06.27.10

Today after the kids let me sleep in, (I stayed up last night a bit trying to finish the book I’m currently reading – I’ve got less than 45 pages left and I just want to finish it already), we hung out in the backyard. I got to knit a bit, and Jamie dug up the grass and a bit of the earth under the swing set (there is a designated sandbox area) for sand. I absolutely hate the sand at the park in our circle, as it’s always full of weeds and garbage. And the park up the street from our house always has that disruptive kid and he useless grandfather who barely speaks English or French for that matter, so we’ve been avoiding going there, as they seem to always be there. It was time for our own private sandbox.

The boys jumped right in as soon as Jamie put down all the sand we had. We still need a few more bags of sand to put down.

Sean decided to put every sand toy we own into the sandbox. Would you like some sand with the toys? I seriously was wondering where they would have room to sit, but they managed to squeeze their little tushies into the box.

And of course they both fought over the same single toy (rake type toy make has in his hands), because out of the 485 toys that were in the sandbox, they had to both have the same one. Boys. Ahh, I can’t wait for Zoe to arrive to balance it out a bit in this house. I need some more girl power around here.

This evening we had a BBQ at my aunt’s house. Sean & Mack had fun playing with their cousins Jakob and Henri. I got some knitting questions answered by Jenn. I’m wondering if it was just my pregnancy brain, or are Elizabeth Zimmerman’s patterns just sometimes hard to understand.


Here is the current progress on Zoe’s February Baby Sweater. I like how it’s coming out!

ps- Just a reminder that I'm throwing a contest for this entire month! Details are here.

06.18.10

What a day. Ran around today like a chicken with it’s head cut off. Seriously. That’s how I felt. I’ve been to 5 different grocery stores, a couple of dollar stores, pharmacies, oh, and to work. Making sure that everything is ready for Mack’s birthday party tomorrow. For the last couple of weeks it’s been go-go-go. I cannot wait until after Father’s Day. Once Father’s Day is over, I can sit back and relax. The first 3 weeks of June have been absolutely insanely busy. I actually cannot wait to be able to relax, as I’ve been wicked tired due to the pregnancy. Not sure how I’m still standing on my two feet. I haven’t even knitted a stitch in a few days. I wish I had more hours in the day. (Don’t we all?)

This evening my in-laws came for dinner and then my sister came over to help. Thank you so much everyone for the help. I don’t know what I would do without it. The cake alone took us 2 and a half hours to ice. (Oh, and almost 11 jars of Betty Crocker’s Creamy French Vanilla icing – talk about calories!)

I miss sushi. I miss Sangria. I miss red wine. Though, I’d rather be pregnant. This little girl is very wanted, and I can tell, already very spoiled. We’re working out the spelling of her name, so once it’s finalized, I’ll gladly share it. Both of our boys were called by name before they were born. No reason not to call her by her name. Though, only once we have the spelling of it worked out. (Spelling of her first name actually). I’ve also got to pick her out a hebrew name. Though, I have some ideas. We’ll see if they play out.

I’m beat. I’ve got to get up super early tomorrow to weed the entire patio before Mack’s party at 10:30 am. (Yeah, I’m insane, I know). I can’t have the party in the backyard the way the patio is now, and due to rain this week on the days I was actually home, I lost opportunities to do some weeding. It’s quite the job for that, unfortunately.

ps- Just a reminder that I'm throwing a contest for this entire month! Details are here.

05.10.10 :: 175 weeks old

Sean is 175 weeks old today.

The backyard fence was finished today.
You can see where the line was where the fence was before.
It was moved 4.8 feet back (and it’s 68 feet long).
It’s a lot more roomier!
The plant you see in the middle is my neighbours’ plant, they’ll be moving it.

Next project, next weekend is to turn the earth in the garden and get planting!
I cannot wait to get started on my vegetable garden.
I can already smell the fresh salads we’ll be eating all summer.

Today’s Link Love:
- Love this Modern Outdoor Planter. I do have space in my backyard, but that’s just gorgeous.
-This headband, which is on sale here.
- These cat nip toys are too funny.
- Love this lovebird print.
- Too bad my husband isn't into funky ties, I love this vintage camera one.
I already have a small Seatbelt purse, in black, but I love this messenger style one.
- This owl pillow is just too darn cute.
- Love this @ pendant!
- I love this lady silhouette journal.
- I am a HUGE elephant lover. I love this silver pendant.
- And of course these matching earrings.
- Love these Knitting Nerd decals. I still have some left to sell - if you are interested in any - please message me they are 5$ CAD each. I have Knitting Nerd, Knit Girl, Crochet Geek all in white & black.
-These glasses pendant is wicked neat.
- This Gummy Bear Kissing Necklace is just too cute.
- These Rose Garden Mary Jane booties.
- These Kimono Baby Booties.
- Oh and these Watermelon Baby Booties.

I’ve been doing some more spring cleaning in my life, and putting the trash by the curb where it belongs and metaphorically it’s garbage day tomorrow. Feels great. Less stress. I couldn’t be any happier. Sometimes you just need to go in new directions in life, and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me. I am truly blessed that I know whom my true friends are, and they stick by me no matter what. I may not be perfect, no human is, and that makes me who I am. I can honestly tell you that I am in a much happier place in my life as of lately, and dumping this trash at the curb, just made it even that better. I’ve never been more confident in my life, than NOW. TODAY. For tomorrow. And the future.

And let tomorrow be even more beautiful.

05.04.10

I received a wonderful package in the mail today from Lauren.
It was for a swap she had me in on Ravelry.
I got some lovely super chunky Debbie Bliss yarn.
I would love to acquire one more skein,
as there’s only 82 yards in this skein and I only have one,
but it seems like it’s discontinued.
If you have any you’d like to de-stash, message me for a trade?

She also knit for me these lovely Fishtail Wristwarmers.
They fit like a glove. Pun intended.
And they’re purple!

Tonight Jamie & I had tickets to Game 3 Habs vs. Penguins.

The Habs played very well the first 2 periods. Going into the 3rd period the score was 0-0. The Penguins score a goal at some point in the 3rd period and we just couldn’t tie the game for a possible win. So now the Pens are leading 2-1 in the series, but it’s not over yet. Game 4 is Thursday night, and I’ll be rooting on the Habs. GO HABS GO! I have faith.

Last night I started knitting the Baby Boy 5-Hour Sweater, because I had the itch to cast on something wee tiny and a quick knit. It’ll go into the gift pile since my boys are slightly too large for a 0-3 month old sweater. I’m using Mirasol Hacho in Sapphire Jade. I have 3 skeins, but I wonder if I can get away with just using 2? I guess we’ll see. I’ll post some progress photos soon.

Today we left a deposit to move the back wall of our backyard fence just over 4 feet back. We installed the fence in late spring 2008. We decided to not put it where we’re moving it to, because the land behind our fence has a servitude with both Hydro-Quebec and Bell Canada. If they need to go to the poll behind our house, and put up a ladder and or the poll knocks over or somehow they damage our fence, if it’s in their servitude area, then we’re responsible for fixing the fence or doing any repairs necessary. If it’s on our property before their servitude, if they damage it, then they will pay to fix any damages. Well, the chances of them doing any damage is actually rare. But 2 years ago after just moving into this house, we were like “Why take the chance?”. My next door neighbour came to us a few nights ago and told us that he heard on the radio a lawyer or a notary talking about a case that he was dealing with where the neighbour behind was maintaining grass/land that actually belong to the guy back to back with him, and if he maintained it for 5-10 years or something like that, then the guy maintaining could claim the land as his, and get it added to his property servitude. Well, the guy behind me actually planted a floral plant RIGHT behind my fence on my property. And he’s been cutting the grass last year too there, since he sees that land from his house/patio, and if he didn’t cut it, it would look bad, etc. No way did I want him claiming almost 4 and a half feet for himself, so Jamie & I decided that we’ll bit the bullet and cost and move the fence back. We called the same fence guy who installed our fence 2 years ago, and he worked out a decent price, and he’s starting tomorrow (hopefully, rain providing), to move our fence back. I asked the neighbour behind to move his plant, but if he moves it before May 24th it could die, so we promised him that the fence guys would NOT touch the plant, and he could come onto our property after and remove it when the time is right. We also promised him that the fence when moved would NOT touch his property, nor the property line, and that it would be 1 inch in. The guy behind me is such an a$$hole, let me tell you. He had me on the phone just before, (he calls at like 10:45 pm when he knows we have 2 small children) to tell me stuff I already know, and go on about how he’s a mechanical engineer or something and he knows about distance in servitudes and the fence better not touch his property (as he wants no responsible for paying for any of it, or maintaining it, etc). I wanted to tell him to go where the sun don’t shine and to never call my house at this hour again. I can’t wait for the day he sells his house and moves. Hopefully a nice couple will move in. Their son (I believe they only have one) is about my age and moved out, so any day now hopefully their house will be a little too big for the 2 of them and they’ll want to move. I like being surrounded by nice people, and not negative, condescending mean folk. Ahh, thanks for listening to me vent.

04.03.10

Today was absolutely gorgeous. We decided to go outside in the backyard to eat breakfast & then play. I spent time to put the new stroller together. I had chucked one of my umbrella strollers as it was broken, and wanted something with a tall handle/lightweight/has a basket for my next trip. I got one just recently at Walmart (matches my duvet cover!) and so far, I love it.

This afternoon I ran some errands with Mack, while Jamie took Sean to the driving range.

This kid makes me smile.

Late afternoon we had a playdate with Jamie’s friend & his wife who are visiting from Calgary. Jamie went to elementary school & high school with this friend, and they come in every year for the holidays. Their daughter is 7 & their son just turned 4. Our 4 kids played very well together today. It was gorgeous out today, a high of 25°C (77°F). I just checked online, and here were the highest temperatures for the last 4 years on April 3rd:

2006: 12.5°C
2007: 9.9°C
2008: 7.5°C
2009: 17.3°C

I’m just shocked that last year was even that high. I don’t recall. Though, today’s high of 25°C. Tomorrow, they’re calling for a high of 16°C. Last year, the high was 9.6°C. Mother nature is not sure what’s going on. It’s okay though, I like this beautiful weather!

Sean even got a story in his bed from their daughter.
I had no idea they were in his room, at all.
I just so happen to have had my camera with me when I found them.
I think he likes having older girls in his bed.
I think I’ll have to keep my eye open very widely!

After a lovely dinner, they eventually headed home & I finished up some red and worked on babette. I also worked on the sock for a swap pal. I’m already on sock number 2. I wish I had this much motivation to work on socks for myself, I have a ton of single socks that need my attention, as well as a pair on the needles for Jamie. (I will get those done soon. It’s in the plans.)

june six

This morning we had a pajama party in the park for my friend's daughter who turns 4 today.

It was a little windy out, so the boys had to wear their jacket on top of the pajamas. Mack had his friend Aviva there, who is the birthday girl's little sister. Aviva is about 3 weeks younger than Mack.

They were completely happy spilling out their cheerios and playing with the paper bowls.

Now, I have to tell you - this park - is the most wicked park ever. There is a trampoline in the ground! How genius is this? As you can tell - I have a fabulous time jumping on it as well! I had such a good time in this park - that I want to hold our West Island Knit in Public day - in this park. What's great is that there is a Chalet with bathrooms, and the park is clean. We're going to do a picnic in the park. Maybe I can knit while jumping??? I felt like a little kid again having fun in the park.

There was face painting (hired by the birthday girl's parents). Sean got spiderman painted on his cheek. The birthday girl is obsessed with Spiderman. She was even wearing Spiderman pj's!

Sean thought it was super cool to have Spiderman painted on his cheek! He loved it!

We played with a parachute.

And played hoolah hoop games!

Even Mack wanted a turn!

Here is a video of Sean trying to Hoolah Hoop. It was too cute.

They had awesome chair swings - I got a kick out of these.

Our family doctor was there with her husband and her daughter. She's really good friends with the birthday girl's dad, for years they've known each other. She is now 17 weeks pregnant and will be leaving in October for maternity leave. She said she would see Sean early for his 3 year check-up and Mack she will be there for his 15 month check up in September, but his 18 month check up in December, that the CLSC will take care of his shots as the doctor that is following her baby patients (all other patients will wait until she comes back for regular check-ups) doesn't give shots, and I will make an appointment for Mack's 18 month with Dr. L who will be following Mack & Sean. Mack's 2 year in June, she probably won't be back yet, so I will probably see Dr. L in June 2010, as Dr. F said she's taking a full year maternity leave this time (with her daughter she didn't take a full year) and will only be coming back to her practice in October of 2010. I am glad that she has someone following her young patients, as I don't want to have to go looking for another doctor, as I really like Dr. F. Anyhow, I told her we're coming to see her in 2 weeks, so I'll talk to her more then about it. I didn't want to pry too much on her personal time at her friend's daughter's party, but a bunch of us were talking and she brought up her maternity leave.

We had a great time. The birthday girl opened her gifts, we had some yummy mint cake (I tried one bit - it was so hard to not eat an entire piece!) and then we headed home so that the boys would nap.

At some point this afternoon, after Mack got up from his nap, I convinced Jamie to put together the new bench. I absolutely love it. Mack wanted to help put it together.

I just love the vintage look to it. And I love the wheel sides. It's super comfy to sit in as well!

For now it's in the corner of our backyard. Next to it I put a little boy flower pot stand. I don't really know where else to put it for now, so I like it there.

My father-in-law came over for a bit. He was supposed to come with my step-mother-in-law but she wasn't feeling well and they have a wedding tomorrow so she wanted to rest up. Plus, she didn't want to get the kids sick. I appreciate it when people think about the kids, and not wanting to get them sick. Especially not a week before Mack turns 1!

My father-in-law brought over my (early) birthday present. (My birthday is June 16th - and as always I am looking forward to my birthday!) Last year I spent my birthday evening in the hospital after my water broke, but no hospitals this year! Last night at the auction, my in-laws bid on a 9 piece pot set for me, and won it in a bidding war. It's gorgeous! I will have to take a picture of it to show you, but I am telling you - I am spoiled. It even came with a HUGE food encyclopedia. I cannot wait to start cooking in them!

We were supposed to see Jamie's cousin Mike and his wife from New Jersey who are in town for the wedding tomorrow, but we figured why rush tonight (as there is a BBQ at the groom's parents place) so we made plans for lunch tomorrow. We are distant cousins of the groom, so we weren't invited to the wedding. The groom's parents were invited to our wedding, and my in-laws are invited to the wedding tomorrow, but we're not.

Tonight we barbecued hot dogs and zucchinis. (I told you I could eat them all summer long, every night, and not get sick of them). Maybe by the end of the summer I'll turn into a zucchini!

Jamie had hockey tonight, it started up for the summer, back at it's usual time, Saturday nights at 10pm. It's a good thing we're not a young couple just married with no kids. If that were the case, or it was back when we were dating/engaged, I would have SHOT him for making plans to be on an organized team on Saturday nights at 10 pm. But since I'm usually pooped by that time - I don't care that he goes on a Saturday night. When you have young kids, you don't care. I'm not even sure how he stays awake on the ice at that hour! He keeps complaining that he's getting older (he's 5.5 years older than me) and his body is aching and breaking. Though, I am super glad that he's keeping active all summer, by playing baseball & hockey.

So while Jamie was out, I decided to watch Freedom Writers, since my father-in-law brought it over tonight. 45 minutes into the 2 hour movie, I kept saying to myself "this looks familiar, this sounds familiar". Turns out I did indeed watch it, on June 17th, 2007 with Jamie. It was father's day. One year before Mack was born. (He wasn't even a thought yet - I didn't get pregnant with Mack until September 2007). So I shut it off after 45 minutes and caught up on some episodes of Jon & Kate Plus Eight that my PVR had recorded. (If you go take a look at the June 17th, 2007 link, there is a hysterical picture of Sean in the tub - he was almost 6 months old there. That picture cracks me up every single time!) I worked on my Misty Garden Scarf. I most definitely can finish it by tomorrow, I am going to run out of yarn before I can reach 59" that's for sure. But I should be able to get close - some number in the 50's for sure. My guess is around 50-54" for the scarf pre-blocked.