guilty as charged?

not quite
Went to court today. A long drawn out process. Met the prosecutor - a not so jolly fellow with a God complex. After repeatedly assuring me that I was guilty and there was nothing I could do, I decided to go to trial. I think he was a bit surprised as I was then able to plead down. I figured I could get a lesser conviction somehow.
He gave me the option of "failure to turn out to left to avoid collision". Which really means "we are going to claw $85 and 2 demerit points out of your oh so beautiful and svelte flesh". I feel much better about that as I never would have gotten off scot-free.
The court situation is an interesting one. Everything from the guy who seemed glad to be there if for nothing else than having something to do on a rainy Monday afternoon to the woman who sat one over from me who seemed to have a breathing problem - if all the deep breaths and heavy sighing means anything. I hope she gets that looked at.
She did talk to me, though. I was happy to hear that when she was pulled over she was charged with four separate offences. Apparently she is sure she can win. Apparently I'm going to win the lottery on Wednesday. Who knew?

Earth Hour

Happy Sunday?


All is well here. Sterling is reading, Kaedo is correcting his math test - which he got a B+ on, and they are gorging themselves on what I am told are "the best muffins yet - how did you get them to not burn?" Damn husband!

For those of you who don't know - is there anyone? - yesterday was Earth Hour. Everyone was supposed to shut down everything electrical from 8-9pm. This is some global warming thing and was really pushed in the schools. We even received a recorded message from school reminding us. Craig is not a believer in Global Warming and it was very interesting last night listening to him giving his reasons. I have to say that I am going with him on this one. In saying that, the boys really wanted to participate, so we went for it. We scrounged up all the candles we could find, pulled out some games and had a good time. The brats were a bit spazzy, but that's OK. We turned the lights on right at 9 as we had other things to do - watch Back to the Future 3! If you want more information on Earth Hour, go here. I read an interesting fact in the National Post this week about Earth Hour. Apparently it started in Sydney last year and at the end of the the it was estimated that they would have only saved enough electricity to power one car for six years. I can't tell if that is big or not, but it doesn't sound like much.
Anyway, here are some sucky photos from last night - mom, maybe you can teach me how to take night photos?

Not too much going on here. I cleaned the kitchen, the boys have done their rooms, Craig is working on laundry, muffins are being eaten and all the wax from last night needs to be scraped off my kitchen table.
One other thing. I got some pictures yesterday of the place where my mom and dad bought their motor home and is had been destroyed by fire. Remember to check your smoke alarms and extinguishers.

This has been a public service announcement from the SBS (Shannon Broadcasting Station).
You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

sigh

In the van with Sterling listening to music and I try out one of his signature movies:

"mom, don't do that, you just don't look cool"

feel arrow piercing heart

jerk

you know

it's going to be a long day when...

you spill your tea all over your keyboard and when you grab it to set it upright you drop it all over your lap

I'm not saying that happened to me, I'm just saying it would be the beginning of a really long day

Must go -
have to change my pants

love that kid

Sterling: got in a fight with Jayson today because he says it's my fault that his tennis ball rolled under the portable - which it wasn't

me: so what happened?

Sterling: he said I wasn't allowed to play football with the guys until I bought him a new tennis ball

me: so what did you say?

Sterling: I guess I won't be playing football because I'm not buying you a new tennis ball

how awesome is that? don't bow down to the bully, my boy!

can you feel the pride in my words? man that kid is cool

easter dinner

For all you doubters - who shall remain nameless - proof that I did make Easter dinner. Now I don't have to do this until next Easter.

Happy Easter

Thanks Craig - you rock!

Happy Day - everyone!

csskk

The Wheel of WOW and me without my camera

Today was WEBKINZ day! Thank god Kaedo was well enough to go. He would have been devastated. Kaedo and I headed out to the Bville Mall for some Webkinz fun and it was GREAT! We had such a blast. He was so excited, it was awesome. He had been waiting for this day since A gave him the ad for it about a month ago. It has been on the fridge and been referred to many times. So, today was the day!

We got there about 1pm and there were about 150 people there. We had to wait in line to register (35 minutes) and then we were able to participate. While standing in line, Kaedo took a look-see in the store and found a Webkinz he loved. There were only two on the shelf so he just "had to have it"! I held his place in line, gave him my bank card and off he went to pick up his new buddy. Little did I know that there was actually a pile of them but they were only putting them on the shelf 2 at a time. Bastards.

We waited for about another 15 minutes and then were able to register. He registered, got his paper and found a place to draw his picture. He decided to draw three of his Webkinz - Hom-mer, Fuz-zy and Peanuts. Once he had finished his masterpiece he took it in (coloring contest) and was given a coupon to Burger King, a ticket for the Wheel of WOW and a drink and cookie ticket. We headed off to the Wheel of WOW where he spun a "$1 off Webkinz of choice". So what does that mean? Back into the store to pick up another one. He was flying high, let me tell you!

We got home at about 3pm and it was on then that we realized in the excitement he hadn't gotten his drink or cookie. Oh Well.

Here are his Webkinz - not including two. Peanuts, Tiny, Miss Sniffy, Pipi-Hipy, Benerson, Spouky, Fuz-zy, Crolo, Sandy, Caramel, Magic, Hoppy, Beanie, King-Kong, Vines, Donner, Hom-mer, Sugar, and Mountain. There is another but he doesn't know if her ever named it. For this purpose I will call it CAT. If I counted right he has 20 in all. They all have files on Webkinz World. If you want to see what it is all about go here.

No camera, you say? No camera and no (camera) phone! What is a person to do? Buy a disposable. Who knew they still made them. Hopefully the pix are good. He really wanted some pictures of the day and I wanted them too.

Oh - and to the mothers-in-law, Craig bought all the fixings, so he will have an Easter dinner that does not consist of a corn dog and baked pretzel. In my defense, I would have thrown in the cheese for the pretzel!

Lucky Friday

Our first Easter here (in 2004 - gasp) Stan and Shirley made their first visit to us. On Good Friday we decided to take a trip to Niagara Falls. While I can't remember the exact way it happened, one of the funniest things about Good Friday was Sterling informing us it was actually called "Lucky Friday". To this day we still call Good Friday, Lucky Friday, and probably always will.





On another note - just to update everyone -
Kaedo is feeling better today. With a couple of doses of medicine and the puffer he is feeling better and hasn't thrown up in about 18 hours. I don't really care about that anymore as Craig is home and he can clean up the puke. The pneumonia will stick with him for the next while and he will be taking Zithromax for the rest of the week and the puffer for the month. He is not able to do TKD until a week Monday. As always, he is in wonderful space and when asked how he feels he says, "great, fantastic". That's my boy.

On another, another note -
Sterling is doing awesome. He had a wonderful week at school and last night went for dinner at his friend's house and stayed there until 11pm. He had a riot and definitely wasn't ready to come home. In saying that, he crashed when I finally yelled to him to "shut your damn light off!".

We don't have any plans for Easter. Craig is aggressively lobbying for turkey on Sunday, so maybe he'll make us a turkey dinner. Yum.

Hope you are all well - enjoy your Lucky Friday.

hmmm

Saw the following across the street from physio today:

Nadia's Restaurant and Laundromat

hmmm - I guess the no shoes, no shirt, no service rule doesn't apply

This is so thrilling - I have included an email that I received today through an anaphylaxis network that I belong to. This is such a step forward and I am extremeley impressed with the Blue Jays organization. Read below if you are interested.

Thank you to the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club. Canada's only major league baseball franchise is offering a Peanut/Nut Reduced Zone at Rogers Centre for three separate dates during the 2008 Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Season:
Saturday, June 7, 2008 Jays vs Orioles Executive Lounge
start time: 1:07 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, 2008 Jays vs Mariners Executive Lounge
start time: 1:07 p.m.
Saturday, August 9, 2008 Jays vs Cleveland Executive Lounge
start time: 1:07 p.m.

This opportunity results from the combined efforts of Will Hill, Director of Guest Services and Fan Experience and Mark Lazaruk, Account Manager/Group Development. Will Hill and Mark Lazaruk have worked in partnership with Debbie Bruce and Cindy Paskey. Both women are long-time advocates for risk reduction and increased safety for people at risk of anaphylaxis - a potentially life threatening allergic reaction. For the above three dates, a specific section of the stadium will be cleaned in advance and devoted to the exclusive use of families who live with peanut/nut and other severe allergies. "We believe everyone should be able to participate in watching North America's favourite summer sport. Quite simply, people with peanut/nut allergies can be included!" says Mark Lazaruk. Mark has orchestrated all of the "behind the scenes" requirements. Tickets are $35 per person, and families are allowed to bring their own food into the designated Executive Lounge. Everyone is advised that the Rogers Centre continues to offer peanuts in the shell as a regular menu item. The Executive Lounge is devoted to a peanut/nut reduced Zone for the above dates only. A limited number of tickets are available. To reserve your tickets now, contact Debbie Bruce by email at:
debbiebruce-bluejays@rogers.com

I think we will have to attend a game for no other reason than to support such a wonderful initiative. If anyone wants to drop a line to the Jays organization (see above), please do. I know I am going to be doing that right now.

GO JAYS!

So this is it...

The week is done and school is back tomorrow. The men in my life - minus the four legged one, are at the pool, and I am doing this.

What a week -
3 library programs
a trip to Markham
McDonald's
dollar store
blockbuster/movies
lots of popcorn
sleeping in
sharing a room
staying up late
playing in the snow
buying new shoes
a trip to Costco
Chapters
being creative
playing Hot Wheels
eating pop tarts
actually getting lunch at lunch time
tv
LOTS of time on the computer
so much fun


Tonight is back to early bedtime, and tomorrow we start up again with school and tennis and maybe Kaedo will go to TKD.
Hope you have a great week and enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Money Shot

You can take a thousand pictures before you get one like this.

Happy Saturday - whatever you are doing

games

Fun March Break Game #796

Who can keep quiet the longest?
The winner gets $1.

This game can be played at home or on the road and is very portable. All players need is a loonie, or 4 quarters or a bunch of change you have amassed in your cup holder or on top of your fridge.

Best for 8 years +

This game tests the skills of the players in such areas as :
natural defense
submission
non-verbal taunting
stubbornness
greed

It's benefits:
prolonged comfort of those having the money

Cost me $11 this week. Worth every scrounged up penny.

a la Andy Warhol

Quiet day for us today. Physio this morning and then a movie (at home) and work. The boys have gone down to the dollar store because Sterling wants a frame for an Ocelot picture he drew. Thanks mom and dad - he is loving all the information and has been reading everything.
Busy day tomorrow. Physio in the morning, a trip out to Markham, a library program then a visit with GG. Then it is the weekend and March Break is officially over. The boys have had a good week, I think, so that it good. It has been great for me.

see ya -
s

What have we been up to?

Sorry for the delay...
our keyboard and mouse crapped out so we needed to get that remedied before getting this done.
We have had a busy Spring Break, so far. As per my husband's wishes, here are the pictures:

Captain Underpants activity at the Library - they each got to pick out an "underpants" name and participated in a game of "throw the unders" - yes they were clean!

New shoes for the boys. I didn't realize how bad Kaedo's shoes were until he showed me the big holes in them

A lot of time spent playing with their Hot Wheels cars and new track they bought

Bruschetta for lunch - homemade by me - they love it!

All the snow we have. The weather isn't cold but there is a lot of snow. About 8' here in this picture

Car high on our lawn

Car partially buried in the snow - hasn't been driven in weeks - I think we would have to shovel it out! Check out all the snow on the driveway!

Another view - amazing! Perfect for snow forts

Yesterday we ran errands and this morning I had physio. Tomorrow the boys are doing another library program - Spiderwick Activities

Last but not least...

Guess what I'm starting on Tuesday night???

Hope you like the pictures -

s

Spring Break day 3

Hello all -
Sunday and the snow isn't falling. About another foot yesterday. Snow piles are taller than the kids. Crazy. Roads have been plowed.
Our Spring Break has been great so far. I had all these pictures I wanted to share but they all suck. Here's a rundown of what we have been up to:
Thursday night we went out to dinner at Kelsey's. It was fantastic. Craig had received a gift card for there for a job well done, so we had to use it. We hadn't been out to a real dinner in months - can't remember the last time, actually, so we decided Thursday was a good time. (asked Craig and he said it was for his birthday) It's always nice to go out on Thursday nights. If I'm not mistaken, mom and dad used to take us to Queen's Pizza on Thursday nights.
Friday the day was beautiful, so we were up and ready to go early. I had physio and the boys were just great. My appointment took about 90 minutes and they just sat in the waiting room and played on their game systems and stuff. They were awesome. We came home after that and later in the afternoon we headed out again on a quest. I will fill you in soon. Came home, hung out and then Craig got home. Watched another Die Hard movie (gasp) and called it a day.
Yesterday (sat) we got up and Craig shovelled, and then we headed out to bowling. It was dead in there. What normally takes us 2 hours took 40 minutes. There were only two on Sterling's team and one on the other. It was too fast as they are almost always bowling. I think there is a sense of urgency so they rush through. In saying that, he bombed his first game but totally kicked it in his second and third game. He did awesome and enjoyed himself. The four of us went as I was a little nervous about driving with all the snow and the rental.
After bowling, we headed to the grocery store and did our shopping then headed home and stayed put. It was really snowing and blowing and no one wanted to take any chances.
Funny thing happened last night - Craig and I were minding our own business when all of the sudden the smoke alarm goes. No, I wasn't cooking. Craig rushes down the stairs and all you can smell is burning wood. Sterling was using his dremel and was using a bit that was for metal not wood and it was not happy. There was no fire, but obviously the smoke detector down there did not appreciate Sterling's craftsmanship.
Today, who knows. Craig is out shovelling, I'm doing this, Kaedo is on the computer and Sterling is carrying around his PSP learning the songs on it. I have a vague recollection of lying on the floor in my room replaying "La Isla Bonita" by Madonna, 6000 trying to learn the words. As they say - what goes around comes around. You must be smiling now, mom.
That's it -
S

I need therapy

Physical Therapy! - well, the other kind too, but let's not get into that.

Tomorrow morning I start physical therapy. Should be good. Me + two kids + busy waiting room + them on there own for 90mins in said waiting room = stressed mom. Oh well, if I don't want to wait another 10 days I best be getting in there tomorrow. I feel not too bad, actually. My body doesn't feel beat up but my head is just pounding. You can only take so much Tylenol. I thought it might just be a cold or something, as Craig has been sick along with the boys. But no, everyone is on the mend and my head is still blasting.

I got my paperwork from the insurance company. They want to know more about me than I know about me. Yeesh.

We're still driving our, "mom we so have to keep this car" car. They are very concerned about having to pick up our "lame" van. In defense of the "lame" van, the boys were thrilled to get it when we got it. Now they are just being car snobs.

The weather is nice here today. The sun is shining but the snow isn't melting. That's OK. As long as it isn't on the roads I'm OK with it. We are supposed to get a whole bunch more snow tomorrow and Saturday. Hopefully not too much. We have bowling on Saturday and Sterling is working on his perfect attendance badge. Snow, nor sleet, nor freezing rain, shall stop us from getting to the bowling alley!
Kaedo is now officially on break and Sterling will be in 35 minutes. Yahoo!

talk soon

not quite snowday

Wednesday and the weather is sucky. Actually, it isn't too bad, now that the freezing rain, snow, wind, and chill is gone. Let me just say that I am weather oblivious. If someone asks me what the weather is like I always say fine. If there is no snow I have my sandals on. If there is snow, I have socks on with my sandals. It started freezing rain last night and then proceeded to snow about 6" (?). My awesome friend Laura generously offered to bring over her snow blower and do my drive/walk for me. It was so cool to see her coming down the street, snow flying, sunglasses wearing, ass kicking, snowplow driver. She did a great job, allowing me to just do minor shoveling. She then proceeded to do all the sidewalks on the street. She rocks.

Skating day at school today. Sterling wasn't going, as he doesn't have skates (gasp!), but Kaeden was excited to go. I got a call from kaedo at 9:30 telling me it got cancelled because of the weather and could I come pick his stuff up. No problem. Sterling was supposed to come home during his skating time and so I hadn't packed him a lunch. So, I did that, and took it to the school. He was disappointed too, but for a different reason.

TKD tonight. This morning I wasn't sure I would go, as I am very nervous of smashing this car up. Things look good now, though, so I'll be heading out to Bville tonight.

Sterling finished basketball last night and in the end said he really enjoyed it. We'll see if he participates again next year.

Spring Break starts tomorrow at 3:40pm. Ick. It is going to be a long 10 days. Sterling already wants to know what we are going to be doing every day, so I have just replied, "nothing". He's thrilled.

Pile of snow against the garage

"The Car" The boys are in love and would trade me in if it meant they could have this car.
Snow forts built with the Backyardigans

My crushed shrubs. Boo!

Well, have a good day, wherever you are, whatever the weather,

s

baby

Most of you know Baby - see Jan 1 post for information.
I think the time may have come, and I'm really choked up about it.
Last night, Kaedo slept in Sterling's room and guess what? He left Baby on his bed. Sigh. I can't tell you how much this saddens me. It may be an oversight but when I looked in his room this morning and saw Baby lying there, knowing he hadn't slept with Kaedo last night, I was sad.
Yes, I know I am pathetic. So dumb, but it is like he thinks he has the right to grow up. I am so not ready for that. Not ready. Nope. Not at all. What's next? He'll be asking for an after dinner brandy?

and so it begins

Monday again - where did the weekend go?
We had a busy bowling weekend with regular league on Saturday and then a tournament in Cobourg on Sunday. Sterling did really well at both, by far beating his average at the tournament. Saturday afternoon the boys spent with the Backyardigans and Sunday was homework, rooms and putting away laundry. We rented Wild Wild West with Kevin Kline and Will Smith, for Saturday night. It was great. The boys loved it. Craig went out to see a UFC fight and said he enjoyed himself.
Took the van in today for the repairs and got a rental. I am now driving a Dodge Charger. Very nice car. TJ - one of Craig's football friends, owns the shop and so he will let Craig know when to expect it. Hopefully for the end of the week.
Tennis tonight and homework. Tomorrow is the last game for basketball. Yahoo. Sterling is still interested in playing again but I think he would have to choose between that and Spanish. TKD for Kaed Tues, Wed and Thursday. Spanish for Sterling on Thursday then they are on holidays for 10 days.
Well, that's it,
have a great day