Hallowe'en Party

I have to say... I love being a part of the girls club at the church. I am so thankful that God has called me to this ministry.

We had our Hallowe'en party tonight. I am not a fan of dressing up, nor do I appreciate it when someone who is in costume, with their faces covered, comes up and ask me "guess who??" I don't like that at all. For me, Hallowe'en is all about the kids.

Ian encouraged me to dress up, going so far as to dig out my costume. I went as a pumpkin. It's an inflatable costume and has a fan that runs air inside it to keep it inflated. Julie went as an angel and looked so beautiful.

While Julie and I were stopped at a red light on the way to the church, there were a couple of guys in a van next to us. They did a double take when they saw me and then kept trying to get my attention, gesturing for me to roll down my window. Honestly. I guess they really like pumpkins or something.

Ok...truth is, they sensed my incredibly high hotness factor even though it was hidden inside a pumpkin.

As soon as the girls saw me, they all came running towards me to hug me. They were so excited that I had arrived and loved my costume.

During the teaching time, "K" pulled out a pumpkin and talked about how we are all like a pumpkin, dirty and full of yucky stuff. But if we allow it, God will clean out the yucky stuff and give us a new life, and put His light in us to shine for the world to see. The girls really responded to this and that spurred on a great conversation on how we can show God's love to one another.

We have on average about 20 girls that come and we have two new girls who will be signing up next week. Very exciting. I have made connections with all of them but one or two. They are really opening up to me and responding to me.

They like me! They really like me!!

After playing a few games we had fruit and dip and then sent everyone off with their parents. Our time together went by so quickly. Too quickly. I can't wait to see them next week.

This pumpkin is pooped!

Lazy Blogger

I've been pretty lazy about blogging this week and I have been ordered to update. So.. here I am. :-)

Monday Mom and I went to visit a friend of hers at the hospital. She had a stroke a couple of months ago and is so lonely. So, we packed up Jordan and headed off to visit her. I was really glad to see her, and to see that she was better than I had thought.

In the evening I met up with Cindy for our weekly Frosty. (I've been walking each morning so it's all good) Lots of laughter there.

Yesterday Mom and I headed out to the mall to start her Christmas shopping and to have lunch. Yesterday was Diwali and so for the second year we went to lunch together. Not that we celebrate Diwali, but any reason to celebrate and we're there.

Last night I served this. The recall is over so hopefully its safe.



I earned 20 airmiles at A&P for this purchase. I hope we don't get listeria.

The children and I did a Hallowe'en craft together after school. We made lanterns.

See?



I made the pirate, Sam made the Frankenstein and Julie made the witch. If you want your child to spill their secrets, do a craft together! They talked and talked.

Oh, in case you were wondering how Julie is making out with the boy at school (please...pardon the pun...) all is going well, much to my dismay. He knows she is alive and...gasp...they have spoken!!! Apparently he is all she can think about.

UGH!

Here is Jordan, hanging out in her crib while we created.



Everywhere I go people compliment me on my "beautiful little boy".

!!!

I bought this shirt for Jordan when we were in the states last month and put it on her today. I would have put it on her yesterday had I known we were going to the mall. One man actually said "he's a mighty fine lookin' feller, oh yes he is", as she sat in her pink stroller, wearing her pink shirt with the ruffled collar and bow.

Honestly.



She wore this today and no one at the doctor's office called her a boy! HA!

Why was I at the doctor, you are wondering? Well, I will tell you.

Sam has been having some trouble with his left ear, and says it sounds like its full of static or "whooshing". Sometimes he says it sounds like a drum beat, over and over. I made an appointment to see Dr A today and he seemed rather nice. I'm not sure that his advice is the soundest, but we have another appointment with our regular doctor on Tuesday so we'll see what he says.

Tomorrow is our Hallowe'en party at Girls Club. I'm so excited. And then Friday is...Hallowe'en!!! We're carving pumpkins after school, having pizza for dinner, then we're off trick-or-treating. Lots of fun.

I saw this commercial today and it hurts my heart so much.



The date on this clip is for February, but its going on right now. If everyone were to donate the $2.00 .... wow... what a difference that could make.

I would like to see The Haunting of Molly Hartley. I think I will go with Cindy because she likes it when I scream at movies. It makes her laugh.

Today gas is 94.4 cents so I filled up for $58.00. Last time I filled up at $1.34 and it cost me $75.00. Ew. Why is it that no one is regulating the gas prices???

I am loving 90210. Last night's episode has me really excited for next week. I won't go into details on the off chance that someone hasn't seen it yet. :-) VERY EXCITING.

Jordan slept through the night last night. YES! Of course she was then so rested that she wouldn't nap while I was at Coffee Hour this morning, choosing instead to chatter away.

Well, that's it for me. I'm sure I missed lots of things, but I just don't have the energy to write anything more.

Over and out.

So Not Ready For This

It's starting already.

Boys.

Julie is only 7 and the boys have started calling. She spoke to one of them the other day after school for twenty minutes before I found out it was a boy calling. Yikes.

Yesterday she came home from school all aflutter because of a boy named Jacob. He's in the third grade and "sooooo cute!"

But here's my favourite part. She then said "I just don't know what to say to him...whenever I see him I just freeze up!"

Oh the drama! Can't you just imagine me rolling my eyes?

She has always been interested in boys, and the boys interested in her. Oh the stories I could tell...but I have been sworn to secrecy. I've told her that there would be a time for boys but now is not that time. She needs to focus on her schoolwork. She can date when she gets to highschool.

Oh Lord help me what that time rolls around. She's already all legs and blonde hair and huge blue eyes... what will she be like in another 7 years??

Oh I just can't go there.

I asked her to please stop giving her number to the boys at school and to redirect her attention to her schoolwork. I know she will do what she wants to do, because that's how she rolls.

Where's my happy place? I need my happy place...

Thursday Update

I'd like to begin this entry with a heartfelt thank you to those of you who took the time to contact me in one form or another to let me know you were thinking of me and praying for me since reading my last entry. I appreciate your kindness and prayers so much more than I could ever adequately express here. While the circumstances have not changed, my attitude has. I am strengthened by those who are praying for me. Thank you.

Yesterday was a really good day. It started with Coffee Hour at the church in the morning as per my usual Wednesday schedule. Love it.

After lunch I went to my favourite park with Jordan so she could go on the swings. I called my friend Jen to come with her little one, so not only did I get to visit with Jen during Coffee Hour, I got to chat more with her at the park. :-)

Jordan was so cute, all bundled up in her jacket, smiling away as she swung back and forth. I fell in love with her all over again. She is so precious.

It was pretty cold yesterday so we didn't stay long. Our next stop was Chapters where I read magazines for free. Loved that.

In the evening I went to my housegroup. I love, love, LOVE those ladies. Always a pleasant time.

When I got home I took over some Skor Squares to my neighbours. If you know the story about my neighbours then you can really appreciate how difficult this was for me to do. But, when the Lord asks me to do something, I try to do it. Even if it takes me months to do it.

This morning I walked the children to school, then walked the long route back to my mom's with Jordan. She really enjoyed it and had a wonderful nap afterwards. Mom and I took a little field trip to Acton to buy buckets of cookie dough. YUM. SO much cheaper than buying it in the store.

Tonight was Girl's Club and we had a guest speaker come to talk to the girls about Operation Christmas Child. Very informative and inspiring. I'm really, really enjoying this experience. Mom and I brainstormed for an hour this morning, coming up with all sorts of great ideas to freshen up this ministry. I'm so excited. I shared one of them with one of the other leaders tonight and she really liked it.

I had such a hard time getting up this morning. Hard = practically impossible. I think I would have sold my arm to have stayed in bed for another hour. Tonight will be an early night.

Before I head off....thrilling news....gas was $0.99 today. WHAT THE HECK!? It's practically on sale.

See ya tomorrow.

Feelin' Blah

Today has been a rough, rough day. How I wish I could go into what is weighing on my heart but I just can't. Maybe one day I will. But probably not.

No, definitely not.

I have been praying and listening to worship music often today to keep my mind focused on The One who knows the burdens of my heart. He is so good.

He is so good.

I met one of the children's friends today. He lives just a few houses away and owns a cat named - get this - Car Wreck. Seriously. I remember my friend Anne telling me this but I thought surely they were saying "Kareck" or something. Nope. C-a-r W-r-e-c-k. Apparently this poor animal has been hit by a car on two occasions and lived to meow about it. He is a real hunter and has brought home a headless mouse, a headless bird and a headless jackrabbit. Where are the heads is what I want to know.

I know entirely too much about Car Wreck it seems.

Well, Little Boy's grandmother died today, so I thought it would be nice to bake some cookies and have the children take them over to him so that he would know that we were thinking of him. I explained to them that often when someone loses a loved one, people will bring meals over so they know they are loved, and so they don't have to worry about cooking when they are so sad.

They were so excited as they walked over with their cookies. I stood across the street but I could hear their precious voices expressing their condolences about his Nana and offering their cookies and prayers.

Within 20 minutes our doorbell rang and it was Little Boy with a thank you letter he had written. So sweet.

I want the children to learn to mourn with others, to carry portions of their pain. Isn't that what we all should be doing? Shouldn't we all be able to lean on one another?

Says the one who won't open up about what's weighing on her heart. Well, like I said...maybe one day I will. But probably not.

No, definitely not.

Stuff on Sunday

Well I shouldn't have been so quick to brag about Jordan's sleeping through the night on Friday. Her schedule was completely off all day Saturday and she was a BEAR. Last night she was up four times but has napped fairly well today.

Ah well. She'll learn.

This morning I attended a great seminar for parents with children in grades 1-5. It was an introduction to a new ministry at our church to assist families in raising children to be strong and secure in their faith.

While I was listening to some shockingly sad statistics, my mind was going over my own parenting style, and whether or not I was a strong godly example for my children. I found myself sadly lacking.

Yes, I pray with my children when I put them to bed. I encourage them to pray about issues that are on their minds and I pray alongside them. They have their own bibles. Yes...bibleS. They can quote scripture. They can relate stories from the bible to every day life. They see me serving in ministry and attending bible studies. They understand what it means to be in the world but not of the world. I had something to do with that.

And yet... I also model un-godly behaviour. They see me frustrated with my neighbours, I snap at the children, they hear me worry.... Not behaviours I want my children to witness.

Still... I am human. Hopefully I will learn something from these upcoming seminars. I am open to anything that will help me to be a better mother. I am thinking about adding to our Family Nights on Fridays. Maybe do a family devotion together. We used to do them together at bedtime and I can't for the life of me remember why we stopped.

Girls Club was so much fun on Thursday night. I bowled with the younger set and they are SO CUTE. They've really taken to me and have started talking and some of it would break your heart to hear what they have to say. Truly. But we laughed so much and some bonds were formed. I am so grateful that the Lord has called me there to serve Him.

This afternoon my mom and I took the children to Ikea. Yes, I know I was just there on Thursday...but I returned for a purpose! I needed to pick up a rug for the playroom. The children each picked out a colourful stuffed toy for Jordan's nursery.

I have to post a picture of the shoes Jordan wore today.



I think she really liked them because she kept kicking her feet and smiling at them. Oh I love having girls.

Ok...Award Time!!

A couple of months ago I was given this award from my friend Dawn. Thanks Dawn! :-)



I get to pass this award on to those who's blogs I love! Here goes!

Jen
Amanda
Dawn
Melissa H
Melissa L
Julie

Feel free to add this to your blogs!

Then I got this one from my friend Jen. Thanks Jen! :-)



I chose the same blogs for the following reasons:

Jen ~ Jen and I met about two years ago and have become such close friends. She is expecting her second child - a son - in less than 8 weeks and I am SO EXCITED! We talk every day and have deep conversations about our faith but also about simple & silly things. She has been such a support to me and a true friend. Thank you Jen. I don't know what I would do without you.

Amanda ~ Amanda and I post on the same parenting board and are going to meet NEXT MONTH! I am so, so, SO excited to see her face to face. We have practically the same sense of humour and "get" each other so easily. We're like peas & carrots. I don't have to pretend with her at all and I love that. I just know that I can trust her with my heart. She has a strange fascination with seeing a moose while she is here next month. I hope I can deliver! Thank you for letting me in, Amanda. You are wonderful.

Dawn ~ I met Dawn almost 10 years ago when we were both expecting our sons. We have shared laughter that has made our cheeks hurt and sorrows that have made our hearts ache. She is the epitome of strength. We have lost touch many times but always seem to find our way back to one another. Thank you for never letting go, Dawn.

Melissa H ~ I have gotten to know Melissa through Jen and she is a riot! She is such a dynamo and can do more in one day than I get around to in a MONTH. Bing, bing, bing!

Melissa L ~ I met Melissa at my church and she is such a sweet, loving, gentle woman. I was just getting to know her when she and her family moved away. We have stayed in touch and I am so grateful for that. I miss seeing you face to face, my friend.

Julie ~ Julie is an incredibly strong woman of faith. She has encouraged me more often and in more ways that I think I could ever express. I enjoy her blog so much. You are like sunshine, Julie.

See you tomorrow. :-)

YES!

Jordan slept through the night last night!

WHOO HOO!!!

I put her in her crib at 10:30pm and Ian got up with her at 6:30am!! He woke me for the day just after 8:30am. Can you say RESTED??

However, she was completely off her schedule all day. I couldn't get her to nap this morning until almost noon - usually she takes a quick nap around 9am. Same for the afternoon. I felt sad for her because she cried a lot today.

Hopefully she will sleep through again tonight. I think that having her own space is helping her to sleep better. But I do miss having her so close to me at night. It feels as though she is miles away from me :-(

Wonderful Day

Ian and I dropped the children off at school at 8:45 am and headed to one of my favourite stores...IKEA! Oh how I can spend hours and hours in that place and still not see everything there is to see. We went for one or two specific things but ended up with a lot more. (hee hee...I might have had something to do with that)

We bought some shelves for our dvds and a new stand for the tv that will go in the children's playroom. THOSE were the things we went for. But we also bought a rug for Jordan's new nursery, plus a stuffed turtle which I named Zippy. We also bought a stuffed alligator that has a baby alligator in it's mouth. So basically we'll use that as a tool to get Jordan to behave. Be a good girl or momma will eat you like this alligator is eating her baby.

We really should start putting money away now for the therapy she's going to need when she's older.

There were two highlights from my IKEA visit...1) the $1.00 breakfast I enjoyed while Ian checked out some things and 2) watching Ian riding the cart up and down the aisle, just to make me laugh.

After IKEA, we headed across the street to a Super Wal-Mart. Oh yes...I do love Wal-Mart and this was a really good one. We bought a frog lamp for Jordan's new room and all new frames for the living room. Ian is on a mission to shake things up and move things around to give the house a new feel since we're staying here for awhile longer.

I guess between IKEA and Wal-Mart I was pretty wiped out because I fell asleep in the car on the way home. I had a second nap after I brought the children home from school.

I had A BLAST bowling with the girl's club tonight. They are really responding to me and I am learning more about them. Some of what I'm learning makes my heart hurt for them, but I'm so glad that I'm a part of this ministry. I really feel that I am where God wants me to be and I can't wait to see what He does with all of us.

Tonight Jordan will be in her new room and I will miss her. I know she can't sleep in our room forever, and she will probably sleep better on her own, blah blah blah. But I will miss her... I'll post some pictures of her room when I get a chance.

Hopefully all will go well tonight...

Wednesday

YES! Harper remains our Prime Minister. WHEW!

This morning's Coffee Hour was my most favourite yet. We gathered in the youth room and relaxed on the comfy sofas and discussed the election (YAY HARPER!) and spent time praying for one another. It felt like we grew closer as a group. I feel so comfortable there.

Jordan has been uncharacteristically cranky these last couple of days. I don't know what is going on with her but she's C-R-A-N-K-Y. Where are those teeth? Come out, come out, wherever you are! She won't sleep unless I am holding her or right beside her. Bless her heart.

My mom called as I was making dinner to tell me that Julie and Sam had an "altercation" at her house this morning. Apparently they got into a disagreement and then blah blah blah...Julie bit Sam's arm.

!!!

Long story short, she had to write out Romans 12:18 seven times.

The drama never ends here, people.

Tonight was my small group which was pleasant. I'm feeling better about the study but I am so tired by the time I get there that I'm not sure how much I am absorbing. I am enjoying the fellowship though, so I'll keep trying to stick it out.

Ian sent this to me yesterday...I love it.



Tomorrow I am bowling with the girls club. Stay tuned for my next entry that details how I got my butt handed to me by a bunch of little girls! ;-)

Voting Day

Did you vote today? I sure did!

I actually got teary standing in line to cast my vote. How fortunate we are to have the freedom to vote for our country's leader. So many people in this world do not share that freedom.

I'm looking forward to hearing the results tonight!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today has been a pretty slow day. The kids are playing outside, Ian is gaming online and I enjoyed a movie out with my girlfriends Jenn and Cindy. We went to see Quarantine and I screamed. A lot. Apparently the girl that takes the tickets out in the hallway could hear me. I tried to leave the theatre before the lights came up so no one would see me but those lights came on pretty quickly. Oh well. Now you know, Kate's a screamer.

Oops. That sounded dirty.

I have a roast in the oven and it smells really good. Hard to believe I could be hungry after the HUGE turkey dinner we enjoyed last night. We all gathered at the table at my mom's house for the first time in almost two years. I haven't gone into detail about my family situation so you are going to have to trust me when I say that it was hard to do. But God is good and He was with us. He never fails to give me what I need for each day.

Yesterday's Cardboard Testimonies were lovely. Sam took a bunch of photos from the balcony and while I would love to post some of them, I have not asked for permission from these people to do so. I do have this picture which I feel comfortable enough sharing because you cannot really see the people who participated.



Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends. May you have much to be thankful for today and every day.

Silent Sunday ~ My Cardboard Testimony

Full Day!

We have been on the go ALL DAY!

We started out about 9am and picked up Mom so we could go apple picking. We've gone to the same orchard for over 30 years and they are the crustiest bunch of people you'll ever find in the same place. Yet...we go there year after year!

Usually we go in the middle of September but between schedules and rain, we didn't get there until today. As a result there weren't any Macintosh apples left so we picked Spies. Apparently they are good for pies.

Ha ha...spies are good for pies...

Yep. It's late...I'm tired and silly.

Most of the apples had been picked but Ian found a ladder and climbed to the top of a tree and would toss the apples down to Sam and Julie.

Here he is, doin' his thing.



As you can see, Mom and I were hard at work. ;-)



Jordan fell asleep pretty soon after we arrived. So much for her first apple picking expedition!



Afterwards, Ian took the children to play in the hay pile while Mom and I browsed through their little store.





One Strawberry Rhubarb pie and 4 apple ciders later, we were on our way to drop Mom back home and to pack a few things to head up to Ian's parents for the remainder of the day.

His parents took us to Drysdale's Farm to pick pumpkins.

A funny sign as we drove through the entrance...



I want this on my front lawn...



Julie enjoying the wagon ride to the hay bale maze...



Me hard at work, searching for the perfect pumpkin... ;-)



I had to post this picture especially for my friend Karin. She teases me about calling Sam and Julie "the children" and says it sounds like Little House On The Prairie. Well Karin...doesn't this look like they are heading home to Ma and Pa?



Sam and Jules with their perfect pumpkins...



My three blessings posing together...



After that we went for our fall family photos.

A few years ago we took this photo and I have always loved it. Yet, every time I looked at it, I kept seeing that little space in front of Sam and Julie and thinking that there was another little person meant for us, to fill that space.



Our new family picture...



All of us together at last, just as we were meant to be. :-)

Sam in deep thought...



Julie posing...



And Jordan too, of course!



We had a great dinner at my inlaws, and after feeding Jordan she just crashed!



What a great day this was - we got to see all the grandparents and do two yearly traditions on the same day!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for...

1) Being able to serve with the Girls Club each week, and for how they are responding to me

2) The unseasonably warm weather! Sunshine, warmth and leaves everywhere... awesome!

3) My friend Jen V - for her fantastic ideas, warmth and friendship

What are YOU thankful for today?

Thanks...

Many thanks to those of you that prayed for the issue I eluded to in a previous post. I appreciate it so much.

Sam was having a lot of trouble adjusting to grade 4 and to his teacher in particular. He felt she was really intense and sarcastic. He was always tired in class and couldn't focus at all so he would have so much homework to do to catch up. Turns out he was laying awake in bed until 10 or 11pm every night stressing out. Stomach aches, headaches, etc. Poor dude.

I won't go into all of the details here because it isn't really appropriate to do so. I don't want to turn this into a bashing thing.

Yesterday Ian and I met with his teacher during the last period of the day and even though there were more than a few awkward moments, it went very well. Ian did the majority of the talking and he expressed Sam's concerns very well. Sam was pleased when we told him about what was said.

This morning he woke up unusually chipper and when I asked him how he slept he said he fell asleep right away. I was so happy to hear that. Apparently his teacher was very kind to him today. Whew.

This morning at my Ladies Coffee Hour we painted pottery. We were talking about our spiritual gifts and our efforts were to reflect what we believe are our gifts. I believe that one of my gifts is encouragement. I always try to encourage those around me whenever I can. I also believe that forgiveness is another. It's been buried for awhile, but I'm ready to pull that gift out, dust it off and use it often. So, I painted the words encouragement and forgiveness and decorated it in a really lame, not artistically gifted way. :-) I'll post a picture when it comes back. It has to be glazed and cooked or something. Not sure. Not artistic, remember??

I really enjoyed this morning, but it ended on a bit of a low note. There is a very nice woman there who insisted on tending to Jordan so that I could work on my artwork. She asked if she should pick her up when she was fussing and I said that I really wanted her to take her nap so the entire day wouldn't be thrown off. When she wouldn't settle down, I picked her up and gave her to a friend to hold while I got what I needed out of her diaper bag, then took her back to change her. When I returned, this same friend took her again.

When the woman was getting ready to leave, she leaned over and said "Before I get upset and in case I am mistaken I wanted to ask you... do you have a problem with me holding your daughter?"

I was floored. I tried to reassure her that this wasn't the case at all! She just kept saying "oh ok, ok" and brushing me off, but I could tell that she was really offended. A few minutes later I went over to her again to apologize for making her feel as though I had a problem with her and she still seemed hurt saying she knows she's old, etc. I think we parted ok, but I still feel sad about it. I don't like to hurt anyone.

Take a look at this video. It's very moving, so you might want to grab a tissue or two. I was included in an email asking if I would consider being a part of this during our Thanksgiving service. I have decided to accept. I am still working on what my testimony will say. I could fill a billboard!



What would your cardboard testimony say?

GREAT Weekend!

What a great weekend!

This is going to be a long entry, so grab something to drink and get comfy.

Friday night was Family Night at our place as per our usual schedule. However, I am drawing a complete blank as to what movie we watched. Apparently it wasn't that great because no one else remembers either.

Oh wait...Julie just remembered. We watched Kung Fu Panda and ate pizza.

Saturday we headed off to the Americana Resort and Spa for an overnight. Packing for one night away should have been fairly easy.... One bag for me, one for Ian, one for Sam, one for Julie...two for Jordan, plus the pack-and-play, plus a laundry basket filled with baby toys and paraphernalia... The van was full.

We left the house later than we planned and after a quick stop at Tim's for my beloved steeped tea and Country Style for donuts (yes...we are not brand loyal!) we were off.

I drove all the way to the border and my intent was to pull off at some point to switch with Ian so he could do all the talking through customs. As we drove along I thought that was pretty lame on my part, so I decided that *I* would do all the talking since I always have something to say.

Ha ha. Right about now, those who know me are saying "man, she's got that right". Please know I am sticking my tongue out at you in reply.

Traffic was stopped on the bridge so we waited. I hate that....just sitting on the bridge like that. All sorts of scenarios go through my mind. What if the bridge collapses? How will we get the children out? Who will grab which children? What about my purse? What if for some reason the doors won't open? How long until the car fills with water?

I refuse to sit over those expansion joint things, just in case...

Yes... I had a lot of time to think about this. I guess I could have spent it better. But I watch a lot of tv and read a lot of news. This is my only defense.

Here are the kids as we waited. They were all set up with their pillows, blankets, etc.



What is it with kids and that hand sign? I am forever saying "no gang signs!" when I take pictures of them.

This is our view as we sat on the bridge.

FOR.

AN.

HOUR!



Crossing into the US...



I ended up switching with Ian after all while we waited. I knew that when the customs officer asked what our purpose was for crossing into the US I would be honest and tell him "shopping!" I am honest like that.

Just an interesting observation on Ian's part... if there was a car with a couple in it, the male was always the one driving. I couldn't find a single car with a couple in it with the woman driving. And believe me, I had a lot of time to look.

Ian had MapQuest-ed three different Wal-Marts so we'd know where we were going. The first one we went to (oh come ON... you knew I'd go to more than ONE!) was like the American version of the one we live near. We'd been there before so we didn't even get out of the car. The next one was better. I bought a few things for Jordan, a book for me and an Iron Man shirt for Ian. I am obsessed with his superhero shirt collection. I bought him a Superman shirt last Christmas, he has two Dark Knights, a regular Batman and a Spiderman. So... he needed an Iron Man. The kids bought some Pokemon toys and Ian bought gifts for his friend for his birthday. And snacks. Man did he buy snacks. It's not fair how he can eat crap all the time and stay so slim. I, however, just have to THINK about a cookie and I put on weight.

DARN YOU AND YOUR MALE METABOLISM!!!!!

Yes, I found my beloved Downy Wrinkle releaser and bought two bottles. Do you know what else I found that just sent me into total happiness??

Hawaiian Punch!! I bought a huge jug of it. Can't buy it here in Canada. So not fair.

As many of you know, I meet up with my girlfriends Cindy and Jennifer once a week and we chat over a chocolate M&M frosty. I love those things. Well, while we were in the US I decided to try one to compare it against ours. You know...like an experiment. Yeah... that's what it was...

At first glance it looked the same....



However, upon closer inspection, the M&M pieces appeared to be cut in half, not crushed like at home. -1 point for the Americans. And it wasn't thoroughly mixed together. Make that -2 points. Tsk tsk.



However, I do have to rave about the spoon. It had a really nice rectangular handle to it and it fit very comfortably in my hand during my eating experience. +1 for the Americans!

What kills me is that it was the exact same price as what I pay at home. All in all it was a very tasty time. Special thanks to Ian for making an unplanned detour so I could indulge in my experiment and report back.

All together now....thank you Ian!

This is how close we got to the American side of the Falls. No stopping with Ian behind the wheel! ;-)



On our way back into Canada...



Oooh....in the middle...not in the US and not in Canada...oooh...



Much shorter wait time here.



About 10 minutes later we were at the resort. We were so excited!

Here is a quick tour of our room.

The beds...



A nice sitting area with a pull out couch. Julie called dibs on this for bedtime.



Fireplace...



We used this work/desk area as Jordan's space and Ian set up her pack-and-play here.



Kitchen... (I ended up forgetting my kettle there!)



Bathroom sink...



Get a load of that tub!



Separate shower...



While Ian and I tried to settle in the children changed into their suits and the "can we go now" started.



Jordan ready to go...



Sam and Jules absolutely love The Suite Life of Zack And Cody and love it when they ride on the luggage cart. So... here they are enroute to the waterpark.



Here is a view of the waterslide area which is Sam's and Ian's favourite...



Kids area which is Julie's favourite...



And the wave pool which is my favourite...



Here is Julie pulling on a cord that causes water to pour down lightly...



Getting wet...



... and completely not expecting the HUGE bucket of water overhead to tip at that very moment!



This is Jordan's speed and she seemed to really like it.



My lovely daughters...



Sam hanging with Jordan...



We headed up to our room just after 8pm and the kids played in that mammoth tub for awhile, while I got Jordan ready for bed. Ian headed out to pick up some dinner shortly after.



One tired little girl!



The next morning Ian jumped out to pick up breakfast and a steeped tea for moi. He ran a bubble bath and apparently I should have kept an eye on it...



Oops!

That bath was nice.

Once we were all packed we headed back to the waterpark for another day of fun. Ian had a one hour aromatherapy massage. Nice!

Jordan after a swim in the wave pool...



Ian and Sam headed off to do the waterslides for a bit.

Here comes Ian...



Followed by Sam...



The children went on one together...



So happy...



Sam and I played in the wave pool for just over an hour and it was so much fun to just hang out together. He had my full attention and we really enjoyed being together. His humour is so much like mine and we laughed a lot together. We just about drowned when the waves came - too hard to laugh and swim at the same time, I guess.

Once the kids had enough we changed and headed in to the arcade for a bit.

My biggest kid... ;-)



Sam was completely wiped out and ready to go.



I wanted a picture of all the children together but didn't get one the whole time we were there. This is what I got.



I laugh every time I look at this one. Sam and Julie look absolutely exhausted and Jordan looks like she's raring to go!

He fell asleep pretty soon after we headed off...



We stopped for some takeout and just collapsed in the house, bags everywhere.

What a great time together. It always feels so good to get away from every day life every now and then, doesn't it? I really feel as though I've been someplace and I felt like I was in a better frame of mind today. And I love being with my family. I love how God has formed the five of us, the way He has put us all together. So much love in our fivesome.

That's all folks!