Techno Birthday

Ev loved her little gifts set out on the breakfast table this morning. And I'm told that her she had an acceptable number of birthday wishes posted on Facebook.

Rob and I were all happy to relieve Evann of the stigma of being the only teenager in Oakville without a computer...(of course, we are probably the only parents in Oakville who would give their child a laptop for her birthday, on the condition that she contributes 1/4 of the cost.)

Right after opening her gift, she had to update her BBM and Facebook status...

We had a lovely dinner at Il Fornello's. Interspersed with doodling...

...table hockey...

...birthday calls...

... and playing on dad's phone.

The kids graciously posed for a group shot...

On our way home, they tried out a flexi-camera...

apparently, Leah's ears weren't the best subject for  after dinner viewing...

Lots of fun, lots of laugh, lots of love.

HBD EK!

(jk)

Mom xo

Maple Syrup and Oreos

The last day of March Break.  We capped off our fun week with a trip to the local Maple Syrup Festival.

Ev and Carson both worked today but we were able to find one more girl to join us - our Avry. She kept Leah, Vienna and Eli busy as they chased her throughout the park.

Here's Vienna checking out the sap

We watched demonstrations of maple syrup cooking methods.

Took lots of pictures

After we said goodbye to Paula, Ven and Eli, we hit the mall to buy a few birthday goodies for Evann. Made it home in time to pack up the hockey gear, pick up Ev from work and get Leah to one of her last games of the season.  The team was short a full line and a few of the girls, Leah included, were recovering from bad colds/strep throat/bronchitis.  Despite an excellent effort, they lost 3-1.  Leah was very disappointed "We should have won that game. What could we have done different so we could win?"  

Home for dinner, then Leah and Ev had an oreo eating contest.  One of those win-win contests...

 

One last job to wrap up a great week...

Somebody is turning 17 tomorrow!!!

Wasn't that a Party?

Mom's March Break fun...

I went out with my crazy Irish girlfriend last night.
To an Irish pub.
Great music.
Irish dancers.
2 floors of fun.
Met some old friends, made some new ones.

I'm thinking that the start of baseball season (May) will be when I am ready to have another beer...

Wednesday Morning

Almost 10:30. The smell of fried bacon permeates the house. Pancake batter is mixed to perfect lumpiness. I will pour myself another cup of coffee, cuddle up on the couch with my laptop, and enjoy this silence and solitude.

I wonder which of the seven young women sleeping in this house will be the first up?

I wonder when the last breakfast will be served?

------------------------

12:10 Breakfast is served

And spring has sprung

Frosty morning/Shadows

Stay-cation - Days 1 & 2

Like most years, we are home this March Break.  Like all years, we surround ourselves with family and friends.  And food.

During this meal, I found out that Ev and her friends have been contemplating the idea of getting all the moms together for a dinner party.  Of course, I loved it and offered to host a mother-daughter dinner party for Ev's upcoming birthday.  The girls weren't quite ready for that reality... something about being worried about whose mom would be the most embarrassing.

I have no idea what they are talking about...

Carson and Andrew have taken Leah under their wing.  For the past few months, we haven't been able to figure out if Andrew likes hanging out at our place to play hockey or basketball with Leah, enjoys my cooking or really likes just spending time with Carson.
Most recently, Leah has been hanging out at Andrew's.  He is teaching her how to play the drums - apparently she is good enough that the music teacher let her switch from trumpet to percussion in class.
Today Leah was thrilled that Andrew let her use his "awesome skateboard".
Carson always seems to have time for her baby sister.

Saturday night we had all the cousins over. Andrew and the kids played basketball.

What she lacks in form, she makes up in grit

Carson and Andrew changed their plans and made it 14 for dinner.  The kids made placecards, I had 2 ovens going, Yvonne kept me focussed and the boys kept the glasses full.

Uncle Adam and Cousin Brent were duly impressed with Ev's beer cap collection:

Avry loved being with her cousins

We all enjoyed the company of baby Sydney - look at that hair!

Not much planned for the week - just enjoying our time together.

This morning's smile

Those of you who know me well, know that I have what some would describe as an unhealthy scepticism of organized religion.  That said, I do my best to engage my kids in discussions of the various religious holidays, traditions and observances that are happening at the time.

This morning's discussion was about Lent.  I opined that it would be good for us to give up something; make a small personal sacrifice in our rich lives.  "What is something that we really like, that we could try to do without for 4 weeks?"

Without missing a beat, one of my darlings proposed "Boys!?!"