Wednesday, March 23, 2011

The Guest List for Ben's 19th Birthday Begins

I was helping out at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake breakfast for the school when Ben's teacher pulled me aside.

"I have a story about Ben that I must share with you."

"Really?" I said, swallowing back fear.  What is going on? I think to myself.

"We had a conversation the other day in class about why people need to RSVP to parties.  I asked for examples and some kids said that you needed to know how much food to buy or who was coming to the party."

Uh oh I thought to myself.  Where the hecka is this going???

"Ben raised his hand and told me that the reason people need to RSVP is so that the adults know how much beer to buy!  Make sure you invite me to Ben's 19th birthday party, I think it will be a good one!"

I chuckled because his teacher was chuckling but of course inside I was really wondering what his teacher must think of us!

Monday, March 21, 2011

My Boy is Growing Up


Happy Birthday Benny!  You are 8 years old now.  Right now you:

* Love to Lego
* Love to spend time with your friends
* Love new adventures
* See the opportunity to meet new friends at every turn
* Are a best friend to your brother


We celebrated with a cake and a sleepover with three of your best buddies.  You are growing up on me.  As much as I may try to keep you little for as long as I can I know you need and want to grow.  We love you so much.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Winter Project 2011


Have I mentioned before that we are finishing our basement this winter?  Well if I haven't I should because it seems to be consuming much of our spare time lately.  My two little guys have been very patient with all of it though.  I suppose this little beauty of a homemade jungle gym a la Daddy helped. 


As did using the space for an impromptu Beyblade tournament.  One where no adult (ok I confess it is me me me who is always nattering) "Don't hit the walls, those things leave marks!" Because there are no walls yet to worry about.


Wish this photo was clearer but what can you do, my photography skills leave something to be desired.  Now little Jackie it seems actually has a bit of a passion for home improvement.  On this particular night we use over 200 tapcon screws to secure the sub floor to the concrete.  Daddy would use the hammer drill to make the hole and Jackie followed behind to put the screw in.  He developed a procedure which he used at EVERY single hole.

1) Jack picks up his box of screws to go to the new hole (even if it is only a couple feet away he without fail would bring his box with him).
2) Jack walks over to the hole and uses the toe of his shoe to kick all of the concrete dust off the hole.
3) Jack then locates the hole by stepping on the plywood to make the dust poof out of the hole.
4) Jack installs the screw and moves to the next hole.

This went on for almost an hour.  Not too bad for a 5 year old.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Lego, Lego, and More Lego


We are absolutely guilty of buying you both way too many toys.  We have slowed this habit a bit.  One day we realized that plastic toys do not biodegrade in the basement.  In fact if one keeps buying them the pile will grow and grow into somewhat of a monster.  This occurrence has happened more than once forcing us to go through the piles and kijiji some things and throw out the ones which did not match the strength and play requirements of two little boys and their friends.  Which as an aside I am always shocked about!  Seems like three times a year I throw out entire garbage bags of plastic bits.

Anyhow, I digress!  Our toy habit seems especially prevalent in the January to March months.  For a couple reasons.  First Ben's birthday is in March so there are the usual influx of toys associated with birthdays.  Then there are the rewards that happen after one has accumulated 15 magnets on the fridge (Ben for good behaviour at school and Jack for not whining or being negative).  I think though the biggest thing is that in Canada we are cold and tired of being indoors at this time of the year so we make ourselves feel better by bringing new toys into the house.  It works for sure.

So having explained our penchant for toys I can say that we posses a large Lego collection and it did indeed grown more this winter.  On this day of Legoing my boys asked that I take a photo to show off their creations.  They even set up the 'background' for the shot.  Very dedicated builders they are!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Craaaazy Hair Day=Crazy Morning


It was crazy hair day around here.  A spirit day for school.  If you pay a dollar you get to go to school with wacky hair.  I did NOT leave enough time on this morning to transform the boys.  This resulted in a rather harried Momma barking at the boys while obsessively checking the time...

"Stay still so I can tease your hair!"
"Stop, moving!"
"Do you WANT to go to school with crazy hair or not?"

Realizing that I was quickly turning what was supposed to be a fun moment into a terrible experience I attempted a lame recovery in my 'super sweet nice voice'.

"You know Mommy used to have a mohawk." 

I guess I hoped that this revelation would somehow make up for my barking.  The boys were leery at that point though.  Knowing that Mom was teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown they did what what they could, just nod and smile at the crazy lady smearing green dye in your hair.

Thankfully for everyone once we got it all under control and once I was confident that we would not miss the bus we were able to enjoy some of the crazy hair.  I do love the expression on Benny's face here.  It says "I really don't want this photo taken but I am gonna do it to keep the nutty one quiet."  Thank you Ben.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Where the Hecka Have We Been?

Holy Man I haven't been here in a while but I promise to catch up soon soon soon.  It is March in Canada and that meens mega hibernation and maybe a bit of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which I swear we get a touch every year around this time!  However I am starting to feel a bit better so we shall catch up on our adventures as soon as this Momma finds a quiet moment to sort through photos!