Reading Hugo Cabret First

Walking through the youth section in the library today with the kids, I picked up The Invention of Hugo Cabret.  As the movie is receiving great reviews, and books tend to be better than movies, I thought this would be a quick and interesting read!  This book is a combination of novel and very graphic picture book.  It also boasts a Caldecott Medal logo, and I have a soft spot for books and movies with award logos... kinda like a kid in the cereal aisle picking out the most colorful box!

Boobies

My boys are growing way too fast!  They were begging me to take them to the mall to buy (with their own money) some really cool rubber bracelets.  They explained that it was for a good cause, that the money from sales went to sick people with 'breath' cancer, and that they were only $5!

I caught on quickly and realized it was some kind of fundraiser for breast cancer, so why not!  I explained to them about breast cancer, and shared with them who in our family fought it.  I was surprised at how they listened and asked questions... when did they grow up so fast? 

My boys are proudly walking around, wearing their 'I ♥ boobies' bracelets, thinking they are so cool!  I'm just proud those boys are mine!

Knots in my chest

The big 3 week stretch starts now!  We sent off hubby last night, on his way to Asia where the kids and I will meet up with him in 3 weeks!  I'm filled with very mixed emotions... loneliness, stress and anxiety.  He leaves often, so I am used to being alone, but the days are still lonely... so I eat my loneliness away, usually with something chocolaty!  The stress comes with flying solo with the 3 kids, juggling their needs, activities, parent-teacher meetings...  need I say more?  It's only been 1 day and I'm already exhausted.

Then the anxiety!  The thought of traveling across the world alone with the boys and the baby, the 23+ hours of air travel time plus the 12 hour layover in Amsterdam.  I just did the math the other day and realized we are landing in Amsterdam at 2:00am our time!!!  How can this not be a disaster?  Anybody out there with contacts at KLM?  I'm desperately looking for lounge passes or upgrades!  Yes, you guessed it... traveling in coach!  Oh my... there's that knot in my chest again!

On a brighter note, waking up to the snow this morning was beautiful.  Nothing like the first snowfall of the year!  Had to pull out the snow gear from the basement, but the boys were so excited to head outside!  What a beautiful day!  And yes, my snow tires were already installed.  I was very grateful I took care of that last week!

Early Christmas Pressie

We celebrated Christmas today with my in-laws since hubby is leaving next week on a 2 month trip to Asia.  This was our last chance to be all together with Grand-maman.  The kids opened some fun gifts and mama came home with a new kitchen appliance!  A small and oh-so-cute toaster oven on steroids!

This little puppy is sweet!  I'm really excited about this little oven as I HATE my kitchen gas oven.  It bakes uneven, temp seems to go up and down quickly, sometimes the broiler doesn't go on... whatever!  The thing is a piece of s***!  I've accepted that fact a long time ago, after having it serviced too many times.  Hence my excitement in receiving this new little cutie!

With hubby gone, I look forward to cooking and baking small meals for me and the kids.  Perfect timing!  Cookies anyone?  Anyone?

Grateful moments amidst craziness

Life has been nothing less than absolutely CRAZY, but I am so grateful for so many things!  Instead of focusing on what we don't have or wish we had, I remind myself everyday about how much we do have and how much I have to be thankful for...

So even if life seems to be full of moments like this photo shows (separation anxiety while I stepped outside for 20 seconds to start the BBQ!)...

 
... I'm SO grateful for much bigger and more important things.  I have 3 wonderful kids, a great partner and a good & happy home (well, it's happy most of the time!).  In the next little while, I will try to blog around this theme, sharing what I'm grateful for!  Why not!

This morning while I was out for a quick run along the water,  I was grateful for such a beautiful and mild mid-November day (I don't like the cold) and being healthy and fit enough to be out there enjoying such a great time!  Except, I think my shoes are shot.  My heels are sore... Arghhh!  There's always something...