MERRY CHRISTMAS

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!  My family will be celebrating this morning by opening gifts with family and then having dinner. 

This Christmas, like every other, we are thankful for:

- our health (while others are constantly battling cancer and other health conditions)
- our family
- our friends, close and far
- the roof over our head (while others are sleeping on street corners)
- the food on our table (while people are crowding in shelters being offered a warm dinner)
- being able to give our kids presents on Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

 

This Week...

- went by really slowly

- we had lots of Christmas activities between school and community

- Tanner was feeling sick but it lasted all of....30 mins

- I was dosing us all in Immune oil blend

- I got my car washed...and within 24 hours, it was filthy again

- won this chocolate at our library on Wednesday night

- I got a new office chair, it felt like Christmas at work

- My sister and I had chili on mashed potatoes and it was YUMM-O

- I found the last Christmas gift item I was looking for (well my sister did)

- I feel poor (or broke)

- is the last week of Cutie - THANK THE LORD

- said farewell to our minister Nancy and wished her well on her new adventure

- all hell broke loose on a co-op site that I belong to

- is over and heading for Christmas holidays!

5 Things Thursday

5 Things I Am Doing on Holidays

 

(1) Not setting an alarm and trying to sleep in (or at the very least, lay in bed relaxing)

 

(2) Putting Christmas tree and decorations away (keep wintery stuff up)

 

(3) Catching up on shows

 

(4) See if we can get the snowmobile started and spend a day outside

 

(5) Organizing my house

 

 

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- that our family is still all healthy, despite the 24 hour thing that Maddy had, nothing compared to what some are dealing with around us

- I am done everything

- it's almost Christmas

- we made plans to see the other side of the family on Christmas Eve, it's a Saturday, so what else is their to do?

- last night's Christmas concert

- tonight's Christmas carolling at the library and watching Maddy do a little play

- presenting the volunteer library ladies with a Christmas treat from some parents!

- got my car washed from the company in my parking garage at work, I know it's not going to stay shiny, but at least it got the thick salt residue off

- getting a phone call at work from my daycare provider crying after opening our Christmas gift to her.  We usually go all out for her at Christmas.  She is beyond great and we praise her every chance we get.  I get that some parents will get chocolates or just a bath set for their daycare, which is fine, we go a bit further.  This year we gifted her with a new Scentsy warmer, some kitchen soap and a Pandora charm that was called Love and Guidance because she has loved my kids and provided guidance for almost 10 years.  She called to thank me and was bawling because she loses us this summer and is finding it hard.  We love Sophie and will always be in touch with her (and she is trying to get us to have another baby just so we stay with her)

- Cutie's days are getting numbered...thank god.  This year I have been slacking and not doing much.  I have been doing this too long!

- I got all my stocking stuffers and more at Shoppers free yesterday because I had $85 dollars on my Optimum card

- despite the still cold temps, we are actually getting a break from the deep freeze that we experienced at the beginning of the week

What are you loving today?

Countdown to Christmas

The countdown has begun...

I have 4 more days to finish wrapping and adding bows to my gifts

I have 4 more days to get stocking stuffers

I have 4 more days to find a finishing piece to one gift

I have 4 more days to buy what I need for our Christmas dinner

I have 4 more days to enjoy our tree, then it comes down!

I have 4 more days to cram in some Christmas movies

I have 4 more nights of Cutie (she leaves on the morning of the 24th in our house)

I have 3 and 1/2 days left of work then off for a full week (and a day)

I have 2 plays/concerts/activities this week

I have 0 days to find Maddy some onesie pajamas

How are you shaping up for Christmas?

{Weekend Rewind}

I had a really long weekend cuz I was off on Thursday and Friday.

Let's recap from then:

Thursday my dad, my mom and I headed to the city to finish up Christmas shopping.  Other than a gift certificate and a few more stocking stuffers, I am done.  When I got home that day, taking advantage of the empty house, I wrapped everything and put it all in the storage room.
Bonus: we scored a Mini Nintendo Classic that is a hot item and nearly impossible to get. 
Tip: you have to go to Customer service (Toys R Us for us) and ask them if they have any.  We were lucky, that day, they had literally just received two of them and those were the only two that came in since Nov 8th.

Friday morning I got up to get Tanner ready to head to daycare with Ricky and to figure out what we were doing with Maddy.  She had been since once in the night but otherwise seemed fine.  She didn't want to miss a Christmas party at daycare so off to school she went.  I started boiling and mashing my 30 lbs of potatoes for the school Christmas dinner that we were hosting.  About an hour later, I get a call from the school to go and pick Maddy up.  Her anxiety got the best of her and she was worried that she was going to be sick, so she stayed at home and basically napped all day.  The Christmas dinner was a hit even with so many little ones out sick.  It was horrible how many were out with the flu.  I walked around putting Immune oil all over everyone...and knock on wood, I'm not sick!  Friday evening was spent inside just chilling and watching shows.

Saturday morning we had nothing planned and thank god for that because we were supposed to get bombarded with snow.  It did snow all day but thankfully we didn't get everything they were calling for.  While the kids played hockey inside, I went outside and shovelled the driveway.  Maddy was 100% better and her and the neighbours got some fresh air playing in the snow.  At 2:00, I had to have Maddy at the library to practice a play for the upcoming Christmas event they are holding and while we were out, we delivered our Christmas treats to neighbours and friends.  Saturday night we had my parents over for some stuffed shells and homemade beef barley soup and had another early night.

Sunday morning we were up early and I got everything ready for Church.  This was Nancy's last service so there was a potluck afterwards.  Despite it being a sad time, we held up okay I would say.  The kids presented her with their banner that some Church ladies helped make with all their little handprints and names and baptism dates on the back. 

We also gifted her a nice collage of all the kids.  The church congregation gave her a beautiful painting that will remember our area and her times travelling to Quyon.  We had lunch downstairs and then headed home.  It was another blustery day outside and a great day to bake cookies....and that's what the kids and I did.  After supper, we watched The Legend of Frosty and were in bed by 8.

How was your weekend?

Canadian Blogger Ornament Exchange

I have been participating in Lindsey and Leigh's Canadian Blogger Ornament Exchange for years now and it's something I look forward to it.  When decorating our tree, I always tell my kids the story behind pretty much every ornament that is on our tree and most of them are from exchanges!

This year I was partnered up with Alison.  I received my package and ripped it open immediately to find the following:

Maddy was super excited and loved the heart ornament.  I loved the Noel one, very rustic looking and fit right in with our tree.  I also received Christmas tea towels which I had none, some EOS Cucumber hand cream which Maddy has taken and a nice hat that I wore to our Christmas parade.   

I loved it all Alison and THANK YOU SO MUCH.  Thank you to Lindsey and Leigh for coordinating this annual activity.  I enjoy it.

Merry Christmas to you and your families.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- today is my Friday!!

- Monday night when I could hardly function due to a sinus headache, loving that I was back to normal Tuesday morning

- that Josee received her package finally

- no plans this weekend

- finishing up Christmas shopping tomorrow (tape, gift wrap and all)

- done all my Christmas baking

- essential oils

- I'm basically alone at the office now till Christmas break

- I am actually enjoying Call the Midwife

- Friday we are hosting a turkey dinner at Maddy's school

- I have $60 to use from my Shoppers Optimum points

- I used $10 from my airmiles

- I have like $100 accumulated in PC points

What are you loving today?

Oh No!

Guess what happened in our house this past weekend?

My child, my loving daughter, the nine year old has learned how to text!

First off, no, she does not have a cell phone, she has our old iPhone 4 and until this weekend, I never knew something like this even existed (she used to the phone to play games and listen to music) but thanks to a tech savvy teenager next door, Maddy can now text to her friends without actually costing anything.

How?  iCloud apparently!

My nine year old came home one day last week asking how to text her friends Olivia and Madi.  I told her she couldn't.  We were not going to pay for a nine year to have a phone just to be able to text her friends. No way!  She proceeds to tell me that they don't have any plans, they have iCloud.  What?

So after the tech savvy neighbour came over, he hooked her up to an iCloud account and now she can text Madi and Olivia and Ricky and I have figured out how to text her.  From what I understand, she can only do this when she is in wifi so basically all the while she is at home, she can text.

Sunday morning Madi was texting her bright and early and they continued to chat and send emojis after emojis to each other (very annoying when she starts sending us texts).  The good thing, Maddy went over to her place for the afternoon and I was able to just text her and be like "time to come home for supper". 

My nine year old has entered the world that I just entered like 4 years ago when I got my first iPhone and started texting like a normal person.

Happy Tuesday!

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday I worked from home because Ricky had to go and get blood work and in the winter, this Momma doesn't drive, so while working from home (on a Friday), I also got to tackle some laundry, cleaning and Christmas baking.  After supper we went for a visit to Nanny and Papa's since it had been awhile then came home and Maddy and I watched a couple episodes of Fuller House, Season 2.

Saturday morning we were up fairly early and just laid around catching up on Survivor.  I was thinking of making cookies but didn't find the energy.  We were watching the neighbour, Sierra while her parents went Christmas shopping so eventually she made her way over.  Around 1:30, we all got bundled up and headed to my parents to watch our Christmas parade.  A couple other friends joined us and after the parade, we headed to the hall to have a visit with Santa himself.

When we got home I made some sugar cookies and cooked them so that after supper we could decorate them.  We all sat around and the kids had a ball.  We invited the other neighbours over and everyone got to decorate their own sugar cookies.  We chatted a bit and called it an early night.

Sunday morning we were up early again.  Ricky and Tanner got ready to head to a hockey game with Liam and Toby and Maddy and I practiced our lines for the Christmas pageant.  Her and I were the stars.  I was the old star and she was the new one.  I was telling her about the story of the birth of Jesus while the other kids acted it out.  What would be a Christmas pageant without a little comedy?  I couldn't see it from where I was but the church broke out in laughter when our little Joseph decided to carry the cradle and all when him and Mary were to leave...haha! 

After Church, Maddy and I watched some more Fuller House before she got bored and headed next door.  I dragged myself off the couch, made some chocolate crinkle cookies and cracker candy then got supper ready.  The guys were home around 4:30 and after supper we caught up on Nightwatch.  It was an early night again.

How was your weekend?

The Things On My Brain Today

I liked the title of Jill's blog yesterday, so I am copying:


- Maddy has been being bullied at school the last couple of weeks (and she's not the only child either, I have heard from other parents) and what really blows my mind is that the perpetrator is younger, a six year old girl can really upset a nine year old...I have sent an email to the Principal to finally take some action


- I am working in my jammies today from home


- While working from home, I get to clean the house, do some Christmas baking and catch up on laundry


- can't wait for pay day next week, ouff, last pay is sure being stretched thin


- how to make Maddy and I look like stars for our Christmas pageant on Sunday


- I am hoping Maddy and I are going to cuddle tonight and watch Fuller House, Season 2


- Saturday I have no plans except for the parade...thinking of maybe having the neighbours over to play Cards Against Humanity


- I have been a good girl all week and brought my lunch every day


- What do I get my mom and dad for Christmas?


- I think Cutie is going to have a mishap this weekend and give me a few nights of rest

- I love Christmas music


- trying to figure out when we will see the in laws during the Christmas holidays

Happy Weekend!

5 Things Thursday

According to Prevention magazine, here is a list of 11 Things You Stress Most About During the Holidays (according to Americans):

68%: Crowds and long lines
37%: Gaining weight
37%: Getting into debt
28%: Gift shopping
25%: Traveling
24%: Seeing certain relatives
23%: Seasonal music
19%: Disappointing gifts
16%: Having to attend holiday parties or events
15%: Having to be nice
12%: Holiday tipping 

I don't find many of these stressors to me, but some are...here are 5 Things That Stress Me Out During the Holidays:

(1) Getting that one gift that the kids want from Santa...Maddy wanted Monopoly Ultimate Banking and I got that months ago...Tanner wants some sort of Paw Patrol Jungle.  I called Sears yesterday to get it and they were out of stock.  I started to panic.  I went online to Toys R Us and couldn't find it or even on Amazon.  CRAP, giant pile of crap.  I went to Sears online and got it by ordering it online AND it was on sale!  Woo, crisis diverted.

(2) Gifts for my parents...I know it shouldn't stress me out, but it does.  They are the only ones we buy for (aside from the kids) and every year, I have no clue what to get them.  My parents keep my kids a lot for us and I try to show them at Christmas with a little extra gift, or a more expensive item, but it's hard.

(3) Making sure we get to see everyone...this has become harder over the years as families grow.  Last year we decided to combine all our families and rent the local community hall and have a Christmas potluck and it worked out great.  This year we are doing the same except none of my in laws are coming and with people working and taking holidays, I don't know when we will see them.

(4) Cutie the Elf...making sure that I don't forget this stupid tradition we started years ago

(5) Travelling the week after Christmas to work alone...this used to stress me out because I didn't have vacation so I was the one that always had to go in between Christmas and New Years, but now at this company, we close right down...yay!

What stresses you around the holidays?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- that I am finally catching up on my sleep from being up so late on the weekend (old lady syndrome)

- last night was the last night of Girl Guides until after Christmas and their Christmas party.  We made hot chocolate in jars and played some Christmas Minute to Win It games.

- we planned on starting 21 Day Fix on Monday, but we are just starting to watch what we eat and drink AND Ricky has to go and see the nutritionist now that he has been told that he is Celiac and needs to be on a gluten free diet.

- feeling good about the presents bought and what else needs to be bought

- online shopping

Still trying to find this, may have to be a birthday gift in Feb!

- choosing a day to finish off shopping with Ricky

- Guns n' Roses coming to Ottawa...I don't care but I thought that would be a great gift for Ricky...however it's a little over my budget

- Christmas pageant this week at Church

- made fudge for the freezer but have been sneaking it all week

- getting random phone calls from Rylie (even though she just always wants to talk to Tanner)

- our Christmas parade this weekend

What are you loving today?

It's A Boy Thing...RIGHT?

I have a daughter and a son.  My daughter was the first born.  My son was second born.  There are times that I think, Tanner is so different from Maddy and come down with two reasons...1) he is a boy and 2) he is the second child.  Here are some differences:

- Maddy slept through the night basically from the time we came home from the hospital...Tanner still doesn't really sleep through the night.

- As Maddy got older, she loved to learn and do crafts.

- Tanner can probably spell $hit but he can't spell TANNER and he has ZERO interest in crafts.

- Maddy used to come from Sophie's and tell us what she had for breakfast, collation and lunch...Tanner never knows and if he does, it's always soup.

- Tanner is a mama's boy and Maddy turns her face when you tuck her into bed now and you get a little peck on the cheek these days.

- Tanner will sit on the toilet to go poop for a good 20 minutes, Maddy is in and out.

- Tanner's whole temperament is like night and day to Maddy's.  Maddy was a calm kid and still is for the most part - Tanner on the other hand is so stubborn.

- You could trick Maddy into eating things when she was younger, nothing gets past Tanner when it comes to hiding veggies (he will spot a pepper anywhere) lol.

- Maddy dislikes pizza, Tanner could eat it every day (and the same with hotdogs)

Happy Tuesday

{Weekend Rewind}

Well, this morning someone shook the snowglobe cuz it's snowing and blowing and took us two hours this morning on the road to get to work.  Oh well, that is the joys of winter and commuting!

This weekend I was absent a lot of it, as in, I had plans but I am catching up for it today because this old momma can't do two late nights in one weekend anymore.  Ouff!

Friday night I headed to Jill's for our annual girls potluck / gift exchange.  We sat around and ate snacks, giggled and even brought out an old yearbook.  We reminisced and then when this momma was starting to fall asleep, we decided to do our exchange.  This year we decided to all buy a pair of Christmas socks and fill them with treats.  I think it was a great idea and I think everyone was happy.  After the sock exchange, we had a couple of rounds of Cards Against Humanity and then at 11, this momma turned to a pumpkin and headed home.

Saturday morning the plan was to bake all day, fill my freezer with Christmas treats.  I did a batch of shortbread and Peanut Butter Cup things...that was all.  I wasn't feeling the "baking itch".  Maddy had a birthday party next door so she headed over there early while Tanner and I went to help Ricky and my dad put up the Christmas decorations around town.  We came home, had a quick bite to eat and headed for a nap.  After supper, Maddy and I headed to Bristol to catch the bus with all the Girl Guides to head to Centrepointe Theatre to see the Cinderella ballet.  For my first ballet, I was very impressed.  The girls seemed to enjoy it and the bus ride wasn't too bad either.  We got in around 10 pm so it was another late night.

Sunday morning I got up and started some meal prep before Church.  I made a batch of rice and quinoa and made some chicken breasts.  I cut up veggies for salads and made a pot of soup.  Soon enough, Maddy and I were heading to Church where we did a quick run of the Christmas pageant.  We headed home, had a quick lunch and then finally watched Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors that we taped last week.  We loved the first one and equally loved the second.  After the movie, I had plans at my friend Stephanie's where her friend was coming to do a Do Terra class.  I am a believer of essential oils and I had some questions so I decided to go.  I also wanted to have some Ellis snuggles.

I stuck around for about two hours and then headed home, had some supper and bathed the kids.  After baths, we Facetimed with Josee and Landyn to wish him a Happy Birthday in person.  He looked so grown up, his hair is longer and my kids both said they really missed him.  We can't wait for them to come back to our "neck of the woods".  Maddy and I watched a cooking show and then called it a night. 

How was your weekend?

Weekly Review

- had a horrible start to the week when my boss gave me trouble

- lots of work to keep my mind off him

- got some of my Christmas cards ready

- answered the phone at work "morning, QinetiQ Canada Dot Com"

- started the Adventures of Cutie

- went to the library with Maddy for craft night

- lots of rain this week

- bought protector for my new boots

- had a turkey dinner at my Nanny's last night

- had lots of laundry to get caught up on

- did groceries

- got paid

- paid bills, pretty much broke again

- listened to Christmas music

- got Worst Mother of the Year award when I realized I didn't get my kids chocolate advent calendars

- however, my kids haven't even asked for them yet

- ate out twice for supper this week: St Huberts and A&W

How was your week?

5 Things Thursday

5 Things I Am Thinking of Today (Christmas Related)

 

(1) Guess who starts today at the Belland household....Cutie, the elf.  Ricky may have to join in on the fun seeing how I go to bed with the kids at 8 pm haha.

 

 

(2) Dolly Parton's Christmas special of Coat of Many Colors that was on TV last night, I PVR'd so hoping to watch it at some point this weekend.

 

(3) Girls Christmas Sock Exchange on Friday evening - I feel that I may have overstocked my socks now.

 

(4) Christmas baking that I want to get done this weekend...well some of it and most definetly some shortbread cookies (does anyone actually ever make these not at Christmastime, what makes them Christmassy?)

 

(5) Christmas cards, I got them all addressed and ready to go yesterday, only to realize that I didn't print enough, so I am waiting on another shipment

 

Thank you for all the kind words regarding my bullying incident at work on Tuesday.  My anxiety was through the roof that day and night but when I got to Guides, I shared the story with the girls and then we had a big group hug and I felt much better.