Woodland Antics

L ast night was so much fun! We made the house all dark & spooky threw treats all over the floor gave the kids flashlights and the Halloween Hunt was on... The kids want to do it again tonight and I'll probably be game. The squeals of delight are just too wonderful to pass up. Homemade Decorations Fabric bats on our wall, TP wrapped in tissue paper , Halloween chalkboard Happy Halloween Friends!

I can't say I love cooking.  I enjoy it enough.  I do love eating delicious food and the feeling I get when I serve a delish meal to my family.  The easier the meal the more I enjoy it. I know some of you that check in on our blog are just like me So  Here's a couple of recipes I made last night that are simple and delicious. This is a salad that I often make with chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, corn and avocado. It's super easy & if you're like us and don't eat much meat it's a great way to get some extra iron into your diet too. In the morning or around lunch  rinse & drain a can of chickpeas. Then put them in a ziplock bag with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar and marinate in the fridge until dinner. 15minutes before your husband gets home from work hungry for a nice dinner... Cut up the onions, tomatoes, avocado( if you have cucumbers on hand them too).  {don't get caught up on the amount of each ingredient

We got into the Halloween  spirit today by reading Halloween books and watching this classic together. We dressed up and made silly faces Photo Booth style... Reed and I were really feeling the craziness. Fiona just couldn't tap into our vibe. Crazy is a relative term in our family! Fiona wanted to take some "serious and pretty" pictures I love them.

  Only 59 days 'til Christmas. Have you sent Santa your letter yet? Sincerely,                  A broke Santa

About 6 years ago I was at my brothers chatting with my sister-in-law.  Around the corner came my outraged nephew Logan.  " What. Is. This?  What is this?"   His little voice is still so vivid in my ears, just thinking of it makes me laugh.  He had some of his artwork from kindergarten in his hand.  He had found it in the trash. {Me & Logan back in the day} Recently I went through a similar awkward situation with Fiona.  Of course I lied and told her it was a mistake and I didn't mean to throw her beautiful art in the recycling bin. But really, what do I do with all of this artwork?   I don't like to place blame but I feel certain in her few years Fiona has depleted a rainforest single-handedly.  Crafts and art consume most of her free time. I've saved pieces over the past few years that now occupy space in my parents attic.  I fear they will yellow, the cotton balls will fall off, the sparkles shed and lay at the bottom of the box.  There are many

H ave you ever interlaced hands with your heart as it gave you a kiss on your forehead? I have.

Today's my birthday.   I have every intention of dragging it out for a full week.  I'd try for longer but Halloween is next Monday and will certainly steal my thunder.  Celebrations began yesterday and this is what I did: * slept in  * stayed in bed and read my book * got up and was gifted some handmade cards from my angels, the best pair of pants from my hubby along with a the promise of a new camera lens. * went back to bed to read some more.  {This time with a bag of chips.} * serenaded by my beautiful family with the birthday song as they presented  me with a beautifully decorated carrot cake. {still while in bed} * ate a great lunch that Ryan made{finally out of bed but still in pajamas} * took a hot shower without a child at my feet * spent some family time at the playground * relaxed, feet propped on the man of my dreams * dozed off to dreamland after some pillow talk about how fantastic my life has been, especially the past 9 years that I've spent with Ry G

It's been a looooong day.  Here are some tidbits from it. Fiona had a doctors visit, she has bronchitis and weighs 17.5kg  {note to self: convert 17.5kg into pounds}  Fiona had a great question for me within drawn out conversation that I'll summarize.  Given that if you drink out of a sick persons cup you'll get sick; If you're sick and drink out of a healthy persons cup will you get healthy? {I love this age} While brushing teeth tonight I was singing "this is the way we brush our teeth..."  As I was doing a once over on Reeds I could hear Fiona singing "this is the way we scratch our back..."  I wasn't paying attention to what she was doing.  Finally I looked at her and was devastated.  She was scratching her back with the toilet bowl brush.  I'm sick just thinking of it. I knew I was bound to forget something during the move.  I did and it was pretty big.  I forgot to renew my drivers license.  It expires on Monday.   So I made my

"I love photos, the best thing about them is that, they never change even when the person in them does" Here are some October photos from throughout the years... Ryan when he was 1, camping with his family. Oct.1978 Ryan's parents have shared some old pictures with us.  It's surreal to look through them.  There's not a resemblance between Ryan and Reed.  Reed is an exact replica.  Me on my first day of preschool. Oct. 24, 1980 Reed in daddy's arms. Oct. 2005 Fiona back when she was my wombmate.  Oct. 2006 Fiona apple picking in New England.  Oct. 2007 Smiley Reed. Oct. 2007 A pumpkin hug to be mailed to Great Grandparents Jordan.  Oct. 2008 Reed in Massachusetts. Oct. 2009 Apple picking in New England.  Oct. 2009 Silly Fiona. Oct. 2010 Reed's 5th birthday picture.  Oct. 2010 Good times.  Oct. 2011

Fiona had her first ballet lesson in Australia yesterday. Once she found out she couldn't wear one of  her fancy tutus as she had in Quebec and Maryland she decided she wanted to go back to Canada.   {At the big show in Quebec} Every now and then she makes the request to go back to Canada or the United States. My heart breaks a little. If at 4 years old she misses our old homes.  How much is she going to miss our current when she's 7?  {We're planning to move back in 3 years}  Like I tell her, we're giving her options.  When she's an adult she can decide where she wants to live. Here's a short clip of her preparing for class on our bed. I could hear the kids scheming to dress up and trick me.  "Mom won't know who we are."   So in they came and I had no idea who these characters in my house were.  But they were so adorable I decided to keep them. Happy Dancing, Trudy

S unday we visited Collingwood Children's Farm and walked the beautiful grounds of Abbotsford Convent. There is no doubt in my mind we'll be returning to both.  No doubt with a picnic basket in tow.   I adore that grin! Capturing it is priceless. This may very well be my favorite picture of her ever. She was given the chance to milk this sweet cow.   She declined worried it would hurt Miss Moo.  She petted her and told her how beautiful she was instead. { melt } I'm so privileged to be their mum We are all so privileged to have him carrying us all on his shoulders Me & Fiona bringing our prisoner to jail. The pigs made us laugh so hard we squealed. It was a fantastic way to pass an afternoon as a family. "Being a family means you are a part of something wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.  No matter what."     Love,     Mum