Our stereo died a few months ago. Finally got around to moving the downstairs one up. The kids weren't delighted that we were 'taking' theirs but I think they're OK with it now. We have Taylor booming through the house and they're taking turns singing along on the mic. Sweet. The joys of four :) We never have to worry if they're bored!
We had a full day planned but woke up to snow so we scrapped all of the plans and settled in for a home snow day. Fei took Eugene out first, he was less than impressed. I had to force the Littles to eat some oatmeal before they headed out. They all made it about an hour and that seemed to be enough for the day. Not like when we were kids. I remember heading out as soon as we were fed and warmed up, with wet mittens ;) Luk couldn't walk at all in the snow.
Eric was busy trying to stay ahead of me. More work in the utility room. Culled and cleaned the games cupboard. Huge job. Managed to sort, cull and move all the art supplies. Then Fei and Jia rolled dough rounds and I filled dumplings with Eric's filling. Still can't get Lili to help make them. We had fun, at the new dumpling table. I spent years trying to talk Eric into getting rid of the island and yesterday he brought home an old kitchen table and said it could be my dumpling table. He's not fooling me, it's a short movable island. It is a cool table and I grudgenly admit that it's been very handy already. I did complain that it would be a catch all and then today I loaded it with a lot of games for the thrift. When Eric came in he looked horrified at the stacks and said 'you're right it IS a catch all'.
It's been a nice day at home. Starting to feel house bound though.
The reindeer are being loved around here. They even get magic oats to eat.
We took the Littles to have photos done tonight. They were all dressed up and brought their reindeer. Got some amazing shots. They were sooo cute together. Can't wait to get them back and post them.
Luk wore a tie for the first time and he was delighted.
Luk and I are on our own today. Eric is at the school helping get ready for the school Christmas show. I'm finishing up decorating the living room. The project is done! Last bit to go through and sort was movies and cds.
After watching the clean out at Eric's parents house, I'm determined to keep sorting and culling. I don't want the kids having to figure out what to do with all of it.
I'm fairly organized already. As in there has always been a place for everything. Cupboard for electronics, craft supplies, seasonal items etc. Just fine tuning the system now. Feels good to get it done. Eric tends to keep everything just in case but he's on board this time.
We still have Scott's apartment full of his things. Still no word on where he will go. He really wants to come home with Eric but we just can't take care of him. Waiting to hear from another care place about space for him. The hospital wants to discharge him Dec. 10.
Finally some pics of the new couch In place. It's great to have enough seating for all of us.
Eugene sums up my day ;) Lazy Sunday.
Eric worked with me Friday night and we washed all of the green glass. Then all of the open shelves in the kitchen. Saturday we tackled sorting all electronics. Moved some more furniture and did the weeks laundry.
Today Eric did estate stuff and on his way home he went to home Depot and bought upper cabinets for the laundry room. The one we have is an old weird metal cabinet that locks and the shelves aren't adjustable. I want cleaning supplies moved to above the dryer which started a whole plan of trying to match cabinets. He managed to find the same cabinets! We think they're a minimum 15 years old. Eric even found matching knobs. Cost more than we would have liked but we're getting close on finishing that room.
Right now Jia is trying desperately to 'help' Eric build cabinets.
That was one super fast year! He seemed to understand that the day was all about him and he clearly told me that when he was in China he wanted to go home with Mommy. Awww.
It was a busy day. Eugene in to be neutered (he did great and he's already back to his goofy self) the girls to school and me to work. Then Eric was home to meet the guy cleaning our new/old couch. He had a friend visit and a ton of phone calls. More issues in a day than Mr. is used to for sure. Then I picked up the girls and then Luk and we went to have fries and frostys. Fries dipped in the frosty. It's a favorite treat for all four of them. They get that from me ;)
In amongst all the activity Eric was moving furniture all day. Made room for the new couch, turned our eating area into a sitting room and put the table into the kitchen. I'm not good with change and that was a lot in one day. Now to fine tune it all. It feels all disjointed still. The couch still smells musty. I'm afraid we'll have to try getting our own smell into it. I'm laying on it now. Jury is out for now. Again, I'm not always so great with change.
Oh and after 10 years of looking at electric fireplaces I finally found one I liked so Eric picked it up yesterday and built it for me. Finally a heat source in our bedroom!
After Lili was home from chalkboard we managed a sit down dinner with candles. Curry, one of Luk's faves.
Today has been a little quieter. The only thing planned was a fun family photo session. I won a photo from Walmart. After much deliberating we went with blue t-shirts. The lady working was great. She took a dozen photos in two positions. Five minutes total. Painless. Kids were all great. The Littles even had actual fun. Bizarre for a photo session. I picked out my favorite picture, ordered it made into 40 Christmas picture cards, let the Littles make stuffed reindeer at the fun factory and snuck some jammies for the reindeer as Christmas gifts and it was all only $56. I love Walmart. Maybe they'll let us make a commercial for them one day. Can't wait to see the photo. Should be here in two weeks.
So, all is good today.
Scott was allowed out for the day. He's making huge improvements. Language is still tricky. We were planning dinner out but we've tired him out by 3:30 ;) We played in a mall, went for a wee drive along the water and got some fresh air in James Bay. Kids were happy to have him with us again today. They don't seem to notice the conversation lags.
Kids are all spiffy today for school photos.
More importantly, I got Taylor Swift tickets this morning!! Stayed home to get online at 10am for the presale. Major stress. Hate the whole ticket system. Happy with the tickets we ended up with. We're on the floor with full view seats! Girls are soooo excited!!
Fei said we were twinsies because we both had ponies today. Of course hers is because she's cute with a pony and mine is because I didn't get time for a shower this morning. Mornings have become lively now that we have to get Jia to school. So when Fei and I tried to take a selfie, Little Mister photo bombed us.
So, apparently the storm and power outage were so much fun that Jia wanted it to continue the next morning. She turned off all the lights and ate her cereal by lantern. We have such a huge difference of opinion of what 'fun' is.
We were able to meet with Jia's teacher since we missed the p/t meeting yesterday. She says Missy is doing really well. Keeping up with the class of grade one's even though she is still four and a kindy. She is too chatty in class, no surprise ;) So thrilled. She's doing better than we thought she would.
As usual, big girls are doing great. No worries, concerns or areas to work on. Proud as always.
Next picture is the Littles in new jammies. Who doesn't love new jammies!
It's been a long day. Eric is sick and on the couch. Thankfully I was up a half hour early so managed to make breakfast, pack lunches and have a shower. It was busy without E's help. Then had to leave early from work for an early dismissal day for the girls. I left Luk with a ton of snacks at home with Eric. Then the storm came. Crazy wind. Power has been out here since noon. I was supposed to drive some papers to the lawyer today re: Eric's Mom's estate. Kids and I made it to 7-11 before I realized the lights were out, of course and we just came home. No way I was driving with kids through a storm on the highway to Millbay without lights to boot!
Big girls had a piano lesson, no power needed. Parent teacher interviews were cancelled. Now we're all home. Wind and rain still happening and the power is still out. Living in town we usually get power back pretty quickly, but not this time. Managed to cook dinner in the motorhome. Had no lights or power. The trailer had power but no propane. Sigh. Used a flashlight to cook. Now we're all settled in the living room. Contemplating lighting a fire and wishing it was closer to bed time so we could just end this long, frustrating and useless day.
With Scott gone we've lost our critter care. He was quite happy to look after everyone when we left. We've been talking to Jia about her fish going into a pond but frankly they're sort of gross and they might not get fed like they're used to. So, our fish went to a local pet store yesterday. I have guilt. I know they were too big to stay with us and Eric is tired of cleaning their tank and it will make travel easier. It's still hard. We took Jia and Luke to see them today at the pet store. They all look happy. Jia seemed happy to see them there. She found them right away. Easy enough since they are hands down the biggest fish there. The lady working there thought they might go to a larger restaurant tank. So, farewell to Tia, Seth, Jia and Rosy, we wish them well. We're confident the ladies there will find them a good home.
