Winterlude 2012

So......

when I found out we would be moving to Canada I became more than a little concerned with how we would handle the winters.
I was worried about the cold and having everyone dress warm enough and how long it would take to get everyone dressed and out the door.
It takes a long time!!! Especially with this wiggly bug.
But Canadians have a wonderful way of
embracing the season. Usually it involves a pair of skates. But today it involved a pair of snow pants and an ice slide. So much FUN!!They also create beautiful works of art...

out of snow....

and ice.

So my thoughts today were
how exciting it is

that we have a chance to live in this place and...

if I can bear to leave when it is time to go.

My SuperMen!

Did you know that every night while you are sleeping,
I come and sit next to you and make sure
you're tucked in your blanket,
that you're still breathing and well,
and to give you many gentle kisses? 
That I just can't stop starring at you
in awe at how beautiful and angelic you look?
That I am so thrilled and amazed that I am your mother.
That even on those days when I can't wait
until you boys are in bed
so I can have some peace and quiet, as soon as you fall asleep
I start missing you and wish you were awake to play with me?
That I make a  promise to God
that I'll be a better mother tomorrow than I was today?

Lets Go For A Walk

Today was a beautiful day for a walk. We went for a drive in Quebec and went for a walk in Gatineau park. The boys had a blast and it was great to get out of the hotel.

Budding Monet(s)

The boys were being uncharacteristically quiet

....so I went to check on them to see what they were up to. I loved how they were working together...to create something Beautiful!

Cheese

Evan, say cheese...........Tonight Nathan and I took the boys to see Santa on the Old Towne Mall. While we waited, Evan created picture frame masterpieces. Again.....Cheese!?!Jackson and Nathan held our spot in line. This Santa is great and likes to spend a lot of time with each child , which is great. Just not if you are in the back of the line and end up waiting 2 hours and by the time you see Santa, both kids are in full meltdown mode. (Flashbacks to last years experience) We learned our lesson and got there early this time.Santa: What do you want for Christmas?
Evan: a pillow pet Jack wasn't impressed!!!!
It was a great night. The snow had started to fall when we came out and it was almost magical and quite cold. We rushed home for hot chocolate and classic Christmas cartoons.

So happy together

I heard little voices in Evan's room today and this is what I saw. Evan was reading a book about trucks to Jack. Love those boys!

Our Advent Calendar

I decided today that we needed an Advent calendar to help our family count down to Christmas. And since we have an overabundance of unmatched socks, I decided to use them. (Incidentally, I found a match. Check out #6 and #24! :)


And This is what we will be doing:

1. Put up Christmas decorations and eat a candy cane!

2. Go to the Library and check out Holiday Stories.

3. Go see Santa and ride in a Cinderella carriage at the Old Towne Mall.

4. Go to Polar Express at the Movie Theater.

5. Get a basket of food ready to take to the local food bank.

6. Sing songs around the Christmas tree as a family

7. Write a letter to Santa

8. Decorate cookies with Santa.

9. Hunt for the kissing reindeer and a chocolate kiss for you.

10. Give a candy cane to someone you love.

11. Go see Old Thyme Christmas in Harpers Ferry

12. Walk through a live Nativity at Kernstown Battlefield 5-8pm

13 Make a Gingerbread House Today.

14. Visit Santa at the mall today!

15. Drive around the neighborhood and check out holiday lights!

16. Drink a cup of hot cocoa and look at pictures of past Christmas holidays.

17. Make a special holiday card for your nursery teachers. Go and View a Winter Wonderland at Clearbrook Park

18. Got to the Temple see the lights.

19. Work on Holiday Notes for our family. Have cookies and milk with Mrs. Pauline and Mr.Doug

20. Dance party! Put on PJ’s and jam out to holiday music before bed.

21. Draw or paint a picture about Christmas and send it to someone in our family

22. Make Holiday Treats

23 Deliver holiday sweets to our neighbors. Watch a Christmas special on tv.

24 Christmas Eve Read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ and get cookies ready for Santa.

25 Christmas Day Celebrate! Give thanks! Sing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus!