Spring Cleaning

Hoooray for Spring!

It has been a much warmer week with spring in the air and a day or two of open windows. I have caught the spring cleaning purge and collected two boxes of miscellaneous things, two boxes of toys and a large bag of kids clothes to freecycle. I read about and practiced the 27-Fling Boogie (by Marla Cilley - known as the fly lady, organizing guru - flylady.com). I don't know why the number is 27 but you walk through your house and throw out or recycle 27 items then go back through your house and find 27 items to give away. Apparently 80% of things we keep we never use so why keep them?!

Sid and I have been off all week for march break and crafting like crazy! Today we decided to make and decorate a chore jar. We took some strips of paper and wrote down some chores Sid came up with so she could help the family. She chose make her bed, tidy up, set the table, wash the toilet (she loves doing this!), set up her own craft, find one toy to give away, vacuum, fix the blankets on the couches for the dogs, clean the bathroom mirror and put a load of laundry in the machine. These were all things she picked herself once I explained what a chore was. She was so excited to try the jar and really wanted to get "make your bed" but pulled out vacuum instead. She jumped up and down all excitedly and asked me to get the vacuum out while she put on her ear protectors (she doesn't like loud noises) and away she went. She vacuumed the couches, under tables, the kitchen, bathroom and playroom. She was having such a good time she insisted on picking another chore from the jar and luck was with us because she picked making her bed. This morning she woke up and brought her chore jar right to dad and asked him to open it for her. While I was making coffee she was cleaning the bathroom toilet LOL! I know this won't last long but I love the novelty of it.

The Beloved Chore Jar!?

Really Getting into Vacuuming!

This week was a special week for Ken. He and Gerry played a short set at Carleton University for Amnesty International. It has been several years since Ken took the stage and the boys did a fantastic job as always. They have been invited to play at a "Free Omar Kotter" rally and a gig in April for the Cancer Society. They will skip the rally since it is in a week but are excited to get practicing for the 1000 people show for the Cancer Society. It is so nice to see him back on stage. It is going to be really fun going out with Sid to watch Daddy play music!

We are off for a picnic and a going green eco fair today. Hope the weather stays nice and warm because we are bringing Sid's bike along!

Sid working on balancing on her running bike (no pedals)

Sid going down the skateboard ramps on her bike

Help Airedale Rescue of Canada!

Airedale Rescue here in Canada is trying to win 1000.00 through the animal rescue site. If you follow the simple directions below you can vote once per day for AireCanada Airedale Rescue and we might win 1000.00 this week.

Here is how:

Step 1 http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Step 2 Click on the Big Purple Button to donate a bowl of food

Step 3 Look for the Shelter Challenge on the side of the page and click on it

Step 4 In the Search Box, type Airedale for the name of the shelter -- nothing else

Step 5 In the Search Box, choose CAN as the country

Step 6 In the Search Box, choose BC as the Province

Step 7 Click on Search - thenWait

Step 8 Right below the search box, you will find the Vote button - click on that

Step 9 Identify the animal that shows up on the next page -- keep it simple, i.e., fish or sheep or lion or cow or squirrel

Thank you for helping us!

Yesterday November 9th, Sid the Kid and I drove 4 hours round trip to pick up a surrendered 10 month old Airedale puppy and deliver him to his foster family. He was taken to the vet to be euthanized by his owner and when the vet refused, the owner said he was going to open his door and let the dog go. This poor pup has spent the first and only 10 months of his life in a pen in the garage. No training and very little socialization. Like most Airedales, this has not kept the joy of life out of this crazy spinny Aireboy named Taz. He is very underweight at 42 lbs and from a puppy mill in Montreal (where else???!!!). He will need to be neutered, and needs some deworming. His wonderful foster family will house train him, groom him properly and see what this little guy is all about. Life just got a whole lot better for little Taz!

The rest of the weekend was very relaxed and Sid and I went to the big park with her bike for likely the last time this season. She really wants to skateboard and she was getting pretty brave with her running bike on the skateboard ramps.

After several attempts to ride up the ramps Sid decided to climb them instead. This made me breathe a lot easier!
TA-DA!!

Then off to the big park to climb and swing.

A "cool" moment Sunday morning with the cat Nookie.

Spring Toys

The knee pads and elbow pads were her choice, "safety first" appears to be her motto this spring! Sid loves her helmet and pads and fortunately she has not had to test them yet. She finally accepts that she cannot wear them for nap.

Riding the trike is tough work on our gravel drive way. We are waiting for her new bike to arrive (any day now!!) which will enable her to ride anywhere in our yard or wherever we walk the dogs. Watch for updates!!

Ken and I each have new toys too. I got my motorcycle on the 17th and have been enjoying the beautiful weather. Ken just ordered his John Deere lawn tractor and it will be delivered Thursday. This morning he was remarking how much the grass is growing. Gee it might need to get cut on Thursday heee heeee.

In the picture you can see poor shaggy Maggie sweltering in the heat. Next post will highlight two nicely groomed happier looking Airedales if I can get my act together. Right now they are half done but it is a long job with my 2.5 year old grooming assistant by my side.

Off to go dig in the sand box and mud pit again, happy Spring!