* This title has nothing to do with my post but it makes me laugh every time (Arrested Development)
I had to get at least one post in for the month of November. How slackish I have been.
As usual this will be a marathon post, trying to cover all the things we did this month.
Madeline just keeps coming up with the funniest things. A few days ago she said: "I'm always tired of being so grown up." (We've been talking a lot about being grown up because we're potty training.)
We haven't really stressed the Santa Clause aspect of Christmas very much and this is Maddie's first Christmas where she's noticing it all. We watched Elf today and during the part where Santa's sleigh is finally flying, she started chanting: "Go Santa Closet! Go Santa Closet!" I guess we'll have to do some Christmas education.
Oh Madeline :)
It's been the month of meetings for Ryan. Between church meetings, church activities, Scout training, parent council meetings, report cards, parent teacher interviews and prep for school there have been many nights where he has come home late. I'm glad he's willing to work hard and go the extra mile for things. We're lucky that he had a Winter break and we took advantage of that by going swimming, going on the rides at Galaxyland and having fun at home.
We had a life lesson in garbage this month. In the winter months garbage only gets picked up once every two weeks and because of a hectic day, we missed one pick up! We watched the garbage pile up and up and up, contemplating sneaking it into a random dumpster somewhere...but we made it. Four weeks of garbage is a lot. We'll never make that mistake again. I probably should have left an apology note for the garbage guys.
Claire finished up riding lessons for the season. Ryan finally got to see her ride when he had his winter break.
Grandma and Grandpa also came to watch during Achievement Days where Claire fulfilled her goal of patting Babe to tell her to "walk on." We have been so proud of Claire's work at riding - she's sitting up so much better and is really enjoying her classes!
We had a lot of preschool stuff this month. We got to deliver all the cookie/muffin dough orders from Claire's fundraiser, had a library fieldtrip, attended a teddy bear picnic and went to her silent auction fundraiser. Preschool has been so fun!
Madeline is growing so quickly. She had a fun playdate with Abby, who we haven't seen for a long time! Potty training is going well. I enjoy our conversations so much. She's also very stubborn. For example, she dances all the time at home. She dances to the TV, she dances to her own singing, she dances in front of the mirror - but when we take her to ballet class each week, she refuses to dance. It could be that it's right at nap time, but each week is more and more frustrating. I feel like we've flushed our money down the toilet! We have one more class left to practice for their Christmas concert and then it's the big day. I can imagine it going both ways - she could refuse to even go on the stage, or she could be out in front dancing with all the girls. I hope she will choose to participate. I'm not worried about Claire - I know she will cooperate!
I've been busy this month with a few transcription projects, typing up the last of my Grandpa's talks, working on Christmas and winter preparations and just the daily routine of life. I volunteered to sell programs at the CFR this year for Little Bits and it reminded me how much I love going to the rodeo. I will have to go next year! I've really been enjoying teaching my primary class. I hope I don't bore them too much but I'm growing to love the kids in my class. I don't want them to move up in January!
Besides school, riding and ballet, Claire had a few appointments this month. We have to get her wheelchair adjusted tomorrow because she's getting too big and she saw the Physical Medicine Clinic at the Glenrose and was patient for her xrays. Claire also participated in our ward Primary Presentation. She did her part well and was reverent for the whole thing. My class did well too.
Claire has the most awesome hair.
We were lucky to get a visit from my great-Aunt Adair who lives in Vancouver. It was so nice to see her again and she brought us such lovely handmade gifts. We visited together and she read stories to the girls. It was great!
We love Uncle Rob!
Greg helped me take the girls to an Oil Kings game. It was so much fun! The CNIB gave us the tickets to go. I thought we would have to duck out early because the girls would be bored, but they loved it! Madeline wouldn't even leave her seat to go walking around because she was so into the game. Claire loved the lights and the music and the atmosphere. I recommend it as a good family outing!
Crossing the bridge to get to the Coliseum. Luckily Claire gets us "Princess Parking" so we can always park close.
Claire has a new favourite place to play. She can sit up for almost 20 minutes inside this ball pen. It's fun to see her have fun and play!
We've had this strange sleeping sickness going our house lately :)
Claire's smiles are great.
Ryan set up the drums for Claire so she could accompany him on Rockband.
Madeline insists on having baths with Claire, even though there really isn't room for both of them. Madeline endures quite a few body and head kicks from Claire, but she still loves being with her sister!
We went to the Festival of Trees, an annual tradition.
Our little girls
It was so hard to stop Maddie from touching all the trees. She could walk right under the barrier ropes. I caught her in the act!
Guess which tree was the favourite? It couldn't possibly be the one with the life-size Elmo.
Me and my girls.
Lisa and Amanda and Madeline and Claire at the top of the Shaw Conference Centre.
Strike a pose!
Claire feel asleep after all the excitement. Madeline helpfully decorated her with stickers that Claire won from the fishing pond.
