Friday the 13th!!

I don't know about you...but I am not superstitious. Black cats, walking under a ladder, broken mirror, shoes on the table....I don't really believe in that. I see nothing wrong with a black cat. I wouldn't walk under a ladder, what if it fell...its a safety issue...especially if someone is up the ladder....duh!! Broken mirror....it only means a BIG mess that I have to clean up and I might end up cutting my finger....and the way things are going at times, I must be breaking a mirror daily..LOL! And shoes on the table...eeew....well that's just a health issue, don't put anything dirty on a table!! Common sense people!! So...as you can tell...I really don't believe in Friday the 13th stuff.....however, just in case...I'll stay home...not go anywhere except to pick up Josh from school......cause you never know.....BUT I don't believe in that sort of stuff!!! Do YOU!? 

UGH.....I just remembered that I have to go out tonight, do our weekly shopping....perhaps Matt wants to come(he can drive)......CAUSE I don't believe in that Friday the 13th stuff...not one little bit!!

Various things and the update on the KD Challenge!!

Well it has been a LONG week of sorts. Various issues has arised...some I wish to leave behind...almost like placing trash at the curbside and waiting for the garbage man to come around and take it away with him...if only!! Wouldn't life be easier...place all your worries, troubling issues, poisons of sorts at the curbside and wave good bye to them, as the muscular, unshaven, dirty sanitation worker hauls the bin in the hopper...and drives away to the next house, to collect their worries...life would be easier! As the New Year approached I thought to myself, cause I really don't make resolutions, I would clear my life of worries and issues that can make one sick.....I'm still trying to cleanse myself...I guess it can be a long process! I shouldn't focus on others...just focus on MY LITTLE FAMILY...cause in the end that's all that matters.....why cant I though??

Wouldn't it be AWESOME to move, pack up all your belongings, head out to another province...I suppose though, we would need a job first...then find a place to live!! But I can dream!!

As for the KD Challenge.....it is only week two and I am tired of KD. So we adapted our challenge to make it all pasta(or try too)...pasta is fast and easy and cheap and so many things can be added to it....right!? And we threw in rice too....why not mix it up a little!! (Although not rice and pasta mixed together.)The kids haven't complained, nor has the Hubby...so I guess things are OK!! AND you can make HUGE pots of this stuff!! And when in doubt...after the kids have eaten and I cant stomach KD anymore, I'll have a bowl of good old Cheerios...I LOVE Cheerios!!! Although we do cheat on the weekend..since we are all home....I'll make nice meals. So its KD/pasta/rice through the week...and nice meals on the weekend!! That's OK...right!!?

So here we go....getting ready for week three of KD and sorts.......gulp! I think though that Katie is getting tired of KD...she keeps asking me "when is it Summer?" Just a few more weeks Katie.....just a few more weeks!! LOL!

A Day of ME!!

As parents, after the Holiday rush and schedules returning to normal...we need a day of ME!! That is what I'm doing today...a day of ME...what do I want to do!? Two kids are in school and its just me and Alex(who doesn't count, cause I can put on his favourite movies and I can putter around, doing what I want to do). Its FINALLY here...ME DAY!!! All the chores are finished .  The house is clean and tidy. There is nothing more for me to do. I can't do laundry, I must wait till after 7pm(cheaper rates) so I must focus on catching up with shows!! Thats right.... I will be watching TV SHOWS that I PVR'd a few weeks ago!! I am in my PJ bottoms...kettle is on and I will be watching a marathon of Coronation Street!! It has been a long time coming. And I feel GREAT!!

I hope that YOU too can find that day to be a "ME Day"..and do what you want. Even read half a book with a BIG mug of tea, a long hot, bubble bath, or watching a favourite old movie. Call up an old friend that you haven't spoken to in ages....and just chat..just be! We as parents deserve a day of ME!! It helps us to be better parents!

So....enjoy your day...cause I will...at least till 3pm....then reality comes back when I have to pick up the darling kiddies....Cheers!!

Little things....that were said or mentioned through the Holidays!

During the holidays, you spend MORE time with your kids(I know you should be anyways, but it seemed more so??) And during this period, you learn various things or things are said...mostly by your children!!

Josh, when Katie went to a birthday party, "I miss Katie...she is my friend!" I mentioned casually, "I thought that you once said that she bothers you and that you hate her!?" His reply," No....it wasn't her bothering me, it was me bothering me...I lied!"

Again Josh on a Sunday morning, coming into our bedroom....Matt was in the bathroom and Josh said to me, "I know what you were doing!?" "OK, what were we doing...." I asked non-challantly, but feeling guilty!!! "You were sexing!" HUH...what the ............I quickly just told him, "NO...we were kissing good morning to each other, that's all...you are a weird kid......go get dressed!" After further consultation with his Father(phew)....he learnt that from Sex and City...cause in that show they kiss. ((laughing))...NOW I do catch the odd show, but on prime time, when its FULLY EDITED!! That's how he caught that and Katie caught the idea of playing Shoe Store...hmmmm....perhaps I should watch more Tree House or Disney!

And throughout the Holidays there were hugs and I Love Yous and kids telling me that "YOU are my BEST FRIEND Mommy!"

AND then there was the POPULAR money talk(which we seem to always do). While at the mall, shopping for presents.....we walked past Kernel's, the smell always draws me in...but I always manage to stay away......on this particular day, Katie asked for popcorn and I said NO...we wanted to save for PEI and she agreed. We walked past.....a few minutes later she looked up at me and said "BUT I have my own money, I can get popcorn and we can still go to PEI!" She did have her own money...she takes her Dora purse everywhere with her.  And she DID have enough for a small bag. SO...after talking about spending money and saving money, we turned around and she got her own little bag of popcorn and gave the lady her money....."I am a BIG GIRL now Mommy, aren't I?!"  "Yes you are...you are all grown up!" Sigh....

With Katie spending her money, Josh wanted to do the same...but it was not popcorn he wanted.......he wanted movies!! He wanted Pirates of the Caribbean, number one and four. So...we cashed in his piggy bank. But before we did this, he was freaking out cause he didn't think that he would have enough money for the movies and PEI(he wants Cows Ice cream cones!!) So we talked about it!! He was nervous....but we realized he had enough money......his little blue piggy bank held $90...who knew!!! So he got his movies and has extra money ready for his Summer trip to PEI!! He was and is quite happy!!





Three years ago, we went to PEI....this is them in their GLORY, eating Cows Ice Cream!!!



Katie went to her FIRST Birthday Party!!!

This past weekend Katie went to her FIRST Birthday Party.....alone!! Here she was, four years old and invited to a classmates Birthday Party....we were both excited! We picked out two gifts at the Disney Store...one she already had, the other she WANTED TOO!! Tangled was the theme....since Katie and other girl love Tangled. Katie kept telling me" but I like the music box too...I don't have one, can I hold it longer!?" Finally after getting it wrapped and put away, she forgot about it. Then came the day for the party. She had a bath, did her hair, picked out clothes, got out her fancy shoes and we both did our nails ("we match...we are twins" she hummed).

I suppose I was more nervous for her....I shouldn't be, should I...but I cant help it! I was!! I told her that I would drop her off, and come back later for her, she would play with other classmates and have fun. And in my mind, I kept freaking out...she is going to be nervous, she will want me....BUT SHE WASN'T..it was just me!!! Going up to the house, she told me "I want to knock...OK!?" But before she could, the Birthday Girl swung open the door...ready to greet her guests. Katie went in and was gone...no turning back, she RAN in, flipped off her shoes, hung up her coat and was gone! I turned around, headed back to the van, with my hand on my heart..."my girl...first party!" Later, Matt mentioned, "do they have our number...just in case??" OH my GOD...they didn't and we were going out......what should we do?? Go back..give our number?? What?? These were the thoughts flying around in my head....but I didn't let Matt know, I just said "nah, its only three hours, she'll be fine!" Would she?????

Going to pick her up, I was first....with another parent. At the door a few kids were playing and having fun.....but I couldn't see Katie...where was she!?
After some kids called her name....she came up stairs.  She was all dressed up....she was wearing Belle's dress and was sad that she had to come home!!! Another little girl asked her, "ohh Katie...do you have to leave!?" Katie replied, "yah, my mom is here" as she pointed to me...there was a look on her face, sad that I came back to early to get her!! I guess at the end of it all, it was just me worrying about her first party! She is growing up and moving on, while I stand behind her, clutching my heart...my baby!!

New Rug means "its time to change the decor!"

For a few years now I have wanted an area rug...something to make the living room cozy, to connect everything, to keep our feet warm on a cold, Canadian winter's day.....but I never found anything that I liked.  Or I did find something, but it was too expensive(I have expensive taste....which Hubby does not like). I will tell him from time to time, why buy this when its only $50 and will fall apart in a few months?? Buy GOOD quality things!  Then there are other times when I talk myself out of a rug, well the kids are messy, I don't want stains! I'll wait till they are older!  So basically I never do anything but look in magazines, watch shows and dream about one day owning a rug!

That day came this past weekend!! I ordered on line, from Sears an area rug, 7X10 and it was on sale..limited time, almost half price...I couldn't resist any longer!!! Now that it is laid out on the floor....I question it...starring at it for long periods...is this what I want?? My Hubby says nothing now...but I know what he is thinking, and I love him for putting up with me...it must be hard at times. However, I will stare at the rug and ponder my expensive decision?? This rug means that I must paint the walls, and change the curtains! LOL!! Poor Hubby!!!

The RUG....dont pay attention  to the sheets over the NEW couches(its keeping them pristine) and they come off when company comes over!

Now when we first bought our home....I think I settled too quickly on curtains. Now I am having remorse...on various things. I know that paint colour is easy....a quick update that is NOT expensive(and I love to paint...so no worries). But curtains...that seems like another story. I have seen shows or read magazines where they chose a fabric and make LOVELY curtains...but that's not us...we are on a budget...so the hunt was on! And just yesterday, I found on line(yet again) curtains that have a heavy back to keep sunlight out and "suppose to keep the heat in, during the winter" which sounds AWESOME!!!  Picking colours from the computer can be hard! Are they really that colour?? So I did...Hazelnut...lets hope...fingers crossed!!  Sadly they are back ordered till February 9th!! (Seems soo far away!) 

With ordering on line(which I love), you can read other customers comments about the curtains, and they seem to be a GOOD brand! So, with a new rug, comes new curtains...and now I have various paint chips taped to my wall...I want to bring a certain green out from the rug! Which was hard to do, I laid the chip samples on the rug and the dog came around and took some! After struggling with her to release the samples...I think I have narrowed my choices down! That is why they are now taped to the wall!

So.....with the kids back in school...what do I decide to do....re-decorate the living room!! Whats next?? I would really like to re-vamp my BEDROOM....bring ROMANCE alive...not that its lacking in any way, I just want my room to sing with romance and coziness as soon as you enter the room! An escape from the rest of the house where the children are slowly taking everything over!!

Time to CELEBRATE!! Back to SCHOOL!!

As parents, who either work out of the home(or in home) or who stay at home to raise the kids....its time to CELEBRATE....the KIDS have gone back to school!! Can I get a AMEN.....thank you!!! It feels like it has been a LONG TWO WEEK HOLIDAY!! Sure we had Christmas and various other celebrations and then throw in the New Year, its been busy. Kids at home, scattered about the levels, running, making messes...making me have a few more grey hairs....I am thankful for SCHOOL!!! Time to get back to our schedules, our normal routines.

As parents......I think we deserve a BREAK...a mini vacation...lets all fly away somewhere warm, tropical...with no worries...except to wonder if we put on enough sun screen and should we have that extra cocktail!?!  In REALITY....we'll just dream about that vacation and think one day, when the kids are older and have moved out(yah right)...we'll go!!

As a kid, I loved the HOLIDAYS...it was great!! Sleep, play...no worries, just FUN FUN FUN!! I never thought about how my Mom felt having us at home. NOW as a parent.....I am rethinking the holidays ...why should they have two weeks off...lets just have one week....they need to be educated, feed their minds.....empower them....cause one day they will be looking after us!

So, this is a SHORT blog...I just want to let you all know how EXCITED I am that the kids are back in school!! WOO HOO!! I get a little time back for me!! ME TIME...I remember those days.....