Flashback

I love projects.

OK, well that isn't exactly true. I love to think up projects and I love to start projects...finishing them not so much (I won't even show you the pathetic job on my basement - that last project I posted). But yet I keep starting them and I have embarked on the mother of all projects (didn't I say that about the basement?).

About a month ago, on a random website I found an ad for a slide to digital converter. I thought, hmmmm, my parents have THOUSANDS of slides perhaps I should convert them to a digital format to preserve the memories forever. So I ran the idea by Raif who informed me that we could actually do it with our current printer so my parents brought me a couple of test slides over Christmas and I spent an evening getting cozy with my printer and voila.....

Yes, that is me at the ripe old age of 1. Apparently the converter works so in February, the next time they return, my parents are going to lug my entire childhood in the back of the car and I am going to spend my evenings reliving my childhood so you may get to see a few more pics of me going forward...unless I don't finish the project.......

The Moment

For all my faithful readers over the years, you probably remember our previous attempts at organized sport with Greyson. First soccer which he refused to participate in at all and then hockey when he screamed bloody murder and refused to get out on the ice.

But hope springs eternal in the Erim household and so when, a couple of weeks ago, Greyson said he wanted to play hockey with some coaches Raif and I signed him up for skating lessons (though we did tell him that it was 'hockey practice without sticks').

Needless to say I was more than a bit apprehensive about the whole thing since it was I who was taking him and would have to deal with any potential hysterics. We talked to him extensively about the fact that he was going to go on the ice alone with his coaches but that I would be watching the whole time. He seemed OK with it so off we went.

My first "Oh Shit" moment came when he found out who his coach was....a girl. "But Mommy, where are the boy coaches I need a boy coach. Girls are yucky." I managed to convince him that when he starts practice with sticks he will have a boy coach. After a couple of minutes of off ice instruction it was time to leave the Mommies and head out to the ice.

Then the tears came...but not from Greyson, but from me because my boy followed his coach to the edge of the rink, turned around, waved, smiled and marched onto the ice without a tear, a whine or a whimper. He then proceeded to skate and fall and laugh and occasionally turn to wave but he did it. He took one giant leap from little boy-dom to boy-dom and I couldn't be happier or prouder of my little man.

Greyson's Kindergarten Picture

All right everyone say it together with me.....

"Awwwwwwwwwww"

Jingle Jammin'

On Thursday Greyson had his very first school performance...the annual Jingle Jammin'. The Kindergarten class did two songs "If I Were A Snowflake" and "Frosty." It should come as no surprise that when my little man got up and started to sing I got a little misty eyed. And of course he was the best one up there.

I did learn a valuable lesson for next year though. The show started at 9:30 and the invitation said the buses started picking people up to shuttle them to the school at 8:30. That is just insane I thought, to be there an hour early. Well, yeah, so when I arrived at 9:15 it was completely standing room only and I was smushed into the back of the gym. Not the best site to take pics even worse when they put Greyson behind the mic stand (of course to make sure that his voice was heard!). So this lousy picture was the only one I got. But fear not grandparents I got video that Greyson will proudly show you when you arrive.

Look Out Mike Brady

There is a new architect in town.....

Greyson's gingerbread house he made at school with his big buddy Jack.

Quinncess Nightingale

For the past week or so Quinn has had a new passion. Ensuring both the mental and physical health of her canine brother and sister.

Her first order of business was to take care of Guinness when Cooper was away, insisting that Guinness must be lonely she made sure that he had plenty of company.


Once Cooper came home she played nurse to her around the clock ensuring she was always covered and always had pillows to lay on.


Quinn also wanted to buy her something to make her feel better. Enter ladybug. Anytime Cooper moves and (gasp) is for a second away from ladybug Quinn is right there to ensure that the two are inseparable.


She has been so sweet these past weeks and so concerned about how Cooper is doing. Anytime Cooper gets up Quinn is sure to let one of us know and then follows Cooper around to make sure she isn't getting into trouble (stairs, jumping, running).

I have no doubt that with nurse Quinn on the case Cooper will make a full recovery.

Raif's Worst Nightmare

As Quinn and I were driving home from school she bombarded me, as usual, with her never ending litany of questions and opinions.

"Mommy, when will I be able to drive?"

"Oh, not until you are much older...somewhere around 16 years old."

"Will I get this car? (Referring to my Mom-mobile). You know you should always share."

"Yes it is always nice to share but I don't think we will have this car then. Besides you won't need a big car like this."

"Yes I will."

"Why.'

"I need somewhere to put my baby."

"Sweetie, I don't think you will have a baby when you are 16. You will be much older when you have a baby."

"No, I am going to get a baby and a car when I am 16. I want them at the same time. And I need a big car because I am going to have lots of babies when I learn to drive."

Can't you just see Raif's hair going gray and his blood pressure rising!?!?