Wednesday, June 30, 2010

And July Begins With A Bang.

Can you see The Hubby with the kids at the park?

Last week The Hubby was home for five days. Meaning we deep cleaned the house, went to the park a ton and barbecued almost every night.


Then on Wednesday morning The Prince graduated from JK to SK. BIG deal in our house.
We (meaning Popops,Noe, Sis, Daddy, Princess and Mommy) all met up to see him sing with his class at the last school assembly.
Noe showed up with a baggie (note the hot guy) full of little pressies in honour of The Prince's first summer vacation.
I was pretty proud walking beside my mother rocking the hot Hollister model bag. She had NO idea the funny looks we got!




Apparently we weren't the only over eager family and the parents of most of all the kindergartners showed up to cheer on the ABC song...
But waiting for the show to start took awhile so we listened to Thunderstruck in the gym speakers while O Canada played in the hallways and classrooms.
Dude, it was the craziest anthem mix I've ever heard. We all stood barely hearing the lines "We stand on guard for thee" over the shredding guitars.

And The Princess played with her new dolly until Auntie Stephie busted it's leg off.
The look of horror and disgust was so impressive I wish I could bottled it.
Only a 2.5 year old girl can give attitude like that.






Finally the stars arrived and all of us over eager parents took turns running to the front to snap a pic and embarrass our Munchkins.



This is Mr. Green.
He was one of my teachers in both grade 7 and 8.
He was one of the BEST teachers I ever had.
Now The Prince waves and yells HI to him when passing in the parking lot at school...


An hour later the performance began.
There were actions and giggles and yelling/singing and The Prince was the BEST ONE UP THERE!
He grinned and gave us a sheepish wave and when the song was over we cheered like he scored a touchdown. Because in our eyes he did.
And we are so proud of him.
Can't you see the joy in Daddy's eyes?...



After rocking out the school assembly we left the kids with "Nanny" and headed downtown for a date.
It ended up being a mess of traffic and parking and waiting and when we got sick of it we headed off to The Bluffs to escape it all and landed in another mess of traffic and bad directions (thanks map quest) and finally had forty minutes to relax before the rush home began.

That forty minutes was lovely.



Random fact, this is painted in the underground parking at Young and Dundas Square.
I painted it.
In another life I was hired to paint all the murals in two parking garages downtown.
I couldn't finish the job for many reasons but I did complete three murals. My brush put that on the wall.
It's kind of cool.
Just saying.














I am getting used to these signs and this road.
I'm sure I will someday know them so well I could drive them with my eyes closed. Though I'm not crazy enough to ever try. I am a safe driver...

I dropped off The Hubby yesterday. He flew to Chicago so that they could drive to Illinois to play Cornerstone Festival today.
Then they go to California and then onto Texas.
He'll be home in 23 days. If all goes as planned. Maybe longer. It's all good.

We've never been apart this long in ten years.
Weird.
Thank goodness for texting and email and iChat.

And though there are times that it feels harder to be home with the kids than on a stage rocking out, I HAVE a little mini him in each of them. So at night when they refuse to stay in their beds and snuggle into mine, I cuddle up and feel like he's a little closer. That is, until a whack to the nose from a flailing arm or a kick to the stomach from a twitching leg. The nightly beatings from restless kids makes for a much more grumpy Mommy in the morning.




It's Canada Day today.
I plan on having a great time.
Currently my monkeys are jumping on my bed blasting music on my iPhone singing away.
There will be celebrations and if all goes well, fireworks.

Anything to fill the days with fun.

Happy Canada Day Everyone!!!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

In Spite Of The Rain We Ate A Tiffany's Box.


Meet Liam.
Yesterday we went to Liam's first birthday party.
A year since I was THERE and SAW (quite close up, considering I was holding his dear mommy's head in my lap as she BIRTHED him) this precious boy take his first precious breath.
It was an experience like nothing else and though I could attempt to have words explain the depth of emotion, exhaustion and joy that he brought, I am sure they would fail.
Instead I'll stick to
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE GUY!







As I sit here writing this I am listening to the rain bucket down from the heavens with the breeze blowing a faint mist on my hands through the open window above me.
It's been like this all weekend.
The dry and hot summer predicted seems to have swapped places with the damp and cold Spring that we so happily said goodbye to.
Pool party was ditched in favour of warmer, indoor glitter crafts and comfy couches.
The "men" stood outside and barbecued while we "women" huddled under roofs with the young ens.
It was a great time.
And again, I realized the time warp we live in. There have been many moments of awakening and taking it all in. I'm learning. Always.











.......................................................................................



Oh and My Robin.
To be married to charming Paul this August 7th. And I get to glam up and stand alongside her.
She is amazing, beautiful and the most loving human being.
She hates socks passionately, has difficulty saying no, is the child whisperer and never minds getting her hands messy.

She is pure joy.

Today I got to attend the stunning bridal shower that her family-to-be held for her.
Man, I love Italians. I have seriously decided that all my single friends must marry Italians so I can attend more of these delectable events.
First came the hor'derves, then the drinks, then the THREE COURSE meal (which at first I thought meant an appetizer, the main course and dessert, how wrong was I!). I was entirely unable to finish without spoiling the space preserved for the TIFFANY'S CAKE so I held off on the veal (or was it chicken?).




Most of the Bridal Party.


And pockets in dresses. Why would anyone every make a dress without?














Edible pearls. Oh so spectacular.






This family adores her.
She will be loved doubly because she already comes from a wonderful family.
It's special to see two families make a commitment to one another to support the individuals they hold so dear.

I feel good, and slightly overstuffed.
(But heck, the hostess gave us take out boxes to bring home desserts. I'm feeling the urge to raid my cupcakes right now! The gym will be there tomorrow, thank goodness, cause I'll need it!)