Christmas 2010

We have been busy counting down the days to Christmas with Brea's Playmobile Advent Calendar, she's been excited to see what each new day would bring to her Christmas in the forest scene.

Before the BIG day we went to Stanley Park to take a ride on the Christmas train. Brea and Rhys really enjoyed the bright lights display.

Sharing a smile with Grumpa.

Some of the displays that we walked through.

We found some time when Daddy was free and headed to the mall to have a visit with Santa. I took some festive shots of the kids before heading out.

Brea asked Santa to bring her a "red truck".

Then the day arrived. What a joyous Christmas it was this year. Our house was filled to the brim and Rhys got to experience a wonderful FIRST Christmas. We figured this would be the last year when we had little ones still too young to rush out to the Christmas tree first thing in the morning so we had a nice little lie-in before the excitement.

Grumpa was up bright and early getting the turkey stuffed and in the oven but I managed to sneak in some blueberry muffins to bake for my Honey. Craig has had fresh baked muffins and grape juice for Christmas breakfast since he was little.

Brea and Rhys were spoiled by Nana and Grumpa and Po-Po and her Kau-Kaus.

The red truck.

Rhys was taken in by the crinkly ears.

The train table elicited a "Wow! Wow! Wow! along with feet stomping.

By the time the cousins arrived everything was in full swing. The kids delighted in the never-ending sack of Christmas surprises from Nana and Grumpa. Though I did manage to snap a picture of them all-together and looking at the camera.

Posing with dessert :o)

Dinner was scrumptious! Everyone contributed to make it a truly spectacular meal. We were so lucky this year to have family together to share in the holidays. I hope yours was just as special.

Merry Christmas all!

Feeling Festive

I was inspired whilst visiting my friend Kara's Christmas house and decided to try my hand at making a wreath to adorn our door. I kept it simple since it's my first time. Here's how it turned out:

Mommy Bloggers

I noticed that I've just posted over 200 entries!
It's been over two years since this blog began. I was mostly looking for a way to keep a window open to family who travel or live away from us so that they would be able to share the moments we have with our kids as they grow and discover the world around them. But blogging has done far more for me than just that. When I first began, I visited numerous other blogs to get ideas and figure out how to lay things out - what I discovered was a wonderful world out in cyberspace of other moms who were doing the same thing. These extraordinary women often combined sharing their life with sharing their wisdom and wit. I found that many of the questions or concerns I had were mirrored in their writing. I also found that by reading about their experiences, I wasn't so alone and that there were people out there more than willing to share with me.

I thought, I would take this chance to thank these bloggers who have shared a kind word, answered a query or just made me laugh over the years.

Miranda at Sippycups and Fingerprints helped me when I was so worried over weaning Brea. She has the most amazing family and I love beautiful pictures she takes and the eloquence she has in her entries to describe many of the feelings I share.

I always discover something new when I read an entry by Jessica at Muthering Heights. I love her wit and outlook on life in general.

I followed Heather during her family's heartbreak at The Spohrs Are Multiplying. It has been two years since then and so much has happened from Maddie's passing. There has been more awareness for the March of Dimes and the Amazing Annabel arrived to share her spark with her wonderful mommy and daddy.

There are also some family and friends who have just began blogs of their own and to them I wish happy writing!

A Weekend Getaway to a Birthday Party

We made it to Victoria this past weekend for Aidan's third birthday! Luckily it didn't get canceled because of snow as previous year's parties did. It was wonderful to visit family and introduce Rhys. Po-Po came with us since Craig was busy with a basketball tournament. Brea was a gem on the ferry and made many friends in the playground. She tried clam chowder and looked into the frothy water. She was talking about the big boat for few days before we embarked. Since Rhys was too little and asleep, his big sister did the honours of tossing a coin into the ocean to say thank-you for a safe passage on his first trip across water.

We stayed at Yee-ma's house (thank-you!) and I had a chance to breakfast with my cousin to catch-up before party day.

Enjoying a nice sit with Cousin Aidan

Yee-Po-Po

The Firemen of View Royal where my aunt lives do a neighbourhood walk at Christmastime to collect food and money for the local food bank. Brea was thrilled to see Rojo Firetruck roll onto our street. She got to give a donation and had her picture snapped with the firemen.

Waiting for the firemen to turn around the cul de sac

Here they come!

She was a bit leery but the nice firemen convinced her it was okay

We got to celebrate Aidan's big day! He is THREE years old! The kids had a great time playing at the rec. centre and chowing down on scrumptious food.

Waiting for cake!

The birthday boy blowing out his airplane cupcake

Brea chose a white cupcake for herself and a red one for Mommy

Rhys striking a pose with Brea's princess crown

A hug with Aidan's mommy aka Cousin Bo!

The birthday boy with his Yee-Po-Po and Po-Po

Emma had to get in for a snuggle with Rhys

Once she got her crown, it wouldn't come off

Mealtime

Rhys is well on his way to eating it all up. He's tried rice cereal, pears, peaches, yams, banana and carrots. He seems to really be into his carrots :o) Brea has been so helpful too. Every time I get ready to feed Rhys, she goes and grabs his bowl, spoon and bib for me. She even encourages him as he experiences new food, she loves to cheer him on. She'll look over from her seat (her big girl booster at the table) and say "Good job, little man! You're eating real food!"

Parking Safety

I was looking through sites for new baby products and came across the Parking Pal. The premise behind it is pretty straightforward, it is a magnet that goes on the side of your car and provides a place for kids to put their hand upon exiting the car so that they won't run into the parking lot and into danger. It's especially good for those of us with more than one child. The idea sounded good to me but I thought I'd just give it a try without the magnet and see if it would work. I told Brea that there was a special door on the car for her to touch every time she gets out of the car. It's a little door just her size. Surprisingly, she took to it right away. She would exit the car and plant her hand on the door and wait patiently if I had to grab Rhys or my bag... then on the third try, here's the conversation we had:

Me: Okay Brea, what are you going to touch when you get out of the car?
Brea: My special door!
Me: Okay, go to touch your special door.
I leaned down to grab Rhys' chair and look up to see her looking at me puzzled.
Brea: Mommy, this isn't a special door, it's for gas!

Sigh! When did she get so smart?