CHRISTMAS DECORATING

Well, since it is now officially December and the start of the Christmas season. The kids and I spent the weekend decorating. The tree is almost done. I just have some final things to put on, but never have the time or energy to do so.

Josh and I also started some Christmas baking. He made shortbread and I made caramel popcorn. I had also previously made ginger cookies and christmas cake. However, one would never know that I had even begun to do any baking since it is all gone. After school today one of the grade 1 kids is coming over to bake with me. She comes at least once a year and we do some baking together. She is just such a sweetheart and adores my kids. I always look forward to having her come. Today I think we will make ginger sparklers and mint brownies.

'TIS THE SEASON

Well, December and all the parties, etc that go along with it has officially arrived. We went to our first (and probably only) Christmas party of the season on November 30. We were invited to a dinner for the ambulance volunteers. It was nothing fancy (obviously, since it is Ross River), but we had a really nice time. We sat at the "non-smoking" table. As Brian says it is a bit like having peeing and no-peeing sections in a swimming pool. At least we were not having cigarette smoke blown directly into our faces. We had a great time, visiting with the nursing staff. The kids didn't have as much fun. This is probably due to the fact that the other kids there were all between the ages of 7 and 9. They basically just ate and then left. The food was o.k. - for those of you fortunate enough to have eaten at the TND, or even to have looked at the place, you will understand what I mean. Definitely not 5 star quality. Oh well, it was nice to get out of the house and socialize with someone other than teachers and students.

We are still having an ongoing battle with the weather - just when we think it is going to warm up, things turn and we get another cold snap around -40. I just keep telling myself that it can't last forever. Down to about -30 is o.k., any colder than that and I don't venture farther than I have to.

YOU KNOW IT'S COLD WHEN...

You think it is warm when it warms up to -25. Seriously everybody keeps talking about how warm it is outside. It honestly does feel warm after such a cold snap.

DECEMBER?????

Can you believe that it is almost December. Time to start decorating. Every day I plan to begin after school, but I always get so busy with other things that before I know it, it is 9:00 pm and I am too tired to decorate. Maybe on the weekend we will get some done.

REPORT CARDS:

Well, tomorrow is report card day. However, since we are in cahoots with the kids' teacher he gave us their report cards today. As usual, I am very proud of my kids. They obviously take after me with their academic achievements! LOL! Naomi earned straight A's and Hannah and Josh both had a mix of A's and B's. Sometimes as a parent you want your kids to be getting fantastic grades on everything (especially when you are working in the school). Every time report card time roles around I have to remind myself that when I was in high school I would have been exstatic if I received a C in math. I guess sometimes the pressure to succeed is too great. Don't get me wrong, our kids are all bringing home excellent report cards. I just have to remind myself that their school education is only a small part of what is important. I am more interested in having them do their best and being confident and happy. So, I suppose we have succeeded in accomplishing those goals. Our children have learned some great skills since we moved here. Naomi has a beautiful pair of mukluks that she made and Hannah made me a wonderful pair of mitts last year and is making herself some this year. Josh is almost finished making a pair of moccasins. Anyways, now I am just babbling on. I guess what I wanted to say was that I am extremely proud of my genius children.

A NEW BLOG

Brian has now started his own blog.

http://www.primordial-blog.blogspot.com/

Check it out. You may not agree with everything he has to say, but feel free to leave a comment or two. Especially take time to view the video link he has on his first entry.

WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES

We learned today of an awful tragedy that has occured in a family that we knew from Kitimat. Their daughter, who was about 17, was found dead in their home this past week. They are not sure who has done this horrific thing, but her father is being held at the police station. At this point we don't even know how she died. I have spent the day in a state of shock. I never know how to react to a situation like this. I can only pray that somehow the family will make it through this tragedy. There is nothing more horrible than losing a child. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.