Live it!

Mother's Day 2011

Each year Mother's Day comes along and the kids want to know what I want for Mother's Day. Every year I look them in the eye and tell them that I want nothing except hugs and kisses because  "Being your mom is the best gift I could ever get". Even with the craziness that IS our house most the time: the noise, the messes, the laundry, the cooking, the bickering and teasing... all of it - I take it and I'm thankful. I'm not saying that a little less chaos at times isn't something I crave but then I remember that time is ticking away and before I know it the only chaos in our house will come from visits from our grown children and our grandchildren. I think of that and I remember to savour these times with my kids.

So, I did get some lovely things (including a beautiful card from my poetic and artistic daughter Chloe that brought a tear to my eye) - I wanted nothing more than to spend the day with my family. We did a road trip to get our favourite curd at Mapledale Cheese Factory (along with some tasty cheese breadsticks) and then headed to the park for a picnic. The kids made quick friends and were off running through the pirate ship having a great time. Meg has finally learned to enjoy the swing and doesn't panic anymore when we sit her in it. She let Chloe push her higher and higher and even cracked a few smiles. It was freezing and windy at the park so we didn't stay for too long.

We also were sure to stop in to visit our moms... we are so lucky to have my mother just down the road from us and Shaune's mother is just in Belleville - a short drive away. They are both wonderful Nana's to the kids and loved and appreciated so much.

When the day was all over and done and 3 kids were all tucked in to bed, all I kept thinking was
"Damn, it is awesome being their mom"!

Could of been a cowgirl...

Sweet Chloe Raine, she is a lover of all things country. She loves to play outside, she loves animals, she loves bugs and worms and caterpillars. She is a dirt magnet and she hates to take a bath. She cheered for Scotty on American Idol and wishes she lived on a farm with lots of dogs, cats and most of all: HORSES!

Chloe has been begging to take horse back riding lessons for 3 years now. Tuesday evening her wish came true as she started private western riding lessons in Stirling. She was so excited when we got to the barn and she got to get started. Her first few lessons she will be learning all about her assigned pony ("Cookie") and won't start her riding lessons til' she has safety, pony grooming, and tacking figured out. She'll be with a pony til' she is a bit taller and more experienced. As anxious as she is to get on him and ride... she didn't complain once. She understands that she needs to learn first and honestly, I think she loved this part just as much. When she was finished she was completely covered in hay, dirt, and dust and she couldn't of smiled any bigger!

Spring sports

Hockey is over and Spring is finally here. One thing Keaton loves about spring is the sports at his school, specifically: Track and Field.

He is a natural at track events and loves to run. He really loves relay racing and the shorter distance track events that he can really show off his speed in. A few weeks ago his relay team competed at Wellington in the "Long Distance Relay" and then again at the Mary Ann Sills track a week later.  At the Belleville meet, Keaton's team had a 'snaffo' in the sprint medley 4x100m when the 3rd runner fell taking the baton, flipped in the air and then lost his shoe TWICE!!! That poor kid! Keaton was 4th runner and took off with the baton the second he got it, managing to pass 4 kids that were way ahead of him. They landed in 4th place for their heat but didn't move on to the finals. In the second and longer relay race, Keaton and Joe ran the race with 2 older boys from the Grade 6 class. They were awesome and out of 5 heats of boys (approx  25 teams I'm guessing) they finished fast and got the 4th place ribbon overall. I snapped a few photos of the kids at the "Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board's District Relay Meet 2011":

 
 

 
 

On Friday the school had their track and field day. I didn't take my camera and am kicking myself for forgetting it at home. Keaton had a great day and completed in 4 events. Although he was disappointed with a 4th place finish in long jump (he is tough on himself sometimes!) he got two 1st-place ribbons for 200 meter and 400 meter, and he got 2nd place in 100 meter. He moves on to ASG in 100, 200 and 400... he can't wait!

Field trippin'

We visited the Frink Centre yet again with the school - this time in March for Chloe's class to learn about maple syrup and how it is made.

 

 

The hockey boys

Wow, I really (and I mean REALLY) failed when it came to taking photos of Keaton and his hockey this winter. Keaton had a great year as an Atom Major this year and I can't believe that next year he will be Peewee. As always the coaches were wonderful and Shaune played dual rolls as our fantastic team manager all winter and also as our trainer most of the season.

The boys are an amazing group. I really like each and every one of them. Great kids and they sure know how to have fun together. Keaton loved his team this year and will miss many of them next year when he moves up an age division. I'm proud of the whole team. Head coach Mike deserves a big shout out for all he did for those boys. He really goes above and beyond to develop them and get the best play out of each of them.

Early in the season the coaches promised the kids that if they completed a 100 pass game that they would treat them to wings at the local restaurant down the road from the arena. Well, that was a great incentive and they did it! They were so excited after a hockey tournament weekend in Baltimore when they celebrated the end of their season with more wings than I thought it was possible for little boys to eat!  Here is a photo of the team. The only player missing is Drew.

 

Meal Plan Apr 30

Saturday: Kids are away... take out sushi and a movie!

Sunday: Crock pot Pork Ribs in homemade BBQ sauce, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Mac and Cheese Casserole

Monday: Perogies with fried bacon, mushrooms and onions. Sour cream side. Caesar Salad.

Tuesday: Vietnamese Bun Thit Nuong on Jasmine Rice. Spring rolls from Global Foods.

Wednesday: Homemade cheeseburgers grilled on BBQ, oven baked french fries.

Thursday: Homemade wonton soup (Keaton's request) and fresh bread.

I make my won-ton soup with store bought mixture of  chicken and beef broth. The filling is ground pork, 1 egg, green onion, splash of sesame oil, splash of soy sauce. To the broth, I add a couple drops of sesame oil, a splash of white wine and a few shakes of soy sauce. To make the wonton's I buy the won ton wraps (look in the produce section of most grocery stores) and lay a bunch out on a big cutting board or clean counter top. The edges of the wonton wrap need to seal, I brush each edge with water before I fold up the 'parcel'. Put about 1 tsp of the meat mixture in each won ton center and then fold. Once you've folded up all your wontons, put them all in the broth.  They will sink and then as they cook they will start to float. I add in chopped celery, baby bok choy and sliced mushrooms to cook with the wontons. I usually cook the soup about 10 minutes and then take one out to test to make sure it is cooked thoroughly. Once cooked, serve immediately with soya sauce to taste.

 Here is a link showing an easy way to fold wontons for soup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De8oiSbG6qE&feature=player_embedded  made by http://www.homemade-chinese-soups.com/how-to-fold-wontons.html

Friday: Steak, Baked Potato with Sour Cream, Tossed Salad with viniagrette.