So...

I was uploading some pictures to Flickr today and I found this one of my boys. I forget how little they once were.

Oh my word. The baldness. The cute glasses. The bruise under Kamden's left eye.

The memories! Yes, even the bruise brings back fond memories. Kamden is that kind of kid. Bruises were par for the course.

It is kind of unbelievable how quickly the time has gone. That was June 2006.

Now it is January 2011. Four and half years later.

You may have noticed I haven't been around to visit your blog as much lately. Or not.

I started working 80% full time last week. It is fun and challenging and scary all at the same time.

It is also making me reflect on how crazy lucky I have been and continue to be. I am still working from home for the same organization I have been doing contract work with for the last 5 plus years, just doing different things.

I would not trade these last 5 years for all the successful careers in China. Not that I am not successful in my career, I just took a really different non-focused on my career sort of path, if that makes any sense.

I was home for that brief blip in time when my two little men were small. That is a gift that I have and will never regret for a nanosecond.

The fact that it has now led to further opportunities has me wondering how I got so lucky.

And also making me laugh because basically my New Year's resolution for 2011 was to work more.

What the?

Merry Christmas!

May the joy (and chocolate) of the season surround you,

Merry Christmas, from our house to yours!

7 Days - Day 5 - Let the Holidays Begin

Today was a busy work day for me and now I am going to retire to the couch to celebrate the fact that tomorrow, the Christmas holidays officially begin.

And Toblerone and a hot cup of tea are a pretty good way to start, don't you think?

7 Days - Day 4 - Legs

Today was a leg workout with my trainer. It inspired to me to set up my tripod and use my remote shutter button. It also resulted in smoke coming out of my ears and mouth due to difficulties getting me in the right spot for the lens to focus. Good times.

And because I want you all to know that there is still, in fact, junk in the old truck, there is this one. If you don't believe me, then click on the photo and see the note I added in Flickr.

If only I had the mad photoshop skillz to airbrush that out.

Actually scratch that, because this is real. You know with the fake 70's effect and all.

7 days, Day 2 and Christmas Our Style

Day 2 - which was technically yesterday, you all know how it makes my type A personality itchy to be late, however, I never did get an invite to the Flickr group so maybe I don't have to play by the rules anyway?

The theme for day 2 was bright and these new dishes I got for Christmas from my boys are bright and cheery so they fit the bill me thinks. My smile is somewhat misleading, I really am excited about these - they are adorable and fit with our (my) snowman theme.

Day 3 - this idea was much better in my head or of my head.

Get it? Of my head....oh boy, she's lost it again, folks. I think the first sign was a post two days in a row.

Moving on, because I can't just post that. Oh no, how fun would that be?

As I noted last week, we opened our presents together as a family of four this weekend. For the first time ever, I am pleased with the photos I took during such an event. Normally, my shots are all from the wrong angle, at the wrong perspective etc. So for the grandparents, who I hope are interested, here they are.

Working together to open the thing I said we would never get. Yes, that thing. Starts with a "W" and rhymes with me. Uh huh.

Admiring Daddy's new watch.

Playing that other thing I swore we would never own. I caved.

Totally and utterly caved. If you are going to cave you might as well go all the way, right?

But on a good note, the behaviour around here has been stellar.

Gosh, I love these two.

7 Days, Day 1, and some other stuff

I got inspired today to join a group on Flickr called 7 Days (basically, you take a self portrait for 7 days in a row) because, while setting up for a shot of the four of us, I took this one. Great idea during the week of Christmas, no?

It makes me laugh a bit. The hair, the poser pose, it's just funny. Now when I sat down to write this post, I realized that the first day of the 7 day thingamahooey was yesterday. So. A day late and a dollar short, awesome. Good for a laugh anyway.

We were all dolled up for Jack's piano recital you see, so I thought let's take a picture of us all dolled up standing in the doorway. Right, remember that we live in the freaking Arctic. I took two and ran out grabbed my camera and called it a day. Picture to come at a later date.

However, the following gem must be shared.

Kamden is less than impressed waiting for the recital to start. This kid. I love him to bits.

Jack played "Silent Night" beautifully. He is, however, a perfectionist and was not pleased because he had one little bobble in the middle. I am positive he was the only one who noticed (and most likely his teacher because well, she's the expert). Silly boy. Trust me, he did fabulous. His daddy and I couldn't be more proud. Love you dude!

And this is has to be one of the best no parking signs I have ever seen.

That is one threat I am not willing to test.

Friday, Already

A post that I like to affectionately call "Weekend Update". Remember how didn't have a tree up last I posted. Guess what? We still don't.

We weighed our options. Put it up, open presents as a family this weekend (more on that later, don't judge!), spend Christmas with family...we all concluded, even Jack, and Kamden. No tree required.

Our house has been taken over by cheery snowmen but not Christmas tree needles. It's a win win if you ask me.

Now back to opening presents, just the four of us, this weekend. As in tomorrow. December 18th. Gah. That's early.

You see, we have a tradition that we began several years ago.

(Gratuitious adorable princess shot - this is my Goddaughter, Rachel, showing off her princess dress from yours truly. The dress, the curls, the cute, it's too much)

We spend Christmas with both of our extended families. The cousins, the siblings, the fun. We really wouldn't have it any other way. But being greedy and all, we like to also have Christmas, with just the four of us. A day of playing. Together. Unlike any other day the rest of the year because there is no work, no homework, no cooking, no cleaning, no everyday run of the mill take up our time kind of things. Just time together.

This year, the kids are in school until Dec 22. My dad's birthday is on Dec 23. Then it's Christmas Eve. So, given that Sunday is Jack's piano recital, Saturday it is. Early, most definitely but also entirely necessary for this family that likes to spend time together. It isn't at all about the presents even though the kids will tell you it. It is about playing with the new toys or games together. If pressed they will agree. They are still kids living in this capitalist word after all.

See the excitement on Jack's face? I am looking equally forward to it. Who knows, maybe there will be a singing snowman in it for me?

And lastly, because it was adorable, here is Kamden doing his Rocking Around the Christmas Tree dance at last night's school concert. They stole the show as they were the only ones who danced. Head banging 6 year olds are freaking adorable.

Over and out.