December 31-January 1

Anyone who has been following this blog for any length of time will probably realize that 2012 has not been the easiest or the hardest year but it has been a year to remember. Everything from a move to Minnesota to heart surgery and all the ups and downs in between. I am sure I  could list good and bad but really I figure the best way to phrase it would be the way a friend on Facebook has said – I just hope that the BEST day of 2012 is my worst of 2013. And since there have been some amazing days… well it should be an amazing year.

Amazing

Our last day of 2012 was spent mostly at home. Gabriella and Zachary had slept over so they were here until after 2pm. Of course that meant the kids were excited and wild and having an absolute blast. After all, there are all those still new toys to play with.

Ken and I did run out briefly for RC cola and Paranorman from the red box. We actually had to go to 3 different red boxes to find it. It is a great movie, though not one I would let the kids watch.

But first, ice cream before bed

My final completion of 2012 – A slipper… gotta figure out how to ensure the second will match…

Slipper

New Years itself, the moment of midnight came and went and we actually were too caught up in the other movie (the new Total Recall) to notice until TWO minutes after! Good for a giggle at least.

Chinese!

Oh, and there was one more card before the year change. A beautiful one from our dear friend in Europe – Josephine!

Such a lovely card! Thank you!

Our 1st was another indoor day. BUT I did have the kids do a few worksheets that I found on Activity Village. Their New Year’s selection always grows a little each year. I had each of the boys come up with 3 goals to accomplish for the year and of course had some colouring pages as well. This also marks the start of my time to search out what we will do for Chinese New Year. This will be my first year really on our own and celebrating so it is going to be a bit more work and a little more lonely. It will be the year of the snake! Any and all suggestions would be appreciated!

Goals recorded

I am actually planning out January and the beginning of February right now… I don’t get too far ahead right now as items are still boxed up and we don’t have everything at hand. A little more work on a nightly basis for me, but I feel like we ARE progressing.

I started Ken and my jar for the year. I saw this on pintrest… you have a jar where you record everything GOOD that happens for the year. I figure if I have a jar full or good memories and happenings the bad things that inevitably happen in a year will be put in a better perspective!

I promise a better picture later once I decorate the jar

The boys have tried out their new board game. It seems to be a pretty big hit… Ingenious.

Budding gamers

Of course we ENDED our first day of 2013 with a sick baby… and I mean SICK, but all in all.. I am ready for a new year with new beginnings!

Poor little one

Happy New Year everyone! 2012 is here and ready to go it seems! Although, our first day of the year was very quiet and low key. In reflecting back at 2011 I do see how things have improved for our not so little family. A dear friend made a very good point – we chose a harder path earlier in our lives so that with all that we are doing now, when we are older it will be better. Of course, not everything that has occurred has been a decision or the result of a decision we have made BUT each and every occurrence has been something to learn from. A saying I saw on Facebook comes to mind – my your BEST day of 2011 be your WORST day of 2012!

We spent out New Years at home, as is our norm. After all a babysitter for 4 or 5 kids on a REGULAR night would not be cheap, on New Years… yah right! This is our first year of not having a LAN party here at home, the lack of computers and the urge to play den mother to a bunch of men in my basement was rather nice! 

Hanging with the baby

Instead we all congregated upstairs and played various card and boardgames. Kathy brought (and then later left here) her card table with folding chairs and I cleaned off the kitchen table. There was enough room for everyone! We played Dominion, Settlers, and Chez Goth. Of course Karyn had her new iPad and Ted his old so we played around with those as well. I have to admit, I am hard pressed to agree to buying an android when the iPad is so much fun and on top of those two having one so does Ken’s mom and Veronika. 

The guys at the card table

Settlers

There was a whole stack of snacks to enjoy including baking from Kathy and Lauralee. We did pizza for supper and then munched our way through to 2012. Rather sedate and after seeing off quite a few of the guests those left over stayed up past 2 am chatting and relaxing. Just the way I WANTED to spend it! 

Kids and snacks

Since New Years falls on a weekend Monday is a holiday for both Ted and Sean, so we lucked out and had company for the whole of today AND tomorrow. And Kristen and Fydo over to play poker… Quiet but fun day!

Tomorrow we start back to working on our schooling. There is math and reading to be done… and thanks to a kind person on Freecycle, a telescope to learn about! I put up an email looking for one on the off chance that SOMEONE may have one they no longer need/wanted. The same day we had a response and by today a telescope in the middle of my livingroom! Very exciting for the family as a whole. 

Telescope!

So I guess that decides our new topic of study – the solar system and ways to examine and learn about it. I already have a book out from the library and am going to start searching Youtube for other interesting videos and information. 

I am looking forward to this year, we are going to make the best of each and every opportunity we are offered. If that means changing our location, our plans… well it will make for a more exciting year right? Either way we will be making each day as full as we can. Educating, crafting, growing as a family, it is going to be grand! I have already managed to find a new sweater and my first pair of post baby jeans (I know took me long enough!) on amazing deals!

Baby in the post New Year's Chaos