10 Books

Today I hit 10 books read in 2013. That’s 1.25 books a week. We’re now in the 8th week of the year. I’m feeling quite confident that I can reach my pledge this year. So far this year I’ve read: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Beyond the Sling by Mayim Bialik, Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, Where’d you go Bernadette by Maria Semple, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall and Sh*t My Dad Says and I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern, Three Good Things by Wendy Francis, and Mistaken Identity by Dan & Susie Van Ryan, Colleen Newell, Whitney Cerak and Mark Tabb. I just started reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I’m addicted to getting lost in a good book!

The Blue Sweater

  

Finally tried this on Quentin, who is almost 27 months old, and it fits him perfectly. He’s around 26-28 lbs. No way this would fit 5/6T, which is the size that I knit. Something’s off in this pattern for all sizes it seems, after making 2 different sizes. It’s too bad, but I won’t knit this again. So many other patterns out there to knit. But Quentin definitely looks adorable in it. He’ll probably get a bit of use out of this sweater this winter, before he outgrows it. I am glad that I finished it (aka finally seamed it) when I did, otherwise it would never have fit him.

 

50 Book Pledge

I decided to take the 50 book pledge for 2013. I also signed up for the 52 books, 52 weeks challenge with author Catherine McKenzie on Goodreads. (I’m here on there – if you’re on Goodreads, please feel free to add me as a friend). The 52 books, 52 weeks challenge though, I don’t like all the types of books that are chosen, so I’m only going to read the books I actually want to read, and the other weeks, I’ll chose something else. We are 8 weeks into the year, and I’ve read 7.5 books so far. I’m on track so far! According to the 50 books challenge, I’m on pace to read 52 books this year if I keep up my current pace. Last year, I tried to read 24 books, and was able to actually finish 22.5. This year, my knitting/crochet seems to be lacking but I’m on top of reading. I think I go through phases. There were times in the past where I’d devour books (that was also before I had kids). I missed reading so much, I think I’m over-compensating now. But that’s okay, reading is a good thing to do. So far this year I’ve read: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Beyond the Sling by Mayim Bialik, Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks, Where’d you go Bernadette by Maria Semple, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall and Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern. I’m also about a 3rd into I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern, Almost 20% into Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, 15% into How to Talk So Kids with Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber, 60% done The Stuff That Never Happened by Maddie Dawson (which I’ve had started a long time ago, but have been struggling through it, but want to finish it, because I always finish a book once started, I’m stubborn like that), and 36% into The Mominatrix's Guide To Sex: A No Surrender Advice Book For Naughty Moms by Kristen Chase, which most of it doesn’t even apply to me, as it talks about you & your partner while pregnant, just after giving birth, and with young children, and I’m way past that stage now, so a lot of it is irrelevant and I’m reading it and glad I’m way past those stages too!

What are you currently reading?

Valentine’s Day 2013

I had a lot of fun with Valentine’s day this year. Not only did I get to volunteer in Sean’s class in his elementary school but Sean and I got to make some pretty awesome Valentine’s Day cards. I saw this idea, online, about a year ago and knew that this is what I wanted to do when Sean was in Kindergarten for his classmates. After a little printing mishap (my color laser printer would NOT accept card stock, but my sister’s ink jet printer saved the day in the end), we had some pretty awesome Valentine’s Day cards.

If you notice, most of them are in French. I had to take the PDF that was on the web, get rid of the English and add in French text. Because I’m extremely  familiar with Photoshop this didn’t take me long at all. Sean’s in French immersion at school (Kindergarten through grade 2 are French all day, only grades 3 through 6 are half day English, half day French). We did print 1 sheet of English ones for a few of his buddies outside of his class. The light sabers are glow sticks, how cool! I had on hand already 1 pack of glow sticks from Target (which I was thinking about using once for part of one of the kids lootbags, but didn’t have enough), those were 15 for 1$. The balance of the glow sticks I picked up at a dollar store here, were 6 for 1$. (I wish Target would open up in Canada already!)

Sean wrote them all out, and signed them. I put them into a little Valentine’s lootbag with some candies for his friends. We had a blast making them, and I hope his friends like them too, because I’m pretty darn proud of them! I definitely am keeping this idea for Mackenzie’s kindergarten class next year.

How was your Valentine’s Day? Hope it was filled with lots of love! Enjoy!

Finally Finished

A year and a half later, I finally seamed Wyatt. I have NO idea what took me a year and a half to seam it, but it’s been finished since June 30, 2011. Maybe it’s because I knew there would be no way it would actually fit Sean when I finished it – who it was intended for. Mackenzie probably could have worn it. Now, maybe it would possibly fit Quentin in the fall for next winter. I plan to try it on him this week and see how it fits him now. It seems it’s wide enough to fit him now, but the sleeves & length are probably going to be a bit long for him. I had knit this up in a NB-9 month size, and it fit Quentin when he was 13 weeks old and wore it for a few weeks. He was 9 lbs 5 oz at 13 weeks old. No way a 9 month old could fit into the smallest size, which the designer marked as NB-9 month old. Most 13 week olds are a lot large than 9 lbs 5 oz (Quentin was a preemie born at 5 lbs 10 oz,, but dropping to 4 and a half lbs). Anyhow, there is something definitely off by the sizing in this pattern, and I don’t think I’ll knit this one again. (Looking back at the pics of Quentin in the original Wyatt I knit for him, I miss him that size!) Onto the next WIP… I’m trying to clear those out! (It’s about time!)

One Year Later

I have a Kenmore (from Sears) front loader. I had a Kenmore repair guy here for routine servicing under warranty last year. He told me I was using too much soap when doing my loads. You are not supposed to use the cup liquid soap comes with. (I use HE soap for front loading). You are only supposed to use 1 tablespoon. so I bought a set of measuring spoons from the dollar store and use the 1 tbs for measuring my soap for each load. I wanted to see how long this container of soap would last, so I marked the date on it when I started it. It says 185 loads on the bottle. I started it Feb 20, 2012 - Almost a year ago!!! I am almost down to the end of the bottle now, probably 500-600 loads later. I can't believe it & my clothes come out clean with that little soap each use! Thank you Kenmore service guy!

I QUIT!

I quit Facebook last night & it feels great. Those friends I was missing their contact info (email/phone numbers), I messaged and told them how to keep in touch. I’ve been weaning myself slowly off Facebook for a while, and last night I finally made the move and deleted my account. Let me tell you, I slept well last night! Now I know why my friends whom aren’t on Facebook, aren’t on Facebook. Are you on Facebook? Are you not on Facebook? Just like anything, it was a phase for me while I was on there, and it allowed me to reconnect with some old friends, but to be honest, while reconnecting was nice, as a mom of 3 kids, I don’t have the time or the energy to waste time on Facebook or the drama that Facebook creates.

The Kiss

Fans have been waiting for a LONG time now for this kiss. Are you a New Girl Fan? I finally got to watch last week’s episode last night. My mouth dropped – it was hot!

Goodbye to the Penny

The Franklin Electric

I’m loving the music by The Franklin Electric. Front man Jon (who plays a mean trumpet), plays music weekly at our daycare for both Mack & Quentin. I saw him perform (kid music) at a 2 year old birthday party just before we went to Jamaica. The kids have a blast listening to him perform. I hope his band performs soon, I’d love to go support local artists! Doesn’t hurt he’s a cutie too! You can check out their website to download a copy of Old Piano for your MP3 player! ENJOY! (I’m loving their song Song Bird as well)

Knitting on the Beach

I got a little bit of knitting done while I was in Jamaica. It was so nice & relaxing to knit on the beach with a Frozen Margarita in hand! I promised Jamie that the next knitting item I’d finish is his OVERDUE socks, that I promised him for Xmas 2009. (Oops!) One is completely finished, but the other isn’t. At least sock 2 has been started. I designed so many pairs of socks between 2008-2009 that by the end of 2009, I was all “socked-out”, as I called it. But now, I’m back and plan to finish his socks as soon as possibly!

Yeah Man!

I just got back (on Saturday evening) from an 8 day trip in Negril, Jamaica with my entire family. (We were 11 of us!) We stayed at the Sesame Street Beaches Resort and had a blast. I have a ton of photos to sort through (from my iphone, waterproof digital camera, my pocket camera & my Nikon professional). I have a LOT to talk about, so stay tuned! Luckily the week we went was the COLDEST week in Montreal in years, (-39C with the wind factor) and it was a good week to get away.

That Time of Year Again…

It’s the time of the year again, finally the beginning of the Habs Season and our flag goes up for the beginning of the season tomorrow. The first half of the season was locked out, but we’re soooo happy to have hockey back! Let the games begin! GO HABS GO!

Winter Break

Winter break was busy! Sean was off for 2 full weeks, and Mackenzie & Quentin stayed home for most of it too.

On Sean’s birthday I took him bowling for the first time. He had a blast. He keeps asking when we can go back bowling again. We went with his best friend and his best friends mom (my good friend).

It was a full house. At one point, besides babysitting Sean’s best friend over winter break (his mom had to work and she’s a single mom and the Elementary school daycare was closed over winter break), we had my nephew staying with us (with my sister-in-law and her fiancé). The boys had a good time hanging out, but it was quite the full house.

Quentin ended up in funny pictures. In laundry baskets.

In block castles his brothers built around him.

Quentin also was a trooper when I took him to get his flu shot. When I took his brothers back in December (Quentin couldn’t get it at the time as he had fever that day), they threw a fit to get the vaccine and cried for a while afterwards. Quentin didn’t budge, or flinch or cry. I couldn’t believe it. A real trooper!

This ensemble was all Quentin’s pickings. Mr. Potato Head glasses and his doctor stethoscope. I think this is one of my new fave pictures of Quentin.

And this pictures is my new fave of the 3 boys. In this picture, Quentin was already supposed to be in bed. I put him to bed, but realized his doggy he sleeps with was missing. So I went to go find it, and when I came back upstairs, Quentin wasn’t in his room. He had climbed out of his bed, and climbed into my bed, between his brothers, and they were watching some TV together. It was too cute to not take a picture.

2012 Projects

While I didn’t reach my 2012 Knitting & Crochet goal, I had plans to make so much more this year, I did spend a lot of my time chasing after my 3 kids, whom for the most part of the year were aged 5 and younger. Maybe now that Quentin’s 2, and getting to be more independent as the days fly by, I’ll have my hands free to knit, crochet & read more. (And bake more too?)

From top to bottom going left to right: 3 Scrubbies, Bella Ruffle Bag, Baby Shell, 18 More Scrubbies, Rapunzel Scarf, Placemat, Drop Stitch Scarf, Hitchhiker, Girl Cap, Chucko Hat, Another Girl Cap, Rawr Hat, Seaweed Cowl, Big Easy, and Scoodie. 8 knitted projects & 7 crochet. 15 projects total. (Mind you those scrubbies were as if I had made a ton of projects, if you ask me!) In 2010 I made 37 knit & crochet projects and in 2011, I made 21. It seems to be on the decline. I need to rectify that in 2013. New Years Resolution! Crochet & Knit more!

2012 Meme

MEME

The first sentence (or two in my case!) of each first post of the month for 2012:
January: While I didn't reach my 2011 knitting & crochet goals (to surpass what I knit & crochet in 2010), I realized that in 2010, for 11/12 of the year, I had only 2 children, and was on modified activity (practical bed rest) for half the year, with Quentin's high risk pregnancy.
February: I started a knitting project, that is quite cute. (Side note: I never finished it, oops!) 
March:Congrats to the 2 winners of the Colouring Wallets!
April: - Lovin' this Kimbra song, Settle Down.
May: Last week I attended a vernissage at Sean & Mack’s daycare.
June: Two weeks ago, I finished up my hitchhiker scarf.
July: Happy Canada Day dear readers!
August: I’ve finally been making great progress on my Cardigan.
September: HELLO HOTTIE! I'd like to look at this all day long!
October: Love this Eggstra Space Egg holder.
November: Hey everyone!
December: On Friday, my baby turned 2.

I love doing this Meme each year. Here's a link to my 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006 ones!

My Year in Review

My year in review: In January I rushed Sean to the Montreal Children’s Hospital when he broke out in Hives from head to toe and said it hurt to breathe after he ate 3 peaches. In February I took the 3 kids to Florida for a week to visit my grandmother. We also took an emergency trip to a Clinic while in Florida as Sean had another reaction (to what, we still don’t know). In March, Sean was taken for allergy testing at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and discovered he is indeed allergic to Peaches and Nectarines. In April, I took a workshop with Catherine McKenzie and Shawn Klomparens (to of my fave authors) and lost my first 20 lbs of 2012. Quentin also climbed happily into the toilet for my fave picture of the year. In May, I got to meet the beautiful Sarah Mlynowski, Sean did further testing for his allergies to discover he’s allergic to cherries & apricots in addition to the peaches & nectarines and we planted our garden. I also got the best mother’s day present ever. In June, Sean graduated from daycare (but stayed until mid-August)(here are his handsome daycare grad photos), Quentin started his first day of daycare, I turned 31 and Mack turned 4. I also reached my weight loss goal!  In July we took Sean to his first Alouette’s game, and I started golfing weekly for the first time in years. In August Sean started his first day of Kindergarten, and finished his last day of daycare.  In September, Jamie & I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. We also went to ComicCon Montreal. In October I celebrated my 7th blogaversary. In November Quentin got a big boy bed just before he turned 2.  In December, Sean turned 6, we got some goldfish and have been reflecting on the past year.  I can't believe 2012 flew by in a flash. It's been an interesting year, and I can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for us.

Bella Ruffle Bag

Two weeks ago, I started this little purse, a Bella Ruffle Bag. My step-mother-in-law had seen me “like” one on Facebook that my friend made. So, I decided to make one for her for Christmas/her birthday (which are 2 days apart) and give it to her with a few other things that I got for her.

It took me a day over 2 weeks to make it (December 13-December 28) because there was some issues in the pattern, and I had to ask for help from a friend in my weekly knitting/crochet group as she had made a bunch of these bags. I ended up “fudging” a bit of the pattern, but in the end, it came out cute, and I hope my step-mother-in-law likes it. (It’s the least I can do, my in-laws got me a Kitchen Aid Mixer for Christmas this year!)

I used .53 of a skein of Cascade 220 in a light blue and the ruffles on the bag were 1.76 skeins of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Sapphire Blue. I used an H hook (5.0mm) for most of the bag + ruffles a G hook (4.0mm) for the handle at the top.

The pattern is badly written. I got through it because of my friend in my knitting/crochet group had made a bunch and figured it out before me, so I was able to ask a lot of questions. Also, there’s a row in there that shouldn’t be. I don’t think I’ll make another one of these again, but if I should, I know what to do to make it better.

SIX

Sean the day he was born, December 28th, 2006.
He was born at 4:44 am, 5 lbs 5 oz.

On his first birthday, in 2007.

His 2nd birthday, in 2008.

His 3rd birthday in 2009.

His 4th birthday in 2010.

On his 5th birthday in 2011.

Last week at his Kindergarten Holiday PJ Party. I volunteered at the party and got to go to his school in my pjs too. It was a lot of fun. SIX! I can’t believe he’s 6 already. I hope he has a fantastic birthday and all his dreams come true.

TWO

Time escaped from me this past month. I have been meaning to post this, and then realized that someone else’s birthday was coming up (tomorrow) and I thought now would be a good time to recap Quentin’s 2nd birthday, as I do with my boys.

Quentin was born a month early, surprising us at the end of November 2010.

Here’s Quentin on his 1st birthday.

On his 2nd birthday.

My silly Quentin. He’s so funny. He knows he’s funny. He brightens our life even though he tornadoes any room he passes through. But he’s so cute, you can’t get mad at him. Ahhh, the age of 2. Hopefully we’ll pass quickly pass through the terrible two’s quickly. This picture is one of my new favourites.