A Kiss for a Kiss

Yesterday Nolan saw me with a bag of Hershey Caramel Kisses, being the clever fellow that he is, he said, "Mom, I'll give you a Kiss for a Kiss". What mother could resist such an offer?

Christmas Light Train Ride

Monday night for FHE we headed out with the Northcotts to take a train ride through the Christmas lights. It was a very chilly night, but we all had fun riding through the many, many, many different displays of lights

Nativity

Our Stake puts on a live Nativity for the community every Christmas Season; Spencer and I were asked to be Mary and Joseph. It was really a wonderful experience to be able to act out the birth of our Savior and think about how Mary must have felt that night. The whole experience helped me to be able to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

A BIG thank-you to the Northcott's who watched Jarom and Nolan all week-end so we could participate in this wonderful event.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Rachel, We love You!!!

Nolan's Christmas Concert

Today was Nolan's Christmas Concert. Although you can't see him in the picture I still wanted to post it. His class was a bunch of Penguins who did a cute poem about penguins. Nolan did a great job and was tremendously cute. Just in case you have super power eyesight, Nolan is the forth kid from the right.

Burning Down the House!

At lunch time today, I was busy in the kitchen preparing lunch (like the good mother that I am) when I hear Jarom start screaming. Now anyone who knows Jarom realizes that this is not unusual, but there seemed to be a panic in his voice that sent me running into the living room. As I'm running I'm thinking something terrible has happened to Jarom, like he has falling and broken his leg (remember the Christmas curse is quickly coming due) When I reached Jarom I see flames coming out of the top of our lamp, (the lamp was one of those halogen lamps that is tall and has an open bulb at the top; if you have one I would like to strongly encourage you to throw it out) I quickly grabbed the lamp and took it outside trying to distinguish the fire in the snow. The whole time I am doing this Jarom is screaming, "I want my ball, I want my ball, I want my ball". The ball is crispy.

When I finally get the fire out and go back in the house, I see that our house is filled with black smoke. I was so annoyed knowing that my whole evening was going to be spent washing walls and everything else in our house. As my good friend Anne pointed out I really should just be thankful that I had walls to wash. On another positive note, now that I am finished the clean up, my living room and kitchen is sparkling clean. Nothing makes me happier than a super clean house.

Jarom's Christmas Concert

Here is a bit of footage from Jarom's Concert today. Enjoy! Nothing is cuter than 3/4 year olds singing and dancing.

The Making of the Gingerbread House.

Oh, Christmas Tree

Where to begin! This week has been a whirlwind of activities, and the week-end was not much different. It's easy to see it's Christmas time; so many wonderful activities to occupy our time.

Yesterday we went to cut down our Christmas tree! This is one of our family's favorite traditions. Every year we go to a Christmas tree farm south of the city. Yesterday was the perfect day, the weather was a balmy +3 degrees and after the -34 weather two days before, we all felt like we were in the tropics. After searching many a tree we found one that we felt would be just perfect for our home. The boys had great fun cutting it down, really what male wouldn't be in paradise welding a saw? After hauling the tree back to our van, the kids roasted marshmallows and went for a sleigh ride. It was such a fun day, the only downfall to the day was the absence of our "family" the Taylor's. In years past we have all gone together, we missed them dearly.

Tonight, we decorated the tree, while Spencer was putting the lights on the tree, Nolan came downstairs dressed as Santa and gave each of us a gift; such a thoughtful boy. The kids loved putting the Christmas balls and various other Christmas ornaments on the tree. I loved turning off all the lights in the house in enjoying the glow of Christmas!

100 books!!!

Nolan came running full tilt towards the van when I picked him up for lunch today; jumped in the van and yelled "I read 100 books!" then proudly ripped open his jacket to display the 100 Book Golden Sticker.

Way to Go Noly!!!

You know you're a mom when...

Recently I started listening to CJOB talk radio while I drive my kids around each day. I was feeling a little out of touch with the "hot" topics of the day and felt the many different issues discussed would help me become aware of events going on in the world that didn't involve kids or house work; help me become a little more interesting in my conversations with others.

The irony is that after listening to the different topics discussed today such as the cost of living in Vancouver compared to the rest of Canada, and a controversial weight lose stomach surgery being performed on teenagers; the news that most peeked my interest was the news that Greg the yellow shirted Wiggle will be not longer performing due to illness.

I guess there really is no escaping the mommy in me!

SOCKS

I am constantly amazed that I could have born two children who are nothing alike (except in their love of sports). I decided that the differences between my two boys can all be wrapped up in their choice of socks.

Nolan loves crew socks; the higher up his leg they go the happier he is. Summer time is his least favorite time, since he insists on wearing runners all summer I insist that he wears ankle socks. He is so happy when it is finally fall and he can go back to his up to the knee socks.

Jarom on the other hand is an ankle sock boy all the way. If I am unable to do the laundry and he is forced into going into Nolan's dresser and borrow Nolan's crew socks, Jarom has to push them down in a scrunchy fashion. This was just such the case this morning and he has been freaking out all morning; his socks are way too high up his legs. I am off to the store to buy him some more ankle socks; it's just not worth it.

My Snow Angel

This morning was the perfect morning to go out and play in the snow!!! Jarom had so much fun making snow angel after snow angel!

The birthday boy turns 4

Yesterday we celebrated Jarom's 4th birthday. Jarom was so excited about his birthday this year and had been asking for weeks if it was his birthday yet; so it was not surprising when he got up bright and early to open his presents. He was very excited about his cake and wanted to eat it as soon as the present frenzy was over. I had to let him know that he had to have breakfast first, bummer!

He got lots of great gifts, a puzzle, talking Lightning Mcqueen car, walkie talkies, cars, legos, The Cars movie and a signing/dancing Christmas Dog (thanks Anne). But wouldn't you know it; his favorite thing of all is his Master Yoda birthday card. He carries it around him all the time and goes into panic mode if he is separated from it for more than 5 seconds; he even had to sleep with it last night.

We had a fun little celebration with the Taylor's, Northcott's and Hutchinson's. Jarom was in his birthday glory, making sure to let everyone know that he is FOUR... a very big boy!

Pumpkin Monster

I can't sleep!!!

This morning I was making breakfast and I heard Nolan get up and go to the bathroom but then he didn't come downstairs. I went up to tell him breakfast was ready and he greeted me at the top of the stairs and said, "Mom, I tried and I tried but I just can't go to sleep". I looked at him and said, "Buddy it's morning". We both though it was funny and had a good laugh.

Small Ball

Today was Nolan's first basketball game. He was so excited to receive his basketball and team jersey...it's all about the jersey. He is playing Small ball - an easier form of basketball that allowed the kids the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence. There are 3 mats on the floor in front of the basket and once the kids make it to the mat with a ball all the other players have to back off and the player gets to take a shot. There are only 4 players from each team on the floor; the fifth player being the coach. When a player double dribble or travel with the ball, they are told their mistake and the game continues. It's actually a good way for kids to learn basketball. No score is kept and everyone wins!!!

Nolan did a great job and shows great potential to become a great basketball player (do I sound like a proud mom or what). He was an aggressive little player, got in there and got the ball every chance he got. I just asked him if he liked basketball or soccer more, much to my surprise and excitement he answered basketball; don't tell his dad.

Anyhow I'm coaching the team, which I am really excited about. It's fun to do something different and use the skills I've learned.

Jarom Preschool Picture

Grandma and Grandpa Visit Winnipeg

Friday my parents flew to Winnipeg for a quick visit. Nolan and Jarom were so excited to have their grandparents here; I don't think grandpa was in the house for 5 minutes before a hockey game ensued. Mom and I went and got a pedicure, it was so fun to have someone to go with. Then Spencer treated us by making Sushi for supper. Yum! It was a wonderful week-end; great to have lots of time to visit! When I picked Nolan up from school on Monday he said to me, "I felt really sad when my grandma and grandpa were getting on the airplane". Although it's always hard to see your child sad, I couldn't help but think how lucky he was to have the relationship with his grandparent's that he does.

Wacky Hair Day

I am Thankful For...

In the 8 years we have lived in Winnipeg I have always wanted to visit the Whiteshell Provincial Park. Since we haven't seen much of Spencer in the last couple of months, due to a heavy work schedule, Thanksgiving day seemed like an great opportunity to go. We loaded the kids in the van and headed off. All of Manitoba that I have seen up until now has been flat farm land so it was exciting to learn that there are beautiful parts of Manitoba. As we got closer to the Whiteshell there were trees and rocks all along the road, which were beautiful in their golden fall glory.

Once we arrived in the Whiteshell we stopped at Caddy Lake for a picnic. There were rockie "cliffs" right next to our picnic site that the kids had a great time climbing. After lunch we continued on our way and went on a hike up to Pine Point Rapids. The boys wanted to show me the waterfalls, since waterfalls are one of my favorite things. We had lots of fun hiking up the trail; I think at one point everyone was a bear chasing Jarom; we had to be a little creative to keep him moving. When we got to the top, the rapids were of course all dried up since it was the fall, but we had a good time climbing around the rocks.

On our way home we stop at the Chicken Delight for supper. Spencer, I and the kids all agreed that this was the best Thanks giving we had ever had. Nice to spend time as a family!

Birthday Boy

Saturday Nolan celebrated his 7th birthday. We mark the occasion by inviting some of his friend for a Glow in the Dark Soccer Party. We started the party off with a hot dog roast, followed by the traditional blowing of the candle; Nolan was once again relieved to blow out all his candles as proof that his does not have a girl friend. Next year I think I'll buy one undistinguishable candle so he is forced into having one girlfriend - His mama! Then we played a few games and opened the presents while we waited for the sun to go down. I found a Glow ball over the internet and we loaded the kids up with glow sticks around their neck and wrists and let them go crazy. It was super cool to see all the glow stick running around the field chasing a glowing ball. After the kids were tired out, I marked off a field with glow sticks and threw candy everywhere. The kids had to use their flashlights and find the candy. This happened to be Nolan's favorite part of the party.

Sunday was Nolan's actual birthday so he was able to open his presents from his grandparents and us. He received the goalie equipment that he has so long wished for. There was an immediate hockey game in our back yard once the presents were opened, lucky for him two of his friends had slept over so he lots of people to try to score on him.

From Sea Turtle to Salamander

Here is Jarom in his Happy Place... the swimming pool. I took some video footage at the same time this picture was taken and when Jarom was watching the video he kept say "Mom, I was winning". The kids were swimming laps but apparently in Jarom's mind it was race and he was the winner!

NHL here I come

Nolan has started his second class of skating lesson. He is very disappointed that it's not hockey, but I managed to convince him that he had to know how to skate to play hockey. He is still holding onto the dream that he will one day play for the NHL. GO NOLAN GO!!!