day 120

Made it just under the wire again. 

day 119

Flashback Friday (aka I didn't pick up my camera and take a picture today).  This is my boy, 5 years ago.  When I was going through April 2006's photos, to choose one for today - I fell in love with my baby boy all over again.  I love his perfectly round head, covered with blonde peach fuzz.   And, of course who can resist those baby blues.  It's amazing how quickly we forget certain things.  Sometimes, when you're in the midst of being a parent - things become a blur.  I guess, that is why I am thankful for pictures... and memories - they help us forget the craziness of parenthood and remember - in this case - the sweetness of infancy.

day 118

On our way home from school today, when the boy wasn't chasing my shadow, he picked me these beautiful flowers..

Then he spent the afternoon building and playing in his fort. He is definately a planner, that one.  (Don't know where he would get THAT from... heh heh).  At lunch he was telling me that he was going to have a secret hand shake and a song.  And it was for only boys named Jacob... later he added Drew.   Don't worry about me - I don't feel left out - really!

day 117

The boy's favourite snack. 

day 116

day 115

The newest member of our family... Pinky.  (to replace Rocky...may he rest in peace).  Isn't this Betta, beautiful?  I love his colouring.  

day 114

He is Risen, indeed!

day 113

Easter egg hunt #2.  Although my boy knows that everyone will get the same in the end... I think he is counting how many his cousins found...  Such a good boy, letting the little ones find lots.

day 112

How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss, The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One, Bring many sons to glory

Yesterday, in the car the boy and I were talking about the real reason for Easter.  And what a proud Mama I was, when he told me the Easter story.  But what made me smile the most was when he said to me.  Mommy, when I think about Easter and the cross... I feel sad.    I told him, that it's okay to be sad - it is a very sad thing to think about - but  reminded him to think about the wonderful thing that happened after Jesus died on the cross for us - He rose again - and for that we can celebrate!  I love these conversations with my 5 year old.

The boy and his cousins sneaking around trying to scope out the hidden Easter eggs...  (Auntie in Toronto, you should be proud of their sleuthing skills.)

day 111

day 110

So, the day is coming to an end and I have yet to take a picture.  It's dark and the boy is in bed.  Most of my indoor shots at this time turn out yellow...and then it hit me - the garage!  My husband has put in a lot of extra flourescent lighting - even the type that simulates daylight!  So here is a still life.  Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

day 109

So, this was my picture for today - the boy's Easter craft from school.

And then this happened.  The weather was so crazy today.  I was babysitting and it was beautiful...until, we went to pick up the boy from school - torrential down pour.  Then as soon as we walk in the door, I look outside and it is sunny and beautiful out.  Fine.  Later, in the afternoon we went to go to the park, because it was nice out.  I step outside and it starts to rain.  We played anyways, but then it started to pour and we ran inside.  Five minutes later... it snowed.  And five minutes after that?  Sunshine.  Crazy.

day 108

day 107

Oh, the inspiration was running at an all time low today... can you gusee what this is?

day 106

So, I was trying to get a picture of the new 'hair-do's' on my newly shorn men.   I will not tell you what the boy did to make them both laugh this way. ...sigh..boys.

day 105

day 104

goof.

day 103

Just call me Macgyver :)  This morning we, ahem I, forgot it was 'Crazy Hat Day' at school.  Although the boy wasn't completely distraught with the fact he didn't have a hat, I felt a little bad.  Anyways, as we were waiting for the bell to ring, I remembered that my dear husband didn't clean out his garbage from the back seat and left his newspaper there.  (yes, I drove today...boo to my messed up toe).  I quickly ran to the car, ripped out a couple of sheets of newpaper and folded them madly ... ta da, a hat!  The boy was pleased.   Phew.

day 102

Kids will be kids.  The new favourite thing to do at recess and after school?  Roll down the big (somewhat muddy) hill... However, I can not and will not complain.  Why, you might ask?  My sister and I spent a good chunk of our childhood do just that... rolling down our hill in our backyard.  Besides, mud and dirt is part of being a kid.

day 101

Homemade granola bars.  I am so happy with how these turned out (first time trying this particular recipe).  I am not sure if these would be cheaper than buying a box at the store, but they are probably better for you.

day 100

100 down, only 265 to go.  Seriously though, I am really enjoying this challenge.  I feel I am learning a lot.  There are some days where I love my photo (like today) and some days where I feel that it is sub-par, but that's all part of the journey, right?  I am particularly proud of this one, as I used manual focus for the first time.

day 99

I love it when a plan comes together...

We were able to start and finish a small gardening project, and it didn't cost us major moola - yay!  This is my small, pathetic attempt at a vegetable garden in my tiny backyard.  We added it pretty soon after we moved in, and so far we have successfully grown beans, chives and parsley...oh and my lovely peony is there too.   There are quite a few unsuccessful endeavors as it isn't the best location, but I won't list them.  We added (free) landscape ties, so it looks a bit tidier. 

And two minutes into our trip to Ikea this evening, this is what was in our back seat - I guess there was too much partying with his cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's house last night. :)

day 98

Is it weird that I like the look of peeling paint?...You might say, I find it appealing...

day 97

Okay, I'll warn you now - there are a few pictures today... I couldn't choose.  
Today, we definately needed some Mommy / Son time.  The sun was shining and the world was ours to explore.

An unintentional self portrait - but I'm kind of happy with it.   

Mmm...gelato...actually I think this was sorbetto...but yummy all the same!

day 96

Playing is serious business.  Especially when you are the hero and it is your job to protect the citizens of your city.

day 95

My boy at Ready to Read - Reader's Theatre.  I am so proud of how much he has learned.  One of the best things about being a Mommy to a five year old, is watching how much they soak in.

day 94

Glad I held this one back yesterday - today was a bit of a write-off.  Between torrential downpours for most of the day, and me feeling a little punchy - my camera did not make an appearance.  I love how the cherry blossoms look like lace against the sky.

day 93

My boy.

day 92

Today's job was to clean out the crawl space.  What a lot of work!  But what I was avoiding most was going through all of Jacob's baby stuff.  I think I went through 5 large rubbermaid bins, and ended up keeping only enough to fill one.  Oh, there were tears - I won't deny it.  My little baby is grwoing up.  He is no longer a wee 5 lb newborn.  He is 5 1/2 year old boy.  I think it was hard too, because it meant accepting that there are no more.  It's taken a long while, but I'm (we're) okay with this.  We're happy, the three of us.  And Jacob, well...he's the best gift I have ever been given and I thank God for him always.

day 91

He looks so peaceful... you would never know that he spent the evening running around a local kid's play centre with his friends from soccer.  You would never know that he hit the proverbial "wall" at about 8:00 and with an extremely rosy complexion, cried over his imminent departure....