'SNOW' MaNy HaPpEniNgs!

"Life is like a field of newly fallen snow. Where I choose to walk every step will show."
-Denis Waitley


"The best thing to hold on to in life is each other."
-Audrey Hepburn

The BSOBAD Dance Studio
hosted a lovely bridal shower yesterday.
You will see out the windows that it was a very
SNOWY and Picturesque day! 

My niece, Rowen, and Mariah were
on the decorating committee with me
to help turn the studio into
a HEARTY and fancy place!
Rowen's dance teacher was the
"Bride-to-Be"
that we were celebrating! 

A very unique and fun little fashion show
took place at the shower.
Here were wedding and bridesmaid gowns
worn by family members and friends of the bride
modeled by dancers from the studio !
"Bride-to-Be", Nicole, is seated in grey on the floor
with her flower girl, and behind her in centre...
is Mother and sister of the bride to be.

Here in the decorated spot for the BRIDE... is
Nicole on the right, and her sister, Zoe on the left. 

More "STUDIO SISTERS!"
Here is Mariah's dance teacher,
Miss Cara, and her sister, Shannon.
They attended the shower yesterday
only one week after Cara
gave birth to her first child!

Here is a photo of a photo...
of Miss Cara's baby boy
MASON WILLIAM
born on January 8th, 2012 .

Here is a little picture of my grandson
BEAU yesterday right after his morning bath,
wet hair and all!!! 

Here is Mariah here yesterday morning
following her little sleepover! 

Hard to believe only one week ago today
Beau and Mariah were out coloring the driveway
with chalk in our abnormal spring like weather conditions! 

You can see the very little snow at that stage!!!
Monday January 9th, 2012 

Here is the driveway only one week later... photo this morning
January 16th, 2012 

Even the little snowman I have hanging under the shelter
is covered with a skiff of snow!
(Jana made this snowman in grade 7 at school!) 

Here is a pic of our backyard early this morning, looking rather
 like a little SNOW WONDER-LAND!
with a little path cleared for my doggie, Shuffle!


This past week
SNOW much happened...
LITERALLY!!!!!!!

Just a quick recap...
Only one week ago today
Jana was on route to Australia
to visit some of her MERMAID friends!
She met Sheryn and Naomi while
all of them worked as performers in
TOKYO back in the days of
Jana's Disney contracts.

This week alone... I have done
lots of grandkid babysitting and bonding including some fun sleepovers!

I turned a year older,
and my daughter did, too!

I was out to lunch... 3 times,
out to supper ...2 times,
out to breakfast... 1 time...
and to a wedding shower as well!
(One might think I was trying
to keep my weight up!!!)

I also attended 4 gym classes...
which is a good thing for
 all the eating out I did!

The weather changed drastically from
unusual spring like conditions to our
normal type of snowy winter like weather!

Yesterday the dance step of the day
was likely
"The SHOVEL DIGGER"
infact I was changing the words of the
popular LMFAO "Party Rock Anthem"
from "Everyday I'm Shuffling"
...to "Everyone is SHOVELING!"

Last week I celebrated life in a big way!

Yesterday the dance studio "BSOBAD"
honored one of the dance teachers
by hosting a fun wedding shower.
Conrgrats to Miss Nicole
who is to be married in Hawaii
 this February.
Nicole also celebrated
a birthday this past week, too!
Her and my daughter, Jana
share the 11th as their birthdate.

I helped with the shower decorating,
which I always enjoy,
and I had help from my niece Rowen
and grand daughter, Mariah, along with
 the studio secretary, Kellie!

The dance studio really is like
one big happy dance family...
and owner, Brenda does a great job
of celebrating events always.
She is all about making memories...
dance ones and others,too!

Mariah's dance teacher, Miss Cara,
 gave birth to her first child last Sunday.
It is such a special time in a person's life... becoming a mom!

In a couple of days I will be celebrating
when I first became a mom, too,
when  my son, Colin turns 33
on January 18th.
I am very proud to be a mom,
and now a Grandma as well!

So on that PROUD note...
here is my rhyme of the day...

My life's been SNOW busy in one short week.
This blog is only a very small peek.
From celebrations to lots of outings galore,
And weather like spring...then winter...
and more!
Babies and showers and grandkids, too...
Sleepovers, meals out...oh I love what I do!
LESS is MORE...
was my plan for this year,
LESS feeling drab... and MORE about cheer!

CELEBRATE-FUL... & GRATEFUL!

          This past week has certainly been 
        one filled with CELEBRATIONS and 
        LOTS TO BE OH SO GRATEFUL FOR!


             Here are the quotes from the last 
3 days off my little Mary Engelbreit calendar....


Jan. 12th... 
"Count your age by friends not years!"


Jan.13th...
"It isn't the size of the gift that matters, 
but the size of the heart that gives it."
-Eileen Elias Freeman


Jan.14th-15th weekend...
"Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy: They are the charming gardens who make our souls blossom."
-Marcel Proust

Looking CELEBRATE-FUL
... and "OH" so
GRATEFUL!!! 

A little pre-birthday plant I got at the grocery store a week ago
Notice in pic below with gifts... how in one week it has grown!
It smells SOOOO GOOD, too!

A birthday Lunch Celebration...
My birthday was on the 10th...and Joanne's was on the 3rd
so we had it on the 13th... (10 plus 3)
Here we are holding gifts from Brenda, who also treated us to lunch!

Me and the girls at Earl's!
This was a girlfriend birthday lunch yesterday... here left to right
Kellie, Brenda, me, and Joanne. 

And yet another birthday Lunch!!!!!
Almost called this whole blog...
"OUT TO LUNCH"!
Here I am with my cousin Gwen just today
at East Side Marios 

Here is Mariah the other day doing
a pink popsicle "PARTY DANCE!" 

Beau actually fell off his chair eating his orange popsicle!
He has a hard time sitting still anywhere!!!!!
He didn't hurt himself, though...
he just got up and didn't miss a beat! 

A picture Jana had posted on her facebook page the other day.
Here she is in between her AUSSIE GIRLFRIENDS
NAOMI and SHERYN...
Looks like they found a SALE while she is visiting her friends
in Australia for 2 weeks!
... imagine that??????? 

Here is a picture of
Jana, with her Australian friends, Naomi and Sheryn
when they visited here in September of 2006.
It looks like our family room has changed
more than the girls have!

Here are my birthday gifts and cards,
note the little plant in the red polka dot pot,
 how much it grew in
 just one week!
THANKS to everyone
for all the thoughtful gifts.


I have had such a fun week filled with lots...
I almost called this blog
"OUT TO LUNCH"
as that has been a main activity
 for me this week.
Good thing I have made it to
the gym for 4 classes this week, too!

Yesterday I was out to lunch to "EARL'S"
with my dance studio friends...
Brenda, Kellie, and Joanne.
THANKS BRENDA
for a great lunch and girlfriend bond!

When I got home from that,
 there was a sweet little parcel
waiting for me in my mail box
 from my dear Penticton friend, Arlene.
We have really become soul sisterfriends
and feel a connection through our
ANGEL moms who both once sold Avon!
Who doesn't LOVE to
receive a parcel in the mail?
I loved all the little treasures in my package,
and they will always remind
me of my friend!
THANKS Arlene!

Last night Brian and I tried out
a new restaurant in the city for our supper.
It is called the "PRAIRIE HARVEST CAFE"...
very tasty... I recommend it!

Today after my morning at the gym,
I met my cousin Gwen for yet
another yummy lunch...
 this one at "EAST SIDE MARIOS".
Thanks for the birthday lunch GWEN!
We then wandered through Winners
together for a little fun shop together.

I always think of my mom when I
celebrate my birthday. I would not be here,
if it wasn't for her! To her I'm grateful for my
LIFE to CELEBRATE.

I feel GRATEFUL to BE A MOM, too.
I gave birth to my two children around
 my birthday as well... with Jana's birthday the day after mine and
my son Colin's the week after Jana's!
JANUARY is definitely a CELEBRATE-FUL
and GRATEFUL month for our family!

As well as my kids and
me celebrating in January...
I had many friends with celebrations in this month, too... infact growing up we called ourselves the "CBC"
which stood for
"CAPRICORN BIRTHDAY CLUB"

My childhood best friend and neighbor,
will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAY!

Mariah just phoned and asked if she could come over for a sleepover tonight...
so looks like I'll have my
little sweetie here tonight!

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

This past week was one to be so
GRATEFUL FOR...
With family, friends,dining out,
gifts and more.
My birthday's extended to all week for me,
But I love to celebrate,
and it makes me HAPPY!
I've said it before, but I truly am blessed.
When it comes to these things,
I have all the best!
I go with the flow, and follow the punches...
And enjoy every minute...
and all of the lunches!
If life's what you make it...
then mine's CELEBRATE-FUL...
And I am sure feeling just
ever so GRATEFUL!
In fact I must say
"I sure feel young at HEART"
This year has been GREAT for me
from the start!

CHALK Full of FUN!

"The more fun you have, the greater your value to yourself and to your society.  The more fun you share with others, the more fun you have."
-Oquai


"Ask not what fun does for you. Ask rather what you do for fun."
-Oquai


"Fun does not come in sizes."
-Bart Simpson

Mariah and Beau on the Monday
in "SPRING- LIKE" weather,
out drawing with chalk on the driveway!

The first thing Mariah did was print
"MOM" 

Beau was more about mischief than drawing! 

Beau sitting on the little bit of leaf covered snow we have
in the front year this year! 

Mariah enjoying playing
 in the nice fresh air outside .

Mariah striking a ROCK STAR pose
when Jana and Nels dropped the kids here
 early Monday morning! 

The kids dancing on the coffee table! 

A cute shot of Beau on his way by...
this kid never stops going! 

My brother-in-law, Bruce here from Vancouver,
popped by for a visit with the kids on Monday. 

The kids watching some TV with a little
 HEALTHY snack of cut up apples! 

Me out for a special treat Birthday Lunch
with my neighbour, Heather, and Gym friend, Ella,
on Tuesday at McNalley Robinson. 

Out for a Birthday supper with Mariah at Boston Pizza
on tuesday night. 

Mariah and her poppa brian at BP. 

Mariah in the office at the dance studio
with her substiture dance teacher's baby, Alexandra, yesterday.
Her regular teacher, Miss Cara just had a baby boy on Sunday,
so her teacher from last year, Miss Amber is filling in for a while. 

Beau and Mariah with one more coffee table dance
last night when Nels came for supper and to pick up Mariah!



Where do I begin?...
 These last few days have been
"CHALK" full of activities around here!
Monday morning shortly after 7 Am,Jana and Nels brought their kids to spend the day with us.  Jana was headed to the airport for a little 2 week holiday to Australia to visit some of her friends from her Tokyo Japan
"LITTLE MERMAID" contracts.I know she will love the time she gets to spend with Sheryn and Naomi once again, too!

Originally Nels was going, too, but in the end he chose to stay home with the kids, instead.
With him working ... we will still be a huge help with babysitting etc., while Jana is gone.
Grandma Nancy is coming from Edmonton,
 to help out next week as well.
 I must say that NELS has been a 'SUPER DAD' in his efforts to get the kids to and from their destinations so far including
packing lunches and organizing
for each day's events along the way!
Monday was full of fun and adventure with the two kids here. Luckily I had Brian here to help out as well. The weather was very warm and spring like for this time of year...
in fact the two kids even had a little play outdoors that day, which is amazing
for this time of year in Saskatoon!

When Nels came at 6 to get the kids after his day of work... he joined us for a barbeque supper that day as well.

Tuesday was my birthday and I started out at the gym. I got treated to a lovely lunch with friends, Heather and Ella. Later that afternoon
I picked up Mariah from her after school kindergarten program because she wanted to be a part of my birthday...(so cute of her!)

Brian and I took her out to her favorite restaurant, Boston Pizza
for her special meal called
"BUGZ & CHEESE".
We ended up keeping Mariah for
a sleepover here that night as well.

During that day I was overwhelmed with all the birthday greetings I received
by phone, email and Facebook messages, too.
Thanks to all my peeps for all the love!
 My son Colin...
even tried calling 3 times in efforts
 to track me down in person...
finally connecting in the evening.
He is always so great at remembering
the important and special dates, and I appreciate any connections with him.
( they are usually few and far between!)

Jana's birthday is on the 11th which is the day after my birthday. However this year with her being in Australia and them being 16 hours ahead of us... we actually would have been celebrating at the same time but on different sides of the world!
Jana left Saskatoon on the 9th
and arrived in Australia on the 11th,
meaning she did not see the
10th of January this year at all!

Mariah has been really good in the time
I have had her here, but she has
moments of missing her mommy.
For some reason she finds going into my bathroom and putting on make up
a comfort thing! The other day
when I knocked on the door
to see what she was doing...
she replied...
"I'm 'SOFTING MY CHEEKS'!"...
which was her term for putting on blush!!!
She then came out all done up
in my make up with her arms in
the 'ta-da' pose and said "PRETTY?!"
She then told me she was going
to work for her Auntie Erica one day
as a make up artist.
That is what her auntie does in Calgary!

Yesterday I had Mariah for the day, and took her to her dancing lesson. Because her regular teacher just had a baby on the weekend, her last year teacher will be filling in for the next while. She also has a little baby, too,
who happened to be at the studio yesterday.
Mariah sure enjoyed playing with her
before her lesson.

Nels picked up Beau from daycare and came for Mariah and once again joined us for supper last night.

Today was another gym morning for me and I had a hair appointment following... so there has been a lot going on this week in my life... especially for the girl who had a new year's resolution of "LESS is MORE!"

This week it has been
LESS work... and MORE fun!
"We don't stop playing because we turn old,
but  turn old because we stop playing. "
-Author unknown

Even though I turned another year older...
and possibly even wiser...
I am very happy to report that I still feel very
YOUNG AT HEART...
 thanks to my sweet grandkids!

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

If growing older means wiser too...
Here is another thought that is true!
With each passing year until it is done,
It is also good to leave room for some fun!
We only live once, so enjoy it, I say,
Live life to the fullest every day.
Do the things that matter the most,
Love your family... and even boast!
Spend time with friends, they are the best,
They sometimes know you more than the rest.
They help you sing the song of your heart,
They just know the words right from the start.
Fill each day with smiles, laughs and love,
Feel the warmth from the skies up above.
Just make the most of the simplest things,
Live in the moment and enjoy what life brings!

 

LESS sleep... MORE time to PARTY!

"Too much of a good thing is wonderful!"
-Author Unknown

I scream, You scream... we all scream for
ICE CREAM!

Nothing like ice cream cones to get all revved up! 

Ice cream cone with sprinkles on top...
soon to be everywhere but on top!!! 

Mariah ROCKING
 the HAPPY BIRTHDAY GLASSES! 

Beau in his BUZZ LIGHTYEAR jammies
just about to spill his fruit loops all over the place! 

Beau dancing on the table
in his snowman jammies 

These two cuties keep me YOUNG at HEART! 

Mariah in a little PRE-CELEBRATION MODE! 

WHO DOESN'T LOVE CAKE! 

Blowing the streamer horn off the cake! 

Beau trying to figure out how to blow his streamer horn!

The CAKE... for an early CELEBRATION! 

Me and Jana in a PRE-BIRTHDAY PHOTO today!

"A DAUGHTER IS A LITTLE GIRL WHO GROWS UP TO BE A FRIEND."
-Author Unknown

"GOOD DAUGHTERS MAKE
GOOD MOTHERS."
-Author Unknown

Beau and Mariah at Jana's on Friday night.
This is what Beau does when you tell him to smile!

I have been busy  working on all my New Year's resolutions the past few days...
trying to make  my new
"LESS IS MORE" resolution a reality!

Last night it was all about
"LESS" SLEEP... "MORE" FUN!

This was our first SLEEPOVER of 2012.
 I find SLEEP is never a big priority
when the kids sleep over!

Brian took Mariah to a Blades hockey game last night...and they did a little Grandpa/ Grand daughter bond... while back here, I was well entertained chasing after Beau!

About midnight, Beau decided he wasn't into sleeping anymore, so I got up and snuggled him in the rocking chair and sang many lullabies to him in efforts to try to get him back to sleep.
He just continued to stare lovingly at me with his big brown eyes, but was not falling back to sleep... hmmmm... maybe it was my singing!
I maybe got some words wrong in some of the songs... but I just made up my own
words in that case, and I figured Beau
wouldn't know the difference!

Today we had a great little play with the grandkiddies before their
mommy and daddy came
to pick them up.

Jana is off to Australia tomorrow for 2 weeks,
so we did a little pre-party celebration.
My birthday is Tuesday and Jana's
is Wednesday...
but with her being in Australia...
we will both be  celebrating them at the same time with the time differences... it will be the 11th in Australia while still the 10th here!...
Kind of a cool thought.

Nels will be flying solo with the kids for the next couple of weeks, so I know we will be helping out when and where ever we can. The kids
other Grandma is coming from Edmonton during week 2 of Jana's trip
to help out , too.

"CARRY LAUGHTER WITH YOU
WHERE EVER YOU GO."
-Hugh Sidey

So on that QUOTE...
Here is my poem of the day...

Party people in the house
... this weekend for some fun,
We had a little sleepover,
and cake, but now it's done.
Wishing my sweet party girl,
a birthday that is great,
As she is traveling far away
this year to celebrate!
Once a mother always one,
and close right from the start.
 Birthday time this year
we'll stay connected in our heart!
JANA, have safe travels and a fun holiday,
Rest assured your kiddies,
will be loved while your away!