January 2012

So December came and went without an update and I am sure that I missed many cute moments. In short, we had a great time. We found out tree at a u-pick out/we cut down spot in New Ross. We decorated and baked a little. Jason still totally believes in Santa but Keira is doubtful; she called us out on Xmas Eve ("I think it is you guys") but then "Santa" put a Barbie in her stocking so he must be real/it must be magic. She is already laying on Easter Bunny pressure - 'real bunny or mascot bunny? how does he carry all the treats? He doesn't have thumbs so can't carry a basket." magic baby magic. Mr. E. Bunny might need to look for a Barbie sale!

In 2010, I remember feeling exhausted in the lead up to Xmas because of a need to sort and organize all of the yard sale/kijiji items we had for the kids. This year, I will remember the exhaustion of Keira's four concerts in the lead up - school, church, violin and piano. She did great at all of the them and enjoyed them, although there was some crying in the lead up to the school concert - "I don't want any more concerts Mama". The kids had a super long school break and did a range of activities before Heather and I juggled days off for the last week. We had a very lazy holiday with a lot of playing and serious toy mash ups - playmobile/littlest pet shop/zhu zhus on the air hockey table at war with Star wars lego. Truly awesome.

Jason had a hard end to 2011, and was seriously stressed out by school. And so he was seriously acting out at school. And so sad. We had a few mornings when we couldn't drop him off and more than a few mornings when we were called back to get him. However, with the support of some great experts at school, he has totally turned things around. At the end of January, he received Star of the Month, which ws great and made him even more enthusiastic to be there. The day after the award, he had two teeth pulled and still wanted to go back. And the day after that, Keira and I took the day off school and headed off to see Shubenacadie Sam and he still wanted to go to school. And speaking of that "petite marmotte" he promised us an early Spring.

Keira has had a great month at school. She is slowly becoming prouder and more confident about putting French sentences together and yesterday was asking about different foods, "mama est-ce je peux avoir une carotte pour gouter?" She continues to pull out snappy one liners in English. The other day I was supposed to be playing with her but was squeezing ina phone call and I said something about some one 'moving on" and she said, "mama, you aren't moving on." And to finish off today her quote from the other night as she snuggled in our bed with down underneath and on top, I said, "keira I think you are getting a little spoiled tonight". She said, "No Mam, I am getting really spoiled all the time." I think it is a good way to feel at 5 years old.