Project 365 9.18

Fall Card by Linda

We said goodbye to Linda & Doreen this morning as they headed back to Calgary. We had a wonderful visit and I'm already looking forward to the next time they come to Oxbow! The kids were sad in the morning when they woke up to find that they had left around 5:30am...I think the kids were getting used to having them around. Shown above is the beautiful card Linda designed & gave to us, it's made using this Wandering Words stamp set.

Project 365 9.17

USA Shopping Trip

Linda, Doreen, my Mom & I headed to Minot, ND today for a day of shopping. We had a wonderful day visiting Preserved Petals, Walmart, Target, Bath & Body Works and Hobby Lobby. We found many treasures we brought home as you can see by the full load above!

We had a great time with these two this week and it was so special that they came to visit us!

Project 365 9.16

A Day With The Gals

The day began with some gifts, Linda & Doreen spoiled us. Above is the gift Doreen put together. Check out the beautifully stamped card using the Voila stamp set. Inside was a ready to make meal complete with a new recipe, we can't wait to try it.

Us girls hung around the kitchen all morning. Linda & Doreen crafted while I continued to keep up with my work & mommy duties...i'll admit I was jealous and wanted to craft too. They reminded me of the excitement of papercrafting & the joy of creating craft projects. They worked on finishing up a project from a class they took together. Scarlett was excited to craft with them too.

After lunch, Scarlett headed to dance. Doreen, Linda & I headed to Carnduff for a visit to the Country Doll House store. We had a great shopping trip.

Linda cooked us supper tonight. She made a delicious baked asparagus dish with pork tenderloin. Three new recipes today...I'm so excited!

Doreen kept the little ones busy while we were prepping for supper. It's been very special to have these two around the last couple of days, they are so helpful!

Project 365 9.15

New School

Linda & Doreen arrived in Oxbow safely yesterday around 4pm, excellent drive time from Calgary! It was so wonderful to see them both and very special that they came for a 4-day visit.

Today I took them for a tour of Oxbow & Alameda...to see the sights. On our drive, I showed them the new K - Grade 12 school being built. This project is close to my heart as I'm on the New School Fundraising Committee. I am proud to say that we have received donations and commitments totalling approx. $900,000. These funds will be used for upgrades we have chosen for the school such as: adding additional sq/footage to the gymnasium, building a Multipurpose room (those are the two big ones). It's amazing for our community, I am so proud to be a part of it!

The large structure shown is just the gym!

Project 365 9.14

Scarlett's First Day of Preschool

All summer, she could hardly wait to go to school. She absolutely loved her first day. We snapped a few shots on our way to school.

In the car, patiently waiting!

She was happy when she got her coat on...I of course wanted to take photos of her without it.

Off to school!

Off she went with her Kai Lan lunchkit. She could have stayed the whole day if it would have been allowed.

Project 365 9.13

Ace's Bug Party

We were crazy about bugs for the day to celebrate Ace's 5th birthday.

We started off the activities with a caterpiller craft made out of egg cartons, pipe cleaners & googlie eyes. Thank you to my dear friend Lian for helping me with this craft for the kids! Below is Trina helping out Scarlett.

Nicolas with his finished caterpiller

And Scarlett with hers

Then we headed outside for a bug hunt. The kids & I decorated bug catcher containers (found at the dollar store) with foam stickers for everyone to capture their bugs.

Here's Ace & Nicolas trying to 'net' a butterfly

Payton & Mercedes

Scarlett, she was really trying to find lady bugs

Mercedes filled her bug catcher up!

Check out Sadie's gigantic spider!

Our team of bug catchers. I was so impressed by how much the kids enjoyed catching bugs...kept them busy for about an hour. It was such a simple birthday activity.

Then we gave the kids each their own magnifying glasses (also from the dollar store). They had fun exploring their bugs as well as their friends' bugs!

That's our little bug catcher!!!

Treat bags made using this & this. Only took me 5 minutes to stuff, stamp & staple all 8 of them!

Chocolate Rice Krispy cake, courtesy of Nana

After our BBQ supper, the birthday boy choose his favorite bug cupcake, we sang him Happy Birthday and...

...he blew out his candles!

It was one of the most fun, yet simple, birthday parties I've ever planned for my kiddos.

Happy Birthday Ace!

Project 365 9.12

The Bubbleman Show

Expressway Family Centre organized this free event for children of all ages. The bubble tricks were amazing and all the kids had a great time!

Project 365 9.11

ART Purchase

Today I went to Regina to purchase our first two pieces of art for our home. I have been a fan of Stacy Hollingers work for years and now that we're settled in to our house, it was time to choose. To make these beautiful pieces she uses an encaustic technique (heated bees wax)...this unique style of artwork it totally our style.

The piece above is three separate canvases, I think this will go in our dining room or main floor living room.

The piece below is for our main floor powder room. Can't wait to hang them!!!

It was an absolute pleasure to meet this artist in her home today. For more info, visit here or here.

Project 365 9.10

Bug Cupcakes for School

We sent these fun cupcakes for Ace & his classmates to enjoy at school. They were a hit!

Project 365 9.9

Happy 5th Birthday Ace

Five years ago today, we became first-time parents. He's taught us alot and we've all come along way! Ace is our energetic, caring, little man who likes to play from sunrise, till sunset. Bugs, dinosaurs & Star Wars fills his days. He likes to tinker, cut (with scissors), draw & create. And he has a soft side that likes to curl up with a book & snuggle with hugs & kisses. It's hard to believe how these years have flown by...we have had so much fun watching you grow-up!

We enjoyed a fun-filled day and made sure we baked bug cupcakes together for school tomorrow.

Used my William Sonoma bug cupcake pan.

Vanilla & chocolate are what the birthday boy wanted. After the kids went to bed, my Mom came over and we iced them together (thanks Mom).