Already Time for Goodbye

 After a short visit, it was time for Oma and Opa to leave. Allison has loved having the extra attention (and more people to read her books). Nathan had the full four days off so the timing worked perfectly for a visit. I wish the weather was better (it still hasn't stopped raining) so that we weren't so cooped up in the house but we had a great time with great food (BBQ!) and great conversation.

Martin and Marlene picked up these beautiful flowers for me from my favorite flower shop! Allison repeatedly asked to smell them, then says, "delicious!"

Trim the Tree

The rain still hasn't stopped! The roads are clear but the cars are covered in ice! Marlene and I braved the weather to hit up some thift shops (since they always have big sales on holidays). I didn't find much but Marlene got some great stuff. We got to four shops before we decided to call it a morning. At one shop, a man began talking to me while I was looking at dresses. He was trying on a coat and asked if it fit him. I stood back to look, looked at the collar, then the length, and he says, "don't judge it by my left arm, it's 4 inches shorter than my right!" He clearly had some mental issues but was harmless. I just love the stuff you see and hear in those stores.

John Mark and Jill Clifton gave us their old Christmas tree and I absolutely love it! It's the perfect size for our home and I think it still looks great. I've been excited to put the tree up but I wanted to wait until after Thanksgiving because I think that it confuses the holidays. I know some people are VERY opinionated whether they wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate.

I also wanted to wait because I thought it would be a fun family activity. Martin and Nathan put the tree together an bent the branches to fill it out, I put on the lights and garland, and Marlene and Allison put on the ornaments.

I found these ornaments at a thrift store and instantly fell in love. They are the same style of ornament that I had growing up and that my grandparents had on their tree.

 Since we don't have a mantle (or anywhere else to hang our stockings) I decided to make something. I found a piece of bare wood at Joann Fabric for $5, painted it white, then red, and then did a nativity silhouette scene. I bought three hooks from Walmart for 98 cents, and then Nathan put a wire hanger on the back. It holds our stockings perfectly and I'm glad to have a place to put them.

Thanksgiving

 Martin and Marlene arrived yesterday to celebrate to celebrate American Thanksgiving with us. 

Allison and I went to the airport to pick them up and although traffic and the airport terminals were really busy, the Kansas City airport is so simple and well designed that I was able to quickly pick them up without having to park the car. Allison wasn't even shy when Oma climbed in the backseat next to her!

Martin and Marlene brought Allison a few of her birthday presents (that we were able to fit in our suitcases in May), a new wooden puzzle, and two different memory games. My favorite treat was the two packages of Tim Hortons coffee they brought with them!

Today was Thanksgiving day and I wanted to make it as simple as possible. I googled "traditional American Thanksgiving foods" and decided to make whatever the recommended. The only big change was that I made a ham instead of turkey. I don't really like turkey and I am very intimated by the thought of preparing one. After I printed out the recipes and bought all the ingredients, I made a detailed time map so that I wouldn't forget anything (although I didn't end up making the nacho dip)

The weather looked ominous this morning but the Martin, Marlene, Nathan, and Allison braved the weather so I could have a couple of hours alone to make all the casseroles and get things organized. Half way through their walk the rain started and everyone was soaked when they got back.

Their was still work to be done while the food cooked and Allison wanted to help. She loves to use the beaters (I think because there's usually something sweet on them) so I let her be in charge of them.

 The meal came together on time and we were able to share it with our neighbor and friend Charlene. Her husband is in Toronto (she's also Canadian) and it was fun to have more people to share a meal with.

 We had originally planned to go to the Plaza to watch the annual Light Ceremony but the rain didn't stop all afternoon and the streets were flooded! We decided to stay home and keep warm.

Dear Canada,

You are a jerk.

Let me explain.

A few months ago, Nathan and I were upset because Canada decided they would only give out 3 visas for the specialty Nathan wanted. These would be given out in a first come, first serve basis. This information was released AFTER the application due date for the programs. (First jerk offense)

After being bombarded with emails, calls, and letters from angry doctors demanding to know why their country is denying them the right to better themselves in a field of their passion and talent, the office closed. Yes, it CLOSED for a month to let the anger patter off. The answering machine simply stated that the workers would be out of the office for the next 4 weeks. (Second jerk offense)

The time came for those who wanted visas (but most likely wouldn't get them) to make a decision whether they would gamble one one of the four spots, or they would pick a different specialty (known as a drop date). Those that had families and homes realized that they couldn't gamble not getting a visa. No visa means that they would have to return to their home country and not practice medicine for an entire year. Nathan chose to leave the match. (Third jerk offense because this was a painful time for our family).

One week after the drop date, ONE WEEK after the confirmation that no more than 3 visas would be given, the department updated their website. Unlimited visas. Unlimited meaning anyone who wants one can have one. Anyone who is still in the match that it. Anyone who chose to gamble. Anyone who took on the responsibility of cleaning up the mess that the Canadian government  made, is punished further. (Jerk offense unlimited).

Nathan cannot rejoin the match.

I thought we were past this, that we made the best choice for our family. We grieved for the loss. I have seen the stress, the devastation, and the heartache that my husband had to carry for months while the the Canadian government hid from it's citizens, then in the most cowardly fashion, made an effort too late.

Nathan is left feeling foolish, feeling that others see him as a fool for adjusting to the rules of our government only to have them change in the middle of the game. It saddens me that Nathan has worked 3 years toward this goal, only to to have it tricked away.

We are moving forward on the path we chose, knowing we will make it right for us.

Day 3

Today was Allison's third day of preschool. She freaked out the second we pulled into the parking lot. She was so scared so I stayed and played with her until she could be distracted enough for me to leave. I'm proud to say that today I finally figured out preschool. There are a bunch of moving parts when you drop off/pick up your kid (hand in 3 diapers with name on them, put sippy cup in drink holder, hang up shoes and backpack, put lunch pail in hall bucket for fridge) then when you leave (pick everything up, get notes and announcements from folder above coat room) it's a lot - but today I remembered all the steps!

While Allison was at school, I finished up the Christmas tree garland I'm making. Last year I used burlap ribbon but it frayed too much so this year I'm trying felt. I can't wait to start decorating next week. I think Canada has a better method for thanksgiving (having it in October). I don't want to wait until December to start decorating! I know I could decorate now, but then I feel like the holidays are confused, especially since you're eating the same meal at both events. I hope my garland is long enough. I used felt scraps and I don't have any left so it will have to work!

On my way home from preschool, I stopped at a thrift store and found this box of Hot Wheels. It has cars and tracks. For $10, I couldn't pass it up. I didn't think Allison would be interested in them (she has toy cars that she doesn't play with) but she really liked watching Nathan set up the track and have the cars zoom by.

Our night wouldn't be complete without play doh. We play at least 4 times a day. Our newest disciple struggle is having Allison clean up one thing before she starts a new project.

Royals Coat

Last week, I was at Hobby Lobby to get some felt for a Christmas project and I saw that they had some Royals fabric. I made a fleece Royals blanket for our church charity event a few weeks ago, but that was the week before they won the series. As soon as they won, I couldn't find fabric anywhere. Online, In-store, it was totally out of stock. When a store finally got some, it would be gone within a day.

So when I saw 1 1/4 yards of blue fabric, I bought it, not knowing what I would make, but for $7, I thought I could do something cute.

The fabric I bought was cotton (not fleece) so it was really thin and not flexible. I looked on Pinterest for some ideas but nothing stood out for me. Last week, while putting on Allison's Fall/Spring jacket, I noticed that it was getting small so I decided to figure out a pattern to make a new coat. I followed this great tutorial online and it helped me put all my pieces together.

It was an intimidating project because I've never done many of the techniques I used on the coat. There was a lot of top stitching, pockets, a hood, binding, a zipper - and creating a fabric! To give the cotton weight, I made all my pattern pieces, then I put them on batting and made a diamond pattern. Then I sewed all the pieces together to make the shell of the coat. I used a yard of navy fleece($3 yard) to sew a copy of all the pieces into a lining. Then I put them together and used binding to put it all together.

 

 

The coat is very thick (I probably didn't need the fleece and batting but I did need the stability) but it's very warm. Allison recognizes the logo and says "Roy-als!" each time she sees it. Nathan says that she looks like a boy in the blue, but I don't care, she's representing the home team!

Soak Up the Sunshine

It was another 20 degree day here in Kansas City! Nathan had the day off so we decided to visit two parks in our area. The first was a tiny park, hidden in a small neighborhood at the corner of Nall and 75th Street. What I loved about it was that the equipment was the perfect size for Allison. We could let her wander and play, without having to steer her away from swinging ladders and openings at the top of tall platforms.

 

The second park was on Juniper Street. There were a half dozen other kids there but Allison really wanted us to play with her. Her favorite part was the helicopter feature. For the control panel, there was a piece of wood that had 6 small circles cut out so Allison decided that while we were in the helicopter we would be "making muffins." Allison went on a see-saw for the first time and loved it.

 

On our way home, Allison showed Nathan one of her special talents. Allison can recognize many of the places we go. I know this sounds basic, but when we drive through the neighborhood where we did our trick-or-treating, she'll say "Chocolate!" or when we drive by the Hy-Vee grocery store by our house, she'll say "Horsey!" because that's where the mechanical horse she likes to ride is. If we drive by the library it's "books", and when we pass the community center where we took a dance class, she'll say "Max!" because her friend, Max, took the class with us. She does it for about a dozen places, and I know she recognizes them because we've been there before, but I'm so proud of her for remembering.

Day 2

Today was Allison's second day of preschool. I wish I could say that it was a seamless as last week, but this week she understood that I would be leaving.

Allison donned her preschool best for teacher Laura. Allison has been obsessed with wearing tutus over her clothes or "princess" as she calls them (although I don't think I've ever used that word to her). I don't care what she wears and I think she looks pretty fantastic.

Allison began to cry as soon as we reached her classroom. I assured her I'd be back and then just walked out. I'm so thankful that the school is professional and are not intimidated by crying kids. I feel flashes of guilt but I know this is good for her. When I left the room, she was in the teacher's arms yelling, "Mummy dead! Mummy dead!" which is what she says when I leave her - total drama queen.

April (who's son goes to the school) arrived after me and called me while I was driving away to update me that when she passed by the classroom later, Allison had already settled down.

The teacher said she was a little teary all day (and she really let loose when she fell face first in the dirt while chasing Griffin after school) but the teacher assured me it was normal and that she still had a good day.

After dinner, I checked my email and there was a note from the teacher reassuring me that Allison will adjust and to see some photos of Allison having fun (and one from last week's adventures).

I'm really happy with the school and so thankful that I've found a great place for her next step.

Slow Cooker Week

Nathan and I decided that this week would be a crock pot cook week. We typically eat traditional meals - meat, starch, vegetable - so this is a big change of pace for us.

I was excited to pick out seven new recipes for dinner. I tried to find meals that lined up with random canned food that we have in our pantry. So far we've had broccoli beef, corn and potato chowder, Thai butternut squash soup, and split pea soup (with ham). I've loved having so much squash - it's on of my favorite dishes.

Tonight I made acorn squash with maple syrup in the center. It reminds me of my parents house and I remember sitting at *my*seat in our kitchen in Boxall, eating it for dinner. It's a fall favorite. Allison loved it too, but it could just be the Palmer's maple syrup as a topping.

I've been making these super easy Bisquick cheesy biscuits for our soups this week and they are amazing. I could eat an entire batch by myself.

I thought that the weather would have turned cold this week (which is why I picked soups for most of our meals) but the weather has been fantastic! Most days it's 20+ degrees! I had a few errands to run this morning and I planned my route so that my final stop would be close to a McDonald's that was beside a park. I got a happy meal for us to split and then we spent a couple of hours soaking up the sunshine.

It's going to be a long winter stuck in the house with this park-loving baby!