Merry Christmas - 2012

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you have been having a wonderful holiday, I know I have! Its been very relaxing and I have been a very lazy girl, its fabulous!

Christmas Eve was lovely and meaningful. I spent a good chunk of the evening running around doing 'behind the scenes' stuff with organizing the kids for the continued nativity story and being on 'light' duty for the dance as Kara had to be in it as one of the older girls couldn't be at the service. Ken filmed it this time with no issues, andso here is the second performance.

As promised a picture as Ariel as Mary and Ben her Joseph. 

Following the service we drove around looking at the lights, always fun, although the kids were eager to go home and eat! While the snacks cooked (mushroom caps & meatballs yummy) we got into our jammies and took our annual photo in front of the tree! Xander didn't fight the process this year, and its amazing how balancing a toy car on my camera can help, haha.

We watched Veggie Tales - St Nicholas and then tucked the kids in bed... however only one stayed. Xander had fallen asleep during the Christmas Eve service and was not going to bed anytime soon. Sigh...so after laying with him and nearly falling asleep myself, we finally decided that I would 'set up' and Ken would keep Xander 'occupied' so he doesn't come downstairs while I am busy. 

Took be about an hour to get things out of hiding places (you need to be creative when you have no closet doors yet), getting them under the tree, wrapping a few things I forgot, and filling stockings. When it was all done it was close to 1am, gack! I took a picture of the glow of the tree and fireplace... so peaceful.

When I went up to our room, Ken was already asleep but guess who was wide awake watching Thomas the train on our bed? Oh Xander! So we snuggled and soon he finally gave up the fight and went to sleep. Thankfully no one woke up till past 7am, and it was Ken who woke up first, a change for sure since he usually is the hardest to wake up. We all got up and came downstairs, the kids were excited and opened their stockings to fun treasures!

I popped the make ahead breakfast goodies into the oven while we started presents. Xander definitely caught on this year about opening things. He was getting so excited and overwhelmed he started to shake at one point. 

The kids all got some fun surprises. Xander got a cool cars 'super speedway' and some Star Wars toys to start his 'nerd' status early. Not sure who was more excited, Ken or Xander haha.

Ariel got some Littlest Pet Shop toys, a Marie-Grace doll (thanks AG for the amazing sale) and a talking Bacon stuffed toy from Uncle Dan.

Both kids got Furbys...

...and Mommy too, my cute white one... I haven't grown up yet. Xander seems to like getting them all together for 'furby' chats. Maybe he understands them, haha.

We did dinner at Dad and Rita's with the rest of the family. Yummy turkey and the fixins' - althought I always miss the leftovers when you don't cook yourself... must make turkey over break at some point.

The past few days have been a blur since we haven't done much of anything. Its been AWESOME! Staying in pjs, resting, playing and just hanging out together. I said on facebook the best vacations are the ones where you wake up and have no clue what day it is. Haha.

Planning some outtings and visits with people next week, and an Open House that we have wanted have since we moved. Should be fun times and I am eager to ring in 2013. Whee!

Continued Update

*This post have been saved and for some reason didn't post... probably because I forgot, blah!*

These are a few thoughts and photos I forgot to add to my previous post. So they are scattered and brief-

Ariel had a full week leading up to the holidays, she finished her lastest swimming lessons, and passed Swim Kids level 3 and most of the requirements for level 4 as her teacher decided to test her since she was doing so well! It was amazing to start watching her learn basic diving skills, and she is eager to start in level 4 in the new year. Xander wants to start lessons too, but we will see (he forgets he will need to wet his hair, haha)

Ariel's offical dance gear arrived! She LOVES her coat and sweatpants.

We had snow for one day - Ariel was thrilled, Xander hated it (thus no pictures of him in it as he refused to go near it)

I helped out in Ariel's class to make gingerbread houses (or graham crackers in this case). It was lots of fun and the kids had a fun time. 

Last Day of school, Ariel's school all went skating and then watched 'Santa Paws' in the afternoon. Everyone remember the movies we saw in school? For some reason we always saw 'The Man from Snowy River' or 'The Man from Snowy River Returns' haha.

Christmas is Coming!

*This post have been saved and for some reason didn't post... probably because I forgot, blah!*

Soon... as in a few days! Wow, that went fast. Its been a blur here of activities and all the extra goodies that fill December up with so much fun. Here is a quick recap on some of the stuff that has been happening around here.

Work! For both Ken and I have been a busy. He was doing a few late nights and I had multiple orders that were one after the other so when I finally finished this week my final cake before my break, I was exhaused. I was finding it tricky after my summer break to really find that rhythm again with my work, almost questioning if I was still motivated, but after a full week I found that fun and joy again and put out some great work and found my 'groove'. Looking forward to some photo shoots coming up in the new year, and working with some new couples for wedding orders.

Concerts! We had Ariel's school concert last week and it was super cute! All about this family trying to contact Santa through facebook, twitter, skype, texting etc. but the person who finally gets him to come is the little girl who writes a simple letter asking for love and joy for the world. It was awesome and I attended both the dress rehersal and evening performance.

Ariel's class sang about wanting teeth for Christmas. Ariel said at one point that is was rediculous for her to sing it because she hasn't lost a tooth yet. Poor girl is desperate to have one come out... I have a feeling it will be sometime soon, but we shall see.

Then this past Sunday was the church's concert, although it really wasn't a 'concert' for say but more of the children being featured during the service celebrating the 3rd Sunday of Advent by having them do things like reading a poem, dance, living nativity and singing. With running the children's program that included taking on the responciblity. I was eager to let these kids shine, and I think they were all fantastic. I was sweating by the end of it all, haha, from running around. I couldn't even rest afterwards since I had an order to finish, haha. Oh well. The kids are continuing the living nativity on Christmas Eve and the girls are preforming their dance again.

Ken was having camera issues and missed taping both the nativity and dance but we got a friend's copy and we will film on Christmas Eve. Check it out, so proud of the girls... and my girly too.



Speaking of my girl, she played Mary (mainly because all the girls wanted to be angels, and I ended up convincing her because I needed someone, and its easier to convince your own kid!) I will get a photo of her in her costume, with Joseph, who is towering over her, haha, but he was the only boy willing to do it, and with roughly only 15 kids its limiting. Excited to see them all perform again next week, its a big deal to be a part of the Christmas Eve service, so I am thrilled for them. I resently joined the worship team at church for helping with planning stuff, so I could get the kids more involved. Its another thing, but I feel so excited that its really not 'work' but a joy.

Xander has been a busy boy at school too. He has been learning about 'baby Jesus' and tells me about it which just melts my heart everytime. Today he had his 'party day' when the parents come to see the kids sing, and he did as he usually does, sit and pout. He isn't one for singing, he likes to be a part of the group but the moment its him in the spotlight he tends to retreat. Very similar to me growing up, so its nothing new. I eventually got over it, so will he... in his time. The hard part is watching him get upset, and start to cry. Today it just got to me, I am sure its just the whole emotional build up from the tragedy of the school shooting in the USA, so my body finally just gave in and sobbed following his class.

He has been really coming into his own lately. Very chatty, lots to draw (still not committed to right or left hand, although he does seem to be more 'right' these days) and race the cars around the couch. He attemped his name this past week, with me showing him how to make his letters on a separate page, and then him trying it. I was amazed since the last time we tried he wouldn't go past the 'a' in his name. I did see some of 'Ariel's' perfectionism come out in him when looking at his letters and saying 'they don't look quite right'. Oh help me now if he is like her that way! Haha.

One thing that we are looking forward to is Xander having his own 'extra ciricular' activity come January. After attending a friend's birthday at the gymnastics club, he hasn't stopped talking about it. So I found a 3 year old class and his good buddy Colin will be in the same group, so that will be lots of fun for them. He also started talking about wanting to swim like Ariel, so we will see. I think I might take him to the pool first before signing him up for a class so I can see how he will react.

Ok, gotta go, but will update more soon!

Yikes... December!!!!!!!

Wow, its been pretty much a month since I blogged... not that I haven't thought about it, but I find sometimes my evenings are me going to bed earlier than I used to. I miss writing, so maybe I will try to get on here more. I have been also enjoying our FIRST CHRISTMAS in our new place. Its been a long awaited holiday I couldn't wait to have here. So far, I am not disappointed and I can only picture the years to come, hee.

I got most of our decorations up just prior to December, since I spread it out over several days, I even still find myself doing more touches as the days go by. New digs and no plan makes it a tad more of a lengthy process. My dream of having our kid's stockings hanging at a fireplace came true this year. I was nearly in tears, it was something I dreamed of for so long. Sure its a 'fake' fireplace but its still something!!!!!

The kids got new trees for their rooms this year. Ariel got a purple one...

...and Xander a blue one

...we even got a tree in our room!

Our shopping is pretty much finished, just a few things left to pick up and wrap. My schedule until the kids are off is pretty darn full of orders, so its a good thing to have most things done. I also have been super busy with the church's kid program. I love my role as Children's coordinator, but it is a lot at times, but I am blessed with how well its all falling into place with the new Sunday School type program I introduced and now our Advent program is coming nicely. Woot!

This morning I took the kids for the annual photo session with our friend Maria. Ariel had a day off school for a district closure, so it worked perfectly. Xander did so much better this time, and actually preferred his pictures to be with Ariel! Last year she couldn't even sit beside him without him freaking, this year lots of hugs and kisses, I was melting. Made picking our prints difficult, haha.

Ariel is looking more and more grown up these days. Its amazing how their faces change from Kindergarten to Grade one! This photo when I saw it really sums up our girl, sparkly, sweet and spunky. She is becoming a lovely young gal, we are blessed to be raising her

Xander, again another shot that sums up our boy. Unique, cool and laid back.... just stick wheels on him and that is him in a nutshell. I really do see myself mainly in Xander. I can identify mainly with him, and we have a special bond because of it. My sweet boy, chillin'. 

Then this afternoon we had a playdate with our friend Kaelyn, so that was fun... and helped filled the day. Ha! This week I have 2 pretty large orders and a shopping trip with Stella for our annual Christmas pj fabric!

Other news, I painted the windows of the library at Ariel's school and helped her class bake gingerbread men cookies. That was fun! I have also been helping out with the PAC and did the gift card ordering for the entire school.. glad its a small school, haha.

Ok, off to do some work before bed, lots to get done!