Ramblings

A friend of mine has been posting every day in December (hi, Pippa's mom!), and it got me to thinking... wouldn't it be nice if I could do the same?  It would.  But it won't happen (because, HELLO, December is half over already, and I've been finding it hard enough to even post once a week).  Anyway, I just have to post some of the interesting tidbits that have been happening around here.

Baby Food-Itis.
I started feeding Bram vegetables.  This is a big deal.  I do NOT like making baby food, but I hate the bought stuff even more, so I make it anyway.  That said, he did NOT want it.  Nope... not at all.  It took over a month to finally get him used to the idea of cereal, and even then he still didn't grasp the concept of 'open the mouth to get the food'.  It's like he thought if it touched his lip it should automatically be sucked inside or something.  And he also loved to spit it all out.  And grab at the spoon to send the stuff flying... and then examine all contents of said spoon that were now on the highchair.  Who said babies don't have fun?  Anyway, I was not looking forward to carrots and peas and the like... both of which tend to stain easily.  I did make them... (I have loads of peas in the freezer now, haha)... and he did NOT want to eat them.  Nope.  I tried carrots every day for a few days... and I don't think he ate a single spoonful.  It all went back out onto the bib... and he wouldn't open up for them.  Tried peas... same thing.  Last week tuesday, we went out for supper and my sis-in-law babysat for us.  She had bought babyfood sweet potatoes.  Said he LOVED them... was opening his mouth and practically lunging for them.  Why can't he eat llike that for me?  Tried peas again the next day... no luck.

Thankfully, on thursday evening, we made yams.  I fed those to him... and he ATE them!  WOO!  The next day I tried carrots again... and he ate the whole thing!  Same with the next day!  And Sunday I gave him peas at the gathering... and he ate them all!  Hardly a thing on his bib!  Today as well!  Today we actually fed him carrots at lunch and peas at supper.  First time feeding him solids at lunch.  Cereal is a breakfast staple.  Tomorrow I think I'll try bananas with the cereal... see what he thinks!  I'm SO happy! 

Next up is meat.  Blech.  I hate making meat into baby food.  I generally mix a little bit in with veggies for a meal but blech.  Pulverized meat?  Ick.

Christmas Blues
I finally decorated the house on December 6.  Lots later than normal.  Decided to go with red and blue.  Pink thrown in for good measure.  I was lucky to get a whole bunch of ornaments on sale at Canadian Tire.  2 bags for $20... and lots of good stuff too!  I think it looks wonderful!  M loves the lights.  That's all she talks about.  And the presents, of course. 

I haven't been doing as much this Christmas as last year.  Probably because I was pregnant last year, haha.  No, I did paint a project for my niece and nephew (more on that later), and I worked on making cards (just photo ones this year, not handmade as well).  I want to make my husband his yearly ornament, and I also want to make footprint ornaments for Bram's toesies like I did for M's 2 years ago.  I did manage to sew a stocking for Bram today... and put those up.  And I printed some family pictures to put into frames for my inlaws.  Beyond that... we bought gifts.  Well... that's partially true.  I am doing some baking for the inlaws yet, and I did make a little something for my husband''s side of the family... but we pulled tickets in my family and so we bought those items (it's just easier).  And I'm not making goodies for everyone and their uncles sister's husband this year (hahaha... random).  It was too much for me last year, and it is definetly too much for me this year.  I have hardly done any Christmas baking!  I made one batch of chocolate cookies (which need their peppermint icing yet... mmmm) and a lemon square.  That's it.  I want to make my white cookies yet... that one requires a lot of time (rolling and cutting and rolling and...).  I wonder what the best way to get my daughter involved in baking would be... for a two year old... maybe cutting a few cookies out?  And maybe helping ice a couple?  I'm sure she would eat more of it than would end up on the cookie though, haha.

We managed to get all our Christmas shopping done in about a day... last week wednesday.  We stopped in to see Santa while we were at the mall in the city.  M did NOT want to sit on his lap... although Bram was totally good with that.  He started trying to taste test Santa's whiskers.  To get M in the pic, I had to sit with Santa as well.  Too bad my husband didn't join in... would have been a cute family pic.  M didn't mind Santa too much once it was all over and he gave her a candy cane.  Then he was alright.  :)

I can hardly believe we still managed to go shopping that day.  I was sick.  The night before that, Bram woke up and would not go back to sleep.  I was trying to get him down for about 2 to 3 hours.  No fun.  At 2 am, no less.  Finally broke down and fed him (he didn't seem hungry... didn't even go for eating until he was so exhausted from crying).  He didn't really eat much, but it seemed to soothe him enough to put him out for 4 hours.  I was sick after that.  Flu-ish like feeling sick. I knew I had caught something the day before already, but this was the only day we had for shopping and we had better take it.  So we did.  And I dealt with it.  I was so glad to get back home and into bed.

Does anyone else find their husbands virtually impossible to shop for?  Mine wants the same things all the time... Star Wars and Transformers... movies and books... in those categories.  I have to start getting really creative for Christmas for him... and this year my brain juices are all dried up.  Ah well... there's always next year.

Toys Toys Toys
Sometimes I wonder why we bother?  Kids have far too much fun with boxes and empty plastic bags and bubble wrap.  Really. 

Anyway, I noticed something recently.  My daughter likes to organize.  She got a farm animal set from my grandma at the gathering yesturday, and she stacks all the animals nicely, lining them up.  She brings in a few other animals and a 'baby' (actually a doll that doesn't bend that goes with a car she has) and lines them all together.  She was stacking them on her 'laptop' as well.  It's so cute.  Oh, and she has to include Bram as well.  She made sure to give him the sheep while she played with the rest.  So very cute.  I love that she is sharing.  And these toys are ok for him to chew on... they are soft and rubbery and large enough that he won't choke on anything.  Kinda like cheap versions of the little people brand animals.

I have been going through her toys lately... getting rid of the stuff I don't see her play with much.  Less to leave all over the floor.  It's not gone completely... just in a box in the basement.  That box is over full right now.  And it's Christmas... meaning more toys.  Where do parents find the room for all this stuff?  I feel like a daycare!

Anyway, that's all for now.  I gotta go help my husband wrap some gifts.  :)

Through the Eyes of my Daughter - Christmas Edition

Her bath book... containers, etc... is 'bleh leh leh' (tongue out, unsure why)

Whenever we see ducks, sheep, froggys, chickens, and now snowmen, we must exclaim "duck" or "sheep"... you get the idea.  Snowman is the new one.  I don't remember teaching her that...

She knows the sounds that all sorts of animals make.  Cats, dogs, cows, horses, and now sheep (baaa), frogs (rubbet), chickens (bock), pigs (ink), lions tigers and bears (oh my... hahaha), ducks (kak), and all other animals... we just look at mommy silly for asking.  Although, I didn't teach her half of these.  I just played the question game one day when my husband was in the store picking up some groceries and I needed to occupy the kids in the van.  Just started asking her what different sounds animals made... and randomly asked about pigs and sheep and chickens... and she answered!  All the ones I could think to ask... and she answered!  Crazy!

Santa is still scary... until he gives you a candy cane.  Then he's alright.  (We did manage to take a picture with him this year... Bram was on Santa's knee, and so was I, with M on my knee since she did not want to sit with Santa)

Presents under the tree elicit "Happy Dirt Day"  (her way of saying happy birthday, haha).

We always want to watch "mickey ouse house".  And we know who Donald Duck is.  And Tinkerbell.

All fairies are Tinkerbell.  When we wear wings, we are Tinkerbell.  Little bells are called Tinkerbell.  So are those glass Christmas balls.

We went to the city this week to finish Christmas shopping (the kids gifts were already done) and first thing my daughter says is 'ood' (food) and shortly thereafter... "I yant toys".  WHAT?  Toys... seriously?  When did you learn to ask for toys?  I think it's hilarious.

Lately she wants to watch a 'moo-ey'... And she loves 'super mawio'.  And yoshi... or "shoshi".  She keeps asking for me to play them.

All green dinosaurs are 'yoshi'.  So are green crocodiles... or any green lizard for that matter.

"broken" is another favorite word.

All baby boys have her brother's name.  And she is saying her own name now... as well as her cousins.  When she sees pictures of family she will also name them and point.  So cute.

We put up the tree... with no decorations.  First thing M asks... is 'lights?'  Apparently all pine trees in houses need lights.  And she wouldn't stop asking us to turn them on, even though there weren't any on the tree to turn on.  And now, whenever she sees the tree and the lights are not on, she feels the need to remind me to turn them on.  And 'fix it'.

See a mess?  Call it a mess.  Clean it up?  Say 'all clean'.

We can actually clean our toys.  All of them.  Found that out when daddy pressed the issue.

We will mimic almost anything others say.  Yeah.  Time to really make sure we don't say things we shouldn't.

We found out we cannot buy gifts for each other now with our daughter... she knows what things are and she will ask for them even when we try to hide them from the other person.  I already know I'm getting a 'yoshi' plush from my husband... haha.  She sure wanted it, haha.

Oh... and we always want mommy to 'sing song'.  And if mommy asks her to sing instead, she proceeds to sing 'twinkle twinkle little star'... and she does so very well... even though after that first line we don't know what she is saying... exactly... ha ha.

Well, that's all for Through my Daughter's eyes for now...

What about my son?  Well, he loves to watch his sister play... and is so happy to see her.  He is thrilled to see anyone who will give him attention, too.  But I have to say, it is so cute to watch him watch his sister.  She always wants to share her toys with him... even though a bunch of the toys she tries to share shouldn't be.  He's eaten a hair clip of hers... and almost ate a magnet (good thing I caught that one).  She keeps giving him her milk cup, ha ha.

Anyway... I need to get working on gifts again.  Almost done.  Haven't started Christmas baking yet either.  Oops.  I'm a little behind this year... things have been a bit crazy the last couple of months.  Later, all!

Update...

Another 101 update... wow. It's been awhile... again. And I haven't really been doing as many as I would have hoped. Ah well.

32. Help with a play (Nov 28, 2010)
Done. I sang a song. No, I wasn't in the play, but I did contribute, so I'm gonna say this one is complete.

34. Make Christmas shoe boxes each year
Done... finished in October already! I love doing these!

91. Go to a worship service
The play was also a worship service... and I didn't think about it before, but I've actually been involved in many worship services over the last two years... so this one is also done.

93. Host a Nintendo Party
Yup... did this one on Nov 5... and it was a lot of fun. I posted about it here, but here's a pic or two for you to enjoy anyway.

The food... loved making the mushroom cake... ok... actually that's a lie. I enjoyed planning and eating the cake, haha.

A little editing fun...

Now for the rest of the items I still want to finish by 2011... likely not happening.



24. Clean out garage/storage behind/above garage

Will I ever do this? Sure could use the extra space...

58. Renovate office
I'm clearing out the spare room so I can move our office into there temporarily while the dust is flying...

60. Make kitchen curtain
Sigh.

69. Wash carpets
Boy oh boy do I want to do this one already...

71. Learn to play guitar
I clipped my nails... yes, that is a step forward, haha.

100. Get a massage
Come on... really... is a phone call that hard to make?


And, since my list is so close to done, here are the rest of them...

47. Finish cross-stitch
75. Take a course in web design
86. Go to Encounter or Empower Weekend
101. Create another 101 in 1001 list

Thats 91 down, 10 to go... and 69 days to do them in. Yikes!

It came... and went

I can hardly believe it. My little sister is now a married woman. Where did the time go? I don't know what to think!  Sis, I wish so many blessings onto your marriage.  Sure, we've had some rough times, and we've gotten into fights, but I love you despite it all, and I'm so blessed to have you as my sister.

I don't really know what to type... so I'll just put up a bunch of pics.
 

 They had praise and worship... and since both bride and groom love music, they contributed to the band!  It was awesome!

 Pics of my lil man.

 and of my lil girl

 Here are two of the three flower girls.  Aren't they cute?  I'm so happy that the dresses turned out... they were a bit big initially but taking something in is a bit easier than I thought.

 Cutting the cake.  I love that they chose Buzz and Tink as their cake topper.  It was difficult getting them to stay on top of the cake, however... Tink fell twice, taking Buzz with her on her second descent.

 Beautiful Bride.  I'm a bit jealous.

I loved her flowers, so I had some fun with the camera and shots of the head table.  I think they turned out nicely. 

That's all for now, folks.  I'm feeling a bit tired.  It's been a long weekend.  The wedding was great (although we had some cranky kids to deal with... none of them got naps, poor things).  I just wish I hadn't missed so much of it on account of my son wanting to eat at the most inopportune times.  I would have pumped, but I broke the pump a while ago... it fell and cracked.  Sigh.  I missed the cake cutting... thankfully my husband got some pics.  I really wanted to be there for the toasts, and thought they were starting so I ran out from where I was just starting to feed my son, only to find out that they were having speeches from the maid of honor and best man, then open mike, then toasts.  Sigh.  Rushed back to feed him right after the toasts (took longer than I thought and I could hear him not being too happy about it from where my sis in law was babysitting them in another room)... then when I was just about done, my husband shows up to say that I missed the cake cutting.  I LOVE the cake cutting.  It is one of my favorite parts (I wasn't lucky enough to have a cake at my wedding... sigh).  Plus, I made the cake, so I really wanted to see their reaction to it.  Unfortunately, my son took over.  I could have cried.  I know I did cry when I had to miss the vows due to my son's hunger.  My sis in law missed them too, due to her son being super cranky.  Ah... kids.  We love them anyway.

Then I got a bit of a surprise on Sunday... found out it was our Church's Gateway to Christmas program.  I thought it was the next Sunday for some reason.  And I was supposed to sing.  So, instead of a relax day at home we had to rush out to make practice (I had only listened to my song, I hadn't actually practiced it yet, so I did so in the vehicle on the way).  It was fun, and I was glad to find a dress that fit me (from before our wedding... it was a bit big on me then, but it fits me nice now... although I could still stand to lose a little bit in the tummy to make it fit a bit nicer).  I enjoyed the program, and am so grateful to my dad for watching Bram and my sis in law for watching M during most of the service. 

We could sure use some prayer right now.  My father in law is in the hospital with an infection in his knee.  He had a knee replacement surgery a week ago and apparently it got infected.  So, they are debating cutting into him again or what.  He is not happy about all of this (don't blame him, either).  Not only that, but since he is unable to work, absolutely everything electronic in our barn seems to be going on us.  My husband has had emergency after emergency with things breaking down.  We currently have no water.  Our water pump motor completely seized... they figure it needs to be replaced.  And our animals have not been producing as much as necessary either.  So these problems don't help, cause they require money we aren't getting due to lack of milk.  Sigh.  Plus, I have added responsibility on me since I am now required to do all the paperwork, and never had a talk with dad prior to his surgery about what my new responsibilities are.  I wanted to... I tried to... but he was always to busy to.  So, now that I'm super busy, he wants to.  And it will have to be at the hospital since he's gonna need to stay there for awhile now.  I'm not thrilled.

Ah well.  Some things cannot be helped.

That said, I've been undergoing a spiritual battle lately.  I don't know who to talk to about it... or how.  I just need help. 

Anyway, thanks for reading all my ramblings.  Sorry it's been so long... and for not reading any of your blogs.  I really should do that again.  Maybe later this week, when I have a bit more time.  As for now, my daughter is hailing me from her bedroom, so I should go.  Thanks, and I hope everyone had a great weekend.  :)

Update

I haven't been on lately.  Nope... not at all.  Life has taken over, and I've just gotten so busy I don't hardly visit blogs or write on my blog as often.

My sister's wedding is in less than 2 weeks.  I can hardly believe it.  My little sister... getting married... what on earth happened?  Needless to say, things have been busy.  I've been put in charge of the cake (and I need to try a different fondant recipe... one with glycerin, since the marshmallow fondant doesn't want to smooth onto cake very well... it gets all wrinkly near the base of the cake).  I also was put in charge of sewing my daughter's and my neice's dresses.  Thankfully, they are both basically done.  I just need to get the fabric for the sashes, sew those (which will be easy... just long straight stitches), put on the eye hooks, and the krynolin (which it may not need at all... these dresses poof out a lot without it).  I am greatful to be done the zippers.  That was difficult.  I've never done zippers before, so I think I did pretty good for my first time.  Didn't care for hand stitching the lining on it though.  Oh, and I changed the pattern a bit so the entire dress is lined instead of just the bodice.  Lots of hemming... not fun.

I've been working to try to declutter things in my house lately.  I want to empty it out a bit before I bring out the Christmas decor.  I also want to wait until the wedding is over.  Focus on that cake first.  And I want to work on the office.  It's not changed at all... and I want paint, a new door, no stipple... craziness.  Maybe next year.

Anyway, I think my son is crying for me again.  Sigh.  We need to break the 3am feeding habit.  He's not hungry, yet he has to cry until I 'feed' him.  He doesn't even hardly eat anything.  Tough love... that's what it is going to take, I'm sure.  And it will be tough.  He still sleeps in our room (since we don't have another bedroom in the house).

Anyway, happy November to all of you.  Does it feel like winter yet?  It just started snowing here!  :)  Maybe I should figure out some Christmas cookies!  :)

Only 36 days till Christmas!

Oh wow

It has been awhile, hasn't it?

Well, I guess my only excuse is that we went on a trip and I just haven't found the time to post since them.  Lots of time for Farmville (thanks, Becky, haha) though!  I finally managed to get the laundry done and the house clean.  Oh, by the way... challenges... not really happening lately, are they?  In November I decided to make my challenge to declutter.  Join me if you will.  I'm in the living room, dining room, entrance, and hallway this week.  Got rid of quite a lot of stuff while cleaning yesturday.

Man has it ever been a busy week!

I did a LOT of shopping.  I LOVE Gordmans!  Got so much stuff for cheap there, too!  All at 1/2 off the clearance price!  So, $65 for 2 shirts for me, 2 for my girl, 2 for my boy, 2 large vases, 2 decorative pillows, a gorgeous tealight holder (I'll have to post a pic of it later, it is so perfect above my kitchen sink), other decorative knicknacks... a wallet... man, I can't remember it all.  I also went to Ikea and had a BALL!  Spent under $280 and got a LOT of organizing stuffs.  Can't WAIT to redo the office now... but that will have to wait until after my sister's wedding as I have to make the cake and two little girl's dresses (and the wedding is in 3.5 weeks... YIKES).  I've been selling books... much easier to sell a book when you have a copy to sell.  I'm hoping for my next 30 to arrive within the next week... I need them for the 12th as I'll be helping at a table in our local mall, selling copies of my book (and some friends books and cd's as well).  Hoping to sell quite a few there.  Hoping.

Oh, and I started my son on rice cereal today.  He's getting so close to 6 months... I can hardly believe it.  He's got two teeth already.  Last time I tried to give him cereal though, he didn't want it .  I loved the look on his face.  Mommy, what are you trying to put in my mouth?  I'll chew on my bib but NOT on THAT!  Makes you wonder what they put in there, haha.

Anyway, that's just a little blurb for now.  Life is so busy, I can hardly stand it.  Right now I'm planning a party for friday that isn't a major thing... just having some fun with food and cake, and playing video games.  Doing it for my birthday a few weeks in advance due to all the hubub around my actual birthday.  Rather have a quiet day then.

Hope you've all had a great weekend, and Happy late Halloween (don't get too many cavities.... I've been eating too much candy lately, believe me).

Friday Fun

Found this over at a friend's blog, Everyday Me.  I think it is hilarious (and sure does ring true, haha)  Enjoy.

101 update

I have to keep reminding myself to look at my 101 list... I've been neglecting it as of late.  So much has been going on lately.  Either way, I have managed to get a few things on the list done, which I have posted already, but I will post a little more here...

64. Remove dead trees from yard
Finished that in September!  My husband chopped down a LOT of branches at the end of the month to make things pretty for the bonfire on the first!


62. Fix fire pit area (done Sept9, 2010)
You can read about that here.

73. Take a dance class
I actually am taking one now!  Yup, my husband enrolled me in belly dance for September through November.  It is a lot of fun... a bit difficult as well... but fun!  Now to practice more often at home...

94. Host a bonfire
Done October first!  You can read about it here!

Here are the things I wish to accomplish October through December...

24. Clean out garage/storage behind/above garage

Now to find some help with that...



32. Help with a play
Mainly, the Christmas play/etc our church does.  I've already been asked to sing...


34. Make Christmas shoe boxes each year (2/3)
Working on one now!


58. Renovate office
I want this done by Christmas as a gift to our little family.

60. Make kitchen curtain
Come on... this one should be easy... I just need to do it already.

69. Wash carpets
I decided I would do this after most of the messy work in the office was done, before moving things back in there... so it sort of goes along with #58.

71. Learn to play guitar
I wanna play Christmas songs around then...

91. Go to a worship service
There are plenty during the Christmas season... I should not have a hard time doing this...

93. Host a Nintendo Party
I'm plotting one now...

100. Get a massage
Come on... really... is a phone call that hard to make?

And, since my list is so close to done, here are the rest of them...

47. Finish cross-stitch





75. Take a course in web design

86. Go to Encounter or Empower Weekend




101. Create another 101 in 1001 list

I hope to finish these items soon enough!

Costume Party

On Friday, my sister and her fiance had a costume party fundraiser for their wedding. It was a blast!

I decided I wanted to make our costumes, and I wanted our family to go 'together' as something.  My husband was vouching for Star Wars, and while it would be fine to have me as Leia and him as Han Solo... I was NOT about to attempt making ewok costumes for the kiddos.  Or even R2D2... neither of the kids would like those.

So, I opted for something... more fun.  At least to me...

Meet, the Toadstool Family!

 Yup, Mario, Princess Toadstool, Toad and Toadette!  We made quite the family photo!

It was a lot of fun... dancing, watching the kiddos dance in their costumes, guessing who people were, eating good food... a great time!

 Here is Mario... he's in the modern world, looking at his text from Toad telling him his princess is in another castle...

I never really did take the opportunity to look at the silent auction prizes, but there was a LOT there!  It looked great!

 Where's Waldo?

I'm not including too many pictures of other people, but I HAD to post this one of my cousins.  I think it is hilarious!  I posted more photos on Facebook of other costumes at the party (there were some great ones!).

 We ended up winning a few prizes... best boy (although only one other boy under 12 dressed up at all), best girl, and best couple.  SO glad we didn't win best adult male and best adult female as well... that would have been awkward...

Ok, that one pic in the collage above with me holding Bram... I was trying to mimic the thing on Super Smash Brawl... where Peach pulls out Toad as her shield.  I mean, look at him!  Who on earth could hurt someone that cute!  (that said, if someone did, they would feel the wrath of Mama Bear Peach... watch out, hooligans!).

I think my sewing machine deserves a bit of a break!  Especially after sewing and stitch ripping and resewing my dress.  Sheesh... you think patterns would be a little more accurate on their sizing!

Can you believe I consented to sew the girls flower girl dresses for the wedding?  Oh boy... sorry sewing machine, your break will be short lived.

Five MONTHS!!!

What happened?  How time has flown!  How is it possible that you have been in our lives for five months already?  Little Bram... you sure aren't as little anymore at a strapping 16lbs.  You even have your first tooth already!  

I feel so blessed to have you in our lives!  You are such a wonderful little person!  I love your laughter, and your ability to make me laugh even when I'm not feeling especially happy.

I love how you seem to think everything that comes within a few inches of your face means you need to try to eat it... it's so cute watching you open your mouth into such a wide grin, only to see you try to gobble up my nose minutes later.

 You love people.  Everyone comments on what a happy baby you are.  As long as someone is there to say hello, or to pay you some attention, you are the happiest little boy around.

 You love to watch everything around you.  You fight your naps because you want to see what is going on!  Why on earth would we want you to sleep if there is so many interesting things around!  You might miss out on something important, after all!  ;)

 You are a thumbsucker... a fistsucker... a fingersucker... and a bibsucker.  If you can grab it, into your mouth it will go, and it will proceed to get drenched in short order. Bibs are a clothes'saver in more ways than one.

 Your grin is contageous.  I cannot help but smile back.  Neither can anyone else it seems.  You make your sister's day by smiling at her.  And she loves to play with you and make you smile.

 How you have grown!  You are such a cuddly little boy.  I could just squeeze you!  Especially when you giggle.  You love "the eensy weensy spider"... especially when I tickle you under your chin.  You explode with laughter.  And clapping your hands together brings more laughter.  So does clapping your feet.

 You love your sister.  I caught her calming you down the other day... after I put you down for a nap, which you didn't agree with, I had to leave the room to let you 'cry' it out for a little bit.  After only 2 minutes, you were quiet... until I heard giggling and didn't see your sister around.  Sneaking into the room, I caught her playing on the couch near you, playing peek-a-boo behind the pillows, causing you to giggle and grin as you lifted your head up high enough to see.  I managed to catch a bit of video...

 You are so strong already!  You hold yourself up so well!  And your feet are almost always in motion... although not successfully propelling you forward yet.

My dear little boy, you are such a joy!  We are so blessed to have you in our little family!

I love you, son!

Randomness

Boy, another post with that title.  I guess it's not so random then, is it?

The other day I was at my mom's house, and I just HAD to post these adorable pics of M in her grandmother's wedding dress...

And I HAD to post about some great deals I got at the local LW!  I love that store!  For less than $30 I managed to score all this stuff!  I'm going to be using a lot of it in the Christmas Shoeboxes I will make this year, and I am super excited to get started on those!

 MOst of the stuff was 25cents each.  Serious.

Oh, and the pic below?  See the candle holders?  Normally, each of them is $30, and I got them for $7 each.  Yup... WOO HOO!  I'd been eyeing them for awhile now!

In other random news, we have been experiencing a lot of stress in regards to... work.  WE'll just say that.  I'm not sure how much I am permitted to post, so let me just say that we could really use prayer.  I know, a bit vague, but until I know what I am permitted to talk about online, I will have to leave it at that.

Thanks again to everyone!  :)

Birthday Bash

Early this month we celebrated two birthdays in my family... my husband's and my daughter's.

So, for all of you to enjoy... a photo story!

Since my husband doesn't really care about the cake except eating it, I decided to make it more for my daughter's sake (plus, it's more fun that way, haha).

We had a bonfire, which I was so thrilled to be able to have!  This is the first time we have used the firepit!  Yee haw!  Now I want to do more!

Mini cupcakes are the perfect size for all the little kids who came as well.

My lil boy... he was content in his carseat... for a little while... watching the flames.  But since he is so cute he didn't stay there for long :)

The birthday duo!


CUtting the cake... well... ok... removing the teapot, haha.

M is so intent on that cake!

And of course, eating it!

My dad and my daughter!

My sister and my son!

There you go!  Pics of the event!  I feel like I was running around like crazy, trying to see where my daughter went (when she wasn't eating, she was disappearing, haha.  And would you know, she loves popcorn?).  Thanks to everyone who came!

Oh, and this checks off one more item in my 101 list... #94, host a bonfire.

Challenges

Well, I posted at the end of September what the challenges for September were... and concluded that they would also be for October.  Last week I challenged myself to wash all the outside windows and to paint the doorframe (which desperately needed it).  This week I didn't challenge myself in anything outside.  I've been failing at this lately.  Ah well, my focus this week has been on getting things ready for the book launch, getting the third quarter for the farm paperwork done (believe me... not fun), and working on costumes for next week friday as my sister and her fiance are having a 'costume party' in the place of a wedding social.  It promises to be a lot of fun!  I'll be dressing up our whole family as the Mario gang (Mario, Peach, Toad and Toadette), hopefully for under $10 (it has only cost $5.25 so far).  Hardest part is that I need to sew my dress from scratch... and have been having nothing but issues with the pattern (back of the pattern said I was a size 16, and the pattern itself said I was an 8... which I noticed only after cutting the fabric for a 16... yeah, not really thinking on my part).  My kiddos costumes will be easy enough... just need to make the headpieces and use regular clothes for the rest.  My husband needs his hat made, and maybe a 'moustache' as well.  And I still need to find blue overalls (jeans would work fine, but I haven't seen anything at the mcc yet).

So, I suppose my challenge for this week and the next is to finish four costumes.  I also want to do a little raking (which I did yesturday... some), plant some bulbs for tulips for next spring (maybe tomorrow), and I would love to spray my yard for weeds.  Yuck.  I've got plenty.  And maybe fertilize.  That won't be until next week, though.

I need to take a look at my 101 list yet and do a post on that... and hopefully get a few things on there done as well.  Yikes.  Where has the time gone?  I can hardly believe it!

Can you believe my little boy is 5 months old already?  I can't... although he's big enough to be growing out of his 3-6month clothes already...

Have a great weekend!  :)  And happy thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians!  :)

Turkey, anyone?

Through the Eyes of a Two Year Old

It is so much fun seeing the world through my daughter's eyes.  Perhaps more so now that she talks to me... quite a lot actually. 

- Unicorns are horses with 'owies' on their heads. 
- Sheep 'baa', cows 'moo', puppies howl, kitties 'meow', and pigs smile.
- outside is the place to be.  And to go outside requires removing any play dress up clothes and putting on a jacket and hat.  And shoes.  Can't forget shoes.  Especially after saying 'shoes' 15 times in 10 seconds.
- Purple is the only color we will say regularly.  Purple socks, purple shirt, purple hat... and funny thing is that every time she says it, the item is actually purple.  Now if we could only learn yellow, green, red, etc (yes, she is currently decked out in all purple)
- smiley face magnets are the best toys ever.
- cars go 'beep beep'.
- it is fun to exclaim 'un, oo, reee, GOOOOO" and run crazily through the house.
- we must wear a bow.  Yes, we must.  When we say 'hair' with other strange sounding syllables afterwards, that means we want a bow in our hair (sometimes it sounds like she is saying 'hair cut', ha ha, and she needs one of those too).
- Baby brothers are fun to mimic.  He screams, we scream.  He smiles, we smile.  He laughs, we must try to laugh just like him.  And it doesn't matter what we do, it almost always ends in giggles from both parties.
- Baby brothers don't need naps.  When it is time for him to nap, we must try to occupy him so he doesn't cry... which means he will watch us instead of napping.  Or we must run to mommy and exclaim "rodder crying".  It looks like I am going to have to start putting him down for naps upstairs in his crib instead of downstairs in his cradle.
- Everything is made for standing on.  Including rocking horses.
- Rocks are fun.  We are still unsure as to why, but we must go into mommy's rocks and play with them whenever we get the chance.
- If it can be climbed, we will not rest until we've climbed it.  Every morning we MUST climb the changetable before mommy comes in.  (at least I don't need to lift her to it to change her diaper anymore, haha).
- 'cow' and 'town' sound an awful lot alike.
- We must go to town every single day... or at least ask to go to town.
- Marshmellows are a perfectly acceptable breakfast food... so why doesn't mom give me some?
- Cameras must be 'seen' every time one is pulled out.  Serious. (I pull out the camera to take pictures and it doesn't take too long after M notices it that she MUST 'see'.  "Iyanna SEE").

Well, that's all for now (that's all I can think of anyway).  Aren't kids a hoot?

It's a Launch Date!

I'm so excited... and a little nervous.  I will be officially 'launching' my book, 'Visit to the Seashore', with two of my friends on the 20th of October.  My book proof looks good, and I ordered copies of the book already... hopefully to arrive very soon (the date given was before the 20th, so I should be good).

I'm a bit nervous.  I'm not very good at 'selling' anything.  Mainly, I hope the book just speaks for itself.

You can see more about the event here.  It's at the Jake Epp Library at 7:30pm.  Hope to see you all there!

By the way... anyone have any tips on how else to promote my books?  I'm just doing this one for now, but I would like to promote all of them some way or another.

The month that FLEW

This month just flew right by... I never had a chance to post what the challenges for the month would be!  Hark, is that crickets in the background?

This month I really focused on getting the outside ready for winter (although I did do things inside, too)... here are a number of things I wanted to do... some of which did not get done, and will hopefully happen in October.

- scrubbing entrance
- pressure wash house
- set up stone area
- finish fire pit
- fertilize lawn
- spray lawn for weeds
- spray other areas to kill grass and weeds
- trim trees
- get rid of dead trees
- cover a/c unit
- check/fix any weatherstripping
- service heater
- painting outside where necessary
- cleaning windows (exterior)
- fixing patio (shifting stones back into place)
- fixing sidewalk (uncovering it)
- draining and putting away hose
- putting away all outside lights that cannot be out for winter
- going through clothes (mine and the kids) and swapping out seasonal stuffs.
- use up those other square bricks on the yard (tired of a 'pile 'o bricks' in front of our vehicles each year)

It's a long list, but it needs to be done.  I've been working hard this last month, and hope to do more shortly.  It's kinda fun to watch the leaves change color as I work on my yard.  I haven't prepped for fall much in previous years besides the absolute necessities...

We'll see where I get this next week.  I am not looking forward to the windows.  I want to have a bonfire on Friday.  Was going to have it today, but it's been raining all week and the fire pit is currently a bit waterlogged.  Sigh.  Well, so is the rest of the yard, but the fire pit area didn't grow the grass seed I planted (bad seed equals loads of work with no reward... grrrrr), so it is worse off because of it.  Hoping for dry weather this week so we can pull off a bonfire on the first!  I want to decorate a birthday cake, haha.

Later, gaters!  :)

Projects Galore

Yup... more pics for you all.  I'm just going crazy over here!

I've been focusing a lot on getting a bunch of work done on my yard this summer.  And to prove it, I've got photos (since a picture is worth a thousand words).  No before shots though.  Ah well.

 I decided to put some mulch in a few areas, and since the one tree was a pain to mow around I decided to pull out as much of the grass as possible and place a black edger in there before adding mulch.  The area where the birdbath is had the same treatment... only no mulch.  I still want to get some pea-gravel in there.

 My fire pit!  Ah, tis my fire pit!  A lot of work but now (for now) it is done.  I'm waiting for the grass to grow in, but need to get different seed since the stuff I bought was obviously garbage.  It did squat all nothing.  Blech.  But doesn't the fire pit look so nice?  I'm so proud (sniff).  And I got another item on my 101 list done... #62: Fix Fire pit area.  And that was a doozy!

 I managed to finish painting our free toddler bed... and now M has it in her room!  She loves it... started saying 'bed' now.  We decided to move it in there even though she was still rolling off her mattress onto the floor while she slept.  Why?  Because during one of her naps when she started crying, my husband went up to see what was wrong and found her in the middle drawer of her dresser... trying to sleep in there.  Obviously a mattress on the floor was not a 'bed' and she needed some 'walls' around her of some kind (and to be off the floor).  Either that or she was trying to reach a diaper, although what she would do with that is anybody's guess!

 Along with all the brick I got for the fire pit area, I picked up some other brick to have a bit of fun with.  Here is my fun!  Doesn't it look like fun?  Now to find some ceramic and metal stuffs to place there for a little whimsical edge.  Decorates the front of my house a bit.

Here is an old sidewalk that was almost completely buried.  My sis in law came down the other day and she chopped away at the hedge that was WAY over grown... it looks so much better now.  We trimmed dead branches and dragged away so many of them... and I got out the edger and scraped all the dirt/grass/sod off the sidewalk and uncovered it again... a lot of work but so rewarding!  I'm so happy!  Those few bricks (that look a bit unfinished) were also from the load we got for the fire pit (would you believe ALL that stone only cost us $36?).  I'm hoping to revisit that quarry and get some more stuff... it's so much fun to see what you can all do! 

That is the gist of what I've been doing this last month!  Crazy... and I've got so much more fun stuff I want to do yet!  It's fall now, so I want to get everything ready for winter soon.  Lots to do... but so much fun!

I love projects!  ;)

Fair Days

I've got more photo fun for you all!  Aren't you excited?

This labor day weekend we went to Fall on the Farm at the local museum.  If you live in the area, this is an awesome museum to visit!  It celebrates Mennonites and the way they lived, as well as the beginnings of our town.  It literally has the first general store, a blacksmiths shop, some old barns (and barns that are attached to the houses), and many other interesting buildings and equipment to see.  And the most awesome part is the windmill.  The original was one brought over from Deutchland and built in the area.  Unfortunately, we don't have the wind here to power the thing on a regular basis, so they didn't use it as much, and it ended up in the museum.  It was burned down in 06 I believe (some vandalism.  Really sad), and a replica was put up in its place.  And it was perfect that day... the wind was strong and we got to see it actually grinding the wheat into flour.  And if you wanted to, you could buy the flour from the store.

 Above are some pictures of the museum.  It is literally a street filled with old buildings with real items that were donated that were once used by many of the people of the area.  I love the tricycle!  Toys, old tools that you would get to see in action (yes, there is someone volunteering to work in the blacksmith shop... they do things as though it is a real working town right there in front of you on special occasion days... there are about 4 or 5 of those days per year).  I got to see someone working at the original Derksen Printers on the printing press.  It's interesting to see how things were done way back then.  And a woman was using a weavers loom to make a bath matt.  Some made pickles right in front of you, others baked bread and made butter (and you could taste some of these goods), there was a pig butchering that happened at a certain time, and the meat was auctioned off, and they even had some harvesting with actual sickles if you wanted to watch that.  The sawmill in the back would go into operation at a certain time, there was a petting zoo for the kiddos, as well as an entertainer, people in all the buildings 'living' out the lives of the people then (in full costume).  The schools and churches are always interesting, as the people there were always willing to describe how things were way back then (grades 1-8 in one classroom).  A real trip through time.

M loved it!

Wanna know her favorite part?  The candy 'shop'... a little outdoor place with rock candies, peppermint sticks, and penny candy (you remember those, right?  They're 5cents now, but still). 

Enjoying some candy

They had bouncers for the kids, as well as some other activities near the sod house.  I call it the sod house because the roof has grass growing on it and it is half buried in the ground.  It is a very interesting little building!

M had so much fun that she tuckered herself out...

Instead of bouncing on the bouncers, she was content to lay down and let all the other kids do the work.  It was so funny!

She loved the petting zoo... I think we've got a natural animal lover here.  And Bram?  Well, he was content to sit in his sleepy wrap the whole time (unless he was hungry) and watch from there.  No pickle tasting for him!  :)

The last weekend in August was the Honey Festival in our town.  Can you believe I haven't been there since we got married?  So we braved the wet weather and went this year.  It was so much fun!  M had a great time.  She loved the parade, especially the bikes.  Tradition, after all.  A bunch of kids and parents alike decorate their bikes to ride at the beginning of the parade.  It is always fun to see.  After that was lunch... good noodle soup and a bun, or a sausage burger (mmmm... great Mennonite meal).  We had lunch for $6... for all three of us.  For $2, you could get a bracelet for your child and they could partake in all the children's festivities (bouncers, face painting, games and more games, toys, other activities).  M actually bounced in the bouncer. As for face painting, the lineup was so long, so we didn't bother.  I think M's favorite was the barrel rides... a bunch of barrels on wheels pulled behind a garden tractor around the park for 50cents a ride.  She cried whenever we tried to take her out.  (see photo below).  Oh, and they had a 'honey hunt'.  Straws of honey were hidden in a bunch of straw and kids had to search for them.  M didn't find any, but another girl had a few and gave one to her.  So sweet!  M just liked digging out all the straw and giving it to daddy.  I guess she figured that the straw was the prize, and we should bring it home for our calves!

Later that evening we went back for supper (chicken... sooo good, and only $12 for us both to have chicken, bun, coleslaw, and dessert... and I think there was more but I cannot remember...).  We stayed around for the fireworks... the first we've seen in a few years now.  M's first ever.  She did NOT like the loud boom at first and would cry, but after awhile of oohs and aaaahs, she got used to them and pointed and said 'pretty'.  Bram slept through most of it... started crying near the end due to all the noise I'm sure.

It was a great couple of weekends!  I love all the fun we've been having, and honestly, it is SO much more fun with kids.  You get to see things through their eyes, and their eyes are always so much brighter and in love with so many things that we take for granted.  God definitely blesses us through our children!

Funny thing, I actually completed two items on my 101 list by going to these fun things!  #9: Visit a museum, and #95: Go to 3 Local Festivals/Fairs 3/3.  How cool is that!

Have a great weekend, everybody!  :)