blue

Hello All -
Sad couple of days here. Jessica and Em left yesterday afternoon and mom and dad left today. Kaedo cried a lot last night and I followed him by bawling this afternoon. We have truly had a wonderful time visiting with everyone. It is so easy to get used to having people here. Mom and dad were so awesome during their stay. They were so involved in helping us and it was so easy to bring them into our everyday lives without feeling like we had to entertain them. We are truly blessed to have the parents we have - both sets! Mom and dad took the boys to school, picked them up from school, took to activities and worked around the house. Dad and Craig installed a garburator for us - thanks guys!, it totally rocks! Mom made the meals and did the laundry. What did I do? I just enjoyed being pampered. It was so good. The boys loved it and I think it will take them a few days to get back into real life. They were both surprised and disappointed that amma and baba weren't at school to pick them up. They said goodbye last night but I think they were holding out hope today.
Jessica - where do I start? She blew in like a whirlwind with her little mini-me and brought a breath of fresh air. She had big plans of painting and she didn't fail. She "renovated" our kitchen and worked her butt off getting it all done before she left. Her and dad installed new light fixtures in both the kitchen and dining room, and the front hall was repainted and new "art" hanging on the walls. It was the most wonderful of Christmas presents. Jessica and I spent a day shopping and an evening at the movies (where we bawled) and supper at Jack Astor's (where we laughed). So much fun. Emma - well, what can I say? She is adorable and sweet and I think she gives her mom a run for her money. She loved being with the boys and called their names continually. Her and Kaedo have a love hate relationship. She loves to hit him and he hates it. Next year she won't be so small and I will give him permission to hit back. She loves me. It is so hard when you don't see her for months at a time, but she knew me and was absolutely darling. She calls Craig "auntie Craig", and me "Anti". I love what she calls Craig - we all do. Even he doesn't mind. We have always believed that whatever they call us is fine. I hope she always calls him that. It is so sweet.
Back to the quiet now. It will be hard for the next couple of days, getting used to being on my own again. I hope to see everyone again in April, but if not I will see mom and dad in August when they bring the boys back home. It is going to be a long time. I guess that's what happens.

Anyway -I'm sure you have read enough now, if you have even read this far. Hope your week finds you well, and be sure to kiss your family. They are the only ones you've got. Whether you like it or not.

talk soon,
s

ps = will post pictures of my beautiful new kitchen tomorrow.

Creatures of the Night

Chicken Feet

Well it's that time of the year again to post pictures of what monsters our monsters dressed up as but you'll have to wait another night as the pics are on Irene's camera. So tomorrow you get pics and no text but today you can suffer through my drivel.
This Halloween was a special treat as Emma joined the boys on their quest for candy. She kept saying 'Where the boys?' as they raced from house to house, only collecting candy from every one to their three but she seemed to be having a great time and lasted much longer than her mom thought. And so cute, after each house she would run up to Shannon saying 'Antie, Antie, I got chicken feet'(translation - Trick or Treat). I loved it when the kids would say things the wrong way. In fact, Sterling just stopped saying the last of his words that really weren't words. Some kid in his class went and ruined it by telling him that a 'Machete' is not a 'Frachete' which of course means Kaeden knows as well. It sucks, but as for Emma, long live Chicken Feet.

hmmm

Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind.
The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.
— Henry James

The fourth is to be rich.

quiz of the week

So - I totally scooped this from another blog but thought it was hilarious. I hope you will post. Yes I know the numbers are wrong. Bite me! Look forward to seeing what you come up with.

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)-
creamsicle chocolate chip
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) -
S-LAV
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)-
Black Polar Bear
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)-
Elizabeth Calgary
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) -
LAVSH
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)-
The White Diet Coke
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)-
George Pierre
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)- Verbena Glossette
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )-
Veronica Francois
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)-
St.Jean Saskatoon
12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Spring Tulip
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)-
Grape Sweaterie
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Diet Coke Maple

s

Bowl-a-Rama

Well I think I will probably take on blog responsibilities while company is here so once again you'll have to deal with my inane ramblings. Just realized as I was typing this that I haven't posted about Kaeden yet so I will try to get some pictures at Tae Kwon Do. Actually I'll probably just get Irene to take them, 'cause even if pictures aren't allowed to be taken there, she'll find a way (sorry everyone else, private joke in there, ask me sometime :) Speaking of Kaeden and Tae Kwon Do, Denis and I took him on Saturday and since I haven't seen him do it in awhile I watched and, oh my God, can that kid spar! They did the normal drills and kicks and patterns and then they had to pair up and had a little mini-tournament as they are preparing for the competition in November. I watched all the other kids do battle and they were all just kicking back and forth, nothing too serious, no real contact. Then Kaeden gets up and literally attacks the poor bugger who was unfortunate enough to pair up with him. I know I can be biased sometimes but this was unreal. You could hear the contact of Kaeden's flurry of punches and kicks against the other kids protective gear. Even a parent behind us said 'Wow', hope it wasn't her kid getting the crap beat out of him. I would have liked to take video of that so maybe next time I'll be more prepared.

So now I'll post pictures of Sterling bowling. Last weekend Irene and Shannon took him to see if his new haircut made a difference and low and behold when he can actually see, his scores were way better, the best he has bowled yet. Irene only took 67 pictures so it was a little tough to find some to post :)

Bluebird (Bluejay) on My Shoulder...

Or is that birdshit on my shoulder??? Probably both 'cause I don't think a bird would sit on someone's shoulder very long before taking a dump. After our trip to Pingles farm and the wonderful display of Fall Shannon set up outside our house we had a little visitor. A Bluejay started showing up and eating the Indian corn we bought. Irene even set a piece out with easier access to get some awesome pictures. I guess this is why the baseball team has this name as I haven't seen this type of bird until we moved here.

Today was a busy day as Denis and Irene moved their stuff out of the house and back to the motorhome in anticipation of Jessica's arrival tomorrow. Two weeks has actually gone by fast and before you know it our house will be quiet again... NOT!!! I don't think our house has ever been quiet... okay well maybe this summer when the kids were gone. It's been nice having company and Shannon and I have even had some time to spend together. I spent the day at a conference for Managers Customer Service and as part of our presentation we hired a juggler. I think I'm actually getting the hang of it and will soon be able to entertain at parties. Ketchup is off to doggie hotel tomorrow and will get a much needed haircut in the process. That's all for now and hopefully tomorrow I'll post some pictures of Sterling bowling in action.

Craig