tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70756901968266559522024-03-13T15:06:29.424-04:00Monster Mumtorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-47276581280599620592013-12-20T21:47:00.001-05:002013-12-20T21:47:25.362-05:00Spiced PecansA close friend makes these every year, and they are so tasty that the husband and I need our own jars, because there's no sharing - they're just that good. They also go really well with a pre-dinner cocktail, which makes them even more irresistible. <div><br></div><div>A few years back, she shared the recipe with me, and now there's no holding back. It's a Christmas miracle if they last more than 3 or 4 days before disappearing, especially since the boy loves them too. </div><div><br></div><div>They are so simple and easy to make, that I thought I'd share the recipe so everyone can enjoy the deliciousness that is spiced pecans! <br><div><br></div></div><div><b>Spiced Pecans </b></div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">3 tbsp butter</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1 tsp salt</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1/4 tsp garlic powder</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1/4 tsp cayenne pepper</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Dash hot pepper sauce</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1 lb (4 cups) Pecans</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Preheat oven to 300</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In a heavy skillet melt the butter</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Add the spices and mix well</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Add nuts and stir well</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Place on a cookie sheet in a single layer</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Place in oven, turn regularly until brown and crisp - about 20-30 minutes. </div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zIp3WoqnVrc/UrUBO6gmJjI/AAAAAAAADSs/8H6nv2RW_vo/s640/blogger-image--1738075868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zIp3WoqnVrc/UrUBO6gmJjI/AAAAAAAADSs/8H6nv2RW_vo/s640/blogger-image--1738075868.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-3490571332312992842013-09-25T22:27:00.002-04:002013-09-25T22:27:43.681-04:00Chocolate Beet & Apple Muffins<div style="text-align: justify;">
So it's been a while (a long while) since I've posted, and I don't have anything really exciting to say about the boy, except to share a fantastic recipe he and I have made a few times.</div>
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We've gotten beets quite a few times in the last little while and I was running out of things to do with, especially since husband is not a huge fan. So I created a recipe for muffins that used them up, and they were a hit! The boy loved, I loved them, husband eats them, and quite a few friends have had them and enjoyed them too (or were too polite to tell me that they didn't!). So if you've got beets that need using up, or if you want to sneak some veggies into your breakfast, here's an easy way to do it:</div>
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<strong>Chocolate Beet Apple Muffins </strong>by victoria banfield<br />
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4-5 medium sized beets<br />
1/2 c - 2/3 c apple sauce ( I made my own with 5 medium apples and it was just enough)<br />
1 1/2 c flour<br />
1/2 c hemp seeds (optional)<br />
3/4 c cocoa (you can use less if you don't want a really rich chocolate taste)<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1/4 c sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
1/4 c oil<br />
2 tsp vanilla<br />
3/4 c chocolate chips (or more if you like - or less if you're trying to be healthy. I also find that dark or semi sweet chips work best for the flavour)<br />
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Preheat over to 400<br />
Line 18 muffin cups<br />
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Peel the beets and then purée them in a food processor/blender. You can make them as coarse as you would like (or fine if you're trying to hide them from people!)<br />
Mix all your dry ingredients in a bowl.<br />
In a separate bowl combine beets, apple sauce, eggs, oil & vanilla<br />
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Mix wet ingredients into dry ones. If the mixture seems too dry, add a splash more oil/apple sauce until mix is combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.<br />
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Spoon into muffin cups, bake for 13-15 minutes, muffins are done when a skewer comes out clean.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<br />torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-76912549182267809322013-05-27T09:50:00.002-04:002013-05-27T09:50:42.069-04:00Where does the time go?<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's hard to believe it, but 5 years have flown past and my tiny little baby is now a great big kid. </div>
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Never was this more in evidence than this past weekend. We held the boy's birthday and invited all his classmates. 13 5 year olds all playing mini golf. It was a blast! The boy loved it, His friends seemed to enjoy themselves and the parents did too. </div>
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It was the first time he'd had a party that wasn't just family, and he revelled in it. Now that he's in school, the boy has become a real social butterfly, making the rounds of play dates, birthday parties and afternoons at the park with friends. <br />
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I'm so happy to see how much he's grown, but sometimes I really do wish for the little bundle that fit in my arms, not the nearly 40 lb boy that I have today. Especially when we're having one of those days where nothing is right and we all have frayed tempers by the end of the day. But then he'll turn to me and say, "You know what Mummy, I really love you" and it makes me so glad that I have a happy, healthy, chatty 5 year old. I can't wait for the next 5, 10, 15 years (and more) with my boy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3Q0NMsA2Io/UaNj8ORYemI/AAAAAAAADRA/_JRsGiyPcmI/s1600/V0000330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i3Q0NMsA2Io/UaNj8ORYemI/AAAAAAAADRA/_JRsGiyPcmI/s320/V0000330.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From this...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to this.. in 5 short years!</td></tr>
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torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-21760567572955172072013-04-19T21:55:00.001-04:002013-04-19T21:55:34.519-04:00Just like it used to be<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now that the boy is in school full time, I feel like I don't get to see him nearly as much as either of us would like, and the time we do spend together is not always the best as he's often tired & cranky from long days at school. (As an excuse, it means I don't have as much to say over here)</div>
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This weekend though, his Dad has to go to work, very early, on Saturday, so I said to the boy that because Daddy wouldn't be home, maybe he and I would go for a walk and get a treat for our breakfast. He was really excited by the idea and couldn't wait. Tonight as I was tucking him in, he reminded me that it was just he and I tomorrow, and he was really looking forward to it. Then he said, 'yeah, Mummy, it's just like it used to be when it was just you and me, I like that". </div>
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My heart melted, and now, apart for the fantastic weather, I really can't wait for summer so I have 2 months to spend with just my boy. (Although check back with me in September to see if I really did enjoy it or if he managed to drive me crazy!)</div>
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torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-68962246834236286162013-03-27T22:16:00.000-04:002013-03-27T22:16:54.805-04:00Easter Decorating<div style="text-align: justify;">
The boy has been very keen to decorate the house for Easter, my version of Easter decorating is normally some fresh flowers or plants on the table, but that wasn't enough for him! So we've hung some the crafts he's made at school, and we've gotten the Easter baskets out, but he wants more . </div>
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I remembered how much fun he had making the <a href="http://monster-mum.blogspot.ca/2012/12/christmas-wreath.html" target="_blank">wreath at Christmas</a> and thought that I could use plastic eggs instead of balls to modify Lindsey's <a href="http://recreated.ca/2012/11/21/amaze-balls-diy-holiday-wreath/" target="_blank">Amaze-Balls wreath</a>. I figured that I could buy a couple of packs of eggs from the dollar store and if it didn't work, it wouldn't be a big deal.</div>
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So just like at Christmas, I used the glue gun and the boy was the artistic director and guided the layout. And I have to say, it looks really cute. I'm quite pleased with how well it turned out. It's bright and cheery - a perfect spring pick me up, and it was a fun afternoon crafting with the boy. A definite win all around!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-palt5NnxueM/UVOngVwxNTI/AAAAAAAADPw/jhn5Y6mZzNM/s640/blogger-image-548560505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-palt5NnxueM/UVOngVwxNTI/AAAAAAAADPw/jhn5Y6mZzNM/s640/blogger-image-548560505.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now we're decorated for Easter!</td></tr>
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torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-502874249493582782013-03-07T11:44:00.001-05:002013-03-08T07:34:26.200-05:00It's a girl colourThe boy and I were having fun after school drawing yesterday. He was using his purple marker when he looked up at me and said 'purple is really a girl colour isn't it?' <br />
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I asked him, rather incredulously, where he had heard that. He was a little vague and couldn't really tell me. But I know that it came home from school (sometimes I really dislike the fact he's in JK now). <br />
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I said that there was no such thing as a girl (or boy) colour and the next time he heard someone say that he should look them straight in the eye and say 'that's ridiculous, there's no such thing.' We practiced a few times and he thought it was hilarious but is fully prepared to tell his friends off the next time it comes up. <br />
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We also talked about how boys and girls can like the same things, and it doesn't matter what they play with. We talked about how it doesn't matter if someone is a boy or a girl, because we're all just people and we have our own likes and dislikes. <br />
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With it being International Women's Day, I think it's even more important that my boy knows about equality, fairness, and social justice. While teaching the boy that labelling colours as boys or girls is wrong may seem a minor point, it's a starting point, and if at 4 years old he can stand up and say everything should be equal, then I'm off to a good start. torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-67549772529292301462013-03-06T22:30:00.000-05:002013-05-13T09:30:35.988-04:00A social media win or why the boy is also going to be an astronautThe boy has decided that besides being a teacher, who gives lots of hard homework, he might also like to be an astronaut. The reason? Chris Hadfield. I've been following Chris Hadfield on Twitter (@Cmdr_Hadfield) (and Facebook and Tumblr) and sharing his pictures and videos with the boy. The boy loves finding out cool space facts, seeing pictures of the earth, and he was glued to the TV on the weekend watching the EVA (or spacewalk, for those of us not in the know). <div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Thankfully, Chris Hadfield says he's got lots of pictures still to share, so even when his mission ends, he'll still be tweeting. </span><br><div><br></div><div>With Chris Hadfield coming home from the ISS today, I would like to thank him for getting social media 100% right. He entertained, informed and inspired us all. </div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TvtUlyGd3AA/UZDj4-z_Y3I/AAAAAAAADQk/Oth9ffBtg8k/s640/blogger-image--1963116797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TvtUlyGd3AA/UZDj4-z_Y3I/AAAAAAAADQk/Oth9ffBtg8k/s640/blogger-image--1963116797.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The boy's picture of the ISS with Chris Hadfield inside it</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h-aKKiNuba8/UZDnYJWWxrI/AAAAAAAADQw/TBoArX6tNWA/s640/blogger-image-821619540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h-aKKiNuba8/UZDnYJWWxrI/AAAAAAAADQw/TBoArX6tNWA/s640/blogger-image-821619540.jpg"></a></div>Ground control to Major Boy. . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(If you haven't seen Chris Hadfield's cover of David Bowie's Space Oddity, you should go check it out now. It's yet another reason to love social media <a href="http://youtu.be/KaOC9danxNo">http://youtu.be/KaOC9danxNo</a> )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">. </div></div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-73205533556286561992013-02-14T21:06:00.001-05:002013-02-14T21:06:13.524-05:00Valentine's Cake!The boy was so excited for Valentine's day this year. We made little bags of goodies for his friends, he made cards for them all and cards for his dad and I. <br />
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But the real highlight for him was making and decorating a heart shaped cake for dessert tonight. We made it together and then with a little bit of guidance he decorated it on his own. <br />
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So tada, the boy's cake! Happy Valentine's day. <br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PNbS12HWPYs/UR2YFD6bIhI/AAAAAAAADPU/e6wxTXIdcW4/s640/blogger-image--1248762018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PNbS12HWPYs/UR2YFD6bIhI/AAAAAAAADPU/e6wxTXIdcW4/s640/blogger-image--1248762018.jpg" /></a></div>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-65910288100292885432013-01-15T21:44:00.000-05:002013-01-15T21:44:04.748-05:00I can do it on my own<div style="text-align: justify;">
"<em>I am not sitting here, 15 whole feet away from my kids, because I am too lazy to get up. I am sitting here because I didn't bring them to the park so they could learn how to manipulate others into doing the hard work for them. I brought them here so they could learn to do it themselves</em>." From <em><a href="http://alameda.patch.com/blog_posts/please-dont-help-my-kids" target="_blank">Please Don't Help My Kids</a></em> by Kate Bassford Baker</div>
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A few people have been sharing this great <a href="http://alameda.patch.com/blog_posts/please-dont-help-my-kids" target="_blank">post </a>about letting kids do things on their own as a way of learning, rather than coddling them. I love it. It's something I struggle with, but I know that it's best for everyone if the boy falls every once in a while. Now I just need to keep reminding myself of that.</div>
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<br />torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-34905752026912711832012-12-20T16:24:00.004-05:002012-12-20T16:25:25.877-05:00Christmas WreathThe other week I decided that the boy and I would try making a Christmas wreath (it couldn't be any worse than our Easter wreath), and I figured if it didn't turn out, it could get hung on the boy's bedroom door and I'd put a store bought one on the front door.<br />
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Then I saw a tweet from Lindsey at Recreated (<span class="nickname">@LGrecreated) about this <a href="http://recreated.ca/2012/11/21/amaze-balls-diy-holiday-wreath/" target="_blank">'Amaze-Balls" wreath</a> she had created, and I thought, hey, maybe I can do that. (Plus her post had plenty of 'balls' and I have the sense of humour of a </span><span class="nickname"><span class="nickname">12 year old boy</span>).</span></div>
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<span class="nickname">I let the boy pick the balls he wanted to use, and then he told me where to place them when we put the wreath together. I probably would have put more on, but the boy decided we had enough, and since he was the creative team, and I was just the labour, I had to listen to him.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product</td></tr>
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<span class="nickname">The boy loves to show it off to everyone, and I think it's front door worthy, so we're all set - bring on Christmas!</span>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-88432255023257993572012-12-12T22:26:00.000-05:002012-12-12T22:26:02.581-05:00The Boy's view of the Christmas market<div style="text-align: justify;">
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We headed down to the <a href="http://torontochristmasmarket.com/" target="_blank">Christmas Market</a> this past weekend with some friends to help us get in the Christmas spirit. The weather didn't really inspire any great Christmas-y feelings (it was damp & rainy), but the carollers, booths, food (yum warm nuts!), and general atmosphere made it a great night out.
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Like <a href="http://monster-mum.blogspot.ca/2011/12/christmas-market-boys-eye-view.html" target="_blank">last year</a>, the boy took his <a href="http://monster-mum.blogspot.ca/2011/03/say-cheese.html" target="_blank">camera </a>, to document the outing, and he's really getting quite proficient so I thought I'd share them.</div>
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There you have it, this year's trip to the Toronto Christmas Market was a success, I can't wait until next year to see what the boy finds picture-worthy then!<br />
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<br />torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-81157697287986649602012-12-06T14:36:00.001-05:002012-12-06T14:36:42.863-05:00This is why the boy isn't allowed to dress me<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Mummy, look it's so sparkly and pretty, you should buy it"</div>
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Because what every SAHM needs in her closet is a sparkly gold mini dress... </div>
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Although according to the boy I could wear it anywhere, so if you see someone freezing at kindergarten drop off, but looking very sparkly, you'll know the boy convinced me to get the dress.</div>
torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-89148506226728872402012-12-05T14:39:00.000-05:002012-12-05T14:39:33.985-05:00The real SantaI'm taking the boy to see Santa at the mall this afternoon to have his picture taken. It's become a tradition for us, and the boy has always enjoyed it, thankfully. No 'hilarious' <a href="http://photos.ellen.warnerbros.com/galleries/bad_santa_photos" target="_blank">screaming baby photos</a> for us.<br />
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He asked me if it was the real Santa, and not really knowing how to answer it, I just asked him what he thought (best cop-out answer ever). After thinking for a moment he decided that our mall Santa was real, but other mall Santa's weren't, the Santa that was in our local parade was the real Santa too.<br />
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Nice to know that he still believes, but since he already realizes that not all Santa's are 'real', I wonder how long it will be before he decides that none of the Santa's are real? I think I'll be using <a href="http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/truth-about-santa" target="_blank">this letter</a> if he ever asks about Santa. But for now, I can still say, <a href="http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/" target="_blank">'yes boy, there is a Santa.</a>'<br />
<a href="http://www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/" target="_blank"><br /></a>torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-61340933990065942012012-11-29T23:54:00.001-05:002012-11-29T23:54:29.310-05:00Home made advent calendar<br />
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The boy loves Christmas - he's been desperately waiting to get his <a href="http://monster-mum.blogspot.ca/2011/12/advent-calendar.html" target="_blank">advent calendar</a> out so he can start counting down the days. The calendar he uses is the same one I had growing up, and of course he has a chocolate one too (who doesn't love having a chocolate a day?)</div>
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This year the boy & I made one for his Dad too. Starbucks was selling a packet of 25 of their instant VIA coffees, and I originally bought it to be part of his Christmas presents. But I got to thinking that he might like his own advent calendar, and these would be perfect for it. </div>
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I had just bought myself a new pair of boots, so I had a big box I could use for it, and then I had to put my thinking cap on to figure out the rest of it. I eventually came up with the idea of using paper towel rolls as the holders for the packets of coffee.</div>
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I cut the holes in the box (while having that SNL 'Christmas' song running through my head) by myself and then the boy helped with the rest.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0RNSgt7Usk/ULg3HsLorcI/AAAAAAAAAbI/jCwKp5lsTa0/s1600/IMG_6402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0RNSgt7Usk/ULg3HsLorcI/AAAAAAAAAbI/jCwKp5lsTa0/s200/IMG_6402.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step 1: Cut a hole in the box....</td></tr>
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We attached the tubes, filled them (the boy made 'ornaments for his Dad - basically cut up pieces of paper he drew on) and then we covered them up. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ykfc_l_8Swc/ULg3t8IgNhI/AAAAAAAAAbY/cvTa-Ag851Q/s1600/IMG_6404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ykfc_l_8Swc/ULg3t8IgNhI/AAAAAAAAAbY/cvTa-Ag851Q/s200/IMG_6404.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tubes waiting to be filled up</td></tr>
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We just cut squares of construction paper to cover the holes up. While shopping at the dollar store the other day I found a cute countdown garland that I bought and cut up to use on the calendar for the dates.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6pFOXBCxwg/ULg4LFAetoI/AAAAAAAAAbo/14dUhJzxbTE/s1600/IMG_6412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g6pFOXBCxwg/ULg4LFAetoI/AAAAAAAAAbo/14dUhJzxbTE/s320/IMG_6412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tada! Finished project</td></tr>
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All in all, I think for a non crafty Mum with a 4 year old helper, it turned out o.k. I think my husband will love it, because the boy helped make it, and now I won't feel so guilty if I buy myself a chocolate advent calendar on Dec 2 when they're on sale!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-53861583049486455372012-11-17T18:23:00.000-05:002012-11-17T18:23:07.208-05:00Who needs Christmas presents? (or the boy's imagination)<div style="text-align: justify;">
People always say that kids love the box as much as the toy that came in it, and the boy is no different.</div>
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Recently he & his dad got new winter boots and the boy has commandeered the boxes they came in. They have been cars, garbage trucks, crushers, contraptions, and inventions. This afternoon he decided they were police and fire trucks, so he had to draw the flashing lights on them.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_4FMxI7rok/UKgaTgIrGxI/AAAAAAAAAaw/9bXOICHq0mI/s1600/Box+decorating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_4FMxI7rok/UKgaTgIrGxI/AAAAAAAAAaw/9bXOICHq0mI/s320/Box+decorating.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorating the boxes</td></tr>
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He then proceeded to drive (push) them around the living room making siren sounds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63O3I2W5QTE/UKgaOfx77zI/AAAAAAAAAao/g7WhUx7t4xI/s1600/Box+Fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63O3I2W5QTE/UKgaOfx77zI/AAAAAAAAAao/g7WhUx7t4xI/s320/Box+Fun.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The police car on its way to help someone<br />
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Reckon that 'Santa' could get away with just bringing the boy some empty boxes?torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-32138305667714269462012-11-10T16:21:00.000-05:002012-11-10T16:21:08.343-05:00Potatoes!<div style="text-align: justify;">
We planted potatoes in the garden this year. They weren't proper seed potatoes or anything, just some I had in my cold room that were starting to sprout. </div>
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We planted them with the thought that even if they didn't produce anything they would at least help to churn up our heavy clay soil so that it would be better for next year.</div>
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Now that the weather is getting colder, we figured it was now or never to harvest them, so armed with his shovel, the boy set off to dig them up.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYwizA1Ve9U/UJ6PSzIUx5I/AAAAAAAAAaM/f0pILLSdxKk/s1600/IMG_6343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYwizA1Ve9U/UJ6PSzIUx5I/AAAAAAAAAaM/f0pILLSdxKk/s320/IMG_6343.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Please ignore the ugly old air conditioner)</td></tr>
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And here they are the fruits (vegetables?) of our labour</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1s09wwrD60/UJ6PkrGmA0I/AAAAAAAAAaU/OglRVt_BlLc/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1s09wwrD60/UJ6PkrGmA0I/AAAAAAAAAaU/OglRVt_BlLc/s320/IMG_6346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The boy was thrilled to have 11 little potatoes grown by himself, and is already planning where he's planting them next year.
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We haven't tried them yet, I think they'll be a side dish to dinner one night this week. A very small side dish, but hopefully a tasty one.</div>
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torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-92160032814870056402012-10-31T11:06:00.000-04:002012-10-31T11:06:41.373-04:00Life cycle of a pumpkin<br />
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Halloween is finally here and the boy is super excited. We carved up our pumpkins this weekend and he really got into it. He designed the faces, scooped out the guts, helped to carve and then arranged them on the porch for tonight. </div>
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Here's the life cycles of our Mummy & Baby pumpkin (according to the boy)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J_1DO0N8iUg/UJE7EW4eIkI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/Jh3zsJ1cn8g/s1600/Pumpkin+Lifecycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J_1DO0N8iUg/UJE7EW4eIkI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/Jh3zsJ1cn8g/s400/Pumpkin+Lifecycle.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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1. Lugging the big heavy pumpkin, he insisted on doing it alone . 2. Decisions, decisions, which baby pumpkin to pick? 3. The face the boy drew by himself. 4. All carved up. 5. Ready for their big night</div>
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Happy Halloween to everyone - stay safe & enjoy all the candy!<br />
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torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-76409545373478617592012-10-28T17:31:00.000-04:002012-10-28T17:31:34.557-04:00Nice weather for ducks<div style="text-align: justify;">
We haven't been skating with the boy yet this season, so we all laced up our skates and headed to the local rink for public skate. It took the boy a little bit to get back into the swing of things, but once he remembered what he was doing he was off & going.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If only there wasn't an NHL lockout....</td></tr>
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Since <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/10/26/frankenstorm-us-canada-sandy.html" target="_blank">"Frankenstorm"</a> is headed this way, it's been a very wet & rainy weekend, so when we left the arena, we were treated to the site of a brace of ducks hanging around outside. We had to stand outside in the pouring rain watching the ducks. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little naturalist</td></tr>
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We then came home to dry off, have something warm to drink, and cuddle in a warm blanket. What better end to a damp day?<br />
<br />torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-76315092536665417072012-10-25T09:32:00.002-04:002012-10-25T09:32:26.820-04:00Dairy Farmer<div style="text-align: justify;">
The boy had a PA day on Monday, it was beautiful weather, so he jammed the day full of fun - we went to the zoo, to a pumpkin patch. had lunch out, and played soccer. I was exhausted by the end of the day (the boy was still raring to go of course)</div>
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At the end of the day I asked him what his favourite part of the day had been, and he told me it was milking the cows (at the pumpkin patch they have a fake cow you can milk). He apparently might like to milk cows when he's older.</div>
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Looks like he'll have lots of fodder for his other career as a writer.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zoYXkDVHQfQ/UIk-1lv1ooI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/ZlCGFX7LJsk/s1600/IMG_6258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zoYXkDVHQfQ/UIk-1lv1ooI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/ZlCGFX7LJsk/s320/IMG_6258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmer Boy hard at work (or trying to figure it all out)<br />
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torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-33285751163748402052012-10-23T22:32:00.001-04:002012-10-23T22:32:01.345-04:00Just a mum<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was at the boy's school the other day after dropping him off at lunch time. I then had following conversation with one of his little friends.</div>
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Little Girl: Are you a helper or a Mom?</div>
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Me: I'm a mum, I'm the boy's mum.</div>
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LG: Oh, how come you were here the other day then too?</div>
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M: I was helping out</div>
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LG: Oh, my mum never comes to school.</div>
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M: Oh, um, well, does your Mum have a job? I'm at home, so I can come in and help. But if your mum works, that would be why she can't come in during the day.</div>
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LG: No, she doesn't work, she's just a mum (said with serious disdain)</div>
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At this point it took all my mum skills to keep a straight face and not burst out laughing.</div>
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After asking a a few more questions I found out that the little girl has a baby sister and her mum is home with the little one all day. </div>
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But, in the mind of her daughter, she doesn't work, since she's "just a mum"</div>
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Even days after the event I still can't help but smile at the thought of the poor mum of that little girl who 's 'just a mum' . </div>
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Although I'm now afraid to ask the boy what he thinks I do, I'm not sure I'd want to hear the answer.</div>
torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-32113333697562769912012-10-10T20:30:00.003-04:002012-10-10T20:30:54.663-04:00Walking in an autumn wonderland<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pU4Sii5nKes/UHYTAXhemrI/AAAAAAAAAWo/0ZCYEy98lSg/s1600/ABCD0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pU4Sii5nKes/UHYTAXhemrI/AAAAAAAAAWo/0ZCYEy98lSg/s320/ABCD0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our daily walk to school now comes with a lot of leaf crunching and jumping.</td></tr>
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<br />torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-87715732011625107362012-09-26T10:13:00.005-04:002012-09-27T22:24:40.928-04:00I wonder why he's dizzy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One of the things the boy has learned in school (from his friends not his teacher) is the joy of rolling down hills. Yesterday he spent a good 15 minutes rolling down the hill at the park. Near the end, he stood up and said. "I feel a little dizzy", but then proceeded to run up the hill and go again! Oh to be 4!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dze92lyYL5ep3tAx2YwQ_geKArGqsY_NWHo6Th2NHUo3PsXLzOdyl083ROBGXYp3sSYaJe1WMvY6E8UNSur' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-13817465932386984572012-09-18T22:21:00.000-04:002012-09-18T22:21:46.879-04:00From Apple Picking to Cookies<div style="text-align: justify;">
The boy & I went apple picking the other weekend at a local apple farm. He was very enthusiastic and we came home with nearly a bushel's worth of apples. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking Apples in the pouring rain</td></tr>
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We're now hitting the point where we're starting to need other things to do with the apples other than just eat them every day! When I saw this fantastic <a href="http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/easy-family-recipes/20120909/loaded-applesauce-oatmeal-cookies-recipe?s=MB" target="_blank">recipe</a> on the <a href="http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/" target="_blank">Yummy Mummy Club</a> for cookies made with applesauce, how could I resist?</div>
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The boy & I made them this afternoon and they are fantastic. We ate too many before I could get a good picture, so you'll just have to drool over the image on <a href="http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/easy-family-recipes/20120909/loaded-applesauce-oatmeal-cookies-recipe?s=MB" target="_blank">Yummy Mummy Club</a>.</div>
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The only change I made in the recipe was to use hemp hearts instead of walnuts. This gives them a good protein kick, and they're still safe for the boy to take them to school. I've frozen half the batch and that way I have a quick ready made treat for us. Plus it means that we don't eat them all at once! </div>
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Now I just need a few more recipes to go with the rest of the apples that are left!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LEJAFL-SU2Y/UFkgiYZyvjI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Ji1RsLXxOH8/s1600/ABCD0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LEJAFL-SU2Y/UFkgiYZyvjI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Ji1RsLXxOH8/s320/ABCD0027.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look Mummy, I got another one!</td></tr>
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<br />torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-28986981794252129192012-09-13T22:10:00.004-04:002012-09-13T22:10:57.780-04:00It's official...<div style="text-align: justify;">
The boy came home with his Scholastic Book order today, I guess it's official, he really is in school! </div>
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The book orders & book fairs were one of my favourite parts of public school. Being a bookish kid the ability to buy more books was heaven for me. It was so hard to narrow down my choices sometimes and pick just one (or maybe two) Now it's the boy's turn to be excited when those pieces of newsprint come home. And I have to work on helping him pick just one (or maybe two) books.</div>
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torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7075690196826655952.post-21738371601484572092012-09-07T21:46:00.003-04:002012-09-07T21:47:45.904-04:00First week of school<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was the boy's very first week of school, and he loved it. He did great, the only one getting teary was me! He's done lots of painting and learned new songs and those were the two things he said he wanted to do before school started! Plus there's a workbench in the play yard, so he's pretty much in heaven! </div>
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Just thought I'd share a few pics of my (big) boy on his first day school...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqxAZ9iwAVs/UEqfiRYb7rI/AAAAAAAAAVo/RnWeqV86Ct8/s1600/walking+to+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sqxAZ9iwAVs/UEqfiRYb7rI/AAAAAAAAAVo/RnWeqV86Ct8/s320/walking+to+school.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking to school with Dad</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VEU6NNheQ4/UEqfkZDboiI/AAAAAAAAAVs/JUlRKM46cEY/s1600/Fist+day+of+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VEU6NNheQ4/UEqfkZDboiI/AAAAAAAAAVs/JUlRKM46cEY/s320/Fist+day+of+school.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking things out</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GT1h9H4WqKE/UEqfn-N4DBI/AAAAAAAAAV4/tu7vmeNZSQ4/s1600/Exploring+the+playground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GT1h9H4WqKE/UEqfn-N4DBI/AAAAAAAAAV4/tu7vmeNZSQ4/s320/Exploring+the+playground.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool castles to climb in.</td></tr>
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He can't wait to go back on Monday, although he did ask us how much longer until the end of June! I think for now we'll just count down to weekends.torihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705056679476246947noreply@blogger.com0