a lot of work

Most of the decorations are packed up and put away for another year.  By midday tomorrow you won't be able to tell anything out of the ordinary even happened around here.  Christmas will be, once again… a distant memory (that took up a lot of energy!!)


!@#$%^&*()_  …… fast forward 30 hours…. to now.  

……………….. What was I thinking?  

The tree has nothing on it but still takes up 1/6th of our living room.  The mantle is strewn with cards… some upright, some not so much.  The stockings are still hung but with not much care at this point.

Our tree this year was one of my favourites of all time.  Due to an unforeseen event at the tree farm, this tree was chosen in record time.   Apparently, Ruby's in the "I'm 4 and I can throw really big fits" phase so we literally chose the second tree we laid eyes on.  We were in the car driving to the place longer than we were there, looking, cutting and hooking the tree up to the van.  It was actually funny.  Poor Ruby.

…………………fast forward 3 hours…….

OK.  It's done.  The tree is out.  The rest lingering around will have to wait.  Until exactly when I cannot confirm at this juncture.

So… Christmas was pretty awesome.  Leo sort of understands about Santa but watching him walk about in a daze on Christmas morning was proof enough that he's just not quite getting it 100%.  As per usual, everybody got spoiled.  I feel that we need to start teaching our kids some life lessons.  I'm not exactly sure how I'll get them involved, but I want to make a difference in someone else's Christmas by volunteering, donating toys and or doing whatever I can to help the less fortunate.

The weather this year was pretty awesome too.  No snow.  I used to think Christmas would be better with snow but I've seen the light.  Snow just sucks.  I'll take none over some any day.

Oh my gosh….. Ryan and I had 5 full days off parenting duty over the break.   At this point, it seems a distant memory but it was amazing while it lasted.  The kids stayed in Sackville and we enjoyed going to bed when we were tired and sleeping unit WAY after the sun came up.  We had civilized conversations and meals when we wanted to.  We went to the gym randomly and didn't do any chores. We went out for dinner to celebrate our 6th anniversary and woke up (a little groggy) after hitting two New Years parties and ran the inaugural Grant's Resolution Run the following day.  Ah.  Just thinking about all the freedom makes me giddy.

Ruby loves her dress up shoes and Leo seems to like his dinky cars the best.  I think the moral of the story is that the simple things, the little things, are what make the strongest impressions.  For this coming year, I'm going to make an effort to make the little things count.

P.S.  It's quite possible that play dough grime currently resides on every surface of my home.

Christmas is a lot for work.
(but it's so worth it).

Until next year… Ho, Ho, HO!
oxox

the kids' first flus

Our entire family just recovered from a powerful flu virus.  It started with Ruby, then Leo, then me (and my mom on the same night), and finally Ryan.  I can't remember having felt so bad in a long, long, long time.  It was the first flu bug for both kids and both were terrified of throwing up.  What a strange sensation it must be to experience nausea for the first time.  

With Ruby it came on slowly but suddenly, if that's possible.  She was fine for the first 30 minutes after waking up, but by breakfast time she became quiet and it was obvious something was very wrong.  She didn't know how to express her feelings but knew enough to tell us she was going to have to stay home from the Y that day.  

Leo's hit suddenly.  If it had been 15 minutes sooner, we would have had a horrible incident at the Superstore.  Thank God that didn't happen.  When he irrupted, a large bowl of noodles he had eaten for lunch was revealed and it just kept coming.  Poor guy.  He was completely shocked and weirded out.  That was the first of three pukes on had on me that day.  Leo's not so good with the bucket and the toilet for throwing up was out of the question.  

While the kids were back to themselves within 9 hours, the grown-ups took a little longer to recover.  We're bigger after all.  

Sweet Ruby napping during a 30 minute reprieve.  

We set up a bed here for Leo.  

Me and Leo before his next episode.  

Ironically, since Leo started at the Y, they've only had 2 days together due to all the absences!  Hopefully we have illness behind us for a few months and can look forward to a lovely Christmas with Family and Friends!  

I can't wait for Christmas this year!

Yippee! 

the end of an era (in kid time)

Leo is almost 29 months old.  That's 2 years and 5 months.  Today marks his first day as a big boy in full time daycare.  (Technically, he had a prelude at a small, private daycare for 5 days while his spot was cleared at the Y - which was a perfect introduction).  But today it is for real.

It was awesome!  Everyone was excited to get out the door this morning and I only had to stay for about 20 minutes before I made my great escape.  I called a few hours later to see how  he was doing and the report was totally positive.  He was doing great.  No tears.  Just pure curiosity.  He ate all of his lunch except for the mashed potatoes, which is exactly what I would expect.  Neither of my kids likes mashed potatoes.

If today represents an accurate portrayal of what most days will be like….. Hallelujia!!   I like having two kids in daycare!  I had the most amazing welcome when I got there to pick them up.  Nobody tried to run away when we got home.  The television wasn't turned on while I got supper ready.  They ate all their supper (mostly) at the table.  It was like a dream.  Let's see if we can do this again tomorrow, shall we!

This was the scene before leaving for the day.
Brushing teeth on the go… 

I wish I had had my camera out for the amazing greeting when I arrived to get them after work.  The kids had all just come in from playing outside and Ruby was putting on her indoor shoes….. Leo ran up to me and screamed "Mommy!  I had FUN!!!"   I tried to capture his enthusiasm when we got home.  

 Fingers crossed that tomorrow is just as good.
Cheers!

so surreal

I just attended my first meeting for my soon-to-be Kindergartener.  Well, technically Kindergarten is a whole 11 months away, but the 'how to get your kid prepared' meeting was held tonight.  It was kind of a waste of time in some respects… but it was nice to see all the moms that I already know and others that I will inevitably meet and know for many years as our kids grow up and attend school together.  I can hardly believe this is happening.

First of all, I went to that school!!  I started Bessborough in grade 2, when my family moved to NB from Ontario.  I remember my first teacher, Mrs. Steeves.  I remember all of my teachers quite vividly in fact and have several fond memories of that playground (the old version).   Today, thirty years later,  both of my kids love that playground and fondly refer to it as Bessborough School Park.

Where has the time gone?

No pictures to share but will find some Halloween shots soon.

better than Christmas

This weekend has proven to me, once and for all, that Thanksgiving is definitely better than Christmas. 

Here are five reasons why I think so: 

1.  The Weather. 

Fresh, cool and crisp in the morning.  Afternoon highs ranging from mid-teens to mid-twenties. Sweaters and jeans.  Brisk evening walks without the need for a shower afterwards.  The best.  

Annual after dinner walk.
 I really didn't need that toque.  It was beautiful outside!  

Same after dinner walk.... the sun was so bright it blinded us!  

2.  The Beauty 

What can possibly compare to clear blue skies with contrasting red, yellow, orange, and green trees?   It is truly a spectacle for the eyes and we are so fortunate to bare witness year after year.  People travel long distances in hopes of getting a glimpse.  We're surrounded by it for an entire month... or more.  I wish those beautiful leaves stayed up there all winter.  

Taking a break from catching leaves at Centennial Park.
They were falling out of the trees onto us!

3.  The pressure is off. 

At Thanksgiving, there's no pressure to give gifts.  The holiday is based on being thankful for the blessings in your life.  Uncomplicated.  Like.  

Ruby's gift to me was her making efforts to zip up her own coat!  

4.  No Snow pants or winter boots.   (need I say more?)

Hats, mitts and sneakers.   Done.  

5.  Turkey and Pumpkin Pie.

Pumpkin pie is my favourite dessert and I only get it once a year.  Another reason why it's my fave.

So, there you have it.  Another year of blessings and thankfulness.  

Happy Best Holiday of the Year Everyone!  

-L ox

songs

The other day, I took Leo to the park for, as he calls it, "a hike in the woods".   The term was coined by Ruby when she was his age so it's become a tradition and we use the term often.  It's actually more like a very slow meandering on a trail in a park that's somewhat wooded, but, in any case, as tradition would have it, before we even hit the trail out comes the tune...  "A hiking we will go".  Leo's become quite a little singer these days and often falls asleep singing.  Last night, he serenaded us with his version of "Frere Jacque"… for about an hour past his bedtime!   One day on the way to visit Papa and Nanlynn in Saint John he fell asleep in the middle of the Alphabet song.  I think he dozed off at QRS..... Fourty-five minutes later he woke up and mumbled "now I know my ABC's....  It was hilarious.  I love hearing him sing and hope that he continues his love of music and song forever and ever.  I personally, have been neglecting music as of late.  To assist in the matter, I brought my guitar upstairs and gave it a new home in the living room for anyone and everyone to play at their leisure.  The junk room is no place for such a beautiful instrument.

Here are some shots of what else we've been up to around here…

Miss Ruby out for dinner at our favourite - Calactus!  

Monkeying around!!  

On our little hike… getting ready to feed the squirrels. 

Close up with the squirrel.

Having a tea party in Grandma's tub. 

Riding a tractor at Sobey's.

someday….

                                                   …. a book by Alison Meghee and Peter H. Reynolds

One day I counted your fingers and kissed each one.
One day the first snowflakes fell, and I held you up and watched them melt on your baby skin.
One day we crossed the street, and you held my hand tight.
Then, you were my baby, and now you are my child.

Sometimes, when you sleep, I watch you dream, and I dream too…..
That someday you will dive into the cool, clear water of a lake.
Someday you will walk into a deep wood.
Someday your eyes will be filled with a joy so deep that they shine.
Someday you will run so fast and so far your heart will feel like fire.
Someday you will swing high - so high, higher than you ever dared to swing.
Someday you will hear something so sad that you will fold up with sorrow.
Someday you will call a song to the wind, and the wind will carry your song away.
Someday I will stand on this porch and watch your arms waving to me until I no longer see you.
Someday you will look at this house and wonder how something that feels so big can look so small.
Someday you will feel a small weight against your strong back.
Someday I will watch you brushing your child's hair.
Someday, a long time from now, you own hair will glow silver in the sun.
And when that day comes, love, you will remember me.

   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~           ~ ~ ~ ~ ~            ~ ~ ~ ~ ~         ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~        ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~           ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As I read these words to Ruby last night I was drawn to tears.  My emotion was palpable.  Her reaction to this was precious and a testament to how innocent and loving she is.  Through a shaky voice and teary eyes, I tried to continue.  Ruby pushed back, looked at me and said, "what's the matter mommy?"  what are you doing, crying?".  You could tell that she really didn't get it.  Why on earth did my mom break down in tears right now?  She was clearly perplexed but before I could answer she put her arm around me with a squeeze, kissed me so gently on the cheek and said, "it's ok mommy".  This of course brought on more tears and a little laughter as I tried to brush off my silly little breakdown.  Or, was it silly?  The words in that book touched me.  The truth is,  I find myself very often these days just trying to survive from one day to the next.  We've made it successfully though the parental death march of sippy cups and diapers, but we have so much further to go.  In that moment last night, I was reminded how important these early days are.  I want to make the most of them and not waste time being resentful for all the times I had wanted to go to the gym and couldn't.  All the runs and bike rides I missed.  For all the dates we didn't have.  All the places we couldn't go.  We're working on a very big project here and only get one kick at the can.  This isn't a dress rehearsal after all.  When Ruby sits down on her porch someday, wearing a pink scarf with the wind blowing her silver hair, how will she remember me?  

Happy Birthday my love.
You make me very proud.
I hope to return the favour.
ox