Teeth and other stuff

The littlest guy is teeth obsessed, he wants to continuously all-day-long brush his teeth, which really means he wants to stick his tooth brush under running water and suck on the wet brush.  So there is lots of time spent in the bathroom right now. 

Notice the two ikea step stools stacked, even then he barely reaches, which is good, since he is getting quite adapt at turning the taps on if he is on a higher stool or chair. 

In other news, on Father's Day, which began  initially as a really nice low-key day turned, Todd was taking Claire to a walk-in clinic because we decided that the pain she had in her ear was legit (sometimes she exaggerates) and backing out of the driveway he ran in Oldest Son's jeep.  Fortunately the jeep wasn't injured, the car hit the monster tire, but our little car was.  The back light, panel and bumper were damaged.  Big Drag.  Car is currently in shop getting beautified.  It's amazing how weird it feels not to have wheels.  I'm a homebody, but I always have the option of taking off somewhere.  I'm seriously thinking that a walk down to Giant Tiger to pick up milk(there isn't many interesting places in our neck of the woods to walk to) just to get out.

Tomorrow is Claire's last day of second grade, and then she'll be off for the summer!  Looking forward to lots of fun with her.  We have the summer list (like lots of families!) stuck on the fridge waiting to be checked off.  On Thursday Claire and I will be going to Stratford to see Camelot (while my mom watches
Declan).  Will continue to look for the Bieb while there. 

Also on the weekend we attended this, http://www.wienerfest.ca/ which is a "festival for dachshunds", with my Second Oldest Son and his girlfriend.  The kids enjoyed it.  People are really into their dachshunds there.  Really into them.  I have to say, that I do have a new appreciation for their breed.  I generally am drawn to big dogs.  The little dachshunds we witnessed even in very large groups are a peaceable bunch!  Very little snarly interaction at all. 

My Oldest Son has been staying with us until he moves into his very own first home.  Today is his closing.  I can't believe my baby (he is a 6 foot giant baby) but my baby none the less has bought a home.  Can't wait for the tour tonight (I saw it when it was up for consideration a couple of months ago). 

Lots going on. 

The Backyard

Until this year I spent very little time trying to make the backyard a nicer place.  Really that's not entirely true, I kind of did short bursts out there, but my attention was always divided on other things.  This year is really the first time I've consciously tried to come up with a plan.  I'm really enjoying it.  Some existing perennials have been moved around and I've added a number that I purchased (a local nursery is going out of business and all perennials are 40% off).  I want to get some more hostas but I'll wait till end of season sales for those.  Here is a tour of what it currently looks like.  Keep in mind that we are at step 1.  It is definitely a work in progress.  Think kind thoughts!

 Do you see that really tall piece of wood?  It used to be part of a hanging laundry drying line.  When the addition was built the other half was attached to the house.  It has since been removed.  I want to buy one of these from Lee Valley.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=67360&cat=2,42194,67373&ap=1

I digress.  So see the tall wood piece, it has a bird house on the top now.  We don't put bird feed in it though.  Louise the cat would be under the assumption that it would be another way of showing how much we love her, luring poor birds to the yard so she could kill them.  So we don't put feed in it.  Instead it has become the nesting place of a couple of nest building birds.  I have no idea what kind they are.  Pretty little brown things.  Thankfully Louise hasn't noticed them.  Also she is getting old and her hunting has slowed down to the occasional mouse on the front door mat.

It is so jam packed with the nest it's hard to believe there is any room for birds. 

Check out the ingenious method of gaining access to the trampoline.  Temporary!  When the pool goes in the stairs will be put in their proper place.  Although as weird as the half wedding cake stairs look next to the trampoline, they save my back lifting Heavy D up and out of there each time!

This side of the yard is where I have spent my time and energy. All the plants look tiny weeny, but they'll fill out and I imagine in a couple of years it will look much better (I'm hoping!)

Here is my little vegetable garden.  Next year we plan on adding two more beds.  I thought I'd start small this year.  I planted yellow and green peppers, lettuce, snap peas, strawberries, marigolds and zinnias are in there too.  Also down the middle I planted a row of Russian Mammoth Sunflowers, they grow crazy big(around 6 feet) and I love them!

Here is one of the flowering peony plants.  So pretty.  It's Latin name is fried egg peony (no it's not that's just what it reminds me of!) . That's the tour!

Home made biore strips

I found this recipe that basically simulates what the biore strip does.  Except just as the poster did...I applied it to my entire face.
http://petitelefant.com/how-to-pore-strips/

I'm not an especially hairy person, but right now I know exactly how much (or little) hair I have/had on my face.  I don't know if it's because I didn't follow exactly the instructions, leaving it in the microwave a little longer (30 secs).  Oh mannnnnn..... the removal ...holy smokes!!!!!  I should have read all those comments posted after the 'recipe'.  But my face....feels mahvelous (Billy Chrystal voice)!

Thrifting

This morning I went with Big D to a little town just 20 minutes from where I live to go thrifting.  It has an awesome Goodwill and a couple of other smaller stores that proved to be full of great things.  Declan needed some lighter weight p.j.s  and shorts.  One of the non-essentials I found was a really cute single duvet cover.  It is made by Laura Ashley.  Declan will be moving into his own room at the end of June.  I'm looking forward to decorating and setting it up.  He is really into any kind of transportation (ie. trains, planes and automobiles!).  So was thrilled to find the duvet.  There it is at the top of the post.

Also found a dress for Claire that is cute...it's by Mexx and it was only $1- (half price for red ticket items today!).

We found this giant Mega blocks dump truck...that in some people's opinion was the best find of the day...and I have had a very quiet afternoon as a result.  Declan is loading it up...and unloading...and waving bye...then going in another room...before returning a second later with the truck. I'm loving the truck too! 

Look at little curly locks in action!  I'm loving his curls...but think we'll trim it slightly for the summer to stay cooler. 

The Cat

the cat came back...no not the very next day...but the cat came back....

So, longest cat story ever.  My second oldest son and his girlfriend took the cat, bought all the cat gear.  Then 12 hours later decided it wasn't the cat for them.  They took cat to the Humaine Society were they were misinformed that the cat could live there until it was adopted.  Today they recieved a call that the cat would be put to sleep at 10 am.  I quickly called back and said I would take it back.  I didn't rescue it from a busy 4 lane road to be put to sleep a week later.  The cat will be delivered back safe and sound (hopefully) this evening.  It is not an easy going cat.  It was very skinny when I found it.  It growls and hisses a little. Whatever happened to the little girlie wasn't all good that is for sure.   I hope this cat will work out with us.  It definately was settling in. Getting more and more affecionate by the day (I had it for 4 days).  I am worried that being locked in a cage will definately be a setback for the poor little thing.   My own cat isn't very cat friendly, prefers to be the One and Only.  I hope we all can adjust.  For the record, I would not have brought it there.  I would have kept it here until I had found it a forever home (as they say).  It was not a decision that I made.  Live and learn.