Halloween 2010 Was Spooktacular!

I'm tired. Exhausted. Would love to spend the day in bed. But here I am, blogging, about my favorite time of year that has just passed. Halloween! I have fallen in love with it more and more every year. I absolutely love the crisp air, the pumpkins--not carving, the smell makes me queasy, just the look, the decorations, the costumes, the kids, and just the fun of it all. I look forward to it every year, and the decorations get bigger and better ever year! I'm truly in my element when decorating, and I love the reactions from the kids--and the parents--when they take it all in...

Liam loved it, to the point of being so excited, he exhausted himself multiple times, refused his costume, but loved all the kids at the door... The adult grim reaper that appeared at the door after 9, who wanted candy, wouldn't answer questions and wouldn't take off his mask?? Creepy. We followed him, and he disappeared faster than he appeared... hmmm...

Kept Liam home from school today, due to him being exhausted. We didn't get up until after 10am, and he was still tired. Took him to Bowness Park this afternoon and enjoyed the amazing weather.

Should run...off to bed soon. Enjoy the pics!

Ghoulish Times

I absolutely adore Halloween. When I turn the calendar page to October, I start to get a perma-grin on my face, in anticipation of the end of the month. Granted it's only one amazing day, but the week leading up to it has found me running in circles! I've worked on decorating the yard the past few days, constructing a graveyard, scattering bones, hanging ghostly figures, and rigging lights. And apologizing to Andy for being Halloween obsessed. And being deemed a Halloween hoarder. Nope, I'm just a person who absolutely loves Halloween! I do all of the decorating for a few reasons, mostly for the kids, but also for the personal satisfaction it gives me.

Liam has even been getting into the spirit, asking to go trick or treating, and also asking about pumpkin carving! We bought 6 pumpkins today--cheap at Superstore!! Andy will be carving 4 of them, and the other 2 will go on bases with pieces that stick into it---I avoid pumpkin carving like the plague--the absolute site of the goo makes my stomach churn! Blech!!! Will definitely post pics of the pumpkins and all the decorations, and Liam in his Percy costume from Thomas the Tank Engine--he lasted in it for 2 minutes today at school. They did a party and crafts, which he loved taking part in! And he gets to do it all over again tomorrow, with his other class!

Should head to bed, am still chilled from being outside all day.... Night!

Fall is Definitely Here!

Calgary weather can definitely be unpredictable, we all know it! We woke up to snow this morning--yes, snow! Just yesterday, I was at Grams' house in the sun, pulling plants and loving the sun! Needless to say, it's been a wee bit chilly today! Liam loved watching the big white flakes come down, slightly confused, but loving it!

Wednesday was our 5 year anniversary. I'm not much for celebrating, and sadly Andy remembered it before I did. We have a no-kill policy in our house, so I think that's why we lasted this long--just kidding everyone!

Liam is now going to preschool 4 days per week, and thankfully, has an aid that works with him. We have a few more sessions with the Sensitivity Clinic, as they are completing their assessments on him. Then we can move forward, and work on his weaknesses, not to mention, supporting his many strengths!

Managed to get 2 tickets for a Flames game last night from my cousin, so Andy and his brother had an awesome time! Andy even got his head rubbed by harvey the hound!

Decided to be crazy and carry Thanksgiving over to this weekend, and cook another turkey! We had an amazing turkey dinner last weekend with Mom and Dad in Banff--but I love to cook and have family over! So lots of prep and cleaning before Sunday evening, but it's worth it!

Will get back to PVR'd episodes of Survivor! Night all!

Back From Banff And Back To Blogging!

There is nothing like fresh mountain air to put me back in the mood for blogging. Not to mention an amazing trip to Banff this past weekend, spent with Mom, Dad, Andy and Liam. The weather was perfect, the hotel--Charlton Cedar Courts, was excellent, minus the fact that we couldn't check in until 4:30pm, and they had no bagels or muffins at the continental breakfast, but that's minor... but a bagel with cream cheese, yum-o! Liam was the perfect traveller, even with a cold, and loved the drive there. We went on the gondola, and Liam, our little trooper hiked all the way with Grandpa to the weather station and back! I couldn't even make it that far! From there we did a hike around Banff Ave and the side streets, where we found a school playground for Liam to go to, while we waited for our much overdue hotel check-in. Got back to the hotel, finding out only that the rooms weren't quite ready yet, so we hit the pool, which Liam loved! Had a hard time getting him out of there! Then we headed up to our rooms, which had kitchenettes thankfully, and Mom had brought up turkey dinner! I love my mommy, not only for turkey dinner, I swear!... After dinner, did a walk on Banff Ave, and then crashed with Liam at 10pm... Such a little trooper! Morning was lazy, had brekkie, minus the aforementioned bagels and muffins, and went to Cave and Basin---note to everyone--the main building and interpretive centre are closed until 2012 for renovations--but the pathways were still open and gorgeous. Liam was starting to get owly, little wonder, as he was going non stop the day prior, so we headed to the van. Made the drive up to Lake Minnewanka, which made us decide we will come back next year to do the boat trips! Then it was on to Canmore for bathrooms and McDonalds, then back to the highway for the drive home. So you would think, with all that we did, and how tired Liam was, he'd pass out right? Nope, he trooped on, watching the scenery and playing with his toys, happy as can be!

He finally fell asleep tonight at 9:15, exhausted and still asking about the gondola's, or "gondolellas" as he calls them. We will definitely be doing many return trips there, and future travelling elsewhere, as he passed the night away test!

And to all my faithful readers, I will be back blogging as much as possible. It may not always be exciting, but just know, you love to read my babble, I know! Night!

Welcoming The New Year

A new year always brings a fresh start, resolutions, and change. I have tried to follow numerous resolutions in previous years, but always seem to fail, so I'll go with the fresh start. I want to blog more often, definitely something that will happen. I want to take better care of my health, by losing weight, getting more active, etc. Do-able. I want to be more focused on tasks at hand, and be more organized. Could happen. Explore my creativity more. Again, could happen. But I definitely won't beat myself up over not doing these things, but I will try, that's for sure.


We had a nice, quiet Christmas. Liam wasn't too into opening his presents, but he sure liked all of his toys and books. He was especially excited about all the clothes he got too! I know, that will change once he gets older. Spent lots of time with both sides of the family, making Christmas last over 3 days! I am definitely thankful for everything that was given to us--it was very much appreciated!

We took Liam to the feeding support team at Children's Hospital a few days ago for a consultation. We are still having issues with his feeding, and decided that it was time to get help. The team was excellent, gave us great advice, and we will be going back there for repeat clinic appointments. It most likely is due to hypersensitivity, which affects not only his eating, but his hands and feet too. They are referring us to a team that deals with just that, as well as referring us to an speech language pathologist, which should help with his mouth issues. They were slightly concerned with his speech, which I am on the fence about, but we will take all the help we can get at this point. 


This year already feels different! I have more energy, and more ambition to do things. Have been doing some minor repairs and projects at home, re-did Liam's room--with his new big-boy bed!, been doing lots of cooking and baking, and so on... Been taking vitamins daily and we booked our appointment for the weight loss clinic, which is next week. Maybe 2010 is the year for change and goodness! We shall see... It will definitely be the year for blogging, that's for sure!

Cheers all!