Happy Birthday Sarah!

Hooray! Sarah is 8!

Yes, I am aware that the big birthday event took place 3 days ago. Sarah's birthday is December 15, yet here I am, writing about it on the 18th. What is up with that?

Well, let me fill you in on the activities around here over the past four days.

On Thursday, the big Birthday itself, Sarah got to sleep in an extra 20 minutes, had French toast for breakfast and got a ride to school. I met her at school with a special lunch - Chinese Food, took her home to eat, then we went back to school where I volunteered, helping her class make gingerbread houses. We picked up Alison from the babysitter's, ordered pizza for dinner, then got ready for skating. After skating we came home, blew out a candle in a two-bite brownie, and opened presents. Slightly late to bed.

On Friday after school, we went to a party at the neighbours' house, then we were off to the Alberta Ballet production of The Nutcracker. It was lovely, but very late to bed (Alison fell asleep with 15 minutes to go.)

On Saturday, the girls got up early to go to Alison's gymnastic class. It was bring a friend day, and Sarah was the friend, mostly because I didn't want to go picking up kids at 8:30 on a Saturday morning. They got home and set up for our Christmas party, then hosted lots of kids until about 9 p.m., a good hour after bedtime. But, as Sarah put it, "It was the time of my life."

And then up again early this morning to make it to Lake Louise for ski lessons at 9:30. Sarah actually fell back to sleep on the stairs as we loaded up the last few things in the car. However, she grinned non-stop once on the hill.

So basically, we have been busy lately. At least it's all been fun, and Sarah is getting early training on how to extend birthday celebrations from one day to at least four. I am teaching her well!

The last day she's seven

Some pictures of a younger Sarah on the day before she turns 8.

......her second birthday.......

.....her fourth birthday.............her sixth birthday.

Christmas Parties

Tis the season for lots of parties. Alison went to her Sparks Christmas party and came home with a lovely new ornament for the tree.

Sarah had a Brownies Christmas party last night, but we haven't seen the goodies she made yet. I wonder if there won't be a surprise under the tree. Hmmm.

Bob's work Christmas party was also last night, so we went for a lovely meal and conversation. Bob often talks about how smart the people are at work, and it turns out they are quite witty as well. Makes for a fun time.

We have an open house to attend on Friday night, then we are hosting one ourselves on Saturday. Its a busy festive season, that's for sure!

Sleepover Party

Sarah had a sleepover birthday party Friday night, and I think I have just recovered enough to talk about it now. She had 6 friends over and at least three girls got no sleep. Fortunately, I was not one of them, or it would be another week until I recovered.

They did make some lovely Christmas crafts: gingerbread houses, stockings, and glass ornaments. They also gave the karaoke machine quite a workout, particularly the microphone. At maximum volume.

We still haven't finished cleaning up. Sarah had another birthday party to go to Saturday, and we were out for dinner afterwards, then on Sunday she had her first ski lesson with the Lake Louise Ski Club. (She loved it, by the way, and we'll get more info on it through the week.) So today, after school, and after homework, the vacuum cleaner is going to get as good a workout as that karaoke machine did.

Ice Princesses

The girls have had their official skating portraits taken. They are both working very hard and getting better every week. Sarah has long ago passed my skating skills, and Alison is well on her way. We are in negotiations to add another hour of skating to Sarah's weekly schedule, starting January. Busy girls!

Look out olympics!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Alison and I attended a student-led conference this morning. She is quite a capable little girl. She easily managed all the tasks and did them all in French. I was very impressed.

Her teacher says she is doing very well, and there are no concerns. She even gets along well with others.

So, all in all, I have a couple of brilliant girls here. Lucky me.

Born to Write

Alison tells me she was born to write. Here is a contribution from the writer herself:

Snowy
By Alison

Go Snow Go Go Go
Snow Snowy
Snowy Go
Snowy
2397985

Letter to Santa

Alison has finally gotten on her letter to Santa Claus. It has taken some time to convince her to do this, and it took even more to get her to include some niceties and not just list her wants.

So her list is quite simple, actually. She wants a stuffed cat (to go with the 8 million other stuffed animals in the house - "But we don't have a cat!"); a Fairytopia puzzle, which I'm not sure they make - good luck with that one, Santa; and a game, which Mommy suggested because Santa already has that in stock.

Don't see that last item on her list? That's because she quit half way through and told me to finish it. She won't even put the part about milk and cookies on it, and was not at all nice when I tried to get her to finish it. Doesn't she know that such behaviour will get her put straight onto the naughty list?

Report Card Day

Sarah brought home her report card today. As a super star, she did very well, especially in the section about her attitude and cooperation in the class. She also excelled in music and math. We won't get into the spelling part though.

Alison did not bring home a report card today. We have a student led conference next week to find out about HER attitude.

Christmas Lights

An old story, but a good one.

Sarah and I were driving home from skating lessons and looking at the lovely displays of Christmas lights in the neighbourhood. One house was well lit, and caught Sarah's eye.

"Look at that house, Mommy," she said. "They must really want Santa to come."