christmas roundup

cousins!

Christmas! What a day. The days before and after the big 2-5 were fabulous, and even though the season is going going gone, we're still feeling pretty festive, I'd say. The kids had a great time doing the Santa thing - leaving cookies, wondering whether the he'd come or not - and then on Christmas morning when they spotted the cleaned out cookie plate and a nibbled carrot they were beyond excited. "This is getting crazier and crazier!" said Hendrik. More than once (thrice maybe), he expressed amazement that his stocking was actually filled, and it made Steve and I wonder whether our warnings ("Santa is watching!") got under his skin and bore small doubts as to whether or not he was good enough to expect a visit from the big man himself. Both kids would have been happy with a stocking full of balloons and Smarties, but things like stickers, a hairbrush, toothbrush, dinosaur, etc., somehow buoyed the glee. They were also gifted a matchbox mouse and a hand knit sweater (for Alana, from G&G O), dinosaur pjs for Hendrik, the best slippers ever (ponies for Alana and dinosaur claws for Hendrik, both from Pam and Bob), a thwack of amazing books, kinetic sand (from Auntie E & F), some great clothes, a giant Mr. Potato Head (Alana played with this for over 2 hours, by herself), and more. The adults (that's us, right?) are going home with a new waffle maker (YES!), a subscription to Macleans, some good books, a new bag, a scarf and more - we were spoiled once again. We were also spoiled with dinner and good company on the 25th (and on all other days) as we joined forces with the Tukkers and Crockers for afternoon snacks and the annual Gift Grab Game, and then the full dinner spread (with sticky toffee pudding cake for dessert - a major hit with the kids). Steve and I walked away from the GGG with an Ottlite and an olive oil + balsamic vinegar + wooden bowls set handcrafted by Gramps himself. 

christmas dinner, the kids being carnivorous dinosaurs and attacking the meat platters

In other news, Hendrik has become a fish. Three weeks ago this guy was barely putting his face or head in the water (at the pool or in the bath) but after buying into the goggles thing, he's a convert. At the pool on the 24th he spent more time under the water than above it, and was diving for rings and sunken treasure, kicking and splashing and propelling. We were thinking we'd get to the rec centre today, but checked out the closest YMCA instead; they had a bouncy castle, and not much competes with that. We fine dined at Costco after, picked up a few things, and then spent the rest of the day chilling out at home. Alana has become the worst little monster at bedtime - she refuses to be put down, stay in her bed, or have anyone but me stay with her until she's fallen asleep and woken up again and come screeching out of her room like a deranged mutant (repeat repeat repeat). Here are a few pics from the last week here in B-ville - the screeches from downstairs need some attention... (sigh).....

our cuties!

the night before followed by morning and stockings!

steve's party and a few from around the house - + GGG gift-wrap finalists