naughty or nice?

I posted earlier today about our recent trip to Santa's workshop, wishing I had a scanner so that I could share our family's photo. It later dawned on me that I could try taking a photo of the photo for your viewing pleasure - so that's what I did. Enjoy!

Here they are - my babes.  The photo could use a lot of art direction and Santa is not that legit looking but ah heck it still makes me smile.

Closer...

Closer...

Papa you're a good sport. Love you. xox aj

and the festivities have begun

We have had a Christmas-packed start to December. We got our tree up then decorating it took me three days. I thought Kate would be into helping but it's a little early yet.  Once she saw Candy Canes in the decoration boxes it was game over. Unfortunately for her the Canes were long past - over. It turns out that living in a humid climate means you have to throw Candy Canes out at the end of the season as the had turned in to an gooey mess. I'm a Maritimer in-training.

We finished our shopping this weekend too which feels great as I'm predicting it will take me the rest of the season to get all the goodies wrapped. While shopping we did come upon Santa's workshop right there in the middle of the mall. I've been pretty steadfast in my resolve not to force my babies to sit on some strange bearded man's knee.  But some magical spirit overcame me on Saturday morning when I saw him and no line to get in to see him. The kids weren't dressed particularly festive compared to the sequin-adorned toddler ahead of us but what the heck. It turns out that my initial Mama intuition was bang on. Kate just lost it. We really weren't surprised so plan B was just to have Elliott's photo taken. I guess Santa knew this was probable and slid over in his chair so Papa Cody holding a miserable Kate could get a group photo after all. I wish I had a scanner so you could all see the photo. It's priceless. Cody doesn't think so - he hates it. Kate in tears, Elliott completely sombre and Cody grinning ear to ear.

Kate checking out the tree.

Elliott bundled up for a walk through the community to look at everyone's lights.

Kate playing "Nativity" with the characters and animals from the advent calendar that Grandma Sherri made for us. She plays this every morning after choosing one to hang.

This is a partial view of our floor Saturday night after Kate and her friend Reese finished playing with the Christmas nuts. It seems everything related to Christmas and Christmas decor can become a child's game. Yeah! new messes.

Kate is absolutely taken with the stockings my Mom has made us all and knows whose is whose.  My Mom was so smart last year when she designed Kate's to have the equivalent of a necklace around it - again every morning she points to it and says "please".  When I get it down for her she carries it around, playing with the beads and tassel and fills it up with cars and jewelry. She seems to have gotten the hang of the consumer portion of Christmas.

Lights are up, cards are posted, I just need to bake some goodies and then eat them again.  The only thing missing is the litres of egg nog that I would have normally consumed by now. Oh Elliott, you and your lactose intolerance - you have saved Mama many calories through Halloween and now Christmas. A blessing and a curse.

Happy December to all. AJ

lydia turns 2

This weekend was cousin Lydia's 2nd birthday party (she officially turns 2 on December 1st) so we headed to the island for a sleep over and a slice of her beautiful Dora cake. Cody and I looked after the 4 kiddies on Saturday night and it was very sweet and fun. 

Can you spot our monkey who fell asleep in all the kids' activity?

This is moments later when the little people discovered that Elliott had fallen asleep in front of the Christmas tree. They each kissed him, kicked him, touched or leaned on him and he slept through it all. Cody described them as a group of zombies hunting for fresh meat.

The birthday girl Lydia, Sally the cat and Aunty Candace.

Happy Birthday beautiful girl. What a good birthday girl you were, thanking everyone and so excited for each gift and your cake. We love you very much! 

Uncle Papa, Aunty Aimee, Kate & Elliott

the west was won

Elliott and I had just a fantastic trip to Calgary. He was a marvellous flyer (not a tear) and upon landing he made lots of friends. Wow there are a lot of kids and babies in our lives now. Thanks to all my friends and my family for making time for us - we had such a great visit.

The boys...

 Marek, Misha and Elliott

The girls...

Lauren

Sophie

Friends...

 Carolyn

Diane

Becky

And family...

Madi

 

Grandma Sherri

Grandpa George

Aunty Rhonda

 Uncle Norm

We can't wait to see you all again in a couple of months - next time with Kate and Cody.
All our love, Aimee & Elli

my cowboy heads west

Elliott is making his first trip to Calgary on Thursday morning to meet friends and family. I'm very excited to see everyone but nervous as this is his first flight and it's a long way home. Oh and I am sick. I'm sure everyone in the airport will be thrilled to see me coming - leaking, coughing, carrying a 3 month old. Only 2 short years ago I despised the person I have now become.

While we head West, Kate, Cody and Grammie Donna are heading South to Maine for some shopping and pool time. I'm so happy as Kate will be thrilled to have Pappa and Grammie-time all to herself for 3 days.

Not much to share other than these photos that I think are absolutely lovely of my 3 month old - 15 and a half pound - Cowboy.

See some of you soon.
All my love - aj

the torch is passed

As a child I was not a girly girl. I spent most of my waking hours outside and on my bike. With that said I was a huge Barbie fan. I believe I was nearly 20 when I received my last Barbie from my Dad. He was my dealer - always bringing me a Barbie fix when I did well at school or just because. I adored building and more so decorating little worlds for them to live in.  I say this because this morning I feel like the torch may have been passed to my rough and tumble girly-ish girl Kate. Two Christmases ago Kate received her first Barbie and kitchen set from my parents. Quick math - Kate was still being baked. For 21 months she saw it on her shelf, she sat on the package, she talked to the Barbie in the package and I believe she started imagining Barbie worlds. Finally - this morning - she asked for the package to be opened. I was starting to think she didn't get that it could be opened. Anyway, she strikes me as a fan. She carried Barbie around all morning, repeatedly brushing her hair and talking some colourful gibberish to her.  It was darling.

Kate and Barbie this morning - note it's 7am and Kate is not without her accessories.

My Barbie (or Skipper) and Ken doll who I like to dress up. 

On a separate note, I believe our little girl is on her last teething leg.  As her second birthday fast approaches I believe those pesky 2 year molars are making their way up.  For the first time in literally months she awoke last night in a flood of tears.   Her bum has been very sore, nose runny and her cheeks red and last night they were giving her a lot of pain. Poor monkey. Poor Pappa too who got up for a couple hours with her in the middle of the night. Actually poor Momma too, I believe I was up 5 times with the other little monkey in our lives. Elliott seems to be following in his sister's footsteps and is a horrible sleeper: 3 hours maximum in a row. It wasn't a good night in our house or morning as Elliott was up for good at about 5:30 followed by Kate at 6:30.  Again I ask myself, how is it that there are billions of people in this world?

Hope everyone else in our lives is getting better sleep. Autumn and Chelsey enjoy it while you have it. XOX aj

boo 2010

Halloween has come and gone and all that remains is the temptation of Kate's candy.  Thankfully Elliott and I are off milk so no chocolate - with that said, Rockets are proving to be a good substitute. 

We all had a great night watching as Kate made the rounds of our cul de sac and our neighbouring cul de sac filling 1 and a half bags worth of goodies.  People love little trick or treaters and allowed Kate to take as many treats as she wanted - which was quite a few. The weather was great so Elliott and I got to stay out too. Here are a couple highlights from our night:

 

One last photo - but I have to warn you it's very scary!! Only the brave need scroll on...

BOO!

Halloween has to be the real reason people have children.

Hope all our favourite little people had a great and prosperous time. XOX C.A.K.E.