April 2nd is....

AUTISM AWARENESS DAY!

Today marks the 6th annual autism awareness day. Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events such as Light it up Blue - Many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, bridges and retail stores are among the hundreds of thousands of homes and communities that take part by installing a blue lightbulb or a special filter to buildings existing lights to portray the blue effect.  It's a beautiful way to show support.




While I didn't participate this year with any fundraising, I did wear blue today in support of this very special day.  I also did a little shopping....for the month of April,  Stella & Dot jewellery is donating 20% of total sales from their Autism Awareness Collection to the HollyRod Foundation with a guaranteed minimum of $10,000. To the left is a picture of the lovely bracelet that I purchased - It's called the spirit bracelet.  

New research shows the rate of children being diagnosed with autism continues to steadily rise and that autism is now considered almost twice as common as it was believed to be only ten years ago. A recent report stated that one in 88 children has autism or a related disorder, compared with one in 155 in 2002.  A shocking report from the US this week reports that in actuality, one in 50 children have an autism spectrum disorder.


About 10 years ago, an adorable little boy with brown hair and dark brown eyes was enrolled in my daycare class.  This little boy, Kyle, was an absolute joy - he made me smile every day - Kyle had autism. I enjoyed every minute working with Kyle.  Seeing him learn new things was the most rewarding part of working at that daycare.  A few years ago, I reconnected with his mom via facebook.  It was so great to hear how he was doing - seeing pictures, he has grown into a handsome young man, amazing his family every day....If I'm remembering correctly, he will be 13 at the end of this month. I think of him often and cherish the year that I was able to be his teacher. I learned a lot from my little buddy, Kyle. (update: I am shocked to hear my little friend is actually going to be 14 this month.  Oh my gosh, where has the time gone?)

There are still so many unanswered questions about autism...and sadly there is very little known about the causes. There are thousands of families across the autism spectrum that can use help. So, please show your support and bring awareness to autism and it's foundations.

Easter Weekend 2013

I LOVE long weekends at home with T and the kids.  Our family had an amazing Easter weekend. Here are some highlights:

*cheering on L's teacher at a 5k Good Friday race - L was inspired and decided she would like to do the kids 1km next year...I was also inspired and wonder if I can finally get myself in gear to do a 5k.
Congratulations, K.N on your first 5k race!

* dinner with family at local fish fish

* Annual visit to Bronte Provincial Park for their Maple Syrup Festival -- weather was perfect - company was great, and this year's maple syrup - fantastic.
*sunshine and warm temperatures

*no more training wheels - super proud Mommy moment
*Easter egg hunt(s)

*smiling faces

*dinner(s) with family

*sugar high giggles

Couldn't have been any better!

Wordless Wednesday

Things Kids Say

This installment of "Things Kids Say" comes from this little cutie.

This morning, I accidentally scraped my lip and it started to bleed a little.
I was holding a kleenex on it when Ev came in.

Ev: "Oh no! You have a bleeding nose???"
Me: "No, honey, it's my lip"
Ev: "What? Your LIP has a bleeding NOSE????"

I could not stop laughing. This kid is just too much!

Our newest TV obsession: Downton Abbey.

We started watching season 1 about 2 weeks ago and have only 2 episodes to go until we are caught up with season 3. We are beyond obsessed with this amazing Masterpiece Classic show.

Downton Abbey is a British period drama series set in fictional Yorkshire County estate of Downton Abbey. It depicts the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the post-Edwardian era — with the great events in history having an effect on their lives and on the British social hierarchy - these events include the sinking of the RMS Titanic, the outbreak of World War I and the Spanish influenza pandemic.

We are in love with most of the characters and are driven mad by others. The storylines are intriguing and each episode leaves us wanting to watch more - which is why we've blazed through the season so quickly - sometimes watching 2 or 3 episodes a night.

If you haven't seen this wonderful show, get moving! It's amazing and you will drawn in by the characters, the stories, the scenery, the costumes, Lady Violet's zingers and gestures - I don't know what T and I will do once we have watched these final 2 episodes.
Perhaps, we'll start the seasons over again - until season 4 begins.
=D

Even When It's Cold Outside, Our Memories Keep Us Warm

Yesterday, most of Ontario got "walloped" with approximately 30cm of snow. It started around 630am and didn't stop until after we had gone to bed. Our board cancelled school

- the kids had their very first snow day. We had a blast playing in the snow, something we haven't really seen too much of over the past few years.

They had named the storm "Winter Storm Nemo" - when I was looking for pictures for this post - I came across this Nemo pic and had a little giggle. So cute.

As many of you know, I have NO like for Winter. I dislike being cold. I don't enjoy the snow...especially driving in it. But one thing I do love about winter (ssshh...don't tell Tim that there is something I enjoy about winter LOL).....is playing with the kids...toboganning, etc.
Today, while Tim was at a basketball tournament, I took the kids over to the school where there is a pretty decent hill where the kids can toboggan. Despite the hill being pretty bumpy as the snow was not really packed down yet, they had a blast.

We are so lucky to have a great hill right around the corner. Backing onto Bronte Creek, the scenery is beautiful, the kids have a blast...that is until they can no longer climb up the hill.
So, as I type, we are all snuggled under blankets, watching a movie - my most favourite Winter activity...Ev is drifting off beside me. The perfect end to a winter afternoon.

Wordless Wednesday...Dreaming

Hello, 2013!

Happy New Year to any of my followers. Are you still around? Has the neglecting of my blog turned you away? LOL Man, I've been terrible at keeping up with this. Sorry loyal readers ;)

I am not usually one to make New Year's Resolutions, but over the last few days I have been doing some serious reflection on who I want to be. So I am going to try and stick to these 13 goals for 2013!

Here’s to 2013, in which I aim to:
1. become a better parent. I want to play more with my kids, be more active with them, be more patient, be more present.
2. become healthier. I want to lose the weight that I have gained back, and lose that last bit to finally get to my goal of a healthy weight. I will do this by eating healthy foods and moving more. This will include cooking new healthy recipes.
3. exercise more - I plan to attend 2-3 hot yoga classes per week and learn to run - I'd love to complete a 5km but will set small goals for myself - 1km would be a great start.
4. spend more quality time with my husband.
5. get my house organized and develop a daily/weekly/monthly cleaning schedule
6. get a small tattoo - I keep saying that I will reward myself with a tattoo when I get to my goal weight, so if I get there...I will get a tattoo!
7. read more. I will try and read 25+ books this year.
8. drink more water and less Diet Coke.
9. spend more quality time with my family and friends. I dislike talking on the phone, but will make more of an effort to call family members and friends.
10. spend less time wasted on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and my beloved Pinterest.
11. blog more
12. be happy. Laugh & play more. Life is too short to let negativity and frustrations ruin my day.
13. Live my life by intention and not by habit. I am lazy, impatient, selfish, sensitive and emotional - I have big plans for my life, starting with 2013 - it's time for a change, and the only way to do it is by living by intention and not by habit.

Also - I guess another goal for my list....
My husband bought me a pretty purple notebook a few years ago for Christmas - it has sat in my pantry for years - each time I open the door, i would look at it and think "I should start using that book" I have decided that I am not going to use it as a journal, where normally I would vent and complain...I am going to use it as a gratitude journal and try and write in it every night before bed - stating what I am thankful for every day, something great that happened, etc.

So, on that note - I hope to be back soon to write more. #11 on my list of goals for this year. I vow not to leave you hanging for so long this time ;)

My Parents

Describe your relationship with your parents.

Mom, Dad and I - Jack Astor's Dec, 2011
As I mentioned in my previous post, I have the best parents a girl could ask for. My parents are loving, supportive, encouraging, and fun.

For as long as I remember, I only have wonderful memories and thoughts of my parents. Family trips to the cottage or to my grandparents trailer, fun in the backyard on the swingset, slip n slide or later in our pool. They were always at school events and took an active role in the school council. They took the time to get to know our friends and their parents. They were fun and in turn, we had fun.

As a teenager/young adult - I loved spending time with my parents - not many people can say that. I enjoyed quiet time in the evenings with them, just sitting chatting...or heading out to stag and does and dancing the night away. Who can say they enjoy "partying" with their parents. The king and queen of the dancefloor everywhere we go - we always had a ball when we got to go to events with them. I still look forward to those fun times together.

Now, as a parent, I appreciate them even more. Being a parent is the hardest job in the world. I struggle every day thinking I am not being the best parent I can be - which makes me appreciate all they did for me and my sister - being the best parents they could be.

The next best thing about having you as my parents, is that my children get to have you as their grandparents!

Mom & Dad, I do not say it enough - but I appreciate and cherish you more than I can ever express. I love you!

20 Random Things

20 Random Things About Me!

1. I am a shortie. 5'3"
2. I love diet coke.
3. I am a huge Beatles fan. I love Ringo. (It is making me so happy that my children are enjoying their music - they always ask for it on in the car <3)
4. I have short toes - they make me self conscious.
5. I love Pitas.
6. I love to travel to hot locations. I have been to Hawaii, Dominican Republic x2, Puerto Rico, Mexico.
This is harder than I thought it would be.....
7. I love reality TV - American Idol, Big Brother are my favourites.
8. I struggle with self esteem - my weight has a lot to do with it. Wish I could just be happy with myself.
9. I would love to work in the school board as a ECE in the kindergarten classes or as an educational assistant.
10. I love to dance - love the occasional night out in the club.
11. I'm addicted to my laptop and social networking. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest...so many things to occupy my attention.
12. I have a soft spot for late 80s/90s Kevin Costner. Field of Dreams, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Bodyguard. He was so handsome.
13. I can touch my nose with my tongue - and stick my entire fist in my mouth - the last one is definitely a drunken party trick.
14. I have lived in 4 homes in my life. Home#1 1978-1980. Home#2 1980-2002.(My parents still live in my childhood home) Home#3 2002-2008 and Home#4 2008 - ????
15. I play flute. I was in the band in grades 7 and 8...and in grades 10-OAC. Yes, I was a band geek =D
16. I didn't like seafood up until I got married - my husband has introduced me to so many yummy things. So happy he encouraged me to try it.
17. I get exceptionally crabby when tired or stressed.
18. I love to sing, but am not good at it. I wish I could.
19. My laugh changed when I was pregnant...now it is a lot louder than it used to be.
20. I have the best parents a girl could ask for.