sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

We did it again. Christmas 2013 is now complete for the Jorgensen Champion clans. I think we were all in agreement that it was the best one to date. PEI was very relaxing and we made it outside a few times to make the most of the season of snow. A big thank you to our wonderful hosts who put up with us, our mess and our craziness for almost five days. Cody and I got away a few times with out the kids to snowshoe, hit the local CrossFit gym and see some of Cody's High School friends. 

Our Christmas Angels (if in name alone).

 Elliott on the real Santa's knee.

 Red was the theme of the season for Grammie.

Janice and Paul trying to make a dent in it all.

In Elliott's words, "do you see all my weapons?"

A sweet Champion moment.

I'll take one in medium and one in large. You do the guessing.

After all the festivities it was time to enjoy the fruits of their labour. In this instance a game of Doc McStuffins Operation. Actually I think it was about six games of Operation.

 Setting off in our two horse open sleigh.

Our beautiful kids: Kate, Carter, Elliott, Jessica and Lydia. 

The snow was glistening.

Part one of the sleigh ride complete, let's go sliding.

Kate's description of her first go down the groomed hill: "I wanted to cry on my way down. Did you see me? I wanted to cry but I didn't and it was so fun."

Aunty and Elliott going "so fast".

Me and my littles heading back up for another run.

Proof that I was there too.

Thanks to Candace for planning our special sleigh ride. I honestly have never had a better outing with my family. Neither kid complained once. Rather they were blown away by the whole event: the sleigh ride through the woods, sliding down a groomed hill and the fresh baked cookies and hot chocolate. I have this new found faith that we may get these kids skiing yet!

On to New Year's and New Year's Eve. I can't imagine the joys the 2014 will bring but look forward to sharing them with all of you.

CAKE

tidings of comfort and joy

I can't believe I've found time on Christmas Day to update the blog but as it turns out we had a late night last night so the kids and Cody are down for a mid day nap. We've had a busy couple of days and when they wake we're packing up and heading to another celebration on PEI. This one is slated to last four + days! Though very thankful, I still can't believe we have Cody until Sunday.

On to this morning's festivities...

The kids didn't wake until just before eight. I believe that was the best gift they could have given us. They were absolutely darling and so excited to see that Santa had remembered them and again put them on the nice list. They would have been pleased with the candy treats Santa left but as it turns out Santa and their family were very good to them. They have a year's worth of new toys, activities and books to keep them busy and engaged.  Many many thanks.

Around noon we were able to FaceTime with my Mom and Dad in Mexico. The kids did a show and tell of quite a few of their new treasures and then my Mom took us on a virtual tour of their beautiful new home.  They're in Mexico for three weeks and will be enjoying their Christmas gifts of new umbrellas and chairs later today oceanside. Though I would have loved to be under the same roof this time of year, I can't think of a better place for them to be on their time off.

The countdown is complete.

 Best photo of the day goes to the first photo of the day. Are these kids drunk?

 Our 2013 tree.

 Kate pleased with her glass cupcake.

 A commemorative book from my sister's family in Calgary.

 If Kate wasn't rolling around, hugging gifts she was bonking them off her forehead in excitement.

 Aaaaaah! Monster High from Grandma Sherri and Grandpa George. Those are for big girls.

 Though it doesn't sound festive, Cody and I bought our own gifts this year. I opened his and he opened mine. The surprise was seeing what the other chose for themselves. Big surprise Cody's box was from Rogue.

 Yup - a weightlifting belt!

Hey big guy.

Oh and look Cody got a rug hooking kit. So thoughtful.

 Elliott and batman.

And a new set of battles begins for our young hero. Dragons!

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad and Joyeux Noel to our friends and family. We love you so much and are very thankful to have you all in our lives.

Cody, Aimee, Kate, Elliott and Boo

cost benefit analysis

I bet if you asked most mothers they would have a number in mind, a sweet spot if you will, of how many minutes their child needs to have played outside in snowy weather to have made the ordeal of getting them ready for said snowy weather worth it. Today we achieved that sweet spot and the benefit far outweighed the trauma of getting ready.  I have to stop here and qualify my trauma. It has in the last four and a half years lessened as I have gained a pile of knowledge on minimizing the anguish of fighting uncooperative boots, snow pants and mitts.  It costs more but it must be said that good gear is worth every penny. Bogs. They're simple, warm, slip-on and seemingly never wear out. So purchasing a gender neutral colour has ensured that we can get both kids in them for at least one winter each and then they can be passed on to friends. Next boarding mitts. They are super long have very strong velcro that you can tighten them on the outside of the kids' jackets. So far we have not had a single complaint from the kids on mitts falling off or snow in mitts. Heaven! Snow pants. The ones we have have inner pants that have very effective elastic bottoms that go around the outside of the kids' Bogs ensuring no snow can slip up those pant legs. Today for the first time in four years of parenting through a lot of snow it was hunger that brought us in rather than malfunctioning gear.

We received 20 - 30 cm of snow on Sunday and we're forecasted to receive the same today and even more Sunday.  Yikes I have already shovelled the walk twice today and an hour later it needs it again.

Eye spy a little boy stuck under a tree.

Eye spy a little girl hiding under the trampoline.

Elliott isn't exactly thrilled in this shot. He's been fairly blue fighting a cold and probably a little pink eye as well (he is on medication).

Unlike her brother, Kate always has a smile on outside. 

Today does mark our first stay at home, storm day.  It's been a nice one, save for the weeping battle of getting Elliott's medication in his eyes. Poor guy. 

Six more sleeps until show time and I'm not bragging but I finished my shopping and wrapping. Unfortunately I have also finished eating all our baking too!

i like my christmas concert

Elliott crawled into bed with me this morning and the first thing out of his mouth, "I liked my Christmas Concert Mommy."  I liked it too Elliott. It was Elliott's first time on a big stage and I guess he liked it.

Kate's ballet class started the evening off and they were precious. Her class sang Santa Claus is coming to town followed by Ma Tuque de Noel. Elliott's class donned antlers and red noses for Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer followed by their French rendition of Jingle Bells - Vive le vent. There were a couple super stars during the evening that positioned themselves right in front of the mics and a couple more that just had a little more gusto in their dancing. It was pretty funny. Cody thought they should just have a concert comprised of an open mic and see what the kids did on their own.

Elliott playing it cool though proud of punch dressed up in his Papa clothes and a bow tie. Unfortunately Kate was already dressed for her ballet performance so we didn't capture her in her sequins.

Kate's crooked and forced Christmas smile.

 My Christmas guys.

Our little ballerina - centre stage in a black body suit.

Kate and her great school friends.

Here comes our little Reindeer.

Thanks to the kind patient teachers that made last night possible. I really don't know how you do what you do. One more week and you'll earn that well deserved break. Cheers!

CAKE

the sixth day of advent

Six days into December and we're fast ticking off our Christmas activities list. We're drinking, we're decorating, we're singing, we're watching (Christmas specials), we're crafting. We're not yet baking. Absence of cookies is the only way I can maintain will power. Like the kids, I cannot resist sugar especially when paired with its best buddy - butter.

Our Christmas elf in his new uniform.

Jingle bells,

jingle bells,

jingle all the way.

My happy decorator.

Kate doesn't know how close Mommy came to tossing this in the garbage during the build phase.

A little Noel Nog anyone? The kids don't know what they're missing with the milk based egg nog so they're thrilled with almond milk. Mama... not so much.

Like everyone our calendar is starting to get busy. The plan is to take it all in stride and try to have as merry a time as possible. Hope everyone can manage the same. I know my parents will as they're heading South for the three weeks of holidays.  A tad bit jealous as we drown in rain. Cody and I are off to Montreal next week for a quick trip so perhaps we can catch some more seasonable weather.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. Peace.
Aimee

day 1 of 25

December 1st is an extra special day in our family; a celebration of our Lydia Grace's birthday. She came into this world screaming and kept it up for a few months but now, wow, she is such a smart, special girl. I always think it's an extra awesome birthday when your party lands on the actual birth date. Today's extra awesome day included partying with Lydia's favourite dozen or so kids. They were superstars: no fights, no tears just some jolly play in keeping with the season.

We also had the chance to celebrate Grammie Donna's birthday whose actual birthday is this Thursday. What could be better than birthday pie followed the next afternoon by birthday cake. We love both of you ladies very much!

 A photo of Grammie's birthday pie and the best one I got of Elliott all weekend.

 Gifts with Grammie. Watch for that sweater to make another appearance.

 The birthday girl showing off some of her beautiful gifts.

I thought this was a lovely shot of Auntie Candace and Carter.

 I'd say Grammie liked the sweater and what ever Elliott has just passed to her.

Kate and her idol, her cousin Dana. I can't believe the family resemblance in this shot.

Another shot of our pretty and tired Kate.

If we're Facebook friends you probably saw that the kids and I attended the final workout of a friendly, week-long, in-house Crossfit competition between Cody and some of his friends this Saturday. It was a tough, long workout and it seems our kids also got into the spirit. I got this video and wanted to share it because it makes me smile.

So throughout the lands, day 1 of advent calendars is complete. I know my children will not be sharing any of their chocolate treats with me so instead I look forward to sharing many holiday tales with you in the upcoming days.
xo CAKE