october thirty-one :: 96 weeks old :: Hallowe'en!

This is how my day went! (Picture heavy post!)

Today's fun earrings. Feathers!

This morning I dressed Sean as a dragon.

And then I took Sean to daycare. Sean is 96 weeks old today.

Sean had a Halloween party at his daycare, and was in his costume all morning. When it came time to take their costumes off for lunch, Sean wanted to keep his on. Cute. I hope I don't have this issue in the future, where he'll want to go grocery shopping in his costume.
Though, that would be cute!

I came home to find a package at my door. It was my Fave Things Swap package from Tracee. Thank you Miss Tracee! I love it all! I can't wait to try out your fave things!

She sent me this awesome black yarn, which is Naturally Sensations in Black. So soft!

And I also got this awesome scarf hand knit for me! WOW!
I'm not sure what the yarn is though, or what pattern.

I put our pumpkin together, and placed it outside.
To be honest, I didn't feel like carving it, so I got a Mr. Potato Head Kit type
decorations for it, and voila - my pumpkin is ready for Halloween!

My decorations this year were simple. Maybe next year when Sean understand it more, I'll decorate more, but I didn't want to put any energy into it this year when my kids don't understand yet what is going on, and my street is unenthusiastic about Halloween.

Then I ran and dropped my car off to get my winter tires put on and went to the mall with my mom while I waited. I brought my JJ Cole Bundle Me to Stitch It to get the zipper fixed. I was prepared to pay to get the entire zipper replaced, and the lady was able to pull off the top clip, put on a new zipper, and then put on a new clip (so that the zipper as a stopper - the part at the top) and voila... finished! 12$ plus taxes. (A brand new JJ Cole Bundle Me from the urban collection that it's from, is about 50$ US).

My car wasn't ready, so I got dropped off by my mother at playgroup for the Halloween party.

We had a lot of food for the party. I made the pasta salad that is in the yellow bowl (left hand side of the table). It's very simple and very delicious. It's 1 box/bag of pasta (approx 350g) to half a bottle of Kraft Golden Italian salad dressing. I used 2 bags to 1 full bottle of dressing. I've been eating it all day. The girl who's house it was at wasn't going to be home all weekend so she sent me home with the leftovers. Mmmm! I even got the Oriental Salad recipe that is the salad that is in line with my salad but on the right hand side of the table. Soooo good!

Monkey/Banana Sandwich. Mackie in the middle!

Mackie and one of this 2 best friends.

I love it!

I am so happy he didn't grow any one bit this past week and actually fit into the costume!

Mackie and his other best friend.

9 of the 11 kids that were there today. (Not too sure what happened to the other 2?)

Our playgroup. (I think though, we do have a few girls missing that couldn't make it with their children, but these are the "main" gang, including the one girl we wish to eliminate but can't). (Ages range from 3 months to 9 months) (The oldest baby was born at the end of January 2008)

I got dropped off at my car by a mommy in playgroup, and then picked up Sean from daycare. He didn't want to leave today. He wanted to play with the lego and just didn't want to leave. I can't believe it! I think we're 100% settled into routine now, and he's even 150% now on a sippy cup for his milk! Whoot! I am so happy! Before his 2nd birthday he's been weaned off the bottle. I am so happy. Let me tell ya!

Sean checked out our pumpkin upon returning home, and then we walked across the street from our house to the park that we live in front of, and played in the leaves:

It was actually really warm out, but Sean refused to take off his hat and jacket. Funny kid.

I love these photos in the leaves!

My sister came over after she was done work and we dressed this kids for trick or treating.

Mack got back into his banana costume as Sean was going to be his Monkey.

We went around my area, some houses were lit, some weren't and we got a ton of candy. Some Sean can eat and some Sean can't (those will be eaten by his parents - LOL). I think Sean got a lot more candy because he had his side kick banana with him! Mack ended up falling asleep while I was carrying him. I wish I had a baby carrier that would have held him on me properly, but all my carriers (and I have more than one of them) all need each leg through a part of the carrier, and well, as a banana, it's down to one!

Today was a long day, and I'm pooped. We had a fabulous time, and got great photos.

october thirty

This morning I gave Mack some tummy time. He is such a cutie when he is discovering new things. He just loved tummy time and I plan to give it to him as much as he will tolerate it!

This morning a knitter in my area whom happens to know my mother (Hi Betty!) came by with a stash of yarn she did not want anymore. So I took it off her hands. I am deciding which colorways I want, and the rest (if there is any) I will be selling. Betty was super nice to allow me to sell it back to her if I did not want it and I could not sell whatever does not sell. I do not think I will have an issue selling it if I do not end up wanting it - as there is Sundara, Yarn Pirate and Socks that Rock in the loot. I have to sit down and go through it all (as well as photograph it), but I did not get a chance to do that today, so I will do that either tomorrow or over the weekend.

As soon as my cleaning lady left today I headed out the door. I had about a 40 minute drive (with no traffic) to go and visit Marie-Michèle whom I have met before through the Laval Knits Group. We decided that we were going to do a swap. She was looking for a manly colored skein of Noro (for a Fake Isle Hat) and also some girly colored yarn for her son's daycare teacher's present for Christmas. So we swapped. I will photograph that loot as well and show you tomorrow or over the weekend.

I made it back in time to pick up Sean at daycare, at the usual time I pick him up. I was really worried about traffic, but I did not get caught in any. Phew.

First I stopped by a local dry cleaners to see if they could fix the zipper on my JJ Cole bundle me. I do not think the Habs cozy that Mack has will be warm enough for the winter. I will pull that back out again in the spring. But for the dead nasty winters we have here in Montreal, I want the JJ Cole Bundle Me fixed. Apparently they no longer have a seamstress at the dry cleaners, so I have to find elsewhere. Someone recommended an alteration place in the local mall. I will go and check that out soon. I have no idea how much it will cost to be fixed, but it must be cheaper than buying a new one.

This evening I took the boys to Walmart to see if they had a few things. I also was going to get Sean his passport picture taken, but the line up at the Photo Studio was not so pleasant. (Another time). I also learned that they will not do Mack'passport photo, I have to go to a photo studio for that (pricey!)

This evening I took it easy and made the pasta salad for Mack's Halloween party tomorrow with his playgroup. I am looking forward to that. Imagine the photos that will be taken tomorrow!

I've been sitting on the couch, knitting and catching up some blog reading and some emails. Trying to clean out my inbox - which is a nasty mess.

ps - This morning I non-shalantly inquired from both of Sean's daycare teachers fave colors. So I am set, and I just need to figure out what yarn I will use for each and which pattern I will use. I have 2 or 3 that I like, and I have to see what yarn suits the pattern, that I have in my stash already (good plan to stash bust!)

pps- Tomorrow is the deadline for my November Sock Club kit...!

october twenty-nine

Today's earrings.

Here is where I store most of my earrings.
I got them on ebay a while back, from Australia. They rock.
The pieces slide out from the box. Each holds 90 pairs of earrings.

Sean loves to look out the window in the morning while I get ready for the day. These days, he's obsessed with puppets or even his wash cloths that are animals. He's got the duck on his hand and the dog's on the floor.

This morning I had Aqua-Strollers with Mack. I had to kick my arse out the door to go. Lack of motivation in this cold weather. It's currently 1 degrees in Montreal. Feh! Then after Aqua, I headed to the movies with my mother and we saw Nights in Rhodanthe with Diane Lane and Richard Gere. Richard Gere is still very sexy! It was a romantic film, I cried, it felt good! I recommend this movie if you are looking for a good tear jerker romatic movie.

This evening we had a West Island Knits meeting. We had a great time, I got a lot of knitting done on Tesserae, and Mack was in good spirits and even napped for a bit during the meeting. We were 8 of us, I always have a great time with this bunch.

Our treadmill was put together this evening... I cannot wait to start using it. The next couple of days are hectic, but I hope to make some time to use it! I just learned that we got this as a gift, which was really nice. We were told to hand over the bill, and it will be taken care of.

Since it's the end of the month, I can share with you the October Sock Club kit. The yarn was handpainted by Ann-Marie of Chicks with Sticks. The colorway is called Salt Water Taffy.

And the pattern called Ziggety Zag was designed by me! I absolutely adore designing. It's way too much fun! There is a pattern on the leg, and then the foot is stockinette stitch until just before the decreases for the toe, the last 21 or so rows are a diamon pattern on the top of the foot.

I love designing. Look for more patterns by me in the future! I have an entire sketch book filled with ideas now! It's just too much fun!

There are just a few more days to pick up the November Sock Club kit. Get your hands on it while quantities last. I'm not sure if the future holds more Ultimate kits so this may be your once in a lifetime chance! There's also only a few spots left! And if you don't want the Ultimate, there's the mini-kit as well!

ps- We're on day three (Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday) that Sean has had his milk in a sippy cup at home. I think I'm going to go cold turkey with the bottle and only give it to him in the same sippy cup that he gets at school. I have to do something to get him off the bottle. He's already 22 months old, and his doc doesn't want him to go any longer than 24 months old on the bottle. It really is about time though.

pps - I think I've decided to knit cowls for Sean's daycare teachers. I have 2 patterns in mind, I just need to figure out what their fave colors are. I'm going to see if I can ask them nonshalantly.

october twenty-eight :: 19 weeks old & 22 months old

Mack is 19 weeks old today.

Sean is also 22 months old today.

Today's Earrings.

I had fun playing with self portraits today (I love that I can see myself in the lens!)

Thank heavens he's strapped in. This kid does NOT sit still anymore. He is constantly trying to figure out how to turn over, regardless if he's not lying down!

I saw a story about Eliot on Oprah today. I had a good honest cry. A little boy who lived 99 days. The story is just heart touching, the way they celebrate his life.

Lena, a Montreal Knitter had her baby girl on October 17th, the same day that Mary of Ariadne had her boy Henry. It's so nice that they share a birthday. Henry, I believe was born 5 weeks early, from what I hear is doing well. Elizabeth, Lena's daughter was born 15 weeks early. (At 24 weeks 5 days pregnant). Elizabeth was born at 790g, which is just under 2 lbs. Elizabeth is doing great, but my thoughts are still with Lena. I hope to go visit as soon as I can go into the NICU. Lena should be able to bring Elizabeth home around her original due date - around February 1st, 2009. Please send your good thoughts Elizabeth's way.

Today I visited Melanie with Madeleine. We had an amazing homemade lunch (thanks Melanie!) and I even got to do some knitting on Tesserae.
Have you seen Montreal's new logo? Holy crap. A kindergarten class could have designed a better logo. I can't believe the city spent $487,000 on this logo, and is spending another $200,000 on marketing this new logo. Oy!

I picked up the tote bags for my November Ultimate kit. OH MY HEAVENS! If you have not signed up yet for the kit - you should! The tote bag rocks.

I finally grafted the Skull Hat closed and weaved in the few ends. My nephew's birthday party is the weekend after this one, so it's all ready to go now! Did I post project details? I can't remember?

Specs:
Pattern: Skull Hat by Gina Doherty
For: Jamie's sister's son, our nephew Merlyn.
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in Black & White.
Needles: 4.0mm DPNS & 5.0mm DPNS
Size: small (child)
Timeline: October 8-12th, 2008
Modifications: Followed pattern as published.
Opinion: Love it! I can't wait to give it to my nephew for his birthday.

I have some deadlines to finish, but I am thinking about a Vest for my mother-in-law for her birthday/Christmas. I can't seem to find a vest pattern I like. I may just have to take a Cardigan and just not knit the sleeves. That's 1 possibility. Unless someone has a nice vest pattern they want to recommend. The other thing is - I'm thinking about knitting either a scarf or a hat (but I'm gravitating towards scarf - because what if they don't like hats - some people don't - like my husband), for Sean's daycare teachers. They have been so good with him, and enduring the month long screaming fits he was having when adjusting to daycare. The even wipe his bum. That to me, deserves a nice hand knit present for Christmas. What do you think? So, I just have to decide what to knit.... and in what colors. I don't know how to go about asking them what their fave color is without arousing suspicion.

Sean as of yesterday now takes his milk at daycare in a sippy cup. You think we could get him to do the same thing at home? Not really.... so it's a fight still at home. Fun! Hopefully we'll be able to wean him before he's 2 years old off the bottle.

october twenty-seven

Today's earrings. I love these earrings. They were a fun find. The petals are actual shells.

This morning Sean was playing "daddy". He wanted to feed Mack his bottle, so I put on the bottle holder just in case. What was cute, is he wiped Mack's mouth with his bib after Mack was done drinking. It was too cute. The bottle holder now is pretty much useless. Mack isn't yet holding his own bottle yet, but he moves way too much now and the bottle goes flying. I can still sometimes use it in the car when Mack deperately needs his bottle and we have a long drive, otherwise, I don't use it so much anymore. Sean is such a big boy! I can't believe it. Tomorow he turns 22 months old.

Today we had Mack's playgroup. We didn't take any photos today, we were too lazy just chatting away. We'll be having an extra playgroup this week on Friday for Halloween. (I'm bringing a pasta salad - I'm researching recipes right now to decide how I want to make it). I cannot wait for the Halloween party this week. I hope that Mack will fit into the Banana costume because one of his two best friends will be a monkey (just like Sean will be at night while trick or treating)(I'm actually sending Sean to daycare in the morning as a Dragon incase it gets dirty - I dont want to risk that).

I got this tea infuser today. I cannot wait to pick up some loose tea to use it. It looks really neat. I'm HUGE on tea during the winter. Keeps me cozy.

Today's sunset. It was too gorgeous not to capture.

This evening Jamie & I sat on the couch and vegged out. I got some knitting done.

I was tagged by Cynthia!

Here are the rules: Link to the person who tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Write six random things about yourself. Tag six people at the end of your post. Let each person know he or she has been tagged. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

**Random Facts About Me**
1. I prefer white chocolate over regular chocolate.
2. I have 3 tattoos and I'm thinking about another one. I want to do something in honor of the boys, but their initials are S.&M. - 'nuff said. (I'm not getting that on my body! What would people think? Get your minds out of the gutter!)
3. I cannot stand the smell or taste of peanut butter. Makes me gag. Jamie has to eat it in the other room if he wants it.
4. I like to answer all my emails, but I'm super behind since Mack's birth. I hope to get back to catching up soon. I want my inbox cleaned out before the end of the year.
5. I don't drink coffee. Never even tried it. Though, I've tried coffee flavored things. Not a fan.
6. I used to take Tap, Ballet (pointe shoes) and Jazz.

I tag: Nadine, Lillian, Carolyn, Zonda, Tara, Jenny & Bertha.

Yarns I'm coveting:
Malabrigo Sock Yarn
Mama Blue Simple or Mama Blue Stripes
I'm still wanting some BMFA, but I've got a 10% off coupon (for being in the club) and a gift certificate from my SP12 Group for being their hostess, so I plan on using that.
I was coveting Sundara Sock yarn, but I'm splitting a membership to a sock club by Sundara, so I'll be getting 6 skeins of Sundara Sock yarn over the course of the winter! Finally, getting my hands on some Sundara!

october twenty-six

Mack's a tall baby. He's getting a little tall for his tub. However, the next tub I have for him, he needs to be sitting. He's not there yet. Sean I believe started sitting in his 5th month, so I'm hoping Mack will sit early too - so that we can start using the duck tub that I have for him.

Mr. Mack is getting to be such a redhead! I love it!

I've been doing some test knitting and here is some progress on Tesserae. It's a knitspot pattern by Anne Hanson. Her patterns rock! I wish I would have known what she looked like before going to Rhinebeck, now knowing what she looks like (from other people blogging about meeting her - I totally saw her at Rhinebeck! I wish I'd known it was her!)

Today was a relaxing day. I got to see Karine for a bit - she came over before heading to the mall nearby and got to finally meet Mack. I also had Tara and her beautiful daugther Émilie over. I bought Tara's Jumperoo off her, since her son Maxime outgrew it a long time ago and it was just sitting in her storage taking up space. She stayed for a while, Sean had a field day playing with a girl older than him and Tara and I got to chat and fondle yarn.

This evening we had dinner at my parents house, and came home to give both boys a bath and then it was bedtime. It's amazing how fast time flies. When we got home, and both boys were bathed and in bed, I was like "Hey, you want to go sit on the couch and watch something on TV"... and the hubby was like "Do you realize what time it is? I have to get to bed, there's work tomorrow!" Wow. The days fly by when you have kids. They surely keep me on my toes, and busy!

I'm taking the day off from wearing earrings today. Giving the ears a little breather. Plus, I'm trying to nurse myself from getting sick (I felt like I was perhaps coming down with something), so I just felt like not wearing any earrings today. I'll be back tomorrow though, with something fun!

I was tagged for a meme by Cynthia, but I will play tomorrow. I'm beat, time to hit the sack!

october twenty-five :: 10 Year High School Reunion

Today's Earrings. Same as these, just in black.

I finally blocked my Mini-Clapotis. It's inspired me to make a full size one finally. (Though I must finish some deadlines first..... I've got too much on my plate right now).

I love that you can wear it like this too. Just love it. Now, what yarn do I use to make a full sized clap?? Decisions, decisions, decisions.....!

This afternoon we bought a treadmill at Costco. Getting it home was an entire other story (thanks to the help of my dad and my mom's SUV). (Getting it home in the pouring rain again was a completely other story all together!) And now we need two guys (friends of Jamie's) to come over and help us bring it into the basement. It's quite the massive beast. I can't wait to start using it. It'll hopefully keep me exercising in the winter!

This evening I had my 10 Year High School reunion. Self-portrait in the girls washroom. (Still as nasty as ever in there! Some things never change!)

We were 31 students that showed up for the event, plus dates. Jamie came with me for about an hour and a half, and then I let him leave for his hockey game that he plays on Saturday nights (nice wife I am!) but it was great to catch up with old friends and see how some people still look the exact same way they did 10 years ago! A few teachers did show up too - no one that I really had as a teacher though, so I didn't really talk to them. A few faces that I'm shocked didn't show up - but maybe they'll attend a 20 or 25 year reunion. Holy crap - I'll have teenagers at a 25 year reunion! That is insane. There are some faces that I talked to that are super nice now - but I was NEVER friends with in high school. It's amazing how people change! Some people went out afterwards to a bar, but I had to head home and relieve my parents of babysitting duties. Though, I wish I could have gone out with them. That would have been nice! Maybe next reunion, when my kids are old enough to stay home by themselves....! (At a 20 year reunion, Sean will almost be 12, but at a 25 year reunion, Sean will be almost 17.... and probably with a drivers permit!)

Have you seen this? The Kindle - Oprah's new fave product? I want one!