Christmas 2011

We had a busy Great Christmas this year. First we did a gift exchange with the Thompson's at my house earlier in the week. Then on Christmas Eve we went to Zaron's house and enjoyed a lamb dinner - Christmas dinner New Zealand style - I love it. Reminds me of Dad. The boys loved being with their cousins and palling around. They did lots of dress up and play. We did the Christmas story with a flanel board and sang some Christmas carols. The boys got to open up their new robes on Christmas eve. They both loved them but as I guessed, Xander in particular was huge fan. He loves clothes and accessories of any kinds - more then toys I think.

Then we had Christmas morning at my house with my in-laws. I did a yummy breakfast with puff pastry, and eggs benedict. Erica and Theo couldn't make it but Todd and Kari did and that was nice. My favorite gifts were the wall hangings Howard made for the boys. I am sure I love them much more then the boys. They are just such beautiful works of arts. And of course i love anything home made. We finished off the day at my in-laws for dinner where we saw the whole family. The boys were had gifts all day long. In fact they were opening up gifts all week long. It got to the point that whenever they saw a human they would ask where their gift was. Hmmmmm, seems like a flaw. Something to think about.

Well it was a fun, festive filled day. But know that the true season is to celebrate Jesus Christ and I am so grateful for his love and sacrifice for all of us. Happy Birthday Jesus.

Gingerbread House Extravaganza

We invited our neighbors the Walther's over for gingerbread house making. I made all the gingerbread houses by scratch earlier that day. When Mike saw them he said, "Wow, you have been busy. That must have taken a long time." I said, "I have never made gingerbread houses form scratch..........and yeah, it took me forever." 6 hours to be exact! I wanted to make a house per kid but it took so long that 2 had to share. Soren was more then happy to share with McKenzie. In fact we was so happy to be working with her, he was more then happy to let her have the gingerbread house when they were done.

I was so impressed how well all the kids did. Xander, Brandon (who are 4) and Craig (who is 2) stayed focus on their houses for about an hour. It was amazing. And to boot they only ate every 20th candy. Is that not amazing?! All in all it was a really great night until the the Walters were just leaving and Xander grabbed his house, slid it off the table and then proceeded to drop it. It shattered into 1o0 pieces and tears began to fly. So, after 6 hours of sweating over these houses, we had nothing to show for it because Soren gave his to Mckenzie and Xander's was now a complicated puzzle. However when the Walther's were leaving, Katie (the Walther's oldest and 7 year old) came running back in and gave her house to Xander. Isn't that so sweet! That dried up all the tears and I didn't have to spend the rest of the night trying to put back the house. Yeah for charity!!

Ooops

A couple of days ago I randomly and spontaneously remembered Rescue 911. It was my favorite show as a kid, and when I say kid I mean like 7 yrs old. I was a fan the moment I saw an episode. I loved everything about it. So I decided to google it to see if there were any episodes on line. There are a bunch on you tube so without thinking I said, "Hey boys want to watch my favorite show when I was a kid?" I didn't think much about it, I mean I watched it as a kid and loved it so surly it will be fine for my boys. I clicked on an episode randomly. It was about a little 4 year old who got sucked in the escalator. Some unknown way, the kid sleeve of this shirt got caught and then the back of his shirt got sucked in. They didn't shut it off for awhile and it continued to suck his shirt down that it started to strangle the boy. The pressure was so high from the strangling that it popped many of his superficial blood vessels on the skin of his face. It was actually quite traumatizing to watch. Soren started to cover his face and started to moan, "Mom, how can this be your favorite show as a kid?"

That question sort of made me laugh. I mean, he had a point, but it was. I loved this show. "Uh, well, I know he is in a lot of danger right now, but he is going to be alright in the end. Look, see all these nice strangers trying to help the boy? Isn't great to see people help each other?"

Soren still covered his face in horror with occasional moans of distress. I wondered if I should shut it off. I debated what was worse - seeing something traumatizing that isn't resolved with a happy ending or seeing something traumatizing and having that be the last thing in your mind. I decide to let them finish watching it. Xander never moaned, cringed, or covered his face. He laughed a forced laugh at times and pronounced his love of the show. It was all a little forced and I wondered if this was how he was dealing with stress. Xander happily reviewed how good he is at using the escalator and what he does to prevent problems (jump the gap).

Right after watching this show we went to Winco to pick up a few things before our trip to Whistler. On our way home Xander said, "I can't get that show out of my head." "Yeah me too" Soren joined in. That is when I figured I really screwed up my kids. Ooops.

Well today we were at the mall and took the escalator up to the second floor - per the request of both my kids. Soren jumped on with no problem. But Xander hesitated and I don't know what came over me, but I said, "yeah, that is the spot that little boy got stuck on." I was saying it more like a guided tour then to freak out my kid. I had already hopped on the escalator at this point and started going up. Xander stayed stationary and then cried out in horror terrified to go on by himself.........Yup, I screwed him up. You see, Xander is the one you have to watch. Soren wears all his emotions on his sleeve and hides nothing. Soren is comfortable being emotional. Xander on the other hand will act one way to cover his true feelings, so he doesn't really deal with his feelings until it all becomes too much. It is really strange. Who would have guess. I would have definitely thought that would be the other way around for the boys.

For the next 30 minutes we talk about how it is actually hard to get stuck in an escalator and if you use it correctly (standing) then you won't get stuck. Anything that helps promotes the proper use of things is always a bonus for my family. Then Xander began to review general emergencies.

"When I get my arm cut off I am going to call the policeman and not the fireman. I like policemen more then firemen."

"If I can't wake you mom, I will call 911, but I know how to wake you right?"

"Where is the stop button on the escalators? Can kids push them?"

"Do you know anyone that got their leg cut off an uses a fake leg. Can I see them?"

Ect.

Well, they seem to be dealing with it well....... I think. I just keep staying factual and give them options on how to deal with situations and that seems to keep them on the question side of curious instead of the emotional side. I can't help myself.

Oh Rescue 911, why do I love you so?