The Parties are over... but the FUN still lives on!

I normally babysit BEAU on Mondays and Fridays each week... but this week I swapped Monday for Wednesday!

Jana dropped off Beau this morning. Then the 2 of us picked up Mariah at her daycare in the afternoon to take her to dancing! When the 3 of us came home Brian had come home early from work today... which I was rather grateful for... because it can be hectic with both kids and the dog!

The weather was ridiculously cold out... so in and out of car seats and cars on days like today isn't my best one!

 I usually get a calendar for Christmas or my birthday, but not this year... so it was fun to create my own! This morning I made a little one with pics of my grandkids on a scrapbooking one from Michael's!

Mariah had energy stored up after dancing and had fun with the leftover balloons from our little party on sunday!... Maybe that came from the 2 pieces of cake she had!!!

The parties are over... but the fun lives on,
Even after the parties are gone!
When Mariah was over, she had fun with the balloons,
And dancing around to some TV tunes.
Having both kids is always such fun,
But it sure make the day a tiring one!
I was much younger, when my kids were small,
And now I don't have the same energy at all!
Both kids are really just double the perk...
I was happy when Brian came home early from work!
Looking forward to giving some TV a glance...
And tonight I will watch the show called "LIVE TO DANCE".

ANOTHER CHERiSHED MEMORY... 30!

My "LITTLE MERMAID" turned 30 years old today...  where does the time go?

Jana has been a wonderful daughter and growing up we were so close.  I think the years of my dance studio and having her "DANCE" from the time she was 3 years old to the time of her professional career in Tokyo Disney as the "Little Mermaid, created a very special and unique bond for us as mother and daughter.

Now I watch her as a successful business owner, of her own "SHOE" store  and the mom of my two adorable grandkids and feel so proud to see how far she has come in this "WALK" of life.

Today I had a flashback of my life at the age of 30.  I had two small kids and a business of my own then, too.  I remember how busy I was and how it was hard to squeeze in time for life's little pleasures.

This morning Jana and I shared a great visit with coffee,   cinnamon buns and "PEDIURES".
Beau was such a good baby there, too!  We then went for a quick little shop, with our
"FABULOUS FEET"... and had lunch before Jana was off to get Mariah from daycare to preschool!

This morning was another CHERiSHED MEMORY for me in my little book of life!... It was another reason to once again feel so grateful and so blessed!

   "FaBuLoUs FeeT!"
Today we got pampered and it felt sweet,
While we shared some time and got fabulous feet!
My daughter turned a milestone age,
She's "30" now, it's a brand new page!
A page from the chapter of our book of years,
A day to reflect on many of life's cheers.
When Jana was small, we did a lot with each other,
Now she is a busy mom, with little time for mother.
So when we're together , it means so much to me.
I cherish every minute, and how special it can be.
It is a time of life when things are moving way too fast,
We keep on moving forward and forget to make things last.
Now that I no longer have my mom with me on earth,
I see things in a different light, and just how much they're worth.
So sharing time on birthdays is a treasure that's for sure,
In whatever we can do to bond, to keep our love real pure.
AGE is just a number... but TiME is precious though,
So making time for pampering, is valuable, you know!
A pedicure and coffee, a little shop and lunch...
Another CHERiSHED MEMORY to store with the whole bunch!

A SiMPLY SPECiAL BiRTHDAY!

 My day has been "simply special" all the way along!

It started with a lovely wrapped gift and nice card sitting on the kitchen table from my husband, Brian when I got up.  It was filled with lots of good stuff from the body shop. He is so thoughtful and so sweet!

I was to be a model for a "free cut and color" hair appointment from a former dance student, Nicole, this morning.  On my way out the door to that, my 94 year old Aunt Jean called to wish me Happy Birthday!  How very sweet of her to even remember my birthday at her age... but she is sharp as a tack!

I had a nice visit while getting my hair done... it ended up being a great cut...
but it had to be curled... so maybe a bit different "DO" than I'm used to...
I have posted a "before" and "after" pic below!  Tomorrow I'll be back to
"my" straighter version!!!... Today I felt like "CURLY TEMPLE!"

Then I was off to join 3 dance studio girl friends for a birthday lunch!  Also included pic from that! Thanks for the great gifts gals! We always have fun... and thanks to Brenda for treating!
Brenda and I did a starbucks run today later as well!

I came home to let out Shuffle and check messages... of which there were plenty. There were phone calls, emails, and FB messages galore!... including an adorable message on my phone from my 4 year old grandaughter, Mariah, singing Happy Birthday and ending in "I LOVE YOU!"... it melted my heart!

I also had calls from my son, Colin, in Montreal, both my brothers and one of my sister-in-laws, my mother-in-law, my cousin and a few friends, too! I can't believe how many people thought of me today and for that I felt so special and grateful!

I was blessed with many special little gifts and cards... and a whole lotta love!
Posted a pic of gifts, too.

A couple of other thoughts from today... When I was getting into my car to go for my hair appointment... a crow flew over my head... I wondered if that might be "a sign" that I am becoming another old crow!... but then the crow flew away!!!

I had a funny visit with an 89 year old BOBCHA at the hair salon... (That is Polish for Grandma, she told me!)... she was just way too cute for words! Her name was Stella!

I felt the love of my mom all day and even though this is my first birthday without her,  I thought of her lots because really birthdays are celebrations for moms, too!  After all... she gave birth to me on my birthday... so for a mom... it is a "BIRTHING DAY!"  She was sprinkling her love from above, and I felt it.

My husband treated me to a nice Sushi Supper out, too... so all in all it was a "simply special" day!

I normally babysit BEAU on mondays... but THANKS to Jana for giving me my Birthday off, she swapped Monday for Wednesday this week!

Now I have birthday cards to craft for my kids... they are the next ones with birthdays around here!  Infact I can't believe MY BABY, Jana, will be 30 tomorrow... Here is Jana and her darling kids, Beau and Mariah!

I've had a day with so much love...
From all around and up above!
Face book messages off the chart...
Have made my day, and filled my heart.
Hair do, lunch out, starbucks and more...
Cards and gifts and love galore!
I truly feel so very blessed.
My friends and family are the best.
Today's my day and it's been great!
Tomorrow my daughter will celebrate!
Each year is special, yes, everyone...
Today was "simply special" and fun!

From one Celebration to another!

Today I spent a long time SQUEEZING the CHRISTMAS decorations into my cupboard for another year! The "take down /put away" is never as much fun as the putting  it out in the first place!

Now we move on to birthday season at our house... so I blew up some balloons and got out the birthday banner and party hats!  My hubby made a delicious supper for us... and we were joined by Jana, Nels, Mariah, Beau and my brother Brian!

I had a very fun filled and full weekend in all!

STARBUCKS, SHOPPING, and SUPPER out= FUN!

I topped off my five day babysitting week with a few fun times!

Last night Brian and I took Mariah to our first 3-D movie "TANGLED". We got to wear fun 3 D sunglasses!  We all loved it and all the movie theatre food that goes along with it.  Mariah had a little sleepover and her daddy picked her up in the morning.

Today my very good friend, Linda came to the city with her Husband . He had stuff to do while we shopped and went to Starbucks...and then our hubbies and Us went to the KEG for a wonderful supper. Linda and Dennis treated me for my upcoming birthday! I also got a beautiful gift with 3 danglers and a sparkly birthday card, too.  My friend Linda always knows what I like best!

Today I had a "LATTE" fun,
With LINDA, my good friend.
Whenever we're together,
We hope the day won't end!
We visited 2 STARBUCKS,
Because it is tradition.
And we had two sweet lattes,
Our favorite "YUM" addiction!
We also shopped and visited,
and dined out with our men,
And then my good friends went back home,
Until we meet again!

Energizer BUNNY!

I had a busy day with this ENERGIZER BUNNY! We tapped into lots of fun today!... while her baby brother bounced in his Jolly Jumper!

FUN Times Ahead!

Today I am babysitting both of my adorable grandkids... MARIAH (age 4 and a half years old), and BEAU (he will be 5 months old tomorrow!)

Luckily my hubby, Brian took the day off, too... he is such a good help with the kiddies!  I think he loves them just as much as me if not more... and you already know how much I ADORE them!

But we find it easier to not have the doggie in the mix when we have both kids... Mariah and Shuffle get each other all wound up... so little SHUFFLE is off to Doggie Day care... "HAPPY DOG ACRES".   She loves to go visit her doggie friends there, and by the end of the day she will be all pooped out and be content with being in her kennel while the kids are here.

Mariah has talked us into another sleepover too!... So it will be a full day ahead... but I am still grateful to have so much joy in my daily life!  I think I'll get Mariah to help me take down all the Christmas stuff today... she likes to feel like she is helping and can be a very good helper, too!  So even though I'm sad to see all the Christmas stuff go away again... it is time!... And I'm grateful for her help!

Tomorrow I'm excited for my friend,  Linda  coming to the city... we will enjoy a STARBUCKS "FLUFFY" coffee together followed by a day of shopping and then join up with our hubbies for a fun supper at the KEG! For those of you who do not know what a fluffy coffee is... that is our name for any coffee with whip or froth on top... (lattes, mochas, etc! ... the yummy drinks)

No poems have been written (YET) today... so I'll close off with a quote from my "GRATiTUDE" book...

"Those who live passionately teach us how to love.  Those who love passionately teach us how to live."
-Sarah Ban Breathnach

TAP into a day filled with FUN, LOVE and GRATiTUDE!