Staying Home, Week 44

I've got a "counter" on my phone that has been counting the days since we first entered any kind of lockdown for Covid.  Today is day 310.  We have had many varieties of lockdown...

-Stay in if you can, kids doing home learning, working from home

-Small gatherings permitted inside, with distancing

-Only outdoor gatherings allowed, with masks

-Kids back to school, with masks

-Kids grade 7 & up stay home & do Zoom classes

-No indoor or outdoor gatherings

Now we are in the weirdest one for me.  The kids are back at school, but no indoor or outdoor gatherings have been permitted for the past week.  So I have lots of time to myself, which is really quite nice after 5 weeks of the kids being home from school, but I'm not supposed to go anywhere.  I've been shopping about once a week, which is my only outing.  Wearing a mask is almost second nature now, but with the weather being cold I've been wearing a toque when I go to town, so all that shows is my eyes.  I call it my "incognito" look.

Thankfully, we are still encouraged to go outside & exercise, and I've got a local friend who I've been going Cross-Country Skiing with.  We have lots of trails just past our backyard that go through the campground, so it's been fun being able to ski so close to home. Chancery comes with us sometimes, & she really enjoys it too.  I declined an invitation to go xc skiing this weekend, & Chancery was quite upset that she didn't get to go, thankfully we were asked again for Sunday afternoon, so it wasn't a total bust!

I've watched lots TV, read quite a few books, sent out Christmas cards, drank gallons of coffee, moved to a new house, unpacked (still haven't hung our pictures yet!)...  It hasn't been all bad, but I'm eager to see people again! And DO things together!

The Post-Christmas Post

 Merry mid-week what day is it? My family has asked this countless times in the past week. Last week Chad & I were trying to figure out what day of the week Boxing day was going to be, and it took us about 10 minutes to pin that one down.  With all the church services, and no school, every day feels like Sunday, or Saturday.... or is it Thursday? My Google now tells me both the date, and the day of the week in my morning routine!

We had a pretty good Christmas.  We are used to not seeing family over the holidays, although the last few years we were close enough to my parents that they'd usually come up for Christmas.  This year it felt weird since we are close enough to see Chad's family, but we weren't allowed to see them. We are doing lots of Zooms instead, which is better than nothing, but we can't wait to get together with family & friends... whenever that will be allowed again.

With Chad being busy with Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, & Sunday church we were still pretty busy.  Because of the tighter restrictions we have to sign up to attend church in person, and I did not remember to do so before all the Christmas services got filled, so we waved Chad off, & watched them from home.  That was definitely a weird feeling!

Then on Christmas day we opened our gifts.  Did I take any pictures? Nope, not a single one.  Asher's first gift was a WaterPik. He said, "This is a terrible present!" (Sums up 2020 pretty well though!)  I told him, "It can only get better from here!"  We got lots of new books to read which  everyone was happy about.

I bought myself some really nice bunny slippers, wrapped them up, and boy, was I delighted to open them! Unfortunately they were too small, so Chancery is happy, and I have cold feet!  Chad said that's what I deserve for buying myself a present.

The kids don't go back to school until Jan 11, so now we will have lots of time to bake, play games, & read.  We're borrowing skates so the kids can take advantage of the ice rink that is just beside our neighbourhood, and we have lots of ski-doing that can be done on the lake. I'm appointing myself the hot chocolate maker so I can stay in the warm house!

Halloween 2020

Are the children getting too old to Trick-or-Treat?  Not according to them!

We had a pair of Hot Dogs

And a pair of Black Cats (but the kitten stayed home)

We stayed in our little neighbourhood, and there were 7 houses handing out treats.  One neighbour told us we were the first trick-or-treaters they had had in 15 years!  When we got back the kids were looking through their loot, and did quite well despite the low number of houses we had gone to.  They were also excited that for the first time ever they got to keep all the candy they had gotten!  In the past we had let them keep a certain number of treats, and whatever they didn't keep we handed out to the kids who came by our place.  However, we had ZERO trick-or-treaters, and thankfully I hadn't bought very much candy.

We were even home in time to watch some TV before bedtime!

 

Easter Egg Hunt

This year the kids really wanted to do an Easter Egg hunt.  There were a few factors that were going to make this difficult:

1. Chad gave away our Easter Eggs at the children's message last year

2. There is still about a foot of snow on the ground

3. We don't let the kids have much candy,  so I didn't want to fill a bunch of eggs with things they can't have.

So I decided instead to order some eggs from Amazon, & make a treasure hunt instead with a small prize at the end.  The eggs were all filled with the location of the next egg, but the kids had to take turns giving clues, and finding the egg.  The twist was that they were not allowed to say any of the words on the paper.  I had ordered a pack of 100 eggs, and ended up using about 75 of them.

I did have about 8 small items that I put into a few of the eggs, but as the kids found them, they'd say, "Here, mom, I don't want this." So I was glad I didn't fill every egg!  The kids really enjoyed it, and it was fun to see their wheels turning trying to think of ways to give the clue without saying the words.  I also noticed a few times they would look right at the spot as they were thinking of it.

It took about an hour for them to do the egg hunt, and since they enjoy making treasure hunts for each other I'm sure we'll get lots of use out of our new eggs.

Overgebleven

I've got a small whiteboard on the fridge where I put my dinner ideas for the week.  I don't usually assign the meals to days, but kind of play it by ear depending on how my day is going & how long some meals will take to prepare.

A few weeks ago I did a bit of research, and put my list on the board

- Hot Dogs, & Mac & Cheese 

- Make Your Own Pizza 

- Overgebleven

The kids were excited, Chancery loves Mac & Cheese, Asher loves Pizza, and what was the mysterious "Overgebleven"?

I told them, "You'll have to wait to find out, but it's Dutch, and I think you'll like it!

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The day came when the only thing left on the board was "Overgebleven".

"Tonight's the night!" they said to each other excitedly.

I called them to the kitchen at 5pm, and handed them each an empty plate.

"Where is it? What is Overgebleven?" they asked.

I pulled the leftover Mac & Cheese, Hot Dog, & Pizza out of the fridge and told them to load up their plates.

Kids: "What do you mean?  We're supposed to have Overgebleven!"

Me: "This is overgebleven. it's 'Leftover' in Dutch!"

And that was the night the children ate through tears, and I learned (once again) not to get the children's expectations too high, because apparently even though they liked the original food, having it again as a leftover when it was masquerading as something new and fun is MEAN!

Little Chef

Today Chancery wanted grilled cheese for lunch, & since she's 10, I decided she could make it herself.  After complaining that she didn't know how to cook, I gave her step-by-step instructions, & the sandwiches were successfully made.  As she sat down at the table I heard her tell Asher, "I'm going to marry a man who can cook everything, because I really hate cooking!"

Church Challenges!

Last Sunday morning after church I picked up a cup of coffee, added my cream & sugar, & walked over to "my spot".  (Yes, I have a certain spot where I stand, it's just off to the side, people know where to find me, & I find it easier to hear what people are saying to me)

I lifted my little mug to take my first sip & noticed there was a bit of lipstick on the cup (which couldn't have been mine!), so I decided to wipe it off, & turn the cup to drink from the other side.  I turned it around to discover MORE lipstick!  At that point I couldn't handle it anymore, I don't even WEAR lipstick 90% of the time! So I returned the full cup of coffee to the kitchen & sought out a new cup of coffee & started the whole process over with less lipstick!

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During offering time I handed each of the kids a quarter.  Asher handed his back to me & whispered, "I can't put this one in, it's a special one!"

I took the quarter back & sorted through my wallet for a 'regular' coin for him to donate instead.  I was about to put the fancy quarter in my pocket to take home & add to my special coin jar.

Chancery then leaned over & said, "I want to see it!"

I handed the special quarter to Chancery, & just then the offering basket came by & Chancery put the special quarter in!

....so, I reached in & grabbed it back out!

I thought I was in the clear until a man sitting behind me leaned forward & said, "If you're that hard up for cash I could loan you some!"

Halloween 2017

Our church had its annual neighbourhood fun night with games, candy & prizes.

Chad was running one of the games, & the dress code was COSTUME!

So, Bowser gathered his minion, & off they went!

Then the kids got dressed & off we went for a bit of trick-or-treating around the cul-de-sac,

& then the fun night at church!

It was a pretty successful haul for the Ninja & Masquerade guest!

Some people gave them each 3 handfuls of candy!

We had way too much candy, so I told the kids they could keep all their chips & prizes they had gotten, then choose 25 pieces of candy.  After that, they switched places & chose 5 from the other person's pile.  The rest went to trick-or-treaters who came to our house, or to Chad's & my stash!  We're set for the next year!

I figured I couldn't be the only family member at the church party without a

costume, so I dressed up too!

Any guesses as to who I am?

School's in Session!

School has started back up & the kids were raring to go!  They were on their bikes riding around the cul-de-sac 20 minutes before they needed to leave.

Asher is going into grade 6 this year,

& Chancery moves into the middle school building for Grade 4!

Just a Trim

Chancery was in dire need of a haircut.  Her split ends had split ends, & now that school is out we had time to go to the salon.  She was called back to sit in the chair, & started to explain to the hairdresser what she'd like done.  Chancery turned to me & said, "I got this, Mom, you just go & sit down."

So off I went to sit & read my book while she chatted away with the hairdresser, & communicated how she wanted her haircut.  Perhaps some layers?  Just a little off the bottom?

Nope, she decided to donate 10 inches of her hair, & is thrilled with the results!  It's much cooler for summer, but there won't be anymore braids for awhile!

Prelude at Grandpa & Grandma's!

The kids & went to my parents' house for a week to help them prepare for the whole family being there in a few weeks.  On the way down we went through Whidby Island to visit some friends.  

We went to the beach with them to hunt for sea glass, & the kids found some cool driftwood!

Then we took some time to wander around Coupeville & had a delicious lunch as well.

Once we got to my parents house we were set to work picking raspberries, making jam & cookies, & mulching flowerbeds

In our enthusiasm we even managed to splatter raspberry juice on the ceiling!

It wasn't all work though, we stopped at a few thrift stores, & the kids found this tiny piano & insisted on posing as Lucy & Schroeder from Peanuts!

And of course we visited "The Oak" in the neighbourhood. 

 I spent a lot of time here with the neighbourhood kids growing up, & Asher & Chancery have a lot of fun playing here too!

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We also met up with my friend Theresa & her kids.  We became friends in grade 7, & hadn't seen each other in 17 years!

The kids had a blast playing together, & we decided to try to see each other  more often (which shouldn't be THAT hard, right?)

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Next was a quest to find some climbing trees in the woods by my parents' house.  Unfortunately most the trees I used to climb are now dead (I'm not THAT old!), so we didn't have any luck...

We also had to make our way through quite a bit of salal since the trails are not kept up anymore.  The kids decided they are ready to apply to be on "Alone" since they didn't find it too difficult.

Last but not least, I showed them "The Best Ditch in The Neighbourhood".  It has the perfect slope, & I read many a book in it while waiting for my friends' school bus to bring them home.

Fancy Clothes

Last week the kids' school had a big concert for Canada's 150th celebration.  The dress code for the event was "white & red".  Most kids at the concert wore jeans & a red or white shirt with "Canada" on it.  Chancery loves to get dressed up, & she first attempted to wear her fanciest dress, but it's more of a silver colour, so I said no; then she tried to wear another fancy dress, but it's hot pink, so I also vetoed that option & told her to wear jeans & a red or white t-shirt.

Not long afterward I was handed this paper...

Chancery was wearing a white shirt & a black puffy skirt.  I decided that was ok since it was still following the dress code.  I have a feeling this is just the beginning though!

Hotel-like Service

Asher's school requires him to do some service hours each term, & he was a bit short, so this weekend he decided to help Chancery out by re-organizing her bookshelf.  It was a disaster to start with, so I figured it would take about an hour for him to get it under control.

What I didn't anticipate was that once he finished the big bookcase, he'd then move on to the small shelves, the nightstand, & even under the bed!  It took him 2 hours to get it looking like this, hopefully it stays clean for a while!

Asher told me, "I just made it look like how I'd want it if it was my room."

And when Chancery got into bed, her comment was, "I feel like I'm at a hotel!"

Ice cream truck

Sometimes a promise isn't enough. Sometimes you need to document that your kids said it...

Jump For Joy!

For the past year, Asher & Chancery had been begging for a trampoline.  Chad & I decided that they could pool their allowance & Birthday money & buy one together.  We researched online prices & found the best option was to buy from the States & have it shipped to my parents.  After a few months, the kids had saved enough money, & we ordered the trampoline in October.  We decided it didn't make sense to put it together just before winter, so we held off, & we were glad we had when we got snow in December.

In February, once it had all melted we decided it was time to assemble!

About an hour later & the kids were bouncing all around!

Now, a week later we have another foot of snow, so it's a bit too wet & chilly for bouncing, but as soon as the weather warms up the kids'll be back at it!

I'm Spicy!

A few days ago Chad was scheduled to go to a meeting over dinnertime, so in his absence, the kids & I were going to enjoy some ramen noodles (Which aren't Chad's favourite).  We had some guests give us a large box of Korean noodles, so we had decided to have them instead of our regular kind.

Chad's meeting got cancelled, & he was not really looking forward to a dinner of ramen noodles, but that's what was on the menu.  We sat down for dinner, prayed, & took a bite, to discover that our lips were burning!  The ramen was super SPICY!

Now, Chad loves spicy food, but he rarely gets it at home because the rest of us are all babies, & don't like things very spicy.  Chad was thrilled to get to get an entire pot all to himself!

But the kids weren't impressed at all...

instead we had sandwiches.

December Mail

Chancery & I were walking up the street this afternoon.  I had just gotten the mail from the mailbox, & Chancery asked, "Did we get any mail?"

Me: "Yes, three pieces."

Chancery: "Is it all for us?"

We still get mail for the people who used to live here, so it was a valid question.

Me: "Yes, it's all for us."

Chancery: "Is it our first Christmas card?"

Me: "Nope, it's bills."

At that point we were passing a neighbour who was shovelling her driveway.  "That's all I got too," she said.

Chancery: "Maybe tomorrow a card will come!"

Halloween 2016

This year the kids changed their minds about a billion times on what they wanted to dress up as for Halloween, so I decided I was not going to buy anything for their costume until they had decided for sure on what they were going to be.  That left us buying a pumpkin bucket for Chancery at 4pm on October 31, which was not the ideal time, but there was a last minute blow-out sale & we got one for less than a dollar, so I call that a win!

 Digby was easy to dress.  We just had to not book him for a haircut until after Halloween!

Isn't he the cutest Ewok you ever did see?

Asher chose to be a Ninja.

We made him nun-chucks out of toilet paper rolls & some string. 

Chancer decided on Sunday to be a black cat, & emerged from her bedroom after rest-time with this mask she had made herself!  Chad helped to cut out the eye-holes, but the rest was all her own doing.  

Here they are, good thing we went out early enough that it wasn't too dark, or I wouldn't have been able to see them!

First Day of School 2016!

I don't know why, but the first day of school kind of snuck up on me this year.  I realized yesterday that I had to go through the kids' clothes to make sure they had enough jeans that fit without holes in the knees (Asher didn't), & get rid of some of their favourite shirts that are just too short or too tight!  We finished all that just before supper, then I realized at bedtime that we didn't know where their backpacks were.  It's a good thing the school provides school supplies or I would have been in trouble!

This morning I had every intention of taking a picture, but there was a bag of garbage by the front door, & I got distracted & forgot, SO once the kids came home for lunch I snapped their picture!

This is the first time Chancery has been at the same school 2 years in a row (due to changing schools in PEI to go to the French school), & she was excited to see her friends from last year again.

Asher is now in grade 5, & Chancery started grade 3!

Only 10 more years until they are both in University!

Waterton

Sunday we all went to Waterton National Park.  When Chad was growing up, quite often the family would go to Waterton & walk up the creek in Red Rock Canyon.  It was the kids' first time in Waterton, & it was time they partook of the tradition.  They were excited!

It was a bit chilly, so the kids were wearing jeans & long sleeves.  They probably should have changed first, but they were so excited to go up the canyon!  They did get their shoes & jeans wet, but we had brought shorts & sandals for them & by the time everyone got back out of hte canyon it  had warmed up quite a bit.

 It was quite the adventure, & I had to turn back due to inappropriate footwear.  Next time I'll know better!

It was awesome jumping from rock ot rock, trying to keep dry (& not always succeeding)

Troy & Tara said the water was way lower then they had ever seen it before, so they made it all the way to the end of the canyon!

After all the canyon adventures, we headed to the lake for some rock skipping.  For some reason I am a terrible rock skipper, so I was rejoicing in my accomplishment of throwing a rock with 2 bounces!

Than Chad told me, it was only one bounce, & a plop since it never came out of the water the second time.  I guess I need more practice!

After the lake it was time for dinner, then shopping (without much luck), then ice cream (you can't mess with tradition!), then the candy store (as if they needed any more sugar!)

It was a great time hanging with the family!