Canada Day 2009

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Just want to wish all you Canadians out there a Happy Canada Day! What are your plans for today? If it doesn't rain *here's where I sing rain rain go away" we plan on going to the Canada Day parade, then to the carnival they have. Afterwards we, again weather permitting, will have a barbeque. So hopefully the rain will stay away.


*Nick and Damien. Taken at last year's Canada Day parade

Two for Twos days ~ My son and his gal

Debi and Deanna are the hosts for Two for Twosday.
I love this picture of Krystal and Alec. They are great kids. Both helped out at Joey's party as well as joining in the fun. To see who else is playing along click the above button.

Monday Morning ~ June 29 2009 ..My son is gentle!

So I'm in a mood today. I try not to let little things bother me. OK who am I kidding? Little things bother me all the time, but I try not to let them get to me as much. Most people who know me , know the thing that bothers me the most is when people judge my Joey, make comments about him that are not very nice, stare at him, exclude him etc. I know no one else can possibly love and accept him like I do. I know he is a very challenging little boy. He's very LOUD and I should understand why people act the way they do, considering I , myself , look forward to breaks, count down minutes til his workers arrive and yes am really really looking forward to him starting his day camp. I love all my friends but it's true I have a little bit more respect and appreciation for those that treat not just Joey but all of my kids with that little extra bit of patience.
Something that really ticked me off this past week was a comment made from a professional. She was dropping off a new foster child at our home. She and another worker did not look comfortable when they saw Joe. I could tell and even sense an inner cringe. Joey was being awesome, but when we had interruped his regular schedule so I could greet this precious child and her workers. He had a small fit. Gino took him downstairs, but he came back up to get his balloon. He was by the stairs as were the little ones and I said.."oh be careful" Joey retrieved his balloon and all was well. Yes, he did have a small fit. He did yell and jump up and down. Something I perhaps overlooked because it happens so often. Several times a day in fact, so to me it was no big deal. To the workers, well you would have thought he had killed someone. One worker looked at the little one she was dropping off and said to me, " Is she safe here, if we leave her?" Oh . My. God!!! REALLY? First of all the process of when a child comes in to care is not that simple. They do an intake over the phone. More importantly the person placing the child knows our homes. They know which children are in our homes and they do a very long questionnaire with us that asks all of these questions and more. So really it wasn't her place to ask, however, if she was concerned I understand. BUT....she was only referring to Joey. I bit my tongue and instead of telling her to get herself educated, I explained abit about Joe to her. I told her he was off schedule and very excited that people were over. I told her he is a very LOUD boy at times, very active but that he would never intentionally hurt a little one. Maybe I was over sensitive, maybe it was just the last straw. Thing is, Joey is ...never mind..I'll just leave it at that.
..
Update: Our newest house guest is doing fantastic. She's only been here since Thursday. She gets along well with everyone even *gasp ...Joe. She is not afraid of him nor has she been hurt. She is in her glory. Loving all of the new experiences we have be able to give her so far.
So there!

* I'm including some of my favourite tender moments that capture my son in his true and gentle persona*

Baby Picture Sundays ~ The heat is on

Grab the Button!

Every Sunday Debi at Who Says Eight Is Enough hosts one of my very favourite memes. Click on the above button to see who else is playing along.



Cute baby Dexter cooling off in the splash pad at Niagara Safari.

Damien, insisted on keeping his sunglasses on.



Abby enjoying a nice , cool Popsicle.

Friday Fun Foto Fiesta ~ Grad and prom

My baby is growing up. This past Wednesday he graduate with honours from grade 12. He is off to Brock University in the fall. On Thursday he had his prom. So for this Friday's fun photo fiesta, here are a few pictures from Nick's graduation and his prom. For more fantastic and fun photos head on over to Candid Carrie and see who else is playing along.

The two graduates with my mom, aka Nana.

So proud of both of you.

My two handsome sons.

And now for some prom pictures.

Nick and his girlfriend Olivia

the group of guys and the group of gals

Nick , Livv and some friends.

Way Back Whens Day ~ Graduating cousins..before and now

Look at how sweet and adorable Christina , my niece and Nick my son were. This was taken way way way back in 1992. Both kids were just turning two. That's my sister Mary , and me and Stina's dad Alf behind them.

Christina, Nick and baby brother Alec taken way back in 1994.

Nick being silly. Way back in 2003

A younger Christina with her kitty Mercedes, way back in 2003

The entire gang. My sons Nick and Alec, my sister's children, Stina and Brandon .

Now old enough for boyfriends and girlfriends. Top from left to right, Olivia (Nick's gf) Nick, and my nephew Brandon. Seated are my son Alec and Krystal (his gf) my niece Christina aka Stina and her boyfriend Cameron. Our two oldest, graduating tonight. Words cannot express how proud I am of these two. The years have flown by, yet both have accomplished so much.

Good luck Christina Lee and Nicholas Theodore, the world is yours to explore.

Love ya!

Now head on over to Twinfatuation for more Way back When's days.

Not Me Monday ~ Makes My Monday

I have never did a Not Me Monday post before, but heck I thought why not.





So here goes.





I did not get a call in late Wednesday night to take a child. I did not say 'Yes," I did not stay up well past 1am the night before Joey's birthday party.

I did not go crazy trying to get last minute things done for Joey's birthday party. I did not fail to make cupcakes and have my husband buy a cake instead. I was not surprised when we ended up with not one but two cakes because my wonderful son made one.

I did not get another call the following night to take in another child. I did not say " Yes". I was not up well past 1 am getting said child settled.

I did not spend too much money on Joey's birthday party when I am supposed to be budgeting appropriately.

I did not fall asleep early Friday night from pure exhaustion only to be woken up by our neighbours yippy dog. I did NOT over react and yell out the back door some not so nice things and I definitely did NOT stomp over there in the rain , in my hubby's flip flops and pound on the door to the dog owner's house. I did not do anything else in my sleep deprived rage to said neighbours' yard.

I did not forget to buy a Father's day present for my hubby . I did not have an exhausting week at all! Oh and by playing along with NOT ME MONDAY did not MAKE MY MONDAY by helping me get things off my chest. I am NOT telling you to see what is making other people's Mondays by heading on over to Twinfatuation
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Baby Picture Sundays ~ Daddy time

Debi over @ Who Says Eight Is Enough hosts Baby Picture Sundays. This week's theme is "All for daddy" fitting since today is Father's day. I couldn't find any older pics of when the boys were younger, but I love this one of Gino, Damien and Abby. Click on the button to see who else is playing along.

Almost Tormorrow...Today I'm thankful for

I was already set to do a thankful Thursday post this morning. I don't always have time to get on the computer in the mornings, and today was one of those busier mornings. The morning ran into afternoon and it really was all a blur. However, without all the people I was, am thankful for I don't think I could have got accomplished all that I needed to get done.
So although it's already almost tomorrow, here is my list:
My friends: Elissa, Jac, Terilee, Marg, Jen. Each one of you are very special to me. Thanks for always being there, no matter the time or place. Thanks for listening to me for reaching out to me when I need you, for accepting me for who I am, flaws and all. But today, today thanks for all your help to just help me get through the day by doing the little things and big that mean so much
My family: My sisters' Mary and Linda, I love you two. Linda your bond with little D is amazing, he loves you so much. I love that you accept all my kids , all of them. Mary, you've put up with me over that last couple years...forgiving me when I've not been the best sister I should have been, you are always there for my boys and you make me laugh.
My sons Nick and Alec, thanks for your help today. Alec, you are so amazingly thoughtful. The cake you made for Joey was awesome. How surprised was I when I came home after rushing around and found you had already made a cake? Nick, you are quickly approaching university, I am so proud of you. Thanks for helping me out with my demands (aka Wanted poster) today.
My hubby: Thanks dear for supporting me in what I do, I know it is not always easy on us, especially as of late. Your help around the house, and outside the house...with the little ones and the older ones, always appreciated (even if you do nag at times)
My mom: Ma, you're pretty awesome. Picking up stuff for my little ones, cheering on your grandsons. Wish I was there more for you. Love you!
My brother Peter: Your help with the kids, when I am sick or need a break is always so appreciated. You make them smile and always make us laugh.
Sam: I feel we are finally beginning to get at where we were once upon a time. Thanks for reaching out to me. I love spending time with you. I am so very proud of you and all that you have accomplished. You inspire me.
Our extra special additions to our family. I love you with all of my heart. Our lives would not ever be the same without you.
All of friends who came out to Joey's 9th birthday party tonight. You made his party that much more special.
What a wonderful, eye opener kind of a day it was.
God is good!

Way Back Whens Day ~ Joey's SK grad

With Nick's high school graduation just a week away, I thought I'd chose some old graduation pics for this week's Way back Whens-day, hosted by Cheryl @ Twinfatuation. Here you have two pictures from Joey's senior kindergarten graduation in June 2006, he was almost 6 yrs old. Elissa is pictured with him in the first photo, she still is his home worker and of course the best God mother ever.

Today's Smiles~ Toddlers and teens and tonnes of fun!

I just love it when toddlers begin to talk. Some of the things they say are so incredibly funny.

Of course each time they get a reaction, they will repeat it over and over. I am lucky enough to have not one but two toddlers, eleven months apart. Abby is exactly two years and nine months old. Damien, three years and eight months old.

Yesterday before leaving for our daily errands I asked Abby to go pee, her response " I can't go pee mommy, the bathroom stinks"..huh...never thought of that..guess I'll have to spray it with roses just for the princess. Oh and she wanted to bring her bathing suit shopping with us, don't ask me why, she just did. Instead of asking, she says, " don't say no, k mom". "oh , ok Abby." I am not a yeller, am I? She is constantly saying this to me, " No yell, talk mom" Sometimes she says this before I have even said a word. Take last week for instance, she leads me to a huge puddle of pee on the stairs, because I'm thinking it doesn't stink on the stairs, and then repeats herself. "No yell, talk k mom" And talk I did! NO PEEING ON THE STAIRS!

Damien is beginning to feel more comfortable talking. He has made a tonne of progress. He can even back talk now. When he was sent to his room for misbehaving, he waits til he is half way up the stairs to retort, " I. mad. at. you. mommmeeee!!"

He is so animated too. When he talks, he uses his entire body, stomping his feet and waving his arms about, it's darling to watch. Oh and he has no problems peeing in the bathroom, no problems peeing anywhere actually. On Sunday whilst we were walking the millennium trail, we stopped to pet a lovely dog and while I was chatting away with the owners my girlfriend did a " ohhhhhh" and then chuckled. I glanced over and there was little D with his shorts around his ankles relieving himself. Ahh well, at least it wasn't in the house on the stairs, right?

Teens, oh those lovable moody years. YES even male teens are moody. And why do my boys use more hair products than I myself do. And the showers, my gosh the showers. How many times do they need to shower in a day? I mean, at least they are clean, but a mom needs to shower too. Seriously how can my bathroom possibly stink, Abby, when the big boys are always in there spraying their Axe and hairspray? I think we have one of the best smelling bathrooms ever. They even *gasp, blow dry their hair. Using my dryer, I may add. Many a times in my rushed filled mornings I cannot find my dryer only to find it in one of the boys' rooms. They look prettier than any of the girls on the street. LOL..seriously kidding, the girls look just fine here on Spring Blossom.

Alec and I have been enjoying watching " How I Met Your Mother" together , he got season one for his birthday and loved it, so he's got me into it. The other day we were all settled down with our snacks, half way through one episode he disappeared. Huh? I noticed the phone was busy, aha...ditched for his girlfriend. He said later he hadn't talked to her all day. Imagine??!! Truly I love having two toddlers and two awesome teens and one wonderful almost 9 yr old. Our lives wouldn't' be our lives if it weren't for these amazing children, and I wouldn't' change if for anything.

Makes My Monday ~ Little D graduates today

Little Damien is graduating from South Minster Nursery School! What a huge achievement for my sweet little guy. I am so proud of him. I have seen so much progress in Damien. At this time last he wasn't talking at all. This year he is talking in full sentences, trying very hard to make himself understood. He will still use a few signs to help us understand and I truly believe that he'd be able to fluently sign if I knew how to and was able to teach him. He is very bright and is an eager learner. So today, we will celebrate at his school his very first of many graduations. This is what is making my Monday. What is making yours?

For more Makes My Mondays head on over to Cheryl's blog @ Twinfatuation.

Baby Picture Sundays ~ Silly smiles!

Debi over at Who Says 8 is Enough hosts this super fun theme each Sunday. Just click on the button to see who else is playing along.

Silly and sweet Abby

Shy and sweet Damien

The ole eye closed cheese...Joey..

Saturday Smiles ~ Babysitting

Today I have the privilege of watching my girl friend's little bambino. He is almost six months old. My own two little ones are visiting their grandmother today so it worked out nicely, since Abby is still very jealous of little ones.

Joey has been the perfect little helper. He pushed the baby's stroller very nicely and talked to baby Eric while walking him. He then said to me, " Mom, I keep baby, mom I bring Eric to school for show and tell. Everyone can hold him. " He loves babies and is very gentle and sweet with them. Makes me smile when I see Joey interacting so appropriately with the little guy. Makes me smile when I get to snuggle this precious little baby. He's a sweet and easy baby. Kinda makes me have another one....or maybe a puppy will do.

Friday Fun Foto Fiesta ~ and a rant and an update

Once again I'd like to thank Heather and Tiffany for featuring me over at The Secret is in the Sauce! I absolutley loved the attention and I will try my best to stop over at each commenters blog.

I thought I would use these two photos to explain my rant and my crisis. Picture one, Joey , right after he got off the bus from school. Look closely at his face. DIRTY! It's one thing if this dirty face happened on the bus, however it did not as they are not allowed any food during the bus ride. I have asked the educational assistants over and over til I am blue in the face to please help Joey clean his face. He does not have any clue if he is dirty or clean. He has low sensory and does not feel anything on his face. So what we do at home is have him look in the mirror and then hand over hand clean his face. Sounds simple right? Wrong!! For some reason the school can not grasp this. I have sent wipes, I have labeled the wipes " For Joey's Face" I have written little notes " hint, wipes are awesome to help keep Joey's face clean". Yet he still comes home almost daily with a dirty face, usually food covered by more food from his second nutrition break. You may not think this a big deal, but I am trying to teach Joey basic life skills one is washing his face and hands.

OK. Now on to our crisis. On Wednesday I get a call from the school saying they *gasp , found icky, disgusting, creepy crawlers in my sweet boys hair! ARghhhhhhhh! Hence the second picture. I am not so great at picking louse from hair. In fact I couldn't even see them. So I attempted to shave my son's gorgeous blond locks. While he was screaming and throwing quite the fit, my neighbour offered his services. He has a better razor and was able to shave Joey's hair quicker. Joey calmed down and the job was finally done.

Next came the hard work. Stripping beds , vacuuming furniture, checking other family members, treating everyone, hitting the drug store for treatment shampoo and sprays and tea tree oil. It took me all day and night to get all the linens done. Luckily no one else had any signs of the uninvited guests nestled in their hair. ( Joe's school sent a note on Monday saying one child had it in his class so we know it originated from there)

Thankfully it's all done. We are on the lookout though. You never know when those nasty, icky things can come back.

Now for more fun fun photos head on over to Candid Carrie to see who else is playing along.

Featured Blogger at Secret is in the Sauce ...Me..

I want to give all of you a very warm welcome. Today I am the featured blogger @


Those of you who have not yet checked this site out, it is amazing. Click on the above button to see how it works.
Thanks to all of you sitstas who have stopped by. Also want to give a very big thank you to Heather and Tiffany for featuring me today.
Thanks again to all of you who left lovely comments. I will stop by your blogs and personally thank you...but today..today we have a crisis..so needless to say I am preoccupied with that. I will, however get to you all eventually.
thanks again.
Lisa

Procrastination ~ So me

This is the definition according to Wikipedia: Procrastination is a behavior which is characterized by deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. It describes me to a tee, however I don't believe the reasoning. It states: For an individual, procrastination may result in stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of personal productivity, the creation of crisis and disapproval from others for not fulfilling one's responsibilities or commitments. These combined feelings can promote further procrastination. While it is normal for people to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying psychological or physiological disorder. Egads I don't believe I have a psychological disorder, or I certainly hope not. I have been meaning to get to that psychiatrists appointment. Ha ha.! Kidding, really I am. I think for me it's prioritizing. I have so much to do and I put off the least important and the least favourites (housework)

I have so many things I have put off lately though, that I really am going to get on top of these. Like the paperwork I need for Damien's ODSP , oh and the papers I need to fill out to get Abby's birth certificate done. The *ok really embarrassed here* packages from the spring fling that are all ready to go, except they will not mail themselves out. I was really going to get to the today, really I was, but I've got a house guest today. This little guy. So I figured we do something fun like go to Zooz or playgroup or the park. I will get those packages out this week, really I will. I will finish up all the paper work I need to tonight and I will organize Joey's room (which is a disaster) tomorrow. For today, for today I am just going to have fun. So procrastinate I will, but not due to a psychological disorder, unless you count having fun as being a disorder.

Makes My Monday ~ Fun field trips

Today we are going on a double decker bus adventure! I just love this time of year when the schools are all having their end of the school year field trips.

Damien's nursery school is so adventurous! First we will all meet at the school and hop aboard this cool looking bus, then we will stop at Kings bridge park for some fun in the sun (please no rain) To see what is making other people's Mondays, head on over to Twinfatuation.

Note* will post pictures later*

This totally makes my Monday because for one I love trips and for two I get to bring along Abby as well. There is nothing better than a cool trip on a fancy bus with my two favourite toddlers.

On the bus, just look at those smiles.


Enjoying a snack
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Saturday Smiles ~ My children..new milestones

All of my children, all of them, are going through new milestones. It amazes me how fast time goes, has gone.

Nick: will be graduating grade 12, he'll be going to prom, he will be off to university in the fall.

Alec: participated in his first roadshow, will be getting his very first paying job.

Damien: will be graduating nursery school, he'll be beginning a get ready for school summer program and in the fall beginning junior kindergarten in an early learning program.

Abby: she's almost toilet trained, she going through a princess phase, she has learned to ride her trike, she is making friends

And Joey. Joey , Joey Joey, my sweet little boy. He too has made some new milestones, although they are slower to come then your typical child, they mean that much more to me. He is on his very first soccer team, his first team sport ever, he is moving up from primary to being a junior in the fall. He has passed his swimming level.

All of my children amaze me on a daily basis and sometime I take things for granted. Time goes by so quickly , the days just seem to fly by, yet all these miracle are taking place. I may be a harried, impatient at times, rushed mommy, and I need to take time to smell the roses and appreciate the little things and the major things that my children have accomplished and continue to accomplish each day.

Friday Fun Foto Fiesta ~ Freezies are soooooo good

On Wednesday we finally got some warmer weather, although still chilly for June. After a fun filled morning the little ones enjoyed some freezies. It is amazing how satisfying these inexpensive treats are.
children just love them. Just look at their faces. To me there is nothing better than seeing my kids enjoy a sweet treat while playing outside in the fresh air.
For more fun fun fotos head on over to Candid Carrie and see who else is playing along.

Way Back Whens Day ~ Frog lover

Back in 2006 we took our very first big camping trip. Big, being more than one night and at a provincial park rather than those private parks.

The children absolutely loved it. Joey, my little critter keeper, enjoyed looking for all kinds of critters. It was quite hilarious as he shouted in the water for "NEMO". Although we never did find Nemo, we found many other fish and such. We saw a lot of frogs but we weren't quick enough. A kind lady who saw us took a shine to Joe. She caught him a fish and later on the last day brought over to our camp site a frog for Joey to hold. He's holding the wee thing a bit tight so within minutes we convinced him to let froggie go.

This lady, her kindness towards my son, still makes my heart smile.

For more Way back Whens days check out Cheryl's blog @ Twinfatuation


ps. the messy gunk all over Joe is the results of one of those ring pops. LOL.

A day in the life....a typical morning with Joey

With summer just around the corner, I have to think of things to do with the children. Some people can just wing it, however with Joey everything needs to be planned out and organized. He requires one on one a good portion of the day. Since our full time camp is still up in the air, I am not sure what is going to happen. I will still have 16 hrs a week relief for him, which adds up to approx. 3 hrs a day (for six days out of 7) Seems like a lot to some, but Joey is a very active, curious, busy , destructive at times little boy. So I thought I'd share what a typical morning with Joey is like.

6:30am: Joey gets up and bounces out of bed. " Mommy!" He will panic if he doesn't see me right away. Once he sees me he shouts "bun" He has a honey bun almost every morning. I was trying to wean him off of these and introduce a less sugary substitute but long story short we are back on the buns. Joe will take his bun downstairs and sit on the sofa , he then puts in his favourite of the week video...this being ANNIE. As he bounces on the sofa he asks me to come and snuggle him. After about 10 - 15 mins he is up and running and tries to wake the babies. " Dia ...wake up!" he shouts. I tell him.."no Joey he's sleeping"..But Joey is on his own agenda and shouts" Dia!! Abby!!" I try and redirect him. He grabs his keyboard and starts pounding on that singing an off key version of " Tomorrow" at the top of his lungs. Eventually the little ones get up. While I get their breakfast, Joey is into the cupboards. He pours cereal all over and overflows the bowl, when I clean that up he is drinking juice out of the jug. I sit him down and attempt to give him his morning meds. He sees this and runs away shouting..." I hate my pills. NO NO NO!" I chase him around the table and finally catch him. Pills are given. He is not happy and throws his cup across the table. The little ones are used to this and are eating (ducking when needed ) happily. I try and get Joey to eat a little bit of cereal. He takes a bite and then bangs his spoon on the table telling the babies to do it too. He makes really loud and silly noises and tells them to do it too. Abby starts to yell and giggle, then Damien joins in. In the meantime the older boys have gotten themselves ready and are quite annoyed by the typical and predictable noisy atmosphere. They quickly rustle up their books and are out the door with a quick " bye mom, love you". Joey has thrown his cereal and is now trying to feed Damien who is loudly protesting. Again, I redirect him but he is adamant that he has to feed Damien. I take him by the wrist but he wriggles free and runs off. I sprint after him. He is up in the bathroom spraying hairspray. I take that away and get his clothes and diaper ready. He runs off into his room and lays on the bed kicking and screaming. I lay beside him and rub his back and firmly say, "Time to get dressed". " NO NO NO I NO WIKE IT" he screams back. I take him into the bathroom where I attempt to change his diaper. He is kicking me and hollering at me. I finally get him cleaned and dressed. Now for his teeth. He screams and throws the toothbrush. " I hate tooth brush . no no no no . I not I not " I am a little frustrated by now. Finally he allows me to brush his teeth. While he is sitting I comb his hair and put cream on his hands. He wiggles free and runs down stairs. The little ones have finished up their cereal so I put Tree house on for them. Joey is upset Annie is off and screams loudly. He picks up the closest thing and whips it across the room. Luckily it hits no one. I have him pick it up, he protests and screams even louder. Finally he complies and is now calmly looking at his pictures. I put on his shoes. Abby has joined me and helps put on his other shoe. She talks calmly to Joey. " I help k Joey. I help" Joey loves the attention and is co-operative. Finally he is ready for school. While I go and get his daily journal for school he is up off the bench and opening drawers. He cries when I bring him back to the bench. He is looking for something to bring to school. No matter what I pick, it's not what he wants, this causes him to break out in sobs. He hits himself in the head three times. I offer him a pony. He screams and hits himself three more times. This can go on for awhile. I tell him to show me what he wants, but he cries and hits himself again. Finally he sees something he would like to take with him, his robot. The bus is here and I put his back pack on him and he goes to the bus, tears still in his eyes.

That is just a typical morning. It starts all over again when he gets home from school.

I love my very special little man. I only wish I was able to do more to help him.

Makes My Monday ~ She's a big girl now!

Little Miss Abby is almost fully toilet trained. She goes poop all by herself, it's just the peeing that she needs reminders about. She doesn't like to stop playing and go. The fact that I don't have to buy anymore diapers has made my Monday.

Head on over to Cheryl's blog @ Twinfatuation to see what is making other people's Mondays.