Yesterday, I finally got all my ducks in a row, and bullied no, coerced managed to get the Hubby [...]]]> Knarf is always going on about how great the hiking is along the trails he and Zack frequent. I’ve tried to make time to go with him, but it has just never panned out for whatever reason.

Yesterday, I finally got all my ducks in a row, and bullied no, coerced managed to get the Hubby to agree to go with me. So we packed the dog and Wee One up and off we went. Umm… I might have forgotten that Hubby broke his toe the other day. What a trooper!

Ok, Knarf was right – it was a gorgeous forest. Only… we managed to get lost within the first 20 minutes in the bush. We were trying to find the water falls that were in the middle of this forest, but we took the wrong trail. And then we took another wrong trail. And BOY was it muddy in some areas! We climbed over fallen trees and huge boulders to get around the biggest mud pits, but Sadie plowed right through, adding about 15lbs of mud to her coat in the process. Fortunately there were creeks to cross, and most of it was washed away…

All around us, the most delicate wildflowers were growing in abundance – how amazing that something that small and delicate could thrive in a dense forest, and push its way through inches of decaying leaves!

No matter though, we had a great time and managed to find our way back to where we were parked without too much trouble. Never did get to the falls, but I think we were on the right trail towards the end of our trek when Wee One started to complain that her legs were sooooo tiiiiired!

So we turned back. Next time we’ll have a better idea of where we’re going!

Sadie sure is getting old – she did really well, but I knew she’d pay for it later, and this morning I had to help her get her back end off the floor so she could use the potty (ok, the grass in the back yard).

I think the four of us from Main Street are going to hit the trails this coming week, with a kid or two in tow. What a hoot that will be!

What a beautiful weekend! The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and all is right with the world.

Wee One was tickled to be outside with just a light jacket, and able to swing in the sunshine. (We’re also tickled that her two bottom teeth are finally coming in!)

Please, Mother Nature… let it stay! [...]]]>

What a beautiful weekend! The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and all is right with the world.

Wee One was tickled to be outside with just a light jacket, and able to swing in the sunshine. (We’re also tickled that her two bottom teeth are finally coming in!)

Please, Mother Nature… let it stay! We’ve all had enough of winter.

And remember when I told you the same thing a couple days later, and I was still pretty nice, but getting that expression [...]]]> Remember when, a few days ago, I told you to clean up your toys? I was pretty nice about it, right? Even though the piles/unholy amount of brightly coloured plastic was beyond ridiculous?

And remember when I told you the same thing a couple days later, and I was still pretty nice, but getting that expression on my face that sometimes makes you and your dad apologize without quite knowing why?

So last night, you should have known I meant business when I said that I would throw away every single toy that was left on the floor if it wasn’t cleaned up by today… right?

Can you explain to me then, why you went into hysterics when I quietly started placing said toys into the garbage bag this evening? Did you really think it was a good idea to ignore Mommy all that time, and keep dumping out those itty bitty Polly Pocket outfits, shoes, and other assorted plastic junk all over the floor?

I know that’s a lot of questions, Sweet Pea, but I’m really just trying to understand what your thought process is. You know Mommy always does what she says she’s going to do, so it couldn’t have been a real surprise for you.

I know that room is generally considered your toy box, but before you came along… it used to be our family room. I’d kinda like it back, if you don’t mind. Even, in fact, if you do. You’re welcome to stay, naturally, but your toys have to find another place to live. Your bedroom is pretty big, so let’s start there, shall we?

You know what I found particularly interesting, during your sob-fest, Baby Girl? I found it extremely enlightening that you were only upset that I put your stuffed dog in the bag, and didn’t seem to care about all the dolls, doll clothes, Polly Pocket stuff, Littlest Pet Shop animals, Barbies, or anything else for that matter.

I think maybe I have a kid with too many toys. I think maybe… just maybe, mind you, you might be a teensy bit spoiled. For that I fear I must take full responsibility.

I see a big toy clean out in our future.

It can get a bit tedious (for you as well as me) to explain relationships every time I mention someone, so to that end, [...]]]> I’ve been asked a lot recently about who the folks I talk about on my blog actually are. I’m sure some of you wonder what the heck I’m up to sometimes, too.

It can get a bit tedious (for you as well as me) to explain relationships every time I mention someone, so to that end, I wrote up a “cast list” for the people in my life that I blog the most about. You can find it here: http://youknowthatblog.com/the-players or you can look up ^ at the top of the page and see it in the text links there.

Essentially, I love everyone I write about on a regular basis. Of course, there are many different kinds of love, and that too is covered in the cast list!

Do you have a cast list on your blog? I certainly appreciate it when I can put a “character” to a name, and know what you’re talking about!

Wee One and I arrived at ShaMoo’s for babysitting duty in the early AM, because her youngest son was due at Toronto’s Sick Kids hospital for a serious procedure that morning, and I offered to stay with Princess Little Bit. I won’t go in to the whole thing – [...]]]> Yesterday was a long, long day.

Wee One and I arrived at ShaMoo’s for babysitting duty in the early AM, because her youngest son was due at Toronto’s Sick Kids hospital for a serious procedure that morning, and I offered to stay with Princess Little Bit. I won’t go in to the whole thing – in fact, ShaMoo is due for a Guest Blogger spot soon, and maybe this could be her topic. I’ll ask.

Emotions were high, but ShaMoo was holding it together. I am very proud of my friend.

Frank #2 (of Frank and Frank fame, explained here) is such a trooper. This kid has been through so much already at 4 years old (this was the 3rd time he’s undergone this procedure) and it just doesn’t phase him. He’s an old soul, and a very brave little man.

I have to tell you that I was a little nervous about spending an entire day with Little Bit (Frank #1 was at a buddy’s house). In earlier days, it was next to impossible to even hold her without her having a melt down and looking for her mom. I knew she had outgrown this to some extent since she started toddling, but… for a whole day? Was I insane?? But this is what you do for a friend, right? Absolutely. ShaMoo is the best. So I didn’t think twice, and used my Wee One as a human shield. (hey, nobody’s perfect, ok??)

Honestly? It was great. I shouldn’t have been worried. Little Bit was a dream, and she and Wee One had a ball and enjoyed playing together. It’s not often that Wee One gets to be the “big kid”, and she thought that was pretty darn cool.

I spoke to ShaMoo just after they’d taken Frank #2 into the O.R., and she was holding up ok. They had him booked in for a 4 hour window. So when, after 5 hours, I didn’t hear anything… I have to tell you I was pretty freaked out. I ended up calling her cell a half hour later, and they had JUST taken him into recovery. They weren’t advised why they hadn’t heard anything either, and were just about hysterical. I can imagine! Poor little goomer. He was fine though – came through it like a champ! He’ll be home today.

LMLP and I were in constant contact during the day as I kept him updated. I was able to get online only for a couple of minutes, and updated Knarf too. These two sweethearts were as worried about Frank #2 and ShaMoo as I was, and I was under strict orders to give ShaMoo a hug from each of us on her return home, which I did, happily. She was exhausted, and fighting a migraine, but so happy and relieved things had gone well.

I had sent Wee One home with my folks earlier, so when ShaMoo got home I made a beeline for our rehearsal location. I was happy to be able to get in a few tunes with the boys before they decided they had had enough for the night – they’d been there for a couple hours already. Again, sweet of them to wait for me so I could sing for a bit. Our boys took me out for beer and nachos and then we headed home. Well, they had the beer, and I had the Sprite/Cranberry, because, well, beer is vile, and I was too tired to consider my usual Smirnoff’s Twisted Raspberry. It’s funny – we’re there so much now that the bar gal knows our preferences. And we get a kick out of seeing how much cleavage she shows by the end of the evening. LMLP swears he doesn’t notice, but we all know he’s lying, don’t we? Knarf is more honest about it ;) They both agree that she’s only trying to make a living. *cue eye rolling* We should probably ask her name one of these days, because currently she’s only referred to as “cleavage”. Probably a little disrespectful of us.

So guess what I found when I got home, late last night?

We broke a record yesterday for the amount of people participating in Silly Haiku Wednesday!

Colour me excited, folks. I’m grinning ear to ear! We have such a great group of dedicated Haiku-ers, and they’re bringing friends! Rock my world.

I’m a happy girl, for many many reasons.

But at home where it’s safe… my quiet child becomes a ROCK STAR!

A couple [...]]]> Wee One is my quiet, introspective child. Truth be told, she has a shyness issue, and new people and situations scare the bejeebers out of her. We’re working on it, and she has come a long way since last year.

But at home where it’s safe… my quiet child becomes a ROCK STAR!

A couple days ago she decided she was going to sing a song for me – this actually happens all the time – and I thought I’d try to write it down for you;

UNO DOS TRES! (because what Canadian child doesn’t speak Spanish at home?)

Crocodiles are inappropriate (“inappropriate” was actually enunciated, screamo-style)
and Boo is good to touch (Boo is our kitty)

Crocodiles eat people
and they eat feet tooooooo

DING dong DING doooooonnnnggggg!!!!

I don’t get it either, but it sure was a hoot to watch ;)

p.s. I take no responsibility for her hair. Let’s just say she’s grounded from scissors for a while.

All rock stars need an audience. How cool is it that 2 of those dolls were mine when I was her age? Anyone in the 40+ crowd will recognize Holly Hobby, and possibly even Drowsy (pink/polkadot body)