Happy New Year

Urology

I finally had my urologist appointment today. The Dr. was nice and recapped the seriousness of the infection that I had in September and decided to use a supersonic wave machine to blast out the offending stone. Then, after that, possibly do a workup to find out why I keep having these stones and what I can do to stop getting them.

The appointment went much shorter than expected, including the host of X-Rays that I needed to get, so I got some relatively cheap gas in London and checked out the mall for some Boxing Week deals.

Other than a pair of jeans ($80 reg. price, $20 on sale) for me and another pair of jeans (regular $30, on sale for $7) for D, I didn't find much that interested me. I forgot that malls are just full of store after store of the same thing. It's been a long while since I bothered to go into a mall. I got a cheap calendar for the fridge, since I haven't gotten around to doing that, yet, and some party favors at the dollar store for New Years.

It was really just the luxury of walking around a mall, sans children, that I enjoyed. I tried on some clothes (like I said, I didn't really buy anything), and browsed in any store I wished without having to worry that someone was going to snatch something breakable off of a shelf, or whine that I was taking too long.

Honestly, I was really kind of surprised by the seriously sucky sales. 25% off isn't a "BIG SALE" to me, and half the stores in the mall didn't have anything on sale at all. The only worthy sales were stores who further clearanced their already clearanced stuff. Also, BOGO means "Buy One, Get One FREE... not BOGO half price, or 30% off, or something stupid, don't call it a BOGO sale, unless it is buy one, get one FREE.

Also, I experienced something that I never had before; a store called Justice. I'm not going to relay my thoughts on the products sold in that store, but they were not positive. So, here is a picture of L painting a dog house;

Family Visit

On Boxing Day Night, I read the kids one of their new books, and during a fit of laughter, D smashed L right in the nose with his big, hard head.

The resulting nose bleed made me restless all night, and I didn't end up sleeping too well.

But, she was fine and the next day we hosted our second, and last family Christmas gathering, which ended up being another low-key, easy-going day with food, gifts, and conversation. I had my nephew J in stitches with my classic "sneezing gag" and in the end everyone was sleepy, but happy by the end of the day.

This marks the end of our yearly Christmas gatherings and celebrations. 

We have a carol sing at church tomorrow, and then we have a week to relax.

I finally have my urologist appointment to follow up from September's infected kidney stone on Tuesday, but other than that, it seems like we are going to have a low-key week to match our holiday.

Boxing Day

I ventured out into the wilds of retail on Boxing Day morning, not sure what I was going to find.

I ended up going to four different stores (there were far more closed stores than I was expecting).

I did not have to wait in line at any of the stores that I went to, I got everything I needed, plus my big Boxing Day splurge was a new 7 1/2 foot tall Christmas tree for 70% off, to replace the sad looking 13 year old hand-me-down tree that was my grandfather's.

I picked up my usual Christmas cards for next year, extra lights for next year, and a few small decorations (tinsel, bows, etc.) for 50% off.

We also traveled on Boxing Day to have our first of two Christmas meals. It was an easy, quiet and low key visit. We ate, played, and opened some presents. It ended up being a lovely, quiet day.

Christmas 2014

This year Christmas was full of impromptu scheduling and low key comfort.

G was the first up on Christmas morning. I heard him up in his room at around 6:30 a.m. and I woke up to make sure that he was okay, and our day started from there.

Present opening was fun and the kids enjoyed it very much.

I always worry that I'm going to overdo it, but it seemed just right this year.

We got to stay home and relax this year, whipping up a small, but special dinner and lounging around watching the new Powerpuff girls DVDs that I got from Santa.

It was a delightfully low key day, no stress, and all kinds of quiet comfort and joy.

I can honestly say that this was the best Christmas of my adult life.

Christmas Eve: Part Two

A easy, quiet Christmas Eve with movies, crafts, a bit of cleaning, and lots of PeeWee's playhouse.

We always take a stocking picture with the kids and the amazing knit stockings that my Amazing Aunt (and L.s Godmother) made for the kids.

D is a great reader, but is behind in his writing skills, so I had him sound out his own Christmas letter to Santa this year.

Christmas Eve Snow Globe Craft

Outings

Being a full time working Mom, I see my time with my kids as seriously precious. They will only be little for a short time, before they won't want anything to do with me anymore. Plus, I want to celebrate their differences, the things that make them special, and let them know that I notice and that I appreciate those things about them.

While I'm working I see them at night to cart them to activities, or to separate the fighting, or drag them on errands - or sometimes when I get home from work I'm far too overstimulated to pay much attention to them at all... so when I have small bursts of time home, I make sure that I spend one special day with each child.

During the Summer holidays I do a "big" adventure with them to London, or Toronto. I always try to sneak in another one of these "big" trips at some other point in the year, as well. During smaller breaks, like my two week Winter break, I do smaller trips with them.

This Winter break I did the days right away, hoping to relieve some of the pre-holiday stress of waiting (which is particularly difficult for children the same ages as mine).

D was first. On Saturday, I took him to see The Penguins of Madagascar movie with some coupons for the small local theatre that the kids got from church. He had wanted to see this movie for quite some time. We ate concession food, and then walked around downtown for a little while. There was a little booth to meet Santa (but the line was too long) and free horse drawn buggy rides (but D hates sitting around in the cold), so we just walked around for a little while.

L was next. On Monday I asked her what she wanted to do and she said, "Shoe Broccoli." After some discussion, I discovered she meant Shoe Shopping. I had some last minute holiday errands to run, so we did those and then went shoe shopping. She tried on 30 pairs of shoes, pranced, danced, and skipped around the store in each pair, finally ending up with a pair of super-ultra clearanced pink "ballerina" style shoes and some boots. I was able to spend my birthday money on a sweet pair of shoes for work AND had enough birthday money left over to cover L's shoes, as well.

G was last. He and I went out today. He decided that he wanted to go to McD's for lunch and he spent a half an hour in the play place. Then he wanted to go to a park, which we did, for another half an hour. Then he wanted to make a craft, so we popped into the dollar store and picked up materials to make Ninja Turtle ornaments.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, so we'll be decorating cookies, cleaning the house for Santa, and maybe doing another craft. Overall, I'm happy with the time I've spent with my babies this Winter break and I am ready to have some serious relaxing "Me" time after the big day.

Happy Birthday Shout Out

Happy Birthday to my husband - good job getting old!

Love, your wife!

Santa

A Second December Post

Again... this December has been as busy as I had predicted.

L came down with shingles and G's spots haven't gone away. I am finally making progress at work after a frustrating system change, and as things are supposed to be gearing down for the end of 2014, they seem to be spinning faster and faster in my world. I'm honestly not doing a great job keeping up and I seem to be eating my weight in Christmas baking and salty potato forms of anti-depressants. I turned 34 this past week, with small, subtle fanfare. I'm thinking that around 34 is when people start hating their birthdays, because I didn't get as much joy out of the occasion that I have gotten in the past.

My last week before holidays is filled with children's doctors appointments, more Christmas baking for the kid's teachers, and organizing my time for January before the holiday break. Most of the "hustle bustle" stuff is done... and I'm glad, because if it wasn't, I'd be out of my head right now.... like I was last year. I did my last big grocery shop before the holidays today and I'll likely only have to go once more before the big day.

I've turned down a fair number of holiday outings this year, as I'm just not up for the socialization. The kids have a pageant at church tomorrow and after participating in that, I don't know if I'm going to say yes to any more get togethers. I'm visiting with my University friends this weekend and then there are the usual family get togethers closer to the actual day.

This is one of the most boring updates I've ever done... that should count for something.

A December Post

I realized today that I haven't posted at all in December.

As predicted, it has been busy. It has actually been busier than I had expected and I'm finding myself declining invitations to holiday activities, because I'll burn myself out if I do too much. The kids have full schedules this year, as well. Also, for some reason, a ridiculous amount of chaos decided to reign at work in December, which I find odd, because I used to find Decembers in my field joyful with high spirited individuals.

G's mystery spots have not gone away. His medication runs out this week and he sees the pediatrician again next week, but because the medicine didn't eliminate the spots, I'm afraid that as soon as we take him off of the medication, it'll flair up again... which is a very real possibility.

L has shingles. Seriously. She got a rash on her bottom, which I originally attributed with diaper rash, because potty training is failing miserably AGAIN. But, the rash quite suddenly looked an awful lot like shingles and we got them looked at right away and she is on medication now to ease the symptoms. As long as we keep her rear end covered, she isn't a virus spreading threat, and they don't seem to be bothering her much.

D was invited to go skating with his class again this year. Last year, since he has never been on skates, we kept him home during skating days. This year, his teacher enthusiastically encouraged him to come with the class, even if just to watch. After significant reluctance, he went and tried it. He liked it enough to want to try it again, so we borrowed some of my sister's old hockey skates. Tonight I tried them on him, and he complained that he couldn't get his toe in the boot, something was blocking his way. So, I reached my hand in the boot and pulled out... a dead mouse. Screaming, horror, heebie jeebies all around (until P came up and swept the vermin into a garbage bag and took it away. I'm not sure D will ever want to put on another pair of skates.

Speaking on this topic, we had a whole family of mice move in this week (aside from the skate mouse that came with the skate). On Friday I noticed the usual markings of visitors and we laid a trap. One trap, one mouse... Saturday we laid the second trap and it snapped... and then disappeared. Seriously. We have no idea where it went. Sunday we laid another trap, second mouse. Monday... laid a trap... no mouse... peanut butter in tact. Today the peanut butter went missing, and then the second dab of peanut butter went missing, so we have a maze of traps ready... apparently we've found the smart one of the bunch. I wonder if it is the same one who stole the second trap?

This is the latest I've stayed up in a long while... I can't shake my heebie jeebies from earlier... but I thought perhaps I'd show my unread blog a little love and post something.

Here is a picture of G lining up his cars. He was SO EXCITED about this that he not only ran downstairs to show me, he insisted that I take a picture AND that he count them all in English, and then in French;

isms

Lisms (at 3)

1. She won't let you call her "sweetie," or "honey," only her real name. Pet names are forbidden.

2. She prefers to dress herself, with hilarious consequences.

3. She wants her hair cut once a week. I just sit her on a stool and pretend to snip and she is thrilled.

4. She loves princesses and superheros, particularly combinations of those two.

5. Everything is "wonderful."

6. She calls our church "her church" and thinks she "goes to church in a castle."

7. She is obsessed with painting her nails.

8. Hair accessories last in her hair for less than ten minutes... every time.

9. Face painting is the be all and end all of an excellent outing.

10. She says she wants to talk to you on the phone, but really she wants to watch t.v. while holding the phone to her ear... but if you try and take the phone away...

Gisms (at 5)

1. He wants me to carry him everywhere and gets distraught when I say no.

2. He remembers on his own to feed the cat every single morning. I don't even need to ask him if he's done it anymore, his brother feeding the dogs (however) is a twice a day reminder.

3. He can count up to 100 in English and up to 30 in French, and is very proud of this fact... and demonstrates this ability constantly... like in the middle of the night.

4. He will eat pretty much anything, as long as we sprinkle it with parmesan cheese.

5. He changes outfits at least twice a day.

6. He thinks if his hair grows long enough that it'll get curly, like his fathers.... it won't.

7. He knows more people than I do.... it seems that everywhere I take him someone is pointing and saying hello to him.

8. If asked a question he doesn't want to answer, he immediately says, " I don't remember."

9. He is very particular about his shoes. If he doesn't have the pair he wants at that exact moment, nothing else in the world matters. Where his brother would wear crocs everyday, if they were closest to the door, G is very particular about his shoes.

10. He is wonderfully snugly... except when you are in the middle of doing something, then he is annoyingly snugly.

Disms (age 7)

1. His current catch phrase is "Get it?" even when there isn't anything to get.

2. We are reading Harry Potter, and it is blowing his little mind. He gets WAY too overinvested in the characters and twists in the plot leave him reeling for days.

3. He always surprises himself when he understands something in French.

4. He almost always puts his clothes on backwards when he dresses himself.

5. He has discovered showers, and although originally terrified of them, now prefers them over bathing with his brother and sister - BUT, if I offer a solo bath, he'll take that over showering.

6. His printing is improving, but his n's look like h's and he finds this hilarious.

7. He thinks his hair is made of gold, it takes a lot of convincing to get him to cut it.

8. He is the kind of kid who will get super excited about something (like losing a tooth) but forget about it the next day (like looking to see if the tooth fairy came).

9. He has a very strict idea of the patterns in the world and he needs to correct anything that does not conform with this pattern ideology (i.e. watching Arthur Christmas, he is convinced that the movie doesn't properly convey Santa's methodologies...)

10. He is the worst for giving away endings or answering other people's questions (okay, maybe not "the worst" as he may come by that naturally based on his grandparentage :P).

*phew* I haven't done one of these lists in a LOOOOONG time.

Serendipitous Day

An unexpected, but happy surprise today, I didn't have to go to work.

Instead, I took little L to the Children's Museum in London for the day.

In other news, P was able to get the Christmas lights up AND we had an opossum on our porch after G's skating lessons, which thoroughly freaked out the children.

*tumbleweed rolling*

Nothing new to report here.

Things just continue to stumble from one crisis to another.

I haven't taken a lot of pictures of the kids lately, my camera isn't what it used to be, and it's slower reaction time and fussy automatic focus have sucked out a lot of my patience. Every time I set something up now, the camera either focuses on the wrong thing, or takes far too long to boot up to the next picture. It is so slow, that there is no point in trying any inside portraits. It is still a decent outdoor camera, but it's cold outside.

I could start saving for a new camera, and I might, but it'll be something in the far future, not the immediate.

I've also tried the Instagram thing. I'm just kind of practicing it right now, but I'm thinking that the novelty will wear off pretty quickly.

I've got nuthin', but I'll try to think of something better soon.

Lamby Lamby Dance

Tea Party

November Rain

November rain is better than November snow. Let it be spoken.

I have no real update, but I had one of those moments where I remembered my blog and thought I'd pop over to see how it was doing.

Halloween happened and now G is begging me to know when the next "season" is going to happen. I told him that we have a birthday party coming up this weekend and Remembrance day is coming up, too... but he was hinting toward Christmas, and I knew it. He has been mentally making his Christmas list since Thanksgiving, but I won't let him write it until after Remembrance Day. This frustrates him to no end.,,, well the end is near... it's in 8 days, but explaining that to a 5 year old is futile.

Also, D and G went to see Skinamarink (2/3 of the Elephant show folk) and we listen to the "Car Tunes" album in the car all of the time. I bet G twenty bucks that they would play Skinamarinkydinkydink, and he took that bet (sucker). The first thing D said to me when he got home today was, "G owes you 20 dollars!"

They both LOVED it and it is an experience they will always remember.

Halloween

Halloween - finishing touches

D's costume is finally ready. For the record, this isn't the first time one of my children has dressed in a Japanese Anime Halloween costume. G went as Astro Boy a couple of years ago.

All this tells me is that I'm raising my children right.

Also D has decided that this is going to be his "every day" hat after Halloween... and that Japan has now beat New York as his "place he wants to go more than anywhere." Poor kid... New York was at least potentially affordable at some point.

Yard Work