Zombie!!!

Little J and I were playing with photoshop. Spoooooky!

Sugar Bush 2011

Brunch at the sugar bush with Nana and G-Paw, including a horse drawn wagon ride and taffy on snow. I love maple syrup... :)

Birthday crafting

I made water bottle holders to use as loot bags for the guests at Katie's birthday sleepover. I had barely sewn the last strap on when the first guest arrived, so I only managed this kind of crappy photo. The tutorial comes from Pink Chalk Fabric and is super simple. We stuffed them with bubbles and candy, jewellery and mini flashlights and they were a hit.

Fabric Basket Fun

Fabric baskets made from the awesome Pink Penguin tutorial (destined to be gifts for my April retreat-mates - Jennifer, Tina and Louise :) )

The big 1-0

My princess is 10. How did that happen? She's growing into a charming, intelligent, opinionated young woman, someone who I am proud to count as a friend, as well as a daughter.

I love you pretty princess.

My little bits

They just rip my heart right out of my chest :)

V-Day Surprise

We don't usually celebrate Valentine's Day (apart from helping the bits make cards for their classmates) but this year C surprised me with hockey tickets, and good ones, in the 100s, right behind the visitors net.

The return of Chris Kelly to Ottawa after being traded last week. Bittersweet for sure. We lost the game, but it was a great game nonetheless.

Burger!

C's favourite food, home made and dripping with cheese :)

2011-01-20

Swimming lessons... the blur in the centre is little J. We're not actually supposed to take pictures in the pool area, but since you can't make out anyone I'm not too worried.

The pool area is SO HOT. So so so disgustingly over hot. They pride themselves on keeping the pool hot for the seniors who take Aquafitness there during the week, but my goodness it's tough to breathe sitting in there watching (and there's really no other place to sit but there on the deck). Only 7 more weeks...

2011-01-16

First skate on the canal this season. Man it was cold. During the summer I delude myself into thinking I'm a half decent skater, but the first time on the blades each winter reminds me that I'm actually quite terrible :)

2011-01-15

Family twosome bowling tournament. Thank goodness the kids are decent bowlers because their parents sure weren't today!

2011-01-14

New mittens, a gift from Mary. I drove Jeff nutty by staging puppet shows over the cube wall with them... Friday fun :)

2011-01-12

I have literally dozens of things on my to-do list, but tonight instead of tackling any of them my little guy and I sat down and put together a 250 piece puzzle.

2011-01-11

Kids eat free on Tuesdays :)

2011-01-09

Chili that's been bubbling away in the crock pot all day, with a dollop of sour cream and a chunk of home made bread.

This is the life :)

2011-01-08

The joy of a Canadian winter... the bits enjoying their first skate of the year on a friend's amazing backyard rink.

2011-01-07

My little fashionista modelling a cute outfit she received for Christmas from her aunties... and mismatched socks. She's one of a kind, that girl :)

2011-01-06

The blocks I've received so far from the Flickr ScrapBEElooza online quilting bee, all together (the pink is close enough to the colour I'll eventually sash them in). Getting so very excited about this!

When the rest of the blocks come in this will become a quilt for Katie's bottom bunk :)

2011-01-05

Time to pack away all of the Christmas cards... makes me sad, I love Christmas cards, I love getting them in the mail, I love hearing from those people I don't get to see very frequently.

2011-01-04

Elvis Stojko, at the Rock the Ice show in Peterborough. The tickets were my Christmas gift from James (who even came with me, what a great kid!)

(I had such a crush on Elvis in the early 90's. He's totally still got it!)

2011-01-02

The boys have been busy in the kitchen.

2011-01-01

Hockey game, Sens vs Leafs, 3 rows from the ice.

We got trounced :(

(I'm restarting the Project 365, the 'picture a day' project. We'll see how far I get this time :) )

Twinkle twinkle

C and the two Js went to Alight at Night at Upper Canada Village with a big part of the extended family. Unfortunately Katie was feeling awful, having spent most of the day in bed, so she and I remained home. The boys took a wagon ride, saw the lights and perused the entries in a huge gingerbread house contest.

Thank goodness it washes off...

The Avon roll-on soaps seemed like a good idea at the time...

Mini-vacation

We stayed in a hotel this trip, one that featured a pool and a hot tub. The hot tub *almost* made up for how uncomfortable the bed was :)

Boxing Day

For Boxing Day we left early early to drive to Nana's house! Look at the pile of gifts, it was taller than sweet little Maya!

All of the kids (little AND big) got terribly spoiled :)

Merry Christmas

From our home to yours

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve morning at my office, which traditionally throws a children's party for the kids of employees on Christmas Eve. The kids decorated cookies, made crafts and had a visit from 'Santa'.

Afterwards, we wandered across the river to papa's office for lunch and to enjoy the kids Christmas activities in his large complex, and were surprised and delighted when he was able to leave at noon-ish (we expected he'd work the whole day). Made for a lovely, calm day.

A quick stop in at a cousin's Christmas party before heading to the church rounded out the day.


The kids both sang at Christmas Eve Mass this year, and having sat through a good many of the rehearsals I'm shocked at how GOOD it was! It was GREAT really! The kids sounded angelic, the adult choir lovely, and it all went without a hitch (except that Katie had a tummy ache, but that didn't stop her from performing, or eating the candy that they gave the kids afterwards!)