Evan's Play

The grade ones put on a play.  It was really cute.  It was called "The  Golden Goose".  All the kids had it memorized and they all played a part of some sort. They were all the narrators and then the actors/stage hand. 

If you feel like watching click below.  If not Evan did a good job as the King.  He told me one day earlier in the week that they had to dress up for the play; great since he has some nice choices with his church  clothes he was also mad a me one day and said that I couldn't go to watch his play.  Then the day of the play comes and he says he doesn't have to dress up....what?  he decides he would rather wert his lucky St. Patrick's Day t-shirt for good luck.  Ok.  He also wanted me to be there.  Spencer also made it.  I have to note that the school tricked us and rolled this play into one of their monthly assemblies; which they had a pretty good turn out for thanks to all the parents who wanted to watch their grade 1's in a play. 

Ringing in 2013

I forgot how much I loved getting ready for New Years.  I think I was pretty much done with all things Christmas and by Sunday the 30th I was disassembling the tree and packing up the decorations.  I was nice to move on to the next celebration. 

We actually started our celebrations in the early afternoon at the Muttart. They had a family fun masquerade ball, crafts, musical entertainment, balloon artist,face painting, pinatas etc. It wasn't too busy so the kids got their faces painted.

Evan's was the spray painted tattoo version.  That's the way to go.  Much faster. 

 There was pinata with candy and my kids got tons. They did two or three pinatas so they would come out and say where in the world it was close to midnight, we would count down and then start swinging at the pinata. 

 

 

Here is Evan's chunk of the pinata; it also served as our candy holder.

 

Here are our masks that we made for the theme of the day.  This is inside the show pyramid with all the poinsettias and nutcrackers/christmas theme. 

Last year we whimped out and didn't stay up to ring in the new year....the only brave soul was Megan and she didn't quite make it.  I felt bad about that and decided to do things right this year.  So after some research on Pinterest I found a few good ideas that I used to help keep the night going and fresh.  First off I decided to try my hand at making our own New Years Crackers.  So I scoured around to get some trinkets together and googled how to do it.  I'll be tweeking a few things for next year, but I really like the homemade version since you can customize it. 

 Here is what I put inside.  A homemade crown, noise maker, balloon, sucker, confetti paper, rubber worm, a joke and a fortune.  All of that got wrapped up in leftover christmas wrapping paper, with curling ribbon and I did buy the tab that you pull and it makes to popping sound (michaels).

Then we had our traditional fondue dinner.  It was really good this year; we did a cheese one with all the things to dip and then some. 

 

After clean up and starting at 7:00pm we started with our festivities.  I bought a 100 piece puzzle that was suppose to be on going throughout the night.  But everyone was working on it so it only lasted about 30 minutes. 

 

 

 

 Here is all the bags lined up waiting to be opened.  The activity and a small prize inside each bag. 

We had an All About Me questionnaire that they filled in, played games, dance party, movie and some Wii time.  They got some treats to eat and some small pokemon figures to play with.  It was fun to be together.  The final  bag held our glow necklaces and sparklers along with some hats.  Aaron didn't quite make it he lasted until 10pm.  No better way to ring in the new year than with those you love. 

PS Promptly after the celebration was finished we all went to bed.  Early the next morning Spencer and I got bundled up and went on our own resolution run.

 

 

Burr....it's cold outside!

Talk about some freezing cold weather.  Yesterday was -25 degrees celcius with a windchill that made it feel like -42 degrees celcius. Holy cold!  So due to the extreme weather conditions I didn't want to be out and get stuck somewhere because my van would chose not to work.  So I declared a snow day and the kids and I stayed home to weather out the bad weather.  We survived and now today the temperature has rebounded by about 10 degrees so I sent my kids off to school.  Spencer was incharge of plugging in our vehicles and it is a good thing we did, cause he has been going strong to work and my van was able to start today. 

All is looking up for the weekend with balmy temperatures that will reach above zero.  This is some seriously wacky weather. 

Our Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  My parents came up to spend Christmas with us and my Brother and his family this year.  It is always fun when Grandpa (and Grandma) comes. Our house isn't huge so everyone was a good sport with our sleeping arrangements and once they got sorted out everyone was sleeping well. 

I think that every Christmas season that passes we are getting better at focusing our time and the season around Christ.  We did a 12 days of Christmas count down that focused on Christ and his life, mission and example. 

We always do some regular things during the season to help us get in the spirit: the First Presidency Christmas devotional, school Christmas concerts, making gingerbread houses, reading Christmas stories, taking the kids shopping, visiting with Santa, baking cookies/treats, Legislature lights and the ward Christmas party.  We enjoyed it all this year.  The temperatures made it sure feel like Christmas and making me want to just stay inside.  But we still managed to go skating and sledding outside. 

For Christmas Eve we had a "regular" dinner of salmon, baby bok choy, wild rice and salad.  We did the pickle prize, then I read the story the Christmas orange and those chocolate oranges, we listened to Grandma and Grandpa share a few stories about their growing up years around the Christmas season, we watched the Church Nativity, and sang some carols together as Spencer played the piano.  Finally before bed we all opened up new PJ's!

Christmas morning as usual started early for Megan.  She got Aaron up and tried to head downstairs but we told them to both go back to sleep until 7am.  So by around 7am we all made it downstairs for the opening of the stockings.  We write letters to each other and take turns reading them on Christmas morning.  We have been doing this tradition for 4 years now and it is neat to look back and remember all that has happened in those years.  The kids all got a few smaller toys in their stockings along with some chocolate. 

Then almost painfully we started the present opening.  We try to keep it to one gift at a time and rotate between everyone getting a chance.  It goes pretty good and we all get to see and enjoy each others gifts and excitement as they open them.  The gift highlights for our family include a new Wii system.  Megs and Evan got a new DS game and Aaron got a leap pad.  All the kids got a electricity free make-your-own marble run game that they all really enjoy.  Spencer got some running stuff and ties and I got some kitchen gadgets.  We also got a new popcorn popper.  The kind that goes on the stove and you turn the handle.  I love that machine!  It pops popcorn beautifully and really quickly!

 

Here is a gift that was probably the highlight of the gift giving this season.  Our other Wii finally died so we have been patiently waiting to purchase this one.

 

 

Here the boys are playing with an "old fashioned gift".  A real wooden do it yourself marble run.  This has kept them all quite busy for awhile.

We got together with my brother and his family for a Christmas dinner which as delicious!  It was a nice time to visit with each other since we really don't get around to seeing them very much.  The temperature was extremely cold that week with temperatures dropping to near minus 30 degrees at night.  Burr!  The week after Christmas the temperatures improved so we got to go ice skating and sledding. 


We really enjoyed our time and days that we got to spend together.  We had a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas season. 

A Musical Lunch Hour with a twist....

Downtown at city hall for a week in December there are various school groups from around the city that come and sing and perform.  Megan participated in this last year with the school choir and I thought that it would be fun to take Aaron this year as part of his "school" with me.  It was a chilly day and we were dressed and I brought a lunch for us to enjoy. 

I found parking at a meter right beside city hall and jumped out to see if I had enough money to plug the meter for our time there.  I locked the van for safety and upon returning to the drivers side I realized that I lock my keyless entry, cellphone, and purse along with Aaron inside the van.  I think Aaron could see my distress and soon realized that this wasn't good.  I asked some passerby people if I could use their cellphone and I could tell that they really didn't want to let me, when I quickly explained that I locked my son in the van but that my husband worked downtown and could come unlock the door.  So a kind gentleman let me use his phone.  I had to leave Spen a message.   I tried every door; just in case and then was talking to Aaron to keep him calm. 

Aaron in the past has figured out how to undo his seatbelt but was a little panicky and couldn't undo the bottom part with his mitts on.  He was able however to undo the chest clip and wriggle his arms out of the straps and lean over to reach the door lock and open the door.  Phew! 

I made sure that we were both ok and then drove and parked at another lot and we walked back to city hall to finish enjoying our outing.

 Here is Aaron enjoying his lunch.

 Some of the decorations that were set up.

A candid picture of our outing. 

Spencer did come find us and make sure that we were ok.  He didn't actually have his keys on him but he informed me that it would have been a quick dash to his office to pick them up and return to us. 

 

Here is Aaron enjoying the "yellow submarine".  Sir Paul McCartney came to Edmonton earlier in the month and this display was still set up at city hall.

 

Here he is in front of City Hall. We then "skated" with our boots on the skating rink that is set up now in front of city hall and made it back to our van to continue with our day.

 

It wasn't until later that day that I realized that I could have opened the van door since I had the ignition key around my neck.  I didn't think to use it since I usually don't and only use the keyless entry to open up the van. 

 

What do they say about hind sight?  Oh yeah, it is 20/20.  Too true. 

School Christmas Play

We attended our kids christmas play.  I'm using that term very loosely.  Megs was one of the Emcee's for the night, helping to pull it all together.  She did very well.  Evan was part of the singing and dancing. 

 Here is Megan as an Emcee and below Megan joining her group for singing. 

Here is Evan doing a dance from Holland or Finland (from somewhere).  Then they sang a song.  I have to pre-face this by saying that their school is part of the Leader In Me program.  So they are learning and applying the seven habits at school and hopefully at home.  So this program had a few christmas carols then thier music teacher changed the words to a "leader in me" song.  It was quite interesting. 

Here is the habit First Things First sung to Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. 

The concert was only about 40minutes long and very child who wanted to participate got that opportunity in one way or another.  The gym was decorated beautifully with the kids art work and it was a chance to help parents learn about the 7 Habits.  Next year though I'm good with having a nice play or a christmas around the world event highlighting some of the different cultures/religions that are represented at the school.

Ord Family Christmas Letter 2012

Dear Family and Friends,                                                                                                           December 2012

When I stop to remember all that we’ve done this year I can’t help but think where the time went and how busy we were.  Here are some of the highlights:

Our family likes to participate in all the different activities and outings that Edmonton offers; so we spent some of our time going to the various festivals like the Festival of Trees, Ice on Whyte, Street performers, Taste of Edmonton and The Fringe Festival as well as enjoying Canada Day at the Legislature grounds -- with a pretty sweet spot to see the fireworks this year. 

We also purchased a city pass that enabled us to visit the Zoo, Fort Edmonton Park, John Janzen Nature Center and the Muttart Conservatory.  We have enjoyed going to each of these places often and enjoyed the time that we spent together playing around, learning new things, scooping water bugs and insects and enjoying other various programs that each of these places has to offer. 

We also enjoyed time spent with family throughout the year at various birthday parties, family dinners, baby blessings and other holidays.  We particularly enjoyed our time in Jasper (one of our favorite places) camping and having a quick Burt Reunion. 

Spencer has successfully passed his Chartered Accountant exam and soon He will be able to add the CA letters behind his name.  He also received a promotion this year to Senior Manager and is just as busy as ever at work.  He was called to be the ward mission leader and helping our ward have missionary success.  Weekly running rounds out his days. 

Cathy has been busy trying as usual to keep everyone organized and the household running as smoothly as possible.  I am the secretary of our kids Parent’s Advisory Society at school this year and the assistant activity day leader at church.  I manage to find time to try new recipes, blog (scordfamily.blogspot.com), and do the occasional hot yoga session and very casually doing some running. 

Our “epic” tween tomboy Megan is in grade 5 and loves to draw, read, and be crafty. She is a total pro with video games by showing off her melee combos in super smash bro brawl. She also has a girly side by worrying about her hair and occasionally doing her nails.  She continues to play the piano and also aced several swimming and gymnastics lessons this year. (Thanks for the help in writing this – Megan!)

Evan is in grade 1 and loves to learn new things.  He is also taking piano lessons and just finished his primer level in 3 months.  He would practice all the time if I let him.  He too loves to swim and participate in gymnastics.  He is quite the ferocious reader and loves to sing and dance and play around.  Learning how to ride his two wheel bike was an accomplishment for him this year.

Aaron our preschooler is still my side kick at home.   I decided to spend one on one time with him at home doing preschool type things and He looks forward to his lessons every week.  He took an un-parented swim class and is quite a good little swimmer.  He will soon join the primary ranks as he will be a sunbeam and He too loved to go to gymnastics.  He likes to mimic his older siblings and try to keep up with both of them.

May the Lord continue to bless you and your families in 2013.