Ah Winter............

Why do you torture us so?

Am I the only one who is beginning to think that the ground hog was wrong?

I'm off to shovel..........................

A Week of First Times............

Hello!  It's been a whirlwind around the house the last few days.  The majority of the excitement has centered around our oldest, Alec, but whenever you have a large family there seems to be exitement (or at least drama) most of the time.

It has definitely been a week of "first" experiences.  We are so proud to pass along that Alec was accepted into all of the colleges he applied to. He will be moving to Orillia in September to attend Georgian College for Police Foundations. He hopes (and I'm sure he will succeed) to pursue a career in Police Services.  I think he will be amazing in his chosen field and both Adam and I couldn't be more pleased or excited for him.  We have been busily filling out paperwork, applying for residence (he will share an apartment with 3 others...yikes!) and starting to figure out what he will need as he officially flies the nest!

The other excitment was the purchase of his first car!!  I remember my first car as if it was yesterday (give or take 20 years).  The difference was that it was my Dad that purchased my first car and although it was exciting it was a bit of a bummer that I did not have any real decision making power in the purchase.  Well, Alec has been working hard and I'm happy to say he researched, searched, and purchased his first car on his own (with a little bit of fatherly support from Adam).  He is super excited and loving his first set of wheels.  And I'm getting used to trying not to worry every time he gets behind the wheel.  When does that ever end?  Or does it?

These "firsts" couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Way to go Alec!

I Will "Owl - ways" Love You.............

I finished up these cute little guys today.  I also did another order of 48 more traditional "heart" shaped cookies for a resident Valentine's Day party at our local retirement residence.  I think these are my favourite though and gave me the opportunity to try a painting technique that I hadn't done before.

This order will mark the end of "How The Cookie Crumbles."  I will be taking a break as I get ready to head back to school (online) for the next 18 months and prepare for a change of direction in my life.  Change is definitely good and, in this particular case, long overdue.  Although it's been an absolute blessing to be able to work from home for the past 11 years, watch my kids grow and be present in their daily lives it's time to focus on the next 10 years and where Adam and I want to be.....hopefully retiring and taking the "Freedom 55" option!   So yes, change is on the horizon and I am nervous, excited and slightly afraid.......but also ready for the challenges the future holds.  Wish me luck!

A Little Bit of Christmas............

I thought it would be nice this year to try and capture a few pictures of the house decked out for the holidays.  We spent yesterday at the local tree farm choosing our family tree.......a beautiful White Spruce!  The remainder of the day was spent pulling down the big tubs of decorations from the shed rafters and setting about to add some holiday sparkle to our little house.
Inspired by our new rustic table I wanted to focus on colours and details that would be traditional and have a distinctive natural vibe.  Living in a tiny house though, with 6 people and a busy daycare during the week also meant that any decorating I did didn't overwhelm the space or take up too much valuable floor real estate. :)  I still have a few more details and DIY projects I want to finish but so far I'm happy with how our little bungalow looks cosy and inviting.

This little arrangement sits by the front door to welcome everyone into our home. I originally made it for the front step but I liked it so much that I let it stay inside instead.

I downloaded the artwork, printed it onto some cardstock and put it into a silver frame.  The star I found at Dollarama and then perched in on some vintage books....a .Charles Dickons classic "A Christmas Carol"

Our little living room and dining room.............

I've had so much fun decorating our new table. Sheepskin throws, a grey linen table runner and vintage box filled with Pointsetta's put me into the festive spirit

I printed these little holiday sayings onto cardstock, added a few natural elements and tied them onto my lanterns with some jute

A little corner in the diningroom.  I just added a few little touches and a favorite picture from our beach vacation last summer

  

 

Our Christmas tree! A collection of handmade knit figures, pinecones, ornaments the children have made over the years and some special Villeroy and Bosch ornaments that I buy once a year.  I added in plenty of red balls, some tin stars and a few handfulls of jingle bells that Avery picked out at the store.   It may not be "design worthy" but each little decoration holds a special place in my heart.

A copy of The Nutcracker and some more beautiful Poinsetta's find a little corner on the media console

I didn't do too much downstairs but did manage to add a burlap pillow...."S" is for Sit........or maybe "S" is for Santa

I found this rustic crate at my parents house and "borrowed" it for the holidays.  I just love how the flowers look so pretty in it and I like to think of all the "stories" that this crate could tell if it could speak

Fall.......A Catch Up Post!

 Fall is by far my favourite time of the year.  I love the way life seems to slow down in the Fall, the kids are settled into school and extra cirricular activities and we all settle into a predictable schedule.  I also think Fall is one of the lovliest times of the year to photograph nature and the kids.
We always look forward to our Thanksgiving Weekend we spend in Muskoka.  Being a "country gal" at heart I always look forward to a walk in the woods.  I have this strong urge to feel the crunch of the leaves, the beautiful colours of the leaves, and breathe in that musty air that reveals the end of the summer and coming hibernation. Unfortunately when I announce that it's time for the annual walk in the woods I'm not always met with joyful enthusiasm.  This year, Claire asked me what I was looking forward to for Thanksgiving.  My answer was quick and simple.......I wanted EVERYONE to take a walk in the woods with me.....WITHOUT MOANING, GROANING, COMPLAINING, OR WHINING!  Much to my amazement my request was granted. And even better?  Everyone had so much fun!  We hiked into Hardy Lake which is a small lake surrounded by government land in the small town of Torrance.  My mother actually hiked into the same lake on Thanksgiving Day as part of her family tradition ever since she was a young girl.  It was just so cool that I could carry on the tradition with my kids!  The kids had a great time claimbing rocks, navigating swampy parts and checking out the beautiful lake when we arrived. Willow joined us and was a happy....muddy....and wet dog by the end. :)  It was the perfect way to work up an appetite for dinner.
Enjoy the pictures............

Can you spot them at the top?

Willow quickly discovered that if you jump off a rock into the lake you had better know how to swim.....silly puppy!

At Chudleigh's Apple Farm!  Where Avery experienced her first hay slide, decided that ponies where "too big" to ride, had a close encounter with a baby goat, and had a blast on a tractor ride. More great family memories and it seemed like yesterday that Claire and Evan (heck, even Alec) were experiencing their "firsts" at the apple farm. 

My three littlest ones! 

Avery thought it was hilarious to steal Daddy's hat

First  tractor ride!

Sampling the apples is always the best part!

Pumpkin patch fun!  Today we headed over to the local pumpkin patch to find some contenders for carving this Halloween. We weren't disappointed and although I told the kids we'd just get one this year somehow we ended up with 3 pumpkins, a handful of gourds, a squash and 4 pecan butter tarts. How did that happen?

Claire and Avery having some sisterly love!

The colours were so beautiful and the nippy weather made it the perfect Fall day

Avery thought it was more fun to be pulled around than walk......she's not spoiled......much!

Avery was quite interested in this old tractor

A Change of Seasons.............

I LOVE Fall and wait expectantly for its arrival every year.  There is just something about the kids returning to school, the cooler weather, those crisp walks in the woods where the leaves crunch under your feet, and all that comfort food that is so unmistakenly Fall.

And Avery is certainly enjoying the changes in season. She loves her little boots, cosy outfits and the colourful Autumn Mums that we placed by the door.  Avery is now 22 months old and is thriving in my Preschool Program. She can sing her ABC's, knows all her colours, shapes, can recognize most of her numbers up to 10 and count from 1-20.  She is certainly a charmer and has us all wrapped around her little finger...........and that is perfectly ok with this mama.

This is the cute face I get when I ask Avery to "smile" for mommy.  Too funny!

Summer Vacation Post

This post is going to be picture loaded but I wanted to capture our memories from the week we spent in the little village of Bayfield this summer. It really was a most magical week and while it already seems a long time ago I know that the memories we created and the family time we spent together will linger over the next months as the weather turns chilly and we settle into our busy Fall schedules.

Our little cottage in the woods

This is where the big kids slept, hung out, spent time reading and napping

So private....our little bit of paradise

Our little beach where we spent lazy afternoons playing with the kids

Evan caught on really quickly and looked forward to his evening paddle on the lake

We all learned how to kayak. So much fun and easier than canoeing

Voted as the "Top Ten Best Sunsets in the World"  

Avery LOVED the water and was a natural beach baby

Avery "smirking" for the camera.....or is she hiding some yummy treats in those cheeks!

My two girls!

Evan enjoyed a couple of fishing days with Adam. His favourite acitvity!

AND NOW A LITTLE TOUR OF THE VILLAGE..........

Everything was so picture perfect, quaint and filled with the nicest people.  The entire week I spent trying to figure out if there was any way we could afford to retire here.  Lol....time will tell I guess. 

First Day of School 2014

Yes, I'm blatently aware that I haven't finished up on my summer vacation photos and now I'm staring September in the face and realizing that I'm hopelessly doomed to ever get them posted.

In my defence it has been a pretty crazy summer!  Crazy in a good sort of way. There were lots of busy days filled with kids, kids and more kids!  Throw a few trips up to Muskoka, a camping trip where Avery felt the need to rise at 5am, a trip to the CNE, a visit from one of my dearest old friends (sorry Colleen.....I don't mean "old".....I actually think we look pretty good!) and you are looking at very little time left for such things as blogging.

But I refuse to let the first day of school escape me without taking (and posting) the kids pics.  They grow up so fast!  Claire headed off to Grade 6 and as usual was up at the crack of dawn, bag packed and looking beautiful as always. Evan headed off to Grade 4!  He was super excited to see his friends and except for a few "butterflies" he was ready to go and looking forward to achieving all the goals he has set for his academics.  Even Avery was excited to enter another year of Preschool with me and has already been busy learning the letters of her name, and mastering all her letters, shapes and colours. It should be a fun year!

I still can't believe it's Grade 6 already!

Brother and Sister Love!

Looking forward to a great year in Grade 4!