Update

Ok, I give in, I'll make a new post. But I'll warn you, it's not that exciting.

I've posted some pictures from New Years to peak your interest. The kids had a great time. They all spent a couple of hours preparing for the midnight parade and making costumes. We didn't really think that Erik would make it until midnight, but they both were still going strong at 2 am. This was their first New Years awake, so it was sentimental for me. They marched outside in the freezing weather and banged their noise makers.

I have started my new job at H & R Block. It's fun and hard. Since a week ago last Thursday I have been working every day. February 27th is my first day off in sight. I thought it wouldn't be that big of a deal to work so much, but it's much harder than I thought. I work about 3 hours at night and then two 8 hour shifts on the weekends. My body is tired and my chronic mouse arm is acting up worse than ever.
It's cutting into my computer time at home because I'm tired of using those fingers.

I spend my days trying to catch up on my shows and spend time with the kids. We just finished reading the Tale of Despereaux, and I recommend it to those of you who have little ones. It's the first book I've read to them that they ask me not to stop.

Vic has been a big trooper with my new job, but I think it's harder than he thought too. He doesn't enjoy being on his own with the kids all day on the weekends.

It's been fun to work again. I like having co-workers, they are all really nice and helpful. And it's nice to contribute monitarily to the family. I also enjoy meeting new people every day. I've had some interesting clients. My office is in downtown Auburn, so we get all kinds there. Yesterday I had a couple of men come in, who turned out to be partners. One was deaf and the other was hard of hearing. They looked like they hadn't showered in a few weeks and smelled horrible. But they turned out to be very nice and grateful for the help I gave them. I'm realizing how quickly I judge people, and how different people are. Most of my clients are very nice, I've only had one get mad at me so far. He yelled at me over the phone, which I was sooo grateful he wasn't in the office at the time.

So it's been a good experience for me. If I survive this season, I will probably go back again next year, but not work so many hours.

Thanks for missing me, but I probably won't post very often until after April.

Finished Product

After his complaining about his aching back and shoulders, and what a pain it was to build this thing...I assumed Vic was finished with his igloo...however, I was wrong. He worked on it today for another two hours, and now he says he's done. Just thought I'd share the finished product.

Vic's Igloo

Winter Solstice

Sunday we had our now annual Winter Solstice Party. We ate pizza on the living room floor, drank rootbeer out of fancy wine glasses (the kids love that), and opened presents. We read a story that tells how the winter solstice came about and talked about how we share our light with the world. We made sunshine cupcakes, but no one ate them.
Erik got new Geo trax for his trains, and was really excited about that. He was mad because Taryn got a webkinz until he found his own gecko webkins in a different package.
I was concerned because we had gotten Taryn this beautiful doll at costco, but it was not an american girl like she wanted. But when she opened her she fell in love with Alice and has not left her side (except when Alice is in school, which she was late for today).
Overall, it was a fun evening. The kids were so happy with their gifts, which always makes me satisfied.

Christmas tree

We went to this awesome tree farm (tree factree according to Erik) on Saturday. It's in Maple Valley, called Wilson farms or something like that. The people there were so nice, we met this too cute 10 year old girl who gave us the tour. After we cut our tree down, they brought out a tractor to load it up in and gave the kids a ride around the farm. They had free cider and hot chocolate. I just can't say enough nice things about this place, it was so great.

We decided that this year we would have a home-made tree. The kids are going to make all the ornaments (ordiments). They have been stapling paper together and stuffing it with tissues, and today we put beads on string. It has been a lot of fun and given them something to do.

New Job

It's official! I got a job working for H & R Block. I will be working in their Auburn Franchise. I will be doing a little bit of training in December and then start work Jan 3rd!

I have been thinking of getting a job for the last couple of years, but was hoping to find something I could be excited about. I'm so glad I took this class, because it was fun and I think I will enjoy doing this work.

Halloween

Being the professional party pooper that I am, I have never let my kids go trick or treating. I hate Halloween, and I think it's ridiculous to let your kids go door to door begging for candy.
HOWEVER...being that we are in a safe neighborhood where we know a lot of the people around here, I told the kids they could try it out this year. I figured it was a childhood tradition they could get under their belts. I limited it to only those houses where we know who lives there.
We had a little neighborhood get together at the beginning of the evening where they passed out safety bracelets for the kids. Then we went to our designated houses with our friends Dorothy and Delaney.
I have to say, this was the most fun I've had trick or treating ever. The kids were so thrilled with the whole experience. They would run from house to house with their bags, and after every house Erik would say, "Mom! I got brown M&M's! Mom! I got a snickers!".
One of our neighbors set up a tent in front of their house with some games. I got to meet some new people, and see neighbors that I don't see that often. I realized that these kind of things are about community. The kids know so many people from being at the park.
It was so awesome. Then afterwards, we came home and watched Monsters Inc and the kids answered the door.
I had wanted to be different and bought spider rings instead of candy. This little boy came up to our door and looked at Erik with his rings and said, "you don't have any candy to give out?" Erik says, "no, you can pick a ring". The kid turns around and yells into the street, "This house doesn't have any candy!". I guess it wasn't so popular.
I thought the kids costumes adequately fit their personalities.

We have a save the day (control the world) superman:
And our delicate-I'm shy and beautiful-butterfly:

That's Delaney hidden by the fabric hanging down.

Anyway, for the first time in my life, Halloween was a big success and didn't end in tears....

at least not my tears. Taryn came in our room at about 10:30 because she couldn't sleep and was crying. She says, "I don't even know why I'm crying". That's Halloween.