All Good Things...

must come to an end! So the saying goes but it's still so hard to say goodbye. I had the most wonderful visit with my parents...way too fast but wonderful nonetheless. Abbey and Michael just loved playing with grand-maman and grand-papa and of course they spoiled them (and us) way too much (not that I'm complaining! lol!) They got new clothes, new toys and all the hugs, kisses, love and attention you could imagine. Here's a picture of the proud grand-parents before church on Sunday.


Today when Abbey and Michael woke up they said "Ou grand-papa et grand-maman go?" I cried. They miss them as much as I do. :-( There's a French saying that says "il faut partir pour revenir" and I guess that's what I'll hold on to...that and the fact that I'll be seeing them again in 51 days!

Soggy Long Weekend!

Well it's rained the ENTIRE weekend! Brutal! Michael and Abbey LOVE being outside so this has been an especially long weekend for us! We've tried to keep busy...made pancakes, muffins, went to Roo's Playhouse, went for a few walks in the rain, tried to watch a movie (that was not a success since our kids aren't really into TV except Diego and Barney for 20 minutes at a time). We played with Play-Doh, coloured, did laundry, cleaned, made "forts" with blankets and made "music" with pots and pans. (see below)

We even had some success with potty training...a few "cacas" for Michael and a few "pipis" for Abbey...although Bob the Builder and Dora the Explorer are still getting peed on quite frequently! The whole process is very frustrating! I can't stop thinking of people with triplets or quads and how difficult potty training them must be 'cause two is making me want to pull my hair out.

Anyway, back to work tomorrow and in three sleeps my parents arrive. YAY!

Rain, rain go away!

It's STILL raining in NS! I'm thinking we should start building an ark or something?!? I do however have a new appreciation for rainy days after seeing them through the eyes of Michael and Abbey. Barb (the kid's caregiver) put an umbrella is Abbey's Easter basket and last weekend I bought one for Michael. It was too funny to see them walking around with their umbrellas. They were so proud. I actually had FUN in the rain! (and they had a blast!)

Mother's Day!

I was blessed with being born into the most loving family...and my wonderful mother Claire is at the heart of it. My Mom is my best friend. She is such a wonderful person, beautiful inside and out and someone I continually strive to be like. She's the first to compliment, or encourage and always sees the positive side of things. I've always known my Mom was amazing and that we shared a special bond but it's only now that I am a Mom myself that I can truly appreciate everything she has done and continues to do for me. She is the most caring, giving person and I hope to be half the parent to Abbey and Michael as she was to me.


Living in Nova Scotia has been really wonderful but I hate, HATE being away from my family. We are so close, that it seems unfair for us to be separated. Last year, 2 days into my summer holidays, my Mom surprised me by showing up on my doorstep with my cousin Claire (named after my Mom...obviously I'm not the only one who thinks she's fabulous!!!) for a visit. I wouldn't have been happier if someone had handed me ten million dollars. Another time, she picked me up from a conference early (okay it was Christian Community Day for all you OCCDSB folks!) and we decided in the car that we were heading to Montreal for a shopping extravaganza! (remember how sore our feet were Mom!) So many awesome spontaneous memories that just instantly make me smile. I've got a ton of them!
The year that I started teaching was the year my Mom retired but we worked for the same school board and so at all the functions people would come up to me and say "you have to be Claire Paquin's daughter"...and I would proudly answer yes. There is no greater compliment to me then that.


I wish I could say Bonne fête des mères in person but it'll have to wait until your visit at the end of the month Mom. I love you more then I could ever express and I thank God everyday for you and our awesome friendship! xoxo

$$ YARD SALE $$

Our subdivision had it's first (soon-to-be annual) garage sale so we decided to participate. Those who know me will attest to the fact that I'm so not a yard saler. BUT after having survived my first one ever today I must admit that I loved getting $$$ for my old, useless stuff! hee!hee! We had sooooooooo much stuff accumulated! It took a week to get prepared but it paid off and it was actually fun! :-) We made close to $1200.00 can you believe it?!? and our basement is so clean and spacious now!

HAIRCUTES!!!

I'm officially renaming haircuts to haircutes!! hee!hee! We took the kids for haircuts Monday night. Always a fun excursion! :-) Michael's great...jumps into the chair and sits through it all no problem. (the sucker is key though I must admit!). Abbey always gets a little weepy when she first sits in the chair but Debbie (our hairdresser) is always quite quick to turn her around.

I find that after every haircut they look cuter but also "sniff!sniff!" older! My babies are growing up! Abbey's hair is FINALLY coming in and Debbie says that next time we might actually be able to cut an even bob into it! yay!

Here's Michael making sure Abbey's hair is cut evenly!

GIRLS WEEKEND!

Friday after school, Mary, Sherry and I took off to Halifax for a girls weekend! We had so much fun! After a near death driving experience (3 point turn on a very busy street with lots of traffic...I'm convinced Mary Major's middle name in Andretti hee!hee!) we arrived at the Delta. We met up with Felicia and Tanya, checked in and cracked open a few bottles of wine! FUN FUN! After Mary made me over...no I'm serious...she made me take out the pearl earrings I've worn for the last 10 years and put in hoops AND she made me put on a strapless top (gasp!) I was ready for a night on the town lol! (don't worry the trusted pony tail was still in place hee!hee!) We had a wonderful dinner at Five Fishermen and then went out dancing. We got our groove on and we're in bed by 12:45...what a wild and crazy bunch! ha!ha!



The next morning we headed out for some SPA treatments, good food and MORE retail therapy...could it possibly get any better?!?!? We caught a movie in Bayer's Lake and headed back to the hotel for some hot tubing, drinking and chatting.
Sunday we headed back to our families but not before a quick stop in Bedford for one last shopping fix. lol! It's back to reality now though. Monday morning came around pretty quick! It was SO great to get away to recharge but nice to come home to my happy family too! Thanks Mary for all your planning! A great time was had by all! When's the next one?!? I hear Digby Pines calling us!!!! :-)