Happy New Year

I'm having one of those days where I do everything except what I'm supposed to be doing. Like lining up all the cans perfectly when I should be doing laundry! Ha, I'm exaggerating but I am in a weird state. It shouldn't be so hard to pack us up with bathing suits for a week but for some reason it is and I was looking so forward to it and now I'm just stressed. This shirt or this shirt...I'm crazy I know. Instead I'm going through an endless pile of Carson's coloring papers and having to throw stuff out because the pile was getting out of control in my kitchen. I am really looking forward to the next few days when I will not have to agonize over what to make for supper! I guess I hate to leave my house in a mess, or come back to one for that matter so everything ends up coming down to the last few days. And I thought Christmas was busy!
Anyways, we had a nice Christmas and it was fun to watch the kids enjoy themselves. They also had a few crazy moments from the late nights and stuff. We really didn't do a whole lot. Sometimes I feel like for the most part the days are just the same. Even on Christmas Eve before a nice big supper, we still wind up eating Kraft Dinner for lunch! It seems silly but there is no magical rest from poop and tantrums on Christmas Day! But in between that there are definitely some special moments. So with that said, here are a few pics from the last few weeks.

OK, we're officially cold now. It was -36 with the windchill this morning and it was quite unpleasant taking Carson to school. We can be thankful that there is hardly any snow so the fact that the roads are clear and dry makes a huge difference. Chris is under the weather so that kind of sucks. Honestly I just get more worried about the kids because we have so many fun things going on in the next little while and I would hate to have to miss any of it due to illness. Yes, positive thoughts! Other than that I have been doing some baking and stuff and just trying to be organized for the next few busy weeks. I'm not done my shopping but I need to get a chance without the kids which is hard because they are always with me. I also need to spread everything out to evaluate where I'm at. We definately have not gone crazy this year but it's always so hard to buy for Caleb so I still have to get the poor kid something to open. I'm trying to steer clear of toys and that is a creative challenge sometimes. Anyways, just wanted to post a quick update and post some pics of a few recent events. My mom had a party for the kids at her work which is very nice. There is lunch, crafts and a visit and present from Santa. We also went on a sleigh ride at an open house thingy that they had at the nursery across the street from us. The tree we put up this year is our first attempt at a real tree and it is very beautiful. It's interesting decorating a tree with Caleb but Carson was a huge help. Notice Caleb's face when he got his gift and then his face when we were taking a pic of the 3 of us. Now do you understand the Jekyll and Hyde thing I keep talking about? Your prayers would be appreciated. LOL

We're enjoying some great weather over here as we push closer to the end of November. I've been trying to do things that are much more pleasant when there is no snow and ice. I've gotten several Christmas presents and the lists and organized events are starting to form. There's always so much to do in this season yet all I'd really like to do is pack my bikini! Yes, I'm a bit obsessed but as I look at the webcam for the resort we're going to I can't help but be excited. These longing gazes are especially helpful as I deal with my 2 year old who is a whole bunch of fun lately. It makes for a long day but with this weather being able to go outside and stuff has been a big help. Here's a few pics from bike rides on the driveway.

Halloween is always fun with the kids but the candy - yikes! There is so much and keeping Caleb away is already a challenge. Out of sight out of mind will have to be my goal in the next few days. We ended up doing our usual mall trick or treating but because it was Saturday they had it during the day this year. Dan and Stacey came along and we had a fun time despite the crowds and how slow Caleb was. Then I took the boys to my moms along with costumes and pajamas and all sorts and dropped them off for a sleepover. So they got to trick or treat outside for the first time. My mom went all around her bay and the boys had so much fun. Chris and I packed dinner, a movie and a social into one evening and were still home by 11pm. We don't have alot of "party" in us anymore! We were just grateful to sleep a whole night without any coughers in each ear and kicks to the head! My how life has changed! One thing that hasn't changed is that we are still going away and I am very happy that we have booked our trip to Cancun! My mom and sis are coming along and I can't wait to show them the sights! Anyways here's a few pics...

Ok, I can't stand to look at the pictures of the boys in their bathing suits anymore cuz it depresses me now that our yard is full of snow! Yes snow, and tons of it on October 9th. And lucky me the boys are begging me to take them outside to play in it-Yipee! As Carson just said, "Good thing God made snow for us-it's great!
It's weird now to wake up on a Saturday and have Carson around in the morning. I guess I'm getting used to the school routine. I still have a bit of a hard time getting a whole lot accomplished in those few hours. I get so nervous if I'm out to get home on time to meet the bus. It is helpful to grocery shop with just one kid though! I honestly haven't been doing too much lately. I leave the busy stuff up to Chris and just make suppers and practice Carson's music and do the motherly stuff. I remind myself that one day I will look back on this time and be sad it's over. Hey, you only need to potty train your kid once in his lifetime, right? Happy Thanksgiving!
The pictures are of today in the backyard, Carson on Jersey day at school, my niece, Taylor in her Bumbo on the counter and all of us with Chris's Aunt Mary at a family gathering a few weeks ago.

A Student In Our Midst

Well, my little boy is now a student and although still a bit nervous he is proud of his new status. He's only been to school twice and for a shortened time so the real challenge comes on Thursday when we start full tilt with the schedule and the bus. We have decided that we will drive him to school and he will take the bus home. He would be on the bus for 45 minutes in the morning and we think that is just too long for a 5 year old. On the way home most of the class is on his bus and he is home in less than a half hour so that should be a better situation and it will give him the bus experience. It is so neat to hear his stories and explanations! We've had some beautiful weather and by some miracle the parks have kept the spray pads open so the boys and I have been there 2 days in a row and will probably return today. But first I better do some laundry and chores cuz I have hardly been home at all in several days! Tonight Carson has his first music class and tomorrow night there is a family BBQ at the school. Carson isn't the only one making new friends! Things at Kia are going well but are very challenging. Chris is non stop and welcomes mowing the lawn because even though it's still "work" it allows him to focus on something else for a few hours. I really hope things start to settle down soon before he burns out but I don't see an end in sight! Anyways I better get back to the September sun before the September snow falls!

Countdown to Kindergarten

Well, this week I will just try to wrap my brain around my baby going off to school...or maybe I'll just cry! Kidding. What makes me cry is the bus schedule. Everything I was scared about came true. The bus comes at the crack of dawn and he will be on it for 45 mins and then it also picks him up at the corner of our road so no running to the end of the driveway and leaving Caleb in the house for 2 minutes. And -45 sure will be fun but I spent all last week worrying and now I have accepted it and we will make it work. After all, 13 years... So as I prepare for the days ahead (It's alot of prep work ya know haha) I will write about our adventures last week. We had some beautiful weather and we finally got the chance to enjoy my in laws pool. We went 2 days in row and had lots of fun. Unfortunately the mosquitoes ate us alive but we just tried to enjoy the heat and the boys made leaps and bounds in their swimming abilities as Grammi took all 4 grandsons 1 by 1 into the pool. So cute as you can see by the pic. We also hung out a bit with Daddy bringing him food to his "new dealership" ( as the boys call it) and helping to run a few errands. He's home pretty late each night but we're trying to be patient cuz we know how rough things are for him. We actually planned our first weekend away all summer and had a great time. It was nice for Daddy to relax and we enjoyed the boat for 2 days in a row and it was HOT! Yahoo! My family came out on Sunday and we had lots of fun floating around and tubing and then on Monday Chris's family came out and the cousins got to tube with their Grampi and play on the beach. Those will be great memories and I keep telling Carson to remember them when his teacher says, "What did you do this summer?" The pic of Caleb sleeping is on the boat!