My Loves

Gary and Kai had a `Snow Day' today and the most amazing thing happened.  After Gary told me at 6:30 am that it was a snow day, I went back to sleep UNTIL 8 am.  That has got to be the longest sleep in for the past 1.5 years for sure! 

We took the sleds out, we made snowmen, and I went back into the house with Nya.

Gary is fighting a cold so I hope he gets better soon.  At least there is no vomiting in this house.  Colds are not really a big deal anymore as we are out of the baby stage.  Oh man, please let us avoid the flu!!

These kids are great. Seriously.  The fighting drives me bonkers, but other than that, pretty fun to be with them.  I cannot believe how much Nya is changing.  She just repeats everything we say and follows instructions amazingly well.  She loves to wear pretty dresses but refuses to wear anything in her hair (she has some hair, folks).

Totally looking forward to having two weeks off of work!!  

Have a great weekend.  Drive safely.

Love, Louise

Thankful Thursdays

**I have three Christmas concerts today!!  Totally forgot about this until my friend Ali reminded me!!**

Thankful for...

1.  Gary's parents taking our boys to go pick a Christmas tree and then go to McDonalds.  The fact that they get a Happy Meal from McDonalds is the highlight:)

2.  The book `The five Love Language of Children'.  I've gotten a few great tidbits from it on how to fill your child's `love tank'.  I would recommend it, especially if your child is 4 and up.

3.  Tim Hortons Donuts.  YUM.  I took the kids to get one and crazy Nya only liked the sprinkles so I may have helped her with the rest.

4.  Summer vacation!!  I booked our camping trip to Nehalem Bay State Park. Such good memories and this time two of my sisters and their families are coming along!! 

5.  Spring Break!  This week I booked our stay in Ucluelet.  We've been doing it since Kai was 1.5 years old, such a great tradition!  This year we are staying in a cheap place so we can stay an extra night and we are taking Gary's parents with us!

6. Koen passing `Sea Urchin'in swimming lessons.  Love the teachers he has had.  They really `get' him and he has them laughing a lot :)  I have Kai and Koen signed up for January.  We'll see how it goes taking all three kids while Gary has basketball.  We celebrated by going to the Tot Romp at the community center right afterwards.  Koen was a bit old for it but had fun:) 

7.  Gary being so great at spending quality time with our kids.  Totally one of Kai's love languages.

8.  Being able to take the kids to Gary's game!  It was totally last minute.  His games are usually at 8pm but this one started at 6:15 pm so we got to watch the first quarter which started with a slam dunk by his center! Pretty great.  They have started the seasons with two wins and zero losses in league games! Yay! 

9.  Finding a second hand size 18-36 month sleep sack for Nya.  $5.  Yahoo!

10.  My new exercise bike!  From Costco.  Delivered to my door.  Less than $200.  This is the worst picture of me ever but when you're in a hurry to get to a Christmas concert, you will post a bad picture of yourself to get the list done!!

Enjoy that snow that's coming tonight!

Love, Louise

Safety: Too Hot For Tots

At a time when gas and wood fireplaces are burning, and hot beverages are aplenty, I just wanted to give a reminder about safety.  Last year we turned off our gas fireplace because even with the pilot light on, it was too hot and Koen had burnt his hand on it once.  I can't have my eye on that fireplace at all times so off it stays (and we save money...and are cold. ha).  Although your kids may be responsible, what about guests?  What about that `one time'?

This week after church, it was busy as usual.  The adults drank coffee and the kids ran around.  Gary went to pick Kai up at the same time that grandpa went for a hug.  Coffee spilled on Kai and he started crying immediately.  I arrived at that point seeing Kai crying and coffee all over his shirt and arm.  I didn't think and went straight into reacting.  I gave Nya to Gary, grabbed Kai and whipped off his shirt (the fact that he let me do this in public made me think even more that it must be serious), and ran to the nearest sink so have cold water running over his arm/neck.  Upon assessment, I saw that his neck and shoulder were just red and there was no serious burn but we kept the water running.  I asked if grandpa had cream in his coffee and he did which had brought the temperature down significantly. At this point, I thought I was possibly overreacting.  However, I think it's safest to assume the worst right? I don't know.

The thing that confused me was why Kai was crying.  He was saying that it hurt, so I'm sure it did.  I think some of his tears came from being afraid.  Just last week, his teacher had coffee spill on her face and arm that was very serious.  She ended up in the ER several times.

I watched this video last year which made me be aware of the cords in our kitchen and our gas fireplace.  I'm sure no one wants to watch the 17 minute version but you can watch that website.  Instead, here is a 3 minute version. Take the time. Please.

And on the note of safety...please read my friend Tessa's blog about their recent serious scare regarding pool safety.  

Louise

Christmas Bowling and Concerts

On Saturday we had our annual Dekens Bowling Party.  It's to celebrate Jackie (and now Hannah's) birthdays as they are just the days before Christmas so it's fun for them to have a special birthday.  We don't get together to celebrate anyone other adults birthday or there would be way too many get togethers but this is a good tradition!

This year we rented out the party room to have pizza first.  Great area for the kids to just run in circles.  Everyone was able to attend except for Doug and Jack Jr as they were at Dougie's work party.

I wish I had pictures of bowling but it was Cosmic Bowling!  I should note that meant that we all had bumpers up preventing the dreaded gutter ball.  First three places?  Gary, Tyler and Kai!   The five 1.5 year olds just ran up and down the ramp most of the time.  And yes, both Kai and Koen beat me.  I'm a terrible bowler.  Although, maybe if there was money

Sunday morning the boys had their church Christmas Concert.  Gary's parents (and one niece!), came to watch.  Nya LOVES grandpa so much (although you can't tell from this photo) and just stayed cuddled in his lap for half an hour for the performances and then I took her to the nursery.  

Koen was animated as always.  He wanted to ensure that Grandpa could hear him because sometimes grandpa's can't hear so well (that was what he told us).

He bowed after each song too (I think he learned that from preschool).

Here's a video.  He's on the far right.

Kai is definitely more serious and he may have yawned a time or two while singing :)  I have to say I'm sorta glad it's done because we listened to the same songs over and over in the van in order to learn them.  

Kai and Koen each have another Christmas concert this week.  Busy, busy!!

Love, Louise

Visiting Santa

I didn't grow up believing in Santa Claus so this is a whole new territory to me.  We are letting the kids believe in him although I'm not trying hard to sell it to them :) 

 I remember when Kai was three, we said that Santa would leave him a gift at the front door because we had no chimney.  So I left a sprinkled donut, rang the doorbell and ran away.  Kai was very excited about the sprinkled donut but a little confused.  `Santa can't read?' he asked.  I was confused but then realized, our doorbell had the sign on it `Sleeping baby, do not ring'.  

Well, this year, Koen asked to meet Santa.  I did not feel like waiting in the mall line up and then paying $12 for a 4X6.  However, I heard about this Santa in Cloverdale that accepts donations for the Food Bank and then you can take your own pictures and it has NO LINE UP. 

Nya seemed excited saying `Santa!Santa!'.  When I asked if she would sit on Santa's lap, she said yes.  I told her to wear her Santa hat because Santa would like it and so she did.  Off we went.  Gary got Kai from school and we met there.  No line up. Awesome.  Each family gets to go in the house by themselves and the second we went in, Nya kind of freaked out.  

(This house is set up in the middle of a parking lot at 177th and 56th)

She has been a bit off lately (not even wanting Gary to hold her the past few days) so I don't want to force her to sit with some old man.   Koen was very excited.  He doesn't get nervous but he asked me, `What should I say to him?'  So he said, `Hi Santa, how are you?'.    Kai also is not 100% sure about Santa being real and I didn't ask him, but he was sure acting like this was the real Santa.  

We were reminded that we need to leave carrots for the reindeer!  I decided to try to put Nya on Kai's lap but...

she freaked out.  I picked her up right away because I didn't want her to be frightened.   I tried to hold her close to Santa and...

she didn't like that either.

The kids each got to pick out a dollar store gift and a candy cane.  We gave a donation to the food bank.  It was the perfect way for us to visit with Santa Claus.

The boys questions afterwards were: Why did Santa have a bunch of toys to give out already? Were they leftovers from last year?  Where were the reindeer? Shouldn't Santa be busy at the North Pole? 

On Wednesday night I went to Sears to return something and I saw all of their Christmas stuff 70% off already!  This gorgeous wooden advent calendar was regularly $49.99 and we already have an advent calendar but.....so ya, I bought it for $15.00 total. So great.  I should've bought more as gifts.  The kids have been having a BLAST on their advent activities; movie night with popcorn, make cookies, decorate cookies, walk around looking at lights, give cookies to our neighbours, go get a Christmas tree with Grandma and Grandpa etc.  I just  write things on paper and they cannot wait to see what's in there.  I have to admit that they also REALLY love their Lego calendar and wow, that thing is pretty amazing.

I'm very tired of the materialistic side of Christmas and hopefully the kids continue to be excited about family activities.   

Have a great weekend.

Love, Louise

Thankful Thursdays

Thankful for...

1.  Humidifiers.  This has been so great for all the kids when they were babies and especially for Koen as he really struggles with long lasting colds.  He almost seems asthmatic.  While Nya napped I put on a movie for him and put the humidifier right in front of him.

2.  Koen stepping up in the role of big brother.  

3.  Garlic bread on sale.  I love garlic bread and I know I can make it but I prefer the store bought but refuse to pay the price.  I always get our bread products from McGavins Discount Baker (10 item for $14) as we go through one loaf/day.  You never know what they'll have on discount but last week?  I got 8 loaves of garlic bread!

4.  Weather that doesn't get too cold here.  I'm a wimp.

5.  The fact that our kids like to play sports. It would be fine if they didn't but it is fun to bond that way!

6.  The laughs that my boys give me. Oh man, giggle fest in the hoisery department was nothing compared to Koen in the lingerie department.  Let's just say he needs no help in the anatomy department. (PS I had no idea Kai was holding that in the picture)

(PS They would never willingly come shopping with me to anywhere but Costco and Toys R Us but they had to shop for their cousins!)

7.  Conversations with Koen. 

Koen: Mom, will Santa bring God a gift?

Koen; Mom, will you help me pick out a good wife?

Me: Sure!  What is a good wife?

Koen: One who is a good cook and great cuddler!

Me: Koen, no matter what someone gives you, you say `thank you'.  Even if it's a bag of asparagus.

Koen: I LOVE ASPARAGUS!

Koen: What does `crush' mean?

Me: It means someone likes you.

Koen: All my friends have a crush on me!

8.  Freckles and dimples. (Louise, Gary, Kai)

I guess I should also be thankful that my hair no longer looks like that!

9. Our church care group.  I would say the #1 way to feel part of a church community is to join a small group (ours is called a care group).  We learn, grow and pray together.  I love that we are all different ages and in different places in life.  I've been with some three of these couples since the fall of 2005!  Gary missed our Christmas social as he had a basketball game. 

10. Christmas Cookies.  So good.  We coated this type of cookie and this one in melted chocolate and sprinkles.  Yum!  I liked them so much I think I will get the boys to help make a bunch more for their classmates.

Hope you are having a great week!! I love that several other friends have started their own Thankful Thursdays, I totally enjoy reading them!

Love, Louise

Marriage Tip #1

Get enough sleep.
The sleep deprivation is gone as I've been sleeping properly for over a month now.
Somehow, Gary is a lot less annoying to me :)
Yay for sleep.
Love, Louise

Thankful Thursdays

Thankful for...

1.  12:30pm. Nap time. Two hours without screaming/crying/whining.  One of the highlights of my day.  Don't bug me between 12:30-2:30 pm, that's my `go time!' :)

2.  My half hour one on one time with Kai.  I don't get to see a lot of Kai during the day.  He takes care of himself in the morning (gets his own breakfast etc)  and they are out of the door by 7:15 am.   I don't see him until 4:30 or 5 pm as Gary brings him home after work.  When Koen and Nya go to bed, we usually read together and on this night I was just watching him do his homework.  He really doesn't need any help but he doesn't mind some cuddling.  PS We keep our house at 19C and therefore are always wrapped in blankets at night!

3.  Movember is over.  Gary's mustache is gone. Yuck.  I bet there are very few babies born 9 months from now.  

4.  The boys excitement over advent and Christmas.  We have an advent calendar with family activities and then we also have this lego one that I found on discount two years ago.  The activities are all stuff that we would likely do anyway but it just gives them something to look forward to.  Examples so far; paint ornaments, walk around the neighbourhood to look at Christmas lights, have mint ice cream etc.  We've had to say that they can't open them until 7 am or Kai would wake Koen up with him (Kai gets up at 6 am every day).

5.  Girlie stuff in my home.  I'm glad it's not all Transformers, Cars and Star Wars.  Nya loves her babies.  I hope she's a tomboy though!

6. Sears KidVantage Warranty.  I just discovered this via the wonderful world of facebook.  As long as I keep the receipt, I can replace these jeans when Kai OR Koen wears them out.  Kai gets holes in every single pair of his jeans because he plays so many sports at school and it's gotten quite costly.  I buy second hand ones, new ones, nothing seems to help.  So, fortunately my kids don't care what they wear so these may not be the most styling jeans (I also got a pair of skinny jeans) but they will save me a lot over the long run.  I got two pairs at $10 each (on a Sears Day so at least 50% off) and now they will be guaranteed for the next 3 years at least (as long as someone in the home wears that size).  Their KidVantage warranty is good on all kids shoes and clothes!

7.  My `Real Simple' subscription.  I'm frugal and this is one of my `splurges'.  I think it's maybe $25/year?  I made the mashed potatoes and ginger carrots this week.  With salmon. LOVE salmon.  Anyway, I really like this magazine.

8.  Big hugs.  Miss Nya is teething (4 more to go!  Well, then we have the 2 year molars) and this has made her very grumpy but also very cuddly.  She loves hugs from her mama and would do this as long as I let her.  Thankfully she is just 22 lbs!

  

9.  Koen's zest for life.  I would say that 9/10 people make a comment about it within a minute of meeting him.  He's chatty. He's energetic. He's bursting with excitement.  The lady beside me at swimming lessons `Wow, he is enthusiastic'.  The fireman at the firehall for a field trip `Wow. Did you have any more kids after him?' (Implying he was awesomely exhausting).  Here I tried to get a picture of them in front of the tree in their bedroom and he just had to throw stuff around...he cannot sit still.  I wonder if I've said this one before...?

10.  The first snowfall.  I don't know if it counts as we had a touch of snow on Monday.  Koen, Nya and I went for a walk in it.  Koen said, as we were walking out of the  house, `This is going to be epic!'.  Nya just started in amazement and giggled with glee.  I know I'm emotional but I seriously had tears in my eyes from her amazement.  I don't have a picture of the snow as it was very dark out but this is when we came back in.  

I hope you are having a wonderful week!

Love, Louise

22 lbs of Hard Work

Nya has been teething.  They are the last 4 before the 2 year molars.  These ones are taking forever and the grumpy factor is going way up.  So, I'm not sure if she's out of sorts from the teething but yesterday she decided that she was just going to pee in her pants.  Three times.  So frustrating!! Fortunately she didn't do it while we were out but she did it all day at home.  This really came out of nowhere so I'm sticking with it but after two weeks of great success, I hope this is short lived!  She is just so grumpy that Koen just has to LOOK at her and she loses it.  

Here is a sample video of our days with her now.  Maybe don't watch it if you still want to think of her as a sweet little girl.

We had a good snuggle before bed to end on a high note.

Work and Kids

*I don't know what the point of this post is or if it even makes sense but just some thoughts about being home with the kiddos these days*

I've been fortunate to experience what it's like to work full time, part time with kids, be a stay at home mom, work at home mom, work on call etc.  Each totally has it's pros and cons.  I can't even choose what I think is best for me.  For now though?   It really works well to work from home (or at a session) 3 hours a day, 6 days a week, and then a day of subbing in there somewhere.  

I'm so thankful  that I have a flexible schedule, that is definitely ideal.   Kids are sick? I can put off editing for a day and just put in an extra hour or two the next day.  Nya has an extra long nap?  I can get more done.  I am thankful that I have enough work!  So incredibly thankful for those wonderful people in my life who have booked us or recommended us.   When I have a few days in a row with no work to do, it doesn't sit well with me.  I feel very...off. Bored.  You know how many people feel recharged after socializing?  I feel recharged after I finish editing a session:)  Being at home can be very boring.  Yup, kids are great but it's the same old every day (well, throw in a sickness or rash or school project or vehicle that needs to be repaired) but it's pretty much the same thing over and over.

And then financially.  Things have gotten pricier these days.  Next year we have tuition for Kai AND Koen.  We bought a `new' van and then next year we will need to get a new car as ours is just holding on.  Our school AND our church are in a building project.  We have various other people/organizations that we like to support.  Thankfully our photography business allows us to do these things.  It will definitely be a few years before we do a big trip again:)   

{I LOVE purple}

I know everyone is different, I just wish I had figured out the perfect amount for me earlier.  I guess with the addition of each kid, it took a little figuring out.  Getting Graves' Disease and realizing I can't thrive off stress anymore took a huge adjustment.  It's hard knowing I CAN do more but I choose not to.  It's totally not me.  Or, maybe not Old Louise, but it's the New Louise.  Mom of 3 Louise.

With my last post, about comparison, I just need to say that the biggest way that comparison hits me is with photography.  I feel pretty confident in most areas of my life, but man, if I start looking at other photography sites/facebook pages/pinterest, it just messes with me.  I really try to limit myself.  There is a desire to see what others are doing, get inspired, make sure I'm on the right track pricing wise etc but it can quickly lead to `Oh my goodness, they are sooo good and I'm not!' or `How do they have so many likes?' `Why doesn't anyone like this picture?' `Wow, my pictures are never that creative!'  `Oh man, how do they have time to do so much?!' etc.   It's not a good feeling.  I know most people struggle with something in their lives, comparison wise, and I am not alone.

Finally, having Koen and Nya home is a bit of work.  Kai was, and is, the easiest to parent (oops, am I comparing them?).   As his teacher says, `He's just so teachable'.  He needs very little instruction and is very independent.  Koen needs so much instruction and is such a pest (I mean that in a loving troublemaker kind of way).  I feel like if my kids didn't fight, I could have 12 of them.  It's the fighting that drives me bonkers.   Nya is so whiny and screamy due to the previously mentioned pest.  Being at home with them is a test of patience, but, I am so thankful that I can be here with them.   Because even though it takes every ounce of patience that I have, I get to be there when Nya gets an owie (usually from `the pest') or learns a new word.  I get to be there when Koen is at swimming lessons and puts his face in for three seconds and then jumps up, hands in the air and shouts `Yahoo!!'. 

I think I am just reflective of this whole being at home thing right now because we are in basketball season.  Gary is gone a lot.  I need to really focus on being patient as the days are longer. 

Hope you are having a good week!  We've started our advent activities which the kids love.  For me, it helps provide something fun for them to do while Gary is gone.  He has his first real game tonight!  Go Falcons:)  

Love, Louise