8 Things Thursday - Thankful

In honour of my American friends celebrating Thanksgiving, my 8 things are things I am thankful for! I know we don't need a holiday to realize it, but it is nice to post it every once in a while. Say it out loud!

I am thankful for my amazing family - blood and extended - for their unconditional love and support.

I am thankful for two-way friendships. The kind where you know you will be there for your friend in a heartbeat and know that they will do the exact same.

I am thankful for being able to use my arm better than was expected.

I am thankful for Rhonda's brownies.

I am thankful for being able to speak freely.

I am thankful for stretchy pants. After eating Rhonda's Brownies, I really need them.

I am thankful for the land of internet, where I can connect with friends - old and new!

I am thankful for my scrapbooking to give me a creative outlet, to learn and document everything that I am thankful for!

Thank YOU for being here with me.
Much love

For my American Friends

Wishing you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. We all have so much to be thankful for. Sending you much love, Char.

I gotta feeling....

whoooooohooooo.......this was so brilliant. Loved it!

11th Month, 11th Day, 11th Hour

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.

Nightly Ritual

This has become a nightly ritual for Jonah and Daddy:

First Jonah climbs up Daddys back. Daddy of course will wiggle to make it difficult.


Once he gets up on Daddy's back, he "belly surfs" and tries to not fall off.

After the bellysurf, Daddy makes a back slide and Jonah slides into bed!

No wonder Sean has a bad back!

But it is worth the smiles!

Hallowe'en Fun - times two!

Jonah is right into his Transformer Stage. Naturally, the costume choice this year would be all about this stage. His first pick was Optimus Prime, but we could not get one that would fit my very tall 6 year old. We settled with Megatron along with his blaster of course.

Jonah's class did a Hallowe'en party where they all got to dress up. They of course had some rules for safety. No masks, no props, no weapons. So much for dressing up as Megatron for school. To make it easy, we bought a cape and some face paint - voila! Count Jonahcula!
Of course he was thrilled to get to have two costumes this year. What 6 year old boy wouldn't?

What did your kids dress up as??

Hope you all enjoyed your Hallowe'en!

Knox Pumpkin Farm

One of my favourite things about Fall is heading out to the pumpkin patch. This year we went to a new farm - well, new to us - called Knox Family Farm. My friend Stacey (who is a frequent commenter here ;o) ) recommended it. I am so glad she did!
The weather was beautiful, the animals were out and there were still lots of pumpkins to choose from! Good ones! We enjoyed candy apples, horse ride, wagon ride to the patch, a tire swing - remember tire swings?? We will definately be back.

Here are some photos from our wonderful family day!

Altered Hand Soap

This is a bottle of Purel Antibacterial Soap that I altered during the Seasons Class at Feeling Scrappy. I had made it for Jonah's class, but I did not know that they are not allowed to use this soap because of the kids putting their hands in their mouth! Alcohol content is too high. Sigh.

So we are enjoying it at home!

Thanks Feeling Scrappy for a great class!

ED: My links do not appear to be showing. Please check out Feeling Scrappy at http://feelingscrappyclasses.blogspot.com

Happy Hallowe'en!

H1N1 Vaccine - yes or no?

There have been many, I mean MANY discussions in our house on whether or not we should take the H1N1 vaccine. I admit I have never been one to get the regular flu shot. I never saw the point. It doesn't cover all threads of the virus and the chances of you getting the flu are still pretty high.

Swine flu is a whole different level. The WHO is declaring it the next pandemic. That right there is enough to get people into panic mode. My main concern is that they have no idea what the long term, or even short term effects of taking this vaccine are. Sure, it may prevent the virus, but what if the effects of taking it are much more worse than getting the flu itself??

Add to this the tragic story of the 13 year old, healthy, athletic boy who died 2 days ago from H1N1. There are people who I know who were "on the fence" with me about getting the vaccine. The death of this boy has pushed many of them off the fence and they are on their way to stand in line for the vaccine. Even if they do not "qualify" for it right now.

My main concern, of course, is Jonah. Am I a bad mother for not vaccinating him? Will I be a bad mother if I DO get him vaccinated and he ends up with some kind of long term effect? I just do not trust how quickly this has been approved without the research to support what effects, if any, there are.

I am curious on how others feel about this. Will you get the H1N1 vaccine? Are you doubting it? Would love to hear your thoughts!