It’s on my Schedule

Emma:
Tessa: You realize we’re not going to do that, right?
Emma: Yes we are. I planned it. It’s on my schedule.

She’s 6. And has a “schedule”!

Christmas Letter 2009

It was a fun year for The Johnston 5. My parents came over from Scotland to visit this summer, and my brother and his family after them. We had family in town for the best part of five weeks – it was great! That I was off work the entire time didn’t hurt either

Jordan is 17 now and a senior in high school. Scotland doesn’t do graduation ceremonies from high school, so I’m at the mercy of Jordan and Tessa to tell me what’s normal. Apparently a shopping spree followed by a day at the spa being served champagne in the cupped hands of bronzed cabana boys is the bare minimum

Jordan wants to go into Nursing after high school and is in the process of filling out college application forms. While she’s not studying (or dreaming about cabana boys!) she’s planning what furniture she wants in her apartment when she moves out. Moving out is high on her list – I’ve no idea why I’m sure she’ll miss those endless episodes of Hannah Montana and Ice Princess marathons.

Emma is 6 and started 1st grade this year. She’s been loving school so far, and loves doing homework. The other day, we went to a bookstore and she picked out a book of math problems!

She’s not quite so fond of mornings though. Picking out something to wear and putting it on without it “looking weird” is a knife-edge situation each morning. I think it’s safe to say she’s not a morning person. Like her mum… hey, who said that – wasn’t me! shhhh

Luke’s 4 now and started Pre-K this year (that’s the one before primary 1 for all the Scots reading). I didn’t think he’d sit still long enough for the teacher to even call out his name, but turns out he’s loving it. They do have a computer in the room though, so I think that’s playing a major role in his motivation! He’s also been playing soccer, baseball and golf and we just signed him up for Tae Kwon Do. The kid’s got energy.

Tessa is 29 this year – weird, I know (again)! I’m such a cradle robber! She’s loving being home with the kids and volunteers in both their classrooms once a week. Emma’s class loves her so much they nearly knocked her over when the entire class rushed her for a hug.

She completed her first triathlon this year (three of them actually), and is signed up for another three plus a half marathon next summer. Yeah, I’m tired just writing it down. Oh, and she just finished an accounting class at the local community college!

I’m just trying my best to keep up! I’m still employed at Agilent, which these days feels like an achievement! My fight against droopy man boobs is still raging, but it was a good year. According to the moobie-meter (aka the bathroom scale) I’m holding steady. In a crazed effort to get ahead of the game before the Holiday goody season got here, I tried 30 days without candy/sweets… I made it, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Gummy bear withdrawal is not something to take lightly

Best wishes to all for 2010!

Love,

The Johnston 5!
(Ross, Tessa, Jordan, Emma & Luke)

This Much

This was Luke asking me to put this sprinklers back on. Just for a little bit.

After I took the picture, he called me back and said “No wait, this much!”, and moved his fingers further apart

Wolves!

Emma came running into the house the other day, frantic that there were wolves – yes, multiple – in the back yard. A little apprehensively, Tessa ventured out the back slider to check it out.

Turns out it was three baby bunnies (which itself is a little weird, but still a far cry from wolves!).

Apparently we need to read a few more farmyard books

“You must have different eyes Dad”

3yr-old son (looking to get a Batman bandaid):
“Look at my ow-ee!”

Dad:
“I can’t see anything – you’re at it!”

5yr-old daughter (sounding very knowledgeable):
“You must have different eyes Dad”

Dad’s Got a New Gadget!

 

Why the sudden influx of random pics of the kids? Because Daddy got a new gadget!

A fancy new camera. And regardless of whether the pictures are actually any good – or interesting for that matter – by jove, he’s having fun!

Dad’s So Proud

The other day, Luke walks into the office. Tessa’s sitting at the desk on the computer, but he stops her:

“Mum, watch this.”

He grabs the mouse, goes to the Start menu, opens MS Word, hammers on the keys for a minute, clicks the red ‘X’, clicks ‘No’ to not save anything and exits MS Word.

He’s 3 (okay, almost 4) and just made his Dad’s day!

In fact, he’s so proud of himself, he videotaped it :

Don’t Be So Spicy!

Daddy to Mummy while driving in the car:

“Sheesh babe – no need to get all hot and bothered about it!”

Luke from the back seat:

“Yeah Mom, don’t be so spicy!”

“Why did we name her Cuddles?”

“We need a bitey name.”

Emma commenting on Cuddles the cat. Yes, that would be the psycho cat that bites everyone and terrorizes the kids.

Note To Self…

If you wash the car and it’s winter, pay the extra buck for the blow dry.

Or when you go to a friends for dinner and it’s below freezing when you leave, the sliding doors on the car will be frozen stinkin’ shut!