West Ed Weekend

This weekend we headed up to Edmonton for a little time away before the kids headed back to school. We stayed close to West Edmonton Mall and had a great time exploring during the afternoon. We checked out the water show and did some rides at Galaxy Land before meeting a good friend for dinner. It was such a fun day and the kids were wiped by the time we got back to the hotel for bed.
The next morning we woke up, checked out and headed back to the mall for some fun times at the waterpark. So much fun. The two older kids loved the waterslides while Madison loved the hot tub. They all enjoyed getting beat up by the wave pool and we awed when we watched the bungee jumpers.
It was the perfect way for us to end our Christmas vacation!

Happy New Year 2013!

I'm not too sure who let my kids on the secret that you get to stay up late on New Year's Eve but when I find out they are going to have to deal with my wrath! Seriously, how lame is it when I fall asleep on the couch while the kids are still going strong. Living in your 30's is exhausting.
Tonight we heard that city transportation was going to be free and that there was going to be fun family stuff to do downtown so we decided we'd drive to the nearest c-train station and head downtown that way. I've been telling the kids for months now that one Saturday we'd go ride on the trains and we've just been so busy each and every weekend that I've super sucked at making the time to take them. This was going to be perfect, a free train ride, fun games, treats and staying up as late as we want. It's a death wish P-A-R-T-Y.
I think the kids had a lot of fun on the train. They were pretty energized and it was pretty hard for them stay sitting but it wasn't really busy so I didn't feel like we bugging anyone. We got off downtown and walked to the party where the kids decorated hates, had potato sac races, bike races, there was a black light dance party and we put on our best faces for the photo booth.
Once it got insanely busy we took off and made our way back to the van via train stopping for treats along the way. Back at home we settled in with our pop and candy to watch a movie which I think may have turned into 3 by the time I fell asleep and we cut the kids off and forced them to bed.

Next year I need to remember that if I want to go to bed before the sun comes up I can't let the kids gorge themselves all night long on sugar.

It's Christmas!

When my sister and I were young younger we used to take turns putting the angel on the top of the Christmas Tree. It seemed that no matter what year it was we could not remember who it was who did it the previous year and it was always up for debate. It wasn't until I think I was married that we came up with a genius idea ... I did even years because I was born in an even year and my sister odd years because she was born on an odd year. Well, I've reached this stage with my own kids; whose turn is it and will it screw everything up if I let them take my turn at mom or dads? Well this year Sydney got to put the angel on top of Nana's tree and I hope we remember by the time next Christmas comes around!

I really hope that everyone has a fabulous Christmas spent with those that they care about and that you all get a little something under the tree, whether it's a pine tree or a palm tree.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 30

Well, today is Sammy's last day. According to the story we read when Sammy came to us he will fly off with Santa tonight when Santa leaves the kids their toys. It looks like someone was feeling a little insecure with all the Santa excitement in our house because Sammy left the kids some presents of their own! Each one of them got a new pair of pajamas and a family LEGO board game. I want to know how Sammy knew my kids were all crazy about those pajamas with feet on them!? He's one tricky elf and we're really going to miss waking up early each morning to find him! See you next year Sammy.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 29

Well, well, well. Looks like our Sammy likes the Billiards table. I wonder if he has any skills?

Elf On The Shelf - Day 28

Today we left for Lethbridge. We are doing Christmas for my side of the family over the weekend. One day at my moms and the other at my dads. It should be a great time and Sammy seems to think so too because he made sure he wouldn't be left behind like last weekend. I hope he has as much fun as the rest of us.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 27

This morning Sammy was kind of enough to leave us with a picture of his bum. Last night he played around with the copier and posed a few times. I hope that bright light used to take a photo copy didn’t leave him blind, it would be sad if he couldn’t find his way to Santa tonight and report on our children’s good behavior.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 26

It looked like Sammy had a busy night after his rest yesterday. He made himself a pancake breakfast with Sammy sized pancakes. It's amazing he was able to navigate himself around our human sized stove without burning himself. We might just have a chef on our hands.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 25

I imagine Sammy's nights are busy playing around the house, making the trip to the North Pole to report to Santa and then finding a new spot to spend the day. I think I'd be quite tired after all that and be ready to relax and get some sleep. Hopefully today Sammy is able to get some rest, he seems to have picked a comfy spot to spend the day; snuggled into a furry stocking nice and toasty from the fire. Enjoy your day Sammy, I'm jealous.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 24

Today we couldn't find Sammy anywhere. The kids searched all over and since they have been really well behaved it didn't make sense that Sammy wouldn't be around. Finally when I opened the freezer to get out some frozen yogurt tubes for their lunches we saw him. I guess Sammy was getting a little lonely because it looks like he's made himself a new friend. I hope they enjoy their day together.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 23

Today Sammy was looking quite relaxed in his shades taking some time to work on his tan. He had moved the star from the top of our Christmas tree and grabbed a beach chair (borrowed from Barbie), put on his shades, got his sun ray reflector, and is chilling out. I really, really hope he remembered to apply some sunscreen to his nose.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 22

We went to Lethbridge yesterday morning leaving Sammy alone in the house. We weren't too sure what Sammy would do free range of everything and the kids speculated about all sorts of trouble he could be making which in return was making me nervous. As soon as we walked in the doors to home, Brayden went straight to the tree and looked under to find Sammy but he wasn't there. At some point while we were away Sammy made his way over the couch and got comfy reading our family journal with a note tucked close by claiming he missed us. Poor little guy, it was only one night.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 21

I love mandarin oranges. I think they are one of my favourite seasonal treats this time of year, oranges and pomegranates. They are just so easy to peel, even an elf can do it. I know this because this morning we found an orange peel trail leading under our Christmas tree where Sammy was binging on Christmas oranges!

Elf On The Shelf - Day 20

Today Sammy was really hiding. The kids couldn't find him anywhere! Thankfully Ryan had spotted him and gave them a little hint as to where to start looking. From there they were able to spot our Elf on the Shelf high on the top of our tree hanging on very tightly to the star. I wonder if it'll get hot up there next to the lights all day?