Celebration

I am often proud of my kids. The way they connect and engage with people, use their manners behave when we are out, but I'm seeing a change and a look ahead and what is to come as they grow and develop and take on new challenges.

Tess and Morgan had their last swimming class of this session yesterday and they both passed. Tess will be moving into Tots 3 and Morgan will move into Tykes 3. I was so proud at how well they listened to their instructors, practiced and worked hard to achieve this goal. Tess was struggling with her front floats and just couldn't do it on her own. So on Tuesday we headed to the pool while Morgan was at school and worked on her front floats until she could do it. That determination and desire to pass was enough for Tess to finally get it. Morgan had attempted this level at least twice before and just couldn't get a couple of aspects. This time; however, he not only met all requirements, his instructor said, "he is quite a bit beyond where he needs to be in this level". Let's hope the next level goes so smoothly.

What has brought me even more joy is Morgan's success at school this week. The school holds an annual fundraiser based on pledges for a _____-a-thon. This year was a Math-a-Thon. Morgan received a few pledges (we didn't do much phoning around this time). The students are tested on their math abilities at the grade level they are at. In kindergarten they need to be able to recognize their numbers in numeric and dot form and through one-to-one counting of objects. At this point in kindergarten they are expected to recognize and know numbers 0-10. They were also tested up to number 20 so the teacher would have a better idea of where they are and what help they might be needing. Morgan got 100%... 19/19 on his 0-10 recognition and 35/35 on his 0-20 recognition. Let's not forget this is in French, not in English. Wow. I'm just hoping this is proof that he got the Perkins math gene, it's a good one.

What a Weekend

I had been hearing a lot about an on-line scrapbook store called ScrapShotz and then when I was reading my friend Heather's blog, she mentioned it too (she's on the DT), so I headed over to their forum one day last week and talk about timing. They were hosting an on-line crop over the weekend. So I jumped right in, stayed up way too late two nights in a row, but I got a ton done, had lots of fun and feel completely ready to tackle the week, Here are all my creations from just two nights (oh and an extra card I whipped together for Doug's uncle 5 minutes before we met them for lunch on Saturday).

Card for Doug's uncle:

Challenge to use red for the give back to the Red Cross challenge:

Walk on the Wild Side Challenge (use animal print):

Peek-a-boo Valentine card challenge:

80s Big is Better challenge (pop dot up some elements):

Mad for Plaid challenge (use plaid):

Backpack Purse Mini Album make and take:

Branching out Challenge (use a branch):

Ruffle Inspired Challenge:

Sneak Peek

Tomorrow is post day over at The Inspired Scrapper. I was lucky enough to be given a few sheets of Crate Paper's Season paper line. It's more whimsical than I would usually choose to work with, but the colours are totally me. So I volunteered rather quickly for this challenge and I had so much fun working with it. Although you'll have to head over to the Inspired Scrapper blog tomorrow to see my creations in full, I thought I'd give you a couple of little sneak peeks.

Christmas in January

Every January, Dan, my birthfather, comes to visit. He's here for Rendezvous, a mining show and conference. For a few days he's at the conference in Vancouver and then he adds a few days to his trip to have a visit with us. We always delay our Christmas between each other for when he is here, this year I did send a scrapbooked calendar early so he'd have something to open from us on Christmas day.

We always have a lovely visit. We stayed in quite a bit the past few days. We did go out for a lovely supper at Shyun Sushi House last night. I have to say that I am tired out, but from nothing too stenuous, it's been a pretty laid back few days.

But I wanted to share what Dan gave Doug and I ....













That's right. Olympic tickets. We've got a pair of tickets to a curling event, but we've also got a couple of single hockey tickets coming. One to a women's game and one to a men's. We'll know more on Monday which one's we'll be going to. But Doug and I will definitely be taking in an Olympic Sport. So exciting! We are so spoiled. Oh and we even have the red mittens to where to them.

My Creative Juices

are starting to flow again.

Before Christmas I found this ugly little thing at Michael's. It's a mini accordian file inside that I can sort my coupons by store, product type, expiry date, whatever my wee heart desires...well within the limits of coupon sorting.

I thought it was a great idea, as I've got a little box on my microwave that I throw coupons into and then never think to grab some as I head out to the grocery store. I thought something like this might actually help me to use the coupons rather than forget them. But why did it have to be so sickenly ugly.

So I altered it. Simply mind you, I didn't want the elastic to catch on things and although I think I could have done better with it, it's good enough. It's a perfect way to use up some scraps.

PS. I have more creations coming soon.

My Quiet Time

I had about an hour or so of a quiet house, so after a few minutes of e-mail and facebook catch ups I decided to hang some pictures. I've known where they would go for a while now, but we we were waiting to get our new mattress set, a new dresser for me and night tables (which ended up being tall bookshelves) in our bedroom first (that's where the pictures ended up). Doug and I bought them when we were in Kelowna last summer. At first I saw this one and had to have it.

The quote was just so fabulous and I am waiting for the perfect layout to use the quote on.

Doug and I were walking around Kelowna's downtown streets a bit more trying to figure out where we'd hang that one piece and decided that it might be easier to find a home for a row of them rather than just one. So we went and bought the other two, still not exactly sure where they would go.

Now all three are hanging above our bed in lieu of a headboard and I'm so happy with the choices we made. They are a little out of our usual art buying character, but they totally speak to me.

I just love them all. And trust me, the more I see these pieces in stores, the more I want them all. Thank goodness there are magnets, journals, calendars, stationary sets, cards and more. You can find them all here at Papaya Art. Here's what I've put on my wish list:

Made it Through to the Other Side

So my mom e-mailed me today to tell me that I hadn't been on my blog in a while and she hoped that I am "feeling better emotionally than reflected in my last entry".

Well of course I am. I'm still tired, still feeling overwelmed by some things, but it's definitely improved. My December client finally started to labour, childcare was arranged and managed, and the baby was born very late on Dec. 22nd. It was a little too close to Christmas for my liking, but that is the nature of my work and I learned a lot from the experience.

Christmas shopping and wrapping got done, Christmas cards were written and sent in time for Christmas. Christmas Day itself was lovely. We had our friend Mark join us for Christmas morning (he spoiled us and I hope that he felt our love too). The kids loved their presents (the pics of the kids are my fav from the day these were spontaneous hugs for their gifts to each other). I love that the tree wasn't over burdened with gifts and filled with so many handmade creations (the kids and I have been busy).

We got out for a walk around the local park and fed the ducks.

Then we joined the Perkins family at Midori's in the late afternoon. We were home by 9pm and no one was over tired or burnt out by the end of the day.

I also had my birthday last week and my dear husband spoiled me with a sleep in, coffee made when I got up, lunch out, an birthday ice cream cake that read, "Happy 29th Birthday....Again Erica", and a wonderful gift that is on back order and eargerly awaited. This is my new present. If you have had one on your wish list, I highly recommend hitting Future Shop, we're picking one up for $119 (Sears price is $239). Can't wait to start making me some lattes at home. I won't be using the latte T-disc, but I'll be brewing espresso, while warming up my own milk and adding my sugar free caramel at home. It's time to stop throwing money at Starbucks and saving some for us.
New Years was a lovely night in with friends (I forgot to pull out the camera). Our annual game of Trivial Pursuit. This year it was Doug and I versus the Dalzells. We won. It was Morgan's first sleep over with someone sleeping in his room and although the talking and giggling didn't cease until around 10:30pm, everyone made it through.

So another holiday season celebrated and survived and a little brighter now that I'm on this side of it.