The Good 'Ol Hockey Game

"Oh! The good old hockey game,

Is the best game you can name;

And the best game you can name,

Is the good old hockey game!"

- Stompin' Tom Conners

A focused inner-hockey fan is found.

February 22: The "hockey? what's hockey?" innocence is removed from Tavish. Until we took him to this Ottawa 67s game, he hadn't had exposure to hockey beyond identifying that there are 'hockey players' on a set of his pjs. Add that to learning how to skate the day before, and a hockey fan was born.

MOMENT: It Must Be Genetic

Daddy watching the score.
Tavish watching the action.
Mommy watching Tavish?

 Grandpa Mike and I were discussing how instinctive it was for Tavish to throw his arms up in victory when a goal was scored. He clearly enjoyed the game and all that it entailed. He literally wanted to stand the entire time for the best vantage point. We concluded that it must be in the genes ... not my genes, not Mike's genes, but Tom's gene's via Grandma Jean. I envision hockey statistics and player trade talk around the table in my future...

Blades on Ice

"Skate with your heart and let the ice fill your soul!"

February 21st, 2012 - Tavish hit the canal for the first time on his own two skates! He had new-to-him skates (yay for hand-me-downs), a noggin protector (safety first), a devoted filmographer to capture the experience, and a body holder/coach (all wrapped up in one great Daddy) - he was ready for some skating.

MOMENT: The Hardest Part of Skating is the Ice.

Tavish enjoys 'falling' and laying on the ice as much as he does 'skating' on it. What a blast! The weather was great, his spirits were high and the ice hard - yet welcoming.

'Tis the Ski-son

Our return from the warm desert was met with cool snow - perfect conditions to try out Tavish's new skis. So, on January 7th (the morning after our return), we hit the front yard ... and the snow a few times too!

Front yard frolicking!

MOMENT: Fearless and Funny

Our theory: laugh at everything, especially falling. Seems to have worked - Tavish had a great time. Grandpa made it out to watch in the company of some of his friends. Seems Tavish's skills were being highly praised - ready for the bunny hill already?!? (gulp) Don't rush his Mommy ... I mean, him ... just yet! What a great winter-welcome-home it was!

Hello 2012!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tom and I went out for NYE to the Cirque du Soleil's "Immortal" show in Phoenix where we were upgraded to 4th row centre in front of the stage. Wow! Then we welcomed 2012 at a neat resto-bar we stumbled on after losing our way to the place we'd planned to be at. (Who knew Phoenix has a 7th Ave and a 7th Street within close proximity to one another? Grr.)

Last family photo of 2011.

On January 1st, we enjoyed quite a spread for brunch at the fancy Talking Stick Casino after which, I was serenaded by most of the family. On our way home, we enjoyed a family hike in Usery Park before a swim in the pool and finished the day off by enjoying dinner out with my hubby to celebrate being 36?! (gulp)



From our family to yours, happy new year. We look forward to even more family-filled adventures in 2012 with an additional reason to celebrate motherhood  that is 'due' to arrive in early June!

Our little hiker.

Swimming Superstar

We're not allowed to bring cameras to our neighbourhood pool, but there are no such rules at the grand-parental 'compound' in Arizona. We were finally able to capture our water'baby' on film. Put on your waterwings, you're in for a real splash of observer fun!

Just some good ol' fashion family chlorine-filled fun!

MOMENT: Instant Swimmer, Just Add Water

Jumps, kicks, splashes and giggles - oh my! This kid is happiest in the water. What a treat to get into an outdoor pool in the warmth of the Arizona winter. Ahhh.

Santa Came to Arizona

A glimpse into a Christmas-day in the life of a certain Tavish-toddler. There was excitement, present opening, some running around and a truly great book.

MOMENT: Ah-ha Moments

"There's just something missing, this Christmas...

that's when I looked, that's when I knew

the thing that was missing from Christmas was you.

And so then, my darling, wherever you roam

may you always be safe, may you always come home.

...

The best part of Christmas will always be

you beneath my Christmas tree."

- Nancy Tillman

This was one of the books that Tavish received from Grandma and Grandpa. It was lovely to read at the end of a wonderful day full of excitement, discoveries, and lots of 'kicks' and giggles.

"Tomorrow is Christmas! It's Practically Here!"

We decided to read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on Christmas Eve to Tavish for the first time. I'd only read it once or twice, so it was an enjoyable read for me too. That Dr. Seuss, he sure is wise:

"It came without ribbons, it came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes or bags. 

Christmas can't be bought in a store... 

Maybe Christmas means a little bit more." 

MOMENT: "Mikey" planning snacks for Santa and Rudolph

'Twas the Eve of Excitement...

Tavish gets creative (and healthy) with menu planning for our guests. That's our "Mikey", he'll eat anything ... and thinks everyone else will too. Rest assured, there were cookies left out for us, er ... um, I mean Santa. He also uses some creativity to describe what he thinks will happen when Santa comes. Christmas really is extra exciting and enjoyable with a toddler around!