The End of an Era

...that never really began.

After less then a month of "try-out" classes, Marlee has decided that she is too busy to continue with karate. She doesn't like being "rushed". I don't blame her. Although I have to admit I am surprised. She raved and raved about wanting to take karate since a classmate of hers has been for a few years now. We were able to try out the class for a month before committing. Thank goodness.

We thought she was really enjoying it.

She was encouraged to attend 2 of the 3 classes offered each week.

She tried out her "hayy ahh's on everyone and showed off her 'kee'.

She managed the sore muscles and a sore foot but decided in the end that it was not to be. Better to know now then after the commitment. I still feel a little bad though. She really wasn't always rushed there but any after school commitment does involve cutting something else out and in our household yes, being hurried along.

I think she might have felt it was affecting her love of UNO this month.

One person really can make a difference...

We went to the annual Terry Fox Run today and again saw what a difference one person can really make.

We've been going with team Adidas since 2006 and this is the first year that Jan and Melissa were away. I find I am getting more and more into it as each year passes. Ever since Matt started learning about Terry Fox in school, I've seen him as a hero in the eyes of the kids. It may also be the Thunder Bay connection. We have made a point of stopping at the memoriam there for the last few years as well (except this year with Mitchell - we were on a roll) and it allowed me to learn more about him. Seeing his statue there makes it it home. I actually get a lump in my throat every time we drive by. He has become such a hero in the eyes of Canadians - and now mine as well.

The day turned out really nicely and it was great to see so many people take part. They always have an opening ceremony and then a warm-up exercise, and since this year was the 30th anniversary, they released some pigeons. One lady sang an amazing song about his life. Matt's teacher from last year is one of the organizers and that has been a big hit to see her there. We get one-of-a-kind team shirts from Adidas and Melissa has shared one with her as well - another great connection.

We caught up with a few people we haven't seen in a while

finished respectfully

and then headed to church (lots of comments on our "team shirts" - which helps when you come in late =]).

As for the rest of the days events...

Drew had to work after church so the kids and I grabbed lunch at McDonald's (didn't I say I wouldn't eat there anymore?) [note: it has been less!]. We didn't have time to get all the way home before the baby shower at church so we stopped at the skateboard park to watch while we ate. The kids have been wanting to do that for ages.

I was pleasantly surprised. The language was okay and the kids were very impressed at the various skill levels. I had some good conversations with Matt - he would love to be able to do what they do, and thought that they were quiet "smart". We discussed what that meant to him - skill wise of course. It was a good learning time to show that only about half were wearing helmets and hardly, if any were wearing wrist guards. I hope those lessons last.

We then headed to mom and dad's to drop off the kids and pick up mom. While we were getting in, Cierra accidentally let out the dog. She is a runner and immediately dashed into the street. SCREEEEECHH!! My heart was pounding! We were able to get her back safely, thanks to another dog owner who was walking his dogs. She tends to run when approached so I don't know what I would have done! One lady stopped her car while I was at the corner and yelled at me saying" that dog is going to get hit by a car!!!". Um really? Do you think I meant for this to happen? Another reminder to calm down and think before speaking. I was not impressed. After going over the "next time..." with the kids we were on our way.

We celebrated the birth of a little boy at church with a shower. About 20 ladies showed up and I got some more great ideas for gifts (homemade bibs out of hand towels, animal scrapbook, books). If only money was no object. I gave my baby bag of favourites (more on that later) and always have more then I need to add to it but sometimes some variety might be nice! Mom made a Raggedy Andy (I think she said she's done about 100??? - wow!). I do love attending these showers - such a great way to get to know people better and be a part of the larger church family. I wish more ladies realized or felt comfortable in coming out even if they don't know the individual. Mitchell and this little guy are going to grow up together so I'd like them to spend time together!

After the shower we went back for a birthday dinner in my honour. Poor Mitchell was quite over tired by this point but we managed to have a good time with good eats (beef stroganoff and chocolate cake - yum!) and family and fun (the kids do love that "secret hiding place"!) Mom and dad gave me an exercise outfit so I think I will now pass on my black hoody. We then had to return to lunches and clean up at home though so the kids were into bed lickety split and off we went to bed. Another weekend gone in a flash.

Run Drew Run!

We are back from our marathon weekend away. Well half marathon that is. I'm not sure in all honesty whether Drew really enjoyed having us there with him but we are proud to say that he completed the half marathon in Ottawa yesterday.







He and Glenn ran 1 hour 49 minutes and 33 seconds. He was 1959th out of all 9207 participants. 1481st out of 3876 men; 284th out of 691 men (aged 35-39)











It's been a long time since I've travelled with an infant and this was a big learning curve. It took us considerably longer then we had anticipated - primarily because Mitchell does not seem to like his car seat. I should have thought about the fact that he slept ALL morning (5 hours actually) and tried to keep him awake. We were just too busy trying to get to see Drew and all the excitement following. We had planned to stay late at the hotel and swim some more but the pool was closed for maintenance. We ended up not having to pay a late fee and headed out. Of course he woke up shortly thereafter and while we wanted the kids to see the Parliament buildings before we left we settled in a parking lot to feed while the kids wen ton a short tour. They got snack foods. 45 minutes later we drove by the buildings with Mitchell starting to fuss in the back. About 5 stops and 7.5 hours later we made it home. Pheww!

Run Drew Run!

We are back from our marathon weekend away. Well half marathon that is. I'm not sure in all honesty whether Drew really enjoyed having us there with him but we are proud to say that he completed the half marathon in Ottawa yesterday.

He and Glenn ran 1 hour 49 minutes and 33 seconds. He was 1959th out of all 9207 participants. 1481st out of 3876 men; 284th out of 691 men (aged 35-39).

Can you see them in the picture?

Can you still see them?

And still?

It's been a long time since I've travelled with an infant and this was a big learning curve. It took us considerably longer to get there and back then we had anticipated - primarily because Mitchell does not seem to like his car seat.

THIS is typical:

I should have thought about the fact that he slept ALL morning (5 hours actually) and tried to keep him awake. We were just too busy trying to get to see Drew and all the excitement following. We weren't sure where we would be able to see them and spent some time wandering around. We finally settled on teh bridge. In hindsight, nwext time we will scope out a spot all togther. Still, we saw them and it was good.

Afterwards we had planned to stay late at the hotel and swim some more but the pool was closed for maintenance. We ended up not having to pay a late fee and headed out. Of course he woke up shortly thereafter and while we wanted the kids to see the Parliament buildings before we left we settled in a parking lot to feed while the kids went on a short tour. They got snack foods. 45 minutes later we drove by the buildings with Mitchell starting to fuss in the back.

But they did see them...

And then we were off.

We had to make a few pit stops... one of which was the side of the road...

A few more in between and then the Big Apple.

Where we showed some sibling love at the bottom!

And some love at the top!

And while I was feeding Mitchell...

A whole lot of mini golf poser shots (no mini golf played mind you!). It's great what fun you can have with a camera (and spend A LOT of time doing!)

Sooooo, about 5 stops and 7.5 hours later we made it home. Pheww!

Load Day 3 and 4

Day 3's layout

Sources:


Templatesbykate
Paper - GM designs
Ribbon - ami collifello - round with ribbon (Pixel gypsy design)
font - CK leisurely

Day 4 Challenge: "Create a layout with cardstock only, no patterned paper, no embellishments, no doo-dads. You can use letter stickers or stamps or letter rub-ons and a pen and ONE other thing (but not patterned paper)".

I pretty much did followed this challenge - before even reading the prompt. Yey me! It's a daily adventure to see how I'm going to use the VERY limited time I have to actually scrapbook. On the surface it would seem I have a lot of free time - I am at the laptop it seems all day long. However I also have this little one attached to me - literally - most of the time. Scrapbooking doesn't seem to be lending itself to one finger typing. I did have Drew load Photo shop on to the laptop but I haven't been able to coordinate all of the flash drives and photo CD's and all that to actually use it yet. Maybe one day soon?

Anyway, enough of that - I did manage to finish this layout with only a few comments from Drew - yes I had to come back twice (11:30 to put the stickers on and scan and then 12:00 to upload) after thinking I had Mitchell down for a little bit. But no. Mitchell has this thing with not wanting to sleep in the evening (any time after 5pm?) and also with major power feeding. He also won't stay with Drew for any extended length of time. What can I say - I know he loves me and only I can provide for him right now? I know that all too soon this will change and he'll "love" other people too. Somehow that doesn't quite sound right...

Here is Day 4 - Simply irresistible

I think I'm going to go back and see if I can move the letter stickers. I couldn't space them out as much as the original design once I got going but now I'm thinking....

Sources: Bazzill Basics paper, letter stickers unknown and chipboard letters? dollarstore.
Scraplifted from scrapbooks etc July 2007 p 104

And to answer the other Cardstock questions:

1. In terms of base coloured cardstock - I tend to match the photos but my favourites tend to be neutrals 9 black, white and tan of some sort.

2. Yes I try to match some elements of the photo with the cardstock.

3. Sometimes I mat sometimes I don't. I'd say more often I do.

4. I'm an 8.5 x 11 more often if I want to print out the journaling on the paper or run something through the computer. I'll often put the 8.5x11 on a 12x12 background after I've printed. If I have more photos I tend to be a 12x12.

5. If I had to choose one colour cardstock - I'm ALWAYS using white. For journaling, for matting for background. That would have to be it.

There you have it!

TFL!

26th out of 168!

Drew participated in his first race today and came 26th out of 168! He started running in November with Glen and they decided to train for a 1/2 marathon in May. To be better prepared they decided to do a 10K race today in Aurora. I was prepared to go watch but after asking a few times I really got the feeling he preferred to do it on his own so we went on to church. (I can understand actually). Way to go Drew!

Since I don't have any race pictures I'll share a few related pics...

The cool running attire...

A slimmer, skinny Drew...

I really noticed it in these clothes - he's noticing his pants are getting looser!

I can't wait to get back into running but unless my eating habits change I'm not likely to see the same results. It might also be good to find a motivating running friend like Glen!

Sparkling waters...

Today I learned that... sometimes you just have to put one foot in front of the other and get going... and you never know what you will see.

I had a hard time getting into my run today. I could only get 5 and 1's going but at least I did get some exercise. It was beautiful though. I ran home from church today - well walked and ran! When I rounded the corner and started down the hill toward the lake I was just struck by the beauty. The sun was sparkling all over the water and the view over the fountains was breathtaking. I even talked with a young family who was taken by it as well. I do love this area!

Keeping on top of it all

Today I learned that it is okay to work on things for me! I have to continuously work on this as there are always other things on my to do list. I'm recognizing how my little routines are helping me keep up with everything and be more productive - giving me more me time. I'm keeping up on my dumping and it isn't so out of control. My email box isn't so full. My piles aren't so high. My cleaning is evident. Even though I haven't spent any time in my office for several weeks, I was able to tidy up there effectively and spend some time on running, church tasks and scrapbooking for the few hours that I had to myself today. It feels so good to be productive and to do something for me. Happy me = happy family!

Buns of Steel

I am on my way to buns of steel!!!! I wish. But I did cycle 31 km today with Linda (and only had to pump up my tire about 6 times - thank goodness I had the foresight to bring the tire pump). I think I am going to feel it tomorrow! I'm just trying to even out the pain in my body (my upper body is still feeling the boot cmap workout from Monday).

out!