Spring Time Picture

At the kids year end dance show I got all the kids together and they were dressed very nicely to boot so it was time to snap a few shots of them all together. It has been a very busy year for all of us with me working nights and the kids going almost every night to some activity from dance, to basketball to youth group it makes for an exhausting year, especially for hubby who does most of the running. Summer is coming and with it a major slow down in activities, time to catch up on some much needed rest.

Dog Days of Summer

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Softball Rampage. All opinions are 100% mine.

The grass is green, the sun is out and it's starting to feel a lot like summer. The kids love this time of year because they can get out and spend the whole day enjoying the sun. With it being the long weekend we had some extra time off and the kids took advantage today by getting Dad to take them over to the ball field to practice some batting and catching. I think they even managed to have a mini game when a few of the neighborhood kids joined in. They called themselves the Super Smith's and they squeaked out a close win 4-3 in a mini 4 inning game. The kids had a great time coming up with names for their team, Burchelle Batters named after our street and Dancing Dogs for our pups. In the end the Super Smith's fit as they just felt Super being out playing in the hot Summer heat. What kind of softball team names do you have in your area that are unique and special. I just came accross a new contest at Baseballrampage.com a great online source of baseball gear at affordable prices. By visiting the Softball Rampage website you can enter your unique ball team names for your chance to win $200 RampageBucks rewards that you can use for your website purchase.

The final tree stump experience

Last summer we cut down an giant apple tree out of our back yard, it had developed a split in the trunk and had to come down before it became a hazard. The other anoying thing about the tree was it would drop literaly 10's of thousands of apples every season from June to September. Now it is time to get rid of the last bit of the stump, it took a bit but as you can see the stump did light up. We didn't get through the entries.

Long weekend weather

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of henderson bas. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's here it is really here, the first long weekend of the summer and I can't wait. I had to pick up an extra shift tommorrow for training on a new account but at least it is for a day shift which will leave the evening open to spend with the kids. We have a big bonfire and bbq planned for the evening. We have all our supplies ready to go including the steaks, potatoes for supper and of course marshmello's and hotdogs for our fire pit later on in the evening.I spent a day this week cleaning up the back yard and getting things ready for company. We will of course sit back and enjoy a few steaks that have been seasoned with our favorite spices from Club House. Club house is one of our families favorites, with so many sauces and spices that have great quality. If you are interested in finding out how to grill the best steaks you can check out the videos from Chef Micheal where he will share all the best secrets. While visiting the site you can check out the La Serious Griller Contest for your chance to win a $300 gift card from Canadian Tire to use on anything that you like. What will your plans be for the long weekend, the weather looks like it is going to be excellant so make plans to get outside and enjoy the long weekend

Next up Recital

With the kids finishing up their last dance competition for the year it is now time to focus on their year end recitals. Here is the tap girls getting ready for their performance last weekend. It's a fun time of year but there isn't much time to rest as I heard we are starting rehersals for next years production numbers the week after the recital and all through the summer, should be fun. We'll have to really enjoy the week off.

Happy Birthday Jay

Today our son turns 14 years old, it only seems like yesterday when he was born, now he towers over both of us so I can only imagine how big he'll grow. We are very lucky to have a well rounded young man that is doing very well with school and is responsible around the house. Of course there are moments but he is a teenager so you have to expect that sometimes.

A new Coffee Experience

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Nestle Nescafe Dolce Gusto. All opinions are 100% mine.

We have a lot of things that we want to do over the next year or so and one of the biggest things is saving up for a family vacation away. It will take a lot of changes to our lifestyle to make this happen as soon as we want and one of them is giving up the daily trips to Timmie's for coffee. We started shopping around for a machine that we could get quality beverages right at home quick and easy. The new Nescafe Dolce Gusto machine provides instant hot beverage with the same high quality you would get at your local coffee shop. The new design of the Gusto Machine is very elegant and provides beauty to any kitchen. You can find the Gusto machine at many local retailers all over Canada including the Bay, Home Outfitters, Walmart and many others. The machines retail normally from 159 and 179 and you can buy the capsules at your local grocery store or the retailer you bought your machine. Nescafe is also offer Canadian residents only a chance to win 1 of 10 Gusto machines by visiting Divine.ca, the contest is open for all Canadian Residents only until June 20, 2010 so make sure to check out the site soon to be sure to have your entry in. It would be a great opportunity to
win a NESCAFE Dolce Gusto machine of your very own.

Dance competitions

Well it's all over for another year, we just spent 5 days at the final dance competition for the year. The kids did over 25 performances all together and had a great time. Of course after many hours watching and competing they are all exhausted and I think we are too. They were very excited to get lot's of metals for their hard work and dedication. Now it's getting ready for their year end recital, much more relaxing and than a short break before we start getting ready for next year classes.

Flaming Stump

Now that things have started to dry up we decided it was time to start working on burning up the old stump from our Apple tree. It was last year when we brought the old tree down and now the stump has dried up enough to work on burning it up. We have a pit and will be working over the weeked to destroy the last of the tree. We will have to get some marshmellows and hot dogs to enjoy around the bonfire.

Online shopping supplies

Not everything in life can be easy, everyday brings you new challenges. We are more time starved now then ever with the never ending demands on our time anything we can do to make life easier is a blessing. With the improvements in online shopping avenues we can save ourselves time, money and many miles in comparing and researching our purchases from the comfort of our own home. Jazz medical offers a wide range of products to make your life easier and because they deal with bulk orders through hospitals, nursing home and other facilities they can also offer great savings over retail establishments to all consumers. You can shop for any number of items online with great assortment and details you will have a comfort level of what your ordering. Saving money on regular items you need on a regular basis like kendall briefs can save you money and time with the convienence of getting what you want delivered directly to your home.

Summer or Winter?

I guess Summer isn't quite here yet, it had been so nice here lately that one could think the summer was coming early and going to be great. I got to sleep in a little bit after a long night at work. When I woke up I was greated with a rude awakening with a dusting of snow all over the ground. It didn't last long but a good reminder for us not to get overly optimistic on the early summer.

Exciting Career Options

With the economy so tight in our new reality it is becoming increasingly difficult to decide what career path to follow. Increasingly people are turning to the service industry type careers that tend to be in some degree recession proof. If you have an interest in the beauty industry there is a growing group of campuses from the Regency Beauty School. The Regency Beauty school was founded more than 50 years ago and has rapidly expanded from 2 locations in 2002 to over 30 locations in 9 states in the last 8 years. Regency also offers its students valuable assistance with job placement through it's network of connections. If you are searching for your career path I would suggest you check out the Cosmetology school in Louisiana for more information on the school, locations and much more.

Spring time means renovation time

It's one of my favorite times of the year when things start to heat up outside we start to get down to business with our home renovations. This year we are laying down new laminate flooring in a bunch of rooms on the main level of our home. We have one room done now and it looks fantastic. I can't wait until we get back from our trip to finish the remaining rooms.

Chipmunk Mania

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Alvin and the Chipmunks. All opinions are 100% mine.

As a family we really enjoy going to the theatre with the kids, we normally end up there at least a couple of times of month to check out the latest films. It givees us the opportunity to decide what movies we buy for home for our collection. One of our favorites of last fall was the Chipmunks:Squeakquel the kids have been waiting for this movie since the first one came out. They loved it so much we actually went back a second time to see it again. The movie just came out on DVD and we had to make sure the Easter bunny got a copy for the kids, when we went to pick it up for him we noticed that not only could we get the dvd but there was a bonus pack available with a disc full of music and singalongs so it was a no brainer. If you have little ones in your home I would suggest you get out and buy it now. Alvin and the chipmunks was a favorite of mine as a kid and I loved listening to their music and watching the old show. If you and your gang are looking for More Munk Mayhem check out the link for all kinds of Chipmunk activity including the "munk" yourself feature. The kids will have a blast with this one. Get ready for a movie fun night with the kids, you'll be giggling the whole night away.

Dance Competion

Our first Dance competition of the year is officially over, the kids had a good day overall, Kohl recieved a silver for his tap solo and Trinity was a bit more busy, she had 6 performances with 2 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze overall. They were both tuckered out at the end of last night and were not long falling asleep while we were hanging out on the couch. It was a good run through for their next competion in a couple of weeks.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

No it's not Christmas but it is approching the year end for the kids dance classes. Competitions and year end shows are coming up fast. They had a warm up show last weekend for a fund raiser to get a chance to strut their stuff out on stage in front of an audiance, the kids did great even in the cramped space. We are looking forward to a great year end.

Party Fun

We had a sleep over party for Trin's 10th Birthday party and what better thing for a batch of girls to do than to have a spa night. We picked out some facial packages, Chocolate and Strawberry of course and let the girls loose. They turned into a bunch of animals literaly (Monkeys) and had a blast, I think it will take us a week to catch up on the sleep we lost but it was a lot of fun.

Easter bunny time

It's only a couple of days away, a sure sign of spring when the Easter Bunny arrives with his hippity hop. I hope he is carefull this year dropping eggs for the kids as now with the dogs they love to gooble up anything ever remotely edible that is lying on the floor. It is great because it is a couple of days for us that we get to spend together with no running around to dance, basketball, work or school. Here's hoping for some great weather so we can get outside.:

March Break fun

As a family we found a new hobby that we all agree on, the love of skiing. We finally all went this year a couple of times and we are now to the point of buying our own gear. The kids enjoyed it so much they actually decided they wanted to stay home for March Break instead of travelling to visit family...a first for us int he 10 years we have been away from home. It is so much fun and the great thing is the kids don't argue on the hills they just travel along together and have a great time.

TAKING OVER THE COMPUTER

My son is getting rather upset with me today because I'm spending to much time on the computer. I am trying to get some posts done before we go away. It's not to often, as a matter of fact this is the first time that I've had a good size list of blogging opportunities waiting to get done. If I keep getting these opportunities than I will have to look into getting myself a laptop, I can't hog the family computer and with my husband getting into blogging we might have to get the internet hooked up on my sons computer. I'm sure things will all work out and he will be talking to me really soon.

Destination Wedding Vacations

Ah, dreaming of being waited on hand and foot while I enjoy beautiful white sandy beaches. Fantastic candlelit dinners, along with many other fantastic dining options. The beautiful ocean lapping up against the shore, with beautiful calm waters. Cabana's directly on the beach, swim up suites the imagination is endless when I begin to think of a destination weddings I would like to take, with hubby of course. I began looking into vacations that we could take and found a fantastic group of hotels in Karisma Hotel line located on the beautiful waters on the Mexican Riviera Maya. The Karisma Hotels offer a number of unique vacation opportunities to match with what you long for in a vacation and specialize in beautiful settings and gorgeous views.

Sponsor a child

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of SEO 5 Consulting. All opinions are 100% mine.

It is so easy to get into the mode of why me, we can get so down on ourselves about how hard we have things. When you sit and listen to the news or watch documenteries on how life can be in other areas of the World it is amazing how good we really have things. When I watch the poor children in countries like Africa and you see them suffering through every day not knowing where or when they might get something to eat. Plan works is an organization that helps in many ways make life better for those that are really in need. They find ways to help with education by setting up education opportunities for the youth and communities they are helping. They also work to provide immunizations for children. Another one of the vital services they support is finding ways to provide access to safe drinking water and educate people on the vital importance of sanitation. 160 The only way they can provide these service to the areas they are so vitally needed is through donations from people like you. Setting up sponsorship is so easy either by going to the website or by calling the hotline. It is so important for people to take the time to sponsor a child, it is very affordable and you can set up your donations so they are either made monthly or yearly whatever best suits your budget needs.

vacation planner

We travelled down to the travel store today to start finding information and books for our upcoming vacation. The travel agent was super and gave us a lot of information to sort through to plan. She showed us the best times (budget wise) to travel down to disney. Now we have books to show the kids, they love the movie hotel and hopefully we will be staying there for our trip.

Planning a family vacation

We have finally made our decision on a family vacation, we are heading to disney land. It is a big job to plan a trip for 6 especially with little ones but we really want to get there soon. We are planning on next Spring or Summer at this time. We need to get a few debts cleaned up and save some spending money. The kids are pretty excited and we are showing them videos and pictures to build the excitement, not that kids really need any help building excitement.

Tax Time is coming

It is soon coming up to tax time, it will be different for us this year as it is the first year I have been back to work full time. It makes a difference for deductions and such, at least I can claim some childcare expenses this year and the home renovation tax credit should help us some as we put in new windows, doors and some flooring last year that we can claim. We are just waiting for our tax slips to come so we can get into our tax person to finish up our forms.