First Piano Christmas Concert

We had a very exciting afternoon today. The girls had their first piano concert. It was the perfect venue... a seniors' home. There were lots of people there, and lots of kids got to play their Christmas piece that they had been practicing. I didn't know how it would turn out...if they would be too shy to play...or what...but they did GREAT! I was so proud of them. And the best part is that Papa, Kaili and family got to come and watch too. The great photos were taken by Robin and the shaky video was taken by moi. Enjoy.

Our Afternoon

After music class this afternoon, all I wanted to do was curl up on the couch and take a nap but the girls had other things in mind...mainly go outside in the snow. So we got all dressed warm and headed out. The girls squealed, had fun and stayed toasty warm while I shivered and shoveled. Now at last I think its time for a little nap.

I miss my Tobi

Tobi has been staying at some friends' house since Monday afternoon. And I miss him like crazy. He's been my shadow for the last 8 1/2 years. My best companion. He honestly followed me around all the time and I never felt alone. And now that he is not right by my side it's killing me. I can just picture his goofy face looking up at me and wondering what we are going to do next. I know I'm whining but that's how I am feeling right now. And I have this feeling that it might be a permanent thing. You see, my Alex has asthma and coughs A LOT. We've always wondered if Tobi might be causing this but seeing that he doesn't shed we dismissed it. But she coughs all the time and the doctor prescribed her these drugs that she has to take daily - which we don't want her to take. We put Vicks vapor rub on her chest, back and feet when she coughs before bedtime and we use a cool humidifier in her room. We change her sheets often, got her a pillow that is hypo allergenic. We steam her mattress to get rid of dustmites. We've brought her to the Naturopath several times and have fed her all sorts of weird 'natural' remedies. But she always continued to cough. So we thought that we would experiment and give Tobi away for 2 months and see what happens. Well it's been 3 nights so far and....Alex hasn't coughed once. Incredible. We don't know if it's just a coincidence or what but we will see what happens. I know that this is the best for my daughter and that is what I obviously want. But I still can't help but miss my furry friend.

Happy Birthday Sister!

I decided a while back that I would no longer put up Birthday posts on my blog because with all the siblings, parents, nieces, nephews, friends, etc... it would be too much. But I HAVE to post for my sister, Susan's Birthday today because it is a big one! I wanted to plan a trip to Chicago with my sisters and my mom (just the girlies) to celebrate this birthday (and hopefully get to see Oprah at the same time). But none of my sistas were as excited about Chicago as me and well life has a way of setting it's own plans, so we didn't end up going. I wish I was there with you today to celebrate your day.


My sister is only a few years older than me but she has always been way more mature than me. I idolized her. I would literally follow her around. One day when she was walking to our neighbor's house for a birthday party (that I wasn't invited to) I followed her there and just kind of stood there while she shooed me away. So pathetic, eh? And if I actually saw her at recess or at lunch when we were at grade school I was so excited and proud. Happy Birthday Big Sister. Hope you have a Wonderful Day and your little sister is still thinking about you.