10 on Tuesday!

1.. I'm in a funk. I'm feeling cranky and overwhelmed. Not sure how to get myself feeling OK and "myself" again. Not sure who myself is these days.....

2.. I tried to put a dent in Olivia's scrapbooking. My gear has invaded the dining room table for 2 weeks and I am finished documenting photos until the end of March. She was born in February. Eek! I LOVE scrapbooking but I am seriously thinking that I can't have a hobby until the kids are in school......but then I'l be working.....oh crap.

3.. My X-mas shopping is HALF done. Woot! I have to do it without Hayden 'cause he tells everyone what they'll be getting. Olivia can keep better secrets.

4.. Sinterklaas preparations are well underway. Between now and December 6th we have to make our surprise and write a rhyme for our secret recipient. It's always lots of fun, but we have a lot more to juggle this year since we have 2 kids to work around. Ralph and I are hosting again this year so stay tuned for the hillarious photos....

5.. I could have put the Christmas tree up last week. I am super excited because we have 2 kids to spoil this year, and Hayden "gets it" this year. He'll be beside himself excited on Christmas morning. I am also sad because we are not making the trip to Saskatoon this year. Technically, it was our turn to go but I've made the decision to be horribly selfish and stay home with my hubby and kids. I find it a bit stressful to travel and the weather can be so unpredictable. Everyone in S'toon is very disappointed. And thought it's not the same, I'll have to get the webcam up and running for the occcasion.

6.. the Rico Report. He's a menace. His latest misadventure.....he ate the seatbelt in Ralph's car.
And for dessert....the stereo speaker. His nightcap.....Hayden's Poang chair and hockey net.

7.. Olivia has two teeth, wants to stand up to the table and insists upon walking all of the time! She's power crawling and can almost sit up on her own. I almost caught myself saying that having 2 kids wasn't that bad......until she started moving!!

8.. The new Caramel Brulee latte from Starbucks is delicious. I have also had my first egg nog latte of the season.....I think they contribute to a good 5 pounds of weight gain over the holiday season.

9.. Mmmmmmm....butter. Isn't everything better with lots of it?! I made cornbread last week, which was delicious, but it's really just a conduit for the butter. This week, banana bread.

10. Ralph is working on finishing the basement. There is a very fine line between loving that you have a handy husband, and resenting him for spending his extra time working in the basement without me and the kids. We both want the playroom finished so the kids can make a mess and we don't have to look at it. I just wish I could wiggle my nose and it would be done!

.....tis the season!

We decided to be uber smart parents this year.

We took the kids to see Santa early.
No lineups.
What a beautiful thing.
The Blakeney's joined us too!
(but you'll have to check their Blog to see the photo of Jakzen with Santa!)

Olivia was super excited......

....she was sound asleep until they called our name
to sit on Santa's lap!

We waited patiently for our turn, and when
Hayden heard Santa's jingle bells coming down the mall,
I thought he was going to come out of his skin!
He was SO EXCITED!!
He was grinning from ear to ear and jumping up and down.
What a great mommy moment.



They had a pretty serious heart to heart
about the specifics of Hayden's wish list.
A wooden track, with a tunnel (for Thomas the Train)
with Lady and Percy engines.

Olivia was less certain about what she was doing
sitting on a strange man's lap.
Hayden informed Santa she was there because
she wanted a Barbie girl.

I am so excited that this is our first Christmas
with two kids!!

Thoughts for Thursday

1.. I realized something after Halloween. Pumpkin seeds are just pumpkin seeds no matter how you toast them, season them or dress them up. Just stick to the back of your throat gross.

2.. I finished my first session of fitness classes. I enjoyed them and start the second session - the Bootie Blasting Bootcamp on Monday. However, I cannot seem to get lower than the 145 pound mark. I think I notice some toning changes in my body, but no weight change. Must be due to the fact I eat like a human trash can lately. Anything and everything.

3.. IT SUCKS having babies that are sick. Hayden came down with a wicked fever, cough and runny nose on Monday. It came on fast, and knocked my normally energetic boy on his cute little bum. H1N1, perhaps?? We have been housebound all week. I don't feel super hot but I'm managing to keep illness on the backburner. This morning, it was Miss Olivia's turn. Poor little snot bubbles and open mouth breathing Olivia. She's sleeping, but not soundly. All I keep hearing is a congested little cough coming from her room. Looks like the Deters' will be quarantined for awhile....

4.. How did I not discover how AWESOME it is to cook with silicone bakeware until today?@#! I made delicious chocolate chip cookie bars. (Gee, I wonder if this has anything to do with the no weight loss program?!) All of my metal stuff is going bye-bye.

5.. Hayden had his yearly check up at the dentist. His teeth are pretty good. The only problem....he needs to be less independant when brushing his teeth. Good luck. This means Hayden can brush his own teeth in the morning, but Mommy or Daddy have to help brush them at night. He doesn't appreciate the step backwards.

6..Finally, a shot of Olivia's first tooth! And, just to add to the joy of having a cold.....her second tooth is coming in beside this one. Grrrrrrr!

7.. On that note....we gave Olivia a teething biscuit for the first time. I had forgotten the mess they make as they turn into wallpaper paste. Yummy!

8.. Hayden has started to color differently since he started preschool. He concentrates, and really tries to stay in the lines. He's doing a really great job, and my fridge is always covered in art. I'm so proud. Therefore, I'm not going to bother him with the fact he's holding his pencil completely wrong. He's only 3 1/2 after all.

Trick or Treat 2009

Step One: Carving the Jack-O-Lantern.

Hayden wasn't at all interested in helping Daddy
clean out the pumpkin.
Or carve the face.
Or help Mommy clean pumpkin seeds.

He was curious about the stuff coming out....

We finally convinced him to stick his hand in
and grab at least one handful....

He was less than impressed
with what he felt!

Tessa & Scott and the kids came over for
an early dinner before
we went trick-or-treating.

We got the kids dressed and out the door
at about 6:30.
What a gong-show trying to get 4 kids
in their costumes!!!

Olivia spent her first trick-or-treating experience
in the comfort of the Chariot.

Olivia and Sienna
were the first to go home,
but Hayden and Brody stayed out for almost
an hour and a half.

They each have a mountain of candy
to show for their efforts!!