I'm not an Alice Cooper fan, but this song was being sung all over today ... including in our vehicle on the way home from school.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
I'm stealing this cartoon from Nathalie's Blog . Every once in a while she posts these Baby Blues cartoons and they always have me in stitches because it's like a snippet of my life. This one I found particularily funny because it is so Spencer.
As a lot of you know, Spencer, my middle son who is 15, is a bright, talented young man. Everything seems so easy for him. He's liked by everyone, he's on the honour roll at school, he's very musical, and he's funny (even when he doesn't mean to be.) With so much ability in one body, he really isn't too bright some days (said in a completely loving way!)
On Sunday he had to dress up for the recital. I pulled a shirt out from the closet and asked him to try in on to make sure it fit. He did. He came downstairs with it on. Here's how the conversation went:
Spencer: Well, I have the shirt on, and it seems to fit.
Me: that's good.
Spencer: ummmmm .... it's weird though. I don't know how these buttons do up. They are doing up on the other side.
Me, after taking one look at him and hearing John roaring from behind him: Umm, Spencer, look down.
Spencer: What?
Me (holding the tag for him to see): You have it on inside out!!!
One thing I must say about Spencer, he can laugh at himself and he got almost as much enjoyment out of that moment as we did. I'm still laughing about it as I type this.
I feel so sorry for his future wife!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
There's just something about Niagara Falls!
So yesterday we went down to Niagara Falls for the night to celebrate Matthew's 18th birthday. (Matt turned 18 today.) We stayed over night at the Sheraton By the Falls. All I can say is WOW! Check out the view from our room!! It was just stunning. I found it hard to drag myself away from the balconey. When we were in the room, that's where I was. It was gorgeous.
On the 7th floor of the hotel was the outdoor pool. The water wasn't that warm, but the boys swam anyway.
For supper we went next door to the Hard Rock Cafe then we went out walking along the Falls and then went back up to the room in time to see the fireworks.
Right across the street from the hotel was this old park that was built in 1935. It's a great spot and I took so many pictures there. I kept dragging everyone out to it just to walk around. In all the times I've been to Niagara Falls I've never seen this park ... infact, I've never experienced Niagara Falls like I did the past couple of days. It really was sad to have to leave.
This morning John, Cameron and Spencer had to leave early (The boys both had to play with their bands in the Oakville Waterfront Festival) and so Matt and I stayed on for the day to play tourist and do whatever he wanted to do.
On the 7th floor of the hotel was the outdoor pool. The water wasn't that warm, but the boys swam anyway.
For supper we went next door to the Hard Rock Cafe then we went out walking along the Falls and then went back up to the room in time to see the fireworks.
Right across the street from the hotel was this old park that was built in 1935. It's a great spot and I took so many pictures there. I kept dragging everyone out to it just to walk around. In all the times I've been to Niagara Falls I've never seen this park ... infact, I've never experienced Niagara Falls like I did the past couple of days. It really was sad to have to leave.
This morning John, Cameron and Spencer had to leave early (The boys both had to play with their bands in the Oakville Waterfront Festival) and so Matt and I stayed on for the day to play tourist and do whatever he wanted to do.
We went to Ripley's Beleive it or not. Then we went on the big Sky Wheel (a huge ferris wheel). I was very surprised that Matt agreed to go on. He's afraid of heights and only a couple of years ago he never would have gone on something like that, but I think it helped that the cars were all enclosed.
After that we hit the War Museum and the battlegrounds of the war of 1812. Matt is a huge history buff. The battle field is now a cemetary where there are some monuments as well as some graves of some of the officers and soldiers. We wandered around the whole cemetary looking for anyone who was part of the war. Matt found the grave site of Laura Secord. (OK, I'm embarrassed to say that I had no idea the role she played during that war, but Matt was happy to fill me in.)
After that we hit the War Museum and the battlegrounds of the war of 1812. Matt is a huge history buff. The battle field is now a cemetary where there are some monuments as well as some graves of some of the officers and soldiers. We wandered around the whole cemetary looking for anyone who was part of the war. Matt found the grave site of Laura Secord. (OK, I'm embarrassed to say that I had no idea the role she played during that war, but Matt was happy to fill me in.)
When we were done there, we drove along the niagara river down to Queenston where we found a monument and burial place of Isaac Brock, who was a general in the war (and was killed during battle.)
It was a great day that we spent together. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I know that Matt did too.
Happy birthday Matt!!!! You make us so proud!
Friday, June 20, 2008
The week that flew by!
I don't know what happened to this week. I was planning on blogging earlier in the week, and the next thing I know, it's Friday already. Wow!
On Sunday, for Father's Day, we went down to see the Blue Jays Game. We wanted to take both sets of parents, but since my Dad was unable to go, it was us and John's parents that went. It was so much fun. I love going to the Jays Game. The boys enjoyed it too. Matt insisted on bringing his DS with him (for when he got bored) but I was very surprised and pleased that it stayed in his pocket the whole time.
After the first couple of innings I could tell by the look on his face that he was quite bothered by something. When I asked him if he was OK, he mouthed to me that the people beside him wouldn't shut up. (as you can imagine for someone with NLD this could be quite irritating.) There was a little girl sitting right beside him and I wondered if that was the problem. I told him to be patient and that we would switch seats half way through the game.
After we switched, and I sat next to them for a little while, I can honestly say that I couldn't blame him (and I'm a fairly tolerant person.) They drove me around the bend too. ...and it wasn't the kids ... it was the father. He was talking loudly the whole time, and never really took a breath. After sitting next to them for the rest of the game I told Matt that I was very proud of the way he handled himself because he sat patiently (being driven insane the whole time) and never said a word to them, and never really complained.
Anyway, the Jays lost, but that didn't really matter because we had a great day together with John's parents. I'm so glad we went.
On a sadder note, I went to pick Cameron up from school on Tuesday. I usually sit and wait as it takes him a while to get himself and his things organized. I was starting to get a little nervous as he was even later than usual. By the time a half hour had passed since the bell rang, I thought I'd better head into the school to see what was up. Just then he came out along with the Vice Principal. The VP told me that Cameron had been beaten up by a bully in his class. The two of them had gotten into an argument and the boy beat him up. He punched him several times in the head, then pulled him to the ground and kicked him in the stomach. According to Cameron, a teacher, and some witnesses, Cameron never put his hands on this other boy. Poor Cameron was still sobbing when he came out. He was upset all evening about it. His VP assured him that this boy (who had taken off already) would not be in class the next day and so he wouldn't have to face him.
I was very happy with the way the situation was handled. The other boy was suspended (at least for two days ... I don't know about today). The next day in school several of his teachers asked him how he was. One of the teachers said he was going to be having a chat with a group of boys about cheering on a fight. His regular teacher told him that they would be keeping a close eye on things. I think Cameron enjoyed the extra attention he was getting from the teachers.
Tomorrow is Matt's 18th birthday. Can you beleive it??? 18! Today we are heading to Niagara Falls to celebrate. We have booked into a hotel that overlooks the falls. We're going to have dinner tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe, swim in the pool, and watch the fireworks from our room.
Tomorrow morning John, Spencer and Cameron will be leaving early (they have a concert at the Oakville Waterfront Festival) and Matt and I are going to stay on for the day and play tourist. He wants to go to Ripley's Beleive it or not, and the Bird Aviary.
...maybe I can convince him to jump across the border to do a little shopping.
On Sunday, for Father's Day, we went down to see the Blue Jays Game. We wanted to take both sets of parents, but since my Dad was unable to go, it was us and John's parents that went. It was so much fun. I love going to the Jays Game. The boys enjoyed it too. Matt insisted on bringing his DS with him (for when he got bored) but I was very surprised and pleased that it stayed in his pocket the whole time.
After the first couple of innings I could tell by the look on his face that he was quite bothered by something. When I asked him if he was OK, he mouthed to me that the people beside him wouldn't shut up. (as you can imagine for someone with NLD this could be quite irritating.) There was a little girl sitting right beside him and I wondered if that was the problem. I told him to be patient and that we would switch seats half way through the game.
After we switched, and I sat next to them for a little while, I can honestly say that I couldn't blame him (and I'm a fairly tolerant person.) They drove me around the bend too. ...and it wasn't the kids ... it was the father. He was talking loudly the whole time, and never really took a breath. After sitting next to them for the rest of the game I told Matt that I was very proud of the way he handled himself because he sat patiently (being driven insane the whole time) and never said a word to them, and never really complained.
Anyway, the Jays lost, but that didn't really matter because we had a great day together with John's parents. I'm so glad we went.
On a sadder note, I went to pick Cameron up from school on Tuesday. I usually sit and wait as it takes him a while to get himself and his things organized. I was starting to get a little nervous as he was even later than usual. By the time a half hour had passed since the bell rang, I thought I'd better head into the school to see what was up. Just then he came out along with the Vice Principal. The VP told me that Cameron had been beaten up by a bully in his class. The two of them had gotten into an argument and the boy beat him up. He punched him several times in the head, then pulled him to the ground and kicked him in the stomach. According to Cameron, a teacher, and some witnesses, Cameron never put his hands on this other boy. Poor Cameron was still sobbing when he came out. He was upset all evening about it. His VP assured him that this boy (who had taken off already) would not be in class the next day and so he wouldn't have to face him.
I was very happy with the way the situation was handled. The other boy was suspended (at least for two days ... I don't know about today). The next day in school several of his teachers asked him how he was. One of the teachers said he was going to be having a chat with a group of boys about cheering on a fight. His regular teacher told him that they would be keeping a close eye on things. I think Cameron enjoyed the extra attention he was getting from the teachers.
Tomorrow is Matt's 18th birthday. Can you beleive it??? 18! Today we are heading to Niagara Falls to celebrate. We have booked into a hotel that overlooks the falls. We're going to have dinner tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe, swim in the pool, and watch the fireworks from our room.
Tomorrow morning John, Spencer and Cameron will be leaving early (they have a concert at the Oakville Waterfront Festival) and Matt and I are going to stay on for the day and play tourist. He wants to go to Ripley's Beleive it or not, and the Bird Aviary.
...maybe I can convince him to jump across the border to do a little shopping.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Saturday + a beautiful sunny day + Grandpa = one happy 11 year-old
What a beautiful day it was today. The weather was great. First thing this morning, Cameron and I dragged John out of bed and to the garden centre where we got everything Cameron needed to make himself a vegetable garden. (he has been asking for this for a couple of years.)
So, 6 bags of soil, a few containers of a variety of vegetable plants, a few things for our own garden, and $80 less in our bank account, we headed back home.
Cameron and I spent the afternoon out in the backyard (after John had helped us dig up the sod) getting his garden ready, weeding other gardens and putting 5 bags of mulch down. Whew! What a lot of work, but it was great to get it done.
Then, Cameron waited very patiently for Grampa to come so that Grampa could help him plant his vegetables. I wonder if Grampa had of known what was in store for him, if he would have stayed home. ...somehow I don't think so. They got it all planted and Cameron was one very happy 11 year-old.
Now we get to look forward to some fresh veggies in a couple of months.
So, 6 bags of soil, a few containers of a variety of vegetable plants, a few things for our own garden, and $80 less in our bank account, we headed back home.
Cameron and I spent the afternoon out in the backyard (after John had helped us dig up the sod) getting his garden ready, weeding other gardens and putting 5 bags of mulch down. Whew! What a lot of work, but it was great to get it done.
Then, Cameron waited very patiently for Grampa to come so that Grampa could help him plant his vegetables. I wonder if Grampa had of known what was in store for him, if he would have stayed home. ...somehow I don't think so. They got it all planted and Cameron was one very happy 11 year-old.
Now we get to look forward to some fresh veggies in a couple of months.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Things that are making me happy right now
1. School is almost over for another year. Matt and Spencer have 5 more days of classes before their exams start.
2. Summer weather is here. I'm so happy to be wearing my summer clothes and pack away all my long sleeves.
3. Scrapbooking. I know, I know. This is a given, but I haven't been getting much done in the last few weeks so when I do pull something out, I'm very happy.
4. Cooking for my guys. I love to cook for my guys. They love to eat whatever I put in front of them and always make me feel like I'm a world class chef and devour every crumb and beg for seconds.
5. Looking forward to going to the Blue Jays game on the weekend.
6. My happy place. (see previous post.)
7. Playing on my new lap top.
8. Matt is ending his school year on a good note. He's been relatively anxiety-free all semester and has continued to do well in social situations. He's made some connections with some of his peers who share a similar interest in history.
Before I go, I will leave you with a couple of more layouts.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
My Happy Place
We went up the the trailer and we were able to stay there for the whole weekend. Spencer had to play with the Divisional Youth Band up there on sunday morning so we had a perfect excuse not to have to go back down into the city for Sunday morning.
John and Matt playing catch: 
With it being so hot, we spent some time on the beach. (Even Matt managed to sit there for a short while.) It was a lot cooler there, then at the trailer. Cameron was the only one who made it into the water and it didn't take him long to start finding the crayfish.
It was really hot and humid all weekend, but I'm so glad to see the arrival of the hot weather that I wasn't going to complain.
On Saturday we had some work to do around the trailer ... mostly yard stuff and laying more sod, but Sunday we were able to relax and just enjoy being up there. As we were out for a walk, I came to the realization that Jackson's Point is truly my Happy Place. I feel so relaxed and content when I'm there. A lot of it has to due with the fact that I spent time up there every summer when I was a child ... either attending camps, or spending time at my parents' trailer. As we walked through the camp with the boys I knew that in a few years they, too, will experience the same nostalgic feelings that I feel now.
This is my Happy Place:
John and Matt playing catch:
With it being so hot, we spent some time on the beach. (Even Matt managed to sit there for a short while.) It was a lot cooler there, then at the trailer. Cameron was the only one who made it into the water and it didn't take him long to start finding the crayfish.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Sharing layouts
I'm loving my new lap top. I'm finding it just so convenient. The only problem is that I'm now on the computer way more than I used to be because now I can take it from room to room with me. When I'm watching TV now, it's on and I surf the net while I watch. I'm really hoping that it will die off a little, and I will unplug a little more.
In the meantime, I've been cleaning up my desktop computer so that I can transfer files. I came upon a ton of layouts that I haven't shared here or put on the slide, so you will have to tolerate my scrapping obsession for a while, while I get things cleaned up.
So, here are four to get you started. LOL!
This is from our scrapping trip to Tennessee last Fall. Beside our cabin was this tree guy.
These pictures are of Cameron at the Ontario Science Centre. I think I posted about it last November. He loved the area where you could rip apart old machinery to make things.
At Grandma's birthday dinner, the boy cousins sat together and chatted for about two hours together. I don't know what they were chatting about, but they were in deep. I love these pics.
This is from Florida this year. We went to St. Andrew's State park to look for Gators. We found one.
We are heading up to the trailer tonight ... late tonight. Spencer has a Jazz Band concert, and John has ball. After that we will leave and hopefully get there around midnight. It's going to be a hot weekend, with some showers. Wish me luck with my lap top up there. I hope we can pick up the wireless connection in our trailer. That would really make it a lot easier this summer while I'm up there to keep in touch.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
In the meantime, I've been cleaning up my desktop computer so that I can transfer files. I came upon a ton of layouts that I haven't shared here or put on the slide, so you will have to tolerate my scrapping obsession for a while, while I get things cleaned up.
So, here are four to get you started. LOL!
This is from our scrapping trip to Tennessee last Fall. Beside our cabin was this tree guy.
These pictures are of Cameron at the Ontario Science Centre. I think I posted about it last November. He loved the area where you could rip apart old machinery to make things.
At Grandma's birthday dinner, the boy cousins sat together and chatted for about two hours together. I don't know what they were chatting about, but they were in deep. I love these pics.
This is from Florida this year. We went to St. Andrew's State park to look for Gators. We found one.
We are heading up to the trailer tonight ... late tonight. Spencer has a Jazz Band concert, and John has ball. After that we will leave and hopefully get there around midnight. It's going to be a hot weekend, with some showers. Wish me luck with my lap top up there. I hope we can pick up the wireless connection in our trailer. That would really make it a lot easier this summer while I'm up there to keep in touch.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Things I miss
1. I miss my sister who moved out to Calgary almost three years ago. I really miss having her around. Even though I get to see her at least a couple of times a year, I miss having her close. We were never living out of each other's pockets, but she has always been there for me at a moment's notice (as all my family are.)
2. I miss my oldest brother and his family, who moved away from this area many years ago. It's been a long time since we've lived close enough to share in each other's lives on a regular basis, but I still miss those times. I have really missed seeing my nephews grow up and getting to know them as they have developed into fine young men.
3. I miss my brother Stephen and his wife and kids. They moved out to Calgary around the same time that my sister did. I miss the friendship that the two families have shared and the vacations that we shared together. I miss the chats that Gayle and I have had as we raised our kids who were around the same age. I think it's time for another trip out west.
4. I miss the big family get togethers that we always had every Thanksgiving and Christmas. There were always so many people that the tables would spill out into the kitchen, and we were sitting on top of each other.
5. I miss having babies and toddlers running around here. I miss the days when the boys were small enough to climb up on my lap and read a book, or just cuddle.
6. I miss my friend, Barb. We met when we moved to Barbados. We instantly developed a close friendship and were each other's support sytem and confidants. We did everything together, and talked every dayThe two families spent holidays and weekends together. Since moving back to Canada (they're in Ottawa) we don't get to see each other very often, but when we do, time has changed nothing.
7. I miss having a close friend like Barb. I have some great friends, and we always have a great time together, but I miss having that close, sister-like friendship. Friendships like that are once-in-a-lifetime.
8. I miss having the body, and energy, of a young, 20 something.
9. Sometimes, just sometimes, I miss working. I worked with people who were developmentally handicapped ... and I miss that.
10. I miss the carefree, worry free days before children. I know those still in the child-rearing days will understand this. I love having my boys and certainly wouldn't change it, but I don't like the worry and anxiety that goes along with it - those sleepless nights, and tension headaches.
2. I miss my oldest brother and his family, who moved away from this area many years ago. It's been a long time since we've lived close enough to share in each other's lives on a regular basis, but I still miss those times. I have really missed seeing my nephews grow up and getting to know them as they have developed into fine young men.
3. I miss my brother Stephen and his wife and kids. They moved out to Calgary around the same time that my sister did. I miss the friendship that the two families have shared and the vacations that we shared together. I miss the chats that Gayle and I have had as we raised our kids who were around the same age. I think it's time for another trip out west.
4. I miss the big family get togethers that we always had every Thanksgiving and Christmas. There were always so many people that the tables would spill out into the kitchen, and we were sitting on top of each other.
5. I miss having babies and toddlers running around here. I miss the days when the boys were small enough to climb up on my lap and read a book, or just cuddle.
6. I miss my friend, Barb. We met when we moved to Barbados. We instantly developed a close friendship and were each other's support sytem and confidants. We did everything together, and talked every dayThe two families spent holidays and weekends together. Since moving back to Canada (they're in Ottawa) we don't get to see each other very often, but when we do, time has changed nothing.
7. I miss having a close friend like Barb. I have some great friends, and we always have a great time together, but I miss having that close, sister-like friendship. Friendships like that are once-in-a-lifetime.
8. I miss having the body, and energy, of a young, 20 something.
9. Sometimes, just sometimes, I miss working. I worked with people who were developmentally handicapped ... and I miss that.
10. I miss the carefree, worry free days before children. I know those still in the child-rearing days will understand this. I love having my boys and certainly wouldn't change it, but I don't like the worry and anxiety that goes along with it - those sleepless nights, and tension headaches.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
I'm exhausted!
Have you ever had one of those nights where you just lay away while your brain just takes over and is flooded with tonnes of thoughts and images? Last night was one of those nights for me. I fell asleep fine, but woke up, for some reason, at 1 a.m. and then just layed there for about two hours while things from the past just came flooding back. I felt like I was sitting in a movie theatre just watching everything unfold over and over again, in fast forward.
While I'm exhausted this morning from a lack of sleep, I was marvelling at just how far we have come.
I stumbled across a blog the other day (this could be why the sleepless night last night). It is written by a 22 year old woman out in Alberta who has Nonverbal Learning Disorder and Asperger's Syndrome. Over the past two days I have read through her entire blog, facinated and inspired by her drive and determination to make it in this world, and to make a mark. She may not every know it, but she had certainly made an impact on me, and encouraged me as we look forward to life with an adult child who has NLD. If you want to take a peak, here's a link: http://zeppyoscarandcompany.blogspot.com/ I know you will be inspired like I was.
On the scrapping front I haven't been very successful in the last couple of weeks (since our time at the trailer). My printer decided to have a temper tantrum and wasn't playing nice with my computer. I finally got that fixed last night and so I will be able to get some layouts done again (well, at least I don't have a good excuse not to.)
I still have a back log of layouts that I haven't posted here. Here are three of them.
I love these pictures that my dad took one Sunday morning (either before or after Church). It was in 1963. ... I'm the youngest.
I've been inspired by Barb's abilitity to work on pictures from her past, and her childhood, and to create a "book of me". I've decided that I really need to make this a priority for me. I'm loving working on these pictures.
Monday, June 02, 2008
I love family reunions!
On Saturday we went to a family reunion for the my Dad's side of the family. We were pretty close with this side of the family growing up and spent a lot of time with each other so as adults it's always so much fun to get together and get reaquainted. All the cousins are now grown with families of our own and now the cousins children are all growing up and having there own families. What a legacy for my grandparents. I'm sure they would have been so proud to have been there on Saturday and see their future generations.
I couldn't resist taking pictures of Matt with his little cousin. He was playing his video game, and she wanted to watch him. He was so wonderful with her. He picked her up and put her on the chair with him to watch and they were chatting away to each other. It was really so sweet.
Every Christmas when we were young, all the girl cousins were told to sit together so the parents could take pictures of us. (we don't know why they only did it with the girls.) So, of course, we had to do the same thing again.
These are the three families.
Aunt Eva and her family members that were there:
Uncle Ron and his family (most of them were there)
My Family (everyone except for David and his family, Stephen and his family, and my niece and her husband were there.)
I had to laugh. My nephew just graduated from Military training and so he was sharing all his experiences with the boys. My boys were glued to him asking him all kinds of questions. After that he brought out a video of some of his training and all of a sudden it wasn't just my boys who were glued.
I couldn't resist taking pictures of Matt with his little cousin. He was playing his video game, and she wanted to watch him. He was so wonderful with her. He picked her up and put her on the chair with him to watch and they were chatting away to each other. It was really so sweet.
Every Christmas when we were young, all the girl cousins were told to sit together so the parents could take pictures of us. (we don't know why they only did it with the girls.) So, of course, we had to do the same thing again.
These are the three families.
Aunt Eva and her family members that were there:
Uncle Ron and his family (most of them were there)
My Family (everyone except for David and his family, Stephen and his family, and my niece and her husband were there.)
I had to laugh. My nephew just graduated from Military training and so he was sharing all his experiences with the boys. My boys were glued to him asking him all kinds of questions. After that he brought out a video of some of his training and all of a sudden it wasn't just my boys who were glued.
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