No Turning Back Now!

It has begun!

A Whole Hand!

My littlest boy is now officially a big boy!  An entire five years old.  Wow.

His birthday was this past Thursday and he woke up to find his birthday 'treat' cereal waiting for him downstairs.  Froot Loops...yum!  Good choice Liam.

 It was a busy evening so we didn't do much other than stick a candle in a bowl of ice cream for him.  He didn't seem to mind know that his party was coming up on Saturday night.  He was just beside himself all day about being five years old.  He told me all the things that five year olds can and cannot do.  For instance, five year olds would never go in a stroller, or be carried or sit in booster seats at the table.  Yes....that is right.  Good thing we got rid of your stroller two years ago, can't pick up your heavy 50lb body for long and will toss that booster seat really soon!

 On Saturday morning while Nate and Chad were at ACT, we decided to take Liam out for breakfast.  It is rare that he has both of our one-on-one attention and he was simply thrilled.  It was nice for Keith and I too.

 He chose French toast after we told him that he couldn't have macaroni for breakfast.

 After breakfast we took him to Castle Fun Park for some mini-golfing.  He had a perma-grin, he was so happy.  It was very enjoyable as we all had a great game.  I hadn't been there in years and years and was pleasantly surprised to find that the golfing courses had been renovated and cleaned up significantly.  Good job to the owners on that.

 I even won a free game of golf at the end by getting a hole in one on the last shot!

 We spent the rest of the day gearing up for having over the family for cake and presents.  He was bouncing off the walls with excitement.

 I always need an assistant for this job!

 Finally, the moment had arrived.  Presents!

 

 

 The way to Liam's heart is Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars. 

 

 Thoroughly spoiled!

 I think we could have put a little more effort into a proper pose here but this is what you get for a family shot.

 Rather yummy eats, if I do say so myself.

 Liam with his Grandpa and Grandad

 And smiling nicely with Grandma and Nana.  He's blessed to have all his grandparents actively involved in his life.

 He was so excited to set up one of his race tracks. 

Auntie Suzanne and Uncle Tyler sent over this delightful gift for Nate and Chad.  Not like they already stink up my house with their own 'home grown' farts...now I have to contend with this?  One day her little boy will get equally delightful gifts!  Mwa-ha-ha!

Still Saying 'I Do'!

We are 19 years married today!

Thank you Keith for loving me through all the good and bad times while we travel through life together.  You are an excellent husband, father and friend. 

 I ♥ you!

New Looks

Thanks for your input....the winning door is number 2 on the previous post.  I think it will be beautiful once it arrives.  I'm not good at making decisions so I am glad that Keith is.  I get overwhelmed quickly so it's best if someone narrows it down to just a few options.  Of course, this isn't the end of the choices that need to be made because it's a wood door and we'll have to choose paint.  Ugh!

As the cool weather settles in we spend much more time in our family room.  After living here two years now I still felt it was 'undone' and had a wee fit one day and went shopping.  After my solo shopping trip where I became overwhelmed (surprise, surprise) with too many choices I knew I had to go again with a friend with good taste who can make decisions!

I came home with an armful and Keith has been very busy moving furniture around, holding up pictures here and there and hammering lots of holes in the walls.  Of course one thing led to another and all of a sudden I am ordering an electric fireplace online from Costco.  WHAT?! 

We moved a sofa table from the living room to the family room which left a gaping hole.  I had always wanted to cozy-up that space.  It's a chilly room at the best of times so with the combination of the new door, a fireplace and new roof I do believe it will become a lovely warm reading space for those winter evenings. 

Here are some pictures of the project...

The new fireplace (website photo) Isn't it pretty?  I can't wait for it to arrive.

 We moved the photos from the wall opposite..

 

...and put the sofa table in that space.  The mirror has yet to be hung.  I had Keith hold it up there so I could take a picture and think about it a while! 

 

And some new art which I wasn't sure about in the store but just love on my wall.  It adds some much  needed color to the room and helps give it that 'finished' look I was hoping for.

Guess!

As a part of the 'spend all the money you possible can and then a little more more' scheme, we're getting a new front door.  Can you guess which one???

Annual Pilgrimage

Good thing we went for a hike today because as I sit here and type up this post the raining is coming down really hard.

It's a lovely sound but I wouldn't mind a few more weeks of Indian summer!

We do make a point of trekking up to the Abbey every summer or two.  I've said it before and at the risk of being very repetitive, I love visiting the grounds so much.

 The gardens were extra spectacular this year.

 We made it to the summit!  The hike seemed so much easier this year....even counting the time we had to back track due to a wrong trail.  I think all my power walking has improved my fitness a little bit.  Liam had a few moments of tears but did most of the hike up on his own two legs.  He got a ride down on Keith's shoulders for a good while though.

 Keith's phone took this cool panorama shot.

Usually we see a monk or two wandering the grounds but today we also stopped and chatted with 'Brother Stephen'.  A kindly man who gave me little medal to take home.  Even Catholics are evangelists!

The letters stand for a Latin phrase 'If the light of Christ is in you then Satan cannot prevail' or so he told me. I appreciate it in the spirit in which it was given.

Trimming the Tree

Did you think that was a Christmas post?  Hope not!  We did some tree trimming but not of the holiday variety.  We talked about removing three of the six pines trees on the south side of our yard ever since we moved in.  Today we finally made it happen.  Keith had a co-worker come over and cut down three trees and top the remaining ones.  The amount of light in my back yard now is delightful!  Maybe this will improve my moss issue too.  Bonus.

 

 Before

 After

 The pile of debris

 Firewood for some lucky person

 My shade loving hostas won't know what hit them.  Perhaps I'll move them and plant something new here next spring.

And then the chipper/shredder came and make quick work of all the branches. 

Done! 

Stay tuned for more home improvements coming our way.

The First...

 

Lots of milestones around here this week!  Liam's FIRST day of Kindergarten.  No tears from this mama...just smiles all around!

 

Chad started grade 7....he's grown 4 inches in just a few months and is taller than most kids in his class and I think his teacher too!

 

 Nate started 10th grade and is just shy of six feet tall now.  My boys are turning into men! 

 And they are off.....do your best lads, that's all we ask!

Lunch

I haven't made lunches for years so I was unaware of the 'Bento Box' phenomenon that has taken over packing school  lunches.

 

It's really quite a genius idea of making lunches more appealing to the little ones who can be so easily distracted from eating at school.  Afternoons are probably already hard enough for teachers without having cranky, unfed children to add to the mix.  I am going to be attempting this style of lunch for Liam now that he's starting full time Kindergarten. 

 

 Some of the Bento boxes are extremely pricey....the above set is around $50 US.

 

 

This one is a bit more reasonable at $25 US.

 

 

 

But I found this 'knock-off' at Superstore for a whopping $6.97!  I'm sure it'll do the job just fine.