Max-a-roo

Is FIVE! When did that happen? I know I'm a little slow getting to this post- the story of my life- but I couldn't procrastinate this day away. I'll fill you in on the day Max was born five years ago.
We lived in Saskatoon. It was freezing cold, the coldest day that we'd had (-40). Ya, that cold. I don't even have to type the F or the C after it, because it's the same degree of insanity. I woke up on the Saturday morning and knew that I was in quasi-labor. Mom told me to go walk around, so we went out into the freezingness to walk the mall. Someone had stolen our extension cord. Jerky Saskatoonians. So, needless to say, our car wouldn't start. Until a less jerky saskatoonian jumped our battery. Much walking and a lot of nerves later, we went into the hospital at 9 pm when my contractions were about 5 minutes apart. Labored all night and had sweet little Maxen James at 10:20 am December 4, 2005. (Dustin asked me how I remembered the time, and I told him it would be hard to forget a moment like that.)
Here are just a few things I love about Max:
He's so loving.
Max loves to create an imagine.
He has the tenderest heart of any little guy.
He says "Je t'aime, Mommy/ Daddy" out of the blue.
He's so stinkin smart, but says, "It's okay, Mommy. I'll help you get it right." Usually when I'm helping him make something of his own design.
Max is a loyal friend, and tries to include everyone.
He is the class clown, even at home.
He loves volkswagens and will sit forever looking at them with his dad.
Max loves to play with Sam, and even helps him put his jammies on.
He tells Elle how sweet she is about a zillion times a day.
He's a little trooper when it comes to things he doesn't like.
Max hates meat, and you can get him to eat just about anything else if you tell him there is no meat in it.
Max loves to wear hats, especially the ones Grandpa Wilde gives him.
He loves riding around with Grandpa Wilde and asks when we can visit constantly.
He loves it when I read to him, and can say "constantinople" from hop on pop.
Max loves Inspector gadget.
He laughs out loud- super loud- when he thinks something is funny.

Max is my sweet little dude, Sammy's idol, Elle's protector, and Dustin's clone. We love you Max, and can't wait for all you have to teach us with your loving heart!

Merry Christmas

Dustin has been a student for a very long time. (I have been his wife for most of it.) This usually means that we never see each other, except for holidays and weekends. Well, we see each other, but not for the long enough time that you might get sick of one another. Pure wedded bliss. Anyway, these holidays are, for the most part spent with our families. I consider our family to be very lucky to be able to drive for a while and spend the time of year meant for peace on earth, and love, with those that mean so much to us. I have very tender feelings in my heart for Christmases past, the traditions, and the overall feeling of the holiday. I found this poem the other day and it paints such beautiful imagery, and this is what I picture our home to be one day. Especially during the holiday.

A Prayer For A Little Home

God send us a little home,
To come back to, when we roam.

Low walls and fluted tiles,
Wide windows, a view for miles.

Red firelight and deep chairs,
Small white beds upstairs-

Great talk in little nooks,
Dim colors, rows of books.

One picture on each wall,
Not many things at all.

God send us a little ground,
Tall trees stand round.

Homely flowers in brown sod,
Overhead, thy stars, O God.

God bless thee, when winds blow,
Our home, and all we know.

-Florence Bone

With that, I'll add some imagery of my own that old Florence didn't have. This may warm my heart just a little bit more.






Do you have any traditions, or memories that evoke that sense of family in your heart at this time of year?

fondant update

Well, it worked! My fondant worked! I was so amazed. I only had to cook it once, beat it once and it balled so nicely. The fondant dipped really easily too.
Paulette came over last week, as mentioned, to dip our chocolates. It was so fun!!! Paulette made delicious ganache (truffle filling), and yummy-secret family recipe- caramel for turtles. She really is so wonderful. We dipped the olympian creams that I made as well.
Yesterday, my friends Lauren and Erin came over and helped me dip some orange flavored and peppermint flavored fondant. They really did a great job and I was so grateful they were so willing to help get all that done and out of my fridge!!! I hope they'll come over and pick them up soon...(nudge nudge you guys.)
Without further ado, here are some pictures of the most fun we've had since last week!
Next post, Max's 5th Birthday Party! Hang on to your hats!

mid-production


my little "helper"


dark chocolate covered ganache, milk chocolate covered olympian cream, cocoa covered cinnamon-chocolate ganache, milk chocolate mold (Paulette's) with fondant, red foil turtle. DELICIOUS! Thanks Paulette!