It Was a Lofty Goal

However I do have pictures, I do have stories, just not quite enough time to get it all down here. Christmas Eve is just around the corner. The girls are excited. The presents are wrapped (a first for me). We are ready to entertain tomorrow night. Merry Christmas to all my friends and family. Enjoy the ones you love and take in all the fun of the holiday season!

So Excited & Letters to Santa

Today I won! I won a $100 Gift Certificate from this company Blend Creations. The jewellery is beautiful and unique. I am having trouble deciding which item I want, there is so much to choose from.






I had the opportunity to win this through a blog comment on "A Peek Inside the Fishbowl". Andrea writes this blog from Ottawa. She highlights cool products, ideas for family fun and many other interesting fun topics. Check out her blog for some great ideas. Thanks to Vivian of Blend Creations and Andrea. You made my day!

Yesterday after school we wrote letters to Santa complete with popcorn and hot chocolate. The ideas that were put on the list have been talked about for weeks, discussed, mulled, changed! It is so neat to see the writing process of both girls. Avery was concise, complete and organized. She wrote the letter on her own in the time span of about 10 minutes. Meredith's letter was more laboured, she tried really hard with the spelling and details, her letter took more like 30 minutes to write. I really like the artwork that they added to the letters.
Process





End Result





Today
Got most of the Christmas shopping finished up today. Just a couple of little things left to get. The kids have been loving the snow and despite the cold temperature, the kids played outside for an hour or more after school today. Andy was out tonight. We ate take out, cuddled on the couch and watched a Franklin Christmas Special in front of the fire place.

Catching Up

Yes it is December 9, last post December 3. So much for my plan to update everyday but I have been taking pictures almost every day. I missed some fun ones from yesterday due to a dead battery URGH.

December 4
Was the PD day for the kids. We had a great day. Making Christmas crafts, Mini photo shoot, (locked my keys in the car - we won't talk about that one!), play date, cookie decorating party. It was full and fun.








December 5
We had missed the KW Santa Claus so we scooted out to Elmira to see the parade there. It was short and sweet and well done for a small town. The big guy was there -the important part. My little niece was in the parade so that was a highlight too. Meredith played ringette in the afternoon and scored her first 2 goals. I played in my first ringette game in the evening (I scored 2 goals too!). The kids and Andy came to watch. I am having so much fun playing and loving every minute of it.


December 6
Crazy trip to Owen Sound for Mer's game. It took a good chunk of the day. She played well (scored 2 goals) and the team tied.

December 7
Normal back to school day with power skating and hockey game after school. It was a no photo day.

December 8
Went to DQ to celebrate Mer's goals on the weekend. When someone scores the first goal of the season they get to pick a special treat. It almost always is DQ. We took the Dairy Queen over to my grandma's apartment and shared with her and looked at all the Christmas decorations in her building. The photos would have been good, and I needed them for the calendar.

December 9
First snow and the kids are out playing first thing this morning. It is the "right" snow, in other words, it is packing snow. When I dropped the kids off at school this morning the school yard was magical - balls of snow everywhere, kids smiling and rolling, gigantic snowflakes falling from the sky and the yard full of laughter and joy. Love that first snow.


Hopefully at the end of the month I will gather these stories and photos in a December Daily album just like Ali.

December 3

Okay, I think I am on track. I have borrowed my mom's card reader until I find out what is going on with my camera. I have to do some troubleshooting to see why the photos aren't transferring.

The Christmas tree is up. Meredith has been asking me to put it up for two weeks now ever since the tree went up in their room. Yes, they have a mini tree in their room, decorated with decorations that they have made or received. They love it. It is fun for them. Maybe that will be a picture in the next couple of days.

December 2

I had to show you this picture as well. This is Silly Santa. He is 4ft tall, sings, dances and has a microphone so that you can sing along. This is the gift that Meredith asked for when she was three. He hangs out in the closet for most of the year but always comes out on December 1. As you can see, Mer still loves him. I kind of think he is creepy, it is his eyes, somewhat real like. The crazy thing is that if you forget to turn off the sensor, he starts singing as you come around the corner. It can scare the living day lights out of you for a second. But he brings joy.

December 3


I gave my first Christmas present today. This is what it looked like on the outside. I love the snowflake decoration. I bought a whole bunch of them from Crate & Barrel.

December 1

It is my goal to post almost daily on my blog this month. I love documenting December and the lead up to Christmas. We started today with the anticipated Advent calendar. I made the calendar last year for the kids. I thought it would be cool to add my own treats to the calendar. The kids loved it last year and it is filled again this year. This is where I would insert the picture to show you the kids excitement but for some reason my camera isn't allowing me to download the pictures. Technical glitch, hopefully to be resolved tomorrow.

This is a picture from last year. You get the idea.

Here are a couple of cool blogs that I read. Both are doing pretty cool things for the month of December. Ali is doing a December daily book to document. This Ottawa mom, Andrea has a different take on the advent calendar. She did the same thing last year and it was really cool to follow. Happy December.

Another Month has Flown By

Not sure what happened to October but I do know the calendar has been flipped and it now reads November. We have completed the usual fall activities, Thanksgiving in Ottawa, full force into ice sports, the trip to Nauman's Pumpkin patch, selecting and making Halloween costumes, raking and playing in the leaves and carving pumpkins. Halloween has come and gone, with dangerous little morsels hanging around on every flat service. This does not help my cause but it will soon disappear once the novelty has worn off.

I am hurting today not because of my adventures on the ringette ice but rather the time change. The Ringette for Moms group meet last night for there Sunday night dose of laughter and fun. The 10 pm time slot was okay last week but this week was a killer with the time change. The 10 that really was 11 pm. I have to say that Anne & Jenn(the friendly, experienced leaders)are extremely patient with our inexperience. They must leave the arena and bust a gut at our truly bunny ways!

Besides Halloween on Saturday we had hockey, dance, and a birthday party. Avery was on cloud nine when she scored her first goal in the game. She went without a goal last year and was bound and determined to score in her first few games. She did it and I was proud. I was jumping up and down with tears in my eyes. Such a proud moment. I was so happy for her!

On this past Thursday night I celebrated with friends as 3 great women celebrated milestone birthdays. Happy Birthday Kristyn, Jannine & Cindy. Thanks Jane for hosting and to Amberlea for making the cake. As usual it was delicious. I didn't take my camera so I didn't get a picture - you will have to believe me that it was stunning. Here is a picture of the cards I made for the girls.



Meredith and her Waterloo Wildfire Stars played in their first game yesterday against Guelph. Unfortunately they ended up on the wrong side of the score but they had a great time. Mer even got an assist.

I will leave you with a few fall pictures from the past weeks.


Here are the girls on Halloween - Meredith was an owl and you can see what Avery dressed up as. Just for you Grandma!




Until next time - happy fall!

Catch Up Post

Well, the middle of September and things are moving at a great pace. So much has happened. Almost impossible to catch up but here are the highlights.
* Both of the kids are in school full time taking french immersion - Mer grade 1 and Avery grade 3. Both kids are settling well into the routine and both like their teachers.
* We started the school year with a new morning routine that is eliminating some of the stress. Thanks to my friend Marnie for her High 5 idea. What is it - before the kids come down stairs they need to get dressed, brush their teeth and wash their face, make their beds, put up the blinds and do a quick tidy of their room. It is amazing how this routine High 5 routine is getting done with ease and most of the arguments are eliminated. This also gives us time to practice music in the morning.
* Both kids started music again. Avery has switched to the violin and Mer is playing the piano. I love the discipline that music provides. I love that they can practice in the morning before school.
* Both kids are doing ice activities this year - Avery is playing hockey and starts this weekend. Meredith is playing ringette and has made the Bunny Major team - she has been on the ice 4 times already! Anyone with girls that is interested in an ice sport I would highly recommend Ringette. The Waterloo program is amazing with great coaches and they get to do power skating as part of the program. If the kids are under 8, the cost is only $175! Mer loves it.
* I am getting into the swing of being home by myself. I have high hopes for my self and super long to do lists - unfortunately not much has been stroked off! It will come. I have been playing some golf and that has been great. I have also ventured back to the gym doing some of the boot camp classes. I am claiming the last 2 weeks as my vacation time! I am starting ringette in a couple of weeks.
* Last week I was lucky enough to go and see U2 in Toronto. Truly an amazing concert. I loved the old stuff they sang. It was so cool to relive memories of Joshua Tree, Rattle and Hum, and Achtung Baby. They sang all the favourites - With or Without You, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Still Haven't Found what I am Looking For, One and many more. I loved it. The stage was incredible and we had great seats. Thanks BIZ and Phil. We had such a great time - limo, dinner, concert, after party at the CN Tower, loot bags. Thanks to Linds for babysitting.



photos taken by The Rusk.
* We have been busy putting up local food. Between the last 2 weekends we did 2 bushels of tomatoes. We canned about 40 jars of tomatoes, made pizza sauce, salsa and pearsauce. I still need to finish up the zucchini relish. My plan for tomorrow. I wish we could preserve more of the local fresh produce.
* On the last week of the summer my mom took all the girls on a mystery road trip - 3 adults and 5 kids to Great Wolf Lodge. Oh my gosh we had fun.
* 09/09/09 we celebrated with friends and had a great dinner. I guess Biz started a tradition on 08/08/08. 12/12/12 is the date that Andy & I need to plan for - I have got some time. What a great tradition.
* What I haven't been doing is SCRAPBOOKING. Need to get back at it - I am missing it.

Zoom Zoom Zoom

That is the summer passing us by at a rapid pace. As much as I look forward to September and new routines I can't believe how fast the summer is flying by. We have had a blast this summer. So many cool activities and people and trips and food. It has been a good mixture of busy and relaxing, family and friends and beach and swimming. So much really that I can't even recap. I decided to take a break from blogging and try and be present. I am giving myself a B+. I am trying to be more relaxed, trying not to use the word NO as much, trying to let the kids be more independent. For the most part it has been successful.

We are in the throws of the local food produce and other yumminess - we are eating it all up. I am not as busy putting food away this year but enjoying it fresh.
The kids started camp today - 5 day Ringette camp and will do a 10 day power skating session in the afternoons. I think that should pretty much tire them out. I am taking up ringette this fall. I always wanted to play hockey and my friend Anne has started a Ringette for Moms program so I thought I would give it a try. If there is anyone out there with equipment that will fit and is willing to loan it to me I would love that. It sure is expensive to get suited up!

So everyone and their brother has been asking me what I am going to do in the fall now that both the kids will be in school full time. I guess in the opinions of others, things need to change. For me I want to take my time, eat up the alone time, complete lists and lists of projects and get myself healthy. That is going to be enough for me. For our household, we work way better if I am present in the home. I like it that way. I am not saying that I will never go back to the real work force but for now I am happy how things are working.

Enjoy life and hug someone you love. Thoughts and prayers going out to little Ella!

Scrappy Mess

Look what I have been doing a little bit this week. Look at this mess. This is what happens to me when I am creating and especially when I have been creating more than one project. Do you see that little square of empty work space. Crazy - I know.

The kids have been at Girls Rock Camp this week and having a ball. My friend Andrea runs the camp and she ROCKS! She has developed an awesome program for the girls. The week isn't even over and my kids are asking about next year. Keep it in mind for next year if you have girls.

Family Vacation

We are back from our family vacation to Camp Mac Mac. When I am there it feels great and I have great peace. It means so much to me and I am happy to say that my family feels the same. It was one week of relaxing, games, food, family fun, fishing and just being together. It is a place where I have so many memories. It is a place that I never want to leave and when I do it seems like it will be so long until I return. Do you have one of those places? The landscape is beautiful and I crave being around the rolling waves of the water. When I am there it feels as if nothing else exists except the big sky, large expanse of water and the rocky rugged terrain. This place is not for everyone, but it is for me. So long until next year.

The picture above is the sunset from last Thursday night. The water has waves that are big,rolling and quite fierce. The sky has so many different colours that is almost unbelievable. With all of this there is a peace. Amazing.

Time Flies

312 weeks
2 190 days
52 560 hours and
3 153 600 minutes ago this beautiful girl was born



Happy Birthday Mer!
(posted one day late)

Last Minute Of Course

I am always working at the last minute. The deadline for Karen's Win a Go Scrapping Retreat is tomorrow at 12 noon. I just finished my canvas. It is going to go in the girls newly decorated bedroom. Andy and I felt like we were on Trading Spaces this weekend. The girls left around 5:30 pm on Friday night and they came back at 3:00 p.m on Saturday. We had less than 24 hours to tape, paint, clean up, and build 2 desks, 2 dressers and 2 chairs from Ikea. I am happy to say that we got it done but both Andy & I are exhausted. The room looks great and the girls were so happy - it was worth it. I have some finishing touches to make and then I will post pictures. We went with Bird's Egg Blue accented with Red and White with a little green. I love the colours and the room looks like a room suited for girls that are growing up. Any Silhouette users out there that want to help me out cutting vinyl circles?

Thanks for the great contest Karen- I hope my name gets drawn. Cheer for me.

Great Day Tuesday

I have had a great day! Enjoyed a little shopping - bought the cutest shoes.


I had lunch with a great friend filled with endless chatter. I am now sipping on a extra hot, non fat, no water Tazo Chai Latte - YUM!

Here is a picture for my friend Mindy and little baby Jack. aaah!


I am wondering if anyone else took advantage of the spOtlight event this weekend. The kids were in heaven playing with all the different mediums and I got some really cool ideas. We have so much talent in the area.

Crop for the Cure

Today I was in St.Jacob's at the Crop for the Cure run by Tracey and her family. I was only able to stay for part of the day but I had a great time. Tracey and Dodie did a great job and I love spending time with my scrappy friends, they are all so creative. I was working on Avery's Birthday invites and I almost got them done. Hopefully I will post a picture tomorrow.

At the crop I made the cutest little card at the In a Pinch booth. Sheri and Judy do a great job with their make and takes and with all of the beautiful kits that they make. You should stop by and check it out their site. If you go to their blog, you will see the card we made.

Thanks to all the ladies that purchased sweeet straps today. I really appreciate the business.

I Did It!

I set up my ETSY shop. It is up and running. I have listed a few of my sweeet straps. I have quite a few more to add. If you have never checked out ETSY you should go and take a peek. You may be there for a while because you can buy anything you have ever wanted that is homemade. It is a very cool shopping spot. Here is my store if you want to take a peek Together Create. For those computer people out there, if you know how I can make my banner not so fuzzy I would truly appreciate your help.

Check that off my list!!!

Welcome June

The month of birthdays and birthday parties and father's day and soccer and end of school and lots lots more. It is that crazy month that comes and then is gone. It is always a busy start to the summer.

It is also the start of local food. Bailey Fresh Foods buying club started last week. I was excited for it to start and I am excited to head back into the 100 mile food frenzy I took on last year. I worked hard at it in the summer and into the fall. But not surprisingly I struggled through the winter. I had stores of food but it didn't get used as much as I hoped. The big winner around here was the canned tomatoes, the apple and pear sauce, the fruit jams and the salsa. Definitely must do's this year. The frozen veggies with the exception of the corn wasn't as much of a hit. I will be a little more careful this year in how I spend my time freezing and canning.

Last night I was watching the 100 mile food challenge on the Food network. 6 families packed up the imported and non local foods in exchange for the local alternative. One family only made it one day! With Nina's buying club and the local markets, 100 mile eating in the summer and spring is doable. I want to try the 100 mile diet + five items. I would have trouble living without olive oil, salt, lemons, sugar, Andy would add wine, and probably avacado. Most other items can be sourced from around here.

I have been doing some creating, mostly cards. Unfortunately I have forgotten to take pictures. Enjoy the sunshine today!

Too much to post!

Wow, life is speeding right along and little time to write about it. So many cool things to post about. If you hang in with me you will get a glimpse of what has been going on.
2 weekends ago I headed to Strafford with Mindy, Sue, Kelly, Amber, Tammy and Fermina for the Go Scrapping retreat. It was so much fun and tiring to. I stayed up way to late for my own good. It was a great chance to catch up with my friends and also to get some scrapping done. I finished a mini Halloween album I have been working on that documents Halloween starting in 2001 until now. I love how it turned out and it is so cool to see how the kids of grown and changed. I also worked on a mini album of my mom's 60th birthday to give to her for mother's day. Thanks Karen for a great weekend. I have been dying to try using wax and I got to do so with Karen during her class. It definitely sparked my interest and last week I went to play at her studio to try so more. Here is the result - not a great picture. It was so much fun and I was inspired to do more. I have another piece in the works.

Last week soccer started - Andy is lucky to be coaching both of the girls teams. I totally love watching them play sports. Thanks Andy for being a great dad and coaching the girls - they won't forget it. It will mean more than you know!

This past weekend was the the girls dance recital for Carousel. The show this year was Alice in Wonderland. Mer danced on Friday night show as a Strawberry Tart and Avery on Sunday afternoon as a Jester (it would have been better if they were both in the same show!). This dance studio does an awesome job with the recital.


Look what happened to my baby on Friday. It made me cry - just another sign that she is getting bigger. She was so excited - the first one fell out at school and the second just minutes after we got home. The tooth fairy did arrive with double the dollars! I can't believe the going rate is $2.00 a tooth, so much for $0.25.


I am so excited to say that I had my first meals of local produce last week. Do you know what these are....

I was happy to see them for sale at Vincenzo's. A total reminder of my grandpa. He used to pick them every year and sell them to Zehr's. The kids loved them. That is cool. If you guessed fiddleheads you would be right!
I also had local asparagus.

It tastes so yummy. You forget how good the local stuff tastes. My local produce source - Bailey's Local Foods is starting up in a couple of weeks and I can't wait. Interested in 100 mile diet or Bailey's Local Foods contact me and I can give you some info!