wHAT A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A WEDNESDAY!

The water was cold, and it looked like "tossed salad" with all the seaweed in there, but even though Quinn wasn't quite sure of it, she didn't want to get out either!!
The whole beach and Quinn decided to dig in the one gravel patch. Good ol' West Coast girl!
Hayley lost her top tooth and the other one is just a hangin'. Gonna go broke if they fall out that close together!
Not a great shot, but one of Quinn and I on the beach. For those of you who have only met me via the internet, this is me!!!


Spent the day at Gyro Beach, had a wonderful time there. Hayley spent the day making mud pies, and Quinn just made herself at home. First of all it was the "buffet mentality", she wondered around eating off everyone's blanket, and then she ran around the beach. I thought she would be a bit more cautious of the water, but really, what was I thinking????? She didn't get right in and sit, splash around, but she stood there forever just letting the tide wash over her legs. A very cute site. Jenn and Amanda met us there, and it was so uplifting to see my lovely friend there. And I am not just saying that Jenn because I know that you read this!! You are a true and honest soul and I love that the internet brought us together!

Just another day in the West Coast Desert!

We're havin' a heat wave! I love it!!! I guess I have to confess that I love the heat here on the Island, as we always have a breeze, it is never THAT hot, and I have air conditioning in the van. I also know that we cannot be that lucky to have it last that long, so might as well enjoy it while it is here. How else can I resort back to my childhood and swim in the baby pool, spray my kids with the garden hose, and wear tank tops? Although my confession is that our outdoor chairs need covers as I almost burned my BUTT sitting on one yesterday. Those things get darn hot, who whould have thought that plastic heats up in the direct sunlight????? hardy har har

Tonight I am doing interviews for prospective new families for a unit that has come available in the Co-Op. To be honest, this is the last thing that I want to be doing. I procrastinated though and left it to the last possible moment and now am interviewing under the gun. Hopefully it will not be as painful as I am thinking it will and it will be over soon.

Tomorrow we are off to the beach, which will be oh so refreshing. I can't wait to see how Quinn does with the water, as with the backyard pool we cannot keep her out of it!!!

Things to be thankful for: drinking a fruit smoothy with raspberries and strawberries out of my garden, we are not on water restrictions yet, and I am a proud mom of a kindergarten graduate on Thursday!!!

Still cannot post the DAMNNNN photos!

Blogger really is a PITA (pain in the $ss) today. It won't let me upload any photos, so I guess that you are stuck with my sad excuse for writing, and letting you know what is going on. I could visually describe the back yard, but that sounds a bit tedious and so I will leave you in suspense and wait until I can post the photos.

I had no idea that the month of June would be so flippin' busy. With all the bbqs, school field trips, social events and work, you would think that I would need a summer vacation. Why is it that when school is over the real work for mom begins??? I am helping out at the fun day at Hay's school today, and tonight I am off to a Celiac dinner. The association meets once a month, and I never go, it seems as though I am the youngest by about 25 years, and am there as someone's kid or something. I decided to go this time, we are going to a great restaurant, that is having a total gluten-free dinner, with wine and a guest speaker. Enough wine will make any speech interesting I am lead to believe. I am also going alone, so that means if it is terrible, I can always go to Starbucks, have a yummy latte and read the paper in peace. Either way it will be a good night.

Next week I am a field trip driver for the end of year picnic at Gyro beach. Break that down, and it really means that four children under the age of 7 will pile into the van, complete with a backpack each, beach toys, and towels, sing stupid songs and be totally rambunctious the entire distance that it is to drive there. Then we will proceed to unload, me packing Quinn, diaper bag, beach bag, towel, lunch and all the while doing a head count to ensure that I still have all the kids that I left the school with. Heaven forbid I be that mom that loses a child not belonging to me. Then I will set up space on the beach, attempting to keep the sand out of Quinner's mouth, and "tan" for a few hours. Then we will pack up, complete with half the beach of sand inside all the kids shoes, backpacks, towels and bathing suits, to drive them back to the school so that their parent's can them rinse them off. I am being terrible, but deep down I love the fact that I can drive for Hay, being there for her, and not at work during that time. Soon enough she will be embarrassed to be seen with me, and so might as well get in all the volunteering now.

Hope everyone is doing well, and as promised, I will post photos as soon as booger, oops I mean blogger, lets me.

Photos of the back yard....

Ok, three times and blogger will not let me upload them......argh!

So I will post this tragedy and try again later....

Things to do at 7:30am

On Thursday night we went out and bought the girls a water table. Basically it is a free standing table with stations to play with either water or sand. They love it! So at 7:30am on Friday they were out there mucking around. As you can see, Hayley took the time to get out of her pj bottoms and put on some joggers, but Quinn opted for the "shoes over the pj feet" look.
They played out there for about 45 minutes, came in shivering and soaked, so then had a bath to warm up. You have to love entertained kids so that I can enjoy my coffee in the morning!!!

The photos show a little of the backyard, but really does not do it justice. We had a grand bbq on Sunday afternoon, our biggest "hosting" yet. All the kids played so well, all the adults behaved and a good time was had by all. Next time I am having it catered so that I do not have to do the bbq'ing - but other than that I had a blast. So very thankful for the friends that we have made here in Victoria, with all the friends that my girls have and the stability of knowing that we have numerous individuals to count on for support if need be. A great weekend!

Welcome to our new and improved yard!

I am so excited, so I thought I would share with you. When we moved into our townhouse we had the most obnoxious back yard. Whenever it rained it smelled like a barn, there were buried dog toys everywhere, years of overgrown weeds and the grass was the color of hay. The first summer (we took possession in June) all we did was water and try to bring some moisture back into the soil, then last year I did nothing back there as I was so terribly sick. This year was the year! We have a HUGE rock back there and it had the basic attempts to have a tiered rock garden. It was terrible. We have been digging it up, including the old landscape ties, a massive root system and rocks, and have brought it back down to the rock face again. Then we evened out the bottom, raked up all the good soil and planted grass seed. I have carved out a small garden and lined it with antique bricks. My project for the week is to continue to dig a 8X8 area to line with ceder planks to have an inclosed play area with pea gravel as the "base" for the water table, sand box and various water toys. I will take photos when I am finished so we can show off our new "proud back yard".

To get the rock back to basic, without all the moss and various other ground cover, we needed to borrow the power washer from work. Roger spent the afternoon today powerwashing, including the cement pad. It looks like a whole new place back there!!!!! I am afraid to powerwash the front as we will probably take the paint off! I am so very excited, and makes me proud to drive into the driveway now.

We are having a big bbq tomorrow to show off the progress thus far, and will take many photos to share with you all. Hope that everyone has a great weekend!!!!

Really is it only Saturday???

WARNING - THIS POST IS ALL ABOUT HOW TERRIBLE WORK HAS BEEN. YOU HAVE BEEN FORWARNED.....

In a nutshell, it has sucked! Last night Moxie had a record night in sales - we did almost $10,000 in sales from 5-11. We were mass busy. It was four grads last night, and I guess after the ceremony ALL the families decided to come in. I normally work from 5-8:30 (about a $50 night in tips) - well needless to say - I worked until 11:30 (and made closer to $110 in tips!). I am sooooo in need of the money and so am thankful for the extra, but my BODY is way too OLD to work that hard. Then to top it off, I was back there at 9:45am this morning. EEK. Normally I am thankful for the money, and to work a bit out of the home for a bit of adult interaction, but this weekend, I am not excited about work. I am there again tomorrow. Then I am done - thank goodness - until next Friday!

Whew, I feel better now that I have vented, so I will sign off and post again when I have more positive than negative to talk about. Mostly I am sulking as my friend Annamarie and her daughters had a great girls night in on Friday, complete with guacamole and painted toe nails. So jealous - but in a good way????? HAHAHA Have a great Sunday!

I wanna go to school too!!

Quinn wants so bad to be like her big sister, to the point of getting her backpack when it is time for school to start. She brings it to me and has to have it on her back. Hmmm, I wonder what she will bring?
Hey, how did this one get here? Well now that it is, I will explain, this is Kara and Hayley. Kara is the older daughter of my bestest and longest friend - THE QUEEN. You can visit her in a day of life of Royalty by visiting her blog. Ha, too funny that it is here!
I am ready for school now! Come on, can't I go, please mom, I will play nice, have something to eat, listen to the teacher, and share..... Why not?

Why not? Cuz you are growing up too fast as it is Quinners!!! She now has cut her top teeth, so she has four, is obsessed with puppies, woofing whenever she sees one, follows her big sister everywhere, and generally is getting bigger. I wonder if we should think about adding to our family? The newborn baby smell, the small diapers, the nestling into me, and the sleepless nights, the reverse facing car seat, being vastly outnumbered, and the chances of having a boy (I have no idea how that plumbing works!!). I guess we shall just think. Well, and maybe practice......

Thankfulls today: health (thanks Jen), radishes are up in the garden, and for friends here that are irreplacable, honest, and true. (My online friends are the greatest too)!

MEL IS COOL!

Well, what do you think? Does everyone love it like me? I asked my "online" friend Mel to tweak my blog and make it a bit more personal, more like me, and look what she did!!!!!! She honestly is the kindest soul that has made it's way into my heart, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to get to know her. She has the most gorgeous red-haired boy, who causes tons of trouble for her, and I know that in the future will drive all the girls mad. Her and her fiance, jeff, love each other, and Ty to bits, and have just purchased their first home. So many wonderful things happening in thier lives, and am proud of her! She is a girl that I am proud to call a friend, and NOW I am thankful for her major talent with my blog! Thank you Mel, I love you!

Under Construction

just for a few days! Please be patient, my blog will be pretty VERY soon!!

Quinn's beauty shots....

She is really smiling now when I get out the camera, I feel that all my scrapbook pages of Quinn will be candid ones.
A perfect shot of my two and only teeth - a typical smile of Quinners, she smiles with her whole face - every time!
Caught her sitting still for a small moment, and then on the move again!

Home

She is home! Yahoo! She sounds as though she had a BLAST too. So happy that her dad is close to his family and that she is able to spend so much time with her cousins. Now my family is all sleeping under one roof again.

People, you should have heard Quinn when Hayley walked in the door! She was running through the kitchen squawking and yelling and the ruckous that she was causing was hilarious! It was as though Quinn missed Hayley more than anyone, but she was the one that could not express herself. Quinn would not go ANYWHERE without Hayley tonight. In the kitchen, here she comes, to brush our teeth, here she is, in bed; under the covers, reading stories together. She would only go in her crib when I turned off the night light and tucked Hayley under covers. Then Quinn layed down, looked at Hayley and said "Nigh Nigh". I am so blessed that they love each other so much.

My mom is in Fairview with my sister helping her watch my neice while my brother and sister-in-law are on vacation. It is 35 degrees there today, living in an un-airconditioned trailer, and babysitting my neice who does not sleep. My heart goes out to them, partly for being there and having to deal with Em, but also that my sister is pregnant and she is getting a bad vibe! The best thing about my neice Em is that she will be in love with both of them tomorrow. But tonight, well that is another story.......

Everyone knows what I am thankful for, so will not repeat myself. Now if we could only change the mood that Roger is in - grouchy!!!!

Yahoo! It is almost over!!

Over, as it fini, done, complete, textbook closed, chapter finished, book returned. Hayley is almost home! She has spent the last ten days at her dad's/grandparent's house with cousins from Calgary and a small family reunion. I have missed her terribly, but have managed to do some projects around the house and keep busy. Now I just have to make it through the weekend and on Monday she is back. I CANNOT wait until my family is all sleeping under the same roof again.

I walked Elk and Beaver Lake with my friend Jen on Friday, and it made my wonder why I am not taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings that the Island has to offer more often. It was serene, quiet except for the small children asking for more snacks and the sounds of horse hoof prints, and an awesome time to catch up on the "goings-on" in each others lives. Now I have a date to do it again on Monday with a girl from work. I look forward to it.


Not much else to say, off to bartend at work today and then maybe to The Divinci Code with Roger tonight. I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend - this clouded over Victoria Day long weekend here.

A beaut of a day!

Well I hope that you all had a great Mother's Day. I had to work throughout the day, but when I arrived home the scent of Mr Clean met me at the door. Roger had cleaned the entire house - top to bottom - including all the linen, towels and random messes that we seem to create! It was an absolute dream. A vase of freesia and irises were arranged on the table, and pizza had been ordered. Now, for those of you that think pizza is an everyday menu item, I caution you to remember that I have Celiac - thus no wheat product discounts the crust. There is a "new to us" pizza place on Wharf street that has gluten free crusts! They are the bomb as well. The pizza was honestly the best I have had since my diagnosis. It was a basil chicken, sundried tomato, artichoke hearts and carmelized onion (totally West Coast) and soooooooo good. Roger had a whole wheat crust and he really enjoyed it as well. Not too pricy either. Needless to say, we programed that number into the phone and will be frequenting it often. A great Mother's day all around, including my first "school project" handmade from Hayley. So cute.

Yesterday was an absolute beaut of a day. I am busy in the backyard arranging my garden and encasing it in antique red bricks, planting my sunflowers and making it as beautiful as this non-green thumbed girl can make it. I have to say though, it is a major improvement. We are going to look at a water table for Quinn today, as well as some more plants for ground cover in the bare spots in the garden. So back to Home Depot I go. Such a fun place.

Working extra shifts at the Mox this week, as Hayley is at a family reunion and spending the week at her dad's house. I miss her terribly and so I am off to work to keep my mind off it. I really miss her chatter throughout the day, we tend to keep each other company and it is very quiet here without her. For those of you that have met her can contest with the fact that she is quite the chatterbox, and when that element is gone is it missed. Well on the positive side, I am able to spend some one-on-one time with Quinn and I will make some extra money working at night.

Things to be thankful for - Quinn always remembers to go down the stairs backwards, the sun is shining and I am able to work in the garden again today, and most of all, all of us are feeling better and we finally licked the cold. Things to be sad for - Canada Post lost my mom's Mother's Day present and now it seems like I forgot to send one to her. If you are reading this mom - I LOVE you and I did remember!!!!!

house full of sickies...wanna come over?

Well, on the good side, we now have profit sharing in the Kleenex Tissue company. We are all sick here. Quinn is teething (I think, I hope, as you cannot get through life with only two bottom teeth), but has the runny nose and all. She is in alright spririts all things considered. Roger has a sinus thing going on, but mostly he is wondering throughout the house moaning and complaining. Hayley is the best one of all, just a stuffy nose - really nothing gets this girl down. Still out on her 'blades ripping it up yesterday. As for me, the diagnosis is strep throat. Never had it before now, and let me tell you, never want it again. Swallowing is pure and utter agony. Lucky enough to get sick after Tofino. Maybe it is the let down of coming home, less money in the bank account, back to work and school and that is what did it. Whatever the reason, we are down and out in this house. Spending the next few days watching movies and wandering around in our jammies. Thank goodness we are having a day of cloudy weather here as well.....

Short and to the point

For my lovely friend Annamarie, the only thing that I can think of that is short and to the point cannot be said out loud, but a visual is that men think with it, it rhymes with a planet, and is the ugliest part of the male human anatomy. See I do read your blog, even though it will not let me comment on it. Gimmee your sisters blog address again maybe too???

TOFEEENNNOOOO!!

Hayley and Jacob posing "Sears Catalogue" style. That is the mighty Pacific Ocean behind them.
Me and Quinners at Comber Beach, it was amazing, but so incredibly windy there! Even Roger took off his socks and shoes and had a "tactile experience" on the beach. SO proud of him. He did say later that he was going to bleach his feet when he got home!!
My beautiful big girl in her wedding attire. She was so excited to wear the shoes, even though the wedding was on the beach.
Typical family shot. Quinn obviously saw something FAR more interesting behind her. Anyhow..
Hair blowing in the breeze, digging sand with a stick, seeing bear foot prints, who could ask for a better day?
Bumper boating in Parksville, so much fun. Had no idea that we would be wringing wet when we were done. Thanks to the attendent, she took all the photos so that I could join the fun.
Quinners and her dad. I had to do her hair in a pony, but somehow it was not in for the wedding. I think that her dad likes it down....
A typical shot of Roger, I think that he is saying "Yahoo, get er done" or something to that effect.
Me and Quinners, soaked from bumper boating. I actually think that Roger has his thumbs up in the above photo because he is so excited that he does not have to pack Quinn around. Good thing I love her on my back.
Gearing up for the hole in one. Mini golf was a race to Hayley, she completed the whole course, minus the last hole and then began again.

The entire weekend was a blast. The first night we went as far as Parksville and did the family things of minigolf and bumper boats. We walked for miles and miles on the beach as the tide was out, gathering tons of shells, sand dollars, bull-kelp and sand. Then we got up early then next morning and drove to Tofino. The drive is something else, roads that go around massive trees, straight up and so many "s-turns". Hayley had a gross experience with a porta potty that she will soon not forget, Quinn slept and Roger and I talked about life. Driving into Tofino you are reminded that it is a rainforest, so amazingly green, lush, and the sound of the ocean is deafening. You can almost hear it from anywhere. Our friend's wedding was spectacular. All in all a great weekend. Next time, no kids, checking into the Wickinnish Lodge and spending my days at the spa.....one can wish can't they?

Some photos and some chit chat...

Look at me - all my fuzzy hair and no clothes - just the way nature intended. I like the "clothing optional" day....
I like blueberries, I eat them every day. Thanks to my friend Amanda who introduced them to me - now I am hooked!

Well only two more sleeps until we are off to Tofino for Grant and Dana's wedding. I am very much looking forward to going, especially now since Roger actually has dress clothes to wear. He is going to clean-up nice too - with some brown and beige pants, blue shirt and tie with blue, gold and brown in it. Don't you worry - I WILL be getting some photos, god knows that we will not see him dressed up in the near future again.

I have been in the "no blog, no scrapbook" mood lately. Instead we are practicing our rollerblading, bike riding, walking the Gorge, being at the garden, and out in the back yard instead. I should really do one layout a week as then when the fall rolls around (PLEASE not yet...) I will be somewhat current. Key word being somewhat.

Things to be thankful for - all of us have dressy clothes for the wedding, going away from Victoria with my family this weekend and BIG NEWS Roger ACTUALLY brought home the driver book to look into getting his license. Hate to be a pesimist, but I will believe it when I see the big LOSER "L" plate on the van....

Rainhat, rubberboots, and some sunscreen

The weather here has been so strange. One day it is almost 20 degrees and the VERY next I am having to wear a coat again. So weird. I am glad that I am going to work today as it is the latter out there again today.

I have come to the conclusion that I am a bit out of shape. Soft. Weak. Undeveloped. I worked in the garden, turning over the plot to get ready for planting, and my arms are a bit sore now. I thought my arms always got a good workout, with picking up kids, packing in groceries, and packing around a tray full of yummy drinks at Moxies. Alas, I was mistaken. They are a bit on the tender side today. Kind of feels good, and then I try to pick up my 20 pound little girl and they remind me that I dug dirt for two hours. How ironic is that.

Not a lot else to report, Quinn says "OH MY" and "WHO ME" now - both are very cute. We honestly believe that she has some kick-back Italian gene in her - she cannot talk without using her hands and is full of expression when she tells you a story. Hayley is really rollerblading, mastering the skill faster than I can watch her. She is really fast too. Thank goodness for helmets and knee pads. Off to work soon, so hope that everyone has a good day.

small stutter...

Just ignore the fact that I posted the last entry twice. I must have stuttered on the button. Not like I am perfect or anything, or for those of you that thought that - sorry to burst that whole dream. Talk soon. Another sunny day here on the Island and I think that I might garden before I am off to the Museum as a driver for Hayley's school field trip......ah the lovely downtown Victoria. Remind me to be considerate to the tourists that proceed to walk in the middle of the road, while I, a Victoria driver, proceed to NEVER remember where I am going, and drive without "due care and attention". But officer, I am paying attention - paying attention to the sale signs at the Gap, my children singing Raffi in the back, the tourists with the many bags they are carrying, and always on the lookout for the nearest Starbucks......