Sometimes the park is worth it despite the pursuing rain clouds

We decided to still go to the park after school today. We switched plans and went closer to the house but nevertheless... The baby slept and a great game of chase ensued between Matt, John and Marlee and I. Up and down the slide and over the jungle gym. It was exhausting. I think Matt was quite surprised that I can still play a mean game (that ends with tickles at each catch)! Regardless, it was a lot of fun. I'm glad we took the chance.

I was so thankful for the pool today. I had the day mostly to myself, actually did a little run and it was so refreshing to just cool off. And you may ask how I was able to do this?

Awww - a sleeping baby! A successful transfer to the carseat for a sleep (doesn't happen often yet!)

And then by the time school was done we had rain. Lots of it.

Still a good day.

December 1st!

Let the adventure begin!

We started the day with our first official snow fall. The kids were so excited! I did drive them to school as we were going out immediately afterwards to the playgroup. The snow was gone by lunch time unfortunately as it got up to about 7 degrees. It seemed fitting though that we FINALLY got some snow and not just a thick frost on the ground. So unlike this time of year here. It was really cute though - C asked if we could play at the playground after school so we could play in the snow. I had to explain that the snow was all gone - just like it was in our backyard. "But it was just here!" He was quite sad.

Today is the beginning of a big adventure. I can already feel the stress in some ways so my vow this year is to let go and just do what I can. What am I referring to? Oh, only advent, JYC, Holidays in Hand and Daily December. I want to do so much but I know I can really ONLY do so much. I mean get real. I already missed the first 2 days of advent because I couldn't find our calendar. For someone who claims to be organized - get real. But we did find it last night and I had the kids decorations in it ready for this morning. I think I mentioned in a previous post (if not I'll return with the details), but I am going with the Jesse Tree theme for advent this year. So the kids got a decoration in the pocket to colour (note to self - print on cardstock next year!), and this morning got a clue to find the chocolate daily countdown calendar. We read the scripture and discussion this evening at dinner time as well as lighting the candle. They were quite receptive. As much as part of me would like to to have additional treats each day, I think I will really keep it simple and just do the decoration and then they can have their chocolate. We are also aiming to do a family activity each day. It's not like they need any more candy in their lives.

It's just amazing to me how long everything seems to take these days. Drew is always on me about my sense of time (or lack thereof) and I am beginning to see what he means. The kids want to do so much each day but it just doesn't work. and things you think will only take a few minutes stretch into 15 or 20. Like our Welcome to December photo for today. Matt wanted to take the photos so that added time in itself. They were fun but then he wanted to play a game and he still had to have a shower. In comes mean-y mom. Needing to enjoy what we have already done and not make it more stressful by adding in more activity. It is so easy to fall back into wanting more but this HAS to be it.


I have to remember that our family values around the holidays really center around the true meaning of the season and being together as as family. It isn't about how much we can do and get done. It isn't about how many presents to get each other. It is to remember the most amazing gift I have received ever. The gift of confidence of knowing I am never alone. The assurance of being able to get through anything life throws us. The promise of a life everlasting - of knowing our kids will always be with us as they share our faith. The awareness of being able to share my innermost thoughts and not be judged - although I will be forgiven. The acceptance of not being able to do the right things on my own strength. The joy of being unconditionally loved by my creator. These gifts are what life is all about - and it is all brought closer to mind at Christmas.

So how does this all fit into the natural busy-ness of the season? My goals shall remain:

I PROMISE to take a few minutes each day and BLOG about our holiday together. I HOPE that we can do something festive each day together - even if it is just reading our advent story. I PROMISE to continue taking a photo or more each day. I will strive to CREATE something meaningful to me for the holiday season, daily if possible. I will continue to REFLECT on holidays of the past, ENJOY the holidays of the present and DREAM of holidays of the future. I will CHERISH the time and traditions that are being spent with our family by taking back Christmas and making the most of what we do, finding a balance between the reason of the season and the daily busy-ness of life. I will also SHARE what makes this holiday special with those I interact with around the holidays

How will I do this?
It REALLY helps to have the laptop upstairs - so much easier to grab a minute here and there.
I have made half of my pages already for an album.
As mentioned, I will decrease my expectations for advent giving.
I will not stress if I don't do 25+ pages.
I will keep notepaper handy to jot down ideas.
I will do digital when time necessitates.
I will let go of my perfectionism to have it "just so" and try to ENJOY the process!

Onward and upward adventure!

Weather is a big part of our lives.

Today's prompt discusses how we learn from our enviornment. The topic of weather and seasons came up at least 3 times today - from which you could also say I learned a few separate things.

1. You can't always go by the weather network. Case in point - at Matt's ball hockey game today it started to rain - not muc, just a few sprinkles. But the weather network said it wouldn't rain until 2 pm - and I actually said this to a few bystanders!
2. As much as I hate to say it, summer is coming to an end. Yes it is September 26th and we have determined to close the pool Thanksgiving weekend (becuase there is always a slight possiblity we can get one more swim in isn't there?), and yet I caved today and bought our first pumpkins and fall mums. We went ot the garden store looking for some black-eyed susans (of which there weren't any) and left with pumpkins. I had told myself no pumpkins until October 1st - fall comes soon enough - but the kids won out. I'm going to put tem into the planters this year instead of fall flowers - and we just got the one pot of mums for the ground.
3. I have said it beorfe and I said it again today - I love that we have the 4 distinct seasons here. We went to a baby shower today where the grandmother-to-be was up from Ohio. I'm not overly sure what the weather is like there but I did comment about living here and how much I enjoy the seasons. Again - one day I will scrpabook about this because obviously it is a theme in my life!

Another BTW - the mother-to-be (who is 34) - this was her first baby shower EVER! She had such a blast. It was a real pleasure watching her sheer enjoyment of the event. Their baby is due in November.

Torrential downpour and prom

Friday, May 8, 2009

So Cierra, L, C and I set off at 3:10 to get the kids from school. Cierra and I were walking, the other guys were in the double wide stroller. Cierra pulled the wagon for the kids stuff. Believe it or not but by the time we got to the top of the street it had gotten quite dark adn we heard thunder. Great - it's going to rain. I had packed everythign so we coudl go to the park. We didn't really have time to go back because it was an A day and the kids are always ready a little earlier then usual. Just as we reached the school and were waiting for Marlee - big drops of rain started coming down. They were actually BIG. I had my jacket but Cierra was wearing a white t-shirt so she got it. I found a broken umbrella in the bottom of the stroller and another mom shared hers while we waited. Marlee came out and immediately complained about how wet she was getting (in a sweater). We picked up C3 who thankfully was wearing a raincoat - but shoes. We ran to get the older boys and A and T. By this time it was really starting to pour - another dad kept me under his umbrella while I gathered the kids bags and arranged them in the wagon with the umbrella. They at least were comfortable. Matt came out with C2 and everyone was huddled under the overhang. I couldn't fit with the stroller and wagon and therefore got progressively wetter. Then it hailed. Peas. Of course there were 3 bikes so we got them ready and started toward the front of the school. Everyone seemed to stop here. We waited for the rain to slighten but it didn't appear to be going and the kids were getting cold so we decided to trudge on. It wasn't abad walk - off and on light and hard rain. By the time we got the the R corner B was out and took his guys, promising to bring them back once they changed. The rest of us moved on - but Cierra was getting progressively slower and slower. As a result I attached the wagon to the stroller and carried on. All fine and dandy until I went up onto a driveway and tipped them out. Woops! I couldn't help but laugh - and of course our neighbour rode by on his bike with the kids - commenting on our being a tad bit overloaded. That's for sure. But really, if it wasn't raining it would have been fine. Somewhere along the way, I had mentioned to the cold kids (my own) the usual "it's only rain" "We can get dry" "you can have a warm shower". Well, all the kkids wanted a shower when we got in. And as soon as I walked up to the driveway, Cierra's EA drove up to get her ready for the prom. The poor girl - what a chaotic mess she walked into.

TBContinued...

Cierra continued to get ready while the other kids all changed, showered and got settled with snacks. She got her nails done, her hair curled and wore a gorgeous dress and shoes. Her EA gave her a lovely clip for her hair and earrings to match. She was so excited and looked amazing. Oh - and her EA even drove her to the prom. Talk about above and beyond. Cierra - we - are so blessed to have these people in our lives. Don picked Cierra up and she was apparently dancing the night away. I can only imagine. If I had to list Cierra's passions in life it would be dancing, Hannah Montana and family. Dancing and Hannah Montana were well represented tonight. BTW - we didn't take her or pick her up as we had a reunion dinner for our Israel group in Toronto. With all the kids I had today anyway, there is no way I could have done a better job - and it was so nice to have someone to pay such nice attention - just to her. I know she was thrilled.