ProAction Cops and Kids Event

Kaedo was very lucky to have the opportunity to participate in the ProAction Cops and Kids event in Hamilton on Sunday. One of the coaches on his soccer team is a police officer and he was organizing a team from our area to play in a baseball tournament that was put on by the different police forces in the GTA. At 9:30am they boarded a school bus and headed out - there is nothing better than a bunch of very excited 12 year old boys. They got out there - kicked some serious butt and won all three games, winning gold for the tournament. They got to have police officers play on their team, meet a police horse (which Kaedo thought was amazing), eat a TON of junk food, get a hat, shirt and medal and get home sweaty and tired at 7:30pm. It was a wonderful day for him and a great opportunity and we were thrilled he was asked and given the chance to participate. It was a day he won't soon forget.

In other news - HE SCORED HIS FIRST GOAL!!!! I know many of you received calls last night - we like to keep you in the loop. He was thrilled and of course I was at a damn council meeting and couldn't be there! Oh well, I'm sure there will be others.

Have a great day!

Flowers

I thought I would show some pictures of the flowers I have in my garden right now. I love flowers and they have greatly enhanced my happiness. I love the simple act of watering them every day, or watching the bees fluttering around and seeing the them reach up to grab a little more sunshine.

Flowers are not cheap but if you shop around you can find good deals. If you haven't added any flowers to your garden, you should. You'll thank yourself. And me :)

Van Clean Out

Vacuumed out all the carpet and cleaned the mats

Cleaned out the center console

Put back the requisite lawn chairs for soccer games, our basket of bags - yikes - I can't resist a cute bag as well as my Value Village donations

All the garbage!

In my quest to get one project completed every day, aside from the basics of making lunches, suppers, taxi service, and laundry, I tackled cleaning out our van on Friday. My counselor says that taking on one job a day will keep me active, my mind engaged and will not overwhelm me. Our van was a pit. Chips crushed on the floor, drink bottles, 2 years worth of rocks, jackets, and more shopping bags than I could count. It took a lot of music on my iPod, a garbage bag, a lot of cleaning wipes and some perseverance. The nicest part was that I got to meet our new neighbors, had the niece of the neighbor tell me my husband was a hottie (she has a ring in her nose so I know I have nothing to worry about - Craig hates that - ha!), speak with Frank and enjoy the sunshine. I also had the satisfaction of a job well done.

Skype

Last night with the wonder of Skype and Sterling's amazing talents, we were able to Skype Emma's birthday gift opening. It was so awesome. She was a little confused about seeing us on camera but we got to sing to her and watch her open all her gifts. It was so fun. Jessica and Avery gave her a suitcase and a trip to Toronto and she was over the moon. She freaked out. It was AWESOME! (sorry Craig, I KNOW YOU HATE CAPS! ha). I had promised her we would see her this summer and Jessica has made that possible. She also opened all her gifts from us and Ammy and Baba and it was just great watching her and seeing everyone. Before she got home from school, Sterling Skyped Amma and Baba (em and av call her ammy because amma is too close to emma but the boys call her amma), and spoke with them for about 30 minutes. I got in on the conversation and was teased about my grey hair! Anyway - the wonder of technology and all it has to offer. We figure we should do this at every birthday. Mom and I were also thinking this would be good for our Sunday chats.

Leaving you with a picture of the first time we met Emma - man - have 6 years gone fast. Can't wait to see my girls - all three of them. 29 days and counting!

Sterling

Sterling informed me yesterday that he reads the blog at school every day and that he thinks I do a pretty good job. So, this post is for him.

Dear Sterling,

You are my first born and one of the true loves of my life. You make me the person I am (crazy - haha), and teach me to be the best mom I can for you. You are an amazing young man, who spreads joy like a wildfire in my life. I had no idea what true love was until I held you in my arms that first time. My love for you has only grown since then. Sometimes I feel like I love you more than I ever thought I could. You are a gifted and talented person who has skills that are far beyond my level of understanding. You are a great bike rider and your tricks astound me. You are AMAZING on the computer and have taught me so many things. You are kind to the littles and are always willing to speak with them (especially Em as she's madly in love with you). You are caring and kind and a bugger and contrary and beautiful and mischievous and honest and frustrating and 13. You are all the things you should be and more and every day I am thankful for having you in my life. Without you, I couldn't be me.

I love you sweetheart,

mom

xoxo

***we thought this picture was hilarious and sometimes I wish he would just do this for me to keep from talking. Unfortunately it was only a photo op! :)

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY WISHES TO MY SWEET EMMA ON HER 6TH BIRTHDAY. WE LOVE YOU!

Mexican Bracelets

This was red and white

The strings were all white and wound together!

For the last three years, mom and dad have been having these custom bracelets made for the boys. They have always worn them. Sterling's fell off a while ago and Kaedo didn't want to take his off, although you can tell from the photos it was disgusting. This year, mom had one made for me (yay me!) and I have been waiting for Kaedo to decide to get rid of his old one. Finally he did and Tuesday night the three of us put our new ones on. Thanks mom and dad, we love them!

Week 36

Week 36 and a slight change of venue. Kaedo wanted to use the toadstool we have in the front garden. Sterling, not so much. The kid is a spaz about spiders, webs and bugs and it took some cajoling and a "get the hell in there" to make it happen. I think it is a cute change from the norm. Soon we will be doing our pool pictures. I hope they teach this gnome how to swim. I couldn't find water wings small enough for last years gnome so now he is terrified of the water!