Hanna's Home

Tonight's Visit

"No, officer (at our door two second ago) we didn't call 911 and hang up..."

Or did we??? Hanna???

Well at least we know that she knows how to call. Never a dull moment in our house. :)

Oh and by the way, Hanna had just finished 'doing my hair' so I'm talking to this cop with a head full of barettes, clips, a crown and 8 coloured necklaces around my neck. Nice....

And then Hanna's friend from across the street comes over to find out why the policeman is at our house. "Oh, sweetie, he just came to check on us." (as she's staring at my crown!)

Oh my... I'd love to read that officer's report!

I promise, everything is fine in our household! And now Hanna knows the police really do come when you call. It's not a joke.

Sweet Cupcake

Along with Hanna's Easy Bake Oven at Xmas came this super sweet apron.

 

One never needs a good reason to wear an apron. In fact, Hanna teaches me that aprons can become a fashion accessory similar to a hat or necklace or a tattoo. Heck, pair them all together and you have one sweet cupcake!

(Thanks Natacha for the gorgeous picture!)

Thank God for Little Helpers

Thank you God for a child who loves to clean and organize. Just now she saw me putting cleaner in a toilet and screamed with excitement...

"Can I clean them mama?" You sure can!!

She went on to clean all the toilets in our house, then dust, then organize, then help vacuum...

Wow!

Pure Love

What can I say... she is adorable. She tests, teaches and causes me to be a better mom everyday. And for that AND MORE, I love you Hanna.

 

Snuggle Fest

 

Last night as I snuggled my 5-yr old into bed, she brushed my face with her hand and said, "Mom, you're just the cutest!"

I giggled, "Actually Hanna I think you are the cutest..."

"No you mom! And you have freezin cold feet... but warm lips!"

(LOL... story of my life!!)

Boarder Chick

 

I love this picture. Besides the rosy cheeks, Hanna reminds me so much of her birthmom who I know loves boarding. This month Hanna is going to learn to ski. I'm so excited. She has taken a huge liking to skating (no fear!) so I'm thinking skiing (and maybe eventually boarding) will be her thing.

P.S. Fresh air and sunshine are so good for the soul.

"Look mom! Splits!"

 

"Almost Hanna... good for you!"

Every since we started her in two dance classes this fall, Hanna is constantly showing us her dance moves around the house. In fact, she wears her taps shoes as play shoes for dress up. (Cant miss her...tap, tap, tap...)

And then after she sat in on my lesson with the instructor who showed me my solo part for my adult dance class (yes, I have a brief solo part!) she's been watching me practise at home and correcting my form. It's hilarious!

"No mom, like this... " (as she grabs her foot and extends her leg into the air...)

I thank her for helping me. And then I remind her that it's good to help each other. (Wink!)

 

Happy Faces

 

Hanna and I are in an interesting phase. I love her to bits. AND yet, she really brings out a side in me that challenges me to my core. All the things I’ve encouraged her to be – independent, strong, articulate, decisive – yeah, well… she is!

Except it’s not so much fun when your 5 yr old (way passed her bedtime) is colouring the furniture (because it’s art, mom!) and insists that she’s right and asks you (hands on her hips) “Do you not want a daughter anymore?”

Oh, to be a fly on the wall with some of our encounters. If this was a boxing match, I'm afriad she’d be up a few points.

But each night, we go to bed and talk about what we are each going to do better the next day. (‘Listening better’ and ‘being loving’ are popular choices!) And each morning, I find something to make her smile. Today it came courtesy of a kiwi and vitamin happy face with her breakfast.

So, I celebrate interesting phases with articulate children and new sunrises where we can start over tomorrow.

A Glorious Golden Day

 

Well, the day doesn't get much more glorious than this.

  

 Bare legs and plus 25 degrees on October 2nd!

 
 
We had a great day down by the river. Blue sky, golden colours, and great family time out in nature.

 
 
Hanna loves learning about the great outdoors. Even about the busy beavers...

 

But she was sad to know that soon the beavers will take this tree down. Building compassion and awareness in children for Mother Nature is an important and beautiful thing. Our children are the stewards of tomorrow's world.

Capturing the Moment

I almost feel like I'm in withdrawal since the 30-day adventure. It was such a reminder to be present each and every day to capture life's precious moments. Like in this one, the holding of hands...

Or this one, when, without notice, Brad decided to twirl Hanna around...

 

Weeeeeeee..... I love flying hair braids.