Playing Catchup - Part 1

It's been a crazy couple of months. And to those who usually visit my blog(s), I apologize for my lack of posts.

We've been a very sick family. Since Christmas, we've been knocked down by one form of illness or another. In order of appearance...
- Hubby gets a cold... almost misses Family Christmas Dinner at his brother's.
- Luc gets a fever... just days after starting school ... 8 other kids in his class got it too.
- Hubby brings home the flu (despite having the flu shot).
- Luc gets flu from hubby... misses more school.
- Miranda gets flu... becomes full blown bacterial pneumonia.
- Nen gets flu... and must take care of 2 sick kids at the same time... not fun.

We're now at near-healthy point, healthy enough to visit my mom-in-law on Sunday.

So, here I am playing catchup. I still have to update one of my websites, start getting traffic to my new website, and finish writing the latest Makana Aloha Hula newsletter.

And I need to get back to the rhythm of decluttering the house. I'd gotten a lot done just before New Year's. Since Miranda was born, we'd been sleeping on our futon on the floor, the frame dismantled and in the kids' playroom. On Boxing Day, tired of living like squatters, I assembled Luc's new bed and set up our futon frame, all the while sick hubby moaned and groaned as his kids ran circles around him downstairs. I then started in on the kids' room, boxing toys to ditch, bagging toys to go to goodwill, and separating yet other toys to donate to the Children's Hospital (Luc's very excited about this last option).

Anyway, gotta get back to doing that stuff. I have some great photos of our December activities to share.

We started the month off with my hula school's Hoike (show). It took place on December 3rd, and although it was a short show, it was a fun afternoon. We had a mini-luau, and everyone (students and parents of students) brought a finger-food to contribute to the potluck. Guests were encouraged to wear aloha-clothes. My family, of course, were in on the action.
In true Island Style, Miranda insisted on taking her shoes and socks off, and proceeded to run around the dance studio with the freedom and abandon only 2-year-olds seem to enjoy. She looked really cute in her little muu-muu.
Luc's aloha shirt is a staple of his wardrobe lexicon so it was like any other day, but he looked super-cute nonetheless!

I was so proud of my hula students! They all did so well, despite several cases of "first performance jitters". You wouldn't think they were nervous.
I've decided to take a bit of a break from teaching. I hadn't stopped since I opened the school in April 2005. So, for now, I'm just a stay-at-home, web-designing mom. Besides, it's nice to not have to leave the house when it's -36 outside on a Sunday when I'd rather be at home cuddling my family!

I'm considering starting up again when the weather gets warmer, and do a spring term. I love teaching the adult class. They are a lot of fun, and the workout is always great.

I look forward to teaching my kids though. Miranda's showing some interest already. She copies me when I dance sometimes, which is really cute. She's really into dancing of all forms. Luc seems to enjoy a more Elvis-esque rock theme.

With Luc in nursery school at Rockwood Elementary, we've found ourselves adopted into a whole new family. Having one's child in a neighbourhood school really gives your entire family a sense of community that I'm sure my parents never felt when I was in far-flung St.Mary's Academy. As part of the Holiday Season activities, Luc's school held a Family Winter Fun Night at our local community club. There was caroling, baked treats, hot cocoa, crafts and holiday movies. It was great fun seeing neighbours and friends, and having the chance to wish them all a Happy Holiday.

On December 17th, we decided to put up the Christmas tree. With the kids' help, hubby put up the tree and the lights. I then stepped in and, with the kids' help again, decorated. We need more ornaments. Better ones. Not these dinky little snoopy-out-of-a-box-of-cereal trinkets that we got during our starving student days. The best ornaments on our tree are the beautiful ones my sis-in-law Linda gave Luc when he was a baby and the candy canes Luc insisted we buy and hang on each branch.
Just seeing those cheap baubles when I put up that tree every December mentally transports me back to those starving student days -- not a good feeling to have during the Holidays -- very bad feng shui.

On December 20th, Luc's class had a Sharing Performance -- in lieu of the traditional Christmas pagent. It was just their class, so it was a small group of parents and grandparents enjoying the overwhelming cuteness of these little 4-6 year old kids. And boy, were they ever CUTE!
Luc's teacher, the fabulous Ms.G, is a wonderful teacher, and we're so fortunate to have our son in her class. She understands the kids and is very empowering. She also runs a tight ship, and has earned the respect of all the children. The class of 23 has only 5 girls, yet chaos would never reign. Look at this picture. Could YOU get 18 boys to sit still in a line like this? :)