hmmmm

Just got home from a great afternoon spent with friends. The boys rode their bikes, jumped on the trampoline, watched a movie and played in the park. She is such a wonderful host.
While there I was invited to a "YEAH! my divorce came through" party. Sounds like fun. Then I was told it was a sex toy party. Something like Partylite with more latex.
The only question I have is, what is the appropriate host gift for a party like this?

s

as requested

Hi All -
Not much to say today. Coming up on my 100th post so I think the well is dry. In saying that, the boys are busy and I'm very busy. Craig is always steady at work. You know banking. That 9-3 can really kill you.
TKD tonight and some time with just me and the first born. Looking forward to that. Hopefully there won't be too much homework and we can just "hang" as he says.
Got my contract renewed today, which is great. I guess I'm still employable. My hard work has paid off. Got the confirmation that we are back to California in Feb. No chance to go to the Park this year but that's OK. I had a blast last year (thx mom and dad).

Sterling was talking to me last night and was telling me that he only wanted money for his birthday and Christmas. When I asked him why he said, "mom, you just don't really get me". Excuse me?
Out tonight for my weekly Wednesday night with my friend. Looking forward to it.

I guess we should do this weeks quiz, so here goes:
what food would you eat everyday - fries and gravy
if you could have a different name what would it be - Zoe
scariest thing you have ever done - water skied in the ocean (shark infested, I'm sure) in Cuba
If you could only eat at one restaurant for the rest of your life - Jack Astors
If you had a million dollars what would you buy first - 4 first class tickets to Disneyworld
Favorite joke - (clean) - two snakes are slithering down the road and one snake says to the other, "are we poisonous?" the other replies "yes, why?". "I just bit my tongue".

If you have any idea of what you like to read here let me know,
s

new name....

... for a urologists office:

Urogynaecology Investigation Unit.

Go figure.

Next thing you know they'll be getting their own TV show.

Hi everyone. How was your weekend? We had lots going on. Let's get to it. Bowling Saturday AM. Sterling did awesome. Brought his average up 8 points. He is loving it, although he fades a little in the 3rd game. That's 90 balls thrown. He was very happy with his performance and Craig was able to catch part of the last game. I brought the DVD player for Kaedo so he just sat in a corner and watched a movie. All was good with him as well.
Craig had football, and as always, enjoyed his time. He's a sucker for football. Anytime, anywhere.
Saturday night we had the opportunity to go to the Police Games at the Rogers Centre. It was really quite amazing. It was the 125th Police Games and this year it was a celebration of Canadian Troops. They had all branches of the Armed Forces talking to the kids as well as a large "parade" of Police, Enforcement agencies, Armed Forces, etc. The Chief of Police was there as well as the Police Band with the bagpipes. They played Amazing Grace and I almost cried. Such a beautiful song. Definitely one of my favorites. A wonderful singer sang the Canadian Anthem. He gave me goose bumps with his wonderful voice. They also had two soldiers rappel from the roof holding the Canadian Flags. Very cool. The Police bikes were there and did a tour around the infield. The Canadian Idol winner and top 9 were there and put on a concert between events. They were very good, too. The events were fantastic. There was the tug of war (sorry, not mud fights and bikinis, guys) There was the Superstar challenge - an obstacle course that includes flipping a 250lb tire and scaling a 10ft fence. Very Cool. There was also a relay which was very cool. All in all the whole experience was great and we owe a big thanks to the Kerrs for kindly hosting us. I guess it's good to know a cop. We got home at 11:40pm and quickly headed off to bed.
Yesterday was the first swimming lesson and Kaed loved it. Sterling, not so much. He just needs to practice and he'll start jumping up levels no problem. Craig took them both giving me 1.5 hours of freedom. Aaaahhhhh, it was great. I spent the day working. I have a big deadline on Wednesday so I am furiously trying to get finished. The boys spent their day playing with the backyardigans and Sterling and Noah even conned Craig into a bike ride.
Today is Monday (as you know) and the week starts full on. School in 30 minutes (Sterling is still in bed, by the way), and work for me - all day. TKD tonight - my night to drive - helps me feel like I'm pulling my weight. Supper, homework and Craig is then back to all his shows he likes so I will be working, probably.
I am looking forward to my weekly Wednesday night date with my friend. It is my week to choose. Strippers? We'll see.

Hope you have a good day,
s

taking the weekend off
have a good one
be happy
s

Quiz of the week

Hi All - I was so thrilled to see what everyone had to say last week that I thought we would do another one. This one is quick and easy and fun.
Before I start that, I just want to say that my boys are awesome! Sweet, kind, and gorgeous. Love being their mom.

OK - here goes:

Hamburger Helper OR Filet Mignon
Van OR Sedan
Yellowstone Park OR Disneyland
Board games OR Video games
McDonald's OR Olive Garden
Snow bunny OR Water baby
Road trip OR Air travel
Early bird OR Night owl - neither, I'm lame
White OR Wheat
On the team OR In the bleachers
Cap'n Crunch OR Grape Nuts

How about you? Wanna share?
s

bowling pictures, as promised

Here are the pix from Saturday. The first is of Sterling in Craig's bowling shirt from 25 years ago. He wore it to the bowling alley. I thought that was so cool. He rocks! The other two are of the 2007 version of the bowling shirt. He was so thrilled to get one.
So, there you have it.
Did I mention he is the best on his team? There is a girl who has been bowling for 5 years who is good, but as Sterling says, "mom, she bowls through her legs - that's not real bowling".
s

OCD anyone?

This is what my kitchen counter looks like every weeknight (by about 7pm, actually). A bit OCD would you say? All the kid's lunches are ready to go - even the fruit has been washed and grapes put in containers. I don't put the lids on at night so I just do it in the morning. Their water bottles have been cleaned and are in the fridge with new water, cooling. The wraps, or sandwiches have been made. If cereal is on the agenda it has already been put in the Tupperware with a small container of B. sugar. The milk is already in container in fridge. If by chance there is soup on the agenda, it is already sitting out on the counter with the bowl to microwave it in.
You will also notice the multivitamins in ramekins. The small one is for Craig and the big one has the kid's stuff. Nothing too granola, just multivitamin and vitamin C (happy, Shirley?). Let's see...what else do I do that is insane? Oh ya, I also put out all the breakfast fixins' the night before. Why, you might ask, do I do such a thing? The answer is simple...it buys me 15 more minutes in bed every morning. And that, people is the ultimate prize!

later,
s

a death in the family

Hi All -
we had to put Sterling's fish down today. Sterling was not at the funeral but sent his best wishes to Speady's family.
Did you know that flushing fish is inhumane? The Internet tells us that putting the fish in a glass of clear alcohol is the most humane way. They fall asleep and die. So - we wasted a glass of Malibu. Might just have to pour it back into the bottle - just joking.
In order to help Sterling feel better Craig told him about us replacing Kaed's fish in the summer, so Sterling said he wanted a "replacement" fish. Needless to say we had to tell Kaed as we didn't want Sterling to spill the beans.
It has been a highly charged and emotional day. One in which I do not want to re-live anytime soon.
Is this like when your dog goes to live on the farm? How do you get rid of a dead hamster?

s

Soccer Schmoccer...

What a great morning! World Championship Bowling here we come. Started off the morning in Craig's bowling shirt - so cool (yes, Shirley - I have a picture - will post soon). It just fit. He looked great. Got to the alley and boy was it organized. Stand in line, pay your weekly fee, pick up your cards and first badge. Guess what I will be doing tonight?
We bought a YBC bowling shirt. How could we not? He was so happy to look like many of the other kids. They have a GREAT coach named JOHN and Sterling thinks he is fantastic.
Bowling parents are a lot like Hockey parents. A lot of sideline coaching - you know how much that thrills me. A perfect example - mom coaching son from sidelines and boy starts crying. Parents really do suck sometimes. In saying that I met some nice moms and hope to do so in the weeks that follow. Not so much with the dads. Very focused.
Kaeden was bored out of his skull as he didn't bring his DS like I told him to. Mom is always right. Right? I kid myself into believing that.
Sterling was so thrilled at how well he did and how quickly he got a hang of it. I am so proud of him. New sport, one he knows virtually nothing about and kicks it. I look forward to many more Saturdays.
Scores:
game 1 - 49
game 2 - 82
game 3 - 81

HE ROCKS!

By the way - I had two moms tell me he was gorgeous and that they would pay BIG bucks for hair like his. One girl was even checking him out. Hussy.

One last thing - 90 000 kids bowling all at the same time for 2 hours is a lot of noise. Especially when the girl 2 lanes down throws overhand. I kid you not.

talk tomorrow,
s

My Love

Don't yet know how long this post will be but I wanted to write about Craig. Just in case you don't know, I have the BEST husband on earth. He has always stood in front of me when I needed shielding, stood behind me when I needed a push, and along the way has stayed by my side. Anyone who knows us well knows that we have not had the calmest 13 years in history, but we have always fought everything together. I honestly don't know where I would be without him.

Did you know -

Craig gets up everyday ( Mon-Fri) at 5:45am to get ready for work, to catch a bus to the train station. He then gets on a train that takes him into the City so that he can work all day to provide for our family.

He takes Sterling for a walk almost every night so they can talk about "guy stuff" and about Sterling's day.

He spends about 15 mins almost every night stretching and helping Kaedo with his TKD.

He comes home every night glad to be home and kisses me on the back of my neck - LOVE that.

He spends time on the weekends biking with the kids, fixing their bikes, scooters, green machines. He is like the Pied Piper of bike rides and routinely takes other kids along with him.

He helps Sterling with his math homework, even though he has to use a French/English Dictionary to decipher the questions.

He does the laundry.

He looks after the kids when I am away and I think that the time runs even more smoothly that when I am home.

He wears his wedding ring proudly.

He doesn't go to the gym until 9pm so that he can make sure the boys are in bed.

He is truly remarkable, and I am sure I am missing at least 20 things.

So, thank you Craig, for smiling with me, for our private jokes, for doing your part in giving us two wonderful kids, for helping/forcing me through my darkest hours and for being my best friend. I love you more than I could ever explain.

Always and forever,

s

OH YA, I forgot - he is handsome as hell - SO hot!

Did you know?

I always listen to my discman to go to sleep

I always have to use and even number stall in a public washroom

I only watch one hour of TV a week (not counting Saturday night movie night)

I'm always listening to a different book in the truck, in my office, on my phone and in bed

I like texting better than talking on the phone - usually

I work better when I'm down

I have no interest in travelling more than I do now

I love taking a nap

I would go to the movies everyday if I could

Anyone else want to share?
s

Tuesday

Hi All -
Tuesday - god, where did Monday go? Sterling had his last game last night, and scored another goal. He did AWESOME! I think he has about 10 goals for this season. He is now done until next fall, if he chooses to go back at that time.
School is going good so far. Sterling has Ms. Parnall for his English teacher - whom he loves! He is the first to say he loves her. She is awesome and really connects with him. His "French" teacher is great also. I am really impressed so far. Sterling says that he is strict but good, and he has kept in contact with us. I think it is going to be a great year.
Kaed is loving grade 3. His classroom is upstairs, "with the teenagers" and he thinks that is SO cool. He said his classroom is great and that he can't wait to show me around on Parent Night. He even said his English teacher wasn't as mean anymore. That's good. First Dictee home yesterday. I don't see any problems. Sterling has brought home some math and did well with it.
Tonight we should be heading of to TKD but we'll see what happens after school. We missed a lot of studying and reading last night with soccer, so we might play catch-up tonight.
Sorry this is so boring - not to much else to report.
talk soon,
s

Better late than never

Wrote this last night. A little late but I am so tired I just don't have the energy to be witty. Shocking, I know. Oh ya - we didn't go to TKD and Sterling's team lost. Done for the season.

Hi All–
I’m writing this from 35,000 ft and I’m looking out my window at the cotton candy clouds. So beautiful. All is well here and I am so happy to be heading home. Another 2 hours and I will be kissing all my boys – well, not Ketchup, but the other 3.
The show was good and we spoke with over 1200 scrappers over the 3 days of the show. That is a lot of Americans to talk to. Did you know that Canada is freezing 12 months of the year and that we know nothing about the States? One nice woman told me she had just been to Canada and had driven from Calgary to Alberta. Whatever. The classes went great, if I say so myself. It was great to read such good reviews and have full classes two of the three days. It is really nice environment to teach in (right in front of Macy’s) and I have decided that teaching is what I am meant to do. I love it. I thrive on it, and I’m good at it. If I do say so myself!
Another busy week begins tomorrow morning at 8am (or 8:15 if I’m prepared tonight). TKD plus Sterling’s first playoff game. Should be exciting. TKD on Wed and Thurs and Sterling starts bowling on Saturday. He’s really looking forward to it. Think it is going to be fun watching him and it is a great picture taking opportunity. Craig will be playing football and will hopefully wear a hat this week so that he doesn’t get heat stroke AGAIN!
I plan to take tomorrow off and unpack. A job I hate, but it must be done.
Now that you know what I did this weekend, tell me what you did.

Talk soon,
S

One week down...

Well Shannon begged me to blog so just a quick update to anyone who cares. Shan is in Minnesota and I'm sure she's doing great, we've only been texting 'cause cell phone charges are ridiculous across the border. The kids have finished their first week of school with nothing exciting to report, probably because they haven't started doing any real work yet. I am back to football tomorrow. YAY! Sterling and Kaeden's friends have invited them over to swim in the pool one last time before they shut it down for the summer so I will have my football time uninterrupted and I spare the kids from having to sit on the sidelines and listen to me swear :) Just kidding, I only swear after the game in the car if we lose. That's all that's new, I'll do my best to blog tomorrow.

Craig

hmmm

you know your kid loves you when:
he finds a hair cooked into the waffles you made for breakfast and says:
"it's OK mom, it's your hair so I can eat it".

schools back

Mixed emotions about going back to school (duh!). The boys slept well and weren't up too early. Kaed was excited to see his friends and Sterling just refused to be excited. I got them to school in plenty of time and found their class lines. I saw Mme Pare-Pilon and Kaed just disappeared into his group of buddies and was done with me. Sterling was a bit more apprehenseive. I took him to his portable and introduced myself to his teacher. He has never had a male teacher and I was very impressed. After last year a trained dog would have impressed me. We spoke about Sterling's allergy and his treats that I provided and he explained to me that he was very strict but fair.

After school I spoke briefly to them about their day but wanted to keep the bulk of the day until supper time so that they wouldn't have to tell it all twice. They had lots to say about their classes and friends.

KAED

1 - english teacher is mean

2 - Mme is super nice - "the nicest teacher I've ever had"

3 - met 3 new friends

4 - best friend is in his class

5 - one of his friends that was supposed to move away didn't

STERLING

1 - teacher is nice but very strict

2 - favorite teacher is his english teacher again

3 - got to hang out with the gang

4 - good group in class

5 - not too much homework (teacher hated it as a kid, so doesn't want to give much)

That's about it. Not too much else to tell you. So far it is going well, but it is only the first day so anything can change.

s

the end is near...

for summer, that is!
Last day of the summer as far as the boys are concerned. I guess technically summer holidays ended on Friday, but whatever.

Craig and Kaedo are still in bed, sleeping away a Sunday morning. Sterling is lying in his room watching a movie on his DVD player, and I am writing to the three of you.
What a wonderful summer it has been, for both the boys and us.
The boys were so blessed this year to see so many people that love them. They spent a month with amma and baba learning, playing and whittling. They learned to make a fire, ate popcorn every night and visited tons of cool places. They spent the day with KPJ getting to know their not so little cousin. They spent an action packed week with their gramma and grampa - building stuff, getting their backs scratched and eating tons of juicy fruit gum. They spent about 10 days with mom having ultimate freedom and spending a lot of time with friends terrorizing the neighborhood. The got 10 days with dad to bike ride, play tennis, go to the off-leash (yes, he set them free!) and lots of other fun things.
All in all it has been a perfect summer and they are already counting down the days until next year.

Everything is ready for school.
backpacks packed - check
notes in lunch bags - check
clothes are picked out - check
Sterling's treats bought - check
school snacks bought - check
coupons in lunch bags - check
new shoes - check
new haircuts - check
white lightning's hair done - check

all that's left is the cryin'!

As always I will take the boys to school and will get Kaed settled in his line to go into school. Sterling I will take to class, speak with his teacher about his allergy and hand over his treats. For the first day of school I always have a bag of safe to share mini chocolate bars for the teacher. That way when their is an event in class Sterling always has a safe treat to have. This saves heartache during bday parties, etc. This is something we have always done and the older he gets the less we will need to do it, but for now we will continue.

Sterling REALLY doesn't want to go back to school. "mom, I just don't want to grow up". Sounds like someone I know. My heart hurts for this beautiful boy of mine. I know how he feels and spent many years feeling the same way. Today will be a sad day for him but I plan to kick
his ass in H-O-R-S-E, so that should be good for a laugh.

Going away on Thursday to an event in Minneapolis. I will try and get Craig to guest post or will try and do it on the road.
That's all folks. Will post back to school photos tomorrow.
love to all -
s

gotta love mastercard

6 houses

2 turtles

11 fish

3841 kms

6 cars

2 kids

1 dog

2 higher educations

4 jobs

2 careers

1 breakdown

12 years of marriage

a million memories

priceless