This is my life.

This morning

I don't know how else to start this post, other than to just blurt it out. Sydney has had no less than 5, that's FIVE notices from school already this year, that there is a "case of head lice in your child's class, blah, blah, blah". 2 months of school. 5 notices. With a big blown up photocopy picture of a bug. That lives in your hair. Excuse me while I run around my living room screaming for a minute. Now. If you are anything like me, every time I think about it, talk about it, read about it, I instantly get the heeby geeby's, and start itching my head. Blargh. Shiver. Argh. Gross.

They get checked in class. We have had weekly variations of the "talk" (don't hug your friends, wear anyone else's hats, use anyone else's hairbrush etc.), she wears her hair up every single day, I've checked her at home with almost every single bath. Still, I am paranoid. Extremely paranoid. I was telling someone the other day about my paranoia (spread the love of the ichy scalp I say!) and they suggested Tee tree oil. Yes! I had forgotten about that extra little preventative jar of hope! So off I went to the drugstore, put a few drops into their shampoo, all is right with the world.

So. This morning. My daughter is so excited about this new "special oil", to make those pesky little bugs "jump in, but then jump back out" of her hair. (my mistake for telling her what it was in the first place, I suppose). So excited in fact, that she wants to go to school and tell her teacher.

Mommy: No no Sydney, that's ok, not necessary, I'm sure your teacher doesn't care that I put tee tree oil in your hair, blah blah...

Sydney: I want to!  I'll just go up to my teacher and tell her that I have head lice and...

Mommy: NOOOOO!!!!! You do NOT have HEADLICE!!! ARGH!!!! Do not say that EVER!!!!

What followedwas another in depth explanation of what the oil was for (which she does understand, but I think it was early morning, she was tired, and it came out backwards), and the ol' don't hug your friends talk again.

After 5 cases already in 2 months, can you imagine the look on this poor teachers face... Mrs. K? My mommy put stuff in my hair because I have head lice... er, I mean to make me not have head lice, er, I mean.....

Yikes.

Basement Update

We've been talking about finishing the basement a bit more lately, and now that winter has set in (or is about to), we always tend to have these inclinations. So, a few weeks ago, my husband instructs me to empty out half of the basement into the other half, and that there will be some dudes coming into my home to "finish off" the walls, in order to get them ready to paint. Chris has done most of the work so far himself. He is meticulous and slow, but really does a perfect (or nearly so) job. He had already started this half (our living area and playroom), so we were looking for these guys to come in and complete it (finish mudding and sanding), and then we would paint it ourselves.

 
So off I go with my kids in tow, and box up their toys, move all the furniture, and then lastly move the 2 fish tanks over with his help. Aka.. a LOT of work.

So these "professionals" come in, stay for a few days and then leave again, with a considerable sum of money in their pockets. Now, don't get me wrong, they did do a "good" job, in a considerably short amount of time. And it IS just a basement. But... Chris goes down, and begins to fix up all their work after the fact. Ironic, no? Then he leaves for Peace River for the week. Without the use of my basement, the amount of kids in this house seemed to have tripled with the mess they made on the main floor. So anyhow, he comes back, we paint the walls (too dark, but switching those 40 watt bulbs to some 100 watt puppies took care of that problem, and there goes our electric bill), AND repaint the floor (the Professionals were not very diligent in trying to keep the mud on the WALLS).

 
I decide to switch the locations of the living space and playroom, and voila. The more finished basement than before pics. Despite how the pictures came out, it actually is a lot more cozy and functional than it was before. We still have to move the tanks back over, and I would like some sort of carpeting for a few other areas, but overall I am please how it turned out. The living space is on it's own, hopefully eliminating some of the clutter of toys, the barbie houses are now permanently set up,blah blah, blah. Next up: Ceiling, "real" carpet and trim. And then the other side. And bathroom. Omph.

On a side note: When Chris installed all our Cable outlets (he was the Cable Guy after all), he made sure to ask me a gazillion times if this was the layout of the basement I wanted. Then I go and move the TV to the other side. HAHAHA Fooled you buddy!!! You should have seen his face. Sometimes living with a crazy is fun, hey hon.

The Karate Kid

So, about a month ago, we rented the newly released Karate Kid movie for the kids. If you haven't seen it, do. It's a pretty good remake. The music is catchy, and Jackie Chan is awesome as the new and hip Mr. Miyagi.

The entire movie, Jackson sat transfixed in front of the TV. First time EVER. that he watches an entire movie. Ever.

After the movie is over, Chris happens to look into our TV guide, and what do you know.. The original 1984 edition (holy crap I'm old) is coming on. So he records it, thinking that maybe Jackson would like it (hohoho heeheehee hahaha, a little foreshadowing there for ya), and it would be nice to watch it again. Oh ha ha ha ha.

 
(No Halloween nigh candy sortathon would be complete without a serious viewing of the Karate kid)

Since introducing our 2 1/2 year old son to this fabulous piece of 80s propaganda, it has been on my TV no less than once a day. Mostly 2, sometimes even 3times a day. Did you hear me Internet? The karate kid has been playing continuously in this house for well over a month. That's.. that's... a minimum of 60 showings. And guess what? There is still no end in sight. He loves it. Asks for it first thing in the morning. Is sad when it's over. Knows the names of all the characters. Repeats lines from the movie. And poses. Oh ya, I said POSES.

So last week, Chris goes to Peace River for business. Picks up our very own Karate Kid 2010 movie, in the hopes that he will redirect his affection for the one with the better music, cuter kids, better scenery, etc., you get the picture. He did watch it a few times, and we keep encouraging the "new" one, but he still wants the "old" one.

I usually don't allow the kids to watch alot of TV, and we tend to stick with movies for any extended viewing time, but holy hell this is getting serious.

The End

Big Boy Room Update

Since posting the before pics here over a month ago, things have been crazy crazy around here. First I was waiting for some final pictures to come in for his wall, then we had a really fun time trying to keep them ON the wall (still are actually, I stuck them up there and snapped some pictures really quick just to post this) anyone have any ideas on that? Don't want to use tape, or nails or anything like that. We are currently trying to keep them up with a million teeny tiny little balls of sticky tak. Not working.

Anyhow. Still need a few finishing touches, but am waiting until I find the perfect pieces. (aka, exactly what I want in the right price range.) So, without further adieu, I present to you, the almost finished Big Boy Room!!!

 
Look at the light! The sun! First time the tinfoil has been off this window since... we moved here four years ago. And look! I forgot to organize the bookshelf before taking the picture. Oh well, this is really how it looks all the time anyway so, welcome to reality!

 
Eventually, this wall will have a hanger/shelf thingee for his sweaters, etc. above his laundry basket (which is of course full, there's that reality deal again!) Also, the stickers will be removed. I am looking for a nice way to hang up his Dad's old Hockey jerseys from when he was a little wee one, without putting holes in them, or the walls. Again, any ideas?

 
He loves his stuffed animals on his bed, but I am finding it super annoying making it (twice a day with a nap) look neat and tidy. He sleeps with them, so putting them elsewhere at the moment is not an option. The 2 pictures on the wall are blowups of Chris's motorcycle, and of him on "Stephane's quad" from New Brunswick this summer. And yes, they are supposed to be crooked. They change places and crookedness every time I slap them back up there after falling off.

The End.

Sunday Snaps (aka Obligatory Halloween pictures for the Family)

First up - Our darling Cinderella. She really wanted to be Belle from Beauty and the Beast, but her costume wouldn't arrive until the night of her party at school, so the poor little thing had to go to school as Cinderella. Please keep in mind that I had about 15 minutes to figure out and do her hair. So, I pat myself on the back for this one.

 
She was pleased with the results, as was I. Cutes patoots.

 

Very Cinderella(y) if I do say so myself.

Having Halloween on a Sunday was... nice. It gave us the day to prepare, carve the pumpkin, get into costume, do hair, etc., etc.

Here is Belle's hairdo. A little more time, a google search for "Belle hairstyles for shorter hair", and voila. Another pat on the back.

 
And side profile.

 
What is she staring so intensely at you may ask? Why, I'll save THAT one for another time. Remind me. It's a gooder.

It has just now come to my attention, that I did not in fact take a full length picture of her in her garb. FAIL. So you will have to use your imagination, her dress is yellow? and long. It was such a beautiful day, that they really didn't need boots, coats or hats to go out. Perfect. Awesome in fact. So here is the finished lady. Well, half of her anyhow.

 
I will check my phone for any full length shots.

So that brings us to Jackson. Dear Jackson. My dirty monkey. He wore the same costume from last year because, well, because it still fit him. And it's cute. And we roll like that.

 
Don't know what he is doing here, don't care. He's an odd duck that one. Er, monkey I mean.

 
Like I said, he loved trick or treating this year. LOVED it. Once he realized that people were giving him CANDY! just for knocking on the door? And saying a few words? WOOHOO. He was all into that. He took a few small "energy breaks" (sitting in the wagon, eating some candy), but for the most part, did as much as his sister. SO different from last year. Can you see the brown makeup on his face? He wanted makeup like his sister so, we obliged. Heh.

Isabella decided that she was not going out trick or treating this year. Not that she would never go again, but that she would prefer to stay home and give out candy this time. She still dressed and made herself up, and looked fabulously creepy. 

 
The loot. "Jackson, show me your candy!" And.... he showed me.

 
The End. 

This is what our Halloween

Looked like, after a few houses. He
"got" it, and was off to get more. Soooo much fun. More later.