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It’s hard to believe that I haven’t posted anything since Day 1 of our California adventure (gasp!)  Actually, for anyone who really knows me, it’s highly unexpected.   Life gets busy…and the blog gets sent to the back burner.   We’ve almost been home for 2 weeks… we’ve survived the daily grind, birthday parties, Ribfest and a face-off with strep throat (not fun!  I forget how yucky it is until I get it… my sympathies to those fighting it at present.  I apologize if you got the germs from me!)

And now it’s time to really get back into the swing of things…  I’ll update the highlights and anecdotes from our trip another day (or you could just check out the pictures on Facebook!)  Funniest quote goes to Kaleb on the shuttle bus to Disney:  “Daddy, I know when the world is going to end.”  (He says this in all seriousness like this a normal topic of conversation for a 5 year old.)  Kevin:  “Oh really?  When?”   Kaleb:  “When everybody on earth dies.”  And then we went back to prattling non-stop about the excitement of Disney.  Ah, what a strange kid!

Here is my meal plan once I get to the grocery store after payday.   I was flipping through my recipe binder and got excited to try some new things!

• Stuffed Peppers, Spinach Citrus Salad, French Bread
• Pork Chops with Grilled Apples, Spinach Citrus Salad & Fries 
• Lasagna, Caesar Salad
• Beer Can Chicken, Caesar Salad, Roast Potatoes
• Ribs, Corn Bread, Corn on the Cob, Green Beans
• Chicken Fajitas
• Turkey Sausage, Rice, Brocolli & Carrots
• Taco Chicken Foil Pack (which is really just thin sliced potatoes, chicken breasts, spices, salsa & cheese grilled in a foil pack.)

and some desserts:

• Coconut Panna Cotta w/ Tropical Fruit
• Peach Smoothie Popsicles
• Rhubarb Berry Tarts 

I’m also going to try some cocktail (and mocktail versions for the kids) summer yummies from the LCBO like the Twisted Strawberry and the Blue Hawaiian.

I’m so excited because I get to start Farmer’s Market shopping again… although the market I prefer isn’t running when I have a car so we’ll have to try two other local ones instead.    Yay for fresh local produce and summer recipes.   Yay for patio season!   Yay for summer!

Yesterday we began the first leg of our California adventure.  Our day started bright and early with a 4:30 am wake up for Mommy (after approx. 4 hours of sleep the night before!).   We got everyone up and out the door and on route to the airport by 6 am – a half hour later than planned.   We were not ready for the number of crazy people on the highway, the construction and the accidents at this time….so it took us more than an hour and a half to get across the 401.   So much for arriving at the airport 3 hours before our flight (which was scheduled to depart at 9:35.)

We opted to Park n Fly this vacation which led to our next small inconvenience.  As we’re pulling our luggage out of the trunk, the shuttle bus leaves the lot.  No biggie – the next one should be there in 15 minutes – OR NOT!  More than 30 minutes later, we’re finally at Terminal 3…but were dropped off at the wrong end of the building. 

Unfortunately, we didn’t realise this until we started the self-check-in process at the WestJet kiosk.  When we had issues with Kaleb’s boarding pass the kind lady offering assistance pointed out we had to scurry down to the US desk….

The staff at the WestJet counter were AMAZING!  The lady was friendly, got us checked in quickly and waived our overweight luggage fee.   Unfortunately, the line for US Customs was not as friendly.   As we’re standing in line, I glance at the clock and see, oh my, our plane is boarding!  Yikes.   Now Mommy is officially starting to stress out.  

The Customs agent was friendly and processed us quickly.  We then went through security and that went quickly for the carseats and checked baggage…. not so much for carry on!   Did I mention how much I think having to haul your luggage (3 suitcases, 3 carry-ons, 2 carseats) is a pain in the butt?  Much prefer when you check it in at the counter.    Anyhow, once we get to the personal security check, Kaleb was flagged for search…. and Mommy forgot her laptop was in her carry-on, and Kevin’s bag needed to be searched.  

Now, these staff were amazing!  I never thought I’d say that about security but they were laughing with Kaleb as they patted him down and used the wand.  The guy laughed at my absentmindedness and they were so apologetic about searching the bags and the order we had to put Kaleb’s stuff on the belt.   And then I mentioned we had about 5 minutes til our plane departed!    They started helping to get our stuff together and pointed out which gate and did their best to expedite us through the end process.  

WestJet staff then laughed and said “They’re holding the plane for you!”  Yikes… kids didn’t get to relax or even pee before boarding.  Did I mention that Justin still wasn’t feeling well through all this???  The flight itself was fantastic (but a little bumpy – couldn’t be helped.)  The boys were amazing – Kaleb was more interested in his seatback tv than anything and Justin fell asleep once I gave him more tylenol.  The crew were funny and friendly and I think I just became a huge WestJet fan!

We landed in Las Vegas quickly but getting our rental car was another ordeal.  After Kev stood in line 40 minutes, we got our vehicle & I got a sunburn!    Luckily, we got a upgrade…and finally got out of Vegas after a quick lunch at Subway and hit the road by 2. 

We got into Cathedral City (Palm Springs) around 7 after a few quick pit stops.  The boys were great in the car, the drive through the desert was novel at first…but after 5 hours of staring at cactus and dusty mountains, the novelty wore off.   Hotel check in at the Holiday Inn Express was fast and friendly, our hotel is clean.  The boys got a quick dip in the pool, pizza for dinner, hugs from Papa & Oma and off to bed at 10 pm (PST) which is the equivalent of 1 am our time.     I’m so proud of them – they did so well!    

I was happy for bed and a pillow… and look forward to a more relaxing day today!

Last night I spent alot of time flipping through flyers, recipes, and the cupboard trying to come up with a cheap and effective meal plan to get me through the next 10 (yup, 10!) days.    After comparing flyers, I still have NO IDEA where to get the bulk of my groceries the cheapest.  No time to travel to 2 different towns, and 4 different grocery stores… decisions, decisions.

This is what we’re doing until the day we leave (9:30 am takeoff… we have to leave the house uber-early!  What was I thinking?!)

• Maple Glazed Salmon Skewers, Breaded Halibut (for the boys), Curly Fries & Broccoli Slaw(this is what we enjoyed last night.)
• Thai Peanut Chicken Pizza (we’ll be modifying it using ingredients on hand – ie. homemade peanut sauce but it’s the inspiration for dinner tonight)
• Thai Peanut Chicken Pasta Salad (this will use the remaining peanut sauce and chicken from tonight… it’ll be a throw-together-and-see-how-it-works type of meal tomorrow night.)
• Turkey Sausage, Steamed Brocoli & Carrots, Seasoned Basmati Rice
• Ribs, Pierogies or Roasted Potatoes, Caesar Salad
• Chicken Caesar Pitas
• Chicken Alfredo Puffs & Garden Salad
• Pasta & another Salad
• Beef Kebabs, Corn on the Cob, Fresh Veggies & Italian Bread
• Philly Cheesesteaks (or something of the sort using the leftover beef)
• Turkey Caesar Burgers, Veggies & Dip

Side note – I dropped my dress off for alterations this morning.  They were super-busy and I had to wait… so they gave me a discount and will hem Kaleb’s pants for free -woohoo. It should look absolutely gorgeous when it actually fits.  We don’t want to encounter a wardrobe malfunction under the desert sun.  Fingers crossed they’ll do a good job (and maybe I’ve found a place to alter my many jeans that are just a tad too long!)  Oooh.. and can I just say that regular bra fittings are amazing things – just saying!

I have a dilemma.  I have a shed to store the lawn mower, miscelanneous garden equipment, outdoor toys and the like.  Last fall, I did some yard work, filled the yard waste bags… and tossed them in the shed.  Shed got closed for winter and yard waste bags were forgotten.   Well, sometime throughout the winter, the boys wiggled the door open and it never actually got closed again – no big deal – except the sliding doors on the shed have come off their hinges and we’re missing some screws so they need to be rehung.  Which means our shed is still wide open.  Still no big deal…

I’ve done some yard clean up (i.e. dog droppings) and ran in and out of shed to pick up the pooper scooper.   I’ve run into the shed to grab a rake.  I’ve run into the shed to look for bubbles.  I’ve never seen hide nor hair of any creature in the shed – which is shocking because when we usually do our spring yardwork and bring out the patio furniture, I have to wash up all the toys and hose down the bottom of the shed due to mouse poop.

Last weekend I went to let Diesel out first thing in the morning and saw a crittter out of the corner of my eye scampering into the shed.   It looked big – like a large rat or a muskrat – but why would we have muskrats in our shed???  Well, I went about my day and Kev texted me to say it wasn’t actually Rats Of Unusual Size, but two little bunnies.  I scoffed!  No way was what I saw a bunny… but sure enough every morning and every evening the bunnies come outside the shed to bask in the sun and enjoy some nibbles in the grass.  We figure have nested in the yardwaste bags that now have giant holes in them.  

(In my defense, the other day a ‘larger’ critter skulked it’s way through my garden… so maybe something is ‘hunting’ the bitty bunnies?  I dunno!)  Here’s my critter dilemma… all the kids have grown accustomed to watching the bunnies in the yard, want to give them carrots and Diesel completely ignores them.   Do I let them stay and use our shed as an oversized bunny apartment?  Or do I kick them out and actually get that shed cleaned and the yard tidied?    I’m too soft-hearted – I don’t want to evict the bunnies from their home.

That’s how long we have to wait before we start our California adventure. In just 21 days we’ll be boarding a plane bound for Vegas, driving through the desert and beginning our 9 day adventure in the Palm Springs area.

The boys have started counting down and as the big day gets closer, they get more excited. This morning I overheard Kaleb telling his friends about our trip. Friend responds that he wants to go. Kaleb laughs at him and says, “but it’s a wedding. Why do you want to go to a wedding? You have to watch people kiiiissssiiing!”.

I keep forgetting to post about this project.  I really didn’t get “into” Easter this year.  We read our (many) Bible stories before bed each night to remind the boys that the Easter Bunny is not what it’s all about.  Kaleb gave us his extremely simple version of the meaning behind the day (which branched into a rabbit trail on Christmas – my clever little boy really does listen!)

We dyed and decorated eggs, did the egg hunt on a  small scale, we had simpler than usual Easter baskets and even craft-wise, we didn’t really do anything too exciting.    My one big concession was this wreath that I started when I was still feeling gung-ho (who came up with that expression?) about spring and Easter and crafts in general.  This was begun before I tackled all the shower stuff that sucked the creativity out of me for a couple weeks.  

One night I was supposed to be sorting my tax paperwork…but I got distracted!  I saw the foam eggs (which I had already painted with acrylic paints I had on hand – mixed with white acrylic to tone down the colours.  I had also already sprayed them with adhesive and shook them in coordinating glitter), and realised I should finish the Easter project with at least some time to enjoy it before Easter!

I was originally going to glue the foam eggs to a grapevine wreath a la inspiration from HomeSense or Winners but the grapevine wreath I had on hand was larger than I wanted.    I had a foam wreath that I hot-glued the completed eggs to and added a bow using ribbon from my stash.   It isn’t perfect – the paint process needs some perfecting and I ran out of decorated eggs (which you can’t tell in the picture – it just needed another row towards the back to hide the green foam base.)   It was an easy project… but not one I’m sure I’d repeat.   So EGGciting!

I love when the sun comes to spend the day.  It was so gorgeous out there and after a week of gloomy days and cooped up kids, we needed that sunshine just to make us smile.  However, life seems to get in the way of simple pleasures and by the time we jockeyed between swimming lessons, the grocery store, doing laundry and sorting toy boxes, the day seemed to slip away.   Why can’t the days of the weekend have an extra couple hours to them?   Oh well, tomorrow’s another day and hopefully we can catch some play time and bask in that golden glow!

Here’s a little secret:  my baby boy is turning 4 next Saturday!  He’s stubborn, he’s grumpy, he’s devious… He’s clever, he’s funny, he’s ALWAYS hungry… He’s all ours and we love him! 

This weather sucks!  Although, for a few hours this morning we actually had some clear skies and we didn’t have to wear mittens – woohoo!  Now, as I’m ready to kick the boys into the backyard for some fresh air before the thunderstorms arrive (again), the clouds are rolling in and it’s getting dark out there!  Too late!  We’ve had so much cold weather… and if it hasn’t been freezing, it’s been raining – spring seems to be taking it’s sweet ol’ time this year.

I’ve been neglectful in my blog-mistress duties!  It’s been crazy busy around here (when isn’t it?!?)  I thought with the bridal shower out of the way (keep reading for details & pictures!), life might just slow down a wee bit.   That was wishful thinking.  With California dreaming, some kids returning from mat leave, trying to organize my tax info, sort-of spring cleaning and all the regular stuff on the go, I find I’d rather sit down and get a mini-escape in a book than absolutely anything else – and that’s usually after getting up at 6:30 and go, go, go all day til kids are tucked into bed, house gets tidied for the night and I finally get to sit on the couch uninterrupted for more than 5 minutes – sometime around 9 pm!

So… as I’ve been rather distracted/preoccupied/neglectful, I’m a few weeks overdue on posting pictures from the shower.    We had a fantastic turnout for our tea-shower themed party.  The bride-to-be, my sister, Becky, was spoiled and I’m thrilled it was such a successful event!

The invite:

The bride-to-be:

2/3 of the Bridesmaids (the other girls aren’t local):

Best Wishes Banner & Gift Table: 

Food Table & Congratulations Banner:

Plants (courtesy of Mom) that went home as favours:

We offered a few different types of tea, had a pot of coffee going and we did a raspberry iced tea for those who didn’t want something hot.  We rented a room at the Aurora Seniors’ Centre – which ended up being an excellent venue!  We had 5 round tables (pink tablecloths with plants above as centrepieces), 3 banquet tables (beverages, food & gifts – with black tablecloths and skirts), approximately 40 guests and a ton of fun!   Our local party store rents out dishes & cutlery so I splurged on actual teacups, saucers, and teaspoons for a slightly classier touch.  The decor was simple, sticking to a pink & black theme reflected in the invites.

I created the banners using my Cricut, cardstock & some ribbon.  I cheated with the lettering – I found some adhesive letters in the ‘school project’ aisle at Walmart on clearance -woohoo!  It still seemed to take forever to cut out and assemble what I had but I absolutely love how they turned out.

For an extra keepsake for Becky, I also created colour-coordinated “Advice for the Bride-to-Be” cards – an idea I stole from an old back issue of Scrapbooks Etc.   Part of Beck’s gift from me was a set of hand-crafted thank you cards (postage stamps included!) using the same colours again, hand-stamped with ribbon.   Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of both projects before the big event.  Whoops!

On the gift table, I decided to take advantage of Kev’s business resources and created a small black & white poster with various photos of the happy couple (sourced from Facebook, of course) tiled with a cutesy sentiment.   I ‘borrowed’ a table-stand from Kemik and it was a nice addition to the overall decor.  Using hand-crafted for all those extra touches means quite a bit of extra work – but it lends it a special touch that hopefully reflected how special we think she really is!

My favourite photo of the day:

He’s just might have been the cutest guest there – of course, I’m a little biased 🙂  Hope you all had a lovely Easter!

…or whatever it’s called, I feel like I haven’t posted one in a long time!

Here is our mealplan for the week:

• shepherd’s pie
• Italian turkey sausage & pierogies
• roasted chicken, sweet potatoes, and strawberry spinach salad
• peanut chicken (from leftovers), coconut rice & broccoli slaw
• tacos
• pasta
• chicken strips, roast potatoes, fresh veggies & Salad

I’ll be celebrating bridesmaid style this weekend so Kevin will have to fend for himself. I have my doubts he’ll be sticking to the plan. Can you say KD or McDonalds drive-thru?

I love my monkeys and my hubby. They mean the world to me. So once upon a time I ordered a necklace from The Vintage Pearl with their names on it. Everytime I wear the necklace, people comment on how much they love it. And it reminds me how much I love them (the boys). And then I remember how much I love the products offered at The Vintage Pearl. So I browse the site and want to get more custom jewelery. Or buy gifts for people (my mom got each of the grandkids’ initials on hers for Christmas.) Ooooh, I love shopping! Anyhow, check them out – they’re doing a fabulously huge giveaway for their blog readers: The Vintage Pearl: happy birthday to me. (BIG giveaway!) Good luck!