All bundled up in Ten Years

This past week, John and I celebrated our 10 year Anniversary!   Ten years!!  It seems a bit silly to say,  but there really was a time back when I was little that I actually thought "ten years" was a long time;)    Looking back now- it seems to have flown by. 

I've thought a lot this week about a conversation I had, probably about 9 years ago, with a former Bishop of ours.   At the time,  John had just found out that he had not been accepted into medicine as he'd hoped.   We must have been feeling discouraged about this, because our Bishop felt the need to give me some advice and encouraged me not to worry about the logistics of life too much.  I remember he specifically said:

 "You will find that 10 years from now you will be nowhere that you thought you would be."

Here we are - 10 years later already.  And he was right.

As John and I talked this week about this (little) milestone,  I could not help but think of all the experiences we've had that I never imagined we would have had by this point.

    In 10 years we....

* have moved 13 times

* lived in 3 different cities  (well...2 cities + 1 small town;)

* tried to become a doctor (John)

* had 4 kids

* bought and sold 5 different vehicles (of varying price and quality;)

* pursued dentistry  (John)

* had 1 miscarriage (Me)

* considered being a CES teacher (John)

* each lost a parent :(

* purchased our first home 

*lived in a home that had tail lights on it;)

* got the chance to go to DISNEYLAND!

* said goodbye to 4 grandparents who had lived to wonderful old ages

* discovered John was meant to be a school teacher

* returned to University

* Moved to John's hometown

* been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (Me)

* Learned how to garden

* had just 1 argument;) over a stray dog of all things

*came to understand what fear and anxiety felt like

* Been to places we'd never before been to:   Utah, Idaho, California, Babb;), Nevada, Bozeman MT, Oregon, and BC

* had 1 prophylactic bi-lateral mastectomy (not John;)

* held various callings mostly in two specific capacities- young men's and primary.

* introduced our kids to the joys of living near Waterton & Glacier (ongoing;)

* camped with the kids only ONCE;(  (tsk tsk)

* and purchased a home we hope to stay in forever.   (or at least for the next 10 years;)

Phew!

We've been busy!

As I compiled this list,  I felt such overwhelming gratitude for each and every experience that has brought John and I to this point that we are at today.   

Mostly though,  I am grateful for the fact that my 'better half'  is the type of person who can make an entire decade (ups, downs and all)  seem like a sweet, exquisite and lovely walk in the park!   

*********

Luci and Jordan (John's brother and his wife) watched our four little rowdys on Tuesday and Wednesday so that we could get away to my favorite place in the World!   ...Waterton!

It was relaxing.  And quiet. And Cozy.    And Perfect!

Christmas Recap

Christmas Eve Dinner

This is no small event!   John's Brother Jordan headed up a fantastic Christmas Eve dinner that consisted of French Onion Soup, Steak, Shrimp and all the fixins including Crab Legs (all the way from Calgary;)!

He knows how to put on a meal-that's for sure.    Afterwards the kids entertained us with a hillarious, occasionally spiritual rendition of the Nativity.       After that we drove around and looked at lights for a bit and then came home to get all ready for Santa.   Christmas jammies, hot chocolate, carrots for the reindeer and a note to Santa with a plate of cookies and milk was the perfect way to finish a great night!

Christmas Day

The kids were elated and thrilled with their gifts.   They were ridiculously spoiled, almost to the point of complete embarrassment.   I'll remember to not go overboard next year;)  

Afterwards we met up with John's siblings for some traditional breakfast pizza, went to church and pretty much enjoyed the day in the most lazy way possible.    John fell in love with baby Justin, Libby spent hours applying (and re-applying) her new make up on Jessica, and Sam spent the day playing Lego Star Wars on the wii.    

Such fun!

Christmas Crafting

Just a quick entry to share some of the fun things we've done this week.    Earlier in the week we had Libby and Jax join us for a cousin sleepover.   We had our traditional candle light dinner, then the kids decorated Christmas cookies, painted their nails and made their own trees and wreaths!    

It was a fun time.

Rach, Brent, Ben and Kat have all arrived and we are definitely in party mode!   This family knows how to partay!  

Last night  (after Rach took my families photos;) we had the "1st annual gingerbread competition."   It was major sugar overload, but the kids enjoyed it.    As did the adults.  The Dad's took the job of assembling the house quite seriously:)

These are the completed houses.    You may notice Jordan in many of these pictures.   That's because after everyone else had finished and moved on to other things Jord-remained.    Laboring tirelessly on his...ur...I mean his kids' house.      His house wins for "most time consuming-yet innovative design!"

Well, it is Christmas Eve, and the kids are E.X.C.I.T.E.D!

I love Christmas Eve even more then Christmas Day.    

We'll take the kids to play at the gym;  Eat a yummy Steak and Crab Leg dinner (as per the Hardy tradition);   Re-enact the Nativity, and drive around to look at Christmas lights.  

Finally, we will tuck the kids in to bed, and they will astonish us with how willingly they fall asleep!  

That's when John and I will do the whole "Santa Thing" before snuggling on the couch to watch our favorite Christmas show.  

Could any day be more perfect?

Merry Christmas to all of our Family and Loved ones.  

We hope it is delightful for you to!!!

Twas the WEEK before Christmas!

One Week!!!  

It's a bit crazy to think that in 7 days Christmas will be over.   Time is beginning to feel a little blurry now as our normal routine goes flying out the window at breakneck speed!    Bedtimes are getting later, we're all sleeping in a bit longer, there is less thought on homework and more thought on playing, and fun, and family.  So great!!!

Speaking of family, John's brother and his wife arrived on Saturday and will be here for the next couple of weeks.   We've not seen Jordan and Luci very much this year, so it will be nice to catch up.    Yesterday, after church we had Jordan, Luci, Rachel, Brent, and Max all over for one big dinner before Max flies out to North Carolina.    It was fun to get together and I couldn't help but feel as though the holidays can now begin.   School or not- we are definitely in party mode over here;)

We had a Ham Dinner with all the fixings, not to mention the yummiest drinks ever!   (thanks Rach;)   It was fun to meet (and hold) our little nephew Justin, whom we've not met until now.  And what would a Christmas dinner be without candles and Christmas Krackers?  

 (My brother in law Brent insisted we all get a picture with our crowns on;)

Earlier in the day, my kids got to wear their new Christmas dresses/ties to church.    One of Abby's favorite Christmas books is "A Dress for Ellen" and she was thrilled to get a dress of her own this year.  

Jess was equally happy to have a dress and insisted that she looked like a candy cane.  ...?  

I wouldn't exactly say that Sam was excited about his new Christmas tie, but he begrudgingly agreed to wear it, thanks to an incredible amount of bribery on my part;)   I just love the picture of him.   That is what he did when I told him to "look at the camera;"

And then there is Nate.   

There is a reason Nate is not part of the photo collage above.    It's because he flat out REFUSED to wear his Christmas tie.   Or pants.   Or shirt.     

He did however, happily wear his woody pajamas and swim goggles in true Nathan fashion. 

Go Figure: 

Happy WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

Naughty or Nice

With Christmas just over a week away, my kids are getting very preoccupied with just where exactly on Santa's list they currently sit.  Because it's a well-known fact that your status on Santa's list is completely variable, and can change in an instant;)   So here is the low down on all the kids at this moment:

Abby:

This girl is definitely on the good list, despite the fact that she's growing much to fast for my liking.   She uses words like "As if" and "Seriously!" way too frequently, and her bedroom is beginning to resemble a  pre teen's lair, but she's still willing to cuddle with her mom any time- so I can't complain much;)   She's bright in school and oh so confident;)    We have been trying to emphasize with her the importance of "quality" in all that she does, (school work, piano...etc)  and I'm starting to notice some big changes.   She's starting to develop interests and talents that sometimes surprise me.  

Sam:

This boy has changed so much this year!    It wasn't too long ago, that I though of him as the crazy one in the family, and he truly did keep us on our toes.    He's mellowed out a bit though and actually has a very thoughtful and sensitive disposition.  Don't get me wrong though- he is still SILLY to the bone, and still does take any opportunity to make someone laugh.    I'm torn between whether I think he will grow up to be an actor, or an activist who will finally solve the problems of humanity.

Just last night during family prayer, he prayed for all the poor people in the world.   It made my heart melt ...and kinda smile when he prayed, "And please bless all the poor people out there that they can win some money...."     

See?  He's always thinking of others;)

Jessica:

I don't think this girl knows what it is like to be on the Naughty list.    She was born smiling and hasn't really stopped!   She is the kid in our family who eats ALL her vegetables, and tries EVERYTHING on her plate without complaining!   She's also the one who will stick up for me when the other kids are picking on their old mom.   Simply put- she is a complete Suck Up, and it reminds me of myself when I was her age;)    Love it!

Nate:

Well it is official.   Nathan is the new "Sam" around here, and I sometimes wonder what happened to that sweet little baby that smiled at everybody who even so much as looked at him;)      He is still mighty cute, and has his sweet moments to be sure.    But those sweet moments are also mingled with a whole lot of Naughtiness!!!    Here's a story for example:   In our house, for some reason, the light switches to all of our rooms are found on a wall just outside of each room.   Well Nate has discovered this little "feature", and now lurks outside of our bathrooms just waiting for a chance to turn the lights off while somebody is going potty.     He LOVES hearing a scream as he gleefully runs/dances away leaving someone stranded in a pitch black bathroom!    

He's lucky he's so CUTE!

So far, Nathan is the only one in the family at risk of getting coal, but there's still time, and I have a small shred of hope that he can turn it around;)   Even Sam is rooting for Nathan as all of his recent meal time prayers so thoughtfully illustrate:  

 "And please bless Nathan that he can not be on the Naughty List any more."

AMEN TO THAT!!!!

Oh Snow Adorable!

Earlier in the year my sister Jewel invited Abby to be part of a weekly art class at her house.    My niece Mya has been taking private lessons from a daughter of Simon Dewey (yes THE Simon Dewey;) and this year she opened up the class to two more kids!!!

Abby is really enjoying it - (though how could it not go great when the classes are at Jewel's house;)!

I have really enjoyed seeing what Abby comes home with each week, and it has been good for her.    John and I both LOVED this home made snow globe she brought home today.

    Is it not the cutest thing ever?

Apparently the girls made a shape out of clay and then Kirstie (I may have spelled her name incorrectly) finished it off for them!

I think it is just "SNOW" ADORABLE!!!!  

( I know.  I'm so punny;)


Love this little art class!

Oversized jammies, the Snow Queen, and a two year old with ATTITUDE!

December is FLYING by!  It makes me very sad, and kinda excited all at the same time.    There is nothing more enjoyable then Christmas time with a household of manic and crazy kids;)    On the other hand though- I'm totally looking forward to a new year!    Some of the highlights of the week:

Sledding:

There is a small little hill in the Alley south of our house that is just perfect for our kids.    On Saturday afternoon Abby, Sam and Jess ventured out with Dad for some sledding fun.   I joined them for a bit before lunch.   Sadly, I fell, landed on my camera and cracked it pretty good.   I went home and cried;)  

Oh well, that whole photography thing was a fun while it lasted, but I suppose it's time for a new hobby anyway.     Perhaps I'll dust off my ol' guitar;)

********

Christmas Shopping is DONE:

Alright...technically...Santa still needs to come up with three sets of pajamas because last year Mrs.Claus (that's me;) decided to take advantage of post christmas sales in town and bought the kids jammies TEN sizes too big!    What?  It's not my fault that they didn't grow as much as I thought they would:)    

 Christmas Eve sleepwear aside- the rest of the gifts are bought, wrapped and hidden in the darkest corner of our crawl space.     

(I told the kids that there were snakes in the crawl space- and they've not attempted to explore it yet;) 

*********

Sam wants to be Pure in Heart:

The other day Sam and Abby asked if they could walk home from school because it was snowing and the flakes were huge and fluffy and fun!   THIRTY minutes later they finally made it home with wet socks, cold cheeks and red noses.    As Sam was having his after school snack he looked up at me and asked, "Mom.  Do you think I am pure in heart?"   

His expression was so sincere and he almost seemed to be hoping that I'd tell him he was.   I took a minute to tell him what I thought it means to be pure in heart and then finished by telling Sam that yes...I think that...most days...when he wants to be.....and tries really hard...:)....he is definitely Pure in Heart.

"Phew!"  He said.  "Because Abby saw the Snow Queen on the way home from school and she said that only the pure in heart can see her, and I really want to see her!"  

Teaching moment with my oldest son?   Epic fail.  

 Maybe next time;)

Nate has an attitude problem:

A month or so ago I asked one of the nursery leaders how Nate was doing in Nursery.   Expecting a pleasant review I was a little taken aback when the response was, "Well...he doesn't share.  Doesn't say please.   And doesn't say sorry." 

Since then I've implemented an intervention of sorts in hopes that I can straighten this child out before he escapes his formative years.   At the very least I've hoped that I could restore him to the sweet lovable little boy we know so well.    No lie though - he has in fact developed a little mean streak.   I sort of think of him as a dangerous pet...like a pitbull.    I personally am not afraid of him, but that's only because I'm the one who provides for him.   However- I'm pretty sure every body else has every reason to fear!

Earlier this week- I got a babysitter one morning (a sweet girl who is home schooled and thankfully available during the day) so that I could go to a dentist appointment.    Well- as soon as Nate saw her- he knew what was up and he got LIVID!   I said a little prayer for her as I drove away- believe me I did.     When I returned home - her report was slightly worse then that nursery leader's was all those weeks ago;)   Apparently, Nathan had shut himself up in my bedroom and barricaded the door with his kicking and screaming self, refusing to let her in the entire time!   When she would open the door to check on him occasionally he would yell at her.  Specifically these words - "DIE...DIE!!!!"

Seriously,  for a boy who can barely talk- he sure packs a lot of punch into the words he does say. 

(I'm sure we have his older siblings to thank for that one;)

*******

Suffice it to say- I've begun the annual tradition of Christmas Blackmail with the kids.  (It's just a fun little game I like to play every now and then, which I hope will one day result in finer more decent human beings.)    

For example-  they now know that if any of them teaches Nate to say mean things again - Santa will take one of their presents out of his sack!  

And Abby knows that if she doesn't practice her piano for a half an hour every day - then Santa will....take a present of hers out of his sack!  

And I was sure to warn the kids this evening that if they didn't sit reverently and politely while visiting with the Bishop during tithing settlement then...you guessed it - Santa will take a present of theirs out of his sack.  

So far the kids are all running a deficit in the gift department;) but they are sure trying with all their little hearts to be good !

  (even the not so pure ones;)

I keep lighting the candle...

Growing up in my family there was one Christmas tradition that stands out in my memory as the one thing we always did.    Every year beginning on December 1st we would eat our dinner each evening by Candlelight.    I'm not really sure why this tradition began, but I know it was an important thing to my Dad.    

Eating as a family in general was important to my Dad, and looking back- I marvel that a single father of four kids could even manage to put dinner on the table- let alone make it extra special by adding candles.   But that is what my Dad did.   

My siblings and I sometimes laugh about the countless times we would forget our food and sit instead playing with the hot wax- despite my Dad's constant warnings.   He swore to us many times that "this would be the last time we'd get to eat with candles!"  But sure enough- the tradition continued.  

 Year after Year.  

Now that I have kids of my own- this is something that has become quite important to me to.    

Interestingly enough, my kids seem to have inherited the same incessant need to dip their little fingers into the wax, argue over who gets what candle, and I swear I have to re-light those things about 50 times EVERY MEAL!   

But... like my Dad- I keep setting the candles out.

My kids seem to have picked up on the fact that no matter how many times I threaten to be done with this whole tradition, there will inevitably be a candle on the table until December runs out.   

    

It's a bit Utopian I admit, but I am certain that despite the usual daily chaos - it makes for a calmer few minutes together.  

I'm pretty sure that the kids linger a bit longer at the table on these nights, and I keep hoping that they will one day look back and recall these December meal times with fondness.  

I like to think that we feel a little bit more unity and love for each other because of this tradition. 

As you can tell- John has the same appreciation for this tradition that I do:

He is a complete and utter dork!

That pretty much sums up the feelings I have for this man each and every night.

But...only around dinner time.

And...only in December!:)

ADVENTurous times

I've never been good with the whole 'Christmas Advent Calendar' thing, but last year a friend of mine (thanks Shauna;) made the cutest little advent cards and pockets and I loved them.   I've been waiting ALL year to finally get a chance to put them up;)    

The only problem is- they came BLANK!    (darn you Shauna;)   I'm sure she intended to leave them blank for me to fill out with the seasonal activities of my own choosing- but  that would take some creativity on my part.  And that is something of which I am sadly without;)    

So far, we have gone to the Library in search of Christmas books, visited a Christmas art display, Met Santa, AND on a particularly desperate day (day 1;) I hauled in a Rubbermaid full of snow into the kitchen so the kids could build snow pals indoors!   

The only problem with this whole thing is that I am now fresh out of ideas!    Though the kids don't know it- all these cute little cards are currently sitting empty waiting for me to fill them with all kinds of cute activities.   Sadly though- the well is dry;) and I'm pretty much scraping the barrel now to think up something fast each day.

The Search...

Christmas shopping has begun!

This time last year I had already completed all of the Christmas shopping.   Not only did I have all the gifts, but they were wrapped...signed (by Santa of course:)...and hidden away well before December even hit.    Not this year.     I wouldn't consider myself a scrooge in any way but this whole "gift" thing this year has been a tad more stressful then I thought it would be.   It doesn't help that I've always taken pride in my ability to be prepared...weeks and weeks ...and weeks in advance;)    Maybe I'm just learning, (now that I'm all grown up) that there is more to Christmas then just gifts.     Maybe though, I've yet to find that perfect thing for those that I love.    I feel a little lost as I search for that "Gift" that will make my kids' year.

I never go Christmas shopping without thinking about my favorite Christmas 25 years ago.   I'm sure that my siblings remember this year well.    My mom was ill.    Together her and my Dad had decided that they would not purchase a single thing for us but instead, they each would make us something.   My mom made us all matching pajamas and my Dad set to work building something.  Something big.    For weeks and weeks our basement was "off limits", while my Dad labored on our gifts. We could hardly wait to see what it was he was making.   On Christmas morning we woke up and went downstairs to find a giant He-man table for my brother and the most beautiful playset I had ever seen for us girls.    I still have not found a playset that would match this one. It took up an entire room!   It had everything you would ever need in a play kitchen.   Real dials, faucets, a dishwasher, food...the works!    My sisters and I played in that room for years, (with the odd invasion from my brother and some of his He-Man.)

I recall very little about that time in my life...but I do remember the hours spent with my sisters in that little room.   Perhaps that is the gift my Dad wanted to give most of all. As he knew we would be losing our mother, perhaps what he wanted to give us more than anything else, was the ability to just...play.
 To be kids.  Even now this playset occupies a room at my sisters house and all our girls love it and use it as much as we did.

 Now that was a good gift!

So as I contemplate what to give my own kids now, and when I get tempted to just buy "anything" off the shelf or think it doesn't matter because Christmas 'isn't about presents anyways,'  I'm reminded of that year, and I'm inclined to think that maybe Christmas can be a little bit about "presents"  IF we find the right one.

So the search continues.

Really, I just need to find a way to tell John that I'm pretty sure the "perfect gift" this year comes in the form of a cute little puppy.  

I'm thinking- a chocolate lab;)   

  Now that's a gift my kids would remember!!!


(Photo taken this weekend   The first of no doubt many visits with Santa;)

Our little Charlie Brown Tree!

After last years Christmas Eve fiasco with our disappearing Christmas Tree - we decided that this year we would have TWO trees in our home.   One in the basement for the kids (and John), and one upstairs for me, that would hopefully stay put this time.    Even better then that- John decided months and months ago that instead of purchasing a fake tree- we would cut our own this year!

How fun is that?

Growing up- my Dad insisted on real Christmas trees, and I have fond memories of the fresh piney smell wafting through the house.      I even remember a couple of childhood trips to the foothills to pick out that perfect tree.    It would be an understatement to say that I was excited for my own kids to get to have that same experience this year.    

Early last week- John picked up a permit and on Friday after school we picked up Johns Dad and followed his directions out to the "community pasture."    I'd never been out there before and on a warm sunny day, I could picture it being quite a lovely spot.    On this particular day it was still quite lovely- albeit snowy and windy.    Still- the kids happily trudged along behind us as John, Max and I scoured the woods for a very particular type of tree.   Spruce...pine...Fir...?  I don't remember particularly what kind we were looking for-but I do know John was not willing to settle for anything but!    I gave up and eventually returned to the van with the kids- while John and Max disappeared beyond our sight.   

Half an hour later they came back into view dragging behind them two very lovely trees!    Apparently John finally found ONE tree that fit his criteria, and what a tree it is;)    (The 2nd tree we gave to our Home Teacher.)

Sadly- I forgot my camera at home (I hate it when that happens) and may have said a bad word in my head every time I witnessed a moment pass that I would have loved to document.   The kids prancing around those woods, happy and excited about this adventure- really was a merry moment.      And the image of John and Max hiking back towards us-through the snow- with the trees in tow is a memory that I will always cherish.     Well...at least until it fades from my brain because I have no PICTURE to remind me of it!!!!!    Sigh!   

(This is the only picture I got the entire day.  Lame-but I guess it will have to do;)

It took a few days to get our tree decorated.   I truly lack the ability to make things cute-but here is the finished product.      My sister Crystal found us a gold angel for the top, and I used a thick meshy fabric to fill in the many gaps.    All in all- despite my useless decorative skills- this little Charlie Brown Tree doesn't look half bad, if I do say so myself;)

And just in case you feel inclined to analyze or critique it- let me just show a close up of the ornaments.   

That's right.   It's full of touching pictures of the Savior.  

I DARE you to make fun of it now!!!!;)

And the best part about this tree is that - unlike last year- it is staying put!!!

That time I actually won something....

I don't really win contests very often.    In fact, aside from a set of steak knives I won for my Dad when I was eight, and the time I became the student council secretary in high school (by acclamation;)  - I usually come out on the losing end of things.   

So imagine my ELATION when I recently won... not one .... but TWO photo contests!    

The first one, I was originally a little bit embarrassed about.   Back in the summer, I had submitted a photo of mine to Value Drug Mart in hopes that it would win a spot in their 2012 Calendar.    

When I found out that it had- I immediately began to worry about who would find out that I'd even entered.    I didn't want people to think I was all like "look at me and the photo I took."  

Turns out- that humility wore off rather quickly and I've been bragging about it ever since;)  

PS:  Two other talented local woman's photos appear in the Calendar as well;)

I'm Miss January!   (just kidding;)

The second Contest is the one I am most excited about, because it is strictly for Waterton photos.   I entered it last year and received honorable mention for a photo I took while hiking Crypt.    This year,  I went a little over the top and spent all my time in Waterton taking pictures!!!   If I was totally being honest I'd admit to entering 15 in total!   I mean- who does that?!

What?  I was determined;)

A couple of days ago I was notified and told that four of my photos had won first in every category!   

(Best overall Waterton Photo, Honorable Mention, Best Photo of Triple Crown Hike Category, and Honorable Mention!)

I have truly been elated about it ever since and there have been moments where I've actually dragged John over to the computer to look "just one more time...at what a winner he married!"

I really should stop.  He's getting sick of it;)    

Here's to entering Contests with a shallow pool of entries eh?  

I tell ya- it's really easy on the ego!

When I look back on the photos I've submitted over the past couple of years I am always reminded of the moment I snapped it.    Each picture carries with it a memory of time spent in Waterton and my love for this place has deepened and intensified as a result.

Go here to see the photos I submitted: My Waterton Photos and Thank you for allowing me to boast a wee bit for a moment.   

Rest assured- this will likely NEVER happen again!  
You can almost statistically count on it;)

Snow Play

We had fun this past weekend watching Nate try to navigate his way through the snow!   

Is there anything sweeter then a little boy bundled up in a snow suit and puppy hat?
I think not!

Letters to Santa

One of the kids' favorite thing to do each year is to browse the Sears Wish book and write letters to Santa.    It's a fun sight for sure- to watch for kids tear into that book (literally) trying to get dibs on what they would like to find under the tree on Christmas morning.   

It's pretty much greedy mayhem!

Of course-  after they compose their letters- I usually discover that "Santa" has so far gotten nothing on their list.    It either a) gives me ...ahem..."Santa" a chance to make one last shopping trip to remedy that.  Or b) it gives me time to manipulate conversations and influence the kids to change their minds and actually want what is really coming their way! ;)

 I was thrilled to see their wish lists for 2011;)    Turns out Santa got it somewhat right this year, and each of the kids are getting at least ONE of the things they've asked for.    That's good enough for me!

That was however-before ABBY showed up this afternoon with another draft of her letter to Santa.    Let's just say she's made a few revisions and I'm not sure how I feel about them.    John and I have a solid NO Pets for Christmas rule and suddenly she is asking for FOUR?!

And a Star Wars bobblehead?  Really?

(I  was however, so very pleased to see her little P.S. where she asks Santa if he could be sure to put MODEST clothes on her Monster High Doll.)

Yeah Elves - Get it right this year!

No hootchy barbies like last time:)

The Professor is in

The other night we received a phone message from one of our darling (albeit American) nephew Kaden.    He had a science related question and was hoping that the PROFESSOR (aka John;) could call him back soon.    I didn't delete that phone message for a couple of days because it made me smile every time I listened to it,  ever since then I've made a point of calling John "Professor" as much as possible.  Though he won't admit it- I think he actually likes the nickname;) 

  

Last night as we were watching M*A*S*H (which is part of our usual bedtime routine) I noticed ahem... the "Professor"  was going through a stack of papers written to him by his grade 10 students.    Every semester he asks his students to give him some anonymous feedback in the form of a survey.   There's such safety in anonymity isn't there?  

 He asks them to share their opinions of his class by answering 3 specific questions.  They are:

"What should I START doing as a teacher?"

"What should I STOP doing as a teacher?"

"What should I CONTINUE doing as a teacher?"

I had fun reading through the surveys with John and most of them were very kind and constructive.  Bless those kids' hearts!   Some were just plain funny! 

Here are a few of my favorites:

STOP- "letting us goof around."

STOP- "making us separate our desks during exams." 

(yeah...sure kid.  Good luck with that;) 

START- "You should show us more movies!"   

(this reminded me of the time my social 30 class managed to convince our teacher Mr. Thompson to let us watch Monty Python in class.   Movies in class were the best!;)    

STOP-  "having a water cooler with no cups.  Please share!"

START- "showing more movies" (again with the movies?;)

CONTINUE- "looking like a dinosaur"  (say what?)

START- wearing new Ties. 

  (Ok this one-I took personally because I am the one who shops for John's clothes and, truly, he has more ties then I do shoes!  New Ties- my eye!!)

START- "Maybe just get some new markers so they don't squeak all the time."

And finally my favorite most grammatically correct response:

CONTINUE- "Teaching physics.  Everything in our class is well teached!"

All in all- I think the feedback was pretty helpful. 

Now if you'll excuse me ....

I'm off to get the Professor some new Ties!!!!

Christmas in November?

We may have perhaps set our Christmas things up a little early this year.   However, it's somehow become a bit of a tradition for us to set up the tree on November 11th after attending the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony.  

This year - we were all feeling a little bit sluggish with the colds and flus we were dealing with (yes...again with the "woe is me" bit;) but John was determined to decorate on Nov 11th as always. 

And believe me,  John gets all "Tevye" (from Fiddler on the Roof) on us when it comes to TRADITION;)

It ended up being the perfect pick- me- up  for the kids, and it wasn't long before they were all trying to join in and help.    At one point Abby sighed and said dramatically, "Mom- I love Christmas!  It's just so nice to be with family.)   

Seriously it was such a cheesy moment- the whole room smelled like brie after. ;)

All cheesyness aside though, Abby was right - it was a fun time together.    Once things were set up we sort of all collapsed on the living room floor together and watched movies by the light of the tree.   

John laughed the next morning when we woke up to falling snow, and he insisted that it was because he had put up the lights on the house.    And what lights they are right?

I mean, can you think of any better color combination then Blue and White? 

   John picked these lights out two years ago and I think he was obviously feeling a little cougar pride at the time.  I hope our good neighbors can put up with them for the next SIX WEEKS!

Go Cougars!!!

A Summer Movie! (as I cope with November;)

The last couple of weeks have completely stank!   (And I don't mean that figuratively either;)    So far, November has very literally REEKED of throw up...cough syrup...dirty laundry...disinfectant and hand sanitizer.    It's been a sick little home around here the last little while with some ridiculous sort of  "Flu/Bronchitis/Croup combo."   It's made for a pretty crabby mama and some equally sad and pathetic babes.    I'm about ready to write November off entirely, and I have half a mind to just skip this month automatically next year without even giving it a chance;)

On a sunnier note- I recently came across a video clip that was taken this summer.   One of the administrators at John's school (lets just call him "Mr.Jensen" because, well...that's his name;) had taken John's Dad for a drive one day out to a nearby pond that he himself stocks each year with trout.    After showing the trout to Max,  Mr. Jensen then gave him permission to show it to his grandkids.   So one beautiful summer evening in August we drove the few minutes out to the dugout and Max showed the kids how to feed the fish!    I caught little bits of it on film and it always makes me laugh when I watch it now.    

Despite the fact that this clip is a little bit long (and I have the most ridiculous sounding man voice and laugh EVER) - I love watching it for so many reasons:
  I LOVE how happy the kids were that evening.  (Jessica's enthusiasm is truly over the top in some parts;)   I LOVE how this one visit made up for an entire summer of fishing without a single catch.    I LOVE that Jessica is wearing what would end up being her Halloween costume.    I LOVE that Grandpa Max took the time to share a moment like this with my kids.    I LOVE that the weather was sunny and warm.   I LOVE that the kids still talk about this evening.  
And most of all, at this very minute...what  I LOVE most about this particular summer memory ...
 is that there was not a single BARF BUCKET in sight!!!!    

I'm ready for Summer!  Who's with me?

                                                         

Man I love this Geek!

I was visiting with John in his classroom this past week, and actually had a moment to look around and explore the room a bit.   This place that he spends 70% of his life at is in large part a mystery to me, and I found myself sitting at his desk trying to imagine what a typical work day would be like for him.  

A school teachers desk is an interesting thing to study - and I think it says a lot about the teacher.    Some desks are tidy, organized, even obsessively clean - while other's desks are scattered, laid back or disorganized in a way that could only work for them.     

John's desk is more of the latter description. 

(But that's only because I'm not there all the time to organize it for him;)   zing! ;)  

Anyways - what really made me smile was his work table at the back of the room.    It is chalk full of wires, batteries, and taken apart appliances.   I'm pretty sure fragments of our old microwave and broken alarm clock are sitting on that there table;)    

When I asked John if he actually uses any of it in class, he replied, "Nah...not really.  I just sometimes like to play around with it."  

Play around with it?   As in, he thinks all this is in some way fun?   Really?

And then I realized that somewhere beneath that handsome manly exterior of his -
lurks a real live bonafide... GEEK!
(He hides it so well;)

Thanks "Dewel";)

It's no secret my little boy loves his Auntie Jewel.   It's also no secret that I am ridiculously jealous of my son's Auntie Jewel.     

Why shouldn't I be?   All four of my children absolutely worship the ground she walks on.

  So do I for that matter - it's just that I happen to think that my very own kids ought to worship the ground that I walk on - that's all;)   Would that be too much to ask?

Yesterday evening Jewel came by the house with a belated Birthday Gift for Nate.   It was just what a two year old burdened with the flu needed.   One look at this Pirate Ship and Nate perked up and began to play as though he hadn't been sick for the past two days!

 I wasn't the least bit surprised when we noticed a little while later that Nate had called his toy "Dewel."   (aka: Jewel;)

Many times during the day we'll hear him calling out as he searches for the toy-

"Dewel?   My Dewel?"   

Jealous or not- I've got to admit - it's pretty darn cute!

It makes me feel bad that the only thing we've given her lately...

is the FLU!

(Thanks for the gift Dewel!  Hope Mya's feeling better;)

Why the packing should NEVER be left up to the guys

As mentioned in the previous post, I had made plans this week to attend my Uncle's funeral in Wetaskwin.      All of the Toone family would be there and the kids were beyond excited to get to skip school and come with me.    Obviously wanting to capitalize on their excitement, I hurriedly told them each to go pack their own bag and even listed off the types of clothes I expected them to include.         

What I didn't realize though was that by asking my son to pack his bag, I had defied the most basic and cardinal rule of travel.   I mean everybody knows that you NEVER let a boy do the packing!  And everybody knows that if you do - you end up stuck somewhere with a whole bunch of things you don't need, and nothing that you really do.)

This was again driven home to me on Tuesday afternoon as I came across Sam's back pack.  It was hanging so nicely by the door, all ready to go and it was obvious he'd put a lot of thought into the task;)     

  The first thing I noticed about Sam's bag, was that he had made careful effort to accessorize the outside of it with a triangle made from his Tinker Toys, as well as an old half deflated balloon.    

Granted, the balloon did have his name on it.   Perhaps he was just trying to creatively label his luggage for everyone else's benefit?

Inside the bag though- well it all kinda went down hill from there!

There was no sign of pajamas, or socks, or underwear or anything a silly old mom like me would consider useful for a trip.    Instead, inside his bag - I found three more...bags?

Bag #1 contained:    His Halloween costume.    

Bag #2 contained:   1 airplane, 3 random pieces of lego, 1 lone bakugon, and a few cut out paper ghosts he'd made at school.

Bag #3 contained:  His bakugon running shoes.    Which- if you ask me would naturally just be worn on his feet-but who am I to know how things should be?

What wasn't in the bag you ask?

Oh, basically just EVERYTHING THAT ACTUALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN USEFUL!

And that my friends - is why you never....NEVER let the men do the packing!!!!

Ironically, that night Jessica came down with the flu (curse you Health Canada and your no good flu shot!) and our travel plans came to an abrupt halt.   I've definitely learned my lesson for next time though;)