Winter

We've been having a discussion in our house as to whether it is winter or not. Aidan keeps asking me if it's winter and I say yes, and then he asks Michael, who says I'm wrong and it's not winter yet. I feel like when there's snow on the ground and I'm wearing my winter jacket, mittens and hat - it's winter! Michael goes by the calendar and still maintains it is officially fall and not winter until the solstice on Dec 21. Usually Aidan takes my side in EVERYTHING, but in this one thing he's been taking Michael's side and saying to me 'I know it's not winter. It's fall. You're wrong Mommy' which of course is just great.

Even though it is not 'technically' winter, it's starting to feel a lot more winter-y around here lately. Right after Halloween we got about 3 or 4 dumps of snow, but in between it would warm up and be slushy and muddy, which I think is the worst part of spring up here. Then it snowed again, warmed up, iced over and we've had ice for the longest time. Now we've gotten a huge dump of snow and it shows no signs of stopping any time soon either!

I have also started that extremely frustrating/slightly rewarding process of Christmas baking.
I enjoy cooking and baking, but my problem is that I like to experiment and I have a hard time simply following the recipe. Sometimes I just don't have enough of what I need, so I substitute, or I want to improve the nutritional value so I throw in extra veggies or reduce the oil/butter but it's difficult for me to just let it be! With Christmas baking though, I try really hard to follow the recipe exactly - and stuff STILL doesn't turn out!! This just proves my point. If it's not going to turn out anyways....why not try to improve it?? This year I'm making Chocolate Fruit Balls, Raspberry Nut Pinwheels, Chocolate Mayan Sparklers, Raisin Rugalachs, Ginger Snaps, Chocolate Marshmallow Rolls and Festive Fruit Loaf. I have made everything before, except the Chocolate Fruit Balls and I don't think I'll make them again. They're a mixture of peanut butter, candied fruit, coconut, dates and nuts dipped in chocolate and the dipping part is not fun. Also, there's 100 of them and I spent like 2 hours and only got about 30 dipped. Everything else is fairly straightforward (which is why I picked them!) except for the Raspberry Nut Pinwheels. They are made by rolling out some dough, spreading jam and walnuts on top, rolling it up and then slicing the roll to make the cookies. My dough is constantly falling apart - as if I didn't follow the recipe closely even though I did! I've made 1 batch and I'm going to try again and this time I'm going to slightly adjust the recipe and add more softened butter to see if it helps hold the dough together. These just might be my favourite cookies out of everything that I make, and it might be because the perfect Raspberry Nut Pinwheel is so elusive!

The other day I realized that we were almost a full week into December and I still hadn't gotten the tree up or the advent/countdown calendar up! My mom made this awesome fabric wall hanging calendar with little numbered pockets and a little teddy bear who moves from pocket to pocket as it gets closer to Christmas. There's also room for a couple treats in each pocket and Aidan loves moving the teddy bear along and discovering what each pocket is hiding. Yesterday the teddy moved from 1 to 7 and then this morning Aidan got to move the teddy to 8 and he and Keira got some smarties. Keira was fascinated by the calendar and after she had gotten and eaten her smarties, stood looking at it, maybe trying to figure out how to get more smarties!

Our tree is also up but still undecorated. Aidan likes to put up the decorations with me and things have finally slowed down a bit so hopefully we can do that today. I love pulling out the bit Rubbermaid of Christmas stuff and unpacking all the decorations and ornaments and little things that go along with the season! There's just someting about the Christmas season that makes me feel warm and happy and like everything is going to be okay.

I also love Christmas shopping - not now, but before all the craziness hits. I hate going into stores now because they're packed with grumpy rude people who are all in a hurry. I usually start at the end of August, beginning of September and shop right up until December. My reasoning is that is spreads out the cost over a few months, but when I pull everything out to wrap it up I always have way more than I anticipated! There's always those few things that I bought 3 months ago and forgot about or packed away in my closet so no one would find. This year was no exception and we just barely have enough room under the tree for all the presents - and that's just for the kids! There's sure a lot to be thankful for! We're spending Christmas in Kitimat this year so the kids will probably have 2 Christmases - a little one here before we go and then a bigger one in Kitimat with all of Michael's family. It should be fun, we've never done Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's before. I think we did it once or twice when I was growing up, but it wasn't a tradition that I or my kids have grown up with. Aidan was very concerned when he heard that we weren't spending Christmas here because he thought he wouldn't be getting any presents!! He's been very busy inspecting all the presents under the tree and wanted to make a big pile out of his presents. I think it makes Christmas even more special when you can experience it again through the excitement of your kids!

Done and Done!

I'm finally done all my sewing projects!!! Technically, I still have to finish 'cutting' the one blanket, but that should be done tonight and then everything is done, I'm so happy.

Here are the pants that I made for Aidan - and there's 2 pictures because I'm not sure which one has the better lighting, or maybe they're both equally bad:


I think he'll like them....hopefully he does because if he doesn't, he'll never wear them!

And my last projects, the 2 baby blankets I made. I was going to make the babies little flame pants, I thought that would be cute, but Michael suggested I make blankets instead because 'I do such a good job on them' or something equally flattering, so I did blankets. And since I usually only do 1 or 2 at a time and completely forget how to do them between making any, I accidentally made these extra large! Fortunately I had enough material, but I always forget how much work it is! I think the end result is work it though. The pattern is little blue and red and yellow and lime green cars and they're honking their horns because above each car is 'Pip Pip' - so cute!

I would also like to say thanks for all the great comments on my other sewing projects!! You'll notice, though, that I didn't take any super close ups, so you can't see my wobbly seams and other imperfections. You also can't tell that Keira's top is about 5" too wide for her - I guess you can now because I just said it. I don't know what's with sewing patterns and stuff being super wide! I know none of those things are big deals, I'll get better with practice. And I think I'll continue to practice on polarfleece - it's so forgiving, just swallows any wobbly seams or uneven backstitching in it's fuzziness!

Aidan Meets Batman

There's a new Best Buy in Grande Prairie and as part of their Grand Opening they brought Batman in for the kids to meet. I let Aidan choose between going to meet Sponge Bob Squarepants or Batman and he chose Batman.

Here he is on the way to Best Buy. You can just see on his face that he's super excited!

There was a crazy amount of traffic, so we made good use of the camera while stuck in traffic.

Also keep in mind we're both sick which is probably why I look all pale and gross. Keira's been sick for a couple weeks and Aidan's had a runny nose for a few days but Saturday and Sunday Michael and I got it really bad.

The obligatory 'silly face'

And here I am trying to eat his head - apparently. I forgot how silly faces are still cute on little kids...but not so much on their parents. Oh well, Aidan thought these were the best pictures ever :)

Finally, after standing in line both outside and inside, Aidan finally got to meet Batman.

The Pose.

As you can see in the first picture of the two of them, they had a little conversation. I missed the first part, but this is kinda how it went:

Batman: Hi, what's your name?

Aidan: Aidan. I got to choose to see Sponge Bob or Batman and I chose Batman.

Batman: Oh, well I'm glad you came. Sponge Bob and I are actually good friends. We had soup just the other day.

Aidan: Oh!

Batman: Do you know what kind of soup he had? Tomato! Do you know what my favourite kind of soup is?

Aidan: No.

Batman: Beef stew. What's your favourite kind of soup?

Aidan: Tomato.

Batman: Ah, just like Sponge Bob. Who's your favourite Super Hero?

Aidan: You (thankfully he pulled through and said Batman instead of Spiderman, who I think is really his favourite Super Hero)

Batman: Oh good, high five!

I thought it was really nice that even though there were tons of kids there he took the time to have a little conversation instead of just signing the paper and posing for a picture. And of course Aidan thought it was the coolest thing :)

Finished!

I had this idea that for Christmas, I could sew everyone fleece pants...nevermind that I break out the sewing machine maybe 3 or 4 times a year! I went to Fabricland and found some supercute material for Keira and some flannelette for Aidan that I just couldn't resist - I was sure he would think it was 'cool' and 'awesome' and it was in clearance, so it would be great to practice on. I guess I should have made his stuff first if it was for practice...


This is Keira's pants (and shirt since I only bought 1m and her stuff is so small). I had everything cut out and I made them yesterday. I always pick the worst times to sew. I had had my sewing machine sitting upstairs for about a week but I decided to wait until I was babysitting all day before starting her stuff!


I'm so proud of how it turned out! My previous sewing experience is pretty much all baby blankets so this is a major achievement for me! My favourite part is the little ruffle on the bottom - so cute! The only thing I don't like is that the neckline is huge, but since everything else is a bit big on her, maybe she'll grow into it...

Then today I made Aidan's cool awesome pajamas. The fabric is actually really cool! I made sure I cut out everything so that the road on the bottom of the fabric was also on the bottom of the pants, arms and top. I think it turned out pretty good! Also my first attempt at sewing a ribbing neckline and ankles on (at least that I can remember). While I was sewing the shirt Aidan noticed it and said 'Is that for me Mommy?' so since I didn't want to lie I told him it was supposed to be a surprise for Christmas...but since he noticed it, I made him try it on a couple times so that I could make sure it would fit.

I still have his and Michael's pants to make, as well as 2 baby blankets - and my mom reminded me of Christmas baking when I talked to her yesterday!! We're going up to Kitimat for Christmas this year and leaving on the 19th or 20th so I'll have to get moving on those projects too, just wanted to stop and show off these first :D

Off to School...

I thought it might be fun to take pictures while we got ready to drop Aidan off for school one morning.

Keira always gets excited when I hold her up in front of her clothes. I'm not sure why this is - maybe she just likes reaching out and grabbing stuff! Today she picked her BC Lions shirt to wear.

While Aidan waits for breakfast, he finishes putting his hockey stickers into the book he got from Parker's birthday party.

Breakfast time - he's really into oatmeal and asks for it lots, especially when it's cold and he wants to warm up :) You can see his cool ZooPals pig cup and his library book from school hanging on the back of his chair as well as his awesome Superman placemat that Michael got on one of his business trips to Edmonton.

Keira had her own cereal for breakfast. She's not much of a breakfast person - or I don't have that much patience to sit and feed her in the morning. Either way she doesn't eat a whole lot.

Hanging out in her highchair with her favourite piece of the play food set - the tea pot.

Taking off her socks is so much fun. Then she offers them to someone while saying 'Hem, hem' which is her word for 'here you go' or 'I want this' or 'thank you'

Of course offering them to Aidan is fun, but when I offer to put them back on her feet, she takes off into the living room!

Getting ready to leave. This is probably the highlight of her morning. She grabs her blankie or Cheer Bear or both and is down the steps pulling on the door handle ready to go - nevermind that she doesn't have any shoes or a jacket on!

Aidan takes a little longer to get ready - he has to load his backpack up with his library book and lunch box, get his shoes and jacket on and if it's cold, mittens and hat. You can see Keira already reaching for the handle here!

All set and ready to go! Aidan conveniently lost his zip in polarfleece liner for his winter jacket from last year, so I had to buy him a new jacket this year. Hopefully it will fit him next year too. He looks pretty good in it!!

They're both thrilled that I'm taking yet another picture of them. Actually, some days I drive Aidan to school so I can run some errands (or maybe just cuz I'm lazy!) and Keira gets very upset because she's waiting at the shed door for the stroller to come out. Now that it's snowed it takes us 10 min to get everyone into their winter gear and she gets to ride on a sled! She had such a great time the first day.

Once we get home, she heads straight for the couch where the remote is...it's time to watch her favourite show Yo Gabba Gabba!

She likes to sit on the couch with blankie and a teddy (or puppy in this case) but it's just such an exciting show, she has to stand up and dance!!

Back to Work!

Before my maternity leave was up, I had been looking for a part time job. My goal was to find something I could do in the mornings while Aidan was in school and then hopefully save a bit on childcare expenses. I didn't find that perfect job, but I did find a number of casual jobs which allow me to mostly stay home with the kids. I'm so thankful we're able to make this work - even though sometimes they drive me crazy I'm glad I can be there to walk Aidan to school and pick him up and just hang out with them.

One of my casual jobs is for a temp agency so every once in awhile they'll call me up to fill in for someone who is sick or away on vacation or if a company needs someone to be at reception while everyone else is in meetings. I've got 2 great babysitters - one who lives close to us and who can drop Aidan off or pick him up from school, and one who will take Keira for the day and Aidan after lunch. Anytime I have to work it's kind of crazy if I'm working a full day because I have to go pick Aidan up from his afterschool babysitter and drive him over to babysitter #2. Usually I just work one or two days here and there as a temp but last week I got called on Tuesday to work Wed-Fri, and then it got extended to all of this week as well. I guess the receptionist left in a bit of a hurry and they didn't have time to pick someone, but I've been told a decision will be made today and the new girl will start tomorrow so I'm crossing my fingers that today is my last day!

I've been working in a lawyer's office and it's been really interesting and kind of cool to see things from the 'other side', but it's a whole different mind set when you work full time! Getting lunches ready the night before, laying out clothes, fitting all the errands and running around into the couple of hours after Michael gets home and I need to get to bed plus getting out the door in time in the morning! The kids haven't been handling it too well either - Keira wails when I drop her off and she's exhausted all the time. She usually goes to bed at 7, but by 6 she's wandering around making the sleep sign and is excited when I suggest that she go to sleep. Aidan doesn't like going to the babysitter's because there's no one his age and he's been acting out and misbehaving like crazy! We've had lots of talks and made new rules and promised rewards, so hopefully today he behaves!!

The other part that makes my days crazy is that I'm still babysitting! Last Wed and this Tues and Wed I leave work at 3, rush over to babysitter#2 to pick the kids up, and rush home to be there in time for Sarah to drop her kids off! The best part of all this working though, is that I really appreciated the long weekend and the time off I got. It was such a great relaxing weekend, and Michael said that I made my 'best turkey yet' - it was pretty good, and I'm looking forward to making soup tonight or tomorrow!

Doormats??

To set up today's sermon, our pastor showed a short clip with a statement (like "If I don't get a pay raise, I'm going to QUIT") and then a picture with a caption (like "Over 1 billion people worldwide are without jobs") and I think the point of showing the clip was to put our grumbling and complaining in perspective and make us realize that most of the time we really have nothing to complain about. I think it's good to put stuff in perspective but there was one statement-picture combo that I wasn't really sure about. The statement was "I can't believe we had to wait over 30 minutes for our food" and then the picture was a picture of a malnourished child with a caption about how many children die every day from malnutrition. I'm not trying to diminish that in any way or say that we shouldn't be thankful for the food that we have. I am extremely thankful (especially this weekend with such a wonderful turkey dinner) that we have the means and opportunity to buy pretty much whatever food we want. The thing I'm wondering about is are Christians supposed to be doormats?

There was also a verse - I think Pastor Anthony referenced it later in his sermon, I don't think it was part of the clip - Phillipians 2:14 which says "Do everything without complaining or arguing"
Once again, are we just supposed to 'take it' - whatever 'it' is - and NEVER complain?? There's the time that Jesus kicked everyone out of the temple because they were selling stuff and trying to make a profit and that may fall more under rebuke than complaining, but it kind of got me thinking this morning. I have complained about waiting too long for food in restaurants, as well as many many many other things but is anything justified, according to this verse?

I guess it's a question of balance and commonsense - like most everything else in life!