Sunday, February 28, 2010

Community

Project 365 - Day 59


Today was a day that was about connections. In church our theme has been building connections and relationships with people and community. This tree was created to illustrate that theme, and it hangs in the church sanctuary. Also today was the big USA vs Canada hockey game for the gold medal. We won, in a game that was insanely close and will be remembered for years by everyone in our country (that cares anyways, haha). I am not much for hockey, but the feeling that came from this Olympics in our city changed us... I can't describe it, but the best way is to say, there is a sense of community with us all being Canadian... and proud of it... and proud to finally show it.... eh!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Pop

Project 365 - Day 58


We finally took our pop cans in to the recycle place this morning. Ariel loves going and putting the cans in the bins. Who knew such things could be such a fun outing.

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Oh its been a busy week... any free time I have gotten has been spent on a video I was making for our church's annual general meeting tomorrow. Its part of a celebration Sunday event, so I wanted to make it special. It shows all the areas of our children's ministry, so I had to go around and take lots of pictures of the kids. Lots of fun, but I must say with Xander wanting to be held these days, it made for some tricky afternoons.

Xander has come to the point where he wants to be up right, and laying or sitting just doesn't cut it. Thankfully we discovered last Sunday he loves the exersaucer in the nursery, and a friend has one we can borrow and use in our home, saving us some money, yay! I think this will help with things getting done around here... I look forward to it... my house is a mess!

Ok, lets head back to last week when I last blogged... I got to go to the dentist, my first time in 4 years. Ugh, I was really fearing the worst, even though I know I take good care of my teeth. Thankfully I was surprised and got a glowing report from the dentist who said my teeth looked like they were cleaned 2 months ago. Amazing and quite a relieve. Needless to say I am not taking chances anymore and booked my next appointment in 6 months.

That night I got to go to a Tupperware party with Kara, as a last minute event. I haven't been to one in ages and so I brought Xander who decided to try and crawl at the event. He wanted that pretty Tupperware to chew on. Haha. I ordered a few things and had a great time... I have never been to such a wild party! Oh, and the cupcakes were a plus too.

Then the week was the usual craziness of school, ballet and swimming. This coming week is our last full week before Spring break, and I find myself with some long days to fill with both kids. Maybe some play dates are in order... or maybe just relaxing a bit. Either way, I am looking forward to and also dreading not having a regular schedule.

One thing that will be happening is fabric shopping for flower girl dresses! I will be sewing Ariel's dress for Amanda and Matt's wedding as well as one of the other flower girls. They will be wearing yellow, so its different than the white dress she will wear for Kyle and Lindsay's wedding. Speaking of which the dress got changed due to sizing issues, so here is the new look. Oooh.


Within the week we also managed to watch lots of Olympic events on tv and saw our Canadians win lots of medals and show some amazing strength and determination. I think I will remember these games for many years... for many reasons. Ariel has loved cheering Canada... and I think an incredible event happened, I have enjoyed watching hockey... gasp! I must say Olympic hockey is more enjoyable than NHL hockey, but its a start right?

On Thursday afternoon Ken came home early so we could travel across the boarder to Bellingham to deal with some tax paperwork. Sadly there was a mistake and the trip became somewhat a waste of time. Not to mention a run in with nasty boarder guards. Basically the fellow was not going to drop the subject of why Ken wants to live in Canada, with a Canadian wife and raise Canadian children. He questioned why the kids weren't American, (although technically they are allowed to be dual) and in my mind I was saying, well then you pay for the extra passports buddy. In the end we got through, but it always makes me feel like crap to be treated that way, like I am a second class citizen. Ken gets embarrassed and upset too, just isn't fair. Blah. So we have to go back again with more paperwork and face those boarder guards again, great!

On Thursday morning Ariel had her own visit to the dentist, her second one ever. This one was even more successful than the first. They also felt she didn't need to come in again for at least a year. Woot! She was such a good girl and the dentist was very impressed with her bravery. She really liked the bubble gum flavored toothpaste, but REALLY loves her new tooth brush that looks like a crayola crayon. Haha.

I finally got some pictures of the kids in their swimming lessons yesterday. Ken stayed home to work since he figured the city be nuts for the final days of the Olympics, and took his lunchbreak during our class time.


Ariel loves her teacher, and is doing well.


Xander enjoys flirting with his teacher, haha.


He also is a fan of the boats.


Friday night I decided to have a 50's theme dinner to try out our new Bobby Flay burger, shakes and fries book. Complete with some music to make the moment complete, we ate yummy blue cheese burgers, onion rings and chocolate milkshakes. Yum! Ariel thought it was a hoot, and I managed a good sized walk today to compensate, haha.


The big event on Friday was Xander's big 6 month birthday! My little man is half a year old. I am in shock, and sad its going by so fast. He is just so amazing and such a special little guy. His smile is just one that warms your heart. He is a snuggler, and a momma's boy. He is pretty much the size Ariel was at when she was a year old! He is starting to really look more like me, haha. He has the cutest giggle and most pathetic cry when he is upset (must be a boy thing). Xander loves splashing in water, playing with Ariel (she always cracks him up, music and books! He loves to grab books and bat his hands at them. He is making lots of funny noises and I am excited to hear him talk more and more.


Xander is making every attempt to crawl, which is crazy! He can turn himself on his tummy any way he wants, but when he tries to go forward he can't, he just goes backwards. So we know its coming. He wants it badly, much like Ariel did. My kids are determined ones, that is for sure.

One special event to mark his big half birthday was his first little haircut by mommy. I wanted to trim it up a bit, and I must say a boy's hair cut is harder than a girls one.


In the end it looks good, and Xander was pleased. I can't imagine shaving his head or giving him a super short cut with the beautiful hair he has been blessed with. We see him as a little west coast surfer boy, hee.


This week there is some exciting events, Ariel's little ballet show is on Tuesday, so expect some video and cute pictures! Friday is the last swim class and report cards, whee! We also enter a new month! Crazy!!! I am sewing like a busy bee to get Xander's Easter bag done, almost got the stitching finished, then I just need to make it. Ok, Ken is ready to take over the computer to work again... he is nearing some major deadlines with his book, so I look forward to that being done too. Off to watch some more Olympic coverage... can't believe its over tomorrow night. Sigh... withdrawal. Blah!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Aftermath...

Project 365 - Day 57


This is only a sample of the bomb that went off in my kitchen tonight. We had a 50's theme dinner night with burgers, onion rings and milkshakes. I got a Bobby Flay cookbook on the very subject and we thought we would go nuts. Haha. The blue cheese burgers are awesome in case you are wondering... the mess in my kitchen, not so awesome. It was worth it though.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Game On

Project 365 - Day 56


We had to go down to Bellingham today to visit the IRS office in regards to Ken's tax return... sadly we have to go back due to a mistake on our accountant's part. (Actually she had the right info but was told by some big wig in Alberta that it wasn't right... guess what- it was!) Anyhoo, I will blog more about it later, but our crossing into the USA wasn't the most 'pleasant' experience, blah! We decided it was better to get out before the big woman's hockey game started tonight with the USA vs Canada... good thing we did, we won Gold! Go Canada!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Cooking with Ariel

Project 365 - Day 55


Ariel is fascinated with the bread machine... enough said!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Watching You

Project 365 - Day 54


I am noticing Xander really taking in the world these days. His eyes are just amazing, the blue is like nothing I have seen before in our family. They are so dark, much like how Ariel's brown eyes were so dramatic and dark. I am not sure I ever mentioned it on here, but I knew he was going to have blue eyes, I remember those eyes in a dream while I was pregnant. My sweet boy, can't believe he is going to be 6 months come Friday... sniff.

Monday, February 22, 2010

I feel like Chicken tonight!

Project 365 - Day 53


I am making chicken fajitas tonight, quick and easy since I have been camped in front of the computer most of the day working on a video for church. This particular chicken isn't our dinner, but is one I made several years ago. He sits on top of the fridge in all his cuteness. I heart chicken!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Lent

Project 365 - Day 52


Lent started this week, and so we have started having different services now at church leading up to Easter. Sadly I didn't get to take part in this week's service since I was taking pictures for our Annual General Meeting next Sunday, I am making a video to show our Children's Ministry at work, woot. While gathering images, I took a moment today to capture the stain glass window in the stairwell and reflect on the cross. Lots on my brain with this, but I will share later this week.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Brusha, Brusha, Brusha

Project 365 - Day 51


Brusha, Brusha, Brusha
Get the new Ipana
With the brand new flavor
Its dandy for your teeth

Sorry, just having a little Grease moment, those who love that movie will get it. So I had my dentist appointment today... FINALLY. I am really embarrassed to say this, but I haven't been in since 2006. Ugh, so bad! As you know I had really bad morning sickness both pregnancies, and when they called me I was either pregnant or in high nursing mode so I would say call me back. Well, you know the drill, it didn't happen till now. Anyhoo, so I went in completely freaking out, knowing it had been overdue and that my teeth were probably a mess. Get this... no cavities! In fact, the girl who did the cleaning said I was the easiest patient she had that day, it looked like I had been in only 2 months ago! SERIOUSLY, I was floored, and very thankful. I plan on going regularly now, even have my next appointment booked. Check out my cool orange toothbrush... I totally earned it, hee.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Bacon

Project 365 - Day 50


I can't take credit for this joke, Ken shared it a long time ago and since then I still keep my eyes peeled for hand-dryers with this picture on them. The red lines resemble bacon... so if you put your hands out under this dryer, you get bacon... or you can just eat them directly from the machine... yum!

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Its Friday again... tis the last time I blogged too... wow, a whole week gone and boy it was crazy! So lets go back to last weekend. Saturday was quiet and nice but Sunday was filled with Valentines fun. First off in the morning Ariel and I made Daddy a special breakfast using our heart shaped mold. We did an egg thing that had ham, cheese etc. Also a few pancakes.... once I figured out how to use the silly mold without wrecking them. I ate the ugly ones, haha.

Then we took our creation to Daddy and Xander in bed. Xander was just in his diaper after giving Mommy the lovely valentine gift of a diaper blow out, ugh. So we just said he looked like cupid.


Following breakfast we did some small gifts for each other. The kids each got a Chipmunk toy...


... or Chipette as Ariel is constantly correcting me. I got a really sweet card from Ken with some very beautiful words written himself. Aw, and a little pin of some silly elephants that he thought were funny.


The kids and I got Ken some cute picture frames for his desk at work. Hee hee.


Valentines day also marks Ariel's half birthday, and we gave her a little something special for being half way to 4, and a huge help to Mommy these days. It was a special charm bracelet that I had been putting together for her. Has several charms including a 'binkie', an 'A' for Ariel, her birthstone, a ballerina, princess crown and even a slice of pizza to name a few. She was in awe of her gift and proudly wore it to church showing it off.


After the service it was soup and bun day, so we had a nice lunch with some friends from church. The soup was awesome too, yummy! Then as we got in the car to come home Ken whips out a bouquet of roses! 'How did that get there' he said, oh I was so surprised. I wasn't expecting them and so touched he wanted to do that... and better yet, he didn't pay an arm and a leg (my concern after being blown away). Haha.


Dinner was my gift, I made a repeat of last year's dinner which was so good. A soup, then Cornish game hens with stuffing and veggies. Soooooooo good! Dessert was Ariel's fav, chocolate covered strawberries and some sugar cookies. Happy Valentines indeed.

This week Ariel had a sub at school as her teacher was on a trip! Thankfully she was just as happy with her as her regular teacher, she handles change better than her mother. Ha! On Tuesday Ariel's dance class went well... and yet I keep encountering 'STAGE MOM!' Ugh. She is sooooooooo unfriendly, she never responds to any of us saying good morning... no smiles. She just talks to the teacher and asks what her daughter should be practicing... um its a preschool class! I feel bad for her little girl who always looks miserable. Sigh...

The main focus this week has been the Olympics. I am a junkie! The tv is getting a major workout with it always tuned in. Ariel loves cheering for Canada... or whoever is racing in fact. On Thursday, Ken cashed in one of his holidays and we decided to go into town with the kids to experience the excitement first hand! I must say I was worried about it, but in the end it went sooooooooo well. The kids handled it and my claustrophobia stayed at bay for the most part, haha.

We started our adventure on the new Canada line, for the kids and I, it was our first time riding it. I must say it was pretty cool! Not to mention only paying $2 to park our car all day at the lot so we could ride it. Ariel was nervous at first of the train as she called it, but quickly was chatting away to the entertainment of others. 'Wow, this is fun! Oh we are stopping for more people. Wheeeeee!'

Since it was early, we decided to go visit the cauldron first before the lines formed to wait to get up the viewing location. We did have to wait maybe 15-20 minutes, but Ariel handled it well... although she said 'waiting is hard.' We got up and had several family pictures taken by the volunteers. It was such an amazing sunny day that it somewhat washed things out at time, but oh well.


Daddy and his big girl...


...me and my little man!


I will say the cauldron in person is amazing to look at. The detail is so lost when seen on tv. If you can go see it I highly suggest doing so.


Then it was off on the Sky train to head down to Science World and to see Stephen Colbert filming his tv show! As we came in, we caught the size of the crowds from the train. Crazy!


We could not have timed it any better, as we walked up he started filming and the sound was awesome so even if you were far back you could hear everything. The hill made it easy to see him without having to stand in the mud and well, my telephoto lens made pictures fun too. Hee.


There was a little playground on site so under Daddy's watchful eye, Ariel got to play while we took in the show. We stayed for awhile but then decided to go back into the city to eat so we could catch the show Ariel wanted to see.

Of course we had an official Olympic sponsored meal... er Ariel's pick. We ate our lunch on the steps of the beautiful library in peace... took me back to working in the city. After feeding Xander, getting all the potty trips done by all, we got on our way.


Robson square was busy with activity. By the art gallery we found spots for pictures including a luge...


... and the countdown clock, which I think is counting down till the Paralympic Games, but not sure.


Check out the art gallery's in its 'wall paper' people have been calling it. Hee.


In fact, lots of wallpapering of buildings, the biggest flag ever....


... lots of ads, Ariel liked this one, duh!


Speaking of the mascots, Ariel wanted to see them in person and thankfully we had been told by a mom about the ice show! It was awesome, we had a blast watching our furry friends. Miga even came to say hi to Ariel, she was in heaven!


Ken taped the show to share with his family, so I have a feeling we may be watching more of it around here too. Haha.


By that time the crowds were growing and we were feeling pretty tired. I would have enjoyed doing more, but decided after viewing the art down Granville that we would call it a day. I am happy we went down, maybe we will get back to see more, but I am happy with what we did and that the kids were a part of it.


Today was packed! Ken was working from home so we left him in peace to head to coffee party. It was fun to visit but sadly it was cut short as we had to head to swimming. Only a few more weeks, and I am looking forward for the break, makes for a long week sometimes. Xander had a ball and was all smiles and cooing for our instructor. Ariel, she was cute as usual, but managed to make me go beet red in the change room today. As we got ready, an elderly woman came in from her swim and started changing. Ariel glanced over and started a conversation... 'You have big boobies like my mommy!' My head was down at the time and I didn't want to lift it. Thank heavens she laughed and said, 'most of us do dear.' She thought Ariel was a doll and continued to chat with her as I got Xander ready.

After class I dropped Ariel at home to have a quiet time while I zipped into Richmond. Well, it was nuts, and I wish I didn't go, but it was the long awaited baby sale and I had my eye on the kids Easter outfits. I got a parking spot after 'stalking' people to get a spot... only to have some lady in another car go bananas that I took it, I guess she felt she claimed it hers yet she was no where near it?! So I tried not to make it worse and just got Xander, who was sleeping, into the stroller.

Got in and got the kids clothes and took a chance to grab a few cheap t-shirts for myself. Then got back out to the car where now I was the one being stalked, haha. With an Olympic venue so close this was no surprise, but I didn't think it be that crazy. As the car waited for me to leave, I prepared to back out but instead witnessed another car back out and crash into the car waiting for my spot! I seriously have no clue how they didn't see them, but I had to then get out, exchange info as I was the only witness to the event. I will say... both were REALLY nice cars... aka expensive sports ones that crunch easily. Oof, sucks for them.

We got on the road to come home finally and hit traffic at the tunnel... an accident, doh! Another 30 minute wait, thankfully Xander was happy as a clam and cooing away. I got in the door and Ariel squealed and was in the Gymboree bag as fast as could be to see her dress she picked out from online. She was so excited and all I could think about was how much Nana would have loved this dress with the tulips all over it. Sigh...


Xander was just as handsome in his Easter goodies too... these will double as wedding wear for the upcoming weddings. I plan on getting the kids pictures done too with Maria with her annual Mother's Day shoot, so these will be perfect as they go nicely with each other.


Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment, blah! I am pretty sure I have a small cavity that I noticed on my tooth... we shall see. Ariel has an appointment next week too, so I need to remind her about how 'fun' the dentist is, oh boy, haha. Ok, have a great weekend everyone, I am gonna get some tired kids into bed.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Iceholes...

Project 365 - Day 49


Guess who we got to see today... Mr Stephen Colbert! He has been referring to Canadians as iceholes, hee... but we still love him. I think he got a killer backdrop for his show and we get to say when the show airs next week that we were there, woot!

Blog will be tomorrow, we are all dead after today... my feet, oooh.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

For You Mommy

Project 365 - Day 48


I wasn't going to post another flower picture today, but when I picked Ariel up from Dad and Rita's today she had picked these for me and well nothing beats that. Hee. Lots to share from our week and I hope to blog tomorrow... or Friday. What can I say, its nuts around here. Haha.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Spring?

Project 365 - Day 47


So winter, what happened?! I only see signs of spring... oh well.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Oh Canada!

Project 365 - Day 46


Last night we watched Alexandre Bilodeau win the first EVER gold medal for Canada won on Canadian soil! Yes, we had a bit of a curse in this area when it comes to hosting Olympics, haha. Tonight he gets his medal... and we are all proud indeed. Ariel celebrates wearing her new mittens from Grandpa and Rita.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day

Project 365 - Day 45


When we were driving home from church today we pasted by a local restaurant and saw this sitting outside. I ran back to take a picture, just something cool with seeing so many old cars lined up. There were some on the other side of the road too, but these were my favs.

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We wanted to share our official Valentine's with you all!


And our little bachelor boy, hee!


Lots of love to you all!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Official

Project 365 - Day 44


I forgot to mention that yesterday the kids received their passports! I am so happy, especially since I was so worried that they were not going to accept Ariel's picture with her teeth showing. So one more thing checked off the to do list, whee!
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