2012 goals & resolutions

I've been pondering this topic for a few weeks now, and though this list may seem short, it's been narrowed down to the few things I'd like to improve upon, because I think having fewer goals will help keep me on track. In no particular order, here we go:
1. Make photo albums - this means shelling out the money to print photos and to buy a book, but it is so worth it once it all gets put together. I may even turn it into a scrapbooking project. It's so nice to have photo albums, to look at from time to time, to share with others, etc.
2. Hang wall art - We moved into this house a year ago and have yet to hang anything! (with the exception of Luc's room, we hung framed underwater shots that Alex took while diving, plus a cross-stitch my mother made when he was born) This also sort of ties in with the "print photos" goal above, because we have some unused frames that can be utilised.
3. Create a writing center for Luc and I - I have a little dream of us sitting next to one another (or to have him on my lap) at our desks, writing, drawing, and creating. I want to make more cards this year. Luc has enjoyed the process too, enthusiasticly scribbling away at the pieces of cardstock I handed to him to decorate our holiday cards this year.
4. Make a birthday calender with all our loved ones special days - this ties into the goal above of making more cards to send by snail mail, because it's just so nice to get handwritten cards in the mail, isn't it?! I figure if I have a pretty little calender made up and posted to our wall, I have less of a chance of missing those important days! I have to get on this goal, since people are already having birthdays!
5. Give this blog a make-over - I think this will require a little practice and research in creating more eye-pleasing details in internet-land, so this is a goal that will probably get pushed to later in the year, when we have a normal routine again after baby #2 arrives. Seeing as how I do like blogging, and it keeps our loved ones involved in our lives here, I think this is a nice resolution.
6. Find a class just for me - Be it yoga, or swimming, or tennis, or some kind of crafting, I want a little time for me, away from motherhood and wifedom (did I just make up a word?!) that will help me to stay balanced. Preferably, I'd like to do some exercising, because I'll probably need it after baby #2 is ready to start solids.

early December, in Jardin d'etat

this is our today

Okay, so these pictures are not actually from today, but last week on one of our visits to Jardin d'Etat in centre ville.
This morning Alex left for Mayotte for work and will be back Thursday. Luc and I had a VERY lazy day. We didn't even go down the driveway to check the mail. It was a beautiful day, but we still just spent it inside, laying around, reading, watching "Earth", eating leftovers, taking a long nap, and not changing out of our PJ's. By the end of the evening though, I knew we had to get on with more activity, at least for tomorrow. I was able to make a list of things for the rest of the week with my head all cleared from lounging around all day. Days like today allow me to catch my breath in a way, to prepare, to move on, to recouperate from whatever stresses had accumulated in my/our systems. (I've also finally completely cleared my body of the nasty sinus infection I had for 2 weeks.)
Without giving anything away for the time being, we are expecting some major changes around here very soon. And that's not including the baby boy who's due in 5 weeks! As soon as we have some solid news, I'll be sharing it here with you.
Have a lovely day everyone!

Welcome, 2012!

2011 was a great year for us;
We moved into a house, we made new friends, we learned we were expecting a second boy (only 6 more weeks until his arrival!), we travelled to France to visit family, we adopted a cat (or was it the other way around?!), and we spent a lot of quailty family time together. I realise this is a really short and general list of what happened this year and I'm not saying our lives are always simple, but these things stand out the most. Certainly, there are many, many things that never make it onto this blog that also affect our lives, but one can only blog so much, right?

Luc and Kitty occupied with trains, me and the neighbor using Luc's Play-Doh

I have a feeling that 2012 will be great too, but full of surprises and learning experiences along the way. I will try to keep this blog up to date, but I have a feeling there will be a period of quiet around February and March.

Luc is THREE!

This year has brought plenty of learning experiences for Luc and us alike. He has transformed from toddler to little boy right in front of our eyes. Once again, it is a joy to watch him grow and learn and progress through his childhood. We know these days are short in the big picture, so we try to focus on them as much as possible. We love you so crazy much Monkey!

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Today, we had originally planned to visit the aquarium on the west coast, but since we are all still in recovery from a particularly rough cold, we're postphoning this birthday outing to later this week or next. Luc got Play-Doh as one of his birthday gifts today, and we've been making snakes all morning!

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Last but not least,

a wonky felt star tree topper!

clearly, handmade.

this week, next week

It's hard not to get all caught up in a holiday frenzy, even if it is way more subdued and much less commercialized here compared to the US. There has been a marché de noel every weekend somewhere, plus vendors setting up special holiday kiosks in the city center.
Luc has been sick for almost a week, and now Alex and I seem to be coming down with the same thing. So we are taking things slowly and I'm doing just the most important stuff on the to-do list in order for all of us to get suficient rest. Thus, the mountain of laundry is back and 3 times the size it was before. I did find a few minutes to bake some brownie cookies tonight. (priorities, people!)
Tomorrow we plan on relaxing, enjoying a lasagna lunch together, assembling a couple last minute gifts to give to friends, and then we're going to a friend's place to have a Christmas Eve feast. Unless we all wake up feeling sickly, and then we'll make a visit to the doctor's before he closes up for the weekend. Let's hope not.
The mango burn on my arm is almost fully healed, and sadly, I've sworn off mangoes forever. Unfortunately, our trees are dropping like 20 a day which have to be picked up and thrown away so as not to attract bugs. For the mangoes we pick, I can't give them away fast enough. It seems we always have a pile of mangoes sitting around. I should start a little roadside stand!

a good place to watch the rain

Alex has off all next week, so some projects will be started/completed, we'll head to the west coast for Luc's 3rd birthday, and in general, enjoy some good quality family time.

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Sort of cheating at calling this handmade, huh? Hmm, how about handpicked from the beach?