I can't take it anymore.

The guilt. I can't take it. Every time I open my rss feeds there you are. My poor, sad, abandoned blog. Like the withering garden outside my front window (which I have also completely ignored this spring..) I know you are there but I just can't bring myself to pay attention to you. Yet tonight I find myself needing you again.  Wanting to revisit you. I've missed you.  So I hope you accept my sincerest apologies and can forgive me for the neglect. 

Let's start fresh. It's spring. The sun is shining (not really but I'm sure it's there somewhere), the flowers are blooming (again, not really but let's just pretend for poetry's sake), and I'm feeling the blog love again.  A lot has happened since the last time we visited.  Too much to catch up on tonight.  But I'll ease into things with some photos of my favourite wee nibs Kyla. Afterall, who can resist a baby?  We visited her last weekend and she's just as cute as always. 




And Kyla's entertainment for the evening - my offspring - older but none the wiser.



So there you have it. I'm back at it. Just me, my blog and my one follower (Hi Honey!)

Getting Down at Christmas

Almost time to relax... the Christmas season is upon us.  The kids are officially done school, soccer, violin and every other activity that has taken up all our time this fall.  I'm so looking forward to some family time...time to relax, unwind and get down!  It's going to be a great couple of weeks.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

DIY - How to make a Hermione Granger Wand

Lily is a devoted Harry Potter fan.  She's been reading the series since last Christmas and has just completed the 6th installment.  Given this obsession, it was obvious that Harry Potter was going to play heavily into her choice of costume for this Halloween.  After all, what nine year old girl doesn't want to be Hermione Granger?  We have been gathering bits and pieces of her costume for a few months now but when it came to finding a suitable wand, we were stumped.  A trip to Ollivander's Wand Shop in Diagon Alley was out of the question and Michael's was clean out of vine wood and dragon heart string but we put our heads together and found a way to make a wand that looks pretty close to the real thing.  Here's what we did.

What you will need:

• wooden dowel from local hardware store
• sharp knife
• glue gun
• paint
• varnish
• obsessed Harry Potter fan (typically 8 - 15 year old but the odd 40 year old too)

Consult with your Harry Potter fan to create the project plan.  Once this is signed off, visit your local hardware store and purchase a long wooden stick.



Grab your sharp knife and whittle the tip of the dowel down to a dull point.  WARNING: Sharpening the tip may result in younger siblings stealing the stick and attempting to use it as a weapon against the Harry Potter fan.  Beware.



Grab the glue gun and start creating a vine pattern around the wooden dowel. 



This will not be easy - especially if you have the Harry Potter fan sitting nearby inspecting your work. Try not to crack under the pressure.



Once you have the vine pattern in place, pat yourself on the back and take a break to wipe the sweat off your brow.



Okay, back to work. Pull out your paint - any old leftover craft paint will do.



This is a really good chance to get the Harry Potter fan involved. Hand them the paint brush, sit back and relax.



Once the paint has dried, slap some varnish on and admire your work.



If you are satisfied with your craftsmanship, invite the Harry Potter fan to conduct user acceptance testing. If you have met your deliverable, you will have gained the admiration of a very grateful Harry Potter fan - congratulations!



And you might even gain the attention of Luke Skywalker should he happen to walk by.

Dear sad, lonely little blog...

Dear Blog:

Sorry I haven't connected in a while.  Summer is here and we are having way too much to bother with you.  No offense, but who wants to be inside online when the sun is shining and the beach is calling.  I promise I will give you lots of blog love when the clouds return and the days are shorter.  For now, please take this photo as a token of my love and appreciation. 

Sincerely, working mother and professional juggler.

Weekend Away

Summer is almost here although you wouldn't know if from the terrible rain we've been suffering with the past few days.  Last weekend we headed to Parksville for some R & R. I love this place...I always feel instantly better when we arrive in this tiny quaint town.  It's so untouched in so many ways. 

I spent my childhood summers in Parksville and it still has the same feel...family and friends on the beach, kids running everywhere until after the sun sets...sandcastles and bonfires...it's really my favourite place in the world.  We had a great weekend just hanging out as a family...can't wait to go back.

Spring and new beginnings

I've been ignoring this blog.  I'll admit it.  Things have been cloudy for a while and I just haven't had any motivation to blog or to take photos for that matter.  But now it's spring... it's warming up..it's sunny again...and things are shifting under my feet.  The clouds are finally lifting. 

I picked up my camera last night for the first time in forever.  How could I not with Miss Kyla in the house.  I just want to kiss those cheeks and listen to her little giggles forever....

Mexico 2010 - Spring Break

This year, the kids were off for two weeks during spring break. the first week we rode bikes,  visited the local parks and just hung out.  And the second week we headed to Mexico for some much needed family time together.

We stayed in a resort in Mismaloya just outside Puerto Vallarta.  The location was perfect... tucked away from the craziness of downtown and nestled in an isolated part of the country side.  We travelled with good friends and it was such a relaxing, fun-filled week.  I'm so sad it's over.

Here's some highlights from my first fusion video ever!

Mt. Washington

A little skiing...a little sledding...some hot tubbing...lots of laughter.

A birthday celebration...my youngest finally up on skiis and flying down the hill...taking my oldest up to the very top of the mountain for the first time...the best four days of the year.

Pink Sugar Cupcakery

It's liberation day!  For those of you who don't know, Lily is anaphylactic to milk protein.  Since birth we have always had to be so vigilant about everything she eats. Her entire life she's had to avoid any store bought goodies.  Birthday parties, classroom treats, goodies at birthday parties... she's never been able to partake.  Well that has all changed.  Today I discovered the Pink Sugar Cupcakery.  Every delicious cupcake is completely dairy-free.  I emailed the owner to chat and she confirmed that they are all made with soy milk and milk free margerine.  I want to hug her.  Finally someone has come to our rescue.  So tonight we sampled the merchandise and omg they are good.  And watching Lily eat her first store bought cupcake ever was the best treat of all..  Thanks Pink Sugar Cupcakery... you will be seeing alot of the Wray family.

 

He's one lucky boy

...no, not my son... the other soon to be 40 year old "boy" in my life.  It's going to be one epic weekend.  I'm happy I won't be there to witness the carnage.  I just hope he can actually watch the games through those giant beer goggles. 

All I ask is that he comes home with all his teeth and doesn't wake up to a tiger in the bathroom.

Rainy days

Do I ever hate this time of year.  The dreary weather is really getting to me these days.  The long days stuck indoors is driving me bonkers.  I'm running out of things to keep the kids occupied.  I definitely think the friends of ours who decided to pack up and move to Costa Rica for a year had the right idea. 

The bright side is that with each passing, dreary day we're getting ever so much closer to our trip to Mexico.. omg I just want to wake up and be there... this is how we passed some time on Saturday while it poured outside.. just playing around inside on a rainy day.

And then finally the sun came out so we headed down to the beach...of course she had to bring her purse...lol

These kids of mine..

...I love them.. and I love that they love each other...

Today we made "potions", went for a walk,  played at the park and cuddled up to a movie.  Just another Saturday.  Saturdays rock.

Look out Shamrocks..

...here he comes.  Look what my boy and his dad came home from school with today. He couldn't wait to try the ensemble on for me.  The most exciting part for C is that the shoulder pads have "Warrior" splashed across them.  I have a feeling this is going to be "the" sport for him.  After all, it's in his blood...

More wee Kyla

Just can't get enough of those pudgy baby rolls.  Delicious!

Christmas joy

This is the face of a girl who just got her first electronic present EVER!!!  OMG.  Thanks Auntie Kathi.

This is what the first day of xmas break looks like...

Who knew you could keep chickens in Fairfield?  You just never know what you're going to find on a walk around the neighbourhood.

She's here!!

She's finally here!  And she's pudgy and squishy and perfect.  Oh my goodness I seriously can't handle her already.  I just want to squeeze her all day and stare at her little chubby face.  What an awesome early christmas present!  Julie and I have been BFFs since we were my son's age .. I can't believe how long we've been friends.  A lifetime.  And I can't believe she's a mom.. finally. LOL  I'm just so excited I can't even stand it. 

So welcome Kyla.. we're going to have so much fun together.. I'm so glad you're finally here!!!

falalalala...lalalala

Things are crazy right now. Parties, concerts, gifts to buy...the kids are bouncing off the wall about Christmas this year.  And I'm not ready. I always think I'm going to get ahead of the chaos but each year it slips away from me and I'm stressed and overwhelmed by it all.  Next week will be different.  Next week they will be no more work.. no more school. It'll be just us..sleeping in..cuddling..watching xmas movies..just hanging out.  Until then I will take a deep breath and try to relax and get through this last week.. here some pictures of our trek to pick out our tree this past weekend..

Hurry up Baby!

I really need to cuddle and squeeze you and kiss you and hear your sweet little baby giggles..  Hurry up will ya?!  Get out of that belly!!