'tis the season

December 4th.  21 more days until the big guy arrives....20 more days until the big birthday arrives.  Good times!!!

This year I just seem a little extra excited about Christmas.  I think mostly due to the fact that Sydney and Mama fly up and will be with us through the holidays.  14 more days until that happens....Wow, only two more weeks.  Okay, maybe I'm not quite as excited as I thought - have not even decorated yet!  But we did take the boys to the tree farm last night and picked out our tree.  I think know this is the biggest one yet.  If Johnathon did not trim the top a little, it would be touching the ceiling.  But it's all trimmed up, in the stand and we are letting the branches fall so we can decorate tomorrow when I get back from Kitchener.

Yep, Kitchener....GIRLS NIGHT IN.....and am I looking forward to it???  Oh yes! Lots of laughing, drinking, eating, gabbing and I'm certain some dancing is in store for our evening.  Picking up Bonny on the way to Deb and Madeleine's and our friend, Laura (she is blonde Laura...I am dark Laura - as we were referred to back in our TO days) is meeting us there from Windsor.  Pics to be posted.  Maybe ;) .

Boys are awesome!  Johnathon is awesome!  The girls are awesome!  haha

Am off ...

i'll take the extra hour

Even though I went to bed unusually early for a Saturday night, I still was able to sleep in until 845 !  Okay, but wait, it was really only 745!  Even better.  So much to get done today.  There always is.  So, once I attempt to write something, somewhat interesting on here with my coffee, play a game of Sorry with Nicholas and Daddy, I will get busy!

Our agent is coming by again this week with the hopes of listing the house.  Scary.  After months and months of talking about it (and really, really tired of listening to myself), we are about there.  However, now is the worst time of all to list so we have decided to list until just before Christmas and see what happens.  If we get a great offer, so be it.  But truth is, the options for us is dwindling.  So...who knows.  And taking Nicholas out of school this far into the year is really something I don't want to do.  Once upon a time ago when I too was in grade one, my parents upped and moved us to Bowmanville from the city.....but at the end of April.  Devastating to a very shy six year old....and at the end of the school year!  I really will never forget how that felt.  But ultimately, I guess you adapt and form new friendships.....right?  Right...and I did.  Lifelong ones actually.  

Hm...sounds like I'm talking myself into being good with whatever decision we do make.

And speaking of school - Nicholas is settling in very well with grade one.  The year started off a little shaky with some concerns about the class 'bully'.  But happy to say that that has been less of a problem  lately and Nicholas is learning how to deal with this.  He is doing amazingly well with all of his schoolwork.   Progress reports come out this week and we will meet with his teacher, Mrs Skillen. 

Am posting some pics from Halloween.  It was a cold one this year but the boys were warm.  So what that Spiderman had to wear a puffy vest!  He matched ;0)!  As excited as both Shane and Nicholas were, after about an hour and already half a bag full of junk  candy, they were both asking to go home. 

And now Christmas is coming.....before we know it I am sure.  While writing on here, Nicholas just wrote his letter and drawing for Santa, thankfully using great manners.  Santa should be impressed!  He did ask me though if I think he will be on the naughty list.  !!  And Shaney seems to think that every toy that comes on tv will be his.  Ugh. 

Mama and Syds flights are booked and we are super excited to have them both here for the holidays!!!

so mommy, how are your boobs feeling today?

Now, that grabbed your attention, didn't it??  I mentioned yesterday that I was home for a few days and would have some extra time to write.  Most of you that read this blog would know by now that for months (well, years really), I have planned to have breast implants.  Well, this past Wednesday was THE day!  It's done.  I have boobies!  Haha.  Well, at least bigger ones anyhow!

A while back, I received some inheritance from my dear Aunt Doris.  I knew with this money, I would use a portion of it for 'the girls'.  I actually paid for the surgery on June 30th in order to beat the $@^#* HST (the new harmonized sales tax that came into effect on July 1st for those that wouldn't know in the States).  I saved over 500 bucks!!  Crazy, huh?  That's what I thought. 

So, day 3 with the girls and all I know for sure is that it hurts.  It really hurts and sleeping through the night isn't happening.  But I know that will eventually go away and I can start to enjoy my new friends. 

And I'm not the only Hash in the house to have surgery this week.  Johnathon as well had something done that he has been wanting for quite some time.  He went for laser eye surgery yesterday.  Our biggest supporter and plain awesome friend, Andrea, came and spent the night Wednesday so that she could get up early with Johnathon and take him into Toronto for his surgery (and sports bra shop for me).  And yesterday around 1ish, he was back with sight....although the drive back in the sunlight was agonizing.  But by evening, his eyes felt better and he could SEE.  As I write though, he just left his checkup at the Whitby office and unfortunately, they have sent him back to Toronto as they see a little something they want looked at by his doctor. Will update later.

So, there it is...the latest.

Oh wait...about the title.  So, yesterday morning, Nicholas wakes up and one of the very first things he asks me is "So Mommy, how are your boobs feeling today?".  And again today.  My sweet, caring boy.

some more

I am home today and will be for a few days.  I will get into that more later...

However, this is a perfect time to try and catch up some more.  So, let's seee....hmmm.  The summer, the glorious fabulous summer we had this year!  Started early and ended late - at least that is how I remember it.  And even this Thanksgiving weekend, we will hit the 20's.  Fabulous. 

As I'm sure I have posted about this before, we are still hoping to sell our house.  I can't count the many, many homes we have looked at in search of the one.  Some have blown us away, and others we went running.  But it doesn't seem there is one in particular that we love for every reason.  And maybe we are just being too picky but when you have been through this before and now know what you want for years to come, it's hard not to be.  And it seems our price point is getting higher and higher which scares me.  But I'm still hoping to get more for less and will continue to search.  But all this also means we actually need to get our home listed and I'm simply tired of talking about that.  So much to do and really, so little time between work, the boys and just life.  But we are getting there....slowly but surely.

Nicholas is now in grade one!  Grade ONE.  The year started off not so great.  There is Ethan, the bully.  Ethan that felt the need at the beginning of the year to bully my child...pick on my innocent, sweet boy.  Okay, that is Mommy talking but really...

But we have spoke with Ms Skillen, Nicholas' teacher.  She is fully aware of the situation and it's being monitored.  The past couple weeks have definitely been better and Nicholas is coping far better and I think Ethan has backed off a little.  It seems Ethan finds himself in hot water quite a bit at school altogether so hopefully,  he is turning his attention to focusing on school instead of the other children.

I'm still amazed at how well Nicholas picks up what he's learning at school.  He is a wonderful reader and is doing very, very well with Math.  He is on the hunt for a trophy at the end of the year which he will get if he reads 1000 books by then!  He is off and running with that! 

Shane.  Our rambunctious baby boy.  Did I spell that right??  And did I say baby?  Okay, okay....he turned three this past July 31st but always my baby.  Both of them.  As Moms, we all know that.  I'm happy to say that Shane is now officially potty trained.  In fact, if I'm feeling better this weekend, we will go shopping for big boy underwear.  He is very pleased with himself and his accomplishments and seems to look forward to picking these out.  Cute.  High fives all around!  (that is our thing with every potty move).  We tried months ago to get him started and there was no....I mean ZERO interest in that.  So, we stopped.  We started up again full force about two months ago and he just went with it.  And really, the only reason he is still in a pull-up is because I bought this huge box of them. 

(shaney's 3rd birthday party - where they just came in from the rainy day playing - instead of cake, the kiddos made up their own sundaes on top a little chunk of cake - they loved it!)

back to it!

OMGosh, I knew I was way behind but taking a look today, I'm more than four months - more than a whole season of a year behind!  And boy, did it fly! 

I'm thinking I won't capture much in this one post but let's get started at least.  The smells coming from the kitchen are yummy as Johnathon is cooking me one of his fabulous brunches so I have just a bit of time.

So...back to the end of May, early June.  Well, the biggest event there to speak of is the arrival of my gorgeous nephew, Reed Henry Linton.  Quite a story with baby Reed's arrival, as Cheryl's births tend to be....if you know Cheryl and want to read about it, she blogs as well.  Just ask me if you want it.

The summer in general was GREAT!  We didn't have alot of time with Syd this summer - being all teenager and stuff!  But we did get some great family time with her.  The boys of course follow her around like puppies and just can't get enough of their big sis!  We are excited that we will have her here for the holidays - very excited! 

Even though we have spent many mini-vac's in Niagara Falls both pre and post kids, we still really enjoy it every time.  This summer was no exception.  We spent four days this time and had fun exploring the butterfly conservatory, taking the trolley car across the gorge, taking in the Falls, enjoying the hotel and pool and of course, our first trip to Marineland!  And if you haven't been....GO!  And we found out, when you go and pay your admission, you can pay an extra five bucks each and get a seasons pass.  We will so be doing that next year!  We all just loved it!  New summer tradition for sure.  And for that little extra, you get to feed and pet the belugas - worth every cent!  So adorable and just touching them is quite an experience - one you won't forget.  Soooo soft and cute!

Short post for now....but it's almost a weight off my shoulders as I think alot about keeping up to date and just not getting to it.  I hope to write more later today.  But for now, Sunday brunch yumminess.

hanging with the girlys

Sunday was spent over at Andreas....we were excited that Debra and Miss Madeleine were coming for a visit!  Just a few pics from the day -

nicholas lost his first tooth

Big day last week....our boy lost his first tooth!  Our first experience with the Tooth Fairy and all Nicholas' excitement.  The next morning, he came directly into our room and walked up to me grinning from ear to ear smacking his five bucks in and out.  And here is our boy now, minus one front tooth =)

3 1/2 weeks - Seriously??

I guess I shall start writing complaining first off.  I think I have earned it....3 1/2 weeks later and still sick...bronchitis and sinusitis.  Today seems to be a good day though so far.  The worst part has been the sinus infection and the big ugly 'bump' that was hovering and pressuring hard on my forehead and eyes... it has finally been kicked by antibiotics.  Second round of antibiotics.  The first prescription didn't work out so well....nausea and vomiting.  And at work.  Yuck.  So off to the clinic with Shaney and round 2.  So far, so good.  Dare I say that the end may be near. 

Now Shane, on the other hand, not sure yet.  I took him with me as he was complaining that his ear was sore and had been up LOTS through that first night and you just know when they are not well.  Doc told me that his right ear has a massive amount of wax buildup and is causing the earaches.  I was told to use mineral oil in his ear and continue with the Motrin or Tylenol for pain.  Well, thanks Doc....but that ain't cutting it!  Poor Shane has been miserable and just blah - getting lots of rest and watching ALOT of movies.  Good news is that this morning, his eyes don't look 'sick' and he is running around alot more.  All good.  Am trying to reach our doctor and get him in for a more thorough check. 

Okay, so sicknesses aside....all is very well in the Hash house.  Johnathon is over his head cold...Nicholas thankfully escaped it all.  We had a great long weekend and it's even better today as I added on an extra day. 

I wanted to sit and write last week about Nicholas' new 'girlfriend'!  He came home one day and had a card in his backpack.  I figured right away it must be either from Triniti or his new girlfriend he had told me about the night before at Boston Pizza.  As he was telling me about Angela, he gushed at the end saying she calls me her BFF.  It was hilarious and oh so cute!!  Daddy then said that we were two peas in a pod....and that was pretty accurate.  Haha.

So, I open the card and Angela writes - "To Nicholas - the sun is going up, the sun is going down.  PS I love you".

Deep.

Well, I now know exactly who Angela is.  Yes, she was the one hugging on my boy while he was in line to leave school when I picked him up.  And hugging is putting it mildly.  A tad more on the mauling side I would say.  I was like - oh...back up there honey!  Nicholas just nonchalantly kept walking...

boot camp = ouch!

Last week, a friend of mine from work, Brittany, and I signed up and started boot camp every Monday and Wednesday night! First night, not too bad…pretty intense for someone who hasn’t worked out in longer than I care to mention. A great overall workout in the park though. Wednesday, brutal. Same park but in the pouring rain. But we all persevered and got through it. Last night, our third round, and I was pushed hard! Hard. They aren’t kidding when they coin these classes Boot Camp!


But as tough as the class is, I am so proud of myself afterwards. And I’m motivated…motivated to be a more fit person. And now that I’ve learned some new exercises, I have already set out to buy the equipment needed. Who needs big expensive equipment when a 10 dollar resistance rope will do wonders??!! So, my mini-gym is being prepared for my workouts in between boot camp. Brittany and I did a little shopping at lunch and bought some new stuff….the bands, the medicine ball….and we bought new digital scales (after weighing ourselves….and giving the eww…disgusted look!). But the scales are pretty and sleek. And so will we be…haha!

***note***
 I posted this last night but I must have saved and not 'published'.  So, I'm a day late.  And a day later, can barely lift my arms.  Oh, and it's raining.  It will be a good one tonight!!

so truly blessed

Before I went to bed last night, I wrote on my facebook how deliriously happy our children make me and being part of this 'club' called motherhood.  And nothing could be more true.  Nothing could be more important, nothing is more important. I've wrote a few things here, deleted, wrote, deleted, walked away not able to find the right words.  I've come back and have decided I don't need to describe how it feels to be Mommy.  All the mommies in the world already know this.  I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Mothers Day....whether with your own children or with your Moms.

As I'm sure is the case in alot of your homes, Mothers Day traditionally involves breakfast in bed.  And this one was no different.  Johnathon went into work late so that he and the boys could let Mommy sleep in and get breakfast ready.  After a nice sleep in, I heard them creeping up the stairs and in they rushed.  Nicholas yelling Happy Mothers Day, hugs and kisses and so totally excited to give me his cards and gift he made (will post pic of the awesome necklace he made).  Shaney jumping on the bed just loving the excitement and well, eyeing my food, waiting to share!  Hubby enjoying the moments as well. 

And many thanks honey for the fab breakfast and coffee, the Lululemon GC (yay!) and the perfect card as always that made me cry.  I love you.  Thank you for being the other half of me...and for bringing these three beautiful children to me.

The rest of the day has been perfectly lazy with some tickle fights thrown in here and there.  Even Nicholas has opted out of going to the movies this afternoon so that we can watch movies at home instead.  3pm and we are all still in our comfies.  I love Sundays like these.  It's easy when the weather is as it is.  Cold. 

So, right now....I'm in between snuggling with Shane upstairs with his Thomas movie and downstairs with Nicholas' Marvel Superheroes movie.  And truly, I'm not watching the movies.....I am watching them.  Just lying there staring and watching these beautiful babies, amazed and blessed.  So very much so.

This was them this morning while we were playing around in Syds room -

This is a poem I 'borrowed' for my post today.  I thought it was sweet and touching... and wanted to share -

A – Z: For My Children on Mother’s Day

A is for Awe, when they placed you on my chest
B is for Birth and for Bottles and Breasts
C is for Colic and Car Seats and Crawling
D is for Discipline, Diapers and Drawing
E is for Ear Infections, Lord knows we had those
F is for Father and a Family that grows
G is for Genetics and Giggles and Go
H is for Hugs and the Home we love so
I is Imagination and that darn Ice Cream truck
J is for Juice and Jelly and Junk
K is for Kindergarten, bringing tears to my eyes
L is for Listen and Little, White Lies
M is for Mom and Maternity Clothes
N is for Naps and your cute button Nose
O is for Ovaries, Outdoors and Obsessed
P is Potty Training, Pizza and Pets
Q is my voice saying Quickly! or Quiet!
R is Rashes and Reading and Riot
S is your Safety, which is what matters most
T is for Temper Tantrum, Timeout and Toast
U is Unruly and Ugly at times
V is Vaccinations (there are no other rhymes)
W is Whining and Water and Weather
X marks the spot where you bury the treasure
Y is for You, no matter your age
Z is for Zero things that I'd ever change
Just being your Mother, is an incredible gift
When my morale is down, you give it a lift
With a touch or a hug or the sound of your voice
I know that Motherhood was my greatest choice.
My marriage to your Daddy, made me a Wife
But when you were born…YOU gave ME life.

let's rewind

Such a long time that I have last posted to my blog and I'm totally unhappy with myself for it.  However, no time like the present.  So much to catch up on.

This past weekend, we hosted a baby shower for Cheryl and baby to be.  After a huge downpour, the rain held off and we were able to sit outdoors for the games and enjoy some warm weather.  Johnathon brought out the jumping castle and minus Shane's minor injury, the kids enjoyed themselves.  Thanks to all that came out...I know it meant alot to Cheryl and  your generous gifts were awesome!  If anyone is hungry, come on over because we have a fridge full of leftovers.  If you weren't napping after the food, you probaly wanted to.  Delish!

I guess the last time I wrote was before our vacation in Florida for Syd's Spring Break.  Another great trip.  The boys were wonderful travelling, even with the layovers and late/early flights.  The place we booked was ideal....right on Tampa Bay.  Sydney spent most of the week with us and then flew home in time to spend Greek Easter with her Mom's family.  There really is nothing better than having all three of our children together.  The boys just adore Syd and I know she adores them back. 

Nicholas celebrated his birthday while in Florida so for his day, we chose to take the kids to Busch Gardens.  I looked it up online and one of the features that I liked was if it is your birthday, you get a free jeep safari pass.  Perfect.  Not too shabby....a 40 dollar excursion.  So, Nicholas and I went together and it was so awesome....up close and personal with the giraffes.  This girl was so sweet and after we fed her and petted her, she gave Nicholas a big slurp right on the nose!  We toured around right in with the animals and it really was quite an experience.

Hmmmmm....let's see.  What else is new??  This is what I hate....not posting regularly, getting frazzled and pressuring myself to sit and write....and then when I do, the thoughts just aren't coming out as I would like.  So, I am already apologizing for this rather boring post!  haha!

Johnathon is very busy working away with the Outages going on at Pickering.  The boys are doing very well.  I am still battling whatever this is that I have. 

As I write this, I keep fast forwarding in my mind to tomorrow evening when I have my first boot camp class!!  Yep, boot camp.  Yikes.  But, it is certainly way past due for me to shed some of these extra pounds and become fit.  I'm totally excited about it....but also extremely nervous!  The first couple classes (at least) are going to kick my ass!  Brittany, a friend of mine from work, and I are tackling this together.  However, I don't think it will be quite the ass-kicking for her 25 year youngness.  Quite the picture....25 year young works out little thing alongside 39 year young(!) hasn't worked out in a long time, not so little thing!  Let's not mention the smoking...no, shh!  Ha!  Good times!

So, tomorrow is day one of my more active and healthier lifestyle.  I kind of want to run out and grab that last Big Mac!!  No?  Hm. 

Maybe I should use my blog as a motivator.  If I promise to keep track of my progress on here, it will motivate me to do well. 

I know there is much more to write about....but I'm just going to be content for now that I even got this down.  My nephew will be over shortly to spend the afternoon, I'm still in comfies, my kids need lunch and my to-do list is just gross.  We plan to list the house later this month and with Johnathon working longer hours and every weekend, there just isn't much getting done.  I think I'm going to look into hiring someone that can do some of the work and hopefully get the house in shape to list!  If you know of someone that does good work, is affordable and trustworthy, please give me a shout or shoot me an email.

Enjoy your Sunday! 

mommy, mommy, mommy

Absolute music to my ears - Mommy.  But, oh my....it is ALL about Mommy these days with Shane.  Daddy goes to wipe Shanes face and hands - No, Mommy.  Change his diaper - No, Mommy do it!  Get a drink, bathe him....you get the idea - Mommy!  Now, with reasoning, he usually gives in.  Usually.  There are times though when he will just turn on the tap and big croc tears start forming and that is followed by a bit of a tantrum.  Not just with Daddy trying to help him but any time the boy does not get his own way!  Thankfully though, Shaney will listen to reason and we can quite quickly bring him out of it.

I'm not complaining though, I get it....he is two.  Not like we haven't been here before.  I like writing these things down though so that I can always come back and see what was going on.  I just love this 'journal' type forum.

Our next big challenge is the potty!  And before you go all well, my kid was potty trained at 15 months (yes, I actually heard that one!..lol)....I am fully aware that we have been a little slack.  The potty is out...Shane has been introduced to it and quite frankly, wants absolutely NOTHING to do with it!  We did manage to get him to sit on it for a while..hoping something would happen. But nope.  In fact, he finds it quite funny when he runs away from it.  So, we have decided once we return from Florida, we will be consistent and follow through and get him there. 

Nicholas has just finished his March Break.  Unfortunately, he didn't get to do a whole lot and that is only because we are taking time off for Sydney's Spring Break and taking the family to Tampa.  But he did have one day with his cousin and I also took a family day from work and Nicholas and I had one of our date days.  We went out for lunch, did a little shopping and then to the movies.  We saw The Tooth Fairy which was actually quite good and funny too.  I just love going to the movies with Nicholas....looking over at him so small in the movie chairs with those big smiles of enjoyment...lots of fun!  

The weather is totally worth writing about this week as well (sunny 17 and 18 degrees all week....FABULOUS!).  And with Nicholas being all hermit like this winter, it was good for him to get outside and play all week.  With much resistance though.  Both Auntie Cheryl and Lindsay, our daycare provider, told me how much Nicholas protested going out.  And I just find that alarming(!)....so now that Spring is upon us, it's out the door as much as possible! 

Big news this week with Sydney.  It seems our 15 year old wrote the test for her learners permit (I can't remember what they call it in the south...sorry) this week and PASSED!!  I said something similar to her Mom earlier this week in the way that it seems just like yesterday that I was blessed to have this SIX year old girl in my life and now here she is, almost ten years later, a beautiful in every way teenager and driving!!  Way to go honey - Be Safe!

Well, my coffee is done...and my boy wants to play buses....and my house is crying to be cleaned.  One more week until Florida!  Yay!!!

a shortened sunday morning

At 730 this morning, I heard it...Johnathon's pager going off (grr).  I looked at the clock and reached over Nicholas (another story) to nudge J to let him know as there was no movement.  Up he went...and then it dawned on me that he was already supposed to be at work because really, it was 830!  Oops...

And so Sunday morning began.  Johnathon was off to 'beautify' himself, Nicholas was now awake...and shortly after, we heard Shaney saying something or another, waiting for us to go in to his room.  He won't leave his bed, that one, until we go in and say our good mornings and give big hugs and smooches.  And every single morning, he does not disappoint.  He always puts that big juicy smile on and just beams as we gather him up and start the day off....with some more snuggles.  Snuggles with my boys on Sunday mornings - does not get any better than that!

Oh, and yes, why was Nicholas in our bed again this morning.  Well, this time, it was completely Mommy's fault.  Before running some errands yesterday and then a visit to the Hickey's, I put Nicholas' comforter and 'comfy pillow' in the washer.  By time we came home later that evening, Shane was not feeling great and was desperate to get into his bed.  The rest of us got settled in and comfortable...and I totally forgot about the load waiting to be dried.  Nicholas later on, lying in bed, waiting for his comfy pillow and Mommy letting him know that I forgot.  OMGosh....his beautiful browns welled up with tears and I felt so bad....so of course, the one thing I know that will work - let him sleep with Mommy.  He was out in moments.

I don't know if I have written previously about his comfy pillow but like alot of children, this is Nicholas' comfort item.  Sydney has Mr. Bear, Nicholas has his comfy pillow.  They are always at the top of the packing list when we go away, it needs to be the 'right' side up at all times and it is always waiting for Nicholas every night at bedtime.....unless Mommy messes up such as last night.

*********************************************************************************

So, last post, I wrote about our vacation in Cancun.  Good times.  I still need to get our pics in order and get them posted.  I also wanted to just quickly write about our night away in Toronto with Mom and Dad.  For Christmas, we bought tickets for Mom, Dad and ourselves to see RAIN (A Beatles Tribute).  The show was a couple weekends ago after we returned from our trip.  After a slow start to the day, we found our hotel, parked and well, after about 20 minutes and me about to send out a search party, Mom and Dad finally made it to the lobby from the underground where they had been wondering around looking for the exit, even ending up at some condo building nearby.  This with about 5 minutes to get to the show!  But we made it right on time and WOW, what an incredible show!  A bit of a slow start and I had many thoughts of what did I get ourselves into here.  But that quickly faded and by time we left, 3 of us were in tears!  Literally.  It was that good.  If it is coming to your area, please go see this great show.  And those of you in my area, it is coming back to TO in July.  Here is some info -

RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles

From Ed Sullivan to Abbey Road! They look like them and they sound just like them! "The next best thing to seeing The Beatles," raves The Denver Post. All the music and vocals are performed totally live! RAIN covers the Fab Four from their earliest beginnings through the psychedelic late '60s and their long-haired hippie, hard-rocking rooftop days. RAIN is a multi-media, multi-dimensional experience... a fusion of historical footage and hilarious television commercials from the 1960s lights up video screens and live cameras zoom in for close-ups. "A thrilling bit of time-warping nostalgia - Boomer Heaven!" raves The Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "Uncanny! RAIN are a quartet of fine musicians in their own right; as the Beatles, they triumph!" cheers The Boston Herald. "An adoring Valentine to the Beatles," declares The Washington Post. Sing along with your family and friends to such Beatlemaniac favorites as Let It Be, Hey Jude, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Come Together and Can't Buy Me Love.
For more information visit. www.raintribute.com

The Canon Theatre - July 10th thru August 1st.

how do i write about a whole month?

I'm kicking myself for not sitting my butt down sooner to write....but I will attempt to recap the past month the best I can. 

Johnathon and I were so fortunate enough to find ourselves, with Mom and Dad,  booking a getaway to Cancun, while Aunt Debo and MaMa flew up and stayed with the boys...even Uncle Bill flew up towards the end of the trip and spent some time with them as well.  Fun had by all - much fun! 

We didn't land until late in the evening in Cancun and after all the hullabaloo trying to find where our shuttle was, we were on our way to our resort.  I don't know about you, but on the way to your destination, you have such hope that it is going to be spectacular when you arrive.  The best you have stayed at.  After dropping one family off at Sun Palace (which looked stunning...just as I was describing), we arrived at our hotel.  And no, my breath was not taken away.  But it looked nice.  We checked in and immediately went to the lounge/bar for a cold drink.  After waiting around for what seemed an eternity, we were served and the four of us decided to take it outside and walk around the grounds.  Being dark out, we didn't have the view that did take my breath away the following morning but we got a good layout. 

It was a long day and we decided to go up to our rooms, get settled and have a drink on our balcony.  I felt a wave of disappointment with our choice (which was really mine and not booking for just ourselves, there is a slight pressure to please)....until the morning and once Johnathon opened the curtains to a perfect sunny, blue sky and the perfect view we had of the beautiful turquoise Caribbean and the massive, white sand beach, that wave of disappointment the previous night turned to a pure wave of excitement and relief!  Breathtaking really.  Unfortunately, my pics just don't capture it but many times, you could find us sitting on our balcony captivated by the view and the peaceful calm that comes with hearing the waves and just enjoying these moments.

This vacation was quite a bit different from our others.  Usually, I'm eager to go on some day trips, busy ourselves with exploring or doing something adventurous that you don't have the opportunity to do at home.  But this time, we kept putting it off until the point we both decided that we were perfectly content to do 'nothing' and just relax and enjoy our days and whatever came with them.

Let me say, the sun was not always what came with them!  Again, unlike any other vacation I have been on, the weather just wasn't what we had hoped.  In fact, a couple of days were downright chilly and very windy.  But the great weather days outweighed the not so great and all in all, not really that bad at all.  I just enjoy the hot sun and I enjoy a good tan so more of that would have been ideal.

This being our first time staying in Cancun, we didn't really know what to expect.  I have always known it to be a party town and since we did not have the kiddos with us, I thought why not?  Let's check it out and see what we think.  Would I go back?  Yes.  I would even take the kids if we were at a larger, more family-friendly resort.  You just couldn't beat the beach and the sea.

Because our resort was small and really not a lot to do in the evenings especially, we found ourselves walking off the resort often to go walk around, shop here and there, and find the perfect margarita!  And well, we found it.  Perfection.  That was after walking around the market that we took the local city bus to.  After making our deals for jewelery and various souvenirs, we found ourselves at this little off to the side bar/restaurant.  The staff/owner were so welcoming and we were treated so well.  And then the rain started so we moved off of the patio to the inside (sort of) and after a few margaritas and good company, we headed back. 

So, the rest of the week was spent lazing, walking, swimming, reading, drinking and eating....even a midnight dip in the sea!  All very enjoyable and we met some great people, including our Australian friend, Darrin.

As the week went on, I sure did miss the boys more and more.  We got to chat alot though and I knew they were having a blast.  But still, I missed them so and the day we were to leave, I have never been so eager to get home.  And well, since that ended up being a day that I'm trying to forget (loooooong day that I started off with throwing up....missed our shuttle....couldn't get any $ out, little did I know, our debit card had been compromised and someone out there is running around with 1600 bucks of ours!, feeling sick ALL day and for four days afterwards, a snowstorm in TO that caused our plane to have to circle but because it was so small, had to land in Buffalo to re-fuel, only then to be told we had to wait a couple more hours!!!)...and all I wanted to do was hug my children and tuck them in.

But we made it home safe and sound....and only a short, ahem, 5 hours late!

And yay, finally I could catch up on the Olympics and actually watch them for real!  I missed that while away, however, we did of course find a bar to watch the first Canada/US game....and well, we all know the result of that one.  Lots of fun though at Carlos and Charlies which was packed with both Americans and Canadians showing their pride!  Funnily (is that a word?) enough, it was 12 years prior that I was on vacation in Manzanillo, Mexico and found myself at a Carlos and Charlies there watching US and Canada battle it out in the Olympic games. 

(okay, so I didn't get to the whole month....will be back!)

a less than perfect morning

Very less than perfect.  Lately, mornings or I should say weekday mornings have been going very well.  Daddy leaves early before the boys are up (usually) and the boys and I have a routine that is working out quite nicely.  Alarm goes off at 530am....snooze....539am....snooze....and then I should be up....but more times than not...snooze.  I try to be up by 550 but 6am very latest.  And then the morning rush starts.

Jump in the shower, brush my teeth, down to get my coffee, feed Chrissy, let her out and get our lunches out and my breakfast...all to go.  I try my hardest to have this done the evening prior...but some mornings I'm left scrambling my eggs and grabbing some leftovers for lunch.  Fine.  Done.  Back upstairs to get ready....hoping I have something decent to wear to the office that isn't in need of ironing (don't do that or as little as possible...okay, another story).

Have YOU hit SNOOZE yet. Yep, I'm sure...but this is how it goes.  And then around 640ish, I head into Nicholas' room and very lovingly nudge him awake and offer for him to come snuggle in our bed for 5 or 10 minutes until he breaks into his regime.  We chat and he quite enjoys his moments of 'waking up'.  BT  (Breakfast Television) is always on and he likes to tell me how the weather  is going to be and how shitty the Leafs did.

I'm feeling now that I have wrote about this before and if I did, sorry.  As time goes by though, the boys get older and routines get easier.  Usually.

So, then it's off to wake Shaney up and almost always, the moment I open his door and turn his dim light on, he immediately says Hello Mommy.  And that just never fails to make me smile and my heart tug.  And so we continue the morning and he is usually quite cooperative.....although Shane is 2.  And Shane needs you to recognize and repeat each and every thing that he does and says.  Smiling again here.  BUT with rushed mornings and when he is 'off', wrinkles happen.  Mommy gets frustrated at times...and this morning was one of those mornings where Mommy became a little too frustrated.

And a perfectly wonderful morning, as they all are, just having this wonderful morning to have each and every day....I let myself lose myself in my idiotic frustration....and I behaved towards my son not in a proud way.  I raised my voice more than I should have, I lost myself in being just frustrated - towards my two year old. 

And in the end, after the raised voice....the frustration.....the taking away of his trains of the moment...all was fine.  My boy and I had deep hugs and smooches and even an understanding that how he was behaving was not acceptable...but I knew that I had 'lost it' and I had nothing but regret....and then tears as I drove to work. 

I talked to a friend about it...one who has been through all this years ago and was a single Mom at one time to three children.  She understood completely.  But even with the understanding still lies the guilt. 

And so tomorrow morning will be a new one.  And I will hopefully be a better Mom.

I do have to add though....through all this frenzy this morning, Nicholas just laid low and said to Shane a couple times that he should just stop because he is just making things worse.  My boy looking out for my other boy....his brother.

shane's second haircut

I finally caved and took Shane for another hair cut.  He never complained but I knew the front hanging in his eyes just wasn't good.  So, we walk in and he starts being all shy and wrapping himself around me.  I explained what we were going to do to him and after the promise of a treat when he was all finished, he jumped up onto the chair and did not say a peep the whole time.  In fact, he was grinning and cutting his eyes over at the other hairdresser and I think he was actually enjoying himself.  Oh, what the promise of a treat can do...

Here is the before and after -

Still longish...but really, it is much shorter than it was.  Cute.

wonderful weekend

Some would say that a full Saturday spent cleaning isn't such a great way to spend half of your weekend but I have to disagree to a point.  As much as you rather be doing something else...anything else, when you are working away and your kids are happily playing and hubby is painting, there is a real feel of accomplishment and of course, the end results are worth the effort and time. 

Do I miss having a house cleaner?  Oh yes I do...very much!  But now that I am sitting here on my Sunday morning in my very clean house (well, all of the main floor anyway) and a few extra bucks in my pocket, I'm content.

Even more so that my two year old slept in until almost 9 am this morning!!  You read that correctly.  Almost NINE A.M.!!  Funny, I woke up at 4 when I heard Shane whimpering...went in to check on him and went back to bed, only to find myself thinking how awake I am now.  Thought about sneaking downstairs to pick up my book where I left off and enjoy the total peace and quiet.  However, I guess those thoughts dwindled quickly because next thing I know, J's alarm is going off at 7 for a Sunday morning Outage meeting.  The same thought came back as I knew my book was waiting for me and a yummy cup of coffee.  And again, I fell back asleep, this time cuddled up to Nicholas who came in around this time.  And, well...another couple hours later, I'm looking at the clock in shock!  Thanks Shaney....what a wonderful, much needed, good nights sleep.  Let's see if we can pull that off again next weekend!

Back tracking a little, we had our usual poker game Friday night.  Johnathon the big winner this time around...and again, a few extra bucks in our  his pocket.

Oh, I should write that with all the cleaning yesterday, I also ventured out into the freezing cold to pick up some groceries....only to come out to a truck that wouldn't start.  I called J...and he was off to start getting the boys all geared up to come and rescue Mommy.  But a few moments later, I thought why don't I just walk home instead of dragging the boys out into the cold.  So, I did.  And if I didn't think it was cold before that, OMGosh...!  Yes, alot of thoughts of sunning on the beach in Cancun were running through my head.  Two more weeks, two more weeks!!

And here we are - Sunday already.  I'm off to play a game of Trouble with Nicholas and watch a little Thomas with Shane.  We have a birthday party at the pool later today that I know Nicholas is looking forward to.  And my book...still waiting for me.  I wonder if I can sneak another cup of coffee and curl up on the sofa, even for 15 minutes or so??  It certainly won't hurt to try....

false alarm

Another weekend closing...ho-hum.  A good weekend though....aren't they all?

We played some poker Friday night...my honey won!  Took the always good time trip to Walmart on Saturday evening ;0)....this time without Nicholas.  I quite think Shaney enjoyed this outing sans brother.  Up and down all the aisles..so much to look at and once we got to the toy section - pure glee!  Especially when we asked him to decide on an engine from Thomas or another 'nump' truck.  No idea he was getting something, just happy to now have a choice and it was all Thomas, well Arthur actually!  He held that engine with all he had until we got home and he could finally open it! 

Nicholas had spent the day with his cousins and the plan was to pick him up on the way home...it got a little late and he ended up calling me on the cell to let me know he was ready to come home.  He had a great time...but was just ready for home. 

So, on the way home, we talked about his visit and then that led into bed times.  Nicholas has three bedtimes - 730pm on school nights, 8pm on daycare nights and 9pm on weekends IF he has had a good day!  Well, of course it was Saturday and he stressed that point and built his case as to why he should be able to stay up until 9.  And then the yawn, a big one.  Before anyone could say anything, he said to Daddy and I that we should just not pay any attention to that - It was a False Alarm!!!  LOL.  We let him stay up until 9.

Big pot of chili started brewing this morning....I knew it was going to be all about football today so what goes better?  Hmm...think I'll go enjoy a bowl right now!

sweet babes

So, it appears our Nicholas has a little admirer at school....and her name is Trinity!

Last night, Auntie Cheryl and I were looking at drawings Nicholas brought home from school....and what was in there you may ask????  First, a picture with flowers and a hand and foot (??? - don't know)...but lovely.  And then there is another paper with a big I LOVE YOU NICHOLAS.  And yet another drawing of Trinity herself!  A self portrait!  Ahhhhh....how cute is that??!!  Too cute.

Now, Mommy of course, had to dig right in there and speak to my son about this obvious admirer of my little boy.  Not only that...had to run for the School Days Memories book and have a look at this darling girl in the class photo....which by the way, she is very adorable.  Auntie Cheryl even commented she was the prettiest girl in the class (not that that matters...but hey, the boy is attracting the blondes...hehe).

I asked as calmly as I could if Trinity was his 'girlfriend'...and well, he did not deny this!! 

Apparently, Nicholas drew some pics for her as well.  Daddy asked if they had flames flying in them or spaceships shooting....and nope, he drew some flowers for her.  That's my boy ;)

And I know better....but couldn't help but bring it up again this evening and I do believe our little boy was blushing!

So sweet, so innocent....so lovely!

that winter lull

Here we are again, winter is upon us.  Actually, as I write this, it is unseasonably mild.  Mild?  Yes, although ask someone that last week at this time and we were downright frozen!  Ontario winter is here and alot of our friends are abuzz making their winter 'get the h*ll out of here' vacation plans.  Some more fortunate friends have already been away and planning their next trip!  You know who you are ;0)

I'm happy to say that we have booked our getaway as well.  We will be escaping to the sunny (better be!!) south on Feb 13th!  This trip all along was with the thinking that Mom and Dad would be accompanying us....so I started planning accordingly.  Then Dad changed his mind - unbeknownst to Mom.  Oh yes, that casued some sudden drama!  After Mom and I finished that conversation, she asked me to give her a couple hours and not to book quite yet.  I waited and two hours later, she called back and said "We're going!".  I can only imagine how that conversation went down!  Way to go Mom....we are thrilled they will be with us on this trip. Our third trip together....three of many more I am hoping.

And this one is all adult - the four of us.  No munchkins on this one.  Eat, sleep, drink...whenever we please.  Breakfast in bed or on our balcony overlooking the ocean - oh yes, at least a couple of mornings!  Dance til the wee hours - oh, believe it!  Soak up every inch of sunshine, snorkel, swim, parasail, and whatever may come up that we may want to try or do.  That will be the four of us enjoying every moment.

Okay, now that guilt feeling is coming out.  Creeps out when I enjoy my fantasy of my 9 nights away.  Yes, I feel it.  At times...but it dwindles....comes back, butts into my wonderful visions of Mommy and Daddy  husband and wife enjoying their time together - fully. 

Truth is though....they are going to have the most wonderful time themselves.  We have Aunt Debo and Mama flying up to care for the boys.  Even Uncle Bill will be up towards the end of the week to spend time as well. The boys will absolutely LOVE IT!  Aunto Debo, Uncle Bill and Mama will LOVE IT! 

This one's for us - the parents, the married couple, the lovers, the friends, just the two of us....with wonderful company when we all are inclined! Heavenly, yummy and blissful.  Can't wait!!

Beavers Investiture

Every Thursday night, Nicholas now goes to Beavers.  I think I may have mentioned in the past that he wasn't exactly thrilled about this in the beginning but he has since come to really enjoy it and looks forward to his Thursday evenings with the other Beavers.

This past Thursday was the night that the new Beavers were invested....which is a ceremony where the children are welcomed into the 'colony' and they are congratulated by the Beaver Scout and given their neckerchief as well as some badges. 

It was pretty cute watching these kiddos run around enjoying themselves, all excited that their parents were there to watch for the evening.  I giggled most when the leader puts up his beaver teeth (fingers form to make look like a beaver).  I learned this means that when this happens, the children are to stop what they are doing, put up their beaver sign and pay attention.  Well, there were two boys that didn't recognize what was going on right away so Nicholas is over there jumping in front of them with his beaver teeth sign, not saying a word but trying to get them to pay attention.  I'm still giggling!!

The next morning, Nicholas woke up extra early as he was so eager (an eager beaver!) to lay all his badges out in front of him and show them off to Mommy.  Very cute.  Now the problem is - um, how to get these badges sewn on his vest???  We have already tried the fabric glue (badge came off in laundry and left a big, ugly mark) ... so now what?  Sewing - with a needle and thread??  Seriously??  Okay, okay...I will start working on it.  Better start today if I have any hope!  Poor Nicholas...I'm thinking his vest won't be the shining example!!  Hey, maybe I can drop the badges off with my pants when I get them hemmed this week??  No?  Darn.  Okay, I will do it and do the best job possible with my weak non-existent sewing skills.   Anything for my boy =0) !

rockin' the house

A new year has begun!  Yay for 2010!  This is my year to make some changes....be better to those I love....be less hard on myself and finally get with the times and become a little, no ALOT more tech savvy! 

Yes, I will admit....here goes....that I have never downloaded a song - not one!  I can't figure out how to transfer my videos to my pc and some days, I completely give up trying to get from cable to playing a dvd.  Hell, sometimes (such as tonight), I can't even get our somewhat new tv to just turn on properly!

So, instead of asking hubby or my brother...or yes, Nicholas, to help, it's time to get with it!!  Ya, ya...I know...minor stuff....but still, it needs to happen.  It will happen.

The other stuff, I will write about later.

So, remember all that sickness we were ALL going through?  Johnathon has now picked up some viral chest infection which knocked him out for a few days....he even took two days off of work!  That very rarely happens but he needed it and I think now after a visit to the doctor and some meds and rest, he is now on the mend!  Phew!  Last night, we actually made it through the night in our bed together.  For two nights prior, his coughing, hacking yuckiness was that bad that we took a turn sleeping in Syds room.  That very rarely...okay never happens but it was unavoidable if I had a chance of being sane..oh, I mean awake in the morning.

Nicholas started school up again, with no desire to do so.  But like always, once he gets there, all is well.  And this week has started with him bringing home an assigned book and he reads to us! 

Shane is really coming along with his words and his sentences.  But if we can't immediately figure out that sentence or word, well...it gets a little ugly!  The boy has some lungs and he likes to use them...and he will until you 'get it'. 

Our darling, sweet wonderful boys though are really doing well.  The laughs and love they give every day is beyond words.  And although Nicholas will say that he doesn't play with his brother....he has been....and it's simply wonderful.  Shane just loves chasing his big brother around and they zoom around the house with their dumptrucks - together. 

And before I head to bed, a cute little story about something Nicholas said to me.  I need to tell more of these. So, before bedtime, he was having some DS time.  I went and snuggled next to him to WATCH (yes, no idea how to play this thing that my five year old does so well on) and he told me how much he likes the music on his game, alot of the games.  I was like, oh that is rockin'!  And he said to me - Rockin'?  Uh, No Mommy, it is not rockin' the house!  And then told me that I rock the house sometimes.  Anyhow, it was really quite funny how it went down - didn't sound so much there, did it?? 

Oh well, better luck next time!

a brand new year - 2010

Okay, I'm a day late to wish you all the best for the coming year.  My apologies....but my day yesterday was spent deciding if my head cold was my major problem or could it have been the many glasses of wine and champagne from the previous night??

So, here goes....for those that I didn't get to call at midnightish.....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  Let this be the year that when we sit next year at this time and reflect, that it was all that we had hoped!

Love to all from all of us here - Happy 2010!