A Few of My Favorite Things

I got this idea from the Clover Lane blog who is doing a linkup on another blog about favorite things.  It kind of fits in with the thankful theme, so thought I'd share this with you.  The following are some of the things I have that I use a lot and love (in no particular order).

Silpada bangle bracelet:

I love bangle bracelets and the way they sound.  This is a bracelet I wanted for a couple of years but the price was a little steep on this stay-at-home mom's budget so I never thought it'd be mine.  However, on our 11th Anniversary, Scott surprised me with it.  He remembered that this is the bracelet I had been drooling over and called Teresa (sister-in-law Silpada rep) and ordered it.  I now wear it almost every day.  Love the way it looks and the bangle sound it makes - very quiet but perfect.

G2 Swivel Sweeper:

This is the zamboni that Chase and I both love that I blogged about before.  It is used a lot in our house.  By both me and Chase. Even with half of a handle it's still loved.

Amazon Kindle:

Scott surprised me with this out-of-the-blue one day.  I was always hesitant because I thought I wouldn't like not having an actual book in my hands.  However, I love it!  Being a person who always loses my bookmark or would fall asleep reading and lose my page, this takes care of that problem.  It also takes care of finishing one book and not having another to start (seriously, a big problem for me.  I NEED to read).  It is also much easier to hold than a book.  Oh, and there are some free game downloads that I like to play on here, too. 

Bath and Body Works Frozen Blackberry Lip Gloss:

Lacy introduced me to this fabulous shade of lip color last year that I now use every day. I ran out to B&BW and bought a few and I'm glad I did.  I think it may be discontinued this year.  Thanks to ebay I got a couple of more yesterday so I should be set for a while.

Brother Label Maker:

This is something I got a few years ago and now that I am on a decluttering and organizing kick, I've pulled it back out and I fell in love all over again. Now if I just put the items back in their labeled "homes", all will be good.

Last but certainly not least

My camera:

Since my memories are recalled mainly from pictures, taking photos is really important to me. I got this camera over 5 years ago.  Now 30,000+ pictures later, I'm ready for a new one.  This one has been a little sick and isn't taking pictures as well as it used to.  After much searching and research on buying a new one, I decided that this one has served me well and takes great pictures, so I am going to go with the new version of this one that has a 24X zoom. Plus, this one is much easier on the wallet than the DSL that I originally wanted. 

What are your favorite things?



More Thanks...

Today's thanks:

Cole - I am thankful for P.E. class because I get to be with my friends, play games with them, and run around.

Chase - I am thankful for Edie helping me learn to talk.  Now I can let Mommy know when I need and want something.  And boy, do I ever let her know :)

Jenn - I used to take living in the USA for granted.  In the past couple of years, I've become very thankful for living here and for the Founding Fathers and all they did to give us this place where we can be free.

Yesterday's thanks:

Cole - I am thankful for Mom Mom, Poppy, Grandma, and Grandpa because they are great grandparents and they sometimes give me treats.


Chase - I am thankful for hockey jerseys because without them what else would I want to wear everyday?

Jenn - I am thankful for these two faces who make me smile (at least once) every day:





We are Thankful For...

For the next week or so, I thought I'd post what we (Cole, Chase and I) are thankful for.  Obviously Chase has no clue what I'm talking about when I ask him what he's thankful for so I'll write what I think he'd say if he could talk.  Given Chase's personality, his thankfulness should be quite funny.  Oh, and if you're wondering why Scott's isn't here, it's because, ummm...Well, it's because....hmmm...Oh, I can't make excuses. This just isn't his cup of tea. So here goes...


Cole - I am thankful for my family because I am lucky to have them.  I'm lucky that my mom doesn't have a job and she can pick me up after school so I don't have to ride the bus.   


Chase - I am thankful for the days we don't have to leave the house because I always want to be at "Mommy's house".  If we stay home,  I don't have to fold my arms across my chest and say, "No leave.  Stay Mommy's house." 


Me - I am going to skip the obvious family one because it is a given I am thankful for them.  So I will try to challenge myself to think of less obvious ones.  I am thankful for a great hockey schedule this fall and only having one weekend of away games.  This has been almost heavenly.  Now, if they could just change the late practice days...

Our Family Is In a Book. Kind of.

One of Chase's favorite books is called Home Run by David Diehl. This is a really simple book with each page having a picture and just one or two words.  He used to "read" the words as they were intended, but lately he's changed it up a bit.  Now while reading, Chase has assigned family members to each of the players in the book.  Thought I'd share them with you.  Look under each picture to see who it is. Enjoy!

The book:

Cole

       Mom Mom (she will be asked to demonstrate this later)

Cole (again)

Mom Mom (again)

Mom Mom (yet again) is on the bench and can you guess who the coach is?  The resemblance is uncanny.  It's Pop Pop. Pop Pop is actually the original "star".  He has been named as one of the characters since the beginning.

Daddy

Daddy (again)

As you can see, I am not in the book. I asked Chase if Mommy was in it at all and he said "No. No Mommy."  I guess my role is the reader. I'm good with that.  Cause then I get the snuggles, too. 



Thank You!

Our family just wants to say THANK YOU to all of those who have served our country so that we can have the freedoms that are so precious. Your sacrifices are appreciated more than you will ever know.  Thank you!

It is also Remembrance Day in Canada and since half of our family is Canadian, we want to thank all of those who also served in Canada.  Thank you.

Cole and Chase show their love of the USA:



 

One of the Garrow Boys Loves Hockey

Not too long ago Chase had no problem going to bed. We'd say it was bedtime, have a race down the hall, and we'd head off to read books and sing some lullabies (including the ever-popular Caillou theme song at least twice).  However, last week he found the ice hockey floor mat and that has been the end to easy naps and bedtimes.  This video is representative of our pre-sleep "routine" now.

Poor Chase just loves playing hockey and can't seem to get enough.  He wears hockey jerseys pretty much all day and wants to play from the minute he wakes up til the minute he goes to bed.  It is really monotonous fun!



Cole's School Pictures

These are Cole's best school photos to date.  He has a natural smile and is just so cute. 

Time For a Third Little Garrow?

As I sit at the hockey games and see Chase doing this:

 

and I think about how he's growing and how I love hearing him say, "Mommy! Watch me! Mommy, watch me!"  Or how he comes running at me with his arms out for a big hug and slobbery kiss.  It reminds of the days Cole used to do the same thing.  And now that Chase is almost 2 1/2, I think about how much I will miss this.  So of course, what question comes to mind other than "Should  we have a third Baby G?" 

When I think of the sweetness of a baby and toddler, the unabashed joy over the little things like seeing a plane in the sky or hearing a dog bark,or the endless hugs and cuddles, I can't help but feel that pang of wanting another. ( I was also one of those odd ducks who actually enjoyed being pregnant - once the all-day sickness was done).   When I hold my friend Lacy's baby girl, Colbie, (10.5 months) and see her smile with those little teeth and try with such determination to take those first steps I think, "I want that again!".

But THEN, we go to a hockey game and I feel exhausted from trying to keep Chase in his seat and Cole from wanting to go get popcorn and/or a drink. (Our seats are in the dead center of the row and the rows are so close together, there is virtually NO leg room, so getting out in the middle of the period is frowned upon by all those child-less people sitting around us.)  After some games, I feel as if I just PLAYED in the game myself I'm so tired.  And I realize that this is our life.  This will be our life for years to come. Sitting at hockey games no matter how crowded it is, is what we do.  Scott enjoys having his boys there to watch and cheer them on, and I enjoy being there cheering them on.  I did think that if Scott were to get a significant pay raise (ha!), we could get a babysitter and I could leave Chase home, but 1) there will be no significant pay raise any time soon, and 2) it's part of our life I don't want him to miss out on. 

Then there are the times when Scott goes away for 4 or 5 days, and I'm sure 3 kids would not help with my quest to maintain sanity while playing single mom.  So, what I'm trying to say is that I think we have been blessed with two happy, healthy, adorable little boys and that our family is complete.  Plus, how can another child be as perfect as Cole and Chase? Impossible! :o)