Embrace

So I have finally chosen a word for the year - Embrace. This word has been such a great reminder to me. When I have been feeling negative, frustrated and overwhelmed I remind myself to embrace the moment for I will not get it back.

Right in the realms of embracing Preston and I have decided to dedicate an evening a week to read through and work on the Raising your spirited child workbook by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka http://www.parentchildhelp.com/. We had our first "session" this week and how insightful for both of us! We spent a good couple of hours and made it through only a couple of pages. I want to embrace each of my children's differences and work with them - I really think this book is going to help!

And I am going to Embrace the opportunity I have found in running my own business. I am in such a busy stage of my life and know the business can overwhelm me but there are changes coming. One will be a move to the mall. Keep posted for more details to come!

Today I have been watching my children playing together. Using their imaginations, being kind and helpful to one another - what an amazingly easy day to embrace! Here they are playing having dinner by candlelight!



Sorry for the overuse of the word but I'm sure you will hear A LOT of it in 2008!

Beautiful!

What an amazing winter day for us Manitobans! All I can say is WOW! I did not hear what the actual temperature ended up at but I know the forecasted high was +3! We spent the afternoon at the snow hill tobogganing, and then the two guys went skating at the outdoor rink near our house.

Tomorrow we start back into our routine of school and preschool. Which reminds me I need to go make a lunch for S. First full day of school and then back into Creative Movement tomorrow evening. I'm sure he will be wiped!

Some new pics of baby R.

My Baby is One!

It is hard to believe a whole year has passed. Last night was a tough night for me knowing my baby was leaving babyhood (one always is marker for me). She is such a sweet little girl. So content and easy to please. She is learning things so quickly she was even holding up one finger today when asked how old she was.

We had a little party with family tonight. She looked a little unsure when we were all singing and holding a cake with a candle in front of her. She slowly touched the cake as she looked to us for permission. Gradually her fingers got deeper and deeper into her cake and before long like any type of food placed in front of her she ate the WHOLE thing!

What a perfect age and stage. I love all the ways she reminds me of what is important in life. I am looking forward to watching who she will become but also not interested in rushing the process. She is my baby and may always be...I want to savor each moment. Such a privilege to have her in my life!

Back to Childhood

We had so much fun tobogganing today! After missing out yesterday R and I joined in on the fun. And what would a family fun afternoon be without mom's camera? So here are some shots!


The girls bailed early (after an hour and a half) R needed her nap. The boys stayed out for 3 hours and then walked home. What a difference a year makes. I remember sitting in the van with baby R last January while they tobogganed and it didn't last too long. This year S is flying down the hill backwards on his own little sled.

Slowing Down

The hustle and Bustle of the holidays seems to be coming to an end. We had a fantastic Christmas. It is so much fun watching the kids. They handled the busy-ness well and learned a few lessons about receiving gifts (thanks Cindy ;) ). I was happy to see them enjoy each gift instead of tearing to the tree to see if there was more. It took over 4 hours to get through our gifts and we really did not have many here. Such a relaxing and enjoyable morning. A few favourites:


Playmobile plane


Fur Real Tiger and princess accessories.

a happy baby with no cares about what was in her stocking.

I was spoiled once again...a new lens for my camera, a Creative Zen, a writing tablet for the computer, and an external flash for my camera (which I was lucky enough to open a few days early for a photo shoot). But best of all a CD from the kids singing Christmas songs and reciting poems with a great big "we love you Mommy," at the end. Nothing could beat that!!!

Production

It was a full day of Sunday School, lunch with friends, a photo shoot, and a visit from Grandma and Grandpa. You can see the excitement setting in for the kids. They are having a tough time keeping their emotions in check...but only 2 more sleeps!

Tonight they put on the cutest "play" for us and Grandma and Grandpa. It was so cute to see them planning together and helping one another. They were so excited to perform for us. R's laugh was contagious as she giggled non-stop at her dressed up siblings. I think everyone had a
blast watching them!




Only 1 more day left to shop. I have a couple of gifts to pick up tomorrow. Hopefully I will find something I am happy with and if not guess it is my own fault for waiting so long. Like I always say...I will be more prepared next year :)

Merry Christmas to all!

There were three in the bed...

I have been too busy to actually download my own pictures and add them to my blog but...a quick update on life. Little R had a high fever last night and did not want to sleep. We finally gave in and brought her into our bed, something she has never done. She calmed down immediately and we all had a good cuddle and went to sleep.

S had his kindergarten Christmas party today. He was SO excited. He got dressed and ran to brush his teeth as soon as he woke up (I was still in bed). He was very proud of himself and loved having us in his classroom. His sister had a great time and did not want to leave. She loved all the games and of course the snacks! I did take pictures and will post some later.

Photos, inventory and sick kids have been filling my days. I can't believe Christmas is so close. I still have some gifts to buy and ALL of my gifts to wrap. I'm sure it will be a Christmas Eve panic to get it all done, I guess there is something about that rushing that I like because we seem to do it every year!