Busy busy busy!

It seems blogging opportunities are few and far between these days... and while I am not complaining (the blog will always be here), my sweet boys are growing up right before my eyes and are a main reason why I don't have the extra energy at the end of the day to record my thoughts on here like I use to.

I know because I like to write, that I'll get back to it more faithfully one day, but for now... it will be in bits and spurts! I appreciate that you still stop in from time to time... and hopefully a continued lull in posting means that life is just busy and full of fun.

For the last couple of months we've been busy with sports! Soccer and t-ball for E, and swimming for both boys on a weekly basis. To add to the chaos, PC and I are both playing ball on separate nights, and on rare occasions, PC even squeezes in some golf.  E is having fun on the fields... he is really getting into t-ball and loves to play defense on the soccer field. H likes to cheerhis brother on and often works on the side lines to hone his own skills!

PC and E both got new bikes this spring so they are learning the rules of the road together when time permits!

A few weeks back we got invited to a wedding on my side of the family. It was the first time the boys had been to a wedding ceremony and all the fun that comes with the reception. They did really well and we had so much fun!

This past week, E had his JK graduation land now I am x-ing the days off the calendar until school is done for him and I don't have to pack his lunch for a whole two months. It's going to be awesome for both of us! He has done really well at school this year and we are extremely proud of everything he has accomplished in his short school career!

H is busy being a little boy... into everything he can get his hands on, talking up a storm and raising hell at every check point! He keeps us on our toes, but we wouldn't have it any other way. I am clinging to his baby ways as I know he is quickly outgrowing them.  We have registered him for preschool in the fall (which also underlines that he is not a baby anymore) - his transition into that program should be interesting to say the least!
 

In the last little while we also celebrated Mother's & Father's Day! I love these special occasions because it reminds me how lucky we are to have our family life and all of its supporting pieces, including our parents who are hands-down fantastic grandparents. PC and I both enjoyed our special days and mainly because of our two boys who remind us daily how lucky we are to be their parents.

All around its been busy, but yet a great couple of months... we are looking forward to vacation time and doing a little relaxing soon. I took this photo on my phone when we were at the cottage on the long weekend in May. It was a gorgeous evening and this shot is one of my faves!

Until next time... enjoy the little things in life.

 

Happy St. Patty's Day

It's your lucky day... and not just because it's St. Patty's Day, but more so because I'm have a few minutes to post something here!

The boys and I had a little fun with a St. Patty's Day photo shoot! They were pretty silly customers but the results make my heart smile!  This is the kind of silliness that is my life lately. When work doesn't have me glued to my desktop or my blackberry, these boys keep me laughing with their hilariousness each and every day.

As you can see my baby boy just keeps outgrowing his baby looks, and my big boy is becoming more mature looking with each passing day.

They are a fun little duo and on St. Patty's Day, they are definitely finding their inner leprechaun!

I hope the luck of the Irish has found you today... I am sure tomorrow we will back to looking for that rainbow and pot o'gold, but for today... we are just enjoying the richness that is every day life.

Happy LOVE Day!!

It's Valentine's Day around the world, so I am hoping this little post plus some pics will make up for the fact that I haven't blogged in exactly a month. I don't have any good excuses except to say that we've been busy living life - working, playing, and just trying ensure we are functioning family each and every day.

I do have to say, that this Valentine's Day is so sweet with my big boy in kindergarten! He is aware of this special day much more than any other year and was quite into it the other night announcing after supper 'I have to make some special hearts for my friends and you too Mommy'.  Then came his demands 'I'm gonna need paper, markers, scissors, glue - can you get me that stuff?'

Yes sir!

He did cut out a bunch of hearts and filled the names for his friends on his special superhero cards. I did a little sucker photo project inspired by Pinterest - love that site, it doesn't require me to really think, you just open up the site and it basic screams 'this is what you'll do'!

Done and done.

Anyways... I had fun this morning making a heart shape breakfast for my boys, and then sending a heart shaped lunch with E to school. I am sure his 'friendship' party will be equally as exciting.  My baby boy is still a bit young for understanding this occasion, but he was all about the special heart treats on the table this morning. If there is a treat to be had, this boy can definitely find it!

PC and I have a date night planned this weekend... we are off the Eric Church concert, so really looking forward to a night out and perhaps 'a drink in my hand'!

Here's a little peek of our V-Day festivities. Whether VDay is a big deal to you or just another day, I hope each of you take the time to tell someone in your life how important they are to you. Life is too short... don't pass up this opportunity. 

Happy LOVE Day! 
Have a good one.

 

Christmas Eve!

It's here! All of the anticipation and stress of the season comes to a close tonight - your either ready or your not.  I am hovering between the two right now!!

It's been a busy few months (both at home and at work) and I am looking forward to a little break after we get through the next few exciting days.

I love this time of year with the boys... their sense of excitement and anticipation is really what keeps me going.  I have been up late consecutive nights for what seems like most of December. With H's birthday now behind us, it doesn't leave much time to get ready for the arrival of St. Nick - or anytime to catch up on lost sleep.

Who needs sleep... right?!

Sleep or no sleep, it really is worth it to see their faces and to listen to them recount events surrounding the season.

I hope each of you have a special Christmas Eve, whether it be with family or friends, or just time to yourself for quiet reflection.  We are blessed to have been given this life... and its special occasions like these that really remind me what's important. It's not money, or things, or status... but truly to be surrounded by good people and to be loved.


I am off to spend some time with my boys... enjoy Christmas!

Photos by Sara McConnell Photography

Happy Halloween!

Its looking like it might be a wet and soggy Halloween night for the trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood, but that doesn't stop Spider-Man and the One-eyed Monster from wishing you a Happy Halloween (or collecting treats)!

E had no doubt in his mind that he was going to be Spider-Man this year. He's been trying on his costume daily since he received it! H, on the other hand, didn't express any opinions on what he wanted to be, but PC and I felt the One-eyed Monster was appropriate - and really, couldn't you just squeeze the poop right out of that little face.  He was quite upset getting into his costume, but then realized how silly he looked in the mirror and he was all for it. What a boy.

Spider-Man has been slinging webs since his birthday and the best moment have been when we were outside taking these pictures last week and two older boys riding by on their bikes randomly shouted 'Hey Spider-Man'! He ripped off his mask and said 'Oh my gosh... they thought I was really Spider-Man Mommy'.  Some moments in life you just can't script!

I am sure these two characters will have fun knocking on doors this evening! I know I will have a great time witnessing it! I love the extra enthusiasm these holidays bring to my life because of the kiddies. It does make all of the time and effort that we put into getting ready for these special days worth it when you see how much joy it brings for them.

 Thanks to Dolcetto Designs for the FREE custom Halloween cards!

Happy Halloween!

The birthday balloon tradition!

On E's birthday its tradition that we release a helium balloon into the sky as way to celebrate with those who are no longer with us here on earth, but to the many guardian angels that we know are celebrating with him.

This year was no different from past years, except that E's excitement to participate in this tradition was ten-fold. He was dancing around at the thought of letting the balloons go and even remarked 'I hope you guys are ready for this'!

We let the balloons go.... and while they may have got snagged on the neighbours tree for a couple a minutes, they were high in the sky in no time! I'm not sure how E truly felt but I know I had a warm feeling after they disappeared and the sentimental side of me was shedding a tear.

Thank you to all of our guardian angels up above for continuing to keep this little boy and his baby brother safe for another amazing year. We love you and miss you everyday.

 

Thanksgiving!

Every year around thanksgiving, I get a little sentimental, but I really do love that there is a time of year that reminds us to reflect on what we are thankful for. This year is no different from any other in terms of what I am thankful for.... family and good friendships mean the world to me and I am so thankful to have an abundance of both in my life. I love my family and friends, and I hope health and happiness continues to follow them throughout their lives. 

And it goes without saying, but my little turkeys and their Daddy are at the top of my thanksgiving list! Love my boys and all of their shenanigans! They are getting so big and very busy, and they definitely keep me on my toes, but I would not have it any other way. When I think about all of the happiness they bring to my life, I am truly thankful. They are the best!

I hope all of my Canadians readers had a wonderful long weekend where you could set aside a little time to 'give thanks'! To my American friends, your turn is coming, so rest up!!

Happy Thanksgiving!
 

E's First Day of School

And he's off... to school - junior kindergarten, just like that!

What a sweet morning it was for our big boy. He grabbed his lunch, saddled up his over-sized backpack and boarded the bus like he's been doing it for years.  He didn't waiver at all... saw the bus, gave a kiss goodbye, and marched up the steps like it was his job!

PC and I arrived at the school to greet the bus and to get E to the proper room to get settled and meet his teacher.  He really didn't look back from the moment he jumped out of bed, proudly announcing, 'I'm going to school today'.  I am sure the excitement and the day's activities will exhaust him by supper time, but I can't wait to see what he has to say about his day.

I really could not be prouder of this little man. He did it, he really did it (and we did it too)! I got a little teary eyed driving to the school but I held it together on outside, even though I was sobbing on the inside.

What an exciting morning... our big boy is now a school boy!

Yay!

 

Russell Soccer: Timbits final kick of the season!

This weekend E had his closing soccer tournament of the season. It has been such a fun first season on the soccer field, and I have no doubt there will be many more to come.

I had really low expectations going into the season, but I was impressed with E's interest and commitment to this activity. Although there were evenings that he was tired, he always enjoyed it once he hit the field. He made lots of friends on and off the field, and of course the tasty team snacks at the end of every session didn't hurt either!

The organizers did well to mix up the soccer drills in the beginning, and kept it interesting. The last four weeks of the season were probably the most entertaining for the parents because they involved the teams playing mini-games.  This is where I think E started to fall in love with this game a little more. Once he figured out where the net was and how to score, he was into it - BIG TIME! He may need to work a little harder on staying in the game when he doesn't have control of the ball, but with a little more field time, I think that will come.

All in all, a very fun season for this little Timbit - #8. Thanks to Russell Soccer, the volunteers, coaches, and all the organizers who made this year possible.  We'll be back next year!