week 11

Week 11 - I know I always say it, but man, are those some handsome boys. All decked out in their winter gear as the snow and cold has come to us. It's only about -3, so we can't complain but I would be happier at +3. Monday we ended up going to get gloves, boots for Sterling, insoles for last years boots for Kaedo and a toque that covers Sterling's ears. Man are adult boots expensive. I almost choked.
The Christmas season is upon us and the gifts are starting to show up under the tree. The boys are almost finished their shopping and I have barely begun. I keep telling myself I still have lots of time. Ha! Only two weeks before the boys are done school for the holidays. This year their holidays start on a Thursday and they go back on the Thursday. Don't' know what made the school board set up that but whatever. They are looking forward to their holidays, Christmas, having all the Klassens come to visit.

Circa 2005

This weeks flashback is Christmas 2005. The boys look so young. The gifts look so big! You know you have a tweenager and a teenager when their toys don't make squawking sounds unless they are plugged into a TV. Neither the dinosaur or the car was used much and years later we sold them in a garage sale. Craig and I were talking about the best gift we ever gave them and hands down it is the iPods they got in 2008. To this day they always carry them, take them to school, play with them in bed. Sterling doesn't leave home without it.

O' Christmas Tree

Well, Sunday was or annual tree decorating and as you can see our tree looks as eclectic as ever. A fine mix of new and old, bought and handmade, beautiful and comical... perfect for us. Mother Nature decided it was Christmas as well and decided to provide a healthy dose of snow to accompany us. Our angel which has served as our tree topper ever since Sterling made it in pre-school has survived yet another Christmas and will continue the tradition even though Kaedo wanted to use a different one... has the kid no sense of tradition?

We thought Winter was coming as so many people told us about all their snow and cold weather. We have been blessed with a beautiful Fall, but on Wednesday the snow came. Big, beautiful flakes cascaded down and I thought a blizzard may be coming. It lasted about an hour and within about 15 minutes of it stopping all the sidewalks and driveways were clear and no shoveling was necessary. Let me tell you I was glad about that. I still hadn't broken it to the boys that shoveling was going to become their chore this winter. Kaedo took full advantage of the soft sticky snow to get outside and build a mini fort and snowman. Our first of the year. I love it.

Now there is a little skiff of snow that has turned crunchy but I was still able to wear my sandals with no socks today. Don't think that will last too much longer. I am hoping for a minimal snow year as I am not one of those people that has to see the white stuff to get into the season. Who knows, maybe Stan and Shirley will bring their crappy weather with them. They better not or they'll be getting coal for Christmas.

Hockey Night in Canada

Craig and Kaedo were lucky enough to have the opportunity to take in the Leafs vs Oilers game last night at the ACC. They had a blast. The Oilers won - much to Craig's delight and Kaedo's disappointment, but Kaedo was quick to say this morning that it was "fantastic". One thing Kaedo was adamant about in going to the game was that he was going to have a pretzel. So they pigged out on junk food, watched the game, cheered on their teams and had a blast. They got home about 11:30pm and were up this morning heading to school and work just like normal.

Craig said the tickets were awesome, Row 16 at the blue line. That probably makes sense to you, not me. Now each of the boys can claim they have been to an NHL game - although they have both been to two. Sterling when he was about 16 months and Kaedo while I was pregnant with him.

Hope your Friday finds you well and you have a great weekend. We have football, work, soccer and tree decorating and are looking forward to spending some time together as a family. I'll post pictures of the tree Sunday or Monday. Happy Weekend.

Week 10

Week 10 and the weather is rainy. The boys are wearing their ski jackets but mostly for the waterproof fabric. Kaedo decided G-Nome should have his Santa hat on ("tis the season, mom"). I really like this picture, especially of Sterling. My guys sure are handsome.

Our Christmas tree is going up this weekend and the boys are very excited. I'm going to have to pull out my pictures from last year to see who put the angel up. Love our angel - toilet paper roll with wings. Very special.

The boys actually play soccer back to back this week. Out of 26 weeks I think this only happens twice. I can't decide which is worse - two hours in a row in the arena or having to go back and forth twice. Oh well, as long as they love it.

And so it begins...

With Christmas just around the corner - or so it seems, it is time for our first tradition to be brought out. Years ago I made this advent calendar for the boys and today being December 1st, we got started. Aside from Kaedo's Santa hat this is the first sign of the Christmas season. While many advent calendars are filled with candy or little toys, I put money in ours. They don't need the little toys or the candy and the money is a good way for them to have a little extra as they purchase their Christmas gifts. I'm sure it goes against the reason for an Advent Calendar but it works for us and the kids love it (duh).