Journaling reads: A CHANGE IN PLANS required a quick trip to Canadian Tire to pick up a small pre-lit tree to put atop our dining room buffet. Joining it is Cole favourite: the nativity. As disappointed as we are that our original plans have changed, I think it might do us some good to hang out here at home and regroup. It's been a month of so many highs and lows it may be nice to have some quiet time with no need to be anywhere - though there is still plenty to do!
Journaling reads: A BASKET FILLED WITH GIFT CARDS is the result of Claire - our family shopper - heading off to Oakville Place where she collected what was needed. Next week, as a family, we will head back over to the mall and the kids will put their cards to good use. This is a holiday of transition so I didn't want to go overboard in guilty compensation or underboardin sheer defeat. I hope we've struck a balance and they will not be disappointed or overwhelmed. Fingers crossed!
Journaling reads: OUR CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITION includes following Santa Claus as he travels the world via the NORAD Santa Tracker. For years I would give updates and now the boys have taken over and give me updates. The deal has always been, by the time Santa hits the coast of Newfoundland all of the kids are off to bed. It is the one event that has stuck and followed us from year to year and house to house. I'm happy for the familiarity and comfort it brings the kids - and me, too!
Journaling reads: CHRISTMAS MORNING was different in this, our year of transiiton. Not only did we gather downstairs at a reasonably late 10:30AM, but almost all of the gifts were gift cards and Claire joined me for coffee! Next we we have plans to spend all of the gift cards at Bluenotes, The Bay, Roots, LaSenza, American Eagle, EB Games, Garage and Chapters to take advantage of any sales. No doubt much more than the card values will be spent, but the kids will get exactly what they like!
Journaling reads: CAUTION EXTREME AWESOMENESS indeed. Kiri bought these shirts fo the kids to get this shot! We were so surprised to see our friends, they had driven up from North Carolina to see us when our plans fell through and we couldn't get down there to see them. What a wonderful turn of events. We are so incredibly fortunate to have such lovely and dear people in our lives. From here we went to dinner at the Coach and Four pub and then the boys slept over. Brilliant day!
Journaling reads: A HAPPY AND SAD GOODBYE to the Rennaker boys. As a family, my kids would all agree the greatest gift we received this Christmas was them - along with Kiri and Terry - being here with us ... it was just too quick! The boys spent their time playing street hockey, Wii and tag. There was plenty of joyful noise coming from upstairs and outside. These boys bring a lot of life to any space they are in. It was a most welcome and wonderful change of page. Must plan the next visit!
Journaling reads: STARTING A NEW PROJECT with high hopes and fingers crossed. I like the idea of having a "summary" book to hold our photos, stories and ephemera. One that takes very little creative thought since the elements are pretty much all there - it will be my choice to make it as easy or as complicated as I want and right now I want easy! I look forward to seeing how this project unfolds over 2012 and the stories it will reveal.
