Paper Trees

The day after Halloween the kids starting asking about Christmas Crafting, the Christmas Book Countdown, Holiday baking and outings.

Today, the day before our Countdown is scheduled to start, they really wanted to do a craft. I only have Young Women's tonight, so we had a bit of time right after school.

Easy Christmas Tree Craft.

It took us 30 minutes from start to finish. The kids thought it was fab.

I just sent Kalia downstairs to do her piano, she hasn't even started, but her and Remy are laughing so hard.. hard to be annoyed.

Annaliesse is doing her home reading.

I need to make dinner before I leave...

packing her bags

Found out why Remy was so quiet this afternoon while I was busy.

Found out right before bedtime... which (for all you tired mothers out there) is the very best. Not to worry, I had spent the majority of the day cleaning, including her room. So... no biggie to do a little bit more just before bed.

She packed all of her shirts into her bags. She gathered every single bag she has, which is a ton cause she is a bag lady, and packed all of her clothing she could reach.

I took a picture of her playing as I walked by... wish I knew what she was doing....

Good thing she's CUTE!!

his Ninja mask and her chin in my ear

Two more little things from the weekend to remember.

1. Barker fell asleep in his ninja turtle mask. Right beside his door, on the floor, as he often does. Just before we head to bed, we always go put him in his bed. Using the bathroom light so not to step on him or on any stray toy. I turned the light on, opened his door, using my foot to push him out of the way... his head flopped over with the mask on! Scared me so bad, I did a half whimper half scream.

2. Remy was so tired Sunday, and is starting to out grow her nap. So I joined her on her bed after 20 minutes of her just whimpering in there. She was so tired she just needed to sleep. We cuddled for another 20 minutes her moving all over me and trying to get comfy. She finally fell asleep, on top of me. I was on my stomach and so she laid on top of me on her stomach, with her head on my head, and fell asleep... I drifted off almost right after. We slept for 2 hours like that, until my body woke me, my ams hurting along with the ear Remy's chin was in.

Refreshed

I just finished putting the little ones to bed.
Today I spent the majority of the day away from the kids. I left this morning at 7:15 am for a Youth Temple Trip. Then after the temple I met Jen at the Theatre to see Fantastic Beasts and where to find them. Justin would have hated the movie, so if I wanted to see it, it would have to be without him.

Mom watched the kids in the morning and took them into the city to a Birthday Party. Then after dropped them off at my house for Laura to watch them.

I got home at about 4:30. Refreshed from my day of no children.

We headed into get badly needed groceries from Costco, where we skateboarded the cart in the parking lot, tried every single sample in the store, buying a few extras (gingerbread house and the sample soup) and racing back to the van to see how fast we could load and get seat belts on.

Sadly, 90% of my shopping trips with 4 kids in tow to NOT go that great. Its generally me being rushed and frustrated with prices and lists and knowing I will forget something. New goal: try way harder to enjoy doing the mundane things with the kids. EVEN when the last thing I want to be doing is shopping.

We got home and I had to use the bathroom so bad. I told the kids to start unloading without me and to be very carful with everything. By the time I was done, the whole van was unloaded and some put away. The kids are getting to the point of being helpful and not a hinderance. Another thing as I mom I want to be better at.. To often I forget they just want to help, its so much easier to do it all myself...

After dinner of leftovers, they all had baths or showers. No tears or fighting, just water and towel, both all over the floor. Our pleasant mood was not to be ruined.

We had about 40 minutes before we needed to do scriptures and bedtime routine. So instead of a show to keep them busy, I read some of Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets to them. Barker and Remy really didn't listen but they enjoyed being a part of "big girl reading" time.

A huge thank you to Mom and Laura for watching the kids most of today. To Jen, Dianne, James and Cayleigh for letting me tag along at the movie. To the Youth of our ward for a great morning at the temple.

I'm refreshed and ready to face another couple months of positive parenting.

Christmas Crafting

Crafting this week..

Its crafting season.. and Im almost done!

Only a few more gifts for my kids... the girls are going to love them :)

Aunt Shawna showed me how to make salt dough figures a year and a half ago. She made a Countdown Nativity out of salt dough for our family at Christmas years and years ago. It was such a special countdown we kids LOVED to do. I SO SO SO wanted one for my kids. The 7 figures she helped me make March 2015 sat on the filing cabinet the entire time, until I had the time to finish them. I got a set made for our family this year.  Justin started the stable for me :) I cant wait to start with the kids December 01!

I just need to paint the lacquer on them and DONE!

Also this week Craft Group is on Thursday. We are doing 3 this Christmas crafts this year. Only about 30 ladies this year and 40 craft kits to put together. Not to overwhelming, which is great. I got the wood cut for the JOY sign Friday morning and Justin finished them off for me.

Remy and I stopped at IKEA Monday and got the rest of the stuff for the darling Shadow Boxes!

A friend came and picked hers up early and finished it the same day! Looks great eh!

Last craft at Christmas Craft night- these darling little snow globes. I am ready for Thursday and I only have a few more gifts to finish for Christmas!

Except I haven't even started any CHristmas shopping yet. 😁

Football

Saturday morning we all headed down to Raymond to support family.

Justin's BIL, The Hardy's had a family had a death in the family, so Justin and I headed down for the funeral. Instead of taking the kids to a funeral we dropped the kids off at Jens to play for a few hours.

They had a great time playing with cousins and seeing the animals in the barn.

 The funeral was lovely, Dianne drove our kids back to Raymond for us, which was a big help. Thanks again Dianne and Jen! Devin played football at 3:00pm so in between the funeral and football game, we managed to see all of our Great Grandparents. Grandma and Grandpa Martin while we ate lunch and waited for the kids. Then over to see Grandma Selman who we woke up from a nap, and then Grandma Chipman. I really wish I had gotten more pics with the Grandmas.

 Then on to Devins Football game. Raymond played great, but Raymond didn't get a win. It was the last game of the session, but we were happy to be able to cheer Devin on. It was a bit chilly, minus 1. The kids were great- they had a great time and hardly any whining. Just a bit annoyed they didn't understand what was going on. In the words of Kalia "I just wish I knew what was going on!"

The last time the kids went to a game they played the entire time at the park with cousins. And the time before that Kalia was like 13 months old...

Remy played around on the bleacher stairs and railing. Barker went from one lap to another, then to the stairs and buzzing around Aunt Krista. Aunt Krista is fast becoming a fav... cottoncandy will do that for a five year old who loves candy. The girls sat by Aunt Sherilyn for lots of the game and in front of Grandpa Moxley.  Biggest annoyance of the kids, the fact that we made them wear their winter coats. It is way colder in Raymond then High River has been lately.

After the Football game we all headed to the Church to wish Brandon a Happy 19th Birthday. 

Sherilyn made him a cake and a special card.

Got home late that night- but thanks for letting us come down and be there this weekend.

laundry. wood. cookies.

The amount of laundry I folded today is astounding. I have been washing on and off all week- just never getting around to folding it. 

Until Justin asked if I was ever going to fold it- 8 loads of washing to fold and put away. I did it. I try really hard not to loathe doing the laundry- but I'm not great at that yet. 

I got it folded by watching the CHEESYIST Christmas movie on Netflix. Surprising myself by enjoying it. Before I knew it laundry was all folded and Barker and Remy had helped me put thiers away. 

 

I needed to start the JOY sign wood cutting. Into the garage next with the chop saw. At first Remy and Barker wanted to stay in the house, then they wanted to come out... snowpants and gloves, boots and hats. All of which needed Moms help. Stop go stop go. It took longer then it should have but we got the wood all cut just before lunch. I had a question and called Justin- he told me to leave the rest and he would put the signs together when he got home. 

 

Lunch. And sadly. No naps. Remy is starting to out grow them- but I am really hoping not. All of our kids have napped until Kindergarten... stay little Remy. 

Barker helped me put the big girls laundry away- which was a feat in itself. 😩 He was such a great helper. We cleaned the girls bathroom after that. Found out why their bathroom always stank. Someone used the toilet cleaner brush to plunge or break up poo. Poo in the toilet brush. So freaking gross. 

Why are kids so gross??

Kalia had asked me to make sugar cookies before she left for school. I figure she could use a nice doing from her Mommy. Sugar cookies it was- but with a new trimming. 

They look good. They look cute. 

Justin goes "don't make cookies for looks. Make cookies to taste good." 

Next time I guess they will just be the regular sugar Cooke way. 

While I made cookies Barker "helped" Daddy in the garage. Remy "helped" me. 

She worked with flour and dough for almost a hour. I love little. ❤️

The big girls got home and we had a little tuff with some sort of goo recipe. Hamburgers for dinner and we watched The Nightmare before Christmas before bed. Justin also stuffed Barkers clothing with a ton of socks. They were both laughing so hard I was sure pee was going to end the night. 
 

Christmas Book Countdown Wrapping

I wrapped the Christmas Countdown Books this afternoon. Every little thing was worth remembering. Barker wanted to play outside right as I was getting ready to start. So I helped him dawn all of his snow gear. He still lets me do his coat up, put his mitt on, and help with his boots all whilst I give him kisses! His soft cheeks and warm body in my arms- if I could bottle memories that would be one. 

He walked around outside for a while before he decided what to do. Eating snow off every surface, including the neighbors dirty dirty dirty truck. Walking heal toe heal toe heal toe very deliberately. After his wondering he headed to the back yard and shoved the trampoline, back deck and some of the grass. 

Remy got up just as he was coming in. She wasn't too impressed with the world when she first got up. But I showed her the extra Christmas Books and she cheered up. Christmas music is going, scentsy on, wrapping paper found and a fresh DP. 

So I finally started wrapping, and the only tape I could find had no case. The kids LOVE LOVE LOVE tape. It's a crafting must have when they craft on thier own. I got to wrap with tape I found sans case, which isn't exactly ideal. 

Barker and Remy are now reading Christmas stories together at this point. But once they got tired of that, I asked if knew where there was tape with a case. He goes "Yup" and runs down stairs, come back and goes "nope". I go back to wrapping the handicap way and hope for the best. 

Seriously like 15 minutes later Barker goes "JUST KIDDING"! He found tape and hid it until he deemed fit. That stinker. 1/2 a book wrapping later the tape I had been using finished. He is such a tease. At least 3 times a day, he is JUST KIDDING. Whether it be he spilt his water (just kidding), or lost his shoe (just kidding) or even Mom I have no Jammie's in my drawer (just kidding!). He makes our family laugh constantly. 

I am still trying to wrap... Barker gets out the puzzle Christmas book. Works on that for a while until Remy spills her M&M tube all over the floor. Sigh. 

I could have never wrapped the Christmas Books with the girls. They would have taken the books and noticed all the new ones. Barker and Remy are just fine getting into things that are not the books. 

Not sure which I prefer. 

PS the Christmas Books we own are as follows:

The Mansion 

A Charlie Brown Christmas

A Dress for Ellen

The tiny Star

I Believe in Santa Claus

Fancy Nancy Christmas

Polar Express 

How the Grinch Stole Christmas 

The First Christmas (pop up book)

Christmas Morning

The Snowy Day

Amelia Bedeila

My First Christmas board book

Snowman at Christmas 

Snowfriends

God gave us Christmas 

The Nightmare before Christmas 

Hurry Santa

Careful Santa 

The Best Christmas Pagent Ever (easy read and chapter book)

Christmas Magic 

Who'll pull Santas sleigh Tonight

Pete the Cat saves Christmas 

Frosty the Snowman

The snow globe Family

The Christmas Miracle 

Santa Claus 

The stickMan

Up on the Rooftop

Reindeer wish

The Christmas Stocking 

The Lights of Christmas 

Christmas Rose (easy read and chapter book)

What Santa can't Do

Mortimers Christmas Manger

Mimi's Christmas 

Penguins who WANT to be Different 

The mismatched Nativity

The Light of Christmas. 

Usborn Christmas Puzzle book 

young Women's in Excellence.

Young Women's in Excellence was tonight. I have been preparing for this for weeks! It went great. We actually combined it with New Begginings so we got to include our newest Beehive. My little class has changed a ton this last year and a half. 11 girls when I came into the calling and now I have 3 girls! 

The girls showed thier projects they have been working on- they all did very well. The donut wall I envisioned looked amazing. This morning we decorated the room- Remy wasn't super impressed being stuck in a room for a few hours- but once Susanne's grandsons got there- she was busy screaming and running around. 

The pillows also took me a while. Lots of sewing :) But they turned out darling. Sarah did the vinyl for me, and I got the pillows from IKEA. Sewed up a liner and then the pillowcase and iron on the deco. 2017 Youth theme is James 1:5-6- these pillows will hopefully sit on thier bed and remind them to "ask of God in faith".

 

 

 

Weekend with cousins

COUSINS

What a fun weekend. Friday Dad and Mark went hunting- Justin was still in Vancouver, Lindsay was over at Moms with Arile! So the kids and I went over Friday morning to see the baby!! Friday afternoon Kalia and Annaliesse played with friends, while Remy and Barker tagged along. I managed to get 8 hours of crafting in :)

Saturday morning we headed over to "help" Grandpa and Grandma with Christmas lights set up!

Their house is so classy for Christmas! I love the way it looks at night :) Pictures just don't do it justice.

So Saturday morning I called Jen to tell her we almost came down south for the weekend- but that didn't happen. Then she goes- maybe we should just come up!! I go "Yah ya should" So she did.
Noon on Saturday Jen and the kids got here. Taco Time for lunch- a afternoon of cousins outside playing- while we chatted, baked cookies and a pie. That night Dianne and James joined us for pie. SOOO GOOD.

With the Grinch on durning super. And Aunt Jen giving Barker a hair cut before baths!

Sunday Mark and Lindsay blessed Arile! We all headed in for 11 am sacrament meeting.
What a beautiful blessing and afternoon- thanks for having us.

Lunch after at Mark's and Lindsay's was great. The kids had a great time :) And so did I.

Monday my kids went to school and Remy and I joined them after her dentist appointment. We spent the rest of the morning shopping.

Great weekend :)

Snapshots

Candy Pouches

Four day weekends can be hard without Dad. We had planned on crafting all day- but friends called.
Kalia and Annaliesse were gone all morning and most of the early afternoon. Barker and Remy played here... and as soon as the girls got home we made Candy Pouches.
Ending the day with High River Children's Choir with Barker and Remy playing with Grandpa!

Wednesday

I finally documented Barkers Backpack. 

He has been collecting keychains for the last 5 months and he LOVES them.

He has 13 now- some from school prizes, Paris, Amsterdam, Park Lake, the Recx Plex and other places.

Kalia was a wreath layer for the Remembrance Day Assembly at school. 

She did excellent, she even wanted to dress up real nice. 😊

Remy and I went over to watch, I should go to the Assemblies more often, the kids were so excited to see Remy and I there.

ALL of the kids behaved so well, it was such a great display of respect.

 

Remy napped when the got home for hours after... hours.
GUESS WHO STOPPED BY DURNING NAP TIME!
Arile and Lindsay!
Thanks for the quick visit!
(I stole this pic)

The kids got home from school and Annaliesse comes in going "I got to bring home the class pet!!"

I'm all like..... um....

and she whips out this stuffed dog.

Thank heavens!

Barker got home not feeling the greatest, Christmas Blanket and youtube to the rescue. We ended the day with Activity Days for Kalia and YW for Mommy. Luckily we have Grandma to help us out :)