Pheeyoush!

/ˈf(y)ü ü üsh’

Exclamation

Expression of relief by a three year old Little Mouse, who thinks she’s saying phew!

What a week! As it is every year, the weeks leading up to Christmas are usually booked solid, activities, outings, visits with friends and more.

This year, it went something like this;

Monday I had a dinner with work colleagues, and while I didn’t get home late, I wasn’t feeling so good. This cold/cough combination I caught just won’t go away!

Tuesday was my last night of class. I have been taking a Public Speaking and Presentation course through the University of Toronto. My final and 10 minute presentation was last week, and so this week I got to listen to the rest of the class present.

I enjoyed this class very much. And thought that my classmates and professor were all amazing. We had a great group of people. I especially loved that in the last few minutes of class, the professor made each of us go to the front of the class, while the rest of the class said words out loud that described them. Some of the words I remember were storyteller, creative, funny, animated, not lazy, delightful, entertaining.

What a great way to end a class! We were all left with positive words of the impression we left on people. I wish all my classmates much success and look forward to receiving my certificate, since this was my last class to completing my Communications for Professionals Certificate!

Wednesday was definitely hump day! We had both the Little Mouse and Little Bird’s holiday concerts that day. So D and I both left work a little early in order to pick up the Little Bird, get her changed for her concert and to the daycare in time to watch the Little Mouse.

We made it just in time, as her class began to sing Santa Claus is Coming to Town. They were adorable. Now the second song was a bit of a surprise, because all the Little Mouse would say was that they were going to be dancing. So when they started to play All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey, my eyes welled up. That song reminds me of Love Actually, which is my husband and my ultimate favourite Christmas movie. They were so cute, dancing and moving around the front of the room. And I loved how she kept looking up with a huge smile on her face, watching to make sure we were watching her.

Once that was done, we bundled up to make our way to a quick dinner at the Golden Arches and then off to the Little Bird’s school, where D went to save us seats as close to the stage as possible, as I went to get her dressed as an angel. After she was ready, I made my way back to my seat, about five rows back.

The concert started and they were the second act, so I made my way to the front to sit on the floor, so she could see me, while I took pictures and recorded the whole thing – all at the same time. They were adorable. They sang There Was a Little Boy , dressed as angels, sheppards, Mary and Joseph. We then enjoyed the rest of the classes and the last act had all of the kids, (JK through to Grade 3) back on stage to sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

That wasn’t the end of the night, however, as we went home, put the kids to bed and welcomed D’s friend over for our traditional Survivor Finale viewing party. Well, party is a bit of an exaggeration. We talk about the show and watch the finale and reunion show. And while it was a long and exhausting day, it’s always fun to hang out with F and this year’s show was one of the first times we were all happy with the outcome.

Oh, also sometime during this night, I managed to wrap three teachers’ gifts, three before and after care teachers’ gifts and write a few cards. I slept well that night.

Thursday was not as hectic, although I had an action-packed day at work (my punishment for being off for two weeks, I’m sure). After picking the kids up from school, I made pasta and we did our usual, homework and colouring. Then they watched a bit of television and off to bed. It was the first time I got to lie on the couch this week. And I didn’t want to move!

And here we are today! My last day of work for two weeks. The Little Bird’s last day of school for two weeks. The Little Mouse gets to be away from daycare for two weeks too. D, unfortunately can’t take holidays, however will get to spend some time relaxing, hopefully.

So in the words of my three year old, Pheeyoush!

What a week!

I’m looking forward to being home, getting a break, and hanging out with my girls.

What are you looking forward to this holiday season?