I'm a CANDY Owl

Gumdrop, Licorice and Sugary Sweets

Any of these would be my

FAVORITE treats

There is no doubt I'm sweet enough

But filling my Tummy I'll never get stuffed

And what I am hoping will happen today

Is that we're sweet friends, to me you'll say

I'm a Wise Old Owl

I have decided to post all my little owls as they get done and our first to be finished and ready to fly the nest is Mr. Wise Old Owl 

His little card which follows him and teaches the lucky owner about him says:

 In all the years I went to school

The best, and what I found most cool

Was when I was learning to read about stuff

I just couldn't stop or ever get enough

My favorite books that I ever did do

Was "Legend of the Guardians"

and "Winnie the Pooh"

It's Happening

Every day is filled with some fun at the moment. Jack and Anna are counting down the days till they will be Double Digits ... and then they are counting down the days till their Monster Party!

I'm having a great time planning this party. I'm finding myself really enjoying it rather than some years where I have done the parties, but not always felt in the mood for it - this year ... we are going all out - I mean, how often do you get to celebrate your children turning 10

Bob and I have many plans - and loads of secrets, Maia knows a little bit and she's as excited as Jack and Anna. She's so happy for them and has been doing their birthday cards for days - hiding behind closed doors, decorating away.

Jack has told me that he's not really into the whole "everything-must-go-together" themes - so I'm keeping it fairly easy on the boys side, but with Anna - oh I'm going all out and this is what I've been doing for the last two days.

Which One is Your Favorite???

I went on the internet Friday afternoon - found this lovely lady blogging about an owl party she'd done for her 6 year old : http://snowybliss.blogspot.com/2011/02/night-owl-party.html

Well, I love her pillows, but didn't quite find them right for a 10 year old birthday party, so I sat down, drew a simple pattern for these little guys, they are about 15 cm tall - ran to FabricLand - got every color felt they had and have just finished sewing these guys this evening.

As with ANJ's  pillows I will be making every owl extra special but I have to do this in secret. Anna has no idea what we are going to do with these owls and I don't want to give it away - she doesn't think anymore will happen to the owls and I'm sure she'll be blown away when she gets to see them once finished, on the eve of the party!

I love when I find a Mamma out there who enjoys doing parties and comes up with such amazing ideas - she has literally made me buzz with joy planning this party and I am as excited as Anna and Jack at the moment!

OMG ... What have I done ...

One month from now ... 7 girls (+ 1 Maia ) and 5 boys will be taking over the Playfair residence ...

I am not totally sure I know quite what this party is going to be like - especially since I was just told on the way home in the car about crushes between quite a few of these boys and girls

... guess Mamma Mote won't be sleeping much that night !!!

Life Goes On ...

Nancy died April 17th. It has been a month of heartbreak but also a month filled with love, kindness and lots of caring. I'm honored to have been a part of her last journey and to know that we gave her a chance to leave in the best way possible. Life is slowly returning to "normal" and we are looking forward to new adventures.

Bob had his last test for the Cochlear Implant on Tuesday and met with the surgeon yesterday to find out whether they can actually help him. It was suggested on Tuesday that because of his car accident years and years ago, they might have to do it on his "good" ear (right side) because the left ear is just too damaged. This left Bob feeling extremely uncomfortable as doctor's are only human and in case they make a mistake, this would leave Bob with absolutely no hearing at all. So we talked a lot Tuesday night and he had made his mind up when seeing the surgeon yesterday - he was going to say no, despite coming all this way.

The surgeon however told Bob that he is happy to try on the left side. Says he cannot guarantee anything, but from MRI and tests there is a good chance that it will work. Bob is overwhelmed but very happy.

And of course we thought that an operation would be well into the future - all you ever hear about is waiting lists but they have scheduled him for May ... as in next month ... and Bob was feeling slightly nervous about the speed of it all - but he is looking forward to this, with good reason.

So there is that to look forward to - it will certainly change the way we have been communicating for the last 17 years :)

Jack and Anna (and all the other gr. 3-6!) spent all day yesterday walking to Parliament. They were going there to deliver letters to Steven Harper (Prime Minister) to express how unhappy they are that way too many First Nation Schools are ignored and often left in shambles. The kids have spent the last month on this subject and it was a great day for them to march to Parliament while chanting "Equal Education - For First Nations" ... it is a little over an hour's walk either way and they were tired when they came home - tired and hoarse - but proud, as they should be!

Jack's friend Ben was telling his mum yesterday during breakfast about the letter he'd been writing and when Karen asked him if he was happy with his letter Ben answered "sure, it is good - though it is not quite as good as Jack or Anna's" and Karen went " well, could you have done a better job or said more or ... " and Ben just went "Nah ... it's a Mote thing"  :)

Look for Anna with her new (!) pink cap and Jack next to her - front and center ... every time :)

I'm sure other things have happened over the last month - but mostly it was a month spent with family. We had Dom, Mark and Milo stay lots, which was great. Carol, Jane and David & Bernice came too - and Adam and Nancy stayed if only for one night ... it was hectic at times and it seems very quiet at the moment, but the fridge reminds me that lots of people were here and food was bought that would just never ever have found its way into my fridge unless others had done the shopping. I'll try to eat something using capers, artichokes, vegetarian hot dogs, soy milk and endive :)

For now ... take care

I'm Losing a Dear Family Member

I shall not write much - there isn't much to say.

Nancy has been diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and given a short time before life runs out.

This is incredibly sad and I am spending all my energy on making this time the best it can be. Nancy got a bed at Hospice at May Court just last Wednesday and is comfortable and grateful to be there.

Having volunteered at May Court before it is hard finding my lovely Nancy there, but at the same time there is no place better for her to be. I know she is taken care off with the utmost love and respect and that is all we can ask.

Our house has been filled with guests from far and wide - we are lucky to have the space and happy to help. The kids are finding it all a bit much with the routine thrown out the window but they understand that this is what we must do to help Nancy through this time. My children are amazing and I'm beyond proud of them!

So this is the reason for my quiet - and the reason I'll continue to be quiet for a while - I'm grieving, entertaining, loving and looking after - it is how it should be!

And it snows ... and snows ... and snows ...

so I guess I won't get no Spring for my birthday next week? Last year we never got snow after March 17th but somehow I doubt that will happen this year. We got a heavy dump last night - 15 cm and that is on top of the already fairly serious stuff we have from all winter ... oh well ... can't be long now ...

Biggest news this time round is that Anna is now in the same class as Jack. I won't bore you with the details - suffice to say, the last two weeks have been rough and we are still a bit shell-shocked by what happened. The most important thing about this is Anna is safe, she is happier than we have seen all year and we are pretty confident that this move is the best thing that could ever have happened.

Tomorrow will be Spring Break - one week of not having to get up at 6.30 ... Maia just cannot wait for that - and she's been counting the days this week. The twins will still be up at 6.15 - but at least they know how to work the remote ...

We didn't plan anything for Spring Break - Bob will be home on Sunday and stay for the week and it will be good to do nothing. There was talk about going to NY but there are too many birthday parties to attend, playdates to honour and sleepovers to be had.

 I still haven't decided what to do on my birthday - guess I'll figure it out on the day! Bob talked something about Algonquin Park Hotel and there is also Kingston, which we still haven't been to - we could also chose to do the St. Patrick Day Parade in Toronto ... but it is such a long drive ... maybe we'll end up with an Indian and another episode of MI5 - which would be the absolute best way to celebrate I think :)

(obviously didn't have any new photo's to show but found these on the web - didn't know they were there - so deleted them, but thought I'd share as my heart is bursting with love when I see these - and thought that others might feel the same way!)