What to post, what to post...

I've been wondering about this the last couple of days. We've had so much going on lately that I wonder what I should be posting about. It always seems to be the same kind of busy, just a new week!!

I did have a couple of questions I wanted to ask but I don't know if I'll get any replies!

1/ On my mind for a couple of weeks now - what does everyone do with their poinsettia after the holidays? I've already bought my Easter tulips, they're super cute. But, I still have my Christmas poinsettia. What do you do with it? I can't throw it out (that's too mean) so I've had it in our bedroom since Christmas! Still looks great and is growing...but what does everyone normally do with them? :)

2/ What does everyone do with their kids over the summer break? I've been looking at summer camps (Shamus just finished the YMCA March camp) and we need to decide. Do you send them to the same camp all summer...so the kids are nice and comfortable/familiar with that one. Or do you mix it up and give them some variety? We have 2 camps that we're keen on so I think I'll just split between the two. Who knew that there was so much to decide! Daycare is much easier and always opened!! Shamus has a day off school every month...it's crazy.

3/ Had my first fender bender this morning. I had just dropped Shamus off at school and was on the way to Breagha's daycare. There was a lot of snow and the roads were slippery. The guy 2 cars in front of me slowed down really quickly, which meant that we all had to slow down quickly. The guy behind me didn't and hit me. Not hard but he did scratch the back bumper and cracked the side of it. I've never been in an accident before (knocking on wood!) so I wasn't too prepared with getting his details. I just left with writing down his name and number. He actually works for a car dealership here so he said he will get the car fixed there. So, I was cool with that. Should I had been more "strict" with getting his insurance/etc? I thought of this after - am I too trusting? He could have told me any name and number then I'd be screwed. :( Luckily he was honest! I called him this afternoon to set things up.

4/ Kids in general - do we ever figure them out? Just when we think we have them figured out, they throw us a curve ball!! Will it be like this forever? If it's not one, it's the other. :) And how do 2 working parents keep things balanced? We work at this every week but every week it seems to be hectic. Is this forever too? Oh my!!!!!

Hmmm, these are the little things on my mind!!

First Karate Belt - Blue Belt

Another busy week for the MacPurdys! Shamus has karate during the week and on the weekend. Breagha has dance during the week. And of course one of them either has a playdate or a birthday party on the weekend! So, the weeks do go by quickly. This past weekend was no exception!

Shamus had his first belt test in Karate. He had his blue belt test. He didn't seem too concerned about it, which concerned Darryl and I...but he did well. Sometimes he can get distracted in class but I suppose it's normal for a boy his age! He'll be given his belt this week so we're very proud of him.

Do I look nervous?

I love his face in this one...

The Master who comes to do the test has 6 levels of his blackbelt so we don't want to get him angry!
Lots of first belts...congrats to everyone.

It's really quite impressive to watch the higher belts. They usually have a class after Shamus' class. And it's amazing to watch them.
Way To Go Shamus!!!

We also went to the DDO Winter Carnival on Sunday. That's our suburb. And it was great. I took a couple of pics but they were really dark. It was very sunny that day so probably too much for the Iphone to handle! :) Anyway, we had a super time. There was a great hill for sledding and even Darryl and I were flying down the hill. We'll have to take Jolyne there next time she visits! There was ice skating, taffy on snow, outdoor play structures, hot chocolate, and even a horse drawn wagon ride around the park. It was really nice and the kids had a blast. They are enjoying the ice skating a lot so I have to see about getting them in skating lessons. I think we missed out for this season though. Next year!!

This weekend we're going to check out the Summer Camp Fair. See what there is for Shamus. It's so different from when I was a kid. My Mom was home with us so we truly had all the holidays off. Shamus has to spend all his time off in camps. It sucks but not much you can do but try to find the fun ones. He'll be going to the YMCA spring break camp in 2 weeks. I think he'll really enjoy it as he'll get to swim every day and they do "science" experiments. Hopefully he'll enjoy it and next year he and Breagha will be able to go together!

Our Mont Blanc adventure!

Hooooooray!!

This past weekend was our first trip to the skihills!! We got some fresh snow last week and the weather was very mild. So, we packed up the car and took off!!

We had a great time. We were able to get the kids in a 90minute ski lesson so that gave Darryl and I a few runs on our own which we loved. I was feeling nervous on my first trip down as I've only gotten out twice since I was pregnant with Shamus! Rusty. But, after that I was feeling pretty good. It was so great to get out and we're very happy that the kids enjoyed it too. We hope to go again in the next couple of weekends.

Breagha was a little scared at first but was going on her own by the end of the lesson.
Shamus seemed to be in a hurry! He just wanted to go.
They loved the "magic carpet ride" on the bunny hill.
Ahhhhh. So good. Love snowboarding. It's definitely my favorite sport. I hope the kids get into it so we can all enjoy it together!
Purdy didn't seem to miss a beat. And loved it too!


The kids instructor was great. After the lesson, we took the kids up and down the bunny hill a few times. They were going on their own but doing the "snow plough" most of the way. They're eager to go again so I'm thankful for that!!!
One of the best parts of being at the skihills...the lodge. Warming up, drinking hot chocolate, and back out again!

We had a wonderful weekend. Jolyne left the city to visit us in the suburbs! We got to take her sledding on Saturday morning. Thanks for the visit Jo! Saturday was busy with playdates and then we had little friends over for a sleep over. Sunday was on the skihill. Good times!

Back to reality on Monday! I'm busy at work and enjoying it. Darryl is very busy at work so we're still trying to balance everything. Making it work for now! We have to decide what we want to do long term but going with the flow for now!!

Birthday Love!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAMUS!
Big number 6!

Yes, our little boy is now 6 years old!

Ohhhh, it makes me sad! sniff

The time just goes too quickly! I still remember our sleepless nights with him, trying to teach him how to crawl, how to eat cheerios, how to pick up cheerios, and how to walk, talk, and run!
Did I mention that time is going by too quickly?
Well, we decided to have a little birthday celebration but only with a few close friends. Of course his buddy Matteo came, along with Mama Preetha, and little sister Mia. And a couple of buddies from school. We had a great time and the kids were wonderful.

We started at McDonald's...a little play time and bad food. Can't go wrong!

Then we took the kids to see "Tangled".
A great movie but I think the kids enjoyed the arcade games after the movie just as much as the movie itself!

So did Preetha and little Mia!

Darryl is the best Dad ever. He got the boys all set up with the games...I know nothing about these things and really suck at them! I'm also realizing that Darryl is an amazing teacher. He knows a little something about everything! I can't explain why the earth rotates around the sun! Thank God for Darryl! ...We're working with Shamus on his reading. Darryl is so great at explaining all the sounds of each letter. Again, a wonderful teacher. Thank you Darrylie.

Oh, back to the party...

Of course, you can't have a birthday party with cake and gifts!!
Shamus is so obsessed with bakugans...

And we did have to break down and buy some Montreal Canadiens clothes. Shamus has converted all on his own. No longer cheering for Toronto. (Go Leafs Go!)

After the gift opening means that it is time for Dad to put all the pieces together. Again, I'm so grateful for Darryl...

And while Dad is putting toys together, Shamus is trying out his new GameBoy. Gift from Uncle Duane, Aunt Cathy, and cousins...

No, Breagha doesn't have crazy eyes. It's called eye makeup. She's quite the artist, right?!

Hello beautiful Birthday Boy!

We had a wonderful weekend...besides the birthday celebrations, we squeezed in some outdoors skating and some sledding. The weather was perfect for it. If you can have about -8, with no wind, and the sun...the end of January...that's the perfect day for outdoors. We've been quite happy with the weather so far. Only a few chilly days. We'll see how February goes!

We have a great park near our place, right next to Shamus' school. And the hill there is the best for the kids. And the parents! We had a very special weekend.

A bit of our Canadian Winter...

Yes, it's getting colder now! We can't complain, the winter has been great so far. But, the last 2 days have been cold and it will only get colder! But, we're enjoying the winter and are getting ourselves organized for a little day on the slopes. We hope!

We've had lots going on the past month.

From playdates with friends...


To ice skating outdoors...

To preparing for Christmas...

...loved our tree by the way...
To highland dancing for seniors...

To celebrating Christmas with family...

To enjoying cousin Alec's new friend...

To watching hockey games at the arena and on TV...

To ringing in the New Year with food, wine, and friends...
...with Darryl trying out some Italian moonshine.... :) Go Purdy!!!

To birthday celebrations...



And of course work...
It's been great!!!

Let's hope that 2011 is a wonderful year.

We're all doing really well. The kids are growing so much everyday. It's hard to do an update on all they do each week. Shamus is getting really big I find. We've started working with him on reading and he's doing great. Very keen and loves to learn. He's getting ready for his 6th birthday. I can't believe it. He's a real little man!

Breagha is still loving her highland dancing class which we're happy about. Highland dancing is very popular in Darryl's hometown so it would be great to have her involved in a Nova Scotia tradition! I also registered her this week for school so she's very pleased.

I'm really happy to be back at work. And I love my home office. It is a daily juggle with keeping up with everyone's schedule but we're managing. We had Shamus go to Jewish camp over the school holidays, last weekend he was at a Presbyterian church play date so who knows where he will be next week!! :) Yeap. Kind of funny.

Now, I feel like I am somewhat caught up. Let's see for how long!

We will be back....

...just don't seem to have the time for computers these days. But, I will try to post something this week! I never even posted our Christmas tree! And I lovvved it! Smelled so wonderful!

So, stay tune. We will be back!

Merry Christmas!!

It's Christmas Eve morning here and we wanted to wish everyone a very merry Christmas.
We're heading off to Ottawa for the next few days...splitting our time between my brothers place and Darryl's sisters place. It will be great to spend Christmas with family. Of course we'll miss all our family and friends that can't be with us!

We're very thankful for all we have this Christmas. Health and happiness, family and friends, food and drinks...we're are very fortunate. And thankful.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS