Happy Holidays?

Christmas is over. I had a really lovely celebration but still feel immensely relieved that this particular holiday has come and gone. If I had my way, I'd be packing up all the decorations and sending them back to storage, but DS insists we keep them up until he goes back to school, or, preferably for him, all year round. I think not.

Today I am sitting at the computer trying to ignore the dirty bathrooms, the carpet in desperate need of cleaning, the toys that need picking up and the ironing. DS has gone off to day camp for the day so I have no excuse for not doing chores, but I just can't get off my butt. I don't want to clean. I don't really want to do anything. Motivation is in short supply for me today.

I realise as I am typing this that I (once again) failed to take any photographs of our celebrations. Oops. It really was nice. We went to my parents' "cabin in the woods" this year, where we had a quiet Christmas day with just DS, my parents, DH and I, then the large extended family gathering on Boxing Day with my sisters, my brother and their families. DS spent most of our three day visit playing with his cousins, so we barely saw any of him. It was nice to all share a bed at night because I felt like that was all I saw of him each day, even if it did mean hardly getting any sleep due to DS' kicking and thrashing.

Well, I should really try to do something constructive while DS is off cosmic bowling and swimming. I think I'll go work on the sweater I'm crocheting for him. Then I'm going to read cookbooks for awhile. Sounds like a good way to procrastinate the day away. I am on holiday after all.

18th Anniversary

Today is DH and my 18th anniversary. I couldn't ask for a better partner in life than DH, who despite being my polar opposite in most things, is the perfect person for me. He is an amazing dad and an even better friend and I am looking forward to at least 18 more years together with him. I love you sweetheart.

On a totally different note, DS' Christmas holidays began yesterday and he is so excited. His holiday started off with recieving a great report card and having a sleepover at Aba's house so DH and I could go out for a dinner and have a sleep in. The sleep in didn't pan out because I was wide awake by 6 a.m., but we did enjoy a really nice dinner and a movie. We need to do that more often because I feel as though I've forgotten how to talk to DH about anything but DS and work. Poor guy! I'm afraid I wasn't the most riveting dinner conversationalist.

Well, my cold-addled brain isn't helping me post anything insightful or even interesting, so I think I'll sign off now and do some chores. I like to get them out of the way early (our poor neighbours) so I can enjoy my weekend.

So Proud!

Today Logan received an Academic House Award and earned 20 points for his house at school.

New Voiceover Work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNrvZc1t2EA

I recently voiced this piece for one of DH's clients. DH co-produced and directed the piece.

Trying to Focus on the Moment

The past few months have been tremendously stressful at work, and I must confess that I haven't been enjoying the courses I'm taking (paralegal). I resent having to spend my personal time studying for something work-related, so I'm taking a little break until April 2010 to think about what I'm trying to accomplish and whether or not focussing on work-related education in my personal time is right for me at this time.

Now that my exam is written and a vacation is in sight, I'm trying to refocus on the important things...family, getting our home in order, self-care, etc. As always, December is shaping up to be very busy with lots of socializing and I find it hard to fit in little things like haircuts. As we were walking to the bus stop last night, I was complaining to DS about needing to find time to get a haircut when he suggested that we should go into a hair salon near by and he would read a book and take a nap while I got my hair done. I wasn't sure if it would work, but I was so grumpy and desperate to get a little self-care in that I took him up on the suggestion. To my delight (and that of everyone else in the salon), DS quickly took off his shoes, curled up on the sofa in the waiting area and fell asleep. I got my haircut; he got a nap. I love it when a plan comes together!

Today we are up bright and early again and looking forward to another full day. I have to get my eyes tested, order new contacts, get my glasses tightened, take DS to the toy store, do laundry, go to the gym, get cracking on the last few gifts I need to make and do little grocery shopping. I'd like to wrap some gifts too. This our last unscheduled weekend before Christmas, so I want to take advantage of the time to get a lot done! The next few weeks are full of visits to the Christmas Train, skating parties, my work Christmas 'do, a film screening, our anniversay dinner (our 18th!), several Christmas parties and packing for our trip to my parent's house.

Well, DS is vying for the computer so he can play Club Penguin, his new obsession, so I will end this early morning ramble.

First Christmas Concert

DS had his first Christmas concert today. Our camera is awful, so I apologize for these poor quality photos and videos!

Speaking of Crafty Xmas Gifts...

I'm making crocheted cuffs for a few of my nieces. This one is this pattern from Creative Yarn.

This one is a modification of that design, using only one motif.

Oh My Christmas Is Upon Us

Here we are, not even in December, and DS has had his picture taken with Santa, put up a Christmas tree in his room and pulled out the Advent calendar. He is very much in the Christmas mood. I'm busy crocheting and knitting in an attempt to complete Christmas presents on a budget and we are all looking forward to an Island Christmas (hopefully without snow). I will probably wrap gifts next weekend. I may even bake...I don't know what has come over us!

Homework

Every night DS brings home a book from school, which he has to read to us. Then he chooses a comprehension assignment and completes that. Today he wanted to show you his work.

And a close up, to make sure you could read it :-)