Helping Daddy

As anyone that has been to our house knows, we have a lot of sidewalk to shovel. For those of you that have never seen our house, we have a large corner lot with a sidewalk along the front and down the whole side of the lot - it is a lot of sidewalk to do.

I am sure Adam can't wait until she is old enough to really help out.

Daddy's Workbench

Adam has been working hard at organizing some space for himself in the basement – so here is his new workbench with his helper.

Book Review - Icy Sparks

Icy Sparks is a book about a girl ‘Icy Sparks’, growing up in a small Kentucky town in the mid 1950’s. At the age of ten it happens for the first time. The sudden itching, the pressure squeezing her skull, and the "little invisible rubber bands" attached to her eyelids are all symptoms of Tourette's syndrome. At this point, of course, Icy doesn't yet have a name for these unsettling impulses. But whenever they become too much to resist, she runs down to her grandparents' root cellar, and there she gives in, croaking, jerking, cursing, and popping her eyes. Nicknamed the "frog child" by her classmates, Icy soon becomes "a little girl who had to keep all of her compulsions inside." Only a brief confinement at the Bluegrass State Hospital persuades her that there are actually children more "different" than she.

I really liked this book – it is a book club choice and did not think I would like it as much as I actually did. Part of the reason I love being in a book club, it makes me read books I would not normally pick up by myself, and I find I really liked the book.

On a rating out of 5 stars, I would give this one a 3 ½. Definitely worth the read, but not necessarily worthy of “YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW” status.

Books, Books, Books and more Books

I don’t know about any of you but I love to read. I have been an avid reader since the summer before grade 6 when I discovered the Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High series. (Did anyone else read those – or just me?)
I used to read those ferociously, not sure if that is why I love to read so much today, but I have never stopped, I have however progressed to slightly more mature books.

Just over a year ago I started keeping a list of all the books I read, I also have a list of books I want to read (you know when someone tells you about a great book, but for the life of you, you can’t remember what it was – well now I write all those down). Anyway, I have a lists – starting January of 2009 of all the book I have read, I also write down the month I finished it in.

Even though I did not have a list before this, I know last year was my best book reading year ever (with the exception of summer 1990, when Elizabeth and Jessica were my world), last year I read 42 books. I know, I can’t believe it either. Here is why I read so much – first I finally found a book club to join – okay I actually found 2, so now I read with 2 different book clubs, second I was on maternity leave – and nap time for the kids means – couch and book time for Mommy!

I find reading to be a wonderful relaxer for myself. I love getting lost in another world where the laundry does not need to be done, the house is not begging to be cleaned and dinner – well who cares if it is a little bit late tonight.

I am going to try and do more book review posts, I read some amazing books last year and would love to share them with you. If you have any good book recommendations, please share.

More Christmas

Here are a few more photos from Christmas out in Canmore - these first 2 - I can't believe I am posting them - she looks pretty white trash to me.

The can of pop - she loves Root Beer (she usually only gets it out at the trailer), but Santa put on in her stocking.

The hat - well my wonderful brother-in-law thought it was appropriate wear for myself - right..... (note the sarcasm on that one).

Showing off Swiper - he is a hard little guy to find - but Jackie loves Swiper and Grandma and Grandpa along with Auntie Kristi and some US shipping were able to make Jackie's day by getting Swiper for her.

She is also in the tent that her and Anderson got from Grandma and Grandpa too.

Who didn't love a fort when we were kids?

A Toboggan Ride

For Christmas this year Anderson got a sled – Jackie got one last year; both presents from Grandma and Grandpa.

It was a little too cold for hitting a hill, but we got out for a short walk instead and then hit the park for a little bit.



Oh, she is a girl alright - love the fashion statement with the glasses.

Christmas Morning

This year for Christmas we headed out to Canmore and were able to share Christmas morning with Grandma and Grandpa, Jacqueline understood the concept of Santa and Christmas morning quite well this year. She was pretty excited leading up to it and thrilled to see Santa ate his milk and cookies and the reindeer did not quite finish his carrot.

Santa left quite a few gifts and filled all the stockings while we all slept, I missed the look on her face when she came in and saw it all, but Adam said it was great – a look a amazement and wonder that it actually happened and he came.

We had a great time opening presents; both kids took home quite a bit of loot thanks not just to Santa but also Grandma, Grandpa and all the aunts and uncles (oh and Mom and Dad of course).

I love the look on her face here - on her way to check out the stockings.

Brutis got to open his gifts too and enjoyed getting some new stuffed toys he can kill.

A little bit of breaky.

Anna's Christmas Party

An event we look forward to every year is Anna’s Christmas Party, for those of you that are just joining us in this blog, Anna is the children’s day home provider.

We all love her, not just for what she does every day (and let me tell you she is amazing) but for what she does on the big events too. Not only is every child greeted with a birthday cake on their special day, but Anna puts together an amazing Christmas party every year.

She invites all her current children and their parents and also al her past children get an invitation too. Then she feeds us all her homemade Hungarian food and Santa makes an appearance, bringing a gift for every child no matter how big or small.

We had a wonderful time and look forward to next year already.

Copy Cat

I am not sure who he is coping myself or Jacqueline (Jackie loves to talk on the phone to anyone I might be trying to have a conversation with).

Panties

Today Jackie is wearing panties for the first time – yeah! Crossing our fingers for minimal accidents, but extra pants are accompanying her to day home today.

Walking

Our little man is now up and walking quite well. His absolute favourite thing to do is walk the circle of our main floor – he just walks and walks and walks.

He is much happier now, he can sort of keep up with Jackie and he thoroughly enjoys stalking the dog – poor Brutis.

Snuggles

On those rare moments a 1 year old will sit still, I sit still and soak it all up.

I know someday he will never sit still, and then soon after that he will be too big to sit on my lap.

Auntie Kristi

We lucked out due to a snow storm Auntie Kristi and Uncle Marko stayed the night with us. Both kids were pretty happy to see them when they finally woke up in the morning.

Boys are so Different than Girls

Everyone warned me, and I was prepared for more running around the house, more crashing of toys, but really - this. Oh yes - he loves it - we have a hard time loading and unloading the dishwasher due to him wanting to get involved all the time

Party Time!

Anderson needed help with the gift opening, Jackie of course was more than willing to help out, but he needed no help in eating his cake.

We had a nice family and close friends small party for him – thanks to everyone who attended and for the wonderful gifts.

Sick on Party Day

Both the boys are sick today, so the birhtday party has been postponed.

Dancing Naked

OKay he is so going to KILL me when he is older and knows what I have posted. But I thought it was cute.

Besides, I think everyone shoulod dance naked once and a while - but please do not post pictures if you are not a baby.

Happy Birthday Anderson

Happy Birthday to my little man!

Today Anderson turns one – I know it is so clichéd to say it, but WOW – where has the year gone? I can’t believe he is no longer an infant but a toddler now – and a busy one at that.

For Jackie's first birthday she got her princess pink chair - so we thought it was only fair that Anderson would get his own for his birthday. Today we gave him his Elmo chair and he loves it.

A few pictures with Mommy this morning on my way out the door to work.

So far Anderson has 6 teeth.
He is crawling like a professional (busy keeping up with Jackie).
He eats like a horse.
He loves to play with Jackie and terrorize the dog.