The Jarman Family BLOG!

2011-10-15T15:48:00.000-07:00

As I am sure some of you are aware....Our little 2 1/2 year old girl Scarlett, has been Diagnosed with Leukemia. We are extremely busy with taking care of her. However my wonderful Mother has started a blog to keep those of you updated on Scarlett condition, treatment, and progress.

Scarletts Blog Please feel free to have a look. Thank you for your concern, love and support during this very trying time in our life.

2011-09-14T00:42:00.000-07:00

We took another one of our weekend trips over to our favorite neighboring Island, Cebu. We playing in the pool, ate shopped and relaxed. Here are a few pic's from our trip!

Report card time!

2011-09-05T00:02:00.000-07:00

So we just recieved our girls Q1, 2011 report cards! What an exciting time. The school year over here in the Philippines goes from June to March with April and May being summer holidays. This year my girls actually missed the whole first month of school as we were in Canada till the end of June.

I love going to parent teacher interviews and getting a little insight into how the girls are doing at school. Isabelle is a Care Bear which is equivalent to Kindergarten. Scarlett is a Gummie Bear. We are extremely happy to report that both girls love school. Their teachers said there are no problems or concerns socially or developmentally. Each teach told me a few funny stories about things my girls have done. The teachers and other students really seem to enjoy our girls. We are so proud of Isabelle and Scarlett.

I just thought I'd share a few of the teachers remarks from the girls report cards as well as their "Multiple Intelligence Profiles" we received. These are direct quotes.....

Isabelle:

"Isabelle is not afraid to share her thoughts and she opens her staements by saying "I think....." when she was asked the question "What is Love?" She replied by saying "I think love is loving your friends and your family"

"On her first week of school she announced "I like Ben". Though Ben was uncomfortable about it, Isabelle still insisted and emphasized it more"

"When she goes to the bathroom she courteously informs teacher by saying "Teacher, I think I need to go to the bathroom" Softly but clearly

"She gives her all during music and movement or circle time. She has a loud voice during sharing time. She doesn't hesitate to recognize the day, date or weather.

Scarlett:

"Scarlett is patient in doing puzzle activities. When she is done doing so, she smiles and looks at teacher. Whenever Scarlett has a problem among her classmates, she would just keep quiet and find something else to do or play."

"Scarlett enjoys doing art activities. She loves getting her hands dirty with glue and paint when it is art time. She uses such colors as red and purple."

"Scarlett can definitely follow rhythm. She hums/sings along and shakes her head whenever she hears music. During circle time Scarlett has so much fun singing and doing the actions of the songs."

We are so lucky to have such wonderful teachers and a great school for our girls to attend.

Sumb Thucker?!

2011-08-27T17:51:00.000-07:00

Here she is....my little Sumb Thucker!

Scarlett is over 2 years old and has just recently started sucking her thumb. I have no idea where it came from but she's defiantly hooked. The strangest part is that she hasn't had a bottle or a soother for over a year. I know I should be worried about her mouth being all deformed. My Dad is a high school science teacher and he has told me story's of students he has that STILL suck their thumbs in his classes. Yes, they try and be sneaky by hiding behind their text books but the truth is......they just can't kick the habit!

I have never had a younger brother or sister suck their thumb, Isabelle never did either. So even though I know its a "bad" habit that's terribly addicting and can totally deform mouths and teeth...the truth is I secretly think it is absolutely adorable!

I'll worry about it a little more when she's 4, but for now, I am going to sit back and enjoy the cuteness :)

Trisikad = Good times!

2011-08-27T17:21:00.000-07:00

We have been doing a lot of bike rideing around here - Philippino style! Isabelle got a new bike. It's called a Trisikad (pronounced tri-see-cad) and we love it. It's how most of the locals get around over here on a daily basis. There is a driver and you pay him to pedal you to where you want to go.

Isabelle saw this "kid" version in a department store and was in love! She worked her butt off, saved all her pennies, and paid half herself. I love it because she can go fast and keep up with me during walks. Scarlett just sits there beside her enjoying the free ride and loving being able to sit right by her big sister. The best thing about it is that it has really hard solid rubber tires! So they never go flat, which seems to be a huge problem over here.

Great purchase with lot's of fun days ahead!

Of course we all wish it was pink but blue was the only available color. That's ok, no one gets everything they wish for.....right?!

Here are a few pictures of what the "adult size" looks like

Here are some of the girls on our "kid size" version

Everyones going BANANAS!!

2011-08-20T18:43:00.000-07:00

Here's a little fun treat/activity Isabelle and I did one afternoon. I got the idea off my friend Carmen Lowrys blog. She is super creative.

We are always looking for things to do together while Scarlett naps. We chopped up bananas and put them on little dixie sticks. Then we dipped the bananas in melted chocolate and rolled them in little m and m's, shredded coconut, or chopped almonds. After we finished making them we put them into the fridge to set up for an hour before scarfing them down. They were a hit and fun was had by all! I love spending time with my Isabelle.

Ballet girl!

2011-08-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

Here's my little Isabelle - at her Ballet Class. She just started when we got back from Canada.

It's a great class, twice a week with about 15, 4-5year old little girls. It gives us something to do in the afternoon while Lance is sleeping. It also gives Isabelle some social time with kids her own age (other than school time). She really enjoys it.

I may be bias but.........I think she makes a beautiful ballerina!

Cebu Trip July 2011

2011-08-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

We recently took a long weekend trip over to Cebu! Our favorite neighboring Island. We love this place. It's only a 20 min flight.

We tried out a new hotel this time called Radisson Blu It was great! Complete with a buffet breakfast, pool, gym, spa, and babysitting! We had a wonderful weekend shopping, eating and relaxing. Lance and I even used the babysitting service one evening so we could go out and enjoy a date. On the way back to the airport we stopped off at S and R (Costco) and stocked up on a few goodies.

The girls in front of a fountain outside of our hotel

Isabelle going down this cool slide at a play place we went to.

Scarlett loves the ball pit

Isabelle riding this wired little horse thingy at the mall....

Scarlett in the lobby of the hotel

Having a mango shake - shopping break!

The HUGE lobby of our hotel

My girls and I in front of a fountain/pool.

Forest Park!

2011-08-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

One sunny afternoon we took a family trip to a little resort called Forest Park. It's about a 10 min drive from our house here in the Philippines. When we got there we were pleasantly surprised with what we found. There was a little Zoo type area with lizards, monkeys, birds, owls, and deer. The girls had a blast looking at all the animals.

There was also two pools, one is huge, the other is a round river type one that has a current and you sit in tubes and float around and around. There was a little restaurant, and a park as well.

We had a really great time exploring, swimming and eating together. We left happy, sun burnt and with just one question on our minds.........why did it take us 20 months to check this place out?!

Mommy and ME!

2011-08-20T16:36:00.000-07:00

Scarlett had a "Mommy and ME" day at school. I was lucky enough to get to go and spend the whole time there.

She was so cute and excited to have me with her. She had a huge grin the whole time and kept looking at me with this little smile. She really enjoys her "school" and does very well.

I loved watching her singing their little opening songs and go about the routine, she seems so big to me now and I can't help but wonder......where did the time go?

Scarlett got to be the server at snack time!

Scarlett's Potty Trained!

2011-08-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

Hooray Hooray! Scarlett is finally potty trained.

I had been putting the training off for a while, but once we arrived back from our Canada trip, the time had come. She was 2 yrs and 1 month old when we started. She caught on pretty quickly and it only took about a week till we were comfortable leaving the house for brief stints. It was tough for me to stay home for that week but it payed off. We are loving not having to change gross diapers anymore.

While she was training this was her "attire" for the week. She loved a pair on her bum bum and a pair on her head...and nothing else. She so adorable and we are so proud of her!

My little song Bird

2011-08-10T06:29:00.000-07:00

Isabelleism......

2011-08-10T03:39:00.001-07:00

Isabelle: "Mom!"
Me: "Yes..."
Isabelle: "Bad news....Scarletts NOT listening to me, I'm mad at her, and she's mad at me!"
Me: "How come you guys aren't just playing nicely?"
Isabelle: (thinking) "well....it's all Scarletts fault!!" (turns on her heals and stops off)

Yes, I have a 5 year old going on 17.But I sure do love her!

Isabelleism......

2011-07-26T04:52:00.000-07:00

Today Isabelle came up to me and said:

"Hey Mom, I want to grow my hair out so so so long. Please don't take me for a hair cut for 29 years, ok?"

So I guess the next time she's planning on hitting up the hair dressers she will be 34 years old!

Tennis Tourny

2011-07-23T17:19:00.000-07:00

This year on our trip home to Canada we:

Got to watch Lance and his Dad play in a tennis tournament. Lance's dad (Garth) is a HUGE tennis player. To say that he LOVES the game is an understatement. He belongs to the Prince George tennis club and plays a few times a week. Him and Lance always try and get a few games in whenever we see them. This year they actually got to play in a tournament together and we got to watch! They didn't win but everyone had fun, which is what really matters :)

Isabelle and her cousin Payton

The players and the courts

Lance is in the Blue shorts and Garth in the Red shirt

Isabelle playing on the bleachers.

Scarlett watching by the fence

Scarlett playing with some rocks.

A few of the cousins, eating Popsicles and jumping on the tramp.

Horses!

2011-07-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

This year on our trip home to Canada we:

Got to ride HORSES! We are so lucky to be able to switch over from our city life to "The Country Life" a few time a year. We just love visiting Vanderhoof, BC. It's so green and beautiful. The kids have such a great time. There's so much space to run around and explore, lot's of cousins and animals to play with, chickens to feed and horses and 4 wheelers to ride. These are not things that we get to do on a regular basis so it feels like such a special treat, especially for the kids.

Grandma and Grandpa took us out to spend the day at the community pasture. Grandma (Orenda) spends her summers out there, herding and feeding all the cows that the people in the community keep there.

We rode all over the country on the 4 wheelers, we filled up the salt bins for the cows, we had a picnic lunch, AND we rode horses! We saw a black bear too! It was a really fun day. It was also Scarletts first time on a horse. She thought it was pretty fantastic.....who wouldn't? Thanks guys for the great day :)

Lance and Scarlett

Scarlett, Isabelle and Grandma with all the salt for the cows.

Eating our picnic lunch

Family Pic

Me, Isabelle and Grandma Jarman

Lance taking Isabelle for a ride

Lance and Isabelle, Grandma and Scarlett

Scarletts first time on a horse, with her Grandma Jarman

There's always two sides.....

2011-07-23T01:24:00.000-07:00

This year on our trip home to Canada:

Lance got a chance to help his dad out with some projects around the house and the acreage.

For those of you who don't know, (and this may come as a bit of a shock) Lance was raised in the country! That's right. He was raised feeding cows and chickens, riding horses and dirt bikes, and hunting small birds and other animals. Running through fields and forests playing paintball. Any young boy's dream. Some of you may only know "The Business Man by day" Lance. However he defiantly has the country boy skills and work ethic. I must admit, the first time he took me home to meet his family I was pleasantly shocked to find out this whole other side to him. We only get up to Vanderhoof a few times a year but each trip I am reminded of Lances other set of skills. I love watching him fire up a 4 wheeler or drive the tractor. Corral some horses, or use a chain saw or an axe. It's so natural for him and I love watching him in that element. For those few weeks a year he's my rustic Man!

One of the things on the list this year was to build the new fence. They were out there all morning, cutting and nailing away. It looked great!

The girls and I kept busy by poking around, looking at the animals, taking rides on the 4 wheeler, petting the horses and collecting some eggs from the chicken house.

Lance and His dad

Beautiful BC!

2011-07-23T00:38:00.000-07:00

This year on our trip home to Canada we:

Spent some time up in Vanderhoof, BC with Lances family. We always have such a great time with them. There are so many cousins for the girls to play with and lot's of fun outdoor adventures to be had.

One thing we got to do this year was try out their new house boat. They had just put it in the water, for the first time. We all piled on and off we went. It was an absolutely perfect day. Perfect. The river was still as glass, the sun was shining, it was warm, the scenery was beautiful. Ahhh, bliss. We slowly sailed along chatting, eating snacks and relaxing.

The cousins

Lance and I

Lance and Scarlett

Captain Papa

Isabelle and Payton

Scarlett

Captain Lance

Grandma and Papa

Lance having a snuggle with his girls

Grande Prairie, Alberta!

2011-07-07T03:46:00.000-07:00

This year on our trip home to CANADA we:

Went to Grande Prairie Alberta for the first time ever! We went up there to visit Lances Sister, Sabra and her family. We arrived on Friday June 3rd, 2011 and we were greeted with snow! That's right it was snowing in June. It was cold too! Scarlett was impressed and curious about the snow. As far as she can remember she has never seen snow.

We had a super nice time Visiting with the Mclains. They have a beautiful house and were great hosts. They took us out to their favorite Chinese food restaurant and it was yummy! We also did some shopping, went to the farmers market, went out to the show. Sabra made us some delicious tea, the boys went riding on the motorbikes and played some squash. Anthony was a great babysitter while we went to watch Harolds Air Cadets Ceremony. All in all it was great to spend sometime with them. Usually there are a lot of people around when we see them once a year. This one on one time was nice. We are so glad they let us come and stay.

I didn't take many pictures while we were there for some reason. Here are the few I took ~ note the snow!

Scarlett with her Auntie Sabra

E-Town 2011

2011-07-07T02:18:00.000-07:00

This year on our trip home to CANADA we:

Spent a few days in Edmonton! It was so nice to be back there. I really do like the city, but I could do without the cold. However Our time spent there was enjoyable. We took the kids to West Ed and Isabelle was such a champ! I was so proud of her going on a ton of scary rides and begging for more.

We stayed at Lances Sisters. The kids had a blast playing, making mud pies, and getting dirty! We watched movies, ate, shopped and visited. Also, Chelsey gave my girls haircuts! It was Scarletts very first one.It was so nice to spend time with the Depeels, we sure miss them!

Scarletts 2!

2011-07-07T01:01:00.000-07:00

This year on our trip home to CANADA:

Scarlett turned 2! The girls and I went over to Canada 1 month ahead of Lance. Scarlett had her Birthday while he was still in the Philippines. We waited for him to arrive before we Celebrated. We were so excited for him to come. A month is a LOoooong time apart.

We made a banner to welcome him at the airport. Let me just say he looked real good to me :)

Scarlett got a baby doll name "Molly" for her birthday and she just loved it!

Isabelle and Aliya = Two pea's in a pod.

2011-07-06T04:45:00.000-07:00

This year on our trip home to Canada we:

Were able to make lot's of playdates for Isabelle. Most of these were with her best friend, Aliya. I babysat Aliya for a few years. Isabelle and Aliya are just a few weeks apart and spent a lot of time together, just the two of them.

They are still great friends and it seems no matter how long we go in between visits, they pick right up and never miss a beat. They laugh and giggle and play and play.

Ice cream cones on the swing

Popcorn and a movie on a sleepover night

McDonalds for lunch and the playplace

At the park - Tight hug!

Showing off their shirts we made. They say "Isabelle and Aliya Best Friends."

The new blanket

2011-07-06T04:14:00.000-07:00

This Year on our trip home to CANADA I:

Was feeling ambitious and decided to sew Scarlett a new blanket. Scarlett is a blankie lover.

Now I'm not a great sewer...in fact I wouldn't say I am even good. However, I do enjoy it and I wish I could practice more. Someday I will get a machine of my own but until then my projects have been few and far between.

For this blanket I definitely bit off more than I could chew! I had to make up the pattern myself....anyway long story short the blanket turned out a lot smaller than it was supposed to be due to many cutting errors. It looks good from far but is far from good.

The good? I learned a lot and Scarlett loves it, that's what really matters.

The Material

The Pattern...... :S

The Girls standing on the finished product.

Ladies Weekend!

2011-07-06T03:51:00.000-07:00

This year on our trip home to Canada I:

Got to go away for the weekend with a few of my girlfriends. My wonderful mom watched my girls for me so I could have some "ME" time. We talked non stop, we ate, we went to the movies, we laughed so hard we cried, we stayed up way to late, we shopped till we dropped and then we shopped some more! It was so nice, refreshing, and relaxing!

Can't wait till the next one! Luv these girlfriends of mine, I'm so lucky to have such great friends....really I am.

Parks and Lawnmowers

2011-07-06T03:15:00.000-07:00

This year on our trip home to CANADA we:

Went to parks and for "Lawn mower rides" around grandma's acreage. So much fun! Scarlett loves parks (what kid doesn't?) but she especially loves the swing. It's the first thing she goes to and will stay there the whole time if someone will push her.