Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Georgia on my mind...
I wanted to post before we leave for Georgia tomorrow....spending close to a week at Debs, with an overnight in Montgomery when we pick up Syd on Friday. We will be flying from Buffalo...what seems to be the norm now. It's hardly worth even checking flights to/from Toronto any more, the prices are truly ridiculous! So, I've been busy doing laundry and trying to get the house in good order for Shawn, Cheryl and my nephews who will stay here to look after the rest of our family....Chrissy, Oreo and Pawsley. With all the travelling we do, we are soooo fortunate to have them to help us out when they are able. Again, a million thanks guys! Oh, and packing?? Well, I haven't even started that...and in just a few moments, I'm taking off for a spa appt...facial and pedicure. Yep...priorities ;0) hehehe! It just wouldn't be a normal trip if I weren't running around like crazy at the last minute!
Can't wait to see some of you this week....and then everyone else when we return. Let's hope for a smooth as day as possible....thankfully the boys, particularly Nicholas, are seasoned fliers.
Will write soon. XO.
Can't wait to see some of you this week....and then everyone else when we return. Let's hope for a smooth as day as possible....thankfully the boys, particularly Nicholas, are seasoned fliers.
Will write soon. XO.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Ouchy!
Again, what fabulous weather we are having! Most of our time is being spent outdoors....the boys are just loving it, and so are Mommy and Daddy. Shane just seems to love having the fresh air on his skin and is constantly smiling..although he has seemed to pick up a cold. He especially loves his walks in the stroller and is so attentive to what his surroundings are. It was much to my surprise last week when Nicholas, on his own, started shooting hoops in the backyard and also later, set up his t-ball set and was practicing. Last year, we had him enrolled in blastball which is the earlier version of t-ball and he really didn't have that much interest in that or any sport really....it was all about his trucks and cars. But this year, it is looking hopeful. Yay!!
As great as the weather was and the weekend in general, it was all while feeling quite alot of pain in my right arm...Johnathon says it must be a pulled muscle and I'm thinking he is right. I took a new sculpting class on Friday which was fabulous. I left feeling a little wobbly and I knew the next day, I would be feeling it but not like this. Anyhow, it's been two full days of it getting worse but right at this moment, I can tell it is on the mend....until next class! What do they say...no pain, no gain! Somehow, I don't think they mean pulling muscles.
Saturday, we spent a couple of hours down at Bowmanville Creek. We always like to go down at this time of year to watch the fish (salmon and trout) jump the dam as they head upstream to spawn. I've attached a couple photos from the day. Unfortunately, we were a little late this year and only spotted a couple fish swimming through the creek and only one trying to jump....but it was fun nonetheless.
I mentioned earlier that Shane picked up a cold....and well that cold must have been bothering him throughout the night because I think he was up and crying almost every hour....UGH! Poor Johnathon whose alarm goes off every morning at 430!! (Ya, I'm not going to be loving that when I return to work..hehe). He is going to struggle today for sure.
Well, I shall be off for now....all this time spent outdoors has left the housework waiting.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
I have been meaning to post for the past few days but just haven't really felt inspired to do so....but here I am as I don't want to fall too far behind.
First off, everyone is doing really well :0) Shane is getting around all over the place and just today, I had him standing on his own holding onto the ottoman. He had quite the proud smile on his face! Nicholas was in Shanes room this afternoon playing with him and I couldn't help but laugh as I could hear the two of them just giggling and laughing away. A couple moments later...and Nicholas was yelling Shane's Escaped!! Shane's Escaped!! ...meaning he crawled out into the hallway....again with quite the proud grin on his face...lol. (btw...we're all baby proofed upstairs...gate, doors closed, electrical plugs covered etc.).
So, last post, we were getting ready to take off to Toronto for a little getaway. Mom, Dad, Shawn, Cheryl and their boys spent the entire weekend here which I'm sure was nice for everyone. We slipped out Saturday around noon (after being back and forth a few times...I was finding it difficult to leave...and the tears were coming) after giving many smooches and hugs. Anyhow, off we were...just the two of us and it felt great. We stopped to pick up our tickets, browse through the bookstore and then lunch with a couple of cocktails....hey, why not...we were on 'vacation'...hehhe.
Afterwards, headed to the hotel and before I could turn my head, Johnathon was already snoozing peacefully on the comfy bed. So much for a romantic getaway...hehehe....but he so needed it! 430 am alarms every morning, stress at work and often interrupted sleep with Shanes new routine....so sleep it was for him and as tempted as I was to join him, I knew that meant we may never get to the show and dinner!
A few hours later and we were off to the show....the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour at the Panasonic Theatre....OMG...HILARIOUS!!!! We laughed our a**es off! It was great. Afterwards, dinner at Hernando's, a Mexican restaurant I used to go to often when I was a 'city' chick....(fabulous by the way)...and then back to our room.
I do have to mention one more thing about our time at the hotel because we were quite impressed....in the morning, Johnathon called down our breakfast order and very shortly after, a gentleman shows up with a whole table set with everything we needed....coffee, water, juice and of course, our food. Just an extra perk with this hotel and we just loved it!
We took our time getting home....a little bit of shopping and then went to an Open House at the Port of Newcastle. Beautiful home but not the 'one'.
And then...home sweet home! I have to admit I was very good about not bringing up the boys and how much I missed them....! So, we walk in and it was like we weren't even gone....the boys were just going about their business and enjoying their time with Poppa and Goki :0) (so when can you come again Mom?)...hehhehe!
Well, that's about it for now...Johnathon is home and I am about to leave for a dr's appt....a follow up to my CT Scan and mole biopsies. Will let you know the results...although I do not expect anything but to be in the clear!
Until next time...
p.s. oh, btw, I should mention that we did have our poker game Friday night and I thought it only fair to let know who won....and that would be ME! HA!
First off, everyone is doing really well :0) Shane is getting around all over the place and just today, I had him standing on his own holding onto the ottoman. He had quite the proud smile on his face! Nicholas was in Shanes room this afternoon playing with him and I couldn't help but laugh as I could hear the two of them just giggling and laughing away. A couple moments later...and Nicholas was yelling Shane's Escaped!! Shane's Escaped!! ...meaning he crawled out into the hallway....again with quite the proud grin on his face...lol. (btw...we're all baby proofed upstairs...gate, doors closed, electrical plugs covered etc.).
So, last post, we were getting ready to take off to Toronto for a little getaway. Mom, Dad, Shawn, Cheryl and their boys spent the entire weekend here which I'm sure was nice for everyone. We slipped out Saturday around noon (after being back and forth a few times...I was finding it difficult to leave...and the tears were coming) after giving many smooches and hugs. Anyhow, off we were...just the two of us and it felt great. We stopped to pick up our tickets, browse through the bookstore and then lunch with a couple of cocktails....hey, why not...we were on 'vacation'...hehhe.
Afterwards, headed to the hotel and before I could turn my head, Johnathon was already snoozing peacefully on the comfy bed. So much for a romantic getaway...hehehe....but he so needed it! 430 am alarms every morning, stress at work and often interrupted sleep with Shanes new routine....so sleep it was for him and as tempted as I was to join him, I knew that meant we may never get to the show and dinner!
A few hours later and we were off to the show....the Axis of Evil Comedy Tour at the Panasonic Theatre....OMG...HILARIOUS!!!! We laughed our a**es off! It was great. Afterwards, dinner at Hernando's, a Mexican restaurant I used to go to often when I was a 'city' chick....(fabulous by the way)...and then back to our room.
I do have to mention one more thing about our time at the hotel because we were quite impressed....in the morning, Johnathon called down our breakfast order and very shortly after, a gentleman shows up with a whole table set with everything we needed....coffee, water, juice and of course, our food. Just an extra perk with this hotel and we just loved it!
We took our time getting home....a little bit of shopping and then went to an Open House at the Port of Newcastle. Beautiful home but not the 'one'.
And then...home sweet home! I have to admit I was very good about not bringing up the boys and how much I missed them....! So, we walk in and it was like we weren't even gone....the boys were just going about their business and enjoying their time with Poppa and Goki :0) (so when can you come again Mom?)...hehhehe!
Well, that's about it for now...Johnathon is home and I am about to leave for a dr's appt....a follow up to my CT Scan and mole biopsies. Will let you know the results...although I do not expect anything but to be in the clear!
Until next time...
p.s. oh, btw, I should mention that we did have our poker game Friday night and I thought it only fair to let know who won....and that would be ME! HA!
Friday, April 11, 2008
it won't rain on my parade
Well, we have had a beautiful week full of warmth and sunshine. It just feels so refreshing! But then we woke up this morning to rain...and LOTS of it! Which is fine..April showers blah blah blah...but the forecast shows rain, wind and cool for tomorrow too and well, that is our day to spend in Toronto. For Johnathons birthday, I gave him some tickets to a show in Toronto and then we are spending the night at the Sutton Place Hotel. Very nice.
Mom and Dad will be here later today and will spend the weekend with the munchkins. I think we are all looking forward to it...and it turns out they had a romantic rendezvous of their own last night in Orillia. They had a room booked at Casino Rama...let's hope Mom was able to contain herself at those slots! Hopefully she at least saved enough for our poker game tonight ;0) hehehe.
Shawn, Cheryl and the boys are coming for dinner and once the kiddies are tucked in, we will break out the poker chips.. both Johnathon and I have every intention of scoring a pot tonight! Wish me luck..
So yes, we are off tomorrow morning to the big smoke....rain or shine, we will be trekking around downtown simply enjoying time together. Can't wait! Thank you Mom and Dad for taking care of our boys...they will really enjoy the time with you.
Mom and Dad will be here later today and will spend the weekend with the munchkins. I think we are all looking forward to it...and it turns out they had a romantic rendezvous of their own last night in Orillia. They had a room booked at Casino Rama...let's hope Mom was able to contain herself at those slots! Hopefully she at least saved enough for our poker game tonight ;0) hehehe.
Shawn, Cheryl and the boys are coming for dinner and once the kiddies are tucked in, we will break out the poker chips.. both Johnathon and I have every intention of scoring a pot tonight! Wish me luck..
So yes, we are off tomorrow morning to the big smoke....rain or shine, we will be trekking around downtown simply enjoying time together. Can't wait! Thank you Mom and Dad for taking care of our boys...they will really enjoy the time with you.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
And he's off...
What a gorgeous weekend we had...and I know everyone up here at least will agree! Spring is finally in the air and I feel changed somehow....all for the better. What a long winter...I can only hope that it is behind us now but I'm not holding my breath. Instead breathing it all in while it is with us.
Weekend was spent enjoying the weather as well as starting 'Spring Cleaning'. In our case, it is not just to get that going but to declutter, organize and get some 'touch ups' done for us to get our house listed. Yep...we are making a move! We have decided with Nicholas beginning school and our mortgage up for renewal, this is the right time. We love our home but we feel (okay, well mostly me) that we can find a more permanent home with some needed/wanted changes. I have to say though that so far, I have not seen anything with great potential which is a little scary. BUT we will persevere! Wish us luck.
More exciting news...to us anyway...is that Shane has taken the leap to crawling....well okay, not absolute crawling but definitely scooching around. I was laughing away watching him get around all over his room and then right out the door to explore the rest of the upstairs....with little breaks along the way. He was actually breaking a sweat! LOL. As much as we love this milestone, his big brother is not at all impressed...especially when Shane goes right to whatever Nicholas is playing with. It is quite hilarious watching Nicholas trying to move Shane to head the opposite way. Time to relocate all his family room toys....and again, Nicholas will be less than impressed ;0)
To finish off, I would like to share a great accomplishment from Sydney. A while back, Sydney took the ACT (American College Test) and placed amazingly well. I am going to copy some of an email from Sari (Syds Mom) explaining a little better as I'm so unfamiliar with the American processes and opportunities. A little more about the TIP program..
"Only the top 5% academically talented students in the 7th grade, nation wide, were invited to participate in the Talent Search and of the 70,000+ who took the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Test), Sydney scored in the top 14%.
(Syds took the ACT).
Her score was equal or better than 60% of seniors who took the test.
On the basis of her score she has qualified to attend the Duke University Talent Identification Program’s (TIP) Center for Summer Studies from now until she graduates. Courses offered are ranging from “Modern Medicine” and “Architecture” to “International Relations” and “From Wonderland to Hogwarts”. Pretty exciting, huh?"
And yes, ABSOLUTELY, it is exciting and such an amazing opportunity for our Sydney! We are so proud of you sweetheart.
In light of this accomplishment, she will attend a ceremony at the University of Alabama where she will receive a medallion in regognition. !!!! GO SYDNEY!!!!
Weekend was spent enjoying the weather as well as starting 'Spring Cleaning'. In our case, it is not just to get that going but to declutter, organize and get some 'touch ups' done for us to get our house listed. Yep...we are making a move! We have decided with Nicholas beginning school and our mortgage up for renewal, this is the right time. We love our home but we feel (okay, well mostly me) that we can find a more permanent home with some needed/wanted changes. I have to say though that so far, I have not seen anything with great potential which is a little scary. BUT we will persevere! Wish us luck.
More exciting news...to us anyway...is that Shane has taken the leap to crawling....well okay, not absolute crawling but definitely scooching around. I was laughing away watching him get around all over his room and then right out the door to explore the rest of the upstairs....with little breaks along the way. He was actually breaking a sweat! LOL. As much as we love this milestone, his big brother is not at all impressed...especially when Shane goes right to whatever Nicholas is playing with. It is quite hilarious watching Nicholas trying to move Shane to head the opposite way. Time to relocate all his family room toys....and again, Nicholas will be less than impressed ;0)
To finish off, I would like to share a great accomplishment from Sydney. A while back, Sydney took the ACT (American College Test) and placed amazingly well. I am going to copy some of an email from Sari (Syds Mom) explaining a little better as I'm so unfamiliar with the American processes and opportunities. A little more about the TIP program..
"Only the top 5% academically talented students in the 7th grade, nation wide, were invited to participate in the Talent Search and of the 70,000+ who took the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (American College Test), Sydney scored in the top 14%.
(Syds took the ACT).
Her score was equal or better than 60% of seniors who took the test.
On the basis of her score she has qualified to attend the Duke University Talent Identification Program’s (TIP) Center for Summer Studies from now until she graduates. Courses offered are ranging from “Modern Medicine” and “Architecture” to “International Relations” and “From Wonderland to Hogwarts”. Pretty exciting, huh?"
And yes, ABSOLUTELY, it is exciting and such an amazing opportunity for our Sydney! We are so proud of you sweetheart.
In light of this accomplishment, she will attend a ceremony at the University of Alabama where she will receive a medallion in regognition. !!!! GO SYDNEY!!!!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Happy Birthday Nicholas!
I'm a couple days late posting this....bad blogger! Nicholas celebrated his FOURTH birthday on Tuesday. Yep, four years already!! As I grow older (and wiser, I hope)....I truly realize how quickly time flies and how precious it really is.
Nicholas had his actual birthday party on the weekend at the Pumpkin Patch Play Centre in Bowmanville which went really well. His guests were Oliver, Jack, Danaka, Jax, Mark, Bethany and Jasmine. Of course all their parents were there too. The centre is for 0-5 year olds with lots of activities for them. For this age group, it was perfect! And you know, just a bonus for Mommy and Daddy with no mess to clean up ;0)
On his actual birthday, we took Nicholas to Zellers and let him pick out a bike as a surprise birthday gift. Of course, he picked the CARS Lightning McQueen bike. Afterwards, we went to dinner at Kelseys. At the end of our meal, the staff came out with a molten lava cake for Nicholas and sang to him. He didn't know what to think but thought it best to hide behind Mommy giggling. It was very cute.
We had a taste of Spring yesterday which was amazing.....and then today, I couldn't believe it when I looked outside and it was snowing these huge snowflakes all while there were two robins hopping about in the front yard. Thankfully though, the snow has stopped. I truly hope I do not have to say the 'S' word again until next winter! And if the forecast is correct, we are in for one gorgeous, sunny, warm weekend....bring it on!
Nicholas had his actual birthday party on the weekend at the Pumpkin Patch Play Centre in Bowmanville which went really well. His guests were Oliver, Jack, Danaka, Jax, Mark, Bethany and Jasmine. Of course all their parents were there too. The centre is for 0-5 year olds with lots of activities for them. For this age group, it was perfect! And you know, just a bonus for Mommy and Daddy with no mess to clean up ;0)
On his actual birthday, we took Nicholas to Zellers and let him pick out a bike as a surprise birthday gift. Of course, he picked the CARS Lightning McQueen bike. Afterwards, we went to dinner at Kelseys. At the end of our meal, the staff came out with a molten lava cake for Nicholas and sang to him. He didn't know what to think but thought it best to hide behind Mommy giggling. It was very cute.
We had a taste of Spring yesterday which was amazing.....and then today, I couldn't believe it when I looked outside and it was snowing these huge snowflakes all while there were two robins hopping about in the front yard. Thankfully though, the snow has stopped. I truly hope I do not have to say the 'S' word again until next winter! And if the forecast is correct, we are in for one gorgeous, sunny, warm weekend....bring it on!
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