November

When I last wrote one month ago, only our princess was sick.  Each of us ended up getting sick one at a time ... and now we are in the middle of round 2.  I can hear Lily-Anna coughing as I type ... in between blowing my nose.

We've been making very good use of our pull-out couch so that Graham and I can try to get a better sleep, depending on who is sick and waking up coughing.  One night when I was sleeping in the living room, I awoke to the sound of music playing.  I checked the time: 5:10 AM.  I got out of bed and went to the kitchen where I found the iPad playing a wake-up alarm.  I put it off and then thankfully thought to check if any other alarms were set.  Oh yes.  6:00 AM, 6:25 AM, 6:30 AM, 6:31 AM, 6:45 AM, 6:50 AM ... .  We haven't used the iPad for alarms in years and I don't remember ever using the wake up alarm.  I had a little chat with the known suspect later that morning after getting some more sleep.  It hasn't happened again.

Isaac was excited to get into the band at school.  He is playing the trumpet.  It's been nice to hear him practicing.  He is enjoying learning to play and it's been great to hear his progress.  He has also been invited to join a math club at school.  I think I may have mentioned it before but Isaac likes having tests at school and looks forward to them. 

Heading to a concerto with piano and trumpet solos

Kohen really enjoys science.  He also really likes Adventures in Odyssey.  We decided to become members and we have listened to many more adventures.  We used to just listen to the ones played on the radio for free six times a week.  I enjoy them as much as the kids.    

Lily-Anna is so creative.  She loves to draw and make cards and write stories.  She enjoys learning French and loves to help.

After our last fish died in July, I cleaned the tank and it has sat on Lily-Anna's dresser since then.  I finally set everything out and took photos this past Monday.  Graham posted them on Marketplace at lunch and shortly after, a woman said she would pick it up on Tuesday for the asking price.  That Monday night I drove across town to buy a beanbag chair that the kids wanted.  It was the same price as the fish tank.  The kids were happy to use their money from the fish tank sale to get the bean bag chair ... and to see God's provision in the little things.   

Lily-Anna is officially six and a half years old today.  She wanted to make cookies today as she was home from school.  She would love to just dump random ingredients in a bowl to mix and then put in the oven.  I prefer a little more control over the outcome, especially given food prices these days.  We used a peanut butter cookie recipe that we like and then she chose to add:  mashed banana, honey, vanilla, raisins, walnuts, oats, and marshmallows.  She decided on most of the amounts but I did draw the line when she asked if she could add a second cup of sugar.  The cookies are tasty.  We all like them.  She originally wanted to have kiwi in her cookies and according to the Internet she's not the first person to want that.  We didn't have any kiwis and I chose not to remind her that she had also wanted to add strawberries.  My loss.   

Lily-Anna lost her first tooth this month.  It was loose a long time.  I just now remember what happened.  In the middle of the night she threw up in bed.  While she had a shower, I cleaned up and changed her bed.  While she was dressing, the smoke alarm started blaring from the steam coming out of the bathroom as I had forgotten to put the fan on.  I dumped a laundry bin while running to put off the smoke alarm which somehow did not wake Graham or the boys.  Then I heard Lily-Anna say, "My tooth just fell out."  Thankfully the tooth fairy remembered to show up.  Our tooth fairy gives money but lets the kids keep their teeth  ... as that's what the tooth fairy did when she was growing up.  

The two youngest get a note from me in their lunch boxes each day at school.  Lily-Anna asked me on Monday if she could write the note to Kohen and surprise him.  Here it is:

Last Sunday was a Generations Service at our church.  That's when all the children in Grade 1 and older join with the youth and adults for the service.  All ages participate in the service and there is usually a game.  This time there were four Hungry Hippos games set up.  Also, everyone was invited to wear a Christmas sweater.  Isaac wasn't feeling well so I stayed home with him.   We did take a Christmas sweater picture at home (for a chance to win a prize).  Here it is:

It's time to head to bed.  I can hear the wind outside.  It was raining this morning and now the ground is covered in snow.  Thank You Lord for our beautiful seasons.  Advent is here.  We are preparing to celebrate the birth of our Saviour.  Lord, please help us to focus on You and share Your love.   

Blessings,

Elizabeth

John 1:9-10

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.