Birthdays are celebrations of where you are in the circle of life.

Happy Birthday Mom!
Hope you have a fabulous day tomorrow.

love, your favorite Queen of all...

p.s. QUII sends her best. (that's her in the green hat)

The Guest Daily Digital!

Some of you know that I have been obsessively reading another beagle blog for a few years now (I think since even before Bosco). Well, Laurie, the Blogger is having a week of guest postings while she's on holiday and I want to enter this picture of Bosco into the contest. (The prize? A spot on her blog. It's not quite like being on Ellen, but I'll take what I can get).

So what do you care? Here's the thing, I need your help coming up with a witty caption for this crazy picture. The prize? Recognition on this blog and my unending love and devotion. (lucky duck!)

Submit your funny little captions on my blog or e-mail me: jjmark@shaw.ca

Get crack-a-lackin'!

Our lil' Punkin

Erika inspired (and took) these pictures of Maddie (she did the same thing with Kole and I thought it was such a cute idea). Maddie didn't mind...too much.

Lisa took this picture at the Berry Barn in Saskatoon. Maddie absolutely loved being outside in the grass eating leaves. Good times.

Today there was a going away "potluck" for me at work. I am so overwhelmed by the generosity, kindness, and affection from so many amazing people. I think I must be crazy to be leaving such a fabulous bunch. All afternoon I keep thinking of all the things I wish I would have said in my little speech but at the time I was so overwhelmed, I just can't think of a better word. I still don't know how to put everything into words. I want everyone to know how much I appreciate the time they spent on the scrapbook and their generosity in giving me a spa day - what more could a girl ask for? Some of my best laughs have been at the lunch table in Fairmont and in the halls at Margaret House and TNB. I have made the greatest friendships at STA and have learned everything I know about autism, sewing, math (which hasn't been much), baseball, office supply appreciation, rock climbing, home perms, dog walking, Sex in the City, scotch tape, weight training, geckos (their tales do grow back), spring rolls, scrapbooking, fashion, chocolate, pottery, sushi, dancing, labradoodles, generosity and long distance walking. It is true, I lead a charmed life.

A Peacock on The Move...

This is Madeleine's first ever Halloween and I thought it would be a good idea to make a peacock costume for her (although she rarely does a good "peacock" anymore these days, she's in to babbling and chattering away to herself and anyone who will listen lately). Erika and I worked hard to get a picture of Maddie that showed her finery... and this was the only one we could really get, the rest are all action shots!

Maddie's first Halloween Party! Two butterflies, a peanut, Harry Potter, and Maddie the Peacock. Don't worry, the moms all enjoyed the party!!

I dressed up as Ella the Elephant - I bought the costume for Maddie at a garage sale for when she's older. Imagine my delight when I discovered it fit me! Any costume that involves sweat pants is a good costume!!


A Note About the Video in the Previous Post:
Sorry, I posted the wrong video and the other video is on Lisa's computer. When I get back to Saskatoon I'll edit that post.


Happy Halloween Everyone!

Maddie and I are in Saskatoon now with Jason. We're all bunked in with Lisa and Jayson until we can get a house of our own. Our house is on the market in Calgary and we've been scoping out some places here in Saskatoon and nearby towns. Maddie and I are driving back to Calgary sunday morning and staying there for a few weeks - we have a lot of visiting to do!!

Maddie and Grandpa B on our way out to Warman.

This afternoon we took the kids out to the Berry Barn for some fall pictures.

Maddie crawled and crawled and crawled.

Then she stopped and ate some leaves and rocks.

It was a very busy afternoon...

Who needs a jungle gym?
This is Maddie's new favorite place to explore - under the kitchen table.

My fearless defender, Bosco. This morning he is supervising (aka: yelling at) the seagull and two magpies that are across the road. Bosco does not tolerate trespassing magpies and seagulls.

"Get me outta this joint!"

Still Shot

This may one of the last pictures I have of Maddie sitting still. She has learned to crawl and last week she learned to pull herself up. Oh dear.

Sometimes she wakes up early and just chatters away in her crib. Sometimes I wonder if she's telling her blankie all her plans for the day.

And now...welcome to my world:

I did it again with the video - I turned the camera and apparently I can't rotate the video. So just crank your head and enjoy. For some reason video on Jason's camera doesn't have sound when it's played on my computer (listen, can you hear Jason's big sigh here?)

NOTE: She can't get to standing when she's in her sleeping bag, which is always in now. AND I'll be lowering the crib ASAP. In fact, for your piece of mind, consider it lowered.