Shine

Interesting perspective...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/motherhood-the-new-oppression/article1618807/

This is worth reading...although I do not agree with trying for mediocrity I can definitely see the author's point. What do you think?

Reconstructive surgery

The subject...

The result...

The back...

The glam...

The love...

So I started this project last night and thought that it was going to be finished within a couple of hours. That was before I remembered that I am really only good at sewing straight lines, before I recalled that the old relic of a sewing machine is cursed, and before I realized that the thin fabric was going to need a lining. There was a fair share of stitch-ripping and an emergency house call by my mom to fix the machine. But there were no tears and no curse words. And the final result is pretty darn cute, I think...or maybe it is just the kid wearing it!

Projects...

I have way too many projects (okay actually just ideas for projects) on the go...editing videos, painting accent walls, recovering chairs, sewing a curtain for our powder room, finding wall paper that I like, actually getting a healthy meal plan together, overhauling my garden, sewing a dress for R using one of RKA's dress shirts, it is like I have so many things I would like to do in theory. But when the magical hour of 8pm arrives and the house has been tidied and there are no noises coming from the kids' rooms then I just seem to sit down and tinker on the computer.

I have been working on photo collages to one day have printed into a memory book. I made newborn books for both of the kids and then for some reason I stopped. I have seen some really great ones on other blogs (see Enjoying the Small Things) though and have been inspired to work on my own again. Here's the most recent one of B...

This kid is just cracking me up lately. If he is in the bath and he is ready to get out then he starts meowing and doing the sign language for cat because he wants his cat towel. Then he crawls around the house wearing only the towel and meowing. We also have a bunny and a bear but he insists on the cat towel!

"No words, only feelings..."

Happy Father's Day!

Anyone who knows him will agree that RKA (formerly referred to as "hubs") expresses his love through his actions. For him, helping with technical issues, mixing the perfect drink, and baking cookies means, "I love you". He is a man of action - that is just the way he was built. For our kids this means that he is a very hands on father. Here are ten ways that he shows his love for his children.

#1 He plays street hockey with them in his pajamas...

#2 He makes them feel important...

#3 He carries them both at the same time...

#4 He hides under the water...

#5 He protects them when they are terrified by a giant bear in captivity...

#6 He reads stories and does the animal sounds...

#7 He bakes rainbow chocolate chip cookies (and he even wears an apron)...

#8 He builds forts in the living room...

#9 He takes them to the playground...

#10 He saves them from horned animals...

My own dad was also showed us his love by spending time with us doing all kinds of fun things. As a kid I used to love it when he would come from work, rip off his shirt, yell, "I'm the Incredible Hulk!" and chase us around the house.

Now as a grandpa I watch him play with my kids and they also love his silliness...

They also love Grandpa T's ability to relax and enjoy the moment...

Happy Father's Day to these two "incredible" fathers...

...may Bennett grow up to be "incredible" himself one day (he has some great examples)!

Graduation Day!

I know that it is a big stepping stone for kids to go to preschool and be out there in the big world on their own. That being said, I have to admit that I was a cynic when I heard that there was going to be a preschool "graduation". Congrats kid! You didn't cry for too long or too often, you didn't pee in too many pants, and you didn't eat to much glue! That was my jaded view of what I thought was a minor accomplishment but then I realized that for R graduating preschool is a big accomplishment because at three her world is so small.

She was dropped off last September at the tender age of two. She learned many things there but I think if you asked her the top two things she learned it would be: #1. how to make friends and #2 how to use scissors. She is now older (3) and wiser (she actually got a report card!). When I watched her walk in beaming with her cap and gown I felt my heart swell with pride. The teacher was announcing their future career goals and I was extra proud when she said, "R wants to be a teacher when she grows up".

...And when I saw this little face under that big cap I realized that she is going to do whatever she sets her mind to! So yes, I was a proud preschool mommy today at "graduation".

Outtakes

Sometimes shorelines are slippery...

Sometimes you get caught exceeding the weight limit in the bouncy house...

Sometimes the bouncy house gives you bad hair...

Sometimes toilet paper is tricky...

Sometimes your little brother takes your toy...

Sometimes you just wanna hide in your mommy's legs...

Sometimes you just gotta roar...

Sometimes you want one more piece of chocolate...

Sometimes you just wanna blend your own head...

Sometimes you just wanna wear funny glasses and shake your booty...

Sometimes little pink ballerinas are feeling shy...

Sometimes you wipe out with your ice cream cone...

Sometimes outtakes really are the best pictures...

Cheers!

Viva Las Vegas!

The sign is true - Vegas has been fabulous! Top ten things we have enjoyed in Las Vegas so far:

10. Bright lights by night
9. Bright sunshine by day
8. Warm wind - day and night
7. Eating for entertainment
6. People-watching for sport
5. Sleeping late
4. Afternoon naps
3. Laissez-faire drinking laws
2. Only needing to know the time for happy hour purposes
1. Relaxing!

Ice cream equations

1 squealing toddler + 1 hyper preschooler + 2 smartie ice cream cones = complete silence for 10 minutes!