04.02.10

This morning we got up bright & early to go on a playdate.

The kids had fun sliding!

They really had a good time!

Sean loves Donald Duck.

The boys tried to convince me to waste my money in these toy “vending machines”.
That didn’t work.

Mack was cute as always! (I just love this shot!)

After the gym, (which everyone had a fantastic time) we all took our kids to McDonald’s for lunch as a treat. By the time lunch was wrapping up, Mack was really cranky so we headed home so that he could take his afternoon nap. I’m grateful that at least one of my two boys still take a 3 hour (at least!) afternoon nap.

While I did some work from home, Mack napped.
Jamie took Sean to the driving range nearby.

This kid has talent. Look here yourself:


I can’t even hit the ball of the tee 3 times in a row. And that shot that went flying?! Wow…

This evening we hung out at home, had a late dinner and after the kids were in bed, we watched some more tv. I parked myself on the couch, wiped up some more square for babette (I think I’m obsessed with them now). Indulged in some red wine, and if I can keep my eyes open, I’m going to go read more in Holly’s Inbox. I’m still about (give or take) 100 pages from the end of the book. I hope to finish it this weekend, along with the 8 loads of laundry I need to fold.

august eighteen

After dropping off Sean at daycare and Mack at my parents house, I headed out to work. Today I wore a new pair of simple earrings that I made myself. Love them. I got these neat posts at Michaels over the weekend and wanted to try them out. I put it with some wood beads, and voila, a great new pair of earrings.

On my way home from work I stopped into UPS. I think the girl there is starting to know me, as this time, when I dropped off the "ready to go" packages for work (my office job), she said "Ready to go?"... She knows it! If it was us paying for the shipping, we wouldn't be using UPS, but that's the method that the company we're shipping defective goods back to wants to use.

After UPS I picked up Sean from daycare and then Mack from my mom's house. Fed them dinner, so I could leave to go to knit night. I always make sure that the kids are fed or are in the middle of being fed before I leave. Jaime sometimes gets in late from work, when I have to walk out the door. I tried feeding Mackenzie the pasta tonight, (Pasta I dont let him feed himself, as it gets really messy) and he wouldn't take it from me. Though, when Jamie tried to feed him, he ate. Very weird. Considering he's a mommy's boy.

Had a great time at our mini knit night tonight. Never a silent moment. Love it. Look forward to it each week. I worked on my test knit and finished it tonight. I'll post pictures of it in a day or so. Stay tuned for them! Fastest knit ever. I love that.

Thought I'd share with you some recent stash enhancement:

St-Denis Nordique in 5820 Blue Eggshell for Vintage Button Gloves by Ysolda Teague

St-Denis Nordique in 5860 Balsam for Green Mountain Shawl by Veronik Avery

St-Denis Nordique yarn is available right now through my shop as special order.

august twelve :: 60 weeks old

Mack is 60 weeks old today.

I need to find a better system to get out of the house in the morning with both kids. I really don't understand how it takes me so long to get out the door. And then I remember I have 2 young kids. This morning I was about 8 minutes late to Mack's mom and tot class, our last Wednesday class. I don't feel so bad because the first 30 minutes is gym time, so we didn't miss any music. Sean decided this morning that he wanted to dress himself. That took like 45 minutes. He kept getting frustrated and screaming he couldn't do it, and then when I offered to help him or even just show him or get him started - he threw a fit that he wanted to do it himself. And then once he finally got dressed (shirt on backwards though), he decided he wanted to get undressed again and get dressed all over again. At that point I got really frustrated and was trying to figure out how to carry both kids down the stairs (since Mack's not walking yet) and get out the door.

After our class I checked in with the nutritionist for my weekly check-in (since I can't go on Friday) and I'm the same weight as I have been for the last two check-ins. 151.8 lbs on their scale (148.8 lbs on my scale). I can't get it to go down further! Dying to get off 3.8 more pounds. I want to hit 145 lbs on my scale (148 on theirs). Though, I'm in no rush for that to happen. Whenever it does...!

While Mack napped this afternoon I finished up some earrings I've been working on. I love them!!! I'm really on this jewelry kick. I even got compliments while wearing them out this afternoon). Sean's new teacher loves them, I think I'm going to give her a pair.

If you are interested in purchasing a pair, please either leave me a comments with your contact information (email address where I can reach you), or toss me an email (my email address is in my profile).

After Mack got up from his nap I went to the post office to mail a few things including some swap packages for a few swaps I'm in and hostessing. I wanted to make sure those got out in the mail before the mail deadline. I had finished packaging them up while Mack napped, so it feels good to get them en route.

After the post office, I found these tshirts for Mack. How could I not get them for him? They say his name on them!!! I cannot wait for him to fit into them, as they are 2T, 3T and 4T.

(The red one says Mack under the front of the truck).

I also picked up a twin size blow up mattress for Sean. I could have sworn that my mom brought home the one Sean slept on while we were in Florida this past January, but she says she left it there. I was expecting the mattress to be expensive, but including the pump it was under 20$. We need it for this weekend, but now we have one, and I'm sure it'll get plenty of use. It could also be used for any future sleepovers the boys have with their friends, for a comfy place for a friend to sleep on. I don't know, I'm just thinking ahead!

Tonight, after an easy leftovers dinner, the boys got their bath. Tonight, though, out of no where, Mack FREAKED out as soon as his body touched the water in the tub. Let me tell you though, it's the hardest bath I've ever had to give either boy. The water wasn't cold or hot (or Sean wouldn't have gone into it either). I just cannot figure it out. He screamed. Cried. Freaked out. I had to hold him down and wash him. I had to have Jamie hold him down while I rinsed his hair. There was no way he wasn't getting a bath tonight. He already doesn't get baths on a daily basis because of his eczema... I wasn't allowing him to skip tonight's bath. I really hope that he doesn't freak out in the next bath. It just doesn't make any sense. No issues with the pool though (that I know of), so I really don't get it. I guess I'll have to wait and see if he throws a fit the next bath.

Tonight after the boys went to bed Jamie and I watched 2 episodes of Dexter (Season 1 episodes 2 & 3). Holy is that show deranged. But Jamie and I are enjoying it. I really like Michael C. Hall. I was a huge fan of his on Six Feet Under and he's doing a great job in Dexter. Trivia - did you know that Michael C. Hall is married to Jennifer Carpenter who plays his sister on the show? It's weird seeing them as brother and sister in the show when I know in real life they're married. Newlyweds too. This New Years Eve will be their 1st wedding anniversary. Ah, the things you learn from IMDB. I didn't get any knitting done tonight as I had a ton of laundry to fold while we were watching tv. The laundry that just never ends. Ever.

july fourteen

Today Mack had his class again at the local synagogue. I really like the moms in this class, and I really bonded with this one mom, who's son C is in the picture above with Mack. We've become instant friends. They live 1 street away from us, and I pass by their house on a daily basis when I drop Sean off at daycare. She's within walking distance, and I think Mack & C will become good friends! She's also good friends, maybe even best friends with my neighbor 3 houses down (whom I have yet to meet). I love this picture above - definitely going to print it and frame it for Mack's room.

Mack really enjoys going to the classes, as he loves to play in the gym.

And he also really loves the music part of the class too. He loves to play with the animal puppets and the musical instruments and bop his head along to the music. You can even at times, catch him shakin' his little bum. Too cute.

I wore some new earrings today, and I love them.
Had to show you them.

After the class I ran home to get something before dropping Mack off at my parents house, since I forgot something that he needed. I discovered my new recycling bin had been delivered to my house. It's huge! But I bet not big enough for the amount we recycle. We'll see how long it takes to fill (or rather how short of time it takes to fill up). This one that I got was "standard" size delivered to everyone. However, if you don't recycle as much, they had an option for a smaller size. They also had the option for the larger size if you knew that you would need it. I didn't RSVP, as if you don't, they were just going to send you this size above. Now I'm wondering if I should have asked for the larger sized one. I guess we'll wait and see if this one is enough space or not. (I recycle more than I throw out).

After dropping Mackenzie off at my parents house, I headed to work. I worked until I had to leave to get Sean from daycare. I ended up leaving late, but still got there with enough time to get Sean before the daycare closed.

After picking up Sean I took him to get some groceries and then to the dollar store next door as I needed to get a milk jug to put the bag of 3.25% (homogenized) milk for Mackenzie in, so that I could pour him his milk tomorrow when he starts real milk. (No more formula left as of tonight!) In the dollar store, Sean threw a fit in the middle of the store, because even though I was letting him pick out three (yes 3!) books that he wanted, he wanted 3 copies of each book. Tried explaining to him that yes, I would buy him the books, he certainly did NOT need 3 copies of each! That's for sure. He threw himself down on the floor lying down , started screaming and flapping his arms & legs all over. Ah, the terrible two's. Sean does this when he doesn't get what he wants and you try to get him to come with you, and he doesn't want to walk any further, etc... so he plops himself down and throws a fit.

And tonight was no better. I was home alone with both boys tonight since Jaime had to work late. Mack is an angel at bed time - knock on wood - and goes to bed without any hitches. Sean on the other hand, would NOT go to sleep tonight. He kept screaming and yelling and not listening. I just don't understand why out of no where he's behaving like this. I am hoping it's just a phase and it'll pass by quickly. It was just after 10 pm when I finally got him to bed, which was around the time Jamie got home from work. It took the both of us to get him to bed. The list of chores, work, and even maybe some personal time of peace & quiet since Jamie was out tonight, would have been nice to have/take care of. I got nothing done this evening. This can't go on like this, I'll go nuts. Really!

december eighteen

I got some stuff to show you today.

First I love this picture I took today when playing in the mirror. I love the colors/the brightness. Just love it. Wanted to share it. (Love my hair too. Having a good hair day!)

I got some mail from Lillian today. She sent me a nice card (which I actually think I want to frame!!) and some gorgeous stitch markers by Hey Buttons - who is actually a Montrealer! So the stitch markers were made in Montreal, shipped to Lillian in Toronto, and then shipped back to me in Montreal - how funny!


I love mornings. It's fun when both my boys have their milk in my bed and we watch cartoons.

This morning when I dropped Sean off at daycare (on time as Santa was coming to breakfast today!) (with the cupcakes - which were a huge hit with everyone but my own son, but that's another story), and I gave Sean's 2 teachers their gifts. They absolutely loved them. I gave them each a neckwarmer, this one, and this one. They also each got 2 pairs of handmade earrings and a handmade necklace. I also gave them each one of my Warm Kisses on a Cold Day (Coaco bags I made). I hope to see them wearing my creations!

I got a sample (for the shop of course) of Actual Size Creations in Good Karma. Oh, it's delicious.

And I also have to present to you, Massie:

It's my design for the December 2008 Sock Club. Oh I love it. And the Zen Yarn Garden Bling Yarn is just to dye for. Though, as many clients & friends have said, it shouldn't be on the feet, but made into a shawl or worn not hidden by shoes. I agree. The yarn is just heaven!

I ran some errands today, needed to get a birthday present for a soon-to-be 2 year old girl. I got her a doll and a "bouncy chair" for the doll. Oh, I want to have a girl one day, so I can play with dolls too. While out, I ended up finding a good deal on this Avalon® Reflect Twin Stroller with Canopy. I had been watching to see if the Jeep Wrangler Twin Sport All-Wheel Stroller from Toys R Us. I kind of like the color of the one I found today better and the price was definitely a lot better. I just wanted a lightweight double umbrella stroller as my Graco Quattro Duo is massive and I'm starting to hate it. Now that Mack sits, I can put him safely into the umbrella stroller.

I've been working on The Moss Block Cardigan. I should be done the front tomorrow and then I'll cast on the back. Hoping to maybe have it finished before Christmas, but that may be pushing my luck. I also need to finish a test knit that I'm doing (a sock) and as well, the Striped Modular Vest which is on the cover of September 2008's issue of Creative Knitting for my mother-in-law. I promised it to her for her birthday, which is December 23rd, but she's aware that it will be a little late. I'm hoping that it doesn't take me longer than January to finish it - because in February, I want to make the February Lady Sweater for myself in Dream in Color Classy. I have some already prepared and ready to go. But that's not a priority on my list of things to knit.

I need to:
- Wrap Sean's Birthday Presents
- Wrap Chanukah Presents
- Wrap Christmas Presents
- Wrap my Mom's Birthday Present
- Wrap Amy's Birthday Present (it's her 24th tomorrow!)
- Write out Birthday/Chanukah(?)/Christmas cards
- Do laundry
- Do a return to Zellers (before the 24th)
- Do a return to Walmart (before 90 days are up, so that can wait)
- Pick up 1 15-20$ Christmas Gift Exchange for the adults (Jamie & I each have to bring one, and I have one already, I just need another).
- Make sure I'm organized for Sean's birthday party Sunday.
- Figure out when my cleaning lady is going to come since she comes Thursdays and I don't have her the next 2 weeks since it's Christmas then New Years.

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-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!