The MacLeodZoo

Countdown to starting my Diet again!! I didn't mind being on Atkins last time - I found it easy to follow and loved eating meats and cheeses! I'm SO excited to buy new clothes for our upcoming Vegas trip!!!!

Do you take your kiddos to the mall to see Santa? I went last year and Lauren hated him! Dylan was okay - he didn't love him, but didn't run away crying. Lauren wouldn't stop screaming so I just said "take the pic" there she was with big tears and an arched back. Fun times. This year, she calls him "hoho" and if he gives her a candy cane - she'll be his!

So we're planning our great 2009 Vegas Adventure for March of next year and I am SO excited! I know last year, once Christmas was over - March came SO fast for me! It wasn't long before I was sitting on the sunny tarmac in Toronto just waiting for takeoff, and I do mean waiting - there was a mechanical issue. I look forward to going this year because Gary is coming with me! There's so many things I didn't get to do last year that I plan on doing this year, and it's even better because I know my way around Vegas!!! So what do YOU like in Vegas?

I'm always thinking about what I'm going to do once the kiddos are older and don't need me so much!! I know I'll still be doing Passion Parties but I want something to keep me busy when I'm not busy with that! I know for a while, I'm going to catch up on sleep, go shopping on a whim, maybe even take a vacation in a hot tropical place! Ideally, I'd love to go back to doula work, take some LC courses! Options, options. So what are you going to do when you are grown up?

We took the kiddos to see the Santa Claus Parade yesterday and had a great time! It was kind of chilly - but we had Timmies hot chocolate to keep us warm! The pictures I took didn't turn out, the subjects wouldn't sit still!!! But the kiddos and their cousins had a great time watching the floats all lit up!!! Certainly got us in the Christmas spirit (and the sugar high from all the candy given out!)

We had our first snowfall of the year this past week - I think about 5cms but the kiddos thought it was great, they were outside in their gear making forts and snow angels!!! They love to go outside at night and play, while I shovel snow and clean off the cars! Do your kiddos like playing outside? Mine last about 20 minutes before they ask to come back in!

Today James would have been 7 years old today - you can see his memorial website here

This one is SUPER easy too! I plan on making some of these to share!!! Easy Chocolate Truffles 2/3 cup of heavy cream 1/4 cup of butter 1 and 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (milk, dark, white, peanut butter chips - your choice!) 1 Tbp of vanilla extract Bring cream to simmer, melt in butter. Remove from Heat, Stir in chips until melted. Add Vanilla and stir, Pour into bowl. Lick the pot. And the spoon. And any drippings. Put in fridge for at least 4 hours. Roll them up. Lick everything with chocolate on it. Add sprinkles, if desired. Refrigerate. You can make this with liquor as well.

So my Mom's group is having a Christmas party and treat swap next week - I have to make 11 dozen of something to swap with other members!!! Here's my contribution! 2 Cups Chocolate Chips 1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk 2tbsp Butte 2tsp vanilla 2 cups peanuts 1.5 cups mini marshmallows Melt together chips, butter & milk (microwave is good because it doesn't burn and it's faster) Stir in vanilla & nuts Cool to lukewarm and fold in marshmallows Pour into 9 X 13 pan lined with saran wrap Cool & store in fridge

I thought I'd share a couple of my favourite blog entires - it's been just over 4 years now since I've been blogging on here - so I have a few to share! Newborn Pics of Lauren Thankful 2006 - wonder why I didn't do it last year?

Do you diet? What works for you? Beginning December 1st, I'm starting back on Atkins - I had some great luck with it in the past - but then I got pregnant with Dylan and gave up! I'm slowly making modifications - no junk food buying (sorry Gary!) we stashed the Halloween candy up high so I won't be tempted - I already drink diet pop and don't mind it so much. So what works for you? I'm excited to start a new workout routine, walking doesn't work well for me!

Just wondering what you would like this year - I'm a dreamer, so I'd like things that I know won't happen any time this year! LOL *New Floors *Front Porch *Tassimo Coffeemaker *Painted Walls *Deep Fryer *New Wall Family Frame *New Bed *Money for Vegas *SJP Lovely Perfume *Jeans

Are you loyal to one brand? Do you shop around? What is your must have, fave product?? Bare Naturale is my fave powder foundation! I'm currently on the hunt for amazing concealer and a new mascara - any suggestions?

Today is a super busy day - the boys have to get their hair cut, Dylan has a speech assessment, then we have swimming and Gary is in to work 4 hours earlier than normal! Somewhere in there - hopefully I can grocery shop! I was right, sickness swept through our house - I'm anticipating a few more cases of the pukies this weekend.

What are your children asking for this year? The boys are hard at work on lists to send to Santa! Both of them have their top 5 items - luckily I hear Santa has the same things on HIS list to make them!! I gave them the Sears Wishbook and let them loose!! Since we're planning Vegas and a trip to a resort in July, Santa will be excercising his budget this year for the MacLeod Family!

Both of my daycare kiddos are home sick today - the boys aren't feeling too great either! Hopefully it goes through our house quickly and I can sanitize before Monday!! I'm all stuffed up, but thankfully I don't feel sick - here's a big knock on wood to a painless Flu!

Today, the 11th month, 11th day - at the 11th hour and minute we will have 60 seconds of silence to remember those who defend our country - thank you. In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. — Lt.-Col. John McCrae

We took the kiddos there yesterday with my cousin and his family. Since we normally go on weekday mornings - it was loud, crowded and did I mention, loud? The kids had a great time - we were there for almost 3 hours and I was SO ready to come home to the quietness of our home, did I just say that?

Hubby's best friend was married yesterday - beautiful wedding and bride!! I didn't take any photos, which is a shame since hubby was the best man and was all dressed up! It was so much FUN to get away from the kiddos for a few hours, I shopped downtown in the morning - I don't miss the crowds one bit! We have most of the same stores out here in Durham with about 1/4 of the people walking around!

While Halloween is a ton of fun, we also celebrate Ryan's birthday and it's tough to keep it "special" for him without it being rushed. My cousin, Doug came up with his wifey and the boys - we ordered pizza and loaded the kids with cake before heading out! You can see the photos here

When I'm in a bad mood - I visit this website , which makes me a much happier person! Here's some of my faves this week!

Amazing. Kevin and I have been following his campaign, and although we are Canadian - they understand the impact that the US President has on our country. I asked Kevin what kids said at school yesterday (Gr 4) and he said many were excited because he was a "cool" guy, ha. But also that he was a black president, and until now, they didn't allow that! Ryan is 2yrs younger and while he knows the name and what a president does - he wasn't too interested. Kevin had some facts, like Ellen made them a Dog House, he gets his "award" in January and he has two daughters. Who says kids don't pay attention!

Our labour day visit to the CNE!

Our visit to the Lodge 2008!

First Day of School 2008

Like I said yesterday, I have SO much updating to do!!! I've been slacking in the blogging area and was recently spanked by Peggy for not keeping it updated! So every day, I will do a "back" update and link it here for you to see! Today's was Lauren's birthday party in September

It's National Blog Posting Month at http://www.nablopomo.com - 30 posts in 30 days - can I do it?? Of course I can - I have 3 months worth of updates to do! If you've just found me on the NaBloPoMo website - let me tell you a little bit about myself!! I'm a WAHM who has 4 children! You'll learn all about them - really soon! I've been with my husband for 14 years now and married for 9 of them! We survived the 7 year itch - will be interesting to see what this 14th year brings us. I'm a Mom who does it all - my kiddos are active in sports and school activities, I sit on the PTA - I also cook, clean and run a house of 6! If that isn't enough - like I said above I work from home! I used to run a full time home daycare with many children when my boys were younger - now it's down to a couple of part timers who are the same age as Lauren, I love having little people around, keeps me active and busy! In 2006 I started to do Passion Parties basically as a way t...