Books 9 &10 Flee Fly Flown and Beautiful Ruins

I'm rocking this new years resolution!  I think by the end of the summer I'll be done my 12 books!  I've started on number 11 and have 12 at home.  Plus I put another book on hold for an ebook called "Where'd you go Bernadette."

Book 9 Was Flee, Fly Flown.  I loved the premise of it.  Two old ladies break out of the their nursing home and go on a vacation/adventure.  It was one of those books that was both happy and sad.  The dialogue between the ladies was quite funny, but it was also sad as you can read that they are both experiencing some form of dementia.  The only thing I didn't love about it was that it was too short.  It was such a great premise I wish it went on longer.  =)


Book 10 Was Beautiful Ruins.  This was a very well written book.  The story takes place in the 60's and current time both in Italy and Hollywood.  I really like books that each chapter is from a different point of view or time, sometimes different time periods.  There were a great array of characters and by the end I was very excited to see how it all turned out.

Till Next Time

Jenn

Books 7 & 8

Oh summertime how you are so good for my reading.  I'm in a stretch of having 4 weeks off and have enjoyed finishing two books.  If I'm lucky I will get a couple more in before back to work. 

First one was BossyPants by Tina Fey.  Super funny book, which is what you would expect from a comdien.  She had a lot of really funny stories to tell about her childhood and starting in Chicago at second city.  Then moving to SNL and 30 Rock.  I was surprised at how much women's rights were part of the book.   If you like to laugh, like Tina Fey or are interested in biographies this one is a good one. 

Next one was The Light Between Oceans.  I would say this is probably one of the best books I've read this year.  I finished it in 2 days.  I was so interested to see what was going to happen to Isabel and baby Lucy.  The premise of the book is a couple lives on a island off of Austraila and they mind the lighthouse on the island.  They are unable to have a baby and then a boat washes up on shore.  The man inside is dead but there is a baby who is alive.  The couple keeps the baby. But it doesn't end well.  Fantastic book...

Till Next Time

Jenn

June RoundUp

June was an interesting month..... it was busy with the end of the school year an all the fun stuff that comes with it.  Although this year was quite different.  This year was the flood. 

There was an enormous amount of rain over a day that the elbow and Bow Rivers really flooded.  Many people had water filling there basement and some lost their homes.  There was also significant damage to our beloved zoo.  There are some incredible stories about water up to the giraffes belly and the hippos getting out of their cages.  We live high on the ridge here so we didn't experience any personal damage and actually saw the spirit of the city come together.  There was a local state of emergency for weeks, so the last 5 days of school were cancelled.  Mostly not a big deal as the last couple of days of school are the fun stuff, but also a big deal as Lucas missed out on a lot of the fun stuff.  He did go back for half a day on Thursday to collect his stuff and say goodbye.  It was a good year for Lucas, he adapted much better then last year and had alot of friends in his class.  He also made lots of new friends which was good for him.  I'm glad that he is slowly coming out of his shell. 


We also did lots of fun stuff this month...

 Like drumming, which we went to with my Mom and Shaun.  It was a really fun experience.  It's cool cause you are all playing the same beat.  It's like a big jam session even though you are not skilled musician. 

We also did some golfing at the driving range, which made me think I could golf and since then I have been going with the girls for the last couple of Tuesdays. 

While part of me wonders what I am doing... I don't golf.... the other part enjoys being out and having a good time with such fun ladies.   Plus I think Darryl and the boys and I will go out in July when kids golf for free this week.  So I must enjoy it...

One day in June the kids and I went to the Lego store after school as Lucas wanted to get Darryl some Lego for Fathers day.  When we got to the store it was very quiet.  Really Tuesday around dinner time, not that busy.  While in the store wandering one of the employees asked if we had some extra time.  Part of me was thinking, no I don't want to do a survey, but the other part of me thought, but what if they give me a deal if I do the survery.  Of course the deal thoughts won out and I said yes we did have some extra time.  The employees asked if the boys would like to build some Lego, they had got some new Lego set that they needed built for the display cases.  The boys were excited, said they'd love to.  It was a once in a lifetime experience.  So for any of you going into the Lego store over the summer Lucas and Nathan built some of the Lego in the display cases.  



We also bought a new couch!  Our lovely old green couch was the first couch we bought when we moved out west.  It was a comfy couch that was good for napping, but I have been coveting this couch from Crate and Barrel for about a year now.  Luckily I found it in the as-is section at the store as it had a rip in the back about 3 inches long.  While dispointed the sales lady made me feel better by giving me a great deal.  This couch is great, it's hugs your body.  It's soft but you are still able to get up from it.

 I mentioned in the start of the blog about Lucas and the end of the school year and how things were odd with the flood, but really for Nathan there were a bunch of goodbyes.  He had a great year in preschool.  Finding the preschool was kind of a last minute thing, but I would highly recommend Leap and Learn where he went.  His teachers there Miss Shanon and Miss Jillan were fantastic.  I had the opportunity to volunteer there a couple of times and was really impressed with the way they handled the kids as well as their teaching and interaction with the children.  There graduation was also very cute. 

 Lastly the end of July as signified a big change in our lives.  The end of the Lesley era.  From now on neither of my boys go to Lesleys.  The great friend that I saw regularily 3 times a week will now be different.  It was always a treat to bring the kids there.  She was always so flexible with my schedule as it was never the same.  She also let me pee in her bathroom as I often forgot to do that the whole day of work.  =)  She has so many of the same values we did and the kids spent lots of time outside.  She teaches them so many of the important things in life, life how to treat people.  I don't know how I got so lucky to have found her to help me raise my kids at such an important and developmental time in their lives.  I will be forever grateful.   Luckily we still text and swim together.  So I still get to spend time with her, and I would have it no other way.  =)

Whew this is a long one....  took me days to write, hope it doesn't take you days to read.  If you even get this far.

Time for summer!!

Jenn

Canada Day

Yesterday for Canada Day we went to an Okotoks Dawgs baseball games.  They are a minor league team in Okotoks, which is quite close to where we live.  We were looking for some fireworks and Darryl didn't want to go downtown.  So we found in Okotoks they were having some after the baseball game there.  So for 5$/adult we headed to the game and sat on the grass.  It was a good game too, which Lucas quite enjoyed.  Nathan was kind of in and out with it, but probably because he was a bit younger.  At the end of the game they let all the "little leaguers" run the bases, which the kids loved.  I thought they would do it once and run back, but they probably did it 5 times.  =)  Then all the player were out signing baseballs, giving high fives etc.  We hadn't brought a ball with us, but Lucas wanted to give them a high five (which made me proud, Lucas is usually our shy kid).  In the end one of the players gave him a ball, which made him very happy. 

Then came the fireworks.  I really love fireworks.  While they weren't as spectacular as Disneyland, or probably even the ones in Calgary we were quite close to them.  In the background they were playing some country music and Nathan who was "oohing and ahhing" over the fireworks leans over and says " I hope they play some fireworks music".  So I asked, "what is fireworks music".  He says " Baby you're a firework" (of course the song by Katie Perry.  Of course moments later they played the song and he was even more excited. 

Happy Canada Day everyone!

Jenn

Jenn's Favorite Parts of Canada

I just finished reading this article about Chris Hadfields favorite parts of Canada.  It inspired me to make my own list of favorite places in Canada as well.  I have been to almost every province (Not Newfoundland or no territories) And while I certainly have never been to all places here are some of my favorite.


1. Okanagan: Of course this ranks as one of my tops places.  You have beautiful lakes and mountains.  You have delicious food and wine.  I'm lucky that I get to go here every year and enjoy all that it has to offer. 

2. Rocky Mountains: I love living so close to the mountains.  They provide us with so much entertain and activity.  They are huge and beautiful and the air is clean and the you are humbled to be in their presense.

3. Toronto: I have lots of good memories as a kid of the fun things to do in Toronto.  While it is a big city and I don't know that I'd want to live there I do love to visit.  I'm hoping to go back next summer and take the kids to the CN Tower and Skydome to see a Jays game.  Also to Ontario place and some of the cool museums there. 

4. Quebec City:  I was here a couple of years ago and really enjoyed old town.  It was as close to Europe as I have been in Canada.  Plus I love french food and french people. 

5. St. John New Brunswick: When my sister and I were about 12 and 15 my mom and grandmother took us on a road trip to the East Coast.  While we had some.... crazy adventures and met alot of my grandmothers interesting relatives, it was a great trip to see parts of Canada I never had before.  We saw Gaspe, New Brunswick and PEI.  I think my most of my favorite memories were whale watching and staying in a nice hotel in New Brunswick. 

Of course I also have a list of the places I still would like to go to as well

1. Montreal: I have been there before on a school trip, but would like to go back and take my french boys with me. 

2. Tofino BC: See the tide pools, kayak on the pacific ocean

3. Halifax: Heard many great things about it and love and ocean and water.

4. St. John's Newfoundland:  People from Newfoundland are some of the nicest people I know.  Plus there music I love.  I would love to go there. 

What about you what's your favorite place (s) in Canada?

Jenn

Book 6: The promise of Stardust

While in California I finished up the book I was reading and needed a new one for the plane ride home.  Remember that story....

At the time Canada didn't have Target, so we headed to Target to get the boys some "Shaun White" brand clothing and check out the book section.  I found this book and it was signed by the author so I went for it. 

The premise of the book is that Elle falls and has a brain injury, she is married to Matt and there is nothing they can do for her.  They are about to take her off life support when they find out she is pregnant.  Matt and Elle always wanted a baby.  Then there is a court case about keeping Elle alive to save the baby.  The story is medical which I enjoy and ethical which I also enjoy.  But most importantly it doesn't bore you with medical, legal and ethical issues.  It is mostly a story about two people and how they feel in love and their lives together.  It does make you think about what you would do in Matt's situation. 

It was a good read and Lesley loved it too!

Keeping up well with the new years resolution.  Book 6 in 6 months.

Jenn

May Round Up

May is a wonderful month, it's the month of my wedding anniversary and it's the month you can start gardening again.  The sun shines a lot (although the rain has come down alot too.) and we are all outside before dinner after dinner and sometimes even during dinner.  =) All of the kids come outside and there are lots of friends for the kids to play with, which is usually a good thing.  Although Nathan had to have a time out for trying to kid another kid, and he hasn't had a timeout in years. 

You can also see I've added my twitter timeline to the side.  Sometimes I posted pictures or other things on there that I don't post on facebook, so for those of you who don't tweet I thought you might enjoy having access to it.  

Here are some picture highlights from May

Darryl and I went to Teatro for our dinner.  It was good and very well presented.  I don't know it was so good that I'll be running back, but it was good to go once. 

 Darryl took a day off to go with Lucas to the zoo on his field trip.  When Darryl and I first got married, I was the one who really wanted kids.  Darryl said he would be fine either way.  But now when I see him as a dad I can't imagine him not fufilling that role in his life.  He is such an incredible dad.  Plus he has two boys who love to do the same things he does.  Video games, they are all about it.  Rollerblading and doing sports, let them all play along.  It's great how they are coming into the age that they are little built in friends.  People who we love to do stuff with.

 Here was some blurry pictures of Lucas spring concert.  Like his mom he is a singer.  So is happy to be in choir (and run club, also like his mom).  The concert was quite good all about the ocean and a shark who wants to be friends with fish.

 At Nathan's preschool they had a mothers day tea, where all the mom's came an the kids brought them a drink and cookies.  They also sang us funny songs.  Preschool has been great for Nathan.  He's at the age where you can see how much he learns there week to week.  He knows upper and lowercase letters.  He also knows the sounds of all the letters and is learning how to spell. 

 On Mothers day I had a lovely breakfast in bed and then got to do some shopping.  For dinner Darryl made us all steak dinner.  For mothers day it was my turn to pick the activity so I got a badminton set and we all played badminton together.  It was alot of fun. 

 Here is master smore maker Darryl!

 Here is the back privacy garden with lots of tulips.  The tulips have almost all died back now but the rest of the garden has exploded. 

 Darryl and I also got to go to the Mumford and Sons concert, which was incredible.  Those guys are all incredibly talented. 

 Lucas has been going karate since the start of the year and really enjoys it.  Now that Nathan is 5 he can be in the same class till Lucas turns 8, so for the next couple of months they get to enjoy each others company and be each others partners.  Which of course makes my heart shine.  Nice when they are each other best friends. 

Last weekend it was Nathan's week to pick the family activity.  I sent out this picture with the classic tag line "Guess where we are in its not Spokane".  This tagline started almost a year ago when Tammy and I were in Spokane and Mom and Dad were in Hawaii.  Tammy and I sent our picture "guess where we are"  The next day dad sent one titled "guess where we are and it's not Spokane".  Who knows why, but it stuck.  Now all picture emails in different places you want people to guess are titled the same  "Guess where we are and it's not Spokane"  So yeah, we went bowling.  It's one of Nathan's favorite activities. 

How was your May?  Included lots of gardening?

Jenn

Mumford and Sons

I love going to concerts.  I really really love going to concerts. 

There is no other time I have that feeling of excitement and antipation in my chest right before the band comes out.  When you know they are coming, the lights dim, everyone starts to scream and get excited.   There is no other feeling like it in the world. 

I also love being part of something big like a concert.  When everyone is singing along and you can hear them all. You can still hear the lead singer, but in the background you can also hear 15000 people singing along.  It's great to be part of that big collective. 

Last night Darryl and I went to Mumford and Sons.  It was a fantastic concert.  They are great musicians, playing multiple instruments and singing in harmony.  They sing loud songs and quiet songs, songs with trumpets and violins, songs that build and songs that have lots of "ahhh ahhh" that are easy to sing along to.  =)

Till Next Time

Jenn

Book 5: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

My friend Tammy gave me this book a couple of weeks ago and I was through it really quick.  Granted it shorter, but it's also a really easy and enjoyable read.  The story is about Charlie a 15 year old teenager and all of the "adventures/harships" he goes through being a teenager.  The book is written in letters that Charlie is writing to his anonymous friend, which again makes it kind of enjoyable.  It is amazing all the things this book covers; suicide, depression, death, rape, drugs, smoking and homosexuality.  I recommend it, it was quite a good book!

Jenn

Mothers Day

This weekend we celebrated a lovely mothers day.  Nathan made me a card which said my favorite thing to do was "cleaning" and my favorite food was tea.  Lucas gave me coupons for 5 hours of no playing video games and 15 hugs.  =)  They are great sweet and wonderful gifts.  For me that's what mothers day is about, special homeade things. 

I wrote a nice post on facebook about how I have so many wonderful moms around me.  First off is my mom.  She was been a great influence.  I know I have gained my confidence and my thinking "I can do anything" from her.   I also have influential moms around me like Tammy and Lesley.  Lesley is like a second mom to both of my kids.  She is a fantastic mother.  Always doing what is best for her kids.  Tammy too, she really loves being with her kids.  Also because both of those ladies have kids that are a couple of years older then mine I'm able to learn alot about them too. 

There's also my mother in law Lynda and Darryl's sister Lori.  Lynda is a great mom as she raised Darryl who is a great dad.  Lori is also a good one to learn from as she has a teenage girl, which I think it most difficult time of life.

So lots of great mothers around me.  I've very fortunate to have so many good role models.

Jenn