Holiday recap

On the 24th we had Steph’s family over for Christmas eve dinner (and presents, of course!)

all ready for company …

checking out personalized videos from Santa

Leaving cookies (and celery?) for Santa.

Then checking on Santa’s location on NORAD.  Loved the little videos this time (Great Wall of China and Red Square especially).

The big hit gifts this year: 

Francis: iPod Touch

Naomi: Barbie Townhouse

Then off for a quick breakfast with Steph’s parents and then off to Ottawa to see my family.

sledding fun in Ottawa

New books!

and a feast!

 

We had a great time visiting with friends and family for most of our holiday.  Unfortunately, the flu bug hit our house so we were all pretty sick for the remainder of the time!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone the very happiest of holidays! 

Skating with Santa

Naomi had a great time skating with Mr. Claus and her BFF, Layla.   Near the end they dragged his special chair out onto the ice so that the kids could take turns sitting on his lap.  On the way home we all stopped at Timmy’s (Tim Horton’s) for some hot chocolate.  The perfect end to a fun evening!

Mini gingerbread house

Here is a picture of the proud creator of a mini gingerbread house (made with graham crackers).  Unfortunately, two seconds after this photo was taken, Moka ran over and decided to taste the creation.  Bad dog. 

Wondering why Naomi’s hair is so messy in this picture?  You guessed it, I just wrestled “the Hat” off her.  Lol.

The Hat

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Naomi LOVES this hat.  She received it as a birthday present and has taken to wearing it all the time.  Even indoors.  Especially indoors.  And because of it’s rainbow of colors, it matches everything (or so I am told). 

Here’s the fashionista and her favourite accessory at the library yesterday:

 

Whoa, time really does fly

Seriously, I can barely believe that I haven’t posted in over a month! Ok, let’s see … um,  we’ve been really  busy lately with hockey for Francis and Naomi in gymnastics, skating, swimming and Sparks.  Next Sunday is Naomi’s last swimming class for this session and she will be moving up to the green level after the holidays.  It’s amazing how much she improved.  She can now easily swim the width of an Olympic sized pool doing front crawl – so impressive for a 5 year old!  She is also really loving gymnastics and skating lessons.  She was even asked to join a special skating program because they see some natural talent in her.  We’ve decided to hold off for now as she has enough activities.  She also joined Sparks which is a part of Girl Guides but for her age group.  Several kids from school joined and she just loves that they do lots of singing and crafts. 

Francis has been busy as ever with his intensive hockey training.  He is in a special sports-enhanced school program where he practices 3 times a week in the morning.  He is also on an elite double letter inter-city team which practices several times a week and has 1-3 games a week depending on the schedule.  He is one of two goaltenders for this team.  It certainly keeps the parents on the go!

In November someone in our family celebrated their 40th birthday (and it wasn’t me)! 

So here we are, the 7th of December – I am not done my Christmas shopping nor have I done any baking.  The tree isn’t even up yet!  Gah!   I am looking forward to the days after Christmas where I have a week off to spend entire days in my pyjamas playing video games with the kids and eating nothing but chocolate and eggnog.  Yeah.  

And last but not least, I am thrilled for my dear friends Doris and Dan (and daughter Daphne) who are in China getting to know their adorable new son, Donovan.  Just thinking of them in China as a forever family of 4 makes my heart happy.  Looking forward to meeting their new little guy soon!  ♥