kids (aka Gavin) say the darndest things!

gavin kicks nice, decorative pillows off the couch repeatedly
Mom: "Please don't do that."
Gavin: "okay, okay I won't do it again.....(long pause) not on Saturday or on Monday (another long pause) or on Christmas"
Mom thinks..... What? who is this kid?
Still loving him... even though he pushes me to the limit of insanity some days. Or is it just the summer holidays?

My boy~ Wordle style

Have you seen this yet?
http://wordle.net/

handbag obsession

Those of you who know me, know that I LOVE a cute handbag/ or wallet. I know people who have their shoe thing but for me, a cute handbag makes my day. I am pleasantly suprised when I browse through Winners and find a Mat & Nat bag.
Also, Carrie, if you're reading this- you make the sweetest bags. I have two very adorable bags to show for your amazing talent. While browsing bags today, I found this little ditty.... check out the fantastic fabrics! Wowsers! I am so very tempted!
What better way to spend a gray day... than looking at some fun little handbags!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5082029

It's almost over....

So, we put Gavin into a soccer/t-ball combo this summer! We thought..."what a fantastic way for him to get a chance to learn 2 games!". Here's the thing, Gavin is kinda demanding. You can say what you want about "only child syndrome". It exists, it doesn't. Whatever. The fact remains that no matter how hard we try to remind him that he is not the centre of the universe, he still thinks he is. Really? He is the only one. Even if we ignore his demands... there is still no one else demanding alongside him.
So, when it comes to team sports... issues- BIG time. He cannot grasp that the ball is not HIS alone to play with. He considers it unfair or cheating when the ball isn't given to him. So, we persevere. Each week we take him to the field and try to teach him good sportsmanship, teamwork and some skills. It's kinda funny but when the all out tantrum occurs it's embarrassing!
Last week, he tried really hard because Gramma & Pop were coming to watch. He tried so hard that he got a goal..in his own net! Too funny. Poor little toad. What will become of him and his father's wish for an athlete. Maybe he's more of an individual sport guy? We'll see. He starts golf camp in August!

Domestic Bliss

Yesterday was my first full day home since the summer holidays began! I made coffee in the grind-n-brew and began cleaning & organizing! It may not sound as exciting to you but I was in the mood and ready for some domestic bliss!

It's been quite a while since I felt like I could devote that much time to my house. I always had something else taking priority... courses, work stuff etc. But yesterday was all mine!

Gavin hunkered down for the long haul. What a trooper! He played cars, watched movies, created with his craft stuff, puzzled... you name it! The weather even cooperated with an extremely rainy day! What more could you ask for?!

Anyhoo... it may not seem like much but I completed the following tasks off my list:
1. clean & organize my closet/ remove unworn or unwanted items
2. clean & organize Shawn's closet
3. organize all games into family room bookshelf
4. sort linens into proper baskets
5. eliminate clutter from the tops of the washer & dryer
6. clean & organize both hall closets
7. wash and store winter wear
8. clean & organize Gavin's closet- remove items that are too small!
9. clean & organize spare room

Today, #10- clean & organize my crafty space (aka...get all scrapbooking materials off the floor and bed!)

Our Yard Takes Shape

Those of you who know me well, know that I'm not much of a green thumb. I guess I could be but I don't really have the ambition... sadly. I really like the 'idea' of having a beautiful garden but can't really manage to maintain this. I love a good vegetable garden but again, Shawn does all of this too.
So, we enlisted the help of Shawn's brother Greg. Thankfully, our yard is starting to look somewhat normal again.
The pictures aren't true "befores" as they were taking once the old walkway was already ripped up. But you get the idea. Still not done but well on it's way to beautiful. We also purchased new outdoor lighting, which has made a huge difference from our chintzy little white ones. The interlock walkway and stairs probably make the biggest difference. I LOVE this front stairway area! The plants are lovely but I must say I am a little concerned about the amount and size of the new beds. Yikes.. seems like a lot of work to me. Greg assures me that it's low maintenance. Gosh.. I sure hope so. Can't wait for it to be done and to show it off! For those of you who love to laugh at our brown grass.... we are in the works for our new irrigation system! Green grass is in our future!

Up North and Lovin' It~

I know I said I'd blog way more often but seriously... we have barely been home since the last day of school. Where have we been exactly? NORTH! You got it~! We left for Massey, Ont. to the Chutes Provincial Park for a few days and then on to Sault Ste. Marie and then Lake Superior Provincial Park. It was a trip to remember!
I changed my profile to highlight what a fantastic time we had with everyone but especially with the Fillmore's!

We met up with Erin and Paula (& the gang) at the Chutes. We had a great time just hanging out and sitting around the campfire. I must say, we also did a GI-normous hike up the "cup & saucer" on Manitoulin Island. It was quite an adventure and I will save the details for the photos at a later date. Really, my description probably wouldn't do it justice! It was crazy BIG and DEEP! But we did it!

After leaving the Chutes we headed to "the Soo" with the Fillmore family. Paula and I got groceries for like 5 hours and still managed to have very little when the trip was said and done. Gavin managed to smash his finger between a rock and a dinky car in that time.... traumatic, as you can imagine, if you know Gavin. We had a great time hanging out on the pontoon boat, touring Goulais River, the bay and eating fresh fish! We celebrated Canada Day there with wonderful fireworks, good food and some sweet drinks! Shawn and I agreed, it was easy to fall in love with their little neighbourhood and the life they lead. Good times.

After a couple days and much "dialing in" we headed to Agawa Bay in Lake Superior Park. What a beautiful drive! The lake is a spectacular sight! The Montreal River Hill is something to see and quite an adventure with a trailer! We stayed here for a week. I was a little concerned when we arrived. Not only did Gavin wake up with a screaming ear ache but it was like 7 degrees and raining. We were double hooded and really dialed in for a couple days. Sheesh... who knew July in the north could be soooooo chilly! However, it did get warmer and sunny! We dipped our toes in the lake... way too cold for swimming. We played on the beach- family baseball games, washer toss ( which I LOVE) and lots of cars and reading.

There are far too many wonderfully funny stories to tell. But really, the bottom line is... it left me longing to live closer to Paula. What a great time we had. Not to mention, the kids had a fantastic time together and DJ and Shawn had a canoe trip, fishing and lots of other entertainment!

Here's hoping they send us some great photos...my camera battery was dead and honestly, there isn't even a store with bread around! No camera was hard to take. I'm counting on you P!

Thanks for the great memories Fillmore family!

Finally breathing....

Seriously... can you believe it is the final week of school???? I am finally breathing with my head somewhat above water. It has been one CRAZY spring!!! I feel so relieved that my course is done, the interview is over, and I got the job that I worked so hard for. However, now the fun begins! I am so busy and my mind is racing with ideas, new insights and things to do. It's hard to imagine that I can accomplish everything I need to do before the start up of September!

I have been a terrible blogger and likely... many of you are not even reading this anymore. Sorry. It has been very hard for me to take the time to do this. I have really felt like I needed to put my time and energy into getting this job.

I am soooo excited about the possibilities of this fall. I am thoroughly looking forward to working with a new principal and learning as much as I can. This is going to be a busy but great year.

In the meantime... I want to enjoy all the camping excursions with my family, scrapbook again, and just chill at home! I have many new books to read and lots to do to keep me busy around the house. I am looking forward to being a homebody again!

I will be a better blogger. I have a lot to share... photos and stuff. I will be back soon! We are heading north until July 9th. Camping with friends in Lake Superior provincial park and Chutes provincial park should be a blast!!! I can hardly wait to set up camp with a mojito in hand!!!

Take care friends. And let's get reaquainted this summer! Ciao!

lovin' a long weekend!

Okay so here it is.. the official kick-off to summer! I can hardly wait! No, the weather looks drab but really, I cannot wait to put on some comfy clothes and just chill. I've got plenty of Bailey's for the coffee and a lasagna for the oven! I just want to relax and enjoy doing very little. I've got lots of fun crafty things for Gavin... some rain gear for some outside fun and fresh batteries for the Leapster... if all else fails. Of course, he will have Toria and Alisha to entertain him. This will be our first camping trip with the Vanslyke's new trailer.
Tomorrow is my Dad's birthday! Happy Birthday Dad! Gavin can hardly wait to give Poppa his gift! It's also Tracy's birthday! I have a little surprise for her too!
Anyhoo.. slowly, my head is beginning to surface. I've been crazy busy for so long that I don't know what I will do when my course is over, school is done and I actually have time to sleep. Oh how I need sleep. I'm sure once I do slow down that I will get sick or something. Well... it's Grey's for me and then off to bed!
Ciao.