Sitting with Santa

This is the second year in a row that we've visited with Santa at a Heritage Village. (Does twice make this a tradition?!) Last year, Tavish stood tentatively beside Santa, but this year, at Black Creek Pioneer Village (Randy sent us there), Tavish was keen to talk with Santa. Keva also perched up on Santa's knee happily. Tavish was reticent with his wish list because he legitimately had not placed much importance on it at that point. That made this Santa very proud...

MOMENT: Indecisive but Agreeable

Tavish was being pleasant and agreeable to all of Santa's suggestions. Luckily, his parents know his preferences so would help Santa choose the best gift for Christmas. Keva was also pleasantly agreeable and extra excitable about books!?

Family Photo Shoot

T'was time for the annual Christmas camera-thon --- there were holiday photo cards to create! There proved to be a few twists in the photo shooting plans this year being without a working camera, and being in a new setting, and a sick son, and a toddler to include - but we persisted with only my cellphone and our good nature. The photos required a small feat of engineering, a lot of mis-takes, and a sprinkling of good timing. Too bad we didn't get them printed in time to mail them out though... (sigh)

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray."
- Robert Burns

MOMENT: If You're Happy and You Know it, Keep Smiling! (If not, fake it)

No really, we did have a good time. Sure, Tom was overheating (he had to crawl back and forth to the precariously supported cellphone for the one-shot-only timer with a toddler in arms); Keva was easily distracted and likely quite confused; Tavish was fighting the flu; and Mommy was insistent, but we all had a good chuckle and a few good shots to show for it! Enjoy. No really, please enjoy.

Merry Christmas! (Better late than never, right? Right?!?)

Diaper Delight

Worried it'll be a stinky entry? Worry not, it reeks of sweetness and cleanliness...

Don't throw the baby out with the diaper pail...

Helping to sort the (clean) loot

Clean diapers for all (Chomper too)!

MOMENT: When in Diaper Pail...

...help out and enjoy the ride! Turns out, there are some memory-making perks to doing your own diapers.

Randy Returns

In our family, the Christmas season isn't upon us until December the 1st and December the 1st is marked by the return of Randy the Reindeer. Again this year, he didn't disappoint, he helped our family feel festive and prepared for the 'big day'...

Tavish and Randy the Reindeer

MOMENTS: Randy Says...

Feeling festive...

...and the feeling is contagious!

The spirit of giving

Getting crafty...

...and messy

The face of a trooper who was sick for most of December...

Although I think Tavish might be onto "Randy", he played along and excitedly found him with his daily note even though he was one sick little guy for the majority of days. Nonetheless, he'd find out what the activity was for the day (walk to soccer and stop for hot chocolate, make Christmas crafts, go skating, donate toys, buy food for food bank, decorate for Christmas, go to a museum, etc) and then adjust the "number of days until Christmas" Nutcracker we had out. Randy really is becoming a season staple around here...what has 'he' gotten us into? (wipes sweat from brow)

Two Little Monkeys

Our two little monkeys were jumping on the bed. Luckily, no one fell off and bumped their head...

MOMENT: Monkey See, Monkey Do

Tavish started it. Keva joined in with a little support from Daddy. When I arrived on the scene, Keva knew exactly how to play this new game as it'd been going on for awhile by then. No bed springs were harmed in the making of this memory...

Reading

Tavish has been ready to read for quite some time. This is not surprising for a kid who knew his alphabet by age 2, knew the sounds to all of the letters shortly after and just loves books in general. He wasn't interested in exploring the reading option this summer (he'd already mastered: off, egg, stop and a few other words), so we shelved the idea. There is certainly no rush. Then, the end of November came and Tavish was obviously keen and ready. So, what's a Mom to do other than kick off the adventure in a memorable way?

MOMENT: Words Get Hammered

I located a box that was just right; dug through Tom's dusty ol' golf bag (who has time for golf with two kids?!); got out Tavish's tool box; and put the trusted black Sharpie to work... Voila. Our little guy was reading! Seeing him less than half an hour later, you can imagine how he's doing a month later ... needless to say, spelling words to other adults has become a less reliable way to keep things from him.

Santa Claus Parade

No, not the really big one in Toronto. We sat that one out this year but we did catch the Ottawa Parade though. In fact, we did one better than that, we were IN the parade in our old home town!

Can you spot the eager float riders?

MOMENT: Friendly Festivities

We made an extra long weekend visit back to Ottawa to spend some quality time with some quality people. Some of this quality time was spent atop a float in the Santa Claus Parade with Tavish's buddy, Sofie who asked to be in the parade and her Daddy was able to make it happen. They were kind enough to invite our family along for the ride. So, amid the falling snow and cold, we were waving and well wishing just a few floats up from Santa himself! Such a great way to start off the Santa season. This was a highlight of our visit indeed but truthfully, just being reunited with some best buddies helped make things merry and bright for our whole family.

Sofie and Tavish riding on the float and ready to wave

Squeezing some eager parents into the wee-window

Snow added to the extra-festive feel

Dynamic Duo reunite at the Children's Musem

Lucy, Keva, Tavish & Sam settle in for some couch time

Final squeeze in the dress-up bin best!