Halloween Antics with the kiddies

Look everyone! Even I dressed up - I was a SKULLITON as Hayley called me. This was a costume that my mom added to the dress up box for Hayley, I am sure that it has seen many a Hallos' Eve. It was very warm, which was good, because here in sunny Victoria it dropped down to +1! Hayley was a mermaid from Mermaidia (with two sweaters, tights, leggings, and boots on underneath so the full effect of the costume could be had) and Quinn was a ladybug..........well what did you expect? Each of my kiddies have to be ladybugs at one time or another!
Here she is, all bugged out. Eating a lolly. She thought that all of trick or treatin' was finished when she got her first lolly. She was done. Had no idea that she could keep on going and get more and more! She is only interested in the lollies in the bag as well. Aren't the bags cute - my mom made them for the girls last year!
A very serious mermaid. Thinking about what?
Just some of the kiddies that we went out with. There was a power ranger, spider man, a fairy a witch, a mermaid and a ladybug. Great company!
I threw this one in for good measure. It is me and the girls at the Government House pumpkin night. There were over 400 pumpkins on display. Interested, if not real.


Had a great Halloween. Made out with a ton of candies. Girls were happy and strung out on sugar and anticipation all night. Those were the days! I remember going out in Quesnel, with my dad or mom in the warm car, travelling down Lombardie, Cypress and Dogwood, with the pillowcase in tow. Then we were off to the bonfire at the Kin Hall with hotdogs and hot chocolate. In THOSE days there was usually snow on the ground for trick or treating. A great holiday, and we live in the perfect place for it - not only do we have 50 townhouses in our complex, there are 63 in the one next door. That is 113 potential treat houses! When we came home that night our bowl that we left on the step with all the candy in it - still had some in it! Talk about a great neighbourhood!

The BEST Sunday ever!

Today I was at a "ALL DAY SCRAP CROP", which was soooooooo much fun. It was only $20, lasted from 9:30-5:30 and there was about 25 of us there. It was in a big multi purpose "hall", run by the Military Families. Basically it was license to scrap, all day, no interuptions, no kids. There was a big table of "garage sale" items, free items, and a portable store there as well. Not to mention all the other girls' albums, which are chock a block full of inspiration. I managed to get all of Hayley's kindergarten pages done (which did not require a lot of talent, just some cut and paste, assembling some order from the shoe box to the memory album), four layouts for Quinn (her first steps - I am THAT far behind), and the beginnings of a generation album. It is a 8 X 8 album, and in it we are doing all the family surrounding us with all the offspring that we have created. Basically a album of family. I was very proud of my accomplishments. I even won a door prize, which was enough paper and supplies for 8 Christmas pages, as well as a album (sadly not the same size as the paper, but beautiful on it's own).

It was so uplifting to go and do something for my own creative necessity. I met some wonderful people there, got inspired to continue on, and most importantly, recharged my scrap batteries. I cannot wait until the next one!!!

The big bad burn...

Well, as nasty as it is, I thought I would share with you the burn that Quinn has. She actually had her LAST appointment at the burn unit yesterday, and now we wait and see how it heals. It is completely healed over, although it is very fragile, and she needs to wear a protective sleeve over it at all times.
Now we will see the ocupational therapist to check in and make sure that she is not losing any function in her arm, and if all goes well, we can put it behind us!

Just for you

Updated as you requested Melanie Ann Olson. Read and enjoy. Thanks for sponsering my cosco trip last night. Love spending time with you - although have to admit, I do live vicariously through you and your adventures. Life as a mom, would NEVER trade it for anything, but you are fun, out late and able to live life as you choose. Good as well. Thank you my friend!

(I will never know if you read this though - you NEVER comment!!!!!)

A day at the firehall

Quinn with the fire hat on. She really did not like it, but managed to get one photo anyhow...
Hayley, however, LOVED the firehall. She did everything that she could - at least twice. Here she is with all the turnout gear on. It weighs 70 pounds - that is 15 pounds more than her!!
Spraying the house. She is leaning back due to the pressure, if the fireman was not there, she would most likely be on her butt!!!
All the gear again. Boots and all.

On Saturday our local fire hall had an open house, with tours in the firetruck, hotdogs, games and everything. The girls and I thought we would check it out. Little did we know that we would easily spend two hours there, trying everything out. Hayley LOVED it. She was the first one in line to ride in the truck, spray the hose, run the ladder, try on the gear, use the "jaws of life" on an old car, spray a fire out with a hand held hose, drag a body, use the ax, and the list goes on and on...... Quinn was content to eat a ketchup bun and hold my hand. I think that she was in awe of all the firemen in the gear! Or maybe that was me.....

We had a great time, and a wonderful way to stay in touch with our community. Plus, as a bonus, it taught the girls a bit about fire safety, although I have to admit, ANYONE looks good in a uniform coming in to save me.....oops, I digress again.....

Five strange things about me..

I was tagged by Mel, and so here it is...

1. Closet doors have to be closed before I sleep. It creeps me out to see inside them when I am laying in my bed. Throughout the day it really does not matter though.

2. I have about 7 pairs of runners, only of which two I wear. The other five look like elf shoes on my feet, but cannot give them away.

3. I still have both sets of clothes that the girls wore home from the hospital. Sentimental - maybe. Pack rat - most likely.

4. Socks go on last. Always. Never without fail.

5. I NEVER shower before going into the pool. I NEVER shower after I am finished in the pool. The thought of other people showering there totally CREEPS me out.

6. And one for good measure - I have to put mosturizer on everywhere, everyday, without fail. I have to put hand lotion on before I go to bed. I always have Burt's Bees in my pocket for my lips. I have a phobia about feeling "chappy".

Tag - done. Maybe not as strange as most....but strange for me.

A day in the sunshine

So smily for the camera - which is unusual for Quinn, seems as though soon as I pull out the camera she hightails it elsewhere.
Who knew that our "Gap sweater" found at the local Sally Ann (for $2) would match the equipment that we are playing on! How is that for co-ordination???
HATES having dirty hands, although they seem to be in that state for the majority of Quinn's day. She does not go down the stairs to get to the van, but instead detours through the dirt pile of a front lawn.....usually with a fall thrown in for good measure.
Ducking under, going through, manouvering over - she got her exercise today!
And here I am mom, ready to go again!

I realized that my posts have been less than cheery as of late, and so I thought I would add in that we are doing well, and if Hayley will ever stop going long enough, then I will get a photo of her too!!!

Licorice All sorts

Well guys and gals, it has been forever, and so I thought I would finally put finger to keyboard, and give you all the Reader's Digest version of what is going on. Grab a chai tea, big coffee, or glass of wine and enjoy the read.....

Things are nutty! We are finally not having to go to the burn unit every day for Quinn. The wound has healed over about 80% and we are now into the second stage of healing, which is pressure bandage. She has a sleeve of tight neoprene that she has to wear 23 1/2 hours a day which will (hopefully) enable the scar to heal flat instead of all lumpy bumpy. She pulls on it and says "tight tight" but it is not that bad. Aside from all the looks and sideways glances we receive, it is ALL GOOD. Thanking our lucky stars on that one.

Hayley has begun skating, and so off to the rink two times a week again. She has so much more confidence than last year, and continues to have fun. I am glad that we opted to go again. The rink is the brand new Save On Foods Memorial, and so it is warm as well. No more Quesnel Twin Arena, cold as all get out, warming up under the six stratigically placed heaters with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Although I have to admit when my friend the Queen and I were rink rats we were not at all concerned about being cold, in our mini skirts, and "spiked slurpees" - if we even remotely looked chilly, a big hockey player would gladly give us their Millionaire jacket! Oh the thought of leather sleeved jackets - four sizes too big - with the name stiched on the arm...haven't had that thought in a while! But again, I digress.....

Roger is busy disecting another room to renovate....now it is the downstairs bathroom. In my humble opinion, that room needs to be bombed and started all over again. It is the size of some woman's shoe closet with about as much appeal as a bologne sandwich. Nothing is going to make that room better. But all the power to him, men and their power tools.

Me. Me. What can I say about me??? I have managed to program my MP3 player and am walk/running every day. My a$$ is so sore that I am discovering muscles that I haven't heard from in years. That will be my luck - I will develop a ghetto booty. I am blaming the sore bottom on the fact that I am having to push the stroller, single or double one, everywhere that I go. Not to mention that Hayley's school is straight uphill, taunting me with a cold beer and wine store, a pub, a hairsalon, an antique store, and a corner store that I could quite easily purchase a chocolate bar in. All things that I would rather do than get into shape. But my hard work is paying off, yesterday I bought a pair of yoga capri pants in a size small, and my last pair of pants were a size 6!!! The baby belly - now that is a different story. Roger had the nerve yesterday to tell me that I was TOO small. Is that not an oxymoron? Kinda like jumbo shrimp? My goal is not to be small, but to be strong. Then I can really kick his butt!!!

The most glorious sound in the world was yesterday - according to my friend the Queen. The thump. Although mine is a little different, but the outcome is the same. The day that the mailman brings me the latest copy of Scrapbook ETC. YAHOO! Love this mag, still leafing through the past issues, but it is enough to get my creative juices flowing. Finished a mini album, about 20 pages of our trip to Tofino wayyyyyyy back in May. Love it. Going to an all day scrappin' workshop and crop on the 22nd of October. Believe it or not, a regular that comes into Moxies invited me to come with her, and it turns out that she is very fun to be with! Strange how life deals out the cards sometimes.

Well, there it is in a nut shell. My licorice allsorts of a life. Miss everyone and love everyone.

Some good news........finally

Well, the verdict is that Quinners will probably NOT need a skin graft. We are very relieved. We do know, however, that she will require some surgery from the Plastic Surgeon though. We found out an interesting piece of gossip though....Dr. Taylor is the leading Plastic Surgeon for burn patients in all of North America, he is very conservative, and feels that it is invasive and un-nescissary in most circumstances to do skin grafts on children under two. Their skin is very resilient and full of elastic and in MOST cases will heal on it's own. That being said, we will probably go and see him to have the scar tissue removed so that it does not hamper her movement and mobility. Seeing the wound today was encouraging, the outer edges are healing well, going back to the "normal pink", while the inner, most damaged part, has lost its thick white escar. That is a good thing. The middle part has never bled, which is not so encouraging though, that means that nerve damage and blood vessel damage has happened, but we will wait out the two weeks (which will be Wednesday) and we will see how it looks then.

On my end, I have aquired a new day care girl. She is wonderful, three years old, in pre-school and will come and be with us on Monday all day, and then on Tuesday and Thurday mornings. She goes to the neighbourhood preschool and her older sister and Hayley are in the same grade. She is a fun loving, full of energy little girl, and will be a great addition to have here. Especially for my little boy that comes, who will be three in January, to have someone to play with. It also means that I can give up one more shift at Moxies, which leaves me with just two now. Slowly but surely I will be able to leave.

House renos are doing fine. Roger has been so great doing things while I worked. The painting is complete, and the closet doors are done. The moulding (trim) is 3/4 cut and put up. The heaters are all updated and installed. He is so wonderful and handy - I am lucky. That and he is working 6 days a week right now!!!!!!!!! Kudos to the man I love!

My big brave girl

Well here she is, all bundled up. The prognosis is that she will need a graft, how big will be determined on Friday with the consultation with the pediatrician plastic surgeon. Dr. Taylor is a burn specialist, and so I feel confident that we will reach a educated decision on what is best for Quinn.

On a positive note, my mom is here. She came on Sunday night and is leaving tomorrow, but we have had an awesome visit. She has spent a great amount of time with the girls, and Hayley has loved having her here. They have such a special bond. It has been a huge help with going back and forth to the burn unit everyday as well.

Don't have much to report, but know that you tune in for updates. Hope to let you know more on Friday. Thank you for your well wishes, thoughts and prayers. Quinners and the family loves you for it!

Something unexpected happened...

Well on Wednesday night as I was talking to my sister on the phone, a HUGE accident happened to Quinn. She tugged on the end table drawer and it had just enough force behind it to knock over my tea on her. We rushed her into the bathroom and took off her jammies and saw a big burn on the inside of her right elbow, 6" by 6". I took her into emergency right away and the Doctor treated it and wrapped it and sent us home, only to be recommended to the Burn Unit of the Jubilee Hospital for a series of appointments. Yesterday we went back and Quinn had her arm looked at by a burn specialist, as well as a Plastic Surgeon, and a Dermatologist. The end result is that it is 2nd degree burns throughout with superficial (surface) 3rd degree. In layman talk that is through the dermis and epidermis layer of skin and into the subcutanious fatty tissue where blood vessel and tissue is damaged. That layer cannot repair itself on its own and needs graphs to reattach it together. We are going day to day, with the hope that her young, baby skin will heal a lot on it's own - but we are also aware of many painful proceedures in the future.

Quinn is a real mystery though. She goes about her day, happy as a lark, never even knowing that she suffered this major burn. She insists on wearing long sleeved shirts and the only time that she really puts up a fight is when we have to walk into the hospital room. I know she knows it is going to be painful. She never cries, never complains, never whines. I need to take a lesson on strength from my little wonder.

Think of us, and next time the phone rings and it is the Firefighter Burn Unit looking for a donation, think of all the great work that they do - and how baby Quinn needs them right now.

Wanting the best....

As a parent, of course you want to protect your kids. Without hesitation. Yesterday made me want to take Hayley in my heart, protect her, and keep her safe. My heart just broke when her dad brought her back to the house last night. He told her that his job was going to take him to Vancouver - which for those of you that are unfamiliar with - is a ferry ride away. In the grand scheme of things it is not that far - but unbeknownst to Hayley, he will eventually be farther. She ADORES her dad, he is her shining light, her knight, her "does no wrong". For her to understand that he is moving is not easy. Both her dad and I have spoke in great lengths about this new job, and he would be foolish to not take it, the worst thing is that he leaves Hayley behind because of it. I also know that time will make it easier for her to understand. Just think, she can go on the plane and see him by HERSELF when she is seven. It was the tears and the sad, sad, sad, face when they said goodbye. Had a cry myself. After we sat and talked she was much better, but it still breaks my heart to see her cry.

Lots to look forward to today, it is the first day of school today. She has her new backpack all ready, with her new indoor shoes and granola bar already inside. I hope that it is stress free and she gets the teacher that she will learn the most from. Cheers to a new school year!

Everyone, meet Eva.

My friend Jen had her baby in July, here she is Eva Rose. She was 10lbs, 9 ozs, and so incredibly cute. I want to hold her all the time. This is #4 for Jen and Nick, with Lily being their oldest - she is Hayley's friend from Kindergarten. Makes me want to have one. Really bad. It really helps that she melts your heart when you see her! I am so proud of Jen - she is one incredible mum!

On a vain note - not a bad photo of me either!

Summer holidays squished into two days!

Well here it is. Our day at the water park. We decided to not have a big holiday this summer, for two reasons. One was financial, and the other was that we want to save Roger's holidays for the fall or winter. So we buckled down, paid off two huge debts, worked a lot, and decided that summer was alright to spend at the local swimming hole, aka the backyard, check out local parks, and learn to ride bikes. We had a blast. But summer is not complete without one big hurrah for the kids. So off to the water slides we went. We had so much fun. Hayley was timid at first - as she does NOT like to be splashed or get her eyes wet. She was content to go up and down the little slider area, as her feet were always able to touch. She had a friend with her and the two of them were so good together! Quinn was in and out of the shallow water all day, wanting to jump and splash, I already can foresee Quinn splashing Hayley just because Hayley does not like it! Quinn is our terror.

Later in the day, Hayley and Roger went on the big ones together. She was so brave, walking up with Roger, as usually I would have to go up - she really likes to have me everywhere she is. Not this time! The two of them rode the slides together for about and hour, while Quinn, Lily and I swam together. Then Lily and Hayley went on the tube run together, all alone, with Roger and I waiting at the bottom. They seem so little to stand in line alone, but the park is full of parents and families, and so felt alright. Suddenly the air was full of little girls screams - they were coming down the shute and boy could you hear them! They had a blast and of course had to go again. We played and played and swam until 4pm, when we rewarded ourselves with an ice cream cone and came home. I feel blessed to have such a great family that has so much fun together!

How we spent our Sunday

These are our friends, Mel and Jo (both girls.....hahaha - I know they read this), getting all strapped in to Bungy Jump at Bungy Zone. They are both very brave.
Here is Mel, swinging down, it took her FOREVER to work up the nerve to jump - says her - but according to Roger and I, who by the way were safe on the ground, camera in hand, were very proud of her.
Here is me. Yep, me, I hate having my photo taken, but said that if I blogged about the jump then I would put in a photo of me. So here it is.
Here is Mel, safe and sound on the trampoline boat, almost ready to put her feet on Terra Firma again.
And here is the man. Roger. Mad. Only at me, for taking his photo. Like I mentioned before, if I am going to have to include my photo, then he will have one included too!!!

So we were up and on the road by 9am this morning. We were going to cheer on Mel and Jo while they bungy jumped, and have a day up Island exploring. We drove as far as Ladysmith (about one hour over the Malahat), and decided to have breakfast and check out "art on the avenue". Our breakfast establishment was a hoot. Roger had two eggs, bacon, toast and hashbrowns - I had two eggs, hashbrowns and bacon - and we shared a bottle of Minute Maid oj - and get this - got change back from $10!!!! We sat in the booth, reupolstered sometime in the 80's and saw an ashtray on the table. YOU COULD SMOKE INSIDE THE RESTAURANT!!! Now for some of you, this may not be so profound. We live in Victoria, where presently they are trying to create a bylaw to state that you can no longer smoke outside, on a patio, of a restaurant or a pub. You cannot smoke inside any public establishment, including nightclubs and bars, and this has been in affect for about 5 years now. So to see ashtrays right on the tables, inside, ready to use was very strange.

We proceeded to watch the girls jump, and they did awesome!!!!! I think I may do it next summer, but they also have Treego, which is an obsticle course throughout the trees, which you use carribeeners (sp??) to clip in, repel, and climb. You can go when you are as young as 7, and so Hayley will be able to go next summer with us.

Then we drove into Nanaimo, went to some collectable toy stores, consignement stores for the girls, wandered around the Harbour and had some icecream. We drove back to Chemanius which is known for its murals, and wandered around there as well. We made it to Roger's mom's house about 4pm in Cowichan Bay and had dinner. Quinn loves it there as she has a Jack Russell puppy and the two of them chase the ball around. She was so hot and sweaty, that we let her run around in the nude for awhile. We had a great dinner, drove home over the Malahat and was in the door at 7:45pm. Now both girls are asleep, Roger is lazing on the couch and I am off to bed to read. A great summer day spent on beautiful Vancouver Island.

A blogging we will go....

Well, seems like forever since I updated you on my life and goings' on. Nothin' happenin' so that's all folks!!!! Kidding, hmmm, hmmmmm, let me think, well, here we go.

Summer has been great to us, hanging out in the backyard pool, playing in the park, riding bikes, and rollerblading. It has NOT been a summer for laying at the lake though, and for this I am a bit sad. Not once yet this year. Lots of shell hunting and crab catching at the ocean, but no playing at the lake. I only have two weeks to fit it into my busy schedule of (see above) and then school begins. I cannot believe that Hayley will be going into grade one. Seems like yesterday we were teaching her to walk and sing her ABC's and now she will teach us a thing or two! She is looking forward to it, especially that she gets to eat her lunch out of her new lunchbag everyday. Quinn and I are planning to do some things just the two of us as well. Maybe take swimming lessons, or go to a play group - but maybe - just maybe - I will put her in the rec center daycare and go to the gym myself. I would sure like to be stronger, and fitter ( if that is a word) , which would mean actually going and doing something.

I am the proud owner of a MP3 player now. No songs on it, but it sure looks hip and modern when I pull it out. Kind of like my cell phone, need to have one for emergencies, and "just in case" but really don't use it that often. Looks good and hip though. Maybe it will entice me to use it while I am "working out" and "pumping iron". HA, just got a mental image of that.

Hayley starts skating again in the middle of September. She is going to go two days a week this winter, and hopefully will get as much fun out of it this year as she did last. Although I am secretly wondering if I am going to have to get an early morning paper route to pay for her skates in the future. EXPENSIVE. I will collect bottles or something to make it happen.....or Roger could get a second job at the neighbourhood MAC's working the slurpie machine. Sorry, family joke, we always tease him that that will be him trying to keep two girls in the latest fashions, equipped with cell phones and all the latest and greatest, and there will be Roger, working two jobs to make it happen!!!!

Well, there you go, an update on me. I am off to work today, and Quinn is spending the day with Liz and the boys. I know there will be fun to be had there, lots of roudy boys and yelling, she will not know what hit her.

Love and peace to all.

Meesh

Picasso...

Quinn painted for the first time today, at our friend Jen and Amanda's house. She did so well painting on the paper until she accidently painted her leg. Then she just continued painting her body.
Out of order, but this is her bath - take a look at the color of the water - that is not the normal color of Victorian water - but the paint!
Check out our little SHREK - quite the pose I do say myself.......

I will blog more later, feeling guilty about not blogging more, so will catch everyone up on the goings on soon.....

Love and peace to all.

NEW SUNGLASSES!!!

Who knew that spending $1.49 on a pair of sunglasses, that in my opinion look like they are off the head of "Mr. Potatoe Head" could entertain for so long!! Quinn loves her new glasses, and actually keeps them on when she is in the stroller and outside.
Hayley took this one herself - not bad if you ask me. You get a better look at the teeth this way, and can kind of see the sunglasses for her too.

Big news on the homefront is that my BIG 6 YEAR OLD can ride her bike without training wheels now!!!!!!! I took them off yesterday and BINGO she rides like she has been doing it forever! So immensely proud of her, she can really do anything that she puts her mind too.

I have been tagged!!!!

ONE HUNDRED THINGS ABOUT ME...

1. I am only 5'1''
2. but tell everyone I am 5'2"
3. have two beautiful girls
4. by two different men
5. seperated for 4 years in August
6. with Roger for 3 years this past June
7. natural hair color is community brown
8. have blonde eyelashes
9. have Celiac disease
10. have one sister
11. she is pregnant and due in November
12. have one brother
13. have a beautiful neice named Emily
14. I am the oldest
15. did not pick out my girls' names either
16. had the opportunity to skip grade 2
17. didn't
18. was an exchange student in 1989
19. lived in Australia for one year
20. came home with an accent
21. graduated a year behind my friends because of being an exchange student
22. lived in England and Scotland for a year
23. taught in the school system
24. can sign
25. taught both girls to sign
26. owned a home
27. drive a 2002 Windstar Van
28. never NOT had a car payment
29. just finished paying off a $4000 debt in 10 months!
30. work at Moxies on weekends
31. as a waitress!
32. and make enough money in tips to buy groceries each week!
33. scrapbook
34. need a ruler to draw a stick man though!
35. creative
36. poet
37. get bikini waxes
38. pluck my own eyebrows
39. the thought of outliving my children frightens me
40. have a will
41. have life insurance
42. have RESP's for both girls
43. made less than $15,000 last year
44. live in a co-op townhouse
45. recycle
46. compost
47. have a veggie garden
48. used a sling for Quinn
49. breastfed
50. love my mom and dad
51. never been on a "holiday" (like Hawaii, Mexico, etc)
52. want to buy a trailer to camp in
53. want to bike on the small Islands around us
54. sing all the time
55. avid reader
56. web blogger
57. in love with a man with numerous tattoos
58. who taught me appearance is not important
59. I taught him the importance of family
60. he loves me unconditionally
61. and I him
62. love my girls beyond comprehension
63. love my girlfriends
64. wish I lived closer to Annamarie
65. am going to New Brunswick to meet Sheri and Mel one day
66. online friends got me through the first months of Quinn's life
67. and my diagnoses with Celiac
68. take about 10 photos a day
69. am 35
70. and my partner is 30
71. and it is great
72. am the only one that drives
73. but I drive fast
74. hate driving in downtown Victoria
75. love a cold glass of Sangria, especially in Quesnel with my mom
76. love BLTs
77. have short hair
78. love shopping
79. but only at second hand shops
80. and still only buy brand name
81. straight iron my hair
82. hair is naturally curly
83. could count to 10 in French before kindergarten
84. barely can do it now!!!!!
85. still have all my "Little House on the Prairie" books
86. would love to have lived in the swingin' 20's
87. love Planes, Traines and Automobiles
88. love all kinds of music
89. thought the 80's were gay
90. even though I graduated in the 80's
91. Hayley's fave dress-up dress is my prom dress
92. Would like one more kid
93. but really want one more girl
94. would be bare footed more often if I could
95. hate nail polish
96. never had a facial
97. love the ocean
98. love a medium rare steak, salad and veggies
99. don't clean my house (Roger does)
100. didn't realize I was so diverse!!!!!

Tagging Annamarie and my cousin Missy!

Bountiful Harvest

This is one day's pickin' out of the garden! The zucchini alone is about the size of a small baseball bat. Gotta find a good gluten-free zucchini chocolate cake recipe!!!

Cowgirl X

These are my old boots, believe it or not, from when I was a baby. I should look through my old baby book and scan a photo of me wearing them! Quinn adores them, she even wants to wear them out, regardless of how hot it is, or what the outfit of the day is.
I honestly believe that she is saying "me, this cute, this pose?" She was really hamming it up for the camera this time!!!!
Dancing Queen, so do you think she has all the moves? She really gets into the music when it plays. Could not resist throwing this one in!

Just to catch up....

Once again I am having issues with blogger uploading any photos, so I will bore you with the monologue to catch you up on our lives.

Summer seems to be flying by. We have had a real heat wave on the Island, and a lot of poeple are easily irritated by it!!! One thing we can pretty well guarantee is that no matter how hot it gets throughout the day it will cool down at night. After all - we live on an Island, surrounded by water; breeze all the time. One would think anyhow. Not lately. It has been HOT! I love it mind you, and realized a long time ago, that it will not last, so take advantage of it while it is here. We have spent a lot of time at the water park, in the backyard pool/sprinkler system and inside doing crafts and imaginary play. I have spent some time catching up on my scrapbooking, clutter removal and enjoying the fact that I am home throughout the week.

I am in the midst of deciding whether or not to take on another daycare child. I really want to be at home, but need to make the money for the family as well. (oops, that sounds as though Roger is not doing his bit - he is and then some - my money is all the extras that we want!!!) I know that I do not want to work every Sunday anymore as I am missing out on doing things as a family. So I have decided throughout the summer to take Sundays off, work on Thursday nights and then hopefully in September have one more child to offset the income a bit. I am home anyhow - might as well have lots of kids around. It won't be so hard then either as Hayley will be in school for full days.

Well, off to fill my children's bellies, and then fill the pool for them. Hopefully soon I can show off the newest photos.

Sisters hanging out!

On Tuesday, Jen was awesome and watched all the kids while I went to the Dr's for my one year check up since I was diagnosed with Celiac. They had a blast playing with all Amanda's toys, Jen read many a book to Hayley and Quinn and Amanda hung out. I am soooooo very lucky to have Jen, my life is enriched by having her in it!

The appointment was very encouraging. This time last year, my body was not absorbing any of the nutrients in the food that I was eating, and I was basically starving myself. One year of maintaining a gluten-free diet, taking a multivitamin every day, walking and listening to my own body has done wonders. For the first time, I am not anemic - my iron and hemoglobin levels are registering in the "normal" range, my calcium is up, magnesium is good, thyroid is behaving itself, and the Dr is very optimistic that a gluten-free lifestyle is exactly what I need to do for the rest of my life to maintain the health that I have fought to get back. If I wanted to, now would be the optimum time to have another baby. I am in 100 times better health now than I was when I became pregnant with Quinn. Also, statistics are not on my side. For every year that I wait to become pregnant, my chances of passing on this genetic autoimmune disorder increase by 10%!!!!!

So, now Roger and I have some heavy discussions to have. He would really like one more, but only if it is a boy!!! Hahaha - just joking. In all honesty, I would like one more too, but we need to make sure that we can afford it. The smell of a newborn gets me every time......

Just wanted to share my very great news with everyone - maybe we could all pour a glass of wine at the same time and toast my health. Any excuse to have a yummy glass of wine with all my friends, whether they are near or far.

A day spent at the waterpark

Hayley is gearing herself up to go.......she still is not super keen on the water splashing at her. If you just leave her be, and let her do her own thing then she is more brave than ever!
Hayley and Lily. They met in kindergarten, and pure coincidence Lily lives right next door in the neighbouring co-op housing! It was a great friend to meet, especially since her little friend Erin had immigrated to Ireland right before school began. i have come to know the family and Jen is a great friend to us!

Quinn eating her chocolate cupcake. It was Jen's birthday and to celbrate, Nuria made cupcakes for everyone. Quinn especially loved the purple icing!

This was about as far as Quinn would venture in the water park. It was quite windy that day and the spray was annoying her. She is a true water baby in the pool in the backyard, but wasn't so sure about it spraying everywhere. She had more fun chasing the kids around. It is so cute to see her want to be a part of what the bigger kids are doing, yet she is always about 15 steps behind. She doesn't care though, she is too busy laughing and observing what they are doing!

A huge excitement!

We just arrived back from Sooke, where Roger's dad lives. He gave us the most exciting news....after a terrible six months of radiation and chemotherapy, he is CANCER FREE!!!! He had cancer of the joint that the esophogas and larynx connected (bad non-technical person that I am) and because of where it was located, it was in-operable. He endured months of travelling back and forth to the Jubilee Hospital where chemicals were pumped into his already ravaged body, skeletal at 98 pounds - but being the stubborn French man that he is, managed to come through with honors. His catscan and MRI were clean today, and so his mission now is to QUIT smoking (yes, he still is) and to continue to eat and build up his strength. We are so elated. To see him so excited is encouraging as well. We had pizza, a few beers and ciders to toast his health, let him hug the grandbabies and Hayley, then let him off at the Legion so he could continue to celebrate with his friends. Yahoo!!!!!

FAMILY

Definitions of family on the Web:

-a social unit "he moved his family to Virginia"; "It was a good Christian household"; "I waited until the whole house was asleep: parents and children; "he wanted to have a good job before starting a family"
-people descended from a common ancestor; "his family has lived in Massachusetts since the Mayflower"
-class: a collection of things sharing a common attribute; "there are two classes of detergents"
-an association of people who share common beliefs or activities; "the message was addressed not just to employees but to every member of the company family"; "the church welcomed new members into its fellowship"
-(biology) a taxonomic group containing one or more genera; "sharks belong to the fish family"
kin: a person having kinship with another or others; "he's kin"; "he's family"
-syndicate: a loose affiliation of gangsters in charge of organized criminal activities (this is my personal fave, one that makes me laugh at the thought of me and my mom robbing banks together in the sake of the family....) I guess the family that plays together stays together......

So once googled, this is what popped up in regards to family. Today I had the opportunity to rethink what my initial thought on family was and as it turned out, family has taken on a whole new meaning. I won't elaborate, other than saying that I have an "extended" family in which Hayley calls aunty and uncle, another that is Papa Gilles, and "just Marleen". This is the same family that Quinn regards as Papa Gilles and "just Marleen". This is over and above Gamma and Poppy, Nana and Papa and numerous other auntie and uncles. Family can be who you have dinner with, who you trust with your life and child and your best friend. They can be someone that you no longer share a name with, but still see every week, someone that came into your life unexpectedly and you have grown to love and respect, and someone that has been there since the beginning of a memory. Family is someone that has left a lasting impression on your heart so deep that time will not erase. Family is just that - family.

Now you are all wondering what brought on this sudden wave of deep thought - well some things are best left unsaid, for those that know, I am paying tribute to those I am fortunate enough in having in my family. For those that know me best, then they know that I am better at putting my feelings to paper (or in this case - screen) than EVER talking out loud to them. I thank God for my family, in whatever definition mine falls in. Now I will sign off and peek on my two beauties, and snuggle with my family that I call MINE.

A surprise guest

Here is our surprise guest. We were walking along the dock at Fleming Beach and suddenly a sea lion was RIGHT there. He was very cute, you could see his whiskers and the water glistening off him. So lucky to live on the west coast and see this wildlife.

Quinn could spend hours moving rocks, usually from one bucket to another, sometimes from the ground to her mouth. She would not behave on the dock as we were laying on our bellies looking at all the crabs, fishies, and sea life and all she wanted to do was back up and go in!!!! So needless to say, her and I walked off the dock and went to the rock pile. While we were off the dock, Liz, the boys and Hayley still were looking on the bottom of the sea when the sea lion (or was it a seal? Which is the little ones??) swam out from under the dock and poked his head up RIGHT where they were looking. I thought that Hayley was going to fall in she was so frightened!!! We packed up and came home, and Liz and the boys went back, fished off the dock with line and herring, and caught a ton of little fish! They threw them all out, but the crabs were nibbling off their lines and they would bring them up to the dock, let them walk around a bit, and then shoo them back in the water. It was the best - unplanned - summer day ever!

Just a slight lisp...nothing to worry about!

Well here she is, no teeth, but richer than all get out. She can almost put her whole tongue through the gap! Have you seen the trailer for "CARS"? The tow truck is from the deep south and says, "Well gollll-eeee", and that is what we were going around saying to her before they came out! Needless to say, she was less than impressed, and probably breathed a sigh of relief when they finally came out!
Not sure if this one does any more justice to the gap that was created, but she sure looks and sounds cute now! Is this my introduction to the "angst" years? Where their body is in a constant state of change.....oh my heavens, I just thought about that. Does this mean that we both may be going through some changes at the same time? In ten years when I MAY be going through the menopause thingy (I will be 45 then girls), she will be 16. Eeek, hate to be living with us at that time.....god help Roger.

Pool Party - Everyone Invited!!!

Quinn killing herself laughing in the pool. An added adventure for her this summer as she was scared to death of the pool last year. Who could blame her though? She weighed 9 pounds this time last year, no matter how warm you got the pool, she was perpetually cold!!!

Hayley with the drama pose. She always "vogues" out now when I get the camera out. Look up for the next post, which includes her new look - sans teeth!!!!