Birthday 2011

I am now 35.

If I blogged this two weeks ago...it may be more relavent. Alas, I still am going to blog. Even though I have many more things to blog about. Like Baby A's first Birthday. We are still cleaning up...that will be another post.

Like I said..35. Half way to 70. To celebrate I wanted a family day. Just the four of us...sharing in each others company and enjoying the sunshine. That and I wanted some crab for dinner. Yummy crab dripping in butter and steamy hot. So we headed here...

One of my favourite places in Vancouver. There is something there for everyone. I love it all...

So does this little man. Melt. Sigh. He is growing up too fast. 

We were starving and debating on where to go for lunch. The kids were starving too so we opted for the old standby...The Sand Bar. It was good. I wouldn't go on and on about it, but it was nice, food was good, atmosphere relaxed, it was clean, huge, loud, friendly, and we could be seated right away. Plus we could drink these...

Yum. 

The kids were great too. E and Baby A were hams.

She enjoyed her pomme frites. 

E drew me a map of someplace...on his kids menu. Gosh they're cute aren't they?

After lunch we headed to the market. I brought the point and shoot so here are some classic Granville Island photos...

Fresh herbs at the flower market. You know the one. The one that makes you wish you had a few extra 20's in your pocket to buy that absolutely beautiful bouquet, but you can't because you need to eat for the rest of the week?

Piles of peppers

Veggies and fruits as far as the eye can see!

Fruits too...stacked to perfection...

Grape mountains 

Carrot bunches 

Scallions (that's what Mr. Man calls them - I call them green onions)

Semi-waxed apples. 

Lollipops hand made

Heirloom Tomatoes

Mr.Man practically ran here to salivate over the cured meats. Oyama. 

Olive tubs...Mmmmm....olives. 

Cheese anyone? 

I love cheese!! Especially when I get my picture taken! 

Then we headed to my favourite bakery EVER...well, maybe not ever, but you know what I mean...

We grabbed the last one. For dinner. For my butter slop and mopping sauces.

 It really puts all other baguettes to shame. 

Easton was engrossed in the beauty of it all too. He helped pick dessert and of course later eat it. He was decisive and knew EXACTLY what he wanted and didn't want. 

Then we headed over to my other favourite place...the net loft. I love Paper-Ya. The written word store. So many pretty pretty things. But not as pretty as my pretty little bebe... She was a trooper. 

 
Mr .Man stood in line to get me a Cappuccino at my favourite coffee stop. JJ Bean people. Try it. I love it. Spread it around. Savour it. Sip it. Smell it. LOVE IT.

It was busy that day...but we managed to find a prime photo spot...

Thank-you random stranger for capturing us so perfectly. Well, maybe not Avery's best angle...but we are all together. The sun is out. We are happy. We are full. We are not cranky or tired. We are...

Love. (good one little E)

He enjoyed the thrill of the 15 foot drop below...

I took this photo to encapsulate the wonder of this moment. 

Then we headed off to get what we really came for...

*warning*

crab cruelty to follow these photos...continue at your own risk

Yum.  Had some for lunch.

Easton picked out dinner. 

"hold me"

Mussels too please (Easton didn't seem to mind picking them...didn't want to try one though). 

Baby A sits patiently. Does she have a choice? 

Look Momma - LOBSTERS!! 

Mission accomplished. "Mom...can you hold this...Crabs are heavy."

Unfortunately the day ended with a major temper-tantrum here. Something about a Lego watch. Hmmm...note to self...never tell them anything or show them anything unless you intend to follow through. Ehhem...

Mr. Man saw this sign as we waited for a light on our way home. I liked it. It is true. Just say it like it really is people. 

Mr. Man de-bearded the Mussels and...

said a little prayer to our crabs and read them their last rights and...

Look at the nice table. 

They were done!

He made a beure blanc sauce (fancy for TOTALLY AWESOME, FINGER LICKING GOOD, GIMMIE SOME MORE butter sauce). He served it with tomato concasse and applewood smoked bacon and toulouse sausage fondue (remember Oyama?) and Asparagus. 

Voila! So good. SO good. Perfection. 

Loved it. Loved the baguette too, the vino and of course...

Watching little E master his crab crackers. Note his unbreakable concentration. 

Dessert was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G too. We shared them all. Yes...them ALL. 

Birthday number 35 was good in so many ways. I have a good feeling about the year as it begins anew. Looking at the glass half full, enjoying moments, savouring adventure, trying new things...so much to look forward to. So many things I will get to remember and so many things I will learn to forget. Now come on...lets GO!!! 

E.

Taking a Trip

So we have decided to take a trip. 

Just the two of us.

Meandering through a magical city...holding hands, venturing down cobble stone streets, stumbling upon little bistros and local eats.  Sleeping in 600 thread count sheets and not making the bed.  Having drinks in the swanky lounge before stepping out for dinner, laughing at foamy milk mustashes from yummy cappuccinos and devouring fresh, locally sourced eats. 

So where are we going? Where can we go to get it all? In 4 days? I will give you a hint...

San Francisco. I have never been. Have you? 

It is a place that I have always wanted to go and explore. So much culture, art... and FOOD!! I am SO excited. Mr. Man has already sourced out a dinner spot and I our Hotel. 

I wanted to stay in a Boutique hotel. Big hotels are okay...but they are like a machine. HUGE conference rooms, huge restaurants and 1000's of rooms. Overwhelming. 

They are nice yes...but if we have a choice and are kid free...I would take the boutique experience any day. AND...because we are doing it all on POINTS...giddy up! 

Plus I get to FLY!! Yay!!! I love flying...it has been too long. Trying to remember the last time...New York?

Eastons first flight aka...every parents worst fear. 

That trip was fun.  He was a trooper. The plane ride was perfect. He slept the whole time and was only 6m old. I am leery to travel now with them though. The fear...the horror. 

It doesn't matter though...we will be KID FREE! I know though that I will miss them as soon as I have a moment to sit and be still. I will miss their energy, wonder and questions. 

But... without the kids we can go here...

And do this...

And this...

So as I prepare for this little getaway...I thought I would share some eye candy with you all of what I would "like" to wear roaming the streets and going for yummy dinners and museum gazing. 

Exhibit A: Spending the Day in Union Square or Running Here and There

Unfortunately our budget, mortgage payment, basement renos, gas, and food bills prevent me from actually wearing any of these items.

Especially the purse.

A measly $3000. Nothing right? A few lattes?

Although...the Aviators are almost mine... They are a major purchase so I have to be sure. Okay...I am sure.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the bracelets and the earrings. I am so attacted to gold these days. Summer, bright, yellow, soft, with just the right amount of glittery...gold.

The shoes I imagine to be comfortable. IMAGINE...I said.

Not that they would be...but since I am imagining here and dreaming...they WILL be comfortable.  So comfortable in fact  that I can wear them ALL day, look hot and feel sexy in a size 9 shoe.

I am going to see about that lip stick too. Red. Looks fab, but am I a red lip stick girl? She is...

I will explore the possibility.

Exhibit B - Dinner Out #1




I am drawn to these colours. Soft. Romantic. Summery. And feathers.

I am loving the feathers. I need to find some that don't make me look like I am going to fly away. Any one seen any? Love the corset look of the dress and of course those shoes...I heart them. They heart me. But the fact is that I would kill myself and probably countless others falling over in them. Loving the lippy. Soft pink. Feminine and fresh.

Mr. Man hates the jacket. Maybe I do too. But apparently it is cool in San Francisco. I thought I was going to California people!! Apparently I can hope for 16 degrees.

Lets move on...

Exhibit C - Dinner out #2




I LOVE this dress. The whole thing. Colour, cut, pattern, fabric, and length. Can I get one please! It is only $275. I could wear it again. Like when I pick up Little E from kindergarden. Or when I dash out for milk?

Feathers again. See...I am drawn to them. Can't go wrong with Black Louboutin's. Yes PRICEY at $865, but  dam they are so friggin HOT. The clutch has its own entity...I dig the skull clasp. Braided bracelet is rockin. I think the outfit is a little more late night than the other number. I'm just sayin' (not like I have a CLUE about what I am doing - yes I do! I am having fun).

Exhibit D - A day at Alcatraz and then Some Street Car Action.





I like the boots. It really started there. Frye make AMAZING boots. They are just this AMAZING price. But...if you only have to buy them once, if they are a classic style, if they are a classic colour, if they are super comfortable, totally rad and go with everything...just do it.

Seriously. I know it is a HUGE investment, but the untrained, thrifty, bargain hunter fashionista in me knows where to spend her dollar. Shoes and Jeans. Your feet take you everywhere and you wear jeans ALL the time. Well, maybe you career types only on the weekends.

I want to say handbags too. but I am not there yet. GASP!

I know. I am working on it. I LOVE that bag above, but it is $420 or something. I know...in the world of handbags it is nothing. Nothing. But dam that is one expensive bag to me. I would love it. I would carry it everywhere and keep it clean and organized...but it would still be a HUGE investment. The more I write about it the more I want it.

Lets move along.

Feathers. See. I am loving them!!! That bracelet is sweet and it is only $19!! The Sweater is to keep the cold off me and I like the asymmetrical vibe. Put together, but not really.

Again with the aviators! I need to invest. The time has come. I have convinced myself.

Now only if I had another $10,000 to put together the other outfits! Lol...I could go to Paris instead. I could eat, sleep and show my self through San Francisco three or four times for the cost of the 4 outfits.

Reality bites.

If you so desire to have as much fun playing with style, clothes, shoes, handbags, jewlery and everything else...kinda like virtual paper dolls...then check out this awesome site:

http://www.polyvore.com/

And click on CREATE A SET. You can search by style, colour, brand or era. Endless creative possibilities.

Now...GO PLAY.

Have fun...waste time and covet things, beautiful things.
I know I did.

E.

Long Overdue...

Warning! No pictures (Dad) and lots of rambling/complaining ahead. 

Oh where to begin...what a crazy couple of days it has been. 

So crazy in fact that this is the first moment I have been able to sit down and open up this blog and even have a remote desire to write. 

I have been thrown back into the vortex. 

The mother ship has taken me back. 

Work. 

Full-time. 

Sunday  - Thursday.

Boo ya. Bam. 

Like I said...out of the frying pan and into the fire. 

Commuting, making lunches, setting up and maintaing child care (pick up drop off too!) setting wake-up alarms, remembering computer passwords, finding keys, fobs, papers, meetings...new faces and names as well as old ones. 

I am sure I am missing a million things. Or at least it feels like I am. 

I wasn't planning on going back. I was planning on taking a Vacation payout and saying goodbye to my working life in the field of Mental Health and Addictions and moving onward and upward to greener pastures. 

Staying home with the kids and looking for part-time work.

At least that is what I thought. Apparently the universe had other plans. Instead I am back at it Until June 5th. 8 Weeks. That is the time I have been given to transition into new employment. 

I was deleted you see. 

Let go. 

Displaced.

Ya, displaced.  That is the nice term for it. 

So I go back to work for 60 days to remain on the "it list" and maintain my priority posting in case something comes up 

Wa wa wa...I know poor me. Working Moms everywhere are shaking their heads in shame...so disappointed in my poor me attitude as they do it ALL....EVERY DAY. I commend you. I applaud you. Seriously...it is hard work. Especially when you have been out of it for a year and are thrown in. Once the routine is down...things should start getting easier right? 

Mr. Man has now become Mr.Mom. 

He likes it. Equal parenting. 

Fear not, he has it hard to. Adjusting to the new routine. 

I would like to report that I can home to a spotless kitchen, both kids in bed, and homemade leftovers in the fridge. He makes it look seamless. Easy. I know it is tough though. 

He also has to fall into a new routine. 

I am looking on the bright side (it is what I do now try to do in situations like these) and am going to look at it as an opportunity to explore options, network, roll with it, apply to postings and of course...get paid. 

That is all I am going to say about that.

That and that my employer is being very supportive and flexible during this time (no...really they are) and if I had not had a whole year to process that this was coming, I may be in a totally different place. But I am okay. Everything will work itself out. Always does.

So...sorry for the lack of posts, all the words and lack of pictures and mostly for my stinky attitude. I am trying to "get over it" and "move on"...

Speaking of moving on...

On day 1 of Jillian Michelle's Shred. Woopty Doo. Been there before. Did 4 days..have to beat my record. 

Can I do it? Can I make it? 

We will see. I am inspired to finish this time. Lets see if I can do it for 5 days straight...at least. 

Night all...I will try to maintain my posts...cant promice. So in the meantime...click on some links on the left. Great reads and PLEASE..if you have any BLOG lovin to share...Do!

ES 

So...tired...asleep...nodding...can't...keep...eyes...opennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

  

Whistler or Bust

I have been meaning to blog.

But this week has been hectic.

And it is only Tuesday. Tuesday?

Tuesday.

Feels like at least Thursday...did I mention it has been a long week already?

I am tired. I am stressed. I am overwhelmed.

With what?  Well, that will be a whole other post...you want to know what happened in Whistler right?

So lets begin...

I tried to pack light (not like the other Mommas... eh hem...not mentioning any names here..MEGAN! Lol...)

and even painted my toes cause they were looking haggard. I am liking the pink these days.

I was so excited and had some time to kill while waiting for Mr.Man to come home with the car I even snapped some pictures of me. Doing...NOTHING!

Here is one...

It was hard to fake smile for myself.

Enough idle chatter...lets get to it!

The drive was good...one stop for pee break and water. Lots of chit chat about kids, life, careers (or lack of) in the car as well as hopes for the weekend. The weather was on and off, some rain, some sun. Sun Glasses went on then off...on then off.

I digress...

We drove into Whistler and met up with the other Mommas and settled in.

I pulled out the trashy mags and they were devoured one by one. Everyone wanted to know if Bachelor Brad and Emily were dunnzo. Apparently sources say they are and that Suri is more doomed than ever. 

That discussion was followed by hours of great conversations about anything and EVERYTHING I mean EVERYTHING...not that it can be repeated here...but I will tell you...way more than the usual Mom talk at the playground. 

Beautiful Megan listens to crazy talk...

While Christie pours the vino for Momma Nicole...Leanne giggles...

Yes the wine was a flowin', but not to worry...we were responsible and didn't have too much. Really!! 

We made an amazing simple, fresh dinner of Salmon, Salad and Rosemary Potatoes. So good. We all helped out (I took photos and drank). 

Moms pitchin' in

Chef Leanne prepares the fish

She should have her own show. 

She had a bit of a cough...so I suggested she take a swig of this little diddy...

FIREBALL

...every medicine cabinet should have some.

Someone even set the table (thanks Christie!)

The condo had a great BBQ so we cooked up the fish and then sat at our lovely restaurant drinking, feasting, laughing (did we cry then?), sharing, remembering, asking, telling, and listening. It was really one of my favourite parts of the trip. So was this part...

Heading to the Hot Tub. Forgot our flops. It was funny. Us in our big boots.

Maybe it was just wine funny...

Love these Mommas

After the tub and mucho moro sharing, talking, listening, laughing, dreaming, and planning we went back to the room and fell into bed.  

And woke up to this...

You cant really see it but a light blanket of snow had fallen in the night and the sun was shining.

 Oh Whistler...how I heart you. 

 So we all got cleaned up and dolled up and hit the path to the Village while Leanne went and did some cross country skiing. She said it was magical. I wish we had all gone...but us Mommas wanted to rest. 

Creekside

But then we felt lazy so we decided that a walk to the Village would give us the little exercise we were craving as well as be a great way to soak up some Vit.D. 

However...Mr. Sun had other plans. The 45 min walk consisted of sun, rain, snow and wind. 4 seasons in one day. It was so worth the walk. Now we didn't feel guilty about sharing this...

Megan and our Man beer. 

Dam was it good. Or were we just really thirsty? No...it was that good. Real good. So was the sushi. Yum. I Love sushi. 

Christie and I with the Man Beer.

After lunch and trading recipes, we hit the Village Stroll and spent some dough. The kiddies got Crocs and Umbrellas from the Hatley store and Mommas got COFFEE!!

Did I mention that it was SO sunny? Perfect. 

 I agonized over a jacket and took the plunge...the Mommas got some jewellery, some got un-mentionalbles as well as some clothing. It was a good day for all of us. 

 Can you see me...or just my BIG hair?

Back to the room for some sleep, mindless reading, chatter and wine. Then it was 7pm. Time to get crackin! We all got dolled up and felt good. 

Hawt Mommas!

Meow

We were trying to "pose". 

It was not easy. 

Specially being surrounded by the sink, fridge and stove.

Christie's Camera got the good ones...

We had big grand plans of rippin' it up all night...old school style. 

But alas...by Jove...we all kinda realized that the best part of this whole weekend was staring us literally in the face. 

The best part that so easily could have been overshadowed by the buzz of the village and the twinkling lights was US. 

We were all together, all looking and feeling fabulous, maybe a little hungry - okay a lot hungry, but we were here! Together. 

That my friends was what the weekend was about. Just being together, sharing together, laughing together, eating, drinking, shopping, walking, talking, and just...being.   

Can't wait until next year Mommas. 

E.