I can't believe it is tuesday already. The long weekend seemed to fly by and it will already be the middle of the week tomorow.

Aidan had his Preschool graduation at Spring Christian Academy last thursday afternoon. It was a bittersweet moment for him. I was looking forward to the celebration but also very sad that his year was done and he has to say goodbye to so many friends.

The ceremony was adorable, the kids all walked in with there graduation caps they had all carefully created. They had a short program and handed out the diplomas and there special gifts they got for memorizing all there bible verses. We then had lots of yummy snacks and treats.

I honestly wish I could have left Liam at home. He was impossible and had a gigantic tantrum at the start which almost made me pack up at leave but I know I had to be there for Aidan.

Because of the amount of pictures, I just put them in a slide show for your enjoyment.

Steve came home late friday night and we packed up and headed out to St.Malo on saturday morning. After we set up camp, we headed to the beach for the afternoon and had lots of swim time. Sunday was a rotten day, at least it didn't rain the entire day and we were still able to enjoy some other camping activities. Too cold for the beach though. We were able to head to the beach on monday morning before we packed up for some last minute swimming.

I always think packing and preparing for camping is so much work but the kids loved it and were very sad monday night when it was back to there own beds. I on the other hand was rather excited to be in my own bed.

Monday afternoon we also went to our nephew Josh's birthday party for a pool/sprinkler party. The weather was scorching and they had a blast!

Thankgoodness it is Thursday and tomorow Steve is home from his fourth week to Calgary. This week has been harder then the last ones. I think it was because we were so busy and that made me extra tired.
Last night Aidan had his last soccer game, pictures and medals. He was very excited and kept telling me his medal was bigger then mine!
Today was his last day of school and his graduation. I will post about his grad tomorow, I still need to upload the pics.

Aidan was very sad that he will not be playing soccer for an entire year. Now, thankgoodness he loved this season of soccer, becuase we sure didn't have a good experience. To make a long story short, his coach ditched the team and decided not to show up anymore half way through the season. Taking all the practise balls with him. Thankgoodness we had one parent who stepped in and took the role, organizing pictures, snacks, etc..... Poor kids though, what kind of person abandons a bunch of 5 year olds? The soccer board sure got an earfull from the parents though. The coach disconnected his phone number and is no where to be found. Aidan was a little oblivious to it all, he just wanted to play soccer.Here are some highlights from his last game and a few short videos, which aren't the greatest.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

So I stoled this survey off of Jamie's site. I thought it woud be fun!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I honestly don't know. I know there was another Erin who was born a 2 years before me in the same small town and I think that is where my mom heard the name.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Yesterday, I was just so beyond frustrated with my children.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? not really, but who needs to write much now a days anways
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?any kind of chicken breast, roasted or BBQ not processed stuff, the real thing!
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Three of them (although most days it feels like i clean up after 4)
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?I think so
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? sometimes
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?Yes.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I would LOVE to.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? not a huge cereal fan. the combination of cereal and milk hasn't appitized me every since haveing kids.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?No.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I think I am pretty strong. I also think I am in the best shape I have ever been.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? chocolate mint chip
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? lately it has been there shoes, not sure why
15. RED OR PINK? pink, my favorite color
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? The fact I feel like my house has to be clean and perfect. It bugs me to see the kids make a mess and I am already thinking about how fast I can clean it up.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friend Nori and her family
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?You can post in on your blogs
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? i am wearing black gauchos (is that the right word??) and barefoot
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? haven't eaten yet this morning, so it would have to be supper last night which was a chicken wrap
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?backyardigans on tv
22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? cotton candy
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? campfire, tim hortons coffee, fresh rain
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Steve last night from Calgary
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?I better since she is my sister
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?olympics, Aidan's soccer games
27. HAIR COLOR?Blonde, with caramal low lights and light blonde highlights
28. EYE COLOR?hazel
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? yes
30. FAVORITE FOOD chicken ceaser salad
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?Happy Endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Charlottes Web (with the kids)
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?pink
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?Summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES?Hugs
36. FAVORITE DESSERT? anything chocolate
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?skip
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?skip again
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? don't have any time to read!
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?Don't have one.
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? didn't watch any last night, watched Aidan's soccer
42. FAVORITE SOUND? good music, happy kids
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? ????????
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Sweden
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? who knows anymore LOL!! i think piano, maybe photography
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?Boissevain, MB
. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO READING? anyone who is bored enough to anyswer them!

Another week has flown by, I think extra fast since I have been dreading this next week. Steve just got on his plane to Calgary for week #4 of 6.
This week we have alot on the schedule. Tomorow,Aidan has his field trip, (which was rescheduled because of rain) , and hopefully soccer if the rain holds off. Tuesday Aidan has his second last day of school. Wensday Aidan has his last soccer game and windup, he is very excited about getting a medal and his pictures. Thursday Aidan has his last day of preschool and they are haveing a graduation ceremony. Hopefully the busy schedule will help the week pass quickly.
Here are some old pics from the trip visit to Brandon last weekend.

Next weekend we are off to St.Malo for the first camping trip of the summer!
Oh and I had to add, this is are new favorite website on the internet CLICK HERE (Thank you Joel) Why do we find such enjoyment on tracking a storm?

Finally, some more pics from the marathon.

Finishing, you will notice the clock says 2:02 but we actually finished in 2 hours 43 seconds because we didn't start until two minutes in.

THE BRANDON HOUSE IS OFFICIALLY RENTED!

After TONS of phonecalls, emails and applications recieved, we were able to choose a family to live in the Brandon house. We had a list of potential renters and ironically, the people we picked live in Winnipeg right now so Steve was able to meet them tonight to sign the lease and get the deposit. That saved us time and money since we didn't have to make another trip out to Brandon.
I am so glad that is done with and we can focus on the few things that need to get done before the new renters move in on Sept. 1.
I think Steve was alot more confident this time around as a landlord. Because of the huge demand for housing in Brandon we were able to be picky about who moved in. We have learned alot this first year and although some of the lessons were expensive, we know it is an investment in the long run. The brandon house and I have a love/hate relationship. I love it one day, and the fact it is such a great investment in the long run, but the next day I just want to sell it because of the headaches it brings.

I DID IT!

Yes, I completed it in 2 hours and 43 seconds. It was so much fun and an amazing experience. I couldn't believe the amount of energy I still had sprinting to the finish line! We all then enjoyed a big lunch out and stuffed our tummys for all our hard work! My goal was two hours and I pretty much accomplished it.

As you will notice, the picture is before we went. We were rather wet, sticky and sweaty when we were all done and probably didn't look as good! We are now looking at running another marathon later in summer/fall out of town. The did take some pictures as we were running and I hope to find some once they get them on the web.

Here are my standings:

Time: 2:00:43

Overall Position: 1343 (out of 3469)

Position Amongst Women: 406 (out of 1726)

Position in Age Group: 70 (out of 268)

To view my certificate, click here and then click on my name.

Here is Aidan showing off my medal.

As for other good news, we have several potential renters for the house and we are just waiting to hear back from the references on some people we like and then it will be official.

And Liam is doing AWESOME on the potty. I am so proud of him!

HOT!!!!!!

Wow!! It has been SO hot outside. Almost unbearable! The humidity is terribly high. This is how we have spent the last two days.

Also. . . . sunday morning is the Manitoba Marathon. I am very excited and more then ready. . .I just pray it isn't hot and humid like yesterday. My measly three mile run was rather painful in this heat!

And I must add, Liam's potty training is finally coming along nicely. Yesterday was the first time he was running to the potty byhimself and going, so that is progress. He was rather excited about going #2 on the pot and ran around telling everyone he went 'stinky' on the potty. He has been even wearing big boy undies when going out. I find as soon as I put him in a pullup, he pees because he knows he can.

Wow. What a busy week. With Steve being off, potty training, and getting things done around the house, the week has flown by.

First of all, Liam's potty training went pretty good during the week, but as soon as we headed out to Boissevain for the weekend, it all went downhill! He ran around the farm nude alot but refused to sit on the potty.

Last night, I let him stand while going and he was so excited about it. So far today he has been great but insists on standing. I really don't like this, since it is messy with little boys but honestly, if it works for him, I will let him. Better then diapers!


Last week we also put up our house for rent for September. I put it in the Brandon sun on friday and over the weekend we had TONS of phonecalls, a little overwhelming I must say. The demand for house rentals is pretty big in Brandon and people wanted to see it asap. It was hard to tell them we can't show anyone till saturday and then we will decide who will get it. Steve has his entire day book with people coming to see it. We just pray we can find someone (preferably a family) that we really feel would be a good fit. I took it out of the paper today since we already have too many people interested.

We know the rental is a headache, but it is also a goldmine. . . so I guess we will hold on to for now.

Over the weekend, we headed to Boissevain to pick up our tent trailer which we stored there for the winter. We had a fun afternoon in Killarney first of all and enjoyed lots of Beach Hut food and ice cream.

Saturday the kids played on the farm and enjoyed the hot weather. We then joined Laura, Joel and the kids for supper at the beach hut and had a good visit.

Liam LOVES Sheba and couldn't get enough of her.

Yesterday was VERY hot and today it is supposed to be almost +40 with the humidity. I think we will fill the pool up again and let the kids soak. I really wish the paddle pools were open already but they don't open till July 1.

We need renters Sept. 1 in our Brandon house. Pass this website on to anyone you may think of. http://3bedroomhouse.blogspot.com/

We enjoyed a beautiful, hot weekend and now it is Wensday and the rain has returned. Thankgoodness we took advantage of all the nice weather and packed as much fun in as we could. Saturday we spent some time at St.Vital park and sunday we stuck around the house and the kids hung out in the kiddy pool.
Yesterday we headed to Saint Boniface Basilica Cathedral and took some pics. The kids thought the place was pretty neat and had fun exploring.

We took so many pictures that I put them in a slideshow rather then posting them all, so check them out.

Monday morning we also decided to start training Liam. Steve had a the week off so it was a good time for me to focus all of my energy. At the start, it was simply frustrating and he refused to sit on the potty and pee. But. . .by the evening, he had gone #1 and #2 on the pot. The next morning he did much better and when we went out that evening, he was even dry.

Today is now wensday and he hasn't had a single accident, and he hasn't been feeling well either. Hopefully he will be fully trained in no time.

I am finding rewards harder with him then the other ones. He doesn't want candy and even after buying a huge bag of gummy bears, he wasn't too interested in getting treats. But. . .I found if I give him a balloon he was happy. Strange kid!

Here he is eating, and watching tv while sitting on his potty.

And some more pics of us enjoying the sunny weather yesterday in the sandbox.

Tomorow is Aidan's field trip to the farm. The forecast isn't looking great so hopefully they won't be too wet and cold. Aidan has been praying every night for nice weather.