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?

Elf On The Shelf - Day 19

I guess even elves need a spot to do their business. I'm not too sure what I'd expected; pellets around the house, holding it in, or not having to go at all, but I did not expect this!

Elf On The Shelf - Day 18

We have ourselves quite the adventurous elf. This morning the kids found him bull riding on our nativity bull. Our Filipino nativity is super precious to us and travelled a far way. We loved it because of the traditional Filipino clothing on the nativity characters and of course the Lechon (pig on a spit). I have to say, I think that Sammy steals the scene:

Yesterday our magic seeds left by Sammy brought candy canes filled with Skittles. Yesterday I forgot to take a picture but there were these HUGE candy canes which you can see were shattered to pieces in the oats to sprout the new treats for today. I'm thinking that was the finale but we decided to wait and see until tomorrow before we pulled them out. Yum, I hope the kids share.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 17

It looks like Sammy was back at his extreme sports again last night, this time doing some zip lining across our family room. I hope he can hang on all day long!

Elf On The Shelf - Day 16

As I learned from Sammy's stunt with the toilet paper, he does not clean up his messes. Knowing this I was not too impressed with the snow angels he was making last night in flour on our dining room table! Since one of the deals with Sammy is that he cannot be touched we might be having a picnic on the floor for dinner tonight. On a brighter note, the kids good behaviour yesterday earned them some sprouts in their bowl this morning. I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring:

Elf On The Shelf - Day 15

Thankfully Sammy was back today but not without a little incentive for good behaviour! Sammy came with ingredients for some sort of magical recipe. The catch: it only grows if everyone is getting along and being kind to one another. I like this sort of recipe!

The kids couldn't wait to get started. They started by putting the Reindeer food into a bowl and planting their seeds into the oats. Once the seeds were covered they had to sprinkle the magic ingredients (the fertilizer) onto the mixture. I guess now it's just a waiting game to see what sprouts up! Hopefully it's something edible that they can share.

Chocolates

Every year Ryan's family gets together to make chocolates around Christmas. This year we are pretty busy and they are meeting in the middle of the week so we weren't going to be able to join them. The positive of this was that there wasn't going to be a load of chocolate around my house tempting me to eat it, especially when I absolutely no will power when it comes to sweets. Ryan decided that he wanted to make some chocolates of his own, kinds that he really likes since we wouldn't be joining his family. We went out with our shopping list and hit up the bulk barn getting all the supplies we needed. We ended up with a batch of perfect caramels, chocolate covered sponge toffee (it was the first time i've made sponge toffee and it's pretty cool stuff), and reese peanut butter cups. They were so yummy! Ryan was a star and did the reese peanut cups all himself, dipped all the sponge toffee and wrapped the caramels! Now I just really need to work on my will power!

Elf On The Shelf - Day 14

Unfortunately Sammy was a no show today. Apparently he was as upset about the kids recent behaviour as I was. If they don't listen to me, hopefully they will listen to Sammy and start to be respectful.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 13

It looks like Sammy wants to learn how to play the guitar as much as Brayden does.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 12

It looks like we found a use for our extra toothbrush. Hopefully this means I won't have to worry about Dental for Sammy!

Elf On The Shelf - Day 11

I think that when we decorated our Christmas tree Sammy thought it was lacking a little something something. Sydney found the sneaky little bugger in her underwear drawer this morning and the kids all had a few pairs of underwear hanging on the tree. Thankfully for all parties they were all pairs of clean underwear!

Elf On The Shelf - Day 10

Sammy was back to the extreme sports this morning! I hope he can hold on all day and finds a soft landing spot when he lets go:

O Christmas Tree

We decorated our Christmas tree tonight and I have to say I think it looks fabulous. We don't have fancy, matching decorations but passed down and a home made assortment making it an original one of a kind. I think that type of tree suits our family perfectly! I hope you all enjoy Ryan sneaking his way into my picture, but then I wouldn't expect anything different.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 9

If an Elf makes a big mess does he clean it up? This morning we woke up to quite the mess. Sammy took the toilet paper from one bathroom and dragged it through the house to a different bathroom leaving quite the trail. He then proceeded to TP himself and the toilet.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 8

It looks like Sammy likes to do some fishing. If the fish aren't real does that mean he's cheating?

Elf On The Shelf - Day 7

It can sometimes seem like an impossible task for us to get a decent family picture. To have all of us looking at the camera with eyes open and decent smiles is quite the accomplishment. I'm almost offended that Sammy would take one of these few occasions and defile it in such a manner:

Elf On The Shelf - Day 6

I guess Sammy is really into extreme sports! It's quite the fall from there with a huge risk of burning to death. If he lives until tomorrow I'll be very impressed.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 5

I am a little angry with Sammy this morning. He snuck into our secret chip stash and started eating all of my favourite chips! Who does that? Someone asking for trouble, that's who!

Elf On The Shelf - Day 4

It took us a while this morning to find Sammy. We searched the house but no Sammy. Finally we decided to have breakfast and opened the cupboards to get some cereal and BAM there he was ... Looking at us with that unchanging mischievous look in his eyes:

Elf On The Shelf - Day 3

I'm thinking that maybe Sammy isn't so smart. This morning he was hiding in our glasses, does he not realize these are see through?

Elf On The Shelf - Day 2

Another early morning to search for Sammy and although the kids were excited about Sammy becoming our messenger for Santa, it seems that other members of the household weren't too pleased. Apparently they are a wee bit jealous of all the attention Sammy is getting and wanted him to leave. Poor little elf. I hope he decides to stick out his mission. I'm also going to have to talk to those LEGO figurines about this stock pile of weapons they seem to have. Hardly behaviour I would encourage from my children, this is kind of a wake up call about the types of toys we allow in our home and if in fact these LEGO people are alive, will they ever retaliate against us? Here's hoping this 'situation' we have on our hands resolves itself peacefully tonight.

Elf On The Shelf - Day 1

Well it looks like Sammy had no troubles breaking out of his box and made it to higher grounds. The kids were so excited that they got up way to early to find him. Welcome to them family Sammy!

Ho Ho Ho

Today we took the kids to Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops because they were advertising free pictures with Santa. We love free and apparently so does the rest of the city because they were having 2 hour wait times! They give you a fast pass so you can just come back at that time instead of having to wait in the line the entire time which was a bonus. Thankfully the area where Santa is in has so many fun things for children to do that our kids didn't complain once about the wait. There was a mini set up of their gun range for the kids to shoot, child bow and arrows to aim at ducks, remote control 4x4's, a car race track, a room full with huge white pom-poms for snowball fights and picnic tables covered with colouring sheets and markers. When we got to see Santa he took about 10 minutes chatting with the kids and filling their heads with crazy little facts. When Brayden told him he'd like some LEGO for Christmas Santa taught him that in Swiss LEGO translates to "Let's Play" and then continued teaching the kids a couple different words in different languages. He was the best Santa ever and totally reminded me of the Santa from the old black and white classic "Miracle on 34th Street" which I love.

The kids picture this year is hilarious with Santa caught in the middle of a big jolly "HO HO HO" which only completed the experience.

V.I.P.

Today at the kids sharing time assembly I got to see Brayden receive his V.I.P. award because he’s so awesome. Also I got to see a video presentation made by Sydney’s teacher showing some artwork they made with the kids voices dubbed in using their descriptive words to explain the monsters they had made. It was so cute to watch Madison as she recognized Sydney’s voice fill the auditorium and see the tell tale cat to prove it was indeed Sydney’s monster. She really is the cat fan.