it's about friggin time

A few days ago, Shane walks into my bathroom while I was putting on my makeup and in all the right context said "I don't like friggin Treehouse any more".  I was "what did you just say" and he most nonchalantly replied back "I don't like friggin Treehouse".  Naturally, trying to stifle my laughter, I let him know that although 'friggin' is not a bad word, only Mommies and Daddies use that word.  So, it was while giggling about it again this morning that I thought that would be a good way to get back into my blog, hence the title today.

December 10th was my last post.  What the?

I am home with the boys today.  Nicholas started with a mild fever on Saturday and that was off and on between medicine.  Sunday, same thing but threw up once....but then around dinner time, his fever was over 103 which was of course scary....but it quickly came down with medicine and now this morning, he had a mild fever when he woke up and instead of vomit, well let's just say it's taken a turn south. 

Now, I wonder how the little girls in Nicholas' class will feel when he is not there.  Seems he has yet another admirer named Olivia.  He came home with an interesting little card in his backpack last Friday from said Olivia - Dear Nick I like you very much / I love you.

Yes, who couldn't resist?? ;0)

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Since December, we had a wonderful Christmas holiday.  I turned ahem....40.  In celebration of this most joyous event (choke), we took our first cruise!  Along with Anne and Kevin, we left for Fort Lauderdale on December 30th....spent a couple nights there and then boarded The Norwegian Pearl in Miami on January 2nd for a week.  And it was nothing short of fabulous!  LOVED it....!!! 


After Johnathon and Kevin were summoned to the bowels of the ship to pick up our confiscated luggage (oh, were we not supposed to bring lots of wine on board?), we left Miami for Honduras (Roatan).  I think this was our favourite port.  We hired a couple of the locals to drive us around the island - so beautiful.  We even stopped at an iguana farm, now that was different!  And not only did we see them up close and personal, when we got back to the little port town, Johnathon ordered the Iguana special.!!  And as much as it is sometimes hard to admit, we all tasted it.  Tastes like chicken.

Our next port was Belize.  This was the port that I was most anticipating.  And turns out, it was my least favourite.  Now, I realize that where the ships come in, it is not the beautiful Belize that you hear/see/read about.  That is for sure.  But I did expect more....much more.  But we did the same as we did in Roatan...hired a local to drive us around.  Very dirty.  Almost a little scary in some parts as we drove around.  The driving around was getting to be too long and we eventually found our way back to our starting point.  We had time for a snack and a couple drinks and then back to the ship.  This port, you need to take a boat over from the ship because of all the coral around the island.  That was kind of fun jetting back to our ship.  You really get a good idea just how big your ship is when you are arriving in this little wee thing.

Third stop was Costa Maya.

Not really a whole lot to do.....but party!!  Just a small port with a large outdoor mall and lots of restaurants and bars.  There was a decent beach you could use but we opted to shop and then met up with The Sharp's for lunch and drinks.  Had to have some margaritas while in Mexico!  Not to mention some great Mexican food.  It was kind of neat how in the middle of all the shops and restaurants, there was this massive pool with a swim up bar.  

Our fourth and final port was Key West.  One word - FABULOUS.  While we loved Roatan for its beauty, we loved Key West equally as much for its charm.  Our only complaint was that our allotted time for this stop was so short.  And it took us almost two hours just to get off the ship...time wasted but because we were now back in the US, we all had to go through customs.  Ahhh...how I wish I was back in Key West.

In between all the ports, we had a couple of days at sea and every evening too.  Lots to do if you choose....or simply relax and enjoy the sunshine, the pool, the music, the food, the drinks.  A little gambling....checked out some shows and danced the night away on our last night.  Even just sitting out on our balcony watching in amazement just how miniscule we truly are....watching for marine life....enjoying watching the sun rise.  The whole experience was truly lovely.  Would cruise again in a heartbeat.  And plan to do just that in a couple years when Anne has her next milestone birthday and the plan is to cruise the Mediterranean!

'tis the season

December 4th.  21 more days until the big guy arrives....20 more days until the big birthday arrives.  Good times!!!

This year I just seem a little extra excited about Christmas.  I think mostly due to the fact that Sydney and Mama fly up and will be with us through the holidays.  14 more days until that happens....Wow, only two more weeks.  Okay, maybe I'm not quite as excited as I thought - have not even decorated yet!  But we did take the boys to the tree farm last night and picked out our tree.  I think know this is the biggest one yet.  If Johnathon did not trim the top a little, it would be touching the ceiling.  But it's all trimmed up, in the stand and we are letting the branches fall so we can decorate tomorrow when I get back from Kitchener.

Yep, Kitchener....GIRLS NIGHT IN.....and am I looking forward to it???  Oh yes! Lots of laughing, drinking, eating, gabbing and I'm certain some dancing is in store for our evening.  Picking up Bonny on the way to Deb and Madeleine's and our friend, Laura (she is blonde Laura...I am dark Laura - as we were referred to back in our TO days) is meeting us there from Windsor.  Pics to be posted.  Maybe ;) .

Boys are awesome!  Johnathon is awesome!  The girls are awesome!  haha

Am off ...

i'll take the extra hour

Even though I went to bed unusually early for a Saturday night, I still was able to sleep in until 845 !  Okay, but wait, it was really only 745!  Even better.  So much to get done today.  There always is.  So, once I attempt to write something, somewhat interesting on here with my coffee, play a game of Sorry with Nicholas and Daddy, I will get busy!

Our agent is coming by again this week with the hopes of listing the house.  Scary.  After months and months of talking about it (and really, really tired of listening to myself), we are about there.  However, now is the worst time of all to list so we have decided to list until just before Christmas and see what happens.  If we get a great offer, so be it.  But truth is, the options for us is dwindling.  So...who knows.  And taking Nicholas out of school this far into the year is really something I don't want to do.  Once upon a time ago when I too was in grade one, my parents upped and moved us to Bowmanville from the city.....but at the end of April.  Devastating to a very shy six year old....and at the end of the school year!  I really will never forget how that felt.  But ultimately, I guess you adapt and form new friendships.....right?  Right...and I did.  Lifelong ones actually.  

Hm...sounds like I'm talking myself into being good with whatever decision we do make.

And speaking of school - Nicholas is settling in very well with grade one.  The year started off a little shaky with some concerns about the class 'bully'.  But happy to say that that has been less of a problem  lately and Nicholas is learning how to deal with this.  He is doing amazingly well with all of his schoolwork.   Progress reports come out this week and we will meet with his teacher, Mrs Skillen. 

Am posting some pics from Halloween.  It was a cold one this year but the boys were warm.  So what that Spiderman had to wear a puffy vest!  He matched ;0)!  As excited as both Shane and Nicholas were, after about an hour and already half a bag full of junk  candy, they were both asking to go home. 

And now Christmas is coming.....before we know it I am sure.  While writing on here, Nicholas just wrote his letter and drawing for Santa, thankfully using great manners.  Santa should be impressed!  He did ask me though if I think he will be on the naughty list.  !!  And Shaney seems to think that every toy that comes on tv will be his.  Ugh. 

Mama and Syds flights are booked and we are super excited to have them both here for the holidays!!!

so mommy, how are your boobs feeling today?

Now, that grabbed your attention, didn't it??  I mentioned yesterday that I was home for a few days and would have some extra time to write.  Most of you that read this blog would know by now that for months (well, years really), I have planned to have breast implants.  Well, this past Wednesday was THE day!  It's done.  I have boobies!  Haha.  Well, at least bigger ones anyhow!

A while back, I received some inheritance from my dear Aunt Doris.  I knew with this money, I would use a portion of it for 'the girls'.  I actually paid for the surgery on June 30th in order to beat the $@^#* HST (the new harmonized sales tax that came into effect on July 1st for those that wouldn't know in the States).  I saved over 500 bucks!!  Crazy, huh?  That's what I thought. 

So, day 3 with the girls and all I know for sure is that it hurts.  It really hurts and sleeping through the night isn't happening.  But I know that will eventually go away and I can start to enjoy my new friends. 

And I'm not the only Hash in the house to have surgery this week.  Johnathon as well had something done that he has been wanting for quite some time.  He went for laser eye surgery yesterday.  Our biggest supporter and plain awesome friend, Andrea, came and spent the night Wednesday so that she could get up early with Johnathon and take him into Toronto for his surgery (and sports bra shop for me).  And yesterday around 1ish, he was back with sight....although the drive back in the sunlight was agonizing.  But by evening, his eyes felt better and he could SEE.  As I write though, he just left his checkup at the Whitby office and unfortunately, they have sent him back to Toronto as they see a little something they want looked at by his doctor. Will update later.

So, there it is...the latest.

Oh wait...about the title.  So, yesterday morning, Nicholas wakes up and one of the very first things he asks me is "So Mommy, how are your boobs feeling today?".  And again today.  My sweet, caring boy.

some more

I am home today and will be for a few days.  I will get into that more later...

However, this is a perfect time to try and catch up some more.  So, let's seee....hmmm.  The summer, the glorious fabulous summer we had this year!  Started early and ended late - at least that is how I remember it.  And even this Thanksgiving weekend, we will hit the 20's.  Fabulous. 

As I'm sure I have posted about this before, we are still hoping to sell our house.  I can't count the many, many homes we have looked at in search of the one.  Some have blown us away, and others we went running.  But it doesn't seem there is one in particular that we love for every reason.  And maybe we are just being too picky but when you have been through this before and now know what you want for years to come, it's hard not to be.  And it seems our price point is getting higher and higher which scares me.  But I'm still hoping to get more for less and will continue to search.  But all this also means we actually need to get our home listed and I'm simply tired of talking about that.  So much to do and really, so little time between work, the boys and just life.  But we are getting there....slowly but surely.

Nicholas is now in grade one!  Grade ONE.  The year started off not so great.  There is Ethan, the bully.  Ethan that felt the need at the beginning of the year to bully my child...pick on my innocent, sweet boy.  Okay, that is Mommy talking but really...

But we have spoke with Ms Skillen, Nicholas' teacher.  She is fully aware of the situation and it's being monitored.  The past couple weeks have definitely been better and Nicholas is coping far better and I think Ethan has backed off a little.  It seems Ethan finds himself in hot water quite a bit at school altogether so hopefully,  he is turning his attention to focusing on school instead of the other children.

I'm still amazed at how well Nicholas picks up what he's learning at school.  He is a wonderful reader and is doing very, very well with Math.  He is on the hunt for a trophy at the end of the year which he will get if he reads 1000 books by then!  He is off and running with that! 

Shane.  Our rambunctious baby boy.  Did I spell that right??  And did I say baby?  Okay, okay....he turned three this past July 31st but always my baby.  Both of them.  As Moms, we all know that.  I'm happy to say that Shane is now officially potty trained.  In fact, if I'm feeling better this weekend, we will go shopping for big boy underwear.  He is very pleased with himself and his accomplishments and seems to look forward to picking these out.  Cute.  High fives all around!  (that is our thing with every potty move).  We tried months ago to get him started and there was no....I mean ZERO interest in that.  So, we stopped.  We started up again full force about two months ago and he just went with it.  And really, the only reason he is still in a pull-up is because I bought this huge box of them. 

(shaney's 3rd birthday party - where they just came in from the rainy day playing - instead of cake, the kiddos made up their own sundaes on top a little chunk of cake - they loved it!)

back to it!

OMGosh, I knew I was way behind but taking a look today, I'm more than four months - more than a whole season of a year behind!  And boy, did it fly! 

I'm thinking I won't capture much in this one post but let's get started at least.  The smells coming from the kitchen are yummy as Johnathon is cooking me one of his fabulous brunches so I have just a bit of time.

So...back to the end of May, early June.  Well, the biggest event there to speak of is the arrival of my gorgeous nephew, Reed Henry Linton.  Quite a story with baby Reed's arrival, as Cheryl's births tend to be....if you know Cheryl and want to read about it, she blogs as well.  Just ask me if you want it.

The summer in general was GREAT!  We didn't have alot of time with Syd this summer - being all teenager and stuff!  But we did get some great family time with her.  The boys of course follow her around like puppies and just can't get enough of their big sis!  We are excited that we will have her here for the holidays - very excited! 

Even though we have spent many mini-vac's in Niagara Falls both pre and post kids, we still really enjoy it every time.  This summer was no exception.  We spent four days this time and had fun exploring the butterfly conservatory, taking the trolley car across the gorge, taking in the Falls, enjoying the hotel and pool and of course, our first trip to Marineland!  And if you haven't been....GO!  And we found out, when you go and pay your admission, you can pay an extra five bucks each and get a seasons pass.  We will so be doing that next year!  We all just loved it!  New summer tradition for sure.  And for that little extra, you get to feed and pet the belugas - worth every cent!  So adorable and just touching them is quite an experience - one you won't forget.  Soooo soft and cute!

Short post for now....but it's almost a weight off my shoulders as I think alot about keeping up to date and just not getting to it.  I hope to write more later today.  But for now, Sunday brunch yumminess.

hanging with the girlys

Sunday was spent over at Andreas....we were excited that Debra and Miss Madeleine were coming for a visit!  Just a few pics from the day -