Things I would like to have on a tape recorder...

So I can play them back 50 times a day and save myself saying them...

- don't read at the table
- stay in your seat
- don't talk with your mouth full
- close your mouth when you chew
- what do you say? (appropriate reseponses vary, eg. "please", "thank you", "excuse me", "yes, Mom")
- because it's not safe
- because I said so
- we are having ___________ for supper
- yes, you have to finish if you want dessert
- Daddy is at work
- no, we can't go to the G's.
- no, our house isn't done yet
- no, we can't get a puppy yet
- you don't need to dip that in ketchup
- the pool is too cold to swim in- you'll get in and get right back out
- yes, you will
- because you do every time
- wait and see
- because they're good for you
- you're big enough to get your own drink
- I won't be mad if you tell me what you did- I'll be mad if you don't tell me.
- I don't care who started it
- there is no good reason to hit
- if you're going to rough-house, you have to expect to get hurt
- no, that is not thunder you heard
- I don't know what kind of car that is
- clean that up if you're done with it
- don't pick up the cat
- don't drop the cat
- don't dance with the cat
- I'm not surprised the cat bit/scratched you


Ah well, I'm sure I'll miss the days of saying this kind of stuff, and at least I can laugh my way through it.

He shoots....HE SCORES!

Well, it finally happened. W's last soccer game of the season was last night. He's been trying to hard all summer to score a goal, and he's come so close a few times. His last effort hit the post and bounced the wrong way. Last night was possibly his last chance until next year. Then it happened...

The Bears took the ball, passed it down the field... another player takes a shot on goal- it doesn't go in, but it rebounds. W, playing foward, was in the right place, and one-timed the rebound- the goalie didn't stand a chance! Didn't see it coming- the ball hit the post and GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL! Will freaked out- ran around the field, saluted his dad and high-fived his coach, who was beside herself. It was a big moment for him.

How did I react when I saw this, you might ask yourself? I had J in the bathroom and missed the whole thing. Gar.

Here we go again

Where does the time go? It's Monday again already. Tomorrow is W's last soccer game of the entire summer (hope they can hold on to their 2nd place status! Tomorrow they play the team that they kicked out of 2nd). We already planning our Labour Day weekend stuff. Fall is going to be here before we know it. I'm looking forward to homeschooling this year, but not so much in the trailer. I dream of the house, with its own classroom, and lots of room for organizing everything. I'll be so glad when my kitchen table doesn't double as my computer desk and classroom. Ugh.

Yesterday was lovely -after church we went to Serendipity's cottage with about a bajillion other people from church. R brought a friend's jet ski, and the boys and I had lots of fun on that. Everyone swam, tried the tarzan rope, floated on the raft, got knocked off the raft, the boys did the zip line- a good time was had by all. Not to mention the awesome food and company. It's one of my favorite days of the summer. In fact we had such a good time, that we have accepted Serendipity's invite to go up on Wednesday- E is taking the day off work, and we're heading up in the morning and staying all day. It will be lovely- just the K's, L's, and us.

Today is a quiet day (at least it's starting out that way!)- most of the day will be spent here, with a trip for groceries and to the chiro. I am thinking they will finish the soffits today and am really hoping to see some siding start to go on! Hopefully the inside trades will come- electrician didn't show up on Friday for some reason.

Tomorrow the kids go to the sitter's in lieu of Wednesday, and I can get all those errands done that I have been wanting to do alone. Don't think there will be any work at the church office, as the server has crashed, and my day was supposed to be training on that.

Stayed up to watch the big meteor shower last night. It was fairly clear out and there was no moon, so hubby and I got out a blanket, laid it on the picnic table, and laid down to stare at the sky. After ten minutes, ONE meteor, and about 20 mosquito bites later, I went to bed, bitter.

Maybe I'll try again tonight- with bug spray on.

Home is good

Ah. A day at home- it's been too long. The only thing I went out for was J's soccer practice this evening, and I was organized enough to have supper on the table early enough so that it was not rushed. Even had time to clean up the table and wash the dishes before I left. mmmm.... manicotti.

House went well today. We have lots more ductwork and a huge furnace in our basement, much lovely soffit, and 2 installed garage doors. The siding is all sitting in our garage to be put on next week. Hip Hip Hooray.

Tomorrow will be another day around here for the most part. Hubby and J will be going out in the morning to get a couple of new tires put on the church van, and W is taking me on a date. We're going to Cora's for breakfast, and he's very excited about it. He's even paying (after dad gives him money- had to laugh when he asked if he'd be able to keep the leftover money). Should be fun- he's been looking forward to it for a while, and tells me he's going to be the perfect gentleman. Let's see how many of those "gentleman" lessons he's remembered.

Think I'll relax this evening- continue working on my crossed-stitch (time is getting short to prepare for the takedown) and maybe watch a movie. Early to bed- I'm tired- even being home all day I end up busy as can be. Except when the boys want to swim- I get to sit in my camping chair and read "Emma" while I watch them swim and the progress on the house. Lovely.

Male Bonding

It's 7:50 am and the boys are still asleep. Last night hubby decided to take them to the local speedway to watch the car races. There are races every Wednesday night, and last night was the first one of the summer where we didn't have Bible study. At $15 for hubby and no charge for the kids, it was too good a deal to refuse. So after getting the boys to wolf down their supper and explaining that Mommy really doesn't enjoy car races (wasn't it enough that I went to the demolition derby??), the boys headed off to their evening of noise and fun.

I spent the entire time catching up on the books (Boring, I know, but I was about to drown in receipts if I didn't get them under control), and was still working when they came home 2 hours later. I can't remember the last time I saw J's face lit up like that. W loved it too, but he has been more excited about things lately than J. It was great to hear him talk of all the fun they had, and what numbers they were cheering for. They had great seats- right by the finish line, and I guess there were several different races of 10 laps each. They had an awesome time, and It think it's something they'll be doing again soon. I just hope they don't make me go with them- it's such a good time for hubby just to be with his boys. They don't always need mom.

Yesterday during the day was good for them too- I had another day of working at the church office, making organizational flow charts and revamping the church communication card among other things, and they were at a new sitter's as their regular one wasn't available. This lady actually runs a day care in her house, and will be looking after them when regular sitter is recovering from knee surgery. They had a ball- there was a swingset, sandbox, pool, playdoh, toys galore, and they each had kids their own age. So despite being very nervous at first (they didn't know this lady very well even though she goes to our church), they both had a great time. I think they're both looking forward to going back again. But there's no way I could do it more than one day a week! I really don't know how moms can work- I know some have to, but I couldn't do it very well. Not just missing the kids (although if I did it every day, I'd only get to see them for a couple of hours a day- ugh!), but just getting everything else done! By the time we got home cooking supper was a major rush (can hardly wait until I have room in my kitchen for a slow cooker- it will be used every Wednesday!), and I don't know when I'd get groceries or get all my housework done. no thanks.

Today will be a quieter day. Going into CP to check out the new Home Depot which opens today, hoping to find some sales. Will be stacking more wood today, and tonight is W's soccer practice and band. Just enough to keep me out of trouble.

back to the grind

So the auction yesterday was TONS of fun- got lots of stuff for a great deal. Tupperware, a quilt, a 5 gallon pickling crock, big huge baskets, a pitchfork, nice flannel blanket. A good time was had by all (even though it was HOT).

The work on the house will begin again after the long weekend- electrician arrives today. Woohoo- not too much else to say there, except that I'm going to try to figure out how to insert a picture here for my poor mother who is not on facebook!

Well, after trying for quite some time on dial-up with no luck I have determined that mom will have to wait until tomorrow when I have high speed at the church office.

SOLD!

So today we head out to a country auction. I love auctions there are always little treasures to be found, and bigger treasures as well! We are making a day of it with the G's and are hoping Serendipity will show up as well. Goaliemom I wish you were here to come!! The kids will play all day and sing "this is the auction that never ends" while we look and laugh and bid a few times. Now that our house is taking shape in my mind really well, I know the kinds of things I will be keeping an eye out for. A small table for the front hall, a ride-on mower, old books, cool pictures, pretty dishes. I always pick up a little something for the boys- last time is was a couple of baseball bats, which they have loved using immensely. I have learned the art of bidding at an auction. Never get emotionally attached to anything. Set your price in your head before you start bidding, and show no fear. If you hesitate on a bid, the other person will always outbid you because they think you won't go farther. If you bid quickly and without hesitation, they are much more likely to give up as they don't know how high you are willing to go. So many times they have given up just as I've hit my maximum bid because I acted like I'd go twice that high. So fun- such an adrenaline rush!

And today it is supposed to rain all day. This makes me happy because it means there will be fewer people there. Less competition. If the forecasted thunderstorms come it could be interesting, but we'll worry about that when the time comes.

Last weekend was very productive- rented a wood splitter on Saturday and split 5 or 6 cords of wood. Sore back Sunday morning. We stacked 2 trailer loads full, and still have to stack the rest. That should keep me out of trouble this week. Yesterday was spent mowing and weed-whacking. A lot of the long grass by the woods (mosquito breeding area) has been cut down and will become lawn. It looks great. And next week I'm going to make a pile of gravel from all the rocks around our new house- it's mostly gravel and a little dirt. These rocks will be used for the paths in my veggie garden, as I'm sick of weeding BETWEEN the garden boxes- there's enough weed to be done in the boxes themselves!

Time to make my coffee- I'm gonna need it today.

A relaxing weekend- NOT

Today was busy, but not much to write about. We went out this morning and rented a wood splitter, brought it home and split wood all day. We took 3 trailers full down to the wood shed, and there are probably 5 more loads waiting in the woods. I think we will have enough to do us for this winter with some to spare, so now we just have to start thinking ahead. Any trees we cut now will be green and will take a while to dry, so we may have to buy some wood for next year. No biggie- we can buy tandem loads of logs and cut and split it ourselves. Not too expensive that way. Hubby and the boys are returning the splitter right now. When they get back we are going out for supper. I'm way to tired to cook. We didn't stop all day, but it was fun. The boys helped lots, stacking wood, carrying logs, and even taking their turns operating the splitter. And everyone still has 10 fingers. Yay.

Tomorrow the lawn gets mowed and more grapevines will meet their maker.

I love it when a plan comes together

Just got home from the HH in Perth- hubby and I met there to pick out all the floors, cupboards, counters etc. My brain is mush now but I am happy. Went with beige carptet in the master, laminate in the hall, livingroom, classroom, and kitchen- a nice knotty oak look. Ceramic in the foyer and bathrooms, and really really cool fibrefloor in the boys rooms- looks like treaded metal- SO cool- they love it, and it's indestructible.

The cabinets in the kitchen and laundry are white with brushed nickel handels, and the bathrooms have wood with pewter handles. Blue counter in the kitchen, same counter in green for the main floor bath, and a nice ivory counter to go with the tiles in the two upstairs baths. Everything goes so nicely together, and now it's just deciding paint chips to go with all those colors- that's for another day though, when I am less confused and thinking more clearly.

The boys were good- it's amazing how happy they are when they're allowed to pick a few counter samples to bring home. And I'm very excited- saw a commercial on TV last night for the Brick- they now have exclusive Hot Wheels bedroom furniture for boys- I'm gonna get the dresser and maybe the desk for W's room- not the bed, though, which looks like a large Hot Wheels vehicle. I must go to the store to buy the dresser without him- he would simply have a coronary on the spot if he saw that bed. And if it works, I'll get the same dresser for J's room- it's black with silver drawers. Not very country, but it will work great in their very boyish car rooms, and they won't outgrow it quickly.

Time to go and take care of the neighbour's cat while they're away, and then watch the boys swim in the pool. A few phone calls to make and some chores to do will fill out the afternoon. I love summer.

The craziness continues

So I was disappointed when I got home from "work" yesterday and saw very little visible progress on the house. The ductwork still wasn't started, and the framers had worked in the basement all day- none of which I could see as there are no stairs down there yet.

But today made up for it. Before I was out of bed, the framers, ductwork guy, and plumber were all hard at it and the windows were being delivered! They worked hard all day- as they finish up for the day now, the main floor windows are all installed, and there's much progress with the subtrades too. I have a 10:00 appointment tomorrow morning with flooring man and kitchen gal to finalize what we want for floors and kitchen cupboards, bathroom vanities and counters. Wohoo!

Tonight brings soccer practice (too darn hot for that- better take extra water) and band practice. Tomorrow's supposed to be a little warmer, thank goodness- our poor little a/c can't keep up with this humidex of 42. We have one turned off because it just wastes hydro, and doesn't cool us off at all.

Off to make supper- hate to turn the stove on on a day like this.

Coffee break

So here I am at my first day of "work", although to me it feels more like playing on the computer. Kids were dropped off at 8:30 this morning, and I had time to run a quick errand before heading to the church office. Have spent the day playing with graphics, making "kids" sermon notes for all the kids who will be in the service this week (no access to the classrooms), and doing research on the internet. All the while wondering if my kids are having fun and trying to think of them too often (not working). Although I am pleasantly surprised that there is no guilt about leaving them today. I know they are in good hands, and I am doing something worthwhile.

Back on the homestead today the ductwork is going in, and plumbing continues. In the next couple of days I get to pick out my cupboards counters and floors, and after I pick up the kids today I will go and order my fridge and stove. How very fun. Well, coffee break's over- back to work.