Monkey Bar Gym

As part of my transformation and in an effort to step up my fitness to be more than my Bikram yoga and treadmill work, I decided to join a local gym. I opted against Gold's Gym and the Y for something a little more intense. After doing some research, I visited Monkey Bar Gym Montreal. After my first visit, I knew it was the place for me to up my fitness level. http://monkeybargymmontreal.com/ or http://monkeybargym.com/ 3 1/2 years is way too long for me to be trying to lose the pregnancy weight and I need to get rid of it once and for all! 2 weeks into the crazy training and I am feeling great! Check out this video clip of some of the things we do in the classes...totally intense, but so amazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkUPoP4b3QM&feature=player_embedded

Bedtime Stories

A few weeks ago, Arabella started talking with Grammie on the phone at bedtime. The calls then progressed into singing bedtime lullabies and Grammie telling her stories. Arabella has even asked to call Grammie when we are getting into bed and as soon as my Mom answers the phone, Arabella says, "Don't you want to read to me, Grammie?" It is the sweetest thing, no wonder my Mom can't say no! So when this started to become a regular part of our routine, Grammie pulled out a few books that she has kept that were mine and Mike's growing up. Arabella loved listening and would ask for more and more. So when Arabella asked to go to the library this week, I had an idea. We could pick out a few books and then Grammie could go to her library and check out the same ones so we could follow along when she was reading. Genius idea! We checked out Purplicous, a few Fancy Nancy and Curious George books and even some in French...which Grammie couldn't get at her library...but that's OK, Jay has been reading those to her...and then Grammie checked out the same books from her library in Florida. For the past few nights, Grammie has been having bedtime story duty and Arabella loves to follow along in the books. Thanks Grammie for starting a new cherished bedtime tradition, it sure is special.

Shopping or School??

This morning, we had room duty day at preschool with Arabella. Since Jay isn't traveling this week, we switched things up so he could join her at school today. She was so excited...it was the cutest thing when she came into our room this morning...it was all the she could talk about...it was her special day and Dad was going to go with her this time. This month they also started show-n-tell on your special day so this was the first time she actually got to bring an item with her. She wanted to bring in Rapunzel, Flynn Rider and Maximus (the dolls that Santa brought her at Christmas) for show-n-tell. I didn't want them to get lost in her backpack so we put them in a shopping bag for her. After she dressed herself...which is a big thing for her...she has to do it all alone and will ask for your help if she wants or needs it...she threw the bag over her arm and away she went. She looks just like a pro-shopper...wonder where she got that from!?!?!?

Lululemon Warehouse Sale Haul

I never knew the cult following that Lululemon had before we moved to Montreal. Sure I had purchased a pair of the cropped workout pants when we first moved to Ohio and at the time thought I was crazy for spending the $50 or so on them, but after wearing them to workout in a few times, I realized how great they were. They washed well, held their shape, looked great on, didn't fade and even made it through me being pregnant with Arabella and then afterwards. And to this day, almost 6 years after purchasing them and wearing the heck out of them - they still look pretty darn good!

I remember being excited when we moved her to find out that our mall had a store in it. But then reality set in, how could I justify the $98 for a pair of yoga pants when I wasn't working. Or even the $50 for a sports bra...they are the best I have worn and when you are endowed like I am, you need something to keep them in place while running or working out...but still. So I would resort to buying items here and there when they would be on sale. At one point, Jay even looked into purchasing their stock since it seems like everyone here has their regular wardrobe and then their Lulu wardrobe! Literally, there is a Lululemon fashion show each day at our pool in the summer - I swear there is more Lulu on the pool deck than in the store at our mall, seriously! When Jay saw that he missed the IPO and what the stock is sitting at now, roughly $61 vs. the $10 IPO in 2007, http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/lulu - he knew he missed the boat!

But in all honesty, as much as Jay can't believe that I would spend that much money on workout clothes, I have to say they are worth every penny. So when I saw that Lulu was having their once yearly warehouse sale in Ottawa, I knew I had to go. And when I heard that the prices were amazing and that they would be restocking throughout the weekend, it made my decision to go even easier. So instead of getting up at the crack of dawn on Saturday, I left at 8 am with Emily, Arabella's babysitter, and we made the less than 2 hour drive to Ottawa. (A whole bunch of my friends were going to go, but we just couldn't all coordinate our schedules...some went Friday and stood in line for 3-4 hours just to get into the sale....and others went on Sunday when the selection wasn't as great but the prices were the lowest.) Emily and I wait about 2 hours to get into the sale - which was very well organized, they only let a few people in at a time and the clothes were all hung on rolling racks in size order - and then we spent about 1 1/2 hours browsing the selection. It was nice as they kept bringing out new stock throughout the time we were in the sale. We had to wait again to check out, but I think it was totally worth it. I was able to get some new pants and tops and a special edition hoodie that I have been drooling over for the longest time (it retailed for $148 but I get it for less than half price) and I also picked up a few cute things for Arabella from the girls line that Lulu just recently came out with - Ivivva - for her gymnastics. Needless to say, she loved them all and was super excited. (Jay on the other hand, rolled his eyes - like mother like daughter - but was happy with the price I paid for each piece - $9 for the pants, $24 for the hoodie!)

So here is my haul...

Arabella's haul!
She got right to monkeying around and loved doing a fashion show for Jay of everything I scored for her!
A also scored a new Sigg water bottle for $9, a free scarf, a hat for running and a great tote bag!
My special edition Scuba hoodie! I love it!
The rest of my haul!

I actually can't wait for the sale next January, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that they hold it here in Montreal. For those of you in the US, they are having the only US warehouse sale this weekend in Chicago! Now all I have to do is go through my old workout clothes to make room for the new...

Martha Moment

I love to change out the decor in my apothecary jars that sit on the ledge in my kitchen with each season or holiday. They had been sitting empty since I took down the Christmas decorations and I wasn't too sure what to do for Valentine's Day. So yesterday, Arabella and I went to Bulk Barn to pick up a few things and when I was there, inspiration struck. The jars before...

And after....

All it took was about $5 in bulk candy. I would have done all the same color scheme, but Arabella wanted to help pick out the candy so this is what we ended up with. She even helped put the candy in the jars when we got home!

And what is even better about the decorations, as delicious as they look, we picked candy that I don't eat at all! And because it isn't chocolate, Arabella isn't too interested in trying it out either!

Fabulous Find

Today is garbage day and as I was driving down our street to go to the gym, I had to swerve to not hit some of the garbage that had been blown into the road. Now I wouldn't usually do what I did next - I turned the car around and I went back. I don't like to take things out of the garbage, but what I saw was too good to be true....

and it is in great condition. I have been wanting to get one for Arabella for a long time, but they are just so expensive! But hey, when it is free and all I had to do was wipe it down, I had to bring it home. I knew Arabella was going to love it. Within 15 minutes of setting it up in her playroom, she was already drawing on the chalkboard!


PS - I made it to the gym on time even after my little U-turn!

Now That Is Thinking?!?!

As I was cleaning up the memory card on my camera today, I came across this picture:
and I almost fell off my desk chair! Jay must have taken this picture and not told me about it...good thing because I can't believe she actually did that. I mean that is one way to get your backpack down off of the hook, but so not safe! A chair upon a chair - looks like something from the circus! It is so hard to get her to realise (OMG - I did it again - I am spelling things the French/UK English way....realise...but in the US it is realize...right?) that she is going to get hurt and we can't turn our back for a second! Good thing I have those eye's in the back of my head like my Mom does!

Thursday's Thoughts

Hearing: The plow trucks clearing and pushing the snow back off the roads.

Tasting: Water - I am needing to rehydrate after this morning's workout.

Seeing: The beautiful bloom of my orchid plant. And there are more on the way.


Smelling: Nothing...I have a very stuffy nose!

Feeling: Sore, but in a very, very good way! I have been back on track with working out and recently joined a new gym - Money Bar Gym Montreal - and I love it. I love that painful but in a good way feeling in my muscles!

Fire Station Field Trip

Yesterday, Arabella and I joined her class on a field trip to the Pincourt Fire Station. The week before in school, the theme was Safety, and they learned all about the fire department, police and paramedics. She also learned that she is supposed to call 911 if Jay and I are hurt and do not respond to her...pretty good for a 3 1/2 year old! At first she was a little scared when we got there, I mean who wouldn't be, those trucks are really big. But very quickly she got over the fear and loved it. They also did a presentation on fire safety and other hazards around the house which really helped the kids to learn what is safe to do and what isn't.

After that, it was time to head into the station and help one of the firefighters get dressed. The kids had fun trying to decide what order he should get dressed in.


And when he was finished getting fully dressed, with even the oxygen mask on, he got down on the kid's level. He did this so they wouldn't be scared, because it is kind of scary, and so that if there is ever an instance where there is a fire, they would know that the firemen would be down low like that looking for them and that it would be OK for them to go to the firemen. I really liked that they did that.

The kids also got to climb into one of the trucks. They thought it was the coolest thing even and loved it!


Before we knew it, it was time for snacks and then to go home. Arabella loved the snack...timbits...and today at school, they asked each child what was their favorite part of the field trip and she said "Timbits"!! Such a silly girl! Before we went home, the firemen gave her an activity book and a red fire hat (I remember getting the same one when the firemen visited my elementary school growing up - funny how some things never change!). It was a fun morning and I am so happy that I am able to do these things with her.

Snow Much Fun

On Saturday, when it had finally stopped snowing, we bundled up in many, many, many layers and went out to play in the snow. Jay and I took turns shoveling the walks and then we had fun making snow angels and just being silly. It was very cold so we had to keep moving and make sure we stayed bundled up. It was a great morning and we had a yummy lunch when we came in from the cold. I am so happy that Arabella loves playing in the snow...otherwise we would be totally housebound in the winter here and that would not be fun at all! If anyone wants to come and visit and play in the snow, let us know!



My little tree hugger!

I love the design in the snow...it reminds me of the sand bars at the beach growing up.

Winter Wonderland

It started snowing yesterday morning and it has been snowing - sometimes heavy, sometimes light, with a little ice mixed in - ever since. We are supposed to get more snow and ice thru today...Jay is traveling home from Nova Scotia today and I am willing to bet there will be delays and/or cancellations with his flight!

Yesterday, when Arabella woke up from her nap, we bundled up and went out to play in the snow. We didn't last too long - it was pretty cold and windy - if it hadn't been windy, we would have played longer. We did have fun during the time we were out - we trekked around the yard and made snow angels.


It was so pretty out and I love the snow on the boxwood bushes...although they are usually covered in burlap so they don't get buried and frost bitten, but our landlord decided not to cover them this year...I sure hope they make it through the winter.


I love these rosy cheeks on Arabella from playing out in the snow...she is my little snow angel...she loves to be outside playing in it. I would love to take her out now, but it is icing out so it really isn't the best play weather...

I had to go out and shovel the walk this morning before the ice and sleet and then more snow made it too heavy. It was so quiet out, very cold and beautiful. I am happy we finally have snow on the ground!

A Little Snow

Last week, we had just a wee bit of snow. Arabella was still on preschool break and we needed some fresh air so we bundled up and decided to go for a walk...well I walked and she rode in her too small sled! It was pretty cold out, but it was nice to see everything covered in the fresh snow. It is strange to see so little snow on the ground and each time we get even the slightest bit, we try to get out in it.
She was tired before we even got out the door from getting bundled up and plopped down on the floor!
They are predicting snow for tomorrow...possibly 5 to 8 inches...we are keeping our fingers crossed as it is much better to get the snow now than in April or dare I say May!

Letters

Arabella has been practicing writing her letters. When we wrote our Christmas thank you notes, she decided to practice her letters instead of drawing pictures. She did a great job, keep up the great work!

Bedtime Stories With Grammie

For the past 2 nights, Arabella has read stories with Grammie at bedtime. One of the books that she loves to read is "Birds In My Drawer" - a fun rhyming ABC book - that was mine when I was little. She knows all the rhymes that correspond with each letter and when she reads them at the end of each rhyme, she says "That's silly Grammie" and laughs! I am amazed that she knows almost every word to each rhyme. Way to go, Little Bean. I loved listening to her and Grammie talking, reading and singing to each other tonight - good thing we have speakerphone - Arabella was even teaching Grammie words in French tonight!

I Can Fix It

Yesterday, the faucet on one of the sinks in Arabella's bathroom sprung a leak. So after dinner she and Jay decided they would try and fix it. It wasn't long before they figured out the problem and had the faucet back in working order. Great job Dad and Arabella!

Shades of Winter???

Once again, when I woke up this morning and looked outside, not much had changed. It was partly sunny and the snow patches on the grass and ice on the driveway looked more like March 4th (or in our case in Canada April or May 4th!) than January 4th.

It has been bitter cold out, almost too cold to go outside and then there is not too much to do since there isn't snow...but today I had had enough of being house bound. Arabella is still on school break this week and I needed some fresh air (hopefully it might help kick this cold I have). So after the 15 minute process of getting suited up to brave the cold, we finally made it outside. It was cold, the type of cold where the inside of your nose freezes, but we (or rather I) decided we were going to at least take a walk or play around on the ice rink that is our driveway!

We made it to the park and Arabella was excited to see that there were hockey players on the rink. We watched for a few minutes then she played on another little ice rink. She wanted to skate but I didn't bring her skates or hockey helmet...oops...I just really wanted to go for a walk. I think we may do that tomorrow morning. She did have fun playing or rather slipping around on the ice and then we played on the playground for a little bit before coming home for lunch.


At least we both got some fresh air and she is napping now. Trying to get her back on her schedule has been tough to say the least - I am scared for what next week will bring when she goes back to school! And now looking outside, I see little tiny snow flakes falling...I am keeping my fingers crossed that it adds up to more than a little dusting - it is January after all! But it also makes me think about what Mother Nature has hiding up her sleeve!

Vision Board

Instead of creating New Year's Resolution, I have decided to call the things that I could like to accomplish: Transformation. I've never really like the idea of Resolutions and they always seem to be something that get broken or fall to the wayside by February 1st. Instead, a transformation is more of a process, something that is worked on over time. It also seems happy, hopeful and not restrictive. That way if a Resolution is not completed, I don't see it as a failure, but rather a step in the right direction. As part of my 2012 transformation, I created a vision board with pictures and sayings that have meaning to me. For those of you not familiar with what a vision board is, the idea is simple. It is usually a poster board on which you paste or collage images and sayings that you’ve torn out from various magazines, found online or photos you have taken yourself. It really is easy.

The premise behind a vision board is that when you surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, what you would like for a job or where you want to go on holiday, your life changes to match those images and those desires. I know, some of you might think this sounds crazy, but I believe it works. So I think it is worth a try.

Here is my finished version:


I'll keep you posted throughout the year on the progress of my Transformation! I can't wait to see what happens, can you?

Happy New Year - Welcome 2012!!!!

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” -- Edith Lovejoy Pierce


Last night we were supposed to attend a party (with kids) at a friends house, but due to sickness all around, it was cancelled so we spent a low key evening at home. Arabella decided she was tired and went to bed early, but later than normal, but she still couldn't sleep. So I got her out of bed and let her watch Dick Clark's Rockin New Year's Eve with me on the couch. She asked to go to Times Square - and speaking from experience - she has to wait at least 15 more years to go. (Jay and I went on New Years Eve 2005 and it was such an amazing experience - the energy is magnetic and as much as I would do it again, I can also say been there, done that!) Arabella loved seeing Lady Gaga on the show and danced all over the living room

And then after the countdown and ball drop, we went up to bed! As much as we would have loved to be with friends, there is something nice about spending New Years Eve at home. I don't think we would have changed a thing!

We hope that everyone had a healthy, happy and prosperous 2012!! May this New Year bring about transformation and opportunity! I look forward to what 2012 holds for me and my family.

PS - Happy Birthday Uncle Bill! I wish we could be there to celebrate with you, enjoy your day!