Our week leading up to Halloween!

Here I go with another quick review of our week - Saturday we took a trip to the pumpkin farm...
Vanessa was very relaxed lying in the pile of pumpkins.
Ty was waiting his turn to ride the horse. (He has fangs painted on his face if you can't tell what those black marks are)

Sunday we bought new luggage to pack the kids in for our trip. LOL!!
Later that day Ethan came over to give Vanessa some drumming lessons...

Monday we made muffins for Ty's class on Tuesday...



Vanessa was so funny trying to copy what Ty was doing - she ended up just pressing her face against the stove door not realizing he was actually looking in the stove window.
The rest of the week is a bit of a blur by now - the usual, Ty at school, Vanessa being a little doll following me on all of my errands.
(continue reading bellow- I had to create a second post to fit all the pictures in)

Finally on Friday I had a very big social night planned. I had a late b-day dinner to go to with my friend of 27 years Sheryl. After the dinner I headed over to a local pub to meet up with my online friends Dana and Carol. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time girls!!

Saturday was the much awaited Williams Halloween party. The kids got all dressed up and had so much fun searching for treasures, making spooky halloween decorations and eating the goodies.
Ty showing off his Halloween tattoos.
Vanessa and her little bug friend Mia.
Sunday we recovered from our busy weekend with some much needed shopping at Costco & the Pickering Mall.
Now we are just waiting for the big Halloween night. Ty can barely sleep he is so excited.

Baby girl is chatting & Random pictures from the week...

Friday night Iain and I enjoyed a really nice night out of dinner & dessert for our anniversary. Before we left he surprised me with gorgeous roses even though we had agreed no gifts this year b/c going to Punta Cana in November was our gift to each other.
Sunday we took the kids apple picking. There must be something that makes an apple most appealing when you pick it yourself b/c Ty asks for an apple everyday now. We have also been enjoying the apple pies I've made (thanks for the recipe Carol!)
The kids are really enjoying their swimming lessons - surprise, surprise. I think they are both part fish. I've never seen kids that enjoying being under the water as much as mine. People have actually asked me if I gave birth to them in the water. LOL! Not a chance!

(Ty sitting with his Sea Turtle 2 class)

(Vanessa is screaming laughing - she loves it when I dump water over her head)

Otherwise this week has just been same ol' same ol' - which I love since I love routine, so it's been a great week.

This coming weekend we are heading to the pumpkin patch - weather permitting and hoping to get some more decorations up to get ready for Halloween.

I had to add this little video of Vanessa this morning. This month she has really started chatting with us using actual words that we can understand. It's so exciting!! I feel like we are able to get to know her more and more now that she is able to let us know what is going on in that little head of hers. I just love this age!!

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(I just noticed the talking & movement is off on this video but since I don't know how to fix that, here it is - Vanessa was actually pointing to things after I asked - not before)

5 Years Ago Today...

I became Mrs. Kelly. I could not have asked for a more perfect fall day. The wedding was everything I hope for - friends and family having fun, good food, music to dance to and LOTS of drinks!!
How excited was I to dig up some of my wedding photos to share with all of you?!?

( I was so thrilled with the colours in my bouquet -I've still got it in a vase in our family room)

(The little guy in the kilt is Ethan-our nephew who is now 10 years old)

We decided on a smaller wedding party- although looking at these pictures it doesn't seem so small. Compared to other weddings we had been too around that time our was one of the smallest. The bridesmaids & groomsmen we chose are all still some of our best friends and we were so happy to have them stand beside us on our wedding day.

The proposal story:

I have to go back to our first date to explain the meaning of Iain's proposal. Iain and I met in a bar in Oshawa (The Crow's Nest) on November 7th, 1998. I spotted him across the room and walked up to him only to get burned on the hand by his cigarette. That gave him an excuse to kiss my hand though - lol! Anyway after only a few minutes of talking with him, his friends decided they wanted to leave the bar so he asked for my phone number which I of course gave him. When I got home that night I told my brothers about meeting him and they both explained to me the "3 day rule". Most guys will not call you for 3 days after getting your phone number. Anyway - that night Iain called to ask me on our first date- baffling both of my brothers. On November 11th Iain came to pick me up for our first date- dessert at East Side Marios & a movie (The wizard of Oz). As he drove up the driveway I was waiting at the door for him. He did get out of the car (leaving the car running) and met me halfway up the driveway. Unfortunately before closing the car door he pushed the door lock down - locking us out of the running car. He was so embarrassed!! We had to get into my car, drive to his parents house to pick up the spare key and finally then proceeded on our date- which went really well considering the start.

Fast forward 2 years later- it was my 27th birthday and Iain and I were heading out to Canadian Tire to buy some snow tires for my birthday. He had parked his car on the road in front of my parents house and decided before heading out he needed to check his engine for something. Needless to say he was fiddling around with his car and ended up locking his keys in the car - with the car running again!! I still can't believe I didn't clue in at this point. He asked me to get under the car and grab the extra key he had placed in a magnet box there. Not thinking twice I got down grabbed it and opened it to hand him his key- only to find a gorgeous engagement ring. I barely remember anything he said after that - I was so happy- I think I screamed and of course said yes I would marry him, be his wife and the mother of his children...and the rest is history!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

What a beautiful weekend for Thankgiving and our first trip up to my parents new cottage. Saturday morning we headed up to Buckhorn to enjoy a night of cottage life but also help my parents out a bit. They just got the cottage a couple weeks ago and there is so much to do. The drive up was unbelievable. Iain rode his motorcycle up and we followed...It was the perfect time to check out the changing leaves. Once we got there Iain helped my dad burn some leaves- we met some of the cottage neighbours who btw are some of the nicest people I have met, we took the kids for a walk in the area and just got comfortable. It didn't take long before we were feeling right at home there.

Sunday morning Iain and Ty went out fishing off the dock nice and early.

(I took this picture from the family room inside the cottage- what a view!)

Mid-afternoon Vanessa went down for a nap- Ty went for a walk with Papa so Iain caught a few Zzzz's out on the dock. My mom prepared a delicious turkey dinner for us. After stuffing ourselves and getting the kids ready for bed we headed home. The kids both fell asleep in the car so when we got home we were able to get all of the unpacking done and get to bed at a decent hour.

We are looking forward to many more trip up to the cottage- we already booked it for New Years Eve with the neighbours.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!!

Is it really only Wednesday??

I can not believe how much I am looking forward to Friday this week. I'm exhausted already. The kids are being good, just really busy. It doesn't help that I'm up a couple times a night again - Ty is not wearing a pull up to bed (for the past couple weeks now) and although he has only had one accident (on the first night) I have stopped leaving a drink for him in his room. Instead he calls me to bring him a drink and I get him to pee first. I've tried leaving a drink for him in the bathroom but he seems to forget it's there. I'm hoping it will catch on soon though. Yesterday after school my mom picked Nolan & Ty up and brought them back to our place. They didn't even come in the house. They went straight to the backyard where Vanessa joined them from 3:45pm until 6pm. We barely heard a peep from them but at 5:30pm when I went out to check on them this is what I found...

Ty and Nolan have a thing about getting naked. They were pretending to be Gorillas (this is what they tell me) and "Gorilla's don't wear clothes mommy". Vanessa on the other hand was obviously entertaining herself in the mud. Bath time was a lot of fun last night.

This morning Ty was back to soccer with our neighbour Mikaela. I was very impressed with how well they did listening to the coach and controlling the ball. It's amazing what a 3 year old can be taught if you just give them a chance.

From soccer we headed straight to the library to return books and pick out some new ones. Vanessa had other plans though...

(Vanessa preferred to climb through the book bins)

We spent an hour at the library, headed home for naps then headed over to swiming lessons. Phweff!! What a busy day. I'm ready for bed.

Run for a Cure - for Mary

What a great morning we had this first day of October. Although it was a little brisk and threatening rain everyone on our team turned out for the Run for the Cure in honour of Mary (our next door neighbour). For those who don't know - Almost 1 year ago at 34 years old Mary (mother to a 2 year old daughter) was diagnosed with Breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and months of Chemo & Radiation. She is currently back to work, back to the gym and almost back to life pre-diagnosis except for the medication she will be on for the next 5 years and plans to remove the other breast. Watching someone so close to us go through something like this was heartwrenching but also inspiring at the same time. Mary is handling the whole situation with such dignity and strength - many times comforting us when we don't know what to say or do. She will talk so "matter-of-factly" about what her options for having another baby are while it brings me to tears everytime. Seeing her daughter Julia walking along with all of us today with her sign "I'm running for My Mommy" was enough to make any one of us young moms break down. Somehow the morning was filled with nothing but laughter and smiles. Mary is such a hero to me and I hope that in some small way I have been a help to her through this impossibly difficult time.

The "Pinky Dinky Doo" team

Close to 4000 participants were running/walking today

Mary in her pink "survivor" shirt was definitely turning heads this morning

Baby girls new trick

I have a very happy little girl right now as she has discovered that she can give mommy a heart attack. I was working up in the office this morning while she was playing quietly downstairs in the family room. I heard her marching and she starting repeating "No, no, no, no...". I took a quick peak downstairs only to see her marching on top of the kitchen table. I ran down the stairs and grabbed her while she screamed "Meee! Meee!" while pointing to the table. She has really started to communicate with us using words now but I can't say that I'm enjoying it that much. LOL!!! As soon as I put her down she headed right back up on to the table.

As much as I wanted to discourage her I loved seeing her succeed at doing something she was so determined to do. Whoever told me that having a baby girl was going to be so much easier then having a boy was sooo wrong - but I'm so glad that they were!!

A Birthday Weekend

It was a weekend to celebrate birthdays. On Saturday morning we headed over to my matron of honour Sheryl's place to celebrate her son Cody's 3rd birthday. The kids had so much fun playing, eating and Vanessa wore herself out chasing the cat around the house. (Recognize the dress Dane? I'm happy that it finally fits her- thanks so much)
(The drive home was a very quiet one)

Sunday I woke up and the kids and Iain gave me my birthday gifts right away. I got a gift certificate to H&M, a manicure/pedicure gift certificate, slippers, a bunch of nice handmade soaps & shower gel...I was spoiled!! The plan was that we were going to go shopping that morning so I could spend my H&M gift certificate. It was a great morning and Ty kept saying "Happy Birthday Mommy" every once in awhile. That afternoon we headed over to my parents place for dinner. Ryan (my brother) surprised me by being there too. He bought me some perfume while he was in Brazil and a delicious salad dressing that he rememberd that I love.

To top it off that night I got to watch two of my favourite shows after the kids went to bed with no trouble. What more could I ask for in a birthday?? It was perfect.

(Notice my "cinnabon" birthday cake- I can't wait to have a piece with my lunch this afternoon)

Fall is Here!!

This week marks the last week of summer, I can't say that I'm upset though. I love Fall for so many reasons - #1 being of course that my birthday is around the corner (Sept 24th) and also Iain and my 5th anniversary (Oct 13th). I love the fall leaves, the crisp air, picking apples, picking pumpkins and getting ready for Halloween, getting the kids into their fall clothes...the list goes on. It's just such a nice time of the year.
Ty seems to be adjusting well to school. No tears this morning when I dropped him off. Yay!! Vanessa and I are adjusting well to our free time together. LOL!! I really am loving the time I get to spend with her (as I park her in front of Dora so I can blog... LOL!)
This week Iain is off in Halifax for another BOMA awards event. Sounds like he's having a good time so far. Vanessa has been wandering around the house saying "Da-eee!! Da-eee!" for the last 2 days. I have yet to hear her say "Mommy" - Ty makes up for it though.
This weekend we have a birthday party to go to then on Saturday night my girlfriends are taking me to the movies and for dinner to celebrate my birthday. I'm really looking forward to our girls night out!!
Here are a few random pictures taken from the past week.

(Having fun in the tub)

(Ty & Nolan ready for skating lessons - Carter came to watch)

(Vanessa entertains herself colouring while mommy is on the computer)

(Vanessa hangs over the arm of the couch to watch Dora)

It's been a nice week but I'm looking forward to getting my husband back.

Four things

I was tagged by my friend, Elizabeth on her blog to do this, so here goes:

Four jobs I've had
1. Bun King Bakery
2. John Brower Garden Center
3. Hillsdale Nursing Home
4. My real job before being a Mom was Property Accountant for a Property Management Company

Four movies I could watch over and over
1. Made
2. Finding Nemo (with Ty)
3. Good Will Hunting
4. Old School

Four places I have lived
1.Hamilton
2.Sudbury
3.Brooklin
4. Whitby

Four TV shows I love to watch
1. Prison Break
2. The Amazing Race
3. The New adventures of Old Christine
4. Gilmour Girls (I hope it starts again soon)

Four places I’ve been on vacation
1. Scotland
2. Japan
3. Australia
4. Hong Kong

Four websites I visit daily
1. Presidents Choice Banking
2. Flylady
3. Baby Centre
4. Many Friends Blogs

Four of my favorite food
1. Seafood pasta
2. Salmon
3. Veal Parmigiana
4. Anything Chocolate

Four places I would rather be right now
1. Lying on the beach somewhere ridiculously hot
2. Back in Disney World
3. In a candlelit tub- kids asleep in bed
4. Curled up on the couch with a good chick flick - no interruptions

My little dancer...

...is no ballerina!! Vanessa loves to dance but rather then turning in circles like most kids do she runs, falls, kicks her feet up and laughs. It's very entertaining.
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First week of school

I can't believe we almost have the first week of September under our belts. It was a great week. Monday Iain was off so we took the kids over to a small local zoo called Northview Exotic Ranch. I was able to get one picture before my batteries died- I was so frustrated but we had a great time looking at all of the animals. Ty got up close to two baby lions... Tuesday Ty had his first day of school. It went really well - he didn't get upset when I dropped him off and was eager to go sit in the circle with the rest of the kids. Vanessa and I had the day to ourselves and I'm realizing what a little monkey she is becoming. One of her favourite things to do is empty the water cooler in the kitchen. When I tell her "No!" she looks at me and laughs. Is this a sign of things to come??I really can't complain though- she entertains herself so well. I was able to get some scrapbooking done this week as well as more of the fence painted and some touch ups of paint around the house. I feel very productive. Here are some shots of baby girl playing...After his second day at school Ty has already had a time out for hitting. When I asked him about it he said "It's okay Mommy, I was hitting back - and it was just a boy- not a girl." As happy as I was to hear he didn't instigate the fight- and that he knows not to hit girls, I told Iain to have a talk with him last night. We'll see how that went when I pick him up this afternoon. Last night before we went to bed we found him in his room with his light on...Finally - tonight Iain and I are off to downtown T.O. for a nice dinner before we meet up with some friends for a surprise 30th b-day party. I'm really looking forward to our night out.

Here are Ty & Vanessa this morning before dropping Ty off at school. It's hard to get Vanessa to stand still...

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

A much slower week to end off the summer

We really did relax a lot more at home this week and it was kind of nice. Not something I could do every week but nice for a change of pace- especially given that Ty starts school next week.
Monday I took the kids over to the Community center to sign them up for Fall swimming lessons. I was able to get them both in on Wednesdays at 5pm. This will be Ty's first lessons without me in the pool with him but I have no worries about him given how well he is swimming on his own now. Vanessa will be going into "Duck" with me by her side.
Tuesday I had made some homemade "Turkey Meatball" soup so I invited some of my girlfriends and their kids over. That morning we found out the one girl & her kids couldn't make it (their daughter woke up with pink eye). Ty still had fun with the other girl dressing up in Halloween costumes and playing board games.
Wednesday I took the kids to see a Magician at the Oshawa library which wasn't great but it gave us something to do that morning. That night we celebrated my neighbour Mary's birthday. Another great night with the neighbours.

(Vanessa was in her little ballerina outfit b/c the other 2 girls just love that sort of thing)

Thursday I took the kids to visit Iain at work for lunch. Ty was so excited to sit in the cafeteria with Iain and his co-workers. He loves charming the ladies at the office - like father, like son. LOL!! I didn't get a picture of them at the office but here is Vanessa that morning before we left.

Finally Friday we just hung out at home. The kids played really well together in the basement while I did a bit of scrapbooking. They both napped and we just hung out together all afternoon - Iain even came home early to join us. A great start to the long weekend.

I just can not believe the summer has come to an end although I really am looking forward to the routine that September brings. We have a very busy weekly schedule but I'm sure the kids will do really well and in the meantime I've started a "fall projects" list for myself. This list includes things like: touch up paint around the house that has been chipped off by various things hitting the wall, finish painting the fence (ALREADY!!), organize the linen closet, organize the spare bedroom ... I think I'll be very busy this fall but I look forward to it.