Happy Christmas eve

I'm writing this before we head out, but if all goes as planned we will be able to get up, get kids dressed and breakfasted, pack and hit the road, arriving before nightfall in Houston. This year, the kids have figured out Christmas, or at least Ivan has. He loves giving (and getting) gifts and is so very excited about it. I am hoping he sleeps some through the night. Here is where all the mayhem of the previous weeks comes to fruition and we can all relax again, start looking toward the new year and dreaming of what is to come. We have a lot of dreaming to do in our little gang. Ivan is our self-appointed moving coordinator. Dominique just wants to get to our going away party. Emora is pretty much oblivious.

#3

I'm afraid that once we reach #3, we are out of ideas, and much energy. We have already tried everything and nothing much is new. Thankfully, by the time #3 arrives, it appears that they magically grow up on their own without too much parental guidance! Look, just add ponytails and she's 6 months older! Yeah, I have to watch this one, she is growing up too fast. I do feel badly because we rarely read Emora books. I will try to do better with this. Of course Emora doesn't want to sit long for reading either, it would only take us some seconds to read her a one word a page book, so I need to get the older kids involved in reading to her too.

Tonight we opened gifts. The kids, Brian and I bought Emora her own computer. It has a mouse looking mouse and about 9 buttons with different settings. We were trying to let her play with that while the big kids opened their gifts with small swallable parts. Everyone got what they wanted (umm-requested). The fun part was that Ivan wanted the kids to get everyone things too. So we helped guide them in selections for everyone and they paid for the items too. The kids gave me hair clips, chocolate mix and cappucino mix and they gave daddy warm socks. Ivan gave Dominique a little package of 8 nail polish colors and she gave Ivan a Lightning McQueen game set with checkers, Rummy cards and a puzzle. They have been so excited about it for so long and are presently curled up with their warm rice bags listening to the nutcracker cd. Tomorrow we hit the road for Houston. Abilene may get a white Christmas while we are gone. It was raining with thunder a bit ago and is supposed to drop below freezing at night. But if we miss it, we won't be too bad off, we'll have plenty of white Christmases in the years to come.

Tonight's goal: bed before 11pm

Now I'm excited about Christmas. My shopping is done and something I thought of last minute that I couldn't find in the stores, that I ordered online Thurs. paid extra for priority mail and crossed my fingers would arrive before we leave Thrurs. morning came in today!! With days to spare. We exchanged gifts with Big Buddy. He gave the big kids remote control cars and Emora a baby that giggles. They love them. Ivan is proud to say that he is learning the fine art of off roading. Emora has surprised me with her understanding. She pushes the huge cars and makes engine noises. She has also started to rub her hands as I clean mine after changing her diaper. When she sees that I notice her mimicry, she giggles and smiles. So fabulous. She has also started throwing tantrums. I was a bit shocked to see one so young throwing herself on the floor and pounding her legs, so I guess it's started.

Every day Ivan begs to open the gifts, but we are making him wait. Yesterday we went out to look at lights. They loved it so much.

We've managed to make it to a few of the free kid's clinics at Lowe's. The kids enjoy making the projects. We'll have to try to go again in the new year.

Can you believe the year is almost over?

leaves at Christmas time

The leaves have finally fallen here, for the most part, but days can still be very nice, so it was perfect for a leaf play day. Since this time, Brian mowed, so no more leaves, but we still have the good memories and these pictures.

I think I've finally finished with the Christmas shopping, so I am relieved. I made 20 things on my sewing machine. The kids are so excited about the gifts of course. We hung out with Big Buddy some today and he gave the big kids remote control trucks and Emora a doll that kisses and laughs. I think he was more excited to give them than anything. He made about 3 trips on his own down the street in his motorized wheelchair to buy the gifts and he said that was the highlight of his week. We are constantly trying to get him out, but he always says it's too hot, cold or windy. But then when he made himself go he loved it! He called me at least twice to ask what to get Emora. The thing is that the kids have everything, but they got something more and it made him so happy for him to get them something. He even wrote them out little cards and gave them some cash. Yes, they are already excited at their young ages to receive money!

Brian and I got to go on a date yesterday for our 11th anniv. We watched The Blind side, which was a great movie and went for supper while my neighbor kept the trio. That was such a huge treat. I didn't think of the kids during the whole movie! I did remember them once in the quiet vehicle and then was once again thankful to NOT have them at the restaurant. Of course we love them, but sometimes a few hours away from them is such a huge treat!

This is so LA

Sorry I have been so delinquent. Still up until the wee hours of the night making gifts. Here are some funnies to keep you giggling.

Ivan is so terribly excited about the gifts. He already told Brian all of Brian's gifts and Ivan knows what all he is getting. Brian took the kids out one night to let them buy me a gift each and when they got back Ivan said: "we got your Christmas present!" I said "Ivan you're not supposed to say!". He clapped his hand over his mouth with his eyes big and replied "nothing, nothing, we got you nothing." A few seconds later, he adds "Do you know what it is?"

The kids have been enjoying a science DVD from the library. It is popular mechanics for kids and has these preteen hosts. It can be a little mature for them though, which is why it was so hilarious the other day when they kept saying "This is SO L.A." in a perfect preteen voice.

The older kids are already interpreting Emora's baby chatter. The other day, she babbled and Dominique exclaimed with enthusiam "mom, Emora said "sit down!" Dominique then turned to Emora, clapped and told her "good girl Emora". Shortly after, Ivan informed me that Emora said the she wanted his juice". It was noteworthy that he was lamenting over having to drink his prune juice at the point when she miraculously requested to down it for him.

1st steps!

Emora has taken her first steps! So far she's taken 4 steps. The first at Big Buddy's, then next at our house and then two in a row at Big Buddy's again. I think she is trying to show off for him. Ivan also took his first step there. And Dominique of course is unique, so she took her first step at home.


It totally amazes me how someone under a year can understand so much. I was cracking pecans outside tonight. (Mom remember last year when it was so warm in Jan. and we were outside cracking pecans?) Tis the season. Pecan cracking is terribly messy, so if it's nice out like today (in the 70s F or 20 C) then it's always a good idea to take it out where pecan shells blend into the scenery. I can guarantee we'll have a flock of birds on our lawn in the morning. Emora was right there with me helping out. She noticed I was taking pecans out of our big bucket, so she would pick them out and hand it to me. Then she saw that I was putting it in another bucket on a table, she tried to do that and nearly pulled the table over. Then she saw that I was putting the pecans into a cracking instrument, so she repeatedly tried to put a pecan from the bucket into the instrument and work it too. Nothing like starting them early in the chores department I say!



We are finally done with the projects we need to mail. Of course, I've thought of a few other things to make, but nothing so arduous and I have a little over a week to do them, so that's good.


Ivan likes his face paint to be all over his face (not just a cheek picture) and he wants it a boy picture, but usually not anything in our book! So I finally convinced him to get a crocodile with his teeth as it's teeth and that it could be trying to eat a fish. Instead, he wanted it to be chasing and trying to eat me! I'd never face painted myself on someone before. It was so funny to see him opening and closing his mouth. Made that crocodile look animated. Too much fun with a bit of time and paint.



Are you a last minute Christmas person, or do you do things in advance?

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I have been trying to upload a bunch of videos, but have not had much success. So far, this is the only one that went through. It's a bit of a madhouse around here. I gave Brian and myself until Monday to finish up our Christmas gift projects, so we have been staying up late trying to create gifts after the kids are in bed. Plus, he is trying to get his house completed this week. It is looking so fabulous! Maybe someone will want it as a huge Christmas present?




The kids and I had a fun day yesterday. We got to visit a museum with our friend Olivia. I love to see what artists have created, but it can be a challenge with three little kids ;) They did like the part where we got donuts/cookies and also seeing the water wall fountain. We also got to swim that afternoon. We love swimming so much. Emora just laughed and laughed at the big kids jumping into the pool.

Emora has reached the unwritten child development phase of dog imitation. She loves to carry things in her mouth and crawl around. I don't put her in socks often, even though it has been cold, because they end up wet in her mouth as she trots it all over. She has been using the walker the last day or two and is so good at it, that when she comes to a stop, she pulls her hands away and claps, then realizes she is standing on her own and quickly sits herself down! Hope your days are merry and bright.

Our Mondays

While many people dread Mondays, we look forward to it. Tighe, all our kids and I have a standing date Monday mornings to get together. Sometimes we do a craft, sometimes music at Tighe's, always some yelling, running and general chaos, but at least it is shared chaos. I wish I could pack up the Baiers and take them with us or at least create an instant transport system where we could hop over just for a couple of hours a week. But at least there is technology. That's how my blood sister and I get to keep up with each other and the kids. We meet Wednesday mornings online.

It was right at freezing all day, which is cold for here. But Tighe made it over today with her dynamic duo. She loves to do hair and Dominique loves the attention from Tighe. She screams like crazy if I come near her though! Ivan loves the attention too and really likes to play music with her. He insisted they do a duet, even though it was lunch time and all our kids were getting vocal about it. By the way Tighe, Ivan has been singing "mississippi stop, stop" all week! That's the song/exercise she taught him in the few minutes they carved out to share a love of music.

Easing into Christmas

We got a workable family shot this morning of the 5 of us. This is Emora's first time to make it into our Christmas picture. It sure is hard to get a decent shot with three young kids. Thank goodness for digital! We got our tree up today. So fun to see all the ornaments, which all have a special memory tied to it. The kids were so excited to put them on. Emora keeps trying to pull them off and nearly pulled the tree on top of herself already.

I still have a huge amount of projects to do for gifts, so I'm thinking they will for sure be late. Most need to be mailed, so even if I finish them before the fateful day, to allow time for the post is a challenge I may not be able to meet this year. Oh well, prolong the season! ;)



Good news too, my friend's scale was off the amount I thought I had gained, so I celebrated with a piece of brownie one night and a chocolate bar another night! ha, ha. I did get a couple of new exercise videos from the library, so maybe it will cancel the eating out?

Brian and the kids are cracking pecans as I type and I'm about to get back to projects, just thought I'd type a quick update.

Getting into the xmas grove?

Here are some pictures from thanksgiving. We enjoyed time with the extended family, eating of course and playing the wii. Dominique fell asleep in Nana's arms after a very full day. I couldn't believe that she could sleep sitting up like that, but she was.

Before any of you make this mistake, do not weigh between thanksgiving and well into the New Year. My friend had a scale sitting there so innocently in her bathroom. I should have known not to trust it. It was so mean to me. I've had 10 pounds left from Emora that haven't budged much and that scale said I added more!

Turkey pounds come off by themselves right? Or maybe it was the cheesecake, pecan pie, pumpkin pie or key lime pie (yes, Nana made 4 different delicious deserts). It could also be the awesome brownie mix she sent home with us. Then my friend sends us with homemade cookies. I'm not sure if Tis the season to be jolly or rolly. But hey, that's what the new year is for right? Only problem with that is that the perfect time to lose the baby weight is by the time they are a year and that only gives me 20 days into Jan. if I start on the 1st.

Aw well, I have other worries. Like the xmas projects that are not getting done as I type. I also have many, many joys. Like the trio that crowd about my legs each day, the welcome relief that walks in the door around 5pm, a heater to keep us warm after we made our 6 inch snowman off of very wet, melting snow garnered from the van (the ground snow had gotten to sparse to use by 11am) and dreams for the future... which include, if you don't already know...

Moving to Canada! Yep, we are moving. Can't believe it. Don't know how it will all get done, but it will. We are heading up in the spring sometime and will keep you posted. Our new home will be made in Fort Qu'appelle, Saskatchewan. I small town about 3 hours from Saskatoon where my parents and siblings live, 30 min. from the capital Regina. We are looking forward to it, although saying goodbye to so many will be tough.