Sunday, January 31, 2010

Doorway to the unknown

Project 365 - Day 31


Yay, one month down, 11 more to go! Today I wanted to share our little doorway we have in our home. Its an elf door we got at a street market one summer, although we like to think ours is a doorway to the Fraggles. Hee. Ariel loves this little door... and I think we all wish it could take us somewhere fun for a vacation.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

What Color are You?

Project 365 - Day 30


The age old question, what color are you? I think I am blue with a splash of gold. Interpretative that anyway you like. Anyone else care to play?

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I am an animation widow tonight. Its been the Spark FX event all week, which means Ken has been busy most nights taking part and helping out. Ariel is missing him dearly, and of course the moment he is home for a short time starts acting out, of course its totally out of a change in her normal routine, so we will be glad when its over. She also sneaks into our bed early in the morning to get cuddles with Daddy. Aw! She loves him so much, as do Xander and I, but to Ariel he is the sun and the moon. This morning before Daddy left they got to play some games, she was pleased as punch!

Ariel has been a mermaid most of the week. I figured it might happen eventually with the name 'Ariel'. For the longest time she only referred to the movie Ariel as 'mermaid', simply because HER name was Ariel, and someone having the same name just seemed weird. Now she believes she is Ariel the mermaid... when she isn't a princess or a ballerina of course. However I knew we had to talk when I caught her brushing her hair with her fork at the dinner table... mid-meal! Yuck! Trust me that was a hair washing night. Haha.


This week I got the kids hazel wood necklaces after hearing how great they are for dealing with rashes and eczema. Xander is drooling like crazy and its causing some serious redness on his chest and cheeks to the point nothing helps. The necklace within 24 hours has cleared it almost entirely! I was amazed. I then got one for Ariel since she, like me, gets seasonal eczema from the cold weather. We have VERY sensitive skin. Her redness is starting to clear up too, so I am thrilled!


My main goal this week has been paperwork! I have researching like crazy about Ken's upcoming American taxes since I do them for him (not his strong suit). Anyhoo, after doing them last year I was cheesed that we couldn't have him claim Ariel and I, which resulted in us paying a bit. I contacted a tax specialist in the States (I won't say who since they sucked!) and asked my question. Needless to say they didn't help, oh you need Social Security Numbers to be added, but your Canadian so you can't - so poop on you (ok I added the last part). So I did what any smart girl does, contact her friend who was also crazy enough to marry an American and deal with the paperwork that goes with the love. Haha.

Julie is pretty much in the same boat and was able to point me in the right direction. HUGE thank you to her, and I am happy to say we 3 forms closer to the deductions Ken rightfully deserves getting for supporting us! Not to mention the refilling of past tax return to get that money back, woot!

Mommy and Daddy's newest little deduction! Haha!


One that that has to happen with this paperwork is sending in copies of our passports as id. Well, guess that meant it was time for Xander to get his first one. Then looking through ours I realized Ariel's is up for renewal in April since hers was only good for 3 years (got it when she was a baby). So off to the photographers we went for the pictures we needed. When we arrived at 1020am (opens at 10am) we found the lights off and no one inside. It was dumping rain, and so I waited with Xander while Ariel and Ken went to the bank to deposit a cheque. Thankfully the fellow showed up quickly after that, and was really sorry that he had us wait. Luckily we didn't go right at 10!

Xander went first while we waited for Ariel and Ken to get back. He was a piece of cake! I thought he be the hard one. I was wrong!


Ariel came back and was a little nervous.She didn't like the chair she had to sit in, and how high it was. Instead of tell us, she just scrunched her shoulders and looked like she was on the verge of tears. After 10 LONG minutes, we got this shot. The fellow said it should be fine, and he does this all the time so I am sure he is right... however I am wondering if they will take it if her teeth are showing? They are usually lenient on kids photos but I guess I will find out soon enough. If not, we are back for retakes - JOY! Cross your fingers that they are ok.


Tonight Ariel wanted to read to Xander, how cute is this!


Bible study time! Ariel loves Sunday School, so she loves playing teacher for Xander... until he rips the book away.


Ok, I am off to snuggle my boy until its time for him to go to bed... I am sure he won't be impressed with the idea since he isn't totally feeling 100% Last night he stayed in our bed since he was coughing and clingy. Hoping tonight he can sleep in his crib and I can get a better sleep. Did I mention waking up at 2am to the crashing down of our frog-pod in the bathroom! Scared the stuffing out of me, but of course no one else woke up. Thank goodness for infomercials... I want a Magic Bullet now.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Bad Wife

Project 365 - Day 29


One of my favorite lines in the last episode of Sex and the City was when Charlotte tells Harry she was a bad wife because she ordered Chinese food. Ken and I always joked about that scene since it was so cute. Well, finally tonight I got to say it over the phone when he was on his way home, hee. Yum.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

More projects in the pile

Project 365 - Day 28


After visiting the quilt shop today I ended up coming home with some dino fabric to make a small lap quilt for Xander's Easter basket. The boy can't eat treats yet so it seemed like the perfect idea since he is almost ready to sit in the stroller and not in the car seat part. So watch for the dino quilt to come together, yay!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Fog in the morning

Project 365 - Day 27


This is what we saw walking to school this morning, a foggy morning with the sun shining brightly through it. Very cool!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Choices

Project 365 - Day 26


Remember the days when the hardest choices were what type of cookie you wanted? Ah, sometimes I wish life was still like that... and if it was I would say... pass me that chocolate chip one Ariel, hee.

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So I wanted to blog yesterday, however I spent most of my afternoon trying to help Ariel find her Tinkerbell bottle she uses for her water. Its one of those nice stainless steel ones, and she bought it back in the fall with some her birthday money from Grandpa Priebe. Its been her favorite cup ever since... so chaos followed when we couldn't find it ANYWHERE!

I tore the house apart looking in the usual hiding spots, and was scratching my head with confusion with what she did with it. She kept saying 'I think I hid it'. Oh great, good to know! So I didn't get a rest, and we finally gave up with no luck. I was tired since I didn't sleep well the night before (stomach ache) and was now overtired and cranky.

This little face makes it hard to be cranky... but I am only human.


Since I was cranky and needed some space, I went to the store for a few things by myself. Ahhh, peace and quiet... until I get to the till and realize my wallet isn't in my purse. Oh good grief! So I drive home and Ken tosses it down to me. So back to the store to pay for the things I had to leave at the till. Blah.

I got home and Ken had gotten princess into bed, thanks babe! I hit the couch with Xander to feed him and then he was in bed sleeping too. I spent the rest of the evening cross stitching and watching the Bachelor! Oh yes, I watched and yelled things about the crazy chick at the tv... guess what, it felt awesome! It was around 9pm that my head started thinking again and I ran upstairs to our room. I flung open the drawers to my dresser and what did I find... the missing BOTTLE! Best part, in my undies drawer! Seriously... I don't know why or how it ended up there, but I just remember her helping put stuff away on Sunday (when I think it went missing). So thankfully its found, yay.

Showing off her new dress for spring. She requested a blue one, its her favorite color at the moment.


So last week was the regular routine - school, ballet and swimming. Ariel recovered from her cough quickly only to be followed by a drippy nose. Yuck. Most of our excitement was on the weekend. Ken was at work on Saturday as they were doing an open house. Since it was an all day thing, I packed up the kids and went off to Richmond. I wanted to get some stuff at the craft store, and then since the troops were being totally awesome, we went to the mall for lunch and a chance for me to pick up a few things.


Things are really gearing up for the Olympics, all the signs and such have been going up pointing to venues. Won't be long now... did I say the torch would be coming through our town? On February 9th it makes its way through, so the kids and I will be going out to watch. Yay!


Then on Sunday we had Mike and Jo over to join us for dinner. It was nice to pull out our nice dishes and make things pretty on the table.


Monday we were back at the routine and at school Ariel received her first 'school' birthday party invitation from her classmate. Very exciting indeed. She also was learning about beavers and made a dam, cute eh?


Now we are here on Xander's 5 month birthday! My little man is growing much too fast for my liking, but not much I can do. His little cheeks have been so red lately, I think we might be teething!


He has been showing signs of wanting to crawl too... eek! I had to look back when Ariel started crawling and it was about 2 weeks after turning 5 months, so we will see.


Xander continues to enjoy his cereal, and in fact helps the spoon into his mouth. He is nearly sitting up... but his rolls around his belly make it difficult still. Next month he will be half a year old. Wah... sniff.


Today was ballet for Ariel and I finally got to chat with some of the other moms... including one that is living in my old house! Yes, I found out at the recital from Dad that one of Ariel's ballet friends is the daughter of the family that bought our old house. When I told her (I was married and moved out when they bought it) who I was it was pretty funny to watch her reaction. I told her about my family history, the people on the street who where still there. She now wants to have us over to see the place now. Some might find it hard, but I think for me it would be cool to see. I want to pull out some old pictures to show her sometime. Either way, I have been trying to connect more with people around me in my daughter's activities. Sometimes hard since I can be a tad shy, but with Ariel wanting to perhaps have friends over to play, I felt I should let them get to know me.

The afternoon has been tiring, I made 2 batches of bagels and blueberry muffins for my hardworking man. I think he will be pleased. Also whipped up a dinner of chicken stuffed with apples and almonds, yum. So I better get things out of the oven now. Have a good night and I promise to blog more... lots coming up to share about in the next little bit. Whee.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Snow Drop

Project 365 - Day 25


I kinda was having a bad day, it started off good but then kinda hit a snag and I just feel blah. Needless to say I kinda feel like this little guy. I will be better tomorrow, but for now I am going to chill out and veg. Will blog tomorrow sometime.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Chicken?

Project 365 - Day 24



So the other morning Ken told me about the wacky pothole he saw over in the KFC parking lot by the bus stop he waits at in the mornings. Of course crazy things are always up my alley so I looked and yes, I do believe it looks kinda like a chicken... do you see it? I guess the funny part is that its in the KFC parking lot... poor chicken.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Rainbow

Project 365 - Day 23


Not everyday you get a full sky rainbow in your path, pure awesome! (Big thanks to my Dad who let me use his camera to capture this, since I didn't have mine at the time)

Friday, January 22, 2010

Think Pink

Project 365 - Day 22


Ariel wanted me to take a picture of the pretty pink flowers we saw today. It was such a gorgeous day, its hard to believe its still technically winter, crazy!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Tulips

Project 365 - Day 21


Tulips mean that spring is coming! Yay! They also happen to be the first flowers my sweetie gave me when we started dating. Hee.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

What is it?

Project 365 - Day 20


When coming inside today I found this in the parking lot. Kinda looks like crushed candy of some sort... what do you think? Any ideas?

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Random

Project 365 - Day 19


Sometimes you just find really weird stuff when you go for a walk. Hee.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Sick

Project 365 - Day 18


Ariel is spending the day on the couch home from school today. The past few days she has been coughing and last night it was enough to make her throw up, so I kept her home to rest up. She is feeling much better after her special Ginger Ale delivered by Grandpa.

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So we survived the weekend and now have a sick kid. Like I mentioned she started having a bit of a cough and by Sunday night was coughing enough to lose her dinner... in the bath tub... while I was in it. Ah the joys of parenting... that is one they don't put in the books eh?

Lets go back to the beginning, Saturday morning we were invited over to Dad and Rita's for breakfast. They had Katie with them that weekend, so Ariel was very excited to go play. We went and had a nice walk in the sun, after a long week of rain it was amazing to feel the rays of the sun. Ahh.

Xander enjoyed visiting the ducks...


For lunch we all headed down to the McDonalds. They were celebrating 25 years of being in our town and had 25 cent coffee and Big Macs for $1.25 woot! Ariel was so excited to go in the new play area that they build. The whole building just got a huge face-lift and looked great.

We came home briefly before heading out again for Asher's 3rd birthday party in the evening. Ariel was so excited to see her friends. It was a castle themed party and the kids got to decorated cardboard castles as a craft...


... and check out the dragon in the tower of the rice krispie treat castle!


After the fun evening we came home to bed, although Ken and I ended staying up to watch SNL while he worked on his book. I started stitching Xander's Easter bag... yeah I know - kinda early but its going to take awhile to do.

Sunday morning came and Ken took Ariel to Sunday school while I fed Xander. I then walked to church with my little guy. When I got there Ariel came rushing over shouting 'I love Jesus'. So cute!


For lunch we went back to McDonalds, yeah I know - BAD!!! However the 25th celebration was still going with 25 cent nuggets! Plus Ken wanted another 25 cent coffee. In the afternoon I went for a walk to the store for some bread and salad for dinner (also to walk off those nuggets).

We had slow cooker ribs for dinner and invited Dad, Rita and Katie over to join us and to watch the Golden Globes. It was then that Ariel's cough seemed to get worse and Ken got her ready for bed. She was crying and when I went up her little tummy was distended and tight. I asked if she wanted a bath and she said yes with me. Soooooo, I filled the tub and we got in... and literally not even being in two minutes she tossed her cookies. Ugh!

So this ended the weekend on a bit of a sour note, but it was ok. I decided to keep Ariel home today to rest since her cough was still lingering. I called my dad if he could bring over some Ginger Ale. He brought the cute mini cans and needless to say Ariel LOVED them. They really made her happy and she hasn't coughed much today. Yay!

Well, that was our weekend in a nutshell. Another busy week ahead. I did enjoy a quieter day than we would have had. I decided to make bagels for the first time ever and they turned out perfectly! Ariel loved them, so I guess we will make some more soon.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Shell

Project 365 - Day 17


I love shells. Over the years I have collected many interesting shells, but this is one of my favorites. The shape and texture is amazing. Beautiful.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Here Comes the Sun

Project 365 - Day 16


The sun was out and it was amazing after a long week of rain. We got out for a walk to see the ducks and I caught this little moment of Xander surrounded with rays of sun. Ahhh, I wish we could have more of this.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Festive Friday

Project 365 - Day 15


This was the center piece at coffee party this morning. Its a mix of pussy willows, winter jasmine and witch hazel.

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Well its been another busy week here. I am glad you enjoyed this week's pictures, another week down. I must say sometimes I have no clue what I am going to take a picture of and it never fails that something pops up. Sometimes I take tons of pictures and then when I look through them later I find something that I didn't see before.

Sooooooooo the week started with school and me deciding to check out the info session for the kindergarten class offered at Ariel's school. She still has another year of preschool, but I figured it be interesting to get some info now, especially with the changes and the new 'all day every day kindergarten' that is starting 2011 for all schools around here. Personally for us, I am not too concerned with Ariel's transition to this. I know for some its a major concern and I feel for them struggling with what they will do. Ariel gave up napping just following her first birthday, and has energy for days, so I think she will be fine. In fact this energy is why I have her in preschool, swimming, dance etc. Even after all of these she is still wanting more! Draining when you have another little one to take care of. Part of me will miss that extra time with her, but if it gives me special time with Xander then that is exciting too.


Its been raining a lot this week... ah west coast life!



On Tuesday we had ballet in the morning and again Ariel was dressed and ready long before it was time to go. While she danced I had a nice walk with a sleepy boy. I enjoyed snapping pictures and then picked her up. With the day suddenly taking a turn in the weather, I figured a change of scenery was needed and gathered the kids for a trip to the movies. Ariel had gotten a Chipmunk toy in her happy meal last week and saw a commercial on tv and was intrigued. So we went and had the whole theater to ourselves! Ariel wasn't pleased about that, she kept asking where the other people were, and that they would miss the movie. I guess she doesn't understand the concept of Avatar playing next door, haha. The movie was cute, I always liked the Chipmunks growing up, kinda liked them more as 2d characters but it was still fun. Ariel really enjoyed it, and it wasn't scary.

Wednesday was school again and gymbucks day! (Big shout out to my gymbo gals!) I dropped princess off at school and took Xander with me to Richmond. The shopping trip was pretty much all for Ariel, that girl had a MAJOR growth spurt and I had to clear out anything 2t from her closet (which is just in time for consignment drop off). She has enough warm stuff but could use a new swim suit (major tears after out growing the old one) and a few short sleeved shirts.


The store was packed and I am glad I didn't have to wrangle 2 kids there. The new line is all fairies and you know my girl, she is a big fan of them so she was super in love with what I got her. One thing I got that was a treat was this cute dress. It is so soft and shiny and Ariel's eyes nearly popped! She wore it the rest of the day and was in love with it. So pretty!


She had to put on a dance show in it as well. She set up some friends to watch along with Xander, pretty cute!


After shopping I took the car into get air care tested since I had to renew my insurance. Blah! I hate going mainly since I always freak out about failing. We failed once last year because I knew something was wrong with the muffler and didn't take it in to get fixed before hand. Of course fixing that made it pass no problem but it left me with huge anxiety every time I think about having to go again. I wanted Ken to take it in for me so I didn't stress but I faced my fear and did it myself since I knew Ken was so busy with his book. Of course we passed with flying colors and I was happy and went off to sign the papers at the insurance place. Yay.

Thursday we had my friend Katrina over with her son Caleb for lunch and a visit. Ariel insisted on a tea party, so I made some scones and asparagus wraps, yum. I found some sweet potato tarts in the freezer and ta da, tea party!


Ariel was frustrated with the fact Caleb is a baby and not able to play with her. That caused some drama and tears too. I am thankful that she has a birthday party this weekend with kids her own age, and the promise of that seemed to help. Either way, we had a nice little visit and Xander enjoyed meeting another baby.


Today was the craziest of them all, with 3 activities slated! First off was our monthly coffee group. It was dumping rain when we left and when I arrived I realized I forgot Kara's present on the table so I went back home to get it. We had a nice visit and great goodies, thanks Irene. I shared pictures from our Christmas visit from Ken's family with everyone, so that was fun. Then I left to take the kids to swimming. Got them both changed and into the pool right on time, and both had good classes. I would look over to watch Ariel and she is just smiling the whole time, makes me happy to see she loves to swim - I was always afraid and not confident in the water... mainly because I was pushed into the deep in as a child in my classes as a joke. Sadly, not funny and I never wanted to go back. Blah!

After class we got dressed and drove to meet Stella and Kara at White Spot for lunch. Kara turned 25 today and we made a special gift for our friend. She is dancing in the opening ceremonies for the Olympics but can't share what she is doing so I made up the story she is a Quatchi backup dancer (I am sure I said that at one point on here) . So its been an on going joke and it was perfect for a drawing, haha.


I am so glad she loved it, fur bikini and all. Lol!


Kara and her buddy Ariel


Lala and X-man who finally woke up.


Well, I had a few requests for the tantrum video, so here it is. Ariel loves watching this and saying 'this is me being bad - we shouldn't do this', haha. So she says its ok its up here. What a nut! As some back story, basically she was angry about going to bed, and Daddy put his foot down, hence her yelling for him. Its hard to see her, but you will hear her well. Ha!


Ok, time for another weekend, lots happening, as usual. Hope you all have a great weekend, I am off to have some turkey soup and biscuits for dinner. Yum!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Heart of Gold

Project 365 - Day 14


The new Variety hearts just came out... and look who is on it this year, Kermit the frog! For those who don't know what these are, they are pins put out at this time every year as fund raising for the telethon at the end of the month. Variety - The Children's Charity is a non-profit organization that helps collect money to help children with special needs. So go buy those hearts!

If you want to read more about them follow the link:
Variety - The Children's Charity
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