Back again for another exciting summer up at the park. We're already a full 2 weeks into our 9 week summer break and it's flying! Slow down, summer!
I'm back to running the kids Thursday Night Bingo - what a hoot! We've got lots of new kids in the park this year - one in particular that I met at our first bingo last week - Zoe. She was a real cutie patootie! She seemed a bit shy, so I singled her out during the bingo - "Hey Zoe, how's it going?" She snuggled into her dad all shy like and smiled. Then I asked the crowd if everyone knew Zoe yet and introduced her. She got a big Pioneer welcome from the group! And you know what? The next day she saw me walking out of our trailer and ran over and gave me a giant hug! Thanks Zoe!
It feels great to be writing! I've missed keeping you all up-to-date with our adventures. And speaking of adventures...my mom has been travelling all over lately - well, Winnipeg for a wedding and then to Portugal for work. Yes you read that right. Portugal. For work. What a lucky duck! I tried desperately to fit my way into her suitcase, but it was a no go. She had a great time with many of her own adventures - and the return trip home to Canada had tons of laughs. I told her I think I have to give the title of Adventure Mommy to her too!
So - what else is new you ask? Still keeping on keeping on. And life is good. Good friends, great family. That's what's important, right?
Keep on smiling!
July 11, 2014
February 24, 2014
Unforgettable
We've been real busy around here - hockey games, tournaments and now into dance competitions. Which brings me to this blog…hmmmm.
Our daughter dances competitively - well, semi-competitively actually. But it is a busy comp schedule even if her troupe is in only one dance. We still attend all the competitions that the studio is in. Yesterday we watched the showcase - that is all the competitive routines that the studio has and is presenting around town over the next 2 months. Wow!! It was amazing to see the talent of these young people.
Although Naomi's was one of my favourite routines - a jazz number set to I've Got the Music in Me, I found the Contemporary routines to be moving. Pure, raw emotion set to dance. We watched a routine set to a spoken word poem - and I got teary. The words, the narration - resonated within me. "To This Day" by Shane Koyczan is unforgettable. I watched it again today (on the link below) and I really bawled. Any mom who has ever doubted herself will be able to relate to a certain line in this poem. And hey, I cry when I read Hallmark cards.
I've attached a link to the website - well worth the time if you have a chance.
http://tothisdayproject.com
Maybe it'll move you too.
Our daughter dances competitively - well, semi-competitively actually. But it is a busy comp schedule even if her troupe is in only one dance. We still attend all the competitions that the studio is in. Yesterday we watched the showcase - that is all the competitive routines that the studio has and is presenting around town over the next 2 months. Wow!! It was amazing to see the talent of these young people.
Although Naomi's was one of my favourite routines - a jazz number set to I've Got the Music in Me, I found the Contemporary routines to be moving. Pure, raw emotion set to dance. We watched a routine set to a spoken word poem - and I got teary. The words, the narration - resonated within me. "To This Day" by Shane Koyczan is unforgettable. I watched it again today (on the link below) and I really bawled. Any mom who has ever doubted herself will be able to relate to a certain line in this poem. And hey, I cry when I read Hallmark cards.
I've attached a link to the website - well worth the time if you have a chance.
http://tothisdayproject.com
Maybe it'll move you too.
December 28, 2013
Bright Star
Merry Christmas! What a week it's been if you live in Southern Ontario. We had a crazy ice storm that knocked out power to 350,000 people for days. So this is a Christmas we won't forget thats for sure. And thankful that we had warm, cozy and lit houses that we could stay in until our own powered up again. Thanks Mom and Mom & Dad!!
And on that same thought…just hanging out with Ben in our usual routine of good night snuggles. I asked him what his favourite thing was today. He said it was either playing Skylanders with his friend or the battle that him and dad had just before bedtime. I laughed and said I love you so much. You are a bright star in a sometimes really crappy day. And Dad and Naomi too. And Roxy he reminded me. Yes. Roxy too. And you are too he said. Ahhh. Thanks Ben.
Keep smiling! And I hope you are warm, safe and surrounded by people you love and that love you right back.
And on that same thought…just hanging out with Ben in our usual routine of good night snuggles. I asked him what his favourite thing was today. He said it was either playing Skylanders with his friend or the battle that him and dad had just before bedtime. I laughed and said I love you so much. You are a bright star in a sometimes really crappy day. And Dad and Naomi too. And Roxy he reminded me. Yes. Roxy too. And you are too he said. Ahhh. Thanks Ben.
Keep smiling! And I hope you are warm, safe and surrounded by people you love and that love you right back.
October 28, 2013
Next Town Down
I've come across this new band - Next Town Down - that hail from my hometown! I was lucky enough to get a copy of their debut CD - well, that's what happens when you're in the know. Ha! Ha!
I actually do know Matt Lionetti from the band. Super guy and totally lovin' this album. You really want to check this out - and you can even follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Here's the web: http://www.nexttowndown.com
Maybe my DJ friend in Iceland (yes Mike - that's you!!) can get some radio time for these guys...
Keep smiling!
I actually do know Matt Lionetti from the band. Super guy and totally lovin' this album. You really want to check this out - and you can even follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Here's the web: http://www.nexttowndown.com
Maybe my DJ friend in Iceland (yes Mike - that's you!!) can get some radio time for these guys...
Keep smiling!
October 16, 2013
Blog Worthy
What a spectacular Thanksgiving weekend!! Adventure Mommy and co. headed up north and spent 2 wonderful days with family, friends and pets. We even started our "First Annual Turkey Bowl" annual football game...it was all new to me. Thank goodness for Angie, the organizer of the event and our team's captain. I think the final score was a tie - but it was a win win for everyone involved. We even had a row of spectators and a photographer or two!
The hosts of the day (my auntie Jul and uncle Bri) had a giant (I mean humongous) jumping castle for the kids to play on all day. And they did. All. Day. Seriously. Naomi hasn't fallen asleep in the car since she was a toddler...and she did that night LOL!
We ended off the game then headed in for supper. I just love love love pot luck suppers. Everyone brings their own special dish and everyone gets to share. What's better than that?
And of course, what would Thanksgiving be without actually being thankful. So I'm thankful for all that is in my life. Now that is better than pot luck now that I think about it.
Keep smiling!
special note from the author to auntie Jul...it was a totally blog worthy day and I thank you very much for hosting such a great event. Love you :o)
The hosts of the day (my auntie Jul and uncle Bri) had a giant (I mean humongous) jumping castle for the kids to play on all day. And they did. All. Day. Seriously. Naomi hasn't fallen asleep in the car since she was a toddler...and she did that night LOL!
We ended off the game then headed in for supper. I just love love love pot luck suppers. Everyone brings their own special dish and everyone gets to share. What's better than that?
And of course, what would Thanksgiving be without actually being thankful. So I'm thankful for all that is in my life. Now that is better than pot luck now that I think about it.
Keep smiling!
special note from the author to auntie Jul...it was a totally blog worthy day and I thank you very much for hosting such a great event. Love you :o)
September 23, 2013
Hock-u-pied
Yep. Thats right. Hock-u-pied. Hey! That's my word - I have been using it for the past couple of years and people always laugh when they hear it. Especially if they have a kid in hockey. Or a kid in hockey, playing both house league and select, add in some skills school, extra ice time, a rink in your backyard... you know the type. Those (read: us) crazy, wonderfully crazy, hockey families.
Say it with me all you hockey parents out there...hock-u-pied. Now use it in place of saying something like "we have a busy weekend coming up - we will be at the arena 4 times in the next 2 days times 2 kids"... you get the picture. This will now read "We are hock-u-pied this weekend". Hock-u-pied fills in the gap nicely. One word that covers so much. Hockey families will now smile knowingly at each other when they hear my word.
Now, I'm not one of those moms that you would call a Hockey Mom. I can't lace up my kids skates, I forget which order the equipment goes on - "Is it your chest pad thingy now?" No mom - not yet! And he goes through the correct order of the equipment going on. And which jersey is it today? How do you know if you are Home or Away? And really, I feel like I'm that mom at the rink. You know the type. The other parents are whispering "Is she still really asking what does offside mean, again?" I mean, really. My 11 year old daughter who never goes to the practices or games understands the game better than me!
Seriously though, to all the hockey mom ladies that I know, you are all wonderful. One more question though - Is that frosting? I mean, icing. Icing, yes that's it. Frosting - no wonder they all roll their eyes at me.
Keep smiling!
Say it with me all you hockey parents out there...hock-u-pied. Now use it in place of saying something like "we have a busy weekend coming up - we will be at the arena 4 times in the next 2 days times 2 kids"... you get the picture. This will now read "We are hock-u-pied this weekend". Hock-u-pied fills in the gap nicely. One word that covers so much. Hockey families will now smile knowingly at each other when they hear my word.
Now, I'm not one of those moms that you would call a Hockey Mom. I can't lace up my kids skates, I forget which order the equipment goes on - "Is it your chest pad thingy now?" No mom - not yet! And he goes through the correct order of the equipment going on. And which jersey is it today? How do you know if you are Home or Away? And really, I feel like I'm that mom at the rink. You know the type. The other parents are whispering "Is she still really asking what does offside mean, again?" I mean, really. My 11 year old daughter who never goes to the practices or games understands the game better than me!
Seriously though, to all the hockey mom ladies that I know, you are all wonderful. One more question though - Is that frosting? I mean, icing. Icing, yes that's it. Frosting - no wonder they all roll their eyes at me.
Keep smiling!
August 6, 2013
Bart Simpson
My dad loved the Simpsons! Some of you may remember that the Yes Man won my dad's heart the day he showed up at our house for the first time, knocked on the door and when my dad answered, there stood Bart Simpson smiling. It was actually Brad wearing a Bart Simpson mask, but hey! It still made my dad laugh and laugh.
A month or so later, my dad and I were driving into work (we worked for the same company) and we heard the song Unchained Melody. As we both sang I remember being surprised that he knew the song. After all, I was 20 and thought I knew everything, but my dad? He told me that alot of songs that were current hits were actually remakes of classics. Pretty smart guy. These really were the last memories of my dad before he passed away in February 1991.
I'm taking this trip down memory lane for a few reasons. On August 4 my dad would have turned 70. Wow. Unfortunately, he didn't even see 48. Too young, that's for sure. And we all really miss him - his laughing fun side and his serious side. And the side of him that reminded me that sometimes when things happen that "it's just another pit in the cherry pie of life".
My auntie Jul sent me a text that she was thinking about my dad and I. Even after 22 years without him, we all still remember. We each have our own way of healing.
I took a few moments to talk to him and wish him a happy birthday. And then I flew my kite and looked up at the bluest sky and fluffy white clouds knowing that he's smiling down on Bart and I.
A month or so later, my dad and I were driving into work (we worked for the same company) and we heard the song Unchained Melody. As we both sang I remember being surprised that he knew the song. After all, I was 20 and thought I knew everything, but my dad? He told me that alot of songs that were current hits were actually remakes of classics. Pretty smart guy. These really were the last memories of my dad before he passed away in February 1991.
I'm taking this trip down memory lane for a few reasons. On August 4 my dad would have turned 70. Wow. Unfortunately, he didn't even see 48. Too young, that's for sure. And we all really miss him - his laughing fun side and his serious side. And the side of him that reminded me that sometimes when things happen that "it's just another pit in the cherry pie of life".
My auntie Jul sent me a text that she was thinking about my dad and I. Even after 22 years without him, we all still remember. We each have our own way of healing.
I took a few moments to talk to him and wish him a happy birthday. And then I flew my kite and looked up at the bluest sky and fluffy white clouds knowing that he's smiling down on Bart and I.
Just another thought on how things come around...our kids love to watch the Simpsons - just like their grampa Jack did. And it makes them laugh too! Ben even bought a Bart Simpson ball cap the other day - I just know that grampa would've wanted one just like it.
Keep smiling!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)