March Madness

No, not basketball. Just the every day life of two full-time working adults raising four children. Living the dream one day at a time!

We are feeling very settled in South Portland and are so grateful to be in a beautiful state surrounded by my family (and in a place where his family loves to visit). Trevor's job is going very well and he's really enjoying it. I just accepted a new position at Maine Medical Center and am super excited to be the supervisor at the Access Center, which is a call center taking calls for 14 primary care practices.

March started off with lots of musical excitement. Corinne played her first gig at Port City Music Hall with her band. They're still working on their name, so we'll hopefully be able to share that in my next post. Her and her bandmates did a great job with the two songs they performed- Xs and O's by Elle King and Let It Be by The Beatles. Being on stage for the first time ever was also a pretty cool way for Corinne to spend her 14th birthday!!

Continuing the music theme, Trevor and I took Corinne to a concert to celebrate her birthday the week after her own concert. We saw Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds and they were awesome!!! They're a very high energy band with a great brass section. We even went to a fancy restaurant before the show for some cocktails. (Virgin for Corinne of course!) Even though Trevor and I danced more than Corinne, we all had a great time and hopefully didn't embarrass Corinne too much!

Transition night at South Portland High School went pretty well considering Corinne really had her heart set on Baxter Academy. She is still on the wait list, so we're holding out some hope she still gets in. With that said, we're focusing on some of the cool electives that South Portland offers. Corinne seems somewhat excited and by somewhat excited, I mean she's moving away from the end of the spectrum labeled, "I absolutely will hate South Portland High School." :)

Sophie participated in a fun after school event for the month of March. They practiced Frozen songs and dance moves. I went to the performance on the last afternoon and was very impressed with how loudly and clearly Sophie spoke her lines. She wasn't as in to the singing and dancing, but she said she had lots of fun at the practices!

Lincoln had an absolute blast at his 3rd birthday party. We had his friends from school come to the Scarborough Fire Department. They had so much fun climbing all over the fire trucks, shooting the hose at "fire" and seeing all the tricks the trucks could do. I think the parents had as much as the kids, too! Lincoln still talks about the fire trucks and every time he sees one he says "That's from my birthday!" I also have to give a shout out to the amazing fire fighters at the Scarborough Fire Department who made the party super fun and stress-free!!

Ayla started Girls on The Run, which is an after school program two days a week. They say it best on their website: "The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness." In true Ayla fashion, when I asked her if she wanted to do it, she replied, "Sure!" After the first week she said, "I didn't actually think it would be that fun, but it really is!" I love her positive attitude! She's had several practices and even though the weather hasn't been ideal, they run outside every meeting.

Ayla also started softball through the rec department in South Portland. She is really enjoying it and it's great to see her making friends! There are four teams in South Portland, so they'll play each other and there are also surrounding towns that have teams, who they'll play as well.

We enjoyed the first grade concert in March. It was fun being able to see not only Sophie, but her cousin Ava in the show. We are really enjoying having family less than a mile away! We had a blast bowling with not only our family of six, but my brother's family of four and the Cote gang. The kids enjoyed bowling, but even more so, being able to roast s'mores there! We all came back to our house for lunch and play time for the kids. We're all looking forward to hanging out more as the weather gets nicer.

We have a new addition to our family! Don't worry- it's not alive, but it is pretty amazing. Grandma Connie sent us her baby grand piano!!! Although our house is pretty small, where there's a will, there's a way! All of the girls love playing it and Ayla especially has an ear for being able hear a song on the radio and then play it on the piano- it's pretty amazing. I'm looking for a teacher to come to our house to give lessons. Our schedules are pretty crazy, but we're determined to figure something out. I have a few more teachers to call, so I'm sure something will work!

We finished the month with a really fun Easter weekend at my moms. Our kids and their cousins loved playing outside in the mud, on the four wheeler, the go-cart and the tractor. Even though we love our "city" life, it's really nice to be able to go to the country and have good old fashion fun outdoors! The easter egg hunt was a big hit- all of the kids enjoyed looking for their own eggs.

The girls are looking forward to April vacation and we're already making plans for the summer!! Time flies when you're having fun!

February Update!

February was a short, uneventful month! I'm a little late writing this and was thinking I had all kinds of things to include, but technically they all happened in March, so you'll have to wait for that!


Corinne and Ayla joined ski club and had fun at Shawnee Peak on Tuesday afternoons/evenings. We went skiing as a family one time at Black Mountain. Sophie didn't enjoy it- she did one run and ended up sitting in the lodge for the day. Corinne's legs were hurting from a ski trip earlier that week, so she was also in the lodge. We're thinking next time Sophie should have a lesson- this is the first time she's skied on her own without the harness.


Trevor and I took turns skiing with Ayla and Lincoln. I'm sure you all saw the video on posted on FaceBook of Lincoln skiing. He was awesome!!! The first several runs I was holding up his deadweight, which is what I figured it would be like for the first few ski trips. He actually fell asleep on the lift with Trevor and after we switched off, I assumed I'd get in one run with him and he'd be done for the day.


Apparently, the nap was just what he needed for his second wind, because he immediately pushed away the straps and said, "Mumma, I do it myself!" I held on to the straps for the rest of the afternoon only as the brakes since he doesn't know how to stop (or slow down for that matter!)


We went to a jujitsu competition so Corinne could watch her classmates and decide whether she might want to be in the next one. We all enjoyed watching and Corinne is excited to compete in the future. She is really enjoying the three classes a week that she takes.


Ayla and Sophie are continuing to do gymnastics until the end of March. They've both received ribbons for various things. (Various things = I can't remember what for)


I bought a road bike and have been on a few rides. I'm looking forward to start training in April for the Tri for Cure in July. We're all looking forward to warm weather and getting everyone on bikes!


That's all for now, but looking forward to reporting lots of exciting things in March!!!

Happy Holidays!

We wrapped up 2015 with much loved family and friends.

Ayla spent a weekend with the Files Family, whom she hadn't seen in a long time! They enjoyed an ugly sweater parade and a live radio show. They're looking forward to spending a weekend with Corinne in January.

We enjoyed Ayla and Corinne's winter concert with Ayla playing the saxophone in the sixth grade band and Corinne playing the clarinet in the eighth grade band. We were impressed with how professional they sounded and appreciated the theater seating!

Trevor and I had an awesome night with friends at our house for dinner and then a concert followed by a night in the Old Port. We are grateful to Grammy Robin and Pop Pop for taking the kids and allowing us a reunion with great friends.

This was one of our favorite Christmas' because we were able to spend Christmas Eve, Christmas day and the day after with family and we only traveled a mile! Spending time with uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents is priceless.

It seemed weird to be working through Christmas vacation, but my work/life balance is great with my new position in Human Resources at Maine Medical Center. I'm enjoying leaving all of my work at work and enjoying the time I have at home.

The last night of the year was spent celebrating my cousin, Keegan's, wedding. Dropping it like it's hot on the dance floor with my brother, sister and the rest of my family couldn't have been a better way to finish 2015.

Here's to a great 2016!

We're home!

November was all about packing and saying good bye to all of our Canadian friends. Blenheim welcomed us into their community with welcome arms and we won't soon forget all of the amazing people we met. The Richards, in particular, "adopted" us and truly made us feel part of their family. We are so grateful for that.

After much discussion, Trevor and I came to the decision that we need to be in Maine closer to my family. So, once again, we packed everything (truth be told, some stuff was never UNpacked!) and loaded it into the huge moving truck. Before we left, Corinne was able to participate in her first swim meet. She competed in the 100 meter free style, backstroke and butterfly. She didn't place, but we were impressed with her time for her first ever meet!

The drive back to Maine was made much easier because Grammy Robin came out to get Lincoln and flew him back with her. It was a win-win for everyone! My car ride was much calmer (with only Sophie chatting my ear off) and we were able to get in way more driving hours. Grammy and Pop Pop loved having Lincoln to themselves for a few days. Lincoln rode the tractor, fed the chickens, collected eggs and really just soaked up all the attention!

We're now settled into our Sawyer St house in South Portland are loving living less than a mile from my brother and his family, less than a mile from the beach, and having the greenbelt (a 7 mile bike path) right beside our house. 

Corinne's teachers reported she has found a good group of girls to hang out with and she is excelling in her classes. Ayla is making lots of friends and is doing well academically, despite some reminders to stay focused. Sophie loves having her cousin and now bff, Ava, in her school. They're in different classrooms but enjoying spending recess together. 

We went to an open house at Baxter Academy in South Portland, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) charter school that Corinne wanted to check out. She has a few friends from Brunswick who are interested in going as well. You might think it odd that Corinne wants to go to a STEM school, since she is so intensely interested in reading and writing, but it's the allure of something different that drew her in. She loved the open house and has fingers crossed her name is drawn in the lottery at the beginning of February. We have arranged for her to have a tour of South Portland High School to ensure we're helping her make an informed decision about where to spend her high school years. 

Ayla and Sophie are starting gymnastics in December. They're both excited to get back into it. Corinne and Ayla are starting guitar lessons again next week. They're taking them at the Maine Academy of Modern Music, which has opportunities for them to join different ensembles and/or bands. There are lots of other opportunities to get involved with at the school as well. 

Lincoln is enjoying his new daycare. They've already asked to take him home! He's in a classroom with kids ages 2 1/2 to 5, so he'll stay in that room until he goes to kindergarten. They're outdoors twice a day and Lincoln loves his "job" he's assigned each day. 

I've been subbing every day in one of the elementary or middle schools in Portland. It's fun to be able to work with kids and not take any work home! I have accepted an HR Coordinator position at Maine Medical Center and I'll be starting December 7th. I'm super excited to be working with my previous manager from Mercy Hospital! I already know it's going to be a great fit! The schedule allows me to be at home two mornings a week so Trevor and I are splitting the mornings between us, which means Sophie and Lincoln are home until we drop them off at their schools. 

Trevor is settling into his new practice and is already booking up very quickly! He's enjoying spending time working with people who are motivated to get well and stay healthy. He's excited to be able to make his own schedule and is looking forward to making his office his own space. 

All in all, we know we are where we want to be: home. Maine is home and we've already seen more of our family in the past month than we've ever seen before. The girls and I enjoyed my cousins bridal shower where I got to visit with my Gram, aunts and cousins. We've had lots of get togethers with my brother and his family. We've also been able to get together with a few friends. 

We spent Thanksgiving at my mom and Mark's house with my cousin and her husband. It was a great second Thanksgiving spent with family! The girls and I made it to the movies with Grammy Robin and Kelly over Thanksgiving break as well. 

It's hard to believe my next post will be wrapping up the end of 2015. It's been a crazy whirlwind of a year, but we're on the path and looking forward to what's next!

September Update!

We had a great end of summer camping trip to the Pinery Provincial Park. Bike rides, the beach, hiking, kayaking and roasting marshmallows were the ingredients for a great family vacation! It was so nice to be outdoors in our element! The weather was great and we enjoyed every minute of it!

Corinne joined the swim team and is excited for her first meet in a few weeks. She's been learning how to dive off the block, complete flip turns and has worked on stroke improvement. She'll be competing in the 100 meter freestyle, backstroke and breast stroke.

Ayla and Sophie have been loving gymnastics. Ayla is in the more advanced group and practices two hours a week. Sophie, who didn't want to do it AT ALL, is, of course, loving it!

Corinne and Ayla continue to enjoy guitar lessons. Ayla wrote her own song and wants to write lyrics to it. The teacher is very impressed with both of them.

Trevor and I had a weekend away for a three day conference in Ottawa. Corinne spent the weekend with Dave and Trudy, which are Dr. Jamie's parents. It was a teenagers dream- sleeping in until noon, unlimited internet, and clothes shopping (without her nagging parents telling her to pick something out that isn't black!). She also came home with all kinds of baked treats (gluten-free of course!).

Ayla, Lincoln and Sophie spent the weekend with Betty, an amazing family friend who is great with the kids. They went to the beach looking for sea glass, painted bird houses and enjoyed a two-night sleepover at Betty's house.

Trevor and I had a fun weekend away made possible by knowing the kids were in great hands!

We're looking forward to our first Canadian Thanksgiving this Monday. We have plans to go to a friends house who also have four kids. In total we'll have 11 kids and six adults- it should be fun!!

The End of Summer...

We’re wrapping up summer and getting ready for school. Where did the time go?!

The kids had one week to hang out after back to back Grandma visits before heading off to camp. Corinne went to OELC (Ontario Educational Leadership Centre). She was nominated by her teacher and principal, which was a big honor. She went during the “Arts” week and she had to choose a major. The options were creative writing, dancing, theatre, and music. Corinne went for writing, but loved being able to have time to explore the other majors. She made some great friends and really enjoyed developing confidence and leadership skills. She said she definitely wants to go back again next year. 

Ayla went to Forest Cliff Camp and she choose arts and crafts as her main activity. When we asked her what her favorite part of camp was, she told us all about banana boating, which is riding on a banana shaped tube behind a boat. She enjoyed the girls in her cabin and all the outdoor activities. She also made some really cool arts and crafts and won an award for one project. She said she wants to go back again, too. 

Sophie went to day camp at the local rec. She did NOT want to go, but of course, had a blast! A lot of parents use it as daycare and she said to me, “Mumma! This is the last week and some kids got to go all summer. I want to go again!” They swam almost every day, went to the splash pad, the playground and had a field trip to a park with inflatable bounce houses and slides. 

So, we were definitely three for three on camp this year- YAY! :) 

Ayla choose to bring two friends to Springz, a huge indoor trampoline park for her 11th birthday. They had a ton of fun jumping and we finished with ice cream. The actual day of her birthday, Heather, the nanny, took all four of them to Adventure on Wonderland, which is a huge indoor playground. Heather said it was hard to tell which of them enjoyed it more. It was definitely a very fun day!

Lincoln continues to entertain us on a daily basis. It is crazy how much he is talking and how full of personality he is. He is starting to get freckles across his cheeks is the perfect combination of Trevor and I both in his looks and behavior! 

Trevor and I completed the Blenheim Mud Run this weekend.  One of the coaches from our gym did it with us and we had a lot of fun getting dirty! We finished the weekend off by competing in the Suns Out Guns out competition at West London Cross Fit. It was a super fun team event with a yummy potluck lunch. During the competition the kids had fun playing with sidewalk chalk, putting on tattoos and playing with each other. 

We are super excited to be going on a four day camping trip to Pinery Provincial Park on Lake Huron the first week of September and the last week before school starts. You’ll hear all about how much fun we had with my September update. 

June/July Happenings

June seems like a really long time ago, but I'm going to try to make sure I get in all the high lights!

Sophie celebrated her sixth birthday by having three friends sleep over. They enjoyed time at the splash pad, birthday cake, a movie and playing outdoors. They fell asleep at a pretty decent hour and everyone had lots of fun! I still remember rocking Sophie to sleep and cuddling with her in the morning before she could even talk. Time flies!!

I participated in the 24 hour Survivor fundraiser for the Blenheim Youth Centre. It's based on the tv show with two teams, challenges, people voted off, etc. It was a lot of fun and allowed me to meet a bunch of great people. I didn't win, but I was voted favorite player and won a weekend cottage get-away!

The kids finished up the school year with good grades and excited about their teacher for the fall. Corinne is in a 7/8 class, Ayla has the same teacher for 6th grade (whom she loves) and Sophie is looking forward to 1st grade.

Ayla, Sophie and Lincoln finished swim lessons in June with out a ton of improvement. Lincoln passed his level, but Sophie and Ayla didn't. The good news is, we've been swimming A LOT in friends' pools this summer and they have all become great swimmers. Sophie swims underwater, by herself in the deep end and can float on her belly and back. Ayla needed to work on her back float, which she has nailed! Now that the water is above 80 degrees we can't get Lincoln out of the pool.

I'm working on fall activity schedules, but am hoping to have all three in swim lessons again. Corinne may be joining the swim team, but more info to come on that. Ayla, Sophie and Lincoln are also looking forward to gymnastics.

Ayla and Corinne have started guitar lessons and will continue in the fall as well. The teacher is very impressed with both of them!! Corinne plays guitar daily for hours, while Ayla needs a little more prompting. Their teacher asked them to each come up with a list of bands, songs, and genres of music they listen to so he can incorporate it into their lessons, which definitely makes it fun for them.

We started July off with some dear friends from Maine- the Luchies! We celebrated Canada Day with them at the beach and then a fire that night complete with s'mores! Following their visit came Corinne's good friend Emma and her mom, Beth Ann. They had a great time together exploring London (a nearby city), laser tag, picking strawberries, swimming and just hanging out. Although Emma is Corinne's friend, all the kids enjoyed both her and Beth Ann. 

We supported one of our coaches from The Underground Fit Club at a cross fit competition she was in at Port Stanley Beach. It was definitely the nicest beach we've been to here and we're looking forward to going again this summer. The sand and vast lake reminded us of home!

Grandma Connie was our next visitor near the end of July. The girls had a great first day with her in the blueberry fields. They came home with 22 POUNDS of blueberries!!! We've had blueberry pancakes, blueberry pie, blueberry smoothies and still have a freezer full! We spent a great day in the pool at a friend's house. It's so great to see all four kids swimming and not wanting to get out of the water. We spent a day in London at the farmers market, which was really fun. The girls enjoyed all the different crafts and vendors, while Lincoln enjoyed touching everything. We ate some great local food and headed off to laser tag. On our last day with Connie we went to Point Pelee hiking and kayaking. It was Connie's first time in a kayak and she did great! Corinne and Ayla enjoyed showing her the area and their own kayak skills. 

We took Connie to the airport on Monday and went back Wednesday to pick up Grandma Gay. We showed Gay around the area and she was able to spend time with the kids swimming, running around the splash pad and hanging out with friends. We spent a day at Greenview Aviaries Park & Zoo. The kids loved feeding the animals and reading about the places they were from. We played many games of dominoes and did some art projects with Grandma as well. 

In between all of our visitors the kids have been hanging out with their nanny two days a week. We couldn't ask for a more amazing person to be with our kids while we're at work. She is awesome with all four of them. They've been strawberry picking, swimming almost every day (indoors or out depending on the weather), going to the library, the fair, and lots of art projects when it was rainy at the beginning of the summer. We're very grateful to have her with us this summer. 

In August the girls are all looking forward to camp for a week. Ayla and Corinne's is both a week long overnight camp, while Sophie's is a day camp. We're hoping to squeeze in a camping trip before the summer is over too. So many fun things to do!!!