Rainhat, rubberboots, and some sunscreen

The weather here has been so strange. One day it is almost 20 degrees and the VERY next I am having to wear a coat again. So weird. I am glad that I am going to work today as it is the latter out there again today.

I have come to the conclusion that I am a bit out of shape. Soft. Weak. Undeveloped. I worked in the garden, turning over the plot to get ready for planting, and my arms are a bit sore now. I thought my arms always got a good workout, with picking up kids, packing in groceries, and packing around a tray full of yummy drinks at Moxies. Alas, I was mistaken. They are a bit on the tender side today. Kind of feels good, and then I try to pick up my 20 pound little girl and they remind me that I dug dirt for two hours. How ironic is that.

Not a lot else to report, Quinn says "OH MY" and "WHO ME" now - both are very cute. We honestly believe that she has some kick-back Italian gene in her - she cannot talk without using her hands and is full of expression when she tells you a story. Hayley is really rollerblading, mastering the skill faster than I can watch her. She is really fast too. Thank goodness for helmets and knee pads. Off to work soon, so hope that everyone has a good day.

small stutter...

Just ignore the fact that I posted the last entry twice. I must have stuttered on the button. Not like I am perfect or anything, or for those of you that thought that - sorry to burst that whole dream. Talk soon. Another sunny day here on the Island and I think that I might garden before I am off to the Museum as a driver for Hayley's school field trip......ah the lovely downtown Victoria. Remind me to be considerate to the tourists that proceed to walk in the middle of the road, while I, a Victoria driver, proceed to NEVER remember where I am going, and drive without "due care and attention". But officer, I am paying attention - paying attention to the sale signs at the Gap, my children singing Raffi in the back, the tourists with the many bags they are carrying, and always on the lookout for the nearest Starbucks......

Dirt and worms

My mom, right now, is sitting at home, with a look of unbelief on her face. Her little girl (me) who cannot stand germs, dirt, and the thought of planting something in it and then looking after it - is getting a garden plot!! We live across the street from a community garden site and I manage to fanangle one for this year. They are in high demand here in the big city, with all the condo dwellers that still want a "yard" and some green space. My friend Liz and I are going in together with three, one of which we are letting the kids have to plant and do what they want. Hayley is pretty pumped, with the prospect of planting a pumpkin for Halloween. I am glad that Liz will be there with me, as I am still a dirt virgin and need all the help that I can get.

This weekend was fairly uneventful, with work and just puttering in the backyard. We did head to a friends for a bbq last night, and am so glad that the sunshine is out and we are able to sit on the deck with some warmth other than the fireplace. Summer is coming here in Victoria - just one trip down to the city and you will be blinded by all the lily white legs sprouting underneath some really short skirts. Not me, I will hide undercover until I at least don't blind others with the mayonaise colored legs. Until next time......have a great day!

Dirt and worms

My mom, right now, is sitting at home, with a look of unbelief on her face. Her little girl (me) who cannot stand germs, dirt, and the thought of planting something in it and then looking after it - is getting a garden plot!! We live across the street from a community garden site and I manage to fanangle one for this year. They are in high demand here in the big city, with all the condo dwellers that still want a "yard" and some green space. My friend Liz and I are going in together with three, one of which we are letting the kids have to plant and do what they want. Hayley is pretty pumped, with the prospect of planting a pumpkin for Halloween. I am glad that Liz will be there with me, as I am still a dirt virgin and need all the help that I can get.

This weekend was fairly uneventful, with work and just puttering in the backyard. We did head to a friends for a bbq last night, and am so glad that the sunshine is out and we are able to sit on the deck with some warmth other than the fireplace. Summer is coming here in Victoria - just one trip down to the city and you will be blinded by all the lily white legs sprouting underneath some really short skirts. Not me, I will hide undercover until I at least don't blind others with the mayonaise colored legs. Until next time......have a great day!

Deep thoughts...

Has anyone out there ever thought why they are parents? Your purpose, your mission, your objective that you are to carry out? I always marvel at those parents who are determined to raise their children as a vegetarian, when they themselves eat meat, or that the babies are going to wear only cloth diapers, when the family does not recycle. At some point in time you have to raise your children in the same facet that you were raised in, whether you like it or not, whether you agree with it or not. Your parenting style will in some way echo the way that you were raised. Albeit small or large, it will most likely follow the same trend.

What has caused me to think of this you may be wondering? I have been really reflecting on parenting since Hayley has started school. All the foundations that you begin to put in place, all the values that you instill in them are really put to the test when they begin school and are in amongst their peers. My hope and wish is that the foundation was built strong enough, that Hayley will be strong in her convictions, and her outlook and do right. Seeing all the kids, all the different parenting styles, all the LACK of parenting in some cases, makes me so glad that I am not in school anymore.

My hope is that I do right by my daughters, that I teach them to be strong females, to stand up for their beliefs and convictions, to feel honor when they look in the mirror. My desire is that they will appreciate the rules that we put on them, knowing that they are in place because we want them to be safe, protected and that we love them.

Things I am thankful for - sunflowers are beginning to shoot, days are getting longer and brighter and at the end of the day, I know that I am doing the best that I can to help raise my two girls, all with the knowledge that I possess.

Hoppy Easter to you

Hello and happy Easter to everyone! Hope that the bunny visited your houses and chocolate abounds in all. I was sitting here this morning thinking back to Easter when I was a kid and what kind of loot we brought in. I always got a new pair of shoes, and a huge bunny, although at that time it was solid and not the hollow-cheap ones for sale now. We also got all the things delivered to us in a basket with the riff-raffy-stringy-coloured- stuff inside. We proceeded to wear it as wigs and it went EVERYWHERE in the house. In our house on Lombardie Drive we had a step-up living room and the baskets were always on that step, just waiting for us. We never had a "hunt" that I can remember, but I still looked forward to getting the loot nonetheless. Then we had ham, scalloped potatoes and a fancy dinner that we got all dressed up for. Usually with grandparents, aunts and uncles and lots of homemade buns, which is what my mom is famous for.

This morning the Co-op Easter bunny left something for the kids outside, and then we are all going to Fleming Beach for our Annual hunt with friends. It is a lot of fun, and it looks promising enough outside weather-wise as well. This is the last of Quinn's firsts - as last year we had the Easter hunt on the Sunday right before she was born. Now everything for here on in is old hat to her - been there done that. So you can only imagine the photos taken today for the scrapbook. Get your smile on - here it comes.

So have a happy Easter - and remember, behind all the chocolate, candy, and commercialism, is the real reason why we celebrate the holiday. Whether YOU are religious or not, it is something I am THANKFUL for. Have a great day all.

CANSKATE CHAMPION!!!

She did it!!!!! She won the gold medal for the overall Canskate Champion!!! The girl standing next to her is Sierra, who is the same age, and won a medal for "most levels passed" - she went from level 1 to level 6 in one season!!! I am so proud of her, she is the ONLY skater from the Victoria club that is in spring skate, and is LOVING it!!! OOOOh, I think I am destined to be a skater mom - better get a second job. My mom was telling me that when my sister was preparing for the BC Winter Games she needed new skates. They were $725!!!! Eek, I wonder how many tables I will have to wait on to make that kind of money? That would be two full weekends of work, wage and tips, not spending it on ANYTHING else. Or, we could just forfiet paying our rent for one month, one of the two. Anyhow, will sign off now, proud as ever for my big girl!!!

Well what will it be???

May or may not have mentioned it, but all winter Hayley has been in skating with the Victoria Skating Club. She was enrolled in Canskate, which is a fun, entry level to figure skating, with 6 levels to pass and then you are in the Junior program. She began in level 2, as her skill level was enough to not "fall down, crawl to the glass, stand up, fall down, and then begin the process all over again". When the program ended she was in level 4. We had the opportunity to put her in the Spring Skate program, twice a week for the month of April and so we did. This is one thing that I did solely for the benefit of Hayley, as the entire winter I have sat in the bleachers of the Save On Foods Memorial Arena with a scrapbook magazine without even as much as a HELLO from all the other mom's (aka "I am too good to talk to a mom that's kid wears garage sale skates......bitches).

The point of all my rambling is that I received a phone call the other night to make sure that we were going to the Awards Banquet. We were not. The last way that I want to spend my night is surrounded with a bunch of snotty, spoiled skaters (maybe that is just the moms.....the skaters ACTUALLY say hello to me). Well, guess who is receiving an award that night!!!!????? My BIG girl! They will not tell me what award, but let's be honest, I would be over the moon if it was "The girl that consecutively wears pink" award!!!! I honestly think that I will cry, but in a tasteful way so that I in no way embarrass Hayley when she is up on STAGE accepting her award. Just know that you will all have to suffer through the photos to see come Wednesday on the ol' blog.

Things to be thankful for: more importantly than the award, Hayley had fun skating. Quinn is really getting the hang of the walking thing - trying it every chance that she can get. I am going to be an auntie in November - my little sis is going to have a baby. So happy I think I will burst. Either that or I ate something weird. Until next time......

Where can I go where it is nice and warm??

Where can I go where it is nice and warm, silent from everyone, where my diaper dries by itself, has a built in alarm when my cycle is done, and mom will never find me? THE DRYER - HOW UNSAFE IS THAT!!!!

Folding the laundry yesterday, I went into the bedroom to hang up my work pants, came back out and found Quinn in the dryer! So I did what every scrapbooking mom does - took the opportunity for a photo shoot! Then I did the responsible thing and took her out, relaying the message on how we should not play in it, and never, ever close the door - sort of. You have to admit, she did look pretty darn cute! Thank goodness she did not have any "unmentionables" on her head at the time!!!!!

Tom Thumb Safety School

Pedal cars to teach about safety - complete with working lights, cross walks and pretend gas pumps (although I will wager a bet that the gas is not $1.10 a litre there!!)
OOPS - a small fender bender - gotta hate rush hour, bumper to bumper traffic!
All clear and ready to pose for the camera!

Hayley went on a field trip today, to the safety school. Strangely enough, it is the same school that Roger went to when he was in Kindergarten!! She had such a great time learning all about road safety. Then proceeded to watch her mom run out in the middle of the road to take the photos - do as I say and not as I do never rang more true.

OK maybe a SMALL walk...

Yesterday I managed to get off work early, the sun was shining and I was itching to enjoy it. So Roger, Quinn and I decided to go for a walk (Hay was at her dad's). Buckled Quinn in the jogger, and out we set - down the Gorge to see where life would take us. The view is so beautiful, the rowers were out practicing, so kyaks were cutting through the water silently, birds were out singing and all the flowers were poking their heads out of the spring soil. Magnificent. Guess where our walk took us????? Right to a mall - full of kids in their jammy pants, moms and dad's in Zellers (oh, maybe that was us), and seniors cruising the sale racks in London Drugs. We felt right at home - strange as that is. Then we went to the grocery store and got some yummy steaks for the bbq, and then walked home. We left at 3:30 and got home at 6:30!!!! My feet were a BIT tired - but nothing that a glass of wine didn't numb. The sad thing is that I was thinking that not so long ago I used to run 10K on a regular basis, in under an hour, with energy left to burn. Now by the time I am finished running all over the city with the kids, packing them in and out of the van, making dinner, bathing, yada yada yada I barely have time to dust off my running shoes and do anything for me. I am so glad that my kids and Roger love me just the way that I am - soft.