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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

bacon bacon bacon

Well the Gundry's had an amazing Christmas!! We saw all our family, we got spoiled, we had yummy food, we made a killer turkey (including my famous homemade gravy), we had countless drinks and we are TIRED!

This story I am posting A.Cuss it is funny but mostly cuss I want to remember it in years to come and know the wording that made me spit coffee out my nose on Boxing day..

We got up on Boxing day at home, the kids were tired hell we were tired, but we had 2 Christmas at our house to host that day so we were bookin it to get stuff done. Rob had gotten up earlier and made fried eggs and bacon. This is a special treat we don't normally have bacon in the house and rarely do we get to have a nice breakfast even on weekends.
Rob asked Toad if he would like to have a bacon sandwich for breakfast, he was busy playing with his new toys but said yes so I made him some toast and put the bacon on it.
I called him to the table and when he got there he was upset. Toad is going through a stage of HUGE attitude (We are working on it with him but man it is BAD).
He said I WANTED A GRILL CHEESE SANDWICH NOT A BACON SANDWICH!
I was in the living room off the kitchen and said well Toad you said yes to a bacon Sandwich?
Toad- BUT I WANT A GRILL CHEESE!
Rob- you have a bacon sandwich or you can get down and go back to playing, we are not making you something different but your welcome to get down if that is not what you want.
Toad(who is getting really mad cuss we are not playing his game,please picture this with the attitude of a 13 year old girl in his voice)
WHAT IS IT WITH YOU TWO? BACON BACON BACON EVERYDAY YOU ALWAYS TRY TO GET ME TO EAT BACON. huff! huff! huff!
I said Toad your welcome to get down.
He then sat at the table giving his bacon sandwich the dirtiest look EVER! I was thinking man your such a spoiled brat , either eat the freaking sandwich or get the hell down but i am not in the mood for this all day long.
Rob said nothing to Jax but i am sure he was thinking about the same as I was.
Toad- (again 13 year old girl attitude)FINE I am not eating that I am going to play! FINE
and he jumps down from the table.

To get to the toys he has to walk past Rob who turns to him and says calm as anything and in a sweet tone
"I want to answer your one question, why bacon bacon bacon all the time? (toad giving him a dirty look) We are just trying to support the Ontario Hog Farmers."
I am not kidding you I started to laugh so hard coffee came out my nose (just a bit but it still happened).
Toad carried on not understanding the humour and Rob finished his breakfast,I sat in the living room and felt blessed! I am soo beyond lucky to call that guy my husband! He makes me laugh when i want to scream all the time, we parent differently and the same but mostly he can see the humour in the craziness and reminds me to see it too.

I LOVE YOU BABE and that is why I had kids with you!

Baby Jesus has a headache for sure!

Sorry a bit late.. forgot to post :(

Over the last two days Rob and I have gone to two amazing school/daycare Christmas concerts.
The toad LOVES being on stage (Imagine that) he said to me a couple of weeks ago when talking about the rehearsals that not one family was in the audience.. He was upset that it was just his teacher.

Some kids cry, some freeze but not our Toad he eats it up. I think last night I figured it out that he is most at home or most himself while on stage. That is pretty cool to see your kids spirit shine at something.

The school concert was great but there were 35-40 JK/SK kids on the stage at one time so we didn't really see the Toad. Last night was the daycare one and it ROCKED...

The Toad has no idea that his whole family counts down the days each year to see him perform, but we do.

Last night we got to the church with Nonna, Papa, Grandma x 2 and Rob, Camryn and myself.  Toad was with this class and ready to rock. As they entered the church they all were rockin some shades, a letter around their neck and some form of a prop.

The toad.. He had baby Jesus! BIG responsibility.. Jesus, the lords son was in our little guys hands.. and you guessed it he was rockin a big letter J on his board.

He made it the stage , got into position,  listened as his peeps read off their scripts and then it got to him. He busted out all his info on Baby J. and little did we know he was given 2 letters.. he was moving his J and getting the K out when it happened.. He dropped the lords son on his head! YIKES.. the crowd went crazy laughing and he looked up.. I thought oh great.. I was not worried he would cry I was worried that it would be come his thang.. dropping baby Jesus on his head to get a laugh.. this was not going to be good.. but thankfully he moved on to K rocked it and let the rest of his peeps do their letters :)

We love watching Jax on stage, we love watching our families enjoy the whole thing too but mostly I love how happy it makes our boy! Sorry Jesus!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Santa Baby

Sunday was picture day with Santa. Toad was PUMPED, he has always loved seeing Santa. Toad never cried, never acted scared nothing. Last year Lovely was a bit young and totally didn't get it, so I was excited to see her reaction to the Big guy.

My mom has made the kids the cutest matching sweaters so we took those with us and headed to the mall.

As we got out of the van Toad turned to Lovely and said we are going to see Santa Camryn! Camryn said what we all believe was Santa. Toad freaked out and was screaming she said Santa she said Santa.

We walked towards Saint Nick and she kept saying Santa , Santa. We found a bench and got the kids in their sweaters, Lovely was looking at Santa pointing and smiling saying That! That!. We jumped in line, and before too long it was our turn.
Santa here we come.

Rob help Jax up in his spot and I waited till the last second to get Miss Lovely into her seat on Santa knee.  I watched, waited and then BOOM little girl on Santa's knee I turned and walked away. I didn't hear any crying so I was excited.. I turned around and this is what I saw!

Lots to see in this picture I know.. Everyone is looking at me.. Santa looks actually afraid of a kid.. a little girl. Jax is such a big boy in his sweater but he too is looking to me to see what we do.. But Lovely is classic, she is a fighter so she was screaming, climbing and did get off his knee.

LOVE THIS PICTURE and Santa too funny....

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Stanley saw that!

All good Gundry Christmas traditions start with Keri Lyn. No she is not a Gundry, no she is not a member of our family (by blood) but all my fave traditions for our children have started with her and I love it.

This year we have a new member of the family, it is Stanley the Elf on the Shelf. Aunt Keri Lyn gave it to the kids in the end of November and we have been enjoying him since.

The Elf on the Shelf is a billion dollar idea a wise ass momma marketed and is sitting pretty on(not jealous at all I am sure my Leprechaun on the Shelf idea is gonna take off closer to March.)

You get your Elf and a book and the fun and reindeer games begin. I read the story to the toad which lets the kids know they have to name their Elf and once the Elf is named he comes alive, he can't talk to you cuss that is the big mans rule for all the elves. He can not be touched or his magic will be lost. This magic allows Sir Stanley (almost named Frisbee) to fly back to the North Pole each night to let Santa know if you have been Naughty or Nice.
And when he returns each night he finds a new place to sit in your house to watch you.  Stanley has landed in the Christmas Tree, behind the TV, on the fireplace  through our light fixture at the dinner table and stuck in the door.



We have enjoyed having Stanley in the house, I have mostly enjoyed him during countless melt downs that have ended in a blink of an eye, I have loved having Stanley with us while getting the kids off in the morning.. You can not even imagine how fast a 4 year old can get boots on. All we have to say is Stanley is watching....

Plus at the end of the day Stanley and I have a little chat about what the Toad got up to when I was not around.



BUT see this works both ways.. Jaxon has enjoyed having Stanley here when I raise my voice, or Rob jokes with him and gets him going. Stanley saw that he says to us. My fave was when Rob smacked my butt the first day Stanley arrived and Jax screams out DAD STANLEY SAW THAT!

Stanley I sure hope you like living here as much as we like having you and can you tell Santa I am sorry for raising my voice at the Toad but for the love of god that kid can dilly dally.

Oh and don't tell Jax I keep touching you..


Cuss I love the fact that he Believes!!!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

A parrot in a cage or the best gift I will give this year

I am so excited about a gift I will be giving on Monday. No not to my kids, nope not my husband or my secret Santa at work.. Nope to a 30 something year old man I don't know that well , who i have met only a couple of times and has everything.

Strange I know but I am so excited.. So I figure he doesn't know me well so he has no clue about my blog so I can spill it here early. Want to see the gift...
 Here it is


A parrot in a cage.


The back story to this little bird goes back a month. I had been back to work for 2 months and Linds and I needed a road trip... and it happened that work required us to have one. We loaded into the good old work caravan , got us some coffee and a OP2S, two GPS and hit the road. We laughed, we talked and we laughed some more.. ahhh work! Gotta love it.

Part of our visit was to check out this amazing new arena that EastLink sponsored. We met up with Tim our regional manager of marketing and he gave us a tour. The arena is bright, new, beautiful and perfect for the community.  After that visit we needed to do the portion that was my job... (this is when we met the parrot)..

We headed to the old empty office, this office once housed a company owned by Tim's parents for 40 some on years. It is a old school house.

Linds and I got out of the truck and made our way towards the building, Tim asked us 3 or 4 times if we were sure we wanted to go in. We answered out of lack of knowledge..

WOW! WOW is all I will say. That is no place for a women!

As we walked around Linds and I made jokes and complained of the poor air quality. We made our way upstairs to what use to be Tim's dad's office and then his for years and years. We looked around and joked some more. Then Tim pointed up and said I remember when I was little and I gave that to my dad. We turned looked up and saw the parrot in the cage.

That's when I realized this was not an abandoned building to Tim. It was a building filled with memories of his life.  This building was the one Tim had gone to when he saw his dad at work, he had started working there as a teenager, got married and had kid of his own well his family ran this company and now we stood starring at a dirty, old parrot in a cage.

We left but I could not stop thinking of that parrot, see we are cleaning out that office and will some day get rid of the building. I couldn't have that parrot go in the dumpster.

So I called in the help of a little Elf.. A elf we will call Lew, and he saved the parrot.

I washed him up and cleaned his cage and now I am SOO excited to give this gift.  I am not sure if he will like it as much as I like it? Not sure if he will hang it in his office but what I know is that special memory will not be tossed away on my watch!

Great gifts are all around you!!




Wednesday, December 7, 2011

I'm Back!!!!

So I am back! At least for the Holiday’s!! Well out celebrating our work Christmas party I was asked by a manager to bring the blog out of retirement. She has been a huge supporter and I LOVE her to death so Beth here we go. Let’s try to get back at it.

Beth and I enjoying the Party!
Plus it is the Holiday’s so I will have Pictures with Santa, family gatherings that are too hot, kids are too tired at, Fun traditions, I have to introduce you all to our newest member of the family, Stanley and just the love and memories I want the kids to have documented.
Plus I miss writing!
More to come tomorrow!
Linds and I and the fun mittens we all got!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

My Girls Part 8

As women I think we all would agree that we can NEVER hear enough I love Yous or Thank yous from the people we love... So this past week my girlfriends and I were knocked down by joy and love when our bestie did a BIG I love you and Thank you blog post. She took the time to say I love you because, and thank you cuss for each one us. I hope if you have not read them you will as you will see just why I have the best girlfriends around. KL's Blog it was a day for each friend and an amazing conclusion.

Well Mrs Smith you forgot part 8!

KL I would put on your sweater The Giver but I think those dirty old fisherman would get the wrong idea...
I think you always give 100%. You will drive 2hrs to spend 1hr holding your friend new baby. You give us your everything, your love, your laughter and your heart. Your eyes light up when you see your friends, you get excited for any bit of time you get to spend with us and we feel it. You allow us in your heart and trust us in there. Not a lot of people can say the same.
The notes you wrote us all was a true test of LOVE. I could feel it coming off the computer screen when I read them. Your joy is rising my friend and I am happy to tag along!
LOVE YOU TONS and can't wait for the memories to keep coming. Thank you for the love this week
xoxo Nic

And Mrs Kathy wanted you to know ....

Well here’s to giving it back to a fabulous friend who touched my heart and will keep my spirit soaring for weeks to come with the generous things she said about her friends. I should qualify this with the fact I know I’m not going to be as well written as you but I hope you get the overall message that I think you’re a fantastic friend.

Everyone should have a friend like you. You always have an ear to listen to your friends. Whether it is trivial everyday stuff or life changing challenges we always have your undivided attention. Even in a room full of people, when we have you engaged it’s like at that very moment we are the only person in the world. What a way to make someone feel special.

You are the queen of preserving memories on film. I truly believe you don’t leave the house without your camera… even when you go grocery shopping. And we are all the better for it. In fact I would forget some of those moments if it weren’t for your diligent photography ;);). And this translates right into your unbelievable creativity. You truly have a talent my friend. You are my scrapbooking and photo collage idol.

You’re so much fun to be with, you crack us up with laughter. You’re such a good person and touch our hearts with your kindness. You’re selfless and generous, as demonstrated by the very thoughtful posts about your friends on your blog.

So I say it again, everybody should have a friend like you. But so far it looks like you’re one of a kind!

and Mrs Stewart wanted to say

KL - I don't remember the exact first day that we met. I don't remember what you were wearing. I don't remember my hairstyle (blonde-ish I assume?!?) or what the song of the day was. I don't know if I was thin or thick, if I wanted a puppy or 10 kids. What I have always known and will continue to know, is the impression that you left on me.

KL - you have an enormous heart, a heart big enough to fill an auditorium. The love that you have, and show, for your family and friends is unmatched. You show this love in a variety of creative ways - through spoken and written word, fun gifts (often handmade and GORGEOUS) and by the countless hours that you clock to drive to various events; parties, births of babies etc ... in order to support your friends. There are not many people in this world who show their love so unabashedly, you are truly special. I am so lucky to be on the receiving end of this love.

In addition to your huge heart you are immensely creative - desserts, collages, photo frames ... nothing is safe from your creativity. You can make the most ordinary things, absolutely beautiful. You have an amazing gift!!

KL - every time we talk, we laugh (often at our husbands and children ... but they will never know, right?) - I love that you 'get me' and I 'get you.'

I could go on and on for pages about all of your qualities but I think I would bore you. The last thing I want to note is what an amazing wife and mother you are. You are such a natural mother and kids gravitate to you, I am envious of this gift. You are the first to swoop up babies or engage other peoples kids in play or conversation. You offer great tips and advice, I feel like you are way ahead than the 5 weeks that separate the births of our children. I am grateful for your knowledge and skill with little ones.

KL - I love you and I thank you for everything that you have done/continue to do for me. You are an inspiration.

xo P

So to sum it up we each love you for all the same reason but also for our special bond we each have with you.
Thank you for always making us smile, for coming and sharing in our family moments, ordinary experiences and everyday life.
LOVE YOU TONS xoxoxox

Monday, October 24, 2011

See Yeah

just gonna pretend that i have been writing everyday and carry on with a post.. sorry for the lack of them :(

Toad has never ever been good with goodbye's. He cries, freaks out and or will not say those words. So when he was little his Nonna and Papa started something that made it a bit easier on him and helped Rob and I get him to the car. They would come to the driveway to say goodbye (even in the dead of winter), they would wave and do "their special" I love you as we drove out. We would roll down Jax window and they would point to their eye, then their heart then to him and the whole time yelling I LOVE YOU.

We used this for daycare too as he had trouble saying goodbye. I would stand at the door point to my eye, point to my heart then to him and say I LOVE YOU. Then he would back up I run up the stairs and do it again.(all through a window) I LOVE YOU then we wave and say have a good day (he says it too) and I love you , have a good day I love you 2x and then i say bye and he runs off to play. We never miss a day of this routine as it makes him happy and he feels better saying goodbye.

Little did I know how much this meant to me! Friday he said Bye mom, Have a good day from the play area. I said um Toad want to head to the door to do "our goodbye" he didn't even look at me and just said um no! Have a good day mom.

So i left , it didn't really bother me but today he did it again. Bye have a good one mom is what he said to me. Lovely and I are home today so we headed up the stairs and I stopped at the top tears filling my eyes as I knew that special moment each day is gone. I turned and hoped he would be there (he wasn't) and I said bye i love you, have a good day toad..

Why is he getting so big? Why is it so hard on me? Why do i want him to grow up but then in a second feel like I want him to be little FOREVER!


Toad this little moment each day made me smile. it was our thing, it was our way to start the day with love. I can picture you so small your little chubby fingers pointing to your eye and heart and then to me. Now I see you and your fingers are thinning and your growing so tall I can't wait to find our new moments. I will work hard to figure out what that looks like for Big boys ! But thanks for each and every awesome moment over the last 4 years xoxoxo

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Lovely Turnes One

yeah yeah it happened 14 days ago I am sorry sweet girl...

So a year old! WOW where did the time go?? Camryn you my sweets are just a joy to be around. The last year has been some of the best times in my life, I have loved watching you figure out this world. I love that you are sweet and loving but will not sit quiet if something is happening you don't like. I have loved watched you in 365 short days make two boys fall madly, deeply and fully in love with you.

I have loved watching you perfect your wrinkled up nose smile which your Aunt P loves so much.

I have enjoyed our midnight meetings but am happy to see them get less and less since you are in daycare.

I have found your relationship with Jax to be one that I get excited to watch , you two can make each other laugh and scream in angry all in the same breath.. ah makes me think of my sister I love you Cherie xoxox

Camryn I hope you continue to light up, I hope you find joy in each day as you do now. I hope that when your older you know how cute you are as you do know. I hope you know that your dad and brother are the way they are cuss you made them fall in love with you and that they are only looking out for you. I hope you laugh easy and smile often as you have this year. I hope you take as much time as you need to do stuff (like you are with walking....) I hope you never forget that we love you, that we are here for you and that your one of the best things your dad and I ever did...

Well Lovely this past year has been just that Truly Lovely xoxoxooxoxoxox

Love ya buds!
Mom


The theme was the Princess and the Frog.. Thanks P for the awesome Cake!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Still Alive(I think)

Holy Crap! Yeah is it Tuesday it feels like it should be December.. We are alive all of us here in Gundryland. Bare with me as this post will be point form as I am doing it with one eye closed.

~Cried Nope not till today when I thought of Miss Lovely being at daycare till 5 on her birthday.. ahhh tears streaming down one open eye now..

~First day back was like walking into your childhood home but a different family was there?? Strange but still felt like home. Thank god for my girl Lindsay who took good care of me!

~Kids have not skipped a beat.. Toad is just movin forward going where I drive him and Lovely well other then being shattered by bed she is doing fine..

~Momma sure lost her morning groove but I will get it back and I will beat the morning rush(insert eye of the tiger music).

~Today at Lunch I told Lindsay she was eating like a real big girl and I was happy to see I didn't have to clean up anything after our lunch. Plus she didn't come to the table scream and say I DON'T WANT THIS FOR LUNCH... strange really.

~Tired Oh Hell Yeah...

~ It's a good thing I sit on my ass all day cuss I don't get to sit down again till 9 at my night job.

~I am glad to be back at work ..shhhhhhhh

~ I have not lost it totally.. I need a bit more time but I feel like my brain may have a chance.

~Big school sends home a lot of homework. For parents

~ Witching hour just got a whole lot worse up in da joint.

~I miss my friends !!!!!!!!!!!!!

~ New fave drivin song ....



Two days down and I have survived droppin my daughter off for the first time, I have survived 2 days in heels, I have made 7 lunches, 3 breakfast, and 3 dinners. I have heard my kids laugh still and seen them both smile. And so far none of us has died of a broken heart.

Think we may just be okay here.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

A note from my mom to me and from me to JL

4 years ago I got this email from my mom, it was the night before I went back to work from mat leave with the Toad. It meant the world to me cuss I felt like noone knew how I was feeling but this showed me there was people out there that got it. My mom once felt this way about my sister and I. I have since shared this with many mom's returning to work and today is not just a hard day for me but for my buddy JL and so girl this one is for you!! A huge hug is waiting for you tomorrow morning at work, if you can do the two flights of stairs to get to me.


This is what I know:

I know how difficult it will be to sleep tonight.
I know how difficult it will be tomorrow morning.
I know how difficult it will be to leave him.
I know how difficult it will be to drive away.
I know how difficult it will be to not to call every hour.
I know how difficult it will be to concentrate on your job.
But I know this:
How wonderful it will feel to drive home, knowing what a good a job you did today and how good it will feel to have him in your arms again.
I know how it will feel putting him to sleep to awaking to another wonderful day.
And this is what I know:
You are the best parent any child could ever have and he is blessed.
You will continue to do the very best for this child every step of the way.
And I know this :
Your little boy(it said toad) is a very fortunate child and has had a wonderful (almost) year with his mommy!
Hang in there JL!!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Good To Know

Happy Saturday!!! T minus 2 sleeps till this Momma goes back to work..keep playing the following saying over and over again in my head. "every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" and that last beginning was one of my life's greatest pleasures, so yeah tears will fall....

So some things from the past week that I wanted to share.....

~Lovely seems to not be a huge fan of Bayfield.. may all be a bit too much for her.

~Accidental Traditions are fun!

~Time goes by faster when you want it to slow down...

~Letting your kids venture off alone is the hardest thing I have EVER done..

~ I am not a stable person this week... ahhh too many big things this week thank you

~ He's a big toad now..

~There are minutes, hours , days that I can't wait to go back to work.... then they do something to pull me back in.

~xoxo Ashley xoxoxoxoxo

~So my husband told me to not cry on Sunday but to instead enjoy the day! hmmmm easy to say hard to do..

~ Kids I have loved my year with you both, I have had some hard days (which you will get once you have kids) but I have loved it more then you will ever know.. xoxox thanks guys xoxoxo it was a good run!

Well this girl is off to enjoy the day with the kidlets and my hubby!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Top Five

Happy Friday Everyone!!! Our new adventure is just around the corner here in the Gundry house and I am sure your all sick of hearing about it by now but it is our life and kinda big to me :)

So my Top five today is Top five things I have loved about this past year. This past year brought with it great highs and great lows, it showed our family how much you need each other. This past year we have said hello to someone so lovely and cast off to someone so special. We have cried a lot, but we have laughed a lot too. So picking 5 things I have loved was a bit hard. I have been thinking of this post for weeks.

Here we go....

1. I have LOVED watching this relationship grow



Most people see how Camryn reacts to Jax and I do love to see her light up when he enters the room or see how excited she gets when we pull up at daycare.  But I know our Toad and he is in love. She had him at first glance. This is for sure number 1 because it has to be the great joy of my life. I feel so blessed to know that Rob and I have given these kids such an awesome gift. Each Other.



2. I have loved being able to make new memories in our new house. The kids and I have been able to fully use the house, enjoy each room and begin making new memories.

3. I have loved the time with our friends and family. From my long morning chats with Amanda and Pauline to play dates and fun with Nikki and Marion. I have been blessed to enjoy this time with friend and family. I have been able to visit and see my work peeps JL and Steph and get to know their sweet boys. I really have LOVED this time off and being able to spend it with so many awesome people. But hands down our fave memories from this past year were spent with our fam jam my aunt and her kids. These memories will be tucked away in my heart for life. THANK YOU ALL for the best year of memories, yummy coffees , cold beers and laughter.

4. Being Relaxed. Well a bit more at least.. I have loved not starting our morning with a mad rush out the door or ending our day with a mad dash to get dinner and bath done in time. I have loved the lazy mornings and chilled afternoons. I have loved some naps on the couch and fun in the sun. I have loved being able to sit and watch my kids rather then rush them about. Starting Monday weekends will mean so much more to me..

5. Lovely! If not for you this year would not be and our family would be missing its final member. Lovely we waited a long time to have you and know for sure it was for a reason.. You were not ready to join us yet. You have added such joy and love to our hearts and family. Your scrunched up smile lights up my day, the way you wake up smiling and seem to find great joy in small simple things is amazing. I feel blessed to have had a year to get to know you and look forward to the future I know you will grow into such an amazing little girl. xoxoxoxo



enjoy your weekend and hug those people important to you a bit longer.. Life is short and to anyone who speaks to me on Sunday I am sooo sorry for the uncontrollable crying in advance.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Tales of a JK Nothing

What did you like most about your first day?
EVERYTHING!

Toad had an amazing first day of school, he loved everything about it! I went to pick him up at the bus stop, I chatted with other mom's and could hardly wait to hear about this day.
The bus rounded the corner, the door opened and who was first off but the Toad, he had no coat on , no hat on and no backpack but he had the HUGEST smile on his face.

I walked up and said where is your backpack? He turned to go back up but as you would guess 20 other older kids were trying to get down. He yelled up I don't have my backpack!

A older girl passed it down to him, which got him moving to the relief of the older kids all rolling their eyes and desperate to get home after a long day of school. I said where is your hat? And coat? He looked around confused but then came Andrew his little daycare buddy now bus buddy with his hat and told me his coat was in the backpack.

I looked back at the Toad but he was gone, he was over talking to Lovely in her stroller. He was screaming he was so excited, Camryn I was at BIG SCHOOL, I had soo much fun I have new friends I love Big school.... energy oooozing out of his little body.

We headed home to meet dad, as we got in the car I grabbed his backpack and noticed he did not have anything to drink all day.

Me-Toad did you not want something to drink today?
Toad- NO I did but I couldn't get it open.
My heart broke for a second. My baby needed help but he didn't ask for it :( 
Me-oh gosh buddy you have to ask for help. Big boys ask for help
Toad-THEY DO ??
Me- look at daddy he is a big boy right? and mom has to helps him all the time right? ZING!

He had that juice done by the time we got home.  Poor kid was dying of thirst.

We tried desperately to get him to tell us some stories and fun things he did but he just kept saying that he loved it all and that he had fun and didn't want to come home. Good enough I guess.
But then it happened we were getting some pizza for dinner and he said that a little boy in his class got in a lot of trouble today.

Here we go, a little bit of gossip, Rob and I asked why? He continued to tell us and I said ya well mom is not surprised.
Later Rob asked me why I was not surprised and I said that is the same boy who arrived at meet the teacher on a leash..Good news for Jax is that he can not possible be the worst listener in the class with that little buddy there..

Ah gonna be a great year with lots of laughs and great stories...

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Big Boy School

Dear Toad,

Well you did it buddy! Your nerves set in this morning but you sure didn't let it stop you. Your day was a bit bumpy to start, mom would not let you wear sweat pants to school on your first day so we had a bit of a fight. Dad stepped in and next thing I knew you were down stairs ready but nervous.  After a quick call from Grandma to say good luck you were off to get your back pack and head out.


Mom took this idea from a facebook friend(thanks Stephanie) but think it will be a new tradition on the first day of school

look at your mug bug.. still a bit scared about the bus you said. I didn't tell you then but mom was a bit scared too.

One final shot with my big boy before we hit the road



When we got to Granny Nanny you ran in to see the other big boys, they were all excited to have you join them and your buddy Andrew from daycare told you it was okay to be scared but that he would help you (melt mom's heart and made me tear up). It is amazing how sweet and kind you kids are to each other.

One shot of you and your new crew and off we went to the bus stop. Dad drove with Camryn cuss it was raining pretty hard.






As I watched you walking with a backpack and umbrella I could not believe it, where had the 4 years gone? Was I there for it all? Did I miss something how could you be old enough to be doing this? I struggled with tears the whole way, I know you want this and I know you are desperate to be big but on the other side I am desperate to slow down time.
I am desperate to keep you safe and save you from the hardships that go with being a big boy.
I am desperate to give you all the info and tips to help  you and am afraid I have scared you or over loaded you.
I am desperate to hold onto this moment, but as we walked I saw it happen. Right there on the sidewalk you slipped away to the next step of your life and I have to let your hand go.. I have to step back and enjoy the view from behind you. I have to enjoy stories and not be there for them. I have to pick you up when you fall but not stop the fall from happening. Your gonna rock at this but I may take a bit to get there...

Enjoy this stuff Jax , feel nervous cuss that means your excited, try new things and do them well but most of all listen to your inner voice it will always tell you what is right and what is wrong.. Love you buddy xoxox and the view from back here is pretty good so far
Can't wait to hear about the day!!

Love Mom

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

I tossed it out there and it Stuck..

For the past few weeks I have been talking to the Toad about the hot topic in our house, school. He is so excited and ready to move up to big school BUT I wanted him to know some kids aren't.

I have told him a bunch of times that if he a kid on the first day is having some trouble go over and introduce yourself and ask ask them to play.

Like many thinks I say to him I feel like he is A not listening or B. just trying to be quiet so I will stop talking and he can get back to playing. 
SO I say things over and over again in hopes that something may stick.

Well this morning Lovely and I went to drop him off at Daycare as he has a staggered start for school and when we arrives Miss Joan told Jax that there was a new kid and pointed over to the book area. Well mister ran over and said (this is a quote )

"Hi My name is Jax I was scared on my first day but then I made friends like D and P and now I am not scared here. You will make friends too."

The kid turned to Jax and said

"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR"

God I love kids! Hey and something stuck!!!!

Big boy school tomorrow!!!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Hats off to Summer

My Family has been know to take an object and have a bunch of people wear it,pose with it or just have some fun with it. This past long weekend it was my nieces safari hat.

Some of my fave shots....

my sista

thanks sweet Ella for letting us use your hat

my hubby

holy the boys of Jersey Shore were there!!


the band was good sports too

big chugged

sisters man getting it a bit wet

out in the woods

the kids went gangsta with it..






Reason 14584357349839 why I love my family!!!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Tired, Stressed and so are my kids

I know when you have a new baby they tell you to relax cuss the baby feels your stress, I think 4 and almost 1 year old do too. My kids are crabby and crying a lot and out of sorts.. I think 100% it cuss of me but you tell me what you think.

In an attempt to get stuff done and be everything to everyone I tend to spread us a bit thin and jam 20 things into 24hrs and sometimes we get tripped up by my super mom cape.

I am so tired from my year of up at nights + my non stop thinking and planning when i should be sleeping that I have a fuse about as small as Lovely pinkie.

I cry ALL the time about EVERYTHING cuss it maybe the "last" time I see it... Please know I am aware that on September 12th i don't actually die rather just return to work.

I think it is time to put those big girl underpants on and enjoy my last 7 days, hug those shrimps and the big guy a lot , spend time with my friends the girls who have got me through the year , my fam jam the support and reason why I know this going back to work is going to work. And Drink a lot!

hang in there Lovely and Toad momma will be fine in 9 days. Just have to get that first day out of the way! PROMISE..

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Meet the Teach

So to say the Toad has been excited to meet his teacher would be an understatement. I had to answer the question how many more days so much that I finally just put a calendar and pen on his door and let him count it down. So yesterday morning when he woke up he freaked he screamed ONE MORE SLEEP!!

Last night when Camryn and I picked him up at daycare he was a bit warm, I thought it was cuss he had just came in from outside, WRONG.. You guessed it he was sick... the poor kid who never slows down asked me to stop reading him books cuss he wanted to go to sleep.. I should have know he was in bad shape.

After a long night of me in bed with him and him really not well we awoke to ... a happy boy with no fever!! YIPPPEE we get to go meet my teacher today he yelled (at 430am) I assured him he was right but that it was not time to get up yet. Rob was of course up for work so Jax had to arrange with him a few last minute details.. Dad you need to drive and help us work as a team to find my room... AHHHH I love this kid (not so much at 430 am)...

So off we went this afternoon, we dropped Lovely off at Granny Nanny and the three of us drove to big boy school.. Jax was pumped.. He was vibrating in the back he could hardly handle the excitement.

We met Mrs. C and played in his classroom, gym, library,met the principle and even got to play with his best buddy on the playground. It was a great day he had a blast.. It was so great to see him get excited and watch him start a new part of his life. (insert tears for mom)..

As the three of us left I stopped at the school sign and looked around and said well Toad you sure have a pretty awesome school at the same moment Rob said oh.. I don't think they want the kindergarden kids to see this! Bent down and picked up something. I had to know what it was so he opened his hand to reveal a Vegas strip card.. If you have ever been to Vegas you know that those cards have FULL on naked women on it and so did this one... Rob and I burst out laughing.. So today we learnt what room Jax is gonna be in, that his school has a hidden playground and Las Vegas sescorts has a $69 special with Emily. Gonna be a great year with tons of new adventures, laughter and funny ass stories!!


Toad and Rob in his Classroom with his teacher...

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Don't Judge a Daycare Parent by their Cover or kid for that matter

Yesterday I was having a chat with my girlfriend and we were talking about a Baby at her son's daycare who cries all the time, she said her and the other moms are afraid to make eye contact with said baby in fear of sending him into hysterics. She then mentioned how her husband got a glimpse of cry babies parent well picking up their son.

We then went into a FULL convo on this kids parent, she was young and didn't seem to much different then us.

I laughed after are "we" what Norm is? How did we get put at the top of that scale? I am not sure if those in charge of the Norm scale have see the two of us on a good night out? Or on our worst days at home with our kids.

Either way it made me think that on lots of occasions Rob and I as well as my girls and I have talked about other parents at the daycare.
We have speculated about them, how happy their relationships are or where Jim Bob and Sally Dad is?

Or if little Chastity's mom is actually a street walker or just likes that style of clothes.

Then I started to think of what the other parents are saying about Rob and I? And Jax for that matter.. yes I have gone as low as talking about the kids..

So here are a few answers to what I can only imagine they think.

1)  Yes one year ago this September I stopped showering everyday!

2) Rob and I do not breakup in the summer months, you just don't see him cuss he works a lot

3)  Yes Jax is that grumpy most of the time

4)  No I could not possible get anymore junk in my van

5)  Your right, Jax does not listen very well..

6)  Yes Camryn is always that happy

7)  No I do not have any other shoes then my flip flops

8)  Yes I do know there is breakfast on my shirt but your lucky I have pants on..

9)  Looking Tired yeah I am, why you coming over to spend the night up with my kids?

10) Yes I forgot to pack my kids hat yet again.. Bad Parent!!

There think I covered it all :) I know that my friends and I can not be the only ones who do this.. or are we??

Monday, August 22, 2011

11 Months old and got it all figured out!

Growing up I always wished for a big brother, I am the oldest so that of course was not the case. When we found out that we were having a boy the first time around I was soo excited our second child would get what I always wished for a BIG BROTHER..

For Miss Lovely this means a lot of things but lately this means her brother comes to her rescue daily.

Lovely is getting frustrated that she can't walk, she tries her walking toy but when it hits a wall or couch she doesn't know how to move it to get back at it.

Now this has not stopped Lovely from getting around no no she has figured out a method to get this under control let me set the scene.

Movin, walking going good BANG (wall, couch,door, mom's legs something) ah ah ah
footsteps..Jax appears and move the walker.
Hmmm good little system sweetie.. He sure loves you!

I have seen this happen well Jax is watching a show, playing in the other room or upstairs.. I of course watch all this from my seat on the couch with my coffee in one hand. Jax just doesn't get that if she gets frustrated enough she will either walk OR learn to move it.. But the funnier part is that if Jax is in Daycare she never lets out a peep for help.

Lovely I hope your brother comes to help you whenever you find yourself up against a wall.. Just remember a few things 1) mom may be stepping to the side to let you figure it out for yourself. And 2)In the years to come don't get to mad at Flash he is a superhero and when he hears a call for help it is his obligation to come.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Good To Know

Hello Saturday!
What's that you say?
What did I learn this week or want to share with you?
Thanks for asking I got a bunch!!

~ Shots of Banana Liquor mixed with just a few beers tired to kill me last Saturday night.

~when wishing for the days to slow down I did not mean the day after a parents night out.. Sunday was TOO long of a day for Momma and Daddy.

~Jillian we may actually get up to Level 2 this week.

~School shopping must blow for people who don't drink..

~Well shopping for a new outfit I asked the sales women does this dress make my butt look big? she said well you have a big butt.. Ha ha LOVE IT!! And I will be rockin the dress next weekend!

~ I believe that someones heart can be soo sad that it almost breaks....

~Breakfast out on a Friday was a great way to start the weekend. Even if Rob has to go to work after

~This song is gonna be my new athem..




I wish that I could have this moment for life was my facebook status this week and at the time I was outside in the sun, with the wind blowing, drinking my afternoon coffee with my sweet baby girl.. No diamonds, No flashy moments or over the top stuff Just life but I was enjoying it.. I Wish I could do that more often just slow down and enjoy..

Everyone Dies but not everyone Lives!!

~pretty sure lovely is not allergic to Penicillin now.. but has something viral.. :( poor girl..

~Our neighbours to the left have not spoken to us since the first week we moved in, this week they have both rapped my ear off and gave us some veggies from their garden??? strange but welcomed..

~Saturday with friends in a backyard to celebrate two miracle babies Don't mind if we do...

I hope your weekend is filled with Moments!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Top Five

TGIF... wow another week gone! I am desperate for the time to slow down but it keeps going quicker.. ah well what can I do?

So another Friday and another list.. here is my top five fave songs right now..






and my fave right now....





Happy Friday and I hope you all enjoy the time off !!

oh and Cheers

Thursday, August 18, 2011

A gem

My grandparents gave us all a gift when they found a gem in Bayfield 35 years ago. This gift was that I grew up spending every single weekend with my Mom,Dad,sister, Aunt , Grandparents, uncle and cousins. I have so many MANY memories but they pale in comparison to reliving it with my kids.

Since I was lucky enough to have the summer off we got to spend a TON of time with our family and a lot of time in Bayfield.

Watching Toad and Lovely spend time with their family and each other making memories fills my heart. I feel blessed that we get to pass this on to them.

But also I got to spend time with my aunt, Dawn and I are only 8 years apart in age so if you do the math I am 20 and she is 28. Growing up we were like sisters in every way, she would give me the gears, she protected me , she taught me a lot of things (much to the dismay of my mom at times) but mostly I looked up to her and I still do. Something cool has happened as I grew up, we became friends... I am so lucky to have her in my life and I have to say in my top 3 things I will miss this coming September it will be spending so much time with her. I love you Dawn and have had a blast this summer with you xoxoxo

Thought I would add some fun pics of them making memories this summer with the peeps we love sooo very much






Thanks for the memories!! xoox

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Dear Jaxon

Toad I watch you this weekend at grandpa and said a little prayer, I prayed that as you grow your personality continues to stay the same.

You are so funny, you make people laugh and you light up when they do. I watch in awe as you can get people to gather around you and hold court and your 4.

This summer well at the pool in Bayfield I watched as Cooper and his friends made their way over to hang with you. I watched them crack up laughing as you stood on the deck with your muscles flexed and saying welcome to the gun show ladies, you kissed your arms and jump in. They could not get enough of you. Your four!, but that never crosses your mind.

Your spirit seems bigger then your body, your spirit makes people want to be around you. This is such a gift that I hope as you grow only grows with you. Your excitement for life, cars, soccer, and your family is infectious.

I have spent the last year silently standing beside you or sitting on the floor  watching your relationship grow with one special girl.. She watches your every move, she waits on baited breath for you to look her way, she glows when you play with her and she floats when you put your attention on her. I have seen you grow into a loving, patient and kind brother.  I say it to you each every day but I want it in writing. She is soo lucky to have you as a brother and you are soo lucky to have her as a sister, as for your dad and I our cups runneth over..

One of my favourite things is to watch your wheels turning and see the humour pour out of you.

I hope over time you don't change to fit in with a group or that you forget how much you love hanging with your family. I hope no one ever tells you to tone it down or makes you feel the need to change. I think you are amazing the way you are and I can tell you Toad a lot of people agree. I for one am your biggest fans!

So own who you are, keep making us laugh, remember accidents happen and so do mistake we don't freak we just clean up, keep the hugs and love coming. And remember no one can make you feel less then you are unless you give them the power. But when in doubt just look behind you Dad and i will never be too far away.

Enjoy this next year buddy it's gonna be a great one!

Monday, August 15, 2011

30 days oh Fun has started

Well my friends I am officially in the under 30 days of mat leave. Am I freaking you ask?? OH HELLS YA!! but the other night when I was laying in bed worrying about the transition and all the stuff I want to get done I thought of all the fun stuff I want to do too, the peeps I want to share these 30 days with and the memories I want these kidlets to have.

So let the 30 days of fun begin.. I will spend each day doing something either productive or fun or interesting..

Today is some puttering around the house and a visit to our "fave" park this afternoon.

I want to squeeze these little shorties and hear their laughter as much as possible these next 28 days.. I will post a picture in Pic of the day from the day before to share some of the fun we get up to.  This week Lovely is going to meet her daycare lady and Toad is in school two days so we will get a bunch of fun and a bunch of stuff off our list!

Happy Monday EVERYONE!!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

baby lohan

They say that things have to get worse before they get better, Right?  Well that is what happened around this place, Lovely went from spots to full on hives. And a lot of them.

Tuesday night Miss Lovely fell asleep pretty fast due to our long day at the hospital plus the Benadryl didn't hurt. I went and got her at 10 to eat I noticed the change and was freakin out.. Needless to say I did not sleep at all that night and in the morning this was what my sweetie looked like


As the morning went on her hives got brighter and multiplied. I was scared so I got on the horn and got her into see her doctor. Thankfully my dad was off and able to hang with Flash so I could go and listen to the dr and not worry about him.

When Dr Butchie saw her his first words were OH NO and I need to get a second opinion.. Yikes I said! After a powwow around my baby it was decided that we were blessed to even be having this talk as Camryn was suffering from a severe allergic reaction to penicillin and our baby girl was not well at all. I left with more meds for her and thankfully today she is looking perfect and almost has no marks at all! Now this girl is on more drugs then Lindsay Lohan but in a few days she should be back to normal... Insert Yawn momma is TIRED but thankful.
Here are a few more pics of our baby girl

Never lost your smile

sooo sad
 
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