Sonja McLean

What Day is it?

I meant to post this on Monday. Saved it as a "draft" instead...oops!

 

I love this photo of my youngest...playing dress-up and arranging stickers! Yup, she's definitely MY daughter! *LOL*

We had a terrific weekend! Friday night, my oldest and I took Charlie to Lacrosse. Because Charlie is already in hockey, skating and Tae-Kwon Do, I told my hubby...no lacrosse! IMO, it's too much for a five year-old! THEN...Isaiah's friend, who plays for a Coquitlam team, won an international tournament and was offered scholarships to universities in Canada and USA. Well, that was it for Steve. The argument was, "What if he really likes it? What if he's good enough to get a scholarship? Don't you think we should let him try? Blah, blah..." So I reluctantly agreed to ONE session of "Fun Lacrosse". Well, as it turns out, Charlie loves it! I don't mind exposing him to different activites now, but when he gets a little older, he'll have to choose. I can't imagine how crazy it'll be around here when the two girls ask to be in activities too. Heaven help us!

Saturday night was my "Snow Angel" class...you can see it here . We were packed like sardines, but MAN, it was fun! Lots of interesting conversations, yummy snacks (none of it was low-fat btw!) and plenty of laughs. It was a late night (I didn't get to bed until 2am!) but well worth the "scrapping hangover". And wouldn't you know it...both my Jenni Bowlin and Evalicious order arrived Monday instead of Friday when you guys could have shopped. Let me know if you're interested in anything and I'll set it aside for you.

On Sunday, we visited Steve's aunt and uncle. Steve helped with some electrical work...you should have seen the list they had for him *LOL* it was a long one! The kids were well behaved all afternoon and we had a lovely dinner. I even read a magazine from front to back (what a concept!). It was a relaxing day! 

Conversations with a Kindy

Incident #1) Walking to school one morning...just me and Charlie.

C: "Mama? Are you happy at me?"

Me: "Yes, of course I am. Why do you ask?

C: "You don't look happy. Your face looks like this." He scowls.

Me: "That's not my unhappy face. That's my THINKING face."

C: "You still love me, then?"

Me: "Doesn't matter what look I have on my face, Charlie. I always love you!"

Funny how worried our kids get when they sense we're unhappy. I wonder if I asked my mom or dad the same question when I was little.

Incident #2) In the van one afternoon. I look in my rearview to see Charlie contemplating something.

C: "Mama...I decided I want to be cool like Isaiah."

Me: "Oh yeah! What do you need to be cool?"

C: "A toothpick hanging out of my mouth."

Me: "Is that all?"

C: "Oh, and a jacket with a hood!"

This Week's Happenings

Not much scrapbooking going on, but lots of time spent looking at scrapbooking "stuff". Many manufacturers have e-mailed their CHA releases (some of it is shipping NOW), so I've been busy planning classes and placing orders. I love how projects form in my mind as I browse online catalogues and sneak peeks...makes it easier to decide what to buy *L* otherwise, I'd get overwhelmed! So far, I have the next two Gimme 5 classes planned (one for spring and one for BC Crop for Kids), along with a couple of mini-albums.

 

Lifetime Moments does a great job with trade show sneak peeks, so keep checking to see what's new. Here are some things that caught my eye: Creative Cafe's new clear stamps, too many things to mention from American Crafts, if you have younger kids there's some super-cute stuff coming out from Crate Paper (one shown here), mega deliciousness from Chatterbox, and patterned paper from Collage Press and My Little Yellow Bicycle.  

I'm kinda glad I couldn't go to CHA (my hubby used all his vacation time during the snow storms). It gives me more money to spend on orders! Speaking of orders, Jessie has hired me to do the purchasing for her store, so watch for some of The Booker's Club favourites to hit the shelves at Cherish The Thought LSS this spring.

I've also been spending time trying to set up guest designers and sponsors for The Inspired Scrapper, as well as sponsorship for my three BC Scrapbooking Crop for Kids classes in October 2009...so yeah...lots of time on the computer!

 

This is how my youngest "smiles pretty" for the camera. We took her to the doctor the other day...found out she's underweight. I breastfed her the longest, so she was never introduced to a bottle. I believe her lack of formula/homo milk is the reason she's underweight. She drinks milk/choco-milk but not like she would if she took a bottle. That plus everything in my kitchen is low-fat or whole wheat. Heck, even my cookies are low-fat. Jeesh...it's time to rethink how I cook for this family. It's fine for me and Steve to eat like this, but I worry about the kids!

Because I've been so preoccupied lately, my husband decided to take over laundry duty (clean clothes have been piling up in the laundry room). Well, yesterday morning I found out that my 3-YO has been putting her dirty clothes BACK into her dresser (including a pair of jeans that she "wet" by accident). My hubby doesn't have the "skills" to sense that there was something funny going on. He just shoved more clothes into the jumbled, stinky mess. Totally oblivious. Shirts with jeans. Socks with pajamas. Clean with dirty. Whatever! Now I have twice as much laundry to do to clean up the mess that was made.

I usually sing to the kids at bathtime (accoustics are better in the bathroom!). When I asked my 3-YO what she wants to hear, she said "Dancing Queen". Shocking! Time to throw away (or give-away) that Mama Mia DVD. Enough is enough. I think I'm singing Abba songs in my sleep!

Another Year, Another Birthday

Yesterday I celebrated yet another birthday. It's almost time to stop counting, I think! Maybe in a couple more years. This birthday, for some reason, has been one of reflection. Just thinking about where I was ten years ago, my life today and missing my mom a little too. All in all, I think I've done a pretty good job. I can't complain really. I like where I am, who I am and, most importantly, the people who surround me. I think that's the beauty of my 30's. I've given up trying to be...I simply am...and I'm okay with it.

Surprisingly, I had a really fun day! My brother and I took the kids shopping. I had a $100 MAC gift card from Christmas burning a hole in my pocket. Then we had some super yummy dim-sum at a restaurant in Metrotown. I can't remember the name, but it's near the entrance to Starbucks and Booster Juice. For dinner, Steve and I had greek food then saw Gran Turino with Clint Eastwood. I enjoyed it...sad story but lots of laughs. My brother gave me the "Mamma Mia" DVD and now I can't stop singing Abba songs! From Steve and the kids, they bought my ticket for the scrapbooking retreat in March.

So my oldest DD (3) started her dance class today. Most of the girls were decked out in baby pink leotards, tutus and skirts. Then there's my daughter in black leggings and a hot pink "Kung-Fu Panda" t-shirt. She looked like a lady bug amongst the pink peonies. It's funny how all the other moms thought "ballet" when they bought their children's dance outfit, whereas I automatically thought "jazz". Anyhoo...Abby really enjoyed it. She can't wait until the next one!

   

Look out Charlie, there's a new pirate in town!

 

I came around the corner to the living room and found this scurvy pirate wearing Charlie's hat and sword! OMG...she's so funny!

Keeping It Simple

 

I find that my layouts become simple when my life becomes hectic. I guess it's just a defense mechanism. A balance of energy...or conservation of it perhaps.

I created this layout for my Inspired Scrapper challenge. Title reads, "It was the rainbow gave thee birth. And left thee all her lovely hues. William Henry Davies." This quote was perfect for my youngest daughter...if she's anything, she's colourful!

Thanks for looking:)

Busy Girl

Sorry I haven't been around much. I've been busy preparing projects for upcoming Inspired Scrapper challenges. After a little rut, I'm finally feeling like I have my groove back. I was complaining to my hubby about feeling uninspired and bored with scrapbooking. Have you ever felt that way? After an evening of frustration, I told my huby I would put EVERYTHING on ebay, buy a nice sewing machine and take up quilting instead. *LOL* That only lasted a few days. It's easy to feel overwhelmed this time of year, but now that everything's cleaned up (including my scrapspace), I'm feeling better. Plus, there's so much going on in 2009...lots to be excited about!

Isaiah took this picture of me. We slipped out (just the two of us) to do some Christmas shopping a few days before the snow arrived. It's a good shot...too bad it's a little blurry. I'm turning 35 this month, so I'm trying to get a decent photo to scrap. Feels like a milestone age to me...not sure why, but I want to document it. Maybe do a mini-album or something. Thank goodness this snow is on it's way out. I'd like to do another shoot before my birthday.

This is the photo I took of Isaiah on the same staircase. He's such a good model...really easy to photograph. Wish I had that talent *S* It's been a real pleasure having him home. I feel like he's getting over his teen "attitude" thing, and finally maturing. Don't get me wrong, we're not there yet...but when we talk, we argue a little less each time, and laugh a little more. We've even started texting each other. At first, it was stuff like "Where are you?". But now, it's "what's for dinner, mom?"..."chicken adobo"..."syck!". I've found myself laughing-out-loud in the grocery store b/c of things he's written me. It's a good thing...for the both of us, I think!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! It's exciting, isn't it? A brand new year! A fresh start! Gotta love new beginnings...something exciting in the air.

Speaking of exciting...have you seen the first challenge at The Inspired Scapper? Gosh, I love these gals...so inspiring!

We didn't do anything special on New Year's Eve. We were supposed to go out, but couldn't be bothered to leave the house with the weather and all. So I made lots of appies and we sat in front of the television all night...hanging out and vegging out. When my hubby fell asleep (30 minutes before midnight), I started to scrapbook and didn't go to bed until 2:30am. I figured it was a wonderful way to start a new year! 

We're just about finished cleaning up from Christmas. We took down all the decorations today (inside and out). All that's left to do is store the boxes. I'm happy Christmas is put away. I love Christmas, but it's always nice when January rolls around. Makes me feel like spring is just around the corner.

We gathered all the holiday sweets and put it in a bowl on the kitchen counter. When Lilah made her usual rounds (she pushes a chair along each counter to find food...she's such a mooch!), you should have heard the fake (kinda evil) laugh that came out of her...OMG...it was so funny! She only ate one chocolate, but played with the candy for a long time. Took everything out of the bowl, put it all back, took everything out, put it all back again. And every once in a while, she'd let out her fake laugh. I love this age...funny, little people, they are!

So clean up mode proved to be too much for my ancient dryer. After the sixth load of laundry (in a row), the dryer finally died. Kicked the old bucket, it did. Although I'm glad it finally happened, I'm sorry it happened at this time of year. Yeah...big expenses are not so good after Christmas! We did get a deal though. Sears Warehouse had 25% off all in-stock furniture and appliances and had lots of dryers to choose from. Now we're back in business...yippee (said sarcastically).

I've haven't left the house for three days *LOL* Steve's on vacation and has been running all the errands (I hate driving in this weather). I will be leaving tomorrow night though...I'm off to Cherish for a crop. Janet's in town and I haven't seen Jessie in weeks. I can't wait to see everyone...feels like forever since I've seen my friends!

Christmas Festivities

What a wonderful Christmas! So many things to be thankful for.

Llike SNOW...

 

 

Our backyard was buried in the snow. One-third of the slide is gone!

       

...and Christmas Concerts!

 

Abby's trying to wink in this photos! *LOL* She cracks me up:)

 

...and GIFTS!

 

...and Grandpa's LIGHTS! Click on the photo for a closer look. Grandpa spends so much time working on his display, making it nice for the kids and neighbours. Many of his decorations are animated (moving parts and lights). The snow makes his house look especially festive this year!

 

But mostly, I love Christmas for the food! Here's our Christmas Eve appy night:)

 

No, seriously. My favourite part of Christmas is spending time with my family. The internet was down over the holidays (as it turns out, the problem was just a loose cable connection) so my teen son was forced to spend time with us. *LOL* But I'm glad of it. We had so much fun together...working on puzzles, watching movies, eating, drinking (wine for the adults, mulled cider for the kids) and chatting!

Now that Christmas is over, we're in clean-up mode. Lots of closets to clean out and toys to organize. We've got to make room for the new stuff and get rid of the old. As soon as I'm done with the kids' stuff, I'm attacking my scrapbooking room. It's time to get ready for a new year!

Happy Holidays!

I want to extend my warmest holiday wishes to you and yours. I hope you're enjoying a nice day at home with the family. I hope Santa brought you everything you wished for and more. Personally, I'm thankful to be surrounded by family, glad to have my son home (especially at Christmastime) and I'm happy for a white Christmas. So many blessings!

On another note, I'm pleased to introduce the team at The Inspired Scrapper Challenge Blog. Click on the link to see our intoduction tags/ATC's and join me in welcoming them! I'm super excited to be working with such a wonderful group of ladies:)

Happy Christmas to you!

"Best of the Best"? Not.

They say (whoever "they" are) to only scrapbook the best of the best photographs. Well, I respectfully disagree. These outtakes from our annual Christmas card photoshoot are just too funny to leave out of our family scrapbook.

As they sit together like this, it's easy to see how similar they are, yet their differences jump out too. I see two of my monkeys misbehaving, while the other two are smiling patiently. I see who's listening to me and who's doing whatever the heck they want. I see similarities in their facial features and expressions too. I notice the colour of their hair and eyes. The way they smile and laugh and scream. These photos really tell the tale of these four siblings and are just too important to not document. I know they'll LOVE looking back at these pictures later on in life.

Happy Holidays! Check back on Christmas Day:)