Oh for CUTE!

See this?


I made it. What is it? It's an advent calendar. Super easy, fast and did I mention CUTE? I'm pretty pleased with it! Actually, I'm darn excited!

It's little match boxes covered in Christmas-y paper, numbers glued on top and notes or candy inside. The notes include special things we'll do in December, like make sugar cookies, go bowling, tour the Christmas lights, have a camp-out under the Christmas tree.

I'm super excited for the kids to start on this and love that I now have family activities planned out for the next three weeks. It will make the season a bit more special I think and hopefully make us adults in the house stop and enjoy this time with our kids. We keep reminding each other how they won't be young forever and won't want to hang out with us for long either. This will hopefully be something they always remember and look forward to every year.

In other, un-related new...my husbands at the Grey Cup today. For free!!! Friends of ours had an extra ticket and invited him. He was on top of the world! I'm super excited for him...how fun!

if you've ever wondered what...

...is outside my window: a grey, drizzly neighbourhood. It has been this way for the past week, with sporadic bursts of sunshine. Lots of snow last week, and then lots of sunshine for 3 days means brown, damp, squishy grass (if you want to call it that) and today it is grey and ready for rain at any time.

...I am thinking: that I cannot wait to go cuddle my new grand nephew. He is only 3 days old and I have not yet seen him or squeezed him.

...I am thankful for: Many, many things. I just have to remember to focus on those things and LOOK UP at all times rather than focusing on all that I don't have. I had a grumbly day on Friday where I wasn't grateful for a darn thing in my life and thought that everyone else was so much better off than me. It was not a good day. Thankfully it lasted for only a day.

...I'm making for dinner. I'm not - my hubby is cooking tonight be/c its the weekend, and I don't cook on weekends! That would be one item I am thankful for! He is making beer can chicken, cauliflower and left-over broccoli/rice casserole.

...I'm wearing: a better attitude (phew!), jeans and a grey sweater. I wear jeans a lot.

...what I had for lunch: Campbell's Gardenay Mushroom Soup. And some 7 Grain crackers from Kashi dipped in Chive and Onion cream cheese. I have to start making better choices SOON because I am NOT enjoying this spare tire that is growing at a rapid pace. Instead of making good food choices I choose to eat popcorn and cookies and cake. Something needs to click and soon.

...I'm creating: I have a project list a mile long and here are some of the things on it; a baby book for my niece, big giant letters for the girls' room, chore charts, bat goody bags for the girls' classmates. And it doesn't end there.

...I'm reading: Nothing right now - still haven't finished the book on Josephine B.

...what I'm hoping for: that my husband will come to the same conclusion as me regarding our house. To sell it, not to renovate it. I am done here and it is time to move on. Other than that, a bit more work, solid child care, kids that sleep and stop getting colds, more time to be creative, a flatter belly.

...is one of my favorite things: my morning chai and time to do bible study

...are my plans for the weekend: Since this weekend is gone and we had no plans (yay!) I'll tell you about next weekend - Friday I'm out for dinner w/ two Mom's from Gabrielle's school then Saturday afternoon/night 3 girlfriends are coming over to scrapbook and eat snacks. Fun!

...what Max would look like in pink sunglasses and picking his nose:


...what I learned in a PSE class:


A little photo montage of my 3 kids that I created for a key hook at our back door.

Have a lovely day!

its just that kind of day...

I don't know about you, but for me, cold, chilly (well icy cold really) weather makes me want to snuggle under a blanket, drink some hot tea and eat home made cookies. Which meant we had to make some cookies.

Gingersnaps. My fave.

Of course I had my two helpers there by my side. It went okay. Yep, just okay. And what I mean by that is that the actual cookie making experience went okay. The cookies are fabulous, it was the making of them that was a challenge.

Do you have girls in your house? Or siblings that bicker on occasion (that is said tongue in cheek because occasionally can be NON-STOP!)? Mine have days when they play fabulously and hearing them belly laugh together is just so awesome. But then there are other days when EVERY LITTLE THING is an issue. That's how it was during the cookie making...and several other times thru the day.

"She put in more stuff than me!" Said in a totally whiny voice and followed by a complete and utter melt down (hers not mine). That was just one instance of whining and complaining from today so...my blood pressure shot through the roof, I freaked more than I should have and it went far, far downhill from there. Her freak out (I'm not naming names) was really due to the fact that she was up way past her bedtime and clearly over-tired. My melt down was due to the fact that Max was sleeping and melt downs seem so much louder than normal when a baby is sleeping! Plus, Maxwell's naps have just sucked so bad this week that I was feeling pretty desperate for him to stay sleeping. Believe me, an hour nap is not long enough for a busy Mom of three.

Anyhow, we had our blow up, we all felt like poo because of it, we said our sorry's, kissed and hugged lots and then made cookies. And they are yummy. Here's the recipe if your interested and if you have a good one for chewy Gingersnaps send it my way...(also said tongue in cheek because no one reads my blog...I so funny). I would suggest you eliminate the temper tantrums and melt downs from this recipe. Enjoy!



Gingersnaps

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup shortening (I used butter)
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 cup white sugar

In a large mixing bowl place about HALF of the flour. Add the brown sugar, butter, molasses, egg, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Beat w/ an electric mixer on medium to high speed till thoroughly combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in remaining flour.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll balls in sugar to coat. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are set and tops are crackled. (I like mine soft and chewy so we baked for 8 minutes). Cool.

09.09.09

I just wanted to blog on 09.09.09! Wouldn't it be a cool day to have a baby? I kind of thought it would be neat when I was pregnant to have a baby on a day with such memorable numbers.

Can you believe how "fall-ish" it is out there? I mean, come on already! We barely had much for summer weather and now, barely into September, the temperature has really changed - especially in the mornings. I for one have felt it when I drop Gabrielle off at school - I'm in such denial, I refuse to dress accordingly!

Grade Two has gone swimmingly thus far. No issues, and so far, no homework. Pre-school for Miss Lily has also gone well - we're on day 2 tomorrow. She is such a shy little thing. She really doesn't speak much at all during school...so quiet, in fact, that when I pick her up and she's actually spoken that day, Teacher Lila is sure to point it out to me! One day, last year, she announced one day "I'm not going to be shy anymore. I'm going to talk!" And talk she did...all morning! But she really hasn't become a Chatty Cathy by any means, which I kind of hoped for. Some days I wonder if she'll be a selective mute. This year her class is significantly smaller, only 9 of them, which is the reason I chose to put her in with the three year olds again, instead of moving her on with the class from last year. Perhaps the smaller size will appeal to her.

Had to share these pictures of her - after her big fall, this past weekend. She was watching two big girls jump off the swing and land on their feet quite easily, so she figured she was up for the challenge. She face planted instead.





These are taken on Day 3 of recovery. After a trip to the Children's Hospital to see if the inside of her mouth needed to be stitched up (thankfully it didn't), she's healing quite nicely. The first picture there is an attempt to photograph the inside of her mouth - which is now white with new skin - because the gash or chunk she took out of it w/ her teeth was unbelievable! Her mouth was gushing blood and when I discovered why, Greg and I quickly got her to the hospital for possible stitching. Yuck! This poor kid is on injury number FOUR to her face! Let's run through them for fun...

#1. She ran full bore into a chair while Nanny (great grandma) was watching her one afternoon and split her chin open, under her lip. Don't tell Nanny, but she still has a scar.

#2. She slipped and fell on Candy's tile floor during Madelyn's birthday party and spit her chin open. I was 9 months and 12 days pregnant so I phone Greg to meet me at the clinic because the wound is not closing up. The doctor stitches her chin WITHOUT freezing it. Crap. We had to pin her down at her head and her legs. The doctor figured it would be better to just give it one quick stitch instead of 2 needles (one for freezing, one for the stitch). I'm not sure I agree anymore. She still talks about getting the stich. Traumatic, if you ask me.

#3. While jumping on the couch, she bashes her face on a shelf behind the couch. She cuts her face just beside her eye. I call my Mom be/c I'm not sure if this needs a stitch...luckily it did not.

#4. See photos above.

Honestly, we're done with facial injuries, thanks! Poor kid...still has a huge swollen lip. But she's still so darn cute, even with the scrapes and fat lip!

Cutie Patootie

Just had to share this cute little man with his little boy haircut. Kills me! Darn he's cute. Looks sooo much like his Daddy in these! Who knew we'd get the blonde boy with big brown eyes!?
He's super fun this kid, but oh so busy!

Just for fun!

What is your salad dressing of choice?

My new fave is from Kraft, their Fig and Balsamic Vinegar...Yum!

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?

Earls or Joey's - I love the food at either one.


What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it?

Sushi. I love sushi...it seems like a light meal but I typically gorge myself on it and feel totally bloated. Maybe after 2 weeks I'd figure out the perfect amount.


What are your pizza toppings of choice?

We always seem to order the Greek Special - ham, olives, feta, bacon (yes, I said bacon) and onions.

What do you like to put on your toast?

If I'm eating it w/ eggs, then just butter. But if it is solo, then PB and honey, or just PB. Sometimes Cheez Whiz too.


How many televisions are in your house?

3 - that's not a whole lot is it?


What color cell phone do you have?

red

Are you right-handed or left-handed?

right

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?

No but I am considering having my tattoo removed.


What is the last heavy item you lifted?

Max. But he's really not that heavy at 15 months...little peanut!


Have you ever been knocked unconscious?

No and I don't ever plan on being!


If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?

Not at all! Who wants to know that kind of thing??


If you could change your name, what would you change it to?

Um...something people COULD NOT shorten! If you know me at all you know how much I hate the nickname "Steph". So I'd pick something like Kate.


Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?

No chance! I'd want way more $$$ than that!


Last run-in with a cop?

When I got pulled over for speeding just before Christmas. AND I didn't have my insurance slip on me. Believe it or not, I was tidying my office that morning and I held it in my hands and thought "I should really put this in the car!" Retarded!


Last person you talked to?

Greg


Last person you hugged?

Greg


Favorite Season?
Summer


Holiday?
Christmas


Day of the week?

Tuesday be/c that's the day my dear sweet Mother-In-Law takes my kids (all three) at about 3 pm for the night and the entire next day. It's pretty dreamy!


Month?

July - that is when we FINALLY get some warm weather!


First place you went this morning?

To the bathroom to hop in the shower before I got Max out of bed.

What's the last movie you saw?

The Hangover...pretty stupid.


Do you smile often?

I think so...in between scouling. Just kidding. I am a ray of sunshine most would say!

Do you always answer your phone?

Nope.


It's four in the morning and you get a text message who is it?

I don't text anyone but my cousin, and she's sleeping at 4 am so its a wrong number!

If you could change your eye color what would it be?

I'd like to try brown.

What flavor drink do you get at Peter’s Drive In?

Vanilla Shake


Do you own a digital camera?

Yes

Have you ever had a pet fish?

Yes, 2 of them. Pim Pom Hammy and Joey Lucky Charms. Dead, sadly.

Favorite Christmas song?

Hark the Herald Angels Sing...

What's on your wish list for your birthday?

Just a fun time with my friends. I love celebrating my birthday now that I've decided to actually celebrate it. That means a night out w/ my girlfriends so it is pretty darn fun!


Can you do push ups?

Not more than a few.

Can you do a chin up?

Yeah, um, no.

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?

Excited!


Do you have any saved texts?

No. Why would I?

Ever been in a car wreck?

A minor one, thankfully.

Do you have an accent? No, although the Americans seem to think so.

What is the last song to make you cry?

Don't remember. Something spiritual probably.

Plans tonight?

Nope.


Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?

Yes, but it was short lived THANK GOD.

Name 3 things you bought yesterday?

Oatmeal w/ dinosaur eggs.
English Muffins.
Turkey Sausage.

Have you ever been given roses?

yes but I put a stop to that nonsense immediately!

Current worry?

Don't have any.


Current hate right now?

My fat belly after eating/drinking too much on holidays.

Met someone who changed your life?
yes

How did you bring in the New Year?

Lots of seafood and drinks and then home by 11:50 pm. How pathetic!

What were you doing 12 AM last night?

Sleeping.

What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?

No! I'm too tired to get up!

Coming Soon...pictures of our holiday in BC.

Snow In June

No, that's not the name of an album by The Northern Pikes. I used to listed to them BTW (dating myself here a bit).

We actually DO have snow in June. It is June 6th and I woke up to snow falling and snow staying on the ground. Crazy! All that makes me want to do is a whole lot of nothing. Like sit on the couch, watch decorating shows and drink a warm Chai. Maybe throw reading a book in there too and I am one happy camper! Anyhow, it should quickly melt by next week, but really? Snow in June?

Makes me extra-happy and excited that we booked a summer holiday finally! Yipppeee! After looking online every single day to see if we could book a time-share unit in Fairmont, BC this place came up. AND we got it for the week we were hoping for! So that means my cousin and her two kids get to come with us and it will be SOOOOOO much fun! I'm totally pumped about it...I think its going to be awesome. The kids play together really well and that just makes it easier for us when our kids have other kids to entertain them for a week. We might actually get to relax a bit...

Time to go drink a yummy Chai and fold laundry on the couch. Here's a cute picture to end the post...



Darn he's cute!

a photo a day?

Yah, right. That so isn't going to happen, FYI! I've decided that it just isn't realistic to post (or take for that matter) a photo a day. So there. I've said it...and really, it don't matter much because it was just for me anyhow and I much rather enjoy blathering on about mundane things anyhow.

In not so mundane news...little Maxwell Elliot turned ONE! Seriously. One. How is it that a whole year has gone by since that little guy joined our lives? Crazy. I can't believe that my BABY, my last little baby is one. Makes me sad. Not sad enough to go through it all again - that feeling is gone, thank goodness. And let me tell you, I really did have it bad for a while. I'd get that ache in my gut that made me think, well maybe just one more? But no, that ache is gone and that door is officially closed. Sorry Mom!

We had a few parties for the boy - one in Kamloops with family, one at home with my girlfriends and one at my mom's with family. Glad its all over, but it was fun. Fun to see him experience his first piece of cake. Fun to see the look on his face when a cupcake with candle was placed in front of him. He's such a doll...really, he's such a good baby and darn cute! That smile and laugh just melt my heart. How did I get this blessed three times?!

so much for the plan

The plan is to blog much more frequently. But it just doesn't pan out that way. Oh well! I suppose no one is sitting by their computers waiting very impatiently to hear what is going on over at the Charest House. Really, the day in and day out it isn't overly exciting!

Waking up far too early, wiping snotty noses and poopy bums, making snacks and meals, entertaining (and chasing)a very mobile 11 month old, playing Barbies on occasion w/ the toddler and unfortunately, reprimanding the seven year old far, far too often. Then we put them to bed and repeat it all the next day! All that monotony really does zip by faster than can be imagined.

So finally, more pictures, including our fabulous trip to Mexico. Start from the bottom....

03.25.09

And next thing you know...the week is done. Sigh. I miss those yummy drinks and food and the sleeping in and the pool and the sun and the reading and the relaxing...

03.24.09

I burned my bottom lip! Strange - just my lip, nothing else. So I wore that awful zinc on them so I could get some sun but not fry my lip. Yes, I got A LOT of funny looks!

03.23.09

I loved having my chai tea in the morning by the pool. Can you believe someone STOLE my mug? Seriously, you can afford to go on an all-inclusive but you can't afford the $10 mug at Starbucks?

03.22.09

Saturday we went to enjoy the spa (free!) with pools and hottubs and steamrooms...then a massage for me the next day.

03.21.09

We had a yummy beach BBQ one night...

03.20.09

How excited do you think I was to find not one, but TWO Starbucks in Playa del Carmen?!!!!

03.19.09

A lovely day on the beach...crucial to save spots w/ your towels if you want to get a good spot. This goes against every bone in my husbands body. Fortunately, he got over it.

03.18.09

Arrived safely in Cancun and rode the bus to our resort while we enjoyed a few cervezas.

03.17.09

Last year I did a whole "green" dinner (green rice, green drinks, green dessert) but this year be/c we were leaving the next day and I didn't want left-overs, I bought them these green sprinkles donuts to go w/ our green water...they were perfectly happy!

03.16.09

Finally a nice spring like day to play outside. He loved being in the swing and giggled the entire time.

03.15.09

It was fun for them to have time outside WITH their friends! Nice for me too!

03.14.09

She was dancing to some music and watching herself in the reflection of the TV - just having a blast! It was hilarious!

03.14.09

The view from the other side of the gate...he is one busy boy.

03.13.09

She's all about scissors these days and loves just sitting and cutting anything in sight. Including the sleeve of her t-shirt...because it had a hair on it.

03.12.09

A moment of peace...

03.11.09

Pulling himself up on everything!

here I go...

03.10.09

I'm a rock-star and I don't want you tonight. I'm alright. Na na na na na na na na na na na. (Except she goes by "Tink" not Pink)

03.09.09

She doesn't tackle him like Lily but she is always carrying him around. She started asking when she could carry the baby before birth.

03.08.09

I was crazy enough to do 2 parties this year (live and learn...that will never happen again). Second party was a small bowling party and it was fun!

03.07.09

She turned SEVEN! Yikes! That just kills me.

03.06.09

Another heart melter, this one...quite alot of the time. Especially when she says to me "Know what Momma? I love you too."

03.05.09

Well he just melts my heart is all.

03.04.09



Can't post one w/out the other...they got suckers from the guy at the pizza store. Yes, Gabrielle's tongue is insanely long and Gene Simmons-esque. She gets it from me. And I, it turns out, got it from my father. He is the originator of the Gene Simmons-esque tongue.

03.03.09

He was entertained in here for mere minutes. Okay, seconds. Of course I forgot about the tipping over part of this equation.

03.02.09

She is constantly tackling him and he is getting so fed up! One day he is going to thump her and she will totally deserve it!

03.01.09

He just sits there staring at the two girls playing down there...babbling away at them and I'm sure he's saying "Hey! What are you doing down there? What is that? What are all those toys!? Let me down there too!" Soon buddy, soon.

02.28.09

She got sleepers put in, instead of studs. Oh the dramatics that entailed to get them in! And then once they were FINALLY in, she realized she'd made a fuss over nothing!

02.27.09

Cheerios on his tray buy me some time - any time of day.

02.26.09

Lily on her way to ballet class...

Really?

Has it REALLY been a month since I've been on here? Ha! Well, there won't be photos tonight...and I'm not sure when exactly there will be photos as it is somewhat (okay, VERY) daunting to tackle a months worth of uploading photos on here! So much for my plan to do it every few days - CRAP! Now I have a whole month to catch up on.

Wish me luck...I am going to need it!

keepin' up

Trying anyhow. I figured I should really try to post photos more than once a week so I don't have to sit here for an hour and a half uploading photos.

I'm going to do a quick post here and then go have a nap. I'm pooped today! Partly because I had a later than usual night and still woke up at 6 am even though my children were not here. And partly because I haven't had any caffeine today. Funny how quickly your body relies on it. I might have to have a cup of tea when I get up.

02.25.09

No, I'm not there right now. But I will be! In THREE short weeks, my hubbie and I get to go away on a hot holiday in the Mexican sun without our kids. I will miss them indeed, but I am also looking forward to not cooking for a week and just relaxing in the sun while I sip a pina colada (or two)!

02.24.09

This just made me really happy yesterday because my house was quiet and I got to sit and enjoy a yummy, foamy chai. Simple pleasures.

02.23.09

He is such a tiny little guy so it makes me laugh to see him standing in his crib already. He looked to slim with just his diaper on standing there drooling and squealing!

02.22.09

Had a yummy birthday dinner at Mom and Dad's the day after my birthday. Chocolate cake courtesy of Greg himself. The lady behind me is Mom's neighbor Toni who's birthday is the day before mine. Nice to share dinner with her! Hope to be half as energetic and vibrant as she is at her age.

Nap time....

One Year Older

No, I'm not talking about one of my children, I'm talking about me. I just celebrated another birthday. 36 years old. How did that happen? How did I get closer to 40 than I did to 30?

Sheesh, life sure passes by quickly. But, it is only a number - I still act like I'm a teenager a good chunk of the time! And, on occassion, like a toddler...one that throws fits and tantrums! So, the number just doesn't matter. At least that is what I'm telling myself as I creep closer and closer to the big four - oh.

I had a fabulous birthday! And it isn't over, I like to spread it out over days and days. Usually I call it birthday week (I even have my brother and sister-in-law wishing me a "Happy Birthday Week!" - love that!) but this year, it has been condensed to Birthday Weekend.

Yesterday I was served a venti Starbucks and breakfast in bed. Eggs, bacon and toast. Yum! Then I went for a pedicure which was delightful. After that I came home and tidied up a bit (although I had to point out several times to anyone that would listen that I was cleaning ON my birthday!) and waited for a girlfriend to arrive to scrapbook. We scrapbooked for about an hour before we had a martini and some yummy snacks! Then we scrapbooked some more until more girlfriends arrived for a pre-dinner birthday drink.

We went here and it was fabulous! We all shared fondue (cheese, beef and seafood) and ended it with chocolate fondue which was soooooo good that we ordered another chocolate fondue to share! What a yummy birthday dinner! It was so rich that I had the fleeting thought that I might end the evening over the toilet with Candy holding my hair back and me crying out "I love you man!" And it was seriously from the rich meal and NOT the birthday bevvies! However, I feel as spry as a 35 year old today so it all turned out okay.

Lily asked me several times yesterday "It's your birthday today? Where are your decorations??" Indeed Lily, where were my decorations?

Today, I will continue to milk birthday weekend for all its worth and enjoy a birthday dinner with my parents at their house and then my children will stay the night there and spend the entire day there tomorrow! Woo hoo to that!

On a serious note, I always seem to feel a bit reflective on my birthday. I feel really blessed to have an awesome little family that is healthy, a home and food on the table, great friends that I have so much fun with and parents that I'm close to.

Here are a few photos from the last week and most importantly from yesterday...my birthday...have I mentioned that?

02.21.09

Me, on my birthday, enjoying a cocktail.

02.20.09

Swinging outside after pre-school...

02.19.09

He is soooo quick...

02.18.09

Playing Peek-a-Boo with Gabrielle...he rarely covers his eyes, but instead puts his arms and hands on his head! So cute.

02.17.09

Dressed up like a little dude

02.16.09

Gabrielle had a been in her bonnet about having their faces painted. They had fun playing cats and dogs and then, fighting like cats and dogs.

02.15.09

Gabrielle just doesn't appreciate Chocolate Molten Lava cake like I do. She only had two bites and then walked away from it. Me, I would have licked the plate clean.

02.14.09

My Valentines...oh and their Dad too.