Drumroll: First Quick Page

My friends tease me and find it comical my aversion to digi-scrapping. It is counter-intuitive as I'm quite good on the computer itself, slow, but eventually I get it. Technically I'd be considered a hybrid-scrapbooker as I'm quite good with my photographs, enjoy fonts, really like every aspect of digi except for the lack of tactile experience, the rest is right up my alley. The most appealing part of digi is the portability and lack of mess! Though, the stinging ridicule of my first experience stays with me.

I have to face it and simply get over it.

And I am.

With the help of my brilliant friends. I'm doing what I normally do. Listen. Mull. Read. Consider. Question. Collect. Do.

Many, many, many of those I admire are dabbling in digi. Though, today it clicked. We have no activities until 4PM so I do not feel rushed and slowly enjoyed the content in my google reader this morning. My cyber-friend, Jill, often posts beautiful layouts and projects, her gorgeous kids are often the topic. She certainly has great raw material to work with for her art! Today she posted a quick page. Hmm. A quick page? A free quick page? A cute free quick page?

I found myself downloading the page and then, following the tutorial by Liz Tamanaha, co-founder and designer at Paislee Press. Novel idea, eh? Following instructions! The tutorial is thorough, easy to follow, filled with visual examples and very clear even for someone who doesn't really "get" the terminology yet (and does not ridicule or humiliate for the mean spirited pleasure of others).

Though there is still PLENTY for me to learn, and more than plenty of elements and layers of stuff to purchase, this is my first effort:

Perfect quick page. I can see me doing a number of these for the simple celebrations in our lives. Totally excited about the prospect - especially excited about adding some paper/lumpy bumpy elements. I can be a reverse-hybrid scrapper by printing off a digi page then adding the elements rather than the other way around.

Now that this project is done, I'll get back to my reading, before we have to pack up for hockey! Enjoy your Saturday.

I miss my boy

(Photo taken with his new school laptop -
my boy was HAPPY on Monday right before he left)

I just have to say my house is not the same with Cole away.

I miss my boy.

I know he is having a great time with all kinds of new experiences. I'm so glad he's taken advantage of this opportunity to go tubing, water skiing, and general horsing around, up North with my friend Lynne and her family. I know he's enjoying some "guy" time away from the sibs.

It's good for him.

I still miss my boy.

'Til he gets back on Saturday and then maybe I'll change my tune. But probably not!

Hockey Continues

* QUICK SUMMER UPDATE *

Just in case you thought we were spending our summer away from the rink, let me assure you, that is not the case. The boys are enjoying their Friday evenings running around town. We live on the far West side of town, one rink is kind of mid-town and the other is on the far East side of town. Normally Louis and I argue over who will be attending hockey, only because on a hot steamy summer night it's a welcome change to cool off in a rink! Alas, our weather has pretty much stunk so the one drawing the short straw gets to go.

Over the last few weeks, Caden has improved in spite of himself. Still lazy as ever! He is of the belief that if you know all of the hockey stats, know all of the rules, know all of the lingo that will make you a great hockey player. As much as I tell him he has to try to improve he seems to think the hockey gods are watching over him. They're not.

On the other hand, Cole would prefer stiffer competition but is learning to have fun at his hockey. He's taking the opportunity to practice moves and take shots not normally available to him. His last game, he ripped a slap shot hard and hit the goalie in the chest - the poor boy went down and didn't get up, for a while. Yikes.

The most astounding aspect of this summer? Cole continues to maintain his #1 scorer rank:

What a hoot!

(Shhh, don't tell him, but that'll all slip away as he is going to miss a few games! Just thought I'd include it here so he has "proof" when he waxes nostalgic, in years to come, over the one partial-season as a young lad when he was high scorer.)

Plans are already underway for fall and winter training for the two of them. They really enjoy the sport. Caden enjoys the cameraderie and teamwork of it all and Cole enjoys the discipline and skill involved. Whatever works. As long as they're having fun that's all that matters!

Tuesday just flew by!

Do you ever have one of those days that just seems to fly by? You just go, go, go? That was our Tuesday! I hadn't anticipated the insanity which probably made it more frantic than it needed to be, but I think I can state, for everyone, that fun was had by all.

• Laundry and housework was interrupted by my chauffeur duties as I dropped Claire off at the mall with her girlfriends for lunch.
• On the way home I took photos in to be developed and picked up some groceries.
• Those were quickly put away and I headed over to the school for Cole's D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony. Louis met me there and we enjoyed the ceremony with quite a number (really, a surprisingly large number) of other parents.
• I took off to collect little Miss Mall and Louis brought the kids home.
• We all arrived at the front steps of the house to enjoy the year-end reading of the report cards!
• A bit of garage organizing (Louis' ongoing project) while Chloe and I made dinner.
• Louis left after dinner for his hockey board meeting and I took Claire up to her baseball game.
  
• Louis meeting went longer than planned so packed the kids back in the car and went to get her! We were all back home and ready to sleep by 11PM. What a full day!

Claire with her new glasses and her prized google phone.

Cole with his D.A.R.E. medal. He enjoyed the course. I'm afraid of when he might have to employ the coping strategies taught. No doubt far earlier than I'd like!

My little helper. Chloe and I took a bit of a break in the kitchen action to join everyone in the front of the house.

While cleaning out the garage my boxing gloves were found! Caden put them to use, not good use, but he was fascinated anyway.

For Today ...

(inspired by the Simple Woman's Daybook)

Outside my window ... my beautiful red maple is basking in the welcome sunshine
I am thinking ... about this being the last week of school for the three younger kids and putting plans together for summer
We are learning … with all the oodles of stuff coming home from school, what to keep and what to toss away. Sentimental is not what you'd call my kids!
I am thankful for ... peace and quiet and realizing my days of silence are numbered
From the kitchen ... butter chicken on rice with a side of fresh tomato and cucumber salad
I am wearing ... a white t-shirt, black crop pants, black flip flops
I am going ... to bring Claire to her friends house so they can go to the movies
I am reading ... Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos and enjoying every page
I am creating ... a burn disc with all of the recent photos I want to have printed to create layouts
I am hoping ... the neighbours are finished installing their brick driveway as I'm having all the windows washed - inside and out - today [eta: so much for that! sand was flying at 3PM when my man was done!]
I am hearing ... the sand tamper next door, but am about to listen to Ingrid Michaelson sing in my earbuds
Around the house ... there is a certain level of pre-holiday chaos (books, laundry and other piles) which I'm hoping to have all cleared up by ... well ... the holidays!
One of my favorite things ... is my bed, truly the most comfortable place to be, even with the nights getting warmer. I look forward to crawling in each night.
A few plans for the rest of the week ... now that we have no more lacrosse my week looks positively empty! Except for the usual reading, writing and creating during the day: Monday is relaxing; Tuesday I take Cole to the allergist and Claire to her baseball game with the entourage so Louis can go to the hockey board meeting; Wednesday is clear so I guess a good day to get Cole's uniform and pick up some kayaks and equipment; Thursday is the last day of school, early dismissal and Cole's lesson with George, and we're attending a meeting at Town Hall re: road widening (sexy, eh?); Friday is 3 on 3 hockey for both of the boys ... at two different rinks!
A picture to share ...
Cole just kept moving and the boy with the momentum was pretty much ignored. I'm amazed at Cole's agility and balance. As much as his growing up makes me sad, I'm really enjoying the man-boy he is becoming, both in sports as well as academics.

Cole as Gavin Degraw

At each stage of Eastview Idol, Cole has progressed, by vote, to the next level. Today was the finals. In front of the entire student body as well as the parents each of the finalists performed to the best of their ability. It was a hoot!

Cole probably did not require a microphone :) but he did very well. He remembered the words and stayed on key, at least for the first half. He did a bit of a comical shoulder shake during the musical bridge sections of the song. His choice was perfect for him: "I don't want to be anyone other than me" could be his theme.

Here's the real version: clicky. Claire taped Cole's version, we'll have to see if it turns out.

The results should be in by the end of the day today. Regardless of how he finishes, I'm so thrilled he did so well. I'm more proud that he was so confident! Amazing.

Lacrosse Pictures

This is Caden pre-lunge. I'm not sure if this was a simple cross check or the jump-on-the-back-and-wrap-the-stick-around-neck move. Put a stick in his hand and my boy becomes a more than a little aggressive. He's not mean spirited and it's always a shock to me when he relies on completely insane moves to win. He spends a lot of time in the penalty box.

On the other hand, Cole has taken to lacrosse like a duck to water ... now that he no longer runs like a duck, that's a good thing! He's aggressive and always aware of where he is in relation to the other players, the goal and the ball. You can see him thinking. The older boy game is far more enjoyable to watch - more passing, more aggressive, less luck, more skill. Cole is so fast you blink and he's from one end of the rink to the other.

The noise in the stands is incredible.

I've never experienced anything as rough as lacrosse. Very little padding is worn and the boys are going full out all the time. The screaming in the stands is nothing compared with hockey - which I thought was loud, until I experienced this season.

I've really enjoyed it: short, sweet, fun, now our weekends are free all summer long for the first time in ten years!

It's all about flexibility

and the realization that you are not alone; aka, there are other, equally crazed, parents of multiple children running all around town and out of town, too. We have Gala Weekend for lacrosse and a baseball tournament. The start is always brutal.

This weekend looks like this:

EDITED in red

Friday:
03:15 Collect Cole, Chloe and Caden from school Done
03:16 Crazy begins Indeed
06:00 Drop off Cole for Lacrosse Playoff Game on West side of town The Mammoth team won 9-6. Cole didn't score, but he did play tough. So sorry I missed it!
06:00 Cancel Caden's 3on3 Hockey game Done, and they won anyway :)
06:30 Take Caden to Lacrosse Playoff Game on East side of town Holy smokes was that ever an exciting game. Our boys are in the basement of novice lacrosse and they gave the #1 Shamrox team a run for their money. The score ended up tied 3-3. Was it ever exciting. I think I lost my voice!
06:30 Louis and Claire leave for Brantford (1 hour SW)
08:30 Claire plays baseball game vs Kingston in Brantford tournament Last I heard (10PM): 5th inning and they were winning 9-3
08:30 Take Cole to 3on3 Hockey game on East side of town Which they won 17-14. Cole scored 5 goals. He played well, but really has to get used to his new stick!
And I must remember to thank Doug for bringing Cole from the West side of town to the East side of town! So happy that both sets of our boys play on the same lacrosse teams and Doug lives on the East side so, though it is an imposition, it's not a colossal imposition to ask him to bring Cole with him!

Saturday:
10:15 Louis and Claire leave for Brantford Rain delay, they left at 1PM
12:15 Claire plays baseball game vs Niagara Falls in Brantford tournament Cancelled
01:00 Caden plays Lacrosse Playoff game on West side of town The Wings beat the Titans which means we go back to the rink for 7PM for the tiebreaker.
03:00 Cole plays Lacrosse Playoff game on West side of town, same arena, thankfully! And the Mammoth won their game, moving on to the semis!
03:15 Claire plays baseball game vs. Ancaster in Brantford tournament Claire won MVP!
05:00 Cole plays potential playoff game Fortunately, they played the later game so I was able to take them all over to Boston Pizza - pasta for Cole, chicken for Caden and Chloe had a burger
06:00 or Cole plays potential playoff game an hour later which was INCREDIBLE. Our boys really wanted to win and you could tell. They're in the finals tomorrow afternoon.
07:00 and Caden plays potential playoff game Which the boys played well but lost, a tight game 3-1.
I really don't like, but completely understand "potential" games. They're just so difficult to plan around and everything is completely up-in-the-air all day. For someone who lives by the calendar, I have to admit, I get a bit jittery on days like this! The solution? A full bag of magazines, toys, and other distractions.

Sunday is all about potential games. If the stars align and everyone wins:
08:30 Claire leaves for Brantford With all of the cancellations, Louis and Claire left the house at 7:15AM to be at their first game for 9AM.
10:30 Claire plays in one of two potential playoff games Though she played well, Claire was home in plenty of time for Cole's Championship game.
02:00 Claire possibly plays the Championship game See above :)
02:00 Caden possibly plays in the Championship game No championship game for Caden.
02:30 Cole possibly plays in the Championship game What a game! So much fun. Cole and his team did not win, but they really gave it a good effort with a final score of 3-1.
05:00 Stopped by the liquor store and picked up some wine and Caesar mix!

Somehow I'll manage to get everyone fed and to their rinks on time. Chloé will be entertained and supportive. Louis will make sure Claire does her thing. The whirlwind of activity will be over and everyone will be in the kitchen by, at the latest, Sunday at 6PM wondering what to do next.

Later is always better because that means their teams have won and there won't be any sad faces or pep talks. But we've done it all before. As parents, Louis and I will just roll with it. And, really? The kids have done it all before too. They know that win or lose, as long as they have given 100% to their teams, that is all they can expect of themselves. Certainly that's what we expect of them.

I do wish for you and your family far less chaos this weekend. I will make every attempt to post my SOOC Saturday but please forgive me if I forget!

Slow Sunday

Caden in the morning.

The boys and I are just settling in to watching the French Open. We are torn between rooting for Roger Federer and the "newcomer" Robin Soderling. (I am a tennis-junkie from way back and really miss the sport. Maybe it's time to dust off the racket and play with the kids?)

The funny thing watching over-commentated sporting events is the number of questions that arise. Like the one Caden asked: how long does it take to be a newcomer? Or the natural inclination of my children (and, shhh, me too) to root for the underdog. Though, given Federer's season, perhaps there is an argument for him being the underdog!

I love watching events I enjoy with my kids. They always offer a different and refreshing perspective.

The Un-Birthday, Birthday

Every once in a while, life creeps in and birthdays are not very special.

Today was Caden's 9th birthday. He jumped out of bed exclaiming "wow, I'm nine today!" (I know this because he was sleeping - his last time, he promises - in my bed.) Then he jumped out of bed and gave me a hug "my first nine-year-old hug!" Too cute, my boy.

Here's the rub: Cole was in a hockey tournament and they made it into the next round which meant we had to play, happily, on Sunday. Today. Caden's birthday.

The good thing was Caden's buddy from school was at the rink with his big brother, Cole's teammate, and they kept each other company. I'm sure, though a bit premature at 9 years of age, we will see plenty of photos over the years of these two boys at the bar :)

Claire had the camera and snapped this pic of Cole in action. He had a great tournament.

So great a tournament, that during the game this morning he earned "Player of the Game". He was over the moon thrilled; so good for his shattered confidence.

On the way home from the arena, we stopped by Marble Slab Creamery on Lakeshore. Caden has been asking for months, really, since last fall, to go for ice cream at this place. I suppose it's like a Cold Stone Creamery found in the States.

It might not be much, but it was what we could manage for today. As special as we can manage for our much loved, special boy. Not to fear, a birthday party is being organized, just not today.

I laugh as I write this. Caden is sound asleep. Has been for over an hour. In my bed. He came in, gave me a hug and in a voice only Caden can manage, gently said "mama, it's going to be hard to get used to my bed again, can I just start here with you?" Melt my heart. Maybe he'll sleep in his bed next year.

Center of the Universe

Indeed there is no lack of confidence in my boy. What was really funny was when he launched into a long pseudo-existential lecture on the universe and where we, as humans, are in the scheme of things. Huh?

He went off with one brave dad and two other boys to Canada's Wonderland for the holiday yesterday. We've never taken the kids as amusement parks are not our thing, but have no problem with them going with friends. Cole was so excited he got to go on the Behemoth, "mama, I was so scared, I almost cried."

When he arrived home he was exhausted and happy. He won a HUGE banana at the ball toss, which he gave to the sister of his buddy; won the smiley face basketball at something; and, designed the t-shirt he is sporting above.

He arrived home just in time for a barbeque of steaks, ribs and corn on the cob.

Pretty perfect day for my boy.

Command Performance: Mother's Day

Each Mother's Day we go for a lovely lunch at my Dad's home in Toronto. It is a "command performance" which means, it is not to be missed: and we never would. My kids get such a charge out of seeing their extended family. This year was so much fun as all of the grandchildren have grown up so much, even since we last saw the crew in December, and they enjoy seeing each other so much. They might enjoy it more than the adults, but I doubt it :)

Each year we take a family photo out in the back yard, but I figured when I read the frost warning (yes, frost warning) before we left, that there was chance we'd not get any outdoor photos taken. I did pack along my portrait lens (admittedly giving me trouble - or maybe it's the photographer!) and took as many photos as I could of the festivities so that I can put something together for my parents as a thank you.

There is a perfect North corner in the house and with the flat light of the day, portrait opportunities were perfect. Each of the grandchildren posed for me, I asked them to strike whatever pose they chose and then I took the photo. I wanted to capture them as they are, their true personality. I got some really good shots. Here are my kids (as I don't have permission to plaster everyone on the internet!):




They clean up nice, eh?

It was such a wonderful day. Cole and Louis left early to get our hockey guy to the rink for 4PM but the rest of us stayed to say a leisurely goodbye. Until next time ... in December!

I wish for all of you a very happy Mother's Day. I hope you all got breakfast in bed, colourful construction paper cards, lots of hugs and plants like I received from mine:

Cole is learning about "onward"

(For posterity: this is the first time he's the scoring leader. Okay, it's just one game, but hey, he's very happy!)

Anyone who knows me, knows that I live by two simple principles: own it and onward. Through my life I have learned that I am in the vast minority. Though, I take comfort in the knowledge that being in the majority has nothing to do with being right. Today, I am taking a break to dwell in the positive, a nice break from crushing heartbreak heaped upon my son, to marvel at how resilient my forever-expecting-too-much-hard-on-himself son has been in the last 24-hours.
He's decided that he will take "that motley crew of hockey misfits and turn them into a proud team" and he's "going to prove that teams should be picked for the players not for the parents". Well, good luck with both, buddy. As always, I'll support you all the way.
In an effort to shore up his devastated ego he is putting his words and emotion into action. In the process of a day he has become a completely new and improved, confident, driven and happy boy.

Last night, at his first 3on3 game of the season, at 10:15PM (!!), he scored a division leading 5 goals.

Today, at his second lacrosse game of the season, he scored two goals and had a couple of assists. Not bad for a boy who received his first lacrosse stick earlier this spring.

Pure validation. Cole knows that sport does not define him. It is only a small aspect of his life. But after being crushed by people he respected, sport people, he is using sport to rebuild his ego. There is always room for improvement but the life lessons Cole has experienced since Thursday have been character building and life altering. I am so incredibly proud of him.

There are many lessons to be learned through sport. You can learn good lessons and bad lessons, but most important, you can take bad lessons and learn good things.

Onward.

Whatever will I do?

Conditioning camp is over!

Both boys participated in one-hour sessions with about 20 other hockey players per class for the better part of April. A total of 34 hours watching them (and their friends) being put through their paces in an effort to be prepared for hockey tryouts. Louis and I played plenty of divide-and-conquer in order to get them to the rink and all the other activities.

Funny story: Caden and I arrive a the rink for his last session: number 14. At the front we checked the screens for the rink and change room assignment. Incredulous, Caden turns to me and says "tryout camp, TRYOUT CAMP! What am I trying out for? I'm not trying out for rep hockey, mama. I'm not ready!" I had to assure him that he'd been at tryout camp all month and no, he didn't have to try out for rep, I just thought it would be something fun for him to do in April. "Yes, it was fun. But, mama, I'm not trying out for anything, you make sure George knows." Okay, buddy, I'll let him know.

Now, the other one, has been going to tryouts and continues to go. The last of them are being held over the weekend.

Oh my, what on earth will we do in May?

Dealing with Stress

You cannot control what you cannot control.

I get it.

So, instead, today I spent my time creating layouts.

Well, that and taking care of the three sick kids who have been felled by some terrible flu. Since Thursday we've been attacked by some mystery germ.

Amazing how caring for kids and creating can completely distract you from your fears.

Until you pack your kid in the car and send him off to hockey tryouts with his dad.

Then you remember.

17 days.

In 17 days it will be over.

Maybe.

Ugh.

Striving for Excellence

George can't make you a great hockey player; but, Cole, he can make you a better hockey player. Greatness is only within you. That is something you have to give to the process, not something that can be given to you.

We have been privileged to have George McDonald coach Cole, to varying degrees since Cole was in kindergarten. In those days I was corralling four kids, a double stroller, diaper bag and carrying Cole's stick and equipment bag. Now I can drop him off at the front of the rink and as he heads down to the dressing room I can head upstairs to the bar. Sometimes I have a couple of the other kids with me, but more often it's just me and my laptop or journal.

The last couple of years Cole has decided to dedicate more time to improving his hockey skills. It has always been our belief, Louis and I, that you can't enjoy a sport, an instrument, anything, unless you have the tools to do it well. After all, not being good is not fun and if it's not fun it's not worth doing, right?

For Cole's birthday he is given a cheque from his grandparents. Every year for the past three he has insisted that the entire amount of the cheque go toward private lessons with George. For the past three years he has been at the rink, from September through May, every Thursday after school at 4:30 for his lesson. Of course, Cole has no clue that the cheque only covers a portion, but just the idea that he is willing to part with the entire amount - and all the candy, toys and Wii games it could purchase!

We are very proud of him and his dedication to his own personal excellence.

Tagged

I've been tagged by two of my friends. Jill over at Life As I See It and Sandra over at Dynamo. I tag EVERYONE WHO READS HERE to do the same:

The tag how-to...

1. Go to the photos folder on your computer.
2. Go to the seventh folder of photos.
3. Go to the seventh photo.
4. Put the seventh photo on your blog along with a description.
5. Invite seven friends to join. (See above, you're ALL tagged!)
   

I have only just changed computers and re-arranged my photo files. I had no idea what to expect. This is Cole's birthday party: January 29, 2008.

He looks so little! So young. So less smelly and man-like:

Have a great Sunday!

They WON, they WON: OMHA Champions

It was everything a hockey game should be: filled with tension and drama.

It started with a penalty shot and ended in overtime.

The Oakville Rangers Minor Peewee AE (1997) team are the official Ontario Minor Hockey Association champions for the 2008-2009 season. They clinched the season in three straight (nerve wracking) games against a very good Stouffville team.

Congratulations boys!

Photo Mining

A dad on Cole's hockey team has asked us to send him photos of each of our boys in "the early days". I have been organizing iPhoto for my Library of Memories course I'm taking - again! It was easy to find.

This is Cole, in 2003 (he was 6) on his way to hockey lessons at Ice Sports:

He was such a cute little beast :)

Just had to share.

Cole has a sweetie

Sunday was spent at the rink with Caden and then I drove Cole to Toronto while Louis held the fort here at home. He was busy spending the better part of the day and evening keying in and evaluating coaches hockey player evaluations for the Novice (8 year old) level, for which he is convener. Wow. What a process. Wow. A lot of other things too ...

I digress ...

Why Toronto? Cole had made arrangements to meet with his sweetie. They met when she was going to school here in Oakville but as of Christmas she transferred to a new school - on the EAST side of Toronto. They talk every day, for hours: Cole is obviously not phone phobic like his mama and big sister! They had a great day going to Coraline and out for sushi. Cole was adorable having me stop to pick up a bouquet of flowers before we got to her house. She gave him a Chapter's gift card for Valentine's Day. Gotta love a girl who knows my boy!

Cole can, of course, thank his big sister for breaking the "dating" ice. I never thought I'd be okay with my 12-year-old son having a real live girlfriend. But he's a good boy; she's a good girl. They are good friends who talk a lot, laugh a lot and talk more again. No problems with that, right?