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This week has consisted of a long list of TO DO's.  
Return library books, get an oil change, 4 new tires for the car, look into insurance, etc. etc.

However with all this rushing around, I managed to "attend" a wedding as well.
Well, here is what I mean...  My brothers good friend Chris got married in Vegas on Tuesday night and it was broadcasted live on the Bellagio website.  
So cool that I could "be there".  
My brother was in the wedding party so this was extra special to be able to watch this as I could point Joe out to Hadley.
The ceremony was lovely with a beautiful art piece created by the couple out of sand.  Each pouring one of two colours of sand into one glass heart shaped tube representing unity.  
There was of course Elvis music at the end of the video and it just added to the feel of a Vegas wedding.  
They both looked so happy!
What fun!
All the best to Chris and Chantelle!

- Leanne Verkley

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This afternoon Annie called to say that she and her family were going swimming at McLean's Centre tonight.  I had never really looked into evening swimming but this sounded like fun.  Kind of like a date night out with my family.  
So after dinner we went for two hours of water fun.
Annie and her husband Larry met us there with their kids Norah and Connor and we enjoyed the warm kiddie pool.  
To note though, usually when I go the water-slide isn't open as I go to parent and tot swim.  SO... Brian and I took turns and tried out this fun ride in the big pool.  
The water is colder in the big pool but the slide was fun!  Hadley will love this when she is bigger.

As usual Hadley totally enjoyed her swimming experience.  Every time I go with her there is less fear and more "look at what I can do".
She knows where the toys are, she listens very well with my gentle reminders about walking on the deck, she has no fear about jumping into either Brian or my arms from the edge even if she goes under water and tonight she showed how natural it is to pick up the doggy paddle.  She just started doing it.
Also new tonight we put a pool noodle under her arms and let her try to go on her own. (Within our reach).
There were smiles on her face the whole time.  She even tried to get rings from the bottom of the pool tonight.  This was something that I loved to see her want to do.  She wanted to do it on her own but instead it was more successful with me holding her body while she blew her little bubbles and after only a few seconds I would pull her back up from the one and half foot bottom of the pool.  HUGE smiles.  Success!  Ring in hand!
Two hours went by so fast!
Hadley again practiced her back floats with our assistance.  Mostly she is just practicing to keep her legs out and still and her ears in the water while we held her up.  But it is so fun to see her feel proud of herself.  
She is a little fish in the water.  She loves it and it was such a fun family night out!  What a treat to go swimming with Brian and Hadley!

- Leanne Verkley

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On Monday we went to visit Brian's dad's for his 60th birthday and we enjoyed a wonderful roast beef dinner to celebrate the event as well as some great visiting time and cake!

On Tuesday Hadley and I went on a bit of a small road trip.  In the morning we were in New Market visiting Christine and her son Dean.  
Christine is due to have her baby girl on February 12th so I wanted to visit her before the beautiful day.
Then in the afternoon we continued north to Barrie where we visited with Sherri-Lyn and Logan.  
We were later joined for a great BBQ dinner with Cort.
It has been a while since I had caught up with Christine, Sherri-Lyn and Cort in person so I was due to visit them.    What a nice day!

- Leanne Verkley

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After spending two days at home without a single outing I feel as though we finally got somewhere.
It all started with me firmly suggesting that there are 15-20 places in the house that Hadley should not put her pee.
From then on, she attempted all weekend to go to the potty.  I would say with about 50% accuracy.  I know we still have work to do but this still makes me happy.  
It was like a light bulb went off in her head.
Some of the time she would tell me she had to go while other times I asked and she thought about it and then went.
All I was looking for was a little effort and after my suggestion, I got it.  
She asked for a diaper a few times and I told her that at home we don't need diapers we can use the potty.  She seemed to understand.

I am a little afraid to leave the house.  I don't want to ruin the progress we have made.
We will see what tomorrow brings.

- Leanne Verkley