Random Babblings

Who’s In Rabbit’s House?

Iva — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:22:00 +0000

Roxanna performed the starring role in her first school play this week. She seems to be quite the natural thespian. I think a stage-mom is born!

The Great Escape Artist

Iva — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:43:09 +0000

We (or more accurately, I) lost Oliver a total of four times so far this week and the week is not even over yet. He moves quick and quietly, and if you turn away for a second, he may be headed out on his own adventure.

Last night he left via the front door, to follow his friend Charolette home but got lost along his way ending up at our other neighbors. Before we were able to locate his whereabouts, I was having visions of issuing a missing persons report describing him as “last seen wearing a toy story shirt and nothing else”. So this morning when he ran away at the gym, that was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. It is time to institute monkey backpack lock down mode. If you saw last week’s episode of Modern Family, you will know what I mean. I call this temporary solution my “serenity now”….

A special mom’s day

Iva — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:05:06 +0000

Roxie treated me to some of her home-made organic spa treatments on mom’s day. It was surprisingly relaxing and always feels good to support a local small business entrepreneur. Facial and manicure inspired by “Fancy Nancy Oh-la-la! It’s Beauty Day”.

Is it just me, or is she looking at me a little like I’m Frankenstein’s monster?

A picture speaks a thousand words

Iva — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:55:57 +0000

This time last year we started to notice a reoccurring theme in Roxanna’s art work culminating in her series of tulip drawings; “tulips in the rain” followed by “more tulips in the rain”. Since then, we’ve downsized and moved to California where we just may have found the sunny side of the rainbow.

Eat, drink, shop.

Iva — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:53:58 +0000

T’was the theme of our weekend away.

Renee came to town for a long weekend to celebrate her 40th birthday. Which in itself is a mystery as to how this starting to happen to my high school friends when I don’t feel a day over 29. Well this morning I feel slightly hungover, so maybe not actually 29. Anyways we are putting the older and wiser motto to the test. I’m happy to be able to celebrate this milestone with a friend I’ve known for such a long time. Feels like vacation, thanks to the husbands who stayed at home looking after the kids. Touring the city and wine tasting in napa. And some more shopping and sight seeing today. Happy Birthday my friend.

Will the real Auntie Dana please stand up.

Iva — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:55:57 +0000

We enjoyed a warm and sunny weekend poolside. Well most of us, poor Colin stayed home with the flu and worked on the new house when he was feeling better. Meanwhile, the kids and I kept ourselves busy making up for 6+ years of limited access to natural sunlight.

In preparation for the summer months, I’ve been taking UV protection advice from my sister Dana who has lived in California much longer than we have. Some instructions have been provided verbally and others, like wearing scotch tape on your forehead as a safe alternative to Botox, are learned by observation. The recurring message, the best anti-wrinkle treatment is prevention. This is where donning a giant sun visor comes in. Although I’ve been reassured it’s a “sporty hip” personal fashion statement and all the cool people are wearing one this season, I can’t help but feel like we were channeling the Golden Girls. On top of this, our matching sun protection get up did create some minor whom-is-whom confusion amongst the children.

I am the one in the black sun visor and sunglasses.

Spring has sprung , shamrocks & leprechauns!

Iva — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:29:59 +0000

I am proud to say, we survived our first California winter! What I considered to be quite humorous at the beginning of the winter season, I quickly adapted to and joined the locals in wearing my down coat anytime the temperature threatened to dip below 15 degrees Celsius. Walking to school on those cold Canadian winters are becoming a distant memory. And although I am still somewhat traumatized by the long dark wet Seattle winters, I did face my weather demons head on and travelled north for a return visit to the Seattle area for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with friends.

Roxanna & Carson caught spring fever!

Celebrating Caroline’s 6^th birthday with old preschool pals!

Secret meeting of the future Queen’s University alumni club! (psst, don’t tell Kevin. He still thinks they are going to McGill.)

Oh and before we even left Palo Alto, we bought a house on the way to the airport. Colin has yet to actually step inside but no time to spare in the competitive Silicon Valley real estate market. Our move, the sequel, Time to get packing… again.

A Very Merry California Chrismukkah

Iva — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:15:38 +0000

Rewind five months ago to the month of July. We were still waiting for summer to arrive to the Seattle area when through a twist of fate, wishful thinking, the law of attraction, an opportunity arose for us to move Colin’s job and our family to the warmer techie climate of Silicon Valley. We put the house up for sale, packed our bags & animals and moved to Palo Alto, CA. Soon old friends would follow, also leaving WA in search of a sunnier place in the south bay area to call home.

Fast forward to December, just barely settled into our new routine, Christmas was upon us. There would be no snow this year but lots of family and friends, good food and gifts for sharing. We closed out a wonderful day with desserts a plenty and the lighting of Hanukkah candles.

A merry Chrismukkah to all and to all a good night! Well, almost all… yuletide teething is now a holiday tradition in our family. Now on to a new year and new adventures discovering this new place we call home. Happy Holidays to all and all the best for the New Year!

I’m an honorary Yankee Doodle Dandy and I like it!

Iva — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 21:13:05 +0000

Participated in our first 4th of July kids parade today. The whole family dressed the part. Met up with friends to bike and walk the route, giving out candies to kids in the crowd. Free candy, a reoccurring theme in my life.

Home now to rest until this evening’s activities, where I will be debuting a new recipe… vegan jello shooters. oh say can you see, by the dawn’s early light…

a quick look back at the month of June

Iva — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 21:36:01 +0000

June was an exceptionally busy month for our family with many special family celebrations, gatherings and events taking place.

June marked the official end of preschool for Roxie, who will be starting Kindergarten in the fall. Our lil dancing queen put on a great performance to a sold out crowd at her ballet recital.

And the month ended with Oliver turning 2 and sleeping through the night once again (knock on wood).

With the the warmer weather upon us, summer begins.

Let me tell you a thing or two…

Iva — Tue, 24 May 2011 19:59:06 +0000

about elephants. Roxie recently completed and presented her first official project for preschool. So proud of our little girl, she did such a great job and we even learned a thing or two about elephants from her in the process. Just the beginning of her journey.

Note to self:

Iva — Tue, 17 May 2011 20:25:58 +0000

Don’t throw dog toys in the house.

How to save money shopping at Costco

Iva — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 05:39:23 +0000

Drive a VW Beetle.

Girls’ night away!

Iva — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:19:00 +0000

Our first girls’ night away consisted of a little shopping, a little exercise, and over $8 worth of candy (each!) from the Sweet Factory, all followed up by Pinkabella Cupcakes. My only regret is that we ran out of room for frozen yogurt.

As for the rest of our weekend away, what happens in Bellevue stays in Bellevue.

Our Latest Pillow Pet

Iva — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 22:41:14 +0000

It’s a pillow and it’s a pet. It’s a pillow pet.

The ultimate in cuddly companionship.