Chronology

How do you sum up a year? For whatever reason, it is really important to me to catalog my years on this planet. I've got diaries dating back to '86. I keep scrapbooks for my kids. I take pictures like a crazy person.

I'm a sentimental fool. One might say.

Something I started in 2006 is making an annual photo book for our family album. They are slender, sleek, beautiful printed photo books that keep all of the memories I am so desperate to preserve. I use Kodak Gallery, because it's the first site I used and I'm a creature of habit. I know many sites offer it and there are many to choose from.

I just finished my 2008 book today and will look forward to it arriving next week some time. I ordered it in green this time.

I picture myself an old woman, with a shelf full of these books, pulling them down one by one for my great grandchildren to look at.

Would that I may be so fortunate.

Happy New Year!

Gearing Up

Do you know what sound I love? The coffee pot brewing, especially the very end when it really gurgles. It's doing that now, excuse me while I go get a cup...

Mmmmm. Okay.

The other sound that I love? Silence. It's quiet here now. Hubs took the kids off to daycare for the day at our church. There are two days this break when they are going, today and tomorrow, so that I can go into work and get ready for next semester. A little quality time off the clock.

Today there is much more on the to do list. Licensing the car. Lunch with a friend. Groceries to buy.

It's probably more than one day will allow to get done.

This morning my priority is our house, which is just a disaster area. Christmas, then a two-day trip out of town, then a lazy weekend and we've got ourselves a big mess. BIG. This morning it's digging out from that. The mail, laundry, gifts, trash, and on and on and on.

Here's hoping the coffee kicks in soon. I've got to get moving!

Last Minute

Does Santa get last minute letters?

Last week at school, B wrote a letter to Santa. She had already asked him in person for the main gift she's wanted since September. (This thing, which has been waiting in the basement since early November.) So she thought it made more sense to add something to the list. She went with an elephant. Easy enough, since our little man had mentioned that Santa would bring him an elephant too, so they'll each get a $3 stuffed pachyderm in their stockings. Piece of cake.

Then last night, another letter. I thought about telling her that it wasn't going to happen, but she likes to practice writing and who am I to squelch that? Then I saw what she asked for. A Bible. Well now, how do you deny a kid that? We have lots of children's Bible stories, but not an actual children's Bible. So yes, we'll pick up some last minute Beginner's Bibles.

But really, how is this to be handled? If she tries to add something to the list from here on out, I can say that it's too late, right? Santa couldn't possibly add anything else to his list? Maybe next year I'll have to set a Santa deadline? It's just one of those parenting things that I hadn't thought through. It hadn't even crossed my mind!

I'm wishing you all a very Merry week! We are celebrating several times over this week, enjoying a season that is worth such praise! So Merry Christmas to you. I'm going to try to unplug for the rest of the week. To sit down with some egg nog and maybe read a book (gasp! a book!) something I have done too little of lately. I hope that everyone has a restful and wonderful holiday week. Take care and stay warm!

Our first winter storm, our first snow day. On the last day of school before break.

My kindergartner is beyond bummed, which is the total opposite emotion one should feel on a snow day. I'm bummed too. For B, there will be no holiday sing along (parents come! to sing along!), no corduroy Christmas jumper, no snowsuit on the playground. For me, it's the cards and thank yous and other holiday sentiments I planned to hand out today. Not to mention wrapping up first semester with exams and grades and such. It's a bit of a bummer to start holiday break knowing that will be waiting for me on January 5th.

But I'll get over it!

Now we're on break! For two full weeks plus one bonus day.

There are presents to wrap, cards to address and send out, hot cocoa to sip, children to snuggle. I've been one distracted mama lately and am glad for some time to regroup. To get back to center.

"Sit to us mommy," suggests my little man. And that's what I'm just about to do.

Happy B-day Hubs!

He might not remember that the first of his birthdays we spent together, we had been engaged for two days. It sort of eclipsed the whole turning twenty three thing. We met friends downtown and there were lots of "Congratulations! Let me see the ring! Oh...and happy birthday J."

Looking back, the past eight years have been my favorite. The best parts of my thirty one years. He likes to kid because I turn the next age two months before he does. I'm the older woman.

So today we're the same age again. It's eight years later. The ring is still on my finger. Be still my heart.

Love you, J.

Spontaneous Santa Sighting

We went to the mall last week for jeans (both kids are growing, what'dya know). I like children's place two for jeans (2 for $22 for our little guy, 2 for $28 for B). I like that these jeans are adjustable and good quality. I seem to have trouble finding jeans that fit these kids. But anyway...I digress.

So we wandered into the mall and we spotted Santa. Hey kids - do ya want to go visit him?

Woo hoo!

An unplanned visit to talk to the big guy. A chance to tell him what we want without waiting in any lines (I told him I want a merry maid - okay, not really). It was great!

I couldn't resist the poor quality, high priced photo.

B told him what she wanted and luckily it has been the same thing since September. Our little man was reluctant, but finally walked up to St. Nick and said with a confident wave, "Hey Santa. I want some trains." Okay then.

I love moments like this.