This is my life.

Birthday Extravaganza(s)

 Jackson's birthday, I wanted to keep on the simple side. We invited my friend Denise, and her husband and daughter for supper, and the kids I sit for and their parents afterwards for cake. It was perfect. He was SO excited for everything, but so happy to open presents.

 
Denise the master cake. She did an amazing job, always does. Jackson was thrilled with the cake. We didn't want to eat it.

 

 Of all the 3 kids, he is definitely the most.. expressive when opening presents. There was much oohing and aahing with each new unwrapping. He would toss the clothes aside, and want the toys opened immediately. Until he realized there was more to open, and he would move on to the next one. Cute.

I was worried that he would become shy and quiet, and not want to blow out his candles etc., but I was wrong. He loved the attention.

 
Yes, my eyes are closed. I am posting this picture for the sake of my son. Sacrifice people, sacrifice.

We move on to Isabella's birthday. Again, wanted to keep it low key. I've told the kids that each one of them can have a big birthday once every 3 years, so mommy doesn't have a mental breakdown, and Daddy doesn't go broke. This year was Sydney's turn, next year will be Jackson's, etc.

 

Isabella decided to invite 3 friends for a sleepover, and it conveniently fell on a Friday that the new Harry Potter was playing at the school. They arrived, we fed them, I drove them to the movie, picked them up, they went downstairs and we barely heard from them again. Perfect party.

 
Nana was here for the birthdays, they kids were super excited. Once again I left it as a surprise, which makes it so much more fun. And.. doesn't make me crazy with the "when is she coming" questions.

Next up: Easter! 

 

Spring, spring, finally SPRING

It's been a long time coming, but I think (fingers crossed) we are starting to see signs of spring. We've had a few breaks here and there, but overall it has been a looooong time coming.

So, ya. What's new. We just finished our Easter break. We decided not to go anywhere, and just hang out at home. I was going to paint another room, did I mention that I am FINALLY allowed to start painting this house? No? Well, let's start there then.

 
February break, the kids had a week off which meant I had a week off as well. (The bonus of looking after Teacher's children). I decided that Isabella needed her own space, and that she would need to take over Jackson's room (of course I had just finished decorating the room for him, ha). So we moved Sydney up to the top bunk, and moved Jackson into the bottom for a 2 day trial run. Surprisingly, it went perfectly. The are both heavy, heavy sleepers, so Sydney's occasional middle of the night coughing, or Jackson's emergency pee pee breaks were not disruptive.

 

So. The battle began for choosing a paint color. I (and my paranoid husband) were looking for something.. neutral. Isabella was not. We came to a compromise in the land of Yellow. Bright, bright, bright yellow. The look on Chris's face when he walked in the first day of painting.. well let's just say I wished I had it on camera.

 

Now that it is finished, and her furniture is in etc, it looks great. I am proud to say I did it all myself, and Chris has given me the go ahead to continue. We still need to hang some things on the walls, get a new lamp (she wants a lava lamp!) but she is sooo happy now to have her own room.

I want to update/makeover Jackson and Sydney's room next, right now things are just thrown half - assed on the walls etc., but don't think I am quite ready to make that time commitment as of right now. Bigger room, more stuff to move around, etc. Soon.

Will update again with a recap of both Jackson and Isabella's birthdays, Nana's visit, and our Easter week off! Staaaay tuned!

Oh come on now...

Did anybody REALLY expect me to update any sooner than this?

Moving along.

Sydney's birthday party. 8 little girls dressed as princess's, 3 big girls to help. Nail painting, hair doing, make-up applying. Some food, some mini decorate yourself heart cakes. A pinata. And of course some presents for the girl, and some appropriately themed "make-over" goodie bags to go home.

She had a great time, and told me that she had never had or been to a birthday party any better... expect for Portia's. (Her friend Portia had a snowmobile birthday party the weekend before. Nothing is better than snowmobiling and a bonfire, come on now).

Some pictures.

 
The girls getting "made-up" when they first arrived. I meant to snap a picture of them all together once they were all done, but alas, I didn't.

 
Everyone got their own heart shaped cake to decorate. Why yes! That is me standing on my couch reflected in the mirror!

 
The birthday girl and her cake.

 
Her favorite present. Unfortunately, also her brother's favorite present. She agreed to let him have it after a few days of tears and screaming, and that we would replace it with another. I kept trying to get Jackson to play with another "boy" doll that we had bought him, and he retorted that he didn't want the other one, as he didn't sing. Oh boy. Anyhow, goes to show that sometimes, sometimes, his big sister has a huge soft spot for him, and likes to make him happy.

 
Also super impressed with this particular present. MAKEUP. Lots of it. She has actually gotten really skilled at putting it on. Huh.

And that pretty much sums up the afternoon. She had a great time. They all did. It was fun. I've told the kids that one of them is allowed to have a big(ger) party every year. She won't have another for 3 years. It's all I can handle. Seriously.

 

 

 

Backtrack

Yesterday, was Sydney's 6th Birthday party. I did it smart this year, and was able to take tons of pictures, but let's not get ahead of ourselves... Let's back up to a few weeks ago, when my oldest daughter made her very first cake, from scratch!, all by herself.

 
Although it was alittle dry (cough, cough), it tasted awesome. And the point is, she did it all by herself. From scratch! remember!!!

Now. We are also a big fans of the TLC show Cakeboss, as well as the spin-off series The Next Great Baker. We watch every episode, and ohh and ahh at the things these talented bakers come up with! We are always thinking... It couldn't be that hard to mold all those cute little shapes and things? Could it?

Every year, the kids in Grade school have one major project do to. This year, the Grade 5 class had to design and make a "Fur trading Fort". I bet some of you can see where this is heading, huh. There we were, watching our favorite show, and some dumbass has to open his big mouth (sorry honey...) and say hey! Wouldn't it be fun to make your fort out of Cake and Icing! YA!!!!!!

Last weekend, for oh... maybe 30 hours or so? Isabella and I, made her Fur trading Fort. Out of 5 double batches of Rice Krispie squares, and 3 batches of Fondant Icing.

 
It weighed about 50 pounds, when it was all said and done.

 
We made 10 little people, Maggie decided she had a "thing" for little green people, ate 9 of them, Mommy turned red in the face with rage, had to start again from scratch. I don't think I've ever been madder at that damn dog. 3 hours of work on those little people. 3 hours!!

 
See the incredible detail on that bear walking in the water? Ya. By 7:30pm Monday night, we were done, DONE making little things out of icing. We ran to the dollar store and grabbed some animals. Phew.

We haven't received "our" mark yet, but I think we did a great job. The teacher graded it, and them let the kids tear into it the following day. Poof gone. I hope they enjoyed all my.. er OUR hard work. Next year, we won't be doing ANY project out of food, but now that it's over.. well it was fun. As soon it was over, Sydney declared happily, now it's time to work on MY BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!! Stay tuned... 

My daughter, the photographer

Christmas brought Sydney a new, pink, good quality camera. She has been snap happy off and on over the last few weeks, and this morning we decided to check out what exactly she has been up to.

Of the 80 or so odd pictures on her camera, about a third of them were clear and in focus. I cleaned her lens, changed the setting to "smart shot", took a couple test shots, and then proceeded to explain to her the benefits of *not* touching the lens.

Anyhow, I expect some excellent insight into the mind of a Kindergartener coming up, but for now, here are a few of the shots that she took. She may just have to get her own section of this blog to display her photo art. She's a funny little thing.

 
Clooooose up.

 
The Grandpa.

 
By far the funniest picture I've seen in a looong time.

Radio (blog) silence

Oh my. Oh my, my. Erm. Sorry?

Right then. I could get into the half dozen or so semi reasonable explanations as to why exactly I haven't posted in oh... a few months now is it? But really, you've heard it all before. Think; thrown back, horrible pain meds, Christmas business, and a new educational venture. Sorry.

 
(posting this picture reminded of the whole "getting the tree from the forest" fiasco this year, oh my. Another post.)

Christmas was... well, wonderful. I have to admit, for the first time in a whole lotta time, I just wasn't feeling it this year. Like I said above, my back was pretty messed up up until about 4 days ago (and gently, cautiously still counting), I was on some really bad meds that made me ill, groggy and generally feel gross, the pressure to have a "perfect Christmas" for the little people, blah blah, turned Mommy into a raging lunatic. Ask my husband, it wasn't a pretty sight.

 
(Gingerbread house turn taking..)

Once I realized I was better off stopping the the meds altogether and just dealing with the pain, and once I got all the shopping/preparing under control, things went a whole lot smoother. The Sunday before Christmas, to be exact.

 
(That gift being unwrapped? Most loved of the season.)

We started off the Season by driving to Grande Cache and spending some time with Mimi and Papa. Think mini Christmas, including a huge, wonderful Turkey dinner, morning present opening, after dinner games. We did some sliding, we did some skating, we relaxed and ate a whole batch and some, of Mimi's famous Poppycock. Trust me, it is famous. Oh the stories I could tell about that.. Anyway, a great time was had by all, it is always an uplifting experience being around such generous and gracious hosts. So thanks again Mimi and Papa, you kick started MY Christmas spirit, bigtime.

 
(See? Happy Thomas playing boy.)

On the way home we stopped in Grande Prairie where I finished up all the last minute shopping, grabbed some Fat Burger, Starbucks and gas and we were home that night, our truck filled to the brim.

 
(Merry Christmas Santa, From Jackson + Sydney + Isabella)

 So we are home a few days, and then Christmas Eve. My father in law comes through for a night, and then my own father for Christmas. It was SO great having him here (as always), especially nice that he didn't mind not having Turkey for Christmas dinner. I had decided that I didn't want to cook it myself, therefore allowing (OK, making may be a better word) Mimi to cook one for dinner a few days prior. We had ham. It was good ham. And I made dessert. Which I had forgotten about until an hour before dinner. Still, managed to pull it off, so yay!! Anyhow, skipped ahead here a bit. Christmas morning was mayhem. Simply mayhem. I started taking pictures, and had to quit halfway through as it was just too crazy to be behind the lens. So there you are, this is it. The kids were spoiled, the adults were spoiled, a good time was had by all.

 
(Right after Santa left)

New years eve, we were in bed by 11:30, real party animals over here. Isabella made dessert 2 nights in a row, one being a cheesecake for New years supper, that was excellent. That evening, we had Grandpa Ricky and Zachry come through on their way back up home. They stayed for a day, and I got no pictures to prove it. The kids had a blast (Zachry is 8, and fit right in to the craziness) playing Xbox and Wii, we went sliding, ate pizza and watched Avatar. We need to see them more often, hint hint.

 
(Oh boy..)

 So it's over for another year. Hopefully next year I will feel more... jolly? in the weeks leading up to it. It just seemed to come so quickly.. and I was so... grumpy. Things are back to "normal" this week, school, work, etc. I am in the process of de-cluttering the house, always seems to motivate me once the decorations are out of the way, etc. 

 
(Happy child, apparently)

So that's that. Update complete. No promises for now, but I'll try and update more frequently. I get tired of all those nasty phone-calls.

 
(Chillin' with grampa)

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.