To Chop or Not to Chop...

that's the question.

I need a change. My hair has been the same for years. More or less. And I'm thinking I need a change. My hair looks and feels unhealthy, and I am just craving a new look.
I see girls with long hair and I swoon. I love it. LOVE it. The braids, the curls, the fish tails, the pony tails... I yearn for it all. But that will never be me. I don't have the patience to grow my hair out and I have recognized that in myself. And I love short hair. It is cute, sexy, fun and something I feel represents me quite well. BUT... do I cut it?

1. Anne Hathaway's adorable Pixie

This is SO cute. SO SO SO cute. But short. Very short. And I have curly hair. I do not want to look like a poodle. 

2. Portia De Rossi's sexy hair

This is the best picture I could find... it's more of a bob but the way it is styled is amazing to me. Ballsy. Could I pull it off? That's what I don't know. 

3. Strange woman's awesome shag

I also love this haircut. A little longer than Anne's and shorter than Portia's. But very nice. I call it "Long Short Hair". Is it enough of a change?

Please weigh in. Option 1, 2 or 3? Or none.

My Little Gymnast.

Isla started gymnastics today at Dynamyx Gymnastics Club in St. Albert. She is in an un-parented class with 4 other kids. After her epic tantrum this morning, going to gymnastics was all she talked about it. "I'm so excited for gymnastics". "We going right now Mom?" "When is gymnastics?" She was extremely excited about it! When we arrived, she noticed some of the instructors playing with the classes prior. "I want the boy teacher Mom. I'm going to listen to him so good". Sheesh... wanting to be around boys already! After the cutest warm up ever (they stretched!), they were divided into their classes. And guess what? Isla was with the boy! His name is Colin and he is extremely good with the kids. On the way home, Isla said "Colin is my best boy ever", "I can't wait to see Colin again". So cute, right? Anyway, she was so precious to watch! She was the youngest (or at least I think so, she's been 3 for 2 days) and the smallest. She wanted to sit beside Colin for everything and was always the first person to try out what he had asked. Her favorite part? The balance beam. She totally loved it. I was so full of pride (and right now, I need those warm feelings for Isla). She was adorable and I think she will be very good at it! She learned to do somersaults and jumped into the pit of blocks. What a little gymnast! Watch out Team Canada... Olympics 2028!

"Princess Birthday Girl has Boogers".

Yesterday was Isla's 3rd birthday. Wow. It's hard to believe that she has been in our lives for 3 whole years. She is such a kind, loving, energetic, intelligent, sensitive and funny little girl. Also stubborn, bossy, determined, independent (with certain things), sleepless and a tad more grumpy than usual. But she's mine and she's incredible. I love her so insanely much and was honored to celebrate her little life all weekend long.

On Saturday, I decided to have a little get together at my fave location, Vi's for Pies. A Princess Party. I invited 3 dear friends and their daughters to join our celebration, complete with tiaras for all the girlies (only Wren and Kinley wore them). All the girlies dressed up in party dresses and it was just too cute! I ordered a peanut butter mousse pie in advance and we sang to Isla as she blew out her candles. We opened gifts, did crafts and chatted! The girls played with balloons and had fun too! I know Isla and I had a great time! I am so appreciative of all the love showered upon her. It warms my heart to know that Isla is loved by so many. This was a very fun way to celebrate her!

The birthday girl and I.

Becky and her daughter, Livi. (well, the back of her head).

Amy and her daugther, Wren.

Amber and her oldest daugher, Kinley.

Isla licking her candles!

Wren, Kyla, Isla, Kinley and Livi. Such adorable girls in their party dresses!

And princess Annie-Roo stopped by for a little visit too!

Yesterday, we had family over for cake, coffee and other little goodies! The whole clan made it out, apart from Uncle Brock and Auntie Sue who are soaking up the Florida sun (lucky duckies). Like I said already, it just makes me feel so loved to know how loved Isla is. It was evident in our families taking the time to come over and celebrate her and for showering her with gifts of love. I am just so thankful for my family and I couldn't raise my girlies without their constant love, support and encouragement. Thanks guys! I know Isla loves her Nana and Popi, Momo, Uncle Tis and Auntie Coe-Coe, Maddie and Kenzie, Uncle Casey and Hillaee (Hillary) and Uncle Ba Bock and Auntie Sue Sue so much. She felt very loved. 

Birthday girl with her birthday breakfast (a pancake shaped into a 3) on her birthday chair.

A princess art set from Mom and Dad!

opening gifts!

Us.

Princess Cake

gearing up to blow out her candles!

All 4 Schellenberg girls. 

The most flattering photo of Cam and Auntie Coe Coe.

All in all, a wonderful day! I know Isla felt super special from sun up to sun down and that's all a mom can ask for! Happy Birthday Babe!

ps - the name of this blog comes from a quote of Isla's as she picked her nose while looking in her new mirror!

Tricks.

How big is Annie?

So

 So Big!!!

A little of this & a little of that...

This Christmas season was a wonderful one! It was filled with lots of joy, lots of love, lots of gifts and lots of delicious food! It was busy... and it really did take a lot out of the girlies. They are still recovering (Annie from a double ear infection and Isla from a chest cold) but we all survived the chaos and lack of sleep :)

Every year, on December 23rd, my parents and my brother & sis-in-law come over for pizza and games. I always look forward to this evening as it is one of the only times the 6 of us hang out, without the girlies (games start when they're in bed). This year was EXTRA special, as we received the best news ever! Brock and Sue came over with a small gift in hand for both my mom and dad and Cam and I. I opened my mug to read "Merry Christmas Uncle, Auntie, Annie and Isla!" Confused, I turned it over to see a picture of them both holding a pregnancy test! HOOORAYYYY! I will be getting a new niece or nephew in July and I couldn't be happier! So thrilling!

On Christmas Eve, we woke up early (to a grumpy Isla) and headed over to my parents place for breakfast and gift opening! Annie was so excited that she slept through the entire morning and Isla could hardly stand it and played on the iPad instead of opening her stocking and gifts (*note my sarcasm). We had a lovely morning and walked away with a bundle of gifts and feeling really loved! I always enjoy this time to celebrate with the people I love most in the whole wide world... my family!

Uncle Brock disguised as Santa and Isla. 

iPad playing.

Annie trying on her new toque, post nap.

We then headed to Beulah for their Christmas Eve service before spending the afternoon and evening at Cam's mom's house. We enjoyed some delicious appies and once again, we're spoiled rotten! Isla played so amazingly with her cousins that she stayed up until 10:30 and was pleasant the entire time! They really are adorable together! Annie, once again, slept through most of the festivities. We played games, enjoyed one another's company and had lots of fun!

Kenzie Isla snuggles.

all 4 girlies.

twin jammies for the third consecutive year!

Annie assisting Auntie Coe-Coe with her gift!

Isla's feelings on Christmas morning.

After convincing her to open gifts, she reluctantly agreed. We had breakfast (not the special one we were hoping to have as Isla did not want to eat) and opening gifts kinda took all day. Isla first, then Annie when she woke up, then Cam and I in the afternoon when both girls miraculously napped! We spent most of the day at home, playing with our new toys and reading our new books! We went to my parents for a quick Christmas dinner and then had a low key night at home :) Much needed! Overall, a very Merry Christmas!

early morning gift opening.

sort of excited?

Annie, literally, eating up Piglet.

impromptu sister cuddles.

We also decided, awhile back, to take our ladies to Jasper for NYE. This is the first year in our entire marriage that Cam took a week off, so we wanted to make the best of it! We invited Momo (Cam's mom) along too! We had a beautiful room with a loft up top where Isla and Momo slept... she thought that was the coolest thing! We had a wonderful time!! Isla went skating for the first time, Annie went swimming for the first time, we swam, we shopped, we ate (LOTS), we had a delicious 3 course meal on NYE where the girlies behaved amazing during our 2 hour din din! And Cam and I got a date in too! It really was lots of fun... exhausting but good! We spent NYE in our room with a fire going, girls asleep and the three adults playing games... and eating. After our 3 course meal. Pure glutony. I was in bed by 10:45. All in all, a perfect way to spend a weekend! And to spend NYE. 

after 5 tries, this is the best family pic we got!

Annie-Roo at Jasper Park Lodge playing in their "Kids Club" room!

Isla busy with a puzzle.

Daddy taking Annie for a spin!

my little skating princess! 

warming up, fireside!

Momo and her girlies at NYE dinner. 

my love and I.

Lofting it!

So, there you have it! "Another Christmas in the trenches". - Kevin McAllister, Home Alone 2

A Sneak Peak...

*this picture made Cam & I laugh out loud. 

Tender sister moments. In a laundry basket. 

our true beauties. 

Figures...

Today, I decided that I am not going to give up blogging. I actually miss it. So I was all ready to suck it up and pay the price for uploading photos just to learn that the camera cord required to upload photos to my computer is missing. Gone. Vanished. Into thin air. Truth be told though: I am the worst looker ever so I am hoping to find it soon and get some recent pics of the girlies up along with some updates :)
Stay tuned!