Father's Day and Etc.

First off, I would like to wish my husband, my father, my father-in-law and all fathers out there a very Happy Belated Father's Day! I was 'sans' computer for 4 days as we headed west down the 401 to Guelph to visit family this past weekend. Poor little old me!

A grand time was had by all. We left right after school on Thursday with arrival in the early evening. We quickly visited Gord's parents before it was time to get the girls to bed. Shopping was on tap for me on Friday while Gord and the girls visited with his parents again. We then all joined up with his 2 sisters, nieces, nefew and great-nefew (yes, I am a great aunt!) for dinner at a local Chinese restaurant. Yum-yum! On Saturaday, it was an early departure as we all headed to the Toronto Zoo. It has now become a tradition in our family. For the last few years, we always to go to some park or zoo for Father's Day. This year we went a day early. After our long day at the zoo, we all met up at my SIL's for a wonderful BBQ. On Sunday, it was lunch with the parents and then headed back towards home. A trip to Ontario would not be complete if there wasn't a stop at Michaels. I spotted one on the 401 and begged Gordie to get off. I was given 15 minutes to go through it as they all waited in the car. God help me! I managed to spend quite a bit in short a short period of time.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the weekend.

Cara-Li and her cousin N.

Cara-Li and her cousin C.

What is funny about this picture is the conversation that the 2 were having while looking at these monkey-type animals.

Cara-Li: ''Oooooo.... look at that monkey! It has a wenis like a boy!''

Also, I have joined a new group called 'Shades of Inspiration'. Basically, a new colour is assigned every Monday and we are to take photographs of whatever we like incorporating that colour. Fun! I find that if I do not have an 'assignment' that I do not take any pictures other than the usual family things. Sometimes these can be boring. So I am posting last week's assignment now which was the colour green. I must add that I did not really try hard, I just happened to get these at the zoo.

I promise to try a little harder for this week's assignment!

Doll Quilt & Gardens

I finally received my Doll Quilt from the Lemonade Stand Doll Quilt swap! Here it is and I love it, the girls love it and the dollies too! (those cute dolls were handmade for Alexia by Mortimer's Mom... love 'em!)





Cara-Li lost yet another front tooth. That brings us to 3 in less than 2 weeks! That Tooth Fairy has been very busy!! Poor thing can't eat anything right now... there are holes everywhere in her mouth :(


And to the person who switched all the tags in my herb garden at the Christening, please stand up! I am on to you!




Oh... I forgot to mention. See all the poofy-like cotton stuff in this tree?



Well, this poplar tree is in my backyard and guess what happened to all that poofiness? It all floated down onto my lovely Garden Party last Sunday. Nice huh? People had fluff going up their noses, sticking to the faces and nesting into their hair. It looked like we were having winter flurries during a June heat wave!

Christening Bliss!

Well... we finally had our first Garden Party and it was for Alexia's Christening. I had the best time planning it although I only started seriously planning it 2 weeks ago. Invites had been sent but there was no real plan. Then we went to a wonderful Baptism last week that had been planned to a tee and I started to get nervous. But I work best under pressure! One last weather check on Friday morning and we decided that it would be a go for a Garden Party. Called the rental company and had tables and chairs delivered. Eventhough thunderstorms were expected in early evening :)

First off, here are some photos of the party favors and thank you gifts that were given to our guests. My dear friend L. and I worked on this the day before. Many thanks must be given to 3D as this is where I had seen the chocolate-dipped fortune cookies some time ago. Thanks D!

In the center of each bamboo steamer was a special fortune:

To the world, you may just be somebody… but to somebody, you may be the world.

This is what they looked like all wrapped up.

And all the leftover cookies were placed on this lovely 3-tier platter with some chocolates and Pockys in a glass that was used on the dessert table.

Everyone also received a Money Tree in honor of Alexia.

The actual church ceremony was short and sweet which was just fine by most and it was super hot and humid! Good weather for a Garden Party (and thunderstorms too!).


That's the four of us all dressed up!

And here we are again with the Godparents, my brother M. and his fiancée T.

Everyone was then invited to our home to enjoy the backyard and a lovely lupper.

Backyard prior to guests.

My parents and my neice, B.

Here is my brother N., my other brother M., sister-in-law M., and dear friend LC.

Here we have C., K., B., J. and Alexia.

Here's a glimpse at the crazy dessert table. There was way too much cake!! But it was really nice!

Here are some pictures of the kids having fun!

My little Alexia, the party girl!



Dumpling and Cara-Li


My neice B., J., Dumpling and Cara-Li




G., Cara-Li and Dumpling



Dumpling, Cara-Li, G. and BB (hiding)

It was also my father's 80th Birthday today! Happy Birthday Nonno!






And, I had to finish with this photo. This is the best photo taken of us probably since our wedding day, a long, long time ago!

By the way, we were graced with a lovely thunderstorm and heavy rain just shortly after dessert and Chinese tea was served :)

So sorry for the million photos but it was such a great day!

I Got Caught!

That's right.... I got caught having an affair. Cheating on my hairdresser, that is! About a month ago, my hair was looking a little unruly. Because my usual hairdresser is next to my work (and I am not working right now), I thought I would just go to a hairdresser just around the corner. What harm can they do? Anyway, I went and hated it! My hair looked like SH*T. Fastforward to today. The big debate while driving to my hairdresser was 'Do I tell him I went to see someone else?'. Well, he took one look at me and then a second one and finally asked 'Did you do something to your hair?'. I fessed up and apologized profusely for being unfaithful and promised that I would never do it again :) Now my hair looks like it should.

Summary of my day

• Cara-Li ended up having an OK day at school and a fabulous play date afterwards at a friend's house
• I finished the Excel spreadsheet requested by Dad and it didn't take as long as I thought it would. If I would have known, I wouldn't have procrastinated so long. Glad to get that heap of papers off my desk. I was beginning to wonder what they were :)
• I finished the minutes for my Italian Association
• Gord managed to find some sort of pink bubbly and the Asti Spumante
• Tables and chairs where delivered as we will have a garden party on Sunday
• Got my hair cut
• Went to the asian grocery store to find some items for Sunday
• Stopped at Wal-Mart for a tablecloth
• Went to Loblaws for groceries
• And I was home in time fo supper!
• Now, I'm off to the basement to do some crafty stuff for Sunday.

Bye Bye!

Why Did I Get Up This Morning

First off, due to the weather, we all slept in... LATE. Then, Cara-Li was taken to school as usual by Gord and she did not want to go. Big tears. I had to drive down there with Alexia still in her PJ's to coax her in. Apparently, there was a new man-teacher there and it freaked her out. Then, I get home to find a message from my Dad (he never leaves messages) requesting a very detailed and long Excel spreadsheet listing all expenses and revenues for one of his properties (this will take hours!). Oh, and I am working on my minutes for the Italian Association I am secretary for as they are needed ASAP. Then, Gord calls about issues with my request to purchase Pink Campagne (for Alexia's Christening) and Asti Spumante (for my Dad's 80th birthday). Apparently, they do have what I want (why did you wait till the last minute, Gord!) And did I mention, I am super-busy planning this Christening / 80th birthday party which will be this Sunday???

UPDATE: Just got some bad news. T., my heart goes out to you and your family. You will be in prayers.

Talent Everywhere

First off, last Friday Cara-Li lost yet another tooth making that 2 in one week. But this time it was a front tooth and sadly I had to say goodbye to Cara-Li, my baby, and say hello to Cara-Li, my toothless wonder!


While I'm on the topic of Cara-Li, look at this drawing she 'whipped' up while I was making supper while fending of her baby sister. Too bad it was done on a piece of scrap paper from the recycle bin (she is sooo frugal). Today, I ran out to the art store to get her a sketching pad and pencils. A mother can hope!

Tonight was Cara-Li's final gymnastics class where the kids put on a show for the parents. We have been going to these shows for the last 4 years and what a difference time makes! These kids where great! Especially Cara-Li! Heehee!

And here is Alexia giving a show in the sidelines for those who cared to watch. She was basically copying what Cara-Li was doing. The crowd certainly got a kick out of her! Too cute!

Sneaky!

Finally, I can show you what I've been up to! You remember the first quilt I made?



Well, I have to say that I just love making quilts. I have lots to learn but I find it so rewarding at the end. After I finished the little doll quilt (which my partner recieved and loved), I had to come up with another project. Easy. We had just been invited to Yummy's Christening and I thought, wouldn't it be great to make her a Bai Jia Bei (100 Wishes Quilt). Now, while this quilt does have 100 squares, the fabrics did not come from 100 people. Time was of the essence. The 100 wishes all came from our family! And this is not a doll quilt... it is actually a crib size quilt. Now, I couldn't post about this any earlier as my scrapbooking partner, Red, is Yummy's Mom and she reads my blog! Didn't want to spoil the surprise!

Here are my two lovely girls on our way to the said festivities with our quilt nicely wrapped (not shown) in hopes that our recipient would love it.

And after a very long day with no naps for Alexia, here are Daddy and Alexia watching a little Teletubbies before dodo.

OK. I'm looking for a new project. Quilt anyone?