Father's Day

Only what, 5 days late? What can I say... it's been one crazy week.

So last Sunday.... we went to the Airshow!!! In Hamilton!!! Where my first ever flight lesson took place!!

I know, that's a whole lot of exclamation points... AVGAS does that to me!!!

AND as a special bonus treat, got to hang out with some friends we had not seen in a long time. So yes, my boys......great friends... sunshine... airplanes... all things that make me very happy : )

Oh yes, and Karl enjoyed his day too!

xo,
M

Family Photo - Take One

Every year when we throw our neighbourhood party (I can say that now, since we have done it twice), I plan an "activity" for everyone to do. Last year we played a people Bingo, which was a riot (and I recycled the idea for a baby shower, too). If I figure out how to do it, I will post my Bingo cards so that you can download them and perhaps use them for your own event. They are awesome for getting a whole bunch of people who do not know each other very well talking. And laughing.

This year, we set up a photo booth. Complete with FREE DIY props you can download for free over here.

I thought everyone was a dork like me and would totally love it, but in fact, only a few families took advantage. Secretly, I was also hoping someone would snap a few pictures of the three of us. (Since it is one of my thirty things on the list. Which, incidentally, I really need to update!) Unfortunately, things were just too busy and too much fun and we never got around to it.

I am not one to despair, however. Nor am I one to let a perfectly good set up go to waste... and so after a quick re-grouping ("re-grouping"... that sounds much better then after "I totally flipped out for no reason at all", no?), we set up the camera to take a picture every 5 seconds, sat it on a tripod, and....

Before we could even get started....

 

  

Family portraits? 

I think NOT. I do however think they are quite hilarious. Hope you enjoyed them :)

And why is my child not wearing any pants? Good Question!

xo, 

M

We're Having a Party...

Actually....we HAD a party. But for some reason that song is stuck in my head... (that...and I could not come up with a better title for this post)

For the second year now, Karl and I (with lots of help from another family on the block) hosted a "street party" in our back yard.

Great fun!

And now I am tired....

Hope everyone is having a great weekend : )

xo,
M

Dreaming of...

Holy jeeebus what a day!

I am soooo making these when I get home tonight!

Using this recipe:

Ingredients

• 4 cups diced rhubarb
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 4 cups ice
• 2/3 cup tequila

Directions

1. Place the rhubarb into a saucepan, and pour in the water. Cover, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue simmering until the rhubarb breaks down and releases its juices, about 15 minutes. Strain the juice, and press the pulp to squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Discard the pulp, and stir the sugar into the hot juice. Refrigerate the syrup until very cold, at least 2 hours.
2. To prepare the margaritas, place the ice into a blender, then pour in the tequila and rhubarb syrup. Blend until smooth, or until pureed to your desired consistency. Pour into chilled margarita glasses to serve.

xo,
M

The Grand Porch Party

On Sunday, Uptown Waterloo hosted it's (first annual... maybe? Please? Pretty please!)

Grand Porch Party
 
- it was FANTASTIC!

The whole affair was put on by lovely Tenille of the Alternatives Journal with the help of Swim Drink Fish Music Club and The Princess Cafe (I strongly encourage you to check out all three links!) to help launch the latest MUSIC + ENVIRONMENT issue of the journal and to bring awareness to some of the issues presently concerning the Grand River watershed.

I loved seeing all the "fish" and "water facts" scribbled on sidewalks, although for whatever reason (oh yeah, that boisterous two year old whose nap was rudely interrupted by his mother so that we could make it out to this wonderful event) we forgot to take pictures of those.

The other, more subtle thing I absolutely loved about the event was just how much the neigbourhood "got it". There must have been thousands of people wondering all around, and when it was over - no garbage! Even the enterprising kids who set up lemonade stands offered it cups they had pulled out of their mother's cupboards and washed (instead of discarded) after each use. I swear to you, as we walked home, I did not see a single water bottle or candy wrapper discarded anywhere. And for that, I tip my hat to all who attended. 

Did I mention to great music, bumping into our neighbours (we unfortunately do not live in this neigbourhood) and friends, chatting with perfect strangers.... ?


I really could not imagine a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

This band, the Pat Skinner Band said they had not played together for over 5 years prior to this event. I hope the streak has been broken and that they play together again real soon because I would definitely come out to see them!



Our little drummer boy



Free watermelon! Bunnies!!! Hudson was besides himself : )

The streets were not officially closed, but they might as well have been. People crowded not only front lawns and sidewalks, crows spilled out onto the streets and no one seemed to mind. The only way you were getting around Uptown was on foot or bike. (Wouldn't it be nice if that was the case more often?)

These guys had me tapping my toes : )

After a brief demonstration, Hudson got the hang of it!

This band was Hudson's favourite.

I don't know what it is, but something about the violin and the guitar together - I love it!

Not the greatest photo - but the band was awesome. Lots of foot stomping happening on this porch :-)

I sincerely hope this becomes an annual event. I could not think of a better way to showcase local talent, build a sense of community and bring awareness to important issues.

xo,
M

The Writing on the...Sidewalk

"Look what I did last night" I chirped at Karl as we were getting ready for breakfast on Thursday. I opened the curtains in the living room and pointed outside.

His left eyebrow went up, slightly.

"I think someone is going to see it, and it will totally make their day. I know that if I saw that, I would instantly smile and walk a little taller"

"No, I think it's great" My husband re-assured me. I could almost see one of those thought bubbles pop up over his head.

My wife is craaaaazy!

You see, while Hudson was sleeping and Karl was at a neighbour's house watching the Bruins destroy the Canucks on Wednesday night, I waited until it got dark, then grabbed some chalk and "decorated" the sidewalk in from of our home...

Alright, fine... and artist I am not.....

Sure enough, when we got home last night, one of the neighbours came over to say hello. As he was walking up towards the house, I could see that he had a spring in his step and was trying, unsuccessfully, to conceal a smile.

"Did you guys to this?"

He did not even give me a chance to respond.

"Cause I have to tell you, it totally made my day. I was walking to work and I saw it, and then I was like... Yeah... This shirt does look really good one me"

I jumped up and down and squealed like a little girl.

"It worked, it totally worked"

Karl glanced over and gave me a huge smile.

And you know what... it totally made my day, too.

xo,
M

Dreaming of...

Time.

Free time.

To read books.

Because "Missing Mom" has been on my nighstand for far too long, and I am only abou 120 pages in. Sigh.

And if I were done reading everything on my list (ba ha ha) - I would use the remainder of my free time to practice making these.

via here.

How out of this world awesome are these!

What are you dreaming of today?

xo,
M

Style Inspiration

On Monday afternoon, Hudson's daycare teacher stopped me in the door on our way out.

She wanted me to know that the chickenpox have made an appearance at their facility, and that the "carrier" happens to be a child Hudson plays with often. (I will keep you posted on this one)

She also wanted to ask what the nail polish my son wears is, because one of the other teachers really liked it. I was not sure, so I came home and checked.

It's China Glaze. The colour is "Ingrid"

Also, in case you are wondering the flowers my son wears in his hair are H&M. (yes, flowerS, there are two little ones in the back - sorry, no photo. But, if you look closely you can see "Ingrid" on his fingernails.

.....his hoodie is "Joe Fresh". The short are "Vintage". Hudson's diaper is by "Kirkland".....

Kids.... (sigh)..... :)

xo,
M

It's a PARTY!

Saw this on a lamp post outside Hudson's daycare today.

and so I looked it up...

grandporchparty.wordpress.com

What a neat idea.

We are so going! If you are in town, you should join us!

xo,
M

Picnic in the Park

Q: How do you make a 2.5 year old really really happy?

A: Pack up some PB&J sandwiches and head over to the park for a picnic. Make sure you visit the ducks. And the cho-choooo.

the "cast"

A kiss for the "cook"

watching the birdies

 

 

 

 

my <3

cho choo

 

 

time to head home

What a great afternoon : )

xo,
M

Dreaming of...

1. A time machine

2. A bank account kind of like mine, but with a few extra "0" tagged on at the end

3. A no filter, quirky sense of humour

Because then I might just be 22, have loads of designer duds and would pen a fashion blog similar to the completely hilarious one called

"The Man Repeller"

???

man·re·pell·er¹  [mahn-ree-peller]

–noun

outfitting oneself in a sartorially offensive way that will result in repelling members of the opposite sex. Such garments include but are not limited to harem pants, boyfriend jeans, overalls (see: human repelling), shoulder pads, full length jumpsuits, jewelry that resembles violent weaponry and clogs.

–verb (used without object),-pell·ing, -pell·ed.

to commit the act of repelling men:

Girl 1: What are you wearing to the party?

Girl 2: My sweet lime green drop crotch utility pants!

Girl 1: Oh, so we're man repelling tonight?

*DISCLAIMER: the above conversation is not a dramatization, took place in this room 5 minutes ago.

Origin: 2009-10; < repellius (ptp. of repellia to eliminate male attention), equiv. to L repel- (s. of repellix) unattractive, celibate, paris fashion week, M.C. Hammer + -repel -ler¹

—Related forms

man·re·pell·ant, noun

Yes, I stole the above excerpt from here.

Some of my favourite "man repelling" looks you ask??




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 <3 via  here

 

I LOVE the look of the layers here. And the plaid with the floral - be still my fashion conscious heart.
I could never pull that off, but if you want to see the layering process, go here. I would stop at that first image. After that, Hudson would be climbing out of the window or jumping off his dresser (ya, he's done both) and dress up time would be over.

Hey, I found something this chickie and I have in common. Awful Posture! See - I am one step closer to being a fashionista!
Oh but I do like the outfit.



Me Likey. This is from a line called OAK which I have never heard of before today. I am glad we were finally introduced.



In.a.heart.beat.

Wheeeew.

That was fun. Now back to reality....

Happy Wednesday!

xo,

M

P.S. As a side note, I happen to own and LOVE a pair of harem pants like the black ones above. And I sport them from time to time when we wonder around our smallish town, and my husband walks proudly on the other side of the street besides me.

We did once see another woman in a similarly fashionable get up walking down King street. She was carrying a blank canvas, and Karl was like - "yes, but she is obviously an artist". That's the closest my husband has ever come to commenting on my wardrobe choices. The man is a gem!