A Little Venting

Hello my friends -- if there's anyone left after a two month sabbatical ;) Life has been crazy. My hubby is working 60 hours per week (night shift!) and I'm struggling to keep up. How do single working parents cope? Can't image. My biggest vain right now is Jessica's homework. She enjoys doing it but honestly 20 to 30 minutes each AND every night! She has to read a book and write three sentences in her journal (about the book). Is this a lot for grade one?

To top this off both girls were sick and passed the illness to me. As a result, I am very disorganized at the moment. What else you may ask? Well my vacuum was not working for two weeks -- we have two cats and a black dog! -- and a have about 5 loads of laundry waiting to be folded. Dare I mention my issues at work!

Interestingly, a few nights ago I had a dream that Chris and I suddenly uprooted the girls and moved to Chicago. Not sure why, but my immediate family is RARELY in my dreams -- weird? Anyway, a friend (in his best Freudian voice) psychoanalyzed the dream and said I wanted to run away from my problems. Not a bad analysis!

Okay, are you saying, "enough venting already." But frankly I feel much better. Thanks for asking (said with a wink and a smile). And now that I reflect, I guess things are not too bad. I do have lots of positive things to report.

1) Despite the passing sicknesses, my family is healthy.
2) Chris' long hours means $ for a spring trip to Florida.
3) I'm feeling much better than yesterday.
4) I have 80% of my Christmas shopping done.
5) My vacuum is now fixed and Chris is using it this exact moment!
6) Jessica is loving school and turning into quite the reader.

Yes, like I said, "Life is good."

I leave you with two of my new pages (I have about six to upload still):


Have a great weekend! Cheers!!

Grade 1 is where I want to be...

Just a quick post to say kudos to my Jessica who started grade 1 -- she's a pro now! -- and finally convinced me to get her ears pierced.

At the dinner table tonight, Jess shared the best part of her day. At recess her and her friends, chased the boys, made them stand by a tree and pretended to eat them! He, he!! Grade 1 is where I want to be!

A Year in the Life of Lacey

It's been almost a year since we brought home our spirited dog Lacey. While not the worst dog in the world, she definitely has her moments. Like when she gets overexcited and knocks down one of the girls. Or when she gets into the garbage at 2 a.m. in the morning and you wonder in a sleepy-daze, “What the heck is that rattling sound?” Or, when she decides to chase the cats around the living room just at the pivotal moment in the movie you are watching. Or, the never-ending gathering of black dog fur swept across the house.

Perhaps this is all par for the course. I must admit that I love when she cuddles up on the couch -- our couch is decades old and still our favourite -- and will let you use her as a pillow. Or how she is always happy to see you no matter what. Or how she protects the family, especially the girls. I love when she gets outdoors and runs around like a madman, just happy to be alive. Sure makes you smile/live in the moment. Don’t you wish you had so much energy?

Her preferred hobbies are chasing balls, chewing logs, ‘eating’ the water from the hose, rolling around on the grass and carefully watching the cats. Slowly, our cats are emerging from the basement and tolerating the big black, overly lovable monster that has drastically changed their lives.

Awe, yes animals – an often yin-yang relationship, but honestly who can live without them?

I'm still here

I started this post over a week ago... crazy!! Can I buy some time?? I can't complain becuase it's been a great summer. To balance the hustle and bustle, we had some r&r time at my brother's cottage in mid-July and a few good weekends in between. Not to mention that my parent's took the girls camping for a week (yeah!!).

Just before the girls left for the week, Jess decided that she no longer needed her water wings and just like that started to swim on her own. When she sets her mind to something there's no stopping her!

Here's a few creations of some of our summer adventures:

The girls at the beach:

My niece Abbie at the cottage. ("having the time of your life, see that girl, watch that scene, diggin' the dance queen...")

Hailey fishing -- well, casting and reeling -- at the cottage, proving that it's not the end result but the journey...:

And my cool dude nephew Jake:

And I close with a pic of my hubby at baseball:

Bye for now!

A Dora Birthday Party

Can it be? My baby Hailey is turning 3!!

Yes, Hailey turns three on Wednesday. We had a Dora themed party with Mexican food, a Dora pinata and Dora princess cake. The party went by so quickly, I wish I could hit rewind. In fact, I wish I could replay the whole three years! -- She amazes me every single day.

Here's a few pix from the party:

Bye for now!!

Summer Fun

First, I want to say how proud we are of Jess who graduated from Senior Kindergarten this week. She did so well, developed new friendship and started to realize the value of working hard. Cheers Jessie, we love you (to infinity and beyond)!!

During the last week of school I was lucky enough to attend a field trip with Jessica's class to Science City. The day was packed full of activities including making flubber, exploring in a 'archaeological' dig, mixing and creating colours, building and testing a 'life raft,' petting a snake named Corny and standing in a large bubble. Too boot, I even enjoyed the ride on the school bus!

Here's some pictures from our camping trip to the Pinery with my parents. Jessica loved playing on the beach and Hailey's favourite was feeding the abundance of chipmunks around the camp site.Besides these adventures we attended our friend's (Joel and Audrey) wedding -- awesome DJ; Chris and I danced all night!

- saw the Red Air Bulls races along the Detriot River


- Jess participated in a primary track and field meet (so cute!) at her school. She received six ribbons (out of seven events)!!

- and we celebrated father's day with a family barbecue at our house. The girls enjoyed playing dress up with Abbie (they all have on Jessie's clothes).

I have lots of scrapbook pages to share, just need to find the time to upload! You know how summer is!

Cheers!

Two Months Later...

Wow, has it been that long? Yes, indeed, lots to cover...

First my brother and sister-in-law welcomed a new baby boy into their/our lives. His name is Geordie (after my Dad, George). Here he is with (a) Jessica and big sister Abbie (both are very excited and proud of Geordie) and (b) our family:

With a visit from Chris' sister Kim (from Calgary), we also got to spend some time with our nephews Will and Matt. It was our first time meeting Matt. What a cutie-pie:

Other events (and lots of pix to scrap):

• Hailey moved to her big girl bed;
• I had two weeks off work;
• Hailey went to her first big girl birthday party (a friend from her preschool class);
• The Spitfires won the Memorial Cup (my hubby's favourite hockey team);
• We started to build a playhouse for the girls (at this moment, Chris is shingling the roof).

And on to my scrappy creations.

True, Blue Beauty (Jessica January 2009):

Grow Happy Thoughts (Jessica, Christmas 2008):

Open Wide (Jessica's first trip to the dentist). I used a kit from the Scrapbook Nook (love it!):

Hey, Hey Monkey Town. We love this indoor play area. For this page, I used a sketch from Scrapbook Etc.:


Ride (Hailey riding around the kitchen, January 2009).


In preparation for Hailey's 3rd birthday party -- still a month away, but we are already planning -- I made a practice Dora Princess cake. I skipped some of the details, but I am really happy with the result. Hailey and Jess were thrilled too!!
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It was my first time working with fondant -- easy, peasie!! Can't wait for the real deal!!

Well, I promise not to take so long to blog next time. I have two more pages that are almost done - just need to fill in the journalling...

Take care!!

Sisterhood

Over the last few days, I have proudly witnessed the growing bonds of sisterhood and friendship between Jess and Hailey -- playing together, laughing and standing up for each other. At the community egg hunt, Jess stayed by Hailey's side gently guiding her along. Of course, this meant that Jess could only collect a few eggs, but she didn't mind. Hailey returned the favour at Monkey town when another child tried to take something from Jess and Hailey passionately stood up for her sister. As siblings, I know they may not always appreciate each other, so I am truly grateful for the little moments when they do.

Here's some pix from our simple but memorable family weekend:

Colouring eggs:

Hiking at Ojibway park (where we saw lots of turles and a few snakes):

And a trip to Monkey town (an adorable indoor play gym for the little ones).

My latest scrappy page will have to wait. Need to get some sleep. Cheers!!

Toddler Tales

Last weekend, despite the cold and pending rain, we took the girls for a hike at Malden Park. Hailey had on her winter jacket with hood. When it started to rain, Hailey said, "Hey, who's making that noise on my head?" Hee, hee!! Earlier in the week, she burped at the dinner table. When I asked her, "What do you say?" she said, "Thank you!" Too funny!

After a year of wishing, we finally got Photoshop Elements. But I've been so busy finishing the Twilight saga that I haven't had time to play. I started the last book yesterday and despite numerous interruptions -- kids hanging off of me -- I finished it late this afternoon. Obsessed, yes!! Hmm, and since then I have had a real hankering for a juicy piece of steak! ;) Better than my usual chocolate craving??

Joking aside (how official!), here are my latest creations. The first one is from Christmas 2007. I think Jess looks like an angel. Products are from a recent Noel Migon kit. I still have to add the journalling. This one is Jess at 18 months old visiting my friend Jody in Toronto. You can't see the hidden journal tag (sticking out from the top of the page). Products are from the same Noel kit.


OMG, Jess just came out of her room with her fourth outfit of the day on. Worse than a bloomin’ teenager. Gotta love having girls! Cheers!!

Back to Bloggin'

Yes, it's been a while. We're been having a lot of fun including...

a camp-out in the living room:



new hair cuts:cousin Abbie's birthday party:



















some Spring weather:
and, my birthday. Yikes! I didn't like any of my pictures; time to start taking better care of myself! But I did enjoy the yummy ice cream cake my hubby made for me! Hmm, I think that says enough.

I'll be back later to post my new pages. Cheers!!