speed update

It's the middle of January already! EEEEEEeeeeeek... And life isn't going to slow down until season is over - or maybe even until school is over, and I sure hope I can take a vacation (albeit a mini one) before baby #3 arrives in May. Have I announced this on here yet? I'm ashamed that I don't have a single baby bump picture, but at 24 weeks the little guy in there (yes, guy!) has forced me into maternity pants. I haven't had many aversions or cravings, but I'm definitely more hungry than usual (I think) - though this could just be an eat more want more thing... you know? Anyways! Moving on, speed-blurb-update style:

Winter has hit, and Steve has been shovelling snow like it's his job. He does our driveway and our two neighbours' driveways, and they deserve it; they help us out so much with the kids (watching for an hour here and there) and bring us baked goods and, well, regardless, they should have their driveways shovelled by us younger folk (I've helped, but not intensively).

Steve is another year wiser! I surprised him on his birthday with a birthday lunch complete with his boy home from school, and I think it was the highlight of his day. I was up baking his heart-shaped birthday cake (Hendrik's idea) at 11:30 the night before, iced and decorated by Hendrik and I (covertly and in our pyjamas) the next (birthday) morning, and then there was cake and ice cream after lunch that day (YUM).

Loft bed coming up! We've figured out what the sleeping arrangements will look like come this third babe's arrival, and it's going to be a not-so-high loft bed staggered over Hendrik's current bed, which will become Alana's. We're thinking we'll get them in their new beds soon-ish (Hendrik in his loft, Alana in Hendrik's old twin bed) and then make the transition to roommate living (which was once oh so very fun) in March or April.

Volleyball. Oh what a chance the guys had to get that ticket to Rio, but it was not to be. In front of a sold out crown in Edmonton last Sunday, Canada fell to Cuba in three straight sets, and it wasn't pretty. They hung tight with them here and there, but Cuba had standout players and a sense of urgency - and we were lacking both (in my opinion). They've got another crack at it in May, but the odds were more in their favour in this last tourney than in the next; still, they've got an army of supporters behind them!

School. Coaching. Motherhood. I'm wearing many hats, all at the same time. I'm still figuring out when to do what and how, but it'll come - because it has to! We have our first league game of the second half this weekend against Waterloo, and I sure would like to win it! One pregnant coach replaces another, and hopefully we can keep our positive record (7-2) looking good!

The kids have been LOVING the snow, and they've also been loving the truly Canadian ride home from school transport of the trusted double sled. We've schlepped them home from school multiple times, and they love it. Pictures to come...

For now, that's it! I have a pile of cards and photos and papers and who knows what else to go through - we've been trying to organize and de-clutter, but eating, showering, cooking, cleaning up, working, studying, etc., comes first. Until next time!