Spring Break... AHHHHH!!

I am currently in the middle of Spring Break. As school wound down last week I began to realize how much I really NEEDED the break. While I get great joy from my job it was time for a break and a time of refreshment. This is it, and I have decided to make the most of every minute (or at least try!).
Over the weekend Jay, my dad, Tyanna and I curled in the Riverton mixed bonspeil. We were far from good, but we ended up winning prizes, and had a pretty good time. Knowing that work wasn't looming the next day probably helped.
On Monday a lazy day was had. Jay ended up taking the day off and I woke up to breakfast in bed. Two Christmas's ago Jay bought me a breakfast in bed tray, and I final got to enjoy it!
On Tuesday I headed into the city, and to Joel and Ashley's place for some Mika and Ashley time. I haven't see Mika since the weekend she was born so it was time to cuddle that little one for a while. She has grown (it is certainly easier for me to see when I haven't been around) and is super sweet. She is pretty calm and relaxed.
Dad had hand surgery on Wednesday, nothing serious, but he needed someone to drive him to and from the clinic, so I dropped him off and hit the nearest Starbucks, marking in tow. By the time he called me to come pick him up I had marked 15 of 17 research essays, and had drunk a caramel machiatto (YUMMY)! After driving him home it was time for more baby time! Mika's dr. appt. went well, and she continues to grow, (8lbs 9 oz. now).
Today was a shopping day, i needed new jeans so i headed to Old Navy, as I walked through the door I was pleasantly surprised that everything was 25% off. Needless to say not only were jeans purchased but so to were two tee-shirts and a cardigan. Another trip to Starbucks had me completing my marking and overhearing a REALLY loud conversation from the two women at the next table.
The bonus of all this is i actually have until next Thursday off, although I will probably go into work on Wednesday to make sure I am ready for kids the next day. We will have a family dinner tomorrow here at my parents house, and then my plans are up in the air. So nice to not have to be somewhere at a given time!

Name Confirmed!

Mikaela Caty Hayward



This morning we went to visit... so amazingly adorable and cute. The picture was taken just as they were waking her up so she could eat.
When the nurse measured her she was surprised at how short she was, she will fit right in!! :)
All are happy and content and are spending one more night at the hospital and should (if all goes perfectly) will be home tomorrow.

Introducing!

MY NEICE!



Michaela (or Mikaela) Katie (or Kady) Hayward! Born at 6:36pm. 6lbs 9oz. 18 3/4 inches long. A head full of beautiful hair!



You wouldn't even know Ashley had just given birth! Awesome mommy!



Joel, in love with his daughter already!







We have fallen in love!!

Mommy, daddy, and baby are all doing great and settling in for the first night at the hospital!

 

Well the Olympics are over, and here is our completed wall. Canada won too many gold medals so we had to add some squares! I was happy to see my students get into the games, every morning they were bursting with information about who was winning and in what sports.

I Am an Olympic Junkie!

Yup, for me the Winter Olympic Games are a pretty big deal. I love the Games for many reasons, most importantly the patriotic sprit that envelopes the entire country. These games, being on home soil, make them even more special!

I clearly remember the Lillehammer Olympics, in 1994, I was 12. We were living on Vancouver Island that year, and most of our lambs that spring were named after Canadian Athletes. It was the first Games that I was really interested in. Thus began my love-affair with the Olympics.

We actually got a satellite so that I could watch the Summer Olympics in Beijing in 2008. Really the winter Olympics are much superior in my mind, but I still didn’t want to miss them.

Being a teacher allows me to bring some of my excitement about world events into my job. You can bet that there will be Olympic talk daily in my classroom. In fact we have an Olympic wall already created. We made torches, with tissue paper flames, banners, Olympic rings, and have talked about some of the athletes participating in these Games. Every morning we will be graphing the medal counts. I am very much looking forward to the day we can graph Canada’s first GOLD medal on home soil. Yesterday, instead of wearing red and pink, I wore my Olympic sweater and toque, and yes my red mittens.

Over the next two weeks I will be watching as Canadian athletes take center stage, and celebrating the victories as they come!

GO CANADA GO!

Wow! Over a month since I last posted! YIKES!
Our trip to Arizona was wonderful, it was nice to get away and leave all things behind (except of course Jay). We came back to snow, and cold, but with lots of new clothes and more energy than I have had in a long time!
The New Year started off with a bang and we have been running ever since. I really do love my job, and each morning I enjoy going to work, although the early mornings could be better . Report cards go out next week so thoughts and actions on that front are taking some time. Of course that is part of the job I could do without, but I guess that wouldn’t really work!
Last week was a busy one! Peanut (Joel and Ashley’s little one to come) is almost here (6ish weeks) and so on Sunday we showered Ashley with gifts and love at her baby shower. With 55 or so people my parents condo was a busy place. On Saturday we made sandwiches and such to feed everyone. It was a good but crazy weekend.
Last week I had to madly finish the quilt I had started in the summer. After forgetting it in the city I had my mom ship it to me and then finished most of it last week. I actually made Ashley drive me to the fabric store of the last piece on Saturday afternoon. This is the only picture I have or it (opps).



Of course it was also birthday weekend, Ashley, Joel and I have our birthdays within 10 days of each other so during the busy weekend we squished in a wonderful dinner with my mom and dad and Ashley’s parents. I even got a lovely bouquet of roses (from Mike and Jo).
Jay had snuck my present home from the states I was very surprised by it! He bought me a string of black freshwater pearls that I love (I am wearing them in the picture above)!
I received a wonderful gift on my actual birthday, a snow day, complete with my husband at home! It was even a nicer present because I didn’t think I would even see Jay that day, he had a late meeting scheduled, but that was cancelled because of the snow. What a relaxing, and somewhat productive day!

Well and update is complete!

100th Post!

Not a snowflake in sight!

My 100th post on this blog and I am sitting in the clubhouse in Mesa and am enjoying a quiet day. Dad and Jay have gone golfing so I am hanging out and enjoying some rest and relaxation. A couple of people have come into the clubhouse and mentioned that it is too quiet around here. I keep thinking this is just the way I like it!

Our flight was uneventful, left on time, and we made our connection in Denver, just in time I hear as flights are delayed everywhere as a storm hits across the country (but not here!). We arrived in Phoenix without Jay's golf clubs, and after a little bit of trouble they were delivered yesterday.

We shopped yesterday, which included clothes for both Jay and I and a new wedding ring for Jay, seeing as he lost his this summer. Tomorrow will also be a quiet day, seeing as shopping is not an option :) We have dinner plans with people Jay and I have never met (or at least don't remember) but other than that the day will be another relaxing one. We have a hotel room booked for Canadian Boxing Day (thanks to a gift certificated from Joel and Ashley). Then more shopping, I am guessing more golfing, and then it will almost be time to head back to Canada. I hear the snow is falling back home, which means that when I get home the skis can get put on and I can enjoy another day or two of my vacation doing the things that make me the most happy!

Wishing everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS! See you in the New Year!