First time on the canal!

Today we braved the freezing cold and went skating on the canal with Donovan and his mama. It was REALLY cold. Maelie did not lat long before complaining and whining. But at least we can say it loud and clear: we've been skating on the canal for the first time and also had a Beavertail !



Perhaps we can go back another day when it's not -27!

dream come true

Maelie had a big wish for today! We were going out to celebrate both Bill & my anniversary, as well as a birthday dinner for Bill since his bday is Feb 3rd (but he is working). Maelie's wish was that we'd go to Montana's and that daddy would have to wear a moose hat while the staff sings him happy birthday. (Little does Maelie know that we did this to Michelle many moons ago too!)

The minute we got in the restaurant she told the staff that it was his birthday. When they came back to our table she made sure she told them again. She also added it to the table:




She told her daddy to eat his steak and fries faster!

She counted to 100 over and over and over as we waited for the dessert!

She thought it would never come.

Then finally... it did! *clap clap clap clap* They made Bill stand on the chair to get even more attention.




Maelie also got her moment of fame.

Outdoor day & Little Ray's

Today was an outdoor fun day at Maelie's school. We went to Lac Beauchamp and did some tubing and skating and just playing in the snow!! The older kids could go sking if they wanted to.



The kids had a great time even if there was a lot of blowing snow, and it was freezing! It was pretty exhausting!



After the exhausting day out, it was Mad Science after school. This week, Little Ray's Reptile zoo came with some of their crocodilian family, and a few birds. It was awesome! I LOVE Little Ray's Reptile zoo!

Maelie got to hold one of the birds.



Here's the other bird:



She also touched a crocodile and an alligator (one is pictured here):



and she got to even hold a baby alligator! It was so cute!



After all of that, we came home and shoveled the driveway! I am just ready for a hot bath right now!!

a chilly afternoon snack

Yesterday afternoon my friend Jacinthe dropped off her 2 daughters for a playdate. Mid-afternoon, they were all ready for a snack. Maelie had printed off an applesauce muffin recipe that seemed pretty easy.

I baked them some heart shaped tiny muffins, and then regular muffins. I figured why not make them more appealing by decorating them with Valentine's sprinkles! I made a new recipe for icing... some kind of cream cheese one. Myriam taste tested it and she said it was delicious.

Here are the accessories.



Here are the girls hard at work.




Maelie was caught in the act....



Tada!

Little Crazy photo session

Since nothing much has been going on these days, here is a little Crazy photo shoot taken yesterday:

I guess my craft supplies are limited

"Mom, do you have any markers that can write on fur?"

I guess i DON'T have everything a person would ever need.

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Precious & peaceful

Clear Communication

When I cleaned out Maelie's lunch box this morning, this is what I was greeted with.


Apparently, she did not like her broccoli cheese chicken breast from M&M! I kinda suspected she wouldn't since it is not plain. It's a few ingredients mixed together and that's usually a flop unless it is paté chinois.

She likes to writes notes for me in her lunchbox to let me know that she wants or doesn't want something. Yes, I know this little note may sound rude, but I just found it way too sweet! How many other moms can say they receive these kinds of notes in their lunches? The doors of communication are very open in our house!

I will sneak a little note in her lunch today as well....

Plasma car

In case some of you wonder what I talk about when I talk about Maelie's plasma car, here are pictures. Basically it is a little vehicle that is driven by the steering wheel. You don't need to push it with your feet. Maelie really enjoys driving it around the house and Bebe lapin enjoys chasing her.

Maelie's toothholder

Maelie received a little kit at Christmas to make some kind of ceramic tooth holders. She painted it herself, just on time for another lost tooth last week.

Let's get lunar!

Lunar Bébé lapin vs Lunar Jim

garbage woes

I changed the garbage bag today and put the bag beside the garbage can promising myself to put it outside later.

Maelie went to get a refill of mashed potatoes for her supper, and didn't notice the bag oh her way back. All I heard was THUMP.... and ahhhhhhh.....



and this is what I saw.

At last! the secret is out!

While Bill was out in Winnipeg, I was VERY busy with secret renovations! I removed the little wooden trim we had in the middle of the wall in our living room, patched and sanded, primed and painted. I couldn't blog about it as Bill reads this blog occasionally. So now, I can post some "after" pictures of my work!




I am proud of my work somewhat but there are many imperfections that remind me why I don't usually take on these projects LOL

A candlelight flop

Last night, being a nice mommy, I decided to surprise Maelie and set up a candlight bath! I set up about 5 or 6 candles in the washroom, lit them and then got in the tub. I called Maelie to come join me. When she arrived in the washroom she was traumatized! She said "what are you trying to do? kill me? Don't you know this is very dangerous mom?"

I tried to explain to her that it was ok to have some small candles when there is a grown up there to monitor. She kept arguing with me and would hardly even step in the washroom. She blew out the one closest to the door. She kept watching the others and refused to get in. I got lecture after lecture after lecture as to how I was putting our lives in danger and this was no fun. She ended up blowing ou 3 others. The one left on the toilet seat was very small and so she left it on as she tried to get in the tub. She saw a hidden one on the side of the tub and blew it out immediately. So now, there was only one left. She got out of the tub, blew it out and turned on the big light.

"Ah, now we are safe." and she got in the tub. So much for my plan!

I am in love!

I have officially been bit by the crafting bug again, which is strange because I usually lose it after Christmas for a while. A bit before Christmas though I discovered Stampin' Up. In turn, I discovered a demonstrator, Stampin' Jo, that serves Ottawa. Click here to see her website. I am of course thinking of hosting a stamping party but unlike Tupperware, not everyone enjoys crafting or stamping. I may end up being the only one there!

For now, I will treat myself to a small set of stamps to get my Valentine's stuff started.

If at any time any of you who read my blog hear of someone getting rid of their old Stampin' up stamps, please let me know!

Thermal Underwear

For a while I have been searching for nice and cozy thermal underwear for Maelie to wear under her clothes when we go outside to skate or slide. Today at Loblaws I found the perfect ensemble for her!



She was rather concerned though with it being called thermal underwear. She didn't expect it to have legs and sleeves!

When you're the best of friends

Bebe lapin stands by his Maelie no matter what. He gives her unconditional love. He is truly one of a kind.

Happy Birthday!

Happy first year of life Bebe Lapin!

Sliding

Maelie and Tristan had a blast sliding today!



Going down was pretty easy...



It's going up that was quite a chore!

New Years Day

On New Years Day, Jacinthe invited us over for dinner for raclette. It was pretty neat. Basically you sit and cook your own food! Maelie loved it. She actually mixed and matched items which is something she never does!



Before dinner, the kids sat and decorated some gingerbread people and trees.







We had a wonderful time and were in bed by 9! just the way we like the holidays!

Happy New Year from Maelie!

Let's hope your 2009 is filled with laughter and silliness!

Happy New Year!!

2008 was a wonderful year. Each year finds us growing and discovering new things.

I don't make resolutions. But I do have wishes.

My wishes for 2009 are :

- that everyone around me is able to find joy everyday
- that i appreciate family and friends and show them on a daily basis through simple gestures
- that i practice patience and tolerance
- that i be present with Maelie every day
- that i spend more time playing
- that i worry less
- that i take care of myself so i can live longer and healthier

What are your wishes for 2009?