Well Hello There, Sunshine!

I am back my loyal blog followers (a.k.a. family and friends).  Has it really been six months?!? The second the hockey season ended it was "game on!" in this house.  My husband's "honey do" list became the new play-offs.  His team didn't get a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup last season, but I gave him a coffee cup instead and let him get to work.  This past summer brought us two new veggie gardens, a beautiful stained porch and a new gazebo that we finally remembered to take down before the snow (lost two others this way). I also have a freshly painted front door with new hardware, a new front porch railing and a ceiling fan in my front room (who cares if the light doesn't work - it does in the bedroom now!). So all of you in Ottawa who think there is no prize at the end of the hockey season...you are so wrong! Hockey wives get shit fixed...amen to that.

Luca loved his first year of school and was very pumped to get back at it this fall.  He was actually really upset with us about summer break.  He missed his friends, classroom, teachers and the fun day at school.  Luca is at that age now where he is too big to be around a two year old sister at the park. They want very different things.  He wants to play ball and Ella wants to run down the sidewalks.  So needless to say we filled Luca's summer with camps, family time and lots of play dates with neighbourhood friends. He was thrilled! Ella got a new lawn mower that she happily mows the sidewalk with in all seasons. It even blows bubbles for those passing by needing a little lift to their day. The best is when she surprised unsuspecting neighbours mowing their lawns by joining in. Now she mows their snow and greets everyone with  big "HA-WOOOO".  That little girl just loves life and the great outdoors.

Ella turned two in August.  My baby is two.  I squeeze Ella and kiss her a hundred times a day, knowing in no time she will not be this small and will be jumping on that bus with Luca.  So to all of you who have warned me over and over, "Enjoy this time - it goes so fast!", I am taking it all in and enjoying every minute.  My Mom always tells me how she dreaded putting me on the bus.  I was the last of five kids.  If I were her, I would have thrown me on the bus....good God...five kids! But I know how she must have felt.  I tear up just thinking about it, but Ella will be in the best hands...her brother's. God help anyone that messes with his "baby girl".

Luca turned five the first week of October.  I remember saying after his first birthday that I would not have another big party till he turned five. That felt like yesterday.....and I totally never kept that promise by the way.  I actually used left over party items from is first party, for his fifth party as they were both themed around sports. Yes, my garage is filled with endless plastic bins filled with party cups, plastic cutlery and napkins and plates printed with every theme you can imagine.  Heres hoping Ella wants a Toy Story, Mickey Mouse, bowling, and hockey party in the future....fingers crossed!  I will share all the details from both Ella's "Down on the Farm" party and Luca's Senator's "Floor Hockey Fun" party this year, in future posts. As most of you know, planning parties is my passion and to be able to do it for my kids is just awesome.  My son told me it was his best birthday ever.  That right there my friends is like winning the lottery.  No boss ever liked my parties the way Luca does.

How could we not have a Stanley Cup celebration at the end?

So welcome to winter everyone (Florida family zip your lips).  Not looking too promising when I already dislike this winter at week two.  Good thing I live in Eastern Canada! I heard "Canucks" and I automatically thought Vancouver. How did I end up in Ottawa?!? Everyone from Buffalo right now would like me to stop talking. My apologies.

I will continue to post recipes that I come across, mostly in my very own kitchen.  My husband continues to make me the luckiest girl in the world by doing most of the cooking.  He has come up with some really fun new dishes that I can't wait to share, including some awesome new green smoothies that this veggie hating girl can't get enough of.   I just need him to write it all down...he keeps it all stored away in his culinary creative mind.  I cause him much pain watching me measure all ingredients as I  intently read each word from the recipe books. Hence why I am still not responsible for dinner, unless it's something with less than three ingredients or take-out.

Laughing, loving and losing It,

Jen