Holy Hannah

Have I mentioned I've been sick for what feels like EONS!
Seriously. I have no idea what the heck is going on with me. Even Peat has started popping the multivitamin in front of me every morning with a glass of water so as to remind me to take it.

Seems I got sick about a month and a half ago and its just one thing after the next. Just when I think things are lookin' up...something else.

This morning its a sore throat and cold. Sheeesh! Gimmie a BREAK!

So pictures have been to a minimum lately. Two sessions per month. Its about all I can commit to with Peats work schedule and my own.

School is almost done for the kids. Then a summer of FUN.

Baseball has started and its already been a headache. Only difference is that this year, I'm not afraid to get rid of people who tick me off.

Big change from last year where I just rolled over and dealt with it. This year if you cross me, and I feel that you're screwing me over for no good reason, I can find another player.

In my attempt to remain stress free about ball I have also somehow started neglecting my executive duties :) Oh well.

I'm only human.

God, I don't even know if I have a picture to share.

Let me go look. OH OH, I think I have one of Luke.

I'll be back with it.

...

.....

.......

Ok, I put it up top. This is my neighbour/babysitter.

We had a fun session the other day :)

Do I seem more annoyed than usual lately?

Have you noticed I'm a little more grouchy? A little more irritable. Perhaps things make me irritated when normally they wouldn't?

Ya, me too.

I don't know what it is. Perhaps a full moon? Maybe I'm just tired. Luke has been waking up a lot lately at night and waking me up in the process.

I find lately I'm easily annoyed by little things. Little things like people not calling me back when they say they will. Things like people cancelling on me at the last minute for things....... Peat getting paged out at 11pm ...... that one especially ;)

But I can't really complain about the last one because he's a good husband and works very hard for his family to do the things they want to do.

Maybe its baseball. Maybe I'm just ultra sensitive and irritated about baseball and I'm taking it out on all the things around me. Maybe its that my friends are always working so much that I don't get to hang out with them anymore. No more play dates. No more anything. Maybe its all these things tied together. Yes. it must be.

I think its baseball though. Seriously.

This exec. thing has me stirred up and I'm at a point where I need to choose between the exec. side of things AND/OR the team responsibility side. I can't figure out where I want to be with it all.

Will someone just tell me what I'm suppose to do?

I'm a bad blogger

I have this thing about me. I get all gung ho to do something *like blog* and I really hard at it for a while. I really thought blogging would stick. I really did. And don't get me wrong, I'm not quitting. I like/love blogger. Its like all things in life. It is really important for a little while and then something else more pressing comes up and blogging gets pushed to the back burner.

I don't want blogging to get pushed to the back burner. Actually I'm probably coming up to a year on this blog. I dunno. I'll have to see.

There have been a few things that have kept me from blogging. First and foremost my children are with me most of the time so they tend to be a little "rammy" when I'm tied up on the computer.

Then I've had hockey with Justin, now soccer is starting and MY OWN baseball commitments.

Its the baseball commitments that I'm going to have to back burner soon. I just don't have the patience for grown women who need to be treated like children. But we won't go there. There is simply no need. Besides, this blog is about ME and thing I enjoy. I do not think I'm going to stick it out with the baseball executive thing. I'll keep my team because I love playing but I dont need the hassle of the executive stuff.

Sorry. I went off there.

Anyways, there's also swimming lessons to contend with.

We're doing that too.

Plus Peats work schedule. My own work schedule AND AND AND.....

I've been doing some photography sessions :)

With strangers.

Complete strangers.

And sometimes....just sometimes....I even charge them money.

Its an icky thing but someone has to do it. I can't just be out of pocket all the time. I think I'm almost ready to take more money for it.

It takes a lot of time and I get a lot of happiness and satisfaction from photography.

There is a small hurdle i need to jump but I will.

In time.

In my own time.

Tick tock.

Michelle

Ai Ai Ai

No other words quite describe my mood today. Tired with a splash of irritation? Maybe...tired with a hint of annoyance? Maybe its the weather.

I hate cold dreary days where I feel trapped in my house.

I can't wait for the summer.

I can't wait for the days where I can just take the kids outside in the yard.

I can't wait for the soggy dog poop to be picked up.

Sorry, I had a side thought :)

I can't wait for warmer weather

And some sleep. I'm feeling kind of tired.

Sisters or what?

A few weeks ago I didn't really think Abby and Chelsea looked anything alike.

I thought that Abby looked more like her old man *no offense Kevin, I don't think you're an old man at all*

I thought Chelsea was looking more like her mom.

I'm clearly WAYYY off.

As soon as Miss Abby *oldest* cut her hair off, all of a sudden they look like sisters. And you know what??? I don't think either of them look like Nikki *sorry Nikki*

I think they both look like Kevin now.

Well maybe...just maybe they don't look like either of you.

How can that be?

I mean, I think Abby looks like Kevin still. But Chelsea and Abby look SO alike now......

I'm just confused.

Very confused.

But one thing is for certain.....they really DO look like sisters.

See, I just didn't see it before.

Michelle

Young Love.....

This is Luke and Chelsea......

They're so sweet together.

They've been together now for almost two years. Well, a year and a half. Which if you think about it, is half their lives.

MORE than half of Chelseas.

Thats a lot of life. And a lotta love.

Today was the first time in a while that Chelsea came over to play. Luke had missed her.

This picture makes me a little sad.

These two aren't so little anymore.

They use to be smaller. When they first met.

Luke is trying to grope chelsea here. Its why his smile is all goofy.

Bugger.

Twas Quite the Week

Well we're still not free of this nasty bug. WE sort of are I guess but not as 'free' as I'd like to be.

This picture was taken on Tuesday. Lukes official Birthday. I'm sure there were many people who looked like this on St.Patricks Day so really, what difference does it make that MY two examples are children?

Oh yes, my two weren't drinking. :)

You will notice little Luke clutching to his new bday hockey stick and sporting his new bday ballcap. *Thank you Gauthier Family*

The bucket had been passed to Justin by this point. Luke must have been on the mend because he had attempted a piece of toast.

Didn't get far but he still tried or at least THOUGHT he was hungry.

The day AFTER this picture was taken , the bucket was passed to another family member. DAD.

OH boy. Big men fall hard. Honestly. Yes this bug wiped my kids off the map for about 24 hours but that is NOTHING compared to what it did to my 6'4" 220 lb husband police officer.

Nope.

Nothing could have prepared me for that.

Poor guy. It wasn't fun. Or pretty. It still lingers.......

Its looking for me.

I'm running. I'm hiding. I'm washing and sanitizing.

My kids are still waking up with belly aches. My husband can't laugh without feeling like his ribs are breaking.

...help...

Happy Third Birthday Little Man

I'm so bummed out. Its my little itty bitty baby boys third birthday tomorrow and do you know how he is going to spend it?
Sick as a dog.

Sick sick sick.

Poor little gaffer.

We had such BIG plans, you know? We were going to take him bowling. We were going to get him a birthday cake.

We were going to yell SURPRISE!!!!!! and let him be excited about turning three!

He's talked about it ever since his big brother turned six two weeks ago.

Luke thinks he's turning five but it doesn't matter. Tomorrow is HIS birthday and he's SO excited.

He was anyways.....

Probably not so much now....

Probably isn't thinking much about it at all right now.......

Poor baby boy is sooo sick. I think he's puking about once every 35 minutes. Now that its nighttime its about once per hour. He's pukey and fevered. Now, I'm hoping its a 24 hr thing in which case he would be find by about 4pm tomorrow. Still lots of time for cake and bowling!

Time will tell.

I'm still excited its his birthday....

But a little sad too.

On the bright side.....

He is a St. Patty's Day baby. He's going to spend MANY a birthday...Puking.

Michelle

Why Must I Get So Nervous!

Honestly, I seriously fret and fret over photo sessions. I didn't think much at first until I woke up this morning and then it was like "Holy crap....I'm doing a 4 month old today".

What do 4 month olds do?

Go on! Ask yourself.

Well, other than look incredibly darn cute...they wiggle, they smile, the cry, they eat ... they resist happiness once they become tired and then...... just when you think there is NOTHING else for little baby to do....

He pees on his mother! Completely hilarious.

Moments to be captured forever.

Oh how exciting! Let me tell you though, Matthew gave me a run for my money. He had his mom sweating *dad seemed to keep his cool* and about an hour into our adventure he had me sweating buckets!

It was so much fun and I just love the sweet expressions I got of this little guy.

Just sharing. Its what I do ;)

My mudder

This is the lady I call mom. I call her mudder, mother, mom and a few other things too when I'm mad at her.

But thats not important.

Because TODAY, as luck would have it, I am NOT mad at her.

She's not happy with this picture and I have NO idea why. Last night I dragged her out of her comfy cozy warm heated house so that I could do a quick test with my reflector.

See, I have a reflector but have never used it. Didn't quite believe they did much. Boy was I wrong.

I had the sun behind her which would usually result in a very cool picture. Her face would be shadowed and I'd have issues with exposure and cool color casts. So I tipped the reflector until this very beautiful golden sun was on her face.

It was fun. She wasn't ready for the picture and not happy that its on here I'm sure.

She asked me to do some touch up work and I did but she wasn't happy with that either.

So I sent her one WAYY over done *not posted here* where she looks about ten and when she got it, I thought she'd say "HA HA, very funny" but instead she LOVED it.

I had to remind her that the face of a ten year old is NOT natural on a grandmother.

She told me to "shut up and let her have her moment".

So I did.

I think she looks real pretty in this picture, even though she thinks she doesn't.

Michelle

Can I gripe?

You're probably thinking...um, don't you always?

Thats why you come here isn't it.

Thats why you venture to this blog.

SO you can read my latest gripe.

There are plenty of gripes to go around my friends.

Plenty.

Justin had his bday party today. We had a small group. Nice, quiet. calm.

Pictured is Justin, Hali, Gage and Gillian.Missing from the picture is LiL Miss Abby. She was off getting a chip. Or cheesie. Or something.

SO just to catch you up to speed, everyone in all of Petawawa holds their bday party at this bowling alley. And although the staff was super nice and helpful, I was a little more than TICKED off that they slotted TWO birthday parties at the same time.

There is a small room to the side that has something like six lanes and two rows of tables. Last year we used one table for food and finger food and such and the second table was for the kids to eat at, put their coats, gifts.....SO today I get there and the lady says there are two bday parties at 11am. I'm looking at her thinking, "where?".

SO because we were only 8 kids and 4 adults and they were about 8 kids plus 18 wild and obnoxious adults we got tucked into a corner. Stuffing all our coats, boots, food and cake onto a small table in the corner. The other party pretty much took up the whole friggen area and even just walking to get the cake I had to "excuse me, excuse me, excuse me" until I got there.

Then they spilled into our little area while they opened their little boys gifts. Like the other 3/4 of the room wasn't enough for them.

I'm so irritated. Its not their fault. I'm sure they were less than thrilled to have us in their 1/4.

I'm calling the manager on Monday just to let him know what I think.

He probably won't care and thats ok. I just need to get it off my chest. Usually they schedule bdays hourly instead of at the same time. So its usually first hour is bowling, second hour is food, cake and gifts. This means that while my group would be eating, their group should have just arrived and started bowling, giving us enough space to have our birthday.

I thought I had gotten off free because when I booked the bday, they said they don't open until 1pm. But they'd schedule us in at 11 and open early for us. I was excited. Had no idea they'd put two parties together at the same time. And for the record, when I booked my party, no one else had booked that day yet.

So while i was happy to have a nice small quaint party, I had their obnoxious adults running around with a bunch of kids. I should have only paid 1/4 of the price because thats about all the room my party had.

Oh yes, I'll be calling on Monday.

Michelle

And one for my peeps

This is my friend Toby.

She let me take her hospital pictures.

They're plastered all over my website. But some of my friends and family only read this blog because its my personal blog :)

Toby's my friend so she can also be classified as "personal blog material".

Not that Toby is "material". She's just my friend.

So here is one for my peeps on my personal blog.

She's so pretty. They're such a blessed family.

Very good lookin' crew indeed.

Now the girls are finally gaining power in their house of BOYS. One more to even the playing field....how 'bout it Toby!

Michelle

You've GOT to be kidding me....

After all my complaining and whining about this hot water tank......you'll NEVER believe what happened last night.

So the nice man came to my door, as he always does. He came in and he said, "I made a decision before I even walked in your door. I've replaced every single thing there is to replace in this unit. If its NOT your ignitor, I'm just going to replace the da** thing.

I could have kissed his boots.

He walked downstairs, walked UP stairs almost three seconds later and said, "I'm going to run to the van, lets get this paperwork started".

I said... "YeeeHAWWWw, those are the best words I've heard all WEEK". I invited him to stay for dinner but he kindly declined. I think he thought i was nuts.

I was.

SO, there ya have it. I'm getting a new hot water tank. The only downfall is that its going to cost me $150 to have the work done and my rental price goes from 40$ per month to $62 per month. Yikes! For that price it better work better than this old piece of poop.

Although I will miss our monthly visits from Mr.B from Direct Energy....I will be happy to have peace of mind....

and heat :)

Frikken Frakk N F***

I truly have a love hate relationship with my water tank. My RENTAL water tank.

Let me tell you why.

See, my water tank has big shoes to fill in this house. He is not only responsible for the hot water in my house, he is also responsible for the heat in my home.

So when Good Ol' tank breaks down, we are left without hot water and more importantly WITHOUT HEAT.

Last year when it first happened I was dazed. Confused. Just totally 'out to lunch' with what to do. Then I realized it was a rental unit. I pay Direct Energy a monthly amount to RENT this unit from them!

They were MORE than happy to schedule me a repair appointment as soon as possible.

Only my idea and their idea of "as soon as possible" was very different.

My idea was immediately or within six hours. Their idea was approx 48 hrs away.

Um, HELLO people!!! Its -30* outside. I have two small children!

Their answer to all my problems in this situation was that they were going to drive over to my house and drop off electric heaters and blankets to keep us warm until our appointment.

That was last year.

Fast Forward to this year. My unit has broken down ONCE per month since October. I've had enough. ENOUGH. I'm grateful that they come over and fix it free of charge, I really am. But its starting to cause a great deal of STRESS around the issue of their four hour window.

I've had to stay home from work, cancel appointments and Peat has even had to alter his plans and work arrangements JUST so we can be home. On a monthly basis...I say this is enough.

So I've requested that they stop FIXING my friggen unit, face the fact that its NOT REPAIRABLE and put a new one in. But because its ten years old and NOT 15 years old, they'd rather pay the nice man who comes here to fix it.

I'm sick of this.

I just don't know what to do about it.

Do I call Consumer Affairs? Do they care? Probably not.

Do I write the paper about this?
Can I find another company?

This HAS to be wrong in SOME BODY'S Books.

I need heat and when I place a call at 3am, giving me an appointment two days away is UNACCEPTABLE.

I don't have alternate heating sources.

JUST replace the unit that isn't working.

God I'm frustrated. Anyone have any ideas for me?

He really does like to move it move it

Be sure to mute the music before playing the video

I had to share a small video of Luke. He loves the movie Madagascar and he likes to sing and dance with the funny animals. Then when its nap time he likes to sing and rock out to the tunes from the show.

Usually he has quite the hip thrust but obviously he was a little camera shy.

Anyways, here he is in all his glory.

NOTE TO VIEWER: This is my crappy wallpapery bedroom that we started peeling then decided 'heck with it' until we're ready to paint. So please ignore the wallpaper peeling and mess.

I just had to state the obvious. My mom is suppose to be getting on this project at her earliest convenience.

Michelle

Today is a new day....

Good Morning.
Yes today is a new day and other than the fact that it came in like a lion *at 3am with my furnace shutting off and house being freezing* I'm quite happy about today and what today has to offer :)

Ya ya, cut the BS .......

So I'm sitting here at home anxiously waiting the arrival of my friend T's little baby girl. T has two boys and is due TODAY for her third baby. And its a girl. I would not be so lucky. If I had a third, I'd be due for my third BOY. Thats just the way it would go.....

And that would be ok too ;)

Cuz boys are SO fun and SO cute and SO busy.

Anyways, I'm very excited because she's going to call me once she gets to the hospital and talks to the nurses. My bags are packed *ok, not yet but its on my list for today* and I'm ready to roll.

I've packed my camera, two lenses, my flash *just in case although I hope not to use it at all*, my light meter just for kicks and giggles and possibly going to toss in my Gary Fong Light Sphere *maybe*......and a few memory cards and I think I might bring my cocoon and hat too.
So many things, so little time. Thank GOD I don't have to do the pushing. I just get to be snap happy and i always love to be snap happy.

So I'll sit around and wait to hear from Toby, even though I can't remember if her name is with a Y or an I, even though I ask her every time and she tells me every time.

I have no picture to post today...just excitement. Hopefully she has this baby before Peat goes back to work on Wednesday.

Although I do have a dental appt on Monday morning so I'm also hoping she doesn't "go" then either.

Michelle

Dazed and Confused

Kind of feeling battered and bruised by some of my close friends. Not one to complain or whine out loud, I'm feeling a little annoyed and insulted.

***ok, thats not true. I do complain outloud but for the sake of this blog, we'll just say I don't***

I'm just going to step back into a little space I like to call my happy place and leave things alone for a while.

Not forever. Not for long. Just for a few days perhaps. I think I need to just .... be.

Perhaps *and its a big possibility* I'm overreacting. Entirely possible. Possibly even probable.

But my feelings are still my own. And I will have them.

So I will take a few days and be alone with them.

I just needed to get that out in writing.

I feel better now.

I would have posted it

I would have posted Lukes bump on his head except by the time I was ready to sit down and take the picture he had another incident and since I hadn't written about it, it hardly seemed fair to post the other bump.

Picture left is a girl from work. her three boys. She loved the feisty-ness of her middle guy. I have to tell ya, I do too.

SO while Peat had Luke and Justin at Walmart, Luke stood up in the cart and reached for something.

Momentarily slowed by the clothing rack, Luke proceeded to tip the cart face down. I have serious doubts whether or not these children will see their next birthdays.

Michelle

I have faulty wiring. I must.

Luke schmucked his face today at kiddie kollege.

I followed them into the gym and they were all running around the gym. I watch the whole thing from start to finish. Just tripped and all we heard was "SPLAT...WAAAAHHHHHH".I thought for sure he'd knocked out teeth or broke his nose.

The teacher and I looked at each other with horror in our and when she bolted towards my son, I ..... I.......I ran out the door.

Yes, you heard me. I left.

I left my crying baby to be cared for by someone other than me in his time of need. That settles it. When the chips are down and its FIGHT or FLIGHT, Make NO MISTAKE...I will FLIGHT!

Only for a second to shake my head.

Then I went back in, horror on my face and went running to him. Teacher probably wondered where the hell I went.Once I got to my sobbing baby I was relieved to see no blood or teeth dangling.

I was NOT pleased when he said "NOoooooo, mom goooooooo. I wannnnaaaaaa *sniff sniff* stay and playyyyyyyyy"

He was more pissed that he thought I was there to take him home.

So he got up and ran around more. About five minutes later a big goose egg appeared marking the spot of impact. Dead square in the fore head. I tell ya, I was scared to look at him.

Hard, tiled GYM floor...SPLAT

And a mother who runs...the other way.

What on earth will the future hold for my children.

Picture to follow tonight
Michelle

The snow isn't even gone yet

And here I am thinking about the upcoming baseball season here in the lovely town of Petawawa. Something that gives me great stress and great satisfaction.


Love ball, Love all things about ball. Can't wait for it to start.......





Except I do get a little overwhelmed.





Ok, a lot overwhelmed.





I'm already pulling my hair out just thinking about how I am going to manage my stress better this year.

Note the wrinkle lines in my for head. They weren't there last week.

The room is spinning.

What the heck is "family day" anyways!

Ok, so while I appreciate the holiday "family day". I really do. But honestly, what good is family day if the main part of your family is not home to celebrate/partake in the festivities OF "family day".

And really, if family day has been created so that "families" can be together, what are you suppose to DO on family day that you can't do on the weekend?

Let me tell you my dilemma.
First and foremost, the other parent in this family is not home. He's working. He's working because he's the one person who has to work on family day. This is an issue because I have nothing to do now. Nowhere to take my left over family to celebrate the day.

Everything is closed. Which brings me to my other point......

If everything is closed, there is nothing to do with my family on family day except either go outside *I'm too much of a wuss in the cold* or sit in the house and pick my brain until I decide or figure out just what on earth to do with my family.

So far today we've played board games, watched movies and played cars.

Its noon and I'm fresh out of fun things to do.

I could take the kids skating but honestly, I'd only end up stressed out with six skates to tie and one body to keep propped up in my arms. My back would ache for the whole week. If Luke could skate, I might consider this an option but because he can't.....its just not going to happen.

I could take them shopping but thats more for me and lets face it, its Family Day and nothing is open.

The bowling alley is open today and I could also consider this an option if it didn't cost almost $6.o0 each. So that would be almost twenty bucks and then some after buying slushies to bowl with kids who have no concept of how to play bowling except to throw the ball.

So here I sit....on Family Day. Feeling a little bitter that I have nothing to do. No prospects.
I am considering painting the boys bedrooms except I have no paint or supplies. Nothing is open so its not like I can just go buy the stuff.

I guess it is lunch time, so I can busy ourselves for the next hour.
I've put on spaghetti for dinner and I always do have that to look forward to.
I've invited my folks over for dinner but they're not feeling very "family-ish" today which is silly considering its JUST the second biggest holiday in FEBRUARY!

Come on people!
What are YOU doing on Family Day??????

I can show you what my kids are doing.....
Building forts, eating snacks and taking in a little "finding nemo" before I move them on to our next task of this adventurous day.

Just possibly later, I'm saving it in my back pocket for when they get bored, I might let them go outside and pick up poop balls in the back yard before Layla eats them all.

Yes, my dog eats her frozen poop.
Joy.

Michelle

My husband is a lunatic

I can't tell you exactly what he was thinking except that perhaps he just wasn't. Is there really any other reason? Any other excuse that one *him* would decide to jump in the frigid cold water?

Let me back up a bit. Peat got the opportunity to attend a course that he has been wanting to attend for at least the past 5 years.

No, the course isn't in stupidity.

Quite the contrary.

It is a course in wilderness survival. You may ask "why on earth would he need something like that?" The answer is simple. His job. It just makes sense. And if you knew my husband, you would know that this kind of thing........

Its right up his alley. I mean, if I were lost in the depths of Algonquin Park, I would be honored to have THIS guy, coming to save me. He's got the smarts.

So their task, if they chose to accept it, was to jump into a hole that I like to call, "the hole of death". They had to jump in, get themselves out and then run over to an area *still soaking, which you will see from his sopping pants* and then light a fire.

And only then......

After they made a fire, could they get into something warmer.

I asked "why the helmet"

I guess it was in case they fell on the ice. Like THAT is the least of their concerns. How about their heart stopping upon impact with the cold water!

Anyways, I've been away from my blog lately and I am just now getting caught up. I'll be back.

Just think, this week he has to spent three days in the bush to fend for himself.......

He took the camera so this isn't the last you'll be seeing of this venture.

Michelle

25 Things About Me

Try it sometime....its harder than it looks. I did one on my facebook but I'm going to do one here too. Some things may be the same and I'll try to come up with some new stuff......

1) My middle name is Aleisha and sometimes I wish it was my first name.

2) I'm still best friends with my best friend from grade 10 even though we live 8 hrs apart.

3) I go through my personal phone book once a month and call friends I haven't spoken to in ages.

4) Sometimes I miss my old job of installing tires. I only miss it when my car needs an oil change and tires, but still....it counts.

5) I still remember my phone number from when I was in grade school. 519-336-3645

6) I use to *haven't tested it but probably still do* have a photographic memory

7) I'm a bingo junkie and probably go about once a week, more if I'm winning. (think of all the camera gear I COULD have!

8) My dog has been known to eat her own poop. Something that turns my stomach.....

9) When I'm in the car alone, I turn up the radio and BELT out the tunes....I think I sound awesome.

10) I'm obsessive about paying bills. I must pay it the day it comes in the mail.

11) I am a list writter. I always have ten lists going at all times and MUST complete each list in a timely fashion.

12) I buy toys for my boys even if they're not being good in the store. I don't necessarily give it to them right then and there but I can't stop buying them things.

13) My main living room couch and chair was purchased in 2001 and has holes in the underside of the cushions but I don't think we need a new set because the kids are little and the dog likes to lay on the chair.

14) I hate all vegetables cooked but like MOST vegetables RAW.

15) I can never order food straight off the menu. I always alter what I pick. This drives Peat CRAZY.

16) In a restaurant when I pick my seat, I always think quietly in my head "Where will Peat want to sit based on his back being closest to the wall".

17) I love Christmas parties. Just for the dancing. I don't dance NEAR as much as I would like to so when the chance comes up for a Christmas party or other 'local dance' type thing, I'm IN!

18) Alcoholic Beverage of choice is and will always be either: Coors Light OR Spumante Bambino.
Its Cheap and its sweet.

19) I only drink BOTH of those from the bottle.

20) I don't drink. Only if we're going out dancing. **see #17**

21) I really like my inlaws. Seriously. Even if they weren't my inlaws, I'd want to be their friend. They're fun and not fake. I don't think they read this so its not for brownie points either.

22) Both my kids were a breeze to potty train.

23) Both my cars have personalized plates and Peat hates it because its "identifying".

24) My val tag expired in October 2008 and even though we have bought the new tag, we're too lazy to put the new one on. Plus I can't find it.

25) When we're overcharged for something....anything at all, Peat makes me call. He thinks I'm more authoratative even though he's the cop.

Well, thats me in a nutshell!
Michelle

New Campaign: Flash Kills

Note the look on Justins face. He hasn't seem me whip on the on board flash on my camera in a long time. Since the days of AUTO are somewhat long behind me.....the boys just aren't use to this level of flash and eye blazing 'deer in the headlights' poses.

I don't even think Justin had expected it. He seemed to walk around in a zone for a few minutes afterwards waving his arms around him like he was blinded by the light. At first I thought he was being goofy but now in hindsight I think he might have been serious.

Luke, well...nothing phases Luke.

He was just happy to have the same hair cut as his brother. He didn't care about much else. Actually I was quite pleased to get them together for a picture...flash or no flash.

Justin does his own hair. You might notice a little. He slicks it over and won't let me touch it to make it look more realistic, blended... like Lukes. Luke doesn't mind a little mothers touch while fixing his hair. He's still young enough to think I'm a princess and thats ok with me. Justin sees me as just his mother. And thats ok too because last night when I woke both of them up at 11pm before I went to bed....it was Justin who was still half asleep with his eighty pound head on my shoulder who whispered something so faintly I had to ask him to repeat himself......

I leaned in closer to his mouth and I heard him say "I love you momma".

I tried it with Luke too when I carried him to the bathroom and all he said was "hurry up I'm sleepin'.

I know he loves me :)

This is the face ~

This is the face of my 1am, 3am and 6am wake up call. Don't let it fool you. It is not a cute face at 1,3 and 6am. Not a cute face indeed.

First of all the hair is usually a nest placed messily on top of his head. This eyes are usually squinted more AND....his mouth is curled up in a scowl. His forehead still has the same concerned look, only perhaps a little more "pronounced".

But, just as the picture to the right indicates, he still looks at me with a sense of "what the heck? you owe me something".

A look I've grown accustomed to as it is Lukes signature look.

We were very happy with both our boys in the potty training department. Justin was "easy peasy lemon squeezy" *this is Justins favorite saying*. When he was 2.5 yrs old we put underwear on him and said "don't pee on bob the builder". And he didn't. Done.

The only issue with Justin was that he would NOT wake up at night to go so we always had to have a pull up on him.

We expected to have difficulties with Luke. We felt that we were spoiled with Justin and since Luke is an all around more difficult child....well, we just figured we were in for some trouble.

Put underwear on Luke and said "don't pee on bob".

Lets be honest here. Luke is Luke. He didn't give a rats a$$ about Bob or if Bob got peed on. We didn't expect any success with this method. What we didn't expect was Luke to be the kind of child who holds his pee. That kid would not go for hours! No matter how much we pleaded with him.

We use to hear him wail at night time. He'd let out a quick sharp scream and after two minutes, go back to sleep. We stopped attending to him at night because it just seemed to be a bigger disruption. Looking back, I think Luke had to pee. He would wake up and scream, no one would come, and he'd pee, then go back to sleep. We're talking at the age of 1,2 and on.

Luke is dry every morning but it comes at a price. The price is MY SLEEP. I'm hoping the novelty of peeing in the night will wear off. I've limited drinks a lot and the boy will still get up three times in the night at least to go pee. Unbelievably .... he has a lot in there. Even if he has the urge to pass gas he will demand to get up and go just to relieve the gas on the toilet. Like, HONESTLY!!!!!

It wouldn't be so bad if he'd just get up and go but NOOOO, he has to scream at us to help him. And THIS... THIS is the face that greets me at 1,3 and 6am. Only its usually accompanied with a "MOMMA! Need to PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE".

I can't wait until he's a teenager and can do these things without waking me up.

There will come a time, right?

If you have any suggestions on limiting the bathroom runs, please....let me know.

I'm absolutely exhausted.

Michelle

Who are these children

With the biggest brightest eyes and the sweet simple smiles! These are my children. I just wish I could photoshop their little attitudes much the same way I can photoshop their mugs!

Not that Luke doesn't have these eyes. He does. But honestly, if you know me...you've never known my child or any child of mine to have a clean face. Not ever.

Personally, I don't believe in it. Children just aren't made for cleanliness. It looks...not right. Like if I ever see a cute child and their face is spotless, my first reaction is "poor babe". Either they aren't allowed to eat. Aren't allowed to snack in the car OR perhaps, in a worst case scenario....they just aren't allowed to be a kid without their mom hovering over them with a cloth for their face.

Would you believe that I actually *regretfully now* taught my kids to use their sleeves for kleenex or cloth in the event that one wasn't handy to them?

While I do regret this tidbit of information I've passed on, at the same time its really saved the day a time or two.

Honestly! Don't tell me you've never done it.

I have.

Proudly.
Maybe more proudly than I should admit to.

I live in a house of boys. What do you expect???

This one time *at band camp* I had a friend come here to visit me and she had a daughter. Cute little girl. Nice mom.

She wouldn't let me give her 3 year old daughter a popsicle until we found her a bib.

A BIB! AT THREE!

Maybe its a boy/girl thing. Perhaps if I had a daughter I would be more inclined to keep her pretty. Boys are suppose to be rough and rugged.

I will never forget the day I took Justin, as a three year old, to my aunts horse farm. It was spring, the melt was ON and the horse poop was fresh and soggy from a long winter under the snow!

We put Justin *seen above, older boy* on a little kids atv and let him drive through the field.

He was HAPPIEST when he had the manure up his back.

At first I was going to say "wait...nooooooo". But then my cousin swatted my arm and said "let that boy be a boy".

So, now I kind of live by that.

Messy faces.....I can photoshop that out

Manure up his back......he can have a bath later

Hair sticking up all over the place...... adds character.

5 yr old attitude..... the one thing I can't seem to find a fix for.....

Yet.

But I'm still looking.

Michelle

Sleddin'

I just had to share this picture from the other day's sledding adventures. My dear husband and the children have created not two but THREE luge hills at my parents place. The kids pack their bodies onto the sleds, shown to the left.

Then with as much force possible, Peat gives them a push down the hill. There are banks on each side of them and at the bottom... JUST as they are about to spit off of the 'cliff' like hill into / onto the frozen lake.... they have to lean a hard left so that they follow the luge track and circle back to the bottom of the hill. Its lovely.

Quite petrifying to watch. But the giggles and grins are worth it!

Then its packing up and in the house for some hot chocolate! Red rosey cheeks and a night of sound sleep.

I'm not a fan of the wintertime but I think my children are. I hate the cold. Good thing Peat doesn't mind standing out there with them. I'll have to snap some pictures of the actual sled runs. They're funny.

Last night we had Jamie, Adam and the kids over and Gages sled reminded me of the Griswolds. Gage went down the hill on a round disk-like sled and it was classic screaming as the sled circled down the hill.

Thanks for the laughs!

A fire alarm? Today?

Why! I'm too cold to run outside. At least they said we could stay put! I can't see myself running outside in this cold. Sick. Tired. Did I mention cold?

There is nothing worse than having the fire department come in when you're covering a shift. They come in and say "we're going to have a fire drill". Its a little embarassing having to say, "Oh. Ok. What do I do"? I think they expect you to KNOW this.

Its not like in a real situation I can say, "wait wait....what is my role in all this".

I really do need to read more while I'm at work. Really delve into the SOP binder and get a clue.

I think one time someone said I'm responsible for making sure everyone is out of the building. My initial response, and the one I stand behind, was "are you kidding me? hold on to your hats and kids because I will knock over anyone who is in between ME and the EXIT". Once I realized that my boss didn't find it remotely funny, and once I realized she was completely serious, I really felt a big weight on my shoulders. I mean, what if the smoke is thick, I can't see my way down the hallway of meeting rooms, offices....

So many what if's.

I need to go read some SOP's. I need to educate myself.

My Three Kids

God Love 'Em!

Happy as clams in the snow.

They're currently at Nana and Papa's going down the sled hill backwards.

Its scary. Justin just jumped the track and Luke ran into him. As I type I can see out the window the soon to be dangerous fun.

Nuttin' exciting today

So I love posting at least one picture with my daily rantings but today I don't have any. First of all I'm sad to say I've somewhat fallen off the 365 project I was so enthusiastic to start! Like all New Years Resolutions it has faded by the end of January. I vow to start again though. I just feel like I've been sick and the kids have been sick that something had to give. So it was my 365.

As for daily life here, Lukes ear surgery was postponed. Apparently the bubble I placed him in a week before the surgery wasn't strong enough to withstand the ick germ going around my house. I thought I had outsmarted it but apparently "super bug" had the last laugh when I had to call and cancel.

The next day he was just fine and made me rethink my decision to cancel. Now we wait another six weeks for another appointment.

So as I sit here wondering how to keep him healthier for NEXT time, I'm also sitting here sniffing and coughing and wondering how on earth I could have another cold so soon after the last one?
Will wonders ever cease?

So I'd love to be witty and funny and enthralling, but the truth ... the real bare bones truth is.....

I'm not that funny. Or witty. Or enthralling.

I'm just me. And I'm sick. Again.
Michelle

If you could see me now!

You'd probably fall over and wonder how on earth I went from the kind of girl who wouldn't dream of going outside without my hair done or make up on .... to the kind who is more concerned with getting her children dressed to brave the elements and out the door so as not to miss the school bus.

You'd also wonder "why this picture with this post". There is no reason so don't bother trying to figure me out. This should only indicate to you how "scatter brained" I am.

Well, if you knew me back "then" you'd also know that what I just wrote is a load of crap. I've never fussed with make up and hair accessories. Ok, maybe when I was in grade ten but those were the early nineties. We were all caught up in the moment. I've always prided myself as being a blue jeans and ball cap kinda gal and over time its really not changed much. Maybe I've replaced the blue jeans with a pair of warm up pants and then faded from the warm up pants to the joggers and now I'm officially a loser because this morning I walked Justin to the school bus in my flannel PJ bottoms.

I didn't even have time to toss on a ball cap! Which means my tousled locks were all OVER the place! Actually I had my hair up in a pony tail and didn't bother to adjust it even though I had just slept that way all night.

This has become me.

OK OK...its not always be but honestly I need to be better prepared in the mornings. There's nothing like waking up in a rush, getting two wild and oppositional children dressed, fed, brushed, groomed, *throw in a few time outs* and out the door to catch the bus. I mean, at least when all is said and done I only have one child bring home because he isn't old enough for school.

I'm not sure why I can't get it together in the mornings. I guess it always works out because they're always dressed and on the bus on time ;) Although this morning Justin wore his PJ's to school. Its not what you think. Its PJ Day. Instead of being excited about the day Justin was more concerned that I had written down the wrong date on the calender and was sending him to school in Pj's on the wrong day. I mean....come on. Would I do that?

Sheeeesh!

Michelle

I'm still sharing some baby pictures

I'm still thinking that all babies are miracles but at the same time I'm trying to keep my own cool. I mean really...who on EARTH needs a new baby when you already have two wild boys? Not me!

Thats right....

Not me.

And just in case I didn't understand what I was getting at .......

NOT ME!

But just look how cute they are.
But just look how cuddley they are.

Those fingers, those toes!

That baby fresh smell *most of the time*

Those big eyes, gummy grins, curious facial expressions.....

Its always so nice to hold a baby. WHY oh WHY must I always end up thinking about another baby!

NO.
Just NO.

And for the record, if I come here asking your opinion dear Blog......

THE ANSWER IS NO.

.....

right?

Well, now I can take a breather

I think I have all that gunk sorted out!

See, I think I already explained. I love posting on this blog. THIS one. The ones my friends and family read. The one that I love to vent and share on.

Anyways, sometimes I share too much and really, future clients don't need or want to know all of my dribble.

Who cares if I get anxious trying to figure out what to wear to a session?? Who needs to know that? No one.

Except my friends and family. And any one else who wanted to follow me here :)

I just needed something more professional linked to my website. Thats all.

So this is my life blog. Because everyone needs a lifeblog :)

Plus a little picture from yesterdays baby session.

Michelle

Listen Up Peeps!

LOL....Hope that didn't offend anyone ;)

So I'm in the process of a face lift here. Not "HERE" but .... all around.
With the new site I have a splash page that links to my blog. This blog. Well, it did link to this blog until very recently.
As recent as about two hours ago.

I think I am going to maintain this blog as my personal blog and I've created a Photography Blog that I can link from my website. I know this is confusing. I know this because I am as confused as the rest of you.

Basically I share an awful lot on here. I plan to continue to do so. I will always share lots on here. My 365s and pix will all still be one here.

I just wanted to share that if you go to my new website, which is:

www.mdwriggs-photography.com You will go directly to my splash page. From there, you will have the option to enter the photography website OR my blog.

This particular blog, the one you're reading right now, will no longer be "THE" blog it is linking you to.

This will be my main blog but it will be my personal one.
Future clients don't need to know I'm a scared little girl venturing out into a big world that quite frankly, makes me panic.
LOL
See....people just wouldn't pay for that!
Kidding.

Anyways, the other blog will just be about photography. Sessions, prices, specials.....fun stuff but just not as personal as this one.

And I will maintain this one the same as I have been. Except not the same as the past few days because I've slacked. I've really been slacking.

I'm pulling up my socks though and going to get back at it soon enough.
Only now I'll have three places to maintain.

1. my website
2. my photography blog
3. THIS: my personal blog.

Good Lord this is a full time job!
Michelle

Small Town Birthdays

You know, I really do love this small town I live in. I love it for many reasons. All of which have nothing at all to do with the local bowling alley.
Let me explain.

No, really. Let me explain.

This town, while it is small, it is also beautiful. A mere 500meters down the road from my front door is a beautiful beach. The beaches I am use to go on for miles. You sit in the sand and stare out into nothingness. Just a bunch of water. Here in this town, when you look out into the water, you will see hills across the water, trees on islands as far as you can see. Its the islands I love the most. They look so close, but as my dad tells me every time we drive by the beach, he once swam to that first island. It isn't as close as it seems. He almost went down but the S.S. Tony swam his heart out and made it back before the current could sweep him under. My mom and dad grew up here. Met here, fell in love.....yada yada...

Then as I drive up the big hill that seperates my neighbourhood from the rest of town, I am overwhelmed by the view that overlooks that beach, those mountains and the islands. Its peaceful. It really is. I take a deep breath everytime I see it. It doesn't get old. Probably why I have so many pictures of it.

Anyways, sometimes its a give take. You take in the beautiful surroundings but something has to 'give'. Seems entertainment is the "give" part of the equation. Seems the local bowling alley has the market on birthdays. Now, this is ok because my child loves to bowl and loves birthday parties at the bowling alley. But after this weekend I'm going to be all bowled out! Justin had a birthday there yesterday and this afternoon. Which, he will love. And really, its all about the kids anyways but there is something I want to point out......

My father, back in the 1970s use to work at this bowling alley. I have pictures of it. I have pictures of the bowling alley from the early seventies and you know what? It hasn't changed a bit. The walls, the floors, the lanes.....its all the same. I'm sure I could dig around and find people that are still there. I'm looking forward to getting my dad in there to take a look. He'll feel like he had never left.

I just MUST take a picture of it this afternoon.
In fact, I will make a point of it when I drop Justin off for the party.
Stay tuned for a little 1970's luvvv

This is the woman.....

Who taught my children naughty things.

Naughty naughty things. Shame on your Auntie Sue. I know I already posted about what Auntie Sue did a few days ago but I just wanted to put a face to the name.

You may be wondering why they are in the tub. This is because to my children, Auntie Sue is fun. Auntie Sue will let them go into the bath tub fully clothed and play with their little tech deck skateboards and use the side of the tub as a ramp. Auntie Sue will do just about anything for Justin and Luke.

And in return, they shower her with hugs and kisses. Well, Luke does anyways. Justin is in the "just too cool for that" phase.

I really just needed to post this picture to embarrass Auntie Sue. Much the same way my children have embarrassed me while walking in public repeating things Suzie taught them.

Michelle

Have I told you lately that I love you all

Not sure if I've mentioned it recently but I just wanted to throw it out there again. I love all of my friends. I'm talkin' my in real life friends as well as my internet friends. In fact, I think I mean my internet friends the most.

Not that I consider Krista and Lisa Ann and Becky and other CPW peeps, internet friends but really, they kind of are. They're also some of my closest friends. Even though we're miles and miles apart.

I also can't thank ENOUGH my friends from my online communities. Specifically one proboard pyfbbc community. You guys ROCK. You are all so talented and SO helpful and encouraging.

I have a long way to go but I know I can get there because I have all of you guys to help 'get me there'.

Brandy, you have no idea how much I appreciate your time and help. Its been awesome. I hit send on the email and within minutes I have a reply. LOVE IT! I will have many questions so its great to have someone to bounce things off of.

The obvious people, my husband and children! I mean, its them sitting behind me making faces wishing I'd just turn the darn computer off, put the pictures away for one night and hang out. I'm just kidding. They don't make faces. They're always the first ones to jump up and 'come look' when I'm done a picture.

Anyways, had the great opportunity to play around with some lighting in my studio. Thanks Samantha! Great posing and looking straight faced when I asked...lol.

You look awesome and I just love the pix.

Michelle

My Site Is Officially Live

Although this scares me somewhat, I think that there is no better time. I really could sit here forever and just play around with it in the hopes that one day it will be complete but personally I think it is a work in progress.

Truly, it is a work in progress.

So I think I'm officially open for business :)
Sort of !

I already have a few bookings.

My spaces are somewhat limited for the next few months because I also work as well as parent two busy young boys. Anyways, I'm excited to be able to say its almost done :)

Oh yes, I still must figure out pricing.
Note To Self: Must make it a priority to include pricing info ON my site instead of just in my head.

Luke has his pre-op appointment today and surgery next week. Although it isn't considered a big deal surgery, to me, anytime your baby has to be put out its big enough :(

Anyways, thanks friends for sticking with me through all of this.
I have a feeling that 2009 will be a very exciting year for me. I'll be doing something I truly LOVE to do.

Michelle

Ok, more time than I thought

"WOW, I love that picture of Layla". I think I'm going to blow it up really big.

She deserves big. She is such a softie with a big heart.

The fact alone that she hasn't eaten either of my children is worth all the doggie bones this mama can find. As a matter of fact, if I were her, I would have eaten at least Luke by now.

Layla ... since today is about Layla.... has always been very calm and measured. I remember when she was 4 months old, people would come over and hang out in our living room. Layla would be asleep at our feet or in the middle of the room. People would comment, "does she ever get excited?" Its not like she's lazy. Ok, she's a bit lazy but I think she's learned that. I don't know who she's picked it up from but its a moot point.

She's always been pretty laid back. I remember getting her home thinking, "oh gawd, I hope she doesn't freak out when she hears how loud and long Luke screams for". She didn't. I don't think she noticed.

She has gotten quite comfortable lately with my couch and chair in my living room. I will find her stretched out on the couch with no desire to move or balled up on my chair with one eye peeped open to make sure no little people are near her.

This is somewhat new for her. She felt us out for a while and for a while we were quite ruthless about kicking her shedding butt off the furniture. But a few weeks ago, Peat and I saw Marley and Me and well...the rest is history. She can do no wrong now.

We notice now that Layla is always with us. She's always under our feet or behind us just a few steps. She can be dead asleep and Luke will fall off the couch onto her and you know how she responds? She just gets up and moves. No snarls. No barks and groans. Just gets up and moves. She knows that a small child falling is a small price to pay for a happy home life :)

When we first got her, the names I tossed around were "Cash, Titus and Cain". Then I remembered she was a female. We had the chance to name her before she came home. I was caught up in the moment of having big bad male dog names. Once I started fishing for female, soft and gentle names, I came up with five choices.

1: Layla

2: Lila

3: Lucy

4: Lola

5: Lilly

Layla was actually not my first choice. Lucy was. I wanted SO bad to name her Lucy. But Luke was only 5 weeks old and I had been calling him "Lukey" and I didn't want either one of them to become confused. Had I known that it wouldn't matter and that neither of them would listen anyways, no matter what I named her or didn't name her, I would have picked my choice and called her Lucy.

Is that a run on sentence?
I do believe it is!

Anyways, here is one more picture of Layla. I love it because she looks like she has lips. She doesn't, if you look close its her tongue and teeth. But, if I didn't tell you that, you'd think she had lips, wouldn't you!

Come on...you would too ;)
Michelle

Layla

When we first brought her home, her name was going to be Lucy. We use to have two dogs. An English Mastiff named "ruby" and a Lab Rottie X named "sarge". Once the children came along they graciously took a back seat and let the children take the lead. They resisted a little but "life" as they knew it had changed.

It had for all of us.

We loved Ruby and Sarge dearly but we just had such a hard time having two dogs plus a new baby. Plus it didn't help that they were BIG dogs. Ruby was anyways.

When our second was born, things got even more hectic. Four months before Luke was born, Ruby had to be put down. She had wobbler's disease and we had done everything we could for her. She became unable to walk or move and lifting her was impossible. We were just lucky to have had her for as long as we did. Their lifespans just aren't as long as other dogs. She was 6. Four months later and just weeks after Luke was born, Sarge woke up one morning and wanted outside. Once outside he dug a hole in the ground and climbed in it. We went to love him up to see what was wrong and we had noticed a tumor that we had already removed three times, had grown back over night , the size of a tennis ball on his groin.

We sadly said goodbye to Sarge. He was 12. We miss him SO much. We miss both of them.

We also decided that we'd stay dog free for a while because Luke was so grumpy and a new addition himself.

One night Peat and I were up after a night feeding and we started looking thru dog breeds. We stumbled upon the Bernese Mountain Dog. My good friend Melinda had a breeder just down the road from her and pointed us in her direction. After two weeks of researching this breed we just KNEW it was the dog for our family.

We contacted the breeder and when she informed us the price of a Mountain Dog, we thought it was just way too much for a dog.

The emptiness in the house got the best of Peat and the next thing you knew, we were en route to get our puppy.

There is a little more to the story but that's all you need to know. We got our Layla girl home and she's been SUCH a wonderful addition to our family. We'll never own another breed. I just love the Bernese Mountain Dog. Every trait that they are 'said to have', she does. She is wonderful.

She's three now. She's very much a part of us.

Michelle

What can you do?

Really! What can you do?

There isn't much. I will give you a little history lesson on "Auntie Sue". Auntie Sue is my aunt. My mothers sister.

Auntie Sue came down to visit us last summer and that is when she really caught the Petawawa bug. She just couldn't stay away. We enjoyed it because we always want to see Auntie Sue. Luke LOVES it when Auntie Sue is here because she always brings him bubbles! SO for weeks now, Luke and Justin have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of dear favorite Auntie Sue!

My mom and dad picked her up yesterday at the airport and brought here home. Today, Auntie Sue had the opportunity to spend almost and entire day with Luke. See, she claims to just "love him to pieces" but she doesn't realize how difficult he can be. For example when she saw him yesterday she *without my knowledge* gave him diluted coffee. I wasn't pleased.

They tried to deny it but they really couldn't say much as he was running and vibrating around my kitchen table when I got home from work.

Then today, when I went to pick him up after work, this is what i walked into. Luke, sitting at the table with "the girls" having a glass of wine. He even told me, "we're havin' wine". I'd be lying if I said I didn't believe him. I completely thought he was drinking wine. Especially after the previous day where he really did have a cup of diluted coffee. I'm still not pleased about that one. Anyways, it wasn't really wine.

I found this out when I snatched it from his grubby mitts and took a sip. It was just apple juice. At least it was just apple juice in HIS glass which is all I really was concerned with.

He didn't know the difference. He thought it was wine. Which is funny because he drinks apple juice fifteen times a day so its not like they were fooling him. Yet, to him...he had wine.

Then my Auntie Sue starts to tell me that Luke wanted to tell me where he was today. I know where he was today. He's my son. He was in Kiddie Kollege in the morning and with them in the afternoon. After a few seconds of prompting from Auntie Sue, Luke informs me that today he was... you know what. Its probably not even appropriate to type on my blog. On second thought, I'm going to skip it.

Fast forward to my other son. Justin. Justin is my do-gooder. He can hear a swear word on the radio or in a song and he blushes. He just knows, that no questions asked, he is not allowed to repeat the word. Well, tonight he came out from my parents place, got in my car and let a sentence slide that ended in the word .... sh**. Fair to say, I almost sh**.

When I turned around to speak to him, because what mother wouldn't???? He said to me,
"I'm so sorry mom, I won't say it again. It was just a little secret joke between Auntie Suzie and me".

I didn't get it.

I probably never will.

But he certainly thought it was pretty funny.

But to me, 5 yr olds who say sh** and 2 year olds who drink wine...just aren't funny.

These are the influences in my children's lives. How horrible.

I'm kidding. We all love Auntie Suzie, even if it does take me weeks to straighten my children out after she goes home.

Michelle

Thats MY Baby!

Oh yea !!!!
This is courtesy of my father in law. He just sent me some pictures of my five year old snowboarding. They took him on the weekend and sent him for a private snowboard lesson.

He called me that same night and I could tell he was floating on the ceiling. His voice was hyped up beyond anything I've ever heard. He was SO excited.

The next day they took him back for a morning of snowboarding but he decided to give the skis a try.

So he did.

And now he'd like to put away the snowboard for a pair of skis. I say, "whatever you want buddy".

Peat seems stuck on "the boy should snowboard".

So this morning in a sneaky conversation, Peat says to Justin,
"Hey buddy, look! Sportchek has their snowboards on for $100.00. Maybe we should go take a look!"

To which Justin responded: "oh. Well if its OK with you dad, I think I'd like to go and get the skis instead".

Great.
Wriggs

Mr. Lawful

Just wanted to get this picture out there so y'all can see who rules the roost in this house.

Just kidding.
He thinks he does, but really we do have the upper hand.

We just let him think he does. It makes him feel a little bigger than he really is.

Let me introduce Luke.

You already know Luke. He's plastered all over my blog already.

I just wanted you to see the boy behind the badge.

He's a tuff little muffin.

Just see my earlier post.

Michelle

STOP RESISTING!

Pardon my unedited version of what happened! I'll post the edited version later this afternoon after my scary frightening dental appointment.

It just happened the other day. It was all over the news! Spiderman was caught trying to fit his six year old behind into a 2 year olds costume!

The police were on his tail and it didn't take long for them to apprehend the suspect.

Apparently its a little bit of an issue. It isn't the first time Spiderman has been caught in this same getup. It didn't become an issue until last year when it stopped fitting loosely. It became more like a leotard. This upset his father tremendously and therefore its been on the radar ever since.

Sir Officer Luke has it all under control as he takes the suspect into custody and removes the offending leotard.

Too bad it was the first thing the two year old wanted to wear this morning. I'm going to have to quietly dispose of this outfit as I think its seen its day here in my house!

Boys just shouldn't wear leotards.

Wriggs

Owww Its Not Pretty

I'm aching. I'm aching all over the place. I'm trying to hide the pain and pretend I'm a trooper. I'm fit. I'm ready for this stuff. But I'm clearly not.

I think it was the lunges that killed me. Yes, it was the lunges. Those stinkin' darn lunges. Never NEVER again am I going to do lunges.

I'll have to tell Peat that when he comes home. We'll need to strike lunges off the list for today.
Actually we should strike off push ups too. My arms are very weak. I don't think they can support 'all of this' if you know what I mean.

I would request a day off but I'm only on day 2 so I think I'd like to save it for at least day 3.
If I make it to day 3.

Oh God. I'm never going to make it to day 3.

Its early. I have no picture to post. I have a busy day so I will have to bring along my point and shoot to see what I can sneak a picture of :)

I shall return.
Michelle