Still Spinning

I'm spinning right round baby right round,
like a record baby
round round right round...

Life is full but it is so very rich and I am enjoying every moment of it!

Grand Central

I think every kid in the neighbourhood is in my house tonight! Sheesh.

Some are playing street hockey, some are listening to the drummer, some are playing video games others are playing in the backyard while Steve is out and I am working at the table. Gotta love it. That's all a part of growing up and developing the beauty of friendships.

I also love that my neighbour loves to play hockey with the boys and they can knock on his door anytime.

I draw the line at snacks though. They came at a bad night when the cupboards are bare.

I think my life could very well be a sitcom. I wonder if NBC may be interested....the boys are their very own comedy act anyway.

Each New Day

Been living life and working hard.
Getting more rest.
Re-evaluating the whole blogging thing (as I do every year) thus, the lack of posting and reading.
Getting ready to revisit a hobby I have put aside for a whole year.

When you Live in the City...

and you want to build a fort or a tree house (when there aren't any trees) you have to be CREATIVE!!!

Easter Weekend

We had a great weekend!
On Friday, we had Good Friday worship with a guest speaker from Chosen People Ministries. I did childcare, but heard it was very good.
For supper, the whole family helped to make an unplanned, spur of the moment, turkey dinner. Yum!
Saturday the kids received their baskets of goodies and had an egg hunt. In the aftrnoon we went to the community center for a big easter event. I thought it was very well done and was pleased with those who showed up from SM.
In the evening Julia and I went to a friend's B-day party. Julia painted her a picture on canvass. I loved it and keep saying that is exactly what I want for Mother's day from all three of them.
Sunday was of course, Easter celebration worship. Afterwards we had dinner with friends.
It was a beautiful day.
Yesterday it was gloomy and rainy but we didn't mind. We spent the afternoon with friends at Fishcreek, having a campfire, in the rain. Oh yes, good times.

Now life is back to normal routine. Sent the kids on the bus this morning in the cold, wet rain/snow. And I'm going to play catch up!

We're Lucky the House is Still Standing

So my dryer is fixed..hooray! Turns out it was a major fire hazard. I am actually looking forawrd to doing the laundry today since it won't take four days!


Made Mulligatawny Soup Wednesday night. It was soooo delish! Got tons left over to distribute. I am the only one who will eat it again. Jacob wouldn't even eat it the first day. He says every time I cook with that stuff (curry) the smell gives him a terrible headache. Steve is on a soup kick and has a list of the ones he wants to try to make. Mulligatawny was first.


We are in another tournament now. last night was the first game which ended in a tie. That's what I like. Joel came out with tons of treats and gifts from the tournament sponsors. Here they are after the game. Excuse the red dirty mouths, Ketchup chips was one of the treats.


I just love my kids to bits...they are my world!

Quick Update

I spent most of the day yesterday in the far north of the city with my step sister. She just had a new baby, moved to a new house, and has two children already (one who is handicap). It was very rewarding for me to be able to help. Newborns are so scrumptious and I could have just held him forever.

When I got home, I noticed Julia had another birthday invitation! This Saturday will be full for her as she goes from one party to the next, both in very active play places! I am pretty sure all of the girls in the class have now had their birthdays. I am guessing this will be the last one unless she starts getting invited to the boys'.

Jacob is home sick today. Same thing Julia had on friday, fever and hurting tummy. I'm thinking I will keep them all home from kids club tonight and lay low.

Dryer fixer man comes tomorrow...woot! A family of five with broken dryer and no line is no fun!

Started on a sewing project for the boys finally. I am going to attempt pockets, oooh aahh.

Must run, I am being picked up in 40 mins.

One Down - Two to Go

This afternoon we finished the I Am Novice tournament. It was a great weekend. Thursday starts the next tournament and then Edmonton will finish the season.

Ten minutes after the game started I had to take Julia to a birthday party which was 25 mins. away. I missed the first two periods. Next weekend will be the same unless the game and party are timed differently.

I've got a busy (more than normal) week ahead so won't be around much.

Until next time...

Searching for the Golden Ticket

The cold was stinging my face and burning my cheeks as I turned the last corner of my walk this morning. I was anticipating the relief as my final steps drew me closer to home. Facing the home stretch, I saw it sitting there on the ground perched ever so slightly in the snow. A discarded hope of treasure just cast away. I knelt down to pick it up hoping no one would see me picking up garbage, looking like a desperate fool. I thought this was it! The rare 'golden ticket'. My reward for venturing out of the cozy comfort into the frigid air. That fate had put it in my way and I would be doing a happy dance and retelling the story for years to come. Instead, when I rollled up the rim, I got the same response I always get...please play again!

One of these days Leslie, one of these days!

It came It went

Another full weekend to keep us busy. Friday night we spent in our usual way, 'Family Night' with games, and movies. It always ends up being girls against boys and even though we are out numbered, we hold our own!

Saturday was interesting. Steve and I still had work hanging over our heads which we tried to do around the kids. They were great at playing and keeping themselves occupied. In the afternoon we all went to Joel's last hockey game of the season where he scored two goals. I was so proud and relieved for him that I was fighting the tears. I don't always like to reveal that I am a big suck!

He has three weekend tournaments in March and then it is all over for another year. His first game of the tournaments is on Thursday. At the end of the month we are off to Edmonton.

As soon as the game was over, we dropped him off at his friends for a birthday party sleepover (brave lady) and headed home to get ready for the murder mystery. I had never been involved in one before so didn't know what to expect. It was so fun and at one point the laughter was uncontrolable! It was set in a french cafe just after the war. We had the german general, gee ijo the American soldier, a British pilot (?) I think, a cabaret singer, a nurse, a reporter, a police officer, a german officer, a french renaissance person(?) and a chef oh, and we cannot forget the travelling sausage salesman!! Side-splitting. (I will post pictures later)

I could not sleep Saturday night. After just starting to doze the phone rang around 1:00 am. Joel wasn't feeling well (simply over tired) and wanted to come home.

On Sunday afternoon we went for a family swim. It was so packed..ugh! Fun just the same. After our swim I went out with some friends to see Music & Lyrics (really good I thought). So good to get out.

Today I am off to work and then having friends for dinner. Can't wait to make steamed blueberry pudding with my new steamer. mmmmm!

Monday Morning

I kind of like Monday morning even though I am usually groggy. It has been a down time for me which I appreciate since weekends are full and busy. It's really the only morning I can sit and enjoy my coffee before moving on with the day.

Now, if only I was laying on a warm sunny beach basking in the sun. *sigh*

****

Jacob and I had a date yesterday. I owed him one for months now. After Joel left for hockey and Julia for a birthday party Jacob asked me if we could have our date. It really was the perfect time so there was no reason to say 'not today.' With a few inches of snow down, more falling, and freezing temperatures, he wanted to go to Dairy Queen. We sat under the snow and ice covered dome sharing over ice cream. It seemed odd and we were both shivering until we couldn't take it any more.

****

It doesn't have to be a beach, I'll take poolside.

Blah

Not sure if it is circumstances, February blahs, or lack of sleep but WOW, I am blooooo.

Shake shake shake it off.

I am trying!

Pretty Typical

The weekend come.
That means hockey and ballet and birthday parties not to mention some mom and dad stuff too. Ahhh, gets us out of the house for a wee bit anyway.

The kids have a 5-day break coming up on Thursday. I am looking forward to just chillin with them and having fun together as a family. We are also heading up to camp for a night or two.

yawn. Time for bed.

Made me Chuckle

"Mom, did you check my lunch bag? I ate everything except the spoon!"

Hogging all the Hotties !?

Honestly, I hear something new every day. Today it was a slight complaint that Joel's friend 'so and so' has been hogging all the hotties in the class. When I was in 2nd grade, boys and girls still didn't like each other.

***

Conversation I had with Jacob as he flipped the calendar over to February (a few days late)...

George Washington's Birthday? I thought that guy was dead!?

He is.

Well, why are we still celebrating his brithday?

Um, I don't really know, good question. I gues because he was an important person.

Oh. Will you still celebrate my birthday after I'm dead?

Sure, I probably will.

Actually it won't matter to you 'cause when I die, you'll already be dead.

Play Dates & Goalie Pads

I am just about ready for our dinner guests tomorrow, there will be 14 of us...woohoo!! I was very proactive and made everything (my portion that is, 'cause everyone is contributing) today because I rock!

Spent 2 1/2 hours outside last night at the community skate night (some pictures here). Thanks to those who came out to support us by serving hot drinks. Also got a few rounds of Blokus in afterwards...soon to be considered an addiction along with sewing. Hmmm, I wonder what disorder that is Nav?

I was chilled to the bone for the rest of the night and slept in three layers of clothing including a fleece hoodie. I am a big wuss when it comes to the cold, 'me no likey'.

Julia and her friend from school have been planning a play date for quite sometime and we finally made it happen today. They had a great time together. Now that I know she lives just down the street I am sure it will become a regular occurance.

Joel had to play goalie for the first time today. He was really anxious about it. Last night when I was praying with the boys, Joel asked if I would pray about that. The gear was huge on him (he is a little tyke) he had no room left for his neck guard but had to squeeze it on anyway. He was so cute and deserved his slurpie after enduring the weight and stink of the 'passed around' gear. He did really well and made some wicked saves. I was so proud. He did mention tht he never wants to play nets again.

What's Up?

Nothing much...same ol', same ol'. This has been a busy month and next month looks just as busy. Our meetings went well this past weekend with some interesting conversation surrounding our church.

- Today is Amanda's Birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

- Friday was a Blokus tourny where Steve was able to lay down all his pieces... twice!! WOW! My hero (even if he did take the title and bragging rights from me).

- Saturday was hockey (Joel) then ballet (Julia) then birthday party (Jacob). Saturdays tend to be like that around here.

- Sunday was Steve's birthday. We kind of celebrated between church and then a meeting in the afternoon. My cake was delicious but fell apart. I hate it when that happens!

- Monday was full. Thankfully my neighbour came to my rescue and took the kids for most of the day as they were off school.

- today I am dragging my feet. At least my work is done and I am all prepared for our kids club tonight.

- I've been working hard to keep sickness away from me. Joel got it, then Steve got it (still does) Julia had just a touch and Jacob has been weary, not feeling well, but not sick. I am the strong one when it comes to sickness and for this I am proud. It's got to be all the dirt I ate as a kid.

"Lance, you look like a strong young pup."

Took Joel to his birthday party yesterday at a roller rink. He had never been there before and loved it. It brought back memories for me of 'back in the day' of roller skating--good times!

After traveling the distance to bring him, we didn't want to come back home, just to go out again so the four of us went out for lunch with one of our gift certificates. It was a nice treat.

By the time we were finished, it was alomst time to pick Joel up. To kill the last 30 minutes we ventured into a store (which shall remain nameless) and walked into give away deals. I had no plans to spend anything and was very limited on time but still ended up with 2 pair of pants at $4.74.


Whenever I get a good deal like that I have such a mix of emotions.
- I am excited that I saved so much money.
- I am irritated that I ever buy anything before it gets that low.
- I am annoyed that they can charge so little and still make a profit and that they can initially put so much mark-up on their clothing, ripping people off.
-I always feel a sense of guilt thinking some woman or child working for peanuts in a sweat shop made this possible for me. Yet I still want to pay little.


When it was all said and done, I killed the evening with a movie, The Devil Wears Prada. I didn't hear anything good about the movie, but happened to like it, a lot.