going really fast, she was in complete heaven!

And of course, no fun day out is ever complete without an overly priced ice cream cone!

Happy Thursday!

A Weeks Worth

With success in the toilet training department, an ENT appointment, the arrival of the girls cousin, Kristen, a Royal Wedding to celebrate, a trip to the London Zoo, and the death of the most wanted man in the world, it has been quite a week!

With all the toilet training we have been doing with Antalya, Victoria has surprised us by deciding that she is also ready to be done with diapers. But although she might be ready, I'm not ready to cope with the unavoidable "accidents" and emergency runs to the toilet for two little ones at the same time. So, she's stuck wearing diapers whenever we are not at home until I feel more confident about Antalya's ability to not have accidents when we are away from home.

Antalya's sleeping and what seem like continuous sinus infections have had me worried for some time. But ironically, once the appointment with the ENT was within view, her congestion cleared up, and she has started sleeping through the night for the first time in her life. I don't know why the sudden change after all these years, but I'm not complaining. I hope it continues for both of our sakes!

Kristen arrived last Thursday. I love having people visit, and the girls are loving it as well. Victoria thinks she is her new best friend!

(Victoria looks very concerned because Antalya has just run off, with Jason chasing after her)

I absolutely loved watching the Royal Wedding of Will and Kate. In fact, I was really surprised at just how much I enjoyed it, and even more surprised that the girls sat through most of it. We went to a party at a local school with a friend and watched it on a big screen while enjoying one of my favorite treats - english scones with jam and clotted cream.

(Antalya still talks about the "Princess" and wants to watch it again).

Two of my favorite quotes from the ceremony were:

Every wedding is a royal wedding with the bride and groom as king and queen of creation, making a new life together so that life can flow through them into the future (Rt. Rev. Richard Chartres).

Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire (St Catherine of Sienna).

And the day was complete when a DJ showed up in the afternoon and all the kids could dance their hearts out.

The next day was our first trip to the London Zoo. I was grateful to have Kristen to help out with the girls. Victoria is completely obsessed with animals lately and didn't want to move once she found one. Antalya on the other hand is completely bored with looking at animals and prefers to run wild, stopping only briefly to catch her breathe when needed.

Here is Victoria strutting her stuff through the zoo. She picked out her entire outfit that morning and was very proud of it (although I must add, that she originally was wearing her wellies, but I made her change them for shoes since it was so hot out).

And don't let this angelic face fool you, she is quite the handful sometimes! She gave me the scare of my life when, while I was in the midst of cleaning poop off Victoria's bum on the changing table, she snuck out of the bathroom, through the cafe, and back outside without me knowing it. As soon as I got a clean diaper on Victoria and realized she was gone, we took off at mach speed running through the cafe with Victoria barely clinging onto my side. Luckily Kristen and another friend that were on their way into the cafe caught her before she escapes too far.

(Notice her name and my phone number written on her hand, after this experience I'm considering having it tattooed to her forehead just in case).

And now we have the news that Osama-bin-Laden is no longer wanted! I feel proud to be an American, and grateful for the brave men and woman who brought justice to the man responsible for creating so much terror throughout the world for so many years.

And here's to another week!

Carnival Fun

This evening we made an impromptu trip to the carnival going on at our local park.

Antalya had a blast! It was her first amusement park experience and I think she throughly enjoyed every minute of it.

Since we only wanted to purchase one adult ticket, I was Antalya's designated helper.


We rode on rides and played in bounce houses until Victoria decided she was done being stuck in the backpack in the hot, humid air, watching her sister have fun.

Can you blame her?

Then we stopped for some very over-priced, and not-so-tasty jumbo sausages and chips for dinner, and washed it down with an ice cream.


Jason and Victoria headed home while Antalya and I wore ourselves out with more rides.


In the end, the bumber cars were her absolute favorite. She even waited in line for 15 minutes to ride them a second time. I was amazed at her patience.

Trent Country Park

I recently found a gem of a park. Free parking, huge open grassy areas for picnics, playground, farm animals, fishing pond, small cafes. You name it, it seems to have it. Jason is busy finishing up a paper for school and the thought of being indoors on such a beautiful day was enough to drive me mad. So we called up some friends and headed to the Trent Country Park for a morning in in the sun. Although we were only a 20 minute drive from our house, it was hard to remember we were still in London. No crowds, and we seemed miles away from everything.

We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch on the grass:



Found some cool wooden swings:


Met Kim the goat:


And chased this cute little face all over the place: