Nov 16, 2008

~ Does it seem.....? ~

Does it seem that Christmas is coming faster and faster every year?


Remember when you were young and it to took forever for Christmas to arrive. Not the case any longer. Possibly because now I'm the one paying for Christmas.

I am aiming to have my shopping done in the next two weeks. On track so far. The kids aren't receiving a lot this year, as we're headed away for a couple days and will be shopping. In the end they'll have the same amount of stuff as every year, just not all on Christmas Day.

What do I want under the tree this year? Nothing, I want to shop for it at the mega mall we'll be visiting. But what I'd like to purchase for myself this year...



That's it. I'm not a greedy girl. Just a new pair of jeans, some new runners and a montage of all the products offered at Bath & Body works. Now, I'm not saying that my shopping will be limited to these items. I'm sure there will be plenty more that I'm compelled to add to my wardrobe. But these are at the top of my list.

Snowed today. Yuck. Not a tonne, but snowed today.

Top ten thoughts this week.

1. Why does O have to wake me up when he pee's in the night? I don't need to know. He doesn't do it every night, but when his bladder awaken's him, he let's me know. It's not necessary, I'd like him to stop. It's always during my deepest REM. I don't recover. We go through the procedure before he heads to bed.

Mom - O, what happens if you have to go pee in the night?

O - I go and then get back in my bed. (This has yet to happen)

Mom - do you need to wake up mom?

O - No, cause I'm a big boy and I get get back in my bed.

Now, you would read that and think that I am heartless mother that can't even help her 4 yr old go to the bathroom in the night. Oh, if it were only as easy as that. Going is not the problem. He wakes up, comes into our room, turns on the light to the bathroom that blasts me in the face, goes pee, slams the bathroom door after turning off the light. Then wakes me up, well I'm already awake, he stand by my bed poking me.

"Mom, mom, mom......MOM! I went pee."

Congratulations.

"Mom can I sleep with you?"

This seems like an innocent question. One that every mother should melt with love. A child that wants to get into the endless warmth of their parents bed. It's safe there. Nestled between his two protecters of all things monster. If only that were the picturesque scenario.

What he really means to say.

Mom can I snuggle with you for 0.00008 of a second and then stretch my legs straight up and slam them down so the covers are wrenched off you and dad. Then when I'm not so hot, can I put my feet into your back and stab while I fall back to sleep. Then while I'm sleeping can flip the wrong direction in bed so that you're being kicked in the head. And then at some point can i flip back again and push against you ever so slightly so that you unconsciously move over to the point that you are balancing on the edge of your queen size bed and I, a child of only 35 pounds, will take up the most space in the middle. So, though I adore this child. The answer is no. You cannot sleep with me. You can get back into your bed.

2. The 25 Days of Christmas. I've seen on a couple of your blogs that you've prepared lovely scraped books to keep track of inventive holidays adventures for every day of the official Christmas season. I am considering this myself. No book, I don't scrapbook. Can I write my ideas on the back of the heating bill envelope? Do I have to take a picture of every event? Can I count shaking some bells as an event for one day? How about getting the kids to stomp the snow off their boots before coming in the house? Are those appropriate? What constitutes actual Christmas events? What if I say "Merry Christmas" to them before they head to school? That should count. It feels like Christmas to me when they leave the house. I'll keep thinking about it.

3. What are you giving your 11 year old boys for Christmas? Don't have one? Oh....I have an extra if you're interested.

I asked this darling son of mine what he wants for Christmas. And, as is the answer of nearly everything I ask him....What did you do at school today, what did you do to your sister, what is in your head.....his answer is always "Nothing". So I ask you, what the heck?! You would think he'd have a list of all things electronic. Be wanting completely inappropriate items for an 11 yer old like cell phones and iPods and DC clothing...nope. He'd prefer nothing. Should be a Merry Christmas for him.

4. And then there's the youngest J - 2 years old. He doesn't even have a clue what Christmas is. So can I wrap up the empty boxes from the other kid's presents and give him that. Boxes are his favorite after all. So I'm really giving him what he most enjoys.

5. What I really want to do is scrap the whole presents thing.....but the current budget would not cover the price of 6 tickets here.

6. You know you're a mom when you ask your in-laws for a Wheat Grinder for Christmas. Sad.

7. Remember the Shrek Triplets, ok...they're really the Johnson Triplets. I was fortunate to visit them yesterday. I held Andrayah. 4 pounds 2 ounces. Wow! She was beautiful. And her brothers.....amazing. Good job Nik.

8. Don't know why this image popped into my head. So we're in Vegas in the summer, in the elevator of our hotel at one point. This hippy unshowered type gets in and looks all flustered. Grabs his iPhone out and it punching away on it likes he's so late for a mega meeting. I remember looking at him thinking....Ya buddy, you're that prestigious. First of all, you're on your way up at the Imperial Palace, not Caesar's. $35/night here, not exactly luxury. And, do you understand the concept of running water? You should let some run over you.

9. B bought an HD PVR of his own. Due to this purchase we have a month of free Movie Central. Now I am a professional PVR user. There ain't nothin' that gets by me when it comes to operating this babey. I no longer watch live TV. Ever. It's all taped. No more commercials on male dysfunction or pharmaceuticals that will help your arthritis but make your arms fall off and your liver rupture. However, occasionally when I'm skipping through said commercials, one will catch my eye. Have you seen the one on Designated Driving being sung by a girl who thinks she's Brittney Spears? Good message, bad commercial.

10. I think there should be an outfit of the month club. There's Book of the Month, Cheese of the Month....okay, I'm out...are there more? Anyway, Outfit of the Month. You enter your size and general preference. Conservative, Outrageous, Boring, Stretchy Pants-ish. And each month you receive a package with a new outfit. Accessories, shoes and all. Can one of you start a business like that? I'd like to sign up as your first customer. Oh, but it can't be the same outfit for all. I don't want to see a mirror image of myself when I go to church. That would be bad. Fourteen mom's in black skirts, vests and boots. Huh.....Outfit of the Month Club?

Nov 11, 2008

~ 10 lbs in 100 Days - Week 8


Week 8 - Time to Measure.

I don't know about you, but the pounds are sticking to me. I'm running, and losing inches. But that darn scale is insistent to stay on the same numbers. Maybe the betteries are dead and it's stuck. I'll check that.

Did you start measuring at the start? If so, bring out your chart and see if you've shrunk.

The candy is depleting, thanks in part to my consumption. Throw it all away. Your scale will thank you. The kids have definately had enough, and I don't need the temptation anymore.

Good luck this week. Work hard, increase your workouts by one. One workout, one interval, one minute if that's all you can handle.

Nov 10, 2008

~ Rememberance Day ~

We spent our pre-Remembrance Day at the The Military Museums. Pre because the kids were off, so B took the day off too, however he saves the Remembrance Day holiday to take at Christmas. We are fans of museums in our family. B loves to take the kids and learn about our past. We thought it would be appropriate to take them to 'the army museum' as they call it. This is a great place for families as it is an easy tour. Some museums are so involved that you get lost and the kids are over stimulated. This one was great to introduce J to our museum culture. He toured the Royal BC Museum with us last year, but he was only 8 months and stroller bound. So he didn't get an opinion.


O spent his entire time pointing out the obvious. "Look Mom!.....a gun....a sword....a knife....a dead guy....a torpedo.....a jet....and army tank" Like I'm going to miss the skyscraper size tank that is in the middle of the lawn, and three children are crawling all over it. But it is his way to think out loud. (He gets that from his father!)

T was interested to see that a fallen soldier had the exact same initials as he does.

This is dead soldier O. He was re-enacting being shot and rolling down the hill. Then he's 'dead' and yells... "Mom take a picture....cheeeeeses!"


Next was lunch at Costco. Why?! Well we needed to stop there, plus it's nice to fill a family of 6 for $19.23. Can't beat it.

And finally, in true reflection of Remembrance.....a viewing of Madagascar 2. Very fun, J & O sat through the whole movie no problemo. J promptly fell asleep once back in the truck. Even though he'd had a nap already, overstimulation I think. O, as it true O-Fashion....talked through the whole movie, really loud. This child talks constantly and louder than everyone around him. That is his Nova Scotia heritage coming out, and that's not even a joke. Anyone met his grandfather??!! = )

Mom, why is the TV so big?

Mom, how come my chair is so bouncy?

Mom, are we getting popcorn?

Mom, why is it so loud?

Mom, I have to pee?
Mom, I'm thirsty.

Mom, why does it smell like puke? (I was wondering that myself?)

Mom, when it the movie starting?

Mom, is this the movie?

Mom, why are we at the movie?

Mom, is this the real movie?

Mom, can I have a snack?

Mom, remember the gun at the army moseum? (that's how he pronounces it mOseum)

Mom, mom, mom, mom, mom....

B and I kept looking at each other....where did this child come from?!


Army Museum - worth the time and $15 family fee.

Costco hot dogs - filling and $1.99 with a drink.

Madagascar 2 - ridiculously expensive, but worth the fun family day.

Nov 7, 2008

~ Lotsa Babies ~


She made it. My friend N set a goal and she accomplished. 34 weeks of pregnancy bliss, with triplets. You've heard me snicker about my friend, who thought they'd have one more....as they already had 4, and ended up with 3 more. Reminicent of Jon and Kate. But really, she's a mega trooper. I admire her greatly. Those babies will be born today, November 7th. They're coming into an amazing family, and a great support system. They have top notch parents and incredible siblings. We're all excited to welcome them and to help.


Welcome Johnson Babies!



Oh, and I know that the Johnson's are not in anyway related or resembling the Shrek family. Well, Steve may resemble a little around the eyes, and mouth and teeth...just a little.

Nov 5, 2008

~ 10 lbs in 100 Days - Week 7 ~


Week 7 - Half Way.

Do you feel as though you are half way to your goal? Weight wise I'm not losing fast, still only the 3 pounds. But other accomplishments to celebrate. Ran 4.65km this morning, that's the third run this week. So that's big. Nearly to my 5 km goal. Also have lost 2.5 inches off my waist and .5 inches off hips. Got into jeans yesterday that I haven't worn for a while. And wore them all day. How can you lose inches and not pounds??! I don't know. I'm running so maybe I'm gaining muscle weight.

What are your accomplishments. We've been focused on the weight loss number. That can't always be the only way to measure your success.

Anything to report?

Host - 3

M - 5

BJ - 5

CC - 6

E - 3

T - 2

A - 6

Nov 4, 2008

~ Spooky Fun ~

The gang getting ready to leave for the ward Halloween Party

T and his best buddy C bein the coolest hunks in town.

Stick 'em up.


J the puppy, though eveyone thought he was a cow.
B as a biker. He was in a rousing rendition of YMCA at the party.



Miss S as a Bride.


I think B is going to have his hands full with the boys calling.....

Nov 3, 2008

~The only problem....~

The problem with having this for lunch....

...is by 2:00....



...and the house is overloaded with.....