On being team manager

So after a full season of my team manager duties I can honestly say that in the end it was worth it.  There were times at the beginning that it was frustrating and almost brought me to tears I felt so overwhelmed, but by the end it was second nature.  I would do it again.  Gasp.

One of the biggest pros was getting to know the parents.  I was the focal point of the team.  Yes everyone knew the coaches but if they had any questions they always came to me.  What I really wanted out of the hockey season was for it to be a social experience for the parents as well.  Because I put myself out there I got that.  I often didn't see much of the game as I would be going around collecting things (usually money) and doing parent reminders.  Grady understood that I was the team manager and I actually think he liked it.

I also had a lot of say over when the games and social events were which means we didn't miss any!  This was a huge pro as Grady was able to participate in all the events and I was able to choose activities that I knew he enjoyed and hoped the other kids would to.

The only part of being manager I didn't like was the game management. I had to work with other managers to arrange games.  As I mentioned above, I also got to choose when the games were which sometimes proved to be frustrating as I didn't really know what the coaches wanted or even if they would be there to coach.  One game only one coach was there and we had to recruit some dads to help out.  This would have been fine had I known more than 1 day ahead of time!!!

Next year we will have 2 hockey players in our house and I've already decided that I will volunteer to manage Coopers team.  I will help with Grady's team by being the social coordinator or the treasurer but at the novice level, I think the focus of the manager is heavily based on game planning.  Not my thing.  

I figure that now that I know how to manage a timbit team I should put that knowledge to good use for at least one more year.  And I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy having the insight on what was going on with the team!

The parents on Grady's team were great.  They were constantly thanking me and telling me that I was doing a good job.  I learned that I don't take compliments well.   While it was great that they were encouraging, I often felt uncomfortable with all the flattery, after all it wasn't really that time consuming once I learned what I was doing!

This past weekend was Grady's wrap up party and he finally got that trophy he had been waiting for.  He was buzzing with excitement when the first trophy came out of the bag.  And that smile is the reason that I volunteered to be team manager and to be a part of the hockey community.

Until next season.....

4cats Art Classes for Cooper

Everyone knows that Grady is our artistic child but Cooper can paint a mean picture.  We have 2 of Grady's painting proudly displayed in our house and we wanted to add some of Cooper's to the mix.

Grady painted both of these.

So.... we registered him in the 4cats art classes on Saturday mornings.

Drawing a tarantula takes lots of concentration.

When he first started, I wasn't sure how it was going to go as Cooper was only slightly interested in sitting at the table to color.  But in the end, I am so glad that we took the risk.  It ended up being a great way for Cooper to spend the morning. Not to mention, I enjoyed sitting in the coffee shop next door with my laptop for an hour all by myself and where I wrote this post.   It quickly became one of my favorites time of the weekend.

Cooper would not smile for the camera

On the last day of class we got to have a look at what the kids had been up to.  For a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds I'd say they did a pretty good job.

Coopers is the blue and green on in the middle

If it weren't for soccer starting up next month I would happily put Cooper in the art classes again.  I tend to put my kids in mostly sport activities but a little art mixed in isn't such a bad idea.

Cooper's bear is wearing a green scarf

Grady couldn't be more excited for his craft climbers class to start next month, a mix of wall climbing and finishing off with a craft.  I am excited for him to mix his passions - sports and art!

Check out the 4cats website and see if there is one close to you.  You won't regret it!!

Spring Trends

When I first read the topic for this week I felt a little overwhelmed.  Me, talk about trends???  That is why I read fashion blogs, so I can learn what is in for the season. By know means do I try to be ahead of the trends.

So... I took to doing a little research and found and found some great articles at Popsugar.com, Glamour and Huffington Post.  Before I knew it I was noticing a trend and thankfully for me, I liked what I was seeing.  Lots of the items I either have on hand or would be willing to try.  So let's have a look at what my research showed.

Gingham - Check!                               

I already have 2 bright gingham shirts that have been way underused and in honor or spring ordered this cute (and cheap!) dress for spring/summer.

Yellow - Check!

I have a bright yellow cardigan I bought a year or two that I don't wear as much as I should and a mustard yellow one I wear all the time.  While I was browsing online I found this yellow blazer I love.  I feel like I need to beef up my corporate wear as my new office is pretty business formal.

White on white - semi Check.

While I have the ability to wear all white that include both white shorts and white jeans and countless white shirts, I'm not sure I am confident with this look.  Last year I wore my white shorts and tank and topped with denim vest and felt pretty good but all white... I'm not as sure about!

One Shoulder - Check, sort of

I love one shoulder outfits and have looked for party dresses with one shoulder as I think they are so cute.  So far, I have 2 bathing suits that are one shoulder and I love them.  Looking forward to trying this trend in a more casual fashion.

Floral - Check!

While I do have a single floral blouse and a a single scarf I do have something.  Floral has been something I have shyed away from in the past.  Believe it or not, I always found floral to girly.  As if I'm not a girly girl!  I have come to the conclusion it is the type of floral that I like or dislike.  Right now I would love to add a bold floral fitted skirt.  Or blazer.  I'm on the hunt....

Crop tops - for exercise only.

While I can't see myself ever wearing a crop top out in public I recently bought a few workout shirts and to my surprise they arrived and they were crop tops.  Not 'show your belly' crop tops, but they barely cover the top of my pants.  That's a crop top in my book.  Check them out here and here. If you haven't already, you should check out the F21 site for graphic tees and workout wear.  So cute and so cheap.

Culottes - Never.

You should never say never.  But you will not see me in culottes this year.  I promise.

Check out the trends the other ladies are planning to tackle this spring!

Shoes to Shiraz | Two Teens and their Mama | A Lovely Little Wardrobe | R Squared 

Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | Family Love Inspiration Education  

The Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life | The Blondissima | Positively Learning | Quilty Joy Joy

 Daily Style Finds | Sheila's Potpourri | Puppies and Pretties | She thought She Could 
 Foxy's Domestic Side | Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After | Sprinkled Just Right

Three Boys. One Shirt

Cousins (clockwise) - Grady, Kiptyn, Cooper

Last week when I opened my Instagram to see a photo of my sweet nephew Kiptyn on his very first birthday I was thrilled to see him in a shirt that we had passed along to him.

You see while I have 2 boys for a long while, my brother had only girls.  He had his first daughter the year I got married, then a seond, then a third, and finally a little boy on number 4.  I had given away most of my clothes 12 months and under since each time my brother called to say they were having another baby (which was often!) it was always a girl.  Now, we have a little cousin to pass on all our boy clothes to.

It melts my heart to see all 3 boys wearing the same shirt.  They are going to be trouble one day.  As if they aren't already. 

While Kiptyn celebrated his first birthday last week, it is my niece Taiya's 4th birthday today.  With 4 kids, you'd think they could have planned to have the birthdays a little further apart.  All for of my nieces/nephews have birthdays within a span of less than 2 months.  Happy Birthday Taiya!

You know what I love about having nieces?  The ability to buy them the most girlie gift I can find.  I love to shop in the girls department and to look at the newest princess collection.  So while I do not get to buy them for my own kids, you better believe I don't hold back when buying for my nieces.

I have so many great memories of growing up with my cousins. I sure hope that my kids do the same!

Only boys....

Setting the scene:  It was bed time.  We had a tiring night of a big street hockey game. Grady fell asleep in the van and went to bed quite nicely for a change.  Cooper was getting ready for bed in his room.

Cooper: Mom, can you wait outside for a second.

Me:  Sure.

I stepped into the hallway expecting that he was either hiding on me or getting dressed on his own.  I peek in and see that cooper is peeing in the garbage can.  Yes, Peeing in the garbage can.

Me:  Cooper!  What are you doing????

Cooper stops immediately and starts whining and getting mad at me for coming in.  I am trying to hold the laugh that is ready to explode out of my mouth.  

Me:  Why are you peeing in the garbage.  That is not where we are supposed to pee.

Cooper:  Grady does it to when I am in the bathroom.

Is that why our bathroom always smells like pee?

I hurry into our bedroom before I start laughing and tell James the situation.  He immediately charges into Cooper room with the 'angry tone' telling Cooper that was bad.  Cooper gets embarrassed and then becomes a horror to get to bed.

Never a dull moment I tell you!

five on friday

1.  The weather has been beautiful in 2015.  No snow, no freezing temperatures... a mild, mild winter.  Considering last year was the coldest winter in 25 years we are thrilled that mother nature has blessed us with some warmer weather.  We've been biking, scootering, playing hockey on the driveway and even a little basketball.  Can't complain over here!

2.  We are watching House of Cards and it is boring me to pieces.  I loved season 1.  Liked season 2. Not into season 3 at all.

3.  The Bachelorette, on the other hand, I loved this season.  LOVED.  There was so much drama with the girls and so much discussion about the small little town of Arlington, Iowa where Prince Charming is from.  Although I wouldn't say he was my type, a show with 2 virgins, 2 widows, a crazy lady, a Canadian, and a fertility nurse all living under one roof was entertaining to say the least!  Now we get to watch the Bachelor on Dancing with the Stars and I think that he is going to fail miserably and I'm gonna watch every second!

4.  This weekend brings Grady's last hockey game, another practice, Cooper's hockey, an art class, an exercise class for me, a baseball draft for James and to kick it all off, we are having a family date with one of our favorite families tonight.  While it may seem busy to some, I love having a full schedule.  Keeps the kids (and me!) happy.

5.  I saw someone walking in the mall today and her skirt was so short I could see the place on her tights where it sometimes gets darker at the top.  For real.  How is that office appropriate?

Enjoy your weekend!

Mommy Diaries

Today I am posting over on Deena's blog for the long awaited return of her Mommy diaries series. This time, she is focusing on Mommy brain, Mommy fails, and Mommy victories from all types of moms. Head on over and check out what I had to say and follow along with the other moms sharing their stories.

A lesson learned donations.

Years ago, Cooper received an airport set from Grandma for Christmas.  It got played with initially than got pushed aside to play with other toys.  It had lots of pieces and some were quite large, so... eventually it ended up in the donation pile.

As an aside, we tried a few years back to take part in a baby 'garage sale' and it was 'SO much work and I only walked away with less than $200.  At that point in time I decided that I would donate the toys rather than sell them.

Anyhoo....  I didn't hear anything about this toy for more than a year.  Until recently.

About 3 weeks ago, Cooper started asking where his airport was.  I told him I didn't know. He kept asking so I told him that we had donated it.  He continued to ask, daily.  He even found one of the little people it came with and told me he wanted the set that this girl came from.  I kept waiting for him to forget about the airport and he didn't.

On Saturday night I finally sat down and looked on kijiji. Sure enough, I found the exact same set for $20 across the city.  What do you think I did on Sunday - I drove across the city to buy the toy that we've previously owned.

One happy boy

He was thrilled when he saw it and he played with it for the rest of the night.

Lesson learned:  Don't give away toys too soon, you never know when one of the kids is going to decide they still want it!

Something I Made

I am not crafty.  There I said it.  Let's be honest, I am an accountant and there aren't many crafty bones in my body.  My son on the other hand, he makes a lot.  The kids art folder is overflowing and he doesnt' like to part with anything.    He'll start of coloring a picture for someone and by the end decides he is going to keep it.  If you have any of Grady's art projects it is probably because I took it when he wasn't looking.

I digress.

The topic the Style me Bloggers chose for this week is something I made.  Only one thing came to mind.  This Christmas card holder.

I made this one after Christmas last year because my original one, that I also made, was not big enough for all my cards.

I blogged about this back in 2011 with detailed steps of how I made my first pinterest find, click here to read.  It isn't much but it one of my creations that I love hanging each year and filling it with cards from my friends and family.

I look forward to seeing what the others have made and maybe I can try some of the easier ones!  Or maybe not.  

Shoes to Shiraz | Two Teens and their Mama | A Lovely Little Wardrobe | R Squared 

Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | Family Love Inspiration Education  

The Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life | The Blondissima | Positively Learning | Quilty Joy Joy

 Daily Style Finds | Sheila's Potpourri | Puppies and Pretties | She thought She Could 
 Foxy's Domestic Side | Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After | Sprinkled Just Right

                             

On feeling strong

While I love fashion and that is relatively new... something that I have always been passionate about is fitness.  I love being feeling fit.  When I was younger, I exercised to be skinny.  Years later, I now exercise to be fit and feel strong.  I notice that there is a different motivation that comes with the desire to be stronger vs thinner.  At classes, I want to be able to do more sit ups, not because it will give me a 6 pack (which I'll never have by the way) but because I can see many other people can do it and I want to do it to.

Exercise classes have made me love exercising again.  For over 10 years, I only exercised by myself.  It started with step aerobics in the living room.  When I moved to an apartment, that didn't seem fair to the people living below me, so I switched to the tiny little gym that was in the building and ran on the treadmill or rode the bike.

The very first gym I joined was in 2012 when I went back to work after Cooper was born.  I couldn't spare the 30 minutes of sleep it required to get up early in the morning and excise like I did for many years prior, yet I was very low motivation to do it after the kids went to bed.  When would I watch trashy TV?  So I decided it was time to get a gym membership.  No excuses.  No saying I was tired or didn't have a sitter.  And 4 years later I still workout at lunch.

In Jan 2013 the gym in my building started offering fitness classes for the first time and I decided to try one.  We left for Maui the next day and I could barely sit down without grabbing on to something.  I was hooked.  It hurt so good.  I loved the feeling of knowing I worked my muscles or used a new one or pushed it further than it had been before.

One of the teachers at my work gym is the one who suggested the Sweat Lab to me.  I started going to barre classes and then spin classes just over a year ago, and I am hooked.  That instructor is the one that teaches us spin every Monday night.  Yes, James and I are still going weekly and haven't missed one unless James is out of town.  He is hooked to.

While at one time I was a cardio queen and did no weights at all, I now struggle to fit cardio in as most of the classes I take are interval or circuit classes that have cardio bursts and not a full cardio class.  Things have changed but I am happy with how I feel and seeing the improvements in my own capabilities.  I can do a few more sit ups.  Core is my weakness.....

I'm not sure what brought on the urge to write about my fitness goals.  It is a big part of my life and a part that I rarely talk about.  Right now my mom and I have 2 5ks we are planning to run this spring and I have hopes of getting Grady into one as well.  He watched Mom and I run at one last year and ever since has talked about doing one himself.  I love to see that fitness is becoming a part of his life to.

Wednesday is my favorite class at the gym and it is called MetCon, metabolic conditioning.  It is hard, but I always feel great after and know that either my core or my triceps will pay for it the next day.  Bring it on!

Weekend Getaway

This weekend we were off to sunny Vancouver to attend the wedding of one of James' friends that stood up for him at our wedding.  We arrived early Friday morning and had the whole day ahead of us.

Is it just me, or when you find yourself with a whole day to yourself you don't know what to do with it?  We landed at 930am and hadn't really discussed what we would do.  If I were with my friends, I would either go to the spa or shop.  If he was with his friends they would be sitting in a pub somewhere I am sure.

In the end, after walking for 10km around downtown (per James app) we settled in at the lounge in one of the hotels on the water and had a few drinks.  A few drinks too many.

Not a bad view!

We met up with one of James' friends and before you know it we had had a few too many afternoon drinks.  We literally went for supper at 630 and were in bed by 9pm, which is 10pm Alberta time.  Nothing like getting day drunk by accident. Oops.

Since we were up bright and early on Saturday morning we decided to find a nice place for breakfast.  The reviews for Medina's were fantastic so we decided to give it a try.  When we arrived at 945 they said the wait was 35 minutes.  At home we probably would have kept on going but since we didn't really have a plan for the day we decided to go for a quick walk, grab a water and come back.  

We did come back and we still waited.  In the end it was just over an hours wait.   And well worth it.

My breakfast was called La Sante and was nothing like what I expected it to be, but I really liked it.  While we were eating, we noticed that everyone around us was eating a waffle as an 'appetizer'.  When the waitress asked us if we wanted to finish our meal with a waffle, I said hell yeah, while James already looked like he was going to vomit from being so full.  I ended up fighting him for the last piece!

Seriously best waffle I've ever had.  The little dish in the back was white chocolate pistachios and was fabulous.  Seriously the best breakfast I have ever had.  James agreed.  Totally worth the one hour wait and I never thought I'd say that.

Back at home while we were eating our delicious waffles, my Dad, Sheila and Kolby were kept busy with an early morning hockey game.

It was Grady's first tournament and first medal playing with his own team.  I can just imagine how excited he was.  Thankfully we have another one next weekend so we'll get to experience the excitement first hand!

After breakfast, we embarked on what turned out to be a 13km walk.  I apparently wasn't wearing proper footwear (my riding boots) since I got shin splints in the end....

It was a beautiful day in Vancouver. The sun was shining and it was +10 outside.  While it was chilly on the water when we kept walking at a brisk pace (hence the shin splints) we warmed up quickly.

There was green grass.  Green grass in February.

We got back from our walk and James laid on the bed and rested while I sat in the sunshine and read my book.  I read the book The Husbands Secret and loved it.  I finished the book just as the kids got home this afternoon after a birthday party.  Reading is my favorite part of vacation. That and the enormous amounts of lattes consumed.

While we were relaxing, these two were being goof balls at home and enjoying time with family.  They didn't even care when we left. For real.  Which I love and hate at the same time.  Ha!

I have no pictures of the actual wedding, but we had a nice time.  Closed down the wedding and then had to wait in the cold for a cab.  Always the worst part of staying out late!

We woke up in the morning and James had either food poisoning or the flu.  For real, not the self inflicted kind that you call the flu or food poisoning since he only had one beer last night.

It was a rough day.  He stayed in bed right until we had to leave for the airport at 11 and then had a rough go traveling home.  He went straight to bed when we got home.  A great trip overall but not so great of an ending.

As always, it is nice to get away, but always nice to come home :)