Camping and travel and owls, oh my

O continues to enjoy her summer of camps. Sadly, the City of Guelph cancelled the most highly anticipated one - Tairy Fales, a drama camp focused on one fairy tale per week. But she had a great week traipsing around the province and spending time with Grandma, Amma, Clio, her dad and me. One more week of camps and then a week of family time and then school! Ahhh! My big grade two girl and my kindergartner! Wasn't I cuddling a newborn and a toddler on my bed yesterday? How did that happen?
So - a bit more travel in my future - looks like September might be busy with some time in T.O. and a week in San Fran - but then back for a couple of weeks and on to DISNEY!!!! I can't wait. D seems to be the perfect age at last for some time in Disney.
Did you know that Brownie leaders are still called Owls? Well, they are - and now I'm one. I still don't know my Owl identity, but will get it all sorted soon enough. I wonder if I will be a better Brownie leader than I was a Brownie. They set me up with all that growing a carrot in a bowl stuff.
Take care,
V

Akk Akk

So - it's been just over two years.... What's new? Tell me about yourself.
When did the dog days of summer become the work-like-a dog days of summer? When is the right time of year for a slow down. The best husband ever (BHE) sends me a daily list of upcoming tasks and the weekdays and weekends are full, like for months!
But... it's warm and it's sunny and it's summer! So welcome to summer, here come the Berrys!

The singing sensation that is sweeping the nation

Last week I headed to Orlando for work and my mom came over for a few days to help out (as did my other mom! Thank you moms!).
My mom introduced Olivia to American Idol and the two had a nice time watching the contestants belt it out. Naturally, Olivia wanted to watch the show this week, so on Tuesday she stayed up with me and watched Idol. I'm not a big fan, but she was keeping up an interesting commentary and i was enjoying it. Suddenly, Olivia turns to me and says, "Now i will be the singer and you be the other guys (meaning the judges)." She stands up, grabs her imaginary microphone and lets go. Oh, the wonder of my girl. She hit notes i didn't know existed. Making up some truly odd lyrics, something about assuming and losing and being alone. As the cute, but toneless, song continued i was trying to hide my laughter from her and she just swayed to her own music. When she was finished, she turned to me expectantly and i offered a "Yo, dog. that was awesome", a "Wow, you're the bestest , ever" and a "that was THE performance of the night. Really, really good." She seemed really pleased with the feedback!
Then the next person was playing a guitar, so off she went singing and playing guitar and letting me know that this guy (the eventual winner), was not her favourite, but was grandma's favourite.
Olivia often tells us that she is going to be a singer and she continues to work hard on being a star.
Future stage mother,
V

how to lose weight without really trying??

Headline on Yahoo! today - Four Weeks to a Summer Body
My thought - if step one is eat an apple fritter that is likely thrice fried or something, then I am well on my way. If, however, it is not, I may have just put myself a good solid week back...
Perhaps i can work it off on our new Wii Fit. We tried it out last night and had a good time. I was a bit frustrated by how uncoordinated i was. i couldn't slalom ski at all - i just kept going into the fence and getting booed. And trying to do these step aerobics, but being told i was not stepping properly was really bugging me. Until...
I say to Al - say... should the word Wii be upside down when I'm looking at it? Have you made me play these games on a backwards platform. Yes, he had.
I think my skiing will improve incredibly tonight...
Skillfully,
V

My moon, my Dan

What a wonderful man.
To my two-year-old boy:
I see that little smirk on your face and I wonder what you are planning; I know it will bring a smile to my face. You are a fun little guy, my Dan. With curls for miles and more charm than you know what to do with.
Every night I find myself smiling at the funny things you have done throughout the day - whether it's taking Hock for a ride on your new toy bike, or colouring a "fish", or singing the alphabet (a, b, la la la, h, m, ess, ess, la la la, double yewwwww, esss). Ever-changing, constantly amazing, you are a true light in my life.
Love mom

Helllloooooo!

Ever have one of those days where people are giving you nice smiles and you think to yourself, I must be looking pretty good today; only to look in the mirror in the bathroom and realize it looks like a bird could comfortably nest in your hair? It's that kind of day...
Needing a haircut,
(and let's face it, some colour wouldn't hurt.)
V

Lily is here!

Lily Michaela Jackson made her grand entrance to the world on April 7, weighing in at 7lbs, 7oz and 21.5" long. I get to meet her on Saturday and i can hardly wait!!!! She is so beautiful. Jill had a bit of a long labour, but thankfully no real problems! Lily is nursing well already and her dad is already a sucker for her - or so i hear...

Take care,

V

Tubular Rasa

No tubes for Dan! Somehow his body - ears - naturally drained the fluid. He has to go back for regular check ups, but still... Now he doesn't have to be put under and that takes a load off my mind.

Dan and Hock

OR A Tale of a Boy and His Wiener

Dan has a new best friend. He dearly loves this little guy - wants to have him in his hand constantly. Meet Hock. Dan's wiener. Of the plastic variety. How exactly does a child decide that a plastic hot dog should be his most beloved possession? I have no idea.

But if Hock (or sometimes Hockie) gets lost, we are in for a world of distress. We have already had to say - "Stop! Everyone look for the Hock! Olivia, have you seen the hock?"

It's amazing how dexterious he can be while holding firmly to Hock. He can eat, play games, read books, colour, just about anything, with Hock in his hand.

But the best, THE BEST, was watching as Dan found and donned Olivia's glass slippers, a beaded necklace, and twirled in circles singing - while still holding on to that hot dog - natch!

Here I thought the duckie blanket would be the can't-live-without-it item. See how wrong I can be?

Take care,

V

night time woes

Why is it that I have no great need to be cuddled when I am sick? When I'm not feeling well and have a restless night, i just want to burrow under the covers and be left more or less alone... and sleep - boy do i want sleep!
Not so much, Dan. Dan wants cuddles, and then he wants covers, and then he doesn't, and then he wants up, then he wants to lie down - on me, then he wants to be rocked, then left alone...
Needless to say, a mostly sleepless night for me while Dan moaned and groaned his way through three beds. Thank you Alan for the 4 a.m. rescue that got Dan back to sleep (in his crib!) and gave me a good three hours of sleep.
However, the fever has gone away and Dan was in great spirits this morning and that is where the kid has got it all over me. The next day following restless sickly sleep, I am a bear; so more power to Dan - the morning time darling.
V