Rehearsal

Tonight was the rehearsal for tomorrow's children's mass. The kids are all participating in some way or another. Julia is reading the prayers of the faithful, Emerson is playing the part of Mary and our little Blaise is debuting as a lamb. I won't bore you with the proud rants of a mother, but instead I will tell you that the shepherd boy in charge of this flock will have his hands full! The sheep outnumber the entire cast of the play. Mary was so proud of her role she was found to be preening herself all the way to Bethlehem where she pushed Joseph forward to help him remember his lines, and then gave us a thumbs up! Julia was loud and clear showing no nerves as she read the entire prayer, although has informed us that she will be wearing her brand new black converse high tops with her mismatched socks to show others that God loves everybody. My Blaise looks more like a deer in headlights than a sheep and Benedict is thinking he looks much more like baby Jesus than the doll they had Emerson practice with! Thankfully this was just the dress rehearsal!

The Saga Continues...

Oh my houseman will he ever learn? After rest and relaxation he decided to clean out the dryer vent. This notion led to vacuuming under the dryer which led to switching the door. I'm not sure why the houseman did this as he and a drill don't get along too well. After lots of loudness and a bloody finger my houseman is still working on the dryer. Please pray for me!

Good Deeds

All month the kids have been doing good deeds and placing a piece of yarn in baby Jesus' crib to keep him warm. This morning they woke up to a surprise. A note was left in the crib thanking them for all their good deeds. Things like: making a siblings bed, washing the dishes, fetching a diaper, or mopping the floors, all constituted a good deed. Blaise even participated by learning how to collect trash cans, dustbustering the stairs, and playing with the baby so mommy could shower. Imagine their surprise receiving a package as a thank you. Isn't it more exciting when you don't expect anything in return for doing something nice? Their package contained journals, pencils, stickers, socks, and ring pops.

Trials and Tribulations of a houseman

This one is for all my homeschooling mommies that also cook, clean, and car pool! My sweet dear hubby has gotten it into his skull that house keeping is not a hard job to do! Recently he announced he would take over all deep cleaning duties to free me up and be able to....sleep a little bit more or sit down once in awhile! Well he was gung ho about three days ago and scrubbed our bathroom out, cleaned the floors, toilets, kitchen. He even announced he wanted to be Eco-friendly and starting researching the Internet for cleaning supplies! I have been biding my time and waiting for the "dust to hit the fan"! It did this morning! While trying to entertain the three year old and clean a toilet the seat came crashing down on his middle finger! It had to be the middle one right?!? Well he is claiming compensation and bedrest now! So what do I do? Don't worry about me my new housekeeper is starting effective 2012! I just wanted to watch my husband walk a day in my shoes! Gotta go and put my white gloves on and do a test of his dusting ability.

Christmas Countdown

Are you ready folks? The most amazing thing is about to happen in a few days. I love this picture as I think of the four candles representing my advent wreath and the window pane looks like a cross. Even my little guy is filled with a sense of anticipation.

Mr. Hoot

Thank you daddy for taking the day off and making my birthday the best day ever! You were so funny and you made my friends laugh! Thank you for getting all the pizza and making the snowy owl coolers for me with ice cream. You are the best daddy ever I love you, Juice

Cake and Ice Cream and Snowy Owl Coolers

Eat Drink and be Hooty

Owl Puzzles and Mr. Hoot

We did puzzles and played a game where Mr. Hoot chased the mice around the house in a game of tag.

Party updates

Girls having fun!

Owls on a Log

Julia made her own birthday cake for today and she made a log roll dessert too!

Interview with a 10 year old

How does it feel to be 10?
Taller and smarter

What is your favorite thing to do?
Talk to my animals

What is one thing you want to do this year?
Go cross country skiing

What is one thing you want to improve upon?
Math

What is your favorite show?
Anything on animal planet

What is your favorite food?
Anything green and crunchy from the fruit and vegetables

Where are you most excited to go on vacation?
Colorado to mountain climb

What is your least favorite activity?
Folding the family's laundry

Who is your favorite saint?
St. Francis

What is one goal you have for 2012?
I want to be able to do my skateboard

What is your favorite quotation?
"God never closes one door without opening another."

Thank you Julia!

Double Digits

Ten years ago today I gave birth to my Julia! I remember it like it was yesterday! She came into this world with her head held up high looking around all wide eyed. She was tenacious and alert. She was very happy and funny as a baby! One thing that has never changed is her unique way of always going against mainstream! She is no typical girl and for that I admire her and value her. She has taught me confidence and passion for my faith. She is my best friend at times, a listening ear, a compassionate soul. Happy Tenth Birthday Kiddo! I love you so very much! Love mommy

Pre Party Mode

Tomorrow is Julia's birthday. She wants an owl theme. I don't mean a cute pink princessy girl theme either. She has requested no pink! She wants brown, orange and turquoise! There will be no silly pin the tail on the donkey games for her! I have been informed when you reach double digits it is more about the experience and less about the "goody bags" and prizes! So we ordered owl pellets to dissect and we are engaging in a mad scientist experiment. The house needs to be decorated, she wants to make two owl cakes, and I have to prepare the backyard for a mouse and owl hunt and search expedition. As a mother of a soon to be 10 year old I don't know what the tween or teen years will bring. I do know I spent many nights over a three year period crying and praying for a child. God certainly blessed me and though a mother has no favorites you never ever forget your bond with your first born child! Here is a sneak peek of tomorrow....

Koppela Christmas

Yummy food
Presents galore!
Koppela Christmas it's how we roll....
Literally this year!
Lots of rolling!

Traditions

The word tradition has become a buzz word in our house...why do we do the advent wreath? Tradition Why do we make cookies? Tradition Why do we go to Christmas eve mass? Tradition
I even recently had my mom tell me she and my dad were looking for an annual tradition for the two of them. I am anxious today to hear how the Siberian orchestra turned out and if that will be their new tradition every year. This morning we are preparing for a very new tradition in our home. In years past we always got together with my side of family right on Christmas day! Unless there was a snow storm or illness we always met up for a once a year meet and greet and catch up. Well with four kids and the distance to travel Tony and I have decided that is not fair anymore to the kids. So we are gathering today. I was surprised to find out how many families do this: celebrate before December 25 and I think in the grand scheme of my chaotic life it will work out for us. The kids get to see family and Tony and I can relax a little bit too! My mother in law summed it up best in a homily she heard recently...Christmas day is not about cookies or family or gifts or shopping it is about the birth of Jesus...seems like we all forget that. So we start this new tradition effective today! I will snap a few shots and post them periodically today but here's my first favorite one....a new tradition I told my Tony he can do weekly. Cleaning the toilets!