How awful that I am rolling two posts into one!  But the truth is I am barely squeaking this by. I am exhausted and running on empty, but I can’t let today pass without acknowledging my son’s 7th Birthday and offering up a challenge.

Seven years ago I was weeping with Joy because this little guy came into my life.  I still relish the days we spend together and try not to suffer the days when he is gone from me at school.  He is half of my team where I am the coach, he is my everything.  What I wouldn’t do for this little guy.  I love you J.

And not to shrug my new dedication to Workout Wednesdays, I have to say that this week was a good slap in the face.  Last night at an event a lady approached me to offer her Doula services. Needless to say I am not pregnant and it took all I had in me not to scream at her, but it was certainly the slap I needed to wake up my abs and get them into shape.

So, this week I am offering up a challenge should you wish to join me.  In addition to my running, I am going to do a set of  hundreds each day.  Hundreds is a Pilates move that works out your abs and if I wasn’t already in my pj’s I would show them to you, but check out “hundreds pilates” on the web and you will find some great suggestions.  Will you join me?

**disclaimer: I am in no way a Doctor or Physical Trainer. I am going to share with you my thoughts and ideas about how to get into shape again. I strongly advise consulting a medical professional prior to starting any workout routine as well as a professional trainer. I am in no way responsible for any injury you may sustain from trying any of my suggestions.

Friday night marked what I believe is the first of many “40th” celebrations to come.  This is the year that myself and quite a few of my friends are turning 40.  Not that I mind, as I still only feel like I am 20.

My girlfriend, who won’t be 40 until August, married her high school crush.  Of course as the usual story goes, they didn’t start dating until after high school, but they have been together for well, a few more years than Hubby and I and we have been together for almost 16 years!! It was her husband’s 40th yesterday.

They actually live in the Cayman Islands (I know, I know..) but were in London visiting his Mom so they decided to come up to the homefront to celebrate his 40th with a few close friends and family.  The truth is that his wife and I are very close friends, but he put up with us tagging along so his wife and I could see each other and our kids could have a couple of hours together until the next visit.

If they were even thinking of coming back to Ottawa, coming here on the coldest day of the winter so far (-34C/-29F with the wind chill) will certainly keep them Island bound for a while.

As our children were playing together, our two Hubby’s were reminiscing about how small a world it really is as they actually grew up together when they were quite small.  Only going their separate ways when they got a bit older and houses were moved and what not.  It really is a small world when you think about it.

Their youngest who turned 2 just before Christmas was starting to get a bit cranky. One of their other friends, being an awesome Dad himself, pulled out a firetruck that he had brought as a gift.  Whatever crankiness that was starting was quickly forgotten and it was all firetruck for the next half an hour or so.

It was truly a wonderful night. He and his friends have all been hanging out since before high school as well, so seeing some of the old gang is really quite fun.  And sitting there looking at them with all their kids is even funnier.  Then I turn and look at my own little girl, who refused to take her coat off, playing with a toy at the table and realized they probably all think the same of me.

 I am not sure when exactly I grew up, but my children are surely a reminder to me that I have.  No, I am not 20 anymore, but it sure feels like I am.

“I will sing, sing a new song. How long to sing this song?”  Bono

Alas, I am now in my 39th year.  I am not too worried, not too stressed.  But, there are a few things I still wanted to complete before I hit 40, so I have 364 days to get them all done.  When you look at it like that I don’t have much time at all.

I did have a wonderful Birthday and look forward to celebrating my 40th in a years time.

As promised here is a photo from last night.  The hair was a pain in the butt to comb out, but it sure was fun.

Over all the night was a blast, at the very end J was getting upset that his best buddy wasn’t really dancing with him, but he wasn’t dancing with anybody he was just running amok because he could (freedom to run around your gym at school and not get in trouble, exactly).

Hubby and I were surprised at how many parents came and didn’t dress up, we figure it was about a 75/25% split.  I mean here is your chance to try out your costume and have some silly fun with the kids.  Another thing we realized is that although we are hip to new and upcoming Rock music we are definitely not hip to the party mixes.  Except for that Superman thing that I saw on Ellen, there were just a few too many songs that I didn’t know.  Time to get into the program so I know what my kid should be listening to.  Somehow I think the fact that he knows most of the words to most of the U2 albums won’t get him far with the ladies.

Now on to the rest of the festivities.  Today is my birthday, I am not 40 yet and I have a lot to do in this next year to complete all my goals of things to do before 40.   Here I go!

My Dad turned 72 on Sunday.  72!!  And he still works at least a 50 hour week, if not more. I know this shot is out of focus, but truly he barely stopped dancing and moving long enough for me to even take a shot.  Add to that the fact that there were four children waiting to blow out the candles made this the money shot.

Most people who meet or know my Dad cannot believe he is as old as he is.  Mostly because when they see him in his painters whites and realize that he is still working long after they have retired they are slightly jealous that he is so young at heart and having a great time.  No joke here at all, my Dad still whistles while he works and although it may take him a few more minutes to leave the comfort of his house in the morning, when he gets to a job and starts going it is exactly the same as it was 20 years ago when I worked with him during high school.  The main difference being that he now lets us go out and get coffee for break time instead of plugging in his old kettle.

When I stop and really look at my Dad, I cannot believe his hair is snow white.  I still see my Dad with his Dark hair and dark rimmed glasses.  I still see the man, that at 65, was body surfing the waves at the Beach.  I see the man that drops his paint brush any time one of his daughters calls and needs a hand.  I don’t know of any other father that would leave work in an instant to come and bring gas or give a boost at the side of a highway.  Or drive 15 hours to North Carolina to fix his daughters car, not one of my friends fathers ever did this, they just bought them CAA.

This past year was a trying and nervous one for us all.  Dad had a little trouble with his heart.  Fighting it and denying anything was wrong for months, Dad finally agreed to let them put a pacemaker in.  This small and quick procedure gave us back our Dad in so many ways.  The pacemaker gave Dad back his energy and gave us the greatest gift, more time with our wonderful father.

Dad, I Love You.

My Baby turned two on Friday.  I am a little late on the post front, but we had a very busy day on Friday.

Since Opa is here visiting we have been going non-stop.  We had a morning of shopping an afternoon of getting ready for dinner and an evening of fun, food and loved ones to celebrate our little girl turning two.

Her two favourite presents were a pair of boots from Opa, that have only left her feet for sleeping and a trip to the fair. And the floppy sun hat you see here that my girlfriend brought over for her.  We had thirteen adults and six children for dinner, a record for us.  Our dining table had to be added on to and extended into the living room.  It was a lot of work but a great evening was had by all and the birthday girl managed to stay awake for the entire festivities.  The above photo was taken at the end of the night, so fitting.

Now for me to get over the fact that my baby is two years old!  Time really and truly flies when you are having fun and it sure doesn’t seem like two years has passed since we first welcomed her into our lives.

Today my sweet little boy turned six.  6.  SIX!!!

Happy Birthday J!  I hope you had a great day.  More party details to follow after all the fun has been had.

Yesterday, technically marked my four year anniversary of Blogging.  I didn’t actually go live with any posts until August, but I did start to write it on June 25th of 2005.

I have a little plan in the works on how best to celebrate my fourth Anniversary, but I haven’t got it all together yet. I just couldn’t let another day pass without actually acknowledging the fact that I had been doing this for four years.

Stay tuned.

If you were turning 92, wouldn’t you love it if your Grand Daughter asked her friend to bake you a yummy cake because she herself lived in the Cayman Islands and couldn’t be there with you?

That is exactly what I did today.  Dropped off this wonderful Moist Almond Cake with Dessert Wine Syrup (Donna Hay - Food and Wine Magazine - Issue 9) to a very greatful 92 year old woman.  Apple and I surprised her and her husband this morning with Birthday wishes and a cake that is so yummy I cannot even tell you.  Well I can, but I won’t bake one for myself right now because it is so not good for my waistline.

I know it meant so much to them that their Grand Daughter planned ahead and thought of them, even though she lives so far away.  My girlfriend is very good at this, she has asked me to drop off a few things now for her Mom and Grand Parents and I really think that it makes a huge difference.  Even though she couldn’t be here herself she made sure that her love for them was known by going that extra little bit and having me drop off something homemade with love and care just for them.  And you know what, they all love having visitors, so if I swing by with my kids or even by myself then it just makes their day a little extra special.  If they can’t have their Grand Daughter there, at least they had a visit with someone who knows and loves her and is the same age.

I should also add that my Girlfriend and I have known each other since 7th grade, so it isn’t like I am a stranger showing up with baked goods.

Happy 92nd Oma!

A rare day here chez BeachMama. I am going to chat a little about A, my Stepson. I don’t talk a lot about him here for two reasons. One is that he is now 17. YIKES!! 17!! And what should I share about a young adult who sleeps all day and is up all night? And two, he probably wouldn’t like it if I did. I respect that.

Today he turns 17. 17!! SEVENTEEN! I just really can’t get over it. I remember the first time I met him when he was just a wee little guy at 3 1/2. He had a tummy bug and Hubby was very nervous to introduce me to him because he was quite a shy little guy. Hubby was sure to talk to A’s Mom about our introduction and really how could she deny him? I mean, we went to High School together and at least I can say that since I was such an awesome kid at school she had nothing on me to say that I should not meet her son. My Mom should be proud.

A and I became fast friends. I was always cautious of not trying to be another Mom but to be his friend. We did fun crafts, baking, museums all the fun stuf that J and I do but we did it first together. I was also cautious about making sure he had his Daddy time as that was why he was with us to spend time with him. We had him every other weekend so I made sure that my schedule at work (I waitressed) was such that I worked on the weekends he was over so Hubby would have his time with him. It worked quite well for us.

A has always been a quiet guy, but as he has gotten older, I thought that some of the outgoing non-stop chatter that he has been subjected to by my family would have rubbed off on him as it did his Dad. Not the case at all. If anything he has become more quiet. He is a very talented young man with great manners and is always thankful for everything that we do or share with him. He is just a quiet guy.

The photo I chose was taken last Fall at the orchard. I chose this photo because it captures how much J loves his brother. The sun rises and sets on his brother and poor A doesn’t get a minutes peace from J while he is awake. Even sweet Apple loves to crawl up on his lap and sit and chatter away to him. He takes it, which is what big brothers are supposed to do.

Wishing you a wonderful Birthday A!! And thanks for asking to come tonight for dinner and cake with us, your brother is very excited.