To Have and to Hold

Project 365 - Day 181

We had a wonderful anniversary, some dinner drama that I will talk about next time, but other than that a simple and lazy day together. Nothing beats spending time together. Yay!

Happy 9th Anniversary Ken!

Dear Ken... my pumpkin king,

Wow, hard to believe we have been together so long, when it seems like only yesterday when I walked down the aisle to meet you. We still go to that same church, and walk the aisles every Sunday, now with little ones in tow. Maybe one day they will walk that same aisle to their soul mates.

In 9 years we have laughed, cried and grown together. I can't imagine my life without your smile, your eyes and your voice. I can imagine no socks on the floor, but hey we still have many years ahead of us right? Hee.

We have made a family which is complete. A daughter and then a son, I see you in both of their faces... in Ariel's eyes and Xander's hair, haha. I remember when we talked about our future family and how wonderful it would be. Even with the pain we went through to get to them, it was worth it all.

I am happy to say I am married to my best friend. I love that I can be myself (weird and all) with you and we can laugh about things no one else gets. I love that you are the missing piece in my art, we complete each other so well.

I love you Ken. I love my life... I hope we continue to grow, change and be more in love in all the years to come. God has blessed us,

Love Jay, your fuzzy tomato

Thistle

Project 365 - Day 180

Ariel found this growing outside today. Sadly she thought she could pick it, ouch. She is ok, but still reeling from the rude flower. Haha.

I went out and took pictures of the kids today for their birthday invitations. I can't wait to share them, but I am going to share once the new blog space is ready... maybe on JULY 1ST! Yep, everything is ready to launch. Can't wait for you to see what I have been doing. I am excited to have a little corner portfolio that I hope will be the starting point for some new ideas I have brewing. Whee!

Flower Power

Project 365 - Day 179

I think I may go on a flower kick this week since it is my anniversary .... Ken, hint hint. Hahaha, kidding. We are going to go out for dinner to celebrate... without kids! Woot! Also looking forward to Canada day, lots of fun happening with the annual pancake breakfast, bbq with Dad, Rita and Katie for lunch and then a bbq with our church friends in the evening. Yes, celebrate Canada with food! I think I am gonna make beaver tails... oooh.

Lucky Me

Project 365 - Day 178

Lookie what I found tonight at the park after our dinner with Dad, Rita and Katie. I was looking down and thought I saw 4 leaves but figured it was just wrapped in another one. Pretty cool! (oh and in case your wondering, that is my Dad's hand holding it. lol)

Sad Vampire Car

Project 365 - Day 177


Something about old Volkswagons fronts that look like sad vampires to me... or I have been watching Cars too much with Ariel. Either way, he was all alone, with no cars to keep him company. Poor little guy.

So I have been busy today, lots of driving around getting things done that have been on the 'to do list' forever. Got to Costco for toilet paper and found a copy of the new book we are now reading for the book club, The Secret Daughter. I really enjoyed the first meeting I got to attend last night, and look forward to getting to know the ladies better.

Xander turned 10 months today, which means we are that much closer to a year! Gack! He was pushing the toy shopping cart around the living room today... showing some walking skills. Nope, not trying it alone, but I know its a matter of time if he is practicing with the cart.

Other than that, started a new online space for my creative stuff. I really want to start a gallery of sorts that I can keep track of my work, and use it as a portfolio for future plans. It will be housing some of my graphics projects, photography, party planning and cake decorating thus far. So look for the future release of Jaybird Creations once things are ready to share with you all! Whee!

Grrr

Project 365 - Day 176


Evil leaf! Do you see it giving me the stink eye?! Saw this walking with Brenda this afternoon. Haha, Ken really likes it.

I am off to my first book club meeting tonight. I made my goodies to take and my friends are picking me up soon. Eek! Happy Friday everyone!

PS, Facebook told me that my anniversary is next week, somehow I find that funny. Thanks Facebook, I appreciate the reminder, even though I never forget since we married the day before Canada Day, thus giving us a built in holiday every year, score! Hee.

Z... and that's all folks!

Project 365 - Day 175


With this picture, so ends this fun theme! Gosh, now I have to think again... hmmm, maybe a week of normal stuff then a new theme? We shall see.

You may notice the blog has changed its look. Trying something new, I like it, hope you do too!

Y

Project 365 - Day 174


Y am I so tired? Oh I know, its been a crazy day!!!

This morning it started with Ariel's last day of school. Sniff! I took her picture by the door, much like I did that first morning. I can't believe its been a year already. Xander was just a newborn when we took Ariel on her first day, haha. She is growing into such a beautiful little girl, we love you sweetie!


I had made my last batch of cupcakes for this year and went crazy, a beach bear party! Complete with icing bathing suits... yeah, even I was kicking myself about doing that. If you are wondering how... a toothpick and a good hour of time. Whee! The water icing was a happy accident. I made the icing too runny, but in the end it looked more like water than I expected, so a nice surprise.


It was fun to watch Ariel sing her little songs for us, then get her diploma for a year well done! She loved the pinwheel she got too... even some bubbles and stickers!


The group gift of the mugs and flowers were given and the party started. Lots of yummy food, the kids had a blast and Xander was crawling everywhere. When things were wrapping up, Ariel went and gave her little craft she had made, a flower using her hand prints and feet to make a flower that said - Thanks for helping me grow! Her picture was in the middle of the flower so it was pretty cute. We also had gotten these cute little chocolate apples from Purdy's. They were adorable, wrapped in red foil with a stem. Ack! Loved them!


We then were off after class to a birthday party! It was so hot out that by the time we arrived we were a pool of sweat... lovely eh? Xander had fallen asleep, so Ariel played and I got to visit with the other moms. We had lunch, not that we needed it, and once the gifts were opened we came home. Ariel was zonked and hot, so I set up the pool on the deck.

It was around that time that Dad came over to watch the kids while I took off to register Ariel for her ballet classes. Miss Julie asked where Ariel was and I said relaxing in her pool... where I would have loved to be too. Gosh it was hot today... kinda felt like SUMMER!?! Crazy, haha. Soooooooooo, the day is over, we had sliders and fries for dinner and now I am going to put my feet up and finish reading my book for my book club this Friday. Yep, I am in a book club!!! I am so excited. Hee.

X is for Xander

Project 365 - Day 173

This is one reason we used an 'X' to spell Xander's name versus a 'Z', we need more 'X' words in the world besides the over used X-ray and Xylophone.

Xander has exploded verbally within the past several days. Its like he realized that since he is so far advanced with his motor skills, that he should finally catch up with those silly verbal ones. Before, he would make the vowel sounds, but that was it, then almost overnight, lots of babbles! Da da da, ba ba ba, ga ga ga. Its music to my ears, especially since you start to wonder if he was ever going to do them. I was told by a friend that since he was advanced one way, he would eventually catch up the other way, but you grow concerned at the same time if there is something I wasn't doing right, especially with Ariel being super verbal early on.

So I sit and listen to Mr Xander man babble away, its wonderful.... da da da... hoping it becomes ma ma ma soon.

W

Project 365 - Day 172


Nothing that terribly exciting or creative. My battery was recharging this morning so I didn't take my camera out when walking Ariel to school... so I had to do something quick later on. Bah!

Tonight we were out for a BBQ dinner at Brad and Irene's. It was for all the ushers and greeters from church, which was very nice. Ken took over as a greeter when Nana died, so it fun seeing him in that roll this past year. Dinner was awesome, company was fantastic and the kids were well behaved and happy! WHOA!

Tomorrow is the cupcake bake-a-thon as I am calling it. Ariel's class party is on Wednesday, and we are making 'summer' themed cupcakes. Whee! We got all the supplies today, so stay tuned!

V is for very busy!

Project 365 - Day 171


A 'V' from my scissors. Also I guess after this week we will be finished this phase of the project. I guess another theme will be needed. Ideas?

Oh so much to say! Its been busy here and I haven't had time to sit and blog about it. Lets start with Thursday morning and the cops... yes that is an interesting story. During that morning while the kids and I were relaxing, due to the rehearsal later that evening, we got a call from Stella about someone wanting to borrow my cupcake tower. So upon coming to the balcony to drop it to them, I saw the police car parked.

It didn't seem weird, so I dropped the tower down and was chatting away with them as I saw a few cops staring up in my direction. I realized they were looking at our neighbors deck and then I heard the banging on the door in the hallway. I got Ariel inside and peeked out our front door to see a few police officers trying to get our new neighbors to open the door. They saw me and waved me back inside with kinda was freaky. Next thing I knew one was at our door, asking if we had seen our neighbor today. I said no, but then I suddenly remembered they had 2 kids, and immediately thought of them and told the cop in case they didn't know.

Next thing that happened was if they could use our deck to climb onto their deck since their glass door was open. I agreed of course and 2 men came through and were climbing over. At this point Ariel freaked, but more so because they moved her car on the deck. Xander was a sleep, but I started to get nervous and had Ariel stay in the kitchen which just made her more scared. Thankfully nothing major happened. Another police officer came to debrief us that it wasn't a dangerous situation, but more so checking up on someone since they had a call about his safety from someone. I haven't seen his wife or kids lately, so maybe that has something to do with it. Either way, makes me sad and I will be praying for them.

That evening was the rehearsal for Matt and Amanda's wedding. Yay! Ariel was excited to meet the other flower girl, Isabelle. No surprise they hit it off extremely well and were 'best friends'. Hehe.


Xander was a ham that night, smiling away enjoying the fun! After dinner Ariel got a cute charm bracelet from Amanda and Matt, with a flower charm and an 'A' charm that were decorated with rhinestones. Super cute!


Friday was a tad busy, I woke up early to make a new recipe for coffee party. It was one I got from the Mennonite girls can cook website. It was a braided bread with ham, swiss cheese and dill pickles inside. Very yummy!


We enjoyed our visit, the kids did well for the most part. Xander showed off his newest trick which was going up stairs! Oh boy, here we go. He hasn't shown any interest in them until that morning. Do you feel my excitement, ugh. Haha.


Following coffee, Stella and I dropped the kids off with Dad and Rita as we promised to help Kara out with wrangling kids at the dress rehearsal at her studio. I had a cute group of 4-5 year olds who almost looked all alike, making name remembering rather tricky. It didn't help they were in full make up and costumes, so nothing to really differentiate them either.

It was fun, lots of work keeping on top of getting the kids back stage on time, not to mention their costume and shoe change. Gack! Things to look forward to when Ariel is in the shows I guess as Kara says. Hee. Came home just after 7pm and found Ken had stayed for dinner with Dad and Rita, so took them all home for an early bedtime, the wedding would be the next day and we needed some rest.

Next morning we were lazy, just hanging around till things got rolling. At 1230 Ariel had a hair appointment, and this one was much faster. They curled it in 30 minutes, and it was more loose looking but very cute with the headband she got to wear.


We went off to the church and the girls were the little stars amongst the waiting crowd. They posed happily for everyone until it was time to get things going. They walked down with their flower balls bravely holding hands. When Ariel joined me she whispers 'I was a little nervous'. Awww.


Amanda was simply stunning! I am always amazed at these girls and how gorgeous they look. I don't remember being that breathtaking on my wedding day, pretty yes, but nothing like this.


Loved the bridemaid's dresses!


Pastor Dan did a wonderful job marrying Amanda and Matt. The ceremony was funny and touching, and Ariel did 'pretty good' sitting through it. I knew it be trickier because Ariel knows our church and it more comfortable... thus leading to wiggle butt syndrome. Haha. Thankfully after seeing her at the rehearsal, I planned ahead, I had gotten Ryan to watch Xander in the nursery so that I had both arms free to manage Ariel. I brought snacks and thankfully that helped contain her till it was time for her to run back down the aisle.

I left Ken (who was up filming the ceremony) and Xander so that I could get Ariel off for pictures. Thankfully she wasn't needed that much, and so following some shots we could go home for a bit till dinner.


... er not until I snapped a few shots myself, like my cuties!


Me and my boy!


After our brief break at home, where Xander napped (yay!) we came back to the wonderful reception. The tables were so pretty and the cute soda favors were adorable! We are thinking this would be cute for Xander's first birthday, since we did the personalized M&Ms for Ariel's. What do you think?


Can't go wrong with cupcakes and donuts for dessert! Matt had given Amanda a donut on a the first date, so it was a part of their 'history' incorporated. Hee. A tasty one too. Yum!


Amanda changed into another dress at the reception, one that was very 'her'. Very 50's vibe and super cute. I loved it... I'd love to have it, haha. Maybe in blue?


They threw the bouquet, and instead of the garter threw a wedding 'grenade', haha. Then the dancing started... keeping our daughter entertained. Ariel danced with the big kids until it was time to go home at 1030pm. We were all tired and yet didn't get to sleep for several hours, just buzzed I guess off the soda, hee.

Sunday morning we slept in, we all needed it, especially the kids and sadly missed church. When I finally woke up I realized Ken was already up, so I quickly got the kids together to give him our father's day gifts. Ariel had made a door knob hanger in school. Then I had gotten the kids to do a thumb print mug too for Ken (I had tricked him into giving me a print the night I was preparing the teacher's mug, sneaky me).


Ken really wanted to see the new Toy Story movie this weekend, so after checking the times, we headed off to the 1230pm show, since I was confident Xander would sleep through it after nursing. Thankfully I was right and we enjoyed the film a lot! Ken and I both cried, it was emotional and touching, gosh can Pixar do any wrong?

Upon Ariel's love of Woody the cowboy, I pulled out an old friend to share with the kids. This was the last Christmas gift my mom gave me. The second movie had come out while I was at animation school and she had gotten it for me. Seems fitting my kids can share in that gift don't you think?


This week is Ariel's last classes at preschool. Its very bittersweet, as we wish it was just leading into summer break, not saying goodbye to the school that has meant so much to her. I know that several of us moms will be crying the morning the kids do their presentation that final day. Sigh... so hard. Well, I better wrap this up, I have a huge list of things to do this week, invitation for Kara and Chris' engagement party, new directory for the church and doing the line up thing for Ariel's dance studio, whee! Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

U

Project 365 - Day 170


Quick post, its late.... U! Big blog tomorrow... promise.... seriously.... I will.... this time. Hee.

Mr T

Project 365 - Day 169


I pity the fool who don't like my T! Hee. T is for Toy Story! Ken, Ariel and Xander are watching the first one together at the moment. We are planning to see the new one this weekend, so we are trying to get Ariel up to speed on the first 2 movies.

I spent all day out, first at coffee party then helping at Kara's dress rehearsal. I also had the handle of the back door of our car come off in my hands! Ugh. Thankfully, Dad said its just the screw coming loose, so it shouldn't be hard to fix, and he might be able to do it, that be nice! Until then the door is sporting some lovely duct tape, CLASSY! Nothing says going to a wedding like duct tape! Oh well.

I would write more but Ken needs to do something for work and frankly I need sleep before tomorrow... wedding day!

Will blog soon with pictures of all the fun stuff from the past few days, whee! As for now, one of us is driving back to Dad and Rita's for Ariel's mermaid stuffie... sigh, someone won't go to sleep without it.

Soooo

Project 265 - Day 168

It was an 'interesting' day to say the least. I am really zonked so I will just say this, we had cops coming into our home... to use our balcony to climb into our neighbors home... yeah. Lots to say about it, but it will have to wait. We were out at the rehearsal tonight for Matt and Amanda's wedding, and lots happening tomorrow so I need sleep... lots of it. Hee.

R You Ready?

Project 365 - Day 167


Feeling more in control now after a morning of cleaning, baking and crafting. This morning when dropping Ariel off at school I had with me paint and mugs for our secret craft. It was decided on Monday when I was chatting with some of the moms that we should do a group 'thank you' gift for the teachers, especially since they won't be coming back next year due to the closure of the preschool. I shared an idea and it was agreed that we would do it since I could organize it, haha.

As the kids came in we got them to pick a color and we made them leave a thumb print on the mug. Then later I added some eyes, arms and legs... baked them and TA DA! The cutest mugs EVER! I really hope the teachers love these! I just think they are so sweet, and its made with love from the kids which is the most important part.


The girls I went to high school came over tonight for dessert and a visit! We don't get together much since we are spread out (some in other countries now) and so if one comes into town we try to organize ourselves to meet. Ken took out the kids to the park so that we could visit in peace. Julie brought yummy brownies while Ariel and I made Strawberry Shortcake (although at the time she thought we were going to cook her doll - hee).

Tomorrow is the rehearsal for Matt and Amanda's wedding, so I better get to bed to rest up. Need to make a dish to bring to the dinner. Then Friday night I am helping Kara with her dress rehearsal for her dance show. I will be wrangling kids, helping with costumes and potty breaks... so basically what I do at home, only for lots of other kids, haha. Plus Friday morning is our final coffee party before summer, so I need to make something yummy. Maybe try something new... hmmm.

Q is for Quiet Please...

Project 365 - Day 166


Or quit it... or quickly escape the madness... or basically our house today till quarter after 6pm when Daddy got home. Enough said...

P

Project 365 - Day 165

Meh, this is ok, but I didn't have much time to find a good 'p' today. Kinda works, right?

So at the moment Ken is watching the new Alice in Wonderland movie, so I get the computer. Whee. Still trying to get settled after our crazy weekend away from home. We had a wonderful time, seeing the family and celebrating a wedding. Lets go back to last Friday when the fun started. Since Ariel was a flower girl, we had to be at the rehearsal on the Friday night, so we decided to leave on the 9am ferry to the island. That way we had the morning and afternoon to spend as a mini vacation with just our family.

We arrived at the terminal at 845am and got on the 9am boat, barely getting on, oops. Haha. Since we rushed out the door we didn't eat, so we had breakfast on the boat. Ariel quite liked the waffles and strawberries.

Xander did too! He was very happy to be going on an adventure.

We arrived to a warm sunny day in Victoria and took the kids to Beacon Hill Park. First stop was the petting zoo. Ariel wasn't too sure what she thought of the baby goats...

...one did like the look of Xander's hair and nearly had it for lunch.

We let Ariel run free in the gardens to get her sillies out. She loved running down the paths and hiding from us.

Me and my girl!

I loved seeing the calla lilies, simply gorgeous.

Some fun pictures in the big tree...

... my cuties!

It was lunch time and we took the kids into the city to the James Bay tea room. Ken and I had tea there on our 'mini honeymoon' and I remembered seeing a little girl having the kid's tea while there. I commented that I couldn't wait to bring our own kids one day, and that finally happened!

Ariel loved it, especially the cream she could pile on everything.

After lunch we took Ariel to see the Parliament building. She liked the stairs and thought it was like a castle. While she played I ended up talking to an elderly lady who was quite taken with Ariel. She reminded me a lot of Nana, so it was nice to chat.

We walked through the town, seeing Darth Vader playing the fiddle, of course Ken wanted a picture with him, haha. Ariel wasn't impressed.

One fun thing we came upon was a little arts market. Ariel saw a lady selling sock monkeys, and even though we have several, Ariel felt that it was something you could never have too many of. With the rehearsal in the evening, I felt it might be a good incentive for listening to instructions, so Ariel got to pick one, the ballerina, and we picked the vampire for Xander who was super in love with his. So cute!

Our final stop was the old time photo place. Ken has a joke that if we do enough of them over the years we can create a fake family album. Haha. I let Ariel pick what outfits they should do, and of course she went for the pretty dresses. She even picked Xander's outfit. They looked super cute and we got the best picture.

Then it was off to the hotel to check in and get ready for the rehearsal. The hotel was very nice and Ariel was quite taken with it. We got freshened up and met up with everyone at the golf course where the wedding would take place.


Ariel did well and I was right, the monkey was a good help for keeping her mind on task. After a few runs on walking and such, we went off for the dinner at the home of Lindsay's sister. Super yummy burgers with all the fixings. Soooo good! Lindsay had some lovely treats for the flower girls, sweet bags with teddy bears and bracelets with their names on them. Very special indeed! Ariel was rushing off to show Daddy.

Ariel was getting tired so we packed it in and went back to the hotel and had a swim in the pool to end the evening.

The next morning, we all slept in, well they did, I was up at 530am for some dumb reason. I just couldn't sleep... even Xander pulled off an uninterrupted 9 hours! We had a lazy breakfast, yummy salmon eggs Benedict. Delicious! Then back to the room to hang out till it was time for Ariel's hair appointment. When we got to the salon, Ariel was amazing! She was eager to get her hair done and told me to go read magazines, haha. She was a little upset only when we first arrived when she saw one of the other flower girls crying. I guess the heat from the curling iron was scaring her and she was having a hard time. Ariel, the little sensitive girl that she is, felt terrible and wanted Grace's 'sad eyes' to go away. Aw...

Ariel's hair took about an hour and a half, a long time in my opinion but it was really fun to watch Ariel transform. I think she thought it was cool too. Look at all those curls!

We went on our way to the golf club to get dressed. Upon arriving the planners told us Ariel's basket was downstairs and since she didn't really practice throwing petals I better go over it quickly with her. I showed her by just throwing one petal, so not to make a mess and Ariel got it nodding. Lindsay arrived with her bridesmaids and I left Ariel with girls to make their way to the ceremony in the golf carts.

I found Ken and Xander, who were looking really cute. It was very warm and sunny, so we had to shield Xander from the sun.


The ceremony started and when Ariel came down the isle she dropped only one petal. It then dawned on me she was doing exactly what I had showed her to do, haha. That's my girl!

Ariel stood up front for the whole ceremony, which amazed me. A few times I would look over and she would give me a little smile.

Kyle and Lindsay looked amazing and it was a very emotional ceremony. Lots of happy tears and even at one point an eagle flying over head.

My pretty girl!

Following the ceremony were family pictures and then a break as they went off for their private pictures.


We joined Blair and Deb on the balcony for a snack and drink. Xander thought it be fun to try a lemon, haha.

The cocktail time was announced and we could enter the main room and enjoy seeing the pretty decor. I loved the tiffany blue...

...even Xander's highchair getting a swag as well. Hee.

Cupcakes...

...and a candy bar, yum!

The reception started and we were called to dinner, which was an amazing spread of food. It almost seemed endless. We stuffed ourselves silly with everything from oysters, smoked fish, beautiful salads, steak, salmon, veggies and so much more.

During the speeches, Ken took Ariel for a walk and came back in time for the dance to start. She was so excited about that part, big surprise eh? She was having a ball and then they took a break to do the boqute and garter toss. The girls all got ready and then when Lindsay threw the flowers they landed in front of Ariel's feet. She picked them up and then tried to give them back thinking Lindsay had lost them, haha. When told she could keep them, she got pretty excited and brought them to me for safe keeping while she went back to dancing.

More dancing and Ariel enjoyed getting to dance with her Daddy... it was very sweet!

The dance went late into the night, with another small buffet of food brought out. Meat, cheese, crackers and fruit to keep the energy up for dancing. Like we needed more food, but we still ate it, haha, it be rude not to right?

Both kids fell asleep and we finally packed them up to bring them back to the hotel. It was an amazing day and we had enjoyed it so much.

In the morning we joined everyone again for brunch, again more food, before heading to the ferry to go home. It was sad this fun weekend was ending, but we had a fabulous time and now have to rest up for the next wedding next weekend... yes, we get to do it all again in a short week, yay!