Nearly Finished!

Wowser... Only 2 more weeks of Project Life left! I did it! I can't believe it! And I'M STILL LOVING IT...

I have also been working on my December Daily album. I wasn't sure how to incorporate both. I ended up focusing on different stories of the day. I have kept up with my December Daily, in that I've printed off pictures for every day, but it will be a project ready to go... I have jotted down notes for each day, so I can go back and fill things in after Christmas... This year, I was very intrigued by Ali's format, was very simplistic. It was a 6x4 album. Next year, I'm definitely simplifying. Especially if I am also in the process of doing PL.

Which... leads me to this next tidbit. I am totally planning on doing a PL book for 2013. In fact, I signed up for this class by Studio Calico. Although I've hesitated a little bit about this, I KNOW I want to continue to capture the every day little things, that life is about. My kids love looking through these books [I have split the year into 2 - 12x12 binders] I have a very poor collection of pictures in photo albums since Madelyn was born, and I went strictly to digital pictures. Because once you go away from film, I could take 30 pictures of the same thing, and pick out my favourite, rather than take 36 pictures, and hope one or two were awesome.  This has totally forced me to print pictures, and capture stories. I encourage you to check out the link above... The class is $29 and they show a list of the digital files you get access to. [That alone, seems worth the cost of the class]

I created this whole book this year, with the intention of getting back to 'paper scrapbooking' but pretty much the entire album was done digitally. I suspect I'll do the same type of format next year. I will play it by ear, and see how it goes. I'd like to incorporate a little bit more of cutting and pasting into next years album.

With less than two weeks left of 2012, it's been a challenge at times, to keep everything together, but I have totally loved this. You just have to plug away, do what you can, and jot down notes. That is totally critical. There are any number of ways you can do that. I have a notebook dedicated to PL, where I jot down file names and notes. [so that once they're printed off, I know what order they go into the page insets] Marcy Penner has a freebie file in her shop that you can download. You can find that here. The main thing to do is keep track. Also, I think I'll try a new app on my iphone next year called, my365. One flaw [and there aren't many] that the iphone has, the pictures you take aren't dated. So if you think you'll remember which day a picture was taken, you won't. I'm speaking from experience here. I think this app will help, though I'm not totally sure, but I think it will at least keep track of the dates pictures are taken. That might eliminate some of the note taking, because a picture speaks 1000 words, right? Any way... I'll do some research.

Another huge time saver I discovered this year, was in the App PicFrame. Which might have been free. I can't remember. It gives you the ability to save your pictures, into whatever frames you want, in a 4x6 size. So when you save it to your camera roll, it's ready to print. No fussing, or mussing. No sizing or guessing. You just send the file to your developer and voila. Love that, and I've used that feature a ton. PicFrame allows you to add words to photos, which is nifty. I also have an app called Skitch, that you can journal on photos, add arrows, blur a portion of the photo, add boxes around photos and crop. I haven't used this as much as I thought I would, but it's still fun to fiddle with. Do it. Don't be afraid. I promise you won't regret it.

In Our Hearts

Last weeks events, have changed us forever. Much like that of 9/11. Anyone who has a family of their own can not possibly be unaffected by that horrific, event in Newport CT. It doesn’t matter that this happened in another country, this has happened in our world, we are all connected. I can’t stop thinking about all the families that have been affected. The Mum’s and Dad’s. The grandparent's and great-grandparent's. The aunt’s and Uncle’s. The nieces and nephews. The cousins. The friends. The colleagues. In such a small community, this will be devastating.

I think my eyes have finally lost their puffiness. I did my best to stay away from the news broadcasts this weekend. I think everyone wants to know how/why something like this could happen… Like knowing that will help somehow. I don’t imagine we’ll ever know the answer to that question.

I sent my kids to school yesterday, and I didn’t want to. I actually felt sick to my stomach as Mason walked towards the bus. School is where they’re supposed to be safe. I went in and volunteered yesterday. I didn’t want to go in either.  I’m thankful for the staff that were able to carry on, and continue with their day, to assemble in the gym and sing Christmas Carols, as an entire school. I’m thankful for so many teachers in my kids lives, that love what they’re doing, and are good at doing it. I’m thankful that I have my children to hug and love.

I don’t know how I would deal with this unimaginable loss.

These families have been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard the news on Friday. I truly hope that God’s arms are wrapped tightly around them. They are surrounded not only by God’s love, but the world’s love, compassion and grief.

These families, whose lives will never be the same again, are in my prayers.  

In a Better Place...

Ahhhhh... Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. I'm in a better place this week. A much better place. Last week I was feeling very overwhelmed, but today, I feel much better. It was exactly one week ago, that I mentioned I had very little shopping done. I was completely behind on my project life stuff, and that I hadn't even cracked open my December Daily book. I'm pleased to report, that after a 3 day long weekend [which equals 3 late nights for the Mummy, and the opportunity to sleep in the next day] I am completely caught up on my Project Life stuff. I have pictures printed until yesterday, for my December Daily book, and my Christmas cards are finished, I have sent a prototype off to Costco, and need to see how it looks before I print off the whole schwack of them... Sometimes the printers and I have different ideas as far as sizing goes, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed, that I'll be able to send a batch off for printing, then get them out either late this week, or early next week.

This year with my December Daily I have printed off all my pictures at home. I've never done this before, but I thought I'd try. It's going to be very simple, and I've printed that pages off for each day, and will put them together, when I have some free time. I've jotted down notes each day, so I don't forget any important details.   

I went to the mall first thing this morning. I thought I was being extremely smart, being there by 10:00 am. [Because that is afterall, when the mall opens] Well guess what people, Toys R Us opened at 8:00 am... So I walked through there, and was already two hours behind. The 20,000 other people lurking around the store with expressions of utter fear told me that. It turns out the mall itself opened at 9:00 am, so at 10:00 am, I was already an hour behind... At least I went with the right attitude... No kids accompanying me and a Starbucks coffee in hand. [Not any SB coffee, this year I've introduced myself to the Caramel Brulee Latte] Oh. My. Word. Go and try one. Now. Go. Do it. Seriously, go. [Your welcome] That drink makes any line up seem more manageable. 

I even have a few more project life pages to add. In fact, I have weeks 44-46, not to boast or anything, but I just sent weeks 47-49 off, and just got confirmation that they're ready for pick up [that and my 'prototype' Christmas card, whoop-whoop] I can hardly believe that this is week 50 of Project Life... Holy Cow. I've done this for 50 weeks. I'm 2 weeks shy of one year. I have done it. Mason pulls it out and looks at the books constantly. I STILL love it, 50 weeks in...Awesome right? Yeah. Totally awesome.

Here they are:

So... Now we're at December 10th, and like I say, I'm in a much better place. I'm caught up on my Project Life pages, with only a few more weeks to go. I've got all my December Daily pictures printed out and ready to work on, up until yesterday. I've got a good 2/3's of my shopping done. I have my Xmas Cards done, I just have to double check they printed okay, then I can send a bunch and get them out. This week Miss Madelyn has her Christmas Concert [both Wednesday and Thursday nights] and then things slow down considerably. By George, I think things will work out... I might even get a little bit of baking in the mix!!

Calvin the Elf Returns

Our elf, Calvin returned to us this year. He's been back since we woke up on December 1st. He's still up to his wily ways, and is more than a little mischievous. My Mum joked with me, that the kids would get up super early every morning, so they could track Calvin down. I said, nonsense... But I'm afraid she was right. They've both taken to setting their alarm clocks, waking up well before I want to wake up, to see who can spot Calvin first.

His first morning back, he held a long banner, telling us how glad he was to be back, that he was keeping his eye on the kids, so they'd better behave, and excited he was for Christmas to arrive.

The next morning, he'd been making snowflakes out of Q-tips.

He was found on the hearth the 3rd morning, he'd made a snow angel out of rice.

[Madelyn cut out a bunch of speech bubbles, and wrote things on each of them, and not every morning, but sometimes Calvin talks to us, via the speech bubbles Madelyn has left for him]

I was a little alarmed to find Calvin had roasted marshmallows, but thankfully nothing got out of hand, but he should know better than to play with fire.

The kids couldn't find him one morning, and they were devastated. It had snowed the night before and it was windy, and they were certain he'd met his doom traveling back from the North Pole. But alas, Mason finally found him when he went to brush his teeth before school. There he was in the bathroom, and he'd written on the mirror with toothpaste. The kids refused to use that bathroom for the rest of the day.

Finally, we found Calvin involved in a game of Scrabble. Apparently they were playing the Christmas version of Scrabble, Madelyn informed me. It was all Christmas words on the board. Calvin, you're a crafty little fella.

We also had an apology note from Calvin. Because in case you don't know, toothpaste is REALLY HARD TO GET OFF OF THE MIRROR... I'm glad Santa was cross with Calvin, because I was too. But he's so dang cute, I'm willing to overlook it this once. 

Today the kids were off of school, for parent-teacher interviews. I thought it would be a good day to get Santa pictures. So off we went. I felt bad, because Mason began to question whether or not he was too old to be sitting on Santa's knee for pictures... It didn't help that when we got there, it was all little kids waiting in line, and then around the corner walked Santa... And this Santa... Well, he was a bit on the elderly side... So then Mason got concerned he'd hurt Santa... So I told him he didn't have to sit on Santa's knee if he didn't want to, but he really wanted to... I told him not to throw himself in Santa's lap, so he sat down gently. And, when asked what he wanted for Christmas, Mason said, for at least the 4th year running, 'Peace on Earth'.  And that absolutely warms this Mumma's heart... And for at least the 4th time running, the Santa looks over at me when Mason says this, and I am sure he knows that this kid is as special as I think he is.

Madelyn asked Santa for a microscope. She's pretty sure she'll be able to check out many things with a microscope. I sure hope so! 

I've been working on my December Daily album, but only in bits and pieces. I'm afraid I have nothing to share yet. This might be the first year that I do the majority of the work, after Christmas has come and gone. The key, write lots of notes, so I can remember what the heck happened a week ago!

Overwhelmed...

Is how I'm feeling.

Today is December 3rd, and I feel that way already. It's not a good mix... I'm 2 weeks behind on my project life, and I haven't begun my December Daily book yet. Well, that's not totally true. I've started it, I've got the pages ready to go, I just haven't started it since we hit December. And one thing you have to do, if you're serious about this little album, is keep up.

I have a mere quarter of my Christmas shopping done.

I'll end up spending a few hours, the entire morning at the school tomorrow, sorting out security clearance updates. I have not been able to do that in under 2 hours yet... More like 4 hours.

I have not begun my bible study home work, and it's due tomorrow.

I have not even thought about baking for Christmas, and already we're looking toward the 2nd weekend of December.

No... As usual, December rolls around, as it does, and I feel completely unprepared for it...

What I have successfully done, is: set up the tree and decorated the house. Check.

Finished and hung up my advent calendar for the kids. Check. [Though this year they have forgotten about it until well after dinner, so it kind of takes some of the 'tell someone at school you think they're awesome' away. Next year, I might not bother at all.
 

Calvin the Elf has made his appearance, and we're all excited to see what shenanigans he gets up to each night. That is one mischievous little elf.

So I would like to add more, but now I'm going to work on my project life and December daily books, and try to get caught up...

Wish me luck.

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like...

Christmas....



Our October and November, have been a far cry from what they were last year. [Which was warm. Unseasonably warm] We had a most delicious fall actually, until we hit October. Then it got cold. We've even had a fair bit of the white stuff. [ick, gross] Not much we can do about the weather though. I mean, we can gripe and complain until we're blue in the face, but the truth is. It's cold. And it's snowy. Welcome to winter in Canada. Dress warm and carry on...

One of the things our snowy and cold days has done [aside from getting myself re-acquainted with a snow shovel] is to put me more into the Christmas Spirit. There's a most magical quality that comes to life when you add snow and Christmas lights together. Last year, we had so little snow, and somehow, that just put things a little off kilter for me. Though we've already had 30 cm of snow [which has melted in Chinook-style fashion two times already whoop=whoop] It has made the arrival of the holidays that much sweeter. In fact, Barry put our Christmas light up last weekend, just after our snow had all melted away. Just in time for the next snowfall that covered us in yet another dusting of white.

We've also had our share of hoar frost this year, which is unusual for us. It's when we get a lot of fog and moisture, that is snow, but isn't... We have had a lot more grey days than usual, which does get a bit tiring day after day. You see, it can be insanely cold here, but bright and sunny. We're not used to dull and grey, and it does take it's toll. 

I love how everything looks with Christmas lights. It makes my heart smile.

We have always decorated our home at the end of November. We have made a special family night of appetizers and house decorating. We pull out the Christmas music and movies, and try to enjoy the season as much as possible. It also seems to get so busy in December, with different Christmas parties [both for us and the kids]. There is the school Christmas Concert and the Christmas wind ups for both Cubs and Brownies. We can't forget hockey this year, that Mason is playing and keeps us busy on average about 2-3 days per week, though we've got 6 ice times [including a game] in the next 8 days... We have to fit in special family time, when we can.

This past weekend we did just that, and decorated the house. 

 This is how our little corner looked before the tree.

We had a yummy snack supper.. Nachos, ginger beef, meat, cheese & crackers, chips, veggies & dip... You kids, have always loved the idea of 'the snack supper'. And really, it's snacks... What's not to like?

Our biggest little helper. The other one helps out intermittently, at best. He came home from school with the newly released Rick Riordan book... He couldn't stay away from it.

The finished product. This is the 14th Christmas tree we've put up together... Wow. Still loving the white lights after 14 years. [If you could really look at this tree, it's very decorated from about half way up, down. Every year the kids can reach a bit higher, so every year it gets a little more decorated. I decorate the top portion, but I've never fixed up what they've done. I love how it looks.

Now I've got to get my head wrapped around all the other things that come with December. I still have to finish the advent stuff for the kids... I have done something different for them every year. This year, I have yet another advent idea planned. I've got to get working on it, I have to have that ready to go by Saturday!! Yikes! And family pictures for Christmas cards... Eeks! Still have to do that! Need to get my lists started!

By the way, it's week 48 this week, in project life language... Can you believe it? Week 48?!?! Crazy! I have weeks 44, 45 & 46 done, I just have to get around to taking pictures and posting. Can't believe I kept up with this for the entire year!

Project Life - Weeks - 40, 41, 42 and 43

There has been so much chatter on-line about this years upcoming project life... I'm totally not sure how to handle the next year. Do I do this again??? Don't I? If I do, will it be as cumbersome as it was this year? [Not that I haven't loved doing it, I HAVE!!] Or will I have it streamlined a bit, and perhaps the process will be easier? [Nah... doubt it]  When I started doing PL in January, my goal was do create 4x6 scrapbook layouts, you know, out of paper. I've gone completely to digital scrapbooking, which I LOVE, but I miss cutting and pasting too. The only problem is, I have done the majority all of my album digitally this year. I see other albums, and I love the mementos that get added in. I love the snippets of here and there, but I just can't seem to be organized enough to collect things like that. I look through my album, and I'm just so grateful that I've captured what I have. And I guess that means, I don't really need physical 'stuff'.  Looking back through my album takes me back immediately to something I'd have otherwise forgotten about...

I'm so tempted to order the actual book, from Becky Higgens, but then hesitate... If I have the journal cards and page protectors, will that make me do it on paper? If I'm honest with myself, I just don't think so... So although I salivate when looking at online albums, such as Ali Edwards, Gluestick Girl or Marcy Penner... I'm totally content and happy, that mine looks just like it does. I guess that's 'my style'. 

I also realized last week, that with the digital age, I don't print off pictures the way I used to. That's probably because I went from having 24 pictures [1 roll of film] per month, to between 300 - 500 pictures a month on my digital camera. It's too hard to choose. I had a dozen photo albums, up until Madelyn was born, and I think there's 1 album, maybe 1 1/2 since she arrived... How sad. I have thousands of pictures, but most of them reside in various places [hard drive, external hard drive, cds, memory sticks] So to have an album, of up-to-date pictures, with snippets of every day, is so awesome. The kids love looking through them. Makes me happy to see them get such joy out looking and remembering... So I have a big decision to make, about 2013. Because I'm an all-in kinda girl. I don't do great at 'sort of' doing something. And honestly, I just don't see how you can pare it down...

Any suggestions would be welcome, as to how to tone it down a little bit.

Here are the latest weeks I have for Project Life:

And if you can believe how crazy I am... I'm gearing up to do a December Daily album. I know... Certified-Nut-Case. Having these little albums come out of boxes near Christmas, is just too great to pass up. I adore looking back at them. This will be my 4th year doing a December Daily album and I just can't imagine not doing one...

I suppose, that's exactly how I feel about Project Life! Eeks!

Halloween 2012

I'm not going to try and sugar coat this... Halloween 2012 was the pits, weather-wise. I just can't help but get feeling a teensy bit jealous, when all the bloggers and instagramers I follow are enjoying such a lovely fall. [Well... Maybe they're not. It just seems like they are] I wouldn't wish Tsunami warnings on anyone, and I don't ever, want to have to hunker down for a hurricane. I guess a little bit of blowing snow isn't the end of the world, but from what I saw, no one had pictures on instagram of their kids dressed for the arctic. Oh wait... I did.

This year was also was also a year of change. Mason wanted to go out trick or treating with his friends. I get it. I mean, I was 10 once too. I got to go out with friends. When I was little, there were so many kids, you had to be careful not to be pushed of the front porch. You had to line up, to get a treat. So I know how fun going with friends can be. Mason even said "Mummy, I'm running out of years to go out for Halloween, and I'd really like to go out with my friends." How could I argue?
I launched into the 'you can go with your friends, but you have to take your sister with you' spiel. He agreed [that's the kind of sweet boy he is] and I promised him that Madelyn and Daddy would follow behind him and his friends, giving them some distance. 

When I told Madelyn what the plan was, her response was "I'm not going trick or treating with a bunch of stink'in boys." [that's the kind of sassy girl she is] We needed to make alternate arrangements. It ended up being Uncle Don to the rescue. Miss Madelyn went out with Uncle Don, and Barry took Mason to meet up with his friends.

Once the kids were out of the house, all was good. But when Madelyn came downstairs, with her tights, black t-shirt, dress and butterfly wings, and proceeded to head out the front door with boots on, I had to put an immediate stop to that. I knew, the kids were going to have to wear winter jackets, toques and mittens. But to them, this came as a huge shock... Both absolutely refused to wear snow pants, which I finally relented about. But there was a storm brew'in trying to get them properly dressed out the door. Mason was somewhat motivated, by the fact that his friends were leaving a certain place, at a certain time, and if he didn't get there, he missed out. So he sulked, but put on his jacket. [He also agreed to put on a hat, after spending a few moments outside. He realized that perhaps his box head wasn't going to be as warm as he'd hoped.

The girl was another situation. She was furious with me. She was in tears, because her costume was wrecked with having to add a coat, hat and mitts... I finally got her out the door by telling her that if she didn't put on her outer wear, she might as well head up to her bedroom, change into her jammies, and she could help me hand out candy. Those were the magic words, because she her stuff on, and headed out.

Mason as Steve from Minecraft

 Madelyn was so mad, she wouldn't even look at me to get her picture taken.

And then the house was quiet... I poured a glass of wine, and settled down to hand out candy.

 Mine and Barry's pumpykins.

The kids pumpykins.

This is the first time in a long time I haven't 'spookified' our front yard. In fact, one of my favourite things is all the kids complimenting me on how awesome it looks. But this year, with the snow, my heart wasn't quite in it. 

 She came home in much better spirits. She even agreed to a few pictures. I had to take this one, showing the fog. It was such an eerie night, and the next morning the hoar frost was amazing.

Butterfly Madelyn, as snug as a bug!

 

And then, the most favourite part... Dumping out bins, seeing who got what. Dividing up candy, and tasting a few treats before bed. They also both had a mug of hot chocolate when they got in. They both lasted a lot longer than I thought they would have. We only had 25 kids come to the door... Oy... That's a lot of leftovers. I planned on having about 50 kids. 

And now... December Daily! The snow totally puts me in the Christmas mode. So excited this year! Can hardly wait. Going to start putting my book together this week.

Looking Back at Costumes Past

Halloween is tomorrow. I have two kids very excited about the prospect of heading out to Trick or Treat. Tomorrow they get to wear their costume to school in the afternoon. There is an assembly, a costume parade and then games and fun. I LOVE that our school supports Halloween, and our traditions. I love how excited my kids are about it.

 

I can hardly believe that we've been dressing up little beings for Halloween for over 10 years. We are hoping the snow holds off, so they can get out and get their candy tomorrow night... But the forecast isn't great. Though, it's the adults that care about the cold temperatures, the kids don't even feel the cold. 

 

Here's a look back at Halloween's past:

 

4 month old Baby Mason

 

 

Pumpkin Boy [snow on the ground]

Loved the Pumpkin - a redo!

Cowboy Woody and Strawberry Head baby Madelyn

Buzz Lightyear and the Little Green Alien

Spiderman and Pumpkin Girl [good use out of that costume]

Skeleton and a Spider Girl

Bad Spiderman and Chicken Little

Captain Vizsla [Star Wars] and Jessie

 

 

Little Red Riding Hood and Pirate Mason

Another thing that has changed...

I went to my very first dance, in Jr. High School. I guess I would have been in Grade 6, because I went to Jr. High from Grade 6 to 9. It was an after school 'Shag'. The gym was dark. Loud music played. The boys stood on one side of the gym, and the girls on the other. It took a while before even the girls, danced together.

Last night we went to the Halloween Hop at the kids school. I was first introduced to this when Mason was in Grade 1. At first I thought it was INSANE, to be having a dance so early in life. But it was a family dance, so all the 'family' came. 

Since being shocked a number of years ago, this has become a highlight for these kids each year. They LOVE it. The lights are off, there are flashing lights, the music is loud [and good] The kids are all dressed up in their costumes. Everyone dances. There is a concession stand with drinks and snacks [because even for the kids, snacks play a major roll] 

Last night, I was thinking back to my first dance, where I probably never danced with a boy for at least 2 years, and I watched this unfold...

My little Butterfly Girl and Batman...  Grade 2 people... I don't know for sure, but I have a feeling when she gets to her first junior high 'shag' she won't be standing up against the wall. Nope, not this one. Enjoy.

Breakfast Talk and Future Thoughts

Currently, in grade 2 Madelyn is working on a unit called Small Flying and Crawling Animals. This couldn't be a better fit. Seriously it's as if it were hand picked by Miss Madelyn herself. Seriously, small flying and crawling animals... Be still her beating heart. They have divided into groups, she chose the bat group, but agonized over the decision because she had to choose between that, bees, spiders or ladybugs. 

She has spent the better part of 6 weeks learning all sorts of trivia, about all sorts of critters. She has taken a grasshopper to school, and held it under the smart board, in her hand, so that everyone could get a good look at it. She's taken a found moth wing to school. She collected information on crickets and took that to her class to share. She's even working on a little project at home, to take in for her teacher. Just because.

Her class room has also had a tarantula, a scorpion, meal worms and pill bugs. Guess who got to pet the tarantula? Guess what the tarantula ate? Crickets... [I think that was a bit hard for this hardcore bug lover to learn, but hey, she also learned about the food chain...]


Yesterday morning, as I was getting the kids lunches made, and they were sitting at the kitchen table eating their breakfast, I was privy to the following conversation. [Madelyn was feeling badly, because the critters were heading back to where ever it was that they came from...]



mg: "Mason did you get creatures in your class room when you were in Grade 2?"
mk: "No, nothing like that."
mg: "I'm going to miss them"
mk: "Things have changed drastically since I was in Grade 2, Madelyn.
mg: "How?"
mk: "Well for example, do you know the Grade 3's got to make brownies? Yeah... They did. They got to make brownies because it has something to do with Rocks & Minerals.
mg: "That's neat."
mk: "Yeah. Because do you know what I got to do in Grade 3? I got to smell sulphur"

Had I been sipping coffee at that time, I think it would have sprayed out my nose. It was just so funny to hear them talking like that. And to hear Mason say how DRASTICALLY things have changed in the past 3 years...

Imagine my horror, to how things have changed... Now in school there are ipads and mac books. Mason has accounts set up, and can check home work / hand in assignments and find out quiz results from home. Back in the day, we had spelling tests, he's got spell check. Back in the day if you were bullied, it happened Monday through Friday. Now if you're bullied, it happens 24/7. He wants to use the computer. I'm just so not cool with that. The kid is learning how to type. It's a different world out there for sure, so when he tells me how drastically things have changed over the past 3 years, I can't imagine how they will have changed 30 years from now.

I just hope that I can keep up with changing technology. So for the next few years at least I don't get the eye rolls and the 'Mum how would possibly know that?' questions... I've always thought I'd be a cool, hip mum, but maybe I won't be... Oh you kids, I need you to know, that ALWAYS, it's your best interest I have at heart.  I don't EVER want you to have to deal with any of the horror that seems to run so rampant. Don't EVER think you're not good enough. Don't EVER do something because some one says you have to, to be cool. ALWAYS know that you can turn to your Dad or I, no matter the situation. We are here to go to bat for you, FOREVER.

Getting Our Spook On

It's that time of year again. Halloween.

Message boards on pinterest have been full of Halloween ideas/crafts/foods since July. I tried very hard not to look at them. Although this is my most favourite thing to decorate for, I don't want to wish time away. Especially after the awesome summer/fall we've had. I'm in no hurry at all for this delightful weather to end. Every day we get closer to November with a nice day, means one less day of cold in my book.

The last couple of years, I've kind of had to drag my butt to get the decorating done. This year however, I was quite keen. We've made the leap from cute Halloween, to more of a dark Halloween. At the request of the kids who thought I had way too much cutesy stuff. [Seriously, their words, not mine]

Madelyn is still convinced it's not scary enough... I think she would seriously like jars with body parts floating around in them. I know she'd LOVE jars with critters of some sort in them... She is especially enamored right now with the hissing cockroach, thanks to research she's doing at school. She'd thinks 'dried ice' is AWESOME, would love to have a machine [we've seen them at the stores, and she can't understand why on earth I won't pick one up] She even asked me, "Mummy, can you actually buy fake blood?" I had to swiftly dodge that one, and change the topic on the fly. My idea of Halloween decor has NEVER gone hand in hand with fake blood...  

I had kind of a crow thing going on this year. I absolutely despise crows, my motto being the only good crow is a dead crow. But somehow, they just seem sinister and very Halloween-ish. 

A couple of years ago, I'd seen a photoshop tutorial here. On how to create 'fangs' on your pictures. It was right smack dab in the middle of the Twilight stuff. I got on board and altered my pictures. Quite pleased with the results. The pictures weren't updated this year, they're both missing teeth now.  It wouldn't seem quite as effective or scary with a bunch of teeth missing.

Every day for the month of October, I've tried to include something fun and Halloween-y in their lunches. I have found all sorts of lunch box jokes on the Internet, so every day they get a joke. This morning I upped the ante, and cut cheese into bat shapes [i didn't actually cut the cheese, i have little cookie cutters] The sugar cookie is compliments of Ama. Thanks Ama!

This is my screen saver on my phone. Isn't it awesome? Oh, how I love Halloween...

The girl has decided this year, that she's going to be a butterfly... Be still my beating heart. Last year she was Little Red Riding Hood, and before that I think she was Jessie from Toy Story. This is a great streak we're on. In the past, she has been a pumpkin, a spider and a chicken. Very adamant about all those choices, so pretty pleased that we've picked something very girlie a few years in a row.

Mason is still undecided about what he wants to be. He's had some terrific costumes over the years. It's sad that this dress up time is so darn fleeting.... Last year he was a pirate and he even let me put a bit of makeup on his face, a big step for him I'll tell you. 

I looked through the costumes of Halloween past just now... And got a little misty. I will do a separate blog post on that. Perhaps even include this years Halloween Costumes. I can't believe we've been dressing kids up for Halloween for over 10 years. [Yes, Mason just turned 10 in June, but we dressed him up for the first time when he was only 4 months old...]

Project Life: Weeks 37, 38 and 39

I can't believe it. This week I'm working on Week 40 of Project Life... Like, as we're 40 weeks in. You know, out of a 52 week year. That means only 12 weeks to go. [Now saying that, is depressing...] It it makes me realize how unprepared I am for Christmas so far. But then I remember I don't need to be prepared for Christmas at the moment, because it's only the first week of October... Week 40.

I can not tell you how much pleasure I have gotten out of doing this. Of keeping it up. There have been a couple of times, that I've somehow gotten a week or two behind, and it's a bit daunting... But then I sit down and catch up. Just like that. One thing, that has been a saving grace, is keeping a notebook to jot down the dates, and a thing or two that happened. You think you'll remember everything that  happens on a daily basis, but when you're 2 or 3 weeks behind, all the instagram pictures just look the same. And one thing you may want to know about instagram... As awesome as it is, it's not date specific... So if you want to remember something, trust me. Write. It. Down.

 

Well hello there you... She has wanted to be a number of things since the very idea of Halloween has come about. First a dead bride... Yeah, you read right. But that was met with a chilly reception. Then she thought she'd be an angry bird. Now, she wants to be a butterfly... Much better. Much. That really has nothing to do with Project Life, other than I see the angry bird costume in this photo... And that is what Project Life is all about... Capturing the Every Day. The same old, same old. Because there will be a day, when she will indeed want to be a dead bride, and met with a chilly reception or not, she will be. But for now... For now, she'll be a butterfly.