If You Freeze It They Will Come

So this weekend was the first weekend that the Rideau Canal opened. It is much later than usual for this gigantic ice rink to open but I am certainly glad it did. I went down there today to take it in and finally use my skates properly, as in not just a backyard rink but to actually go somewhere. I started the day off by going out to brunch with the office at the Merlot Revolving Restaurant in the Mariott Hotel. That was awesome and it was such a crisp and clear day that we could see everything very well. The food was really good too. It sometimes got confusing where the buffet was since we moved around but the food didn't. After brunch I went down to the Canal to skate. Only 2 km of the canal is safe to skate on but hopefully by next weekend a lot more will be open especially since it will be the start of Winterlude. I am looking forward to it. Not just the skating but the ice carvings, the beavertails, and the ice cafe. Everything about it is great and you should all try to visit it once.

The Pact

So I have finally finished a book. Those that know me well know that I am not much of a reader. The book has to really have me captivated to keep me reading to the end. The Pact did just that. I was reading it every chance I could get. I just finished yesterday and loved it. It is a love story. I will try to tell you about it without giving it away too much. It is about two children who grew up next door to each other since they were born. Their parents were the best of friends too. They travelled together, went out together and were almost like a second family to each other. Then they both got a call in the middle of the night and found out one of the kids got shot. Both the kids were together when that happened so what really happen? Was the girl suicidal and killed herself or did someone else shoot her and why? A great book.

The Birds and the Bees

So this past week I had everyone back to their usual schedules of driving to Nugley's school then to Choo Choo's. Going to the doc's office to work for a few hours, back to Choo Choo's school to bring her home for lunch and a nap. After her nap we run out to Nugley's school to wait until he is finished then back home for a snack and to do his homework (which he loves to do). Then it's playtime until Mom and Dad come home for the night.

Well there was one day this week during our drive home from Nugley's school where we had a discussion of different names. Nugley was feeling a little sad because his name wasn't one of the Thomas the Tank Engine names (he has a very unique name but fits him well). My last name, Gordon, is a Thomas train name, his dad's name is one and so are some of his friends names. So I suggested to him that when he had a baby he could name the baby one of the Thomas names (he liked the name Donald). He told me that he couldn't have a baby that only girls had babies. Ok that's fine. Then maybe when he got married the girl he marrid could have a baby. He said ok and then he said that he wanted Choo Choo to have his baby. Well I didn't really want to scare him about things, seeing as how he is only 5 years old and all, but I tried my best to explained that Choo Choo couldn't have his baby, that it had to be someone that is not in his family. He got a little confused because he wanted to live with Choo Choo always and didn't see why she couldn't have his baby. Luckily for me when we got home Dad was already there, so I explained our conversation in the car ride home and told him he probably had to finish up explaining about the birds and the bees seeing as how it was probably his job anyway. I guess when I have kids I'll have to do a little research to know how to go about it.

Back to Normal

So today is Monday January the 8th and everything should be back to normal again. Children going to school everyone working normal hours again. Well it was supposed to be. Nugley went back to his school (and was very excited to see everyone again), but Choo Choo still had one more day off before the Montessori started the second half of the year. Plus Mom and Dad both had the day off and planned to do some work in their home office. This did not go over too well with Choo Choo who had such a great time during the holidays that she didn't want them to work. Eventually I was able to pry her off Mom's leg to get her dressed as she cried the whole time (yeah for me). Dad wasn't able to calm her down either. So I dressed her and left her in her room until she stopped well what do you know 2 minutes later she was as happy as anything. She got to play with Dad until it was time for us to go to the library. Apparently she has been very stubborn with Mom and Dad during the holidays so it was nothing new to them. For their holidays they went to Montebello. The kids had a great time "sleeping over" at Quebec as they tell everyone. Nugley even brought me home a candy cane and a M&M. Not one package of M&Ms but a piece. Apparently someone gave him a package and he shared one with Choo Choo, one to Mom, one to Dad, then he gave one to Mom to keep so that he could give it to me when he saw me again. How sweet! Mom wrapped it up in kleenex and put it in a safe place. While they were at Montebello they visited Parc Omega where they could feed wild animals like deer and drive around to see other ones like white wolves. They had a great time and told me all about it. I have a feeling they are going to go again next year, and maybe they will have more snow then.

O CANADA!

What a golden day it is today. I was lucky enough to have today off from work and was able to watch the Championship Game for the World Juniors Hockey. It was pretty much Canada's game to begin with especially after the first period where we were ahead 3-0 and then shortly after the second period started we score again. Canada rocks! Even though Canada outplayed Russia the best part of the game was watching the flags rise and hearing the National Anthem play the greatest song of all O CANADA! Then hearing all these young men sing it is priceless. They are all so proud and enthused and out of tune but it shows how proud they are to be Canadian. Well done boys!

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Years. All the best in the year to come.

How Angelic

Last night I spent a wonderful time up at Upper Canada Village. They are having a night time visit to see some beautiful lights all over the premises. Upper Canada Village is located along the St. Lawrence Seaway that borders Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York. I usually go during the summer months where you can explore the village and see people living the way they did in 1860. You are free to ask them questions and learn about their different talents and trades of the time.
This year I was invited (along with J&S, C&W, and my mother) by my dear Grandmother to join her in walking around the same village at night and admiring the lights. She even decided to play in the freshly fallen snow a bit. This is her special snow angel.
When we first arrived through the gate we were greeted by some carolers singing wonderfully a cappella. I stayed a little while and gave a nice applaud at the end. Then we saw a huge line for the horse drawn wagon ride so we decided to walk around the village first and maybe the line will die down when we get back.
So then our first little visit was to the town church where for the first time we were allowed to actually enter the church (in the summer you are only able to enter the foyer but today we could sit in the pews if we wanted to). So we went in and there was a gathering of people all singing Christmas carols together and ringing some jingle bells. The ladies had a piano and gave out some song sheets so we even sang along, well most of us did J did not (as usual).
After the church we headed down some of the streets and saw some very nicely decorated lights. We heard jingle bells almost everywhere we went. Finally we realized why when "Grandma almost got run over by a horse". Luckily we got her out of the way in time. I made her hold my hand for a while so that it wouldn't happen again (kind of like a time out). After walking all around we went back to see if the wagon ride was any better than before. Nope in fact it was longer than before and we had a very unhappy little girl waiting in front of us. Luckily for all of us she was on the wagon before us and we didn't have to ride with her. Whew!
Then we took a nice stroll through the gift shop. I picked up two Christmas ornaments they were both made of coloured clay one is in the shape of a Christmas tree and the other is of a stocking. The whole night was a blast even though my toes gave out during the trek. I would definitely do it all again next year. Thank you Grandma.

Cat Naps

So Christmas has come and gone and everyone is happy with all of Santa's little goodies. "Santa" brought me a digital camera for Christmas this year which I was more than pleased about. We spent the day at J and S's new place out in Richmond Ontario. I was a nice time and we were lucky to have Grandma there celebrating in the festivities with us. I think and am pretty sure that she had a good time. She was very thoughtful this year because she remembered our cats and got them a nice blanket and some treats which they ate up when they got home (yum yum). As you can see in the picture my kitty Joey is showing his pleasure with the blanket he sleeps in it all day and doesn't really share well with the other kitties (yet). I hope you all had a great time with your family's at this special time of year. I know I did and I am looking forward to seeing the little munchkins again next week.

Happy Holidays

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL....AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!!!!

A Ukrainian Christmas

I went out with some friends last night for a Christmas dinner and a get together. It was much too long since I've last seen them all and they all have new things going on in their lives as I do. One of the girls made this ornament for each of us (which means that she is probably more of a Martha than I am), it is very beautiful and I hung it on my tree when I got home (at the top so the cats can't reach it). Along with the ornament she included a paragraph on how it is associated with Christmas time. I will share it with you too.

A Ukrainian Christmas Tree has a Spider on it for good luck.
The tradition of spiders and webs on the tree is based upon the following legend:

There once was a widow, who lived in a small hut. She was very poor. One day a pinecone dropped on the floor and it took root. Her children were excited that they would have a tree for Christmas. All summer long they made plans on how they would decorate the tree. They were very poor, so poor that they didn't have anything to decorate the tree with. Despite their hard times, the children and the widow were always helpful to others in the village. The widow went to bed on Christmas Eve knowing that the tree would not be decorated. Early on Christmas morning, the woman was awakened by her children. "Mother, mother wake up and see the tree it is beautiful!" The mother arose and saw that during the night a spider had spun a web around the tree. The youngest child opened the window to the first light of Christmas Day. As the shafts of the sun crept along the floor, it touched one of the threads of the spider web and instantly the web was changed into gold and silver. And from that day forward the widow never wanted for anything.

Martha vs Rachael!

Who is the better homemaker of the two? Is it Martha the elegant craftster who is perfect in every way? Or Rachael the fun out going anything can happen entertainer?

Well here are some quotes from both sides:

Rachael says: "Recipes are just ideas, suggestions." - seacoastonline.com
Martha says: "I think baking cookies is equal to Queen Victoria running an empire." - Oprah.com

Rachael says: "Through a series of accidents, I kept ending up in jobs I was completely unqualified for." - seacoastonline.com
Martha says: "Everybody in prison has a business plan." - New York Post

Rachael says: "Fries are very tasty at both Burger King and McDonalds, but I prefer BK." - popcrazy.com
Martha says: I'm not so interested in fast food as I'm interested in good food." - Larry King Live

Rachael says: "I'm like a bobblehead - who would take me seriously anyway?" - OK! Magazine
Martha says: "I'm oriented in the right direction all the time." - Larry King Live

Rachael says: "I'm very klutzy and not really capable of crafting or doing too many domestic things beyond making supper." - Larry King Live
Martha says: "I can almost bend steel with my mind. I can bend anything if I try hard enough. I can make myself do almost anything." - Oprah.com

Rachael says: "Yum-o!"
Martha says: "It's a good thing."

Who are you more like Rachael or Martha? Who do you think won the battle?

Happy Birthday Nugley!

Today is Nugley's birthday. He turned 5 years old today and now he thinks he can move up to the next grade at school. That's probably because he did when he was in Montessori. We had a family get together last night before Nana and Gramps had to go for their holidays. He had a great time and loved his presents. I think two of his favourites were his Maple Leafs T-shirt given by myself and a new watch given by his sister Choo Choo. he took his new watch to school today and told me everytime the long hand reached a new number. I knew at that time that his teacher was going to love this present, well maybe not. We made cupcakes yesterday to have at school today with his classmates. He was a very proud boy and I think he has grown up so much over the past year, especially since September. Going to school is important stuff for him, so he tells me. A couple of weeks ago he had his party with all his friends. His mom invited about 25 children and they all were able to make it.

She had the party at home (she's very brave) and hired a magician to put on a show. The show was about 45 minutes long and maintained the children's attention the whole time (as well as the parents). After the show Nugley told him he could come back anytime.We then celebrated a new holiday called the 12 days of Nugley. It's where Nugley gets to open a new birthday present (from the party) for the next 12 days or so. Some people celebrate Hanukkah others Christmas but we celebrate Nugley first. It made him behave during the weeks and to help get his homework done a lot easier having him know he could open a new gift. He is a great boy and I love being around him and his sister. I learn something new everyday from him.

Happy Birthday Nugley!!

Dear Santa...

I found this cool site where I could write a letter to Santa and have it turn into something fun. You should try it out to and see how it goes. Nothing serious because I think we all take too many things too seriously all the time.

Dear Santa,

I have been a good girl.

It really wasn't my faultwhat happened at Laurie's Christmas party. It was Cheyanne who spiked the punch with too much Chocolatini. I can't help it if I drank 15 glasses. It was so good --- it smelled and tasted just like vanilla.
I thought it was funny when I put Nancy's shirt on my head and danced the mambo on the table while singing "eensy weensy spider". I didn't mean to break Laurie's stereo and I don't know why Laurie would sue me for shoplifting.

I don't remember calling Scott's wife a big donkey --- even though she looked like one with red eye shadow and green lipstick!
And when I threw up on Alyson's husband's leg, it was only because I ate too much of that spaghetti.
After all that fun, I admit I was a little tired. So I fell asleep on my way home and drove my Honda Civic through my neighbours's door. I don't think that was any reason for my neighbour to call me a lazy chicken and have me arrested for assault!

So, Santa...here I sit in my jail cell on Christmas Eve, all roasted and grumpy. And I'm really not to blame for any of this round stuff. Please bring me what I want most...bail money!

Sincerely and silently yours,
Stephanie (really a nice girl)

PS it's only 93 bucks!

Decisions.....Decisions.....

So I am at the point in the year where I have to make a few decisions and then hope for the best. My dilemma is do I stay with the family and work in their office for them and then see the kids after school and during school holidays. I could also see about starting a career in an actual daycare setting, where I may even have my own little class with cute little people. I could also continue being a nanny for another great family although at times I don't think it's possible to find another family as good as what I have now but you never know. I am also looking at maybe going overseas to travel around a bit and to teach English as a second language. So as you can see I have a lot to think about. It seems like I have a while to make up my mind but really I don't. I'm sure that whatever decision I do make that everything will work out fine and that it was the right choice and even if it isn't that at least I tried something new and enjoyed myself. Sometimes I just wish that someone would just tell me where I am to go and then I wouldn't have to worry about it. But that is not what life is like and that is not going to happen. I will keep you all up to date on what happens.

It's Raining.....Its Pouring.....

It has been raining and pouring for I don't even know how many days now. I do know that yesterday I saw that beautiful sunshine for about 5 minutes in the morning as I am busy taking the kids to school and I also saw it set in the afternoon. So we aimed to spend as much time after school outdoors because who knew when we'd be able to do that again. They rode their bikes and ran around until we couldn't see anymore than we went inside and had some hot chocolate with marshmallows of course. Then today came and it was pouring when I left for work at 7:00. It was pouring when I had to try and get 2 little ones in the car with seatbelts on and get myself in while trying to not get too wet (NOT FUN).
Nugley only had a half day of school today and Dad was off so Dad picked Choo Choo up and I picked up Nugley and took him for lunch and to the Science and Tech Museum he had a great time we met my sister there for the afternoon. When we were leaving well what do you know it was raining again. When I get home tonight it wasn't pouring or raining until I have to get out of my car. The street outside my front door seems to have flooded too and all the cars like to speed right through the HUGE puddle and spread the rain around sometimes even on people.
I guess I shouldn't complain seeing as how Vancouver is getting it much worse than us. They are got another 50-70 mm of rain again today and it's supposed to rain there tomorrow too. It probably makes them feel more like Eeyores I know I feel like an Eeyore today sad and gloomy and depressed.

Hockey Update

So it is now November 12th 2006 and I am happy to say that my Toronto Maple Leafs are doing some of their best work I have seen in a long time, and the Ottawa Senators are doing some of their worst. I probably shouldn't brag too much about it but hey Toronto is Ottawa's number 1 rival. It'll be nice to hear the radio stations try to figure why their team is not winning so much. HA HA HA! Ok enough of that (for now). As of right now Toronto has won 11 times lost only 5 games and lost in overtime 3 times. Ottawa has won 6 times lost 9 games and lost in overtime once. To give Ottawa some credit they have played 3 less games then Toronto. But they will probably make that up this week since they are playing 4 games this week and Toronto only 2. You can definitely tell who is Canadian by asking them about hockey. I am pretty sure almost everyone here knows about it in some aspect or another.

To finish off all I have to say is GO LEAFS GO!!!!!!!!

Remember

Today is the 11th day of the 11th month, also known as Remembrance Day, and coming up will be the 11th hour where me and the rest of Canada will take some time to say thanks to all the soldiers from WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and all the peacekeepers for all they have done for us to help keep Canada safe. Today is the day where I feel very proud to be a Canadian.

During WWI (1914-1918) over 600,000 volunteers went overseas to battle and by the end of the war more than 69,000 died and 172,000 were wounded. They were very courage for taking on this task.
During WWII (1939-1945) over a million people went to serve in combat and more than 47,000 did not return.
In Korea (1950-1953) over 26,000 soldiers served and 500 died.

The poppy is the symbol for this day because of all the poppies that were growing around the graves of the fallen soldiers. During the battle of Ypres Canadian Lt.-Col. John McCrae was inspired to write a poem after seeing the poppies grow over a close friend's grave.
The first poppies were given out in Canada in 1921. Today the veterans distribute them for a donation to the Royal Canadian Legion which help the exsoldiers live today.

To end my blog today I will leave you with Lt.-Col. John McCrae's Poem

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you with failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

John McCrae 1915

Fun Times

I woke up this morning and saw that it had snowed last night and was still snowing at the moment. It is so nice and peaceful watching the snow fall especially since I didn't have to go out in the car anywhere. Although I did drop my car off at the garage to get snow tires on Friday so I am all set for the winter season and I will feel safer driving the kids around through the sometimes unplowed roads. We'll have to see how this winter is maybe we won't get as much as last season.

Friday Choo Choo had the day off of school so I decided to take her to the Museum of Civilization. They have a great children's museum there where the kids can actually touch and play with things from around the world. She mainly wanted to see the Totem Poles. They are soooo tall and she liked looking up high seeing the tall bird look down on her. After having some lunch we got tickets to see Deep Sea in the IMAX theatre. Kate Winslet and Johnny Depp were the narrators. We got to see what happens under the sea, there were sea urchins, coral reefs, shrimp, sea turtles, sharks, starfish, octopus, squid, jellyfish, and other creatures I don't know what they are called. She really liked it. She was a bit startled at times as I was but not enough to sit in my lap. Her dad has a great saltwater tank at home (the one that seems to always cause a flood) with a few of the creatures we saw on the screen. My favourite part was watching the sea turtles go to a cleaning station where yellow and black tangs swam close to them eating the stuff off of their shells (giving them a bath). If you have never seen an IMAX film I highly recommend it. They make you feel like you are actually there in the scene.

Halloween Time 2

So the party was yesterday and it was indeed a lot of fun lot's of kids lots of adults and lots of costumes. Some of the ones I really liked was the Paper Bag Princess, Dirty Laundry and one family came as Dora the Explorer, Boots, Diego and Swiper very cute. All the people were fun to hang out with although I was the odd one out I was the only Nanny to attend there was supposed to be another one come but I am not too sure what happened there, even the family thought she was coming oh well. Anyway the party was a blast and congrats to the hosts for doing such a great job. Can't wait until Christmas.

Halloween Time

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

Well it's almost that time of year again where all the cute little children dress up in scary costumes. Well maybe they don't all dress like scary creatures but they do have fun. I am actually going to a Halloween party today that the family I work for is having. I have decided to dress up as a Witch but I do have to say that finding a costume that is appropriate is quite hard to do. I did manage to get a hat from the Walmart but the dress part was the hard part. I found that a lot of the adults costumes or focused on adults parties if you know what I mean. So I ended up getting a Goth type outfit that to me could be used as a witch. I also got some fake eyelashes, press on nails and some nice long curly black hair. For this party the mother asked me to bake some cupcakes and Rice Krispie squares. Cup cakes no problem they were fast and easy (I was very tempting to eat one but didn't). The Rice Krispies were another story though. Knowing that this was going to be a Halloween party she wanted some spooky types of food and treats. So the Rice Krispies were not going to be square but instead in the shape of SPIDERS, like this one...

So I tried my best, I put the blue food colouring in (which made it green instead) and I started to form the spider shapes with my hands. The Rice Krispie mix got cooled faster than I could make them so I ended up making 3 before I lost all my patience with this and was totally frustrated. I put the rest of the mix in a pan and decided to make cookie cutter shapes with it. The mom laughed when I told her how well I did. I explained that I was not Martha and probably never will be (well maybe I could dress like her for Halloween next year). So I am off to the party and I will let you all know how much fun it was when I get back.

Let me know if any of you were able to make anything (besides squares) with Rice Krispies, or tell me about your horror stories with it. It'll make me feel better.