Favourite picture

This is the best picture I’ve taken all month. It captures Hailey perfectly. She’s playing those shakers with such joy. Too bad they’re Vanessa’s but good thing Vanessa’s sharing. Funny that Vanessa won’t share the toy that Hailey got for Christmas as well.

The band

part 2

Christmas day the girls woke up at 7:45. A very respectable time. Vanessa, Hailey and Daddy snuck downstairs while I got dressed. Daddy was good enough to take video of her reaction. Priceless and typical Vanessa.

We started off by unwrapping our stockings. They were filled with goodies. We went upstairs for breakfast. Nice and simple this year with frittata, croissants, melons and orange juice. I was expecting the frittata to be run of the mill and that it would do but I was extremely surprised that we loved it. Onions, ham, swiss cheese and green onions. Delicious. Vanessa didn’t have any because she filled up on cantaloupe, honey dew melon and croissant. Hailey had her first taste of cantaloupe. I think it was  the first time she didn’t grimace trying a new food.

We opened our presents while Hailey was napping. I got spoiled and Eric was minimalist this year. (the tables were turned). Vanessa did very well as usual. Stickers were definitely a theme for her.  She got snowshoes and princess things. She was not disappointed. She’s watched her new Horton Hears a Who twice already.

When Hailey woke up, we packed up and headed to go tobogganing. The hill was quiet despite the perfect conditions. Fast, no wind, –8C and good snow coverage. It was a great idea to get out and spend some energy. For the first time I chickened out and didn’t slide. Stayed at the top to keep Hailey company. We played in the park and checked out the hockey before heading over to MJ and Ron’s.

At MJ and Ron’s we visited with Ronald’s parents. They were very happy to see my girls. The girls behaved themselves very well. (hot chocolate bribery) They received beautiful gifts. Hailey and Vanessa are both enjoying the musical instruments.

We came home for Hailey’s nap and some downtime for the rest of us before heading out for more cheer at Grandma’s house. Packed house with my sisters, Chris, Tim and Kieran and Chris’ parents. We had a lovely dinner and opened many more gifts. The kids were spoiled but that’s the best part. Spoiled with food, attention and gifts. We look forward to next year but I think we’ll switch it up a little.

 

		Christmas Day VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Christmas Explosion–Part 1

Christmas Day was lots of fun. Vanessa is believing in Santa and Hailey’s just fun! Christmas Eve we went to Pamela and Christina’s for dinner. YUMMY dinner! We had a cheese platter starter with tourtiere and home made baked beans and beets alongside french bread. It was all washed down with cranberry and orange juice. (Thanks Mommy!)

We went downstairs to unwrap gifts by the tree, have sweets and made fools of ourselves to Just Dance on the WII for kids. Totally priceless to watch Vanessa try the moves.

We went home very happy and full of love and food and Christmas spirit. Vanessa got into her PJs and went downstairs to leave milk and cookies for Santa and rush back up to bed.

		Eve VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Christmas Eve preparations.

Most of the presents got wrapped last night and the beans got started for the baked beans. Wow is that a long process. They better be awesome. Next time I’m trying it in the pressure cooker. I also put beets in the other slow cooker. I’ve never tried that either but they smell nice. Vanessa was eager to help but I couldn’t bear beet juice everywhere. She LOVED making orange juice. Since we got some free at IGA I let her make herself a glass. Ohh. 1/4 cup from an orange. Tomorrow we’ll make more since it was fun.

We tried to make snowflakes but Vanessa got impatient with the scissors because you have to cut through a few layers. Colouring was better but short lived. She’s getting dressed which is code for playing in her room. I’m good with that since Hailey’s on her 3 hour nap.

I’ll try and post some pictures of the beets on the plates. I can’t wait to try them and all the other wonderful goodies. My sisters made some sweets so it’s all covered.

School Christmas spirit.

		Vanessa’s Christmas Spectacle VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Last week the families of Vanessa’s school were treated to a small Christmas show. They had been practicing to French songs for a while now. It was really cute. You can see for yourself in the video later. I’m always impressed with her teachers. A girl’s bells broke and Vanessa’s nose fell off her mask and she didn’t miss a beat. Vanessa participated but was watching the other kids. Her friend B actually gave her a small nudge. She was too busy looking around and making sure Hailey was happy.

Hailey had a Fudge-O with Lifejacket incident. The story goes… When I was a toddler, I was handed a Fudge-O on the boat and proceeded to cry. I couldn’t get it too my mouth because of the bulky lifejacket and my short arms. Well…I got Hailey all set up in her booster seat so she wouldn’t crawl around while I recorded. I gave her some toys and she was happy for one song and started crying. I looked over and realized that I didn’t uncover her hands so she couldn’t play with the blocks. That was an easy fix and she had a great time after that.

Christmas is coming…

It’s funny how Christine and I are stay at home mom’s and our children are similar in age that we don’t see each other more often. We talk on the phone very regularly. Well I talk she listens. :-) Now that the kid’s activities are slowing down for the holidays we met up yesterday. They came over to play in the very fresh fluffy snow. I opened the back door with shovel in hand. It was too deep for the kids to walk in. I took Vanessa which was all dressed up and threw her into the snow onto her bum. Plouff. giggle giggle giggle. I asked Kieran if he wanted to be thrown. He replied with a big smile, “Wanna go weeee!”. They had a blast together. I got to throw them over and over into all the fresh snow I could find. I could focus on Vanessa since I had put Hailey down for a nap. Kieran kept rejoicing,”Playing in snow!” They came in for more fun and lunch. Home made pea soup, carrots and fresh bread. Perfect after playing in the snow. Almost as great as hot chocolate. Eh Vanessa?

We’re sending out our first mass Christmas Cards this year thanks to Shutterfly. The cards are beautiful even though there’s a typo in them.(all my fault) At least everyone will have something to laugh at. Vanessa helped me with the first 20 or so. Writing a V for her name and drawing Christmas balls and placing animal stickers. She also stuck the mailing labels on. What fun. Ohhh did you see that? She drew something! Christmas balls and coloured them in very carefully. I think 5 very lucky random people got drawings. Look how serious she is. Very careful to not make a mess with the marker. Oops there’s a little preview of our card.

This week was the first time Vanessa came to me very proud to show me that she drew something. It was two smiley faces. Too bad I can't keep it since it was with the aqua doodle. She loves smiley faces. She asks all the bill checkers at Costco to draw one. They almost always comment how cute she is and draw one. Vanessa knows how to work it. Until now she’s not shown interest in drawing or colouring or using pencils so I’m really happy and proud of her.