Apparently It's Spring...

Even though, I am currently toying with the thought of turning the furnace back on and still wearing a lot of black ... spring is apparently here ... hiding somewhere!
There ARE signs!

Someone got dressed up for 'Spring Photos' last week:


Since this certain someone was not dressed in the Halloween themed colours this time around, I am hoping for some cute pics to order!

We even 'opened' the pool:

You'll notice it's a bit cloudy and empty ... not ready to turn the heater on ....$$$$

BUT ... it did warm up a bit over the weekend, and someone decided she was ready to brave the water ... sort of:



We hear spring may truly arrive this weekend ... we are ready!!!!
Fingers crossed!

Not Just a Movie ...

When the spring clothes started arriving in the stores, I started picking up a few 'items' for Cadence. Over the weekend, I put away the fall stuff and took out her spring clothes. I had forgotten about the purchases I made at the end of the season:

27 dresses .... and counting!

A Week Behind ...

Mother's Day

First and foremost, I must share that I am eternally grateful that I am able to participate in this day as both daughter and mother. For many it can be a dark day ... I do know that!

My dear sweet beauty (in cooperation with her awesome dad) treated me to breakfast in bed ... my one and only request for the day (well ... not quite!). She prepared coffee, hot cinnamon buns and fresh blueberries ... all served with a smile!

Beautiful fresh cut flowers, along with another gorgeous smile awaited me in the kitchen:

The plan for the rest of the day: mom was to have the day to leisurely shop for her real present ... some new furniture for the porch. Mom ended up with 'company' in tow! How can you say no to, "Mom, can I come with you? Pretty please? I really want to!" After all, she is the reason I get to enjoy this, of all calendar days!
We ended up having a great afternoon and we got to go to McDonald's (it's where she wanted to take me for Mother's Day dinner!). And as could only be truly fitting, we enjoyed Chinese dinner ordered in!
It was a fabulous day! Thank you Cadence (and Sean!). I love you guys more than words can express .....

The Arrival of Spring

Spring has FINALLY arrived here ... it was a long wait! It is so nice to be able to wear some bright, cheerful colours. Speaking of cheerful .... NOT:

Just kidding!:

Spring, unfortunately also means work ... here's a job we weren't planning on:

A company quoted us $500 to restake the tree....
Tree is gone ... 'nuff said!

Go the * to Sleep!

There is a great 'storybook' out there for parents who are experiencing difficulty getting their children to bed and can handle the f word! It won't provide any suggestions or strategies but it will make you laugh...out loud! I'm beginning to wonder how I didn't come up with this story myself .... our princess continues to make bed time somewhat less than desirable than it should be ... and some nights, well ... I'd darn well like to pull my hair out!

She sure has a way of rationalizing ... ANYthing! I wish I could remember half of the stuff she comes up with to post and preserve here, which reminds me, is really what drives today's post...

Last night's 'reason' not to go to sleep:
Cadence expressed, quite clearly, once again, that she HATES her room (she wants to sleep in ours!). What did she hate about it last night? She hates "how it's organized!". She wants the table "over there" and the book shelf over there". Nice try sweetheart! How old are you? It will be a little while before you're making decorating decisions around here!
And tonight:
After taking the 40th sip of water I announced that I was getting angry. Cadence explained that she didn't know what she was doing because she had her eyes closed. A good effort my dear but really ....

She sure is one smart little cookie! I will make sure I don't threaten to have her sleep in here:


My guess is, she would absolutely take me up on it!

Easter Weekend

With Easter being a four day weekend, we were able to make the trek north to visit family. We packed in a lot over our stay, including two 6+ hour drives! There was shopping, movies, dinner out, a bridal shower for mom, mass and of course Easter preparations and festivities.
Cadence spent her afternoon bonding with Baba by making lemon and blueberry tarts:


They also coloured eggs,

and added a bit of sparkle!

Tattoos were a quick fix for some of the plain white ones and oh ... you should have seen the girls all decked out in their tattoos:

On Easter morning, the bunny left a trail of notes for Cadence:

She searched under beds, in cupboards, closets and even in the shower:

There were many exciting finds: jelly beans, games, chocolate, bubbles, pjs, a dress and a new big girl scooter:

Following an awesome 'lupper' and trip to the park, the cousins chilled and chocolated:

Before packing it up and calling it a day, Cadence and Baba headed outside to try out the new scooter:

It was a great weekend! We enjoyed catching up with everyone, especially Baba, Chachi and Nonno!
Guess we'll see ya all in Mexico ....

The Almost Winning Poem

Finally!!!!!!

I have been without my beloved computer for a few weeks.

The darn thing crashed 2 weeks past the warranty.

It did not look good. I ended up with a new hard drive.

A year and a half of photos and videos, and other, not so important stuff, GONE!!!!

Tomorrow that may change ... it looks like the data has been found and it may be

back on my computer before the day's end.

Tonight I purchase an external hard drive.

Tomorrow I learn how to back up and use Time Machine.

Updates to come ......

A 'Royal' Interview