Claire at the Luau

Cameron at the Luau

Carly at the Luau

Caroline at the Luau

Catie at the Luau

Courtney at the Luau

If it is not one thing...

It is another. It has been busy, and the sickness aka 'July Puke Fest 2008' ended with two more kids (again) getting sick. Catie all over the van and carseat (thankfully we had just got home, and we had all of our puke supplies on hand) and then Carly sealed the deal being the last one to throw up all over her bed at 1:30 am on Sunday morning. Thankfully we haven't seen or heard anymore and that is a good thing.

I have promised photos of the Luau from last week and I will post them next. Life is really crazy with me trying to catch up. We did our grocery shop (that should have been done last week) done last night. We spent 344 dollars and we got home at 11:30 at night. Woo! We got unpacked, packed and then I fell asleep on the couch until 4:30 this morning.

Cliff is back to work, I saw my friend Lisa this morning (she has the same family as me; that being 1 boy and 5 girls) and she brought me some laundry soap (I saw her new 12 passenger van and got immediately jealous...and also happy for her!! OK!) and I have slipped already and fallen and yes, I got back up. I slipped on water on our tiled floor. 'Somebody' spilled water and I found it and fell down and whacked my left shoulder. Darn those tiles. We sorted and purged our books and toys and have a new bag of stuff ready to donate and give away.

I have my new daily cleaning schedule ready to start, I am cleaning up my office. I am sorting and putting away photos into the kids' albums. They have had lunch. No puking.

I however, I am getting a headache. But life as I know it, has returned to 'normal' and that is a good thing.

Just Ducky

Sickness is one part of having a large family that I DO NOT enjoy. From last Saturday at 9 pm until yesterday morning we had July 2008 Puke Fest. Non stop puke and runs action. Cliff actually added up all of the throw up-ing sessions and there were about 16 of them. ONLY TWO (plus Cliff's throwing up} that actually made it into a toilet or puke bucket. The rest...on the floor, the carpet, the walls, around the area of the toilet, the sink. The bed, the bed, the playpen two cribs. The stuffies. The clothing etc.

Oh the laundry. I had our machines working OT!

The good news is that it is Friday. Everrybody is on the mend including myself. Courtney and I were the last to get it. Thankfully I managed not to throw up, but I am having other issues :D to yuck to type out LOL.

The weekend is almost here, and I am hoping we will now be able to enjoy it!

It still isn't over yet

Here we are in the wee small hours of Wednesday. The first sign of puke was at 9 pm on Saturday night, and here we are at Wednesday morning. My machines are seriously working overtime. I am running out of cleaning supplies, and perhaps my patience level. I feel like this is some huge joke being played on Cliff and I.

Finally, we get a late dinner in. Cliff is starting to feel better, but he has a headache. I seriously switch over another load of laundry into the dryer (this is Claire's bedding from tonight as she didn't make it into the bucket or the towels all over her bed...) I had Cliff walking down to the sink in the laundry room with another set of bedding covered in throw up. That would be Caroline's bedding. She needed a complete change of bedding AGAIN from yesterday. And she needed a bath.

And I spoke too soon about throw up on the carpet. Of course our dear Carly threw up pink chunks all over the white carpet. But, I bought a great carpet cleaner that worked so well we cannot even see where it happened! It is called 'Oxy Clean - Carpet' and we are very impressed with it.

My poor family. And now we have Claire worried about everybody being sick, and worried that all of us are dying. Like Grandpa did. Carly needed us to shut her window and she got out of bed and came to us and asked us to lock the window as she thought she heard wolves (but they were dogs) and they scared her awake. Catie asked her Nonna if she is healthy...they are all processing their grief of their momentus loss of their Grandpa.

Oh, and Cameron when he woke up from his sleep after getting sick (he threw up this afternoon on their walk to get ingredients for dinner...) he thought he was waking up to a brand new day. I thanked him for not throwing up in the house, and he smiled! LOL.

I am getting exhausted and wonder what the rest of the night will bring. I am thinking the puke is maybe part of the grieving process?! Not being able to tell us what is wrong and their bodies just acting out...poor babies. Poor Cliff.

It is a good thing I bought myself pretty pink rubber gloves a few weeks back! They sure are getting some good use.

I cannot believe it is another late night of cleaning up. I cannot believe how much cleaning I have done, and laundry I have done lately.

I have to go fold some more laundry now.

I spoke too soon

Cameron has now joined in on the fun, but he was very thoughtful and puked on a walk home with his Dad from the store. No clean up.

Now, we are working on 'fun' from the other end of several bodies around here.

That leaves Courtney and me. I won't get it will I!!!??

Puke fest is OVER!

Hurraahhhhhhhh!

Cliff ended up sick, and is feeling a lot better today. I think we are on the mend because everybody is on the move and eating etc. Things seem WAY better than the 50 + hours of 'Puke Fest II' July 2008.

Anyways, as asked by my cousin Andrea regarding our 'Puke Kit' (April, did you end up doing this too?!--She experienced her first puke with Abby in the car not too too long ago)

Car Puke Kit (left in the back of vehicle for puke emergencies on the road!)

1. Plastic bags use to scoop puke/or puke into/and to pack up the soiled clothing etc.
2. Paper towel
3. Some sort of disenfecting wipes for hard surfaces/you/child/children
4. scraper of some sort (if you don't want to use a bag on your hands!!)
5. bucket for the ride home for sicko
6. old towels and face cloths
7. Bottles of water to wash the puke away (if needed for number 6)
8. A change of clothes for each child on each trip!
9. Hand sanitizer for adults
10. A sense of humour!!!

PUKE HAPPENS, be prepared :D

I cannot sleep

I keep wondering who will be next. Cliff is sick also...

That leaves Cameron, Courtney, and me!

Puke Patrol

We have had a lot of puke going on in the last 49 hours...4/8

Catie: All over the tile floor, bathroom door downstairs, walls, sink and toilet and repeat into her bucket many times until this morning, Looked like a crime scene.

Claire: All over herself, the upstairs carpet outside the bathroom, all over the walls and toilet and a couple more times into the toilet and fine this morning. Evn worse...bigger tummy, more volume.

Carly...this evening after dinner...like Catie's above and again a few minutes ago.

Caroline...just as puke from Carly is cleaned/in process she does it but all in her crib, stuffies, pillow etc.

Cliff feels sick because he cleaned it up, as I sanitized the whole two levels...we work as a team here. We have to smile about this, because it is times like this we just want to cry and quit. This process took us hours. Tonight we spent two hours. All of the kids are now in bed. Now round two of bleach on the hard floors. I just want to crash, but life goes on!

I won't be able to sleep well again...just going though the 'what if's'/Who next/I cannot afford to get this thoughts in my brain. I am thankful it was not in the van this time, not at a friends house and none on our new carpet. Time for a profesh cleaning!

PS Laura now is the time to create a puke kit for your vehicle if you don't have one already. Two years old seems to be when the barf-o-rama begins. Well, in my experience anyways. Sorry there is puke in your vehicle and home.

Why puke in July?! I am not sure. Hubby informs me he is close to puking now too. That will be 5/8 but not our record of 7/8. That was back around Mother Day of this year.

May we all feel much better tomorrow.

PPS I really think I deserve HE washers after all of this. My machines are running for what feels like 24/7!

Luau today - more photos to come

We took the kids (all dressed in our Hawaiian clothing) and actually won a pineapple for 'best dressed family' but we had a lot of goodies and Catie got sick tonight...and then Claire got sick before 3 am and so not enough time to get some more photos up. I took a few hundred today as I got a new lens that I just adore.

Anyways, the photo will have to hold you for now. We had so much fun, a pig roast as you can see, everybody brought a dish (we brought Ambrosia salad), tractor ride, pinata, water balloon toss, hula hooping and so much more. It was a wonderful time with family and friends.

I will blog more later. The day was just what the doctor ordered!

Growing like a weed...

{Courtney is 8 months}



Dear Courtney,

It seems hard to believe that eight months ago tonight you were born into our family. Our little coconut so tiny, pink, cute and the perfectly healthy baby girl.

And today a big baby girl who is strong, long, almost crawling, likes to stand up, eat all sorts of table food,talkative and beautiful 'Smiley' girl. You recently had your 6 month shots (yes way late due to the many colds from your loving, adoring siblings who cannot get enough of you Courtney) and you weighed in at a healthy 18 almost 19 pounds. And you are meeting all of your milestones which makes us all so happy that you are both happy and healthy!

You are a little firecracker! You are so determined and I love seeing you develop and grow into a near toddler! It is hard to believe that I am starting to think about your first birthday party already! Dreaming about hot cocoa (Perfect for November!) and coconut goodies...mmmm. All pink and brown for you! A special day just for you! A day just for you to celebrate with your family and friends.

You are our last Courtney Elizabeth, and I am so glad I get this final gift to experience watching you grow up and marvel at all of the firsts you are acheiving today and in the future. It is going to be great to get the opportunity to let you be 'our baby' for a bit longer than the other kids! I look forward so many things with you, my darling daughter.

You bring us so much joy and laughter with that big beautiful smile. It was like you were supposed to be here all a long, and happy girl to bring us joy when joy is needed the most with the passing of your Grandpa almost three weeks back.

I just know Grandpa was most sad to leave you and your siblings behind. He wanted to know what you would sound like when you would first say 'Grandpa' like your siblings. I know he wanted to watch all of your firsts with all of us. I am sorry you will not get the chance to know and remember your Grandpa like some of the other kids. Our hearts are heavy with loss Courtney. Your gift of your joyful smile makes us happy when the days feel so sad.

I do know that Grandpa is in you, and all of the kids. That makes us feel a bit better. He named you his 'Smiley' Courntey. I just wanted you to know this.

We really wanted you to know him, but we had promised Grandpa that we would keep his memories alive.

We love you Courtney.

Crash Test Mommy Gil to the RESCUE!!

Well, it hasn't been the best around here lately. There has been a lot of crying, acting out, and a lot of outbursts. Anger, hitting, wild nights, regressions including pee and poop accidents. Nightmares, kids in our bed at night. You name it, it has happened to us lately. And add in summer vacation, hot, long and tiring days. Warm bedrooms, and complaints that it is too early to go to bed. Summer school and summer camp. It has been busy.

Thankfully we has two sets of angels come to our rescue on the past Friday night. Cliff and I don't get a lot of time to ourselves. We have our (of late) one glass of wine on the front stoop in the dark (well one citronella candle burning) and chat. But we haven't been away from our house together for a night since last October when I was almost due to have Courtney.

So, Cliff arranged to have my parents come over from 5 pm until around 9 pm to give the kids dinner and to bed, and then our former Crash Test Mommy Gil came over night to watch all six kids so we could get out to a hotel for the night. We got out for dinner together, a yummy ice cream. We then came home around 9 I fed Courtney and then we left for the hotel for the night.

We didn't get any phonecalls from Gil, and the night went so well. He handled them all and even spent one lovely hour with Coconut from 2:45-3:45 am but she went back down.

So thank you Mom and Dad and Gil for coming to our rescue when we needed it most.

life lessons

cherish, remember and love one another

leave the finger prints for one day, you can clean tomorrow

Eat the chips right out of the bag, because those ones taste way better

Let the light in, and may it shine upon you and give you warmth

don't be afraid of getting messy

enjoy new firsts, and the company of family and friends

(these photos were taken on the day my FIL died - June 27th
and we are thankful to all of our family and friends for all of the love,prayers and support during this difficult time)

Photo Catch Up!

My little graduate (thanks Jillian Kirby for the lovely shot of my daughter at the park)

Some photos of Carly's graduation, and now she moves onto Grade One. Wow.

Summer is in full swing around here!

Well, here it is early hours Thursday morning. I am doing laundry still, wrote up thank you cards those sorts of catch ups. Still haven't had a chance to get through the photos. I thought I would be able to do that tonight, but the kids had other plans. So, I was tending to the needs of our kids. My stuff is put on the back-burner again. Story of my life.

Life around here doesn't seem very normal that is for sure. The kids are very out of sorts. Add in a hard working husband, working overtime, a teething baby that had her six month immunizations and there goes the household.

We had a good dinner tonight, and I got a it out on the table on time and the kids LOVED dinner. This was a freezer meal (from the Big Cook) that my friend Lisa gave to me just after Courtney was born. I had extra buns, greated cheddar cheese and cut up cucumbers. And that was dinner. Finished it off with some watermelon and it was a big hit! I am trying to use up the stuff in my freezer. I organized it again. Boy did it need it. So, I found quite a few dinner items for this week to use. I had a quick run tonight. Felt good to get out there.

My hubby is off on Thursday and Friday. Thank goodness. I am burning out these days. I am wiped. Emotionally more than anything. My head feels like it is in fog. I don't like feeling like that, especially when I have so much going on. Summer break seems like more work and planning than the school year. It is really hard to entertain, keep busy, keep out of trouble and burn off energy with the kids.

Cameron is off to his Grandparents tomorrow night for a movie and a sleep over, we are going run some errands. The weekend we have not too too much on the go, but enough to keep ourselves busy. I might be getting out on a much needed date night/sleep over at a hotel night this weekend. That sounds rather exciting. Just wondering how Courtney will do. She has been miss cranky pants these days with all of her teething. Sunday of course, I run a 9 km. All next week Claire is in summer school, and Cameron is in his camp. That will mean a pretty calm week for me I would hope. Oh and on Wednesday we are participating in a 20 minute challenge (walk/run challenge) and cannot wait to bring the family out! We are making fitness a priority in our life and hoping the kids will want to do the same.

Well, it is so late and my laundry just binged at me. I need to switch it over and then start the dishwasher.

Night night!

Quick update for the Weekend

It has been a sad and busy time around our place, and so sorry for the lack of updating. It feels like time has stood still since my FIL passed away just over a week ago.

The kids are having a very hard time adjusting. They are very emotional, crying a lot and acting out. And they are having troubles finding comfort. They miss Grandpa's hugs. They cannot find rest at night. They cry a lot. So, it has been very tiring to say the least. The needs of our kids come first, and so that is where most of my energy has been going to. And to the needs of my dear husband, and my mom in law.

Yesterday was my FIL's memorial and it was a good day (well as far as memorials can go I guess) there was a very full church, and that goes to show just how well loved he was. And, how very missed he will be. That was comforting to us all.

I have a whole CF card that needs to be downloaded, and have Carly's Kindergarten graduation on there, some fun in the back yard. Canada day (which wasn't very fun this year as at one point in the day had all six kids crying because they are so sad) and a few more photos I am sure I am forgetting about. I will try to accomplish some of that over the weekend.

Not much else to report, but just to check in and say I am still here, I am busy and blogging hasn't been in the front of my priorty list. I promise to check in with all of my blogging buddies soon and comment. I have been more of a blog 'stalker' these days LOL.

Well, I thank you all for your kinds words, emails, flowers, support and love over the last months and over the last week.

We really appreciate everything. Prayers and support are certainly welcome! I am hoping that next week will be a bit back to 'normal' around here. Well, I guess the new normal. Whatever that may be. I will chat then!

Blessings to you all,

Cathy

Goodbye Earl/Dad in Law

All ten of us together

Dad and Courtney his 'Smiley'

Cliff, his Dad and Cameron

The original family together.

Dad and his Sweet Caroline.

****

This morning at 10:35 am Cliff's Dad passed away peacefully.

Thank you Dad for all that you did for our family, the love you gave us all, the help, the support and your awesome Dad-ness. You are missed so much already.

You will never be forgotten, and I promised you yesterday I will keep your memory alive with words, photos and stories. We have empty hearts today and forever.

Cliff has big boots to fill.

Middle of the week, and today is the last day of school!

Well, actually it is Thursday morning at 12:04 am. I have been up since 3:15 am yesterday. My FIL has taken a turn for the worse and is now in the hospice. We are all very sad around here. Today is the very last day of school! How fast did this year go by?! We have Cameron moving onto Grade 4, Claire moving onto Grade 2 and Carly moving into Grade 1! Three out of my six kids will be in full time school leaving me with ONLY THREE little ones at home (deja vu, history repeating itself or whatever hard to believe it is like the first three years of my life with the three big kids who were my three little kids at home!) Anyways. I am looking forward to letting things slide a bit. Relaxing and chillaxing in the yard. Taking day trips etc. I think we will be having a bit of a slower summer. Claire is off to a reading and recreation program to bump up her reading all through July. And August, well we have a couple of birthdays coming up.

The past weekend we had a bbq at Centennial beach with family and friends, and then on Sunday we took the kids to Cultas for a picnic. This weekend we were going to go to Minter Gardens with Dad/FIL but for obvious reasons will not be. We are sad about that too.

Anyways, sorry I haven't updated it has just been really busy with many activities daily for the end of the school year. Lots of parties, get togethers and then today Claire got sick, the bad news about my FIL and other stuff that is not so wonderful. So, yeah. It has been quite the week. Tonight it seemed as if Courtney, Carly, Cameron and Caroline were under the weather too.

Tonight we went to visit Dad in hospice, we had to make a trip to the Home Depot to get mouse traps. We have a family of mice living in our place. Cliff had the day off today, and tomorrow too. Possibly Friday too. And of course, recycling and garbage to do as well!! Busy busy.

Tomorrow we will be taking the kids to visit their Grandpa. I know he is glad they are all coming for a visit.

your love is better than ice cream...

Here is Caroline having one of many ice creams in her pj's in the front yard before bed! This was taken after her photo session on Fathers Day.

Carly lost

Her first tooth last night when I was out for a run! The tooth fairy came and left her two dollars. She then put the two dollars into the D-Land fund jar! Iove how they have been doing that!

I just hope the tooth fairy can fund most of that trip for us!

Caroline and me...

See, I was on our Fathers Day trip, but I am usually the one taking the family photos. Thankfully my Mom in Law took a few photos of me :D

This was so fun to do, and her smiles were HUGE!

And she decided she wanted to be on her own swing after awhile. It was a great day! I had fun on the swings too! I got some good air when I jumped off LOL!

Fathers Day 2008

Where is Courtney you ask?

She was on the beach blanket with her Nonna and Grandpa!

(No kids were injured, went missing, ran away or got hurt during this time at the beach LOL)

Courtney is 7 months

Well today my sweet Coco is 7 months old, and she also yesterday broke through her first tooth (bottom left!) So, no more gummy smile!

She is enjoying her solid foods. Loves her cereals, all types. Sweet potatoes and squash. She also loves the cereal with fruits and is eating the 8 month 'texture' already. She sits quite well, and is moving herself all over the place with her 'army' crawl. Courtney loves the company of her siblings and she also smiles really big and she has two really visible dimples.

Love you babes xo

I promised, and I delivered!

When I was pregnant with Courtney, I promised the kids that after I had her that I would show them first that I can still rock a cartwheel like nobodys business, and two that I would teach them. So, this weekend I did just that! Thanks to Cliff for capturing this really fun time with our kids! I plan on doing way more like this!!

Me mid cartwheel (note the ice cream in Catie's hand!)

Cartwheels with the kids! What fun!!

Mother and son rocking their moves on the lawn in the sun!

She's still got it after almost 20 years!

Weekend Rocked! So happy!

The weekend was a busy one. It consisted of a lot of the usual running around, but we also had a lot of fun stuff, like ice cream (we are talking ice cream cones for all of us, 3 days in a row!) and then yesterday was of course Fathers Day. We too Cliff's Dad to Harrison with all of the kids for a morning of beach, family time, and you guessed it--ice cream. We had a great morning, then we got home. We had some yummy dinner. We then headed out to Elgin Park for some photos in the park with Jillian Kirby who took these wonderful photos of our family. As you see, our family is complete. We need some photos to hang on the wall. It feels right to hang the photos on the wall! Nobody is missing. We had ice cream on the way home too! It was good! And, we listened and sang to the wonderful CD Snacktime by the Barenaked Ladies! Awesome CD, you need to pick one up! The kids sing the song Popcorn, and Allergies like there is no tomorrow. Brings a lot of joy to us right now! Music, gotta love it!

As for the only one missing from our family well that would be the baby that we lost via miscarriage five years ago yesterday. On Fathers Day, June 15th, 2003 to be exact. I still miss that baby that could have been going into Kindergarten this September. And the beautiful pink peonie plant from my Papa did not bloom this year and that made me a bit sad. And also sad for Cliff who most likely just spent his last Fathers Day with his Dad yesterday. But, it was a good day all around. We made some good memories yesterday! Cliff's Dad said he felt almost like normal which was wonderful to hear.

I am happy the good weather is here! It is so nice to see blue sky and shadows :D

This morning, we had a pukey Caroline who is sleeping quietly on the couch. Poor babe.

Well, I have a pick up to do, and I have photos to download! Look for those soon!

Happy Monday!

Happy Birthday Grannie! We love you!

Happy Dad's Day

Number One Daddy!

Today, it is all about YOU my dear Cliff.

Today is a Day made just for you. It is not often that the day is all about you. Mostly you come home from your day job, and job number two kicks in.

You give us ALL one hundred percent of your free time. You don't complain. You just love us all.

You are a hands on Dad.

You love us ALL something fierce.

You give up so much just for us to be happy.

You serve us first, and yourself second.

Today my dear husband, I want to say thank you to you for all that you do. We hope your day is beautiful. We hope you enjoy this day, and it goes down as one of the most precious days ever. No matter what.

We know you would have liked to have gone golfing today with your Dad, or to the Waffle House with my parents. But, today we are taking you to the beach! The kids are so excited and we leave in just a bit. Look at that glorious sunshine today!

Thank you Cliff.

We all love you. We cannot tell you that often enough.

You rock our world! Enough said xo

Cathy

Cameron

Claire

Carly

Catie

Caroline

Coco

Shawna in Real Life!

I met a new Blogger friend Shawna in real life last night. I didn't know he (only through blog life), but I knew one of her friends Laura.

So, if you are looking for a fun adventure...branch out, and meet new people! Take a chance! Make time to meet new people! It was very refreshing and fun! We actually shut down the Starbucks, and continued talking outside in the cold until almost midnight! Laughing and smiling! Having so much fun together! We could have talked for several hours more I think!

Shawna, it is so nice to meet you, a wonderful new friend! I am glad we got together, and I hope we can do it again sometime! I love how you are the same in your blog as in real life! You are a totally awesome person! I still cannot believe we moved on the same day, and how I run through your neighbourhood!! Love it!

Housekeeping...again.

I am trying to change the look of my blog, and of course I didn't remember to save my blog links...could you please leave me a comment so I can add you back in! I have basically changed it, changed it back and tweaked it. Does it look OK?!

PPS. While we are doing housekeeping. The answer to my Pop Quiz a few posts down was answer number 7 or all of the above!!!!

Thank you!

Cathy

Who wears a hoodie in the house in June?

I do, that is who. Who turns on the heat in the house in June? I do, that is who. Who turns on the gas fireplace in the house in June? I do, that is who. Who is drinking hot lattes and drinks to warm up their hands and body in June? I do, that is who. This is REDICULOSO!! It is so darn cold and dark and damp.

I cannot believe this almost 'summer' weather we are experiencing. I think I need those SAD lights because this weather is really bogging me down. It truly feels like winter. Like a dark October or November winter. Except with the colour of summer flowers. I am trying to be all positive and happy but deep down it is really yuck. The end of the driveway was like a mini lake tonight. I was running to jump over large puddles when picking up the kids after school.

What a dark day...I wonder how the weather will be tomorrow?! I don't even want to look at the forecast...too depressing LOL.

Stay tuned!

Friday already!?

This week has flown by, and I don't want it to be that way! I have had a great week (some ups and downs) yesterday I had some moments where I thought I was going to lose it. But I survived.

The other night because the kids were doing so well, we decided to get them out of the house for some fun. So, we had an early dinner and by the time Cliff got home we packed them into the van and took them to Captain Kids for some fun! I really like that place! The kids had a BLAST. We hope to do this again soon!

All in all it has been good. Busy but good. Today the kids were treated to Happy meals by their Nonna. They sure loved that! That is a RARE treat around here. I had McD's too, but I had the asian chicken grill salad. It was good, but a bit salty but a change from the every day that is for sure. I just drank lots of water afterwards.

Courtney is really enjoying her 'solid foods' and is enjoying mixed cereal. I will pick up some veggies for her and get that going. I hardly have to feed her, because we have MANY who want to feed her. Poor Coco has had goopy eyes and so we keep wiping them with water and cotton balls. She had that when she was a couple of weeks old and here she is almost 7 months and it is back. She is now pulling herself around on the floor with her arms (just like her brother did at this age) and she can sit up for a few seconds before toppling over. Grandpa has named her Smiley because that is her...full of big beautiful smiles.

Cameron had his Pappa (my Dad) go into his classroom to do an exercise in structures and bridges and it was highly enjoyable for the whole classroom. My Dad still has the knack that is for sure (ex-high school teacher!) Thanks to my Mom who also came over to watch the little kids so I could go and take photos! I will download and post soon.

Claire spent time with her GG last night (my Granny) she helps her with her reading and they usually go out for dinner together at the local Whitespot. Thanks Gran! Claire also moved up another level in her reading and we are so happy for her. She will be taking summer school this year for reading and we are glad she is excited about it!

Carly, well she has been helping us so much, and giving her winnings like pens and things from school and giving them to her sisters and brother. She is always thinking of others and we love that! She still tells me she is going to have horses, and when she is done training them she will trot over to her sister Claire's restaurant for a snack. And hopefully Claire will feed the horses too! Her horses names will be River and Schowmoni. The horses cannot come inside.

Catie, well she loves to pretend she is 'Super Catie' and asks me to tie on aprons around her neck and she runs around at the speed of light. We know what she is going as for Halloween this year! She is quick and light!

Caroline, well she is a total two year old. She is strong, feisty, and had a LOUD voice that likes to say NO to EVERYTHING lol. But hey, only one two year old to go through after her!! I am kind of glad of that LOL!

Tonight we pick up a pizza, and the kids look forward to that on Friday nights. Tomorrow we are off to celebrate my Aunt and Uncles 45th wedding anniversary and then Sunday...who knows. We will play it by ear. I am just waiting for some GOOD weather. It certainly has been really cold for June in the lower mainland. Yuck.

Happy Friday!

one is silver, and the other is gold

Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and other is gold.

Remember that little camp 'round' song. I cannot help but sing it these days. Friends are so very important!

I have been enjoying meeting up with old friends, and when I mean old I mean friendships that date back to high school or longer. It is nice to once in awhile inject my current life, with a bit of a blast from the past! Adding in some fun in my otherwise normal 'Mommy' life that I live daily.

I was fortunate last week to get out for dinner with a friend that has my same name, Catherine. And she is Kathryn. I go by Cathy and she goes by Kate. She is now a doctor, who is married to a doctor. We haven't seen each other for over 10 years but as we met at the local Milestones it was like time stood still and we had never left each others side. It was a wonderful feeling. Even after all of the years apart, we still have much in common and I love that.

Tomorrow night I am going out to a 'goodbye dinner' with my old work pals. The people that were like home to me before I had my first baby in 1999. I am so excited to see so many old faces and friends again. I think this will refresh me! And bring me back to the time when I had a career, a little red sports car and I earned a good paycheque. Back in the day when I made more money than my husband did. (He was still working on his career and I was his sugar-mama LOL) Oh good times. Good times.

And, in a couple of weeks I will be going on a 'foursome' with my sister April, and two sisters named Wendy and Toby. Wendy is my friend, and Toby is April's friend. We have been trying to get together for years now. I met Wendy for lunch back when I was pregnant with Claire. Well, Claire is now 7. Way too long. So, the last time we all (four of us) saw each other were at a more sad event. It was a celebration to remember their Step-Dad Russell a couple of weeks back. We decided that the four of us needed to go out together, and so a date has been set. In a couple of Saturdays from now, we are going to watch a roller derby match in our old 'home town' and then out for a dinner to catch up. I know we will have a good time together. I know lots of old stories will come out, and lots of laughter when the four of us get together. I cannot wait. Just what the doctor has ordered!

And then, my new friends. All of these new fabulous friends! The friends who like photography, the friends who run, the friends who love fitness, the mom-friends, the school friends, coffee friends, the blogging friends, the online friends, my forum friends.

Both the old and new friends are so important on so many levels in my life!

Today, I say thank you to all of my fabulous friends! And for those I am awaiting to meet soon, I cannot wait.

I am thankful for friends both old and new in my life.

What is that line? Thank you for being a friend!!

Cathy

Happy June!

Well, here it is June 1st and it is so cloudy, but it made for a good run day that is for sure.

As for the quiz yesterday on our family, I will wait until I get more answers and then I will post which answer is correct.

Not much to say, except the weekends go by way too quickly. The dinner is done, kids bathed, diapers changed, teeth brushed and books are read and recorded and it is almost bed time. A new week will begin once again.

Make a great week!