Simon The Statue....I Mean Goalie

Last week was Simon's turn to be goalie for his hockey team. He was so excited to have his turn in net.


On the way to the arena Jason and I asked him if he knew what to do. He responded "I need to make sure everyone gets a turn to score." We knew we were in for an interesting game.


He suited up in all the pads, I was shocked he could stand in them let alone skate, they were so big.


He participated in the drills and then it was game time...


He took his position between the pipes....


and never moved a muscle...he stood pretty much in the same position the entire game.


He made a few big saves....the ones that were shot directly at him.


And he loved every minute of it. Especially after he won Player Of The Game.


Way to go Simon. We are so proud of you. And thank you for letting me sneak a kiss in, I have now kissed my first goalie.

Dear Santa

The decorations are out...
The date to go get our tree is booked...
The Christmas jammies are bought...
The Christmas photos are taken...
The Christmas cards are ordered...
The baking list is in order...
The Christmas parties are on the calender...

And the lists are being written...

Alice In Wonderland

Last week I took Nee Nee and the kids to see a local theatre group (which Riley desperately wants to be part of, but you have to be 6 years old) preform Alice In Wonderland.


The theatre was packed and a group of woman from a local retirement home sat behind us. They were NOT impressed with me coming to the theatre "with so many young children" because "they never would have done that with their children", because "you know, they may disrupt the show" and because "they are so happy they are done with this stage of life."


I am becoming more vocal with people who feel the need to comment on "all my children," because "are they all yours?" but this time, I was good, I smiled and nodded until....

All three of my children sat perfectly still and perfectly quiet for the entire show. Then I may or may not have made a comment about "all these children, all being mine, all sitting still, not making a sound, and being so happy that I am in this stage of life."

For the record, all the photos were taken before the show started...no cameras allowed during the show.

Camera Fun

I have had my camera permanently attached to my hand. I'm trying to learn..ISO speed, F number, aperture...the larger the F number, the smaller the aperture...have I lost you yet? Me too.

I have been taking a lot of practice shots. Here are some of my favourites, straight out of the camera....I have A LOT to learn about this camera and this photo editing software.







This is how Coop feels about me taking his picture hundreds of times a day.

Happy Birthday To Me - Part Two {the new camera edition}

As part of the celebration Jason booked us a night away. We had arranged for my mom to come up for the weekend to be with the kids and we had planned to get away for 24 hours. Enter hockey pictures, hockey game and a birthday party at the movie theatre...our 24 hours was quickly slipping away.


We drove to Blue Mountain and checked into our hotel at the Westin at about 5:00pm on Sat. We had a great room with a great view.




Now, let me tell you, Jason thought of EVERY. LAST. LITTLE. DETAIL. We went for a walk around the village and into all the shops with a Starbucks in hand. If I looked at it and said I liked it, he bought it.



We headed back to our room and enjoyed a bottle of wine. As I was wondering what to wear for our dinner reservation he pulled out a bag full of clothing for me. A-MAZ-ING!

I took a shower and when I got out there was a new bath robe waiting for me. Seriously. I can't make this stuff up.

We had a great time at dinner, enjoying martini's, appatizers, wine and a full dinner. We even had uninterputed conversation....it's been a long, long time.

I was told that dessert was taken care of. We headed back to the hotel and this was there.....yummy.




We had an {almost} uninterputed night of sleep. No kids woke us up, but...both the boys usually have us up between 3:00 and 4:00am. So, naturally both of us woke up shortly after 3:00am. We slept in until 7:30!!!!! Then we laid in bed and watched T.V.

We had a great breakfast then we headed to Le Scandinave for the baths.




HEAVEN. ON. EARTH.

After a few hours there we both felt ready to get home to the kids. I know there will be a time when we can go away for a week without them, but, I know it's not now, not yet.

Thank you Jason for the most amazing birthday ever. I am the luckiest person alive! Thank you Nee Nee for taking the kids and THANK YOU for keeping them so active that they all went to bed by 7:00pm.

Happy Birthday To Me - Part One

I can not even being to explain how great my birthday week was....and yes, the surprises and spoiling lasted almost an entire week.

The week started off with kid dates. I had one on one time with Riley and Simon. Shopping, having lunch and enjoying ice cream. One on one time in our family doesn't happen very often with our schedules so I cherish any time I get one on one with them. Thank you for this time Jason.

The morning of my birthday started off with love notes, speciality coffee and a ton of love.


It was a work and school day for the kids and I, so off we went. At school I was treated to coffee, cards, chocolates and earrings from my friends at work. My friend Nancy, whom I also share a classroom with, told our students that it was my 50th birthday. I was showered with apples and many Happy 50th Birthday cards. They sang Happy Birthday to me and added in the, are you one, are you two, are you three... they counted all the way to 50!!!!!!! They would not believe me that I am not 50. Thanks Nance!!!!!!!!!

When we got home there was martinis, balloons, party hats, Indian food and wine for dinner, several art projects and homemade cards.



After dinner we took a little break from eating and I opened presents. New mixing bowls.....much needed. The kids said they chose them so mommy can do more baking for them. Then the BIG one a Canon SLR camera. I couldn't believe it!!!! I have been admiring one for a long time, but they are crazy expensive, I felt so spoiled.




We had a fun time wearing our party hats.





What can I say?? Boys will be Boys?


Jason parents joined us for cake and coffee. The spoiling continued with a new pair of earrings.





What a great day!!!! And....it has only just begun.....more to come....

This is what happens...

Within minutes of The Parker family arriving at our house, dress up is on, clothing is off, music is being played and the most wonderful chaos ensues.

I'm A Moose

Nee Nee can take all the credit for this form of psychological damage.

Cousins

My extended family has always been close. Growing up all my aunts, uncles and cousins gathered at my grandparents house for dinner every Sunday evening. As my grandma became sick we changed this tradition to getting together every Sunday morning for breakfast, she felt stronger in the mornings, more able to gather with us.

All the cousins are now older, moved to different cities, some have children of their own. Our Sunday gatherings are a thing of the past.

My mom and Aunt Connie plan a cousins party every year. A chance for us all to get together, hang out, have lunch, and let the new generation of cousins play together.

Riley, Simon and Coop ready and waiting.



Craft time. Painting piggy banks with Parker.





Jason and Mabel.


Getting a little exercise.


Pushing Matt around on the wheelie chair.



Obviously enjoying the cupcakes.



Can't wait to see everyone again....hopefully before next years party.