Easter with Quinners

Basket o' eggs.

No basket though, Ladybug bag will do

Look at the gleam in her eye - she knew exactly what to do!

Looking, looking......

Ah-hah! Here it is!!!

Proud new owner of a Barbie Island Princess DVD.

All this excitement, and it is not even breakfast yet.

Spring is in the air - so is a chill

Flowers from Quinners.

Better than anything from a flower store.

It's my birthday and I can brag if I want to.

This is me all bundled up to go to Boot Camp. Yes, I joined bootcamp to whip my bootie into shape before the summer. I was a bit hesitant to go on the first day as you had to step on the scale, have all your measurements taken, and also have your hydration measured. Plus, it is like the first day of school, you don't know anyone, you may not be dressed appropriately, you might get left behind, and not make any friends for 6 weeks.

Turns out I had nothing to fear. I passed the body measurement test with flying colours and even managed to do the 5 required pushups for my instructor. It is cold here at night, and bootcamp is outside, in the rain or shine.....so I am beginning to toughen up. I am (sick as it sounds) enjoying it - so far.
The girls and I went to the park on Wednesday with the other daycare kiddies. We had a ton of fun and I practiced with the two most beautiful subjects (in my humble opinion - but I am the author of this blog, so mine is the only opinion that counts!) and tried out some settings on my camera. Not too bad if you ask me. HP is getting more and more beautiful as time goes on.

And of course, my jokester, Quinners. She always has a "cheese" face whenever the camera comes out. I love her in black and white though.

Today is my birthday, and so far so good. I was spoiled rotten by Roger, as he bought me a gift card for a store that I cannot afford to walk into. Cannot wait to spend his money there! (it is lululemon by the way.....) It is the most overpriced, status symbol active/yoga wear that you can imagine, but it somehow makes everyone's ass look good. That is what I am aiming for baby. Hey, when you are 37 you are feeling lucky it is still somewhat where it was 10 years ago!

Dinner out tomorrow at the Tapa Bar with Roger and friends. Even a babysitter! Getting my hair re-hilighted tomorrow, and chillen' out tonight.

Happy birthday to me.

Ok, Ok, we bought a friggen' HOUSE already!

Lucky #13

The backyard (but I already dream of a zen garden, with water falls, buddha greeting me, and lots of bamboo, potted plants and gettin' rid of the grass.

Note to self - take camera off cool mode.
This is the fireplace (see Buddha - I wanna make him mine!)

Totally blurry, but I was attempting to be incognito and take photos while the building inspector was doing his thing. This is the dining room looking into the kitchen.

Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, 1550 square feet, fireplace, walk in closet, and backyard.
It all it's ugly glory - it is ours.

The floors are new, the upstairs is redone, the kitchen makes me feel as though Austin Powers is going to walk in and say "groovy baby". It is being gutted asap. Rona has already been phoned and scheduled for a demo/redo/upgrade.

Breaking into the Victoria market is tough. This gem was on the market for 340K and we managed to be blessed enough to get it for 300K. Yep. 300K. Where I grew up, one could have bought a subdivision for that amount in the 1970's. So I learn to forget about the numbers, and look to the fact that we will own, have a mortgage and finally have broken into the market.

Just for the record, single family detached homes are ranging in price (for 3 bed/3 bath) from $450,000 - millions and millions.

The total upside is that we will be paying $43 more a month on a mortgage than what we are paying for here in the projects (oops, I mean the CO-OP).

June 23 cannot come fast enough.

Build a Bear Party for HP (or how to spend money at an enormously fast rate)

Lunch at Boston Pizza after the party.....Roger, Earl and I all celebrated HP"s day with a cider.
Hayley showing off her new digital watch that Roger and I bought her. Now when asked the time, she will day....46 minutes after 9. (never quarter to 10)
Roger, Quinn and Hayley - rarely in a photo together.
The signature bear that we all wrote on, and "Cuddles" the rabbit - built by HP.
Her button that she proudly wore all day long.
Hayley showing off her bear. She was stoked that we all signed it and that she could bring it home.
Some little buddies that were at the party.
My beautiful 8 year old girl.
The stuffing process of "Princess" the Hippo that Quinners chose.

Hayley turned eight on March 2nd and we had her party at Build A Bear. It was actually very good - stress free, and fun. Once we turned over the budget to the leader - she took care of the finances and so there was no tears to spend more, and more, and more. It is a place that will easily rob you of cash - spend wisely or your bear will be better dressed than you.

After we took her 5 friends to Boston Pizza for lunch and had cake and opened presents. Such fun for all!

After the party Hayley promptly went home, got a fever, sore throat and the flu and has been out of commission and taking up residence on the couch ever since.

Happy birthday - you partied yourself sick. I thought that it would be years until I uttered those words!