curling and scrapping

CJ and I went to the curling "workshop" this morning. What a blast. I love the whole "feel" of curling - holding the "rock" (my instructor corrected me when I called it a puck...), slidinmg across teh ice, hearing the "bonk" when one rock hits another. I also think we're going to have a blast with the socializing part. People starting drinking at 11:30am when we came off the ice for a break. Ha ha. I can't wait for our first game on Friday the 13th. We also found out today that it is customary, not only for the winners to buy the losers a drink... BUT ALSO, for the losers to then reciprocate. .. hey you gotta do it.. it's in the rules.

new topic. I did some more scrapping this afternoon. I missed our friends back in seattle so I put together the following two pages. I used a few new techniques too.

FISH!

We have fish. 6 to be exact!

this is the starter set up. We want to get a few more plants and obviously more fish once the "cycling" is finished. Right now we only have 6 "red ??? swords". We also have some driftwood to add, but right now I'm trying to flush the brownness out of it first.

CJ and I spent all afternoon at the fish/aquarium store and all evening setting everything up. We are so excited and so happy. The kids are at my mum's overnight. I can't wait for them to come home tomorrow and see everything.

If only i had known this BEFORE we moved....

What’s the deal with this thing called Duty (or as I like to say, doo-dee) in Canada? It is seriously putting a cramp in my on-line purchasing style. Basically anything that I purchase from the US or anywhere else outside of Canada (e.g. Mini—Boden in the UK) is subject to not only Canadian duty, but also the goods and services tax (GST – 6%) and provincial sales tax (PST – 8%). By the way, I have absolutely no idea how to find out what the tariff rate is for items purchased outside of Canada. I believe it’s different depending on what country you order the merchandise from? If someone can explain it to me, I’d appreciate it.

Oh wait, there is an exception – if the value of the item is $20 or less you don’t need to pay duty (but you are still charged GST and PST). But then again, what’s the point of buying anything if it’s less than $20… it’s not worth the shipping costs.

Oh yeah - that brings me to shipping. The cost of shipping purchases to Canada is crazy high… and the Canadian postal system sucks a$$.

Okay. That’s all.

another week

okay so this week has been pretty good. I had a busy week at work... along with a good conversation with the VP who's unit I am in. Went out for dinner with mum on Thursday and then again on Friday with CJ (Shannon and her mom Sue babysat and they are awesome - Thanks Sue!).

CJ has been busy with his job hunt and submitting resumes. I am excited for him. I think he'll have lots of fun with this... going for interviews, getting lots of offers etc.

So on Thursday mum suggested that CJ and I join a club or something like that so we can meet some people. She said she'd baby-sit for us on a regular basis if we wanted to do something like that. CJ and I both thought that joining the Richmond Hill Curling Club would be a blast. So next Saturday morning CJ and I are going to our first novice curling session. The following Tuesday night we begin our official couple's curling league. ha ha ha ha ha. I laugh every time I think about it. I don't even know the rules of curling. What I do know is that the majority of the game is spent at the lounge drinking. I think we'll be good at that part.

So, another thing that I am psyched about is that I started scrapbooking. Hey laugh if you want, it’s fun! I’ve always wanted to try this but, well, I never got around to buying any supplies. So on Friday afternoon Kenzie and I went to pick up my new bike. Right beside the bike store is a super cool scrap booking store. We had 10 minutes to shop before the parking became illegal. So we power shopped and bought a whole pile of cool stuff. The next day I decided I needed a few more things so again,. The Boo and I headed out. I never knew that Michaels had so much awesome stuff. We bought a few more things.

Yesterday afternoon I started my first album. It’s a Christmas present for my best friend (CJ, of course). Thankfully he doesn’t think it’s cheesy (at least he hasn’t indicated that he thinks so). I’ve shown him some of the pages along the way. He cried when I showed him the Sebby/Daddy page. Here are the pages I’ve done so far. I am having SO MUCH fun. If anyone wants an album made, I would LOVE to make you one. Seriously… send me some pics and I’ll make you one…… (and this is directed to you guys in Seattle… I miss you so much. It would be good for me to do this so I’d feel a bit closer to you).

Our wedding


Our honeymoon


Oregon Coast 2005 (I don’t have any 2006 photos printed yet)


Kenzie


Sebby/Daddy


Okay… I know I’m rambling. It’s my perrogative. Today we went to the Ontario Science Centre. It was so much fun. We didn’t even see half of it. I can’t wait to go back.


Oh yeah, and it's been a good weekend in football.

yesterday Ohio State creamed Penn State. WOOT!!!! (sorry Dawn)

At the moment the Seahwaks are kicking butt!

a pet peeve

it really irks me when people do not have a signature set up in their email. I hate when I get an email from someone and then have to spend 10 minutes trying to find a phone number where I can contact them. grrrr.

Elmo TMX

Have you heard about it?

The Elmo TMX is a limited edition toy that is supposed to be the big craze this year. I was tipped off about it yesterday morning. Elmo TMX made its appearance in store across the country yesterday morning. A bunch of women from “the board” were out buying them in bulk. By the end of the day folks were posting that their stores were sold out. Last night Kenzie and I went shopping to Zellers to pick up some socks. I guess news travels a bit slower here in Canada - there were still quite a few for sale. I was appalled when I saw the price tage $49 CAD. Who pays $50 for an Elmo toy? Well I guess I do. I bought 5. Kenzie gave one to Sebby. At first he was terrified of the thing and ran away and buried his face in a pillow. After he got used to it, he seemed to enjoy it (see video below).

Sebby and Elmo

Anywho. So I was just a bit embarrassed coming home last night and telling CJ that I just spent $250 on Elmo’s. But then I looked on Ebay. Sure enough there are thousands of them there for sale (one listed at $2,000,000 – now there is an optimist). But strangely enough hundreds of them are being bought for $125 and up. So I feel a bit better. Even Amazon, which had them listed for $39.99 yesterday morning, jacked up their prices to $125 by end of day. So, I will hang on to the extra 4 (even suggested to CJ that he go back and buy a few more if they are still available) and put them up on Ebay after the pukefest ends.

Anyone want an Elmo TMX? I know where you can buy one for $200!

happy happy

This morning while Kenzie was eating breakfast and I was getting my lunch ready, she said to me "Mummy, my friend Jessica has the same lunch bag as you".

"Really?", I said. "who is Jessica?".

"She is my friend at school. We eat lunch together"

That made me happy all day long. Kenzie has a friend at school. Life is good.

Help - need retail therapy

I am having some major PMS grumpiness symptoms. I don't have any medically prescribed "happy pills" at my disposal; I can't eat chocolate so I am opting for retail therapy. Any ideas? Anything will do... just give me something to purchase on-line. It needs to be affordable enough so that the natural high benefits of the purchase are not off-set by any feeling of guilt or buyers remorse resulting from a price tag that will drive me to bankruptcy.

Thanks in advance.

Here are some cute pics from the weekend.

he married me :)


CUTE!


This is the face I get anytime I ask him for a smile.


waiting for Seb to come out.

Kenzie didn't want to go to school today

Kenzie: Mummy, I really don't want to go to school today.

Me: why not honey?

Kenzie: Because it’s so much work.

Me: It’s work? What kind of things do you have to do?

Kenzie: Well I have to sing… and I have to play outside… and I have to put on my indoor shoes…. BIG SIGH

Me: (I had to look away so she didn’t see me smile.)

CJ told me that she did go to school. She was a brave girl. I hope she has a fun day today.

what if you check them all?

Mum just sent me an excerpt from a book she is reading. It goes like this.

"the following is a list of possible warning signals of stress problems:

- feeling tired, never really feeling rested
- getting upset with friends, family members and coworkers over minor things
- lack of patience
- inability to feel relaxed
- constantly feeling under pressure because of job,personal life or finances
- feeling you don't have enough time for yourself
- feeling you don't have enough time for your family
- absentmindedness, forgetting things
- feeling irritable and tired at the end of the work day

if you checked two or more of the above statements chances are that you are suffering from stress. this chapter will show some of the ways you can catch yourself when you are feeling tense or pressured....."

I think I better run and buy that book NOW. But wait, I don't have time...

First day of school.

What a morning. Today was Mackenzie’s official “first day of school”. She is now going to a real public school and is a true Junior Kindergartener. My baby Boo is in school. It was an exciting morning. She woke up and the first thing she said was “I am so excited to go to school and meet my new friends”. Luckily we only had a few minor issues about what she was going to wear, and we were able to get a couple bites of waffle into her before she dragged us out the door.







We were able to meet her teacher 15 minutes before school started today. The other kids in her class had all met the teacher last week for their introductory meetings but since we were away we missed that. Her teacher, Mrs. “G” was great.





She showed Kenzie the classroom, her locker (can you believe Kenzie has her own locker….?!) and the bathroom.



After our initial meeting we went outside with the other kids and nervous parents. The kids were in the kindergarten “holding area”.

A fenced in area where the parents are supposed to drop them off.



The place was completely surrounded by parents taking pictures and videoing everything. I felt bad for the kids… But Kenzie did well. She seemed a bit nervous but didn’t cry and was very brave. (she just looked around wide-eyed and kept watcghing the teacher to hear what she was supposed to do). The teachers lined the kids up against the fence and gave them each name tags.



Then they all walked into school in a single file line.



Then CJ, Sebby and I walked home and cried.

slap my hand

if I ever go to the Boden Website again. I mean, slap my hand if i even THINK about going there. Thank you.

since I last blogged

On Thursday our friends Sam and Jess showed up at the beachhouse, and the Steve/Bila family left a day early because Steve needed to get back. It was abeautiful day on Friday. It was warm enough for bathing suits :0). Friday evening we topped off a fun day with Pizza at teh local pizzaria. Here are a few of my favorite pics.

Jess skipping rocks.


Jess on a log.




Jess is so easy to photograph


Whatever you do, don't smile.







The flight home yesterday was hell, as expected. But we made it and it felt good to come home. We even managed to bring 6 bottles of wine home without them breaking. We were also really excited to find that our new deck was finished and it was just as we had hoped. It's perfect for morning coffees and for evenings of entertaining.

This afternoon my mum came over and took the kids to the park, and fed them homemade chicken and pea soups (their favorites and perfect to make coldy kids feel better fast. CJ and I took the opportunity to buy a new bike carrier/stroller thingy for the kids. It's part of our new healthy livng regime. I have about 40 pounds to lose that I have packed on over the past year (yes, I am a stress eater). CJ and I are on a "no-snacks, no-junk-food, and outdoor-activity-every-evening regime" starting today. Wish us (well me especially since CJ is already in great shape and skinny minnie) luck.

Here's a crappy thing though. Our deck contractor came over this evening to talk about a minor issue that we need taken care of. He mentioned that one of our neighbours had been talking to him last week espressing concern over the height and size of the deck... apparently he was implying that there was a privacy issue and that we could see into their kitchen. I feel shitty about that. The last thing we want is to be thought of as the obnoxious new neighbours that just moved in next door. CJ is going to have a chat with him next time he sees him, but I still feel bad and embarrassed. It's really not a huge deck and we can't see any more of their property than we could before, but the deck is further along "their side" of our house...

and tomorrow, it's back to work.

this sucks :(

CJ is currently taking Kenzie to an urgent care/ER place to see if she has pneumonia. She's has a cold the last couple days but really deteriorated over night. I'm worried. Her breathing is shallow and wheezy and her heart is beating so fast! We've all been up since 4:00 am.

Update: CJ just called - looks like cold and bronchitis but no pneumonia. I guess that's good.

Seb's new game

when we were down at the beach this morning we discovered how much fun it is to jump in the puddles left by the receding tide. Sebby took the game a step further when he decided it was fun to stick his head in the puddles.

warning

don't ever think that going to a nice restaraunt with two families with a total of 4 children under the age of 4 is a good idea.

'nuff said

... and don't be fooled by the awesome view, fabulous food or excellent service. This type of place is best enjoyed with a babysitter at home with all the chillun's.

young love

Sebastian is in love. Her name is Jasmine and he can't stop hugging and kissing her. He even shares toys with her... It is so friggin cute. Normally he couldn't care less about anyone else. He is smitten with this young lady though.

sharing secrets


moving in for the kiss


Don't worry Jasmine, Seby will protect you.


Isn't she gorgeous?! (Better watch it Seb, she has a very protective older brother)


IN LOVE!

update

It's 9:07 and I am absolutely exhausted. I don't know if its all the fresh air, a super full stomach or the fact that I am coming down with a cold. In any case I am off to bed soon.

The men have gone out for a drink and I must say I am not at all envious as I am prety sure I couldn't stay awake long enough to finish a drink.

Our day today consisted of more playing on the beach... kite flying, burying each other in the sand, digging for buried treasure - Kenzie burried her princess phone this morning and walked over to get Sebby so he could try to find it, and subsequently she couldn't remember where it was buried. It was very upsetting... however, it made for an incredibly exciting experience when she stumbled upon later this afternoon.

Nabila and I took the older kiddos shopping (we hit the outlets again this time going to Eddie Bauer and Osh Kosh). On the way back we stopped at the Nehalem Bay Winery. I love that place. I go there every time I am on the Oregon coast. The wine tastes like peach heaven. After coming back with 15 bottles.. how the hell are we going to get them back to Toronto?!?!.. i took a long nap (Thanks honey for watching the kids and letting me sleep).

The afternoon/evening was spent with more beach playing followed by the most incredible curry I have ever eaten (and I consider myself to be a bit of a expert when it comes to Indian food). Nabila, it was mouthwatering. I need the recipe.

Thye kids had a great time playing "hop on CJ!" and then all went to bed, actually quite willingly.

so that brings me to now... I am about to start another book (I had forgotten how much I enjoy reading... vacations are awesome).

Here are some pics of the last 24 hours.







Steve has some amazing photos.... I can't wait to steal them from his flickr to show you.

dangerous

1. Osh Kosh outlet store: $200 and counting.
2. Nahelam Bay winery: 15 bottles and counting.

a life I could get used to

so we are here on the Oregon coast. The trip here was a bit difficult – Sebby doesn’t sleep on planes. Our second leg of the trip was delayed over 2 hours because the plane had technical issues and after sitting on the tarmac for over an hour we deboarded and got onto a different plane. Anyhow, we arrived at our beach house at about 7:00 Saturday night. The Lacey’s had just arrived. We were all happy to see each other and very pleased with the beach house, which had been rented sight-unseen.

Anyhow… this life is the best. I seriously could do this every day. Yesterday we spent our day playing on the beach… building a sand kingdom with mote, destroying said sand kingdom, taking wonderful naps, going to Seaside to shop at the outlet stores (specifically Osh Kosh – I got some awesome deals for $3.39 a piece). We then went to Big Foot for wonderful steak dinners, drinks and chatting. I am absolutely amazed and thrilled with how well Kenzie ands Julian are getting along. I think that once kids turn 3 they switch from being totally self-centered to loving and appreciating friends. Those 2 kiddos make each other laugh and I love it. After coming home we watched some Shrek and collapsed into bed exhausted.

Right now it’s almost noon. The two little ones – Sebby and Jasmine are sleeping, and the men are making a delicious smelling brunch. Nabila and I had a nice time hanging out with the older kids and playing on the beach. The beach is so cool. All the kids are loving the sand. There is miles and miles of sand with practically no one else on the beach. It’s also pretty fun standing at the edge of the ocean waiting for the waves to cover our feet… running like mad when the incoming wave is just a bit bigger than we expected.

Okay… brunch is ready… I’m off to eat before I take another nap. The house here had plenty of room – if anyone wants to come hang out with us this week, come on over.  Life here is good.

Here are some pics to tempt you.