Deck The Halls- or Anyone Can Decorate

I know I'm not a decorator. My Spartan rooms and bare walls are a testimony to the fact that I lack much vision for artistically arranging pretty much anything, and I accept that. But today I decided that to take our minds off the loss of Draca, we would decorate the kids' rooms for Christmas. And I thought it would ease the move back into their bedrooms, which I think everyone taking care of the kids this week will appreciate.







And I figured with pine garlands and white lights, how hard could it be? We put on some Christmas music and I set to work untangling the lights from last year. After 15 min I looked and had about 3 feet of usable lights. Not to be discouraged I kept untwisting away, Kateri keeping me company. The other kids got bored and went away. But armed with my light strand, some nails-sorry Shane- and a garland I nailed and twisted my way to a Candy Cane Lane Masterpiece.



And when I was done, I stepped back and realized, I was right. I'm horrible at this.







The picture is a little blurry, but that actually improved the look as you can't see extra wires and such sticking our here and there. Not to be discouraged, I descended on Kateri's room. I decided to forgo the garland as it was really time consuming, and prickly. But the strand was a little long for just her window and after wrapping it back and forth a few times I still had a big wad of twinkling lights. I thought, duh, make a wreath of lights. So I scrunched them up, added another nail- sorry again, Shane-and I was done.

Kateri took one look and declared it looked "all tangled". Then she ran and threw herself face down on our bedroom floor, crying. Putting the beds back together is next on my list. I'm not sure what she had envisioned but I'd think any little girl would be excited to have Christmas lights on their walls. I might even do my room next.

She got over it and I comforted her with the knowledge that Grandma and Auntie Courtney, who have very good taste and very generous hearts, are going to help decorate next week. She was a little consoled and I think tonight when she gets in bed and sees the sparkly lights she'll be pleased. At least long enough to fall asleep in her own bed.

I can't take credit for this one. Kateri decided put up the banister garlands by herself. I think it kind of gives the look of a jungle Christmas or an abandoned building being explored by Indian Jones. Or something like that. So far no one has tried swinging Tarzan style from the balcony, and I took down the long piece that stretched all the way across the banister, threatening to clothesline Shane on his way down in the morning. I did envision it happening- see I have some vision, and it was really funny, but I thought it was in the Christmas spirit to take it down. And I think that might make up for all the nail holes.

Photo shoot- by Kateri

I took a few, meaning 4, pictures and was shocked when I went to download them and found there were over 100 pictures on the card. Browsing through them all it was pretty obvious who the photographer was. This was one of my pictures. Kateri decided last night to "organize" the pantry. I hate it when she does that because I can't find anything afterwards and have to ask her where the chicken broth etc. is. Maybe that's why she does it. But I don't want to discourage her from helping around the house and I think in time she will be a very good organizer. Although I was a little taken aback when she emerged from the pantry for a moment and announced,

"I'm not doing this for you. Its for Grandma, when she comes over."

I guess I"ll take what I can get for now.

Anticipating a trip to Grandma's, she had two bags packed by the front door, complete with her Christmas stocking. And when Shane and I were searching for the camera this morning she reached deep into her backpack and pulled it out. Complete with her latest photo journal.


She likes to go around and ask people to make a funny face, which everyone is happy to do.

Cousin Jonah was happy to oblige too.

I think this one might be for her room remodel plans. I'm not sure if this is the before or after picture.

This one was pretty good of our new Gecko, though I fear what she might have done to get it to cooperate.

A little Christmas arrangement she did in her room.

Proof she had an accomplice.

"Pizza on a Pillow"

Ahhh the life of an artist!

End Of Life Decisions

I don't think you're ever really ready to make them. And even if you do plan ahead, they can still catch you off guard. I certainly felt caught off guard yesterday. I wrestled all afternoon with the options. I called Shane for help. I tried to comfort and prepare the kids when the outcome seemed apparent. But even then we were faced with choices.

Draca had developed a prolapse. We decided to take her to the vet in the morning, but in the morning it was even worse and we knew she wouldn't make it. Cyril went to the icon corner to pray for her, I was praying for Cyril. We had to decide between letting her slowly die or ending her pain. Would it be more painful for the kids to see her go slowly or to end it quickly. I admit I was tempted to just end it myself and end the kids' and her suffering. But then I wondered how the kids would feel if they found out mom had done in their gecko.

In the end Shane talked to Cyril and Cyril decided it would be best to let her go. Shane gave him a beautiful carved box he brought back from India and we made a little blanket and pillow for her. Cyril had decided the hibernation/freezing option seemed kindest, so I cleared a space for the box and we processed to the fridge.

I took the little kids to use the big kids swim lessons and Shane stayed home to assist in the burial. When we got home they were just leaving to the pet store to look for a new gecko. I cleaned out the cage and ordered pizza for dinner. In a little while they were back with a baby gecko. She/he was the most active of the bunch and the kids immediately agreed it was the one. They picked out some new housing for it and new flooring. We got it all set up and he settled in nicely. They are going to name it Draca if its a girl and Draco if its a boy. WE should be able to tell in the next few months.

The mourning continues today and I don't think we'll try to get any work done. But the kids are planning how to celebrate the new gecko's first Christmas and hopefully over time they'll be able to smile and enjoy the new pet. And I'll be praying this new one lives a long and healthy life.

Watch Your Back, Iron Chef

I'm afraid there is no competition worthy of Kateri. While I was doing some very important research , really, on the internet, Kateri found the package of ground turkey I had thawed for hamburgers. And decided to make tacos intstead. But she also knew Pippin liked potatoes, so sh boiled some new potatoes. After exhausting all the websites I could I find, I emerged to find her cooking two-fisted. The turkey was just about done and she was ready to drain and whip the potatoes.
I did help her adjust the seasonings of the taco meat, there was a little too much cinnamon-sugar.

That might have been Pippin's fault as he was "helping" a little. We added some taco spices and it came out tasting kind of like a Moroccan taco. But it was tasty.

I might add that this was after she vacuumed the up-stairs, cleaned the bathroom, and put on a load of laundry. All without me asking her to , or her asking for help.

The kids have all been into cooking lately. Audrey made french toast for everyone last week for break fast. Cyril likes to make hashbrowns and they can all make "egg in a nest" too.

I"ll talk about my important research later. Shane's home and it's time for tacos.

Update

La Villa Mahana was booked on the 11th. But we got a table on the 12th. Yeah! I'm thinking a white dress. Maybe.

I did not see this one coming!

Two weeks ago:





Shane tells me he has a surprise for me. In December.





I ask for hints. He says "No" he'll tell me the day before we leave.



OK. So we're going somewhere.





I ask what I'll need to be prepared.





He says he'll tell me what to pack the day before.





A few days later he says he'll tell me on the way to the airport. For now, just have my passport and bathing suit ready. He says he's already arranged for the kids. So we're flying and will be gone at least over night.





I think,' we did a trip already this year'. Either my kids aren't as difficult as I thought, people are crazy, or just really, really nice. Or all three. Any way, thanks to everyone for making this possible and way to keep a secret. I guess he's been planning it for awhile. Though apparently he did not disclose location and even let out some misleading information in the event of a slip up.








I rule out New York. He knows I don't like the cold much. I think maybe Hawaii- we still had a credit for the messed up flight on our way to Palau.








Then I think of Mexico. That would be warm too. He gives me two hints. Its not Mexico. Its not Hawaii. I think maybe the Carribean, but don't say anything. Then I also think any place with a hotel could have a hot tub. Requiring a bathing suit. And it would be like Shane to give me crazy misleading clues.





I ash him how long we'll be gone, and if I'll miss a cooking class.





He says 6 days. And yes. I'll miss a class. He says he doesn't want me to think or worry about anything. Just plan on a relaxing time.





I immediately think of planes crashing, orphaned children, snorkel kinks while night swimming etc. Then I think I need a new suit as my other one is not that comfortable.




Shane can't help himself and decides to show me some edited pictures. I get a three second look while he covers up the side bar and URL. I take in more than he thought I would, but still don't guess it. He covers up even more of the pictures. I get to see three or four, but they are all of insides so there is no geography to go on.





The insides are paneled walls and have a sort of NorthWest feel. But that would not require a plane. If we really are going on a plane.





Finally, Shane can't take it. He usually gives me Christmas presents early because "you might like to have it now". And he was agonizing over some of the decisions he needed to make and couldn't ask for my input. I know Shane is a bit extreme, and when he says he thought of a cool vacation, and then thought even cooler, and then took it to the extreme cool and came up with this ,I was still floored.





Then I was scared and running through all the bad scenarios- Hungarians are ridiculous I tell you-and Shane was wondering if he should have told me. But after a good night sleep, and some good tea time at Tirzah's, I felt better and was able to embark on fine tuning some of the details.





Shane would like to go para sailing. Together. And do a snorkel on the ocean side. And maybe a helicopter tour. Oh, and jet skis. I was sort of surprised sky diving was not on his list.





I did some reading and put this on our list. Generally they recommend a 3 month advance reservation. But I called our hotel and she said she could arrange something. They only have 6-8 tables and only serve that many couples an evening. I said we'd like the 11th but will take any night they have available. Maybe I'll need a new dress too?





I got a new swim suit. I remembered an article where the woman said she had a terrible time trying to fit into the fashions of Audrey Hepburn that were all the rage. Until she realized she was more of a Sophia Loren type figure. Well I'm kind of a shorter, stretched and saggy version of Audrey Hepburn, so I decided to go with something that doesn't try to re-shape, prop up, or pretend something is there when its actually somewhere else. I still have to do some tailoring but I think it should work.





And I even took a swim lesson for some practice and tips. He said as long as I didn't panic, I'd be fine. But when I swim at night, in deep water, far from the shore- I panic. Luckily the lagoon is 4-8 feet in most places and I'm not sure we'll do much night swimming. Just after one lesson I was ravenous for hours. I'm afraid with my terribly inefficient metabolism I'll have to go on the Michael Phelps diet for a month. And practice mindful eating. Meaning be mindful that I EAT. Lots and often. I can easily get distracted or busy and then by dinner I wonder why I feel exhausted and grumpy and don't have energy to work out or vacuum, or be nice to anyone. That's why I prefer weights to cardio work outs. Which I should work on for the next few weeks.





And get the Christmas plans going too. I did some shopping on Sunday and got the kids their Christmas jammies, the girls dresses, and a couple extra things. Hooray for Amazon. I'll just find all the art supplies we wanted and get it ordered. Soon. Last year we had such inclement weather it disrupted deliveries. It has been windy here lately, but I'm sure its nothing Mr Postman can't handle. I did order sunscreen so that it would come in time.





And I've got to keep the kids on track so we don't get behind in school stuff as well. And I guess I should clean out the fridge before Thursday. And while I'm at it, I'd like to find some jeans that don't try to turn me into a Bratz doll. But right now I think I need a snack.



I did do weights with Shane, after he did the cardio without me. And then I slept really well, woke up early, and am looking forward to doing another work out tonight. He has the P90X work out DVDs, which are nice because they are varied and I can use lighter weights or do less reps and we can still work out together. Unless its cardio. Or anything with jumping. I have a hard time not migrating into him or the bookshelves if I do jumping jacks. So weights really are safer for me. And Shane. I should have a snack to get prepared for it.

Guess Who's Swimming?

Kateri and Pippin have been asking every week, when they can sign up for swim lessons. Well we missed some lessons because of colds and I was told I could use them for for any registered swimmer. And since you only pay registration for the first two swimmers, I went ahead and registered the other kids.
They were so excited on their lesson day. Pippin was madly tearing the house apart looking for his Curious George swim shorts. He couldn't find them and settled for his plain blue ones. Kateri found her suit and put it on right after breakfast, though lessons were not until 3:45


Pippin tried on the different goggles while Kateri had her lesson. Kateri loved it- shocking- and fearlessly jumped in from the side and put her head under water. Pippin said he didn't like the swimming part because his face got wet. But he did like the "black float". I think for now they will just pick up the other kids missed lessons. I'm not sure I can get a regular spot for them and arriving at 3:45 was too early. The parking lot was jammed with buses and parents picking up their kids. We were almost late just because of parking. But the big kids are learning a lot, and it wears them out. Cyril asked if we could stop at QFC and get a whole chicken for dinner after lessons. We stopped. And got two.