Fun Family February

Dressed in red for Kohen's piano class

Thankfully we made it through over seven weeks of lockdown including five weeks of online school.  The kids have been back to school for three weeks, minus two snow days and Family Day.  One child was very excited to go back, another did not want to go back, and the other didn't think much about it.  

The transition has gone alright.  Snow days look different this year as school work is posted online for asynchronous learning.  We have extra grace for less work when there is more snow play.  Actually, on the second snow day I didn't tell the kids until they all had their snowsuits on and Isaac had his backpack and was asking me to open the van.  Then the four of us went outside and played in the snow.  The kids had dug a cave which they could all fit into snugly.  Graham helped them build a snow wall as well as a snow man.  

"Let's make an experiment Mommy!"

Her experiment cookies were tasty!

We also found a new hill for sledding.  It was a little hill but big enough for a good ride and small enough to climb up again easily.  It was a lot of fun.  

Sledding fun

Valentine's dates were also different this year.  I took each of the kids to the Starbucks drive-through for hot chocolate and a cake pop.  We then parked in the parking lot and they sat in the front seat for our chat and treat.  Our church also hosted a Zoom Valentine's Party during which Lily-Anna helped me make garlic knots which were very yummy.  Graham surprised me by having beautiful roses delivered and then picked up some yummy Indian food for supper and rented a movie that wasn't available to be streamed.

The Kids' Ministry also hosted a 'Nailed it' Contest in which we submitted a photo of our Double Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake along with a photo of the picture from the cook book.  Three families won Amazon gift certificates and we were one of the families!  The kids were pretty excited though we still haven't decided what to buy.  The latest idea is to put it toward a baseball bat as we don't have one of those.

Our whipped cream looks like marshmallows!

Isaac and I have been playing catch with the baseball outside the last few days with some milder weather.  I use Graham's baseball glove which is too big but works well enough to enjoy ourselves.  Perhaps I will buy one that fits my small hands this year so that the three of us can play together.

Isaac making butter chicken pizzas

    

I'm almost finished the health challenge.  I have one more week to go after today and I am ready to be finished.  I have been able to get all of the points so far so I am pleased about that.  I have decided that drinking a lot of water does not help my skin as my hands are as dry as ever, even with drinking 2500 millilitres every day.  I still have to decide what new habits I will keep and which I will change.  

Fun on the stairs

Kohen has been counting the days until his birthday.  There are five more to go.  He really likes the show Wild Kratts so he has asked to watch that on his birthday while eating pizza.  Lily-Anna is usually able to watch most of that show without being scared so it will be nice to all watch the same thing.

Actually, I have introduced the kids to Road to Avonlea which we have all been enjoying.  It's from the library.  I watched that series growing up.  It would air on Sunday evenings so we taped it as we were at church and then we watched it over supper on Monday.  I had forgotten how mean many people were to each other in terms of the women gossiping and the kids making fun of people.  

We are now reading the fourth book in the Vanderbeekers series.  I also found out that the fifth one doesn't come out until September so we will have to wait for that one but I want us to start reading the Penderwicks series next.  I read the first one and really enjoyed the characters.  Kohen is especially enthusiastic about me reading to them.  

Zoom Tea Party with Grandma F.

Andrew, Margaret, Olivia, and Eliana were finished with a few things and blessed Lily-Anna with a lamp, mirror, and some fake flowers.  I surprised her with them after school one day last week and she was thrilled.

I still need to exercise so I will say goodnight!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Kohen's masterpiece!

Lily-Anna's masterpiece!

Psalm 25:4-5

Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.  Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

In Lockdown

January 1st started out as usual with yummy ebelskivers.  They take a good while to make so Graham was actually pricing out a second pan but I think we would have to greatly increase the number of times we make them in order to justify the purchase.  Given that we fill them with cheese, jam, nutella, peanut butter, or chocolate chips, and put maple syrup on top, we should probably just use the pan we have once a year.  It's a fun tradition though.

After the ebelskivers, I kept working on my first 1000-piece puzzle.  I enjoyed doing it but it was a little addictive so I'm not sure I'll try another one anytime soon.  

 

On January 2, the three new members of our household arrived.  They swim nonstop and go by the names Sam, Sunny, and "Coles or Lisa depending on whether it is a boy or girl."  The novelty soon faded as the kids don't like the smell of the fish food so I feed the guppies.  

On January 4, online school started.  I'm so thankful and impressed by all that the teachers are doing.  We have a new rhythm to our days with the various Google meets and lunch that starts at 11:05.  It's fun to see what the kids are learning and to help them with it (and at other times it's less than fun).  Overall, it's doable because I am home and able to help.  Thankful for this.  

Introduced the kids to The Sound of Music

This month I started an 8-week Health Challenge.  I get points each day for various items - drinking lots of water, eating certain items, exercising, sleeping enough, not eating sugary snacks, etc.  I LOVE points!  After this is over I may try to make up a point system for cleaning my home.  It's worth a try!  

I started exercising by walking outside but the only time I am able to go is when it is dark and one time I was walking and heard a man yelling really loudly and sounding very angry.  I went back home and he eventually passed my house and I have now seen him two other times (always in the dark, angry and yelling) so I don't feel great about that.  I then started walking through my home and now I'm generally in my room with music on moving around for 45 minutes.  I'm actually enjoying this time, which is very surprising.   

There is one day a week when you don't get points for skipping sugar.  In my world this sadly means that I go overboard on the sugar that day.  However, this week I didn't feel great at the end of that day so perhaps this will teach me some moderation as well.  

Graham thought to use a loaf pan

The kids made a fort/sleeping area on and under the large table in our living/dining room.  They asked to sleep out there so we let them.  Kohen and Lily-Anna slept on top of the table full of blankets and pillows and sleeping bags.  Isaac slept underneath the table.  I was a little nervous and checked on them a few times.  The first time I found Lily-Anna lying off the table on a big couch cushion that was between the window and the table and her leg was dangling down.  I moved her.  I decided to leave them to God's care and get some sleep.  I heard Isaac (who was probably the most comfortable) move to his bed in the middle of the night.  He likes his bed.  Kohen read Lily-Anna's Bible and another story to her before they went to sleep.  He was so excited to help her.  They had fun.

I think I have baked more than usual this month.  Mainly cookies, I think.  My mother has also been baking more and blessing us with it so the kids are certainly not short on treats.  Her specialties are muffins, loaves, bars, cakes (and buying chocolate bars).  

I just finished reading The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street to the kids.  I really enjoyed the characters and the community in which they lived.  I liked what the father said on page 251: "I have always believed that raising kids means more than just being a good parent and trying to do the right things. ... It means surrounding your kids with amazing people who can bring science experiments and jam cookies, laughter and joy, and beautiful experiences into their lives."  I haven't done a great job of this as a parent but hopefully I'll do a better job post-Covid.  By the way, I edit as I read if there's something I don't need the kids (or one of the kids) to hear so my recommending a book doesn't mean I enjoyed every single thing about the book.  There are already four more books in the series so hopefully they are good as well.  I'm very thankful for libraries! 

These last couple of weekends, we have been enjoying the outdoors.  We've gone to three different trails/forests (one twice) and had adventures.  This doesn't mean my kids have been thrilled by the idea of going there but three out of four times they really enjoyed it.  Today's outing was a little chilly and we weren't able to access the trail where we wanted so there were a few unhappy campers.  Their favourite thing is not to actually walk the trail but to find the shelter made out of sticks and the old log that you can bounce on and the really steep hills to slide on and the place where you can try to cross the river or climb the steep slope, etc.  I was originally hoping for an energetic walk but I have changed my expectations.  It's nice to see the kids have fun in the fresh air.      

I do enjoy Lily-Anna's fashion statements.  Here are a few pictures from January.

I'm looking forward to my Valentine's dates with the kids but I guess this year will look a little different.

I hope you have a great February!  We are thankful for God's goodness and faithfulness!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Psalm 18:46

"The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation." 

Lily-Anna was just given this 50 year old apron made out of a sugar bag.

 

Thankful for Our Anchor

I am typing while eating mini Licorice Allsorts and drinking vanilla rooibus tea, listening to the crazy wind outside.  Thankful for warmth and new sock slippers.  My first 1000-piece puzzle beckons from my right.  I started it yesterday and I've decided that I think it's doable.  It's a Christmas gift from the kids of a piece of art that used to hang in our kitchen by Wassily Kandinsky (Colour Study of Squares).  I think it deserves a better name.  

Graham and the kids made a snowman this morning before the rain came.  Kids' safety glasses arrived today so there was a Nerf Gun battle in the house.  Lots of fun.  

I had my first Covid test on Sunday.  Thankfully it came back negative.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I'm sure it was more than five seconds.  I had chocolate ready to pop in my mouth as soon as it was over.  My one symptom has been a cough.  For this reason I've missed church and our Christmas Eve service in person but I'm thankful for technology that lets me join from home.  

I was so excited to find these transfers!

It's been a good and full month and I am appreciating having down time these last few days as we are in Lockdown until the end of January.  I enjoyed watching The Chosen Christmas special.  I watched it twice in a row.  It's free to watch with the App.  It was also fun introducing the kids to Anne of Green Gables.  We finished the first dvd.  I've put the Sequel on hold at the library.  I'm hoping to introduce them to Road to Avonlea whenever my name comes up at the library.  

Thrilled with her earmuffs!

Our fridge saga is finally over.  Our fridge died in September and then we found out that the fridge we ordered would not come in until July.  Our second and third choices would also not come in until July.  Our fourth choice was due sometime in January but instead it arrived on December 23, just in time to hold our Christmas turkey and all the leftovers.  Grateful!  It was so kind of family and friends to lend us two bar fridges.  It was also very nice to return them and enjoy the extra space.  I still have a feeling of thanks each time I go to the fridge.  It's our first time having a fridge on top and a freezer on the bottom.  I am enjoying the new layout.  

Goodbye old fridge!

The month began with a trip to the Coping Centre for their annual Christmas memorial.  It was different this year but we were still able to place an ornament with Josiah's name on a lit tree on their beautiful property.  The theme this year was tears and we were also given an ornament to put on our own tree (and we enjoyed some yummy treats as always).  

Next up was Isaac's 10th birthday!  My first-born has double digits!  It was more low-key than usual but he had a very good day.  Actually we started the evening before with a trip to see the lights at Bingemans and he watched The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe the night of his birthday.  

Kohen had his piano recital the next afternoon via Zoom.  He played Away in a Manger and did an excellent job.  

This was our first Christmas with only our immediate family.  We did have a couple of Zoom calls with the extended family.  My first turkey last year was a disaster but this year's was a success.  We have lots of turkey and stock in our freezer and we've enjoyed turkey soup and turkey a la king this week.  

This is my first Christmas on FaceBook.  Had I joined years ago, I may have bought my kids matching Christmas pajamas and posted the results each year.  I think it's a fun tradition but I also suspect I'm too frugal to buy three pairs of pajamas every December, given that my boys usually opt to wear shorts and a t-shirt to bed.  

Lily-Anna no longer has to content herself with chewing fake gum.  Kohen received a gumball machine for Christmas so Lily-Anna's first gum was from there and she paid for it herself (you need to add a coin to get a piece).  I think Kohen is excited to make some money from his sister.  

Lily-Anna's first real gum!

Speaking of traditions, we have a few.  Starting on December 1st, we light a candle each night on a spiral wreath, each day moving Mary and her donkey closer to the middle.  We also try to read Scripture and a reading from a beautiful Advent book by Ann Voskamp.  Each day I also try to hide a card for the kids to find.  The cards tells us something we need to do such as 'Go for a walk and look at Christmas lights.'  A friend gave me these cards years ago and the kids ask for them each day.  This year I also added a small treat with the card.  

Growing up, we would open all of our presents, one person at a time, and then later my dad would let us know that there was one more present for each of us hiding somewhere.  We would run off to find it.  I usually do that too but this year there seemed to be so many gifts that I still have three wrapped gifts that the kids don't know about yet.  We actually decided to take a break from opening gifts.  It worked out well as I worked on the turkey and Graham shovelled snow and the kids built Lego and played happily.  We often have more than one Christmas so this year there were more gifts to open on one day.  The kids will be at home at least until January 11th so I'm sure I'll need to pull out something new before then to grab their attention.

One gift to me was a book that I could read to the kids.  It's called Little Pilgrim's Big Journey and it's a full colour picture book of the story of The Pilgrim's Progress geared for kids.  I was quite happy when the two youngest kept asking me to read more.  I love reading to the kids but I tend to get quite sleepy as well.  Finally, I told them I needed to stop.  Isaac said that he could keep reading but only one chapter.  He ended up reading the remaining six or so chapters and asking the questions at the end of each chapter.  

We are soon to be pet owners.  We prepared the fish tank today so we'll pick up the fish in a few days.  

I am very impressed with the creativity of some churches.  My inlaws' church bought a large number of gift cards from a local bakery and then church members gave them away to neighbours and friends.  A friends' church made up beautiful boxes for Christmas Eve.  Church families took one for themselves and another to give away.  It contained hot chocolate and popcorn, Christmas cookies, chocolates, coffee, candles, candy canes, a book about Christmas as well as an invitation to their online Christmas Eve service.  How thoughtful and generous!  Thanks Morbys!  

The kids enjoyed decorating a gingerbread house which we've been eating since Christmas.  

Another fun adventure has been the stair slide.  I've always wanted to have a slide on our stairs.  It was actually Graham who realized that the three big identical boxes could be taped together for a tube slide.  The kids had fun on that.  I have since made it a flat slide so that it could be longer and so I could try it out.  I just gathered the couch cushions and all the pillows in our home and placed them at the bottom of the stairs.  Fun times.  It will have to come down soon.

I've seen lots of beautiful Christmas trees on FaceBook but I've realized that my perfect tree has all of the homemade ornaments and school gifts and Sunday school crafts and all the memories of Christmas's past.  The fact that our tree was a Value Village find from our first year of marriage 16 years ago, still brings me joy.  

Yes, I like traditions.  Each year since our first Christmas we have ordered two ornaments from Amos Pewter in Nova Scotia where we spent a night of our honeymoon.  We order the annual ornament and then Graham surprises me with another one he chooses (we refer to a list so we don't repeat).  This year's was a Wild Rose.  The description says, "Even under the most challenging conditions, the Wild Rose can grow and flourish."  He surprised me with an Anchor, "a symbol of strength and stability."  I'm so thankful that "We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll; fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love!"

This family has certainly needed that anchor and relied on that anchor during 2020.  I can think of so many needs we are praying about for others and ourselves.  One that comes to mind and isn't private is that my Mother-in-law broke her collar bone and is recuperating with the care of her wonderful husband.  Please keep them in prayer.  

"Lord, we welcome 2021 with open arms.  We are so thankful that You are Sovereign and You love us.  We trust You.  Please turn people's eyes to You and reveal Yourself anew."

May you be blessed with God's gracious gifts in 2021.  Happy New Year!  Rejoice!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Luke 2:10-12,17

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid!  For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:  Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you.  He is Christ the Lord!  ... After they had seen the Child, they spread the message they had received about Him."

I've enjoyed this Christmas song, O Come O Come Emmanuel by Matt Maher.

The Hope of Advent

Santa and two reindeer at church

Happy Advent!  Many candles of hope and anticipation were lit on Sunday.  While there may be many things to grieve during this Covid-season, there are also many things for which to be thankful.  

Sunny November day

This month started with our church's AGM in which Graham was voted on for another three-year term as a board member.  Actually, our condo AGM was also this month and Graham is once again the president.  I'm thankful for my hard-working husband who serves faithfully.  He cleaned out our garage so we can park our van out of the snow, he raked up many many bags of leaves and he shovelled lots of snow after our first major snowfall.  Our next snowstorm is expected over the next couple of days.  It's coming down now.  

Snowy November day

This month has ended with Lily-Anna turning four-and-a-half-years-old!   My baby is growing up fast and she's a sweetheart.  I heard her say the other morning, "Isaac, how do you spell 'Dear God'?"  Later she told Graham and me that she made "cards for the Lord."  She is excited to celebrate Jesus' birthday.  

Our fridge saga continues.  I can't remember if I wrote about this before.  Our fridge died in September.  Given that it is 16 years old, we decided that we would buy another one as we were able to borrow a couple of bar fridges.  We bought one and were told to call in six weeks if we hadn't heard from the store.  I emailed and didn't hear back and then I called and emailed again a week later.  The salesperson called and told me that we wouldn't get the fridge until July due to the particular brand we chose.  So, tomorrow, our appliance repair man will come and we will find out if our old fridge can be fixed for a reasonable amount of money.  Then we can give back the mini fridges and we still plan to buy that fridge or a different fridge as the backlog probably isn't going anywhere quickly.  

Popping Popcorn

A friend gave me an Advent kit for kids a few years ago and we try to use it each year.  I hide an envelope each morning for the kids to find.  It contains a card with a message such as, "Make popcorn and watch a Christmas movie." "Go for a drive and look at Christmas lights."  Make a Christmas card for someone special." Etc.  I need to go through the cards and order them in a way that fits our schedule.  We also have a spiral wooden candle holder with 24 holes so we'll move and light the candle each evening along with 'Mary on the donkey'.  We also have a beautiful Christmas book with daily readings.  So, lots to choose from.  There's lots of grace if we can't make it all happen some days but the kids enjoy most of it.  

Tea party with brownies

We put our tree up this weekend.  Tomorrow night we will go to The Coping Centre for their annual Christmas Memorial, though it will look quite different this year.  Hopefully we'll be able to get a picture of us by the tree where we hang an ornament bearing Josiah's name.  

This will be the first year that Isaac won't have a birthday party with friends.  I'm sure we'll still manage to have fun.  

I'm excited to sit on our couch and enjoy the Jolly Irish Christmas concert put on by Rend Collective this coming Saturday.   

"Dressed as a teacher." (wearing a face mask)

One night I was putting Kohen to bed and he told me that we should give to the food bank.  I reminded him that we had just given to them.  He told me that he would put the food bank near the poor people so that they don't have to walk a long way.  [I also explained that people living anywhere can need to use a food bank but I appreciated his point.]  He then asked me if people have to pay for the food and I told him they didn't.  He told me there should be a money bank for people to get money.  There should be a candy bank and a clothes bank for fancy clothes.  Kohen has a very caring heart.  

Happy 60th anniversary to our church, Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly!  

Thank you WPA for this 60th treat!  Delicious!

December is quickly approaching so I will say goodnight!  May you and yours have a wonderful Advent and Christmas season!  May "every heart prepare Him room!"

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.