Wounded Little Squirrel

Little E bit the sidewalk yesterday. Poor guy – it really looks much worse in person and I don’t think he will ever heal since he just won’t leave his wounds alone (or the attempt at bandaids to cover the wounds!)

Little E had the hardest time on our trip since he thrives on routine and is such a homebody. I think what he missed the most was all of his dress-up clothes, but he has really over-compensated for the lack since being home… he must change his outfit about 30 times each day. His favourite is “army” anything. Today he went to Joy School wearing “army” underwear, “army” socks, “army” pants and an “army” backpack. He is also very much into Alladin lately, and what used to be a pirate vest has now become the Alladin vest. When I talk to him he’ll reprimand me for calling him his name and insist, “I’m Alladin” as he carries his little stuffed moneky, now Abou, with him everywhere!

We took out our wooden shoes to celebrate Dutch St. Nicholas next week, and he has taken to wearing a pair constantly. I hear him clip clopping all over the place, but they are really comfortable for him! (This is so strange to me since this is the boy who needs all of his tags removed and has so many clothing issues in general!) So here is who I live with; isn’t he cute regardless?! It is a blessing and a curse to have kids who can dress themselves -at least I still have a baby I can dress up!

Because my Aunt takes beautiful pictures...

Pictures, eh!

North Pole Adventure

This is year I didn’t host Thanksgiving. Not Canadian Thanksgiving or American (last year I hosted both). To be completely honest, Canadian Thanksgiving went pretty much un-celebrated in our home this year – something about having a new baby that is throwing off some of the holidays! So, for American Thanksgiving, we decided to celebrate in Canada! Not really, but it just worked out that way. On Friday the 16th we loaded up our van with kids and our car top with everything from fancy wedding reception attire, gifts, swimming gear for the hotel pool to snow suits for tobogganing. We crashed at my Mom’s new house (so nice) even though they were gone. Saturday we headed to my home town (where nobody in my family actually lives anymore) and hung out at our one night hotel for a bit before attending my brother’s after-the-fact second wedding reception. Just as we were heading out, all dressed up in our fancy attire (and oh how cute we all looked), Big J announced that she only had running shoes. (This was not the only necessary item I neglected to pack, I must reiterate that I HATE packing!) So on our way to the reception we stopped and bought her a pair of dress shoes! She did have her singing debut at the reception after all and was amazing! She was nervous so I told her to ask her Uncle and Auntie (the bride and groom) to stand beside her holding her hands. She did, and it was perfect; she was so focused. When she was done my Aunt came up to her with a pen and paper and asked for her autograph. She smiled, said sure and took the pen and paper from her, then turned to me and whispered, “What’s an autograph?” Too cute. I told her it was her name or signature, she then wrote it and said to my Aunt – “I gave you my phone number too!” The boys were darling in their adorable outfits and always wanting to help Grandma with the food. Little E was a sneak and kept asking different extended family members to help him get some refreshments. I must have seen him going up with a new plate full a dozen times – each time grinning away at me; he so knew what he was doing! Baby J was mostly held by my sweet sister, however she somehow managed to hand him back to me when he puked all over my dry-clean only attire and covered the dance floor for someone to slip on! Of course the night wouldn’t be complete without my little princess catching the bride’s bouquet. The funny thing is (apparently we are still new to the whole wedding thing) she handed it right back to her Aunt thinking it was a game. It was a dangerous game at that; she practically clobbered a girl trying to get it… but she won! Congrats again to my brother and his beautiful bride. We love you!

Sunday I dropped Mr. Man off at the train station so he could head up to the big city to work for a few days and make some money for all the Christmas shopping I’ve done. The kids and I went back to my Mom’s (this time with those who reside there) and enjoyed a few relaxing days letting the kids run around the basement where all the toys are, doing some little projects, playing games, eating good food and doing some of the touristy things in their new little town. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the baby who now is blabbering non-stop and seems to be saying “I love you” right back to us! A special treat was going to this huge greenhouse with petting zoo, rides lots of holiday decorations and of course plants. I have fond memories of going there when I was very young and it was a bit nostalgic to be back and enjoy it with my own kids. We also braved the rainy weather and went for an adventurous walk on the Pelee boardwalk and thankfully only saw frogs and not snakes. We even enjoyed looking at Christmas lights at night with my Dad. Fun times. I love spending time with family.

Wednesday was a bit of a nightmare. We started our travels at 11:30am. Made a pitt stop at one of my favourite friends’ houses at 2pm, picked up my Mother-in-law at 6pm so she could drive, picked up Mr. Man at 7:30 and made it to my in-law’s house around 9pm. It was a long day. I am not a highway driver and was praying (rather than cursing) under my breath as I drove in the dark and pouring rain alone with four kids for several hours. At one point Baby J and Little E were sound asleep and Mr. T announced that he had to use the bathroom (we had just approached a service center – really the best invention, I don’t know why they don’t exist in the states) anyways, I had no clue how I was going to maneuver two sleeping children and two others into a bathroom on my own, so I just told him that the bathroom was out of order there and we had to keep going. Almost 2 hours later we stopped somewhere and thankfully nobody had peed themselves! It was a feat, and no wonder that when we finally saw our exit to get to Grandma’s work, Big J announced “Dixie Road – thank the Lord!”

Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving with a grand feast. And I didn’t cook a thing! How nice to be spoiled and fed like a queen. It was nice. It was also snowing like crazy! It is absolutely beautiful up north… I forget at times. The kids enjoyed the snow as only children can. And I have to admit I had a lot of fun zooming down the hills with them! (Though I think “jumps” are not good for bodies over the age of 25 – ouch!) Hot chocolate and donuts at Tim Hortons is always a treat, and we even visited the LEGO outlet. Mr. Man and his Dad were working in the garage on a secret present for the boys which I am SOOOOO excited about. But YOU have to wait until Christmas, and the kids were kept very busy chasing ALL the cats around the house. Funny thing, last year at Thanksgiving, Mr. Man’s Dad adopted one of the strays out back whom we had named Christmas – (Mr. Man named her this because she was the runt and he was sure she wouldn’t last until Christmas… he told the kids that she was named Christmas because her ears looked like they had frosting on them). Anyways, the kids are always talking about her, and though she has been renamed, she will always be Christmas to our kids. The last few weeks as we have been out and about (said with a Canadian accent of course) doing our Christmas shopping, the boys have been confused and insisted that “Christmas shopping” meant buying cat toys for Christmas. So we also had a bag full of cat toys, cat ornaments and cat treats to give to this little kitten of ours who has grown into a well-fed cat.

Now we are home and since it poured with rain the whole way, I have now completed about 10 loads of laundry and I think every item that left our home is back where it belongs. We had a wonderful trip. It was great to see so much family and have a relaxing time. The baby is a great traveler and the kids enjoyed watching so many movies! We now have the special treat of having brought my brother home with us (though we were given a huge hassle and long wait at the border for attempting to do so) – he is worth the effort! Thanks to everyone who hosted and loved us! (And thanks for the carrot cake while we skipped out of Sunday school!)

Pictures to follow, eh.

What's on your kids' Christmas list?

I think my daughter is going to be really disappointed when she finds out she can’t be a cub scout. Mr. Man has been Cub Master for about four years now and the kids have thoroughly enjoyed attending as many “scub scout” family activities as they can! Big J especially. She loves all those boys, but she can keep up with them too! A few Saturdays ago our family went out for donuts (I have a new weakness for donuts) and then proceeded to the Cub Scout Space Derby. So much fun! Though I have to say, I think the rocket-making is more for the dads than the boys. Then again, so is the launching. I overheard one dad say his son couldn’t wait to grow up so he could make his own rocket. So anyways it was a fun morning. They also had this cool contraption that for the life of me I can’t remember the name of… intergalactic moon battle… I don’t know… I suppose I could make up anything and you wouldn’t know the difference, but it was a fun name and I’m distressed that I don’t remember it.


Basically you balance yourself on this wooden thing and try to push your opponent off with a sort of elongated toilet plunger. Big J took on many a boy and was actually pretty good – until the nose incident – but then she got right back on to show them it take more than a bloody nose to get her out of the game. The boys (my little boys) got in on it too, and they were the only ones Big J let win! My point is, this is what my kids want for Christmas! I’m pretty sure we could whip this thing up, but I’m also positive that there would be many injuries and perhaps even possible lawsuits if we did! Maybe in a couple of years when I haven’t had to confiscate any swords or lightsabers for at least a day – will that day ever come?

because he's so adorable...

... I'm sure you can ignore the nasty apartment carpet that I actually (gasp!) lay him on!

PS- Can you believe he's three months old?! (Also so grateful to not be pregnant!)

Grateful

If last week didn’t totally kick my to-do list’s butt… this week certainly has! I’m sick. The common cold is definitely a common enemy. I feel like a wimp, but I am seriously aching all over due to this silly cold. Amidst feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck, the thunderstorm going on in my head and the snot rockets coming out of my nose, I’ve been feeling a huge sense of gratitude for all of the blessings in my life. Here are just a few.

Mr. T has been on a new medicine which he has taken every six hours for the last two months. The effort has been, well, an effort, but it appears to be paying off. So far (knock on wood) this has been the first month in over two years that he hasn’t had his week-long high fever. I am so grateful. It appears we are going to have to do some drastic and painful reconstruction on his right foot (with the extra bone), and having one less ailment will be such a blessing for him and for us.

I’m pretty much done all my Christmas shopping (just two more things and Mr. Man’s gift to go). I know you’re jealous. I’m grateful.

Big J decided she wants to do build-a-bear workshop for her birthday (December 20th) instead of having a big party. I’m grateful.

Mr. Man’s research is really starting to show some results. And he’s really happy. I’m so grateful for him.

Having four kids is the most difficult thing I have ever done. But I’m grateful for my baby’s smiles (he is such a flirt) and my children’s laughter… this is what enables me to still smile even when I lock myself out of my house!

We’re getting ready to go out of town for the next week and a half. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate packing?! Anyways, I’m grateful that while we’re gone I won’t have to clean my house, cook every meal, carpool constantly or cry to my mom on the phone – I’ll be at her house for most of the time!

So amidst all that life hands us… remember to be grateful.

I Should just laugh...

I broke down tonight after a long day of "getting dones" and making even more lists of "to-do's". There just never seems to be enough time and money around this season, and I'm starting to feel worn out just thinking about all the things I should be doing. I admit to using blogging (reading your blogs, and writing mine) as an "escape". None of you seem to have updated today, and so in an attempt to "escape" all my shoulds, I googled my name and "should".

Here, apparently, is what I "should" be doing (these are just some of my favourites!):

*Renee should go home she complains too much really

*Renee should have won

*Renee should write a book

*Renee should keep her job

*Renee should just concentrate

*Renee should have her privacy respected

*Renee should survive

*Renee should follow her heart and try what she would like to try

*Renee should know what to do

*Renee should have been in the top two

*Renee should be accepted as a student

*Renee should know that too

*Renee should be the most mature because she is a mother

*Renee should move

*Renee should be wearing earrings with this ensemble

*Renee should have given him a much harder time

*Renee should use SPF 30 daily with a gentle milk cleanser and avoid all forms of exfoliation

*Renée should remain mistress of her fortune and I master of mine

*Renee should keep that weight on

*Renee should stick to her blonde look which made her famous

*Renee should have been a hippy

*Renee should be applauded

It was worth a laugh!

Great Deal

I don't usually post things like this, but my friend insisted.
(and since she watched my boys so I could go Christmas finding... well, I'll comply!)

This is the cutest little set EVER! This 17 piece set includes oven safe baking pans, cookie cutters, rolling pin, measuring spoons, whisk, apron and vinyl carrying bag! And the best part about this adorable gift is that it's only $4.99!

I saw it in the Bed Bath & Beyond flyer... and if you buy three you can use your $5 off (any purchase of $15 or more) coupon.

Now if you're turning three soon and related to me or my neighbor... DON'T BUY and completely ignore this!!!

At second glance...

these are actually REALLY good!


Big J loves to draw and we are constantly bombarded by millions of pieces of art - all gifts, for us to keep forever and ever. Lately we've done our typical ooohing and aaahing and then looked up to be thoroughly impressed. She is a talented artist - and these I'm holding on to!

Miscellaneous thoughts on Motherhood

*I was updating my profile on my blog today. Apparently I was an Accountant from Afghanistan. Having selected neither an industry nor a location, I got stuck with the initial “A” choices. I’ve always liked to label my occupation as “Human Development Specialist” (Amy, you’ll appreciate this, since we were both once “Career Development Specialists”!), but I wasn’t quite certain what to put down for my industry. I finally settled on “Non-Profit”.

*Big J had the day off school so that those of you who are citizens in this country could vote. She was sick, but also quite enjoyed a nice day at home. She was discussing with Mr. Man how much she would enjoy staying at home and being “homeschooled” every day! He assured her it would be nothing like the “playing ALL DAY” that she imagined, and that he would be teaching her Math every moment. I then piped up asking her what she thought I would be teaching her (Mr. Man was once a Math major, while I was an English major). Big J confidently replied “I guess Mommy will teach me how to clean and take care of kids.” I have mixed emotions on that one, that’s for sure!

*I was reading a favourite blog and was once again reminded of the fabulous, though somewhat controversial talk given by Julie Beck last month at our LDS General Conference. Several of you have already commented on it… very eloquently too. Here's the quote I read today that made me think: "Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. That is influence, that is power." My thought is short. I feel very strongly that that the children of mothers who know, also know and they know that their mothers know. I think that the effort it takes to get to that point of balance in our lives is entirely worth it, just for them to know that I know.

*I was at the library this morning rocking my baby and reading to my two eldest. After a while we journeyed into the preschool exploration room. I sat and chatted with a friend who happened to be there while playing a memory game with my son and eating all the strange varieties of meals my daughter was creating in the play kitchen. While doing so, my friend had to constantly chase her young boys who would attempt to escape the confines of the room, try to take toys from other children and even sit down on another mother’s lap. I watched her and I remembered. I used to be her. I feel like a whole era of motherhood has passed by, and yet as I watched my sleeping baby, I know I also get to do it all over again. While in “the room” helping my son build a fort out of huge blocks, a librarian entered and announced the start of a storytime in a nearby room. More memories flooded back. I asked my friend if she would be taking her young boys to the storytime and she gave me a look I know I’d had before; the look of “are you kidding me? I’d rather die!” Storytimes were tricky when Big J was little and I was adamant that she learn to sit still and listen. Eventually, after numerous embarrassing moments and countless tears (from both of us) I decided that library storytime was hazardous to both of our health. I did attempt again when the boys were young, and I seem to recall only the disasters that resulted. At this point in my motherhood, I looked at my “grown” children and knew a storytime would be easy. So I offered an invitation, which they quickly denied. So that’s what I’ve raised, I suppose. But you know, we came home and snuggled together and read for over an hour, and I’m fine with that.

The Squirrel Face

We did family pictures on Friday. Always an ordeal with a family consisting of at least one child! We did manage to pull it off and the results are definitely frame-worthy! At one point, in an attempt to get Little E to smile, I started singing one of his favorite little songs from Joy School:

“Grey squirrel, grey squirrel, shake your bushy tail.
Grey squirrel, grey squirrel, shake your bushy tail.
Wrinkle up your funny nose,
Hide a nut between your toes.
Grey squirrel, grey squirrel, shake your bushy tail.”

I’m sure you can all imagine the cute little actions that correspond with the lyrics; the combination of which always results in laughs and big smiles from both me and my little guy. Instead we got this:

“The squirrel face”!

This one won’t be going up on the wall, but will definitely have a place in an album with a fun story and memory.

Note: "The squirrel face" can now be done on demand!

Halloween

I love that Halloween is about dressing the kids up, making them go door to door to collect treats for their parents to eat!!!

We always seem to go through our share of costumes right until the last minute and this year was no exception. Little E was the worst... from Peter Pan to Batman and then finally a cow of all things! Baby J is still sick so we dressed him up really warm for the "experience" and then waited inside nice and warm for the never-ending trick or treaters to finish up.

We handed out little play-doh's this year and got our share of "remarks" - from "OOOOOOHHHH PLAYDOH!" from the kids to "You must have a dentist living here" from the adults!

Now that this holiday is over, it's all about Christmas from here!