Christmas 2009

You will have to go through this post backwards.... I'm sorry- I posted the pictures in reverse order... :) We had a pretty quiet Christmas, but I think the kids enjoyed it. We were at our house Christmas morning and afternoon, and the kids played so quietly, I could hardly believe it! I guess their gifts were all 'hits', as they really enjoyed playing with all of them... Thank you everyone for all the gifts!

We went to my aunt/ uncle's for dinner, and we had a lot of fun there too!

My cousin Mel is here, from Montreal, and Alexa, of course, took right to her :)
I really tried to get a picture of the two of them, but it just didn't work (as usual). This was about the best I could do. Although, I love this picture, as it tells the story of Alexa's new 'thing'. She asks Shaun (as she is here) '"(a) Shaun, do you like me? .... (s) No.... (a) Mom, Shaun doesn't like me.... Shaun, do you like me?... (s) A little.... (a) Shaun, you like me a little?" (and on it goes... she has asked him this many times in the last few weeks... and gets so excited when he says yes... he mixes it up for her, just to keep her going!!

She has been playing with her new baby accessories incessantly since opening that gift!

Pooped out... on the way to Aunt Rolande's.... hanging on to her bag with her two fingers!

Shaun and his new dinosaur game.

Alexa... pouting in the bathroom after getting in trouble- she stood like that... motionless, for a few minutes... too upset to cry!!

The prize gift.... Optimus Prime... the same as Daddy's... he didn't even get excited right away, I think he was more shocked than anything!! (Daddy told him he couldn't play with his old one until he was 15!!!

Shaun got a cool book with 3-D rain forest animals, that he immediately put on display!

We have enjoyed our Christmas this year- the weather was so nice we went for a walk on the beach today... :) I'll post those pictures in a few days!

Our newest addition... music!!

I have received a very very special gift this month. Poppa has essentially bought us a piano. As piano and music have always been an important part of our lives, it was something he wanted to see continue.

The history goes back a long time. Nanna was an amazing piano player. She played for dances, ALL the time, weddings, funerals, and just for fun. The best part was that she played by ear, and could pick up and play any song, anywhere, anytime. She was very well known in their county for the music she played. The next one to come along was my mom. Although she got away from playing much while we were younger (gee...I suppose 4 kids keeps you a little too busy for that!), she has been playing again for the last few years, and spends many hours every week now making music. She is enjoying it a lot again!

While growing up, we always had the piano in our house. We were registered in piano lessons, from the time we started school essentially, until we reached grade 8 in the Royal Conservatory Program (mom's minimum for us all).... and we all achieved it!!! This has provided us all with a very good base, and we are all able to play with sheet music. Unfortunately, none of us play by ear, but nonetheless, we can play!

I have been without a piano since moving to Calgary- if you can believe it, 11 years ago. I have played when at mom's but, really didn't have the opportunity, and I have really missed it. I find it comforting, relaxing, fun, and challenging too!

I remember hearing about Nanna passing away, by phone call. It seems a bit of a blur now, but I think Nancy and I played a duet, and so I started practising for our 'performance' at her funeral. I don't know what it is, but I seem to be able to play differently, since then. I think of her all the time when I play now.
I am so very thankful to have a piano at home now, that I can play, whenever, I can. I will be forever grateful that Poppa has made this all possible.

I am hoping to pass along the tradition even further, with our kids. They are both enjoying it, and often argue over who's turn it is!! Alexa will go and sit, on her own- as you will see- and get all set up to play a song. I am aiming to start teaching Shaun in the New Year, and we'll see when I can start teaching Alexa as well... in a few years!
It is showing up much darker than it is in natural daylight. Not sure why?!

Get ready... get the music in order....

time to try to sit back down....

And finally... to play!!! It is quite an ordeal for such a little girl!! She is loving it though!

we WISH you a Merry Christmas!

Well, We had our first Christmas concert last night.... it was so cute to see all the kids up on stage. The kindergarten class was 14th in line, so by the time they came on stage, following the 'bigger' kids, they looked so tiny and shy! I asked Shaun if he was a little bit nervous being in front of all the people in the crowd, he replied 'No, I was VERY nervous mommy'.... makes my heart melt... as I know exactly how he feels!
They actually did three little songs- actions to Away in the Manger, a poem and the video above. They were quite enthusiastic at the end!

It was funny to see the kids of different ages, and we could quickly determine who the 'trouble' makers of the school were! There were a few boys that made a little 'scene', which generated many laughs from the audience! Oh- those poor mothers! I hope they were able to laugh about it too!!

We had a great evening- it is very telling to see our child in a different environment. He didn't have much hope in the 'shyness' department, given his parents!! For those of you who have known us that long, you will certainly agree!!

Our most recent project

Back in November, we took possession of a house, in Shediac, that we are renting. It is a older, small house, but on a really big lot. I haven't taken a picture of the front yet, but I will. This is the view from the back window in the living room- beyond the bushes, is a walking trail, then a street with nice/ big houses, and beyond those homes is the water! It is a beautiful area, and I admit, I am a little jealous.... :) Thankfully, it is our house, and one day maybe we will decide to live there!

It was an older lady who lived there, and the house was in pretty good shape. Really, the only thing we needed to do was paint. So, here are a few before/ after pictures- it was kind of hard to take good shots, so you'll have to use your imagination a bit.

Before- living room picture... after - living room- do you like the pink tinge?

Here is the beautiful bathroom.... do you like blue??? we still have to paint this room.

Before and after of the kitchen

other side of the kitchen... after and before!

We might have to make a deal where we rent this to my parents when they come next time... accross the path is the last hole of the golf course... shaun is already planning a golf trip with Pepere!