January highs and lows

TestTest

So, the weather has been unreal! Outdoor hockey? No problem, I'm there! It's been beautiful weather, hovering between 0 and -10 degrees and it doesn't get much better than this in January in Winnipeg. Definitely a high.

Connor has been playing in one tournament after another. I think the coaches are insane - this is the third tournament in a row we've been in and we've had hockey almost everyday for the last two weeks. Enough already! Thank goodness for the nice weather.

We got our new tv last weekend and the kids were very impressed with their games on the bigger tv. The basement is done, carpet laid, etc.. Well, we need to hang a few doors and put up a ceiling and some baseboard, but it is usable to all intents and purposes. We watched the election down there the other night. Kind of weird to all be in the basement with the upstairs empty.

Aidan has to do a speech in French and is doing it on his trip to Disney last year. I don't know how that will go. It is a contest they run in the school division, but I think the winners usually have topics like the environment and stuff. Not Disney! Oh well, if he gets up and gives his speech, I'll be impressed. I hope he'll practice it a bit at home...

Delaney is gearing up for her birthday party this weekend. I can't believe my baby is going to be 6! I guess I don't really have a baby anymore. Seems amazing to me that time has gone that fast. We're having it at the Y and have booked the Yoga Kids lady and they are going to play on the bouncer and in the play structure and have cake and pizza. Only thing is, most of the kids she's invited haven't replied so I don't really know if they are coming or not. Why do people do that??? We had the same problem last year.

Connor's birthday party will be next weekend at the batting cages and should be a lot of fun. I must sign off, Daisy keeps head-butting my hands and I can't type!

Speedy O'Hara Boys

Aidan had his first speed skating meet yesterday. It was long track, outdoors at the Susan Auch Oval. We had freezing rain in the morning so it was iffy for a while. They decided it was on though, and Aidan came in second in both of his races! I'm not sure of his times, but he did really well and we were all proud of him.

They also had a 100 m. challenge that Connor went in and he came second in his age group too! Not bad for them speedy O'Haras!

It was a very busy day because Connor also had a hockey game in the morning and was playing goalie. He did really well and made some spectacular saves. They lost 8-4, and he did let in a few but most of the action was in their end and there were a few squeakers in there. He wasn't upset about it at all, and told me that he was sort of paralyzed there for a while. :)

Delaney had a birthday party. She is really acting like a little madame these days and is in danger of having her own birthday party cancelled. I'm pretty sure I know where this type of behaviour is coming from (the influence of one of her school-mates!) and I'm hoping that she is going to realize that it has to change. I hate this stage - Connor is finally getting out of it, thank goodness! Imitating the child with the poorest manners and attitudes is not the best move, but kindergartners seem to have a hard time figuring that out. I guess to them it seems cool and mature. Yikes!

Both boys also lost teeth last night so the tooth fairy was busy at our house. Connor finally lost one of his front ones, so my beautiful boy is not quite as beautiful right now. The other front one is wiggly too, so it won't be long. He's going to have trouble eating pizza and apples and stuff! I hope these come in a little straighter than the bottom ones. I think I'm going to take him directly to the orthodontist if they don't. I really don't want to mess around with the dentist only to be sent off to the orthodontist eventually anyway. Aidan lost an eyetooth, so I don't think it will affect him too much.

We have a very busy week with a hockey tournament, a bingo and lots of speed skating again. I guess I'll have to resign myself to January, February and March just being really, really busy months. The payoff is that nothing starts in April and we are down to dance only!

All around the tree

christmasfamily
Originally uploaded by LisaOH.

Okay, here's one more. None of us look too happy here, but we were, really! Bianca was right in front of us yelling "Dora! Dora!" and trying to get her little people into her suitcase, or perhaps herself into her suticase, I'm not sure. Poor Rocco was trying to take the picture and keep her out of it at the same time. I think we were all very full of turkey and merriment - it was a great day!

Delaney the red-nosed reindeer

Xmas2
Originally uploaded by LisaOH.

When I told the kids I was going to take their picture to put in Christmas cards, Delaney said "Just a minute!" and came back all dressed up. The boys thought it was funny, but Connor wasn't sure he wanted his picture taken with her...

They are back to school on Monday and we've been having lots of play dates to get ready to go. The boys' friends were over yesterday, Connor is off to a birthday party today and tomorrow, Aidan is going to his friends tomorrow and Delaney has a pal over tonight.

Connor had a great practice and game this week and Aidan had his firt shot at long track skating. I think he liked it, it sure helps that the weather has been so mild! There is no ice on the rink at the CC so all Connor's games and practices have been inside. He's playing goalie next time around and is pretty excited. We'll have to go to mass next Saturday so we can go watch him.

I've posted all the Christmas pictures on the Web, they are restricted to family and friends so if you don't have login you can't see them. I'm pretty excited, Flickr is going to start having a printing service so I'll be able to do everything there.

Will let you know how next week goes! We'll see if we can all get out of the house on time in the mornings!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it is already 2006! I started work again today (at work, rather than at home) and looked at the pictures of the kids I have around my desk and am amazed at how fast time is flying. The newest picture was taken 2 years ago and I can't believe how big they have gotten. I have honestly enjoyed them so much, and have told myself at every stage that this is one of the best, but there is just no way to hold on to it! It makes me a bit blue, but I guess it's inevitable.

They are staying with Mimi today and tomorrow and then I'm taking a couple of days off with them. I really hate being at work while they are home, but the holidays were kind of screwy this year. They ended up with an extra week that the university doesn't get. However, we had a great Christmas and a wonderful visit in Hamilton, so it was a very nice holiday. I am not ready to be back in the office, but what can you do? It was a wonderful break to be at home and I'm already looking forward to the next one! I think I need to win the lottery - then Sean and I could both be at home. I'm still going to work at home one day a week, so that is good.

I'll post some Christmas pictures soon. The kids are still playing with their GameCube like crazy. We played all day Sunday and had a great time. We also played some board games and had a lot of fun. Went to Mimi's for supper with Brent and Toni and Grace and Auntie Linda and Uncle Norm and kept playing - wink murder and rhythm catchers. The kids were hilarious!

Sean and I are going for dinner and a movie tonight - it will be nice to have a little time together since we haven't done anything just the two of us for ages! But already I'm missing my kids - it will be nice to get into a routine again.