they'll find out who's naughty or nice

boy - papa, I would really like a puppy for christmas
papa - I don't think you will get a puppy for christmas
boy - I will ask santa to bring me one
and if he doesn't then I will know that he is not real
papa - if you find out that he is not real
would you please not tell your brother and sister?
boy - ya... papa, do you believe in santa?
papa - he brings me something every christmas
boy - you won't get anything this year though!
papa - why not?
boy - you have been fighting with mama too much...

a few last words on the anniversary

my peonies

we will not be forgetting our eighth anniversary anytime soon
everything was in place for the loveliest of nights
our hotel room reserved
seven course dinner at our favorite place arranged
he had fed exed my favorite flowers to the restaurant
movie tickets pre-ordered
and then IT struck!
but I am getting ahead of myself...
we left on thrusday afternoon to take the kids to our hotel room downtown
enjoyed a family swim in the heated indoor pool
bathed the little people and put their jammies on
the kid's grandfather arrived to pick up them up a little later
whisked them off and we set out to get ready for our evening
it was while I was enjoying my soak in the hot tub,
without kids throwing in toys or playing with the cold water,
that I felt the first pangs of queasiness
nonetheless we got ready, pressed and primped for our dinner
coach's best friend, also the chef, had labored over our seven course meal
I could barely get down my first sip of champagne
by the third course I had them stop bringing me plates
chef kindly sent me up the most delicious chicken soup
that, I could stomach!
about then we got the first call from home
B had thrown up, but was now in the bath and seemed fine
fourth course
another call
she had thrown up again when being picked up out of the tub
me - should we come?
coach's dad - no, I can handle this
fifth course
my stomach was definitely needing some relief
and thankfully it was going down not up?
thank goodness I hadn't eaten anything since lunch
meanwhile coach was in shovelling in course six
enjoying his wine pairings, not a care in the world
me - you might want to slow down if you don't want to see that again
him - I feel great!
I made him send his hanger steak and ox tails away
the smell was killing me!
I did eat a bite of the banana in the dessert
and sip my ginger ale with bitters
we made it back to the hotel and to the midnight movie
which I enjoyed immensely despite some trips to the ladies room
then we got another call
our older boy was throwing up
me - should we go home?
him - pop will be fine. do you want some of this popcorn?
promising myself that if the baby got sick we'd run home, we finished out the movie
once again at the hotel, three in the morning, coaches stomach started to grumble
at five he began throwing up
when six rolled around I left for home to relieve his dad
thankfully the baby had not gotten sick
and the other two, after throwing up, had felt better and slept well
the next twelve hours were spent doing nasty laundry, changing beds, wiping bottoms, and taking care of my husband all on two hours of sleep
he was sick for a very long time!

so the last words are...

I really hope that was indicative of our year seven and not the begining of year eight

and, Honey, after eight years, you really should listen to me once in a while

most of all, thank you so much pop for sparing me from being thrown up on on my anniversary!

our dessert made by angel

New Moon

dead wizards should not become sparkly vampires...
other than that it was the ultimate experience in girl bonding!

Pumpkin Tea 2009

all ready for pumpkin tea
B's blossom cookies
Aunti Danielle cuts
her scrumptious Pumpkin Cake
while Ba reads her poem
a pumpkin craft
delicious chai tea

Happy Fall!

welcm Ba and Ge part 2

Ba and Ji's arrival was everything they hoped it would be

hugs, kisses, exclamations, gum and yes, there were gifts!

straight from Japan...

a "my first cane pole" set for Gus

a beautiful kimono for Bea's dolly

and a "this could only be Japanese" tiny blackwatch umbrella for Hen

from my favorite store - MUJI

his very own kasa! now he won't have to beat up his sister every time she bring out her umbrella from Mister Donuts!

oh, yes, and for us? a bamboo sushi dish

AND I can't forget the ume chazuke mix that I am enjoying at this very moment...

thanks Ba and Ji!

welcm Ba and Ge!

we are waiting for Ba and Ji to arrive from Japan
it's been six weeks since we've seen them
that's a long time for us!
one of us is refusing to leave his post at the window watching for them
while he waits he's made them gifts
nearly twenty of them
that's how much we love Ba and Ji!

Happy Anniversary - for real!

I am posting this photo

(even though it is less than flattering of me)

to illustrate my life with you

and to tell you how thankful I am

that you have been my joy for the last eight years.

Thank you for loving me every day,

for serving me in every way possible.

You are the one who keeps me laughing day in and day out.

I love you!

Happy Anniversary.

Happy Anniversary - a little early thanks to the two year old!

The coach took the kids with him this morning to run some errands

so that I could clean the house...

my mom and dad, Ba and Ji are coming!

they were quite secretive as they left

shrugging off my questions

I didn't have to wait too long to find out what they were up to though

as soon as they walked back into the house the baby shouted,

"Mama, we got you SECRET flowers!"

so much for taking a two year-old on a special errand!

Happy Anniversary, Coach!

sorry it was a little early...

a rare glimpse

every once in a while you get a glimpse

of what they will look like one day

they are rare sightings of what is to come

few and far between
today was one of those days

Happy Birthday Pop!

it would be hard to say which my girl loves more

her pop or chocolate cake...

fortunately there are days when she can combine the two

and make her pop his birthday cake

she will enjoy two of her favorite things

along with the yummiest kobe steaks

and playtime with cousins

we're so glad you're around, Pop!

thank you for the time you take to be a part of the kids lives,

for all the toilets and lights you fix each year,

date nights every week

and those terrible vacations and fishing trips

you HAVE to be a part of

we love you!

the benefits of modern technology

my little guy has pneumonia

and a very concerned brother and sister

and a mom who was so glad

she just happened to stick the portable dvd player in her purse

when she went to the doctors today

hurray for modern technology

so tired

he asked to hold my hand as he fell asleep tonight
he only closed his eyes once
he was so tired
we've been weaning him off his nap
he doesn't always make it
but when he does
he sure is sleepy and sweet
when he's so tired