A 2009 Review

As I review the 2009 list of goals I had for myself I'm pretty content with my accomplishments. Of course there's room for improvement and there's a couple that went completely to the waste side (#4 with the boys and #7 with myself) but overall I've done a fairly good job of putting my goals to practice.

2009 List:
With the boys
1. Do more arts and crafts with the boys
2. Visit the library regularly
3. Less TV (even if it is only educational dvd's they watch, I still feel it's gotten out of hand.
4. Have the boys work on clean up every night before bedtime
5. Speak Spanish more often
6. take more walks

myself
1. explore more artistic activities for myself
2. focus more time on my etsy shop
3. shop less
4. declutter our home
5. eat healthier, eat less meat
6. stay in touch more often with friends and family
7. stop letting the mail pile up ( a huge source of stress for me, I know it sounds crazy)
8. and of course keep up with my blog :)

With Christmas over and New Year's just around the corner, it's time to really think about what I want to accomplish for 2010. I'll be continuing some of 2009 but I'm also certain there will be some new goals to add to the list.

Enjoying Holiday Crafts and Fun

The boys are off from school for winter break a total of 2 weeks. During this time thus far since there is 1 more week to go, we've had fun with crafts, baking and holiday decorating. Just lots of simple activities to entertain the boys while keeping my sanity.


The boys had fun making glittery pine cones. This was extremely easy, pine cones, glue, glitter and brushes and your set. So easy, yet entertaining for the boys. Best of all, we get to enjoy the beauty of the end product throughout the holiday season as I have them displayed in a pedestal bowl. Our dear neighbors came over for this activity which added that much more fun.



There was also coloring and construction paper fun that resulted in some great snowman art. Also displayed in our home. The boys just beam with pride when we display their handiwork.


Aidan also made a reindeer hat out of construction paper that we ended up displaying in the tree.


We baked cookies for Santa and the neighbors. Yummy oatmeal cookies with holiday M&Ms.


The boys helped place mommy's vintage baubles in a glass cylinder for display (OK this made me very nervous but we got through it. Next time will use baubles I'm not so attached to.)


We made a swag for the front door. We used the bottom branches that were removed from our Christmas tree for this project. This was more of a mom made it while boys observed..but it still was entertaining for them.


We also made a ritual out of putting the holiday cards we received in the card holder. The kids loved this and the challenge of getting them all to stay on the holder.


We also had a nightly ritual of opening up a treasure in an advent calendar and enjoying the sweet chocolate treat together. Yeah I know this was a special treat, nightly chocolate, thankfully it was just a small piece.


And finally, Christmas eve we put together a gingerbread house with help from Uncle Jess and cousin Zach.

Hot Pot With Friends

Dear Max was recovering from surgery and an endoscopy and would find nothing more comforting than a nice hot pot. I joked with him about being the elephant man because half his face was swollen creating a fold over his eye but this did not deter his desire to have friends over for hot pot. So we did and it was a good time. I think it was a nice distraction for Max in his current state of discomfort.

We had fabulous fixings for this hot pot, crab, shrimp, beef, pork, tofu and an assortment of veggies. We also had yummy sake to accompany the hot pot and finished the meal with Honey's delectable desserts. She made a persimmon tart and her famous chocolate chip cookies. It sure was a feast for all.

Dad's Owie

So Max finally got his growing lump removed from his forehead. (fyi - he had this fatty tumor that was slowly getting bigger) Once removed, he had to get 4 stitches in it's place. The boys were just stunned by this and couldn't figure out what was wrong with daddy. They kept asking what is that? Do you have an owie? You ok daddy? It was sweet to see they were genuinely concerned albeit a bit scared too.

Holiday Treats for a Holiday Party

Aidan had a holiday party on his last day of school before winter break. For this party I baked some festive cupcakes and decided to put together a little gift for Aidan's classmates...so they each got a sweet gingerbread boy and a mini candycane in a cellophane bag with a star tag. Aidan was thrilled!

A Day of Recitals

Today was a day of recitals...Miles and Liam's Christmas program in the morning. Aidan's Winter Concert in the evening. Grandma and Grandpa came to join us in the fun. It was sweet to see Miles and Liam at preschool as this was their first real performance. I know Miles knows all the songs because he's been singing them at home. However, he was more of an observer than a performer today. He smiled and looked around at everyone but he wouldn't sing. I really thought Miles would be the performer, surprisingly Liam was. Liam sang a handful of songs and looked quite pleased with himself. As for Aidan, well lets just say he wasn't on his best behavior. He did sing halfway through the performance but the first half he spent pestering his friend next to him. Although I really wanted to chew him out for this I restrained myself and just encouraged him to do better next time.

Aidan Asks ...Another Curious Thought About Outerspace

Aidan is very intrigued with outer space, planets and stars.

Today he asked me "Mama are there children on other planets?"

Me - " I'm not sure Aidan, I don't think so. But if there were they probably wouldn't be like us, they would be like martian children."

Aidan - " Well I know there aren't children on the Sun because the Sun is a star made of gases and it's very hot."

Me - "I'm sure you're right about that Aidan. Maybe one day you'll be an astronaut so you can go see if there are children on other planets"

Aidan - " Yeah"