Absolutely Random.

Okay.

I've been putting off posting because so much has happened since my last blog post that I feel overwhelmed (eerily similar to how I deal with housework).

So here is some pure randomness from our lives over the last couple of weeks.

Goodbye house.

We said goodbye to our house this morning.  The new people moved in and we are somewhat settled in our new-home-for-the-next-6-months. 

Bella and Lucas seem to be the most affected by the move, which surprised us (well, Lucas surprised us, Bella is afraid of dirt so no surprise there).  So we're trying to do lots with the boys to make the transition easier.

Lying is a slippery slope.  We've been dealing with Jacob telling silly lies about silly things lately.  I've heard it can be an age thing - particularly with dramatic children (wonder where he got that from?)

Another slippery slope?  Cutting your own hair. 

Let's just say it's a good thing that I have long hair.  If I started with shorter hair I would probably be bald right now. 

Enough said.

Simple Scrapbooks got the Simple Studio up!  Also they are doing a blog with a different host each month,

Marnie Flores is hosting this month!  She is doing some fun challenges so if you scrapbook, join in! 

I did this layout for one of her challenges:

And speaking of Christmas Concerts, the boys' is this Wednesday evening.  Lucas has the honour of playing Joseph in his class's rendition of "Do You Hear What I Hear".  I'm a little nervous because after fashioning a shepard costume out of some leftover muslin, he karate chopped his little self around the house bellowing, "I'm a Ninja". 

Egad.

Bella got a brand new bone.

Haaa!  Now THAT'SA bone (that's what she said).

The guilt of her not being allowed to have free reign of the rental house spurred me into going for the big kahuna.  The boys also tried to get me to buy her a Santa suit from Petcetera, but I refrained.  She's already afraid of everything, I don't want to humiliate the poor thing on top of that.

My husband finally saw the opportunity to talk me into an artificial tree and he leapt at it. 

One of my favourite traditions (we really don't have many) is our annual trip the Honey Hut tree farm. 

First Mrs. A takes the kids down to feed the sheep and choose an egg out of the chicken coop. 

Next we tromp around and find the perfect tree.

Then Mr. A brings his tractor down, loads the kids up and takes them to cut the tree down. 

Then we sit around a big bonfire, drink hot apple cider and eat cookies.

All this bliss AND a tree for only $25. 

This year, we decided to buy a tree because of the move and all the other hoopla going on.  We were at the store and Jason spied a $99 fake tree and talked me into it.

So this year I am learning to let go.

I let the kids decorate it and didn't even move any of their carefully placed (all in the very front of the tree in a 2x2 area) ornaments.

I don't have any pictures yet, but here is a family one we took with the timer after we finished decorating.  You can see a little bit of the artificial beauty that is our tree in behind us. 

Also note the lovely curtains in the back. 

Our rental house comes fully furnished and has a distinct Bavarian Flaire. 

I bought the new Sarah McLachlan Christmas cd. 

It is beautiful.  I don't buy cds normally, but this one was worth it.

And now I must run, I have a hot Charlie Brown movie date with three good looking guys.

Comments

[Dawn]

good to see you back in action...

Justin Timberlake is bringing sexy back.
You're bringing Bavarian back.

Also, that bone is obscene.

[Tara]

Good luck with everything Cheryl... the new-to-you-for-6-months-Bavarian house, Christmas with the fakey (but I'm sure lovely) tree, cleaning, moving, packing, cleaning, settling in... everything. Harley LOVES those bones - he gets one for Christmas every year. Just the bone. In a big old box. Totally taped up. He works on the box for anywhere from 10-30min (depending on how good a tape job I've done!) and then he's good with the bone for the rest of the day! And, he can't bury it when the ground is frozen!!!

[Karen Bukovan]

Cheryl, what a busy time for you right now! You will be in your new house and settled before you know it. :)

[Dianne]

Why is it that when I read your blog I am always thrown in to joyous fits of laughter?
Awwwww - - you make me smile everyday.
Have fun in "Bavaria".

[Jennifer Sizemore]

I agree - that bone is just gross. I can't believe she isn't afraid of it. And I hope your ninja shepherd did well!

[Gorgeous George]

Nothing to report but "what a good looking husband!!"

[Kelli]

What kind of dinosaur had to die for Bella to get that bone? Sally would love that thing, only she gets super nasty and growly when she had bones, no one can go within 3 feet of her. While she's eating it, because she'll take your arm off and after she's eaten it, lets just say "sbd" for a few days!
And I think Gorgeous George might have the hots for your hubby!
Your tree looks a bit like ours only skinnier. Kerry informed me that either some ornaments get lost or we need another tree.