15 Years Ago...

15 years ago today, Emma was born. It was just a few days after my 19th birthday and I was single, broke and scared to death. Being slightly 'wild' back in those days, I figured I wouldnt have what it takes to settle down and be a decent mom....I wasnt the only one who thought this. Of course, no one told me until a few years later when it was clear that I wasnt a total screw up. =o) I think I did pretty damn good. She is an awesome kid with a huge heart. In the past few weeks I've gotten some amazing compliments about what a great job I did raising her. ***warm fuzzies***. I'm super proud and she knows it. In fact, the more I tell her, the better she gets. Must try this with the other 2. Here she is on the day she was born, on her 1st Christmas, on her 4th birthday...threw this in because its the closest to Abby's current age and I wanted to compare. Abby is 3yrs 7months right now. And the last...this past Christmas. She is such a goof...like her mom. She wanted to see what her hand would like like if it was a gingerbread man/hand. She's en route to Quebec now for her school trip. The house is quiet without her...ok, so not that quiet as I still have the other 2 here. She's had 2 stopovers so far and called her mom twice. Awwwwww. She doesnt want me to worry. =o)

Unsuccessful picture day

Nobody wanted to cooperate. Eric took off when he saw me outside with the camera after school. I managed to guilt him into one shot. Emma laughed most of the time so pretty much every pic has her laughing or being goofy. Abby just didnt want to sit still. Love that shot of her with blackie and the last one, with the funny grin...she looks like a cindy lou who. That grin was because she heard Eric's bus pull up.

I'm going to try this again...maybe tomorrow.

Please forgive my lack of formatting knowledge. I dont know what I clicked to make my pics display this way. Screw it.

Happy Birthday Me

It's after midnight so its officially my birthday. I'm 34 today. Just got back from a little shopping excursion with my teenager. I was given a few birthday bucks and I had some leftover from xmas but I couldnt find a thing to buy! The one thing I wanted, this air climber, was a little bit too pricey...ok, so it wasnt even that expensive but I'm a cheapass...and maybe I wont use it anyway. I'll keep an eye out for a sale or something.

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Stay tuned. Some time in the next few days I'm taking oodles of 'nice' pics of the kids. Will post them here. *nice=clean face and matching clothes.

The 'C' Word

Scary. I was ok today when my doctor said I have thyroid cancer. I am dreading the second surgery but my nephew had the same cancer and he is fine, so I will be too..right? I need the full report before I relax. If it has spread to the lymph nodes....is that it? Where else could it go? I'm sure they'll call when the report comes in but until then....I need a drink.

Abby has been super clingy ever since I got out of the hospital, 2 weeks ago. I cant be in a different room or she has a meltdown. She is constantly climbing up on my lap asking for hugs....very cute but it does get tiresome. She didnt cope very well without me for 4 days and I dont think she'll do any better the next time. Maybe I can make life size cardboard cutouts of me? Printable masks for the babysitter?

I am sad.

Hubby and I are fighting...actually, not so much fighting as not speaking. We had a huge blow out yesterday afternoon and its been silent ever since. This is one of those situations that we relive every few months...its our biggest relationship issue and it never gets resolved...just sent to the back burner for a while until money becomes an issue again. I want to finish up some projects around the house, put the apartment back the way it was and stick this sucker on the market. The market is great right now and everything in our area is selling..quickly. He wants to fill our empty rooms with boarders to make as much $$$$ as possible in the next few months so that we can actually do things this summer. Hell, I'd love the extra money too but he isnt thinking of anything else..just the money. Where do the boarders come from? All that work and there may be none looking for a place this time of the year. Who will feed them? Clean up after them? My BIGGEST issue is that I leave for work at 4:30 or 6:30 pm depends on the day. He is never home so Em watches the kids until he gets here. Ummm, no way am I leaving my grown up looking girl with a bunch of strange men. He doesnt even see a problem with this?????
There are other issues here too...lots of them...I'd sit down and discuss things with him but we arent speaking.
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Damn you NuclearMom!!!!!!!! I am determined to finish a room this month. I was ok with just an area but you had to go and brag about doing a whole room. lol.
I still have more than a week to do this. How hard can it be?

I love you guys!!!

I have the best friends ever! Some people dont consider them to be 'real' friends as I've never met most of them in person....but real friends they are, and damn good ones. I got a surprise visit today from Karen with a whole pile of goodies from all of my friends on The Rock. Not sure if everything is visible in the pic so I'll list for you.

Flowers....a HUGE bouquet...enough for 2 large vases...and they are gorgeous.

Chicken Penne Alfredo..family size, just heat and serve.

Coconut cream pie!

2 magazines...Martha Stewart and Canadian living

2 books...Anita Shreve- A wedding in December and Alice Sebold- The Almost Moon

Lindor chocolate balls! Mmmmm. *Abby loves them. lol*

A get well card. =o)

I keep telling myself that I'm fine..just a little cut and its almost better. I refuse offers of help because thats just the type of person I am. Once I found a vase and arranged the flowers I started to feel woozy and had to lie down for a bit. Maybe sometimes I really do need a hand...having a meal already prepared..and delivered..is perfect and very much appreciated. Thanks so much! You guys are all awesome.

The cuteness that is Abby

Oh my God. My kid is adorable, seriously adorable. In the past few weeks her speech has just bloomed and she is the sweetest thing. Ok, so sometimes she'll try to beat the snot out of her big brother but most of the time the sweetness comes out. Constantly asking for hugs, kisses, singalongs and stories and she is more pleased with these little things than she was with any of the gifts she got at Christmas. Eric bought her a little penguin teddy bear today which she liked but when I pulled a pair of chenille socks out of my pocket that my sisters kid had outgrown she was over the moon! She did a happy dance and had to put them on right away all the while screaming "I love them, they're booootiful". I took them off when she got into bed because they are too warm but when I went to re-tuck her after she had fallen asleep, she was cuddling them, along with her penguin and blackie (the never leaves her side stuffed cat). Awwwwwww. Cuteness right?

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Eric and I had a date on Friday morning. We went to chapters so he could spend his gift cards that he got for Christmas. He loved being there and I loved watching him! Seriously, there is nothing better than seeing just how much your child loves books. It's an awesome feeling. He is the cheapest little bugger I know (gets it from his grandfather..on his dads side) and wont spend any money on anything...while his bank account grows larger than mine. He had $30 in gift cards and didnt flinch when his total came to $65. He even bought a book for me....and when I tried to pay him back he said no.
He also cooked supper...by himself..the other day. Chicken cacciatore. I'll have that boy trained yet.
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I've been working a lot lately and Jerry's hours have been horrendous so we have had to rely on Emma to watch Abby on quite a few occasions. I hate being that mom. My best friend had to watch her sister all.the.time and it was such a pain that I vowed never to do it to my own kids...ever. But..sometimes you have to. Em does a great job and never complains...ok, so she's a teenager so there is a 'little' bit of complaining but its never very serious.

I'm having one of those "Damn my kids are awesome" weeks....hope it keeps up.

Happy New Year!

It's 3:45am on New Year's Eve (day if you want to be picky) and here I sit at work. No better time to make a list of resolutions I say!

Get skinny. This is seriously the year for me. I'm willing to try anything and everything, including drugs and if I had the money, lipo. In my closet sits a pile of really good clothes and all of it is just a tad too small. My goal, for now, 25lbs.

Date nights with hubby will be reinstated. Just one night a month, away from the kids. Shouldnt be too hard at all.

Date nights/days with the kids. One day a month each...that's 3 days a month...to spend some one on one time with each kid.

I will learn to be tolerant! I need this, especially when we get new people here at work.

I'm also going to give my appearance a little boost. No more pj's in the middle of the day and definetly no pj's worn outside the house. If I lose weight, I will have more to wear and wont have to live in pj's so this one probably wont come into effect right away. I will try though.

Declutter my house! A room a week...or month...totally decluttered. Many need a good cleaning and painting too. No reason why I cant do all of that since I wont be sitting around eating anymore. =o)

Happy New Year everyone!

Almost over!

Here are a few pics from Christmas day. I'll add a bunch more to my webpage at some point.
My tree. Emma with her guitar hero 3, Abby opening Mr.Bucket and Eric with the ultimate bumblebee transfomer. The last pic is the kids with my mom on Christmas eve.

I'm glad its over now. I have no idea where I'm going to put all of the new toys/clothes etc. I'm not looking forward to the task.

Merry Christmas to all.....

I am beat. It's after midnight on Christmas day and it was quite a day. The kids woke up at 7am...still dark but they got up anyway even though they know not to wake me until the sun rises. The rest of the day is a blur. Unwrap gifts, clean up, play and assemble, get showered and dressed, clean up, cook dinner, eat, clean up.....you get the idea. We went to my moms house first, then to my mother in laws, then to Jerry's uncles and off to the father in laws before we finally hit home at 11pm with a full van and 3 exhausted children...and 2 near comatose adults. Unloaded all the gear, got the kids ready for bed, cleaned up yet again, peeled veggies for tomorrows Boxing day dinner with my dad, stepmom and sisters and now I'm relaxing for 5 minutes before I slip into a deep sleep. We all got plenty of nice gifts and I'll be sure to post pics in the next few days. Hope everyone had a great day! Merry Christmas!

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

There is a special place in hell for people who give 3 year olds harmonicas. That is all.

Jo-prah's Favorite Things

Oprah's List

http://http//www.oprah.com/presents/2007/holiday/gifts/gifts_oft_350_101.jhtml



Jo-prah's List.

20. My camera. Love it! http://http//www.fujifilm.ca/x15478.xml


19. The best truffles in the world! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000WN2T1I/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=3370831&s=gourmet-food


18. Everyone should collect something. This is one of my favorites from my egg collection. http://polartcenter.com/Cyrstal_Egg_St_Moritz_p/9320031.htm


17. http://http//www.yowiemaggi.com/tea/images/gaffer.gif


16. Chenille socks. No need for a link. They are the best when you live in an old, cold house.

15. Avon Bubble Bath. I'm a fan of the french lilac. http://http//www.maddoc.net/bridgett/sales/bubblebath.html

14. My swiffer. Without it I'd be so sad....and buried in dust bunnies. http://http//www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/u577744

13. Old Navy Jeans. Love these! Need more. http://http//www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=5465&pid=522045

12. Books. They can be a favorite thing! I dont have a favorite book, I just love to read. Somewhere in this blog is a list of all time favorites, however, it is not complete as I have more favorites all the time. Best book this year : http://http//www.amazon.ca/gp/reader/0671042564/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link
Favorite ever: http://http//www.amazon.ca/gp/product/images/0312997116/sr=1-2/qid=1195877761/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=916520&s=books&qid=1195877761&sr=1-2

11. Rodrigues Wines. Mmmmm. I love the blueberry, strawberry and barrens blend. Just noticed that there is a raspberry and black currant wine....they werent there before. Gotta hit the liquor store asap. http://http//www.rodrigueswinery.com/catalogue.htm

10. I am fascinated by these things. I remember making my first out of one of my mothers psychology books....that she needed as she was attending university. My bad. I love them still and collect them and any other containment unit disguised as a book. http://http//www.secretstoragebooks.com/ and http://http//www.save-on-crafts.com/woleboboboen.html

And now we have reached the halfway point. I'm sure you are all dying to see what else I might add...but you must wait, it is late, and I need my beauty sleep. Ooooh, speaking of beauty...gotta add one more before I hit the sack.

9. Oil of Olay, daily regenerating serum. It's amazing how this stuff makes my face feel...like the description says, velvety smooth. Honest. Costs a fortune but I get it on ebay for next to nothing. http://http//www.regenerist.com/en_ca/products.htm#serum

To be continued....

I have returned. Finally. Ok, here goes, the last 8.

8. Funky mirrors. Regular mirrors with funky frames, mosaic mirror art, funky shaped mirrors etc. One of my favorite things is a star shaped mirror over my bed. Love it. Want more.

7. I will have this! I cannot justify the cost right now but someday. Luckily, hubby wants it as badly as I do so I can actually buy it for him as a gift and we'll both be pleased. Maybe next xmas. http://www.redriderleglamps.com/productDetails.cfm?merchID=2&showDescription=yes

6. C'mon, you have to admit this is the awesomest (yep, a word, dont fight it) gift idea for a grandparent ever! http://www.findgift.com/gift-ideas/pid-45912/
Not just for grandparents either, and there are many variations. Love the whole idea. Must have one.

5. I am so okay with my jewelry being cz. I love this set. I rarely wear my 'real' wedding rings. I want these. http://www.limogesjewelry.com/custom.asp?productid=4851

Shoot, kids need me. To be continued..again.

Tattoos and piercings, oh my!

I dropped my lovely 14 year old daughter off at a tattoo parlour this morning. They are doing something with school that involves job shadowing. Each child got to choose who they wanted to work with, submit a 'resume' telling the person why they want to shadow them for the day and then follow up with phone calls to arrange it all. Afterwards they have to write an essay about the experience. Some kids shadowed teachers, secretaries, carpenters and even a chiropractor...my kid, a body piercer. When I brought her there I went in with her to make sure she found it ok and that they hadnt forgotten about it....oh, and also because I'm freakishly overprotective and nosy. I met Mr.Body Piercer and he scared me. Big guy with a mohawk and at least 20 piercings above the neck!! Seemed polite enough but it damn near killed me to walk out of the place. She begged me not to call and check up on her so I'm keeping my promise even though its driving me nuts. She's done for the day at 6pm. My nerves should be ok til then.

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeets!

There are so many! All belonging to Eric. Abby isnt much of a trick or treater, in fact, she hates the whole idea of it. She isnt exactly the kind of kid you can bribe with chocolate so promises of oodles of candy didnt get her excited about Halloween. Eric scared the crap out of her with his costume and it all went downhill from there. Every kid out there, even the cute little pumpkins and angels made her scream and run away. She tried a few times to scare back by said "Moooooo" in the scariest possible way. The gorgeous witch costume didnt work because it was freezing and a jacket would have hid it...so we used the backup cow costume.

Wasted years

My nephew was recently 'discharged' from his doctors care. He had been seeing specialists for several years at Sick Children's in Toronto and the last trip left him feeling like finally, something will get done. He was told of an experimental treatment that might help him and he could be done with that, and surgery within the year. It was put off. Doctors never returned calls and we werent given any definete time as to when the treatment would begin. He turned 18 in Aug. and calls were finally returned in the past week...to say that he is no longer a pediatric patient and has to seek other care. No referalls, nothing. He has missed his teenage years completely. His best friends have moved on, gotten jobs, girlfriends, cars etc and he has barely left his room. It's just sad....worse now that he has to go through everything again with new doctors, more money needs to be spent and he'll have more time to worry about whether or not his condition is even fatal. No one knows a thing. As much as I disagree with most aspects of the US medical system, I'm thinking it would be best to head that way and see what can be done.

Just an entry.

I saved Christmas! Ok, so it wasnt in any real danger but I got the ultimate gift for Eric that will surely make his Christmas the best ever. The Ultimate Bumblebee transformer. Sold out everywhere but available, of course, on Ebay. I paid less for the item plus shipping than the regular cost in the Sears Wish Book. I am loving Ebay! Most of my shopping is done and I havent been inside a store yet. I am not dreading the holidays for the first time ever. I might even decorate early to celebrate.
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New photo shoot. Notice how there is one kid missing. The teenager just doesnt like to play outside and get her picture taken like the other two. I'll get her, eventually.





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Still waiting on the 3 addresses from the previous entry. =o) No address, no prize.

Tired

First, let me just say that my email went wonky and I lost the addresses of all of my online friends. If you were one of the 3 to respond to my 'I'm sending you a surprise!' entry...please send me an email with your address. Thanks.
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I am exhausted. I have had the last 4 days off. I should be relaxed but I swear I never sat down once during that time. lol. With house projects, kid stuff, everyday errands and preparing for our flea market on Sunday....I'm beat. The flea market was a semi-success. Em raised almost $400 towards her trip and we have yet to count and roll the coins so it'll be closer to $450 I think. She had already saved $425 on her own from babysitting and generous relatives so I am no longer worried about having to fork out 2k just before Christmas. We have a few bigger items to sell (privately) and the recycling hasnt been dropped off yet.
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The date. She went on her first 'real' date on Friday night. He took her to a movie and she had a great time. I came home Saturday afternoon and there 'he' was. He's obviously smitten. He worked his little butt off all evening setting up the flea market with us. Seems like a nice kid.
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Two friends/coworkers left today for a kidney donation/transplant! These are awesome ladies. L, without even a second thought, offered her kidney to R since it was discovered that they had the same blood type. L has 3 small children and will be off work for 6wks or more. R is 23 and a sweetheart who has dialysis 4 times a week and has never missed even a minute of work. If you are the praying type, throw in an extra one please!

I'll get you my pretty!

The worlds cutest witch. Today was the first day I had a chance to play with my new camera. I still dont know how to really use it and didnt want to take time today to do it since it was warm and sunny 'right now'. No real blog entry today, just sharing pictures.

Let's see who reads my blog. =o)

For the first three people that reply to this post, and who re-post this challenge: you win!For your prize, I will send you a gift.It might be something I've made, or something cool from my hidden stash of fabulousity. It might be a mix CD, or a rubber duck, or a book I think you might enjoy. A love letter, a useful object, or something else that is awesome or maybe just taking up room in my house.Whatever it is, I promise I will get it to you in 365 days of your posted comment or less, and I will need your snail mail.The only thing you need to do to receive your gift is PARTICIPATE.Be one of the first three bloggers to reply to this, and post this very same thing in your journal, and YOU are the lucky giftee.

8 Years Ago...

Oct 2, 1999 was one of the best days of my life....so far, who knows, there may be something really freaking good in my future. lol. This one is right up there with the birth of my children and the day I got my crockpot (kidding...sort of). God, look at how young the kids are in the pic! My nephew Brad is standing behind Em...he's 6"2 now and towers over me. Eric was only 14 months old and Emma refused to smile because she was missing quite a few teeth. Jerry and I are both a little bit greyer...and a little heavier but still as happy...most of the time...as we were on that day. Happy Anniversary!

Fa la la la la, la la la la

I know, it's too early for Christmas songs but I'm sitting here at work, 2am, reading old magazines....mostly Christmas issues. I have my shopping started thanks to Ebay and a few other online shopping venues and I actually have ideas aplenty so I can shop without stressing about what to get for everyone. I'm dying to decorate the house (thanks to the Martha Stewart mag it will look like a winter wonderland) but I think its because before decorating, comes major cleaning and I need that...badly. Everything gets done around the house before Christmas...fresh paint where needed, little projects get finished and if we're feeling ambitious, projects get started too. We're not as broke this year either which always makes the upcoming holidays something pleasant to look forward to. For the next few months I'll be in bed with visions of furniture arrangements and paint colors in my head.....hubby will be in bed cringing with $$$$$$$$ in his.
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The Quebec/Montreal school trip is a go! Emma paid her deposit on Friday along with 28 other kids....they needed 20 for the trip to go ahead. $2000 to come up with before Christmas...shouldnt be too hard...right? Em is already up $300 and its only been a week since she started saving. She's spread the word to relatives everywhere that she would like their recycling, pennies and is free to babysit and clean house....and is make a few bucks picking green beans and bagging veggies for Jerry's dad on weekends. I think she'll do it. She says that as soon as she returns from this trip, she plans to start saving for the 2009 trip to Europe. Ack!
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Update on the potty training. It's going well. Not perfect, but better than it ever has. Abby has been going around the house nekkid for the most part because she cant get the underwear off fast enough to pee so we just dont bother. She is down to 1 or 2 accidents a day but they are usally because we are outside playing or dont get to the potty in time. I'm just glad that she gets excited about going potty....I seriously thought she'd be going to school in pull ups.
Oooh, more news. We have joined playgroups! Yay! Finally. Every Tuesday morning at 10 we meet, along with 14 other 2-4 year olds, at a local community room for storytime, crafts and a snack...then the kids get to play a bit while the moms chat. On Wednesdays, we meet at the local library where the kids play downstairs (with a story and craft) and the moms relax upstairs..with no kids!! Bonus, its a literacy program so the kids get free books....bigger bonus, both playgroups are FREE! I love free.
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I was going to stop here but I cant talk about 2 of 3 kids, its just not fair. Eric spent the morning helping me clean...the kid gets excited when I buy swiffer wet cloths...seriously. He did the swiffer sweep and vac throughout upstairs and then washed the floors. If you want your kids to clean, buy the neat (more expensive but who cares when this is the result) products. He'll dust the entire house when I buy the pledge duster with spray in the handle. Next week I'm buying the coolest bathroom cleaner on the market!

Birthdays and hikes and pottys, oh my!

Happy Birthday my middle child! Eric turned 9 on Aug. 18th. We had a little surprise party for him in Terra Nova. It was sweet...hubby cooked jiggs in the cookhouse for our camping neighbors and everyone went out and got little gifts for him at nearby stores and gift shops. We killed 4 cakes and a good time, and full bellies, were had by all. When he goes back to school he is having another party, his 'real' one. No, its' not a gift grab. Summer birthdays suck. He has never had a birthday party with classmates so this year he will.
I still cant believe its been 9 years! Holy crap, where does the time go?

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While camping in Terra Nova National Park, I decided to take a hike a small mountain. Its a pretty big tourist attraction because its just so damn gorgeous when you reach the top. The walk up through the woods is pretty nice too...if you can stop gasping for breath and clutching your heart long enough to take in the scenery. I am out of shape, this proved it. It was only a 5km hike but there were points where I welcomed death. My sister mentioned several times that she was afraid to see a bear...I wanted one to drag me away and eat me just to put me out of my misery. I kept looking up hoping to see something, anything, that signalled the end of the hike...never saw a damn thing until I was a few feet from the lookout. It was worth it. We carved our names in the deck so no one can ever say I didnt do it....I might even do it again next year. Hubby wants to sign us up for a 45km overnight hike...not sure we're ready for that yet.

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Look how cute! Its all a farce. She is evil, pure evil. I wont go into it here but lets just say that the potty training...isnt working.

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It's been a while

I have been a little busy lately with life. I'm working a bit more than I'd like because we are very short staffed at work these days but that just makes me appreciate my days off so much more. I dont have anything to blog about really but felt bad for not writing anything is so long so I'll just do an update. Hows that?

Abby. God Bless her. She is such a joy. Every single morning she runs into bed with me (and daddy if he's not gone to work already) and is just so darn pleasant to wake up to. She brings a story for us to read, sings me songs and gives oddles of kisses and hugs before we march downstairs for cereal. She is still infatuated with Nemo although Monsters Inc is a close second. The potty training just did not happen as planned. Every. single. time she pees in her pull up, she'll stop and say "I'm post to pee in the potty". She knows when she has to pee and where she should do it but coming to tell me she has to go still doesnt happen until after the fact...sometimes midway. I'll try again next week while we're camping because she thinks the camper potty is cool.

Eric. I cant believe my little boy will be 9 in a few weeks. We'll be having a little celebration at the cookhouse where we're camping but the real party will wait until he goes back to school. Summer birthdays suck. He has never had a party with more than 2 or 3 friends in attendance (cousins..all girls, usually make up the rest of the guest list) because of summer activities. This year he can invite his whole class and he is delighted with that idea. His dad took him to see the transformers movie last week and this has rekindled his love for some old toys. I love seeing him play with 'real' toys instead of the playstation. Oh, and he still loves to read. I caught him curled up in a hammock swing the other day with a *gasp* book, during summer holidays?? Unheard of.

Emma...my oldest. She still thinks I'm the coolest mom. Not only because I let her get her eyebrow pierced but because I also got mine done. That makes me an awesome mom in the eyes of teenagers everywhere. Woo Hoo. She actually likes going camping with us and has been very fun and helpful most of the summer. Alien teenager? Last week she got her first aid certification to help her get more babysitting jobs even though she has been pretty busy babysitting already...she got a little taste of the $$$$ and now wants MORE. She is really looking forward to going back to school but I think it has a lot to do with showing off the nice clothes she is buying out of her hard earned money than getting back to daily learning.

Thats about it. Work is work, the house is pretty much the same and nothing new or interesting has happened in quite some time. I need to actually go out looking for adventure...yeah, thats what I'll do. Stay tuned.

Note To Self

I know Christmas is a long way off but I plan on shopping online very soon. The hardest to buy for is my oldest. She's 14 and rarely asks for anything until the last minute. I need to keep track here so I can start ebay'ing.
Guitar Hero 2
Gene Simmons Family Jewels dvd
A cell phone
A dig. camera
Gene Simmons Rock School dvd
These are just ideas, she doesnt get everything but I come up with something, then forget...so I need to jot these things down.

Terrible 3's?

I am going to start drinking, or doing drugs...I have to if I'm going to get through this horrible stage my child is going through. I dont remember the other two doing it, or maybe they did and I was too drunk to notice? Ha, just kidding, I was never much of a drinker. Maybe it's time to start. Abby cannot go out in public any more...ever. Last week we went to McDonalds to kill some time. I had a cup of tea and a muffin and she played in the playplace...until an elderly man wandered in with a coffee and a newspaper...and a patch over his eye. Miss Abby came running up to him shouting "Argh! I'm a pirate!!!" Today we ate supper at a family restaurant...someone was having a birthday and it wasnt my child. When the staff started to sing to this person who we couldnt even see, my child screamed "No, in 6 more days!". When they didnt stop singing, she started. Apparently they have their own little version of Happy Birthday that did not include living in a zoo or smelling like a monkey...so she let them know, loudly. Then we hit Old Navy...where I am pretty sure we are no longer welcome. She found a ball and a pair of sunglasses and was ready to leave. I took the $14 sunglasses and laid them out of her reach and she had a meltdown ... a major meltdown. I, being the calm, cool, and collected mom that I am, walked away from the screaming, writhing toddler on the floor. I walked away saying "Hmmm, I wonder who owns that unruly child?"

The Butler Family goes camping!

Here's our new 'baby'. The first outing is planned for Canada Day weekend. June 28-July2. I cant wait!!! It isnt huge but I think we'll all be comfortable enough in it. I'm so stoked! I'm just happy to be able to pee indoors. lol. Better again, I can shower!!!!

Random Stuff

Potty training has failed, miserably. She has no desire whatsoever to get out of diapers. She has peed in the potty a few times and it seemed as if we were making progress but now flat out refuses to sit on it. I'll give her a break for a week or so and start again.
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Exams are over. Emma was on the verge of failing 2 core subjects and getting a really good mark in those 2 exams was crucial. She studied her butt off and says the exams went well but we wont know until report cards come home on Thurs. I'm a nervous wreck....probably more that she is. Keep your fingers crossed!
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Tomorrow I'll post pics of the new camper. Eric is over the moon. He knew we were looking around for one but thought we were getting a crappy little small one. We didnt tell him that we bought one until he came home and saw it in the driveway. I'm at work now, working the overnight shift...Jerry, Abby and Eric are sleeping in the camper. They rented a movie to watch out there and picked up some snacks....when I left I could hear giggles. Gotta love that.
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Running

I've started! I tried a few years back after quitting smoking but couldnt really get into it. I'm not exactly into it now either but I'm trying harder so it could become a regular activity. I'm following a start running program I read in a magazine and it seems to be working so far..this is only week 2. There is a baseball field near my house that is perfect. I can do laps on the soft gravel (actually its more like a kitty litter/chaulk combo) and not do severe damage to my body PLUS Abby can come with me and run around the fenced in field while I run. There is a little playground next to the field so I can take Eric or Emma some days and they can play there with Abby. Knowing that I dont need to get someone to watch the kids so I can exercise makes me more likely to keep it up. Hubby wants to start too but I dont think he will...he says he will but he also said he'd start walking with me, a month ago.
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We made a fairly large purchase today. I'll post pics just as soon as we get it home.

Facebook

In the past few days I have 'hooked up' with friends from every phase of my life. How awesome! I have found 4 'best friends' and several old boyfriends, former coworkers and even a few teachers. There are networks for almost every neighborhood I have ever lived in....it's like taking a walk down memory lane without leaving the comfort of my computer chair.
I fear I am becoming an addict. Are you on facebook? Look me up. =o)

Treasures

First let me say that my house is not a pigsty. Really.

Abby has 4 sippy cups. One has been missing for few days so today I decided to search for it. I was afraid that it may have contained milk when it went missing. Ewww. I couldnt find it anywhere and had given up my search when I decided to do Abby's hair. She has a winnie the pooh chest on her dresser that I keep hair bows in. When I opened the lid I almost passed out from the stench...and the sippy cup was found, along with a few other things. A wet diaper...an old one at that. A soggy, dirty sock belonged to Eric (he fell in the river with this particular sock on many days ago) and 8 Always maxi pad wipes. We just peel the wipe part off of the pad wrapper and toss them (not anymore because I realized I can use them as wet naps for a sticky toddler). It seems the little princess has been taking them from the garbage to add to her collection. When I asked her about it she looked at me with the sweetest face and said proudly, "it's my treasure mommy!"
And yes, the sippy cup contained milk. Nice.

I am fat...and other stories.

I have gained a considerable amount of weight in the past few years. After Em was born, my 19 year old body bounced right back. After Eric was born, it took a while longer and I didnt get back to my original weight...but I was at a happy, healthy weight for me. Then, we quit smoking. Hubby and I both gained 50 lbs each! I had half of that gone when I found out that I was pregnant on Abby. After her birth, I lost quite a bit of weight but still have about 30-40 lbs to go to be in my happy place. I know this yet when I get all dressed up to go out, as I did on Sat. night...I think I look good. Not so. lol. I caught glimpses of myself all night and I was disgusted. The kicker though, the one thing that got me off my ass this morning and out for a walk was something someone said to me. A male friend of my sisters, who I hadnt seen in a few years (since I was a skinny smoker) looked at me, did a double take and then said "Hey, where did this come from?" referring to my extra pounds. Yes, he was rude and I should have slapped him but I didnt. I did tell drunk hubby to beat him up...but I was only kidding..sort of.
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Saturday nights benefit for my nephew was a success. We raised 4100.00! Still no word on when he is going to Boston but at least now he's ready and just waiting for the call.
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My dream dining room table, the one I actually visited and blogged about because I am lame, is not to be. A local store had a big sale on all furniture because they are no longer stocking it so I took my dream table off layaway (it was just about paid for) and bought the cheaper one. I put the remainder of the money on bills. I couldnt justify spending more than I needed to when there are bills to be paid. Oh well, the other is a nice color, seats 6 and matches my other stuff nicely. I also wont freak out when I see the kids at this one as I would have with the other. Maybe I'll get it when Abby is a little older.

Ocean front property?

I took Abby out for a walk around the garden today. We still have a fair amount of snow but only where hubby plowed it into huge piles over the winter. We were finally able to get to the path that leads to our little river so off we went, armed with pockets full of rocks and my camera. Abby was delighted! She liked the spiders that 'swim' on the water more than the trout or clams but throwing rocks was even better. Sadly, she cant throw worth shit. One rock landed a mere inch from the water so she leaned in to get it and 'SPLASH'...face first into the icy cold water. She cried for a minute but on the way up the driveway she sniffled and said "I fall in the ocean...I'm okay, I'm OKAY". She came straight in the house and told Em about her fall in the ocean, then we had to phone daddy so he could hear too. She is quite the drama queen but kept insisting that she is okay, so I guess she wasnt traumatized. We'll go back to the river later for more pics.

It would have been cruel to take a pic of her IN the ocean....so I didnt...but I did take a few of her today and am feeling the need to share.

I took the dog one at our neighbors house yesterday. I have the best neighbors ever.

No time!

So I did buy a digital camera. Not the one I wrote about previously...I got a better deal on a slightly better camera. Kodak easyshare c663, or something like that. I love it for its ease of use! I am technologically/electronically challenged so this is perfect for me. I have take a few recent pics of the kids and updated our family webpage..www.butlerfamily5.piczo.com for anyone who cares.

I have been spending much of my free time helping my family with a fundraiser for my nephew. While I love Canada's health system, it has its faults. My nephew has to go to Boston for a new 'experimental' treatment and then back to Toronto for several surgeries. He is expected to be gone for 2-3 months. We dont pay for treatment but there is very little help with travel expenses. Several months away from home can be costly so we do have to raise some $ for the trip. We have a few local bands playing a benefit dance this weekend with oodles of donated prizes to sell tickets on. I'm hoping for a decent turn out and a good time for myself as well since I havent been out dancing in years.

Potty Pictures? Soon!

I am finally getting a digital camera. Nothing fancy, but a camera nonetheless. I have been waiting for hubby to get me one...Christmas, my birthday, mothers day and no camera, for 3 years, so I'll get my own. Checked out a few at Shopper's Drugs the other day and it works out that I can get the one in the link below, for pretty much nothing! Gotta love Shoppers Optimum points. I'll end up paying $30 or so. I'm sure everyone will be quite annoyed with the multiple daily pics I'll be posting/emailing. =o) Who wants to see pics of Abby on her potty? Ha! It will all be possible in a few short days. *Gotta do one more shopping trip to up the points to the next reward level*
http://http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A530/A530A.HTM

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Speaking of Abby on the potty......ummm, not going so good. She'll be 3 on June 25th and I would like to have the whole process complete by her birthday. Emma was trained before she was 2, Eric, shortly after his 3rd birthday. I'm not 'seriously' training yet but for the past few days I've been letting the princess go around in her undies and we've spent some quality time reading stories while she sits on her princess potty. All I need is one pee in the potty to make this work. Just once and I will make such a huge deal out of it, buy her presents, give her chocolate, whatever her little heart desires that she'll only want to do it more...right?
This is what worked with the other two so I'm hoping it will for her as well.