It's Mail Time!

This week, with Miss G being so under the weather, we had perfect timing for some special deliveries!

My cousin, Monique, sent a care package.  Special delivery! 

Check out the sticker action!

My girls admired the handiwork of their little cousins, who they miss terribly. 

They were so excited to rip into the package.  Even Twofour got in on the action! 

Sweet Little J made this for Miss A. 

And Little Miss S made this for Miss G. 

And Monique knows my girls well!  Tinkerbell fairies!! 

The girls were oh-so-very impressed. 

Now, I'm going to back up a moment.  If you follow along on Facebook, this might sound familiar to you.

On October 12th, Monique posted this on my wall:

I was at the mall today and something jumped out at me and screamed "Buy me for Shannon!" ...and so I did. :-D

By the time I got home from work, there were FORTY comments guessing what on earth she could have found for me.

This is an excerpt of how it went down:

My Mom: What is it... what is it... what is it?... I promise I won't tell her..... just put it on Facebook... she won't see it..... honest...!!!!!

Monique:  not tellin'!

My Aunt:  Is it bigger than a bread box? LOL

Monique:  nope

My Aunt:  If we guess will you tell us?

Monique:  sure! but you won't guess

My Aunt: Is it red?

My Aunt:  Is it something to wear? 

Monique:  not something to wear.

My Aunt: To play with

My Aunt:  Is it a book??

Monique:  no

Monique:  somewhat something to play with, but not exactly

My Aunt:  Will she use it at work?

Monique:  depends on what she's working on...lol

My Aunt:  A C.D.?

Monique:  nope

My Aunt:  Music cd

Monique:  uh-uh

My Aunt:  Is it black?

Monique:  partially

My Aunt:  and grey?

Monique:  no grey

My Aunt:  or silver

Monique:  no...seriously, you're not gonna guess it

My Aunt:  Well I can try. I guess all my Christmas gifts and others. LOL

Monique:  you're like a dog with a bone!!

My Aunt:  Can you eat it?

Monique:  no

My Aunt:  Can you read it?

Monique:  Shannon's gonna check her facebook and laugh! And no.

My Aunt:  Is it bigger than your hand?

Monique:  yes...you'll all have to have a guess. I'm gonna have to get the kids to bed soon. And yes.

My Aunt:  ok Will play later xo

ME:  HA HA HA!!! I just got home from work and this is a hoot. Thanks Monique!! I love it when things call my name and someone hears it. I know I'll love it because I love you!

So... here it is...

It's a black and white bunny salt and pepper grinder set!!  (You squeeze the ears to grind the salt or pepper.)

AAAAND!  They are magnets, so they stick on my fridge.  It's a triple-threat gift!

Monique also packed me some of my favourite enchilada sauce for my sour cream enchiladas and summer savory so I can make Nana's Acadian meat pies for Christmas Eve (and the weeks before and after Christmas, since I make a big bunch!). 

We also got to open a letter from Melissa's girlie.  The girls were each sent one, but Miss G's has not arrived yet.  They must have gotten separated in the cross-country trek to Yellowknife, but Melissa assured me that it would be safe to let them share.

Kids love getting mail!

STICKERS!!

It's a good ol' fashioned chain mail for sticker sharing!  Awesome!  And, what a great way to have our kids valuing snail mail with all this instant stuff going on, eh?  Thanks, Melissa!

Spec-gross-ular

So, we went to bed on Tuesday night with two happily sleeping girls, only to be awoken by the sound no mother wants to hear near midnight:  "Mooommy.  Help me."

I'm not exactly sure how I've developed such cat-like agility, the speed of a cheetah and canine-like hearing powers, but I think it may have begun when I first got Thumper.  I tell you, I can be awoken by the sound of bunny paws treading the floor in late hours when they are supposed to be sleeping in their cages.  However, I could sleep through an elephant passing through my bedroom, so long as I am not responsible for said elephant's health and welfare.

This primed me perfectly for being a mother.  It's excellent training.

Back to Tuesday night...

I was in the girls' room before I was even aware that I was awake, and I heard a splash.  I flicked on the light, but knew what spec-gross-ular event I was about to witness before my eyes adjusted based on the -- uh -- splash.

Poor Miss G was on the top bunk expertly maneuvering to avoid being sick on her toys and blankets.  I called for Eli, and he appeared at my side at once.  We needed to divide and conquer.  If he could lift Miss G down from the top bunk, I could get to work on cleaning the floor and surveying the damage on the top bunk itself.

Oh, and Miss A?  Yes, she slept through the entire event!

Of course, Eli sprang into action and gently lured Miss G to his reach.

In mid-air, I heard it. 

Do you remember that terrible show "You Can't Do That on Television?"

Yeah, Eli got slimed.

On his head.

And he didn't say a word.

I was very proud of him.  (But, you can laugh if you want to.  I did afterwards.)

So, Eli helped Miss G shower, then showered himself while I snuggled our newly-clean girls in our bed with her Doggie, while Blanken and other unfortunately placed blankets were getting clean in Wilhelmina, our trusty washing machine.

Eli arranged immediately to stay home the next day.

Last night, despite a promising day, Miss G was sick again (this time at 3:30 am).  But, we managed to manage the situation away from Eli's head this time.  Oh, and he learned to take off his shirt immediately upon hearing her call for help.  Miss A still did not wake up through the spec-gross-ular encore.

After two days of eating dry Cheerios and not much else, Miss G is picking up, but will stay home, again tomorrow.  If we last the night without any spec-gross-ular-ness, she'll need the day just to recover! 

Today was my half-day of teaching, so I picked Miss A up from preschool early so I could relieve Eli of sick-duty (and could avoid taking Miss Sicky out in the cold to pick up her Sissy a few hours later).  It was a blistery winter day, with our first real winter storm of the season.

Miss A enjoyed the snowy walk, even with the wind.  We were well-suited! 

Isn't she a cutie with her snowsuit and backpack (with Patchy-Patch and Yellow, the blanket, inside)? 

When we got home, Eli was outdoors clearing the snow off his car, and Miss A had some fun in the snow. 

Lots of whiteness, and it didn't stop falling all day! 

This was our view at lunch time. 

And, this was my view of Miss G at lunch time.  Yes.  That's Miss G.  Sleeping.  In the day.  You know she's sick when she stops her Daddy to ASK to take a nap! 

Here's hoping that Miss A avoids the stomach bug.  I know that it's unlikely, but you never know...  If she does get it, we're ready and have a plan.  Plus, she's on the bottom bunk, so you know that will help! 

There is something so snuggle-able about your kid when she's feeling under the weather, isn't there?

No worries.  She's on the mend.  I can hear her giving Sissy a hard time in the other room.

I hate it when they are sick, but I will confess that I do love having the extra snuggles during the day and in the big bed in the middle of the night.

A Miscellaneous Assortment of Pictures

Here is a miscellaneous assortment of pictures from the last week.  Enjoy!

Tuesday, the trees were frosty.  The girls wore their snowsuits to school. 

Tuesday, I saw ten Santas waiting for the bus.  They passed out flowers to all the ladies they saw, with a card on each one that said "Happy Tuesday."  So random. 

Wednesday, Miss G helped to carve this pumpkin at school.  Mrs. F's daughter came in to help with the class, and that was very exciting! 

Thursday, Miss G asked me to go to Mrs. F's class to take a picture of her Pumpkin person.  I picked hers out.  Check out the eyes!! 

While I was there, I took a picture of the song for Pumpkin Stew.  I often hear Miss G singing this to herself while she is falling asleep. 

On Friday, Miss G made this "number pumpkin," too.  There is one ghost, two witches' hats, three bats and four rainbow jack-o-lanterns.  All beautifully coloured by Miss G. 

On Saturday morning, hours before the sun rose, my girls were outside playing in the fresh snow. 

The time stamp on this picture is 7:45 am, to give you an idea.  The girls had already been outside for nearly an hour. 

I love everything about this picture.  It's one of my favourites. 

The girls lasted for several hours outdoors in the early morning snow. 

By 9:30 am, Eli was giving the girls a ride on the sleds. 

Saturday morning, Eli packed up the boat to go fishing with his dad.

When they got to the lake, they discovered that it was frozen.

Go figure.

No boat until the thaw in the spring. 

On Saturday, my new couch arrived, and the girls admired it. 

And, they tested out the mattress on the pull-out bed.  It's very comfy. 

Miss A said, "This Nanny and Papa's bed" when I pulled out the bed.

She's right.

Other visitors are welcome, too. 

Miss G thought it was pretty funny to use Daddy's fishing gloves for dinosaur feet. 

Walk like a dinosaur!  "Roar!!" 

From this perspective, everything seems right. 

Sunday, the kids had a blast with the snow!  My girls love playing with their neighbourhood friends. 

Snowman! 

Miss G was so impressed with the snowman's attire. 

Miss A was rolling snowballs. 

This is a very different view of the court than in the summer months, eh? 

The girls helped me to get the Halloween decorations set up for the trick or treaters. 

Sunday afternoon, this was the view of our house.  Whose car is parked there?  Gramma and Grampa's!

Grampa gave the girls a good long pull on the sleds before supper time, and they LOVED it.

Do you like the Yellowknife winter roads?

They do not plow the roads here.

Snow tires work better on... well, SNOW!