geta, geta

This Christmas was lovely.

greta

CW

CW JS

Gram and GGram

Kit and Kaboodle

Shout out to number 1

loungers

vintage love

pi shnook

kroakano

papa gama geta

carya geta

theodore

CW geta

carya geta CW

8 mile love

"i dont even look the same"

spread

santa's

"this christmas we gave you our hearts"

It all started with a surprise.

and us behind the door

Thank you

                     Thank you for moments like this you kind hearted God.

Smirking Smurf

Having a chat with Greta this morning I recognize the ridiculous smirk of someone not necessarily amused but someone smirking to amuse. Is she that clever that she knows how to amuse me already? We're in for a ride! And then I say "tick-a-tick-a" and she scrunches her little face and curls her legs up and arms in as she gives a full body laugh. Okay, so she's not that complicated...but how can you be when you don't stay awake longer than an hour at a time? 

L

First Night Out

Amazing. Last night was the most memorable sushi night of our lives...so far at least. First of all, our dear friends Josh and Holly were present. This set the stage quite well. Holly's parents were a godsend and volunteered to watch both Theodore and Greta, as well as Lincoln at their place. Theodore apparently spent the evening in a tackling hug dance and a few kisses with his friend and Greta had a few 'sessions' but was overall good. So back to sushi night...it started out amazing because we were on a double date without kids, AND we were going for sushi, which I for one had not had since we got here. Honestly, it was a gong show really. 

Who has ever gone for 'all you can eat'? Did you know if you don't eat it you have to pay for it? There is all this pressure to eat eat eat...not that that is usually a problem when David and I go for sushi...we surprise many servers...but we adventured on a couple orders and when we were all trying to choke them down and some of us stating "I did not order that, I take no responsibility" we spent most of the time laughing. Josh played 'mule' and took a mouthful to the flusher, while David loaded napkins on the seat between us. I think we still managed nearly a dozen rolls and a few steaks, salads, soups, tempura orders and other various appies. It was a great first that we will not soon forget.

Thank you Holly for being pregnant and getting us the best parking stall in the lot. Thank you Josh for your whispered "merry christmas everyone". Merry Christmas to you too! Thank you crazy all you can eat sushi place at Chinook Mall for being so entertaining with your techno christmas music and overall gong show. Thank you server for being so sweet. Thank you Jake and Marie for taking care of our children. Thank you David and Josh for taking care of unwanted goods. Thank you Holly for obsessing about Dynamite Rolls and sharing with me. All in all, thank you Josh and Holly for being such amazing and easy friends. You make Calgary warm and we love you.

L

Theodore's Favorite Boy

Theodore went for his first pool swim that was deeper than his waist. His best bud, Lincoln, was there too to show him how it was done. After half an hour of clinging he was jumping off the edge and sputtering with joy. Greta was a calm cookie the whole time...I think it helped that it was bath water warm.  We must do this more often. An hour of pool time preceded by an hour of gym time and followed with a mall playland expedition. Exhaustion for all. (I wish the pics turned out better)

Supervised Love

Snapshot here of dear Theodore smooching his little Greta. This episode was harmless. Today I caught Theodore squeezing the love right out of her while she bobbled in the exersaucer. She wailed for a few minutes about it. We all regained our composure and had a discussion about gentle love and no hugging baby without help. "Okee". Todays other lesson was about "asking" before getting what you want. "Theodore, you have to ask mommy before you get some lotion, okay?"... "Okee"...."okay, you ask then."..."Aks?"  Oh, alright :) He's such a gem. Blue crayon on the chair now too.

Never Resting Restful Sweater

Theodore and Greta both had their newborn harvard hoodie picture done and now that we've finally developed the film from Greta's I will post them. Rediculous.

I think Theodore is only 3 days old here...and Greta is just over 3 weeks....oh how time brings upon the cherub face. David still wears this sweater daily as part of his winter layers...I hope one of the kids steals it one day...or maybe I'll just have to make it into something. This sweater just keeps living through every era of our ever changing lives...no matter how often we purge our closets. 

And then...

And then sometimes you can be sideswiped by something so much greater than yourself. Every moment is new and you can never say with certainty what's coming next...but you'll do best to be prepared to live fully every moment. Gods Grace be with us. 

L

Sometimes...

Sometimes you just can't count fast enough. Sometimes hours take days...and then sometimes minutes don't even exist, just seconds. Sometimes times are incomprehensible.

L

And we walk...and then we go to Banff and hype the kid up on whipped cream in a cup. Oh Sunday. 

Oh Sunday.

Oh, how we love Sundays. Today we drove out to Johnstons Canyon after a wonderful morning at The Lantern. Picked up Genoa Salami and Havarti at the Coop Deli with some buns. Turned off the #1 some hour and a bit later to stumble accross a 'herd' of mountain goats. Is that what they are?  They were mingling around the car and we took many pictures. How could you not? It was amazing. More pictures to follow.

Corn Bread

So I've obtained a need to proclaim to you more frequently now. Perhaps it's because it's one of the few things I can do while doing one of the few things I do...um...aka...what can I do while Greta sleeps and Theodore is having a bath? Fold laundry, read a book (which I haven't done in 3 months), or blog...I'm sure we can all think of a few more things I can do...but for now, I will blog. 

I know some people absolutely love corn bread. I've never understood it. I thought it was because maybe I'd never tried it fresh before. I have a container of cornmeal. I have a cast iron pan. I made some corn bread. I still don't get it. Sure it's nice hot with a dallop of butter....but nothing amazing. Theodore liked it...but not alone. I used a few pieces to turn the chile/soup deal I made for dinner into a thicker sludge he could spoon. Good stuff. I will only make it again if it seems the PERFECT companion to something else...or if David proclaims his love for it...but it won't be fresh. He won't. 

Dryer's almost done tumbling. I talked about corn bread. Time to fold laundry...and I guess I have a few books I've been meaning to read...likely won't for a while though.

Splish splash

L

Festivities not shared...

So I finally convinced myself to bundle up the kids and myself and brave a walk this morning. Poor Theodore hadn't been out in a few days (well, none of us had...but I think he cares more). Went to pick up a pound of coffee down the street. Luke's had Kicking Horse on sale for $9 something. Then I decided to keep up the fresh air and walk down the Avenue to see about window shopping and perhaps sit for a coffee with the kids. We barreled down towards the yarn shop...but our group wasn't too quiet at that moment so we barreled on. Got to Starbucks...the one thats open late...and I discovered MUCH smaller than the one only a couple blocks away. It was swarming. No smiles. Decorations everywhere. Middle aged business men in shiny pointed shoes glaring at me as if to dare me to sit near them with my two vocal kids. I ordered a Ginger Snap Latte and a rice krispie square for Theodore. Birthday money dwindling. Shiny man dove into the last table. Latte ready...and still no krispie square..."oh right"...Theodore gets his square...I jam the stroller into the door twice before getting me and my squawkers out. Managed to hang onto all purchased goods. Not a smile or friendly face in the bunch. I tried. I did. Why don't you all go home and try popcorn and a candle lit fort! Decided to bench it outside and discover my latte might qualify as warm...shiny man staring from the window...wind gusts bothering Theodore. Decided to walk home. Dead rabbit in a tipped over box on the corner of the Junior High. Boys eating hot dog buns. Theodore yelling "moh peese me-me".  Mitt handled krispie snack is over. Home. Cabbage rolls. Baby hugs and snuggles. Both in bed and I have a bath. Ice pellets now on the windows. Can't wait to put the balcony lights on tonight. 

Stay warm everyone...it sure is cold sometimes.

L

Miniature Festivities

Okay, so I guess it's my turn because I am feeling the vibe. I'm not sure why I feel so festive before the calendar page has turned...perhaps because the kids have recieved early gifts with family visitors. It's got me jolly jovial craving christmas cozy. Theodore and I put up a string of lights on the balcony and 19 christmas balls on the bookshelves. Stockings are hung (still with Ikea tags on them...thanks Mama), carols are on, smelly candles out, and a big bowl of christmas oranges. I would post the pictures I took, if only I were more available to figure out how. Maybe David can give me a hand later...see what he thinks of the tiny tree I brought out...the one he almost didn't let me bring out here. 

L