new splashes of color

I must admit upfront that I did not paint these myself. The people who originally painted our house were up doing some painting on the A&W. I asked if they would have time to fit in my projects - the stairwell walls and the boys bedroom. It worked out perfectly - they were done in a day and it is a perfect job. The color on the feature wall is mustang, and the boys is valley forage brown. Any decorating tips would be appreciated. I haven't found the perfect thing to hang on my big wall. I've thought of a large clock or two ... or a couple large pictures ... just don't know what would look best.

feild trip

I had fun volunteering for Samara's school field trip to a nearby farm! We saw llama's, alpacas, miniature donkeys, miniature horses, baby doll sheep, rabbits, heritage chickens and roosters, goats and can't remember what else.

kids say the funniest thing

These stories are about Samara .... in the van yesterday I asked Keithan to do something he didn't want to do. Samara said "Keithan, when you have your own kids you can boss them around all day". I guess I'm a little bossy!!

Yesterday we went to Canadian Tire. Rhett didn't want to sit in the cart so he was dawdling behind. I went down one isle and he never followed. I asked Samara to go get him, thinking he'd be just around the corner. But, she must have went the opposite direction ... and kept going and then panicked. Meanwhile Rhett meanders down the isle ... but where was Samara? I find out from another shopper that she's was crying and a staff member took her to customer service. I quickly make my way there ... and on my way hear "Candice Stewart to Customer Service" (was a little embarrassing). After our happy reunion I asked her what happened. Part of the story was this "The lady asked if I knew my mom's name and I said she used to be Candice Olsen but now she's Candice Stewart". For some reason that still makes me laugh out loud. Just thought I'd share that!

our annual family photo shoot

Here we are ... our annual cruisn' the dub event! We had a great turnout this year and the weather cooperated for us. In the group shot Avegail, our nanny, is standing next to me. Next to her is Rose who is one of our A&W staff members from the Philippines.

where is waldo (aka Samara)

Last Friday night Samara came up with this plan that she and the boys would sleep downstairs. She informed me that it wasn't a school night and she needed a change! She said she made some beds downstairs and it was all taken care of. What could I say??? So they all went down and I could hear them playing and talking etc. After a while I called down that they had to be sleeping in 15 minutes or I'd send them back to their rooms. A bit later the boys came stumbling up the stairs ... they wanted to sleep in their beds and were asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow. Samara didn't come up ... and there was no sound from down below. I asked Phil to check on her ... but he couldn't find her! I went down too and looked in obvious places I thought she would make some beds ... but she wasn't there. Then Phil looked at the mess of toys ... and found her snuggled up on the toy shelf ... sound asleep. She stayed down there all night and didn't realize until after breakfast that the boys never did stay with her! Notice Keithan's bed on the second shelf! Rhett was supposed to stay on the floor beside her!

Rhett's new haircut

This is the new Rhett ... he probably feels a few ounces lighter! Wonder if this cut will last until convention time? Probably not. With 3 boys now I REALLY need to learn how to cut hair or I'll be broke!

Keithan the graduate

This year we have two graduates! Keithan graduated from playschool last week ... with honours! The kids sang some songs and got a certificate and then we all had cake! Samara's grad from kindergarten is in two weeks. Where did that year go? She even has graduation photos with cap and gown! Yes, grandma I ordered one for you ... just haven't got it in the mail yet! And yes to you too Auntie Carla! Anyway back to Keithan ... I asked the teacher if she had any concerns. She said "not at all, he is such a polite, well mannered little boy". Can you believe it? Maybe he should go to school full time!