A note from Grandma!

I was going through a box of old things one night two weeks ago and came across a hand written letter from my Grandmother.  I read it on my bed, and then moments later I cried... not because it was sad but just because I really do miss her.  Reading this letter actually made me laugh out loud because I can hear her humour in the letter, and it brings me right back to her living room, sitting in her rocking chair and visiting with her over tea.

It was one of those moments as an adult that you just have, you have a little tear, your thankful to have had it and then you move on... or so I thought.

The next night I went to the grocery store and as I was rushing around the store to get my groceries before the place closed, my cart clipped a display of pastry type things and a box fell out in front of my cart. I thought it was a total accident, but when I went to picked them up, it was these....

Now - to most, these aren't anything too special, but to me they are a childhood memory that I will never forget.  My grandmother use to offer me these while visiting at her house.  For the longest time my Mom never bought them when I was young, so this treat was only something I got by visiting Grandma. The sponge cake, mixed with chocolate and the taste of caramel - it was the best, and seeing this box in front of my cart brought a smile to my face.

It was when I was driving home from the grocery store that I realized that same day was the anniversary of my grandmother's death. Can you believe that? I may have been watching one too many 'Long Island Medium' episodes, but I really do believe that my Grandma was trying to get my attention that day and I got the message loud and clear.

The two days of little triggers were a gentle reminder of what a special lady she was to me.  The truth is I often don't need a reminder to prompt me to think about her as I do it almost every day, and even more often now that I have kids of my own. She was a wonderful grandmother to me and would have been an awesome Great-Grandma to my boys... not a day goes by that I don't try to share my memories of her with my boys as they truly are moments I cherish.

Thank you Grandma for the little reminder that you're still with me each and every day.

I love you.

'Tis the season... to visit Sand Road Maple Farm!

It's that time of year.... the snow is melting is trying to melt and that means the sapping is going to be running at Sand Road Maple Farm (located off Highway 138 near Moose Creek).

We took the boys to this fine establishment last weekend. It was a little colder than in past years, but the simple pleasures were still very much enjoyed by our family.

The beautiful part about this season is that there is still a heavy layer of thick snow on the maple trail, which means the horses are still able to take patrons on a sleigh ride, opposed to a wagon ride that is more suitable when the weather warms up. The sleigh ride is absolutely beautiful, especially with the bit of extra snow fall we've had in the last couple of weeks - its truly a must when you're there!

We enjoyed a fabulous (all you can eat) buffet breakfast stacked full of the maple musts: pancakes with maple syrup, maple bacon, maple ham, maple baked beans, oreilles de crisse, and so much more.  We were stuffed after eating, but we took a walk on the maple trail and made some room for the best part of the experience... maple taffy on the snow! While the boys ran off their maple energy on the grounds, I browsed the the gift shop which had some great little finds (and very courteous staff)!

If your looking for something to do with young children, or somewhere to take your parents and grandparents, or to meet up with a group of friends and family, Sand Road Maple Road will not disappoint.  Admission to the grounds is free and you can expect loads of maple syrup products to be on hand for purchase!

Here's a few snapshots our trip last weekend! We had a blast!

Busy living life!

I can hardly believe its mid-march.  The days seem to meld together and before I know it another week has passed and I have yet to even think about making a blog entry.

I'd like to say that this upsets me, but in reality, when I don't get to blogging, it means life is busy, and busy is good.

The past couple of months we've just been enjoying our hectic schedules of raising two boys. Nothing too overly exciting but we've gotten out and about with the kids, and now that spring like weather is almost here, I imagine we'll be spending out free time outdoors as much as possible.

This winter, we did a little sleigh riding, and although we skipped our annual canal outing, we did hit Snowflake Kingdom during Winterlude which did not disappoint any of us. The canal is closed for another year, and although it would have been nice to get out for a family skate, I know there will be many other years to enjoy this feature of the nation's capital!

 Last weekend, E wrapped up another season of CanSkate. He is moving and shaking so well on both skates now. I have a feeling he'll be a great asset to any hockey team next season! H is about the only member of this family that wants to keep on shoveling. He is obsessed with his shovel and throws a royal fit if you rush him the house at the end of the day without a few minutes to 'chovel'! As much as I don't want to spend another second out in the cold at the days end, it is a pretty cute phase that I know won't last long.

Being the curling fan that I am, this time of year I am almost always half-glued to the tv. The Scotties was in Kingston this year and we managed to get there in person on closing weekend, just in time to see Team Homan from Ontario, in top play-off form.  The Brier followed a week later, and the excitement was high in this household when the boys from the Soo, Northern Ontario, Team Jacobs took home the Brier Tankard! Now, it's going to be an exciting few weeks of World Curling viewing!

I can't promise that blogging posts will be any more consistent, but I do hope that you are enjoying life as much as I am these days!

Bring on Easter! I could use some chocolate!

Happy St. Patty's Day

It's your lucky day... and not just because it's St. Patty's Day, but more so because I'm have a few minutes to post something here!

The boys and I had a little fun with a St. Patty's Day photo shoot! They were pretty silly customers but the results make my heart smile!  This is the kind of silliness that is my life lately. When work doesn't have me glued to my desktop or my blackberry, these boys keep me laughing with their hilariousness each and every day.

As you can see my baby boy just keeps outgrowing his baby looks, and my big boy is becoming more mature looking with each passing day.

They are a fun little duo and on St. Patty's Day, they are definitely finding their inner leprechaun!

I hope the luck of the Irish has found you today... I am sure tomorrow we will back to looking for that rainbow and pot o'gold, but for today... we are just enjoying the richness that is every day life.

Happy LOVE Day!!

It's Valentine's Day around the world, so I am hoping this little post plus some pics will make up for the fact that I haven't blogged in exactly a month. I don't have any good excuses except to say that we've been busy living life - working, playing, and just trying ensure we are functioning family each and every day.

I do have to say, that this Valentine's Day is so sweet with my big boy in kindergarten! He is aware of this special day much more than any other year and was quite into it the other night announcing after supper 'I have to make some special hearts for my friends and you too Mommy'.  Then came his demands 'I'm gonna need paper, markers, scissors, glue - can you get me that stuff?'

Yes sir!

He did cut out a bunch of hearts and filled the names for his friends on his special superhero cards. I did a little sucker photo project inspired by Pinterest - love that site, it doesn't require me to really think, you just open up the site and it basic screams 'this is what you'll do'!

Done and done.

Anyways... I had fun this morning making a heart shape breakfast for my boys, and then sending a heart shaped lunch with E to school. I am sure his 'friendship' party will be equally as exciting.  My baby boy is still a bit young for understanding this occasion, but he was all about the special heart treats on the table this morning. If there is a treat to be had, this boy can definitely find it!

PC and I have a date night planned this weekend... we are off the Eric Church concert, so really looking forward to a night out and perhaps 'a drink in my hand'!

Here's a little peek of our V-Day festivities. Whether VDay is a big deal to you or just another day, I hope each of you take the time to tell someone in your life how important they are to you. Life is too short... don't pass up this opportunity. 

Happy LOVE Day! 
Have a good one.

 

Time to make a wish...

Today, I celebrate another year in my 30s!

I have to say the number doesn't so much bother me as the new growth of grey hair I seem to be discovering more and more as I investigate in the mirror, but besides that I don't have a complaint in the world today.

I spent the weekend with the three loves of my life... and enjoyed every minute of it as we celebrated my big day. Since my birthday falls on a Monday this year, PC moved the celebration to preceding Saturday and planned out a little family fun day! It was perfect for me!

He made breakfast for all of us and then we hit E's skating lesson before heading off to the Children's Museum in Ottawa! What a great place! I have always wanted to go with the boys, but PC usually rolls his eyes at me when I suggest 'a museum' as an activity.  However, this year, he really had me pegged and planned out a little adventure to the Canadian Museum of Civilization, which houses Ottawa's Children's museum. The whole outing definitely did not disappoint! We spent a couple hours exploring all the fun areas - the boys absolutely loved interacting with each stop on their passport. We capped off our visit by taking in a 3D IMAX movie! I wasn't sure how H would handle a movie, but he did awesome! We ended the night off with Mom C's famous homemade donairs, a few little birthday surprises including a new MK bag, and my ultimate fave cupcakes from The Flour Shoppe.

I don't think I could have scripted a better day to celebrate if I tried.  Thank you to my one and only for such a fun day with the boys - he definitely made me smile and feel very loved and spoiled.

If my birthday celebration was any indication of how this year may unfold for me, I am looking forward to it!

Here is a little photo recap of the day's events.

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes via of Twitter, Facebook, What's App, email, and texting! I even had a few ol' fashioned phone calls too from some old friends! All around fun.

Thanks again!

 

Welcome 2013

Its already a week into 2013 and I have yet to wish you an official Happy New Year. How rude of me!

Don't take it personally,  but I have just been too busy enjoying the holiday break with my family. It has been so. much. fun.

This is the first Christmas in a long time that I can really say that I've 'enjoyed' the holidays.  I am not sure what the formula was this year, but for the first time in a very long time, I feel relaxed, rested, and ready to tackle the new year.

I think we had a few things going for us this year... two parents not working, not traveling, no school, no daycare, getting out with the kids, getting out with my husband, taking that 'extra' day off... whatever combo it was I would do it all over again - and again.

I am sitting here this morning on my extra day off, sipping my coffee, watching Ellen, and flipping through pics from the holidays. It seems liked we did a lot during the break, yet we had a lot of time at home - which is really the best!

Going into Christmas Eve I was exhausted, and run down, and just ready to throw in the towel on Christmas, but magically it all came together, and we spent Christmas Eve at our house, with my in-laws, going to church, getting ready for Santa Claus, and just enjoying some down time. Christmas morning was exciting and fun for the boys, we enjoyed Christmas brunch, a Skype date with my family, and a leisurely gift opening for all. H got in his afternoon nap and E got to explore some of his new toys before heading out to Christmas dinner at the in-laws.  It was very low stress from that point out... all presents delivered and opened, and even the clean up wasn't that daunting.

The remainder of the holidays we spent together... sleigh-riding, playing board games, celebrating my brother-in-law's birthday, playing in our backyard, shoveling, having dinner with good friends, taking in the kids first OHL hockey game, public skating, and enjoying a good ol' fashioned movie night. PC and I had a wedding to attend during that break, and even that was a fun time. We got to let loose, have a few drinks, catch up with old friends, and hit the dance floor! All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better schedule of events over our two weeks of holiday time.

Today, its back to the regular routine for the rest of the family, and I am taking some extra time to finish up a few chores around home.  I have to say, that as much as I will want to stay in bed tomorrow morning, I don't think I will have a problem with having to get up and get back to normal every day life.

I like the way 2013 is starting out... if I feel this good at the end of 2013, it will definitely have been a good year.

 

2012: Year in Review

It wouldn't be NYE without the annual year in review blog post, that sums up the year via month by month blog highlights.

While I am thankful for the overall health and happiness of my family and friends, I can't say that I am totally upset to see 2012 come to a close. Its been a stressful year... balancing family and work life,  struggling to see the upside of Budget 2012, a few unexpected visits to the hospital, and overall financial challenges of raising our young family.  There have been highs and lows like any year, but in the end I am home with my three favourite people tonight and looking forward to everything 2013 has to offer.

As I ring in the new year I want to be better organized in all aspects of life, so I can inhale the little things in life... mainly just spending precious time with my boys, and being present in their lives while they are at such a fun and inspiring age.

As I look back on 2012, I am thankful for all of the little moments I have been able to share with you via this blog, and I am thankful that you continue to check up on me every once and a while (minus the crazy stalker types)!

So here is 2012 ... in review.

January
Here goes nothing (back to work)
Birthday Wrap-Up

February
Fun on the Rideau Canal
Dramatic First Haircut

March
So long preschool!

April
Truly Blessed
Mixed Emotions
24 Pounds of Trouble (H starts walking)

May
Best job in the world!
We have a soccer player!

June
130-O Reunion Weekend

July
Everything happens for a reason
Poolside

August
A couple of firsts
Va-cay!!!

September
E's First Day of School
Lucky Number Seven

October
Emery: Age 4
The birthday project for Mom

December
Hudson: Age 2
E's First Christmas Concert!
Merry Christmas!

So long 2012... and all the best to you and yours in 2013!