From the Heart

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

BACK TO THE LAND OF THE LIVING

Just moments ago I finished the last of the 4 books in the Twilight saga. The truly amazing part is that I was given the series of books for Christmas not even 3 weeks ago. We are talking 2500 pages, and it's not like I'm sitting by a pool on vacation without kids. Consequently, however, I feel like I have taken on Vampire like characteristics myself...red strained eyes from reading in Will's darkened room and from reading while bouncing on the treadmill, pale skin and dark circles under my eyes from staying up until the wee hours trying to squeeze one more chapter in. Going to bed at 1:30am is not wise considering our 1 year old sleeps no more than 90 minutes at a time.

Needless to say, I admit, I loved these books. I'm such a sucker for romantic epics, even if the girl is only 18 years old and the boy is a Vampire. And the best part? The very last chapter is titled "The Happily Ever After." I love those...

This picture kind of freaks me out...it's like looking at Sam in the future when his cute little baby teeth have fallen out and his big awkward adult ones have grown in their place

Monday, January 12, 2009

ARRRR...SEBBY TURNED 3 THIS WEEKEND

Happy Birthday Sebby, my sweet and handsome nephew. Thanks for having us over on Saturday to help celebrate your 3 years. Here are a few pictures from your pirate party.

The attendees were all Sam's boy cousins. After the round of girls were born in 2003, the boys came next...5 of them in fact: Sam, Sebby, Rocco, Jessie and Oliver (and that doesn't include the Ontario cuzs who *SNIFF* are much too far away). To quote Sam, I think it is so "super cool" to have extended family so close in age.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

SAM IS TURNING 4

Sam is turning 4 on Wednesday. His invite made it into the mail just in the nick of time. The kids pretty much come up with their own theme for their party each year. Sam decided in October that he was going to have a swimming & race car party, two of his favourite things. And he wants lots of "green things" as well, like balloons and mints (those round green ones).

Thursday, January 8, 2009

HOLIDAYS ARE COMING TO AN END

4 more sleeps until Clara and Sam are back at school! Christmas is packed up in Rubbermaids, labeled neatly with their contents, and stacked nicely in the soon to be very organized basement.

Valentines Day count down has begun. Clara loves this holiday, like her mother. Here she is with her foam Valentine house from Michaels. She loves these foam kits, and buys one for every occasion. Note: it is highly recommended to use a glue gun instead of the glue included in the kit, particularly if you have a "passionate" child like mine. Less breakdowns, more foam fun. And this is an interesting tidbit as well...foam can pass through a baby's digestive system and come out looking exactly the same as it went in. Will pooped out a little foam heart yesterday much to the kid's awe and delight.

The kids got their haircut today. I love Clara's hair like this. She tried to grow it out like Rapunzel but it was looking a little stringy.

And Sam picked out a birthday present using the money that Papa and Nana gave him. He was very decisive and wanted the Skyrail, glow in the dark, motorized, 200 piece, 5 yards of marble track! He though it was "super cool." And of course, he wanted to put it together as soon as we got home. There is a reason why it says ages 8+ on the box. It probably has to do with the 200 pieces part. Holy cow. Anyway, after spending over an hour trying to put the rail together and following the instructions and getting really frustrated (but not turning into the "crazy lady" even when Sam suggested we wait for Dad cause he is "much more better" at fixing things), I realized "they" put the wrong manual in the box. The manual is for the 270 piece Skyrail. Honestly.

This post is mostly for my husband who is away and might want to hear some details of our day. Love you!

LOST

OFFICIALLY LOST: Black motorola cell phone. In very used condition (has been dropped a lot and has food and stuff crusted on it). Last seen on the top of Grouse Mountain on December 19th, 2008. Please phone me at home if found, although chances are, I won't answer if I don't recognize your number.

My mom was kind enough to lend me Josh's phone until I either find my phone (this is not looking promising) or replaced it. As I was cleaning up Will's toys last night, I discovered this:

That is Josh's cell phone in the tunnel of balls. Kind of funny? My mom probably doesn't think so.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

THE CRAZY LADY

Well, I think I got carried away with New Year's resolutions once again. Over a few days, my list has grown to overwhelming proportions and consequently I have turned into what my husband and kids call "the crazy lady." I am manic over here wanting to accomplish things in a day that should take at least a year if not more. But today I have decided to slow down, come back to earth and be kind to my loved ones. And I'm going to simplify my list (my family has always followed a TO BE, TO DO, TO HAVE format). So here it is:

TO BE: more grateful

TO DO: organize the basement (and the house. That's realistic, isn't it?)

TO HAVE: a studio where I can do creative things

Project number one is to actually hang the pictures that have been leaning against the wall for most of 2008 waiting for their home up off the floor. I hung this up with Sam's help. It is a silhouette of our family I made for Jake for Christmas. I love how it turned out!

I'll add more to this post later. The kids are hovering waiting for me to take them to Science World.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

THE ROYAL BALL

Yesterday Clara helped celebrate her cousin, Maddy's 6th Birthday by attending a Royal Ball.

We have no shortage of princess gowns and accessories over here so that part was easy. But yet another snowfall made it a little more difficult, at least to get there. Here are some pictures from the first 10 minutes. I took advantage of having no kids and attempted shopping at Metrotown (very big, very scary mall) with Annie and Dana.

I have to quickly add how special and amazing it is for Clara to have a cousin a mere 3 months apart in age. And Hannah, her other girl cousin is only 12 days apart (her mom and I actually had the same due date but she budged like my friend Annie). Maddy and Hannah are her dearest, most bosom friends. They honestly run toward each other at first sight and twirl each other around in an embrace. Warms my heart.