I was walking to work this morning, being very careful not to slip on the wet brick sidewalk when passing the man power washing the a dead bird into the gutter, and something completely random popped into my head; “Stella”.

When I was young, little girls would gather in the school yard and play clapping games. You’ve got your “May Sue”, “Double Double” and “McDonalds” then if you were in French Immersion like I was maybe even a little “Meunier tu dors Ton moulin va trop vite Meunier, tu dors Ton moulin va trop fort.” But the best was always the multi-player “Stella”. It’s a little-known fact that in my room at the church about 10 minute before getting married I played a round of Stella with all the nieces and nephews, it was a great way to pass the time and keep Cameron occupied so that he didn’t lose the rings…again.

So being nimble in my stilettos I avoided the sidewalk sludge earlier today and got the tune to Stella stuck in my head. Of course since this is *me* we’re talking about, I came home and Googled the game. Honestly, I have never truly known what the words are, you just kind sound them out and giggle and clap, but what are the real lyrics?

Stella ella ola, clap clap clap
Say yes, chicko, chicko, chicko chicko chak
Say yes, chicko, chicko, allo, allo
Allo allo allo!
Say one, two, three, four, five

Thanks wiki! Although, even the wiki doesn’t really explain what the words actually mean and I can seriously find about 10 different variations online including that words “quack”, “chigo”, “tigo tigo tap” and “vallo vallo the toilet overflows”. I suppose I shouldn’t have expected much from an childhood entertainment medium that also makes you sit in a circle, clapping hands with others (and yourself) while singing about hanky panky, windmills, and boy germs.

Not that I wouldn’t want to claim these smart little cuties. John and I were just visiting with the kids this afternoon. You know that show on Life Network called Crash Test Mommy? Yeah, my sister would LOVE to sign me up for that. She raises her 3 little ones (who are 6, 4 and 2 years old) day in and day out, on top of working part-time.

John and I had my niece and nephews for a couple of hours this afternoon. If we had them tomorrow I would have taken them to the Chinese New Year Parade but we still had a pretty good time. We ate lunch, went for a walk, coloured, watched a movie and baked some cookies. They’re such well behaved kids (although don’t let their cherub-like appearance fool you) it still is challenging.

I discovered a little something about my husband’s potential parenting skills. He was around when his nieces and nephews were growing up back in Iowa and I gotta say, he’s got that whole ‘say your name once in a stern tone if you’re doing something bad, it will make you freeze in your tracks and PAY attention‘ thing down to a tee.

I also found out that I need more colouring supplies in my house. A couple of highlighters had to suffice since the only other drawing tools we have on-hand are sharpies and, well permanent marker and little kiddies just don’t mix. I printed a some pictures off a couple kids colouring sites and also discovered PBS has online colouring - perfect for my niece who knows more about computers than half the people I work with.

My sister’s probably laughing at the fact that I’m a little tired right now. Yes, she has my respect, a lot of it. She also can’t wait until I have kids so she can a) play with a new baby b) watch me lose my girlish figure c) load my kids up with sugar then send them home to us.

It’s now that time of year. Lights go up on houses, trees appear in empty parking lots, Santa hangs at the local mall and families face the perilous task of the holiday portrait.

Every year since our kids were born we’ve accepted the challenge. It’s nice to have one ‘professionally’ done picture of the kids every year. Dressed in their Sunday best, posing nicely in front of a wintery background and smiling like butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths. That is the idea, the reality is never quite so picturesque.

What I’ve found over the years is that the people paid to take pictures of children, evidently have none of their own and know little about them. Anyone that has kids…or has ever been around kids (small ones anyway) would not fathom asking them to sit for extended periods of time, posed, unmoving and smiling.

So, the lure of 80 plus pictures for only $19.99 draws me in every year. I wrestle the kids into clothing we can agree on and line up with the masses at Sears or Wal-mart. Those who know me would agree, I am excessively patient (being outnumbered 3-1 by children in my house you’d have to be) but by the end of our portrait sessions I am nearly in tears and wanting to yell ‘JUST TAKE THE FRIGGIN PICTURE ALREADY!’

You will never, ever, under any circumstances successfully have 3 little kids all looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. You will be lucky if they are all facing the same direction and nobody has their finger in their nose. This year our picture was taken horizontally rather then vertically because, by the end my kids had decided they had had enough and were going home. The well-intentioned Wal-mart employee was apologetic and seemingly disappointed but I was satisfied. No finger in nose, no hands on head, no tears and 2 out of 3 smiling. Home free for another 12 months.