Smoke Alarms Work

Finally Friday!  Fridays, like most weekdays, usually start with me waking up around 6:45 or 7 to get Gavin and Benjamin off to school.  However, this was not a typical Friday.  I have been very blessed with a son (Gavin) who is an early-riser.  There are plenty of benefits with him waking up at exactly 5:47 every morning:  He's now old enough and very responsible to get in the shower himself, dress himself, and make his own breakfast.  He usually has his favorite Lego waffles and would have had them this morning as well if he hadn't eaten the last of them yesterday.  Unfortunately, mom did not make it to the store to replenish his waffles so he chose to make Pop-tarts this morning.  Yum, right?
Meanwhile, I was still dreaming away in my bed.  Paul had place our daughter, Miley, beside me before he left and I knew instinctively that I only had a few minutes left before I too would have to start the day.  All of a sudden I hear for the first time all of our smoke alarms going off.  I quickly grab my robe and Miley and rush to get the other kids out of the house.  I come to the turn in our stairs and see Gavin standing in the kitchen, continually swinging the back door open/shut.  What happened? I ask as I realize there truly is no harm, much less fire.  My poor hungry child just wanted to make a pop-tart at the same toaster level as a frozen waffle...lesson learned.  "Sorry, Mom" he says.
After the black pop-tart is tossed in the trash, a quick training at changing the level based on what you're toasting is performed and our Friday continues as usual.  Great start to the weekend.   :)
This weekend is a full schedule.  Gavin has a basketball game tomorrow morning and then Paul's niece will be taking all of our rambunctious children to Planet Kid.  We are also planning a quick trip to McCall on Sunday to see the Winter Carnival...we called to late and all hotels were booked so a one-day trip it is.
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Congratulations to Becky, Bill, and Audrey on their newest arrival, Natalie...she is beautiful!

Breathe Again

Finally...the busy holiday season is over.  I love Christmas but I think I like my daily routine a little bit more than the hectic rush that comes with the season.  I know it's been quite some time since my last post...so this one is going to be a bit longer.

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Miley turned 2 on December 8th.  This was way better than last year.  At 2, she understood what to do (even without us giving her instructions)...

We had family over to share in the celebration...Miley was so excited when Nana and Poppi arrived with some gifts...her favorite was probably her new step stool (not so much my favorite as it gives her access to new places...).

Miley greeting Poppi

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The kids were so happy when it finally snowed.  I was glad the weatherman was correct and that I was prepared with snowpants for the kids.  I did not, however, plan for Paul and I...so we were limited to letting the kids play at the house.  Oh well...better planning next time.  :(

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We were able to attend the Christmas programs for both Benjamin and Gavin. Ben is in 1st grade so his consisted of both 1st and 2nd graders. He is such a ham and immensly enjoys being a performer.

Performing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"

Gavin is 4th grade and chose to be involved in the 4th/5th grade school choir.  Basically it is an extra-caricular that also has evening programs much like middle school or high school would.

Gavin (bottom left) singing with his school choir.

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Paul's work, RedBuilt, had a Christmas party this year.  The kids had a great time and danced the night away on the dance floor...whoever thought to get that for the party: thank you so much!  The dj definately kept the kids entertained throughout the evening.  Santa even came to hand out gifts to the children...Miley was not very please when the man in red showed up.  Santa scared my baby!  With the music turned up again though, she quickly got over it.

    Miley, Ben and Jacob getting their groove on...

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Finally...CHRISTMAS!!!  We spent Christmas Eve with Paul's family...including his sister, Christine, who was visiting from Texas.  We had a great time, but I think the highlight was definately Lisa's poem to her sister Lauren (Paul's neices).  We all laughed so hard and I didn't think Lisa was going to make it completely through...Lauren loved it!

The kids at Granny & Grandpa's for Christmas Eve

(dressing up was Jacob's idea)

Loves her cousin, Lisa

Miley with Grandpa

Gavin just gave Granny his Handmade gift

I think they were opening up a game or something...

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New Year's was spent at home.  We did let the kids stay up with us (later naps for the Jake and Miley) and they enjoyed toasting with their sparkling cider.

Last group picture of 2009

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So that was pretty much the highlights of the last month...I'm so glad the craziness is over and I can somewhat breathe again.  Here is to a great and exciting 2010!