This was one of those amazing weekends in which everything clicked and we got more done in two days that we have in the previous 12 months. So, what did we do?
We planted two snowballs in my "fence/hedge". The original snowballs didn't survive the winter.
We did our initial design consultation on a pergola we're having built. Our contractor, Brian, who also did two basements and three bathrooms for us over the years, has great ideas, so we merged everyone's ideas together and came up with a kick ass design that he'll be able to build for us in July. Woohoo!
We went shopping for a hot tub, and, to our surprise, put a deposit on one! Six-person, therapeutic jets, yippee! We've been talking about a hot tub since we moved into our house 5 1/2 years ago. I can't believe we'll actually be getting one now!
We hit Home Depot to check out some pergola material ideas, buy pegboards for a garage organization, and get some glue for our front step.
We went out to dinner at Casey's with the kids and gorged on nachos and chicken wings. I also introduced the kids to the wonders of the smoothie. (We've had two homemade smoothies since. A new way to get fruits into the kids.)
When we got home, we weeded the garden of those nasty thistles that keep popping up in my new flower bed, and pulled out all the past-their-prime anemones (a great perennial when it's in bloom, but it looks like hell when it's done). I also got to admire my bright-pink peonies that are finally in bloom.
We finally watched The Dark Knight. (Heath Ledger was suitably creepy/brilliant as the joker, living up to expectations.)
We hit church on Sunday morning, then, most importantly, I had a nap. :)
We organized the garage with peg boards, and hooks, and all manner of fastener. This was actually a present from George...a much appreciated and needed one.
And, then we rested......
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Thursday, June 04, 2009
The case for egg salad
We make a lot of egg salad at our house. George and I love a good egg salad sandwich, Faith eats it too, and Blake likes to crack the eggs (although he prefers to eat the whole egg instead of the mushed up bits). So it's the perfect food...you get to play, then eat. We've always just made egg salad with whatever was lying around. And sometimes, it's just mushed up egg and mayo when we're feeling particularly lazy.
So, when someone at work asked me if I had a recipe for egg salad, I was actually surprised. Recipe? For egg salad? Why? Don't you just boil, cool, peel, mush? Perhaps chop up some celery, maybe a little green onion? I like a bit of relish and pepper. Whatever. I'd never even thought about looking up a recipe.
I think that this is another illustration of how different people view the world--some people need recipes, others wing it. I took one of those "personality" test things on the internet for fun, and one of my characteristics was "creative". But, I've never really thought of myself this way. Analytical yes, but not creative. But, maybe my egg salad "non-recipe" is one example of my "creativity". I'm not sure how this meshes with my control-freak nature though...a balancing act I think.
Either way, it leads to good egg salad.
So, when someone at work asked me if I had a recipe for egg salad, I was actually surprised. Recipe? For egg salad? Why? Don't you just boil, cool, peel, mush? Perhaps chop up some celery, maybe a little green onion? I like a bit of relish and pepper. Whatever. I'd never even thought about looking up a recipe.
I think that this is another illustration of how different people view the world--some people need recipes, others wing it. I took one of those "personality" test things on the internet for fun, and one of my characteristics was "creative". But, I've never really thought of myself this way. Analytical yes, but not creative. But, maybe my egg salad "non-recipe" is one example of my "creativity". I'm not sure how this meshes with my control-freak nature though...a balancing act I think.
Either way, it leads to good egg salad.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Future horseman
Blake took a ride (well, a seat really) on Indigo in his PJs and camo rubber boots at Grampa and Gramma's house. It was quite an ensemble for what I'd call his first enthusiastic ride on a horse. He was so proud of himself.
"Daddy, I'm riding!"
"Daddy, I'm riding!"
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Parade of horses
We spent part of the long weekend at my parents' farm (after a cancelled visit for Mother's Day as half the clan in our house was sick). The big draw of the long weekend, at least for Faith and Grampa, was a Parade of Horses at a local historical site. Faith was very excited to help out at the event, at which my dad was the MC.
The basic premise is that owners of different horse breeds show off their horses to the "city folk". My dad brought Suzie, his Morgan horse. She is a gorgeous chestnut color, and is a born model. Think of her as Tyra Banks once the camera turns on.
The day started out with Faith waking up at 7:00 am to ask if she could go out to the barn. After that, we saw her for breakfast and that's about it. She took off at 9:30 with Grampa and Sydney, and we didn't arrive at the event until 1:00 in the afternoon. Faith was happily hanging out with the horses and didn't have too much time for us.
Blake's contribution to the event was getting an older woman (at least 8) to give him a ride in her mini-horse cart, and then racing around the empty event ring, handily beating the miniature horse that was taking a walk through the ring at the same time...likely wondering why this little kid was getting in the way of her relaxing stroll.
When it came time for her to go into the ring with Sydney, she wasn't even nervous! Faith, our quiet, retiring child, was extremely excited to ride Suzie in the show ring (led by her idol, Sydney), in front of a huge crowd. I thought Grampa, as one of the MCs of the event, might shed a tear (as he has been known to do more often in his old age), but he was a trooper too. I swear, Faith has some sort of transformation around horses. She's a different kid!
When it was time to leave, we had to track her down. When we did, she asked if she could go home with Grampa, because he was staying longer. Later on, we went out for supper with Aunt Margaret and the Great-Grands. But she was impatient to get home and go on a trail ride with Sydney (her idol). So, basically, we spent the weekend minus one child. But, it was great to see her so confident and having such a good time.
Although I'm seeing the money that's going to start flowing out of our bank account in the future. No one ever said you get rich having horses as a hobby!
The basic premise is that owners of different horse breeds show off their horses to the "city folk". My dad brought Suzie, his Morgan horse. She is a gorgeous chestnut color, and is a born model. Think of her as Tyra Banks once the camera turns on.
The day started out with Faith waking up at 7:00 am to ask if she could go out to the barn. After that, we saw her for breakfast and that's about it. She took off at 9:30 with Grampa and Sydney, and we didn't arrive at the event until 1:00 in the afternoon. Faith was happily hanging out with the horses and didn't have too much time for us.
Blake's contribution to the event was getting an older woman (at least 8) to give him a ride in her mini-horse cart, and then racing around the empty event ring, handily beating the miniature horse that was taking a walk through the ring at the same time...likely wondering why this little kid was getting in the way of her relaxing stroll.
When it came time for her to go into the ring with Sydney, she wasn't even nervous! Faith, our quiet, retiring child, was extremely excited to ride Suzie in the show ring (led by her idol, Sydney), in front of a huge crowd. I thought Grampa, as one of the MCs of the event, might shed a tear (as he has been known to do more often in his old age), but he was a trooper too. I swear, Faith has some sort of transformation around horses. She's a different kid!
When it was time to leave, we had to track her down. When we did, she asked if she could go home with Grampa, because he was staying longer. Later on, we went out for supper with Aunt Margaret and the Great-Grands. But she was impatient to get home and go on a trail ride with Sydney (her idol). So, basically, we spent the weekend minus one child. But, it was great to see her so confident and having such a good time.
Although I'm seeing the money that's going to start flowing out of our bank account in the future. No one ever said you get rich having horses as a hobby!
Thursday, May 07, 2009
More on family travel
When I was driving to work the other day, the radio DJs were talking about a new (completely scientific) internet poll conducted by one of the kajillion parenting web sites. This survey was about being distracted by your kids when driving, and came to the conclusion that having a DVD player in the car may actually save not only your sanity, but also your life.
According to the respondents (moms), 62% admitted that they had driven over the line or come close to a crash while being distracted by what their kids were doing in the back seat. My immediate reaction was to that the other 40% were either lying or had never actually driven their children anywhere.
Kids driving you crazy from the backseat is a practically a requirement of parenthood. I know my brothers and I tried hard to make sure our parents didn't miss out. This is part of the reason I like my short but daily commute to work...I do it alone.
For instance, today, when we were driving home from a quick trip to Walmart (or as Blake says, "Hallmart), I was speeding (literally) along the highway when I heard,
"Mooooom! Stop him. He's eating my brownie!!!!!"
"How did he get your brownie?" (He moves fast, but he's strapped in and his reach isn't that long.)
"I gave it to him so he could have a bite. But now he's eating the WHOLE THING."
OK. Sharing. That's a noble act. Maybe not done in the smartest way in this instance, but...
"Mooom. HE'S EATING IT. DO SOMETHING!"
"I'm driving 100 km an hour...do you want me to crash the car?"
"MAKE. HIM. STOP."
"Blake, give your sister her brownie."
"No."
"Faith, why don't you ask him?"
"Mooom. He's EATING IT. He ate the whole thing and you didn't stop him!!!" Cue crying.
This is when I heard Blake say, "All gone." Then I started to laugh. I know. Totally unparentlike...we're supposed to keep our shit together and put on the SERIOUS face for stuff like this. But I couldn't help it. This sent Faith over the edge.
"You don't care about me! He at my brownie!" (Translation: This is the end of the world! The worst day of my life! You don't love me!)
That's when it just got surreal. The following 10 minutes to the house were literally the following--play, rewind, repeat:
Blake: "All gone."
Faith: "Will you make him STOP SAYING THAT!"
"All gone."
"Make. Him. STOP."
"All gone."
You get the idea.
Miraculously, I managed to arrive home safely through semi rush hour traffic and still maintained a sense of humour. I was even generous enough to make brownies for dessert.
According to the respondents (moms), 62% admitted that they had driven over the line or come close to a crash while being distracted by what their kids were doing in the back seat. My immediate reaction was to that the other 40% were either lying or had never actually driven their children anywhere.
Kids driving you crazy from the backseat is a practically a requirement of parenthood. I know my brothers and I tried hard to make sure our parents didn't miss out. This is part of the reason I like my short but daily commute to work...I do it alone.
For instance, today, when we were driving home from a quick trip to Walmart (or as Blake says, "Hallmart), I was speeding (literally) along the highway when I heard,
"Mooooom! Stop him. He's eating my brownie!!!!!"
"How did he get your brownie?" (He moves fast, but he's strapped in and his reach isn't that long.)
"I gave it to him so he could have a bite. But now he's eating the WHOLE THING."
OK. Sharing. That's a noble act. Maybe not done in the smartest way in this instance, but...
"Mooom. HE'S EATING IT. DO SOMETHING!"
"I'm driving 100 km an hour...do you want me to crash the car?"
"MAKE. HIM. STOP."
"Blake, give your sister her brownie."
"No."
"Faith, why don't you ask him?"
"Mooom. He's EATING IT. He ate the whole thing and you didn't stop him!!!" Cue crying.
This is when I heard Blake say, "All gone." Then I started to laugh. I know. Totally unparentlike...we're supposed to keep our shit together and put on the SERIOUS face for stuff like this. But I couldn't help it. This sent Faith over the edge.
"You don't care about me! He at my brownie!" (Translation: This is the end of the world! The worst day of my life! You don't love me!)
That's when it just got surreal. The following 10 minutes to the house were literally the following--play, rewind, repeat:
Blake: "All gone."
Faith: "Will you make him STOP SAYING THAT!"
"All gone."
"Make. Him. STOP."
"All gone."
You get the idea.
Miraculously, I managed to arrive home safely through semi rush hour traffic and still maintained a sense of humour. I was even generous enough to make brownies for dessert.
All families are the same
The other day I was driving Faith to her horseback riding lesson in the minivan, when we met up with the Mennonite equivalent of a minivan travelling towards us on the other side of the road. The horsedrawn minivan is essentially a flatbed wagon with two or three minivan bench seats bolted to the floor. The parents ride up front, and the kids travel in the back seat.
The best part, though, was that Mom was driving and Dad was standing up, turned all the way around, and giving the kids in the back seat hell.
When travelling with kids, I guess some things are universal.
The best part, though, was that Mom was driving and Dad was standing up, turned all the way around, and giving the kids in the back seat hell.
When travelling with kids, I guess some things are universal.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Faith's 1st communion
We celebrated Faith's first communion today with our family and friends. We lucked out with perfect weather (important if you're planning on feeding 20 people with a BBQ). The whole event was lots of fun and very relaxed.Faith did a great job. All the kids in the first communion class took part in the service. Faith got to bring up the wine...RED wine. With a white dress. Not a drop spilled.
Congrats to Faith and thanks to everyone for helping us celebrate.
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