Caught Ya!

Only a grand-daughter could get away with playing like THIS on Grand-papa's pool table! lol!

Holidays!

Christmas is always an exciting time of year but we were all SUPER excited this year because Christmas holidays meant time with Daddy! The flight to Ottawa from Greenwood was good (we even arrived a half hour early!) Abbey and Michael were no less then amazing. I'm so lucky to have such great travellers.

Steve met us at the airport...tons of hugs, kisses and happy tears all around! We were actually quite lucky to have made it out of NS. We left and landed at just the right time, missing the big storms in both provinces.

After packing up the car (I did NOTHING this time woohoo!) we were off the Beddington Ave. The minute I walk into that house, all is good in my world! Home SWEET Home!

Christmas day was awesome! We opened stockings first...

then we were off to the big stuff under the tree! We all got very spoiled!

The kids are SOOO into Santa this year. it all just keeps getting better and better! Christmas 2008 was wonderful! Thanks Mom and Dad for making it so special! xo

CHECKLIST!

Clothes packed = check
Snacks packed = check
Car seats packed = check
Plane activities packed = check
House cleaned = check
Garbage ready for pick-up = check
Kids fed, clean and dressed = check
Mom frazzled and on the verge of a nervous breakdown = CHECK!

Ha!ha! I can't believe I got it all done but I did!!! I'm heading HOME! woohoo!

Christmas Concert!

Abbey and Michael's first Christmas concert was this week. It was scheduled for Wednesday evening at 6:30. Perfect I thought! Well, sometimes the best laid out plans do not work out.

Wednesday we had Snow Day #3 in Nova Scotia. This meant that my students concert at school would be cancelled and that my children's concert would also be cancelled! Of course they were both rescheduled for Thursday afternoon! OH MY GOD!!! How could I be in two places at once!?! Thankfully the French school's concert was set for 1pm and ours at 1:30pm. Only 8 minutes separates the two schools if you're burning down Bridge Street. I knew Abbey and Michael were the second group to go on so, with my Principal's blessing; love her! and internal coverage, I set off to watch my children sing! WooHoo!

I went to their class first so that they could see me and know I was there in case they couldn't find me in the crowd. They were all dressed and ready to go for their first performance (or spectacle as Abbey says!). Abbey was Mrs Claus and Michael a little elf.

They were beyond cute! I just laughed to myself when I saw them both with little hats on. That morning I showered with both of them so that their hair would be just right. Abbey's perfectly blow dried under and Michael's gelled up just like Daddy does it! My efforts were in vain but whatever! They still looked adorable! I started tearing up before they even started singing. Pathetic I know! They sang the little song "Au temps des fetes" so well and everyone cheered! They gym was packed but they seemed unfazed by all (much to my amazement!) I couldn't have been more proud! After quick hugs and congratulatory kisses, I raced back to my school just in time for my classes first song! Whew! I made it! My class performed 5 songs and did really well too! I felt like Superwoman having accomplished it all! Children, students, parents and administration all happy! All was well! Now I needed a big glass of red wine! Thank goodness I've gotten over the fact that drinking alone isn't bad since Steve's been gone! ha!ha!

NIFTY FIFTY!

This week my wonderful friend Donna turned 50! This is completely insane to me because in my eyes, she's the same age as me?!?

Donna is affectionately known around school as "The Queen" and some of our staff took the "royal" theme to town for her birthday celebration. When she arrived at school on Monday morning, her office had been transformed...complete with a throne and plenty of decorations. It was awesome! Every class in the school was assigned a time to surprise Donna with 50 "something". Some people were so creative! She was totally surprised! Donna got everything she deserved for her birthday... lots of attention, gifts, sweets, surprise visitors and special treatment. I hope you had a super day Donna! We all love you so much! You are the glue of our school, my personal therapist, my lunch time date and a perfect friend! xo

Here's Donna in her office with a little visitor! To read more about her birthday you can check out her blog too http://peterssm.blogspot.com/

Chester!

Last weekend my friend Andrea bought a little puppy Pug for her girls. On Saturday night we went over to visit it and Oh My Goodness...is it adorable! Makes me want to get a dog soooooooooo bad! Abbey and Michael LOVED playing with the little pup.

Abbey was so smitten with Chester and wanted him in her arms ALL night long. I think she would be fantastic with a pet.

Chester fell asleep on Michael in this position. So sweet! There are two more males left Steve...hmmm! What do you think? lol!












Thanks for having us over Andrea. We love the new addition (and Willa too!)

Base Christmas Party!

This weekend Michael, Abbey and I went to the Base Christmas Party with our neighbours the Tromp Family. It was a big pancake breakfast with face painting, balloon making, magic shows and of course Mr and Mrs Claus. Tons of FUN! We had a great time together! It was nice to see all our military friends and their families. (and also get so many words of encouragement about surviving without your husband from women who have done it and lived to tell ha!ha!!)

I can't believe the difference one year can make. Abbey and Michael aren't scared of Santa at all now. We waited in line and they went right up to Santa and told him what they wanted. They are still asking for a pink dress (Abbey) and a big truck (Michael)....and they won't be disappointed!

Hats off to the Base for putting on such a great family fun day! (and to the Tromp Family for letting us tag along!)