Christmas and into Jan (!)

Well... I wrote a nice long post about Christmas a few days ago (okay, probably a week ago) and just stopped in to finish things up and post it - and it's gone! Gone. Boo. Oh well, I can start over I suppose. It's January! And school starts tomorrow! And we had a fantastic Christmas, spent almost entirely in Bowmanville. It was just the perfect balance of do-nothing and out-of-the-house activities (swimming, skating, and a day in Toronto - which involved eating at one of my fave pizzeria's, Pizzeria Libretto, visiting the Science Centre and watching some volleyball). There was lots of hanging out - games, movies, TV, cousin time, outside play and, of course, family time. This is one of my favourite things about B-ville and my in-laws - their sense of family unity (or cohesion or I don't know what word is right here!). People live relatively close to each other, and there are traditions that people look forward to, like Christmas dinner together, the Left-Right-Centre game, Dutch treats on New Years Day and I'm sure there's more. Anyways, it was very relaxing, with adults outnumbering kids for most of the time and many hands to make light(er) work. The kids were spoiled with gifts over what felt like two Christmases, as we unwrapped presents here in London before we drove east. Santa came too, and though Hendrik complained a bit about being woken up early (and did a tired-blob on the couch for at least 10 minutes before opening his stocking), Alana and Jordan were excited and eager to rip things apart and find all of the stocking treasures. Highlight presents this year were: for Hendrik, a Jurassic Park DVD (he LOVES JP), a Sphero, books, a magic trick set, PJs, a Meccano car set, and candy; for Alana, an Ozobot, a mermaid tail blanket (now Jordan wants one too), an LOL doll (I still don't get the appeal), an alarm clock, a colour-it-in cape, PJs, books, candy, and a Barbie car; and for Jordan, a school planner (so he can do homework, just like his brother and sister!), a little light, a retro Fisher Price schoolhouse (that I bought at a yard sale a few years ago), PJs and a few dinosaur shirts, cars, books and a new car set complete with tracks. The night before we left - same night as the present unwrapping here at home - Steve and I did a mini blitz on the toys and junk that we already have cluttering the house, so things were nice and tidy when we returned home on Friday, and things seem to have found their place without causing too much overflow (thank goodness). Steve and the kids made me an up-cycled little wooden lamp that they made together, so I have a light on my bedside table again (pic next time).

a rare family photo

ice skating... even the little!

these girls were joined at the hip... cousin love!

Other holiday news:

Steve went to "Cwallyfornya" as Jordan says, for five sleeps with the Mac team, and enjoyed his time away and in the warm sun and talking volleyball with all of the other coaches. We missed him, but the cousins (and Erin and Fred too) were there by then so there were even more adult bodies around, and the kids did a great job occupying themselves (especially Alana and her 5-year old cousin Lennon) - WITHOUT fighting. Oh what bliss.

hendrik spent a good deal of time working on a new comic, "Tie Guy" - he even opened a comics shop!
(It's amazing... I'll post some pics next time)

ready to go swimmmmmmming

crafting! with a "unicorn tail" to boot.

making a mouse - to scare grandma 

playing nicely together (!!!) at aunt and unc's house on Christmas Day

New Year's Eve was relatively uneventful - I reluctantly stayed up until midnight BUT it really was fun, because Hendrik stayed up for the first time and was giddy with excitement to be included in the grown up rituals of welcoming the new year (snacks, drinks, TV, games).

Is that it? Probably not. I need to get this thing posted and go grocery shopping. I'm thinking about trying a new meal-planning system - a 4-week pre-planned schedule with shopping lists (ugh, sounds like too much work). BUT while I think about this we still have dinners to play and shop for - and now school lunches too (waaaaaahhhhh) so I'd better get to it. Hope you enjoy the photos!

mermaid tail!

getting the goodies ready for santa and his crew

stocking goods!

stocking goods!

father and son working on scratch tix