meet Betty

Oh, I am giddy with excitement to introduce you to the newest member of the Snider clan!  Meet Betty! 

She's a beauty!  Gleaming white with hints of turquoise and grey, and a fancy schmancy basket to carry all my goodies to and from the market down the country lanes.  Ok...may be pushing that last little bit, but a girl can dream right! 

Let me explain how Betty came to be my newest bestie.  It was the day before Mother's Day, and Maelle and I were in Ontario.  We Skyped with Brent and the rest of my clan, and they wanted to give me my Mother's Day gift via Skype.  Enter lots of giggles and running around at their end.  So....once the kids settled down, they each held up part of a sign.  The first part: "YOU PICK", then the second part: "THE BASKET."  They had me.  No clue at all.  Enter more running around.  The computer was then relocated to part of the yard facing the fence.  Enter confused me.  "Ready?" they yelled.  After my confused "ok", the computer spun around......and there she was!  I nearly fell off my seat!  I have wanted a Cruiser bike FOREVER!  And now....thanks to the bestest hubby in the whole world.....I have one! 

Betty and I....well, I think we are going to get along just fine!  Cheers! 

slip slidin' away

Their expressions say it all!  The water is cold....this is fun....I am so doing it again!  Although, I think it was more of "this water is cold!".  Sort of a summer day, not bad for May, and it prompted a bit of fun in the backyard.   Thanks to daddy for setting up the pool at the bottom of the playset slide!  Huge hit!  Looking forward to much more of the same...that is, once this rain stops! 

hello Ontario

And off we go!  Maelle and I were on our way bright and early for a week long adventure in Ontario!  There were adventures to places old and new, visits with family and friends, along with some "good ole' r and r" just chillin' out in Grandma and Grandpa's beautiful backyard.  Time always goes way too fast, as with any holiday I suppose, but we took full advantage of our time, and made the most of the days we had. 

First stop....a little bit of pottery painting with Grandma Werkman!  This could become quite an addictive hobby I must say!  Can't wait to see the final results! 

A chilly (holy cow was it a cool one) visit to my favourite farmer's market in St. Jacobs.  Blown away (literally) by the amazing selection of flowers and produce, breads and treats, juices and jams.  If only the weather had just been a little bit warmer!  Brrrrr.....   

The Ontario Science Centre was a huge hit with Maelle.  Spending the day doing experiments, and being in an environment that is entirely hands-on was awesome.  I think the best part was getting Maelle's hair to literally stand on end during one of the electricity demo's! 

The water zone was likely a close second....as I am not sure who had more fun here....Maelle, or Grandpa Werkman!  I think I need to figure out a way to reconstruct this idea for the backyard for the kids this summer!  How hard could it be?! 

Thank you to Auntie Heather for being able to spend a day with Maelle and I, touring around some pretty fun shopping spots in Brantford.  The cutest little store ever, that was chalk full of many treasures I would have loved to have brought home - next time bring a bigger bag! A used bookstore (twist my arm!), and an awesome little cafe for lunch, followed by a trip to "Yogurty's" for dessert.   

Maelle made a new friend (well - three in total) in Grandma Werkman's backyard.  This little fella and all of his buddies were extremely well looked after during the duration of our stay.   

A visit with Nana allowed us to capture a four generation photo - of which I am very grateful and will surely treasure.  Wishing Papa a speedy recovery too - get well soon Papa!

And then....just like that, it was time to head for home.  A fantastic week spent with family, full of visits and adventures.   

Visiting Ontario is always fun, and the old saying "there is no place like home" definitely holds true.  Thank you to everyone for your amazing hospitality!  

sun, soccer, & sillies!

I tell ya....when that sun finally decides to come out and those temperatures start to warm up....the sillies and soccer are not far behind!  This week started out rainy (and yes, there was snow!) and cold and very typical for the start of the soccer season, having the first two days "snowed" out.  But....there was a light (literally) on the horizon!  Today we saw temps in the mid-twenties (yes!) and the beginning of the soccer season for Aidan and Bree and Jenna.  Maelle managed to get a game in on Wednesday and would you believe that I forgot my camera?  Egads!  Shocker!  I made up for it yesterday and today, snapping pics of the two silliest of my crew, and a bunch from Bree and Jenna's soccer game.  And speaking of snapping photos....guess who is getting behind the camera as of late to take some shots of her own?  Maelle!  See one of the best shots of the day taken by Maelle, below!  Awesome!

 

 

 

This is it!  This next shot is all Maelle! 

 

 

See that blue sky?  Yay!  We spent the entire day outside today.  Aside from soccer, we played in the yard, went to the garden centre, and ate all meals on the deck.  Hello nice weather!  And the best part....we get to do it all again tomorrow! Woot!  Woot!