Halloween Fun

Even though the boys are still sick, we did take them out Halloweening. Luckily it was a very nice warm evening. We also went over to Grandma's store to let her have a chance to give them something. All in all they had a very good time, but were certainly ready for by at 7:30... now I just have to hope they sleep well and get better soon.

Our friendly pumpkins!

Captain Flamingo (Monkey), Fireman Sam (Bug), Monkey (Little Man) and Dada

I also figured it was a great night to make Dinner in A Pumpkin. Hubby and I enjoyed it, but the boys weren't all that interested... hopefully it goes over better next year.

More Surprises!!!

Hubby is really treating me these days! Last week I got a dyson vacuum, which I was really not expecting. And now.... he bought me the Couch, Chair, Washer and Dryer that I wanted!?!?!?!?!?
He came home just before dinner, and asked me who it was that was interested in our present washer and dryer. I truthfully looked at him like he had 3 heads, and asked him why. All he did then was give me a little folder that had the receipts for all the above mentioned items. I think it took me a good 5 minutes to even say something! So, the couch and chair will be here Tuesday evening, and the washer/dryer will be coming on Wednesday. I am so excited to use the new washer/dryer, supposedly the steam option will make less ironing for me!!!!!

Other exciting news for us is that Little Man is an official toddler now! He took those first real steps last week, and yesterday decided to walk more than crawl. I am a little sad that I no longer have a baby in the house, but know that he will be my last. Sigh... it's too bad Hubby will not even consider another baby :(

Here's a video taken yesterday, along with what I am calling his happy dance at the end LOL.

Sewing and colds

Well, it's that time of year again.... Halloween!!!! Spent my morning sewing up the boys costumes. Monkey is going to be Captain Flamingo, Bug will be Fireman Sam, and Little Man will be a Monkey (rather fitting too LOL). It's going to be interesting walking down the street Friday night.... if that is we get to go! Poor Bug sounds so hoarse today, a bit like a frog. I just hope they are well enough to attend their school parties later this week.

I haven't done a lot of sewing the last few months, just nervous about using the machine with Little Man crawling around. It went a lot better than I could have hoped for! He wasn't really all that interested in coming into the sewing room, so didn't have to worry about him getting underfoot. Hopefully this means that I can now start to get some work done during the day, I have so many projects that I need to complete... and even more that I would like to start.

I do have one project that I want done before Christmas, and that is recovering a couch... again! I covered this couch 8 years ago, and here I am about to do it again. We decided that with the economy right now, it doesn't make sense to spend money on furniture. So, guess I am stuck fixing up the couch, I really, really dislike the cover that I made for it previously.

Wish me luck in getting the costumes done tomorrow!!!

The new Vacuum

Well, the day has come... I was excited and happy that my dear darling hubby bought me a new vacuum!!!!! LOL Still can't get over how happy I was that Hubby bought me a new vacuum, a Dyson no less!!! Now, I have been after a new vacuum for a very long time... was pretty much resigned to using the one we have (older central vac with very, very few attachments) for a lot longer, but lo and behold, he comes home from an errand this afternoon with this new gadget.

Even better was that he then proceeded to vacuum the house for me!!!!

Still can't believe that I got so excited for a ..... vacuum!!!!!!!

No TV or Computer today!!!

Arghhh, I must be insane! LOL We get back from school just before lunch, and the fighting between Monkey and Bug started at the door! It just continued to get worse from there.... sigh. About 15 minutes later as I was upstairs changing Little Man, I hear even more, accompanied by screaming. So, off to their rooms they went to calm down. I then made the drastic statement that there would be no TV or Computer time today!!! Ack!!! And we all know that you can't back down, they sense and use capitulation on my part any chance they get.

So, now I have no choice but to deal without the back up occupation of TV and Computer to get me through the bad times. Making dinner tonight could be a very scary affair. I have felt that we watch a bit too much, but there are times (like making dinner) that I need something for them to do that doesn't make a mess... or start fights.

Here's a few pics of the fall walk that we took with the boys and their pre-school class.

Tea...

I was think about this while having my cup of tea this morning... One thing to look forward to this coming Winter is that with the cold weather I drink more tea! LOL I have so much loose leaf tea, that it would take me a year or so to finish is all! Maybe I should have a tea party?!?!? LOL I have a few Christmas blends that I should probably get out soon, and then of course there are the daily ones. Let's see how many.....

1. Red Rose (Orange Pekoe)
2. Earl Grey (Loose and bagged)
3. Rooibos
4. Raspberry Rooibos
5. Chai Rooibos
6. Green
7. Mint
8. Chamomile (bagged)
9. Evening Delight (bagged)
10. Orange Spice Tea (bagged)
11. English Breakfast (bagged)
12. Mulled Spice Christmas
13. Christmas Winterside
14. Gingerbread Orange Rooibos

WOW, didn't think I had 14 different types of tea!!!! Now I just need an occasion to use them for!!!! Most of my family members are not that into tea, so it's usually just me and hubby drinking it. We usually go through about 10 bags of Red Rose in day, and I usually have either a Chai or Mint in the evening.

Hmmm... wonder what I could set up for a party that would require drinking tea....

Plans, plans, plans...

Well, the day wasn't bad, but not great... just there! I did get some good news though, Hubby will be flying home tomorrow, flights permitting. It's only 2 days early, and I realize that he will most likely have to go back again soon, but I am thrilled to have him back!!!!!

We are trying to figure out what to do for our Anniversary next month, the boys will be staying with Grandma and Grandpa... one item dealt with, now it's just planning the rest! I am thinking we should stay within driving distance this time (flew to Barcelona 2 years ago when we lived in England), to afford nicer accommodations. I am really looking forward to this time alone with hubby, it will be wonderful to not be interrupted when we try to talk.

Off to watch some of my shows before heading to bed. Think I have House and Criminals Minds to watch tonight. Goodnight all.

Mondays....

Hubby left this morning, I hate it when he leaves on business trips!!!! These last few months he has done a fair bit of traveling, I really hope it settles down soon. He also has 23 or so days of holiday left to use before the end of the year.... maybe he should just take the month of December off! LOL Yah, don't think that will happen, but I hope they don't get wasted. Next year I plan to really push him to use up all 30 days.

Monkey and Bug were really doing thier best to get in trouble! I think it was around 15 time outs this afternoon... Little Man isn't helping by throwing a fit anytime he doesn't get his way. So, needless to say, there was a lot of screaming going on in this house today.

Well, I can't seem to get my thoughts out tonight... just not my night for writing I guess! Here's some pics of the days happenings.

Monkey showing me the leaves he found in the yard.

Little Man mad at me for closing the bathroom door LOL.

Little Man trying to help me on the computer.

Little Man checking out his socks.

Early morning worries

These last few days have been tough!!! Both Monkey and Bug are having problems listening, and doing as they are asked. It has not made for the most pleasant time. Friday Monkey missed school because he took so long to get dressed, he also missed going out to the big park yesterday for the same reason. I'm thinking we need to get him a clock for his room so he knows just how long he has to get dressed. With three boys, myself, snacks, and breakfast to be eaten all before 8:15am, I don't have the time to stand over Monkey while he gets dressed!

I fear that this coming week will be a long one for me! Hubby leaves for Quebec tomorrow, and my ankle is not getting better at all..... in fact I think it has gotten worse!!!! I would really like to get the yard all ready for Winter, but I'm not sure if I will be able to manage that. Just got to pray hard that the week goes smoothly.

The beginning of our Living Aboard Dream

I figure it's time to go on a bit about this whole live aboard thing LOL. It all started about 2 years ago when Hubby mentioned that when the company sells, he wants to take a few years off and cruise around the Mediterranean on a yacht! To say I was shocked would be putting it mildly. Neither of us have ever spent too much time on boats (especially yachts), so it's not like there was any forewarning that he would want to do this. I digested this idea for a while, and did a bit of research. I was rather surprised to hear (and even meet) of so many families that have done this, with children of all ages.

We went to a boat show in Southampton, England a short time later, which was a real eye opener for me. A few months later, we were able to get away (it was our anniversary) for a few days without children. We attended the boat show in Barcelona, and this is when I started to fall in love with the idea of doing this!!!!! We spent a number of hours (it was very quiet during the week) on some Ferretti and Fairline yachts, specifically the Ferretti 88 and Fairline Squadron 78. These yachts make living aboard a very easy thing to do! The only thing that was a concern to us about these particular yachts was there range. On a fill, you would only go about 400-600 nautical miles. The fuel consumption is also high due to their high cruising speed of anywhere from 25knots to 30knots.

This then led to even more research, which is when I found Mulder Yachts. These have all the luxury and living accommodations of the Ferretti and Squadron, but had much, much better range. The photo up top is of our dream yacht, the Mulder 88 Flybridge. I don't know that we will ever have this specific yacht, but it's nice to dream about!

The more that I have thought about this over the last two years, the more that I want to do it. I realize that it will be a lot of work, but feel that the experience that we will all have far outweighs the negatives. I'm sure I will have more to say in regards to this over time, we don't expect to realize it all for another few years.... especially since Little Man is still so young.

We realize that this adventure of ours will be a lot of work, and that some days will be difficult, but we really look forward to spending more time with each other, and our boys.

Evening Ramblings

Well, the time has come.... everything is now an Uh-Oh!!! Little Man has been able to say this for a few weeks, but he now is using it in context. This morning he dropped his soother while we were driving, for the next 7 minutes all I heard from him was Uh-Oh. Shortly after putting him to bed tonight, I hear numerous Uh-Oh's. I finally decide to see what has happened, only to find all three of his soothers on the floor, and stinky diaper to boot! LOL

I made it to the Doctor yesterday, and got some X-ray's taken of my ankle. It isn't broken (didn't even know you could walk around with a broken foot, but I now understand it's possible), but I do have a sliver of bone that has come off!!! Thankfully she said that I don't really need a cast, but will have a slightly longer healing time. So, guess I will be keeping up with the Advil and Tylenol for a bit longer.... because it still really hurts.

The weather here this week has been just strange! It has been sitting around 24°C (75°F), not exactly what is normal for this time of year. And of course I can't fully enjoy it with my ankle the way it is. Hopefully it will be well enough to get out a bit this weekend.

These pics were just too cute to not share!!! You can tell that Little Man was thoroughly enjoying those beans and cranberries!