happy new year...

I love the week between Christmas and New Years when the kids are home and the frantic pace of getting ready for Christmas is over. Now is the time for rest and relaxation. A time for fresh beginnings. In a few days, we will take down our decorations and put away all the new things. But it will also be a time clean, de-clutter and reorganize. Feels so good to clear stuff out. Since our move, we have cleared out many "baby toys" and stuff that is no longer played with. I have saved a box of baby toys that both our kids loved, but the rest have gone on to a new home at Goodwill. Our basement has only a few boxes of stuff that have not been unpacked, but after Christmas, that will be tackled and I plan to cut in half the amount of stuff we have stored in the basement. Surely if it sits in a box for a year and a half, it is not needed or even missed.

Our New Year's Eve plan includes getting together with some friends. The boys are 5 and 6 years old and the girls are both 10 years.Everyone is happiest when they are paired up with a friend. We are so lucky to have found friends here that we love to hang out with and the kids love each other. We plan to go sledding in the afternoon with the kids, have some good food which Ron will cook for us, have a family games night, and then watch a movie, possibly "Night at the Museum". We will "ring" in the new year at 9 pm for the kids with a "countdown" and noisemakers and goofy hats. That way, the kids will go to bed at a fairly decent time, and Ron and I will cosy up on the sofa to watch a movie.

Peace.

in the spirit...

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the Christmas feast. I love the smell of turkey in the air and the anticipation of the meal. Mom being with us and making all of our favorites. The kitchen was a flurry of flour and egg shells everywhere, but we had so much fun. We made trifle for dessert with homemade custard and real whipped cream. Eggnog garnished with freshly shaved nutmeg. Homemade stuffing and cranberry sauce. Mom made the centrepiece for the table and Hunter helped set the table with my Grandmother Ada's dishes. It was so wonderful having Mom & Dad here to break bread with us. The fun of opening the Christmas crackers. The silly paper hats. The little strips of paper with jokes inside. Laughing about the HUGE bowl of trifle Ron took for his dessert. Dad sticking to his pumpkin pie for dessert. This is what Christmas is all about. The spirit of being together and enjoying each other's presence. I am so thankful that my children have experienced the spirit of Christmas in spending time together as a family. Three generations together under one roof. Playing, eating, going for walks, telling jokes, watching movies and baking together. Makes me so happy.

be merry.

Tyler bounded into my sleep at 6:00 am and I managed to hold both children off until 6:30. It was a great Christmas morning. It was verystill and quiet outside with a thick layer of snow covering the ground. The kids were thrilled with Santa's offerings and Mom & Dad were here to share in it all. Tyler loved his magnetix and Hunter loved her lululemon. She also got an ipod flower, which is a really neat toy which can be hooked up to her mp3 player. The flower dances to music and snores when it falls "asleep". Ron got some new toys. And we have been loving watching our new DVD's on the big screen. The surprise hit is Curious George. Both the kids sit on the sofa and laugh and laugh and laugh when this plays. So cool.

elf.

Last night for a bit of spontaneous fun, we decorated our Christmas tree. Last year we went "artificial" and it is much easier to deal with, especially in terms of spontaneity. No picking and choosing, no thawing out, no vacuming needles. I never thought I would be an "artificial" type, but the trees you can buy now are so beautiful compared to years ago. Tyler entertained us with Christmas carols. Then we watched the movie "Elf" with Will Farrell. Sometimes, in our house, it is not so easy to find a movie that pleases both the 10 year old and the 5 year old, but this movie fits the bill. Great laughs all around-even from the adults. Will Ferrel is so silly in this roll. As a special treat, I made cinnamon buns for a bedtime snack. Tyler says that he loves "an old-fashioned Christmas!".

So Hunter & I went to the Symphony on Saturday night. It was their Christmas concert with a special guest conductor, an incredible jazz singer named Denzel Sinclair, two guest choirs and a dance troupe from the local school of performing arts. The performance hall was in the heart of the downtown, so we left plenty early to allow time to get lost and then find a parking spot. Well, we didn't get lost and found a magical parking spot right across the street from the Symphony venue, so we had a little time to walk around and enjoy the Christmas light displays in the downtown. It was a perfect night-not too cold and lots of hub-bub around. We went to Second Cup to enjoy a cuppa hot chocolate and then on to the concert. We even made it home in time for Ron to go to hockey in another part of the city. It was a wonderful evening.

Christmas Cookie Party.

This yummy photo was taken at my home in 2004 at the family's Christmas Cookie Exchange. This annual family event was started by my Aunt Janet in 1990 or 1991 and has been continued every year with various family members hosting the party. We have had any number of family members joining the event, ranging from a mere 12 to over 30. Lucky for me, I had the opportunity to host the event the last year I lived in my home province. Little did I know then that one year later I would be thousands of miles away. I miss this family get-together, and it's one of those things that can't be "replaced". I attended almost every cookie exchange over the years, except for maybe 1 or 2. I think next year I might start my own cookie exchange here in the city with a few friends. It is so fun to sample other's baking projects, and most importantly, it puts you in the mood to try out new recipes. My best girlfriend Nicole and I are going to have a baking day next week and I can't wait, even though my mom said, "Does she know that you're just the dishwasher?" haha Mom!

definition of success.

"People have unrealistic expectations of the holiday season because of adverstising and because WE desperately try to recreate the wonderful childhood holiday memory. Succesful people have learned that the joy of the holidays comes from two things. First, FULLY forgive all those you have a grudge against. Second, do something good for somebody for no reason and then notice how good you feel. If you can do this for the holidays, then this will continue in all aspects of your life."

-lululemon athletica

how about this....

I found this great book at chapters while I was browsing. It is so cute and just a feel happy book. Full of great feel happy quotes. I wanted to buy it to put it in my stocking for Christmas morning. Here is a lesson from Kermit the Frog:

Always be happy.
When people are in a bad mood,
the last thing they want to do is hang around with happy people.

the art of shopping....

for me is to get it done early. I used to be a last minute shopper, and I used to hate the prelude to Christmas because of it. I like to think that I have successfully reformed myself. I start Christmas shopping right after Thanksgiving. I make my list and away I go. A few weeks ago I went on a weekend scrapbooking retreat and I made myself this Christmas planner. I carried it around in my purse for days and I have my entire christmas planned in this little book. I am so happy because I have my shopping done, wrapped and mailed. Now I can just make, bake and play. Love it!

happy december.

Thanks for the pjs Grammie & Grampie!!!

the christmas list.

Hunter came downstairs a few days ago with her "Christmas List". There were only 3 items on her list- but the first thing that I noticed was that there were no toys. For the first time since she has been able to talk, this is the first Christmas that she has asked for stuff that didn't include toys. We knew this day would come-that she, and someday her brother, would close a few chapters on childhood. But it wasn't something I was thinking about until the list appeared. We are feeling a little sad about this. She did ask for clothes for her American Girl doll. But there was no special toy. No barbies. No bratz. No polly pockets. A lululemon sweater is the coveted item on the list. We had never heard of Lululemon until we moved to this city.Lululemon is a Canadian company which is headquartered in Vancouver and is famous for it's yoga wear. The yoga wear is also a favorite of skaters and dancers-the two worlds that our daughter lives in when not in school. On any given synchro practice night, you can see several Lululemon sweaters and headbands whirling around on the ice. It's the number 1 item on Hunter's list- "preferably pink or black" it says. Lululemon is not cheap. We have visited the store a few times, but I gasp every time I look at the prices and walk out empty-handed. But what is it about that Christmas feeling? You just want to make at least one of your child's wishes appear under the tree. Ron took one look at the list(when she was in school) and said "Go get her the Lululemon." So off I go.

While I am in the store, with it's new age edgey decor, I start reading the story boards on the wall about the Lululemon philosophy. Lululemon is a memeber of the FairTrade Organization. This means that it's yoga line is made in overseas factories which are inspected for safe work practices such as proper lighting, fresh air, first aid kits, regularly scheduled breaks, fair wage scales, to name a few. Things we take for granted in this country. Now this is something that I can feel good about. I know that this clothing is not made in a sweat shop in some foreign country which uses child labour. Unlike Gap, or Tommy Hilfiger or Walmart. This puts me in a better shopping mood. I leave the store with mission accomplished.

Now I wonder how many more years it will be before Tyler makes a Christmas list without a toy. I can't imagine what he will ask for when that Christmas comes, but I am sure it won't be Lululemon.

brown paper packages....

are the best. Mom & Dad sent us this awesome package in the mail. It's our "December 1" present. When Ron & I were first married, Mom always gave us a "December 1" present which was usually some kind of Christmas decoration. But as the kids arrived, the present has changed to include different things like cookies for decorating, etc. Our "December 1" package arrived on Tuesday and it sure was nice to have such a surprise with the recent cold snap of temperatures in the -20's and -30's. There were brownies, gumdrop cake, fleece throws, hot chocolate, new mugs, cookies and frosting and sprinkles, pepperoni for Daddy, green tea, a Christmas apron and oven mitts. It was so fun to open that box. What more could anyone ask for?
(Fast forward 2 days later: the brownies are gone, empty pepperoni packages are in the garbage, the gumdrop cake is cut, the throws are on the sofa where little bodies have left them.)

And the award goes to.....

A few weeks ago, Ron attended National Meetings in Toronto for his company. An awards and recognition banquet was held on Wednesday evening, and to our surprise, Ron was awarded the "Globe & Spear" award, which is an award given as recognition of outstanding service to the company over the past year. The awards are made in the U.S. and are reportedly made by the same company that is commissioned to make the Academy Awards. The award is a globe made of gold leaf and suspended in glass, with name and date. That baby flew home in Ron's briefcase. I call it his "Academy Award". He is so self deprecating. "No where to go but down from here. I'll have to start looking for a new job." he says. He is so funny.

Meeting Romeo Dallaire.

Tonight I had the privelege of attending a fundraising dinner organized by "Ubuntu Edmonton", which is a charity dedicated to helping widows in Rwanda rebuild and find purpose in their lives. Ubuntu was founded by a Canadian woman who now lives in Rwanda. The dinner was punctuated by ethnic dances performed by Rwanda orphans visiting Canada with the Ubuntu founder. The guest speaker was Senator Romeo Dallaire-a man that I have admired since reading his book, "Shake Hands with the Devil". I got to speak with him briefly and I thanked him for telling his story of what happened in Rwanda in 1994. He suffers from post-truamatic stress sydrome, takes anti-depressants and sleep medication at night due to the atrocities he witnessed in Rwanda. A peacekeeping mission gone so wrong forced him to arrive home with so much baggage. I was so humbled to meet this man. He thanked me for my "kind comments" about his book. And he signed my book, of course!

james live.

Seeing him "live" was incredible. His musical talent is amazing. Vocals, guitar and piano. He writes all his own stuff. The concert was not sold out, but the crowd was alive. I cannot wait until his next CD is released. He played some new material along with the "Back to Bedlam" songs. We all had such a blast!!!

The Most Adored Food Holiday in all the land.....

is fast approaching. (That's Christmas in our family.) Homemade eggnog. English Trifle. Cherry Balls. Fruitcake. Gumdrop Cake. Nanaimo Bars. I am so excited that my parental units will be arrving just in time for my mother's magic touches to grace a few of these family treats. I don't why, but although I have watched her make these things a million times and I have HER actual recipes, my versions just don't look or taste the same. My mother's christmas baking could put Martha Stewart's to shame. In fact, there are many great bakers in my family. My Aunt Janet's nanaimo bars were second to none. My Uncle Derrick makes incredible carrot cake, pies and pastry wrapped apples. I found this great quote on one of my favorite food blogs-

We preserve people by making the dishes they taught us. Dishes they loved, were proud of, and gave us permission to start making when their hands stopped working. Sharing food with others is about tradition. About a desire to reach in and pull close. About re-remembering. Closing our eyes and taking us there.

Let the food holiday begin!

Trick or Treat.

The kids were so exicted that they were invited to go trick or treating with Nicholas and Alexandra.
I was so excited because Nicholas' & Alexandra's daddy was taking them out treating. (Ron is on the road). Nicole and I stayed at her house to give out treats. But we didn't eat anything. No we didn't!
It was a very cold, windy and snowy Halloween. The kids came back with an impressive bundle of candy. I think people were giving out "more" candy than usual because the weather was so cold that the numbers of trick or treaters were down.
The kids are downstairs right now. I told them they could eat as much candy as they wanted for half an hour. And we will have supper an hour after that. (and if anybody throws up, that will be the end of that little experiment for future reference.)
I can hear them downstairs sorting, organizing, trading and bargaining. Serious stuff happening.

to awaken each morning.....

...with a smile brightening my face;
to greet the day with reverence for the opportunities it contains;
to approach my work with a clean mind; to hold ever before me, even in the doing of little things, the ultimate purpose toward which I am working;
to meet men and women with laughter on my lips and love in my heart;
to be gentle, kind, and courteous through all the hours;
to approach the night with weariness that ever woos sleep and the joy that comes from work well done - this is how I desire to waste wisely my days.

~Thomas Dekker

play.

We have accumulated quite alot of snow over the last 24 hours. The roads are quite messy with ice and snow. The fun in the yard this morning was great!

sing.

So, our main mission on Friday was to get down to city hall to hear cousin Stephenie sing with her girls chorale choir. She has been singing for a number of years, but since we lived on the other side of the country, this is the first real opportunity we have had to hear her sing. A beautiful choir. I felt like crawling under my seat because, still feeling tender about Brandy, I had tears streaming down my cheeks thru most of it. It was wonderful to see her in her element.

bye brandy.

I am not even sure why I took this picture right before Ron took Brandy to the vet. Maybe just to reassure myself that we were doing the right thing for this dog who was obviously struggling.
We will miss him.
Lots of howling happened here on Thursday night. A family cry you might say.
Tyler was sobbing that he didn't want Brandy to die and that Brandy wouldn't know anyone in doggy heaven. He demanded that we say a prayer for Brandy.
Hunter was sobbing that she didn't get to say goodbye.
Ron and I were sobbing for 12 years of furry fun.
He had a great 12 years.
I never had a dog that lasted 12 years.
Then when the tears subsided, we remembered.
Sofa cushions with big bites out of them. Torn wallpaper. Lots of socks and shoes eaten away.
So sad to look out in the yard and see the empty kennel with the door open and the dog dishes.
Ron will clean them up when he's ready. Maybe not til spring.
No dog looking in the window with his nose pressed up against the glass while we are eating supper.
What a dog.
Love you Brandy.

james blunt.

I am so excited. I am going to this concert with 4 "mom" friends from school. So cool! I am SUPER pumped.I really love his music and was hoping that he would come to this city at some point during his World Tour. I don't think I have gone to a concert since Ron and I went to see Blue Rodeo when Hunter was 2 or 3 .

It snowed here on Monday and Tyler was so excited to see the snow. He went outside and threw snowballs for an hour. Brandy followed him around the yard. When Hunter got home from school, the play continued for another hour. A small snowman appeared before they came in for supper. Love how fresh snow gets kids excited.

Terry Fox.

I remember the Fall that I started Grade 7 in 1980 was the summer that Terry Fox embarked on his run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research. His goal was simply to raise $1 for every person in Canada. I remember distinctly sitting in Mr. McKeil's Social Studies class talking about the Terry Fox Run. Terry's story did not have a happy ending, but his dream of raising money for cancer research has surpassed every expectation. His foundation has raised millions of dollars for cancer research. I love how every child in elementary school in Canada in 2006 knows who Terry Fox was. Many schools participate in a "Terry Fox" run or walk. Our school's run this year was on a rainy and cold day, but that did not dampen our enthusiasm. I helped marshal the run for the older elementary kids. Tyler and I were fully decked out in our rain gear. Here is Hunter running for Terry! Here is Hunter's teacher, Madame Juliette, who is back at school after a year of treatment for breast cancer. Great job Girls!

My little cupcake maker.

Yes, I am still here. I have been so busy with many things-mainly, the fundraising job that I took on for Hunter's skating club. It has eaten up hours and hours of my time and I feel like I am like a dog chasing it's tail. I just keep telling myself that's it only 'til January.

Last week we experienced a lot of what I call "Nova Scotia" rain, because it was not only wet, but cold and damp as well. The kind of damp cold that you can feel in your bones. On one of the wet afternoons, Tyler and I made chocolate cupcakes for Hunter's book club. He loves to help in the kitchen. He is so funny. He has been entertaining me with alot of questions and statements lately like:

"Mom, how does oil make you rich?"

"Mom, I know who the first person to live on this planet was. It was a guy named Adam and his wife!"

"Mom!!! We forgot to SPIKE my hair!!" (on school picture day).

This next conversation took place while Tyler and I were babysitting my friend's little girl Ava, who is 18 months old. We were in the playroom, where there was a little pink dress up table with assorted makeup and hair stuff. Tyler was trying to help me entertain Ava.

Tyler- "Hey, Ava. Do you want to come over and sit in the chair? I will do your hair & put lipstick on you?"

Ava- "No Tyler!"

Tyler-"That's ok...... I don't really know how to do hair anyway!".

Never a dull moment.

have a marvelous day!

So cute. Today I found this note on Hunter's desk. She wrote it as a reminder to herself for school this morning.
It reads, "Don't forget your agenda!! Have a marvelous day!!".
Hunter, I hope you did have a marvelous day!

tis the season for homework.

A new school year brings back the routine of homework.
I remember that I loved homework when I was in elementary school.
Although I don't remember having as much homework as Hunter has sometimes.
She is so great about homework. She always does it without being asked.

Tyler is doing awesome in his new kindergarten class. He is starting to talk about some of the new friends he has in the class.

I have "homework" too. I am co-chairing the fundraising committee for the Northern Lites Synchronized Skating Club. Ron and I had to load 75 cases of chocolate bars on Saturday to take to the Clareview Arena for Registration Day. Of course, I started a "blog" for fundraising info with the mission of reducing the amount of phone calls I get at home regarding fundraising questions while getting information out in a timely and efficient manner. NLfundraising.blogspot.com.

Crikey, mate.

Did we not all think that this man would be eaten by a croc some day? How ironic that he would be fatally wounded by a docile ocean creature.
The kids loved to watch him on tv as the Crocodile Hunter.
Hunter and I watched a special about him on Friday night.
I loved his passion about what he saw as his mission in life. So sad.

first day of school.

Tuesday, September 5, was the first day of school for Hunter. She was really happy with her teacher, Madame Inglis, and with the friends in her class.
Tyler's first day of Kindergarten was Wednesday, September 6. He seemed very happy to go to school, but after I picked him up while driving home, he started with the tears, sobbing,
"I want to go to Grade 1 with my friends!!!". I tried to explain to him that you can't go to Grade 1 until "you are 6". He only sobbed harder. This went on for an hour, although I tried to "reason" with him. Ron was away in Calgary for 2 days. So finally, I just let him cry it out.
Age 5 is the appropriate age to start school in the rest of the country. Only in Alberta is the cutoff for turning 5 March 1. We could push him through to Grade 1, but he would be the youngest in the class. And I don't want school to be a struggle for him. Especially in the upper grades.
Funny thing is, after he finished crying, he hasn't mentioned a word about it since.
He went to school on Thursday & Friday and was totally fine.

homemade is best.....

And this is what I did with the organic cucumbers I got at the Farmer's Market on Saturday.
I found my recipe on my computer. I haven't made them for a few years, but since we are having some very special guests for thanksgiving turkey this year, I thought we needed some homemade pickles.

the trials and tribulations of learning to ride a bike....

On Friday the kids and I decided to go for a bike ride. While I was away in N.S., my wonderful husband bought me a BIKE for my birthday. It was an incredible surprise to me. I had only mentioned in passing a few times that I would like to have a mountain bike so that I could go biking with the kids since we have access to a great trail system here in St. Albert.
The mere mention of a bike ride with mom led Tyler to ask if I could ride a bike, since, apparently, he has never seen me ride a bike before. I said, "Tyler, I could ride a bike since before you were born!". (one of my Dad's favorite lines~felt like him as I was saying it.)
Tyler said, "oh, you have been riding a bike since you were TALL and BLONDE." !!???
I asked with mild amusement, "When was I tall and blonde Tyler?"
"When you married Daddy!"
oh. I gues I am no longer tall or blonde. But alas, I digress. Back to the bike ride.

So I packed a picnic lunch, and off we went. I looked quite groovy wearing a 5 year old's spiderman helmet. (but i didn't look TALL or BLONDE). We took the Red Willow Park trail system, which is a paved hiking/biking trail throughtout St. Albert. We biked to the library, which is about 2 km away, and had a nice lunch at a picnic table in the shade. Then we started for home. It was all very fun until a training wheel fell off of Tyler's bike and we had to walk half way home. It could not be fixed as the rubber of the wheel separated from the wheel itself. To top it all off, my son, who normally wears a sunny disposition, turned into a GRUMPY OLD MAN.
When we got home, Daddy said no more training wheels Tyler! You can ride a bike on your own.

oh, but you have to STEER as well as peddle.

ooops...in the trees.

finally getting the hang of it...

and now he's so fast.....

the camera misses him completely.

Birthday Girl.

We cannot believe that SHE is 10 years old!
Entering Grade 5. She loves to read. She loves to help out in the kitchen. She love to watch decorating shows on TV. She spends time on the web.
She picked out this fabulous cake for her birthday. We invited a few friends over for cake.
Alexandra came for a sleepover. Her party this year was at American Girl Place.
Happy Birthday Hunter!

American Girl Place. Act III

Lucky for us that although the "hair studio" was too busy, the Photo Studio was not.
We got these great souvenir photos for the girls which is a "mock" magazine cover for American Girl magazine, which Hunter reads.
Such a cool take home souvenir!!

American Girl Place. Act II.

After lunch, shopping was the agenda.
This place was 3 floors of little girl heaven.
Dolls, clothes, accessories, books, souvenirs.
Hunter had been saving her money since January to spend here.
Plus the grandparents gave her some money. She had $220 to spend.
She looked at everything very carefully before making her decisions.
Hunter & Grace really wanted to get their dolls' hair done at the hair salon, but after lunch the salon was extremely busy and there was a 3 hour wait!

American Girl Place.

Located on Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago. Part of the Magnificent Mile.
Our first stop was a birthday luncheon at the American Girl Cafe, located on the second floor.
The food and decor were so beautiful. The dolls had their own chairs and little tiny cups.
The cafe was full. Reservations must be made months ahead of time.
There were 11 of us including Shelly & Kennedy, friends from Edmonton who met us there.
Happy 10th Birthday Hunter!!!!!!!!

Dreams do come true...

A little girl's dream for the past 4 years. (and secretly her mother's as well).

Big Day to Chicago!!!!!

Tuesday, August 15 was our BIG outing to the downtown of Chicago.
Rob actually rented a 12 passenger van so we could all travel together.
I was happy and relieved that Kelly didn't have to drive! She had been up at night with the two little ones.
So off we go. 6 Kids. 3 Adults.
4 car seats. 1 stroller.
4 incredibly excited little GIRLS. 1 baby.
1 Boy who has been warned within an inch of his life to behave while we are at American Girl Place.

This pic is for Aunt Jill.

Shirt reads, "If you think I'm cute, you should see my Aunt."

The Kids.

The kids had so much fun playing and getting to know one another.
Everyday was a new adventure.
On Saturday, Kelly & Rob rented a bouncy house and had a BBQ for some friends and neighbours.
Rob set up the kiddy pool and the slip 'n slide, which was Tyler's favorite.
They played outside. They watched a movie with popcorn.
They drank pop. They giggled. They played musical beds. Just so fun.

Monday, August 14.

On Monday, I asked Kelly if she would mind dropping the kids and I off at Geneva Commons to do some browsing and shopping around.
Pottery Barn. Williams Sonoma. Bombay Kids. Crate & Barrel. Victoria's Secret.
I think West Edmonton Mall is in need of some new stores!

Beautiful Homes.

Some of the beautiful homes that were in Naperville.
If Ron should ever get transferred to Chicago, I know where I want to live!

And Baby Makes Six.....

A family photo on the Riverwalk.

Chipotle's.

After our walk on the river, we went to Chipotle's for dinner.
Chipotle's serves mexcian fast food like tacos, burritos, salsa, chips, etc.
The food was incredible and very reasonably priced.
All fresh veggies and organic meats.
Hunter & I had 3 soft tacos and Tyler had 4 hard tacos and it was really yummy.
I treated everyone to dinner here and 8 of us ate for $46. We couldn't have eaten at McDonald's for that price!