friesenfam.net | Friesen family blog

January 16, 2010
by janette
2 Comments

why is it SO hard?

Inevitably when the whole family gets together, there is one photo we always try to get…the grandkids.

Whether it be the grandkids together…or the grandkids with grandma and grandpa…its going to happen.

And why, oh why, is it so hard to get a good one?

Take this one for example…

One of my children’s hair always makes her look homeless. I can’t get a handle on it…I did recently decide to cut three inches off. It helped a little. This time of year, the static, however, does not care how many inches i cut off.

My other child looks like a giant in this picture…and he wasn’t even looking at me. Now, I’m not usually one of those people that has to have everyone looking at the camera. Most times, I prefer not, but in this case…its what we were looking for.

And my beautiful niece is the one who looks the by far the best in this photo…with her pigtails and her big cheese smile!

Does anyone out there have suggestions for group photos of small children? I think I only got Ev to sit there after bribing him with a cookie…

January 12, 2010
by janette
1 Comment

fun with friends

I can’t even believe how long ago this was already. Mid-December…where did you go?

A friend and I took in the Phelps Youth Pavilion (in Waterloo, Iowa for the non-locals) in mid-December for her boy’s birthday. If you’ve never been, you must go. It is a wonderful way to let kids explore art and just have a ball. Ev was the youngest kid among the four, but there were still plenty of things for him to touch and explore, and he had a great time too!

Everybody gardening…minus Ev. I think he was dragging around a watering can at this point…

Yep,..there it is!

Ellie and T getting ready to explore the “cave” and use chalk to make cave drawings. They ultimately decided it was too scary…

Ev exploring the fruit market. This kid is really into food, can you tell?

and lastly, little L exploring China in the multicultural section. The noodles were made out of a rubbery string. She was trying to pick them up with the chopsticks. Seriously cute!

Wonderful day! Wonderful friends!

Four kids really kept us hopping though. We decided next time we may just bring one for each of us…maybe then we could explore some more too!

January 2, 2010
by janette
2 Comments

what’s your plan for the new year?

happy-new-year_thumbnail

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about New Year’s resolutions…how we aim to better ourselves in the new year…

It isn’t that I haven’t thought about them in years previous to this one…its just that this year, i thought about them a little more.

I think i’ve come up with something attainable this year…not the standard “i’m going to lose X amount of weight” or “i’m going to enjoy every minute with my children”. Although good goals to have, they never quite seem to happen, and then leave me disappointed come December 31.

Here is my list this year…and why…I hope its inspiring.

1) I resolve to get in better shape this year. Notice…i did not say I resolve to lose X amount of weight. If that comes with it, great…but if not, I still expect that my heart health will thank me for exercising more this year than I ever have. I also hope to enter a 5K this summer…walking, or running, i don’t care which…

and

2) I resolve to notice (and recognize) good customer service instead of just complaining about bad.

At work, we’ve been dealing with customer service issues…and how to be better at our very public jobs. And in the recent past, I have had two exemplary customer service interactions that i have appreciated. I noticed, and recognized, both of these…and know I made a difference in someone’s day because I did.

Let me tell you one story…I was in an outlet mall last week, and Ellie was pretending she was trying on clothes, right alongside daddy. When it was our turn to pay, she got right up there, put her imaginary clothes on the counter, and told the checker that these were her clothes and she wanted to pay for them. The checker smiled and said to her how beautiful her clothes were. I thought it was nice…but didn’t think much more of it until after she had put my clothes in a bag and handed them to me and then did the exact same thing with Ellie’s pretend clothing. I was impressed with her ability to smile and indulge a three-year-old’s shopping trip. What great customer service. I only wish she had a name tag on so i could have recognized her service to her boss, instead of just thanking her.

So, now that I’ve indulged you with my list…

What do you resolve this year?

December 16, 2009
by janette
0 comments

do you have the elf?

from “the elf on the shelf”…

“Have you ever wondered how Santa could know if you’re naughty or nice each year as you grow?”

“At holiday time, Santa sends me to you. I watch and report on all that you do.”

do you have the elf?

At our house, we search for him every morning and then I usually get asked what he told Santa the night before…

we strive for good things every day.

Gotta love the elf.

December 14, 2009
by janette
3 Comments

let me introduce you…

to the man who spent his late Saturday night and Sunday evening “turning” doll limbs for me…

(photo courtesy of my three year old)

so these two little girls could have a very Merry Christmas…

with these two little girls.

thanks, Nathan…you’re the best!