Christmas Continues

Tonight my husband finally works his last shift for the next week. He has been either working or on-call for the last week. He is currently training a new fresh-out-of-depot recruit so he hasn't even been able to split the shifts or on-call with anyone else.

Nope. Just John alone.

He is really a one-man show!

Actually that is one thing that he really likes about the RCMP. Getting to experience "it all"; the arrests, the interviews, the evidence collection (including footwear impressions and fingerprints), court, etc.

For Christmas one of our friends got "us" this really cool book called "M Is For Mountie". An ititial glance would give you the assumption that it is simply a children's book about the alphabet with slight references to the RCMP. However each letter gives a very detailed description of something from the past or present day on the force.

It's really neat.

But I'm not allowed to keep it on the girls' bookshelves.

No way.

John is keeping it with his stash of other memorablia. He is just in the beginnings of this collection hobby but each year he adds one or two things.

I'm glad that we have something to help the girls understand what Daddy does at work all day now. If he'll let them read it that is!

This week, with John being restricted to stay at home or at work, we have had a quiet time at home. The girls have been having fun playing with all their new toys and they are anxiously looking forward to tomorrow when we drive to Saskatoon for a few days to visit with family.

Here's a few pictures of Christmas morning in our home.


The girls opening their stockings (Only girls would be excited about socks and princess panties! Actually we put in some bath stuff, dressup hats, gum or chocolate, and a barbie outfit too)
Ella is itching with excitement to begin the unwrapping frenzy!Brie is equally excited but shows restraint.
Trying on new clothes with the big gift (they each got one train set) put together already. They have worn out the batteries already. Battery charger here we come!
Today I should really take down my Christmas tree.

I don't feel like it at all.

But it's either today or on January 1st when we come home.

Neither day sounds appealing to me.

However, January 2nd is Brianna's birthday and it's really nice to have Christmas put away before the birthday week hits. Family is invited to come to our place on the 4th for a joint birthday party for the girls, and then Ella's birthday is on the 6th. Then Brie is going to have her first friend-only party to celebrate being 5 years old. I think I may just get this over with on the 10th.

I'm tired just thinking about it.

How do families with multiple births handle birthdays each year? How do they give each child their own identity and desires when there is no way to spread it out throughout the year?

Having both of my girls' birthdays right after Christmas is tiring. I spent a few days making birthday invitations this week and I still haven't wrapped a single thing for them yet. I still have to finish shopping for them first.

Sigh.

It's fun to celebrate birthdays but I really wish they weren't so close to each other, or that it wasn't so soon after Christmas.

I'm looking forward to the end of January when it's all over for another year. Plus, have I mentioned that we are going to MEXICO?

Just checking.

Have a happy new year everyone!

Christmas Concerts

Sunday night was our church's Christmas banquet and concert. I was very proud of the fine jobs that my family did during the play. Here's some pictures for you as you begin this wonderful Christmas season.

Ella The Sheep (note the little white ears)
Brianna The Angel

The Crew looking rather beautiful

John as King Herod (Ella was very sad that Daddy was playing the "bad guy")

Practicing Lines, first time with costumes (which were not elaborate at all but got the point across anyways)

I didn't think to get a family picture of all of us in our costumes, but I was a simple scribe so you're not missing much anyways!

During the concert, I also sang in a trio with a couple of friends. We sang "Breath Of Heaven", which I actually have sung as a solo before, and "Not That Far From Bethlehem". I was surprised by how much I actually missed singing in special performances. I guess I used to do it so often that I didn't appreciate it anymore, and the struggle to find something new on tape to sing was a challenge. However, singing with someone that plays piano is very enjoyable! We're already talking about singing together again next year.

Hope that everyone has a very merry Christmas!!

How Much Longer?

Yesterday Ella came down with a mysterious fever.

No other symptoms.

Just a mild fever.

And of course, the extreme whinyness and clinging.

Can't forget those lovely traits that appear with sick children.

Somehow though, in the midst of the whining and the clinging, and the knowledge that I had a messy house and other stuff that needed to get done, I found that special place.

The place that I haven't been for quite some time.

The place that I'm not sure how often I'll get to go back to anymore.

It was the place of contentment, peace and warmth.

Snuggling with my beautiful child while she drifted off into sleep.

Is there anything more precious than that?

My "baby" is soon going to be 3 years old and I fear that this may be one of the last times that I get to enjoy her snuggliness in that special way.

In two weeks, both of my girls will be turning a year older.

I was greatly anticipating their birthdays until yesterday when it dawned on me how much will change with having a 3 year old and a 5 year old in the house now.

It makes me think of the great children's book by Karen Kingsbury, "Let Me Hold You Longer", celebrating each last in a child's life.

But how do you celebrate some of those transitions without your heart breaking just a little?

How do you know when you've reached those lasts?

Busy Busy

Just thought I should check in and let you know that I'm still around.

Life is just getting crazy during this Christmas season and there doesn't seem to be enough time to get much accomplished lately.

Here's what we've been up to:

1. I sang with a couple friends in a Community Christmas Carol Sing. We sang 2 songs together in 3-part harmonies. I also sang with the church "choir" (I'll use that term loosely)

2. Practicing for our church's annual Christmas play. This year it is Wee Three Kings. I have a very small part with only 2 lines (whew!) but John is playing King Herod and has a much larger role. The girls will also play angels or shepherds.

3. I am still sick, slowly getting over this cold that is giving me major sinus headaches most days

4. We hosted the RCMP Christmas party on Sunday night.

5. The girls spent 2 nights away with their grandparents in Saskatoon and I had to pick them up yesterday while trying to stop at all 85 places on my "to-do list". Well not exactly 85 but I did stop at about 9 places altogether and still didn't have time for Walmart. Next time I guess. Oh that city shopping list never gets smaller!

6. Trying to get caught up on Christmas cards, baking and wrapping.

7. Dealing with Ella's "curious" behaviours and the aftermaths of her experiments. She is just too sneaky for her own good.

8. We did get a Wii and we've been having lots of fun playing Wii Sports and Mario Kart! I just picked up some new games yesterday so hopefully we enjoy those too.

8. Brie's Christmas concert is coming up on Thursday. I'm looking forward to that!

9. More play practices coming up this weekend.

10. I feel like there has been a lot more going on than what I just typed. Oh well, my brain is still recovering from this cold.

Speaking of COLD.....

It is absolutely nasty outside!

Only 40 days until we go to MEXICO!!!!!

For Sale

For Sale:

Small child in near perfect condition, almost 3 years old.
Likes to experiment with lotions, craft powders and scissors, among many other products.
Experiments taking place on a daily basis.
Child is very innovative and resourceful with new ideas.
Also likes to wake up 2-3 times each night.




Currently taking offers.

Cole Family Christmas review

Earlier this week, before I came down with this nasty cold, I was able to read a great new book called "Cole Family Christmas".

Taken from the inside cover "The wish book. This amazing year, the nine children in the Cole family have been allowed to sit down with the Sears, Roebuck and Company catalogue to choose the gift they would most like to receive for Christmas. This is a rare event, for the Coles are not wealthy."

My review: I really enjoyed this book. Before reading it, I thought it was a story that I might enjoy reading. I found that it was a very quick read as there are only 74 pages in this hardcover story. It is such a heartwarming story of a family growing up together in the dangerous times of coal mining. They cry, they laugh, they forgive, and they love each other. This book has great colorful illustrations that anyone, young or old could appreciate. I am looking forward to sitting down with my girls and reading this out loud to them!

Check out the website for Cole Family Christmas. You can read the first chapter, print off gift tags, or even purchase the book.

This book would make a wonderful gift for any family to read together, or anyone who enjoys a good story.

I'll Be Brief

It's very cold outside.

I have a bad cold.

I had a lousy sleep last night which doesn't help.

Our country is falling apart.

I can't really put two thoughts together today.

I plan on lying on the couch and reading a book instead.

Wish me luck that the children will be quiet and well-behaved today.