The Joys of Home Ownership

Last week we received some much needed rain.  In the past when we've had a heavy rainfall we've gotten a little water in our basement.  So last week I thought I had better check.  Sure enough the carpet in the one corner of the family room was wet.  After some investigating we discovered this ...

  

A crack in the foundation from the top to the bottom of the wall.  The insulation was completely soaked.

Has anyone had this problem?  Can it be repaired from the inside of the house? or are we going to have to excavate and fix the outside of the wall?  AARRGH!!

Cutting the Apron Strings

Earlier this week I had a parent call needing to move her kids piano and guitar lessons to another day this week if possible.  Without thinking I said "sure - how about Friday from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.  After getting off the phone I realized that I pick up the boys at the bus stop at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays.  So I talked to the boys about it and they thought they were ready to start walking home from the bus stop.

So we practiced Wednesday and Thursday.  I drove to the bus stop and then followed them home.  Seeing how they watched when they crossed the street and if they knew which way to go.  There are also 2 brothers a few doors down from us who walk home (one is in Grade 4) so the boys walked with them.

Today was the day!  The first time they walked home alone.  I was a little nervous but knew they were prepared and would be fine.  Sure enough right on time they rounded the corner coming up the street to our house.

My big boys being so grown up and responsible, taking their first small steps toward independence.  I know they are ready - I'm just not sure I am!!

Wish I Could Rewind

What I did today ...

I watched a friend's little boys for a few hours.  I can't even tell you how much I miss my boys being this little.  I love the age they are now too - but why do they have to grow up so fast?

Day Off

I had a fabulous day with my little family today.  To start the day off great I slept until I was done sleeping and then we decided to go out for breakfast.  We headed to Cora's!  Our food was so yummy.  Jason and I both had the eggs benedict, Bowen had scrambled eggs, sausages, potatoes and toast, and Ashton had a crepe filled with bananas and nutella.  Of course our plates were topped off with lots of delicious fruit.

After breakfast we ran next door to Canadian Tire.  The boys have both grown out of their bike helmets so it was time for new ones.  They both bought ones meant for 14+ years.  What's with the huge heads.

Ashton has also been playing baseball with some buddies at school at lunch time and has been wanting to get a ball glove.  Luckily they were having a sale today so both boys and Jason were able to purchase new baseball gloves as well as a t-ball bat and ball.

After our shopping we decided to check out a movie.  We went to the cheap theatre and saw "Jack the Giant Slayer".  It was a fun movie, we all enjoyed it.

Then it was time to head home.  The boys spent a couple of hours in the backyard playing with their new ball and gloves.  I taught a couple of students.  Jason barbecued some burgers and now it's time for FHE.  We probably should have done yard work today but it was fun to hang out together and have a lazy day.  I love my family!

CPO

Last night Jason and I had a fabulous date night.  First we went out for dinner.  We met up with my cousin Sheri and friends Ingrid and Jill at a Thai restaurant downtown.  I'd never been before, but would definitely go again.  The food was very tasty and the restaurant was small and quirky.

After dinner we all headed to the Jack Singer to hear the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.

The concert was a special one.  Over 250 singers and musicians performed Howard Shore's score from Lord of the Rings while the movie was shown on a huge screen.  So much fun and the music was fantastic.

I love living in a city that offers so many diverse cultural events and I only wish I could afford to attend more of them.

Driver's Ed

I never took driver's education, but apparently parking is not covered in the curriculum.

Peach Crumble Muffins

Last week was Teacher Appreciation week at my boys school.  I volunteered to supply muffins for the teachers.  I thought I would like to try out a new recipe so I headed to pinterest.  I found a recipe for Peach Crumble muffins, I bought all the ingredients but then as I looked closer at the recipe I wasn't overly impressed and didn't want to make them.  Unfortunately I had already told the organizer what I was bringing so I was stuck.  So I headed back online and googled for a Peach Crumble muffin recipe and this one popped up.  This recipe is so delicious!  I made my muffins with canned peaches, but can't wait to try it with fresh peaches this summer.  If you enjoy muffins be sure to try out this recipe!

Peach Crumble Muffins

makes 24 muffins

For the Topping:

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup sliced almonds (I left out as our school is nut free)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

4 tbsp cold butter

For the Muffins:

3 1/2 cups flour

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

1 tbsp vanilla

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

2 cups peaches, cut in 1/4 inch chunks

Instructions:

To make the topping:

1. In a medium bowl, toss together brown sugar, flour, oats, almonds, cinnamon, and salt.

2. Using a fork, work the butter into the oat mixture until its crumbly.  Set aside.

To make muffins:

1. Preheat oven to 400 F and place the oven racks.  Line 24 muffin tins with paper liners.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. Using an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugar and vanilla.  Beat until mixture is creamy and light in colour, about 2 -3 minutes.  Add eggs one at a time and continue to beat until well combined.  Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.

4. Put machine back on low speed and alternate adding the milk and flour mixture.  Mix until just combined.

5. Fold in peaches by hand.  Spoon about 1/3 cup of mixture into each of the prepared muffin cups.

6. Sprinkle the prepared crumble mixture over the muffin batter.

7. Bake for 15 - 18 minutes.

Cool on wire rack before serving.

Enjoy!!

Off the Hook

Ashton's last couple of haircuts have been done by a "real" barber.  He enjoys going with his Dad and has been telling Bowen about it.   So now Bowen has decided that he is ready to start going to him for haircuts as well.  Grandma has had the unfortunate opportunity of cutting Bowen's hair until now.  He's usually quite a pill about it.  Says it hurts, doesn't like to sit that long, never likes the cut right away and usually runs and hides.

So when he decided he was going to go with Dad I gave him a little lecture about how he had to sit still for the barber and he couldn't throw a big fit about the haircut at the barbershop.  I decided it would be best if I stayed home and sent the boys on their way.

Luckily, Bowen was very happy with the cut.  I think it looks good on him as well, although I wouldn't have shaved the sides quite so short, I think we'll ask him to blend it in next time.

Thanks Grandma for your many years of fabulous service - but you are finally, officially off the hook!

Mother's Day 2013

I had a quiet and lovely Mother's Day this year.  It started with the boys surprising me with breakfast in bed. I can't believe I'm putting this picture on here - but the boys look soooo cute!  Just focus on them!

Then some great presents from my boys.  Bowen had made me a cute card and a little box of chocolates at school, Ashton made me a terrific card out of a large envelope and a little cork board.

But my favorite present were pictures of the boys.  They were made with a program online that does word art.  Jason had the boys write down words that describe me and then they put them in this program along with their pictures and it came up with these great art pieces.

It is hard to see them in a photograph but you'll have to check them out next time you visit - I love them!!
Jason bought me a steam mop - I'm excited to try it out today on my kitchen floor.

After a relaxing morning it was time for church.  The primary children sang great for their mothers.  Then in primary we had the kids make a little present to take home to their moms.  It was a wooden spoon with 4 hershey kisses wrapped up with a ribbon and a little poem that read "A spoonful of love and a couple of wishes, Please enjoy your Mother's Day Kisses!"

After church Jason and the boys made us a delicious dinner of barbecued steaks, roasted mini potatoes and caesar salad with rootbeer floats for dessert.  Then we watched a movie as a family - my pick of course!  We watched "Yours, Mine, and Ours" the old one with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda.  I love that movie.  The boys enjoyed it and Ashton even asked me to pause it when he had to run to the washroom.

It was a great Mother's Day!  I love being a mom and am so grateful for my precious boys!!

2013 Kub Kar Rally

Ashton has been a cub for over a year now.  Last year when he joined, the cubs had just had their cub car rally so Ashton has been patiently waiting for his turn to participate in a rally.  He was excited when it was announced a few weeks ago that their troop would be having their rally soon.  The cub leaders supplied the car kit and Ashton and his dad got to work.

First was deciding on a design.

Then adding wood to the original block of wood and then drawing out the design.

Then it was time to cut it out.

Then it's time for a lot of sanding.

Time for the paint.  First a coat of primer and then the finishing colour.

So much hard work and then off to the rally.

After a few heats, the semi finals and finals - Ashton tied for third overall.

and ... won best car design!

Congratulations Ashton!!  

Bowen will be in cubs next year too.  Both the boys are already excited about next year and are thinking about their cub car designs.  I think we'll need to start preparing earlier to get both boys ready in time.

Country Mouse, City Mouse

I grew up on a farm about an hour and a half from Calgary.  I liked living on a farm.  I liked the quiet, not having neighbours too close, lots of room to play, and my dad was home a lot compared to other dads.  However, I don't think I was ever a farm girl.  My family always said I was a city girl who lived on a farm.  Probably true.

Mom still lives on the farm as well as my brother Jared and his family, and my brother Dave and his family also plan to build a house on the farm.  I'm so happy they are still there so that my boys have some exposure to something other than city living.

When we were out at the farm on Saturday Uncle Jared came and got the boys and invited them to help him feed a new little calf who hadn't figured out how to eat from his momma yet.

I think it is great that they can experience a bit of both worlds!!

Well Earned

At school this year Ashton has been having weekly spelling tests.  When he first learned he'd be taking these tests he was pretty nervous about it.  Spelling is not something that comes easily to Ashton - he's more of a science and math boy.  So when the first list and weekly homework came home I really wanted him to have a successful first test - so we studied.  I tested Ashton at least once a day sometimes twice to drill those 15 words into his little head.  That first week he came home with a mark of 14 out of 15.  His only mistake was writing a p backwards.

The second week we did the same thing - going over the words over and over, this time he came home with 100%.  But it was alot of work for him.  To encourage him Jason told him if he maintained a 90% average throughout the year that he would give him $50.00.  Well that was the only motivation Ashton needed.

This past Friday was Ashton's final spelling test for the year.  Out of 24 tests he got 100% every week, except for that very first week with the backwards p.  We were so proud of him and the efforts he made this year.  True to his word Jason gave Ashton a $50.00 bill on Friday.

Ashton knew exactly what he wanted to buy with his money so we headed to the store.

He got to try it out on Saturday out at the farm.

He let his brother try it out.

He's one happy boy!!

Love Yesterday, and Every Day!

On Saturday our family took a little road trip to Champion to visit our Kenny's grave. Since it has been 5 years I wanted to mark the anniversary with something special.  We stopped and picked up Grandma and headed to the cemetery.  We had brought some beautiful white flowers.

Each of us had written a little note to Kenny and we read them aloud to each other.  My sweet boys have such tender little hearts and many tears were shed.  Then we tied our notes to balloons and sent them off.

It was an absolutely beautiful day!  It was just how I envisioned it.  We were amazed how high the balloons went and for how long we were able to see them.  It is important to me, I think to all of our family that we continue to acknowledge that Kenny is a part of our family and how much we miss him.  When I gave Ashton his paper to write a note to his baby brother - he just simply wrote "I love you".  That's all he needed to say.  As hard as it is to not have Kenny with us in our home - I do know that I will see him again, and that is such a comfort.

We love you Kenny - I hope you felt of our love yesterday, and every day!