february ten :: 86 weeks old

 
Mack is 86 weeks old today.

Early afternoon I decided to take a drive over to Ariadne to pick up the latest copy of Knitscene (Winter/Spring ‘10). I was so happy that they had a copy left for me (it was the last copy in stock). There are a handful of patterns in the issue that I just love. I couldn’t believe how hard it was to locate a copy! I called and went into a bunch of the magazine shops in my area, nothing. Well, I didn’t mind driving downtown to get a copy at Ariadne, but I wanted to first see if I could find a copy closer to home. Anyhow, on my way home I got stuck one car behind a truck that COULDN’T fit under the under pass. Idiot! We all (and there was a line-up) had to back-up so that he could back-up and let us all go through so that he can turn around and go some other way, because he clearly didn’t fit through. His red boards that are on top of the truck tore apart (as you can see above) as they used to be all attached in a straight piece. Thank goodness I didn’t have anywhere else to be, but that was a real bummer getting stuck behind this guy.

This afternoon I did a bit of rearranging in the house. I took Sean’s bookcase from his bedroom and exchanged it for my bookcase from my office. His is a 3 shelf and mine is a 2 shelf bookcase. I needed more space for my knitting books, and he actually needed less space for his books. So I did a little swap, instead of going out and buying a bigger book case for my office. It’s perfect. I even have my hardcover knitting & crochet books on one shelf and my paperbacks on another. On the top shelf I have little books, and also all my binders with patterns in them. It’s looking neat and organized and I got a lot of books off the floor and now on the bookcase (they were starting to pile up on the floor as I had no more room left in the smaller bookcase. The smaller book case now resides nicely in Sean’s room. It’s perfect for his height. No complaints here. It was a good idea.



I got some fun mail today, a fellow raveler sent me some leftover yarn for my Babette & Sock Yarn Blanket. She also included a really pretty row counter bracelet. Knitters are awesome people. Really.


 Madeleine brought me a gift last night. She got me a mechanical tricotin. I want to make a bathmat like this one with it. It would a great way to use up some stash cotton yarn. I’m not a fan of knitting with cotton, but to use it on the tricotin, I don’t see it being an issue. (I find cotton dried out my hands and I don’t like working with it)

This evening I was supposed to go out for dinner/coffee with some friends but somehow those plans fell through. One was home with a child who wasn’t feeling good, another wanted to be better for our plans on the weekend, another friend’s husband was busy with a meeting (I think) and she couldn’t leave because of the kids (or something) and I had a bit of a migraine today, so I stayed in the rest of the afternoon and this evening to try to get rid of it. I am feeling a bit better now, and I’m hoping to wake up tomorrow with it gone.

february nine

SPECS:
Pattern: Roar (My Ravelry Project)
For: Sean
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in Black & Really Red
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Size: Toddler/Child
Timeline: February 6-8, 2010
Modifications: Knit pattern as written for the Toddler/Child Size.
Opinion: I love it. Mack loves it even more. That’s what matters.
This pattern is a great stash buster! Between the 2 colors it only uses about 52g.

 

I am so happy he likes it, and it matches his jacket perfectly!

Last night I booked a trip for Mackenzie & I. We’ll be Vancouver bound at the end of April for almost a week. We are going to be staying with the lovely & wonderful Cynthia for a week of crafting, knitting, and maybe some touristy things. I am very excited, and it’s just what I needed. Kind of what the doctored ordered! Cynthia & I have been friends since 2006 and it will be nice to finally get to hang out with her. Cynthia & I were conspiring earlier, sometime last year, that we wanted to organize a girls craft weekend, so now we’re going to make it happen! (And for just a little bit longer than a weekend!) We’re going to sew and knit and craft. I can’t wait. It’s going to be so much fun! She’s even going to organize a stitch’n’bitch while I’m there. It’s going to be so awesome! I cannot wait! If you are in the Vancouver/Mission area, and want to join us for our knit night – do let me know! I’ll get you the details!

This evening Madeleine came over for supper and then she drove me to the Guild Meeting. I couldn’t stay for too long as I had to ditch out early and be back on time as Jamie has hockey tonight (he’s on the ice now). I started some Man Socks for him, I’m not sure yet what design I’ll use, I’ll get to that after the ribbing. Maybe I’ll design my own man socks. We’ll see soon. I needed a project to cast on to work on until Friday, so I decided to go with the socks that I promised Jamie I’d make.

february eight :: 162 weeks old

Sean is 162 weeks old today.

Sean had swimming this morning. I enjoy the time while he’s in the pool – as I get to knit! I worked on Mack’s Roar. Sean actually went to the bathroom on the toilet before and after class today. I was so proud. I can’t believe this potty training is actually in full swing…! Maybe he’ll be potty trained before I know it!

I had lunch today with my friend Gillian. It was really nice to see her again and catch up. I don’t think I’d seen her since she took me out for my birthday in June last summer. I couldn’t believe it was that long ago. So much has happened since and things have been so busy with the kids. Actually, no I saw her in July for her daughter’s 1st birthday. (Her daughter is 3 weeks younger than Mack – they were in playgroup together – though my friendship with Gillian goes back to the days I was in youth group). We definitely have to meet up again soon, hopefully we can find time to get the kids together.

When I picked up the boys from daycare today, I had a tough time with both kids. When I was dressing one the other was running wild. When I dressed the other (gosh do I hate winter) the other started undressing himself. Sean’s best friend in his class’ father was there picking up his 2 kids, (Sean’s best friend is two months older than him and his sister is a month younger than Mack, and she just started there a week ago). Anyhow he made a comment than rang a little true “It was so much easier when they were at two separate daycares to get them dressed”. Yes, for that I agree. For some reason, that was so much easier.

Tonight I tried a new recipe. It was supposed to be a Slow Cooked Pork Burrito Bowl. I picked up the ingredients yesterday when I took Mack grocery shopping. I’d never just walked around a grocery store looking for ingredients I had never heard of before. I then bought some of these ingredients that I needed help locating, to then decide this morning to alter the recipe, and made it my own.

It actually came out really good. I think what I’m going to do is pull together my 30 recipes, that I said I would, and then offer these recipes as a PDF for those of you who are interested. It’ll be the “go to guide” when you’re stuck and need something for dinner. They’ll mainly be easy recipes and I’m going to cater them to feed a family (since that’s what I’m doing here)…! I like this little projects that I’m doing, and I think it’ll be fun. I am not really sure how long this project will take me, but I’ll keep you posted on it’s progress.

I watched the movie Couple Retreat today. It was really cute. I like Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Kristin Davis, Kristen Bell & Malin Akerman is so cute. It was a nice comedy mixed in with a little romance. Kept me entertained. Not sure I’d watch it again, but disappointed I watched it without Jamie. I think he may have actually liked this one. I don’t think he’d watch it on his own though.

This evening while watching tv with Jamie I finished Mack’s Roar. FO pictures to come tomorrow. Mack’s asleep and I don’t exactly want to wake him up to photograph it on him!

february seven

There has been progress on Mack’s Roar.
I’ll upload more pictures tomorrow, as I’m almost done the hat now.

View Full Album

Sean went to his first Habs game today with Jamie. He had a FABULOUS time! There are a few more photos that are not shown here, but are in the album if you click on “View Full Album” (above). The Habs lost today, but nevertheless Sean had a great time, which I’m glad. The one disappointing thing is that the Bruins won in a shut out (meaning the Habs didn’t even score one goal) so Sean didn’t get to experience the crowd going wild when the Habs score. It’s an experience that is like no other, and that you don’t get to feel while at home watching the game on TV. Next time. I’m sure there will be numerous next times.

  
This evening I worked to prepare a platter for each of Sean’s & Mack’s teachers. This upcoming week (starting tomorrow) is Teacher Appreciation Week. So tomorrow each teacher will get a platter with chocolate chip & white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a chocolate rose. Because I care. They spend weekdays with my children and they deserve it.

I love putting these gifts together. It’s so much fun. I think I do a pretty good job.
I hope the teachers like them.

february six

Mr. Mack likes to pose for the camera. He likes to make silly faces!

The kids were having fun taking rides in the suitcase. If only I’d realized earlier this was something that would entertain them!

Mommy took them both for a ride. They giggled the entire time.

Mackie came into my office and showed me that Sean’s Dino hat fits him.
I decided I would make him one as well.
Isn’t he cute in it?

Sean discovered that Jamie has youtube on his ipod touch and that he can get endless hours of Caillou and Spiderman on there. He’s now obsessed. But now we know that if we keep earphones (or earmuffs as Sean calls them) in the car, and we’re out somewhere, it’s something that we can entertain Sean with if we need to use it. And we always have it on us (I have one as well as Jamie). Instant child entertainment!

So I love cool stuff for kids. I picked up the star and the square bread & crust cutters while in Florida. Then upon returning home, I found the other 2, the heart and the dino bread cutters. They’re wicked. I can’t wait to make a sandwich for the kids! (And maybe a dino one for myself too?)

I’ve been decorating in my kitchen lately. If you’re interested in reading the top 2 (they’re really cute!) You can view them here.

I was going to make Mack's Roar in the same colors as Sean's, but just reversed... BUT, his jacket it black & red, and that wouldn't go with blue & green. So, I decided that I'm making his in black & red, and luckily I had Cascade 220 Superwash in my stash, and doing it black with a red ribbed bottom and red horns! I'm already half done! Cast on tonight while watching the movie The Blind Side with Jamie. What a really good movie. I really liked it. I’m a Sandra Bullock fan.

Have you seen this? Necklush. Uhm… 74$? I can take a skein of yarn for not even a third of that price, or rather, not even a quarter of the price and drape it around my neck… Like this 50$ blob of strings… or this one…? Is that really what’s “in”? Oy!

So not only am I an imaginary spider killer (I’ve killed a bunch of imaginary spiders for Sean recently), I am now officially a Dragon Slayer. Sean had a dragon under his bed tonight. Wow, sometimes I feel like super-mom when I come up with these neat things to get rid of imaginary spiders and slay dragons so Sean will go to bed. What on earth will he think of next?

february five

 

SPECS:
Pattern: Roar (My Ravelry Project)
For: Sean
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in Lime Sherbet & Blueberry
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Size: Toddler/Child
Timeline: February 1-4, 2010
Modifications: Knit pattern as written for the Toddler/Child Size.
Opinion: I love it. Sean loves it even more. That’s what matters.
This pattern is a great stash buster!

 

Mack had a good day at daycare today. Sean, not so much. He didn’t nap at daycare today, which then he doesn’t listen (because he’s overtired). I need to make sure he doesn’t over sleep by even  a minute… because the determines whether he’ll nap during the day or not. Usually he’s up before I even have my alarm set (Sean has to get up by 7:30 am latest to be able to nap at daycare), and I think I let him sleep in a few extra minutes today, as I was busy with Mack this morning. Still trying to figure out a good balance of how to stay organized in the mornings. I’ve come along way since having 2 kids, but I still need to manage and organize my time a little better. That’s one of the things I’ve been working on and still plan to work on.

While still on the subject of daycare, I got some good news today. One of the kids that is in Sean’s class is moving out of town. It’s the kid whose name always come up when Sean gets into trouble. I am sooo happy that this kid is moving on. Sean never got “into trouble” with any other kid in his class. It was always this one kid in particular, and I honestly felt like it was this child that instigated it… Well, let’s hope that Sean’s “getting into trouble” days are over now that this child won’t be in his class anymore as of Monday. Music to my ears. I honestly don’t think Sean is a bad child at all. But if a kid hits you, you hit back. It’s a natural instinct, especially at 2 and a half/3 years old. Mack’s teacher actually seemed happy that this child was moving on. He used to instigate children when Sean was in Mack’s classroom last year. Even more so a reason to be relieved that it’s probably not Sean who started all those incidents.

Jamie and I have decided to start looking into some small home renovations. We’ll start with the hallway bathroom. All we need done is the shower stall. Whatever we have now, came with the house and it looks cheap and started to fall apart. I feel like the previous owner needed to do something in order to sell the house, and installed a cheap solution. Now that we’ve been living here for just over 2 years, it’s starting to fall apart. It seems like it was just a shower “liner” that was put in. The door has now broken, there are 2 cracks in the floor (which we’ve sealed, but can be uncomfortable to shower) and the paint on the upper walls/ceiling is starting to chip, which means they didn’t use bathroom paint (which is resistant to steam from the shower)… So we’ll start looking for quotes. We’re thinking about tiling the shower stall, and looking for a nice door. But then we’ll need someone to do the work. I’m going to ask around. I know my sister did her bathroom a bit ago, so she’s got a guy… The person has to be trust worthy and has to be able to do a good job. I say this because they have to be able to do the job properly, and make sure that the shower won’t fall apart or chip or mould. Hopefully we’ll start the renovations soon.

My in-laws came for dinner tonight, and brought along meatloaf. It’s so delicious and apparently super easy to make. I need to get the exact ingredients from her, but it was like ground beef, eggs, spices and onion. How easy are those ingredients? One hour to bake… that' sounds like my kind of recipe. I think what I need to do is find 30 easy recipes and then rotate between them each month… this way I have them on hand, and can easily whip them up. No thinking about “oh, what to do for dinner tonight?” That’s the hardest part, when you don’t know what to make and you’re sick of the same old. So far we’ve been having fish every Monday night. Well, that takes care of one night a week. Friday nights my in-laws come for dinner. Sunday nights we usually go to my parents for dinner. So really, there aren’t too many other nights of the week that I need to organize. But I definitely want to organize so that I’m never stuck. How do you decide what to do for suppers?

Now I need to decide what to knit next… I want another instant gratification project… Stay tuned.

february four

Roar is coming along. I managed to finish it tonight. I just need to weave in the spikes and weave in the ends. I hope to have him wearing it by tomorrow. Such a quick knit. I love it. (I only had 2 spikes done when I took this picture).

Today I worked from home and then visited a friend who lives nearby for a bit for a cup of tea before running a few errands before having to pick up the kids from daycare. It was nice to catch up with my friend. I have to find time to make a playdate for our kids.

This evening we watched some of the Habs game. The Habs won in a shootout 3-2, against the Boston Bruins. The last period was so intense once they made their comeback.

Do you collect Pampers or Huggies points? If so, I have some bonus codes for you to use! I found them online and wanted to share them with you. If I find any more I will definitely share them with you. Use them right away though, because I’m not sure when they expire, but for sure the first one for pampers expires tomorrow.

PAMPERS.CA (or DOT COM)

FebThankYouFans (this one expires Feb. 5, 2010, tomorrow)
GROWWITHVILLAGE
welcome2village
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HUGGIES

BCSRM TKWNZ ZGPGB (5 PTS)
BCTDH BQWLP ZKPGB (5 PTS)
BCSTD HJZXT KPPGB (5 PTS)
BGTZHNRBBGMCPGB (1 pt)
BGWJMFJLJNRCPGB (1 pt)
BGXGPFJLWBQHPGB (1 pt)
BHCFDQMZWBMHPGB (1 pt)
BFGMRKBCNNHHPGB (5 PTS)
BFNMBKDSPXRCPGB (5 PTS)
JQQPMHXRMPGGPGB (2 pts)
BDGTWXSQBJTXPGB (5 PTS)
MLXRC CNRWK KWPGB (5 PTS)
ZXLRK BTBBM NNPGB (5 pts)
HKNZJ ZGMDN KBPGB (5PTS)
XZRSS FHSQG FLTMN (5 PTS)
BXZWT-NJFSL-HCPGB (5PTS)
BCSQDDNXQFBBPGB (5 PTS)
BCWPP-SDLLF-SFPGB (5 PTS)
WHTZH-NBDQF-XKPGB (5 PTS)
BFGSKHHXKPFTPGB (5 PTS)
PLWGFZRJNXFWPGB (5 PTS)

Let me know if these do indeed work for you!

Off to go crawl into bed and watch last night’s Nip/Tuck and weave in some yarn into Roar…!

february three :: 85 weeks old

Mack is 85 weeks old today. He’s quite the funny guy.

Roar is coming along very nicely & quickly.

This afternoon I picked up Sean early from daycare.
He had an appointment for his flu shot.

He tried on his Roar while we waited and it so far fits him very nicely.

Looks good!

He tried to call daddy after he got his shot so that he can tell him the he didn’t cry, though daddy wasn’t at his desk when we called. I couldn’t believe that it’s .50 cents now for a phone call. I remember hearing it went up back in 2007, but with having a cell phone it didn’t really register to me. Anyhow, Sean didn’t want to use my cell phone to call daddy, he wanted to use the pay phone. Luckily I had some coins in my wallet.

I ran a few errands before going back to daycare to pick up Mackenzie from school. When we got there Sean was upset that he wasn’t going to have afternoon snack with his friends today. His teacher saw him upset and brought him over a snack to take with him – which was very nice of her. I am glad that my kids like school. Mackenzie is still having a little bit of a tough morning drop off, (which I’m assuming is due to pulling him out of daycare for a week to go to Florida), but we’ll get back on track to where we were before Florida.

Tonight I had West Island Knits/Crochet and had a good time. It was nice to get out of the house for a bit. We were a nice group, Madeleine, Eugenie, Jocelyn, Amy, were amongst those out with us. I finished the hat part of Roar and then started to work on the spikes. I should have this hat finished tomorrow. It’s starting to look great!

february two

 

I cast on a new project. Sean asked for a new hat and I wanted a new quick project, so I cast on for Roar.

Every boy deserves an awesome Dino hat, right?

I worked today after running an errand for Jamie in the city, and felt like it took me forever to get to work from the city. I am so happy we live out in the West Island of Montreal now… even though it’s 32 km for me to get to work, (approx. half hour drive), it’s easier to get to from my house than from in the city. I just felt like the highway just kept going and going and going. However I had to pick up something for him in the city, so I had to do that this morning. Otherwise, I would have organized it better so I didn’t have to go before work.

After work when I picked up the boys from daycare, I learned that a girl in Mack’s class has lice. Great. And of course it’s the girl who has her mattress next to Mack’s during naptime. His head was checked, so was Sean’s (since Sean’s class had music with Mack’s class this morning) and neither of my boys have lice. Luckily they just got a haircut yesterday, so it was super easy for their heads to be checked. I really hope that they don’t get lice. Mack’s sheets were sent home to be washed and their classroom was disinfected as well as vacuumed (they have a rug in the classroom). Now I know why they don’t have too many stuffed animals in the classroom to play with. I asked his teacher when they found them, and it was after nap while the girl was on the changing table, they starting crawling all over and the girl was scratching her head like mad. I find that so gross. The girl was sent home immediately and won’t be back until it’s completely cleared. Gross! I really hope that neither of my boys get lice. That’s not fun.

Tonight was the season premiere of Lost. I’m now lost even further. I am so glad that this is the final season and things will start making sense (hopefully) and start coming together (finally). I got a lot of work done on Roar, and plan to get that done as soon as possible so he can start wearing it. I love that Sean appreciates my hand knits.

february one :: 161 weeks old

Sean is 161 weeks old today.

He tried out his new bathing suit in his swimming class this morning.

And was all cute like a duck when he was done.

After swimming the boys got a haircut.

And look all snazzy with their new ‘do.

After the haircuts, Mack went to get his 18 month shots as well, I decided to get him vaccinated against the flu. I was going to take him to the place that they set up for the flu vaccine in our area, but when the CLSC offered to give it to him right now, I figured I’d kill 2 birds with 1 stone and get it done right then. Sean will go on Wednesday to get his so that in a month from Wednesday I can take them both back for the 2nd dose. Apparently kids who get it for the first time before the age of 9 need a 2nd dose. Usually our family doctor gives Mack (and Sean) his regular shots, however our family doctor is on maternity leave until October, so we had to go to the CLSC to get them since the doctor following our doctor’s “baby patients” doesn’t give shots.

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SPECS:
Pattern: Spring Beret (My Ravelry Project)
For: Me
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Verde Adriana
Needles: US 8 / 5.0 mm and US 9 / 5.5 mm
Size: “Slouchy Version”
Timeline: January 29-31, 2010
Modifications: Knit pattern as written for the Slouchy Version.
Opinion: It’s nice. I was looking for a beret and the “slouchy version” is not all that slouchy.