Hope your holiday was sweet.......................
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
This is what happens.......
...........when you feed Evan a package of Starburst
just before you leave for the Christmas school concert
and then ask him to pose for a picture!!
Whew.....got a keeper finally!
Claire is always willing to cooperate with my photography requests!
BTW....the concert was great! The kids sang beautifully and remembered all the words for their songs. One of Evan's songs had "actions" and I must say that Evan led the class with the most animated version of "Jingle Bell Boogie" I've ever seen.......must've been all those Starbursts!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
The hunt was on......
for the perfect tree and we found it at McPhersons Tree Farm! There are no fancy sleigh rides, Santa does not make an appearance and there is not a snack bar on site. But there is warm smiles, great trees, reasonable prices and hot chocolate by the fire. We made our own fun anyways, playing in the snow, hunting for the blue spruce Christmas tree that did not exist, and cheering Alec on as he cut down our tree for us again this year. Memories were made and our tree looks fantastic!!
Monday, November 28, 2011
A Day In The Life
I was thinking the other day, well, actually I think every day, but you know what I mean.
What will it feel like when I'm older, with my children raised, grown and gone from our home.
Will I miss the chaotic, messy, noisy days that I have now?
Living in the moment is harder than it looks and I thought it would be interesting, and perhaps therapeutic, to do a "day in the life" post.
Someday when I'm old (and grayer) I might just appreciate looking back at the crazy life I have now. So here it goes....................
6:15 Adam gets out of bed and replaces himself with my cell phone, which he tucks in beside me.
6:20 Cell phone alarm goes off and I am thankful that I do not actually have to sit up to turn it off.
6:25 Guilt sets in and I hit the floor running. Scooping up a handful of clothes I run upstairs for my turn in the shower.
6:35 I'm out of the shower, which I may or may not have had the privilege of enjoying alone. Usually there is someone who needs to brush teeth or pee or just ask me what I'm doing in there!
6:45 Dressed and busily cleaning Lola the bunny's cage as she has a little hop around the house.
6:55 Try and catch bunny who is still hoping around the house. Pick up any little "treasures" she has left me and turn the coffee pot on......add an extra scoop of grounds.....looks like I might need it!
7:00 First child arrives. Not only the first child of the day but the it's the child's FIRST daycare day EVER........
7:05 Still trying to extricate that child from mother's arms...........finally succeed and as I close the front door new child projectile vomits onto the living room floor and looks at me.
7:15 A semblance of peace has been restored in time for the next child (thankfully a seasoned veteran) to arrive.
7:20 Breakfast served to everyone. A mixture of toast, fruit and a bowl of soup for Evan who insists that is the only thing he will eat today. I decide to pick my battles and make the soup.
7:45 Kids are sent off to dress, finish their morning chores, brush their teeth and comb their hair. Daily chores are part of their allowance and the kids are pretty good about doing them unsupervised. I dump the majority of Evan's soup down the kitchen drain.....oh well
7:50 Throw Alec a sandwich, give him a quick hug, and remind him of projects due today, a dental appointment, and his upcoming work shift as he runs out the door for school.
8:00 - 8:15 Daycare kids #3, #4, #5, and #6 arrive in quick succession. We are into full playtime on the livingroom floor. While I wash dishes, make little mini fruit salad for Claire and Evan's lunch an assortment of legos, hot wheels, books and puzzle pieces are quickly making it near impossible to navigate across the room.
8:30 Load lunch bags into backpacks, sign agendas, record their reading times and assemble mittens, coats and hats for 8 kids......laid out in piles around the living room floor.
8:45 Zippers are zipped for little ones that need help. Bigger children help smaller ones with boots, hats and mittens. The ones ready first are requested to stand outside and wait for me to bring the younger ones out. Evan insists on one more trip to the bathroom while I buckle the two smallest into the double stroller
8:50 3 children are delivered to school and 5 kids return home with me to begin our preschool program for the day.
9:00 - 9:30 Free play. This is pretty much my only "chore" time of the day. I fly into super-mommy mode and fold 2 loads of laundry from the night before, clean the bathroom (which after 5 people really needs it), straighten the kids rooms, search for food items collecting moss in Alec's room and perhaps scrub anything sticky off the dining room table that I missed the night before.
9:30 - 10:00 Circle Time ~ Sing songs, teach alphabet recognition, colours, shapes, numbers, learn rhymes, and play games. Ends off with storytime.
10:00 - 10:15 Snack Time ~ Look in the cupboard and try to find something quick, nutritious and "allergy friendly" as one of the children is allergic to all nuts and legumes. New child refuses to eat anything and still is looking at me like I'm the big bad wolf!
10:15 - 10:45 ~ Craft Time ~ Today we are making dinosaur dioramas. After hot gluing my finger to a little plastic dino for at least the 3rd time I declare we are finished and it's time to play outside.
10:45 - 11:30 Outdoor Play ~ Run around and dry off ALL the toys that are frost covered from the night before. Listen while the children pleasantly inform me that someone has stepped in dog poo. Wonder if I should clean their shoes or find the dog poo in the grass first. I pick up the poop before someone else steps in it, clean the shoes and manage a few outdoor chores before it's time to come in and make lunch.
12:00 Lunch Time ~ Wonder what to feed the new child who is still not really too enthused to be here but has at least stopped screaming and clawing at the window to get out. I lock the front door just in case he is planning an escape, throw on some Raffi (loud) and head into the kitchen to make 5 grill cheese sandwiches (1 on soy free bread....which is actually harder to find than you might think).
12:15 Learning Time ~ Sit down to teach alphabet matching for letters A-H, counting numbers 1-15, and simple scissor skills
12:45 Group Story Time ~ read 5 books.............as quick as possible for the smallest ones are falling asleep sitting up!
12:55 Lay down 3 little kids in an assembly line. Change each bum in succession. Grab blankets, assemble playpens, draw blackout drapes, hug, and tuck into bed.
1:00 - Realize that the new little one is a Houdini of the playpen. I'm barely 2 feet down the hall and he is out of bed following me. Return said child to bed 3 times before I have to use the "stern" tone and he is finally quiet.
1:15 - 1:30 Write daily reports outlining their morning, what they ate, who they played with and what we learned.
1:30 - 2:00 ME TIME!! Paid a few bills, ordered a couple of presents online....thank god for amazon.ca, read a blog or two, and check out the rumour queen site to see if we have "moved" in the adoption line.
2:00 - 2:45 Bake banana bread for after school snack. Prepare for a group of 8 hungry kids!!
2:45 - 3:00 Pack preschool bags with crafts, worksheets, reports etc. Prepare to wake everyone up!
3:00 - 3:10 Wake up the children. Disassemble all the playpens and put away. Change diapers and put still sleepy kids into snow jackets, mittens, boots and hats. New little one is still pretty quiet but at least he's not looking at me like a child abductor anymore. Almost cracks a smile.
3:15 - 3:30 Walk to school, pick up 3 more kids (2 are mine) and head for home, relieved that I haven't lost anyone yet
3:30 - 3:45 Snack Time ~ Bunch of hungry wolves!
3:45 New little one's mom shows up to collect her toddler. She asks me if he has learned any English words today. Seems she neglected to tell me that he does not speak English.
4:00 - 5:00 Break out the playdough and the Sharon, Lois and Bram CD. Everyone seems relatively entertained and happy.
5:00 - 5:15 Sweep a mountain of playdough bits off the table and floor. Put the 4000 playdough tools back into the tubby and pick playdough out of numerous children's clothing.
5:15 Parents mercifully begin to arrive, retrieving their children, and I marvel that another day is almost over as the coat rack begins to empty.
5:15 - 5:30 Prepare dinner for one of the children who will remain until 6pm. For those of you counting I have now been working for 11 hours. Feed, wash face, change diaper, pack his bag and read to him until 6pm
6:00 Close the door as the last child leaves. Try to resist the urge to turn the lock in the door as they are leaving.
6:00 - 6:30 Eat dinner with my own family, share about our day, catch up on homework requirements and any school "news" that I need to know.
6:30 - 7:00 Wash dishes, put away daycare toys, print worksheets and assemble craft materials for the next day. Supervise the kids putting the snacks into their lunch pails for tomorrow.
7:00 - 7:30 Fifteen minutes of reading with each child independently.
7:30 - 8:00 Review spelling words and math homework with one child while the other takes a shower. Then reverse that process for the other child.
8:00 - 8:30 Night snack for the younger ones. Story time, snuggles and kisses............bedtime
8:30 - 10:00 Spend time with Alec. Catch up on his school news, chat about what's going on with friends, work, school assignments etc.
10:00 Spend a few minutes with Adam. Review "the plan" for the next day, spend a few minutes blogging, reading or just savouring the quietness.
Lights out.....................6:20 comes early!!!!
What will it feel like when I'm older, with my children raised, grown and gone from our home.
Will I miss the chaotic, messy, noisy days that I have now?
Living in the moment is harder than it looks and I thought it would be interesting, and perhaps therapeutic, to do a "day in the life" post.
Someday when I'm old (and grayer) I might just appreciate looking back at the crazy life I have now. So here it goes....................
6:15 Adam gets out of bed and replaces himself with my cell phone, which he tucks in beside me.
6:20 Cell phone alarm goes off and I am thankful that I do not actually have to sit up to turn it off.
6:25 Guilt sets in and I hit the floor running. Scooping up a handful of clothes I run upstairs for my turn in the shower.
6:35 I'm out of the shower, which I may or may not have had the privilege of enjoying alone. Usually there is someone who needs to brush teeth or pee or just ask me what I'm doing in there!
6:45 Dressed and busily cleaning Lola the bunny's cage as she has a little hop around the house.
6:55 Try and catch bunny who is still hoping around the house. Pick up any little "treasures" she has left me and turn the coffee pot on......add an extra scoop of grounds.....looks like I might need it!
7:00 First child arrives. Not only the first child of the day but the it's the child's FIRST daycare day EVER........
7:05 Still trying to extricate that child from mother's arms...........finally succeed and as I close the front door new child projectile vomits onto the living room floor and looks at me.
7:15 A semblance of peace has been restored in time for the next child (thankfully a seasoned veteran) to arrive.
7:20 Breakfast served to everyone. A mixture of toast, fruit and a bowl of soup for Evan who insists that is the only thing he will eat today. I decide to pick my battles and make the soup.
7:45 Kids are sent off to dress, finish their morning chores, brush their teeth and comb their hair. Daily chores are part of their allowance and the kids are pretty good about doing them unsupervised. I dump the majority of Evan's soup down the kitchen drain.....oh well
7:50 Throw Alec a sandwich, give him a quick hug, and remind him of projects due today, a dental appointment, and his upcoming work shift as he runs out the door for school.
8:00 - 8:15 Daycare kids #3, #4, #5, and #6 arrive in quick succession. We are into full playtime on the livingroom floor. While I wash dishes, make little mini fruit salad for Claire and Evan's lunch an assortment of legos, hot wheels, books and puzzle pieces are quickly making it near impossible to navigate across the room.
8:30 Load lunch bags into backpacks, sign agendas, record their reading times and assemble mittens, coats and hats for 8 kids......laid out in piles around the living room floor.
8:45 Zippers are zipped for little ones that need help. Bigger children help smaller ones with boots, hats and mittens. The ones ready first are requested to stand outside and wait for me to bring the younger ones out. Evan insists on one more trip to the bathroom while I buckle the two smallest into the double stroller
8:50 3 children are delivered to school and 5 kids return home with me to begin our preschool program for the day.
9:00 - 9:30 Free play. This is pretty much my only "chore" time of the day. I fly into super-mommy mode and fold 2 loads of laundry from the night before, clean the bathroom (which after 5 people really needs it), straighten the kids rooms, search for food items collecting moss in Alec's room and perhaps scrub anything sticky off the dining room table that I missed the night before.
9:30 - 10:00 Circle Time ~ Sing songs, teach alphabet recognition, colours, shapes, numbers, learn rhymes, and play games. Ends off with storytime.
10:00 - 10:15 Snack Time ~ Look in the cupboard and try to find something quick, nutritious and "allergy friendly" as one of the children is allergic to all nuts and legumes. New child refuses to eat anything and still is looking at me like I'm the big bad wolf!
10:15 - 10:45 ~ Craft Time ~ Today we are making dinosaur dioramas. After hot gluing my finger to a little plastic dino for at least the 3rd time I declare we are finished and it's time to play outside.
10:45 - 11:30 Outdoor Play ~ Run around and dry off ALL the toys that are frost covered from the night before. Listen while the children pleasantly inform me that someone has stepped in dog poo. Wonder if I should clean their shoes or find the dog poo in the grass first. I pick up the poop before someone else steps in it, clean the shoes and manage a few outdoor chores before it's time to come in and make lunch.
12:00 Lunch Time ~ Wonder what to feed the new child who is still not really too enthused to be here but has at least stopped screaming and clawing at the window to get out. I lock the front door just in case he is planning an escape, throw on some Raffi (loud) and head into the kitchen to make 5 grill cheese sandwiches (1 on soy free bread....which is actually harder to find than you might think).
12:15 Learning Time ~ Sit down to teach alphabet matching for letters A-H, counting numbers 1-15, and simple scissor skills
12:45 Group Story Time ~ read 5 books.............as quick as possible for the smallest ones are falling asleep sitting up!
12:55 Lay down 3 little kids in an assembly line. Change each bum in succession. Grab blankets, assemble playpens, draw blackout drapes, hug, and tuck into bed.
1:00 - Realize that the new little one is a Houdini of the playpen. I'm barely 2 feet down the hall and he is out of bed following me. Return said child to bed 3 times before I have to use the "stern" tone and he is finally quiet.
1:15 - 1:30 Write daily reports outlining their morning, what they ate, who they played with and what we learned.
1:30 - 2:00 ME TIME!! Paid a few bills, ordered a couple of presents online....thank god for amazon.ca, read a blog or two, and check out the rumour queen site to see if we have "moved" in the adoption line.
2:00 - 2:45 Bake banana bread for after school snack. Prepare for a group of 8 hungry kids!!
2:45 - 3:00 Pack preschool bags with crafts, worksheets, reports etc. Prepare to wake everyone up!
3:00 - 3:10 Wake up the children. Disassemble all the playpens and put away. Change diapers and put still sleepy kids into snow jackets, mittens, boots and hats. New little one is still pretty quiet but at least he's not looking at me like a child abductor anymore. Almost cracks a smile.
3:15 - 3:30 Walk to school, pick up 3 more kids (2 are mine) and head for home, relieved that I haven't lost anyone yet
3:30 - 3:45 Snack Time ~ Bunch of hungry wolves!
3:45 New little one's mom shows up to collect her toddler. She asks me if he has learned any English words today. Seems she neglected to tell me that he does not speak English.
4:00 - 5:00 Break out the playdough and the Sharon, Lois and Bram CD. Everyone seems relatively entertained and happy.
5:00 - 5:15 Sweep a mountain of playdough bits off the table and floor. Put the 4000 playdough tools back into the tubby and pick playdough out of numerous children's clothing.
5:15 Parents mercifully begin to arrive, retrieving their children, and I marvel that another day is almost over as the coat rack begins to empty.
5:15 - 5:30 Prepare dinner for one of the children who will remain until 6pm. For those of you counting I have now been working for 11 hours. Feed, wash face, change diaper, pack his bag and read to him until 6pm
6:00 Close the door as the last child leaves. Try to resist the urge to turn the lock in the door as they are leaving.
6:00 - 6:30 Eat dinner with my own family, share about our day, catch up on homework requirements and any school "news" that I need to know.
6:30 - 7:00 Wash dishes, put away daycare toys, print worksheets and assemble craft materials for the next day. Supervise the kids putting the snacks into their lunch pails for tomorrow.
7:00 - 7:30 Fifteen minutes of reading with each child independently.
7:30 - 8:00 Review spelling words and math homework with one child while the other takes a shower. Then reverse that process for the other child.
8:00 - 8:30 Night snack for the younger ones. Story time, snuggles and kisses............bedtime
8:30 - 10:00 Spend time with Alec. Catch up on his school news, chat about what's going on with friends, work, school assignments etc.
10:00 Spend a few minutes with Adam. Review "the plan" for the next day, spend a few minutes blogging, reading or just savouring the quietness.
Lights out.....................6:20 comes early!!!!
Better Late Than Never
I know I'm really late but I didn't want the day to pass without documenting a few pictures from Claire's birthday party. Her actual was the birthday was the 22nd but these pics are from the weekend before. Claire didn't want a big, elaborate party this year. Instead she asked for a "fun day" for herself and one close friend. Happy to oblige we headed over to the local spa for manicures and pedicures in the morning.
The girls each received a special "Justice" bag full of spa essentials from Lush and Fruit and Passion, matching PJ's, girlie crafts and yummy treats!
Then it was off to Build A Bear to choose a new stuffy friend and, of course, a coordinating outfit!We finished off with dinner at Claire's favourite resturant.....Milestones (sorry, no picture....I was soooo tired!)
A special "spa themed" cake designed by the lovely woman who made Evan's penguin cake last summer followed by a sleepover and a movie finished off her day. I think the smiles say it all!
Claire's already planning next years party!! I'd better rest up!!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Guess who is turning 8?
We celebrated Claire's birthday (which isn't officially till the 22nd) with a day at the spa, a new cuddly friend from Build A Bear and dinner at her favourite restaurant. It was awesome.....just like you Claire Bear!!!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
School Parade
Claire is the Mermaid Queen of the Sea
Evan is Skull - Ninja
The weather cooperated this year and I was able to dress the daycare children in their costumes and take them over to the school to watch the older children in the Halloween Parade. Evan and Claire looked great......and made getting up at 6 a.m. to put "mermaid curls" in Claire's hair all worth it.
This afternoon we'll be having our own Halloween party with the daycare kids and the after school kids...............then it's a quick dinner and out for trick or treating! This is by far my kids favourite day of the year. They like it more than Christmas and that's saying alot as Santa is known to be pretty generous around these parts!
Have fun and Happy Halloween everyone!
This afternoon we'll be having our own Halloween party with the daycare kids and the after school kids...............then it's a quick dinner and out for trick or treating! This is by far my kids favourite day of the year. They like it more than Christmas and that's saying alot as Santa is known to be pretty generous around these parts!
Have fun and Happy Halloween everyone!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Twist Me...........
and turn me
and show me an elf
I look in the mirror
and there see
MYSELF.....................
Tuesday night was Claire's official Brownie enrollment and it brought back so many memories from when I was a Brownie. Of course my outfit was not quite so fashion forward as the cute hat and skinny pants Claire gets to wear. I have distinct memories of a brown dress, brown stockings, a very stylish faux brown purse that we wore around our waist, and a crazy brown tam hat that was pretty much next to impossible to keep on.
What is my most distinct memory from my years spent in Brownies you may ask? Notice how I said "distinct" and not "best." Well, it's of my best friend "C." The womens bathroom was out of order one night and feeling rather depserate she used the men's urinal as a sit-down toilet. OMG.....I thought she was so wild and crazy!! She has probably spent thousands of dollars in intensive therapy sessions (lol....just kidding) trying to repress this event but to this day I still get a major giggle and even a belly laugh outta that image!!!
Anyways, I digress..............
Claire's enrollment has great. She recited her Brownie Promise without falter and is so excited to be an official "nymph." Hey "C", you wouldn't remember if we were sprites, nymphs or elves would you? Claire is looking forward to her first sleepover night in a couple of weeks, riding the float in the Santa Claus Pararde, and attending a weekend sleepever camp in Orangeville in the new year.
Sounds like so much fun........memories..............for her and me!
What is my most distinct memory from my years spent in Brownies you may ask? Notice how I said "distinct" and not "best." Well, it's of my best friend "C." The womens bathroom was out of order one night and feeling rather depserate she used the men's urinal as a sit-down toilet. OMG.....I thought she was so wild and crazy!! She has probably spent thousands of dollars in intensive therapy sessions (lol....just kidding) trying to repress this event but to this day I still get a major giggle and even a belly laugh outta that image!!!
Anyways, I digress..............
Claire's enrollment has great. She recited her Brownie Promise without falter and is so excited to be an official "nymph." Hey "C", you wouldn't remember if we were sprites, nymphs or elves would you? Claire is looking forward to her first sleepover night in a couple of weeks, riding the float in the Santa Claus Pararde, and attending a weekend sleepever camp in Orangeville in the new year.
Sounds like so much fun........memories..............for her and me!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
News.............
So this is a post without pictures which is a rare thing for me these days. In fact it's the opposite of the way things have been going for the past few months. Usually I have time to snap the photos but not alot of time to write anything more than just a caption or two to go with it. So, as you can tell, this is causing me great guilt and since I actually have a few things to share I thought I'd find a few quiet minutes to get it done!
On the adoption front (for those of you who are STILL following our journey and watching the ticker at the bottom of my blog) we are just beginning to work on our Immigration Part 1 Form. This is the last little bit, although very important, piece of paperwork that will allow Lauren to become a Canadian citizen when we step off the plane with her in Toronto. Basically we file Part 1 here in Canada and then complete Part 2 of the application while we are in Bejing. We are so excited to be completing this part of the process because we know that it brings us one step closer to our daughter. Although things can change (as we've seen it happen over the last 4 years) we feel confident in saying that we should be receiving our referral in about 15 months from now. We are busily preparing both financially (travel costs, fees etc) and emotionally to embark on our adoption journey. Woo hoo.................
On the home front, Alec has a job interview tonight!! Please cross fingers and toes that he gets the job. He is so excited to earn some "real" money and I'm excited for him to gain that next level of independence (and stop asking me for money :) ). Last night I gave him some pointers on how to present himself in an interview. He asked me if he can burp and text in the interview.....but since he said it with a grin on his face I'm not too worried!!
Also, on the home front Evan is starting soccer on Saturday and Claire is into her third week of Brownies and is loving it. I am almost giddy at the thought of taking pictures of Evan on the soccer field this weekend. He looks so cute (don't tell him I said that) in his little shorts and soccer shoes......sigh...........
And what's new with me? Well, for those people out there that think I manage to keep everything together and running ship-shape around here I will be happy to dispell the myth. In the summer I received a letter from the Health Unit that Claire was missing some immunization information for their records (she has all her immunizations though). Our doctor is 45 minutes away and is only in the office 4 hours per week. I know....not too convenient but we can't switch right now for adoption-related reasons. Anyways, at the time I contacted the doctors office and the nurse gave me the information I needed. I called it into the Health Unit and 2 days later (a day before we headed out on vacation) they called back to say they were missing another record from when she was 6 months old. I called my doctors office again and then left on vacation and (this is the part where I goofed) promptly forgot about it. So today, I received a letter that states Claire is being suspended from school for 20 days if I do not produce the information within the next week. Claire would be absolutely mortified if she knew as she prides herself on being a "good girl." So.......I'm off to do damage control (except I called the doctors office and no one is there until tomorrow) and make sure my little girl does not find out her mommy is not so perfect after all. :)
And that's what's new around here. .............................
On the adoption front (for those of you who are STILL following our journey and watching the ticker at the bottom of my blog) we are just beginning to work on our Immigration Part 1 Form. This is the last little bit, although very important, piece of paperwork that will allow Lauren to become a Canadian citizen when we step off the plane with her in Toronto. Basically we file Part 1 here in Canada and then complete Part 2 of the application while we are in Bejing. We are so excited to be completing this part of the process because we know that it brings us one step closer to our daughter. Although things can change (as we've seen it happen over the last 4 years) we feel confident in saying that we should be receiving our referral in about 15 months from now. We are busily preparing both financially (travel costs, fees etc) and emotionally to embark on our adoption journey. Woo hoo.................
On the home front, Alec has a job interview tonight!! Please cross fingers and toes that he gets the job. He is so excited to earn some "real" money and I'm excited for him to gain that next level of independence (and stop asking me for money :) ). Last night I gave him some pointers on how to present himself in an interview. He asked me if he can burp and text in the interview.....but since he said it with a grin on his face I'm not too worried!!
Also, on the home front Evan is starting soccer on Saturday and Claire is into her third week of Brownies and is loving it. I am almost giddy at the thought of taking pictures of Evan on the soccer field this weekend. He looks so cute (don't tell him I said that) in his little shorts and soccer shoes......sigh...........
And what's new with me? Well, for those people out there that think I manage to keep everything together and running ship-shape around here I will be happy to dispell the myth. In the summer I received a letter from the Health Unit that Claire was missing some immunization information for their records (she has all her immunizations though). Our doctor is 45 minutes away and is only in the office 4 hours per week. I know....not too convenient but we can't switch right now for adoption-related reasons. Anyways, at the time I contacted the doctors office and the nurse gave me the information I needed. I called it into the Health Unit and 2 days later (a day before we headed out on vacation) they called back to say they were missing another record from when she was 6 months old. I called my doctors office again and then left on vacation and (this is the part where I goofed) promptly forgot about it. So today, I received a letter that states Claire is being suspended from school for 20 days if I do not produce the information within the next week. Claire would be absolutely mortified if she knew as she prides herself on being a "good girl." So.......I'm off to do damage control (except I called the doctors office and no one is there until tomorrow) and make sure my little girl does not find out her mommy is not so perfect after all. :)
And that's what's new around here. .............................
Monday, September 19, 2011
A Weekend Recap..........
Claire shows off her artwork at the Beeton Fall Fair on Friday night
Her picture of the "Scrambler" takes 5th place!!!
Saturday afternoon we tackled the Bracebridge Fall Fair for rides, treats and games!
Lovin' the obstacle course at the Fair
Sunday morning we hiked 3km around Hardy Lake in Torrance
So pretty in the woods. Bailey had a BIG doggie smile and her tail never stopped wagging
A boy and his dog........
I'm hoping this picture may "make the cut" for the grandparents calendar this yearIt was a busy weekend but lots of fun. How was yours?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Time for a cute bunny fix..............
Lola is almost 5 months old and has evolved from being a little fluffy bunny into a full-grown rabbit
Outdoor play is her FAVOURITE part of the day. In fact she likes it a bit too much!
Catching Lola Rabbit to take her back inside is no easy task! The kids think it's hilarious watching me chase Lola around the yard like a crazy person.
Did you know rabbits are VERY fast?
It's a very good thing that you are cute Lola......a very good thing!!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Introducing......
A smart, and oh so stylish, Grade 3 student
An official full-time, and proud of it, Grade 1 student
And finally, my very handsome (although not too happy about getting up this early), Grade 10 studentWELCOME SCHOOL YEAR 2011/2012!!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Backyard Photo Shoot
We are reading Anne of Green Gables together this month
Claire is lovin' her new Mexx hat........a bit warm for that here today!
My beautiful little Claire-Bear!!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Meet Meredith..........
Our new sponsor child with An Orphans Wish!
Lulu, our previous sponsor child, in the Club Foot Unit has received wonderful care in the House of Love at An Orphans Wish. She has successfully undergone "casting" to correct her club feet. Yippee!! She is an amazing, beautiful and WALKING toddler now and is in the process of having her paperwork prepared for adoption. Something that would not have been possible if she had gone untreated. Sponsorship DOES change the lives of these wonderful children.
We are so excited to be part of the sponsorship program that will forever change Meredith's life. If you would like more information on this great non-profit organization please check out their website: www.anorphanswish.org
We are so excited to be part of the sponsorship program that will forever change Meredith's life. If you would like more information on this great non-profit organization please check out their website: www.anorphanswish.org
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A Long Weekend DIY Project
After seeing a chalkboard at Pottery Barn Kids that would've been absolutely perfect for Evan's bedroom I almost had a heartattack when I saw the price tag of $350+tax!!! Seriously? it should be made outta gold for that amount! Not to be deterred I went on line and realized that I could make this into a fun DIY project and save myself loads of $$ in the process.
Saturday morning, with family in tow, we headed over to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Evan actually was the first to spy this solid wood vintage mirror leaning in the corner. It fit the dimensions we were looking for perfectly........SOLD!
Did you know that you can use chalkboard paint on glass? Me neither!! It took most of a day as the coats of paint need to be applied thinly and in multiple layers. The end result?
A great addition to Evan's bedroom! And the cost? The whole project came in at around $50!! Now that's my kind of project!!
Saturday morning, with family in tow, we headed over to the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Evan actually was the first to spy this solid wood vintage mirror leaning in the corner. It fit the dimensions we were looking for perfectly........SOLD!
Did you know that you can use chalkboard paint on glass? Me neither!! It took most of a day as the coats of paint need to be applied thinly and in multiple layers. The end result?
A great addition to Evan's bedroom! And the cost? The whole project came in at around $50!! Now that's my kind of project!!
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