Happy 4th Birthday Truman! Oliver takes a few steps!

Today, my baby turned four. I have been thinking about Truman's birthday now for weeks and anticipating how it would affect me. You see, not only is Truman turning four, but on Tuesday he finishes day care and then in a few weeks he is off to kindergarten. When I think about Truman leaving day care I am in tears....funny, considering three years I had the same response as I dropped him off for the first time. I am just not ready for my angel to go to "big boy" school...although I am also excited for the year to come. I can't tell you how many times today I just held Truman in my arms and hugged him as tightly as I could.

So, how did we celebrate? On Saturday morning we had a cooking party for Truman at Loblaws. We had a blast as we hope did all our guests. The kids made fruit kabobs, pizza and then decorated cupcakes. Fun! Later in the afternoon we had the family over for (two) cakes (made by Tina, of course) and coffee. Tina, being the super awesome aunt that she is, made a chocolate cake just for Truman. I had a piece tonight, and it was delicious, as was the watermelon ice cream cake.

Today, since it was so hot outside, we spent the entire day in the pool! What a great day to have a birthday. Then the Topolski clan went out for a nice family dinner together at a local restaurant. Both Jerry and I were amazed at how well both boys behaved. Maybe the threat of losing a cupcake helped Truman be on his best behaviour?

Our little Olie is gaining his confidence and has been taking a few steps solo over the last couple of days. He still prefers to cruise, hold your hand or crawl at high speeds, but on occasion I can trick him into walking towards me. He is gaining an interest in books and is following his brothers footsteps in his love of animals. His three favourite words seem to be "dog", "cat" and "duck", although at times these three words can sound the same!

The next few weeks I will be busy preparing for the upcoming school year. Trying to figure out what to pack in school lunches and planning after shcool activities. I am sure I will be fighting off tears on Truman's first day.

Truman, I want to wish you the most wonderful birthday. I love you with all of my heart and I am so happy that you are a part of my life. I look forward to learning more about you and watching you grow.

A Trip "North" and Six New Pearly Whites

Two years ago the Topolski Family made the (short) trip up to Geneva Park, which is just outside Orillia, or for those who like to gamble, about three minutes from Rama. This year, our family decided that a reunion was in order. So family members from all over came for this joyous mini get-away. The Dietrich-Topolski Family travelled from Belgium, Ola and Eric joined us from Vancouver, Peter and Danka from Calgary and Sharon and Morton from Windsor. We rented a lovely 11 bedroom home and it accommodated all of us wonderfully. The Topolski Family have been vacationing at Geneva Park for the last 40 years, so it was great that so many people could attend.

There were many great memories made on this trip. Truman and his cousin, Joachim played amazingly together, they meshed like salt and pepper. When Truman woke up in the morning, the first thing he asked about was Joachim. Each morning, we sent the boys to the Shire (where Anya and Truman attended when they were kids). I was a little worried about Truman on the first morning, Wanda had gone to check on the boys and she saw Truman playing on his own, away from the other kids. I had to go and see him in action myself. When I got there, he was bossing a couple of the other boys around - now that's the Truman I know. I guess he needed the time to get comfortable.

Aunt Ola was amazing with both children, no surprise there since she works with kids for a living. She also ignited Truman's desire to spell things....he had started to be interested in how words were spelled, but now he asks about almost everything. Amazingly, he remembers how to spell the words that Ola taught him. Love it!

One afternoon, I took Truman to the beach after lunch, while Oliver was napping with Daddy. Truman and I had fun collecting shells, making sand castles and swimming. Luckily, Oopa and David came to relieve me for a bit and played in the water with Truman. The water was amazing, since it only reached chest height on the kids, so no life jackets were needed. I can't even tell you how many times David threw him under the water and Truman kept coming back for more. We finally had to pry him out, shaking from the cold water, blue lips and all. I think he spent a total of 4 hours in the water.

Poor Oliver had a little bit of a rough trip, five teeth decided to pop out at once. Although, he wasn't that cranky considering the quantity of teeth coming in, he definitely was not himself. He barely ate (except for bread) and had extremely long naps. Oliver for whatever reason did not like the lake water (he's a pool guy) and also didn't like touching sand. So, basically he is not that into the beach. His favourite pastime was climbing the stairs at the house, he loves to climb stairs!

One evening, we decided to let the boys have a sleep-over, thinking that it would be a good idea, and that the kids would easily fall asleep because they were so tired. Well, both Joachim and Truman are talkers, so you can only imagine where this was going. Truman and Joachim were discussing whether or not monsters exist and if they were under the bed. After a few empty threats, turning on lights, turning off lights, nothing was going to get these kids to sleep. Both boys were exhausted, and Truman easily fell asleep in his own bed, alone. Although, when Truman woke up he asked where Joachim was. Maybe, we will try again before his cousin returns to Europe.

Baba, the amazing woman she is, also joined us at Geneva Park. I could tell she was so happy to be with her family. She completely stunned me, when one late afternoon, she walked down to the beach with Danka, to see her four great-grandsons play.

We are now home, and back into routine (somewhat) and are planning to enjoy the last few weeks of summer. Oliver has decided to pop one last tooth (why stop now?). We have Truman's birthday to celebrate in a few weeks, and one last wedding to attend. I also have a road trip to take with my girlfriends (sans kids). Woop woop! Summer, summer, summertime!