Wednesday, December 31, 2008

the last post

of 2008...seriously...that is hard to believe!

We have had a remarkable year as a family and as individuals here at our house.
Two thousand and eight will always be a year that we look back on with a big smile and a ton of fabulous memories.

In 2009, I want to wish you all;

Troubles that last only seconds...
Giggles that last minutes...
Chuckles that last hours...
Laughs that last days...
Smiles that last weeks...
Happiness that last months...
Friendships that last years...
But most of all
LOVE that lasts a lifetime!
-author unknown
(yes I posted that on my blog last year but I love it)

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

twas the night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

The presents are wrapped, the oreos and coke are ready for Santa, our sleigh ride is at 6pm, our bedtime story book is waiting on the coffee table and I can enjoy this special time with my family. I hope you are all doing the same.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

phewf...

I am tired! Thankfully I am on 2 weeks of vacation....not that there'll be a lot of down time but that's ok...I can putter around here in my pj's and I don't have to get up at 6:30am.
I just have to say that now that I have been both a parent and a staff member at school, I have a new found appreciation for what goes on and how many hours of behind the scenes work goes into education and extra curricular activities the school offers!
I am soooo close to being done shopping. Brian and I spent 7 hours yesterday traveling to and from the city shopping. I think I know 4 boys who are not going to know what hit them this year. Not that we went overboard but we just got them some cool stuff...some off their lists and some not! I love knowing how excited they'll be when they see it...it's such a good secret!!
I am doing some wrapping today...have to...running out of room to stash stuff and it'll get spotted if I don't. I am making our home made oreos today...and some sugarplums. We are also cleaning this house from top to bottom.
Christmas tunes are already blasting from the surround sound. The boys are in a pretty good mood, so am I so it should be a good day! Let today be the first day of getting this house in order for when I go back to work next year! That's the plan for the next 2 weeks. As well as getting in some quality family time that we have been lacking since I started working full time. Brian will be home the entire time so that helps too. That really is what it's all about...especially at this time of the year.
In case I don't get a chance to do another blog post before Christmas, I want to wish you and yours a Happy Holidays filled with lots of love and laughter.


Friday, December 12, 2008

busy

Busy working. Busy with the kids. Busy getting ready for the holidays (which are approaching way to fast for my liking these days).
But even though we are extra busy at this time of year, I am not stressing about it. It is what it is and I am ok with that. I am going to enjoy the Christmas season whether I get everything done on my list or not. It's not really about all of the gifts and the baking anyway right? It's about family and being with those you really care about. And traditions. Brian and I are big on traditions around here (our sundaes on Sunday, pizza Friday, family game night etc). Even more so during this time of year. I am thrilled to announce that we are renewing one of our favorites...a sleighride on Christmas Eve. We did this for 5 years before moving and didn't know of a place around here where we could do such a thing but we have found one and we are thrilled. We have some special friends coming with us, we'll sing carols and read a story. Followed by a gathering at our house for appetizers and drinks...I can hardly wait.
Another fave with the kids is our gingerbread house that hopefully we'll get to this weekend (in between all the hockey we have). I'll share pics of the process!
I still have some baking to do so the kids can leave Santa homemade oreos (and coke) but they don't take too long so it shouldn't be an issue. Oh and I will whip up a batch of sugar plums. Anything other than that is a bonus (and not really a necessity...lol).
I haven't really scrapped since starting work full time but I do plan to over the break. I also plan to make as many trips to Ikea as necessary to get this house in order!!
I need to run, we have to be at the rink in an hour for Reilly's next game of the tournament. Have a good weekend everyone...stay warm and travel safe!


Friday, December 5, 2008

boy #4

is 7 today!!!
I cannot believe it...we all say that as our kids get older I guess but it just doesn't seem like Gavin should be that big already...perhaps it's cause he's the baby and I would like to keep him that way a little longer.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAVIN

we love you!!