I see them...

... I can get them if you would only let me outside!!


Skylar LOVES to sit on the bench by the back window and watch the squirrels and birds.  My picture of the day is when Skylar turned around and looked like he was pleading with me to let him outside to get the squirrel tormenting him in the tree.

This is what he looks like most days as he is what we now call "squirrel watching"

These pictures are actually Wednesday Jan 11 pictures.  They were taken, I just didn't have time to get them posted :(

That Bleach Smell!

Today was a no daycare kids day.  This happens 2 days a week now as numbers are low.  Since we have managed to keep healthy for 2 weeks straight, it was time to bleach everything again!  I find it has been the best way to kill away all bacteria possible and make the house smell like an over chlorinated swimming pool!   Once I had cleaned everything from door knobs to toilets and all in between, I decided that baking would make the house smell much nicer.   Today I made pumpkin muffins.  The kids and Eric LOVE these goodies.   I am lucky if I get one before they are all gone.   The recipe is very very simple too.

Amy's Pumpkin Muffins
1 package of Oatmeal muffin mix
1 Can of pumpkin pie mix
1 egg

Preheat oven as per package directions for muffins.
Mix all ingredients together, spoon into muffin cups
Bake for 15-18 minutes

If you have some epicure cinnamon and sugar sprinkle some on top of muffins before baking!

My picture for today is the muffins as they came out of the oven.  The rest of my day was vacuuming and making supper etc.  

Time to Start again

Not sure if anyone is reading this blog anymore, but I decided that I would start posting on a regular basis again.  I think it will be easier for us to keep in touch with family and friends afar.

So one way I am going to do this is to start Project 365 again.  I tried this the year mum fell ill and as she got sicker my camera came out less and less.   It is already January 10th and I am 10 days behind... but I will start today and see where this adventure takes me.

Today when I went to let the dog out I noticed my front porch was covered in "papers".  Upon closer inspection I realized it was our mail.  Our regular carrier was on holidays and the new carrier was unable to find the big Yellow mailbox on our deck... so she hiked through the snow and dog messes to just dump it on the front front porch.  The kids normally let the dog out and rarely look around, so it was easily missed.
Thankfully Alexander's passport didn't arrive until today when our regular carrier was back and it wasn't lost.   We don't know if anything is lost or if I have recovered it all!
The photos were taken with my iphone due to it being on my person at the time.

Time to say Goodbye

Miss Bailey's Copper Adventure AKA Snickers, was our very big, loveable, energetic, and all around sucky dog!  We got her in September 1999 after choosing between 9 other puppies.  Madison was just 10 months old when we first went to see the litter of all chocolate lab puppies.    She was a welcomed addition to our growing family and loved by all.  Only one flaw that we tried to cure her of right to the very end and that was her ability to lick every inch of you as you walked in the door!!

This morning Snickers wasn't herself.  She was laying panting heavily and just couldn't get up.  We got the kids ready for school and called the vet after they were in school.  The vet had us come right away.  They did a few tests but things didn't look good.   Eric and I had come home while they did the tests and got a phone call about 1230 that she had a couple of tumors in her chest and abdomen and that she had seized on the ultrasound table.  She was heavily sedated but they felt that the "cancer" had spread to her brain.   The decision was made to have her put to sleep and not suffer anymore.   Until this morning she had be the same old Snickers.  It came on very quickly, for her a blessing.

Eric and I decided that the kids needed to go and see her at the vets to say their goodbyes.  There is nothing worse then coming home and finding out your parents have had your pet put to sleep.  We picked them all up at school.  Each one had time with snickers, they talked to her, stroked her, and hugged her.  There were many tears, and some laughter as the kittens next to her tried desperately to get our attention.  The kids had the whole vets office in tears.   Bekah asked for Snickers' collar to take home.   It was hard for us to stay with her as they put her to sleep so we took the kids and left.  

For 11 1/2 years she has been our companion, our household security guard, our extra pair of eyes outside with the kids, a sled puller, a lean on pillow for movies and an all around great dog.  She will be sadly missed.

RIP puppy girl, we love you and miss you.

Bekah Turns 6!

On Thursday May 20th, my baby girl turned 6 years old. She was so excited to be turning six, that she had been counting down the days for the last month!We did morning gifts and cake and cupcakes with the daycare kids that afternoon, and went out for dinner that night!

On Monday May 24th we had our usual family/friend birthday bash.  It was a huge success, the weather was perfect.  

We BBQ'd burgers and sausages, had many different salads and veggies.

Bekah's theme this year was tinkerbell.  We got her a pinata filled it with lots of candy treats.  Her cake was tinkerbell with cupcakes around decorated with mini tinkerbells on them.

She was spoiled rotten and a wonderful birthday.

Quinn Turns 8!

Our littlest man turned 8 this morning at 6:19 am!  He was so excited for his birthday to come and frankly so was I.  He slept in until almost 8:30 this morning and came in for a huge birthday hug from Eric and I.  We then all went downstairs where his gifts were waiting for him on the couch.

After getting things organized at home and ready for the party, we headed out the door to Putt Hutt.  Quinn was having 10 friends come and play mini golf with him.  It was a great party, lots of excitement had by all.  A really fun game of mini-golf.(think 11 kids in the dark swinging clubs, while hyper on ice cream cake and pop!!!!)
After his party, we headed back home for some supper and more cake with our family and friends.

All in all I think Quinlan had a wonderful day!  He is one very happy little boy!

HAPPYY 8th BIRTHDAY QUINLAN ERIC LIGHTFOOT!  WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

Finally a Diagnosis

For many years now, Eric and I have been vigilantly pursuing answers as to why Quinlan has so much trouble with some every day tasks, writing, cutting with scissors and staying organized.  Tasks that his younger sister can do easily.  We have been told that he is 18 months behind his actual age, or that he is a boy and boys do things slower.  We have also been told by people who are supposed to recognize issues that he is just lazy and holds his pencil too tight!   Finally after struggling for so long we were able to take him for a full psychometric testing.   We met with the psychologist on Nov 17th and she agreed that there were warning signs and flags going up that there were some learning issues presenting.  Quinlan went for 4 hours of testing (broken up over 2 days).  On Wednesday January 6th we met again with the psychologist who gave us her findings.  Quinlan has been diagnosed with a Disorder of Written Expression due to multiple contributing factors.  A major component of the diagnosis is a features of a visual cortex based dyslexia.  Although it can't be fully diagnosed until he is 9 years of age, he scored lower then then first percentile on the dyslexia test. Quinlan has fine motor skill problems as well due to hyper mobile joints. Quinlan has also been found to be of high intelligence, he scored in the top 25th percentile, showing high average to superior intellect.  He just can't get it out on paper!   With our new found knowledge, we are able to have an Education plan in place to help Quinn learn and stay on target with his peers.  This will include computers and software, tests done orally, and/or a scibe.   We are excited to learn more about this complex learning disorder and to do what we need for him.