Time for Wrapping.....

Since I have two in school and one at home that doesn't really know what is going on...I took advantage and spent a good two hours, wrapping all the gifts in my kitchen, on my island, listening to Christmas music as it rains(heavy at times).  Alex watches his Disney Station while munching on Cheerios. I separated all the gifts, took off tags, packaging(for some) and got bags for individuals and their stockings. I am ready for that 3AM alarm on Christmas Morning...bring it on!

I have a strategy.....each child gets their own wrapping paper. Katie is Dora the Explorer, Josh is Transformers and Alex is Spongebob...that way, if a tag should fall off...they know their own paper...they hunt for their own and tear it apart. Mommy and Daddy's gifts to them, come in the generic wrapping....like No Name at Loblaws! Mommy and Daddy bring the necessities...underwear, socks, those Christmas PJ's and books!! Santa brings the cool toys!!

What I really hate about the toys is their packaging.  Most are glued in with ties and screws...it will take Matt about a good part of the Christmas morning to get the TOYS out!! That's probably why we started a tradition of Baileys in the morning coffee!! Its sad when toy companies have come to the conclusion to glue their toys in the box, for fear of theft! I will also make sure that there are scissors, screwdrivers, batteries and a huge garbage bag near by....left by Santa's elves!! How kind!!!

So....the gifts are wrapped. Placed back in a huge box and put in storage. I am ready. I just hope that NO ONE CHANGES THEIR MIND ON WHAT THEY  WANT!! Last year, at the last minute.....Matt took Josh to see Santa(Katie is too scared of him, which is understandable).  Just before Josh sat on his knee, he saw a blue and yellow tow truck....he asked Santa for it!!! That had me one night, out late, looking for the Blue/yellow tow truck...BUT I found!! Phew!! I think that this year, we will avoid the mall......just write a letter to Santa!! Santa gets all the letters.....and he knows if you have been bad or good!



Last years visit from Santa, 2010.



PVR...the Love Hate Relationship.......

About a month ago...we got a PVR.....and I am not sure if I like it! Before all this technology, I stayed up to watch a show....I was up to date with everything. AND now we have the PVR, I am recording everything.  My viewing list is LONG and I keep saying to my husband...."yah, I'll watch that soon, soon...hopefully tomorrow!" Tomorrow turns into a week. I spent yesterday watching TWO WEEKS(which is 10 episodes a week) of Coronation Street. I felt like I was living in England and I was dying for a PINT or a glass of WINE!! And I love that show!!!

But it got me thinking...how much I want to PVR and say "I'll watch that later!" I am running out of time to catch up on all the shows. I don't have enough time in the day!!  What happened?? PVR can be evil!!! I should just make the time to watch it and if I don't have the time, then don't watch it....it will be on again in the Summer!! Right!!?? OR just wait till the kids are FULLY grown and living on their own. I should be retired?!  Then I can buy all the seasons of the shows that I missed! BUT by then, I might have forgotten what they were!! A seniors moment!! Its almost like a chore NOW......gotta watch these shows, get updated...cause more is going to be PVR'd!!

What about YOU???
Do you PVR!?

So....now you know what happened to me yesterday and why I wasn't blogging!!! I was in the world of PVR!

HOLIDAY Season means CLEANING Season....

Yes....the Holiday Season is upon us! Time to have parties, small dinners, and share with friends and loved ones........BUT first.....we MUST CLEAN!!! It is sooo much fun to plan a dinner with friends. What are we going to eat, what wines to have, how to decorate, lets show off our latest find on Kijiji...you are HOUSE PROUD and want share with your friends and have a relaxing time. But I always forget about the CLEANING that MUST be DONE!! Right!?

I am doing that today...my Mother is coming up tomorrow for the weekend. We will end her visit with going to the Richmond Hill, Santa Claus Parade on Sunday. For some reason, I am an adult with everyone else...and sometimes slack with the cleaning(if they cant see it, who is going to hurt?), explaining to friends, "ohh its soo hard to keep this house clean with three kids!" We all chuckle...friends are forgiving. Then there is Mommy!! Remember Joan Crawford, Mother Dearest!! No, my Mom isn't that bad...phew!! But I know she does see things, she wont mention it, but I know that she knows that the vent is dusty on the ceiling in the bathroom. I just become a child again when she is here......anyone else like that??? Or is it JUST ME??

I have come to the conclusion....if I am hosting a party, dinner or BBQ...I will lightly clean the surfaces.....and then wait till the party is over...cause we all know that we have a friend who is messy and that's why the carpet is stained with something from last year, still not sure what that is(but we love them dearly), kids run in and out of the house and we ALL know that KIDS are messy...that's just part of their DNA.  So in my older age, I am becoming more relaxed, nothing has to be perfect(although, deep down I want it to be perfect...I know, I need help and I am working on that), just relax and have fun with friends and kids.  Time with them is precious.....

So.... its the HOLIDAY SEASON...time to relax and enjoy our friends and family. Sit back, enjoy that cocktail(or two), savour the meal prepared for you and just soak in the love from friends and family...cause without them, there is no HOLIDAY SEASON!

As for Mother....sigh....I should go back to the cleaning...she is here tomorrow and I still have to make pies!!


My Mom and me!!



When do you tell a child about Santa?? Or do YOU??

As a child growing up......I never asked about Santa. I am not sure when I realized it, but I did. Christmas Eve was ALWAYS a long night for my brother and I.  I would lie there awake...waiting for Santa...glancing out the window, trying to see the red light of Rudolph's nose in the black sky, listening for the Bells on the Sleigh or foot steps on the roof. It was one Christmas Eve, I tried to sneak out of my room, back then, we had our stockings at our bedroom door. The creaking floors alerted my Mom.  She told me to stay in my room, till my Father came to open my door. It was then, after he opened the door, I saw the stocking FULL, behind him. He ushered me quickly into the bathroom, it was then, while sitting on the toilet, I knew........

I loved Christmas and still do, its my favourite holiday. Its the spirit of the season, people are NICER, FRIENDLIER and there is the whole idea of GOOD CHEER to ALL. And yes, the birth of Christ.  But as a child there is something about Santa Claus. What would Santa bring me....I LOVED waking EARLY on Christmas morning, opening my door slowly to see my stocking FULL...sometimes BULGING with GOODIES. I would then slowly slide it into my room and jump on my bed, eager to see what Santa brought me. It was the usual crayons or markers, candies, chips, trinkets and a clementine at the toe of the stocking...I still remember the smell of the freshly opened box of crayons...that's something that will stay with me FOREVER.

When we were all awake, it was the RUSH of running downstairs.  What was under the tree!!! It was all magical, Santa was here, in our house, eating cookies and drinking milk and writing us a letter back. Later in the day, family would arrive with more gifts and we would all EAT the TURKEY that had been cooking all day(it seemed)...the aromas wafting through the house. It was ALWAYS the BEST DAY of the YEAR!!  And I do this ALL now for my kids, except I keep the stockings down stairs by the Tree!! And I set my alarm for about three in the morning.......elves need some sleep too, you know!!

But getting back to the point, do you tell your child?? I never asked! My Mom never told us! It was unspoken...till this day we don't question Santa...he is JUST SANTA and HE COMES EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE. With the kids in school, I am scared that some BIGGER kid will ruin it for mine. Shatter the belief. There is soo much in this world that can be harsh and cold. With Santa, there is still the belief of Good Will Towards Men(and Women and kids..). Santa is magical.  Santa can do anything(this what I thought as a child). There is soo much folklore out there, can he not be REAL?  I think, if my kids ask me, I'll just say, "BUT look at all those books that are out there. He has to be real. I still believe in him. Perhaps that kid just wants to be mean, and they aren't having a good day!?"

I don't know....what would you say???

He might not be real....but I know that his SPIRIT will LIVE forever!
And for me.......he is out there, checking his list, gonna find out who's naughty or nice!!

The GINGERBREAD House.....



FIRST ever Gingerbread House...please don't laugh!!!

 Every year, we see Gingerbread Houses and the kids want to make one...every year I side track them with shortbread cookies or already made Gingerbread Men and Women.  All you have to do is decorate them, with the already made coloured icing and candy bling. I NOW know why I side track them....

This year while shopping at Michaels for stocking stuffers that are $1.50,  I came across a kit....the pictures are lovely and you too can have that EXACT same house...everything is included.....except for the patience with three kids......they kept hitting the table while you're trying to keep the walls up and straight, while waiting for the sides to dry!! And all the while, the kids want to decorate it....smash it.....and eat it!!!  BUT you too,  can have the EXACT same house shown!!!  So while at the store, I thought YES, I can, (not thinking about how my kids will act during the process) we are going to have a PERFECT Christmas...with ALL trimmings.

I arrived home and showed them the box....they were excited and wanted to do it then. But I persuaded them to do it the next day. I had to do more shopping  and later was the Santa Claus Parade.  Sunday came around and I unpacked the contents and read the instructions, seemed pretty easy. Without telling the kids, I set it all up and made the icing...when I was ready, I called them. First off...for the icing, they said "tooth paste consistency"......I thought I had it, I guess not!! Finally, I got the sides stuck together...and while holding them for a few minutes...the kids chanted that they wanted to decorate it.  I explained that it needed to dry before the roof went up, then the roof needed to dry. In reality, I should NOT have called them until the house was free standing and ready to decorate.

Even then, the icing was not holding the gummies and the rest of the candy!!!   BUT.... the gummies were FRESH......yes I ate some and the kids ate some and some of icing too......we had our SUGAR for the day. Once free standing, you are suppose to draw on the windows/doors...HA... our windows and doors are sloped....it looks like they are  melting!!  Again,  I should have gone with my gut, draw the doors/windows on the slabs when they were flat and let them dry to perfection.  But NO...... I had to OBEY to the instructions, they know what they are saying, I don't know anything, cause I have never made one before! The whole time during this ordeal, Josh kept saying "its not like the one in the picture, how come it doesn't look like this one..?" I just went down to his level and said, "we don't want one that looks like that...we want our OWN house, right...like OUR house!" He nodded and then looked back at the picture. When it was all done......they both said "that's better than the one in the picture!"  THANK YOU!!

So....next year, if we do another one...I will do it my way. Decorate the sides before icing it all together.....and when in doubt...use Crazy Glue.....that will make it PERFECT!! AND yes....I'll buy another one for the kids to eat, so they wont be hassling me every day they see the house on the kitchen island and ask, "can we eat it today? IS it Christmas?"  And PERHAPS to stop ALL the craziness...do it ALL while the kids are ASLEEP......then show them in the morning...SURPRISE!!!

With Winter Comes the LAYERS.....ugh!!

I love Spring and Summer and early Fall.....you basically can go outside with little on...no worries...just run out and allow the sun to warm your skin and enjoy the day. NOW that winter is upon us, its a different story. Its LAYERS upon LAYERS some days. What once took us a mere minute or two to get ready and leave, now takes us a good twenty minutes. Its the worst on school days.  Its just me(except for some Mondays)...getting three kids ready to hit the outside world.  They all need help getting their coats on......whats with the jackets that don't go all the way up......they keep getting stuck halfway up or down. I just want to throw the coats out.........its ONLY NOVEMBER!! I am going to lose it come March.........I hope I CAN make it to March!

Its pushing feet into boots, squirming fingers into glove holes, wrapping the scarf around and around, mashing their hats on(and its useless doing Katie's hair...it just turns out FLAT and MESSY!) and I haven't even gotten to SNOW PANTS yet...ugh...thankfully it hasn't really snowed yet....only two days...and most of the snow disappeared by the end of the day. It wasn't till this morning, while getting them all dressed to play in the snow, I thought "man..I have three kids...I have many winters ahead of me!!" It was then that the pages of Robert Munsch's story came to life....you know the story, " I Have to Go!"....that was Katie.....all bundled and warm....at the last moment, before going out.....she stated " I have to go PEE!!" Here we go, I thought......another winter of LAYERS!!!


Last years photo....



PA DAYS!!! Why do we have them?? Seriously!

Josh is Grade One. Katie is Jr Kindergarten and only goes to school on Tuesdays/Thursdays and some Fridays. So I am basically NEW to holidays and PA Days. Just let me say this now...NO MORE PA DAYS...they aren't needed! Are they?? What a LONG day it was. I was thinking the day before, "how nice...no rush to get up, no alarm, just kinda wake up sleepy..roll out and start the coffee maker!" That's what I was thinking....then it HIT me hard...the reality of being with three kids, who FIGHT, YELL, and MAKE MESSES!! What happened to me?? Before when no one was in school, we had our own little routines. We all got along...for the most part...and the day passed nicely.

NOW, it can be like a BATTLE ZONE. By 10AM I threw them ALL outside....they were out there for at least an hour...thank goodness it snowed the night before. They had some NEW snow to play with...all was happy!! Even me...inside the house, cleaning up their messes and drinking MORE coffee!! I felt drained by lunch. It didn't help matters when Alex dropped a toy on his big toe...the toe quickly turned black...and he was fussing all day. He just turned two...terrible twos?? Or just milking his BOO BOO!?

Then there was Josh who battled with Katie...both wanted to play games on the computer. No one wanted to watch a movie...a movie??? No way...give me computer games. Finally it was lunch time and then I forced them to have NAP TIME...mmmuuuaawwww.....I was going to get ME TIME!!! That back fired...about an hour into nap time, Alex woke up crying...crying...his TOE...so I carried him to my room, he curled up within me and we were both asleep for a good hour. It was nice to cuddle with my baby, something to remember, cause we all know that soon enough he will not want me around. So, I missed out on my shower and trying to pull myself together time.

When they were all awake, I quickly showered with the door open....to hear the yelling or cries of an injured child. Its funny, after a shower..you can be fully energized....ready to take on whats next...and that's what happened. We made shortbread cookies...getting into the Christmas spirit, since the Santa Claus parade is the following day. We gathered around the kitchen island...and made buttery shortbread cookies. Did I mention that BUTTER makes everything BETTER!! And it did...they all behaved, the demons lefts their souls and what remained were my angels...my babies!! And the day came to a close, with stories and a race to jump into bed.....Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...and hugs and kisses and talk about what we were going to do the next day. 

After closing their doors, white lights mixed on the Christmas Garland gave me a path downstairs...quietly I snuck down with my PJ's on...and collapsing on the couch, I had a dish of Candy Cane Ice cream....while admiring our Christmas Tree, all set up and twinkling away.....I deserved it....this was MY TIME NOW!! The PA DAY is OVER!! Thank God....please no more...oh wait...Christmas Break is coming....

Christmas Cards!!!

Last night, I dug out my BOX of CARDS...those that I bought last year on SALE, at the end of the SEASON(gotta save where you can).  I grabbed my BIG address book and Christmas Stickers...come on now...you need BLING on your envelopes.  Think how pretty they are and how they make those smile when they pull that shiny, red envelope out of their drab mailbox. YES...I mail Christmas Cards...anyone can send an email/e-card...this is more personal, cause I took the time, with my fountain pen, and wrote out 25 cards and personal notes in each one...and yes my hand cramped up and I lost my temper when the kids shook the table and fought with toys under the table....and ate something in the corner of the kitchen...still not sure what THAT was, I am thinking it was crumbs from dinner...YES I did not sweep up...I was tired of sweeping...I sweep UP after EVERY SINGLE MEAL...its enough...I wanted to do Christmas Cards and get into that Christmas spirit dammit...ahh(a little rant of sorts)...so YES, I wrote out Christmas Cards last night and came to a few conclusions that I would like to share with you!!!

Going through my address book is like going through my past and present of new friends that I have just added. We all have lost friends or family members, and I haven't been able to cross them out. I just keep adding them whenever I get a new book, I cant leave them out.......its like I am forgetting them, moving on and I just cant do it. I have to add them, to keep them alive, in print...does that make sense?? I just put brackets around their names/address/phone number/birthday date.....they are still here with me.

I go through each page and write out my cards....and most of them I am glad that I got see them once or twice throughout the year, some more than others. For those I rarely saw.....I wrote hoping to see them more and wished them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Do you ever feel that you are lying when you write in these cards? I do want them to have a GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON but when I write, "hope to see you in the New Year!?" I'm thinking....are we really going to see them?? Or is it just the stuff you write...wishing and hoping for the best in 2012...a NEW year...where anything is possible and achievable. I know we are busy and you are busy...but surely, we can get together one day here and there?? AND what about those Christmas letters.....where you read about someones good fortune, marriages, or births. You never hear about those divorces, those that cheated or were cheated on, we lost money on stock markets or that they just had an overall miserable year.  Come on...lets make these letters INTERESTING!!

After writing them all out, and placing them in the groups, International, American and Canadian....I wonder how many will actually send one back!? Its not that I am expecting one in return....I mean it WOULD be nice, spread the holiday cheer...but I know some that never do!! I have been writing one every year for eight years...and never a reply or acknowledgment...like come on, you know you got it....respond in some way!! YOU are NOT that BUSY!! I know!!
How can you just ignore the CARD?? Unless you really don't like us...then tell us, but you MUST still like us, cause you still do things with us and its not us asking to do these things with you, you are asking to do these things with us....so??? Maybe I've gotten the wrong address? Let me know! Some kind of acknowledgement...please!! I just guess that everyone is different and everyone does things in their own way. Perhaps I just have that extra HOLIDAY CHEER and I am spreading it WITH YOU!!

Another thing that I DREAD.......and I forget every year to look for them..... envelopes with self adhesive tabs........I HATE LICKING THE ENVELOPE...cant these companies come up with tasty solutions??? Every time I lick an envelope...I think back to that Seinfeld episode, where George's fiance, Susan, licks all the envelopes and dies from poisoning..gotta love it!!! But I am still here....all licked, signed and stamped...just waiting to send them out......after the Santa Claus Parade...the official kick off to the HOLIDAY SEASON!! Or at least it should be!!

Do YOU think...........

Do you think...if one does too many sit ups...they can pull a fat cushion(the fat surrounding the muscle, creating a nice soft cushion)??

Do you think...that while you're brushing your teeth, if you suck in and hold your tummy for a few seconds, release and repeat...you can have that Everything Bagel??

Do you think....that if you eat that one square of chocolate(OK, who are we kidding, we don't eat ONE square) and then down a few glasses of water, it will flush away the fat???

Do you think.....if you flex your ass a few times while doing dishes, you will lose an inch??

Do you think.....if I cut out the bread and indulge in that extra glass(or two) of wine, it will be all good in the end???

What do you think.....is CHOCOLATE better than SEX??

Just something that I thought of while doing sit-ups!

FINALLY a photo of ALL of US!

When we were a little family of three, we had lots of photos. When we became a family of four, it wasn't till Katie's FIRST birthday that we had a photo, and that was in Swiss Chalet, the spur of the moment photo.  When we became a family of FIVE it wasn't until this past weekend, while visiting the kids' Nana that we got a photo of us ALL!!! Why does it take soo long to get that photo?? Mostly we are busy, living our lives...not realizing that we don't have that photo. We mention from time to time, "hey we should do a photo," but never do! Then there are times, that some of the CHILDREN fuss, cry and just don't want to sit still for that photo.

This past weekend we visited my husband's Mother...aka NANA!! We rarely get down to the BIG city...that is Toronto. We are either busy, or she might be busy and then there is the travelling...just over an hour...which can seem sooooo LONG with three kids. We just headed into Bradford and they were already asking "are we there yet?" That is about a 20 minute trip!!! When we FINALLY do make it there, Nana looks after the kids.  Its then that Matt and I head to the St. Lawrence Market. There you can see everything and buy anything. Its more fun to people watch. I love Toronto! It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, sunny and mild(for November). After buying some cheeses and stuffed peppers, we bought a Timmies(Tim Hortons coffee) and sat out front, just watching life in Toronto....it made it more special cause I was with my Hubby and we had NO KIDS!! Its very rare that we are alone........



St Lawrence Market!

Back at Nana's apartment, the kids showed us their decorated cupcakes and cookies. We had a LOVELY afternoon and dinner. Afterwards, we wanted a picture taken.....since we didn't have one. It took a couple of shots, but we got one and later I photo-shopped some things out...never did that before!!  BUT I LOVE our PHOTO!!  Even though they MIGHT have food around their mouths and their hair is messy...this is my family...this is REAL LIFE, we are not made up to look perfect..its JUST US!! And I LOVE IT!! It will be going on our WALL!!  

FINALLY our PHOTO!!!!!

ALEX is TWO!!!

Its funny, as a parent for the first time, to the first child....you do everything and record everything and anything....the second child you try to do the same for the first child...and you kinda succeed...by the THIRD child...well, its all out the window....when they ate this or did that, sometimes the notes on these things get lost. I know...this is ME! I have a record book for all three kids....Josh has the most written in it, I know it all. With Katie, I know most, some I guessed at trying to remember certain things and with Alex...well.....I hope he doesnt hate me when he grows up....its hard to recall certain things, it was roughly this and that,  when he did that or this! It can all be a blur.....

This past Remembrance Day was Alex's SECOND BIRTHDAY!! And we did very little except sing the Birthday Song and gave him his FAVOURITE FOODS. Kraft Dinner and Chocolate Pudding....he probably just thought he was lucky that day!! We did buy him a present, a Minnie and Mickey Mouse...he LOVES them!! Its then I realized, after asking the other kids, if they remember anything when they turned two. They both said NO! SO its all for us, the parents and grandparents....the parties, the food, the decorations. And then during the party, the kids get too tired and start to fuss and whine...they want out. So thats why this year, we just laid low....and did his favourite, simple meals. And I am sure that Alex wondered what was wrong with us when we sang and clapped HAPPY BIRTHDAY to him and cheered!! He just sat there looking at us...wondering what were we all about......



Birthday boy and PUDDING!!!

 I know for sure, next year will be different, especially since Alex's memory will be getting better....but for now its over and he is OFFICIALLY TWO...bring on the TERRIBLE TWO's...I'm ready!!

OFFICIALLY Christmas in our HOME.....

You remember the 80's...right!? Do you remember that show, The 20 Minute Workout!? Well, that was me this morning, for about 20 minutes I struggled, straddled, pulled and pleaded for the DANG tree to come out of the BOX!! Yes, its that time again. I cleaned the living room, moved furniture, struggled,  huff'n puffed, set things up and re cleaned the living room. The thing that I don't understand is why did the tree shed SOO MANY needles..YES, its a FAKE TREE but an OLD FAKE TREE...it has been my childhood tree, since 1983...mmmm...appropriate, the Tree is from the 80's and the 20 Minute Workout is from the 80's...perhaps its time for a NEW TREE...I think this might be the last year for OUR tree to shine brightly!

You might also be wondering, "why not wait for help?" Well...for ONE I am stubborn and want to do many things on my own. TWO, Josh asked this morning, "since we are both going to school today, can you put up the tree?" THREE, its nice for them to all come home and see it decorated, like Christmas Officially arrived at our HOME! And FOUR, I am sure like most parents, I would have LOST it with THREE kids, trying to help all at once and I was still tangled in lights!! So, it was easier, although a struggle at times, to do it all, with the HELP(?) of one child at home...little Alex who just turned two!!  I lost count at how many times I said(nicely), "DONT TOUCH THAT!"


Mr. Alex, getting all festive...and wanting to HELP, too much!!



I usually wait till after the Santa Claus Parade, then decorate...but this year, Barrie is hosting their parade a little later....so with the HOLIDAY SEASON soo short, and the decorations are soooo lovely, today it OFFICIALLY became Christmas in our HOME!!!  Tonight, after homework is finished, we will be making Christmas M&M Cookies.....that will make the house smell sooo HOMEY and feel like Christmas!!!! Of course there will be a few tunes playing softly in the background!!



The FINISHED product, its old, perhaps thats why there is a LEAN to it??



An EARLY Christmas Gift from my Hubby!!

For awhile now, I have been wanting an island, no not a real island, although that sounds GREAT at times, especially with three kids and everything that goes along with it, but NO, a Kitchen Island. I LOVE to bake and cook, and with limited counter space and three kids, all under the age of six (they want to HELP too!!), I needed something. I suggested to my husband that he could make me a kitchen island. He said he would. Now I wasn't too sure if he meant it or if he was agreeing with me, just to have me stop going on about it.

Whenever we were at Rona, we would browse through the kitchen areas...looking at models, suggesting to each other what we wanted, liked or didn't like and then gasped at the prices. We are not rich, we are not poor...we are in the middle...we lead a comfortable life, always cautious when we spend and how we save(at least we try too). But with three kids....well you know!


The finished PRODUCT!

I then searched online...looked at designs and finally came up with a design that I liked. I designed my own island, and did the measurements. I wanted it to be high enough, since we are both tall. And it worked out. Matt built it this past weekend and I painted it and varnished the top. I am in love with it!! Its perfect. I wanted it airy. I didn't need drawers or cubbards(didn't need the space to collect more junk, already have that ONE JUNK DRAWER!)...I just wanted something clean and airy and light. The legs and lower bench are the same colour as my hutch(Currier Creme)....its the BEST GIFT yet...and my HUBBY MADE  IT ALL FROM SCRATCH!! It really completes my kitchen, the HEART of the HOME!



The reason why I wanted an island!!!

 

Everyday, I fall MORE in love with my FAMILY and HOME!




I just want to be in my kitchen all the time, its my favourite room!!



Pictures in REAL LIFE!!

We've been there, we all have. Last week I was attempting to do my annual Christmas Calendar for the family. A collage of photos, all the fun times from the past year. Each month something new, a memory from a time now gone. I also note on each month everyone's birthday and anniversary....you know and I know there are some that forget those special occasions...this way, everyone is safe. Everything is KNOWN!!

This year, I tried...I say, I tried to get a shot of my three kids, ALL together. Now, I could go and get them professionally done and have folks "ohh and awww" over them. But that can get pricey and timely...I thought I could just keep the camera handy and when an innocent yet perfect moment arises, I would snap it.....a moment in time FROZEN! HA!! That never works. After trying, and dealing with the tears and yelling "he isn't smiling....she is too close...I don't like him, I don't want to sit with him...," I got something....I had to laugh at my many attempts...these are the two that came out most clearly. It was then, I realized these photos are the ones that are REAL....these are my kids, at this particular moment in time...this is them in REAL LIFE...and we will laugh about it in years to come.

Next year year....I'll stick to individual photos...no group shot....I cant take it anymore!!

I just dont UNDERSTAND.....kids with no seatbelts!

As a Mother, while I was pregnant with each of my three kids, I nourished my body, ate right, avoided certain foods, did not drink, got plenty of rest...did everything humanly possible to protect my unborn child. And now, as they enter the world and make their own paths, I will continuously look after them, whether they like it or not. Helping when they need it, suggesting this or that and always trying to protect them. Thats what you do as a parent....if you don't, you shouldn't be a parent(that's my opinion).
Yesterday my husband was in an accident, he wasn't injured, he was in his work truck. And as you know, trucks seldom get damaged when in an accident. The driver of the SUV, did a roll stop and kept turning...right into the lane with my husband coming down....he smacked right into the SUV, sending it down a bit and up over the curb. He was upset with the driver. What made him more upset and angry and also upset me was what happened next.

When the driver opened the door, a kid fell out. None of the kids were fastened properly. I cannot understand how a parent/caregiver can drive a vehicle with kids not fastened in properly....what if this accident was MORE serious....what if my husband was going faster, sending the SUV flying....a child could have gone flying out the window. I see this from time to time, sitting at a red light and the car ahead of me has kids bouncing up and down...all carefree. I just don't understand the logic of those parents/caregivers!? I imagine during these events, that I could get out, pretend to be a undercover officer and give them a stern warning. BUT what can we really do if we see this??? ANY suggestions!?

With my Husband.....he told the officer this, but since this parent/caregiver fixed the problem before the police came, they cant do anything. It would have been his word against theirs. Not fair in my mind. The driver was charge. AND hopefully they will realize that they were lucky, this time....next time they might not be as lucky!!

PLEASE PEOPLE...BUCKLE UP YOUR CHILDREN!! They are precious!!!

Toys R Us Christmas Book...Part TWO, the DELIVERY!

If you read the previous blog, you know that in the local paper last Thursday, the Toys R Us Christmas Book came. My kids looked at it with all the wonder and possibility of what they COULD and what they DID want. They circled and wrote their names beside the much needed toys. Late that night I ordered some of their wishes. By Friday night, I got an email that the order was ready and shipped. Now came the fun part....when would it arrive? Would Josh or Katie see the delivery truck come? Would it come by truck? Or Mail Van? Would I be found out? Or would I be safe and sneak the stuff downstairs, hiding it all in the storage room under Matt's BIG, HEAVY orange coat? So many questions, and all would be revealed in time....but when???

Monday morning comes rolling in.....around seven in the morning, I hear footsteps out front, someone is on the porch.....thankfully I had  the front curtains closed. I waited till the kids were busy, usually with shows at that time in the morning. I settled in with a cup of coffee...and casually went to the front door.  Opening it slowly, not to make any noises....I grabbed the box by the side of the house. It was the Old Navy order....their Christmas Jammies and other clothing. Kids just love getting clothes for Christmas...LOL! Quickly moving, I ran up to my room, dumped the clothing into a Roots bag and hid it in my closet! Phew...done...just one more parcel to arrive...sometime!!!

Monday afternoon...I just put Alex down for a nap, Katie is in her room...its quiet time, she "reads" and plays quietly with her toys. I just sat down on the couch when a Purolator Truck comes by....he stops...this is it...I get ready...he actually passed the house, so he backs up...with that noisy beeping...right into our driveway. I am at the door, ready.....I don't want to be late, I don't want him knocking or ringing the doorbell!! He comes with a BIG box....he smiles and says "this box has been talking to me all day!" I laugh, "jeesh, its Christmas presents...hope its not too loud!?" I sign for the package and he says "good luck!" I close the door quietly....Katie comes downstairs, "who was that?"  I quickly move to the stairs, "oh it was just the mail man...asking if I want some mail, you can go back upstairs...just be quiet!" She goes back to her room and I grab the box...it is then that someone is talking from inside the BOX! I had to carry it, trying not to make it move.....it was like a bomb....move slowly downstairs..gently place it down.....inspect the package!

Carefully, I opened the box.....the culprit....Finn McMissile, from Cars 2....I bought Alex a car...that states, shake me and watch me roll...basically, you shake it and it starts to talk. I have since placed it gently in the storage room and told my husband not to go through that room, bashing things around...I don't want my cover blown. It would have been nice if Toys R Us had all "noisy" toys turned off or on a demo mode where you had to push a button...and I cant get to it, since its well packaged...that's another annoyance, the way some toys are secured/wrapped up....last Christmas my husband needed a screwdriver to get toys out of the packaging!!  But thats another story. For now...I'm basically done and my cover is not blown!! Phew!!

Toys R Us Christmas Book......its fun watching the kids!!

Watching and listening to two out of my three kids at the kitchen table yell with excitement, drool over pictures, and having the belief that anything is possible and they are going to get everything in the Toys R Us Christmas Book.......is fun. That's right, the BOOK came last night in the local Barrie Paper. After their fits of circling everything they desire, and believe me, lots was circled!! It is then that I go over it all, talking to them about what they really want or really need.

We look to see if its too young, or too old for them, and the price. Kids need to know about prices and how realistic it is to have these dreams of owning everything they see. I do believe that kids have way too much in today's society.  They can loose sight of the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I try to talk to them as little adults, sometimes they understand, other times they REALLY need that Tangled Barbi or that Transformer. After chatting, they usually re-think half of their wishes. And I always say..."well, perhaps if Santa thinks YOU were REALLY REALLY GOOD...you never know. But he has A LOT of kids to look after!" When the BOOK has been recycled, they USUALLY forget about half of everything they have just seen.....BUT its FUN watching them. All the HOPE is in their eyes. ANYTHING is possible....



"I don't have this...so I want it" Katie explains quite simply, as its the truth and that she REALLY needs it to survive...

 Anything is possible because late last night, after they were all sound asleep, dreaming of toys, the treats we will make, and what will happen at Christmas, I made an order..online for a few discounts...and more or less hassle free for me...it will be delivered in a few days, hopefully when they are at school and they will be none the wiser! 

Christmas...here it comes..on a BUDGET I hope!

Come September I start to tell the kids we aren't buying anymore toys, fads, or movies....its time to start that list.....YUP, that list for Santa!! I feel that some things can get way out of CONTROL...Josh wants this, Katie really wants that and Alex moans for something or other. Its also during these months leading up to the BIG DAY, that I start to buy things, keeping the receipt and hiding them, hoping that I remember where I put them. I know as a parent, we want to see those HUGE SMILES, the BIG EYES, the HOLLERS and just the EXCITEMENT for waking on Christmas morning. We can go overboard trying to please the recipient. Being a Mom for six years I have fallen into that trap and realized(sadly) after they have opened the gift, that a few days later it is broken, cracked, fallen apart or just no longer loved.  And in a way, I feel like I wasted money on that particular present.

I now shop with a different view....I take their lists or listen to the latest urgency of a new toy....and weigh  the pros and cons...do they really need this? I am also putting a budget on each child, family members and my Hubby.

Talking of family members...its funny, we are always down to the last minute on what to get Grandpa and Grandma or Aunt Jane and Cousin Jimmy. Everybody has everything and really no one is in need of something. This is where I get creative. I have started, and will continue to do a Family Calendar. Everyone needs a Calendar, especially of MY BABIES ......and at Walmart there are various ones to chose from, adding as many photos as your like. All this for roughly twenty dollars. I do know that some large families, draw names...which can be heaven sent, if you are trying to save here and there.....all the more power to you!

I also start to shop when things go on sale, certain toys or movies that I know will be released on SALE. I also take advantage of online shopping. Most stores have online prices and sometimes, if you subscribe to them, they will email you discounts. THEY want your business and at this time of the year, they do many things. Just recently, I got an email from Old Navy, offering me 30% OFF my entire purchase....HECK YEAH, I took advantage and just saved over $60...all from the comforts of my home.....talk about relaxing!! Getting closer to the date, I found out last year at Michaels, that they have a section of Stocking Stuffers...all for $1.50 each!! To me, I felt like I hit the JACKPOT!! I got crayons, markers, note books, lots of little things...great for STOCKINGS!! I'll be back this YEAR!!

All in all...it can be a hard time of the year, trying to please everyone on your list. Dinners can, and mostly are potluck in my family, which is great and sometimes hassle free...especially if you don't like to make that all important Christmas Pudding. I just remind my kids that its about spending time with your family and friends. Yes, its nice to give and receive, but its also nice to give that extra-tight hug, a kiss, a talk to your Grandparents about this or that, remembering the olden days and perhaps having a moment to shed a tear over those that are no longer with us. Its the one time of the year, that we can ALL really get together, forget the spats and just enjoy each others company.

So get ready....the clocks are ticking, sales are to be had, kids are talking and BUDGETS are made. Just remember where you hide those presents!

Halloween Hangover....

I am thankful that another Halloween is over. Its not the most favourite of the holidays for me, perhaps because of the horror element laced with it. It is fun as a child to dress up as a Princess.  Wear fancy, shiny clothes with jewels placed on fingers and on tiaras. For boys, they dress up as hero's or villains...they love blood and death(atleast mine does). As a parent, who is trying to watch money....its kinda in excess for one night. But we do, do it.

Last night, we rushed to get through dinner so we could dress up...one Princess and one skeleton/ghost of sorts. Out the door at 6:30.  We started the hour long process, of running up driveways, knocking and shouting "Trick or Treat" or as Josh said a few times and Katie echoed "Trick or Treasure!" They got sooo excited, once the candy dropped in their bags, they turned, ran down the driveway shouting "Thank you!" I convinced them that it was polite to wait till the candy was dropped in their bags and then look at the giver of candy and say thank you. And finally I told them to relax....people weren't going to close their door and turn their lights off.



My Princess!



About the lights....please, if you are not shelling out, turn your lights off. There were a few times that the lights were on, they were home and didn't come to the door. After coaxing my hyper active children away from those houses, Josh would start to yell "but they are home, I can hear them!' There was even one house that turned their lights off, after Josh knocked and Katie yelled "Trick or Treasure." They left my children in the dark. So please, if you are not participating...don't leave the lights on...



My Skeleton/Ghost of sorts...without the make-up.

 All in all, the night was fun....there was just one house where a Dracula invited me in to see the rest of his costume....yah..we kinda hurried along!!
At home we went through the treasure and donated some to those that came late...we ran out of candy...oh well, its fattening...all the more reason to share with others.  After, Josh and Katie each choose five pieces of candy...then they brushed their teeth and were off to bed. Once all settled, Matt and I relaxed, with some wine...which I now regret..since my dinner was Cheerios..and some candy(shhh don't tell the kids). This morning, I over slept and had AN HOUR to get everyone ready, Josh and myself showered, lunches made, and bowls washed(neglected dishes from last night, ugh)....BUT we made it...thank god for coffee and Advil!! After Alex and I got back home from dropping two off at school, we took down Halloween and packed it up for another year. Done....now its time to prepare for Christmas!! Which makes me VERY happy!!

The LOOT!!