Assiniboine Forest

We made another trip to Assiniboine Forest this weekend. It is one of our favorite places to visit.

Brooke and her lovely grr smile. lol

Chloe and Danika out for a stroll. 

I really don't know why Jeremy stopped taking photos...he's really good at it. This one is one he took, because I wouldn't wade the grass (there might be ticks in there! lol).

We found some deer right next to the road, so I took a few photos.

I did some editing of the photos we took. I love Color Splash!

This one turned out really cool too!

And lastly an enhanced color.

Missing Winnipeg Mom

On Wednesday morning, the neighbourhood of Westwood (which would be where we live) in Winnipeg, was shocked by the news that 2 young children were found in critical condition and their mother was missing.

I have been following this story since the very beginning. I think it's mostly because it's so close in location to where we live. Anyone who knows me knows that I do not follow the news and most of the time I have no idea what is going on, nor do I put any interest into any news article. Maybe it's because the missing woman and I share a name or maybe because I hate seeing everyone hate on her, whatever the reason, this story has my attention, I check the news sites several times a day to see if there is any news or if they have located the mother.

There were little details given by police, other then a description of the mom, stating that the two children were found in the bathtub in critical condition and died at the hospital and that the mother, Lisa has disappeared.

Since Wednesday evening, I have been pretty confident that, Lisa, would be found dead. Her husband was at work and the mother in law or mother came to the house shortly after the 911 hang up call, which is what prompted police to investigate. The media found out that she was being treated for PPD. Lisa, was getting help daily from her mother or mother in law with the kids. She had a support network and I'm sure they knew that she was being treated for PPD and that is why they were there to help her out.

Yet, I've heard comments from people saying that PPD is an excuse and that she needs to be held accountable and that she should have reached out for help. It sounds to me like she did reach out for help and was getting some help. Maybe she did hold herself accountable and that is why she has disappeared.

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is quite common, yet women feel shamed, inadequate and unmotherly if they admit that they are depressed. It's like reaching for help when it's needed is a bad thing. Sometimes the mother experiencing PPD will think that it's a phase and it will go away on it's own, but often it does not.

I really think it's unfair to assume and to judge this woman and her family. It sounds to me as though, they were trying to help her out, they were doing everything that most people would do to help someone with PPD. It sounds like it was something else that was going on. I still don't like that people jump to it was her...she could have woke to found the kids like that....someone could have come into the home and taken her and hurt the kids. There is no evidence of that as far as I know, but those scenarios are just as likely as her doing it.

This family needs support and help, and all I hear are people talking about PPD and how she should come forward and take her punishment or that they hope she is dead. They make it sound as thought PPD was her fault. It really angers me to hear these opinions from people who likely have never been depressed a day in their life. It's like a non-smoker telling a smoker to quit and that it's easy.

Today, they are diving into the river to look for her. They have been searching for 3 days for her with a few sightings and few leads. They are checking peoples garages, sheds and other outdoor buildings, I think they are at a loss as to where else to look for her.

Chloe's Build a Bear

Things were a bit too exciting to take photos while she was making her bear, but I got a good video once we got home!

Introducing Danika.

She is sporting cool glasses, a Hello Kitty dress and rainbow sandals. 

I know this photo is a little blurry, but it shows Chloe's excited face! lol 

This is Chloe's description of how amazing Danika is! lol 

I'm not entirely sure where the name Danika came from, but Chloe knew what she was going to name her bear before she was even stuffed. lol

Here is a video of her introducing Danika.

Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible for us to bring Danika home. Danika and Chloe got everything they wanted from the store! :)

Childhood Games and Toys Pt. 1

I thought it would be fun to take a walk down memory lane. With the internet, it's so easy to find toys and games that you used to own as a kid, if you search for certain things like 80's Barbies, you'll get a whole list with pictures of barbies that you may have owned.

For this post, I'm going to do games, I've been pinning them on Pinterest for awhile, so that I have them to come back to for fond memories.

Burger Time. I spent many of hours at Nan's house watching her play Burger Time. I was "playing" with her...which consisted of her playing and me watching...that Girl had game! lol 

I remember having this game too, altho, I have no memories of playing it or even how to play. lol 

Crystal and I used to play this game a lot when she came over to visit. At least I think it was this one. lol We were totally boy crazy in our early teens.

First off, notice the totally awesome graphics of this game. In case you didn't recognize this game, it's Duck Hunt for Nintendo. You know the one where you play with the gun that hooks up to the system...this little puppy as cute as you may think he is, created a lot of frustration...here, he is laughing at you because you missed the ducks.

Ahhh yes, I loved this game and remember making a lot of them in my day. This little game used to tell our fortunes. hee hee hee. 

Ahhh the old fashioned Lite-Brite! I think my kids are almost old enough to play, maybe Santa will find one to deliver Christmas morning. I'm sure that you can find sheets to print off of the internet for it now a days.

MASH....How many played this game?? To see who you would marry, where you would live, what kinda building you would live in. I think this one is played a little differently then I remember. But M-Mansion, A-Apartment, S-Shack, H-House. Is how I remember it. 

I remember playing this one with my dad. He was really good at this game. The lights flash and you have to remember and do them in the same order, the longer you play without mistakes the faster the lights flash at you. 

Kite Flying

Today, Jeremy took the girls out to show them how to fly a kite. 

Brooke even got fully hand on experience.

Love the look on her face when she gets it up in the air.

She's pretty good at this!

Chloe came out to check it out.

This is how my kites always ended up...on the ground and broken.

Yes I realize that the kids are in their jammies, that's just when they were asked to fly the kites.

The Forks With The Lowes

We went to The Forks on Sunday with Erin, Kevin and their kids. We had a great time playing at the playground/splash pad down there.

The kids in the canoe with the bear. 

At the splash park. See those two handsome devils in that boat wayyyy over?? They belong to Erin and I!

Brooke stopped for a moment to pose for the camera.

Thought this little car (?) was kinda cool.

Logan was loving standing in the middle of this sprayer.

Faith getting surprised by the water! lol

It was kinda chilly so we got everyone toweled up and dried off so we could move on to the playground.

Chloe's coming down the whacky slides!! 

Faith spied me spying on her. lol

Brooke spent a lot of time looking at all the "far away stuff". 

Brooke banging on the drums.

That is little Chloe in that house.

And Brooke is in this one.

All the kids had a great time on these monkey bars!

Chloe's 4th Birthday Party

This year we had Chloe's Birthday Party at the Assiniboine Park, Nature Playground. 

We stopped first to take a few photos with Winnie the Pooh.

The entrance to the playground!

Picture of the Birthday Girl!!

Look a Pink Kitty! Thanks Cary Tardi for making balloon animals!!!

Here is Cary making Brooke a purple flower.

The finished product...ohh so proud of her flower.

Look the shadows have color.

Ruby wants a yellow flower....

The yellow had an even better colored shadow!

Pinata time! Go Chloe!

Chloe's giving the pinata a good wack!

This little girl, Elizabeth, is the same age as Brooke, and boy is she ever strong! She could really wack the pinata!

Faith was pretty strong too, looks like those T-Ball lessons really helped her swing! lol

Logan, also has been taking t-ball lessons! great hit boog!

Each of the kids had 2 turns, then the dads were very anxious to have their turn! Here is Geoff winding up for a swing.

Kevin pretty near wacked the pinata right out of the park! lol

But it was Jeremy's hit that opened the pinata!

And the kids scrambled to get the candy into their buckets!

Then it was time for cake!! M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

Group photo of all the kids with their balloons from Cary.

LtoR: Christopher, Logan, Chloe, Faith, Elizabeth, Brooke and Ruby.

I had to grab a photo of these 3 party guests....Crystal, Zoie and Dave.

The balloons made it nearly impossible to get a good photo of the kids faces...lol

I didn't get a photo of Chloe with her presents this year, so we decided to take a photo of all the cards she got!

Chloe is saving up for a build a bear and after her birthday she has enough money to make the trip to build a bear to build a special forever friend! She is extremely excited and thankful to everyone who helped her reach her goal!