I'm Sorry, Were You Sleeping There?

Watching Doctor Who very early in the morning with Eddie snoring away on his blanket and Kismet curled up at my side when Mr Onyx decides he wants in on the action. Not content to curl up on my lap or my other side, he proceeds to lay down right on top of Kismets head.

Death Dealers

I walked past the flower department of my grocery store today and maybe it is the lack of colour in the winter world or the lack of smells other than "ass freezing cold" but I decided to stop and look, inhale their fragrance. It occurred to me as I touched their satin petals, and awed over their beautiful displays of colour: they are dead. From the moment they are cut, they are in the process of dying. They may be gorgeous, brilliant and aromatic, but they are dying on the inside where no one can see it. Flower shops, the places that we visit for dates, anniversaries, weddings, birthdays. Are they really anything more than dealers of death?

The Feels

A day full of movies, girl talk, coffee, Battlestar Galactica, tea, ginger beef and hugs. Oh and feels. Too much feels. WHY? WHY? Also I totally see that I look completely psycho here. Posting anyways. That is all!

The Human Shelf

Having somewhat of a difficult morning which means my go-to show is playing on Netflix. I am barely sitting for a few seconds when Kismet crawls up and is all "Hey, I think I can totally fit on your chest and have a wonderful nap while you try and peer over my back to watch your Doctor Who."

Two Bridges and Some Stairs

Bleh. I have nothing emotional to give today. Running on empty. This is all you are going to get. Ha.

Michele has a Surprise of her Own!

I unlock my door, put my suitcase down and look at my large, empty house. It suddenly feels ten times quieter and a hundred times lonelier than ever before. In a dejected, sullen mood I wander room to room, with each step feeling the sadness crawl deeper into my skin. I have just come back from a wonderful surprise visit at my Besties house full of noise, fun and hugs. I have eaten two pogos, not even half as good as the ones my Bestie made for me while I was there, and stared longingly at my boardgame pile.The only thought circling my head: how long? How long till I get to see my Besties wonderful smile again? How long till another one of her hugs comes my way? How long till I get to hear her voice in person? I sit down at my computer, plug in my phone to download my pictures from my visit and find the above one, taken I don't know when, like a giant "I know you are going to be sad and I love you!" sign.

 <3 to my Bestie and to her family for having me and Erin visit and being totally awesome! Thank you for having us!

Mall Walking

You never really realize how special the little moments are till they are only memories.

I Mustache You a Question!

Veggies for dipping AND for mustaches!

You're a Turkey!

Who knew that broiling a turkey for two hours made it delicious and tender! Thank you for a wonderful Family Day Feast Hutton Family!

SURPRISE!

It was so hard keeping this a secret! After two weeks of planning, Erin and I came down to visit Michele and family! There was much squealing, the praying-mantis dance was enacted, and Besties were reunited! 

Family

This was taken as we finished up our skate on the canal. I know the kids are on skates, but they are getting so tall! It was a really awesome Family Day.

Beavertails

The kids are with their dad this Monday which is Family Day so we had a Family Day today! We took the bus downtown, visited Fandom, looked at the ice sculptures in the park, ate beavertails and hot apple cider, skated 3km on the canal and then had dinner at Zak's Diner! A good (but long!) day was had by all.

Partied Hard!

The kids and I went to Jeff and Erin's for a Valentines board game party and they had a blast! I think they ate all of their cheese though... Both the kids agree that Takenoko is their new favorite game are are thankful to Jeff for showing them how to play. Rowan had a giant case of hero worship for Erin and followed her around everywhere she went and copied whatever she was doing. Last turn, last treat, and out the door! After a short wait (buses were extremely slow due to massive snowfall) our bus came and they promptly fell asleep.

My Best Valentines!

The best Valentines I could ask for! This is my first one in four years that I have gotten to spend with my babies. And yeah, I may have gone a little overboard, but oh man! Did we have a great day!!!

Candy Cones, Strawberries, Cookies and Carrots

Getting ready for the Valentines and board game party at Erin and Jeffs!

Mini Blueberry Oreo Cheesecakes

Mini Blueberry Oreo Cheesecakes

Ingredients:

2 packages cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
12 oreos
semi sweet chocolate and blueberry pie filling for topping

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl till well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each till well blended.
Place one cookie on bottom of each paper-lined muffin cups. Cover with batter.
Bake 20 minutes or until centers are almost set. Cool in refrigerator for three hours.
Melt chocolate as directed on package. Drizzle over cheesecakes. Top with pie filling.

Dorian

I am not sure how it happened. How my little boy grew up so fast. In six months he will be a pre-teen. My little boy. He has the sweetest soul of anyone I know. He always has a kind word for everyone, loves hugs and snuggles and his "I love you"'s never fail to melt my heart. My little boy.

Happy Birthday Uncle Craigo!

Today is my big brothers birthday. If you had have asked me twenty years ago what I thought we would be like as adults, I would have told you that my brother and I probably would never really talk or spent time together. Instead, he is a great friend, one of my biggest believers and all-round great guy to hang around with. Thank you Craig, for always being there for me. Happy birthday and I hope this year is totally awesome for you :-)

Zombie Aimee!

Just playing around with photo editing tools. Fun stuff!

Remains of the Morning

At the beginning of this week I got a wonderful morning surprise. Rowan had woken half an hour early, gotten dressed, breakfasted, made both her and Dorian's lunch, brushed her teeth and hair, and then, when she heard my alarm go off, she made me my morning coffee and brought it to me in bed. That morning there was no arguing, no whining, no complaining. Both kids were all smiles and happiness and it was a wonderful start to my day and I felt like I could accomplish anything.

This morning I was awoken to screams of "You are STUPID!" "It's MY turn!" "AAHHhhhhhhh!" "MAMA! Rowan is going to hit me!" After I stopped the screaming and they both lost Minecraft, Rowan kept going on and on and on about Dorian being stupid and how she was running away, etc, etc, etc which ended up with her loosing ALL electronics for the day. Dorian stopped the fighting pretty much right away, went back downstairs as I dealt again with Rowan and her attitude and made me breakfast. I have spent the day, so far, breaking up fights, dealing with rude attitudes and being overall cranky and miserable.

It is amazing how the method by which you are awoken works to shape and structure your attitude for the rest of your day.

You Are Not Here :'(

Why can I not live in the Shire?

I WUV U!

The anatomy of this picture: Hmmm I don't have any ideas for a picture of the day. I know! I shall take a selfie and then use photo editing tools to make myself a vampire! Awesome idea! YAY! Okay, let me just sit in this chair and take a pic. "MOMMY!" *LEAP* "I WUV U!" *click*

Report Card Day

Report cards came home today. I am totally blown away by the progress both my kids have made this year, but most especially my little girl. A large majority of Bs! She is trying SO hard. 

Teachers comments:  improvements in many areas and seems to be much happier in class. She has built more confidence and approaches challenges with a smile.

Dorian also got his first two As!

I know too much emphasis has been put on grade letters, but their grades are really showing me just how hard they are working. We special ordered pizza and pop and watched movies in celebration.

Apple Cinnamon Bread Rollups

Baked Apple Pie Roll Ups

Ingredients:

10 slices white bread
1 can apple pie filling
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut the crusts off your bread and roll each slice flat with a rolling pin. Combine cinnamon and sugar on a small plate.
Pour the apple pie filling onto a plate and chop it. Put about 2 tablespoons apple pie filling on each slice of bread and roll up.
Dip each piece into melted butter and then into the cinnamon sugar.
Place seam side down on a parchment lined pan and bake 15 minutes or until browned and crispy. Serve warm.

Rainbow Inkblot Test!

I feel like this is a "see what you want" rainbow. I will add what I see in the comments so as to not influence your imagination. If you read this, comment what you see first!

Pretty Katie

Katie is spending the day and night with me while her family is away for the weekend. To say that Katie is sad and depressed and missing her family is an understatement. We shared some drinks (okay, she drank water while I drank the wine) and commiserated about missing those we love who go far away and are totally never coming back ever ever again and we are so so so sad. At least that is what I am pretty sure Katie is thinking about her family right now.

AND HERE IS MY ODE TO KATIE!

Pretty Katie

Sad Katie

Super soft ears

Lonely Katie

Sleeping Katie

Tears tears tears

Birthday Sushi

To honor my best friends birthday who is miles and miles away, a bunch of friends and I went out for sushi lunch (my Bestie and my go to food of choice). It was awesome, but the more I ate, the more depressed I got, the more I missed my Bestie ferociously. The blurry sign reads "We miss you Michele <3". And we really really do. I hope you had a great day yesterday!