My Uncle Brian loves the snow. He lives in Scotland where they really don't get too much of that stuff. Today, they have 12 degree weather and are able to open all their windows and enjoy the sunshine. Yep, I'm jealous. I love the snow, but I'd rather have sunshine and warmth any day.

Anyways, I actually have a story to tell today. Just for Brian, who didn't get to enjoy this weather when he was here over Christmas. As you all know, yesterday was our big tobogganning outing. We had a great turnout, and the weather was just perfect! Things couldn't have been better! We loaded Jasons truck with our GT's and Joey's little red sled, then we dressed in all our winter gear. Everyone was so excited, especially me since I haven't been toboganning in YEARS!!! Joey wanted to go down the hill the minute we got there, before the truck was even unloaded, so Jason pulled out Joey's little red toboggan and off we went! Joey and I took off and went right down the hill, and loved it! It was such a great feeling! When we got to the bottom, Joey started yelling that we had to go again, and took off up the hill. So once again, we sat in his little red sled and pushed off... and started to slide down the hill. Halfway down the hill, we hit something. Not sure if it was a rock, a chunk of ice, or what, but it tore through the sled and hit my butt. (Yeah, ok, this is the part where you start to laugh at my expense.) We got to the bottom of the hill and I had some trouble getting up. Joey wanted to go again and took off up the hill, but I still wasn't sure what had happened. Dazed and sore, I checked the sled and found it was completely busted, and trailed my sorry butt back up the hill. The rest of the day was painful. I could only go down a few more times before I was in extreme pain. Joey decided that the GT's were fun and was borrowing other peoples sled's, so he had a blast. He even decided to try the ice chute that the bigger kids had made - he ran to it and slid right down on his little butt! It was so great to see - he absolutely loves the snow!

So there you go - I could have just emailed this story to Brian, but I decided that I would share my misfortune with everyone. I believe that I may have cracked or bruised my tailbone, but since nothing can be done for it, I will just suffer till its better. I won't suffer quietly though... I have a feeling that I'll be yelling at everyone to stop laughing at me! I hope that everyone enjoyed my story, and will beware of rocks and crap when you are tobogganing :) Or just drink enough before going out so that you don't feel it!!!

As for our pipes, they didn't burst.... or not that know of. We got them thawed out, and the water is now running ok. We're expecting more freezing cold crap, so I really hope that it doesn't happen again.

Joey & Chris went to a birthday party on Saturday. Carson is now 3 years old! The boys had a great time, and Joey met some new friends. It was a great afternoon for the parents as well, as the kids pretty much kept themselves entertained the whole time! They were awesome together! Carson had a Spongebob ice cream cake, and it was soooo good! I had never tried that before, but I definetly want more!

Well, that's it for today. I hope you have all enjoyed hearing about the adventure that led to me having a cracked butt. I just look on the bright side - at least it wasn't my head :)

Oh my goodness - winter has hit us hard! These past two days have been bitterly cold, too cold to even enjoy doing the fun winter activities like toboganning, making a snowman or a snowfort, or even outdoor skating! With the windchill, its hitting -27! Yep, kinda chilly. So I'll stay indoors for now till it warms up a bit. It better be warmer on Sunday - the gang's all getting together for some toboganning (and maybe some taboozaning), and I don't want the kids to be too cold!

I've tried not to complain about the winter that we've had so far, since it has been so mild. But I love the snow! And I'm glad that its here. But there's one thing that I HATE about this weather that I've never experienced till now... frozen pipes. Seems like the pipes going up to our bathroom decided to freeze and ice up. Not good at all. We've got the heat cranked right now and little heaters on the pipes to try to thaw them. Hopefully it will work, because I really don't want to have burst water pipes! Its just a waiting game now, so here's hoping that they don't burst :)

Chris had to go back to the doctors this week. The antibiotics that he was on weren't working, so he is now on another kind. I think they're working, because he slept through the night on Tuesday and Wednesday - the first time in weeks that he has slept right through! Then last night he decided that it was play time around 2:30 or so... yep, I was up with him till almost 5am because he was all hyper and wanted to play and talk! Its nice to see him like this again though, so I'm not going to complain about my lack of sleep either!

Prison Break is back! I love it! Just when you think that they're going to run out of storylines and plot twists and turns, they come up with some crazy crap! Kellerman is getting to be a very interesting character, and Mahone didn't die! How insane is that?! I was also surprised by the number of people who were killed in this episode - wow! And just one more Prison Break thought... where is Doc Sarah?!?!

Joey got a "cool kid" award at school the other day. He was one of the first kids to be completely ready and dressed to go outside at the end of the day, so he got a little certificate for it! He was so proud of himself, and I was really proud of him too. Its so amazing how little things like that can motivate a child. Maybe I need to give him cool kid awards at home to get him to do things - it takes him 5 hours to get ready for school in the morning!

Work is going well. I'm learning new stuff, and actually enjoying it! I have to say that I really do like where I work, there's only 1 or 2 things that I'd change. I'll leave it at that :)

Mmmmmm, not much more has been happening this week. And I've rambled on enough for tonight. Now I'm going to go and watch a movie and keep an eye on these pipes to make sure they're defrosting - cross your fingers, eyes and toes for me!

Happy Birthday

Kim!

You're 20 today... just in case you forgot!

Wow! I can't believe that my little sister is 20! No longer a teenager, she now has to be a responsible adult... hehehehehe! Don't worry Kim, you can still be an immature responsible adult and get by in life (just look at Jason, or any other male over 30!).

I remember when Kim was born. It was snowing, and dad was at the hospital with mom. Kevin & I were home with Lorraine & Maureen. The phone rang and Lorraine answered it, and all I heard was "what is it, what is it?!" But dad had made an agreement with me that I would be the first to know! So the phone was passed to me, and dad told me that I had a little baby sister! I remember being so excited, and passed the phone around to everyone else! After the call, I went running outside in the snow, minus boots or shoes, yelling that I was a big sister, and that we had a little sister!

The first thing I noticed about Kim was her hair! She had tons of hair when she was born, and how big her fingers and her feet were. Her fingers are more proportionate now, but her feet are still huge :) She was the best thing to happen to me in my 11 years, then she puked on my favourite dolly blanket and that all changed! She became a barfbag and not so much fun to play with anymore, but we all still loved her anyway. She has definetly made my life so much more interesting, and I'm lucky to have her as my sister. I'm just glad that she outgrew the barfbag stage!

So have a happy birthday Kim, and enjoy whatever you do - even if its sleeping till noon and drinking all night :) Just have a drink for me too!

And we all love you... you're so very special :)

Ok, so I took Chris to the doctors today to get his needles... and he didn't get them. We've figured out why he's been up every night for the last few nights. Turns out that both of the poor kids ears are infected. You'd never know it to see him - he's perfectly fine through the day, happy and normal, but he just doesn't eat like he used to. We attributed that to teething. It was always between 11:30-midnight when he woke up screaming like a banshee. So now we know. He's on antibiotics and he goes back in 2 weeks for his shots. They weighed him and he only weighs 20lbs 15 oz. I really thought that he would be heavier, he really feels heavier :)

In other news: I recently got an ipod shuffle. I have to say that I love it! Now that I've figured out how to use it and have my music on it, its fun! Last night I went through all our cd's to find the songs that I want. We have so many cd's that we bought because we liked one song on it. I've taken all those songs and now have them to listen to whenever I want. Jason was laughing at my playlist - I have everything from Elvis, The Platters, Abba, The Drifters, to Violent Femmes, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Skid Row, and can't forget about Tim McGraw, Johnny Reid, Meatloaf, AC/DC... the variety goes on. Most importantly, I have the Village People's YMCA and Build Me Up Buttercup! Those 2 songs just make me so happy! Anyways, now I have to find a good place to find the other songs that I want and don't have on cd. If you know of any good sites to download music, let me know!

How about that crazy weather today?! The weather network said we'd get 1 cm of snow between Friday & Saturday... I think they were just a little off! We really got dumped on! At least it was just snow and not ice. If only the kids were healthy, cause this would be a great night for toboganning!

That's it today everyone. Have a great night and maybe you'll hear from me again over the weekend :)

Ok, nothing to talk about today and no decent pictures to post. So here is a picture of Joey wearing a whole bunch of birthday hats and being some sort of 5-horned dinosaur. I know, not that interesting to you, but when I have nothing - this is what you get ;p



Work is still.... well, work. This is now week 3 and its starting to get a bit better. The new location is great - we can actually breathe without inhaling all sorts of crap into our lungs! So I guess I'm happy to be there, or at least as happy as a person can be at work when they'd rather be at home with their kids.

Chris goes for his needles and check-up tomorrow. We'll see how much he weighs too! I can't wait to find out his exact weight - I'm gonna guess 23 - 24 lbs. Maybe more! He's a big boy, and my arms hurt when I hold him for more than 5 minutes! I'm just hoping that he doesn't cry too much and is ok to go to the sitters afterwards.

That's it for today. Maybe my next post will actually be interesting. Maybe!

SNOW DAY!!! I can't believe that after the way that winter has been so far, its really finally here. The only crappy part is that it is so icy and we can't really enjoy it yet. Schools and daycare centres are closed (or will be closing), so I have no one to look after Joey. He's fine with that! He thinks we'll be going toboganning today, but I haven't had the heart to tell him yet that its not really toboganning snow. Oh well, we'll get out there with the GT's one day!

Chris is motoring around all over now. He uses whatever will move to help him walk. He has a stride-to-ride walker, but he'd rather use Joey's craft desk chair! Its cute to watch. Sometimes it gets a little too fast for him and he just falls forward! Then he gets up smiling, and does it all over again! I bet he'll be walking within a week or so.

I don't have to work today... or should I say - I can't work today. Its kind of nice, but I wish I felt better. I was up through the night with Chris (yep, again), and I feel like I'm getting a sinus or head cold. That so sucks. But I'll get over it - I've got my hot chocolate and tea and other crap that helps me to get over this awful feeling :) It's been hanging around for a while, and I just can't seem to get rid of it. Today, I will get rid of it!!! Hey, I have to feel like I've accomplished something since I'm not at work!

I kind of feel guilty about not working today. I'm the kind of person who would always be at work no matter what. There's been other snow days where I've made it into the office, but slipped & skidded all the way there. This time I just kept on thinking about the boys, and why would I risk their lives and mine just to get to work? I know that the work will still be on my desk waiting for me tomorrow, but the agents just won't be happy about it. I bet none of them go to their offices today, but they still expect us to be there to make sure that their work gets done. Crazy stuff I tell ya.

Ok, that's it for now. If we go toboganning, I'll take pics. If we stay home, we'll enjoy it ;)

P.S. Brian - sorry you didn't get to see this kind of winter when you were here!

It's finally done! I can't believe it, but Christopher had his very first haircut today! Here he is before.....

and here he is after....

What a difference! His head now looks circular and not quite so square, and his eyes seem to be bigger & even more blue than before! And I thought that his ears might stick out since his hair used to cover it before and we couldn't really tell, but nope - his little ears are perfect :) I can say all these mean things because I'm his mom! No one else can say these things, so only leave nice comments please :)

The only reason that we got it cut today was because his one long crazy hair is gone (must have fallen out overnight) and there was no reason not to do it anymore. Anyways, he sat so nicely for his haircut and didn't cry at all. When we were done, he got a first haircut certificate with a lock of his hair on it. Its so cute, but no, I'm not getting it framed! I'll just keep it safe and sound in his baby book.

Here's another picture that I wanted to share with everyone.

Its a good thing that Chris can't read! When he's bigger and he's able to fit into this shirt, then we'll take another picture the other way around! Its so great what you can get your kids to do :)

That's it for today. Its 10:30 and I'm tired. I'm hoping that the kids will sleep through the night tonight, although I doubt it. So good night, and I hope you liked the pictures!

Wow! This week has been busy. Not always "good busy", but at least it has made the days go by quickly. Chris was sick again this week, and puked on Tuesday, but now he seems to be over it. Whatever was bugging his little belly is gone now - he's happy as can be and back to his normal self!

Joey had to paint a picture at school the other day, showing what they did on their Christmas vacation. Joey painted a picture of him going to daycare. That is what he remembers most about his holidays. I felt like an awful mother for leaving him there, but at least I know that he loves it! I thought it would have been his pirate ship, one of his Cars games or visitors from Scotland, but nope, my boys highlight was going to daycare. I'm just glad he's happy.

I'm still trying to get used to being back at work. Its tough to find time to do everything and still have quality time with the boys, but we're managing. We just have to figure out some sort of routine and stick to it once we find one that works. On the bright side of working, I actually got a paycheque today! Not a whole week, but its something anyways! Woohoo!

Now I have to go and get Chris in the bath and Joey in the shower. Then I have to get laundry done and I still want to read some of my book... I need more than 24 hours in my day!

Busy weekend, I tell ya! Its like I've been going non-stop since this year started, and its just going to keep getting crazier. Chris has been sick this weekend, and its the first time that he has been so miserable while he's sick. All he wanted was to be held and cuddled... and to scream and sleep. So we let him do it all. And this morning he seems to be a bit better. His nose is still running, but he's eating again. Good sign :)

I went to the movies last night with Melissa, and it was a good movie. The Pursuit of Happyness wasn't as sappy as I thought it would be, and I didn't have to use the kleenex that I took with me! Its an expensive night - a bottle of pop costs the same as a small pop ($3.75) and its the same size bottle I can buy for $1.29 at the corner store! Next time I'll have to remember that and take my own... sneaky me! I used to love going to Bulk Barn before the movies and loading up on jelly beans and chocolate crap. Now that its gone, I never remember to get snacks anymore!

Joey has to go to Griffen's birthday party today, and its at a bowling alley. Joey has never been bowling, and he's really excited! He got him a cool spiderman car that lights up and does other stuff - and he's not impressed that he doesn't get to take it out of the box and play with it before giving it to Griffen! One day he'll realize that a present is just that - something for someone else, and you don't get to try it out first :)

Walmart has Valentine stuff out already! It just seems so early to have this stuff out for sale. Anyways.... I have a severe addiction to cinnamon hearts that I have been unable to cure over the last few years. No matter what I try, I always have to have my cinnamon hearts. They should make a patch or zyban-like product for stuff like that! If there are cinnamon hearts anywhere around me, they disappear within seconds. The bag that I have here now will be gone by tonight - and I'll be sorry tonight when my stomach is turning and I feel pukey. But it is soooo worth it! I love my cinnamon hearts!

Thats it for today folks. Lots to do and tons to catch up on. Have a great day!

Peace & quiet.... what a rare and valuable commodity right now! I can't even put a price on it, I love it so much! Jason has gone out to his friends place tonight, and Joey & Chris are in bed. Now its just me, and its time to catch up here. Then I'm gonna watch a movie (maybe Devil Wears Prada), and go to bed. I know - it sounds like a thrilling night :) To me, it is!

Anyways, the first week back at work is over. Its crazy busy there, and its only the start of the year. The administration office moved today, so we were shut down. Because I do payroll, I still had to get it done. I worked at one of our other locations to do it then ran back over to try & organize my desk. No such luck! I don't think I will ever be completely or happily organized. I never have been. On the bright side of things, we went out for lunch today - Swiss Chalet. Yummy! Which reminds me that I still have my apple pie from lunch in the fridge... maybe I'll have that when I watch the movie.

Our Scottish visitors left today. Right now they will be somewhere way up in the sky looking down over our snowless country. I wish that they could have seen a real snowfall when they were here - I don't think they even had to unpack their winter jackets! But anyways, Lorraine, Maureen & Brian: thank you for sharing Christmas & New Years with us, and maybe next time we'll get to go taboozing! And thanks again (so very much!) for the pickled onion monster munch and koalibear!

I also had a nice email today from someone else in Scotland, and it brightened a not so sunny day for me. My Uncle Frankie has discovered my blog! I hope that you guys will check in now & then to see what we're up to... even if its not always good things! So tell Lizbeth, Abigail & Lewis hello from all of us!

What else to say??? There is so much on my mind right now that I could go on for hours, but I'll save it for another day. I have apple pie to be eaten and a movie to be watched so I'm going to enjoy my time alone! But before I go, here's a picture of Chris being a goof just to make you smile :)


Yes, that is a Pampers pullup on his head! Good night :)

A new year.... and back to work. This sucks. I hate getting up early, and its not fun getting 2 grumpy kids ready to go in the morning. I guess its just going to be a matter of time before we get into a bit of a routine, and get used to this again.

On the bright side - Chris loves being at the sitters place! I thought that he would cry and scream for the first 2 or 3 or 4 months (I was trying to be realistic!), but he only whimpered for a few minutes then went and played! And believe it or not, he even napped no problem for the sitter. No crying, fussing or whining whatsoever! I have no idea how she does it, but it probably involves a lot of duct tape :) Joey also loved being back at the centre, and now that he's in the big boy room they go for trips and have tons of fun! Today they walked to the river and tomorrow they go to a music store to play the drums and the guitars.... glad I'm not a parent volunteer on that one :)

Work is work, and I'm sure that things will get better once I get back in to the swing of things. Its a completely different atmosphere there since there is only person left that I worked with before. Everyone else is new to me, so I'm glad that Kelly and I get along SO well. I'm quickly getting to know everyone else's personalities and they're getting to know me and my sense of humor... it won't be long till I'm causing problems again! If I have to work, I have to be able to have fun, so they're going to have to get used to it!

So now its time to figure out when and how I'm going to get everything else done, like grocery shopping, laundry and cleaning up. My family time is important, so I don't want to spend every night doing chores, and I don't want to save it all for the weekends. I'll just have to figure out a happy medium, as well as some time for me. This weekend I'm going to see The Pursuit of Happyness, so I'm really looking forward to that. All I know is that I'm going to be very busy for the next little bit.

Till next time... because I have no idea when that will be, but I'll try to make it soon :)