Emma is fully potty-trained

It's been over a month now, but I somehow did not have the time to blog about the fact that Emma is potty-trained.
It happened during Christmas, I was just fed up on having soaker pads on the couch because Emma would pee through her Kushies training pants. So I decided to put her in those really thick gitch underwear and go for broke. I told her that if she stayed dry all day and did all her business in the toilet, we would go out and buy some Princess panties. Well, it worked. On Boxing day weekend, we went out and bought those precious Princess panties and a few others and that's that.
We're still having night time accidents, but not every night.
WOOHOO!!!

Silence is golden

The kids really wanted to come with me to Montreal, and really, I didn't blame them. I would have loved for them to come along, but there you go.
On Monday on January 12 Richard and the kids dropped me off at the airport. I met up with Morris (fellow co-worker) on the plane. The plane ride was pretty uneventful and actually relaxing. The last time I took the plane was last year when Emma was almost 2 and Xavier wasn't even 3 months old yet, very different experience.
The L'Arche Canada retreat was held in Villa St-Martin on the North West part of Montreal island. There were about 2-3 people from each L'Arche community across Canada there. Oh yeah, it was a silent retreat.
The silence was actually very welcoming, however I met it through the week by sneaking in 2-3 phone calls home each and every day.
My favourite part were the meal times, not only were the meals absolutely divine, but sharing a meal with about 30 other people in total silence is golden. I really enjoyed that.
My poor dear Emma, however suffered through my absence. The first couple of days, talking to me on the phone seemed to suffice, but halfway through the week she had had enough. She was asking me to come home and was getting more and more disapointed each day I did not return. Poor girl. Having said that, spending a week in reflection and silence was so good for me. I highly recommend any type of rejuvenation for moms, even if it's just a day at the spa. Having other people take care of you and pamper you is just so totally worth it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD!

I have tons and tons of things to talk about since the last time I posted, however, that will have to wait until I have more time to blog.

For now I want to wish Richard a very Happy Birthday!!

How do you say that Mama's going to be away?

Next week I have a great opportunity with my workplace to go to Montreal and attend a retreat giving by L'Arche Canada. I am really looking forward to going away and be able to spend time reflecting. I am however not looking forward to leaving the kids behind. Of course they will be in the very capable hands of their father, so I know they will be fine. Six day, though, is a long time for a Mama to be away from her babes and vice versa.
How do I prepare the kids for the fact that, yes Mama is going away, but that Mama will be back. Is it possible to prepare wee ones???

A walk down memory lane

Christmas 2007.

Christmas 2008

This past Christmas was really fun this year, with both kids really enjoying all the festivities. This is how we celebrated:

Christmas eve: we spent this day just the four of us. Richard made a turkey, for himself and the kids, as well as a fish for me. We also had some scallop potatoes, a ceaser salad and brownie cupcakes for desert. I spent the rest of the evening finishing the wrapping of presents, while Richard and the kids watched some Christmas stories on TV.




Christmas day: Emma was really excited to find presents from Santa in her stocking and under the tree. We spent the morning opening some presents and playing with the toys, as well as watching a movie "Wall-e", which Santa had left for Emma. Emma helped Richard prepare lunch for us and she also helped me prepare a mushroom soup for supper.



In the afternoon we headed out to my mom's place for Christmas supper. We arrived just minutes before my brother's family. The unwrapping of presents, happened in a whirlwind, I could almost hardly keep up between Emma's presents and Xavier's, never mind my own, but it was fun. We enjoyed a nice pot-luck style supper and some movies on the tele.



Boxing day: We went to my dad's place in the afternoon, where the kids had yet more presents to unwrap. The kids played around until supper time. Aside from my dad's roast beef and meatballs, my stepmom made a creamy seafood lasagna that was so yummy, I can't even describe it in words, I just wish I had more to eat everyday!!

This is what we all received for Christmas:
Xavier: A busy ball activity centre, Busy ball popper, French Tag plushy, clothes, little peoples blocks, piggy bank, books, 5-in-1 activity centre, a Backyardigan puzzle
Emma: Vtech digital camera, bedding, Wall-e movie and action figure, Disney princess action figures, Cinderella barbie, Sleeping beauty barbie, clothes, Disney princess ice oven, Dora doll with extra dress-up clothes, a Dora puzzle
Richard & I: (some things we bought we Christmas money and/or gift cards) a necklace (this one is really just mine), a mitre saw (I might use it, you never know), Everybody loves Raymond 1st season DVD, a breadmaker, cabinets (for the kitchen), 4-in-1 Printer, a clock, wine glasses for our wedding, some clothes, mugs, a 90's themed Trivia Pursuit game, a teapot, a digital photo frame, a WiFi router (which I'm taking advantage of right now, nothing like writing on your computer in the comfort of your bed)

I think I may have forgotten something the kids have received, so please forgive if I have.

Happy New Year!

Hope your New Year is full of fun new adventures, even if they're messy ones!