Boo! Happy Hallowe'en!

"Psycho" Clown

This is the scene at our house this year...far too frightful for mommy! AHHHHHHH!  Our son picked this scary costume...I was really hoping that he would be the hero / Indiana Jones type costume that he usually is.  Our daughter decided to forego the usual witch / goth witch / vampire witch and be a classy lady bug.  Whew!

Classy Bugs

Spooky Cake Pops from Every Occakesion

Adventure Mommy and co. are heading out to a hallowe'en party tonight...and we are taking these delicious, spook-tacular cake pops for the kids (and some adults if they are lucky)!  Aren't they awes-amazing??  That's Naomi's new word - and I think it's awes-amazing too!

May you have a SPOOK-TACULAR hallowe'en!

BOO!

Kiss N' Ride - not what you think it is

I have been a volunteer at our school for years...I help in the library, hot lunches on Fridays, family game nights - you know - when and where ever needed.  I'm in.  And I love it.
This blog goes out to Cathy - a faithful follower of Adventure Mommy.  She is a fellow mommy at our school and she frequently checks on the blog state - and mentions to me when it's time to put up the next blog!  Thanks Cathy...sometimes I need a gentle reminder or a big shove LOL!

One other area of volunteer-ism that I participate in is our Kiss N' Ride.  When I first signed up for this I wasn't sure what I was getting into.  The Kiss N' Ride facilitates a safe drop off area in front of our school.  Usually things go smoothly on my shift, but I have had to use my "big" voice once in awhile and remind parents "Please use the sidewalk" instead of playing chicken and running through the very crazy parking lot.  Seriously.  I should also note that my "big" voice is actually fairly high pitched and squeaky and a bit nervous - it really comes out as "Um, excuse me, yes - you.  If you would please take the sidewalk as the parents are ruthless driving through here and you know it's really for your safety..." Ha! Ha!

If I'm in the Kiss N' Ride and notice someone not following the rules, I usually will open my window to say something.  However, if Naomi and Ben are in the car with me they are begging me not to open the window - something like this: "No Mommy - do not open the window" and they are mortified and hiding down in the back seat so no one sees them.  This is the ultimate mommy embarrassment.

And once in awhile, the Yes Man has to cover my shift (usually only once a year when I'm on my shopping extravaganza trip to Rochester).  He was totally disappointed as he really thought that he was going to score some kisses from the mommies going through the Kiss N' Ride.  I had to break it to him that it's not what you think it is...

Keep smiling!! Cathy - that was for you!

Making Room for More

This is what it all comes down to.  Removing the drama from your life and making room for what really matters.  What really counts.  Positive energy - and positive people that create that good energy.  I  am aware that I have been doing this throughout my life.  I choose my friends - for all the greatness that they possess.  Not money.  Not fame.  But love, compassion, caring.  Also - a great sense of humour goes a long way too!  I'm so grateful that I have this in my family too.  The ladies in my family are a huge inspiration to me.  I feel connected to all of them - and they all bring something unique to the table.

My friend Steph and I were out last night at our School Council meeting and on the drive home we had some huge laughs. I thought to myself as I got out of the car, I'd love to have more nights like this. Laughing and spending more time with other women who have the same values as me.  It makes my heart sing.

And on that note...(no pun intended!) the 3 mousketeers are heading off to Rochester for our annual shopping extravaganza.  I'm counting the sleeps!

Keep smiling!

More Tuesday Musings

Well said.  Still learning and growing (thankful for that!)  

My weekly visits at the retirement home are a constant reminder to make every moment count.  I see it clearly in the residents who have done that throughout their lives and also in the ones that weren't able to. 

More than ever - Keep smiling and make every moment count.

Affirmations

For the past year or so, I had a note taped to my fridge that said "I am a strong and worthy person".  I looked at it everyday - many times - and repeated these words to myself.  Sometimes out loud, sometimes just quietly.

When I returned home in September from our summer away at the trailer, I took this note down.  I know that I am a strong and worthy person.  Yeah!  Then I went out to Home Sense and saw this (and had to buy it - I love love love the words!)
 

So this little note on my fridge, grew up and became this wonderful word wall.  I absolutely love the words on this - especially Be Legendary.  Imagine me. Legendary! Well, maybe I'll just start with Be fearless!  


Keep smiling!

Wining (not whining) in Niagara

Adventure Mommy and the Yes Man (we sound like Superheroes!)

The Yes Man and I recently celebrated our 16th anniversary.  We decided to go to Niagara Falls and check out a few wineries - we hit 7 or 8 of them!!  I really enjoy Ontario red wines and happy to report that we found a dozen or so to bring home with us. The beauty of going to Niagara wine region is that you get to taste and purchase wines that aren't necessarily available in the LCBO - so for that reason alone I highly recommend a visit.

We stayed at the Hilton Doubletree in Niagara Falls and it was wonderful!!  If I did advertise my blog I would definitely recommend staying there.  If only for the deliciously warm, gooey, chocolately, nutty cookie they give you on check in!! Yummmmmm!  And the bonus is that it is centrally located in the Falls area - you can Clifton Hills to your hearts content or sip a Misto at Starbucks (thanks to my cousin Meg for that tidbit on the coffee).  And not only did we sip our way through wine country, but we actually took in a bit of history too.

The kids had a weekend away as well.  They had their own adventure with Gramma and Grampa - and somehow Naomi (am I really that surprised) convinced Gramma to bake a cake for our anniversary.  I should mention that the oven at Gramma's house only gets used on special occasion - so this must have been super special all right LOL!!

When we returned home, the kids came in and presented their masterpiece to us - Naomi told us it was the Niagara Falls Cake.  And boy, was it ever.  Just check out the pic below:

Le Gateau de Niagara Falls

Thanks to Gramma and Grampa for letting us get away!  And to the kids, thank you for the spectacular cake!  Love you!

Keep smiling!