One of the best parts of being in South Carolina is getting to see all of the cousins! Katherine loves her cousins! And, this is the first trip for Lauren to get to play with them too. Five kids under five - it's a crazy house, but wonderful.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Cousins!!!!
One of the best parts of being in South Carolina is getting to see all of the cousins! Katherine loves her cousins! And, this is the first trip for Lauren to get to play with them too. Five kids under five - it's a crazy house, but wonderful.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Holiday Happenings
Christmas has been in full swing for a couple of weeks around here. Lots of parties, recitals, goodies and Santa! More explanation to come, but for now - here's some pictures of the festivities.
Zoo Lights - we got all bundled up to brave the 10 degree weather to see the lights at the Zoo - honestly, I think Disneyland has spoiled us, but it was fun, none-the-less. The highlight was talking to Santa via satellite. Yes, that is Lauren under all of that clothing and plastic - and her hands still almost froze.
We made a bunch of Christmas ornaments - Katherine loved decorating them - kept her busy for hours! And, I love the way they turned out!
We found a tree and thawed it out, and then decorated it!
Santa came early - and delivered all sorts of goodies - like a drum set (the only thing Katherine asked for this year).
Katherine took a dance class that centered around the Nutcracker story. Really great class!
And, we had a party at K's preschool that included a concert and Santa - Katherine asked me if he was "the real Santa." I have to say, he looked like a fake to me.
And, now, we are on to the "real" celebration in South Carolina! Such fun!
Zoo Lights - we got all bundled up to brave the 10 degree weather to see the lights at the Zoo - honestly, I think Disneyland has spoiled us, but it was fun, none-the-less. The highlight was talking to Santa via satellite. Yes, that is Lauren under all of that clothing and plastic - and her hands still almost froze.
We made a bunch of Christmas ornaments - Katherine loved decorating them - kept her busy for hours! And, I love the way they turned out!
We found a tree and thawed it out, and then decorated it!
Santa came early - and delivered all sorts of goodies - like a drum set (the only thing Katherine asked for this year).
Katherine took a dance class that centered around the Nutcracker story. Really great class!
And, we had a party at K's preschool that included a concert and Santa - Katherine asked me if he was "the real Santa." I have to say, he looked like a fake to me.
And, now, we are on to the "real" celebration in South Carolina! Such fun!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Baldy
So, I realize that life in the Dennis household can be stressful at times, but is it really so bad that you need to pull all of your hair out?
Apparently so. Both my children have pulled their hair out as a way to self-soothe. When Katherine began doing it, I talked to her pediatrician and he assured me this was "normal" behavior for children. I'm trying to remember that. About a month after we moved, Lauren decided to pull all of her hair out. She is now bald. Here are the before and after pictures...
Apparently so. Both my children have pulled their hair out as a way to self-soothe. When Katherine began doing it, I talked to her pediatrician and he assured me this was "normal" behavior for children. I'm trying to remember that. About a month after we moved, Lauren decided to pull all of her hair out. She is now bald. Here are the before and after pictures...
Monday, December 6, 2010
News
If you've seen Michael Moore's film "Bowling for Columbine," you might remember his comparison of the US and the Canadian media. Moore points out that the US tends to accentuate the negative, "fear factor" stories, and Canada tends to focus on more positive stories. I'm sure some of this is hyperbole, but I have done a couple of comparisons of the KTLA (our local LA station) news headlines and the Calgary Herald's top stories (Calgary's newspaper), and the contrast is quite amazing.
These headlines were taken from the sources on November 18:
Calgary Herald
+Transportation minister defends distracted driving bill
+Mayor seeking public input on budget talks
+Contraband tobacco hurting convenience stores
+Study examines impact of stress on babies
I seriously couldn't find one negative story that day.
KTLA News
+210 Fwy Shut Down Due To Fiery, Double-Fatal Accident
+100 Naked Body Scan Images Leaked Online
+Boyfriend Accused in Horrific Beating Death of 4-year old Boy
+Bodies of Missing Ohio Family Found in Hollowed Out Tree
+13-year old Girl Sexually Assaulted on her Way home From School
+Prosecutor: Jaw Bone Found in Aruba Belonged to Young Woman
+Fertility Doctor Accused of Turning Octomom into 'Human Guinea Pig'
+Teen Shot to Death Inside Long Beach Home
This comparison would be hilarious if it wasn't just sad. In Canada, we feel safer, and people do seem to be happier and more stable than they are in the US. Maybe it's because they don't have crazy, scary news all day long? Maybe it's because they have health care? Maybe because it's too cold? I don't know. What I do know is that it is nice to have a sabbath from the US fear-monger news.
These headlines were taken from the sources on November 18:
Calgary Herald
+Transportation minister defends distracted driving bill
+Mayor seeking public input on budget talks
+Contraband tobacco hurting convenience stores
+Study examines impact of stress on babies
I seriously couldn't find one negative story that day.
KTLA News
+210 Fwy Shut Down Due To Fiery, Double-Fatal Accident
+100 Naked Body Scan Images Leaked Online
+Boyfriend Accused in Horrific Beating Death of 4-year old Boy
+Bodies of Missing Ohio Family Found in Hollowed Out Tree
+13-year old Girl Sexually Assaulted on her Way home From School
+Prosecutor: Jaw Bone Found in Aruba Belonged to Young Woman
+Fertility Doctor Accused of Turning Octomom into 'Human Guinea Pig'
+Teen Shot to Death Inside Long Beach Home
This comparison would be hilarious if it wasn't just sad. In Canada, we feel safer, and people do seem to be happier and more stable than they are in the US. Maybe it's because they don't have crazy, scary news all day long? Maybe it's because they have health care? Maybe because it's too cold? I don't know. What I do know is that it is nice to have a sabbath from the US fear-monger news.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Tower
The Calgary Tower is probably the most recognized landmark in Calgary (next to the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains). It is 525 feet up in the air - amazing 365 degree views.
Winter view
Summer view
Katherine LOVES the tower. And, because of this we have been five times since we arrived in September. Part of the allure for Katherine is the glass observation deck in which you step onto a glass floor and can see straight down to the sidewalk below. I absolutely cannot step on it - my hands start sweating just being in the tower. Katherine loves to dance, jump and sit on the glass. Gives me the creeps every time. If you come to visit us in Calgary, just know that we will be visiting the tower.
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