Our family adventures continued tonight, and as our calendar told us it was movie night I had the plan set out and ready to go.
At our house we can watch the same movie 18 billion times and then some, but tonight I wanted to watch something new. The girls had already watched all their Christmas present movies, well, all but one. Secretly, I stashed a present the girls got so that it wouldn't get ruined or scratched as there was a little bit of a story behind.
So after a pizza and bathtime, homework being done after school, I did up the dishes and asked Kiya to go in my room and get the movie. I made the popcorn on the stove as I can't stand microwave popcorn, I would rather slave over oil than smell that smell, and Kiya got our cuddle blankets out and we snuggled in for a movie.
Can I tell you, Tinkerbell and the Secret of the Wings is an awesome movie. It hinted on everything I was trying to get my girls to do; working together towards a goal, standing up for one another, sharing and truly loving each other. Of course being Disney it made me well up a bit and Mylee snuggle in a little more but what Disney movie hasn't.
Thank you Uncle Paul and Auntie Sue, we really enjoyed this movie and will probably watch it over and over again!
Tomorrow is Music Night....think someone might be learning to play the guitar =)
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Lego Challenge 2
Last week we were on Lego quest 2, build something monochromatic, well this proceeded to be a wonderful adventure for Mylee, and a struggle for Kiya.
The girls have a limited number of LEGO that has accumulated in pink buckets that fit under their beds. That is why I thought this quest would be both interesting and fun. We have limitations (the amount of LEGO we have) and we have creative play. So when faced with a challenge such as this one we just have to put our brains to work.
Initially I decided to choose the colour that had the most pieces for Mylee as I wasn't sure what she would come up with. So she got pink, and she set to work putting pieces together systematically in her mind to come up with something awesome. Watching her is like watching an artist paint, you can almost see and feel the emotion and raw energy that comes from that type of creativity. Low and behold, she built something awesome...
The girls have a limited number of LEGO that has accumulated in pink buckets that fit under their beds. That is why I thought this quest would be both interesting and fun. We have limitations (the amount of LEGO we have) and we have creative play. So when faced with a challenge such as this one we just have to put our brains to work.
Initially I decided to choose the colour that had the most pieces for Mylee as I wasn't sure what she would come up with. So she got pink, and she set to work putting pieces together systematically in her mind to come up with something awesome. Watching her is like watching an artist paint, you can almost see and feel the emotion and raw energy that comes from that type of creativity. Low and behold, she built something awesome...
Mylee built a boat
For Kiya this challenge was a little more difficult. Kiya puts her LEGO away built, meaning the house and car and whatever else she has made that night goes in the box and can be pulled out for future play. So she got a little upset with me when I started, I guess, literally destroying her buildings looking for all the white pieces. The main difference with Kiya's lego is that the pieces have texture or design and can be integrated differently than with Mylee's basic pieces.
Many times I heard "but I don't know what to make" and as patiently as I could I explained that this is a time to branch out and make whatever you want. Kiya prefers direction and rules and I think that is why this challenge was so difficult for her. I was told to go away and she wanted it to be a surprise so I couldn't watch this one. But in the end, she buckled down, came up with something and was smiling at the end of it.
Kiya's version of R2D2
Next week should be an interesting one, I can't wait to see what the girls come up with.
Anniversary Dinner
This past Thursday, the 24th to be exact, Darryl and I celebrated 11 years of marriage and 15 years of being together. Though we have our ups and downs, lefts and rights, and well any other direction you can think of we always work as a team and get 'er done!
Saturday night we went for dinner and after what seemed like forever really got to relax and be adults with each other, not mommy and daddy, or son and daughter, but real friends. I got to fill him in on all my good news and plans for the next little while and we talked about some decisions we were considering for the next year. It is amazing what we can accomplish when we are alone and focused in on one another rather than being interupted.
Eleven years ago I married the man I love, today I look back knowing I made the right decision that day, even though I was 45 minutes late. But hey, he stuck around so I guess that counts for something too.
Saturday night we went for dinner and after what seemed like forever really got to relax and be adults with each other, not mommy and daddy, or son and daughter, but real friends. I got to fill him in on all my good news and plans for the next little while and we talked about some decisions we were considering for the next year. It is amazing what we can accomplish when we are alone and focused in on one another rather than being interupted.
Eleven years ago I married the man I love, today I look back knowing I made the right decision that day, even though I was 45 minutes late. But hey, he stuck around so I guess that counts for something too.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Craft Night
Yesterday as I was finishing my orientation I was trying to figure out what craft supplies we have in the house to do our craft night, which happened to be the next activity on our list. Now this is going to sound selfish but I have my craft supplies and the girls have theirs. So as I left the building I glanced across the street and the heavens opened up and the beam of light lit up the Michael's on the corner. All I could think is "YES!"
I love that Michael's! It is clean, organized, multi leveled, and the people are so helpful. I picked up some little stuff for the girls to do, and stickers for me. And I travelled home pretty proud of myself.
We started off with the little plastic beads that you can arrange in a shape, pattern, design, the ideas are endless and then you iron them and your design is permanent. Kiya picked the gumball machine and Mylee got the butterfly. Mylee was a little frustrated with her's, so in walks daddy and with daddy to the rescue they made a really awesome butterfly and we all fell in love with Kiya's gumball machine.
Our next activity was plastic canvas. I picked up simple circles so the girls could make coasters or something that wouldn't take forever but they could practise their sewing skills. I am beginning to think that these simple skills are being outdated with all the disposable items out there. A rip in a shirt can be mended, but why bother when the shirt cost $4. Everyone says I have an old fashioned outlook, but I just think I am frugal. Why waste something when you can fix it or turn it into something different. And who knows, when in college or university these skills might come in handy for friends and they could earn a little pocket money without really having to work to the bone when they are already studying like crazy.
Kiya finished her coaster and started working on her doorhanger, Mylee is still practising her sewing skills. I will post pics when finished.
I love that Michael's! It is clean, organized, multi leveled, and the people are so helpful. I picked up some little stuff for the girls to do, and stickers for me. And I travelled home pretty proud of myself.
We started off with the little plastic beads that you can arrange in a shape, pattern, design, the ideas are endless and then you iron them and your design is permanent. Kiya picked the gumball machine and Mylee got the butterfly. Mylee was a little frustrated with her's, so in walks daddy and with daddy to the rescue they made a really awesome butterfly and we all fell in love with Kiya's gumball machine.
Our next activity was plastic canvas. I picked up simple circles so the girls could make coasters or something that wouldn't take forever but they could practise their sewing skills. I am beginning to think that these simple skills are being outdated with all the disposable items out there. A rip in a shirt can be mended, but why bother when the shirt cost $4. Everyone says I have an old fashioned outlook, but I just think I am frugal. Why waste something when you can fix it or turn it into something different. And who knows, when in college or university these skills might come in handy for friends and they could earn a little pocket money without really having to work to the bone when they are already studying like crazy.
Kiya finished her coaster and started working on her doorhanger, Mylee is still practising her sewing skills. I will post pics when finished.
Officially Employed
Last week I got a phone call, a very happy phone call.
In October I applied to the board to be a lunch supervisor, and after the interview process and all the legal stuff happening with the teachers I wasn't sure if I was stuck in limbo or whether they just didn't want me. A very discouraging thought but one I would have been okay with having not worked since before Kiya was born.
A fabulous woman told me that they would like me to join their team and I was elated. Yesterday was my orientation, and I went in with a smile and happy air about me. I met someone there who I was fascinated with. Her job title was quite interesting and I was curious but didn't have the right words to ask exactly what her position was. So I polite said "please pardon my ignorance but what exactly do you do?" Her position was a deaf and blind intervener.
I count my blessings everyday for what I have and as I sat pondering this idea I was suddenly struck with a thought. What would it be like if you could not see or hear anything around you, to be completely silent. Now she explained to me that this is the rare case, there are some but it is very rare, that she is able to work with those who have one or the other. And I thought what an amazing career path to choose. I have witnessed many special needs children and have been able to interact with them, they are the most amazing people and those around them provide so much insight into life on a level many of us wouldn't understand.
I am so glad I met this young lady and I wish her the best of luck in her life and future. People walk into your life for a reason and though I have yet to figure out the reason for many of them, I can't help but thank them for teaching me something new or letting me see life in their point of view.
In October I applied to the board to be a lunch supervisor, and after the interview process and all the legal stuff happening with the teachers I wasn't sure if I was stuck in limbo or whether they just didn't want me. A very discouraging thought but one I would have been okay with having not worked since before Kiya was born.
A fabulous woman told me that they would like me to join their team and I was elated. Yesterday was my orientation, and I went in with a smile and happy air about me. I met someone there who I was fascinated with. Her job title was quite interesting and I was curious but didn't have the right words to ask exactly what her position was. So I polite said "please pardon my ignorance but what exactly do you do?" Her position was a deaf and blind intervener.
I count my blessings everyday for what I have and as I sat pondering this idea I was suddenly struck with a thought. What would it be like if you could not see or hear anything around you, to be completely silent. Now she explained to me that this is the rare case, there are some but it is very rare, that she is able to work with those who have one or the other. And I thought what an amazing career path to choose. I have witnessed many special needs children and have been able to interact with them, they are the most amazing people and those around them provide so much insight into life on a level many of us wouldn't understand.
I am so glad I met this young lady and I wish her the best of luck in her life and future. People walk into your life for a reason and though I have yet to figure out the reason for many of them, I can't help but thank them for teaching me something new or letting me see life in their point of view.
The Make up
So as I disappointed my children on Tuesday night, I decided to make it up to them. So our board game night that was scheduled still happened but we also did the girls night as well.
We played two games. Kiya chose Disney Trivia and Mylee chose Princessopoly (a Christmas gift from Uncle Dustin). We played Princessopoly first and for a children's game I was completely confused. I couldn't figure out the money system, and then my very bright very wonderful Kiya explained it to me with rolled eyes. Something so simple was too complicated for me, but seriously they need better instructions. As we travelled the board we paid our "rent", did our best ballet moves, and giggled and pouted. I have come to the conclusion my children are very competitive, I wonder where they get that from? In the end Mylee won, so she became Ultimate Princess.
Disney Trivia was interesting too! The game is all based off of Disney movies, my favourite movies, and questions from the movies themselves. I don't know how many of you would remember when McDonalds had the disney trivia game (similar to the monopoly game they play now) but I think the people in McDonalds would just keep handing me my winnings because I could sit there and give all the other people the answers. Well as the game progressed Kiya stumped me on one or two questions and in the end Kiya was Trivia Master.
The night didn't end there. We decided to watch a movie and after many yeses and nos I finally decided we were watching Brave. So Brave was playing and in pajamas I did the girls' nails and braided Kiya's hair, Mylee's is too short to braid.
It is so nice to spend this time with my girls, I want them to know that no matter what they should be there for each other because in the end they need each other more than they will ever think. And with major changes happening in life right now I want them to know that they need to support each other and be really good friends.
We played two games. Kiya chose Disney Trivia and Mylee chose Princessopoly (a Christmas gift from Uncle Dustin). We played Princessopoly first and for a children's game I was completely confused. I couldn't figure out the money system, and then my very bright very wonderful Kiya explained it to me with rolled eyes. Something so simple was too complicated for me, but seriously they need better instructions. As we travelled the board we paid our "rent", did our best ballet moves, and giggled and pouted. I have come to the conclusion my children are very competitive, I wonder where they get that from? In the end Mylee won, so she became Ultimate Princess.
Disney Trivia was interesting too! The game is all based off of Disney movies, my favourite movies, and questions from the movies themselves. I don't know how many of you would remember when McDonalds had the disney trivia game (similar to the monopoly game they play now) but I think the people in McDonalds would just keep handing me my winnings because I could sit there and give all the other people the answers. Well as the game progressed Kiya stumped me on one or two questions and in the end Kiya was Trivia Master.
The night didn't end there. We decided to watch a movie and after many yeses and nos I finally decided we were watching Brave. So Brave was playing and in pajamas I did the girls' nails and braided Kiya's hair, Mylee's is too short to braid.
It is so nice to spend this time with my girls, I want them to know that no matter what they should be there for each other because in the end they need each other more than they will ever think. And with major changes happening in life right now I want them to know that they need to support each other and be really good friends.
The Start of Our Activity Nights
Remember how I mentioned we filled the calendar with nights of fun for the girls to do? Well ours started on Tuesday of this week with our first official girls night. Our night was planned with hair, make up and facials and nails, so as I started to set up I got a text and unfortunately had to postpone our girls night to help out a friend in need.
We spent our evening watching movies and after a couple of tears I think they understood what is actually was that we did. Sometimes you have to reach out to those who need you without question.
At 9 and 4 I don't expect my children to fully understand this concept, but that doesn't mean I won't teach it to them. Helping others is an important part of life, and I am very greatful that I learned this lesson. Kiya is very helpful and quite understanding for a 9 year old and well I am still working on Mylee but there are times when she sees me frustrated and is willing to lend a hand. Teachers at my children's school come up to me and thank me for having two very helpful children so I guess my message is getting through, it just isn't practised at home....but what else is new ;)
We spent our evening watching movies and after a couple of tears I think they understood what is actually was that we did. Sometimes you have to reach out to those who need you without question.
At 9 and 4 I don't expect my children to fully understand this concept, but that doesn't mean I won't teach it to them. Helping others is an important part of life, and I am very greatful that I learned this lesson. Kiya is very helpful and quite understanding for a 9 year old and well I am still working on Mylee but there are times when she sees me frustrated and is willing to lend a hand. Teachers at my children's school come up to me and thank me for having two very helpful children so I guess my message is getting through, it just isn't practised at home....but what else is new ;)
Mylee's Birthday Party
How can you not be Smurferific on a day when your little girl celebrates her 5th birthday. Balloons, streamers, popcorn and presents, don't need anything more to put a smile on a little girl's face.
So the kids sat and watched the Smurf movie as the parents caught up and mingled and laughed. Movie got boring so we decided to play Just Dance 4 instead.
Then after a couple rounds the pizza came and we enjoyed pizza and wings; then came the cake
So the kids sat and watched the Smurf movie as the parents caught up and mingled and laughed. Movie got boring so we decided to play Just Dance 4 instead.
Then after a couple rounds the pizza came and we enjoyed pizza and wings; then came the cake
When Mylee tells me what her theme for her party is, I get excited. She is always different, no Barbie or Hello Kitty, or typical girlie themes. So this year when I asked her what she wanted on her cake she said Smurfette, so you can only blow up an image so big, I thought the cupcakes would add an extra element of charm.
Not to mention I got the best compliment ever and totally changed my day, from someone I would never expect to hear it from. So not only Mylee had an awesome day, the rest of the kids had fun too, the grown-ups laughed and chatted, and again I sat back knowing all my hard work was well worth it!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Insight on Me
With all the craziness in my world right now I thought I would give you a little bit of insight as to how my head works and how I maintain a positive attitude and try to always have a smile on my face.
Wanna know the secret?
Cartoons. And I don't mean the ones today that make absolutely no sense about ridiculous things, I mean old fashioned, older style comedy cartoons. How many times have you heard a story that you wish you were there to see? Me, too many to count. So if Darryl has an interesting day at work or someone at the school comes to me with a giggle I listen and in my head the cartoon reel is going.
Funny as to now I am sitting here trying to think of an example and my mind goes blank, but one will come to me. Okay got one and I hope my mom forgives me for this one but I can't tell this story without laughing so hard I can't breathe.
We had a cat, a really foolish kitten that would get itself into the worst trouble, including jumping in with our two puppies and then meowing when they were playing tug-o-war with its tail and ear, so we would rescue Cody (I think that is what its name was) and 10 minutes later Cody would be back in the box meowing with the same tug-o-war happening. Again....foolish cat.
So one day as we are going about our daily tasks we hear Cody meowing and can't figure out where this foolish cat is. That was until we looked outside and Cody ended up getting stuck on the hydro pole and didn't know how to get down. Being on the younger side, me about 12 and Dustin about 9 or 10 neither of us were allowed to climb up to get him, so we tried to coax him down with everything from toys to treats. No luck, so Mom comes to the rescue.
The pole was probably about 10-12 feet in the air so you couldn't reach it unless you climbed. And no my mother didn't climb the pole, instead she got a long board and with several valiant attempts finally got Cody to get onto it and climb off the pole. Now physics and life will tell you that if you are holding one side of the board and something goes on the other side it becomes unbalanced and of course the weight will cause the board to have a gravitational pull.
Yep that is what happened alright, and I will say my mom did pretty well holding it up until she just couldn't anymore. And it slammed down onto the fence, kitty bouncing off the end like it would in an old fashioned Bugs Bunny cartoon (okay I am in tears laughing as I remember this) and when Cody came back down to earth landing perfectly on all fours he scampered into the house like he was being chased by some rabid dog ready to eat him. Dustin and I were in a fit of giggles laughing so hard we couldn't breathe and all Mom could do was mutter "stupid cat".
Now if you are still with me, I have played this through my head for the umpteenth time and each time we are cartoon characters. I do this with every story I get told and without fail I am either snickering or bursting out in giggles from the craziness of my brain.
So when people look at me and say why are you happy all the time or why are you always smiling, I go back to my cartoon history and replay moments like this and I just smile. Life fills you with days that suck, but then life gives you moments of complete beauty and then there are moments of utter fun; if you take these moments negatively you will never smile, however if you take them as they are given to you and channel them into something more positive and more cheery you will be just as happy and constantly smiling. I realize I am a crazy lady, but maybe if there were more crazy people in the world we would be better off. So that's my story and I am sticking to it!!! Try the cartoon reel and see what you think!
Wanna know the secret?
Cartoons. And I don't mean the ones today that make absolutely no sense about ridiculous things, I mean old fashioned, older style comedy cartoons. How many times have you heard a story that you wish you were there to see? Me, too many to count. So if Darryl has an interesting day at work or someone at the school comes to me with a giggle I listen and in my head the cartoon reel is going.
Funny as to now I am sitting here trying to think of an example and my mind goes blank, but one will come to me. Okay got one and I hope my mom forgives me for this one but I can't tell this story without laughing so hard I can't breathe.
We had a cat, a really foolish kitten that would get itself into the worst trouble, including jumping in with our two puppies and then meowing when they were playing tug-o-war with its tail and ear, so we would rescue Cody (I think that is what its name was) and 10 minutes later Cody would be back in the box meowing with the same tug-o-war happening. Again....foolish cat.
So one day as we are going about our daily tasks we hear Cody meowing and can't figure out where this foolish cat is. That was until we looked outside and Cody ended up getting stuck on the hydro pole and didn't know how to get down. Being on the younger side, me about 12 and Dustin about 9 or 10 neither of us were allowed to climb up to get him, so we tried to coax him down with everything from toys to treats. No luck, so Mom comes to the rescue.
The pole was probably about 10-12 feet in the air so you couldn't reach it unless you climbed. And no my mother didn't climb the pole, instead she got a long board and with several valiant attempts finally got Cody to get onto it and climb off the pole. Now physics and life will tell you that if you are holding one side of the board and something goes on the other side it becomes unbalanced and of course the weight will cause the board to have a gravitational pull.
Yep that is what happened alright, and I will say my mom did pretty well holding it up until she just couldn't anymore. And it slammed down onto the fence, kitty bouncing off the end like it would in an old fashioned Bugs Bunny cartoon (okay I am in tears laughing as I remember this) and when Cody came back down to earth landing perfectly on all fours he scampered into the house like he was being chased by some rabid dog ready to eat him. Dustin and I were in a fit of giggles laughing so hard we couldn't breathe and all Mom could do was mutter "stupid cat".
Now if you are still with me, I have played this through my head for the umpteenth time and each time we are cartoon characters. I do this with every story I get told and without fail I am either snickering or bursting out in giggles from the craziness of my brain.
So when people look at me and say why are you happy all the time or why are you always smiling, I go back to my cartoon history and replay moments like this and I just smile. Life fills you with days that suck, but then life gives you moments of complete beauty and then there are moments of utter fun; if you take these moments negatively you will never smile, however if you take them as they are given to you and channel them into something more positive and more cheery you will be just as happy and constantly smiling. I realize I am a crazy lady, but maybe if there were more crazy people in the world we would be better off. So that's my story and I am sticking to it!!! Try the cartoon reel and see what you think!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Our Lego Quest
Tonight marks the first night in our lego quest of 2013.
What is a lego quest you ask? And I am so glad you did because I was lost too. So I turned to this lady's blog for the answer http://legoquestkids.blogspot.ca/2012/10/final-challenge-quest-52.html . In case you don't want to read a full blog I will summarize briefly. Lego quest is a 52 week challenge in which you are given a different challenge each week to build something fun and imaginative. The topics range from cars and wearable lego to your favourite book or movie, labrinths and surrealism. Some have restrictions and others allow for full on play. The one that I am looking forward to is Maximum Height. I actually did this with a little boy named Alex when I co-oped in high school. We got ours to a full 2 meter sticks. Now my girls don't have that much lego but it will keep it interesting and as the challenges progress maybe we will add some new and interesting pieces.
There are several reasons I am doing this:
1. it creates constructive play with a set goal though allows your imagination to run free.
2. television has gotten to a whole new level of idiocy that I have to walk away from
3. it gives us a task every week to look forward to and enjoy spending some quality time together.
and finally
4. some of the challenges require looking up a definition in the dictionary for clarification, or researching on the internet what an ancient artifact is creating an educational experience as well.
And here are our results!
What is a lego quest you ask? And I am so glad you did because I was lost too. So I turned to this lady's blog for the answer http://legoquestkids.blogspot.ca/2012/10/final-challenge-quest-52.html . In case you don't want to read a full blog I will summarize briefly. Lego quest is a 52 week challenge in which you are given a different challenge each week to build something fun and imaginative. The topics range from cars and wearable lego to your favourite book or movie, labrinths and surrealism. Some have restrictions and others allow for full on play. The one that I am looking forward to is Maximum Height. I actually did this with a little boy named Alex when I co-oped in high school. We got ours to a full 2 meter sticks. Now my girls don't have that much lego but it will keep it interesting and as the challenges progress maybe we will add some new and interesting pieces.
There are several reasons I am doing this:
1. it creates constructive play with a set goal though allows your imagination to run free.
2. television has gotten to a whole new level of idiocy that I have to walk away from
3. it gives us a task every week to look forward to and enjoy spending some quality time together.
and finally
4. some of the challenges require looking up a definition in the dictionary for clarification, or researching on the internet what an ancient artifact is creating an educational experience as well.
And here are our results!
 |
| Mylee's car |
 |
| Kiya's Car |
Family Time
Getting all of us to sit down in the same room and do an activity together is almost impossible. With Darryl's work schedule, the girls' school, and well my craziness we never seem to have time to pick up all the wonderful things in our house and actually use them, so I am implementing a new system. As I mentioned before, I abhore the children's shows designated for Kiya's age group. They are hurtful, idiotic and some are just plain rude. So horrible me is limiting television and replacing it with some family time.
I have decided to fill a hat with activities that I can sit down and do with the girls and we can all have fun doing and each of us will take turns pulling the activities out and placing them on the calendar. Examples are girls' nights, where we do our hair and nails and facials (if we have time), movie nights with popcorn and 3D glasses, Wii game nights utilizing the stuff we still haven't opened, and reading nights where we snuggle under blankets in the living room with some good books and quiet time. Not to mention the crafts, board games, pictures and baking supplies.
With all the technology that kids are exposed to I think it is important to include some get together time in as well. My family doesn't sit around the table for dinner unless I stamp my foot and put up a big fight so communicating is a little more difficult. I find this might be the solution I am looking for so that my children can grow up together and learn from each other as much as they learn independently and can lean on each other for support rather than compete against each other.
So although we are halfway through January we are going to start now! Here's what our calendar looks like:
p.s. The green is our family events, the others are birthdays and other events in life.
I have decided to fill a hat with activities that I can sit down and do with the girls and we can all have fun doing and each of us will take turns pulling the activities out and placing them on the calendar. Examples are girls' nights, where we do our hair and nails and facials (if we have time), movie nights with popcorn and 3D glasses, Wii game nights utilizing the stuff we still haven't opened, and reading nights where we snuggle under blankets in the living room with some good books and quiet time. Not to mention the crafts, board games, pictures and baking supplies.
With all the technology that kids are exposed to I think it is important to include some get together time in as well. My family doesn't sit around the table for dinner unless I stamp my foot and put up a big fight so communicating is a little more difficult. I find this might be the solution I am looking for so that my children can grow up together and learn from each other as much as they learn independently and can lean on each other for support rather than compete against each other.
So although we are halfway through January we are going to start now! Here's what our calendar looks like:
Mylee's Birthday
How quickly time can pass. She started off as a little gummy bear in her ultrasound picture and today is a a beautiful 5 year old little girl. I still can't figure out where the time has gone.
Mylee was very specific with her instructions for her birthday this year. When I asked her what kind of cake she wanted, she paused, put her finger up to her lip like she does when she needs to think and said "Let me think". So I patiently waited. "Mommy, I want a chocolate mousse cake with a chocolate covered strawberry in the middle" she said matter of factly. This made me giggle and I replied "okay."
Darryl asked her what she wanted for a present and she said she wanted a guitar. Really, a guitar. So after researching we decided to pick her up one from Toys r us.
A pink accoustic guitar that badly needs some tuning. But she has already learned to strum and play a C note. Hopefully note is the right word, have to give me some leaway on this one I played brass not strings.
Mylee was very specific with her instructions for her birthday this year. When I asked her what kind of cake she wanted, she paused, put her finger up to her lip like she does when she needs to think and said "Let me think". So I patiently waited. "Mommy, I want a chocolate mousse cake with a chocolate covered strawberry in the middle" she said matter of factly. This made me giggle and I replied "okay."
Darryl asked her what she wanted for a present and she said she wanted a guitar. Really, a guitar. So after researching we decided to pick her up one from Toys r us.
A pink accoustic guitar that badly needs some tuning. But she has already learned to strum and play a C note. Hopefully note is the right word, have to give me some leaway on this one I played brass not strings.
Then finally it was dinner at Matsuda, our favourite Japanese restaurant.
Or the restaurant with the green tea ice cream and chocolate mousse. Mylee loves shrimp tempura and the chocolate mousse that comes in individual little glasses. She feels so proud when she asks the server for 4 chocolate mousse. So another year older and another year full of new words and new experiences, we can't wait.
Friday, January 11, 2013
The Furnace Room
Our furnace room is the dumping ground for everything that doesn't have its own home. The clutter and disorganization finally got to me and Darryl and I invested in some bookshelves and cupboards to make it more user friendly.
My goal was to make things easy to find, have everything up off the floor and to be able to have access to my baking sheets. My baking sheets tend to hold some goodies that I don't have room for, ie my airbrush machine, any leftover containers that don't fit in the cupboard or even chocolate moulds that I have found on sale but don't fit in the plastic drawers like the others.
So off I went, I emptied the entire furnace room and all I can say is WOW. There was a lot in there that I didn't even know we had; and I found my pasta maker! The clutter filled my dining table area and stretched out past the couch, so yes there was a lot in that room.
Three cupboards and bookshelves later and I end up with a beautifully organized space, where serving dishes can be found, foil paper can be reached and my big baking sheets can be used without having to clear them off. But now I have a couple of shelves that need to be moved and a bunch of recycling from new boxes and absolutely no energy to take them upstairs.
Now off to my next project!
My goal was to make things easy to find, have everything up off the floor and to be able to have access to my baking sheets. My baking sheets tend to hold some goodies that I don't have room for, ie my airbrush machine, any leftover containers that don't fit in the cupboard or even chocolate moulds that I have found on sale but don't fit in the plastic drawers like the others.
So off I went, I emptied the entire furnace room and all I can say is WOW. There was a lot in there that I didn't even know we had; and I found my pasta maker! The clutter filled my dining table area and stretched out past the couch, so yes there was a lot in that room.
Three cupboards and bookshelves later and I end up with a beautifully organized space, where serving dishes can be found, foil paper can be reached and my big baking sheets can be used without having to clear them off. But now I have a couple of shelves that need to be moved and a bunch of recycling from new boxes and absolutely no energy to take them upstairs.
Now off to my next project!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Todo Lists
I mentioned earlier that there are several home improvement projects that I have to get done over the next couple months and my todo lists just keep getting longer and longer. Thank goodness for post-its, my nexus and my phone because otherwise I would be lost.
My first project starts Thursday and I am really excited about this one. Before Christmas I had asked Darryl to keep an eye on some of the flyers to see when some shelving units went on sale. My plan is to reorganize the furnace room to utilize the space in a much better way. Right now everything is everywhere and there is so much wasted space that it kills me. I would also like to move my cake stuff in there so the basement looks more put together but for that to happen I need some structure and lots and lots of shelves.
Thursday is going to be a long day, but in the end I will be happy, organized and one thing will get checked off my list!
My first project starts Thursday and I am really excited about this one. Before Christmas I had asked Darryl to keep an eye on some of the flyers to see when some shelving units went on sale. My plan is to reorganize the furnace room to utilize the space in a much better way. Right now everything is everywhere and there is so much wasted space that it kills me. I would also like to move my cake stuff in there so the basement looks more put together but for that to happen I need some structure and lots and lots of shelves.
Thursday is going to be a long day, but in the end I will be happy, organized and one thing will get checked off my list!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
An Amazing List
So I have been slacking in my posts the last couple of days because we have been having some fun just enjoying time together. Darryl gets days off but they never seem like days off, so we spent the last 2 days doing things together, and that got me thinking.
Last year I was able to accompany Kiya on a field trip to Hillside. An amazing place where kids learn about nature, ecology, and pretty much anything environmental; I took a picture of a list that was posted on the wall there. I would post the list but it is broken into two pieces and quite small; however, thanks to the technology of my phone I can blow it up with the touch of a finger and can type it out for you!
50 Things to do before you turn 13
1. Climb a tree
2. Roll down a big hill
3. Camp out in the wild
4. Build a den
5. Skip a stone
6. Run around in the rain
7. Fly a kite
8. Catch a fish with a net
9. Eat an apple straight from a tree
10.Plant a tree
11. Throw some snow
12. Hunt for treasure on the beach
13. Make a mud pie
14. Dam a stream
15. Go Sledding
16. Bury someone in the sand
17. Set up a snail race
18. Balance on a fallen tree
19. Swing on a rope swing
20. Make a mud slide
21. Eat grapes growing in the wild
22. Take a look inside a tree
23. Visit an island
24. Feel like you're flying in the wind
25. Make a grass trumpet
26. Hunt for fossils and bones
27. Watch the sun wake up.
28. Climb a huge hill
29. Get behind a waterfall
30. Feed a bird from your hand
31. Hunt for bugs
32. Find some frogspawn
33. Catch a butterfly in a net
34. Track wild animals
35. Discover what is in a pond
36. Call an owl
37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool
38. Bring up a butterfly
39. Catch a crab
40. Go on a nature walk at night
41. Plant it, Grow it, Eat it
42. Go wild swimming
43. Go rafting
44. Light a fire without a match
45. Find your way with a map and compass
46. Try bouldering*
47. Cook on a campfire
48. Try abseiling**
49. Find a geocache
50. Canoe down a river
*Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope, normally with a bouldering pad underneath
** Abseiling (or rappeling) is the controlled descent down a rock face using a rope.
Kiya and I stood and checked off as many as we could remember that we have done. I have done quite a few with the exception of any rock climbing, frogspawn and finding a geocache. So I am looking forward to the summer when we can cross some of these things off our list and have some crazy memories. I think I did a lot of this stuff at Bolton Camp, maybe that is a thought for summer this year. We shall see!
Last year I was able to accompany Kiya on a field trip to Hillside. An amazing place where kids learn about nature, ecology, and pretty much anything environmental; I took a picture of a list that was posted on the wall there. I would post the list but it is broken into two pieces and quite small; however, thanks to the technology of my phone I can blow it up with the touch of a finger and can type it out for you!
50 Things to do before you turn 13
1. Climb a tree
2. Roll down a big hill
3. Camp out in the wild
4. Build a den
5. Skip a stone
6. Run around in the rain
7. Fly a kite
8. Catch a fish with a net
9. Eat an apple straight from a tree
10.Plant a tree
11. Throw some snow
12. Hunt for treasure on the beach
13. Make a mud pie
14. Dam a stream
15. Go Sledding
16. Bury someone in the sand
17. Set up a snail race
18. Balance on a fallen tree
19. Swing on a rope swing
20. Make a mud slide
21. Eat grapes growing in the wild
22. Take a look inside a tree
23. Visit an island
24. Feel like you're flying in the wind
25. Make a grass trumpet
26. Hunt for fossils and bones
27. Watch the sun wake up.
28. Climb a huge hill
29. Get behind a waterfall
30. Feed a bird from your hand
31. Hunt for bugs
32. Find some frogspawn
33. Catch a butterfly in a net
34. Track wild animals
35. Discover what is in a pond
36. Call an owl
37. Check out the crazy creatures in a rock pool
38. Bring up a butterfly
39. Catch a crab
40. Go on a nature walk at night
41. Plant it, Grow it, Eat it
42. Go wild swimming
43. Go rafting
44. Light a fire without a match
45. Find your way with a map and compass
46. Try bouldering*
47. Cook on a campfire
48. Try abseiling**
49. Find a geocache
50. Canoe down a river
*Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope, normally with a bouldering pad underneath
** Abseiling (or rappeling) is the controlled descent down a rock face using a rope.
Kiya and I stood and checked off as many as we could remember that we have done. I have done quite a few with the exception of any rock climbing, frogspawn and finding a geocache. So I am looking forward to the summer when we can cross some of these things off our list and have some crazy memories. I think I did a lot of this stuff at Bolton Camp, maybe that is a thought for summer this year. We shall see!
Winter
There is one thing I love about winter and being so close to a school. I find it very entertaining to watch the children try to waddle along all bundled up in the snowpants and jackets, scarves, mitts and boots. I am not sure what is the most fun though, watching them waddle or giggling because underneath the layers of massive are these little tiny children.
Case and point: here is Mylee just getting home from school; take off the big bulky jacket and snowpants and she is just a little bitty thing. Kiya is even funnier but she won't let me take a picture of her decked out in her winter gear.
With Saturday's expected temperature to be 9 degrees can't see them wanting to put on all this gear for the next little while so might as well get my giggles in now!
With Saturday's expected temperature to be 9 degrees can't see them wanting to put on all this gear for the next little while so might as well get my giggles in now!
Friday, January 4, 2013
Shrinkidinks
The girls received one of the coolest presents ever this year from family, Shrinkidinks. Now for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about I will explain.
Shrinkidinks are pieces of plastic that you colour with pencil crayons, then bake in the oven and they become 1/3 their size. And you can watch them do it, they curl up and then flatten out but they become so small.
Kiya got Tinkerbell and Mylee got Minnie Mouse. My kids are rather cool in the fact that the stuff they get they will share, so they swapped a couple of each others. These are the moments in time that I love and makes me feel relieved that they can get along. So late last night they came to me with the coloured shrinkidinks and said now what. I said "Wait until tomorrow."
Welcome to tomorrow! The girls asked if we could finish them and low and behold the toaster oven was free. Up we went with our envelope and low and behold we watched, the girls not believing that they would shrink to the size they did.
This is the outcome:
This adventure definitely took me back in history to when Stephanie, Brendan, Dustin and I would sit at the table at Grandma's house and make these.
Shrinkidinks are pieces of plastic that you colour with pencil crayons, then bake in the oven and they become 1/3 their size. And you can watch them do it, they curl up and then flatten out but they become so small.
Kiya got Tinkerbell and Mylee got Minnie Mouse. My kids are rather cool in the fact that the stuff they get they will share, so they swapped a couple of each others. These are the moments in time that I love and makes me feel relieved that they can get along. So late last night they came to me with the coloured shrinkidinks and said now what. I said "Wait until tomorrow."
Welcome to tomorrow! The girls asked if we could finish them and low and behold the toaster oven was free. Up we went with our envelope and low and behold we watched, the girls not believing that they would shrink to the size they did.
This is the outcome:
 |
| Kiya's |
 |
| Mylee's |
This adventure definitely took me back in history to when Stephanie, Brendan, Dustin and I would sit at the table at Grandma's house and make these.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Skating
Yesterday was an amazing adventure! We got on the bus with our friend Joanna and decided to go skating. The girls received new skates from Santa this year and I got them all sharpened up and we were raring to go. So we get there, get our skates laced up and get on the ice.
Well after many tears, my girls seem to be very self defeating, off we went. Kiya got the hang of it and Mylee was doing okay but had enough after about 40 minutes of falling down, being picked back up and falling down again. Amazingly both girls didn't get hurt in their falls, me however is another story. As I am skating around, probably a little faster than I should have, I got cut off by the tiniest little kid and I had to make a choice; either take her out and possibly hurt her or fall myself and I know I will be landing hard.
Needless to say, the person I am and mom that I am I opted for the later. And I landed very hard, first on my bottom and then on my head. Within seconds the rink guards were there asking if I was okay and I just laid there assessing myself knowing I had to get up and show my kids I was okay. Of course they thought I was nuts, but when your kids are watching you and you have told them when you fall get up again you have to lead by example.
We spent the rest of the evening playing Just Dance 4 and enjoying the night. I highly recommend this game to anyone who wants to laugh.
Needless to say, the person I am and mom that I am I opted for the later. And I landed very hard, first on my bottom and then on my head. Within seconds the rink guards were there asking if I was okay and I just laid there assessing myself knowing I had to get up and show my kids I was okay. Of course they thought I was nuts, but when your kids are watching you and you have told them when you fall get up again you have to lead by example.
We spent the rest of the evening playing Just Dance 4 and enjoying the night. I highly recommend this game to anyone who wants to laugh.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
And so it begins...
A new year begins and opens so many opportunities for us. The girls and I have quite a few things on our bucket list to cross off and Darryl stands by cheering us on when he can and joining in when he is available.
I am always amazed that a simple subway ride or streetcar ride makes my kids feel like they have done something absolutely special. Everyday things that I did as a kid frequently makes them laugh, giggle, ooh and aah with amazement, and my heart brightens as I share these wonderful events with them.
Last year we shared many wonderful moments, some we could never relive at any time and I am hoping that this year is the same. But with a change...this year I intend to document it all. I have a bucket list and some home improvements and some other tasks on my list that need to get accomplished so I will be sharing them as well.
So as the night turns over to 2013 so does my task list, tomorrow is day 1!!!
Lots of love!!!
I am always amazed that a simple subway ride or streetcar ride makes my kids feel like they have done something absolutely special. Everyday things that I did as a kid frequently makes them laugh, giggle, ooh and aah with amazement, and my heart brightens as I share these wonderful events with them.
Last year we shared many wonderful moments, some we could never relive at any time and I am hoping that this year is the same. But with a change...this year I intend to document it all. I have a bucket list and some home improvements and some other tasks on my list that need to get accomplished so I will be sharing them as well.
So as the night turns over to 2013 so does my task list, tomorrow is day 1!!!
Lots of love!!!
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