Pretty Crafty

Happy Thanksgiving and Hello Fall!

Taylor in October 2007 

So this weekend was Thanksgiving here in Canada. A time to remember all you are thankful for and eat a bit of Turkey or whatever you tend to cook. Yesterday, my family placed my Mom's ashes in their niche. It was a bittersweet goodbye and we were able to have a nice dinner after wards. My Sister did a great job of cooking a turkey and all that good stuff. Time to move on and prepare my Dad for the move into our basement. We have had so many generous people offer and give their help in getting this project done. My Sister and her husband are coming from Alberta to help finish off the basement and put up the drywall. My Father-in-law and my hubby's friend Ben, have also been incredibly giving of their time. That is all certainly something to be thankful for. The kids are excited to have Grandpa in the basement. Taylor says she can't wait to watch TV with him--not sure he knows what he is in for:)

Today was a day at work and a quick dinner at my hubby's Aunt's house. So two yummy dinners and that will do me until Christmas.

Our weather has been amazing these past couple weeks. Clear, crisp and NO RAIN!!! I can only hope this trend continues and we can enjoy the sun for a bit longer. I love fall and I think this time of year has grown to be my favourite. I love the sun and crisp weather, so much more enjoyable than the crazy heat we experienced this summer. I also love the colours of Fall--golds, browns, greens and reds. I cannot believe the picture above is our Taylor--she seems so grown up now. Need to take some more pictures this year of both the kids. I would love to hit a park with lots of gorgeous leaves and do a photo shoot. We will see if we can find some time and two will participants--usually a bribe works when I need to snap some pictures.

Been thinking about the East Coast and a trip we took a few years ago. Would love to take that trip again some day and during this time of year. We hit Montreal, Boston and NYC and it was such a great trip and the Fall was such a beautiful time of year. Hopefully next Fall, when Taylor is a bit older and can get more from the trip. Also wouldn't mind visiting Chicago again, what a great City that is.

Noticed something funny when I was putting my dishes in the dishwasher...I try to buy soaps, cleaning stuff that is environmentally friendly, so no phosphates and other nasty chemicals. Also would like to avoid for our own health too. But this new dishwasher soap is supposed to be so much more friendly and contain none of the bad stuff, but it is a soap tab that is housed in a bag and also individually wrapped in plastic. What?? Why waste more plastic? Seems to kind of defeat the purpose doesn't it? Things that make you go hmmm.

TV is quite enjoyable right now. We (well I) am loving Glee on Fox--perish the thought. It is such a fun show, love all the singing and quirky story lines, but mostly the singing/dancing. Also became hooked on Flash forward (hubby likes it too) and it is keeping me happy until Lost starts up again. Very Lost-like, but good on its own merits as well. My other Fave show (True Blood) is done for the Season and I will have to wait to find out what has happened to Bill.

I was making good progress on the housework, that is until I put the kids to bed and hopped on the internet. Blasted technology and it's interference. Who am I kidding, it could have something to do with my lack of willpower.

ambition

So driving home from having dinner with my Dad and the kids are talking in the back. I love these conversations since they usually yield many funny tidbits.

So out of nowhere, Evan says he wants to be a teacher when he grows up. But not just any teacher, has to be a substitute teacher. Evan says he would like to teach at his school and it should be Grade 6. Then he says he is sure there are many good kids at his school that need teaching.

Taylor's contribution to the conversation and her ambition for the future...I want to be a Prin-press! Taylor doesn't say Princess, it is prin-press and it is the cutest thing. I do correct her, but must admit I think it is so cute when she says it her way.

So a Substitute teacher and a Princess are two very worthwhile vocations in my books. But I am thinking since they are Six and Four these ambitions will likely shift a few times before they really need to make their minds up:)

Is this a Girl thing?

So far, I am finding raising a girl a much different experience than raising a boy. Yes, there are the obvious differences, the main one being the emotional rollercoaster. It is not possible for a three year old to be experiencing hormones--is it? Up one minute, bawling the next and all over the silliest things. That would be Taylor and I am riding the rollercoaster with her. If I look at her wrong lately, she will run away in tears. I will admit I remember being excessively sensitive when I was young. Oh wait, i probably still am.

I think part of it is a stage Taylor is going through. She is very clingy and will not let me out of her sight. We spent a nice morning together and had some one-on-one time. The female is a very odd and interesting animal. We certainly have our quirks but the good outweigh the bad, most of the time.

So here is hoping I survive this rollercoaster. I keep telling myself that I will be looking back at this time in a few years, wishing these simple problems back.

that thing called Karma...

really is a nasty dose to swallow. Growing up I would occasionally hear, just wait until you have kids...So in other words, just wait and you will see how aggravating you are truly being at this moment.

Well, I have kids and I really was a pain in the butt. My parents deserve a couple of medals! I was a child that always had a plan, a plan to buy/need something, a plan to go somewhere,etc,etc. I would wake up on Saturday morning and want to go out. To the zoo, out shopping--just out and most often wanting to spend money. I have created my match, that would be my son Evan. He is constantly desiring something and always has a plan on how we should get him what he wants. Currently, it is the new Nintendo DSI. He has a DS and now wants to upgrade to the new product. But he has a plan to buy himself one. Evan will give his nearing 4 year old sister his old DS and "borrow" the money from me for the new one. I laughed when I heard that since it would not be borrowing but taking my money. I explained that in order to borrow, he had to have the means to pay me back. Road block! I am just waiting for the latest scheme to roll from his lips. This kid is a thinker and always has a plan. Perhaps, politics is in his future? or a lawyer?

I truly detest the inventors of the Nintendo and all of those gaming systems. They have created monsters and they should have to listen to the whining of a six year old boy. I refuse to upgrade at this time. Especially since by Christmas time they will have another "upgrade" out on the shelves. Plus, the kid is 6 and should count himself lucky he has one. Boy am I mean.

It is a very difficult thing to raise a non-materialistic child at this point in time. Everything is available to them and everywhere they go they are being marketed to. I guess our jobs as parents is to be louder than the marketing machines? Oh my...

Too Cute

So Taylor is going through a stage where she wants us to take her to the bathroom. She seems to think she needs the help. I have been battling against that idea and trying to get her to go on her own. So today, I was helping Evan with something on the computer and she ran in the room telling me she needed to go to the bathroom. I told her to go ahead and the usual battled ensued. So Evan said, fine I will take her. From the office I can hear them in the bathroom.

Evan: Okay Taylor just pull your pants down. That's it, now sit on the toilet and PEE.

Taylor: Yes. Ok.

Evan: Ok Taylor, now just wiggle your penis and that's it.

So into the office they come from the bathroom and Evan says, yup she did pretty well for herself. I didn't have the heart to tell him about the penis comment. I just thought it was so cute that he helped her out.

P.S For those of you that don't know---Evan is 6 and Taylor is 3. Taylor is also a little girl and does not indeed have a penis. I guess I should explain that to them to avoid any confusion, I thought we had already covered that with Evan? Maybe we need to do another talk to discuss the main difference between boys and girls?

Since Evan started going to Kindergarten I have become aware that the kids talk about EVERYTHING with each other. I have heard many very strange stories being told on the playground. The kind of stories that you know got just a bit twisted when being re-told by a 5 year old. I thought it was kind of funny until I noticed how often these kids talk about their parents.

One day, Evan told us that one of the boys at school has a Mom that sleeps with no clothes on and a Dad that just sleeps in his underwear! I was mortified and instantly terrified to know what Evan discusses about his family. Thank goodness I do indeed wear pajamas and so does my husband. But who knows what other little stories he has told his buddies. Yikes.

I am just saying...

So after watching the Tinkerbell movie with Taylor, I really miss old Tinkerbell.

                     

The above image is the new Tinkerbell. I must say some of the Fairies in the forest look a little too sexy. Why can't we just have wholesome, cute fairies? Why does everything have to be put through the sexy machine? I guess I am just being old fashioned but I still miss old Tink. I also have a bone to pick with Barbie and the Brats dolls as well. I can't even fathom buying my daughter a Brats doll. I just don't like their outfits, hair or make up. It seems like the classic case of girls trying to be women too soon. I refuse to buy into that and don't want my young daughter to either.

Guess I am just being an old fuddy duddy.

Ikea,Ikea,Ikea...

What a crazy place to go during spring break. I was able to squeeze the kids into their play area for an hour and get some things picked up. This was Taylor's first time in the play area and she had a ball. It was so cute watching Evan look after her. She had trouble climbing out of the ball pit and he helped her out. The store had a craft for the kids to do as well. So we are the proud owners of two handpainted and hand-macaronied wooden picture frames. The kids had fun and that was all that matters.

I found some pictures frames and a picture ledge for our tv room. Time to actually make this place look lived in. The walls are still pretty nekkid and it has been a few years since the house was built.

I will post a pic when the wall is done. I am looking forward to getting some pictures from our holiday enlarged.

We are having a Garage sale at the Store on April 18th and I am going to try and get a table. I have soooo much stuff and I need to purge. I keep collecting and not doing and it is time to stop. So if you are looking for a bargain come and check it out or get a table for yourself. Scrapbook addicts unite and purge our stuff! Hey, then we can feel less guilty when we buy the new stuff.

Happy Monday to you all.

stick a fork in it

     

I am so done with meal times! I nearly lost my mind last night trying to get dinner ready. My husband is easy to please. It is those darn youngsters that are driving me batty. I swore long ago I would never become the short order cook. You know those parents that are making three different meals all in an attempt to please the entire family. Nope not gonna do it. Some nights if I am making something for us that I know the kids hate, I will make a little something extra for them. All in all though we all eat the same things. We also seem to go through picky spurts. I think we are heading towards a picky time. The horrible part of it is the "parrot syndrome" that we have going on right now. When Evan says he doesn't like something, then Taylor makes the same announcement. Arrrggghhh.

I am so hoping we will soon enter the "Jetson Family" era. Where all our meals are in capsule form. Think about how fabulous that would be? But for now I guess there is nothing to do but soldier on. Armed with patience in one hand and Flintstone vitamins in the other.

Now a break for the weather...it is downright Spring like. That makes me so happy. I watched the kids play on the playground after school and I was warm. Gotta love that.

On the search for a bag of black buttons. You would think this wouldn't be a difficult thing to find. Buttons. in black. all one size or various sizes. Nope can't find them. I can find an asst. of coloured buttons. I will persevere and I haven't hit the Dollar Stores yet or the Fabric stores. It seems like the more basic the item, the more difficult it is to find.

Inspiration can be found in the strangest of places. Yesterday, I spent close to an hour at my son's Kindergarten Open House. During this time he showed me all of his artwork, math work and printing practice pages. I was given a tour of the room and he even read me the class story. Then we hit the class bathroom. Not just any bathroom. A lot of learning happens in this bathroom. His Teacher has filled the walls with posters. Alphabet practice, numbers,etc. It inspired me to create a learning tool for the kids bathroom at home. I have been looking for a picture for their bathroom and just can't find anything. Then I thought of all of the patterned paper I have at home and the die cuts we have at work. I think I am going to die cut the alphabet from my patterned paper and make a fun piece of artwork for our bathroom. What a great idea to give them something educational to stare at in the bathroom. The one place where they are a captive audience (sort of).

It is Friday and I am looking forward to the weekend. No real plans but maybe we can find something to keep us busy. It is Spring break next week and I know I am looking forward to no school.

Hope your weekend is a good one.

these three

Have you ever had one of those days? You kind of lose sight of what is important or what it is that you truly need. I will be honest, right now I really need a home on Grand Cayman Island. Actually Tuscany would do nicely as well. I have been going through my photos and found this one taken on our cruise.

 

These three are all I really need. I get cranky sometimes and I think it is easy to stop appreciating those things in life that are truly important. I am so lucky to have these guys in my life.

Well, the sun is shining today and will melt that snow (I hope). I feel very strongly this will be our last snowfall...right? right? It simply has to be. I am starting to get the spring cleaning itch and the itch to beautify our yard. That can only mean Spring is on it's way. I must say, I was a little worried about the bunnies we have living in our yard. I hope they still have their winter fur. Brrrr.

Found out yesterday that Evan is 98th on the waiting list for the Langley Fine Arts School. So I am thinking it is not looking promising for next year. One of the Mom's at school just got a call for her son. But her son has a sibling in the school and that helps. Evan did make it up to 98 from 148, that is a big leap. There were that many people that have made other plans, so I guess you never can tell. The school only has 44 spots for Grade 1 to fill.

I have to sign Taylor up for some dance classes. That girl has such rhythm it would be a shame to put it to waste. Taylor is happiest when she is singing or dancing or both. I told Scott her whole life is a musical. She will quite often sing about what is going on or what she is doing through out the day. So cute!

Well, I really must get back to the to-do list.

P.S If you are a customer of the Clipper Street Stores. Make sure you pop in some time. We are getting in a bunch of new product. Pretty Prima products, MME,Basic Grey,etc. It has taken a little longer this year, but it is on it's way. Brace your wallet's ladies:) I know mine has been coming home a bit lighter these days. But shh, don't tell my husband;)

Have a great weekend.

with a serving of attitude, no make that supersized

As a parent, it seems we are on a perpetual merry-go-round. Life never stops for a moment and we are always moving to the next stage. Some stages are the cutesy ones, the stages where they move from being cute to cuter. Then (apparently) as we near the six year old mark, the stages become less cute. I am talking about the attitude folks. The smart mouthed, overly dramatic 'tude. As a mother, I refuse to accept smart-assed from my six year old. I believe it is a slippery slope and once you accept it they have developed a habit. Hey, I should know I could smart-ass with the best of them as a youngster. My parents didn't accept and no doubt they thought of snipping my vocal cords once or twice;)

I can't help but wonder where the sweet little boy of yesterday has gone. Don't get me wrong, my son is merely testing the waters (I hope) or mimicking what he hears "out there". Part of me wonders what part I have to play in this change of attitude? I myself have a sarcastic sense of humour and frustrate easily. Perhaps my tone is one that has influenced him? I must say, I am going to try and watch how I express myself. Children are not only little people but they are sponges as well. It is also impossible to monitor what your child sees and hears 24/7. This is the part of our journey that I have trouble accepting. It frightens me that other people will begin to have an influence on our children. Then I stop and think...we have to prepare them for this outside influence. Make them self-assured, confident people with a strong moral compass. I can control what is accepted in our own house.

Even though my kids drive me to contemplate the drink at times. They are some pretty amazing little people and I wouldn't trade them. When we took our cruise, I had many people stop me and comment on how well behaved the kids were. One woman stopped me and said every time she sees the kids they are so well behaved. My response, well then you must not see us that often (said with a chuckle). I did thank her though.