tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58765448364731046472012-02-25T14:20:10.354-08:00ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.comBlogger1321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-18391353641125371222012-02-25T13:43:00.000-08:002012-02-25T13:43:24.786-08:00

Auntie Emma and Grandma Marla came for a visit this past week.  We had a great time, cuddling, snacking, giggling and playing. Ryan was overrun by women--his fate in life it seems.  I tested out something else we are fated for: a minivan.  Thanks for the visit, ladies! 

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-44835433098865351132012-02-24T13:54:00.002-08:002012-02-24T13:54:59.684-08:00

Charlotte's new saying is "hard do" as in "this is hard to do!"  She uses it for things like opening raisin boxes or getting a broken pen to work.  Today, at the 40-minute mark of trying to get her down for her nap (she was tired, so I was persevering), she took her head off my chest and said, "Hard do." "What?  Napping?" "Yeah.  Hard do." Finally, some recognition!  Yes, Charlotte, I'd wondered

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-59448577637153028212012-02-22T07:54:00.000-08:002012-02-22T07:54:11.972-08:00

    The Littlest One is becoming more and more expressive.  She makes me giggle with all of her facial expressions.   Of course, the best is the smile, of which I have no photos.  She is full of smiles, especially when she spots her favourite friends: the flowers I have on the mantel.  I'll try and get a photo of that too.  For now, here's a few of her other expressions: Perplexed

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-76758506152600561482012-02-17T13:45:00.000-08:002012-02-17T13:45:25.193-08:00

Phew.  I am finally recovering from an insane week of snot and fever and whimpers (some Charlotte's, and yes, some mine).  That was the worst cold Charlotte has ever had.  Yes, she seemed better last Friday, but by Friday night she was back to the high fever and the whimpering.  That continued until Mondayish.  Meanwhile, I contracted the nasty thing and spent Sunday moaning in my bed, in between

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-71908020424893406182012-02-14T16:16:00.000-08:002012-02-14T16:16:20.571-08:00

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-58743463473948901372012-02-10T14:20:00.002-08:002012-02-10T14:20:16.185-08:00

Two days ago, Charlotte came down with some kind of nasty virus.  Since another girl at daycare had been sick the week before, I figured it was the same, not-too-dangerous thing and so weathered the night with Charlotte without getting too worried.  It wasn't until the next morning when she had a 40 degree (C) temperature (102 F), after taking ibuprofen, that I realized I needed to get her to the

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-81628315134668540712012-02-03T16:48:00.000-08:002012-02-03T17:28:47.269-08:00

  This is our wonderful midwife, Lyanne, checking Callie over at our 6-week appointment.   She and our other midwife, Talia, did an amazing job of caring for me and Callie.  I am so glad I went with midwives this time around, instead of doctors, and wish I had done the same with Charlotte.  My doctors were great--but there's only so much they can give you in 15-minute appointments.  I was

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-27930652553429741162012-01-31T08:47:00.000-08:002012-01-31T08:47:39.328-08:00

is carrying a baby in a sling/Ergo.  I bought this sling for Charlotte but she never seemed to like it.  Actually what happened is that she would start to cry when I tried to get her in, and I was too much of a wimp to persevere.  Back then I would eye the sling for about two hours, figuring out my strategy for getting Charlotte into it without any crying.  I would finally get up my nerve to just

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-43156452292417808712012-01-30T10:25:00.000-08:002012-01-30T10:25:47.042-08:00

AKA Leah goes out on the town IN THE DARK!  AND HAS CHAMPAGNE!  What is the world coming to?   Scott threw an amazing engagement party for his beautiful bride-to-be at Zambri's this past Saturday.  The food was delicious and the company was lovely.  I met many of their good friends and was so impressed with how friendly and gracious everyone was.  It goes to show that nice

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-41499579704422128872012-01-27T16:03:00.000-08:002012-01-27T16:03:25.750-08:00

This was my favourite decoration in Charlotte's nursery: I always loved it and wondered what we would do when she changed rooms and a new little person moved in.  When Callie came along I started searching KidsCorner again (the Etsy shop in which I purchased the first decal) and realized I wanted the exact same thing for Callie.  So voila:   I was able to take Charlotte's name off

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-19499246925459154982012-01-24T09:59:00.000-08:002012-01-24T09:59:59.772-08:00

...than baby toes?    Nothing.  That's what.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-66569608267279777422012-01-23T14:25:00.000-08:002012-01-23T14:25:40.107-08:00

"How is it with two?" is a question I get asked a lot these days.  Answer: hectic, crazy, chaotic, busy, a juggling act....etc.  What's the hardest thing?  Answer: getting in and out of the car.  Those are the easy answers.  The more complicated answer, and one I didn't really fully get until number two came along (just like I didn't fully get sleep-deprivation and breast engorgement until the

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-810971857585653472012-01-22T20:17:00.000-08:002012-01-22T20:17:01.382-08:00

  Just sittin' on a couch...

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-44221708772605498532012-01-20T14:51:00.000-08:002012-01-20T14:51:35.266-08:00

for a few days we had some unheard of snow in these parts.  That snow coincided with my sister's visit which was the best in terms of play, but meant icy road conditions and cancelled flights for her!  She got to stay an extra day and in the end got safely home, so all is well.    Here are Auntie Elyse and Charlotte making the smallest snowman ever.     They ended up making a family of

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-49003270874168615432012-01-18T10:11:00.000-08:002012-01-18T10:11:19.380-08:00

  The Gough girls! ...Callie's first snowfall...Charlotte's first meal of snow... Auntie Elyse is visiting.  I'll post more when when we're not busy making tippy snowmen and napping with the girls... 

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-35807144494246714962012-01-14T14:55:00.000-08:002012-01-14T14:56:55.326-08:00

Charlotte's room is pretty much a blank slate right now.  Besides her toys (of which she has plenty), everything else is white in the room: the walls, the doors, the curtains.  I am working with my mom on choosing a colour palette for what will be her quilt; from there we are going to move onto the curtains and eventually other elements of the room. I know it's not going to be Martha Stewart

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-7788972893419201142012-01-11T14:26:00.000-08:002012-01-11T14:38:58.844-08:00

Callie: sleeps a lot loves to nurse loves to be held loves to be in the sling sleeps through car rides sleeps through big sister caresses and kisses looks quite different than her sister; she doesn't look much like Ryan (as Charlotte always has) likes to fall asleep with Mommy won't take a soother rarely cries, but when she does it's a loud, loud, scream snorts and makes horse noises in her

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-4586034417637292902012-01-09T13:33:00.000-08:002012-01-09T13:33:01.671-08:00

For the past year or so we've known that my brother and his fiancee were planning a move to San Francisco.  It was all very exciting to think about until moving day came nearer and nearer and more and more of a reality.   Scott has been living nearby in Victoria for many years now, and while we don't see him a lot, at least he was only a short drive away.  We often would meet at our parents'

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-80768144302358473832012-01-07T17:08:00.000-08:002012-01-07T17:08:03.127-08:00

In November, as I was mindlessly scrolling through Pinterest for Christmas gift ideas, I came across a handful of knitting patterns for ear warmers.  I searched some more to find one that was both pretty and easy and found this great free pattern on Ravelry.  Then I knit and knit and knit and knit and made 10 different ear warmers for family and friends in all colours: pink, grey, purple, blue,

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-21854426986473877042012-01-05T11:10:00.000-08:002012-01-05T11:11:31.575-08:00

Every year, I like to make a list of the books I have read and rank them from least favourite to most favourite.  Last year my list was dismal: it only had seven books on it.  This year I stepped it up and managed to fit in 17 books!  So here they are, ranked from least to most favourite: 17. Tuck Everlasting by N. Babbit (read for my grade 8 class) 16. The Sentimentalists by J. Skibsrud (Book

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-60223787978075858822012-01-04T09:59:00.000-08:002012-01-04T09:59:32.089-08:00

  I haven't said much about Christmas, although I'm sure you understand.  Christmas was just as anticipated around here by a certain toddler as Callie was by me.  Charlotte loved everything about the season: the tree, the sweets, the advent calendars, the stories about Santa.  Maybe she didn't love actually seeing Santa all that much (see above) but putting out the cookies and finding what

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-88018618465477957502012-01-03T17:16:00.000-08:002012-01-03T17:16:39.468-08:00

Callie was born right in the middle of Ryan's Christmas holidays.  It was perfect timing--Ryan got to stay home with his newly expanded family, and I got to pee when I had to.  Today was his first day back at work and my first day with not only a toddler, but a newborn as well.  The day went well--I've got two great girls: Callie sleeps (probably because she's only 11 days old) and Charlotte is

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-20339742543905550142012-01-01T20:51:00.000-08:002012-01-01T20:51:26.388-08:00

Here is my annual slideshow of pictures.  This year I made a half-hearted attempt to add music, but then realized I don't really have the time at the moment!  Maybe next year... Enjoy!

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-78048929344025624272011-12-27T19:48:00.000-08:002011-12-27T19:48:26.407-08:00

  And right on time too.  She arrived on her due date, December 23rd at 2:09 pm.   We are now a family of four and it is pretty darn great.   We hope you all had a very merry Christmas.  We sure did.   

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-73339784490919183932011-12-22T20:04:00.000-08:002011-12-22T20:04:01.314-08:00

     (Images from both pregnancies) Yes, I am 40 weeks pregnant, and oh so ready not to be.  I know in like 9 months I'll look back at this with weepy eyes, but for now, ADIOS PREGNANT BOD.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-83768782310103930032011-12-21T16:10:00.000-08:002011-12-21T16:13:01.178-08:00

I call this outfit: out for a day of shopping with Grandma. She chose the accessories. !

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-73138655439927914942011-12-17T20:59:00.000-08:002011-12-18T08:52:19.331-08:00

Three weeks before New Baby was scheduled to arrive, we finally got Charlotte out of the nursery and into her own room.  Ryan had been painting it and I had been cleaning it up for about a month, so Charlotte was high on anticipation.  When we finally let her in there, she went wild, running around and leaping and letting out "yay"s.  We got her big, cage-free bed set-up and boy was she excited.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-15177342596630420722011-12-15T09:15:00.000-08:002011-12-15T09:15:20.802-08:00

I was looking for writing inspiration, and came across this fun meme that Beth over at Shades of Bliss posted.     Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate, definitely.  I do like one tiny egg nog and rum for nostalgic reasons during the holidays, but otherwise it's hot cocoa all the way. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? No wrapping of the Santa gifts!  He doesn't

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-77918502657363174012011-12-13T21:38:00.000-08:002011-12-13T21:39:42.081-08:00

A fact that Charlotte is quickly learning, as you can see from this photographic evidence: Making sugar cookies with Grandma   Oh Mommy, you let me have the icing beater?!? Not too swift.   Hee hee!

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-28858677273615559052011-12-12T08:16:00.000-08:002011-12-12T08:16:08.543-08:00

Last night we had to say goodbye to three people that have been such a special part of our lives at such a monumental time.  Meghan, Armin and little Maeva are moving to Ontario and my, are we going to miss them.     Meg, Steph and I all met when our daughters were somewhere around 3 months old.   During our maternity leaves we spent many, many days together on crazy adventures through the

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-19107409074658218482011-12-09T21:13:00.001-08:002011-12-09T21:14:39.623-08:00

Picture taken whilst out shopping with my mom on my birthday yesterday.  Just caught a glimpse of my profile in the mirror.  HELLO!

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-70734004540714657232011-12-08T21:03:00.001-08:002011-12-08T21:20:02.112-08:00

Did you catch Q today?  I was driving to Victoria when I heard Jian and his audience, live in Toronto, set a new world record: most people ever to "meow" the chorus of Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On."  That is some captivating radio.  Listen to it here.  One word: AWESOME. It was part of an interview he was doing with the founders of recordsetter.com.  I just went to their website, because I

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-63995396779753709412011-12-07T19:58:00.001-08:002011-12-07T20:01:18.665-08:00

Pecans, caramel and chocolate.  Oh, and this year, I added a tad of sea salt.  I'll need to make another batch very soon.  These are disappearing quickly.  

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-62602862617527173552011-12-06T19:58:00.001-08:002011-12-06T20:11:22.989-08:00

I love traditions.  This one happens to be a relatively new one in my life, started only in 2008.  It was then that I was invited by a friend to her annual wreath-making party.  It's usually the first Sunday in December.  Everyone brings a wreath-base, greenery, decor and goodies to share.  Rebecca puts on a pot of hot apple cider and has all kinds of Christmassy tea to select from and away we go

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-19382552902332304682011-12-05T20:18:00.001-08:002011-12-05T20:23:05.667-08:00

We here at the Gough household believe in choosing your own path, right from an early age.  We don't believe in any kind of strict rules or guidelines; "no" is never heard in our house.  We believe it stifles creativity. Take this evening as an example.  As I always do right before dinner, I pulled out the entire 2 drawers of both large and small utensils, dumped them on the ground and invited

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-37149599637312987172011-12-03T19:40:00.001-08:002011-12-03T19:50:07.025-08:00

Charlotte and Amelia ventured out to Providence Farm this morning to see Santa.  Turns out he was just the sideshow to the glorious weather and The Running!   There's Santa, looking rather tiny.  I was actually trying to get a picture of the hanging balls of yarn over a bit of the craft fair.  Steph got a different perspective:   Steph and I enjoyed the beautiful buildings on

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-82952951981583594442011-12-01T10:35:00.000-08:002011-12-01T16:00:05.509-08:00

In no particular order, these are the things that have gotten me through this pregnancy: 10.  Yoga.  I did hardly any yoga during this pregnancy, especially compared to how much I did the first time around.  But when I do get a chance and the energy to sit and breathe and maybe stretch a bit, I feel so, so, so good.  I cannot believe how just spending a few minutes with my limbs and my back and

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-39848793789909331162011-11-30T20:08:00.001-08:002011-11-30T20:25:00.078-08:00

This afternoon I read an article in Today's Parent about finding the perfect nickname* for your child.  It's something I never really gave a lot of thought to; I think it's a lot of fun when a nickname suddenly and inexplicably sticks to a person, without having to try too hard.  I guess that's what a successful nickname is. I only have one nickname, and only one person who calls me by it.  My

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-50398160708919673532011-11-29T19:48:00.001-08:002011-11-29T20:30:15.115-08:00

... is really nice.  I've got a couple of weeks here when Charlotte is still in daycare, Ryan's still at work and new baby is still in my tummy.  A bit of a breather, as they say.  I'm enjoying reading for pleasure, knitting as much as I want, visiting with friends in the afternoon, getting a bit of fresh air, running errands, a tad of yoga, a bit of cleaning, listening to Q, some Christmas

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-43332278659816187102011-11-28T12:25:00.001-08:002011-11-28T12:54:44.940-08:00

While pregnant with Charlotte, I don't recall anything so much out of the ordinary.  But with this pregnancy, things have been different, a bit strange and, definitely, at times, a bit frustrating and/or embarassing. It all started with a couple of incidents at the grocery store when I was just, just pregnant.  Twice in one week I paid for my groceries and then left them there. Then I started

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-58202302864181498132011-11-27T19:57:00.001-08:002011-11-27T20:08:52.500-08:00

Santa's Cottage in Mill Bay, today Amid torrential rains, Santa does pop up in the tropics of Canada.  Last night we beelined it to Mill Bay Centre to see Santa arrive.  We weren't quite sure what that was going to be, having never attended before.  There was live music and a bonfire and free popcorn.   It poured rain, but we're Islanders, and yo, we come prepared. When the action stopped

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-60847509276412139092011-11-22T19:56:00.001-08:002011-11-22T20:02:31.353-08:00

Charlotte's friend, Maeva, turned two today.  Her party was on Sunday afternoon and while the adults indulged in some out-of-this-world pizza, Charlotte partied with the balloons.  That girl LOVES balloons.  And guess what? She got to take not one, but two home with her!  The car ride home was so exciting, balloons in our faces, couldn't see out the rear window.  Charlotte was very concerned that

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-56572207411302379142011-11-20T20:53:00.001-08:002011-11-20T20:56:33.462-08:00

He proposed today to the beautiful Steph, whom he's been in love with for four years now.  Congrats, you two.  You make an amazing couple.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-77513141022310084352011-11-19T20:08:00.001-08:002011-11-19T20:11:40.368-08:00

I stopped at The Noodle Box for some nourishment, mid-Christmas shop today.  On the specials menu: butter chicken over jasmine rice.  Oh yeah.  So, so, so delicious.  Indian food, I love you.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-4940274779477602322011-11-16T19:43:00.001-08:002011-11-16T19:56:54.667-08:00

Some of you may remember my obsession with The Hunger Games this summer.  When I started teaching in September I suggested buying a class set for my grade nines and what do you know?  I actually got one! For the past three weeks I have been reading the first book to the class and doing super fun activities with them.  We did a class reaping, designed our own muttations (yes, that's three ts),

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-82782820374444292872011-11-13T09:07:00.001-08:002011-11-13T09:08:23.259-08:00

Three bowls, three spoons.  Rice Krispies, blueberries, oatmeal with raisins.  And water.  And an orange, already consumed.  She has a healthy appetite, this one. 

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-83684867913948617172011-11-12T20:56:00.001-08:002011-11-12T21:01:04.913-08:00

raisins in tiny boxes pushing the button for the food processor yellow school buses bridges and overpasses under which we DUCK! pointing out the moon on a drive home from Grandma's house

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-90462097791736293042011-11-10T20:34:00.001-08:002011-11-10T20:45:04.858-08:00

Tomorrow I will be 34 weeks pregnant.  Egad!  And: Thank goodness!  Finally! Ugh.  I am extremely big and heavy right now.  This baby seems way bigger than Charlotte ever was; but my rational brain (which doesn't have much of a voice these days) tells me it's just my memory being skewed.  I have two more weeks left of school before I am officially off on leave.  During some moments I feel like

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-32627188851503394372011-11-06T12:34:00.000-08:002011-11-06T12:34:35.218-08:00

Mmm.  This morning with all the time I had on my hands -- Charlotte was up at 5 according to the new schedule -- I was able to get a bit of pinning done on Pinterest.  That's where I discovered the recipe for Thyme-Roasted Grapes with Fresh Ricotta and Grilled Bread.   I thought, Charlotte likes grapes and cheese and bread.  This could work! And voila:   I substituted the homemade

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-79958431266261601152011-11-04T20:07:00.000-07:002011-11-04T20:08:08.817-07:00

There's Charlotte and Amelia all ready for their first experience with Trick-or-Treating! But, it was her THIRD Halloween.  That's right, THIRD.  Lord, she's aging. Remember last year?  With the too-small, crazy "pumpkin" costume?  What's with the bow tie?  So weird.   And of course, there was her very first Halloween:   O.M.G.  Is that really her?   Yes, yes it is.  And that's me,

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-69981767597382496442011-10-23T13:22:00.000-07:002011-10-23T13:22:17.091-07:00

Oh my, this is good.  Follow the link if "alot" particularly bugs you, or "u" especially. 

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-40493054333349349992011-10-22T16:20:00.000-07:002011-10-22T16:20:27.924-07:00

  Usually around this time of year I wax sentimental about autumn and the leaves and the warm drinks and the sweet treats.  But, I've been far too busy to even think about any of this except when driving, driving, driving. But today I was struck with both the inspiration and the time to bake these delicious fall treats.  So, so tasty.  (The recipe I used is from joyofbaking.com.  Very easy and

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-85898305037123039072011-10-15T21:06:00.000-07:002011-10-15T21:14:31.981-07:00

Only one person in the above photo had ever been to a pumpkin patch before.  That's right, Ryan.  For Charlotte and I it was entirely new and exciting!  Seriously!  Very exciting! It was an absolutely beautiful day.  Charlotte had a blast running through the patch, kicking rotten pumpkins and knocking on healthy ones.  She picked out the pumpkin that I am holding in the above photo.  Pretty

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-16960709473671619262011-10-13T20:58:00.000-07:002011-10-13T20:58:29.084-07:00

1. Charlotte turned two.  Two!  Hello!  No more "19 months" or "21 months" or "5 months."  Just two.  That's it.  For a whole year! With two she's suddenly become way more vocal, stringing words together and adding words daily.  She loves to run and dance and cut.  Cut her food, that is, with the side of her fork.  Well, that was the obsession today, anyway. 2. I've started a new book club!  I

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-11783792927632311512011-10-12T20:04:00.000-07:002011-10-12T20:04:49.202-07:00

So, this past weekend me, Ryan, Charlotte and both of my parents journeyed into the interior of the province to say goodbye to my grandpa.  Yes, it was over 1000 kilometers and, yes, we were all in one car.  But that's another story. It was, all in all, a good weekend.  I had been looking forward to seeing my grandma ever since my grandpa died in September.  I knew she would be pretty much okay,

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-33891956343969916002011-10-11T20:26:00.001-07:002011-10-11T20:27:55.191-07:00

How old are you? a video by ciboulette on Flickr. TWO!

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-65581515487740222322011-10-04T08:24:00.000-07:002011-10-04T08:25:45.095-07:00

This past weekend, I and four of my good lady friends took some time out from our lives and headed to Parksville for some relaxation! We stayed at The Tigh-na-mara--a spa resort.  Before leaving, Katie said, "I can't wait to just sit and hear nothing but the clock tick and the pages turn."  Turns out the only sound we heard most of the weekend was raucous laughter.  And was it ever cleansing.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-84072999618828707662011-09-27T20:02:00.000-07:002011-09-27T20:05:17.134-07:00

Grammar humour:   Yes!  This is awesome. (via A Teacher's Education)

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-56325911070614957412011-09-22T19:46:00.000-07:002011-09-22T19:46:51.992-07:00

I have begun to waddle.  Today I tried very hard to walk normally down the school's hallway.  It cannot be done.  My walk is officially penguin-like.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-46939587346045749252011-09-21T19:13:00.000-07:002011-09-21T19:13:58.729-07:00

Despite it all, things are good.  It's raining this evening, which feels like a much needed calming breath.  Charlotte's gone to bed early.  Parents, you know how great that is. The new baby is rolling around in its home, constantly reminding me that he/she is there.  In the last week I've started to feel the heaviness.  The belly is something I lug around now, transport from place to place; I

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-68708685347291485772011-09-20T20:36:00.000-07:002011-09-20T20:36:05.751-07:00

I wasn't able to go to my cousin's funeral, but I did hear this story via my mom: At the grave site, after hymns had been sung and blessings had been given, when everyone was starting to trickle away from Kylie's grave, her mom started to sing. That is nothing except pure beauty and love.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-51987921484315739892011-09-17T11:04:00.000-07:002011-09-17T11:05:57.885-07:00

I've been trying to write a little bit about my week for a few days now.  Every time I get started I feel like: this isn't good enough. Words are just not enough sometimes. Last Saturday my cousin Kylie died after waiting too long for a second lung transplant.  She suffered from cystic fibrosis all of her 19 years. That same morning, my grandfather (on the same side of the family) fell down his

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-39606451265012798002011-09-10T10:48:00.000-07:002011-09-10T10:48:00.304-07:00

I made a list on my phone of all of the new things Charlotte experienced this summer, because it was so much fun to experience them all over again with her.  Re-reading the list provides a jolt of nostalgia for my childhood summers.  Missing so far: slip n' slides and roasting marshmallows. Running through the sprinkler Big wave beach Sand castles Waterparks Kites Sleepovers at Grandma and

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-87528202695522186702011-09-09T20:37:00.000-07:002011-09-09T20:37:04.119-07:00

So... I got a job!  A real job with a real classroom and real kids!  And it's all mine!  hahahahaha! I love it.  It is so great working every day at the same place, getting to know the staff and the kids, getting to plan my own lessons, closing the door on my own classroom.  It is so much better than being on call every day, going to who knows where, teaching other people's stuff and being bored

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-48853323398720725372011-08-30T20:15:00.000-07:002011-08-30T20:15:23.018-07:00

    All dressed up for Ryan's cousin's wedding in Strathcona Park, August 20.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-73438853871205718752011-08-23T22:03:00.000-07:002011-08-23T22:03:49.293-07:00

Triple chocolate brownie with fresh blackberry sauce, Greek yogurt and pecans.   (Insert evil laugh here.)

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-43730398954425238072011-08-23T08:23:00.000-07:002011-08-23T22:04:57.071-07:00

Well.  It has to be said: summer is coming to a close.  But, like every year, I feel like I made the most of it, and as I promised to do I made the most of this summer even in terms of reading.  That makes me happy. In all of 2010, I think I read 7 or 8 books.  So it makes me happy to say that in the past two months I have read 6 and a half books.  That means I didn't spend my "free" time

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-31786053343124346432011-08-22T16:25:00.000-07:002011-08-22T16:25:47.598-07:00

Phew.  Breathing now after a week or so of visiting, traveling, weddinging, dancing and all the other stuff that comes with life.  There was no time to blog, much less check the internet or even make a phone call. It all started last Tuesday, as far as I remember, when my parents took Charlotte for a sleepover.  Ryan and I immediately headed to the theater to see Harry Potter in 3-D and eat as

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-12071019616412545062011-08-12T20:49:00.000-07:002011-08-12T20:49:35.260-07:00

This:  A surprise from Ry in the morning.  I got it all to myself with these blueberry pancakes and coffee: And these flowers: And this man: with his fancy maple syrup. I ate sooo much.  And then went out for fries.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-16329434876310840142011-08-10T19:54:00.000-07:002011-08-10T19:55:35.605-07:00

A couple things tugging at the ol' nostalgia strings lately: The smell of a chlorinated pool.  Ah.  Happy childhood summers spent at my grandparents' house in the Okanagan.  The whiff of a chlorinated pool takes me right back to those hot, endless days of play, surrounded by rambunctious cousins and loving grandparents. Also, my first job was at an indoor waterslide in a hotel.  Those were good

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-71634117111680290502011-08-07T20:19:00.000-07:002011-08-07T20:19:12.998-07:00

   I love blueberry season.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-6026186009142258432011-08-06T14:36:00.000-07:002011-08-06T14:36:28.356-07:00

 Half way! (which means it's only 20 weeks till Christmas.  Get shoppin'.)

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-31786574278264769332011-08-05T20:54:00.000-07:002011-08-05T20:54:16.974-07:00

A very fun thing.  I have always known I like to eat out, but now I am owning it.  Eating out with friends is one of my very, very favourite things to do. Today I met up with Laurie at Mo:Le in downtown Victoria.  When we were seated at our table, I turned to the photograph on the wall beside me and saw this beauty  who happens to be my brother's girlfriend, Steph.  Wow! I resisted my urge to

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-18987467056163691802011-08-04T20:52:00.000-07:002011-08-04T20:52:12.892-07:00

another perspective on the beach.  Decidedly anti-beach.  Not only anti-beach, anti-California beach!  Whoa!

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-73445515989850519602011-08-04T20:16:00.000-07:002011-08-04T20:16:22.826-07:00

Before pedicure Steph and I treated ourselves to a "spa hour" one day in Ucluelet.  We were referred to Nurture Day Spa and were treated like queens... Choosing a colour was the hardest part... But I did! My feet soaked while... I enjoyed the view of the harbour. Steph choosing her colour carefully. After! And Shirley Temples to cap off a great afternoon.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-74680789217115770192011-08-03T16:35:00.000-07:002011-08-03T16:35:31.854-07:00

I'm still thrilled that Charlotte gets to live on an island and experience an ocean beach every day if she wants to.  Perhaps I'm romanticizing it so much because the ocean was such an exotic thing for me when I was a kid. Maybe she'll take the beach for granted.  Maybe the beach for her will be like snow on Christmas was for me.  Or then again, maybe the beach will be for her what the Rocky

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-24239515508434265252011-07-30T21:31:00.000-07:002011-07-30T21:31:50.786-07:00

Cox Bay, near Tofino We're just back from a week of sand, sand, sand and more sand on Vancouver Island's West Coast.  We had such a great time.  My favourite part: watching Charlotte run with glee, pantsless, her first time on a big sandy, surfy beach.  "Yay!"

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-17585582447637257822011-07-22T20:50:00.000-07:002011-07-22T20:51:34.968-07:00

Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives: where we focus our attention. The good news is that we can choose. - Greg Anderson (via my cousin Lisa who says she read this and thought of me.  Thanks, Lisa!)

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-87122491347208514962011-07-20T08:05:00.000-07:002011-07-20T10:33:42.406-07:00

In the past two or three days I've noticed some major changes in Charlotte.  She is growing up BIG TIME.  For one, she is getting her final set of baby teeth,  but that's the only bit that's no fun. She's started pretending!  When once I tried to force a lovie on her with no success, she now carries around three friends at all times: her doll, Heidi; her little rabbit (from Goodnight Moon), Mike;

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-48658642620703629122011-07-19T17:03:00.000-07:002011-07-19T17:03:14.490-07:00

Yar! On the pretense of having to apply for Charlotte's passport, I headed to Victoria SOLO yesterday and had some much-needed me time. Sadly, there aren't any photos to document the experience.  Mostly because I was enjoying myself so much, I forgot! First I went to Pagliacci's for lunch.  Oh my god.  One great thing about the second trimester: food is like crack.  Man, does (most) food taste

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-23844378885531792412011-07-18T21:11:00.000-07:002011-07-18T21:15:21.964-07:00

While we didn't have the greatest weather for our first sailing trip of the summer, we did have a lot of new experiences and adventures.  Every day was THE BEST for Charlotte.  Every night too, as she loved going "na-nigh" in her special boat-bed.  Too bad she didn't actually fall asleep for three hours, but that's okay.  What else do you do at night when you're camping besides play around in

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-60562668926737391802011-07-14T20:15:00.000-07:002011-07-14T20:15:46.753-07:00

A few weeks ago, while in the car, a particularly good song came on the radio.  I said to Charlotte, "Good song," turned up the volume and proceeded to bop along to the music.  I turned around to see if Charlotte was enjoying the music as much as I was, only to find her immersed in a Mommy-imitation, complete with index finger stabbing the air in a salute to such a fine piece of music. A couple

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-31980653410626045462011-07-08T08:02:00.000-07:002011-07-08T08:02:13.595-07:00

 The Virgin Caesar is back baby.  Oh yeah.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-10052072367039288082011-07-07T11:31:00.000-07:002011-07-07T11:34:53.078-07:00

We all know that I am a grammar and word nerd.  Yes, I obsess over spelling errors and misplaced quotation marks and the like.  That's why something like this makes me laugh so hard and makes my husband shake his head in disbelief. Taylor Mali, you're my hero.  (P.S. It has come to my attention, as of late, that while my spelling and grammar skills are far superior to those of lesser beings, my

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-76154959167169959122011-07-06T20:29:00.000-07:002011-07-06T20:29:52.310-07:00

I'm finally getting around to taking baby bump pictures.  It starts early, I guess, the second-child neglect.  Poor Gunther.  But here I am: feeling good and loving my bump ("my lumps, my lovely lady lumps, my lumps my lumps my lumps...") (wa-wa).  Yes, this is my second pregnancy.  My stomach muscles are virtually non-existent.   Check out how "big" I was at 15 weeks with Charlotte:  Lord.

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-52649190557911147712011-07-05T21:11:00.000-07:002011-07-05T21:11:51.012-07:00

Some of you may remember how I lost ten pounds when I was pregnant with Charlotte because I could NOT eat.  This time around I am eating.  ALL. THE. TIME.  I've still felt pretty sick (although I'm feeling much better these days), but at least I can eat.  And the cravings!  They are intense and varied.  Here is a list of what I've been craving off and on so far: Hawkins' Cheezies.  BRING THEM ON!

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-82053423883364852942011-07-05T14:44:00.001-07:002011-07-05T14:44:48.601-07:00

 Need I say more?

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-18244901833296344282011-06-30T20:32:00.000-07:002011-06-30T20:33:59.572-07:00

Charlotte picked out her clothes and we headed to the beach.  Perfect day.    

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-49708061034370965932011-06-27T06:10:00.000-07:002011-06-27T06:10:00.502-07:00

On Saturday, I went for a really long walk all by myself because I finally felt like doing a little bit of exercise after 10 weeks of moaning on the couch.  It was really nice to move, but I think I overdid it a little.  That's how out of shape I am! Anyway, I was walking a stretch of road I've walked many times before and I came to the spot where that dead raccoon used to be.  I first noticed it

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-10633686939086203542011-06-26T11:54:00.000-07:002011-06-26T11:54:47.010-07:00

But I found one!    I used an old gift certificate to buy this the other day when I had some time to kill in downtown Duncan.  Then I read it in 4 days.  I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it and joyfully skipping out of Charlotte's room after she had fallen asleep because it meant it was time to READ!  What is it with YA lit that makes for page-turners?  When I went to the

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-23361325293946692282011-06-20T10:31:00.000-07:002011-06-20T10:31:48.109-07:00

  Happy Father's Day to all of the wonderful papas out there.  I'm lucky in that my life is populated with wonderful fathers--the two best being of course my own (pictured here) and Charlotte's.  To celebrate we all got together for a big, greasy brunch which was so satisfying (and thrown perhaps a little selfishly) to at least one pregnant mama.  Then Charlotte got to play with Grandma and

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-21845235611893036042011-06-18T14:56:00.000-07:002011-11-22T20:41:48.979-08:00

Time for another book list!  This one's all about summer reading.  It's ambitious, but I hope to spend more time reading this summer than I did this winter.  One strategy: turn off the TV.  I think the only thing I want to watch this summer is So You Think You Can Dance and maybe Master Chef. To read this summer: 1. Little Bee by Chris Cleave (Christmas gift, just started) (UPDATE: abandoned) 2

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-68596014968324411502011-06-16T20:15:00.000-07:002011-06-16T20:15:38.270-07:00

Phew.  So much has been happening around here, I haven't had time to blog about it because I've been living it! Or sleeping. What's with the sleeping you may ask?  Well.  I'm 13 weeks pregnant tomorrow and I am exhausted ALL THE TIME.  When I'm sleeping, I'm dreaming about sleeping.  When I'm awake, I'm scheduling my next nap.  So the pregnancy explains the crazy tomato post and the one about no

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-27655480883323550002011-06-12T20:19:00.000-07:002011-06-12T20:19:15.078-07:00

I actually have some time to post tonight, but I just started Room by Emma Donoghue and I can't wait to get back to it.  So I'm using this time to do one of my very favourite and oft-neglected things.   Good Sunday night to you!

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-55018219198343061482011-06-11T20:16:00.000-07:002011-06-11T20:16:28.001-07:00

Charlotte and I have a new favourite thing to do together: reviewing the day.  Once she's gathered up Heidi (her doll) and her favourite blanky, said good-night to Daddy and climbed into the rocking chair with me, I say, "How was your day?"  And she gets this big smile.  I go over everything I know about her day--people she saw (Julia!  Amelia!  Grandma and Grandpa!), things she did (car ride!

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-81912541954130868552011-06-06T20:23:00.000-07:002011-06-06T20:23:18.584-07:00

I have lots to write about the weekend and a few other things to share but today I am distracted by this: The Uniform Project (via The Crunchy Chicken). The uniform is a little black dress which one woman wore every day for one year with different accessories and in different ways.  The point: to show that we don't actually need all of those clothes in our closet, nor do we need to buy new

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-25961089447883126572011-05-31T20:01:00.000-07:002011-05-31T20:01:45.387-07:00

  (The googly eyes always fall off on the drive home!)

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-71912487489556403652011-05-30T20:50:00.000-07:002011-05-30T20:50:05.003-07:00

Yes, stellar. First, after Charlotte finally got her 18-month immunizations (okay, so maybe Charlotte would disagree about the stellar start to the weekend), we headed to Duncan's premier playground: Centennial Park.  And we had the whole thing to ourselves!  It was glorious.  Charlotte ran from here to there and there to here.  I like Centennial Park because it's got super fun stuff like this

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-59540033730682429782011-05-26T19:37:00.000-07:002011-05-26T19:37:23.985-07:00

I haven't really watched Oprah since I was in high school, and then it was only on occasion.  But still, to know that she is going off the air has made me stop and think a bit.  Especially when I came across this: The Oprah Gratitude Project.  It's a project started by Mighty Girl and it's pictures of people and tidbits of advice they have learned and cherished from Oprah over the years.  Pretty

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5876544836473104647.post-78055920481826661192011-05-25T20:26:00.000-07:002011-05-25T20:27:26.694-07:00

I think out of all the food items that are out there, the thing I eat the most of besides maybe wheat, is the tomato. Man, I love a tomato.  Just writing about it gets my mouth salivating.  Fresh, ripe and plump tomatoes are the best, and I can eat them like apples.  I could suck out all of the "tomato caviar"--the jelly-like stuff surrounding the seeds--and be the happiest girl on earth.  A

ciboulettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15051053799554752734noreply@blogger.com0