Monday, May 28, 2012

A BEARY FUN WEEKEND!

"You really don't have to be young 
to find a friend in a teddy bear."
-Rachel Newman


"Bears need people. 
People need bears."
-Pam Brown


"People rarely succeed unless they 
have fun in what they are doing."
-Dale Carnegie



And "UNBEARABLY CUTE "
photo from
MARIAH'S 6th
"BEAR"-THDAY PARTY yesterday! 


GRIN and BEAR it! 


BEARY CUTE BEAU
GRINNING at the BEAR-thday party! 


Waiting BEARY patiently for  their turns to stuff their BEARS...
The BEAR-THDAY girl got to go first! 


Mariah showing me her
BEARY cute pick of tops for her new BEAR! 


BEAR in mind...both sets of Grandparents were there
to help make the BEAR-THDAY even more special!
Here is Grandpa Arvid and Grandma Nancy...
with the cute BEAR cowboy hat on! 


The SMILIN "BEAR"-THDAY GIRL
with her JUSTIN BIEBER cake... this was so cool it was
CUPCAKES that looked  like one big cake! 


My niece ROWEN was along to help create
 BEAU'S BEAR with him.
Mariah idolizes ROWEN and is always glad
when she comes to join in the fun!


"Each day comes "bearing" its own gifts...
untie the ribbons!" 


Not only did BEAU have lots of icing around his mouth,
he had it on his shirt, pants and shoes, too!
He was a BEARY sticky mess! 


Rowen stuck around after the party,
to help create special
BEAR-THDAY BUNNY...
called RAINBOW! 


During the party... Nels and the Grandpas
 took BEAU to see the bikes across the hall in the mall.
So he ended up with a new bike and helmet, too!
So Mariah wasn't the only one who got
BEARY spoiled at her party.


A BEARY excited look on Mariah's face
backstage at her dress rehearsal
Saturday morning. 


3 generations of DANCERS!
PROUD GRAMMIE D and MOMMY JANA
with MARIAH after her Dance Recital Saturday afternoon.
(I have to say she was BEARY entertaining, too!!!)


BSOBAD DANCE STUDIO OWNER,
BRENDA and me following the Saturday night show! 


My cousin Gwen,
who TAPPED in the ADULT TAP CLASS,
 in the evening show...
posing in a quick photo with me following the show. 


My beautiful year end gift of a bouquet of flowers
with a little trinket case
and metal bookmark which says
"LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE"
on it!



This past weekend I think
MARIAH
had a BEARY special extended
few days of BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
mixed with DANCE!

Her 6th Birthday was last Thursday,
but she did some celebrating
every day since.
Friday her Auntie Ingrid and
her grandparents from Edmonton,
Nancy and Arvid
came for all the festivities.
We shared cupcakes and
family gifts that night.


Saturday was a day filled with
dance from start to finish...
Mariah had a dress rehearsal at TCU
in the morning and stayed with me
through the break until the afternoon
show which she performed in.
She went back to do more fun visits and celebrations with her family that night.
I however stayed on and watched
the evening performance of the
BSOBAD year end Show.
"ONE WORLD, ONE FAMILY"
It was a fabulous show, too,
and I say congrats to all involved...
I was BEARY impressed with
everyone's awesome efforts!


Sunday was a BEARY exciting day, too.
Mariah and her 9 birthday party guests
created teddy bears at
"Build A Bear" in the Midtown Plaza.
I was also impressed at the
BEARY organized little
BEAR-thday Party they do.
While each child created a bear
and picked out a top and ear bows...
games and songs were sung
to keep things running smoothly.
They played hot potato to determine
who would be next to stuff their bear.
When each child got a bear stuffed...
the others yelled out
"STUFF THAT BEAR!"
IT was a BEARY enthusiastic party.


The gifts and cake had to take place
out in the mall... which went pretty well.
Beau went shopping with the grandpas
during some of the party and
picked out a new bike,
so he was BEARY lucky as well.


Today my 6 year old party dancer
called me first thing to see if I would
"like to go wander through the mall"
 and shop with her.
I said "What on earth does a girl
need after the weekend she just had?"
She thought she might to go look
for Christmas ideas.... hehehe...
oh what a kid!
So I did join her, Beau and Jana
for a little impromptu shop
and fun this morning!

I would have to say MARIAH
was one BEARY LUCKY
PARTY DANCER this weekend!


I am sort of glad the pace
is a little slower today after a
BEARY FUN WEEKEND!


So on that note...
here is my poem of the day...


GRIN and BEAR It!
This weekend was a busy one...
filled with lots of fun!
I tapped into so BEARY much,
but now those days are done.
Saturday was very long,
and also not by chance...
It was filled with special times
and lots and lots of dance!
Then "BEAR"-thday celebrations
for Mariah, who's now SIX,
Her party guests were in for such a
BEARY FUN-FILLED fix!
Curly hair and cupcakes...
and presents and balloons,
Partying and dancing...
to BEARY many tunes!
Everyone was GRINNING
and laughing with such joy...
Every single party girl,
along with our wee boy!
The weekend had a special theme,
and I am going to share it,
And the theme, I'd have to say was...
Just to "GRIN and BEAR IT!"




Thursday, May 24, 2012

HaPpY... WrApPy... TaPpY!

"Each day comes bearing it's own gifts... 
untie the ribbons! Happy Birthday!"

-Ruth Ann Schabacker


"If I could gift wrap the globe, 
I would give you the world."
J. Cole


"Tap into something simple 
and make it special every day!"
-Grammie D.



Here is a HAPPY and a WRAPPY picture of gifts for my
TAPPY little Grandaughter, MARIAH,
 who is six years old today!
(The red polka dot gifts are for her...
and the little blue one with HAPPY face balloon
is for her brother, Beau,
 so he doesn't feel left out!)


Here is the card I crafted for Mariah! 


TAPPING into some HAPPINESS
6 years ago with baby Mariah in Edmonton
 where she was born!
Pretty proud and happy times for her
Grammie D and Poppa Brian!


Mariah was so tiny at birth weighing in
 at 4 pounds 11 ounces ...
even the preemie sized clothes were big on her!
The adorable polka dot WRAP for her little baby basket
was made especially by her Grandma Nancy!


Here is Mariah just yesterday showing me
the tooth she lost on Monday night!
She was pretty HAPPY with herself,
as she pulled it out herself...
so grown up!


Beau here yesterday
was in a HAPPY mood, too! 


I spent much of my day Tuesday WRAPPING gifts
at my dance friend, Brenda's house! 


Here is BRENDA in her beautiful home
showing off some of my WRAPPiNESS!
I WRAPPED 54 gifts
 to be presented at her year end show this weekend.
These are for her staff and helpers.


Mariah will be TAPPING in
her year end show this Saturday...
this little photo was taken of her at her dance photos
a couple of weeks ago at the studio! 


Mariah checking out the plants we bought...
flowers make her HAPPY always! 


This picture is a bit blurry but is of Beau
with his new basket ball hoop in their yard
... being out doors playing makes Beau very HAPPY always! 


My doggie Shuffle on our deck Monday just after
we planted some of the flowers!
We were HAPPY we TAPPED into that project
before all the rain yesterday and Tuesday.


Pansies seem to have smiling little faces on them and look
HAPPY to be WRAPPED up in these
HAPPY little polka dot pots!
I got these pots last summer, but they still make me HAPPY, too! 


Brian and I TAPPED into some "PURE" HAPPINESS
on Monday while out in Willow Grove
to get our plants and see the grandkids!




Today is my grand daughter,
 Mariah's 6th Birthday!
It seems like only yesterday we
were driving to Edmonton
to meet her for the first time...
where does the time go?


My saying on one of my little quote
calendars said this yesterday...
"When a child is born,
so are grandmothers."
-Judith Levy
How true that statement is.
I can honestly say this
"GRANDMOTHER"
chapter of my life has been
the best one ever for me...
I have been all
WRAPPED up in
HAPPiNESS and TAPPiNESS
with both of my grandkids!
 

This week has not only been a busy
lead up to Mariah's 6th Birthday...
but to the year end shows
for BSOBAD as well.
Those take place this Saturday,
at TCU in both
the afternoon and evening!


I have traditionally helped Brenda,
studio owner and director
of BSOBAD, for the past DECADE!
I actually TAPPED into helping one year previous to WRAP her year end gifts for her, and have been WRAPPING those up
for her every year since!
I was the TAP director there when
our studios merged in 2002
and taught till the completion of 2008.
Then I continued to TAP into
office work there, and am
still considered on staff.


So between my commitment to the
BSOBAD studio and to my family
and to my grandkids,
I am always TAPPING into fun
that keeps me all
WRAPPED up in HAPPiNESS!


We will help Mariah celebrate
her birthday over cupcakes with
both sets of her GRANDPARENTS
tomorrow and she will have a little
birthday party on sunday
with her friends, too.
I talked to Mariah today and
she told me how grown up she feels!


I enjoyed the finales of some of my
much watched TV shows this week.
The winners were picked on
DWTS and on American Idol.
Tonight I TAP into a couple
of new reality talent TV shows...
"So You Think You Can Dance "
and "DUETS"
...
and the beat goes on!


Today's poem is the one I wrote
for Mariah's Birthday card!


Today you are the BiRTHDAY GiRL...
I love to see you dance and twirl!
You are turning a great big SiX!
I know you can do so many tricks.
You can print a lot of names...
And you can also play some games.
You like your "Bugs'n'Cheese" a lot,
You also eat skittles... each colored dot!
And you can shuffle and cartwheel, too,
In fact there's so much you can do.
You are growing up so fast,
So try to make the memories last,
Because you are my dear "sweet pea",
You just mean the world to me...
Birthdays are when you shout Hooray,
But YOU are special everyday!

Monday, May 21, 2012

SWEET!

"It is the sweet, simple things of life 
which are the real ones after all."
-Laura Ingallis Wilder


"Life is one grand sweet song, 
so start the music."
-Ronald Reagan


"That it shall never come again 
is what makes it so sweet."
-Emily Dickinson



A picture of my two SWEET GIRLIES here last night
having a fun family barbeque on our sunny deck!


Nels and Beau enjoying the SWEET SUNDAY dessert! 


My daughter Jana and her SWEET little family! 


Two SWEET "BRIANS" in my life...
my hubby and my brother! 


Last night's dessert was a SWEET SUNDAY one! 


Mariah sharing her SWEET success on the bike
 she got from my Niece, Rowen!
Her daddy kept close stride beside (just in case.)


The family sharing in Mariah's SWEET bike riding show!
Jana had a "not-so"SWEET spill on her shirt!!! OOPS!


Beau did not want to miss out on all the fun,
so here he is in his Poppa's helmet in the basket of his bike!!!
He is such a SWEET basket case ...
with his daddy holding on tight! 


Beau here on Friday when I babysat him for the day,
having a bowl of SWEET blue berries which he loved! 


Brother Brian popped by for a visit...
and Beau had fun putting his SWEET hat on him! 


Beau looking sleepy but SWEET
in his hat and scarf on rainy Friday! 


Not quite as SWEET a moment
when Beau woke up from his nap...
He wakes up very crabby!!!!!
He refused to take off his jacket all day,
and check out his crazy hair!

 Another SWEET GRAMMIE/ MARIAH
bond at Boston Pizza
on Saturday night on our way to watch a dance recital. 


SWEET fits of laughter!
This was Thursday night when I took Mariah to watch
my niece, Rowen practice her dance and finale at the dance studio.
I think Mariah was a bit hyper and did many cartwheels...
she really looks up to all her SWEET times spent with Rowen!



First of all may I say thank you
to all the SWEET people who pop
by to read about my
SWEET and SIMPLE
 little life
here on my blog.
My blog is a way of reviewing
the things in my day to day life
that make the
"SIMPLE" seem even "SWEETER"!


I haven't been writing in my blog
 as often but still enjoy the moments
I do take time to share with
who ever cares to read and look!


This past thursday I took Mariah
with me to the dance studio,
where my niece, Rowen was rehearsing
for her number and finale for
this weekend's upcoming
BSOBAD year end show,
DANCE REFLECTIONS 2012
"ONE FAMILY, ONE WORLD"
at TCU...
Mariah gets to dance in the
preschool show in the afternoon,
while Rowen will perform in
 the evening's showcase!


BSOBAD always puts on a
very creative and awesome show
each year featuring all the
SWEET efforts of the past dance season.
Just this past weekend, BRENDA, from BSOBAD took her twirler, JULIA,
to compete in the
Nationals Twirling Championship in Ontario. Julia competed with SWEET SUCCESS qualifying her to compete at the
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
in FRANCE this summer.
Congrats to both of them.


Friday I spent my day chasing after my
SWEET grandson, Beau
while I babysat him.
He is at such a fun stage...
as he leads up to the
TERRIBLE TWOS!
 Already his favorite word is "NO"!
He is very funny and entertaining
for me none the less, and
I love that he is trying hard to say
many words, now...
although that being said...
he still calls me "POPPA!"
(which I actually think is pretty SWEET!)


Saturday I did more bonding with
my SWEET grand daughter, Mariah.
We did another supper together
at Boston Pizza,
(her favorite restaurant!)...
on our way to a local dance recital.
She loves to watch dancing,
so I am encouraging that love for her
by taking her to shows whenever I can.
 We both enjoyed the year end show of "KRISTY'S DANCE FUSION",
and saw lots of
SWEET dancers in that show!



Many of my friends are dance teachers.
 One of those friends, BARB,
from Moose Jaw,
just became a GRANDMA
for her first time this past week when
her son, Chris and his wife, Jasmine,
became parents of TWINS....
a girl, Maguire, and a boy, Krosby.
That is pretty SWEET for all of them.
I cannot even begin to tell her how much
she will LOVE this world of GRANDPARENTHOOD.
I must say out of all the chapters in my life, being a GRANDPARENT
is the SWEETEST!


Yesterday we had my brother, Brian,
and my daughter, Jana and her family
for a  SWEET SUNNY BARBEQUE.
I love times we can share together,
and especially while having
a relaxing yummy meal on the deck.
AHHHHHH...
I love the SWEETNESS of SUMMER!


This week has lots of SWEET
celebrations coming up...
from Mariah's 6th birthday on Thursday,
to the BSOBAD year end show on Saturday... and I'm sure lots of other things in between.


I continue to watch many of my
favorite shows on TV.
I look forward to the SWEET finales of "DANCING WITH THE STARS"
and "AMERICAN IDOL"
this week...
along with the start of the new season of
"SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE".


I watched the
"Billboard Music Awards"
show last night on TV, too.
It was bitter-sweet that the world
has now lost some SWEET musical icons
all mentioned on last night's show.
Whitney Houston passed in February.
Disco Queen, Donna Summer,
passed away to cancer last week
at age 63. A Tribute was made
to both of those ladies and they
were honored in last night's show.
Hours before the evening's event,
Robin Gibb from "The BEE GEES"
also passed away
 due to his battle with cancer
at the age of 62.
He got a brief mention on
the show as well.
Although these musical icon's
years are over,
their legendary SWEET music
will live on for years to come.


On that "note"...
my little poem of the day!


My life is simple but it can't be beat,
I'm grateful each day for all things
that are sweet!
From family to friends, near and far,
And memories of those
up amongst every star!
This week is one with
SWEET celebrations,
One to watch dancers...
reach new elevations!
One to eat cake... and one with a gift...
All these SWEET things
 give my life such a lift!
Lots that I have to make me feel
GRATEFUL...
And lots of things too,
that are CELEBRATE-FUL!
It isn't at all.... or even by chance...
That lots of these things
all revolve around dance!
I'm feeling the love
of all things so neat...
My life, although simple,
is also so SWEET!







Wednesday, May 16, 2012

SPOT the ENTHUSIASM!

"Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity."
-Bo Bennett


"Enthusiasm is everything. It must be taut and vibrating like a guitar string."
-Pele


"Creativity is a natural extension of enthusiasm."
-Earl Nightengale



Easy to "SPOT the ENTHUSIASM" in this photo!
These hats look like little egg heads and also crack me up !!!!
This is Mariah and her dance friend Chloe yesterday
at an in studio dress rehearsal for the upcoming
BSOBAD show next week.


Mariah's little friend, Chloe, took this photo...
and did a pretty good job I thought
(especially seeing as she is only 5!)
I like to think Mariah's ENTHUSIASM for polka dots,
and lots of things in life comes from her Grammie D!


Mariah last night at Boston Pizza on our way to the studio.
She was visualizing her favorite meal...
BUGS'N'CHEESE! 


A little ENTHUSIASM was shared on Mother's Day
Sunday when we did a family brunch together! 


A MOTHER- DAUGHTER Picture...
sharing the love of motherhood together on Mother's Day! 


Another MOTHER-DAUGHTER picture
Mariah loves her mommy! 


A FATHER- SON photo as well...
Spot the Entusiasm!


A great photo of Nels and Jana
at the mother's day brunch on Sunday. 


Mariah and Beau were both very ENTHUSIASTIC
about the new sand box their daddy built them this weekend! 


My cute card and gift from Jana, Nels and kids.
Jana was particularly ENTHUSIASTIC about the card! 


The little ROSE plant is a gift to me
from my FATHER-IN LAW, GREG.
He is always ENTHUSIASTIC  and THOUGHTFUL
about little gifts he buys to share! 


Brian was ENTHUSIASTIC about assembling this shed
in our back yard on Sunday and Monday!
Shuffle enjoyed being out doors, too!


Brian's ENTHUSIASM was fading a bit by this point!
He took a break and I am hoping the doors and window will
eventually get into the shed! 


Brian was also ENTHUSIASTIC about a little garden this year
bought and planted all within an hour! 


My doggie, SHUFFLE, is usually
pretty ENTHUSIASTIC...
especially when there is food and or company involved!


I like to think of myself as a fairlyENTHUSIASTIC person!
I believe that stems to my upbringing.
My parents always stressed the importance
of being ENTHUSIASTIC.
I find when there is someone to share my ENTHUSIASM with it is much easier
to be ENTHUSIASTIC!

I have had lots of ENTHUSIASM
around me the last few days.
Mother's Day was an
ENTHUSIASTIC example!
We enjoyed a nice brunch at
Saskatoon Inn and were seated
at table #10, which added to the
perfect TEN kind of experience it was.

We followed Jana, Nels and the kids
back to their place to see the
new sand box in their yard.
The kids were definitely
ENTHUSIASTIC about that!

Brian was very ENTHUSIASTIC
to build our shed on Sunday
while the weather was good.
We did also pop by briefly to see
his MOM on Mother's day.
My father-in-law, Greg, treated me
 to a lovely little ROSE plant
while there as well!
He is always so thoughtful...
not to mention ENTHUSIASTIC!

I was thrilled to hear from my son,
COLIN, on Mother's Day, too.
He is always so good at remembering
the important dates in the year,
so even though my contacts with him
are few and far between... I am always very ENTHUSIASTIC whenever he calls me!

Monday night's TV programs made me very ENTHUSIASTIC, too.
Dancing With The Stars was fabulous...
and the finale of this season's series called "SMASH" was awesome, too...
can't wait till the new season
of that begins again!

Yesterday I did my Body Vive at the gym
and I do find the instructor of that,
TRENT, to be one of the most
ENTHUSIASTIC instructors ever.
He is very motivating and inspiring
always with his great classes!

Yesterday I joined two of my neighbors, Heather, and Cheryl
for a STARBUCKS coffee.
Funny how we live so close
 and see so little of each other,
but after yesterday's ENTHUSIASTIC visit...
we may make it happen more often now!

Yesterday was an in studio
dress rehearsal for Mariah
for her dance recital coming up next week. From my very unbiassed opinion...
I can say this from watching her
in her little costume with
her dancing buddies....
one of her very best traits and
the main inspiration for
today's blog title is that she exudes "ENTHUSIASM"!!!!! 

We also stopped at Boston Pizza
for a quick supper on our way there...
and she was very ENTHUSIASTIC about describing her dance rehearsal to our
waiter there...
and he was so good about being
ENTHUSIASTIC to hear all about it, too.

This morning former ballet teacher from my "Diane Will Dance Studio"
NADINE... popped by for a chai tea latte
on the deck over a very sweet
and enthusiastic little visit!
The weather was absolutely beautiful out,
and Shuffle was ENTHUSIASTIC
 to have company as she always is!

I notice lately so many people
are busy in the fast paced lives they lead.
It is nice when people have time to just
slow down and enjoy the simple little things
in life and appreciate those
and be enthusiastic about the good
that life has to offer!

So on that note...
here is my poem of the day!

If everyone was the same,
it wouldn't be so great,
But if we had enthusiasm,
we could all celebrate...
The things in life that we like most,
Look for the positives
and give them a toast.
Forget about the things
that get us down,
And just wear a smile...
 instead of a frown!
Forget about things that
really do not matter,
Look for the good,
and say things that will flatter!
Because in the end...
Enthusiasm is the best,
Staying upbeat
is like a virtual test!
Negatives really do not
get us very far,
And Enthusiasm shines as
brightly as a star!
So when in doubt
try open up to happy...
It will likely change your mood
from down to feeling snappy!
Enthusiasm truly is the way to go...
Just give it a try today,
and you will shine and glow!