Family Day

Family Day weekend began on Friday with Leah participating in a hockey tournament.  This time it was in Oakville.  Once again, the team made it to the finals.  This time though, despite a hard fought contest, the team finished with silver medals.

Monday was Leah's first day "off" and she spent it with cousin Avry.  Dwayne and Janice had dropped into Adam and Yvonne's.  I brought over a dozen donuts - thinking that at least some of Dwayne and Janice's kids would be there to enjoy them.  No Holliday/Boose kids but somehow the donuts disappeared without them...

Once again, baby Sydney managed to contain her excitement, keeping her eyes closed most of the time we were there.  Dwayne and Janice tried, but just couldn't get that baby to wake up.

My oh my, that Sydney is a cutie

Ev and I left Leah with her cousins and headed home.  On the way, we decided that we were ready for Ev's first driving lesson.  We searched our neighbourhood for a vacant (and plowed) parking lot, switched seats and with goofy grins plastered to our faces...kept the car in park while Ev got familiar with the location of the gas and break pedals.  Then it was time for the real thing.  A few circles around the parking lot and then out into the street.  Slowly Ev drove the 10 or so blocks home.  For her first time, she did really well.  (When I tucked in Leah that night, I told her about Ev's first driving lesson.  "How was she taking corners? Really wide or too tight?" Leah asked. "Uh, both." I replied, wondering how the heck she thinks of these things.)

The older girls hung around the house most of the day and Andrew joined us for dinner - thank you Irma for the stuffed pasta shells and sauce that you made and froze for us before you left for Florida.

Adam, Avry and Leah showed up after dinner for a splash in the hot tub.  They had been taking advantage of lots of free Family Day activities at the local rec centre.  The plan was to go for a swim after their skating session, but they found that the pool had a long waiting line.  Plan B worked out perfectly.  We were still sitting around the kitchen table after dinner.  Rob, Andrew and Ev were showing each other their favourite games on their phones and iPad.

I joined Adam, Avry and Leah in the hot tub. Avry was in heaven, swimming back and forth between us.  Once out, Carson dried and styled Avry's hair - I don't know who had more fun...

That evening was a perfect end to a very stressful and hectic week.  Hooray for Family Day!

100 things. In my bathroom cupboard. The left side. Bottom shelf.

Our realtor was here today with a photographer. Every room was stripped of all our personal belongings. Pictures, school notices, calendars.  Cords were tucked away. The closets were jammed with ratty towels, toiletries, bills and homework.  Toothbrushes and toothpaste did not grace the bathroom counters. Surprisingly, the Justin Bieber posters could stay.

Before we have an Open House, we can put some of the stuff back, but the closets and cupboards need to be immaculate. We've been told that we can jamb stuff into the dryer with abandon and no one will be the wiser...

A few weeks ago, Mom sent me a link to a guy working on getting all his worldly possessions down to 100 things. I was telling that to one of the girls this morning as we jammed a laundry basket full of make-up, perfume, cleansers, bags, brushes, hair products and hair appliances.

"He's a guy. That's easy."

So true.  But why is that acceptable? Why do we women "need" all this stuff?

Another fascinating insight on this journey.

What happens in the Falls, stays in the Falls

High-roller Aunt Mary treated me to a get-away in Niagara Falls this week.  We graciously let Brent be our chauffeur and join in on the fun.


I was battling the end of a head cold but managed to persevere and enjoy a crazy big buffet and a fabulous live show - Human Nature - 4 scrawny white guys from Australia who performed all the Motown hits and moves to perfection.  As for the gambling, I just couldn't bring myself to sit in front of a slot machine and feed it my hard earned $.  While Mary made her way around the casino trying her luck, Brent and I were happy to sit at the bar and play Blackjack.  At least that took a bit of skill.  Of course it was just on a machine, not at a table with real cards and a real dealer and real big stakes.  And of course, I probably managed to lose just as much $ as if I was playing the slot machines.


We were there less than 24 hours, but it was a much needed break from reality.  Casinos are fascinating places.  I could just stroll around all day being entertained by people watching.  As for what stayed in the Falls...somehow I managed to leave my phone charger and reading glasses behind.  Thankfully the hotel found my charger and is shipping it to me.  And today I will be heading out to pick up another 3-pack of reading glasses...

I know I've said it many times before, but I sure am grateful for my wonderful family.  Thanks Mary and Brent.

A Non-Ficton Story...to be continued

We are tackling a big job at the house - decluttering.  Some stuff is easy to part with.  Other found items are treasures.  Everyone has kept the complaining to a minimum and have been rewarded by the discovery of some blasts from the past.

Leah's reactions to the pix below were:

1. Indignant
"Am I eating dirt? You let me eat dirt?"

2. Embarrassing
"Oh I remember that party. Everyone was drunk."
(OK - it was me who was embarrassed.)

My heart melted when I found this:

I keep as many of the kids notes as possible.  Evann is the most prolific.  I thought it was because she shared my love of writing, and the need to reflect and make sense of the world.  I remember putting pen to paper to express my disgust with my mean cousin Cindy.  I was 7 or so and had to let my aunt and uncle know that "I hate Cindy because she won't let me play with her Spirograph".  About 20 years later, Aunt Pat showed me that note and I was immediately transported to their living room, fuming as I watched Cindy make beautiful designs with the magical little plastic wheel. And not letting me have a turn!

This note transported Ev too - she got indignant all over again!

(Click on it to make it bigger to read)

I'm now thinking that she is writing to set the record straight.  Oh, the trials and tribulations of being the perfect sister (and middle child)!

Our growing family

Sydney met the rest of her cousins today. Well, she was in the presence of her cousins today - she didn't seem to muster up enough energy to open her eyes.  That didn't stop our gang from falling in love at first sight

 I'm sure Sydney will be impressed soon

Day 5 with 2 daughters and Adam seems to have everything in hand

Syd the Newest Kid and the Miracle of Modern Communication

 Monday January 24, 2011
BBM [Text messages] with Evann and Carson

1:43 pm
E:      What are we doing with those fish that were in Carson's bathroom?
          [Discussion ensues.....]

1:50 pm
E:      Oh! and did you hear where Carson went?

Mom:    Uh oh.  Where?

E:      To take aunt yvonne to the hospital!!   Wooooo

Mom:     Wooo!  Have you heard from gma and gpa?

E:       Nope

Mom:    I can't find them

E:     Find? or reach

Mom:   I will call up to aunt Joyce.  I think they might be there

E:        OK tell me what happens then

Mom:   When did C go to hospital?

E:         Maybe 20 minutes ago or so

Mom:   How exciting!  Keep me in the loop

E:         Yupp!   Ughhh what is your administrator password for the last time! I need.....
  
 [More discussion that reveals:
   1. mom's complete disregard for a teenager's need for her own laptop, or at the least,
   2. a teenager's need for a mom who can remember administrator passwords...]
====================================================

2:12 pm
Mom :   Hey - what's going on?
 
C:          Hey yvonne is in labour, guessing you knew that but I'm just 
             at the hospital with her right now.  With uncle adam and flo
 
[Phone call to catch up and to direct me to text phone numbers to C so A can call folks and brother]
 
C:        Or just call them
 
Mom:   Will do
 
C:        Call dwayne too
 
Mom:   Kk
 
C:        Or just give me the numbers ill do it
 
3:04
Mom:   Gma & gpa are coming home tomorrow morning.
            I left a msg for D&J
 
3:46
C:         Ok!  Omg adam passed out
 
Mom:   Is he ok?
 
C:        We brought him some food and drink. He hadn't eaten anything all day. 
            Poor guy was white as a ghost
 
Mom:   My tummy flipped when I read that
 
C:        Passed out when Y was getting the eppidural.  I just took him home...
 
Mom:   You aren't in there too are you? Let me know what we can do to help
 
C:         No I'm not. Flo and I were  in the waiting room
            Well he's home now. 
            I drove his car there and bob followed and drove me back
        
            But u can do my laundry, shower for me and go to work .... :D
 
Mom: Np! [translation - No problem]
3:52
 
========================================================
10:00 pm
Mom at A&Y's keeping watch over Avry 
Ev at home studying for biology exam
C at work
 
Status on my BBM -  "Baby Bailey weighs in at 9 pounds!"
 
10:06 pm
C:       Aww!  She was born!!  What time! And what's her name? 
          Please say drew!
          And holy moses 9 lbs!!!!
 
Mom:  No name yet.  Ad says she looks just like Avry only darker hair
 
C:      Awww
 
10:20 pm
E:      Name?
 
Mom: None yet
 
E:      OK
===================================================
Tuesday January 25
 
10:55 am
 Mom:     Hi. Let me know what you are up to today. 
               Do you have time to visit Y and Syd this afternoon? 
               Should bring a gift but I don't know what. 
               Something for Avry too?
 
E:           They named her sydney!
 
12:16 pm
C:          Thanks for the email, were gonna go visit right now!


And shortly after, the girls had posted these pictures on their BBM profiles:

Awww!
Tonight Leah and I made it to the hospital a half hour before visiting time was over.  I was in such a hurry to get there, that I forgot my camera.  Thankfully I have a phone that takes pictures...


We arrived as Avry was about to hold her little sister

 Leah was a pro at holding a newborn

 And here she is - this picture doesn't do her justice 'cause she is a real cutie.

Welcome Sydney Gwendolyn!

Gold Medal Weekend

Hockey tournaments are always fun, but this weekend's was extra special.

Playing in the middle of a mall;

enjoying a great meal with 40 of our newest and closest friends;

got some great coaching and affirmations (first year playing defence - she's soaking it all in);

 playing on an Olympic size rink;

  was game 1 MVP;

winning all 5 games;

and 

for the first time in 6 years of playing hockey - TASTED GOLD!

Congrats Ninjas!

And to top it all off, she got to share this special weekend with her newly acquainted Kitchener cousins.

Congrats Leah!  You are a champion to so many people, in so many ways.