Here's to everyone having a very safe and happy New Year's Eve.
See you all in 2012.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
sharing christmas cheer
One of our 25 days of Christmas activities was a multi-day project - making treats to share with friends.
First the kids made a list of who they would like to share treats with so we would know how many to make. Then we got to work making hot chocolate stirrers a fun little project I found on pinterest. They are dead easy. Jab a sucker stick into a marshmallow and dip into chocolate. Leave them upright on waxed paper until they are set and then bag up and tie with a ribbon.
The kids did most of the dipping themselves, I just made sure the sucker sticks were securely engaged. The kids had a blast with this. Some of them they dipped in sprinkles, but most they just left plain. We dipped an entire bag of marshmallows and then left them to dry.
We took another night to pack stirrers and hot chocolate into gifts bags for our friends. We passed the Christmas cards around the table so everyone could sign their own names. Even this part was a fun little family project.
Of course the most fun part was the delivering.
Another fun for the whole family activity.
Abby was super eager to share some Christmas cheer.
Maya was a bit slower to come around, but was having fun by the time we got to the bitterly cold end.
I have to say this was a great family Christmas activity. The kids loved being able to share something they had made themselves. We will definitely be doing this again next year.
First the kids made a list of who they would like to share treats with so we would know how many to make. Then we got to work making hot chocolate stirrers a fun little project I found on pinterest. They are dead easy. Jab a sucker stick into a marshmallow and dip into chocolate. Leave them upright on waxed paper until they are set and then bag up and tie with a ribbon.
The kids did most of the dipping themselves, I just made sure the sucker sticks were securely engaged. The kids had a blast with this. Some of them they dipped in sprinkles, but most they just left plain. We dipped an entire bag of marshmallows and then left them to dry.
We took another night to pack stirrers and hot chocolate into gifts bags for our friends. We passed the Christmas cards around the table so everyone could sign their own names. Even this part was a fun little family project.
Of course the most fun part was the delivering.
Another fun for the whole family activity.
Abby was super eager to share some Christmas cheer.
Maya was a bit slower to come around, but was having fun by the time we got to the bitterly cold end.
I have to say this was a great family Christmas activity. The kids loved being able to share something they had made themselves. We will definitely be doing this again next year.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
christmas round up
You guys, I think I am finally over the worst of this cold. Last night I slept for 11 hours in a row and so did the kids. It was heaven and just what I needed. Towards the end of Christmas day and the two days following it were the worst I've felt so far and I chalk a lot of it up to lack of sleep. Oh and just for kicks the universe decided to throw in a bout of intestinal distress that lasted from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day. Good times.
Actually despite all that it was good times.
Best Gift Ever.
That Uncle Dave and Auntie Mel were here with us for four days! A lot of their visits lately have been of the one day variety so the kids were thrilled to have them here for so long to play board games, go for walks and just generally be available to be sat upon.
Easiest Christmas Ever
This was the nicest, easiest, and most stress free holiday we've ever enjoyed. For the first time in many years we didn't go anywhere Christmas day and instead everyone came to us. Dinner came together pretty dang easy in large part thanks to Auntie Mel and Michael. Maya even ate it in her jammies.
Surprise Gift!
For me, I got an ice cream maker!! What?! I have been coveting one for quite some time, but Mike has always poo pooed the idea. He claims that I have too many kitchen gadgets that I don't use, which is completely untrue. I am not a kitchen gadget junkie by any stretch of the imagination. There are no slap chops in my kitchen. I can't wait to make my first batch of ice cream. Kind of surprised I haven't yet? Yeah, I was that sick.
Board Game of Christmas
Blokus! I'd never really heard of it before this year, but we picked it up to take advantage of Zellers buy one get one free board game deal they had on before Christmas. Mom had three games in the buggy and me on the phone trying to pick another one since it would be free. Board games are always a big Christmas present for me because I know they give much more back than another polly pocket. This one was a hit across all ages groups. I could see it generating a lot of trash talk if we were to pull it out for game night with adult friends.
Less is More and it's the Thought That Counts Christmas
Epic! Really! Well Mike and I thought it was anyway. That is a picture of our tree after Santa had been and the kids presents from Mike and I were under there. The stockings were by the coffee table. That was it and the kids were happy with what they got.
Cool Gift of Christmas
Goes to Auntie Mel and Uncle Dave. They gifted the kids with needle felting kits, each in their own storage boxes. It was so cute to see them both go back to their projects again and again Christmas day, tucked up beside Auntie Mel and her needle felting, of course. Maya is an absolute weapon, she needle felts at about 90 miles an hour and very rarely looks at what her hands are doing. I'm not quite sure how she didn't stab herself.
Gift with the most pressure
I got a gift card and some cash with instructions to spend them on myself. Easier said then done, when it comes to me. Yesterday I forced myself to take advantage of the great deals at Old Navy online and picked out some clothes for myself. Can't wait for my cardis, khakis, skirt, tops and black "dressy" lounge pants to get here. I also checked the deals and picked up a new camera to replace my current cranky camera. Gosh it is super small though. I'm afraid of dropping it, but excited I can pop it in my pocket. Of course now I gotta get over the guilt I have over spending so much money on myself yesterday. Oy.
There was more to Christmas, of course. Dinners with family... so much delicious food. Church with loved ones. Tea and coffee and chocolate. Gifts received and gifts given. Joy and laughter and coughing. So much coughing. I can only hope that your Christmas was just as wonderful.
Actually despite all that it was good times.
Best Gift Ever.
That Uncle Dave and Auntie Mel were here with us for four days! A lot of their visits lately have been of the one day variety so the kids were thrilled to have them here for so long to play board games, go for walks and just generally be available to be sat upon.
Easiest Christmas Ever
This was the nicest, easiest, and most stress free holiday we've ever enjoyed. For the first time in many years we didn't go anywhere Christmas day and instead everyone came to us. Dinner came together pretty dang easy in large part thanks to Auntie Mel and Michael. Maya even ate it in her jammies.
Surprise Gift!
For me, I got an ice cream maker!! What?! I have been coveting one for quite some time, but Mike has always poo pooed the idea. He claims that I have too many kitchen gadgets that I don't use, which is completely untrue. I am not a kitchen gadget junkie by any stretch of the imagination. There are no slap chops in my kitchen. I can't wait to make my first batch of ice cream. Kind of surprised I haven't yet? Yeah, I was that sick.
Board Game of Christmas
Blokus! I'd never really heard of it before this year, but we picked it up to take advantage of Zellers buy one get one free board game deal they had on before Christmas. Mom had three games in the buggy and me on the phone trying to pick another one since it would be free. Board games are always a big Christmas present for me because I know they give much more back than another polly pocket. This one was a hit across all ages groups. I could see it generating a lot of trash talk if we were to pull it out for game night with adult friends.
Less is More and it's the Thought That Counts Christmas
Epic! Really! Well Mike and I thought it was anyway. That is a picture of our tree after Santa had been and the kids presents from Mike and I were under there. The stockings were by the coffee table. That was it and the kids were happy with what they got.
Cool Gift of Christmas
Goes to Auntie Mel and Uncle Dave. They gifted the kids with needle felting kits, each in their own storage boxes. It was so cute to see them both go back to their projects again and again Christmas day, tucked up beside Auntie Mel and her needle felting, of course. Maya is an absolute weapon, she needle felts at about 90 miles an hour and very rarely looks at what her hands are doing. I'm not quite sure how she didn't stab herself.
Gift with the most pressure
I got a gift card and some cash with instructions to spend them on myself. Easier said then done, when it comes to me. Yesterday I forced myself to take advantage of the great deals at Old Navy online and picked out some clothes for myself. Can't wait for my cardis, khakis, skirt, tops and black "dressy" lounge pants to get here. I also checked the deals and picked up a new camera to replace my current cranky camera. Gosh it is super small though. I'm afraid of dropping it, but excited I can pop it in my pocket. Of course now I gotta get over the guilt I have over spending so much money on myself yesterday. Oy.
There was more to Christmas, of course. Dinners with family... so much delicious food. Church with loved ones. Tea and coffee and chocolate. Gifts received and gifts given. Joy and laughter and coughing. So much coughing. I can only hope that your Christmas was just as wonderful.
Monday, December 26, 2011
winning
At some point this morning Mike and Abby crossed paths in the kitchen and had the following conversation....
Abby: You know what my favourite part of Christmas was?
Mike: What?
Abby: Spending time with my family. You know, it's not about the presents Dad.
So I think we can declare this year's theme of less is more and it's the thought that counts a complete success.
Abby: You know what my favourite part of Christmas was?
Mike: What?
Abby: Spending time with my family. You know, it's not about the presents Dad.
So I think we can declare this year's theme of less is more and it's the thought that counts a complete success.
christmas hourly photo project
So I'm still kind of sorta sick with a cold and then Christmas Eve I came down with some intestinal distress both of which have kept me from sleeping the past couple of nights. I'd probably feel a bunch better with a few more hours of sleep under my belt, but I still enjoyed Christmas day spent with Uncle Dave, Auntie Mel, my Mama, Michael and my baby girls. Wanna see... because it just isn't Christmas without Andrea's hourly photo project.
Oh and would you believe my stinkin' camera is broken. Guess I know what's on my birthday wishlist. Anyway all these were taken with my cellphone. Thank goodness it has a pretty decent camera in it.
Abby was actually up at 6am, but I convinced her to get into bed with me which bought me an extra 30 minutes of dozing at which point we moved the party downstairs where I made her watch TV and ignore the stack of presents under the tree until......
7am - Before the chaos. That is the "less is more" theme in full effect right there peeps!
8am -Creating a masterpiece.
9am - Waiting patiently for breakfast.
10am - Watching the Wizard of Oz. Snuggled up to Auntie Mel for protection during the scary bits.
11am - Boo boo! Pretty big one too actually. Somehow she managed to step/fall onto a garbage bag in which I had just put a broken bowl, that Mike was in the process of taking outside. We thought she might have needed stitches, but my girl JJ brought her incredibly well stocked first aid kit over. We assessed the damage and felt she'd be fine if we wrapped it up with gauze and tape.
12pm - A3, you sunk my Battleship!
1pm - Granny's here. Time for more presents.
2pm - The aftermath.
3pm - Time for tea and the Eat Street marathon. Love holiday TV.
4pm - Needle felting with Auntie Mel.
5pm - Making dinner! Mmmmm broccoli!
6pm - Just back from "Granny's Peel and Stick Nail Salon".
7pm - After dinner convo. Doesn't it look fascinating?
8pm - Completely stuffed and chilling on the couch.
The rest of the evening looked just like that, thanks to the Big Bang Theory marathon and the tryptophan that kept our buts glued to the couch.
Oh and would you believe my stinkin' camera is broken. Guess I know what's on my birthday wishlist. Anyway all these were taken with my cellphone. Thank goodness it has a pretty decent camera in it.
Abby was actually up at 6am, but I convinced her to get into bed with me which bought me an extra 30 minutes of dozing at which point we moved the party downstairs where I made her watch TV and ignore the stack of presents under the tree until......
7am - Before the chaos. That is the "less is more" theme in full effect right there peeps!
8am -Creating a masterpiece.
9am - Waiting patiently for breakfast.
10am - Watching the Wizard of Oz. Snuggled up to Auntie Mel for protection during the scary bits.
11am - Boo boo! Pretty big one too actually. Somehow she managed to step/fall onto a garbage bag in which I had just put a broken bowl, that Mike was in the process of taking outside. We thought she might have needed stitches, but my girl JJ brought her incredibly well stocked first aid kit over. We assessed the damage and felt she'd be fine if we wrapped it up with gauze and tape.
12pm - A3, you sunk my Battleship!
1pm - Granny's here. Time for more presents.
2pm - The aftermath.
3pm - Time for tea and the Eat Street marathon. Love holiday TV.
4pm - Needle felting with Auntie Mel.
5pm - Making dinner! Mmmmm broccoli!
6pm - Just back from "Granny's Peel and Stick Nail Salon".
7pm - After dinner convo. Doesn't it look fascinating?
8pm - Completely stuffed and chilling on the couch.
The rest of the evening looked just like that, thanks to the Big Bang Theory marathon and the tryptophan that kept our buts glued to the couch.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
i did it
Well I did it! Well sorta. My goal was to have everything done before the 23rd when Uncle Dave and Auntie Mel got here. I wasn't all finished before the 23rd, but I was finished on the 23rd *before* Dave and Mel got here. Thanks guys for not rolling in until after 10pm.
Mike and I slipped out to get groceries early this morning, the store was very quiet and we were in and out relatively quickly. Mike is a man of the people and there was lots of people in the store this morning that we stopped to chat with. The hard part was finding room for everything in our stuffed fridge and pantry! The natural refrigerator is being used to full effect this weekend. Natural refrigerator equals the space between the two doors out to our deck.
The kids and I went caroling with some of the neighbours. It was totally adorable and super freezing cold. Luckily our choir director extraordinaire had hot chocolate for us when we finished.
Now I'm looking forward to enjoying the time spent with my family. I hope you are all enjoying the time spent with yours. Merry Christmas everyone!
Mike and I slipped out to get groceries early this morning, the store was very quiet and we were in and out relatively quickly. Mike is a man of the people and there was lots of people in the store this morning that we stopped to chat with. The hard part was finding room for everything in our stuffed fridge and pantry! The natural refrigerator is being used to full effect this weekend. Natural refrigerator equals the space between the two doors out to our deck.
The kids and I went caroling with some of the neighbours. It was totally adorable and super freezing cold. Luckily our choir director extraordinaire had hot chocolate for us when we finished.
Now I'm looking forward to enjoying the time spent with my family. I hope you are all enjoying the time spent with yours. Merry Christmas everyone!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
promised land
So last weekend these two darling little girls performed in the Christmas pageant at our church.
Did you catch that? These *TWO* girls.
Maya loves going to practice, but almost never performs with the choir. In fact for last year's pageant she wouldn't even rehearse with the rest of the kids. This year she told me she was going to get up on stage, but to be honest I remained skeptical. Then we got all the way to dress rehearsal and there she was on stage, in her costume and I switch from skeptical to cautiously optimistic, but I wasn't going to be surprised if she bailed at the last minute.
Abby is Abby... loves to sing. She sings all the time at home and she's been up singing with the choir for years now. I knew she'd be right up there singing her face off, but Maya... oh Maya... you just never know with that one.
You guys.... when she walked out on that stage with the rest of the kids I could have put my head in my hands and wept. Make no mistake, there was more than a tear of two that worked it's way to the surface and that was despite me holding my shit together. I said to Mike later I was just overwhelmed to see her up there, smiling, relaxed, having fun because I feel like everything with Maya has been the hard way, the long way around, the slow boat and finally here was something easy even if we did take our time getting there. She's just changing so much so quickly and bit by bit I can feel it getting easier. I can see her getting comfortable in her own skin. She's finding her place and I am so relieved.
Not only was she up there singing like it was her job, she came down to sing to the people in the pews. I was pretty sure she was going to balk at that point, but she shocked me again.
The pageant was an original production, music and lyrics were written by our neighbour. The kids and the senior choir sang the heck out of it! I was thrilled that I had the chance to see the kids perform it four times over the weekend (2 dress rehearsal run throughs and 2 performances). It's going to rank up there as one of my best parenting moments. One I have played over in my head a million times already along with the music, that I still can't stop humming. I'm so thankful we got to share it with family and friends. Lots of pews full of our nearest and dearest.
You know I was already thinking this was going to be the best Christmas ever.
Did you catch that? These *TWO* girls.
Maya loves going to practice, but almost never performs with the choir. In fact for last year's pageant she wouldn't even rehearse with the rest of the kids. This year she told me she was going to get up on stage, but to be honest I remained skeptical. Then we got all the way to dress rehearsal and there she was on stage, in her costume and I switch from skeptical to cautiously optimistic, but I wasn't going to be surprised if she bailed at the last minute.
Abby is Abby... loves to sing. She sings all the time at home and she's been up singing with the choir for years now. I knew she'd be right up there singing her face off, but Maya... oh Maya... you just never know with that one.
You guys.... when she walked out on that stage with the rest of the kids I could have put my head in my hands and wept. Make no mistake, there was more than a tear of two that worked it's way to the surface and that was despite me holding my shit together. I said to Mike later I was just overwhelmed to see her up there, smiling, relaxed, having fun because I feel like everything with Maya has been the hard way, the long way around, the slow boat and finally here was something easy even if we did take our time getting there. She's just changing so much so quickly and bit by bit I can feel it getting easier. I can see her getting comfortable in her own skin. She's finding her place and I am so relieved.
Not only was she up there singing like it was her job, she came down to sing to the people in the pews. I was pretty sure she was going to balk at that point, but she shocked me again.
The pageant was an original production, music and lyrics were written by our neighbour. The kids and the senior choir sang the heck out of it! I was thrilled that I had the chance to see the kids perform it four times over the weekend (2 dress rehearsal run throughs and 2 performances). It's going to rank up there as one of my best parenting moments. One I have played over in my head a million times already along with the music, that I still can't stop humming. I'm so thankful we got to share it with family and friends. Lots of pews full of our nearest and dearest.
You know I was already thinking this was going to be the best Christmas ever.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
uh oh
I don't want to say this too loud.... shhhh come closer..... I think I'm getting sick. Oh yes. Right before Christmas. How much ass does that suck?
I am doing my best to fight it with all the very best remedies that nature has to offer. One of my best girls hooked me up. She knows her shiz folks. So far I feel just slightly off and tired. Of course that may have something to do with my habit of burning the candle at both ends. So tonight I am forcing myself to go to bed now and not hours from now as per usual.
As of 5 minutes ago my little insomniac was still awake. She's the happy helper in her class tomorrow and add that on top of her class party, Christmas concert (that Mike and I both get to attend), Uncle Dave and Aunt Mel visit and then of course Christmas itself, it's almost too much for her to take.
All that to say that I plan on climbing into bed IF she's FINALLY asleep. Here's hoping.
Hope you are all feeling well!
I am doing my best to fight it with all the very best remedies that nature has to offer. One of my best girls hooked me up. She knows her shiz folks. So far I feel just slightly off and tired. Of course that may have something to do with my habit of burning the candle at both ends. So tonight I am forcing myself to go to bed now and not hours from now as per usual.
As of 5 minutes ago my little insomniac was still awake. She's the happy helper in her class tomorrow and add that on top of her class party, Christmas concert (that Mike and I both get to attend), Uncle Dave and Aunt Mel visit and then of course Christmas itself, it's almost too much for her to take.
All that to say that I plan on climbing into bed IF she's FINALLY asleep. Here's hoping.
Hope you are all feeling well!
Monday, December 19, 2011
we're getting there
How are y'all doing out there? Managing? Stressed to the eyeballs? Zen? I'm pretty zen I think. My promise to myself was to have everything ready to go by the 22nd. I start my holidays on the 23rd by spending the day serving Christmas lunch to all the staff and students at Abby and Maya's school. Uncle Dave and Auntie Mel are set to arrive at some point that day, so I want to be able to sit and relax and visit with them from the moment they get here. Hear that you guys? I'm clearing the decks for you.... you better be entertaining and interesting.
I tackled most of the wrapping last night. I am dangerously low on wrapping paper and tape now though. Gifts are all bought for the most part. Just a quick little shopping trip tomorrow night should wrap everything up. I keep eying up the stocking and wondering if the kids will notice they're missing if I stuff them early and stash them with the rest of the presents. What do you think?
And the kids, they're pretty zen. Maya is suffering from a titch of "waiting for Christmas Eve" based insomnia which has been making her a bit testy, but it's a pretty mild case. And Abby's just Abby, going along with the flow, excited, but patient.
How are things at your place?
I tackled most of the wrapping last night. I am dangerously low on wrapping paper and tape now though. Gifts are all bought for the most part. Just a quick little shopping trip tomorrow night should wrap everything up. I keep eying up the stocking and wondering if the kids will notice they're missing if I stuff them early and stash them with the rest of the presents. What do you think?
And the kids, they're pretty zen. Maya is suffering from a titch of "waiting for Christmas Eve" based insomnia which has been making her a bit testy, but it's a pretty mild case. And Abby's just Abby, going along with the flow, excited, but patient.
How are things at your place?
Sunday, December 18, 2011
sunday randoms
My gosh this weekend was everything I expected it to be. Just lovely from start to finish.
The girls did two performances of an original Christmas pageant, Saturday evening and Sunday morning. It was overwhelming, in a very good way. I'm going to tell you all about it, once I figure out how to get my pictures off my new phone. Which I love, but it's not letting me message pictures. I'm thinking it's some sort of setting issue, but damned if I can figure it out.
Yes in the middle of grocery shopping Saturday morning I decided the time had come for me to upgrade to a smart phone. Did I get my much coveted iphone? I did not. I went with an android. Sorry iphone friends.
Can you believe Christmas is only a week away? Maya is absolutely beside herself. She can't sleep for the excitement. I predict a long week filled with lots of crying jags. Abby is playing it cool.
They are both counting down the days until Uncle Dave and Auntie Mel get here. So much to be excited about.
Speaking of Uncle Dave, he celebrated a birthday this weekend. If you're following Maya's school of thought, her turned 20 because I'm 22 and Uncle Dave is two years younger than me.
The girls did two performances of an original Christmas pageant, Saturday evening and Sunday morning. It was overwhelming, in a very good way. I'm going to tell you all about it, once I figure out how to get my pictures off my new phone. Which I love, but it's not letting me message pictures. I'm thinking it's some sort of setting issue, but damned if I can figure it out.
Yes in the middle of grocery shopping Saturday morning I decided the time had come for me to upgrade to a smart phone. Did I get my much coveted iphone? I did not. I went with an android. Sorry iphone friends.
Can you believe Christmas is only a week away? Maya is absolutely beside herself. She can't sleep for the excitement. I predict a long week filled with lots of crying jags. Abby is playing it cool.
They are both counting down the days until Uncle Dave and Auntie Mel get here. So much to be excited about.
Speaking of Uncle Dave, he celebrated a birthday this weekend. If you're following Maya's school of thought, her turned 20 because I'm 22 and Uncle Dave is two years younger than me.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
taking a break
So here's the deal folks, What's Cooking Wednesday is going on hiatus until the new year. As I mentioned this week is chock full of fright nights*. Full of baking, rehearsals, homework, Elwood, reading, work, school. Things like laundry, housework and any real cooking to speak of have fallen by the wayside.
I'm eying my holidays up pretty hard. They can't get here quick enough. Of course I'm not exactly what I would call "ready" for Christmas, so speeding things up could be an issue. Looking forward to jammie days, sleeping in, reading and watching movies.
*fright night = a night that has you scrambling to get everything done. Typically Thursday is our fright night, Abby has riding so we have a later dinner and then we rush to get to homework etc before bed. A full week of them is a tall order to handle. I'm not sure how parents with kids in a lot of activities manage it. Hats off to you, if that's your family.
I'm eying my holidays up pretty hard. They can't get here quick enough. Of course I'm not exactly what I would call "ready" for Christmas, so speeding things up could be an issue. Looking forward to jammie days, sleeping in, reading and watching movies.
*fright night = a night that has you scrambling to get everything done. Typically Thursday is our fright night, Abby has riding so we have a later dinner and then we rush to get to homework etc before bed. A full week of them is a tall order to handle. I'm not sure how parents with kids in a lot of activities manage it. Hats off to you, if that's your family.
Monday, December 12, 2011
practice
Tonight the kids got to practice their bits of the Christmas pageant on stage. It still looks like a bit of utter chaos to me, but I know it will all come together in the end. Can't wait to see the whole thing.
I'm still very shocked that Maya got up on stage to practice with the rest of the choir. Last year she refused to practice on stage or take part in the actual production. It will be interesting to see what happens on Saturday night. Will she or won't she? She continues to be a riddle, that one.
I'm still very shocked that Maya got up on stage to practice with the rest of the choir. Last year she refused to practice on stage or take part in the actual production. It will be interesting to see what happens on Saturday night. Will she or won't she? She continues to be a riddle, that one.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
sunday randoms
This week is full of fright nights. Full of them! The girls have extra choir practice to get ready for the pageant this weekend. Mike has meetings and dinners to attend. Then there's riding lessons and dress rehearsal. Oh boy. We'll be scrambling all week.
This weekend was full of lovely people. I'd like to hit rewind and do it all again.
![121111_0943[00].jpg](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6496431965_8c8fb5196f.jpg)
Today ML and I donated 17 scarves to charity. Not too shabby!
Hershey's candy cane kisses are mucho delicious.
Guys, I have been killing it this year at Christmas shopping. I'd been scoring great deals all over the place. That makes me and my wallet very happy.
Only 9 more work days until I'm on holidays. I cannot wait!
I love taking Abby's ipod and adding new apps to it, then just leaving it for her to find.
This weekend was full of lovely people. I'd like to hit rewind and do it all again.
Today ML and I donated 17 scarves to charity. Not too shabby!
Hershey's candy cane kisses are mucho delicious.
Guys, I have been killing it this year at Christmas shopping. I'd been scoring great deals all over the place. That makes me and my wallet very happy.
Only 9 more work days until I'm on holidays. I cannot wait!
I love taking Abby's ipod and adding new apps to it, then just leaving it for her to find.
Friday, December 09, 2011
friday high five - 25 days of Christmas
Once again Elwood has been a huge hit at our house and yes, Abby still believes. What's great is friends of ours have borrowed our idea for their kids and their daughter, who's in Abby's class, wasn't sure if she was quite buying the whole Christmas Elf deal either and they've been helping to make believers out of each other. They're even hoping that the elves plan a little activity for the two families to do together. (I guess we better get working on something there JB.)
We've been doing some pretty low key things, very low key. We're just sort of winding down from a very very busy and emotionally draining fall so this is good. We're liking it very much. It feels like magic. Of course I'm sure you've been wondering what Elwood has had us up to.....
1. Reading. Last year I purchased a bunch of Christmas themed books and after the holidays I packed them away in my closet. Elwood's been dropping them off one by one, telling the kids they are on loan from the North Pole library and they'll need to be returned on Christmas Eve.
2.Christmas Shows. We have some on DVD and we've watched a couple of the shorter ones like the Penguins of Madagascar (shitake mushrooms I love those guys!) and the new Ice Age one that I picked up for only $5.
3. Colouring. Colouring pages printed off the internet are the best and the kids love it when you colour with them. This week I printed off a picture of an Elf and Elwood told the kids it was a picture of him. They were blown away to finally know what he looked like.
4. Decorate. We put our tree up and I let the kids go to it. They did a really great job. I still have to pull their trees out. I'm surprised they haven't asked yet. Maybe that will be tomorrow's project.
5. Writing. We wrote our letters to Santa and the girls have been leaving notes for Elwood to pick up.
This may be the best 25 days of Christmas yet.
Are you doing the 25 days of Christmas?
We've been doing some pretty low key things, very low key. We're just sort of winding down from a very very busy and emotionally draining fall so this is good. We're liking it very much. It feels like magic. Of course I'm sure you've been wondering what Elwood has had us up to.....
1. Reading. Last year I purchased a bunch of Christmas themed books and after the holidays I packed them away in my closet. Elwood's been dropping them off one by one, telling the kids they are on loan from the North Pole library and they'll need to be returned on Christmas Eve.
2.Christmas Shows. We have some on DVD and we've watched a couple of the shorter ones like the Penguins of Madagascar (shitake mushrooms I love those guys!) and the new Ice Age one that I picked up for only $5.
3. Colouring. Colouring pages printed off the internet are the best and the kids love it when you colour with them. This week I printed off a picture of an Elf and Elwood told the kids it was a picture of him. They were blown away to finally know what he looked like.
4. Decorate. We put our tree up and I let the kids go to it. They did a really great job. I still have to pull their trees out. I'm surprised they haven't asked yet. Maybe that will be tomorrow's project.
5. Writing. We wrote our letters to Santa and the girls have been leaving notes for Elwood to pick up.
This may be the best 25 days of Christmas yet.
Are you doing the 25 days of Christmas?
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
maya
Recently we got to spend some time in Maya's classroom for parent observation day. I just love parent observation day. I love to see how they are managing their little independent world. Maya is such a chatterbox at home, but she's surprisingly on the quiet side at school. Her teacher said she'd like to see her put her hand up more and I bet by the end of the year she will be. You know that one, she can take a very long time to warm up, but once she does, look out. So socially she's managing just fine.
Academically she's excelling. She's reading at a higher level than the rest of her class. So you know what that means.... extra homework. She's thrilled about that, of course. Her teacher pointed out that she probably wasn't telling us anything we didn't already know, but Mike told her it's always nice to hear it from someone else.
I'm so happy that she's settled into school so easily. I had some real concerns about how she was going to manage it all, but she just loves going to school. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year is going to bring us.
Academically she's excelling. She's reading at a higher level than the rest of her class. So you know what that means.... extra homework. She's thrilled about that, of course. Her teacher pointed out that she probably wasn't telling us anything we didn't already know, but Mike told her it's always nice to hear it from someone else.
I'm so happy that she's settled into school so easily. I had some real concerns about how she was going to manage it all, but she just loves going to school. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year is going to bring us.
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
less
Tonight I let the kids decorate the tree. It's not quite perfect. There are some areas that are devoid of ornaments and there are some that are a little bit ornament heavy, but I left them to it and swore to myself that I wouldn't move a single ornament when they were done. Not all of the ornaments made it out of their boxes.I only took a handful of Christmas cheer out to sprinkle around the house. I've decided that my theme of less is more this year can extend to the decorating too. I'll be thrilled in the new year when it's time to pack it all up. Easy peasy.
The days seem to be flying by. In a blink Christmas will be here. I'm not quite done my shopping, but it's okay. It will all get done. My goal is to have it all done and ready to go by December 22nd. Uncle Dave and Auntie Mel are due to roll into town right after that and I want to be able to sit and chat and watch dvds and play board games and laugh and soak up every minute of their visit because you just never know when we'll all be together again.
The days seem to be flying by. In a blink Christmas will be here. I'm not quite done my shopping, but it's okay. It will all get done. My goal is to have it all done and ready to go by December 22nd. Uncle Dave and Auntie Mel are due to roll into town right after that and I want to be able to sit and chat and watch dvds and play board games and laugh and soak up every minute of their visit because you just never know when we'll all be together again.
Sunday, December 04, 2011
sunday randoms
Had my first cookie order of the holiday season. Eight dozen cookies to go out tomorrow. Brought in the folding table from the garage as an island. Made cookie baking a million times easier.
I think I love Robert Downey Jr. He looks like he's wound pretty tight.... I like that.
Abby read aloud at church today in front of the entire congregation. That was huge! She would have never attempted that a year ago. I am forever grateful to the Empower program and so thankful that our school offers it.
This year, so far, the tree has been a multi-step process. We got it in the house on Saturday... Mike, the girls and Papa cut it down Saturday morning.... put the lights on it this afternoon and that's as far as we got.
The kids and I cleaned the toyroom. Gosh what a huge job that was, but since it doubles as our guest room, we needed to get it ready for Uncle Dave and Aunt Mel's visit at the end of the month. The kids are beside themselves! Can't wait until they get here.
As you may know Maya is of the opinion that I am only 22 years old. She will not be swayed on this point at all and it drives Abby right around the bend. Today they were having the same conversation that they've had a million times before.......
Abby: Mom is not 22! She's the same age as Dad. She's 38.
Maya: No she isn't, she's 22.
Abby: She is not, if she was 22 she would look a lot younger than that!
Well, ouch Abby and a Merry Christmas to you too.
I think I love Robert Downey Jr. He looks like he's wound pretty tight.... I like that.
Abby read aloud at church today in front of the entire congregation. That was huge! She would have never attempted that a year ago. I am forever grateful to the Empower program and so thankful that our school offers it.
This year, so far, the tree has been a multi-step process. We got it in the house on Saturday... Mike, the girls and Papa cut it down Saturday morning.... put the lights on it this afternoon and that's as far as we got.
The kids and I cleaned the toyroom. Gosh what a huge job that was, but since it doubles as our guest room, we needed to get it ready for Uncle Dave and Aunt Mel's visit at the end of the month. The kids are beside themselves! Can't wait until they get here.
As you may know Maya is of the opinion that I am only 22 years old. She will not be swayed on this point at all and it drives Abby right around the bend. Today they were having the same conversation that they've had a million times before.......
Abby: Mom is not 22! She's the same age as Dad. She's 38.
Maya: No she isn't, she's 22.
Abby: She is not, if she was 22 she would look a lot younger than that!
Well, ouch Abby and a Merry Christmas to you too.
Friday, December 02, 2011
friday high five - running music
So there hasn't been much time for running this week. Also the weather is crap. We probably should have started this adventure in the spring. When we do run this is which songs on the ipod keep me moving forward.
1. I Got the Moves Like Jagger. Maya loves to sing this song. It is tres cute.
2. Love you Like a Love Song. The girls may not like the Biebs, but they do have mad love for his girl friend Selena Gomez. When we first started running I could figure out how to play her playlist through the app so there was a run or two that song played in an endless loop.
3. I'm Sexy and I Know It. This song makes me smile. As does the video.
4. Raise Your Glass.... Glee or the original.
5.We R Who We R... don't judge.
1. I Got the Moves Like Jagger. Maya loves to sing this song. It is tres cute.
2. Love you Like a Love Song. The girls may not like the Biebs, but they do have mad love for his girl friend Selena Gomez. When we first started running I could figure out how to play her playlist through the app so there was a run or two that song played in an endless loop.
3. I'm Sexy and I Know It. This song makes me smile. As does the video.
4. Raise Your Glass.... Glee or the original.
5.We R Who We R... don't judge.
Thursday, December 01, 2011
best night ever
It's December 1st! The kids have been waiting for this day. The first day of the 25 days of Christmas.... an incredibly awesome idea I borrowed from the fabulous Andrea from a peek inside the fishbowl. I put a bit of my own spin on the idea and invented Elwood, the Elf who's in charge of Christmas fun. Every night Elwood leaves a note telling us what that day's activity is.
Thursday is fright night around here. Abby has her riding lesson, it's an hour long, but it equals about two hours at the stable once it's all said and done. By the time we get home it's headed for 7 and nobody has had dinner. Abby made sure the basket was in place before we left for riding, but I didn't have a chance to get the note into it before we left.
The kids came home to an empty basket, so we tidied and had dinner while the two of them speculated when he would show up and Abby checked on the basket every three seconds.
I work incredibly hard at making things into events for my kids. I want them to have warm and fuzzy memories of their childhood. I want them to always know how important I think this family is because I know..... well I just know. So I do things like the 25 days of Christmas, and sleepover movie nights, family fun night, and family game night. And I know.... I know, it means just as much to them as it does to me, even if they don't realize that it is me.
Some time after dinner as Mike and the kids were cleaning up I slipped away to write "the note", the one from Elwood that said how much he'd missed them, answered a question Abby had asked in a note she'd written and left them some hot chocolate and instructions to write their letters to Santa.
You guys, when Abby saw that note in the basket, she was overwhelmed to the point of tears. She couldn't even bring herself to read the note. She just grabbed onto Mike and I and hugged as hard as she could. You see earlier that evening she'd told me that she's been thinking about Elwood on the bus, how she thought maybe Elwood was me, but then she realized that no, he had to be real. She's nine, so she's just on the brink of figuring it out, to be honest I think she probably already knows on some level, but isn't willing to own it just yet.
I'm not going to lie to you fine folks, I got teary watching her. It's definitely up there as one of my top five parenting moments. One I will replay over and over. I'm pretty sure she will too.
![120111_2024[00].jpg](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6439924337_9e388149ac.jpg)
Thursday is fright night around here. Abby has her riding lesson, it's an hour long, but it equals about two hours at the stable once it's all said and done. By the time we get home it's headed for 7 and nobody has had dinner. Abby made sure the basket was in place before we left for riding, but I didn't have a chance to get the note into it before we left.
The kids came home to an empty basket, so we tidied and had dinner while the two of them speculated when he would show up and Abby checked on the basket every three seconds.
I work incredibly hard at making things into events for my kids. I want them to have warm and fuzzy memories of their childhood. I want them to always know how important I think this family is because I know..... well I just know. So I do things like the 25 days of Christmas, and sleepover movie nights, family fun night, and family game night. And I know.... I know, it means just as much to them as it does to me, even if they don't realize that it is me.
Some time after dinner as Mike and the kids were cleaning up I slipped away to write "the note", the one from Elwood that said how much he'd missed them, answered a question Abby had asked in a note she'd written and left them some hot chocolate and instructions to write their letters to Santa.
You guys, when Abby saw that note in the basket, she was overwhelmed to the point of tears. She couldn't even bring herself to read the note. She just grabbed onto Mike and I and hugged as hard as she could. You see earlier that evening she'd told me that she's been thinking about Elwood on the bus, how she thought maybe Elwood was me, but then she realized that no, he had to be real. She's nine, so she's just on the brink of figuring it out, to be honest I think she probably already knows on some level, but isn't willing to own it just yet.
I'm not going to lie to you fine folks, I got teary watching her. It's definitely up there as one of my top five parenting moments. One I will replay over and over. I'm pretty sure she will too.
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