Playing Photographer

So a couple weeks ago I took some what I thought were good pictures of the kids but I'm learning that they weren't so good. Cute, yes but good no. Learning more about lighting and such but the only way to learn is to practice.  I've also been editing pictures. Holy what a difference it makes. I'm only using Picasa and Microsoft Office but its enough to do the job.

 

And just to show what a difference a little editing does.

Top picture is straight off the camera and the bottom is edited. The colours just pop now.

Ania

What I Wore Wednesday

So this week wasn't any better then last week with taking pictures but I'm still not feeling well, so we only have 2 pictures again.

headband - made by me
shirt - Penningtons
jeans - MXM
shoes - George

headband - made by me

shirt - upcycled by me

shorts - Penningtons

shoes - George

This has made me realize that there isn't many plus size stores for me to shop at here and that I'm in desperate need of a shopping trip to Buffalo. I also need to get some more shoes and need to make some new accessories.

As the previous weeks I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Momma Go Round.

Action Packed Weekend

It's been a busy and emotional weekend for me and it's started out a busy week (and that theme will continue).


We had a lovely celebration of Mom's life up at the cottage on Saturday. It was great to see family that we don't get to see often and celebrate an amazing woman.  There was some lovely comments made by family members and I think they give me too much credit but I do love them all.

Celebrating with family

Scattering flower petals we saved from all the flowers from Mom's funeral.

Rock, the kids, my mom and I all stayed up at the cottage until Monday. Saturday night there was still some family around. We had a lovely time around the fire, talking and catching up.  The kids had a chance to fish (Muffin caught 6, Monkey caught 4 and Tutu caught 1), we slept in a tent for 1 night (before it got cold Sunday night), we went to town for some amazing ice cream and had a fire and roasted marshmallows and hot dogs and made smores.  Could there be any better way to start wrapping up summer?

The girls with the fish they caught

Today we took the kids to Canada's Wonderland. The had an amazing time. Apparently  Monkey is growing up because a lot of the rides were boring according to her. She did 2 real roller coasters and loved it. Muffin joined us for 1 and got scared. I realized today that next year will be even harder as Tutu will be doing the kiddie rides, Monkey is wanting to do the big rides and Muffin will be in between. I think I will need to find roller coasting loving friends to join us and take Monkey on the rides (my days of loving roller coasters are over). And we got home just in time to quickly eat dinner and take Monkey to her soccer playoff. She has improved so much this season and her team won 2 to 1.

The kids and I on a ride

Monkey at her game

 Had to share this one of poor Muffin's face and all the bites she got up at the cottage. My poor girl.

And because we haven't packed enough action into our week's holidays tomorrow we are going to the Ex again (we were planning on going Thursday but it's suppose to rain so we switched days).  Thursday and Friday I will be cleaning out the crawl space, Saturday I will try and rest, Sunday another trip to the Ex to see the air show. I will need a vacation from my vacation.,

Celebrating Mom

Today we are up at the cottage honouring the life of my MIL (also know as Mom). Family and friends are joining us to celebrate her life a few days before what would have been her 60th birthday.

Sadly her life ended way too early on December 28th. She was at home with us as she had wished to spend her final days. She spent four months in the hospital before coming home.

The prognosis was less then 3 months but being the fighter she was she proved them wrong and hung on for 5 months.

She was an inspiration her whole life but more so during the last year of her life.

Mom was a generous hardworking individual.  She started working at a young age. She was also very generous, she would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it.  When my FIL got sick 11 years ago an wasn't able to work she took on an extra job to bring in some extra money to help them live but also to be able to provide extras to her family. 

She loved to shower us with little gifts and once she had grandkids they were spoiled rotten. A trip to Babcia's house always meant a shopping trip and new toys or crafts supplies were always acquired, even new clothes.

A few times a year she would work extra so that we would make weekend trips to Buffalo to so some shopping. We would stay all weekend, eat out and shop.  She even started training Monkey to be her personal shopper (I guess I wasn't doing a good enough job for her).

Christmas time brought her great joy, even though the last few years she wasn't able to do the shopping herself. She would give me very detailed lists and budgets for what she wanted for each person and send me on my way. She loved to wrap all the goodies for her loved ones and took great joy seeing everyone open an enjoy their gifts. And there was always a feast, we always had enough food to feed twice the amount of people over. Mom never wanted anyone to go hungry.

When Dad got really sick Mom was working at least 2 jobs, taking care of him while unknown to us having a tumour growing and bothering her. January of last year she was still working and even after we found out she had cancer she still tried to make it in to work. She was a strong person and had a strong worth ethic she never wanted to let anyone down.

Towards  the end the pain she had to deal with was great but she tried to take as a little medication as she could so that she was still coherent for her grandkids and visitors.  She always played a big role in her grandkids lives and until November would do homework with Monkey.

She always smiled and laughed her way throughout life and her illness, she was an inspiration the way she handled herself.

We all have found memories of her and while you are reading this we are celebrating the life of this amazing woman. Her family and friends, remembering the good times, remembering this kind gentle soul. 

Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today

Sadly my Uncle passed away last night. My father never got the chance to see him one last time. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today; you don't know what the future holds.


I drove my father to the airport and he's staying the night with my brother who's out in Vancouver and then tomorrow the 2 of them are making their way to the island. They will see my Uncle (he's not having a funeral since there is no one to celebrate with, his wife died years ago and they have no children so he requested no funeral), gather his belongings and head back to Vancouver.


My dad will spend a few days with my brother who he hasn't seen in 10 years and then come back home.  My dad is heartbroken over his brother's death. I think he regrets not going to visit him before he passed away. 

Lessons gathered from this life event.


Ania

He 's a good man

My plan for tonight was to post lovely frivolous pictures of my kids I took last week. At 9pm tonight that changed. I got a call from my father the my Uncle and Godfather is in his final hours/days. His Power of Attorney called to let us know.


I've spent the last few hours making travel plans for my father to fly out to Vancouver to see his brother. I hope and pray that my father can make it there before he passes away so that they have a moment together. My dad has wanted to go out and see him for a while but between him helping us take care of my MIL and/or money it never happened. I feel so guilty about that.


My Uncle is the oldest of 10 children and my father the second youngest. There is only 1 other brother that is living. Their only sister (the baby of the family) passed away a few years ago.


My Uncle is a good man, I have good memories of him, he was always generous with  me but we didn't see him much since he lived across the country. He always says "Family is like fish, they both start to stink after 3 days". Visits with him were never long.


A few years ago he developed Alzheimer's and was placed into a care facility. His wife had passed away years ago and they had no children.  I feel bad that he wasn't surrounded by family but that was the choice he made. I use to talk to him on a regular basis and send him letters and pictures.  I stopped doing that after the Power of Attorney told me he would throw them in the garbage when he got them because he didn't know who I was.  When he talked to my dad he still remember him but he thought that they were back in the old country (Poland) and was always asking about their mother.


I'm sad that this is happening to my Uncle but he did live a long life.  I really just wish that we could have a break with all the sickness and death going on with our families over the last 2 years.


If you are the praying type if you could please say a prayer for my Uncle I would appreciate it. Also if you could pray that he holds on long enough so my dad can make it to see him that would be great.


Ania

What I Wore Wednesday

Another week another What I Wore post.

I started off the week with good intentions. Took pictures 2 days in a row and then after my cousin went into labour and I got sick it all went downhill from there. This week I only have 2 outfits to share.

Hairband - made by me
bib necklace - made by me
t-shirt - Penningtons
shrug - Penningtons
belly band - motherhood maternity

skirt - MXM
leggings - Penningtons
shoes - George

hairband - made by me
t-shirt - upcycled by me

jeans - MXM
shoes - George

And trying to take some more fun pictures

 The girls wanted in on the jumping action. I took a few tries to get us all in the air but we had fun trying.


Like last week I'm linking up to The Pleated Poppy , and  Mama Go Round.

More Upcycling Fun

Last Wednesday when I came home from work I took advantage of a quiet house. Tutu was down for his afternoon nap, Muffin was sleeping as she was sick and Monkey was at swimming lessons with my dad.  I had wanted to do some more upcycling. There was a shirt that was my MIL's that I loved. When she bought it I had also wanted one but they didn't have any left in my size. This was the perfect opportunity for me to have the shirt I like and keep my MIL near me.

I used the same process as I did here.
I was lazy and used the white thread that was still threaded in the machine. And it was quick it took about an hour to do.

And the finished product. I think it looks pretty cute.

Ania

He's Here

What a crazy few days, Thursday night I didn't get to bed until real late. Tutu was fussing and nursing a lot so I assumed it was his teething since he has 6 teeth coming in. Monkey also joined us in bed with growing pains. Just when I'm finally falling asleep my dad shows up in the bedroom telling me baby is on the way.  I kid you not the first thing I did was grab my belly and say no it's not. And then I realized that my cousin has gone into labour.


She had asked me to be her doula, she figured with me having 3 kids I should know a thing or two. I was honoured that she asked me and excited because I wanted to see a birth. I figured I had time since the baby wasn't due until this week, she hadn't dropped yet, no nesting urges, no Braxton Hicks. She had her OB appointment that morning and there was nothing exciting to report. I didn't bother bringing the phone up to bed with me because I figured I had time.


My phone rang but I didn't hear it so they called my dad and sent him over to wake me up. I got ready scrambled around in the dark and my dad drove me over to her place and so our journey began.  I was with her from just before 2am until just after she delivered at 3:34pm.   During the time I was with her Tutu got sick, apparently shortly after I left, he spiked a fever and ended up vomiting all over my mom (she stayed with the baby as a substitute to me). The lack of sleep, the stress and fighting germs from 2 sick kids (Muffin had the same bug at the beginning of the week) I ended up spiking a fever during the last hour of her delivery.  


It was an amazing life experience. I feel honour and blessed for that opportunity.  Something I definitely will never forget. And I'm now a Cocia (Aunite), how exciting is that?


And so after that wild experience I came home sick with a fever and a migraine and slept. I did nothing all day Saturday and Sunday I dragged my butt out of bed and went with the family to the CNE. 


Due to all that excitement I ignored my blog.  But I did get some good blog worth experiences.  When I'm feeling a little bit better I will share more about them.

Each their Own Person

 

As the soccer season draws to a close for the girls' I'm reflecting on the differences in their abilities in sports.

 

When Monkey was young there was no questions about her learning to swim besides the fact that I was/am a swimmer, I feel it's an important life skill.  When she got to the age of starting group sports she decided she wanted to play soccer.

 

As a mom I just assumed that they would follow in my footsteps and do dance and swimming. Soccer, I don't know where that came from but soccer it was. (I think Rock may have been watching soccer because it was World Cup, and Monkey was watching with him. I can't knock that thinking because I was inspired to swim competitively from watching the Olympics).

 

 

 

Up until recently soccer for Monkey consisted of picking flowers, cloud watching, kicking dirt around and fooling around with other players.

 

Recently she has been paying more attention and isn't afraid of the ball. She's actually fighting for the ball when there if a group of them going for it. She's also been playing some really good defense. I'm so proud of her improvements and accomplishments.

 

 

 

She is also a good swimmer from the start. She fast tracked through the levels, currently she is the youngest one in her level.  She's good at that but then you have Muffin.

 

This year was Muffin's first year in everything, swimming lessons and soccer.  Last year the girls didn't so much (except Monkey did swimming). In January when she turned 3 she started swimming lessons (that's when the YMCA starts formal lessons without the parents). and this summer was her first time playing soccer.

 

Muffin is a natural athlete.  It took a while for her to get use tot he water since she didn't get to spend as much time in the pool (like we did with Monkey due to life getting in the way) but now she's doing better then Monkey was at that age.

 

And soccer, she's a natural. You put her in any position and she dominates it. I'm actually surprised at how well she does. Her first game ever she was playing goalie and after stopping the ball, instead of throwing the ball out she ran the ball down the field and attempted to score a goal.

 

 

 

I know that each child is different but I didn't expect such differences in their abilities. I am proud of both my girls and their accomplishments. hey always try their best and I think that's what they should strive for.  It doesn't matter if they are soccer starts or the supporting players. Every role is needed on a team. How boring would the would be if only the people that excelled at something did it?

 

The girls are active and having fun, and that's important especially this day and age when children aren't as active as they use to be.  Now I wonder what to expect from Tutu as he grows up. It will be interested to see what everyone excels a and what everyone enjoys.

Get To Know Me

  I was playing around with the self-timer and got this pic on the first try.

I saw this on The Wiegand's today and thought I might give it a go as a get to know me. 

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:20 

2. How do you like your steak? well done

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema: 2 weeks ago. The Smurfs, before that I don't remember.

4. What is your favourite TV show? Top Chef

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? the beach.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal

7. What is your favourite food? chicken parm made by Rock with his homemade sauce

8. Foods you dislike? mushrooms and broccoli

9. Favourite place to eat? Canyon Creek

10. Favourite dressing? Raspberry vinaigrette

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? as long as it gets me from  point A to point B that's good enough 

12. What are your favourite clothes? jeans and a t-shirt 

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Europe

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? 1/2 full!!

15. Where would you want to retire? near my grandchildren

16. Favourite time of day? when I'm home with my kids 

17. Where were you born? St. Catharines.

18. What is your favourite sport to watch? swimming.

19. What is your favourite fragrance? Before getting pregnant with Monkey I LOVED Sun, Moon and Stars. Since then I don't wear anything. But I love the smell of orange. Anything orange smells yummy to me.

20. What is your favourite face cream? none

21. Favourite baby/kids products? slings and wraps

22. People watcher? yes.

23. Are you a morning or night person? night.

24. Do you have any pets? none but the girls really want fish.

25. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? not yet 

26. What did you want to be when you were little? a mama.

27. What is your favourite memory? my wedding day and the birth's of my children.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? cat

29. Are you married? yes 10 years next month
EDITED (it's not been 19 years yet, only 10)

30. Always wear your seat belt? of course!

31. Been in a car accident? yes, a few.

32. Any pet peeves? yes many but my biggest is expecting kids to behave better then adults do. If adults have a hard time dealing with their emotions then how can we expect kids to. Drives me bananas.

33. Favourite pizza toppings? bacon, pineapple, onion with extra cheese. YUMMY!

34. Favourite flower? roses

35. Favourite ice cream? raspberry thunder

36. Favourite fast food restaurant? Moe's 

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? 2, stupid graduated license system

38. From whom did you get your last email? facebook

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Lane Bryant and Joann Fabrics 

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? all the time, I randomly get up at work and dance to the music in my head. Good times. My co-workers are so use to it by now that they don't pay me any attention 

41. Like your job? it pays the bills. 

42. Broccoli? my dad cured me of that when he served us broccoli with dinner every night once summer. Now yuck. But the kids LOVE it so I still have to cook it.

43. What was your favourite vacation? Cuba when we went as a family of 3. It was so perfect and magical. We hope to be able to take the other 2 soon. (hello lottery winnings where are you?)

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? my family and parents for my parent's 35th wedding anniversary 

45. What are you listening to right now? Rock watching Curb Your Enthusiasm, (yuck do not like that show)

46. What is your favourite colour? pink, brown, turquoise

47. How many tattoos do you have? none, yet my plan is to get one for my 35th birthday.

48. coffee drinker? nope, tea (and don't tell anyone but I get my caffeine and sugar from Coke or Pepsi on the days I need it)

Ania