Our old vacuum (graciously given to me by my Dad quite a few years ago) recently bit the dust. We hemmed and hawed over how to replace it. Nich really wanted to install a Central Vac, and I was really hoping for a Dyson. I have heard from friends of their amazing cleaning power, and their commercials on t.v. made it look pretty enticing too.

So, we took a trip out to Future Shop, and not only were they clearing last year's model out, there was an 'Open Box' return for an even sweeter deal. We ended up saving almost 50% off the asking price. I love a good deal, so I couldn't be any happier.

Well, I thought I couldn't be any happier, until I came home and tried out the vacuum. The carpet literally changed colours before my eyes as I vacuumed, from a dingy, worn beige to a crisp, bright beige. Unbelievable. This vacuum is a miracle worker.

Oh, and don't look too close, the canister is embarrasingly full of dust, dirt, hair and cheerios. I can't believe that was all on my carpet a few hours ago. I will never turn back, I am a Dyson believer.

Anyways, since this was Saturday 'family fun day', and it's all rainy out, we decided to treat our girls to a trip to Toys 'R Us, and let Eva pick out a toy. With Nich's gentle persuasion, Eva picked out this awesome marble tower toy, that we both incidentally alway wanted as children. She has played with it almost non-stop since we got home. Hours of fun for all.

(apologies for the flourescent-ness of the photo. I have no idea what I'm doing with my camera, I just try different settings, at different numbers and see what happens)

During nap-time I made chocolate chip meal cookies (made me remember the Dykstras, how the heck are you guys?) Then, Kaitlyn woke up, and had some good quality Daddy time.


And, that was our Saturday. Good food, good fun. How was yours?

Kaitlyn has been sleeping like a miracle baby. For the last 4 nights, she's either slept through the night (waking up for the day around 6:30am) or she'll wake up to eat around 5:30 and then happily goes back to sleep until 7:30. I can't decide which I like better. It's nice that she's able to sleep through the night, but I really don't mind feeding her at 5:30, if that means we all get to sleep in a bit more.

Anyways, it's been nice. And I'm soaking it up for all it's worth, and enjoying every second of middle-of-the-night sleep, because I know it won't last. I'm fighting quite the stubborn cold, which means very soon, I'll have two sick kids (despite all the maniac hand-washing). And, well, my kids don't sleep when they're sick. They require around-the-clock care, rocking, singing and cuddling, even if they just have a stuffy nose.

So, I just wanted to blog, for the record, that I got 4 good nights of sleep in a row. So, that next week, when I can barely keep my eyes open, and my head is pounding from sleep deprivation, I have proof that everything is just a phase. And it won't be long until we all will sleep through the night again.

This morning, Eva snuggled up to me on the couch and announced:

"You're my Best Friend, Mommy! You know how much I love you?"

She proceeded to lift her arms high in the air...

"THIS MUCH!"

I was having a bad day. And my poor, sweet husand had to endure phone call after phone call from me, whining about how the kids were so sick, and there was poo everywhere, and nobody was napping, and how disappointed I was that the house wasn't cleaning itself. The last time I called him, I asked him to pick up some medicine for Kaitlyn on his way home. And he called from the store shortly after to make sure he was picking up the right thing.

Over an hour later, he swaggered up the stairs with a proud grin on his face, and a mysterious bag in his hands. He admitted that he bought more than just medicine on his way home... he had an I-love-you gift for me. Then, he handed me this



I let out a high-pitched squeal, thanked him profusely, and totally forgot about my bad day.

What a man.

And what a camera!

Here's me and my new baby (my other 'baby' is turning one next month...sniffle)


Side note: Can you believe it's snowing here again? It's March!

And another of my almost not-a-baby-anymore...

It was a beautiful, sunny day.

Then, we came home and I made a play-fort for them to enjoy while I made lunch.