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.

 

Curling fever thanks to @TeamBradJacobs!

It's been an exciting few weeks in our household. As I mentioned in an earlier post we've been watching a lot of curling over the winter, which for me is not unusual, but its the first winter that my big boy has also taken more notice of my love for the sport.

We watched Rachel Homan's run to the top of the Canadian podium and the a short week later, we tuned in faithfully to TSN's coverage of the Tim Horton's Brier to see Northern Ontario and Team Brad Jacobs put on a stellar performance to win the Canadian championship. 

Growing up just outside of Sault Ste. Marie, it is only natural that my support goes to Team Northern Ontario. In the last few Briers its been fun to watch Team Jacobs evolve and improve and advance themselves into this year's Brier final.  It was truly a lot of fun to watch the curling coverage all season long and see a range of difficult shots executed under tremendous pressure.

While my boys have always been around when curling is on the TV, I was overjoyed to hear my smart kindergartener asking lots of questions this year about the game.

'How come they have brooms, how come that guy holds his broom like that, how can she move like that on her shoes, how come they kicked the rocks'.

These questions were exciting to answer and I have to say by the end of the Tim Horton's Brier and Team Northern Ontario's reign, I would say we definitely have a future curler on our hands. E was pumped when I brought out my brooms to demonstrate the sweeping and the boys got right into it with their 'hurry haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard' and 'dig boys, dig dig dig' impressions.

It was a great couple of weeks watching the boys from the Soo work so hard to win the Brier and then to see them bring home a silver medal from Worlds was the icing on the cake. I truly admire their work ethic and commitment to the game of curling. I know they are still young and have many years ahead of them, but as a parent of future curling enthusiasts, I am so excited for the future of this game. Its great to know that there are excellent role models involved in the sport that my boys will grow up learning about and striving to be like - so thank you for all the fun this winter Team Jacobs - Team Northern Ontario - Team Canada.

A note from Grandma!

I was going through a box of old things one night two weeks ago and came across a hand written letter from my Grandmother.  I read it on my bed, and then moments later I cried... not because it was sad but just because I really do miss her.  Reading this letter actually made me laugh out loud because I can hear her humour in the letter, and it brings me right back to her living room, sitting in her rocking chair and visiting with her over tea.

It was one of those moments as an adult that you just have, you have a little tear, your thankful to have had it and then you move on... or so I thought.

The next night I went to the grocery store and as I was rushing around the store to get my groceries before the place closed, my cart clipped a display of pastry type things and a box fell out in front of my cart. I thought it was a total accident, but when I went to picked them up, it was these....

Now - to most, these aren't anything too special, but to me they are a childhood memory that I will never forget.  My grandmother use to offer me these while visiting at her house.  For the longest time my Mom never bought them when I was young, so this treat was only something I got by visiting Grandma. The sponge cake, mixed with chocolate and the taste of caramel - it was the best, and seeing this box in front of my cart brought a smile to my face.

It was when I was driving home from the grocery store that I realized that same day was the anniversary of my grandmother's death. Can you believe that? I may have been watching one too many 'Long Island Medium' episodes, but I really do believe that my Grandma was trying to get my attention that day and I got the message loud and clear.

The two days of little triggers were a gentle reminder of what a special lady she was to me.  The truth is I often don't need a reminder to prompt me to think about her as I do it almost every day, and even more often now that I have kids of my own. She was a wonderful grandmother to me and would have been an awesome Great-Grandma to my boys... not a day goes by that I don't try to share my memories of her with my boys as they truly are moments I cherish.

Thank you Grandma for the little reminder that you're still with me each and every day.

I love you.

'Tis the season... to visit Sand Road Maple Farm!

It's that time of year.... the snow is melting is trying to melt and that means the sapping is going to be running at Sand Road Maple Farm (located off Highway 138 near Moose Creek).

We took the boys to this fine establishment last weekend. It was a little colder than in past years, but the simple pleasures were still very much enjoyed by our family.

The beautiful part about this season is that there is still a heavy layer of thick snow on the maple trail, which means the horses are still able to take patrons on a sleigh ride, opposed to a wagon ride that is more suitable when the weather warms up. The sleigh ride is absolutely beautiful, especially with the bit of extra snow fall we've had in the last couple of weeks - its truly a must when you're there!

We enjoyed a fabulous (all you can eat) buffet breakfast stacked full of the maple musts: pancakes with maple syrup, maple bacon, maple ham, maple baked beans, oreilles de crisse, and so much more.  We were stuffed after eating, but we took a walk on the maple trail and made some room for the best part of the experience... maple taffy on the snow! While the boys ran off their maple energy on the grounds, I browsed the the gift shop which had some great little finds (and very courteous staff)!

If your looking for something to do with young children, or somewhere to take your parents and grandparents, or to meet up with a group of friends and family, Sand Road Maple Road will not disappoint.  Admission to the grounds is free and you can expect loads of maple syrup products to be on hand for purchase!

Here's a few snapshots our trip last weekend! We had a blast!

Busy living life!

I can hardly believe its mid-march.  The days seem to meld together and before I know it another week has passed and I have yet to even think about making a blog entry.

I'd like to say that this upsets me, but in reality, when I don't get to blogging, it means life is busy, and busy is good.

The past couple of months we've just been enjoying our hectic schedules of raising two boys. Nothing too overly exciting but we've gotten out and about with the kids, and now that spring like weather is almost here, I imagine we'll be spending out free time outdoors as much as possible.

This winter, we did a little sleigh riding, and although we skipped our annual canal outing, we did hit Snowflake Kingdom during Winterlude which did not disappoint any of us. The canal is closed for another year, and although it would have been nice to get out for a family skate, I know there will be many other years to enjoy this feature of the nation's capital!

 Last weekend, E wrapped up another season of CanSkate. He is moving and shaking so well on both skates now. I have a feeling he'll be a great asset to any hockey team next season! H is about the only member of this family that wants to keep on shoveling. He is obsessed with his shovel and throws a royal fit if you rush him the house at the end of the day without a few minutes to 'chovel'! As much as I don't want to spend another second out in the cold at the days end, it is a pretty cute phase that I know won't last long.

Being the curling fan that I am, this time of year I am almost always half-glued to the tv. The Scotties was in Kingston this year and we managed to get there in person on closing weekend, just in time to see Team Homan from Ontario, in top play-off form.  The Brier followed a week later, and the excitement was high in this household when the boys from the Soo, Northern Ontario, Team Jacobs took home the Brier Tankard! Now, it's going to be an exciting few weeks of World Curling viewing!

I can't promise that blogging posts will be any more consistent, but I do hope that you are enjoying life as much as I am these days!

Bring on Easter! I could use some chocolate!

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!