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.

 

Time to make a wish...

Today, I celebrate another year in my 30s!

I have to say the number doesn't so much bother me as the new growth of grey hair I seem to be discovering more and more as I investigate in the mirror, but besides that I don't have a complaint in the world today.

I spent the weekend with the three loves of my life... and enjoyed every minute of it as we celebrated my big day. Since my birthday falls on a Monday this year, PC moved the celebration to preceding Saturday and planned out a little family fun day! It was perfect for me!

He made breakfast for all of us and then we hit E's skating lesson before heading off to the Children's Museum in Ottawa! What a great place! I have always wanted to go with the boys, but PC usually rolls his eyes at me when I suggest 'a museum' as an activity.  However, this year, he really had me pegged and planned out a little adventure to the Canadian Museum of Civilization, which houses Ottawa's Children's museum. The whole outing definitely did not disappoint! We spent a couple hours exploring all the fun areas - the boys absolutely loved interacting with each stop on their passport. We capped off our visit by taking in a 3D IMAX movie! I wasn't sure how H would handle a movie, but he did awesome! We ended the night off with Mom C's famous homemade donairs, a few little birthday surprises including a new MK bag, and my ultimate fave cupcakes from The Flour Shoppe.

I don't think I could have scripted a better day to celebrate if I tried.  Thank you to my one and only for such a fun day with the boys - he definitely made me smile and feel very loved and spoiled.

If my birthday celebration was any indication of how this year may unfold for me, I am looking forward to it!

Here is a little photo recap of the day's events.

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes via of Twitter, Facebook, What's App, email, and texting! I even had a few ol' fashioned phone calls too from some old friends! All around fun.

Thanks again!

 

Merry Christmas!

Hope everyone is taking some time today to enjoy the magic of Christmas, I know we are!

Wishing each of you the joy of the season and all the best for 2013.

 (Photos by Sara McConnell Photography, design by A Pretty Little Party)

 

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 project for Mom!

Today is my Mom's 60th birthday - (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!)... and what an amazing milestone she has reached.  I remember when I was younger and thinking sixty was old, but now to be in my thirties and have my Mom turning sixty, it doesn't seem old at all! She looks great and now that her and my Dad are both retired, I think they both seem more youthful and relaxed than ever before.

My mom is not an over-the-top person... she is generally easy to please and agreeable, but she does make it known that she is not fond of being the center of attention - at all. With this milestone birthday approaching, I knew she would not want a big surprise party because she is just not that kinda gal, but I didn't want to let the occasion slip by without much mention of it.  After all she is SIXTY, and that deserves some kind of celebration in my (humble) opinion!

About six months ago I stumbled upon a link where a daughter did this fabulous project for her father... and it got me thinking that it was an awesome idea to put in my back pocket for a special occasion in the future.  Well fast forward and although I was in the middle of planning E's birthday party, I thought, what the heck, I think I can pull off 'my version' of the this project too.

So... I took stock of addresses that I had from my wedding folder, and then enlisted my Dad to do some undercover work with my Mom's address book (which thank gawd she still uses the old fashioned pen and paper style book thrown in the junk drawer, my Dad had no problem getting the info I needed). I emailed my invitation lady and got her to whip me up a quick request card informing people what I needed them to do, and BAM! ... I was off and running.

I complied a list of sixty candidates that I thought would be happy to participate and that she'd be happy hear from, if not surprised in some cases.  I located some colourful note cards and envelopes and got my stamping supplies out.  After a few evenings of dedicated prep work, I had sixty cards ready to mail out.

I really wasn't sure exactly how this was going to come together after I dropped the invitations in the mail, but when my Dad was at my house for Thanksgiving, he mentioned that he gets the mail most days, so he could collect the incoming cards as they arrived and save them up until today.  He took this job seriously, and did not disappoint as this morning he was able to present her with a mail bag full of wishes and I know she has enjoyed reading each one.

Thank you to everyone who participated and made this birthday project a total success.

To my Mom... you are a special woman who means a lot me. You are also a special Grandma to my two boys. I am so happy that you continue to play an active and present part in our lives, and I really can't thank you enough for always being at my side no matter what the obstacles or success stories have been. I hope you enjoy this milestone today... and PC, the boys, and I look forward to helping you celebrate many more years of health and happiness.

Love you and miss you.
xo
 

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!
 

Lucky Number Seven!

Hard to imagine that seven years ago, PC and I were only starting out on a journey that has already provided us with so much.  As we celebrate seven years of marriage today, I am just in awe of everything we have accomplished together - and its ONLY been seven years.

I get excited at this time every year because its like playing Monopoly and going past GO... only instead of collecting $200, we are collecting another year of 'happily ever after'.We might purchase somethings along the way, or sell-off a few others, but were buying and selling together, and as along as we're avoiding going to jail - I'd say were doing okay!

This past year has been about achieving a balance.  With two busy boys in our lives, we rarely find time to for the two of us but I think the point is that we still enjoy those outings when we do get to be together as just a couple - sans kids.  Our boys have provided us with so many laughs this past year... and its made us both see that raising a family, although tough at times, can be equally rewarding and then some.

PC, still the keeper of many titles: friend, lover, and partner for life! Thank you for putting up with my crap, and your welcome for putting up with yours!

I love you.
Happy Anniversary.

First time for everything!

Today a very special man in my life celebrates his birthday! That's right... PC is prepping to blow out a small bonfire worth of candles this evening, and while that is a big deal, I think what is an even bigger deal is that for the first time in the ten years I have known him, he is working on his birthday.

Can you believe it?

Is the sky falling?

Hell has clearly frozen over.

PC prides himself in taking a day off on his birthday... and he usually golfs or does something that makes him happy, but this year, work has prevailed and he's up and at it with the rest of the working world today.  However, not to panic people... he's taken Friday off instead, not quite the same as his actually b-day, but a close second!

We are celebrating his big day with his family this evening at our house... and looking forward to Mom C's famous donairs - a birthday tradition in the Coleman household, and oh so yummy!

Happy birthday to my number one (and only) husband, lifelong friend, and rodeo partner! We have our ups and downs, as many couples do, but through thick and thin, I know I love you with all my heart... and you and our boys are truly the best part of life!

Have a great day birthday boy - you seem to enjoy life everyday, but I hope today is extra special!