10 on Tuesday!

1.. My sister called yesterday to tell me that David Gray is coming to Calgary in May!! Guess who'll be on line ordering tickets first thing tomorrow morning....ME!!

2.. Method Laundry Detergent. My NEW favorite thing from the fabulous Method people.

It has the most brilliant pump so there is no drippy mess...which is a huge pet peeve of mine with liquid Tide and the like. It cleans really well, isn't perfumey and is purely AWESOME :)

3.. My Rube en Rutje project for the kids is complete! These little cuties (Rube is in Hayden's room also) make the wall in the kids bathroom much more fun!


4.. Olivia hates socks as much as her mommy.....



5.. Hayden got 2 new pairs of sneakers this weekend. We were in the car on the way home and I started singing "who's that kid that's rockin' kicks....." and Hayden finished "he's gotta be from out of town!" They really DO hear EVERYTHING!! Even if it's just Miley Cyrus on the radio :)

6.. When I was at the doctor on Friday (possible TMI alert in #7) I was reading Blush Mom magazine and I came across an interesting article I could totally relate to. It was about guilt, and how it really is mommyversal. The feeling that there are no simple decisions, that every choice we make could somehow be monumental and have the potential to screw up our children, our relationships, our finances, or ourselves. And, when we second-guess every choice we make, guilt is an inevitable consequence. I know I feel like this on an almost daily basis.

7.. I stopped nursing Olivia last Saturday and I have been in tons of pain.....which I never had when I weaned Hayden.....so I went to get the "girls" checked out. After waiting for an hour and a half, I finally saw my doctor. Know what happened after she asked me to lift my shirt?? Her exact words were; "ohhhh, you should get a tummy tuck." WTF?@#! As if I am not self conscious enough already!! She totally overlooked my swollen and deformed boobs because apparently, I am in desperate need of a TUMMY TUCK?@#! To which I, half laughing with shock, replied "are you going to pay for it?" Can you believe that?! I NEVER go to the doctor unless I have to....and I chose to wait for an hour and a half just to be told I need a tummy tuck and cabbage for my bra?! A prescription for produce?! She won't give me drugs to stop milk production but she believes in me going under the knife for plastic surgery?! Eff me.

8.. The fun for the weekend didn't stop there, people. Rico bit Olivia. Yes, that's right.....and my stomach still flips if I think about it. To make a long story short, she crawled by him while he was eating (she wasn't going for his food, she was at least 2 feet away from him) and he lunged at her face. Blood running down her head and screaming. Instant swelling. Walk in clinic, Children's Hospital, crazy glue and bandages, bedtime 11:30p. Thank God she's a resilient little thing.



9.. Family Day was much more fun. We went for a skate at the Tuscany Club and Hayden had a great time. Olivia and I watched from the sidelines....

10. I just realized.....I have only 6 days left to be 34. That would explain all of the gray hair :)

Just Random Thughts...

I was thinking about something.

And, what prompted these random thoughts, you ask?

Maybe I have been feeling bad about my
record-keeping skills with Olivia.
Maybe my kids are growing SO fast and I'm not sure
where the time is going.

There are some really cool differences/similarities between my kids.

There is no debate about the fact I have chubby babies.
And, I swear, I'm over people talking about it.
But I will say this, at 11 months old,
Olivia is slimmer than Hayden was at the same age.

Poor Olivia.
Its looking like she'll have mommy's ears too :)

However, Olivia may only have 2 teeth

for the rest of her life.
Hayden had 4 pearly whites by this time.

Genetics are truly awesome.
Olivia has blond-ish hair with mommy's brown eyes.
Hayden has brown hair and daddy's blue eyes.
But I still wonder if Olivia's hair will go dark like Hayden's did??

They both have the scrunchie nose smile.....

....it's TOTALLY a mommy thing!

They both have a junior temper.

Olivia has been having little girly "hissy fits"
if she doesn't get her way.
I'm still trying to figure out how to diffuse Hayden
when he loses it.

Hayden was, and unfortunately still is, a thumb sucker.
Olivia won't suck her thumb. Or a soother.
She plays with her hands to fall asleep.
And in general, Olivia has been a much better sleeper.

(Thank goodness they are both

sleeping until 7am these days!)

Regardless of who has more "book-keeping,"
I will continue to observe and enjoy
these two little monkeys :)

Monster Boy and Bat Girl

We had a MAJOR find at Old Navy last night
which prompted this
little photo shoot.

a PINK, BABY GIRL, BATMAN shirt!!

Ralph was beside himself!
(and I'm amazed he showed the restraint
not to buy one in every size!!)

You really must need a fleet of photographers
to get TWO children smiling
AND looking at the camera
AT THE SAME TIME!!!

Really.....they are still adorable :)

10 on Tuesday!

1.. Hayden got into Bearspaw's Pre-K program! Starting in September, he'll be going Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 12:30-3. Woo hoo!!

2.. I really want to turn Olivia's car seat around to face front. She is, of course, well over the 20lb requirement but I've now read we're supposed to keep them rear-facing until they are TWO?! Her legs are touching the back of the seat and I'm pretty sure she would rather look forward. I'm not trying to sacrifice her safety for comfort......but seriously?! TWO?!

3.. Does anyone else have the problem of nasty banana stains on clothes?? I have never seen anything un-colored stain so badly. Olivia has two pairs of white PJ's and a new white tee that are unwearable because of bananas!! I've tried almost everything to get it out and NO LUCK.

4.. Big trip to Ikea on Saturday.....but what was supposed to be a very purposeful mission was not so much. We wanted shelves for the kids playroom......OUT OF STOCK. How 'bout the DVD holders.....OUT OF STOCK. We did get a great new desk.....Yay! And a whole lot of other little stuff like wrapping paper that I really needed?!

5.. The more I think about it, the more I think I should just wear a tankini on the beach and be done with it. I will NEVER be bikini ready for Mexico.

6.. I CANNOT go to bed with wet hair. I looked so scarily tousled this morning that I needed to wear a hat. I envy people who have easier hair to manage. These are the days I miss my ponytail.

7.. Hayden is such a smarty pants. He knows "odeen" isn't a number:



8.. Olivia doesn't sit still any more.....and why would she? She has to keep up to her big brother!!

9.. Olivia is quite the liitle spaz lately too....and she is pretty much always this happy:



10. Mom....does this remind you of anyone??

(Note: It was only after Hayden paid Grandma a visit in Saskatoon that she realized he had been pushing buttons in her fridge and was responsible for the loss of many vegetables!)

10 on Tuesday!

1.. Olivia is way too smart for the snack trap. She pops the lid off for better access and couldn't be bothered to put her little hand through the plastic trappey-bit on top. I need to find something for snacks with a non-removable lid......Rico would disagree. He enjoys cheerios.

2.. Ralphie found bean bag chairs! 2 kids sized, and a big tennis ball looking one:


I also found some great wall stickers.....at Home Sense! (They are primary colored dots in all sizes, and some that look like mirrors.) I'm going to order some pink dots for Olivia to mix in with the blue, green and yellow. I think it's going to be a pretty fun place to play.

3..What's wrong with me?? I have to be in a bikini in 39 days and I am either too lazy or too.....something......... to stop eating crap and start slathering myself in firming cream to get ready for the beach!! I have no will power. Getting in a bikini should be the best motivation there is and yet somehow even that isn't working.

4.. Our washing machine is still not working properly and I now need to raise hell with Coast Appliances. I actually took Flip video of it this morning making it's elusive and awful squeak (that it will never make when the technician is in the house for the service call.) I don't have time for this crap, I just want a new machine.

5.. Sunday was my first full day back to work. 8-4:30. It was nice to be busy at work, but I couldn't help thinking of all of the things I would rather/should be doing. Work really gets in the way of life sometimes.

6.. My website will officially be http://www.blinkmakeup.ca It is under construction as I type and I can't wait to see the finished product.

7.. I LOVE my photo collection in our bedroom and I just made it SO much better. I ordered a custom print from Kal at [i] love life, which arrived today, and I think it works perfectly! Plus,
I like the symbolism that Ralph and I are at the center/beginning of this family tree....


8.. I love getting mail. I love the anticipation that something good is coming. Birthday cards, Christmas cards, magazines, art, photos, anything from ebay.......as long as it's not bills.

9.. I registered Hayden in U4 Soccer yesterday! I can't wait to see him running up and down the field on Saturday mornings this Spring. I have been wondering how many activities are too many?? Skating.....Swimming......Soccer........Preschool.....he's gonna be a busy kid. I think it will be really good for him, but I don't want him to feel like his whole life is a schedule.

10. Preschool registration is tomorrow night. I'm hoping Hayden has better luck than Ralph or I because it's a lottery system. Cross your fingers he gets in......Bearspaw is only 2 minutes from the house and how excellent would that be?! Olivia could nap in her own bed instead of the car!

....and here's what Olivia has been up to....

I took these photos 10 minutes ago.

I literally turned around and was totally SHOCKED
that this was happening before my very eyes!

It's amazing how motivated kids can be
when they are after something they are
not supposed to have!
(Silly mommy for putting the plant spray on
the 4th step thinking it wouldn't be touched.)
She's attempted to get her leg up on ONE stair before,
but never succeeded like this!

And then she looks at me like, "what?
I'm doing stairs now. No bigs."

She's 11 months old today.
and I knew this day would come.
A small part of me wishes I could slow time...

Look at him GO!

Hayden has been working VERY hard at skating lessons.
This is only the 3rd time he's been on skates
so we are very proud!

Hayden loved pushing the cones around
and it was great motivation for him to skate
all on his own.

He stood all by himself without holding anything!

At Hayden's age, I think it's hard to tell what his talents are going to be.
Maybe he'll never play hockey like Daddy.
Maybe he'll play soccer. Or be a dancer.
All that matters to us is that he doesn't give up.
All we ask is that he keeps trying.
Brushes himself off, and tries again.

He is as proud of himself as we are of him.
And that's all that matters.

10 (plus 1) on Tuesday

1.. Wow! WE BOOKED A TRIP TO MEXICO!! Woot!! Even though we have been talking about it for months, it all came down to this morning. Ralph called me with news of an UNBELIEVABLE deal, and before I knew what was happening, we were booked! We are going from March 12- 19th!!! The coolest part? We are going back to the spot where Ralph and I Honeymooned. Away we go, almost six years later, with our two beautiful children in tow! (Plus, Oma & Opa are coming too!) I can't wait!

2.. I think this sentiment will be shared by every mom on the planet......IVE REALLY HAD IT WITH COLD & FLU SEASON!!!

3.. The kids Tupperware "situation" needed revamping. I saw this idea in Parents magazine and thought it was cool......

I converted one of my big pot drawers into a kiddie drawer. Hayden can help get his own cups, and if things fall over, they don't get lost in the abyss of my deep cupboards. I have removed the straws since this photo was taken, as Olivia found those in a big hurry!

4.. Maybe the drawer conversion wasn't the greatest plan......

Actually, who am I kidding?! It keeps her busy for a few minutes. And happy. And quiet :)

5.. The basement is virtually finished! Ralph has been busting his butt, Ryan the carpet guy was here on Friday/Saturday and voila......

Ralph reminds me that there are still finishing touches to be made. The baseboards and the window trim have to be completed. We need storage bins for the toys, kid-friendly furniture (we're on the hunt for bean bag chairs that aren't a gazillion dollars) and some colorful stickers for the walls. And we ll know that's MY favorite part of renos.......redecorating!

6.. I'm having WAY TOO MUCH FUN moving all of the kids toys to the basement. The place where I don't have to clean up or look at mess. During the basement construction there were toys and stuff everywhere and the kids rooms were full. Now, bedrooms are for sleeping. And Hayden's time outs :)

7.. We need to buy a toilet, shower and floor tiles before the end of the month.....sigh. More $.

8.. I am desperately trying to finish Olivia's birthday invitations. Cupcake theme. They are super cute. **Sidenote** If anyone sees any cupcakey-themed items in their travels.....please let me know. I found plates and napkins. Need to find cupcake balloons. My husband thinks I have gone ever so slightly into the crazy category. He may be a little bit right :)

9..On that note.....Olivia is going to be ONE?@#!

10. Last Sunday was my last mini shift at work. My maternity leave benefits are done on the 30th of January. I have decided to continue working at Shoppers, but ONLY on Sundays with a shift from 8-4:30. I can live with that. Plus, I can keep my discount :) for makeup that I buy for freelance BLINK work and keep up to date with makeup trends (and adult conversation!)

11. I just realized that I need to be bikini ready in 45 days. Oh God. I'm in SERIOUS trouble. I missed fitness class last night because I'm sick. And, Ralph went to Costco and bought Sweet Maui Onion chippies, Beef Jerkey and giant delicious super high fat muffins. I'm SO screwed. Don't expect to see ANY photos of me in a bathing suit.....

A couple of "hams" for lunch....

Who knew lunch could be so funny.....

.....and that was only 5 minutes!!

Sunny Snow Day

We spent some time in the backyard today
because it was so beautiful outside.
The snow was too packed for snowmen,
but Hayden still enjoyed "shoveling!"

and sliding off his slide into the snow.

Olivia needed to try her new splash pants to make sure
she they kept her dry.
She wasn't overly impressed by the white stuff.
Every time her hand touched the snow,
she shivered and started to cry.

We'll take more days like this, please!

10 on Tuesday!

1.. This melty snow is great for snowmen. My neighbor has a very stylish snowman that looks like he was made with a kit. Wonder where she got it from??

2.. How do moms actually work from home?? I can't even send an email without one kid hanging off my leg and the other demanding my attention in the other room. Maybe I need "office hours?"

3.. I need to get Hayden into a different preschool next year. I'm not happy with where he is going and I don't think he is being challenged enough. I know he is only three but he is a smart kid and I don't want him to be bored. I think some of his rebellious behaviors are a result of boredom. Montessori in Kensington where he goes 4 days a week? Joso's in Creekside where Olivia can play too? Aarrgghhhhhh!!! And I need to decide by the end of January.

4.. Swimming lessons started on Saturday. Olivia is in the Starfish group and Hayden is a Salamander.....and they are at opposite ends of the pool AT THE SAME TIME!! Brilliant.




5.. February 1st marks the beginning of BLINK BEAUTY BASICS....my home party seminars! You will learn to put on makeup with NO PRESSURE to buy ANYTHING! I'll post the details once I have the flyer ready. Then you all have to host a party :)

6.. Random photos of......en mooi meisje en haar grote broer (a pretty girl and her big brother!)



7.. My fitness class is kicking my ass on Monday nights. I need to do more sit ups at home. Or go for jogs. But when the hell am I going to accomplish those feats? Get up at 5am? Or maybe the answer is simpler than that. Just STOP eating junk when I get home?@#!

8.. I LOVE Kijiji. I just sold Olivia's generic bedding and am poised to redo her room more girly. Her room will be ivory with different shades of purple. No surprise there! I can feel Ralph cringing somewhere......must...finish...the...basement...first. Sigh.

9.. Anyone else heard of Amish Frienship Bread? I'm "growing" a batch (of what is supposed to be deliciousness) in my panrty right now!

10. Skating lessons started tonight for Hayden. (Brody is going too.) How do you convince a child to stand up on skates when he's never been on the ice before?? He spent most of the time on his bum. It is going to be very interesting.....and a wee bit frustrating for a father that plays hockey.

Pretty girl...

In my Holiday marathon blog post,
I forgot to include my favorite photo of Olivia
in her pretty party dress.....

We had ditched her uncomfortable tights
and shoes by the end of the evening,
and the bow was pulled out of her hair,
but she was quite happy to be
barefoot and comfy :)