PS

As it turns out, we lucked out and vacated Southern Alberta during the coldest week of the winter.  Trevor gloated the entire week we were away and gleefully pointed out the sub zero temperatures at home while we enjoyed 20ish degree Celsius days.

Now, back home,  although it's back up to above 0, the wind is once again howling.
I miss Palm Springs.
Maybe we'll move there.

We had a nice week away.  

Trevor and I drove with Sierra to Disneyland one day.  A great day!

We thoroughly enjoyed being outside at the playground and pool and for walks.  

We went to a zoo and almost got to feed giraffes.  Of course the one time they weren't hungry was when we were there!   
We wondered through two flea markets and perused the locally made items for sale.  

We looked longingly at the gorgeous golf courses wishing we could be on them.  

We ate a lot of Cold Stone because we had two-for-one coupons.

Amid the fun of a holiday I did learn some things this time around (note: this is not really complaining):

1. My kids need to be in separate rooms.  Correction:  Sawyer needs to be in a separate room.  He is a lighter sleeper than his sister and often woke up earlier than normal.  As soon as he heard the rustle of a blanket or Sierra going to the bathroom he was hollering to get up.  Our days started before 7 so sleep was not attained.  I was more tired upon our return than before we left.

2.  We absolutely can NOT push Sierra's bed time, especially with early wake up times.  We can maybe get away with one day that is a little more intense but then  the next day must be a catch up day for her.  This was learned the hard way with a couple of spectacular melt downs on her part and a worn out mother from dealing with them!

3.  A spacious condo is the way to go with little kids, especially regarding meals.  We cooked and ate the majority of our meals there and that made eating far more relaxing.  It also saved us money.  We did go out for a few fast food lunches and one nicer supper.  For the supper out we were at the restaurant by 5:30 armed with a DVD player.   The kids were also hungry, having been denied afternoon snacks and having had some pool time, so they ate and watched a short movie and we managed to be out in an hour just as Sawyer was getting squirmy.   (Note all this to self for future meals out.)

5. One week is far too short.  10 days to two weeks would be better.  We barely felt like we were in the groove of relaxing and it was time to go home.  I say this with every vacation.  Since we only get two weeks a year we have to use the time we have efficiently.

I would love to post pictures but our camera software is not working on our new computer (or something) so you'll have to use your imagination.

Much Better!!!

No snow. No wind. No cold.
Sun. Palm trees. Warm (but not hot).
Fun.

We Are Outta Here!!!!

So, we're on the first leg of our journey to......Palm Springs! Oh and the best part? We've been hit with winter and it is forecasted to be darn cold and snowy all week!!!
(note current temperature on van thermometer in picture below). Hopefully my next pictures will be of palm trees and no parkas.

All You Need is Love...

I was reminded of something I heard/read somewhere not long ago when Sierra was having a particularly emotional and unreasonable episode.

It lunch time and not only was she weepy and didn't want anything she was also being rather disrespectful.  At the back of my mind a little thought surfaced, "Maybe she just needs some love."

"Sierra," I said interrupted the crying.

"Whaaat!" In a teary voice.

"Would you like to just sit with me for a few minutes?"

"Yaahhh!"

We sat and cuddled for about ten minutes and then she was back to her old self.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

My Mom and I found these babies on Boxing Day! Sierra loves to splash in puddles and now I can join in the fun!

Winter Blows

Literally.  

This winter has been WIND-DY!!!!

When I say windy I mean windy.  Gusts blowing up to140km/hour on occasion which is considered hurricane force.  Highways shut down because of the debris and tipped over semis.  Roofs and other parts are being blown off of buildings.  It howls and roars with such fury our house shakes.  Our toilets have whitecaps in them.  Okay, maybe not waves but the water does lap up the sides of the bowl.

No I'm not pulling your leg.  This is true.

I'm pretty sure if the wind ever stopped I'd drive right off of the highway because I'm so used to compensating!

Prairie grass fires have also been a hazard.  The wind has sucked up every drop of moisture so the smallest spark and the gale force winds are a dangerous combination.  The west side of our city was evacuated due to fires and high winds a month or so ago.

Sure, there has been no snow and it's unusually warm for this time of year. What good is warm when you can't go outside at all for fear of being picked up and carried to the next province?  The only good thing is the low heating bills!

Did I mention the headaches?  The crazy wind is a fantastic migraine inducer - which Trevor is so blessed to get.  While I don't get migraines I've certainly suffered my share of headaches.  My hair is static-y and in a constant knot and my skin is dry and flaky.  Oh, and my eyes are full of grit from all the dirt in the air.

Bring on the cold and snow!

At least it won't blow.

Photos

Popcorn - the worlds best snack!  (I fully agree)

Play Dough cake masterpiece.

Watching TV with the aforementioned worlds best snack.

He loves this dog.  It was actually a gift to Sierra from her Aunt Amanda but Sawyer has taken ownership.

Mmmmm!  This is delicious soup!

He gets this sitting configuration from me and, yes, I can still sit like this.

Holiday Recap

~ Christmas was really good.  

Everyone got along, behaved and had fun.  Kids sure do bring an element of craziness to it!  Gift opening was a scene of flying paper, ribbons, bows and boxes and I've finally admitted that calm family dinners simply don't exist anymore.  (although our turkey dinner wasn't bad because we ate during Sawyer's nap) The hot tub was completely awesome to have (my parents rented one for a week).  Sierra thought it was the best thing since chocolate, and Trevor is dreaming up ways to buy one for ourselves.  Christmas Day was brown, a bit windy, sunny, and relatively warm  for these parts (10 degrees Celsius).

`~ We hosted a New Year's Party and had eight adults over.  We indulged in a Toblerone chocolate fondue.  There is nothing better than totally obliterating the nutritiousness of fruit by smothering it in melted chocolate!  We also laughed our way through the final two hours of 2011 with a game of Taboo.  By the time everyone left and the chocolate high wore off it was 2 A.M.  The kids had us awake by 6:45.  We suffered all day today.

 

~ No major resolutions in play for me this year.  

The usual maintain-a-healthy-lifestyle- make-the-most-of each-day kind of thoughts are circulating.  Since my life is so fly-by-the-seat-of-the-kids'-pants there's no point in aiming for anything because it is most likely to be altered or dashed. Oh, that is so not in my personality as I'm such a planner and doer but Sierra and Sawyer have forced me to set that part of me aside and live a little more relaxed and with lower expectations.

~ We leave for a vacation in two weeks.  TWO WEEKS!!!

We are looking forward it, yes, but with reserved anticipation.  Kids are so unpredictable and going anywhere with them is so much work. "Restful" doesn't describe our holidays at this stage.  On second thought, it doesn't describe our life anywhere at anytime!  Anyway, I believe it will be worth it because there should be lots to do and it will be different than the every day norm.  I think that's the key - having enough for the kids to do.  Otherwise all we'd have is bored cranky kids in an unfamiliar place.  This vacation has suddenly come upon me and I suddenly feel a bit of stress with all there is to prepare..but it is still a vacation so I shan't complain!