Christmas Concert 2012

For Christmas this year, the Eaton's gave us a Christmas concert; the likes of which I was barely able to get through without crying all the way through. Crying for how they've grown, so accomplished, and  for how they won't be the way they were that very day, again. Crying for Jane's beautiful voice and for her impeccable timing at the cello, for Charlie's earnestness showing in the line of his shoulders at the piano, for Jacob strumming his ukelele just right, for Scarlet just because she is such a little girl.  I honestly loved every minute. There were recitations of poems by heart, dance moves (Scarlet's hula), ukelele, piano and cello solos and duets, original composing and playing, and then  beautiful bows and curtsies at the end. This was no easy feat, because all the books, music, instruments, and clothes had to be packed up to Edmonton. The children had made a lovely program, which I will try to include a photo of, and dressed up for the event. Baba watched from work on Skype, but I had a

 front row seat and was so happy and amazed, and truly just so tender! My heart was so very tender. 

The final bows and curtsies!

Hats that I ordered for all the children for their snow-boarding vacation from a seller on Etsy - these hats were very well made, and just the cutest! We're missing Ezra's here, and Isabelle's, but suffice it to say that they were all amazing! Here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/mybabyhats

Christmas morning breakfast!

http://www.marthastewart.com/330179/bacon-egg-and-toast-cups

These were tasty, and super easy to make. I would have added to my 'goals' - I am loathe to call them that, because then I won't want to do them, but in any case - cooking something new each month, but I am not sure I want to be accountable for that one.

Jacob

Charlie composed this piece, and Jane collaborated.

The videos were difficult to upload, and my camera didn't do the best job either - but you get the idea:)) The one I really wanted to add wouldn't load, but I think these will appear on Sarra's YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/starraful/videos?flow=grid&view=0 eventually.

THANK YOU Jane, Charlie, Jacob, Scarlet, Sarra and Timmy (and Ezzie b/c your're cute)!!!!! 

Much love!

Baby Sign Language

Check this Channel out on YouTube - she has several wonderful signing videos.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9ED9DFBD12055998&feature=plcp

She is so effective that I learned all the signs in no time - haha - good for me! But I think a child would learn well from these videos too - or at least you would learn so quickly that you would be able to teach your child in no time!

Chess Obsession

 Thanks to Jacob and Charlie the entire family is Chess obsessed! We are all playing like mad...Dad, me, Mark, Mariah, Jen, Eli, Jacob and Charlie of course, Sarra and Tim...it's seriously so fun. Today Eli stopped in to borrow a chess set to take home tonight...he had been undefeated since Thanksgiving (I was the only one to get a stalemate) but tonight I got a text saying that Jen had won a game..."finally" she said. It's been a really great family game night 'thing' to do.

We have this awesome chess board that I bought for Manochehr last year for Christmas (for the flip side of Backgammon, which we are also playing - again Charlie and Jacob picked up in record time, within the confines of the first game)! It's been fun for everyone to be learning together...I kind of new how to play, I knew what the pieces could do, but I haven't played much. We are all keen to learn more strategy now. The chess game came from Restoration Hardware. Here is the link:


http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod190051&cm_ps=modal_add_to_cart-_-none-_-other_items_you_may_like&categoryId=cat1710074

Here is ours...this is really fun, worth every penny - the scale makes the play significant and I swear it makes you play better!

The Smartest Thing I Have Ever Done...

Ok, maybe not the very smartest, but one of the BEST things I have ever done, was to teach my grandchildren my phone number. We did it in a sing-song, Jane first, at 4, then Charlie, and it's going to be Jacobs turn pretty soon. What is the result? I get the most adorable calls and messages from my darling, darling grandchildren. I call them too of course, but they can give Grammie a call any time they want to, so sometimes I will hear from one of them when they are a little sad, or when they have good news, like for example today is bunny day - they are getting new bunnies. We are so close, and it's because we share our lives pretty much every single day.

Oops, I need to go...I have to return Jacobs call this morning:)

Blog Design

I have a need for variety, and can't seem to settle on a blog design. It's a good thing that I am not a major corporation like COKE™ or APPLE™ because if I were, I would have significant brand issues. Happily, I am just a woman who likes to design blog pages, so it doesn't matter if I change my blog design every month or so...it may require a double take on your part, to make sure you are in the right place.

Have you noticed I appear to have a penchant for birds? There is a reason for this. (Mariah recently asked Mark "What's with all the birds around here?") My grandchildren come to visit my home, and when they do, all our birds out. We have chrome birds, ceramic birds, glass birds. They love to gather them, and wrap them in dish towels, or 'nests' and make bird families. I will find them wrapped up in a corner, or tucked under a cushion. It is a special and regular 'thing' that we share. They know that they are allowed to play with any of the birds, which are actually here for them. In fact, I picked up a little white ceramic bird today at The Urban Barn, for $3.50. It will be on display for my grandchildren when they come in 2 weeks:)

I also have a thing for Poppies and pugs...a tribute to our beloved and belated pug, Poppy. I have a sign in my back entry that says 'Stay Calm and Love Pugs'. That is my motto!

Fun Times at Grammies

Sarra, you will enjoy these photos:-) The binoculars are an idea from the Fun Jar, and the balloon families came from Auntie Y -they played balloon families all day today. The hot tub is making Charlie's skin dry, but he can't resist, so I've been slathering on the lotion afterwards. It's all been fun. Jane is so funny, she gives really good advice to Charlie all day, and he listens, especially if he starts scratching. They are all so sweet.

Ok this is the third post today and my head is still buzzing with ideas...

Sarra, look at this scrumptious recipe for home made marshmallows...for the recipe go to http://smittenkitchen.com/

The world is my oyster...there is so much out there that is interesting! I feel the need to share, as do a squillion other bloggers out there. Hey, does that rhyme?

Scarlet Alta Eaton

Scarlet Eaton was born today, March 24th at 1:13 PM. 7 lb. 4 oz. She is perfect, blue eyes with brown hair, and Mom was looking fabulous afterwards as well. They will be coming home tomorrow. Jane, Charlie and Jacob met the baby late this afternoon, and they were so darling with her. I feel so blessed and grateful for the safe and healthy birth of our fourth grandchild. Pictures on another day, I have them but no way to get them on my computer from here.

Toopy & Binoo

This must be some Canadian genius... all my grandchildren love Toopy & Binoo. I have to say that even I am completely fascinated - the shows are creative, and fast paced, educational, sort of, but they are at the same time kind of trippy. We watch during 'quiet time' the half hour before bed. This is a favorite spot in the house for the kids - on grammie's big comfy bed with pillows and blankies...all snuggledy buggledy.

We celebrated Sarra's birthday; the children drew pictures and made up a song that basically goes to Frere Jacques...it starts off:

We love mommy

We love mommy

and she loves us,

she loves us,

Mommy makes our dinner,

Mommy likes to play with us,

Mommy sweeps the house (Charlie's)

Mommy looks after us

Mommy likes to read to us

etc.

It was very cute.

Charlie

I love how Charlie calls Manochehr 'Real Baba' and me 'Real Grandma' (or Grammie). This started when their Great Grandparents were coming from Iran, and Sarra, to help the kids differentiate us all, started calling them 'special'. Special is wonderful - it was meant to be well, special, but I love that Charlie calls us 'real'.

All three of the kids are here for 4 days, and I love, love, love my time with them! They are all happy, and so am I:-)