#VaughnisFive

 Five. Where did the time go? So cliche but I just can't believe you are 5. I've been running around for the past two days planning two mini parties for you. A small one at home and a small one at the lake. You are worth it, my sweet boy. While you are mostly a sweet little angel, this has been my most difficult year with you. You are a sassy one. This year has been eventful, with COVID not really gone, life has been up and down and the world is nuts but summer has been unreal. Here is how your year was....

Annual Corn Maze Trip with Auntie Kellie and Taeva. Swimland Level 3 and Family Pics. 

You started hockey in October and loved it. Scoring goals is your fave. 

Halloween we did outside (due to COVID) and it was awesome. The entire community was out and people were having a blast. Easton and his mom and dad came over. 

Then came Christmas .Covid was bad at Christmas so we spent it with just our family. 

We spent a lot of time outside this winter, skating, tobogganing and a little skiing. 

Easter time came fast and you got to meet the Easter bunny.

You learned to ride a two wheel bike. This landed mommy having to see the chiro, massage and physio from running bent over helping you. It took a bit but you picked it up pretty fast. We took dads car for a ride and you loved how fast it went. We continued to use the hot tub and well you still sleep with mom and dad (although less and less now).

On July 5 we made a transition to the YMCA OSC for when you start Kinder. It was a bittersweet move as we loved Weber Greens but they didn't drive to your school. The transition was seamless with you, as always and you now never want to stay home with me. Haha. Happy you love it there. Here is a picture with one of our faves from Weber Greens, Teacher Analisa.

Summer 2020 we decided to get a lake lot for Summer 2021. This was the best decision we have ever made. So far we have missed only 3 weekends. One (May long) cause you had COVID, second was due to weather and third cause mom and dad had a wedding. The memories out at Sunny Beach are ones to remember and we cannot wait for next year already. The amount of photos I have are insane, so I will only pick a few. You have really come out of your shell, made new friends and are loving lake life. You started surfing with dad, jumping off the boat, loving tubing and just a simple boat ride. You and Theo have become bike buds where he picks you up in the mornings to go. So friggen cute. We have even given you some independence with some rules and you have been quite good. Site 20, must ask to go to park, only bike around our block, if no one is at the park, you must come back, and check in!

And while you maintain you don't want a sibling you make sure we know that Charlie is your "brother" and your love for her is strong and her love for you is the same...yours and Charlies bond has been one of my favorite to watch...

Some other pics...got your level 4 at swimming with a goggle license, had our annual Corn Maze trip a bit early, and you sure love spending time with Papa Bill, Grandma Pat, Papa Gerry and Grandma Judy. 

Vaughn, I say it every year but this is my favourite age. I know I said it was my most difficult but you are seriously so funny and sweet. You amaze me with your memory, your critical thinking and ability to solve problems (like your dad). You are inclusive, understanding, have a great sense of humor and are SASSY (always holding up your index finger when telling me something with attitude). I love your love for rainbows, singing Joanne by Lady GaGa, cars, building, biking, cooking, treasure, the floor is lava, Charlie, swimming, surfing and daycare.  

I can't believe you are 5 and starting Kindergarten. My big boy, I love you so much and am so proud of everything you have done in these 5 years. You amaze us and we cannot wait to see who you become cause I'm sure it will be nothing short of amazing. 

Godspeed, little man. 

I love being your mom. 

Love, Mommy

#VaughnisFour

Vaughn!!!

You are 4! Oh my goodness, as you like to say. : )  This year has been interesting, fairly uneventful until COVID happened. You have been a gem this year, as usual. Still waiting for the nightmare toddler years they tell us about. I mean, you do have your moments but nothing worth writing about. I know I say this every year, but this age is the best. 

So, right after you turned 3, you suddenly needed to wake up in the middle of the night and come sleep with us...you keep telling me when you are 4 (holding up 4 fingers) that you will stay the entire night in your room, but about a month before your birthday, you seemed to have changed that to 5 (while holding up 5 fingers). When I ask why you come into our room you say, "because I love you" in the sweetest voice, knowing it will melt us and allow you to keep doing it. It just so happens 2 days before your birthday, you stayed in your bed all night and were so proud of yourself. Hmmmm, wonder how this will play out. 

So after your 3rd birthday, we went camping to Spring Lake with the Williamsons and Strattons and spent time with friends.

 And as always, visited the Corn Maze with Auntie Kellie and Taeva...

You got preschool photos and well, Dad insisted on buying you a truck, or depending on the day and things he buys for it, its sometimes mine. ; ) 

We checked out Jurassic Forrest with Papa Gerry and Grandma Judy... 

Halloween this year you wanted to be a fire truck! Dad was Rubble and me, well, your usual cat. We went to our 3rd Annual Clymont Halloween Party as well. 

Skiing started in November. You did a lot better this year, but still a bit scared sometimes. 

Christmas, as usual was a blast. This year we had both Papa's and Grandmas are our house.Mom and Dad were in Dominican for the first week of December but we made up for it when we got home. 

 

We also got out tobogganing this year. 

You spent some more time with Jovie, or Jobie as you like to say it. 

and Taeva or Taeba as you like to call her. 

and the rest of the girls, Meredyth, Edie and Gretta,

You went to your first hockey game at Rogers Place to watch the Oil Kings play...

March is when COVID hit and they shut down schools and daycares. I had to bring you to work with me and then we worked it out so that you went to a different daycare. Jasper Place Child and Family Resource Center was an essential worker daycare and they were so amazing. The first day we dropped you off, it was like nothing different to you, just went about your day and waved by. You were so good throughout this whole thing. We did our best to keep you busy otherwise.

Easter came around but due to COVID we decided to not get together with family. Instead we did our own little dinner and the usual Easter egg hunt. We spent a lot of family time together in April, it was basically COVID lock down. Mom brought out her best crafting skills too. Hours and hours of it. Haha. 

For your birthday we bought you a quad but a bit early (in May) so you could enjoy it. We had to have it for you and you are a pretty good little rider. 

In June we got one camping trip in at the Buskas farm before we sold our trailer to get ready for our lake lot next summer. 

July was busy. We spent a lot of time outside exploring and went to visit Auntie Tia and Uncle Chris in Calgary. They showed us a really good time. 

We had a trip planned to Idaho but because of COVID we had to cancel. Last minute we decided to head to Ontario and so glad we did. You and Journey had a blast and you spent good quality time with everyone. 

And then, 3 days later we went to Canmore and Banff for moms birthday. We walked over 25 km that weekend. You did so good. We did Grassi Lakes, Downtown Banff to Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka and Troll Falls. 

You also took a liking to geocaching, yoga and Lego this year. You made huge strides this year with your speech, although questionable at times we knew you would get through... and your skiing, swimming and biking. We are so proud of you. We are in the middle of a pandemic and you soared through like at trooper from one daycare to another and wear a mask with no issue. You have been so incredibly resilient and easy going through this whole thing. You continue to have exceptional manners, and you are so forgiving. You are empathetic and know when you say sorry. Keep it up, my little boy. You promised me about a month ago you would stay this age forever, but we all know life doesn't work that way. You are a unique, hilarious, smart and loving human and we love you so much.

Happy 4th Birthday!

God speed, little one.

Love, Mommy

#VaughnisThree

Vaughn, Vaughn Vaughn, V,

You are 3, my boy. You've been telling everyone you are two while holding up 5 fingers for the longest time and then suddenly this past week you respond "Three" (still with 5 fingers). You surprise me every day with your humor, speech and understanding. I love you at this age. This past year has been my favourite. You have slowly been learning words and putting sentences together and although behind a bit for your age in this regard it has literally been the cutest thing to watch.

I know they say "terrible two's" but we honestly didn't experience that (threenager could be coming...yes, I understand). You have continued to be the #besttoddlerever. I feel so lucky. As per the last two years, I will give a brief rundown of your year. I love capturing moments with you whether it be a picture or one million videos. As i'm not much of an actual blogger, inserting videos is not gonna happen and that is probably for the better as I have way too many. So here we go...

After you turned 2 we thought a big boy bed was in your near future. We ordered a house bed and you loved it immediately. You got out the first two nights but after that it was a dream. I love that you wake up and let yourself out and come and wake me up yelling "Mommy!!!!"

And then people thought I was crazy for wanting to start potty training with a barely talking 2 year old, but I read the "Oh Crap Potty Training" Book and went for it. It was October 12 at 2 years and 2 months old and we began. Again, you grasped the concept quite well, were a dream to potty train and I would say successfully potty trained within 2 weeks. Stellar job, young man.

Halloween was a fun one again, we hit up the Clymont Halloween Party with Auntie Kellie, Uncle lee and Taeva, same as last year. Dad made yours and his costume from scratch. You were Max from Where the Wild Things are and Dad was the monster. Mommy, well, a cat again. Haha. 

Christmas was eventful this year, we took in a lot and wanted you to really experience it. We went to Glow in St. Albert, cut down our own MASSIVE tree, you were a star in your daycare Christmas Concert, and we had our annual Christmas parties with friends. We spent Christmas Day with everyone at Grandpa Gord and Grandma Sandra's.

Sadly, shortly after Christmas on January 3, 2019 we lost Grandpa Gord. I am so happy we have these 2 photos from Christmas that day. 

Mommy and Daddy took some trips this year and left you at home with your Grandma and Grandpa's. We went to Hawaii in January and Skiing in February. 

We got you out on the ski hill this year as well. We thought skiing forsure but then also had you try snowboarding. Jury is still out on this one, we will try both again this year and see which you tend to prefer. You would get so pumped to go, and were so excited to put your skis on and then you would do 3 runs and say, "all done."

We tried skating too, but this was kind a bust this year... don't worry, we will have you on them as soon as there is ice again. 

In March we took a trip to Hanmer for the family hockey tournament and to spend some time with Uncle Brian as he was quite sick. Unfortunately, Uncle Brian lost his battle with cancer 4 months later in June. I'm so thankful we spent this time with him.

You loved Easter again, it gets better every year.

Watching Mommy and Daddy drink coffee every morning you took a liking to it (the idea of it) and started to request coffee yourself. It was hilarious and I'm sure had people gasping and wondering if I that was actually what I was giving you.

You spent a lot of time with Meredyth this year, we camped, went swimming, out for dinner and time at their house. You are so lucky to have Meredyth, Uncle Stew and Auntie Steph in your life. They love you a lot.

You also got to see Taeva a lot too, or as you like her call her "Taeba" We spent time at their lake lot, at each others houses and swimming in our hot tub. You are also super lucky to have Taeva , Uncle Lee and Auntie Kellie in your life. They treat you like their own.

We went to Hanmer again this August where they trained you to say "Hanmer" when asking where your favorite place to vacation is. Its no doubt you love it there, our family is amazing and the hospitality is beyond what anyone could ever want. We spread Uncle Brians ashes in Lake Wanapitei, swam in Dixon Lake, went boating, spent time with 1-5th cousins, watched baseball and played in the sand. It was a perfect vacation to end our summer. On the drive home from the airport you started to cry asking if we were going to "Uncle Georges house" Over and over, "I go to Uncle Georges house, Mommy."

Luckily, you still love your mommy and daddy...

You still love swimming and started Paul Sadler Swimland swimming classes. A little nervous at first but we will get there. You had no trouble swimming out into the middle of Dixon Lake. : \

This year I would say the theme for you is "all things that go." You are obsessed with cars, hence our cars theme birthday. You love planes, helicopters, trains, cars, trucks, bulldozers, and tractors. We obviously love this as you are now old enough to enjoy the car races with us. : ) and we bought you an early birthday present of a power wheels jeep which you have no fear on.

And then we had your birthday party. You talked about this for months and I made you a calendar so that you knew when it was. It was the most anticipating event for you. You wanted a "blue car" theme and when people asked what you wanted you said, "a blue car." Luckily, you got a few blue cars. We got you a Jeep shirt, a jeep hot wheels, some stickers, some Daniel Tiger books and desperately needed size 10 Nikes...oh and of course your jeep from earlier this year. Spoiled. 

Well Vaughn, you continue to amaze us with your beautiful soul, calm nature and humor. You still have the best smile.

Its been 2 years in a row now  that I have said this, but believe it will be a reoccurring theme...

"We love everything that you are. We promise to teach you respect for yourself and others, love, compassion, kindness, equality and we promise to care less about whether you are academically gifted and more about whether you sit with the lonely kid in the cafeteria." This will be true till as long as you live.

I love witnessing your empathy, how your voice changes when you ask, me or your dad or the dogs if they are okay, or if you see a baby. I love your generosity with hugs and kisses yet respect when some of your friends don't want them. I love that you have great manners with please, thank you and you're welcome. I love that you appropriately say sorry, are a pretty good sharer and I love that you go for breaks in your room when your emotions are running wild, coming out refreshed and happy. I also especially love that when we have kept you up late and you start getting tired, you will randomly say, "Mommy...I'm not tired, k? I'm not tired, nope!" You are seriously the best. 

Godspeed, little man. Happy 3rd Birthday! Love you more than anything.

Love, Mommy.