Saturday, December 22, 2012

Buddy Says Good-Bye

Buddy snuck a little snack or two for the road.


He will say good-bye to the kids today.  They get to give him one farewell hug and then he will disappear until next year.  


We've had a fun time.
We'll miss you Buddy!!

Warm wishes for a blessed Christmas!!

Friday, December 21, 2012

Elf Day 21


Pink dog did not enjoy last night's escapades perhaps.


Just a heads up if you are following our elf ideas, Buddy will be announcing his departure on Saturday morning.  We are travelling back to Kenora for the holidays so Buddy will go to the North Pole to get the kids' gifts ready for them.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Elf Day 20

Huh.
Apparently Buddy had a little help with his drink two nights ago cause I posted Day 18 twice.  
Oopy.

So, Day 20.


Sock monkey is trying to show off.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Elf Day 18

Last night I was very tired so asked my husband to set Buddy up.


I guess it's never too early to learn about the dangers of overdoing alcohol.
We'll see what Cate says about this.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Elf Day 18

Oooo!  Elf romance.
Jovie had a date with my childhood elf!


Cate confided today that she likes Jovie better.  Cause she's a girl.  
Poor Buddy.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Elf Day 17

Stick on earrings and an elf skirt purchased from Target.  
Presto!
Buddy masquerades as Jovie.


Saturday, December 15, 2012

Elf Day 15

Buddy is tuckered out today.  Last night was our Christmas celebration for one side of the family.  With 10 kids to follow around Buddy had his hands full.  He's still sleeping in this morning.


Friday, December 14, 2012

Elf Day 14

I guess that flu really IS going around.


Good ol' Buddy...always a smile on his face!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Elf Day 11

Snowball fight!



Cate joined the Barbies right away and Eli took Buddy's side.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Elf Day 10

Yee-haw!



Cate informed me, "Him was riding your little reindeer but him was not GOING anywhere."
Phew.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Elf Day 9

My 12 year old son wanted to get in on the fun last night.



He wrote this note for Buddy to give the other kids.
And he made the teeny pencil.


Saturday, December 8, 2012

Elf Day 8

 This morning the kids woke up with "joy" stamped on their faces.



Buddy!!


Friday, December 7, 2012

Elf Day 7

Hi Buddy!
Dental hygiene for an elf is essential (you know...their 4 favourite food groups...candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup).


Thursday, December 6, 2012

Elf Day 6

Buddy has gathered together all the stuffies from the sleeping children's beds. 
They might read all night.


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Elf Day 4

It would look more impressive with a full jug of milk, but I was a bit worried that the kids would refuse to drink it green!


Monday, December 3, 2012

Elf Day 3

Flirt.



Yesterday I could hear Cate talking away in the dining room.  She was "reading" to Buddy who was still hanging up on the light fixture.


Saturday, December 1, 2012

Elf Day 1


The kids found Buddy asleep in the doll house this morning.  He'd written a note and brought his book which we'll read later today when we do our other advent activities together.



He was quite tired after his trek from the North Pole.


The kids were really excited to see him!

Friday, November 30, 2012

Elf on a Shelf Announcement

How is it that my gorgeous bust is looking so hip in her scarf?
Romans.



Anyway, let me introduce one of my most beloved Christmas decorations.  This little guy has been around for longer than I have.  My mom put him out every year and I've always loved him.  He still brings me joy each season.



Which is perhaps why I adore Elf on a Shelf so much!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this new Christmas tradition, Elf on a Shelf is a book you can purchase that comes with its own little elf.  Basically the idea is that the elf has come to observe your kids.  He is not allowed to speak to them but they may talk to him.  The only rule is that they cannot touch him or his magic disappears and he will not be able to go back to the North Pole each night to report to Santa how they've been behaving.  
Now, I'm not overly fond of children obeying for the sake of pleasing Santa...however, what I love about this guy is that he is a wee bit naughty and he gets into some trouble here and there.  Each evening while the kids sleep he is free to roam around your home.  There is no end to what sort of mischief he gets himself involved in.  We started this game last year and my kids enjoyed it but it is certainly something you have to plan ahead a bit.  So this year I will post a photo of our elf's nightly endeavours and if you want to copy our ideas, feel free!

Our elf, of course, is named Buddy.


He will make his first appearance tomorrow.


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Welcome Ikea

Ikea opened in Winnipeg today.

Welcome Friend!



Opening day was pretty fun!  
The crowds were not crazy.  
The meatballs were fab.  
The company was delightful!

What I bought:



1.  Christmas napkins
2.  Cute ribbon
3.  Christmas gift tags
4.  Tape refills with dispensers for kids' stockings
5.  Most amazing tray ever
This is the least I've ever purchased on an Ikea trip.  I am quite proud.


What I want very, very much:


Crazy fantastic cart


Very lovely fern

I look forward to many more meetings Ikea!!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Our Basement

I was so excited to finish the den and show it to you that I completely forgot that I had not ever posted our new basement!  
Oops.


In March of 2008 a water main on our street burst and filled our basement with 30" of water.



It had never been a finished basement but the water didn't really help and two of the walls where the water had rushed in were damaged.



And so, in the summer of 2011 we had our house lifted and rebuilt the basement.



And finally, over a year later, it is, for the most part, done!



Join me for a tour!



These over-sized scrabble letters set the tone for a fun, family focussed rec room.
The shelf is from Ikea.  We laid it on its side and added castors.  In a pinch it can double as extra seating.



Here we have the games area.  Our dvd's and board games are stored on the shelves.  I stained and varnished this $15 table that I bought from Kijiji.  It's nice to have a spot to play games or to do puzzles.



We can't decide if air hockey or ping pong should live here.
Votes?



This is our entertainment area.
All the video games are in boxes and the controllers are tucked in the baskets.
I know I've already gushed about it but I'll tell ya again...I adore that my husband hid the cords so beautifully!!!



We all enjoy our little kitchen.



These are my World Market stools that we dragged home from Seattle.



The backsplash is chalkboard so we can write fun notes to each other.



I LOVE a checkerboard floor.  LOOOOOVE.
This is one of my most favourite things in our whole house.
See how my thrifted metal baskets have found a home?



We got a cozy new sectional that all 6 of us can fit on.
No more sqashing into our double bed for movies!
Now, I am dying to be laying out pretty blankets and pillows, but I've decided that in fairness to the kids, this should not become a space that belongs to me and has to look a certain way to please my tastes.  It's not fun for a kid to have to keep fluffing pillows and refolding blankets.  So instead we have one blanket for each family member stuffed into the ottoman.  Clean up takes seconds.



My dream was to have a tin ceiling.  However, my dream was crazy expensive.  I am thrilled with the second place and far less expensive bead board panels.



The curtains are from Target...cut apart and hemmed.  Two curtains covered four windows with some extra left over.  The curtain hangers are Ikea.



I chose these doors to tie in with the bead board on the cupboards and ceiling.  And the knobs are so much fun!  Love this shape.






















I put some fun vinyl wall words on the way down the stairs,



along with the kids' school photos and their little hand tracings.


We are so thrilled to have this amazing new space to play and relax and hang out with family and friends.  It has been a looooong journey but the end results were worth it.
Thank-you Daddy (Dino) for your endless hard work!