Wonderful start to June.

I always forget just how much I love dancing, until I get out and actually dance!  Friday night was a blast!  Danced like a crazy lady, got all hot and sweaty, closed the bar down.  It has been years since I last danced that hard, I suspect the last time I danced that hard was before I got married... holy crap!  I went out with the intention of not getting picked up, which wasn't easy... there was a number of guy's trying very, very hard... but all I really wanted to do was enjoy myself and dance!

I had my hair chopped off that afternoon, and am so happy that I did!  I'm thinking I will go a bit shorter next time, but overall I'm extremely happy with it.  I've never had quite this much fun with my hair, or tried something so different... it was time to change it up, my hair style (which I did love) just wasn't keeping up with who I am becoming these days.

And here it is...

Today I added to my collection of tattoo's.  It was a great deal at Tiki Town.  Donate a minimum of $50 to cure cancer, and get a 30 minute tattoo!  There was no way I could say no to this, such a wonderful cause!  A number of the artists working today are also going to be doing the Ride to Conquer Cancer.  I ended up getting Mitch, who is the artist who did my Pheonix and my wrists.  I was joined by two friends, who also got something added to their collection.  I had this lotus flower placed on my right inside forearm, and am really happy with how it turned out.

There is only one slight drawback to my wonderful weekend, I need to replace my DVD player.  It would appear the kids have played with it too much, and it no longer wants to work properly.  My guess is that Little Man did something, he is my destructive child after all.  Not sure quite why my boys think I'm made of money, but they are certainly causing me much grief these days!

Thinking of summer.

First thing tomorrow morning, I am packing the boys up, driving into the city, and praying that I come home with all 3!

I am only sort of joking!  I am taking the boys to the RV show in the city, which is a pretty big thing for them.  They really enjoyed our camping trip last summer, and always ask when we will go camping again. As an extra special treat, I am going to use the C-Train to get to the show!!!  I'm not sure which aspect of the trip I fear the most.  Three boys on a train going through the city, or 3 boys running wild at a show with multiple places to hide (the trailers)?!  I am lucky that I will have some help there, friends with their two boys will be joining me for the craziness.

I am going to be looking at tent trailers, not with the intention to buy new, but to get more of an idea of what will work for me and the boys.  The one we rented this summer was adequate, but I would like to see if there are other features that would work better for us.  I do know that I want to have an 'add a room' on the side, just a little extra space for us when the weather is poor or the bugs especially hungry!  I also want to look at the battery options for running the furnace and fridge in the trailer, as well as solar chargers for them.

The boys are pretty stoked about this adventure, and I am too.  I would really like to spend as much of the summer months outdoors with them, away from the towns and cities.  The trailer could also be nice for me to enjoy when they are with their father.  I could pack up, and head out for my own little vacations.  Now to just make sure we survive the show!

So tired....

The last few days I have found myself to be so very, very tired!  Yes, I know I stay up later than I should, but it's not that late when I finally crash.  And yes, the boys visit me throughout the night, but I have been getting used to that for over 5 years.  It could be from the short cold days we are having, you know, that hibernation that can try to settle in over the winter months... but I don't have time for that!  I just need to be awake and present during the day.

I have accomplished a lot the last few days, made some wonderful progress on the house.  Not sure I will have it all done before I head up North for a week, but it should be enough that it won't bother me.  I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to getting away from things for a whole entire week!  There will be no screaming children, no housework, and no responsibility of any kind!!!  Sounds a bit like Heaven, doesn't it?!

The best part will be spending time with P.  It's been almost 4 weeks that I have seen P, which is much too long.  Of course, I have been fairly busy with the boys, this house, and also finalizing things for the divorce... so, my time has been limited.  Come the New Year, I should have more spare time to hopefully spend with P.

On the subject of my Divorce, I am hopeful that I will be signing the papers this Wednesday!  I have also talked to the bank about taking over the mortgage, so that it is in my name only.  Income wise everything is good, it's just waiting on the credit report.  It will be a wonderful feeling to have these last 7 months behind me, and only look to my future.  It is a far different future than I dreamed of at the beginning of the year, but one that I am looking forward to very much.

I don't want to hold myself back anymore, I want to experience new things.  I'm sure I will get hurt along the way, but at least I will know that I am living my life.  So, if there was one New Years resolution I would make for 2010, it would be to live my life to the fullest!

Camping we go!

Tomorrow afternoon I am taking on a task that could be rather interesting. I am taking my 3 boys camping, in a tent, for 3 nights!!! Now, you might be wondering if I have lost my marbles, and I'm sure a few have escaped lately, but I have not lost them all. I am camping with 6 other families just outside of Drumheller. I'm so not ready to try it totally on my own LOL. If it goes well, then we shall see.

I truly am looking forward to it, I enjoy camping, and they do as well.. even if they have only been once before. I would prefer to be doing this in a tent trailer, but that is going to have to till next year when I can afford one. Doing this in a tent just means that I will get to sleep earlier, as I'm sure I will have to stay inside to get them to settle down. Not that big a deal, especially since I am up so late right now getting things ready. I will have even less privacy then I do now, again not a big deal short term. We may not eat as healthy as we normally do, again not a big deal short term.

It will be an experience, one that I hope is enjoyable for all. There is also so much to do in Drumheller. There's the Royal Tyrrell Museum, all the badlands to explore, and a wonderful (and free) water park for the boys to enjoy during the very hot days there. Here's some pics from our visit up there in June.

Bug getting nice and wet

Monkey going for a run through
Little Man, and Bug splashing around

Not really sure what Little Man was trying to do!

A busy few days

After a way too short visit from Hubby, who unfortunately wasn't even home 24 hours, it seems we have been go, go, go! Yesterday I took Monkey to the pool, first time we have gone in a very long time. He did so well! He usually gets very upset, and will cry for most of the time in the water. He has always taken time to adjust to new things, but being in the water has been an on, and off kind of thing. So, I was pleasantly surprised at how much he enjoyed himself. He didn't even flip out when his face would accidentally go under the water, which was always an issue before. The pool at the Y is really nice, the one we spent time in was a variable depth pool, so it came to just below Monkey's armpits. Afterwards I went to Costco with him, where he was really good. He was perfectly happy playing with my iPod touch.

Today I took Bug to the pool, now that boy was sooooo excited! He was also much more work then Monkey LOL, he was just everywhere in that pool. I sometimes forget how he is without his brothers around, probably because I have had little time with just him. He chattered non-stop, moved non-stop, and just had an absolute blast. He worked really well on kicking his legs, and even got his arms and legs going together a few times. When the free pool time was up, we went into the big pool for another 15 minutes, and he was just as happy there. After that he came and helped me get some shopping done, he was just as excited to do that as swimming LOL. I also forget how much that boy can chatter.

We have a fairly quiet weekend planned, the weather isn't going to be all that great. So, I picked up a few movies for them to watch over the next few days. We also have some crafts to complete, and some plants to transplant. More than enough to keep us going till school on Monday.

Toddlers and Spaghetti

What is it with toddlers and spaghetti??? Little Man had a fine time of it today LOL. His face was orange from top to bottom, even some of his hair had changed colour. He also figured that it must be easier to eat if he just puts his face in his plate! I truly wanted to tell him no, but the smile he gave me coming up from the plate was just too adorable. Of course the older two boys thought it was rather funny, which also made Little Man want to do it even more... if only I could put blinders on them at the table, maybe they would not see the craziness that their brother is pulling!

With the orange faces, bath time was a must tonight. I find it much easier to bath them in my tub, which is a corner one with a seat. Their bath is just a little too tight for the 3 of them. Monkey and Bug both enjoy sliding down the seat into the water, although now that Little Man is in with them, it has been somewhat curtailed, but not totally eradicated. I guess Little Man has been watching closely though. He got onto the little seat, and came down saying Whee with a big smile of his face. Now, he doesn't slide down, just steps down the same way he comes up... but to him it is a slide like his older brothers. He just looks so proud of himself after he has done this, melts his Mama's heart.

Other than that, it will be another quiet night here. I have a chai tea simmering on the stove, it smells so good. I will mop the floors first, and start the diapers... then sit back, and relax!

Spring Has Arrived!

About time too! LOL It was a wonderful 13°C outside today, with the sun shining down. After naps this afternoon, we all headed outside to the yard for a little fun. It was good to see the boys just have fun, without the constant fighting that I am used to hearing. I hope we have many, many more days like this... it makes me feel so much better. I of course have a picture overload, I'm thinking this will be common for the foreseeable future.

A strange, but good day.

The big thing for me today, was that Bug is finally putting some pressure on his foot again!!!! It is still swollen, and the bruising is a little more defined, but it is getting better. So, with this in mind, I met with a friend at the Zoo this morning. This allowed us to do something, but let Bug stay off his foot. Not sure what we will do tomorrow, but I'm sure something will come up.

Little Man's diaper rash is looking much, much better... I just wish I knew what exactly had caused it? I just have a very hard time believing that he is getting his 2 year molars already. Guess I will know in a week or so.

The strange thing for today.... Both Bug and Little Man fell asleep on the way home from the Zoo, completely expected. The unexpected was the Bug would not wake up!!! I finally went up at 5:30pm (he fell asleep at just after 1pm) to put him on the potty, and get him ready for bed. Well, he lost it, threw a completely crazy screaming, kicking fit!!! After giving up with the potty, I tried to get his diaper on... that was interesting. I finally gave up, and just left him screaming away in his room. Just after 6pm, I took Little Man upstairs to get ready for bed, and found Bug going potty... happy as could be!?!?!?

He said he was hungry, so I brought him down, and gave him some dinner. He really didn't eat much, but did drink all his milk. He is now back in bed (7:30pm), although I am pretty sure he is not asleep. I'm now a little concerned over how early he will be up tomorrow!!!

He's on his way!!!!

Finally, At Last!!!! Hubby will be home tomorrow!!!!! I am so looking forward to having him home, it has been a very long time since he has been away this long. It does suck that he will have to head out in another week, but it is just what must be right now. As a good friends said 'At least the monetary gains outweigh the issues now'... that's not exactly how she worded it, but is the general idea! LOL. I also asked her to make sure I didn't turn into a 'Rich Snob' when the time came LOL.

I have survived with the boys, although it has been trying... I need to find an outlet for my anger and frustration. My Mother has offered to watch the boys (when Hubby is away) so that I can attend a fitness class of some kind. I am think that Yoga might be a good idea, get some exercise, but also get a better way to deal with stress. I have checked out a few places, now it's just a matter of signing up.

I was able to get out skating with the boys last night, with my Parent's help of course. I was very proud that I did not fall on my ass! It had been around 16 years since the last time I laced up a pair of skates. Monkey and Bug both did so well, considering it was their first time on the ice this year. Monkey was able to go off on his own a bit, I could really see his confidence increasing. Bug did go on his own a bit, but he loses concentration so easily. I am very much looking forward to getting on the ice with them again. I can remember how much fun I had skating as a child, I want them to have that some fun and enjoyment that I did.

I am off to find my bed, thankfully the last night I will be alone in it!!! For a little while at least.

Hmmmm

Came across this on Skyhaven's blog, very interesting!

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.