I Won't Drink Alone.

Yes, that is right. I refuse to drink alone. It is no fun. I think the best part of enjoying a fresh cup of hot coffee is the conversation that goes with it.

Why won't I drink alone? I really don't know. I have tried a few times, but it's not as good and I tend to not sit down and enjoy it. I will make & drink coffee if someone comes over, I will drink coffee at others houses, I will buy coffee at take it places, I drink coffee at work. I work with about 60 other people so I am guaranteed that someone else in the building is also indulging. Even if Big Daddy lovingly stops at Tim Hortens and picks me up a cup of gold, I feel the need to chat with some online friends to go with that coffee.

You see, Big Daddy is anti-coffee. Why anyone would choose that path in life is beyond me. But if he were a java-hound I think we would be one of those couples that set the timer on the coffee pot so it was hot & ready when we got downstairs in the morning. Damn, I should have had that on the husbandry application.

My friends can attest to this. Especially when they see me standing on their doorstep at 9am begging for coffee. Sunday morning I packed Joseph up bright and early (well, what we think is bright and early) and headed to a friends house. Joseph was thrilled thinking it was a play date with his friend Dryden. Little did he know Mommy just wanted a hit of caffeine. So there I was begging my pregnant friend for coffee. And what does she do? Kel makes me some, and had french vanilla stuff to go in it. Can life get any better. It was a great way to spend a Sunday morning... catching up with an old friend.

As much as I love Trent and his rambunctiousness, it was nice to down about four cups of coffee without having to hold it above my head at least once. But I did catch some interesting conversation between Joseph and his friend. I was helping them get their shoes on to go in the back yard when we first got there. It was like these two little dudes have all these great words and feelings but don't quite know how to use them all.

Dryden: "Joseph, I feel so glad you see me this morning"
Joseph: "Thanks Dryden, I like you being glad for me"

It was hilariously sweet. The days of innocence and play dates. It was a nice sunshining day and the boys had a great time playing and I to enjoy a lot of coffee.

I must say I think my roll up the rim status is now at 30 losses ~ 1 win. It's sad really. I hate to think I lost 30 times. Maybe tomorrow it will be my lucky day.

Restaurant Critic

If any of you know Big Daddy & I you know that we tend to eat in restaurants quite a bit. More than the average family. We have always blamed odd schedules as well as miscellaneous other things for our "wrong doing" if you would like to call it that. We have never seen it as wrong. We enjoy our meals out plain and simple. It is much more relaxing and we actually get to enjoy one anothers company during the meal. We have been blessed with pretty mellow kids who behave for the most part during meals, so we are able to do this.

But today I had a revlation as to why these meals are more relaxing.
Me: "What do you want for supper?"
Big Daddy: "I dunno"
Me: "Well, what about chicken stir fry?"
Big Daddy: "not in the mood for that"
Me: "hmm, I have hotdogs, fries and some veggies?"
Big Daddy: "no"
Me: "Well what would you like?"
Big Daddy: "I dunno"
Me: "Well tell me and I will make it!"
Big Daddy: "I dunno, it all sounds gross"
Me: "Joseph, what do you want for supper?"
Joseph: "I want snacktified" (code for Kraft Dinner/Mac N Cheese)
Me: "you had that for lunch pick something else"
Joseph: "Mommy, you need to make good choices... I said I want snacktified"

I give up. See, in a restaurant we could spend our words actually talking about other things since we can all order what we enjoy without the hassle or headache of making four different meals. Today I fully realized that all a family is, are my own personal restaurant critics. I will admit I am not the best cook, nor do I like to cook all that much. But enjoying the fruits of my labours once in awhile is a good thing. At least I can count on Trent to shovel in whatever I set before him. Well, for the time being anyways.

I think the key to being a mother and creating meals it to quit worrying about what everyone wants. Make random things without asking anyone if they will like it. Just make it and serve it. If they like it or are hungry enough they will eat it. The hard thing for me to grasp is that I don't like most of the stuff I can create and I don't think far enough in advance to defrost any meat.

Someone forgot to tell me that when you get married and have a family that you need to make executive decisions in the kitchen. I am one to always call for a consult, I guess thats the wrong idea. Since the consult (Big Daddy usually) and I disagree as to what I should make. Did I miss this part in the wife handbook??? Is it just in an updated version?? Did they just not print it in the S'toon version of the book? Is this why our city has the most restaurants per capita?? It's all the grand scheme isn't it.

If your interested, we had chicken stir fry. Tomorrow night... hotdogs & fries. I will know when I am a full fleged executive chef, it will be when I make a full meal for all four of us out of *gasp* leftovers.

The olden days

Not much exciting has happend this week. To us anyways. Big Daddy has endured a few hours with his nintendo. Are we from the ice age? Yes, I think so. Nintendo 64 ~ it was a hot piece of machinery when I bought it for Big Daddy. Now to others who have moved on to X-box, Game Cube, PS2 our piddley Nintendo 64 is ancient. I wonder if you can still rent games for it. Hmmm, my guess is not. I remember the days of Atari and even regular Nintendo, as well as when computers "floppy disks" were actually large and well... floppy. I feel old. I know I am not old I have just brinked mid-twenties. But not being with times and owning a fancy game machine makes a person feel old. I am sure that with time our boys will want the latest and greatest in game machines probably by that time it will be a PS12 or Gameboy Superslim Mega Advance. Until then Big Daddy and I once a year blow the dust off of our Nintendo 64 and play a few games of Mario Kart... just to keep us young.

A Priest and a Pastor walk into a bar.

Yesterday was a red letter day in my nephew Devin's life. He had his first communion. It is a big thing in a catholic's life. So we take Trenter to Gramma's for a nap and then Big Daddy, Joseph and I head off. We pack a bag of books & goodies since we all know how a 4 year old (and Big Daddy) can sit through mass.

Joseph is learning a bit about God and all that stuff. He prays at night for people or things on his mind. When he gets hurt or really, really upset about something we pray about it to make it better. He knows God lives in heaven, but he also knows church is about God. So we get situated in the pew and we are chatting. Joseph points to the man in the white robe and says "Is that God?" I say "No honey that is the pastor" *gasp* 100+ devout catholics whip their heads around to look at me while Big Daddy is elbowing me and saying "priest honey... priest" *DOH!* "Right, Joseph that is a priest not a pastor" Ok. I guess that relay's how much I know. Priest... Pastor same difference? I guess not. Hey at least I didn't say he was the Pope. I do know better than that.

Let's Talk

We are trying to spend as much time outside as possible these days. The weather hasn't been that cooperative yet. But we get our time in out there. You know living in Saskatchewan and having 8+ months of winter we have to enjoy the great outdoors when we can.

Joseph still isn't that keen on riding his bike, I am trying to warm him up to the idea of a scooter. But he as well is not too fond of that idea either. I am sure when he is good and ready he will be a man on a mission. Until then he is satisfied looking for rocks (or stealing them from Home Depot when he's there with Grandpa Murray), exploring, playing a little baseball, riding in the wagon and chasing bubbles.

Trent on the other hand is raring to go... if he was tall enough for the scooter he'd be off. Same thing with the tricycle if his legs were long enough. But he also enjoys a good view from the wagon and is amazed that Mommy can make bubbles.

Hmm, maybe I can figure out a way to rig up a scooter to pull the wagon... would it be wrong to buy my kids a scooter so I can ride it? They look like fun, and really a little exercise wouldn't hurt me would it... or will it?

Yesterday was Uncle Kurts birthday. We won't say how old but he swears he's 31. So we'll humour him. Everyone came over for cake. I think Trent enjoyed the cake more than anyone. He does very well with a fork or spoon, but when it comes to cake that mode of trasportation from bowl to mouth just wasnt fast enough. So he got one hand going as well as the spoon in the other hand. Funny guy. But he comes by that sweet tooth honestly let me tell you.

So, can we take a moment to talk roll up the rim status. This is sad folks, sad I say. 25 losses and still 1 win. It really is a good thing I go sincerely for the coffee. If I didn't I really would be as my friend told me yesterday "one of the suckers that make the world turn." I do enjoy the coffee and would still buy it roll up the rim season or not. But hey does Tim have to be so bashful with the winning cups. I have even tried going to different locations as well as some of the coffee's have been bought for me by different people. Or maybe, I just need to re-evaluate my coffee consumption. 26 coffees... that sounds like alot. But it is spread out over a # of weeks. Thats just Tim's coffee too, not home brewed stuff. When is a coffee addiction too much?

Still my little home-boy

Cutie Joe

Tickle my teeth!

Can I scream in complete joy. Word is, we broke a weather record today +23 outside. It was BEAUTIFUL. I love the nice weather. Ya, ya I know before long I will be complaining it is too hot. But for now I will bask in the joy of not wearing a sweater, jacket, toque, scarf and mittens. It was wonderful. I think our screen door got a workout. Joseph was in and out of the house so much. Its great though to see the kids enjoy the outdoors. Trent enjoys going for walks and I was really worried since our yard isn't fenced in that he would walk off. I discovered that Trent won't walk on the grass, so the trick is no shoes then he won't leave the cement pad without us. I am sure before long he will figure that out. But thats ok, I am glad they get to be outside.

But, to top our beautiful day off, Joseph and I headed off to the dentist. It was Joseph's first visit there and I tried to gear him up for it as much as I could saying she would count his teeth and tickle them. It went SOOOOOOO great. I went first and had my checkup and then it was Joseph's turn. He hopped up in the chair and listened so well! He got his teeth cleaned and got a floride treatment (his tooth vitamins as he would say) the hygenist commented on his beautifully clean teeth and his brushing skills. The dentist had a look and said he has great teeth and no cavitities! It was great to hear and my pocketbook enjoyed that news as well. We celebrated with a popsicle before supper. *doh* not much supper was consumed after that, but oh well. Daddy & I were proud.

Funny to see your little four year old seem so grown up. He answered all the questions today and seemed to be so in control of his desitiny at the dentist. I mean as in control as you can be. It was big business choosing his paste flavor and his floride flavor, then 2 stickers and such. He didn't even want to hold my hand. *sniff* Before you know it I will have to park 3 blocks away so no one sees him with his Mother. I dread that day, it is coming way too fast. Until then, I will enjoy holding his hand on our way into places. Those parking lots are scary and dangerous places you know.

Trent, Dylan & Joseph.

We are in business people! I figured out (for today anyways) how this hello works to share pictures.
But I will have to share more of the kids antics another day since Todd now needs the computer to finish an assignment. I guess that IS more important than blogging.

Cool Hair!

Homeboy

Trent & Joseph

Slow on the Uptake

I typed up a long post yesterday and well, it's somewhere in blogger heaven.

I know I am a little slow on the uptake sometimes (or upload if you will) but I figured out how to post a photo. So see below for Trent in all his glory. Sorry it is a bit big. Shutterfly only has 2 sizes Small and Large. I downloaded this other program (sorry murray) to load pics... but I will have to figure it out first.

Trent went to see Dr. Dawne yesterday for his 18 month checkup. You will all be happy to know he is healthy. 29 lbs and 31 inches tall. Definately not fading away..... and really neither is our grocery bill. Yikes. Why didn't anyone inform me of how much two little people can eat! I hate to see what happens when they are teenagers. Oh well, I am glad they are healthy, happy and well fed.

Trent did learn a little something new yesterday. Standing in the middle of the kitchen table. EEK. Can we say watch the mama run! So if you happen to stop by for coffee you will understand why all four of our kitchen chairs are laying down on their sides. It has stopped the climbing for the time being.

As much as the climbing freaks me its uncanny to see how utterly different the kids are. Joseph would NEVER in a million years tried that. He is 4 1/2 and just now will push a chair to the counter to reach something or turn the water on. He was happy just being where he was but Trent has this wild adventerous side that really sends us for a loop. Trent really is turning into a little boy these days and has little fear which is good when he wants to get in on the action with Joseph and Dylan.

Joseph saw the opthamologist again today. We will go back in three weeks again for another vision check. He is such a champ and the folks there are so nice to him. Poor little guy must get bored answering the same questions every three weeks. But I am sure when he is older and his eyes are as healthy as they can be he will thank us for it all.

Well not much else is new. I think my Roll up the Rim status is 1 Win - 19 Losses. We need to pick up the pace a little. Maybe Tim is holding out so I can win the GMC Envoy. Boy would that halt our search for a second vehicle. Which by the way... it is difficult to find a decent vehicle with little budget. But with time and persistance I am sure we will be blessed with what we are meant to have, and for one of us that may be a summer of bike riding :)