Merry Christmas !

Merry Christmas to Everyone and All the Best for 2012!

This Christmas season has been jam-packed. It started with the Toronto Santa Claus parade. Of course, Aidan and his cousins were excited to be interviewed (even briefly) on TV. Then came decorating the house for Christmas and our holiday party. Following that we took the kids to the Bradley Museum for their photo with Santa in the old log cabin. This time Maya wasn't scared and we got a decent photo. Then came an early Christmas celebration at my sister's with the cousins, Aidan's end of year play, and then Christmas Eve at TEMC - they have the best pageant in the city - complete with live animals - including a camel!!!

Finally, Christmas morning came. Aidan and Maya were so excited! They were thrilled with their gifts - Aidan particularly liked his Meccano set from Santa and Maya loved her Rock and Roll Elmo and her almost life-size Minnie Mouse.

The following are some highlights from the season....

Santa Arrives - the Toronto Santa Claus Parade

Decorating the Tree
A Visit With Santa - Bradley Museum
An Early Christmas Celebration with the Cousins
Aidan stars as the Evil Sheriff in the School Play
The Christmas Pageant at TEMC - Complete with Camel!
Meccano from Santa!
Rock and Roll Elmo Rocks!
The Kids with Minnie Mouse (who is huge)
Digging into some turkey

What the Kids Have Been Up To

Thought I'd provide a brief update on what the kids have been up to this Fall. Maya is talking a mile a minute. I am always amazed at how articulate she is for her age and the kind of conversations we can have already. She enjoys books and can count things. At 2 3/4, she is still working on her letters and colours. She has recently learned how to somersault. And loves to do it on our bed - so worried she is going to fly right off! She is participating more at Early Years and loves to sing and dance.

Aidan is enjoying Grade 4. He is just finishing up a big project on Nunavut. He is taking piano again this year along with swimming (he just passed Swimmer 4) and he is loving being a Cub Scout. He lastest passion is playing chess. He has a few friends that like to play and he's getting quite good - easily beats me and Mike. I'm glad there are others who enjoy playing as chess is not always so popular ;). I am just happy to see him playing something other than video games.

Maya and Aidan continue to get along so well. Here is a photo I took this morning that will go on our Christmas card this year:

Aidan's 2 seconds of fame

Aidan was at the Santa Claus Parade with his cousins, Dexter and Justin, and was interviewed by CP24. His 2 seconds of fame occur about 1 min and 45 seconds in.

click here

Name Change Challenges

Hi, We have having challenges with Maya's name change. Maya is a Canadian citizen and has a Canadian passport. however, they rejected our application because she did not have a citizenship card. Have others had the same problem? Why would we need a citizenship card if we already had a passport? We live in Ontario.

Trick_or_Treat

Halloween_Fun

What I'm Thankful For

My two amazing children

My wonderful husband

That Aidan seems to have recently outgrown his milk and wheat allergies

That we have enough money to help pay for all the extra help we need for my mom right now.

Mid-Autumn_Festival:Harbourfront

Ontario Place - Labour Day Weekend

We finally made it to Ontario Place on Labour Day weekend. Maya and Aidan enjoyed the rides and we caught the Air Show. We also went to the water park. They have a new pool by the lake and it was the perfect place to watch the jets. You could almost reach out and touch the planes. The kids also enjoyed an animal show put on by Earth Rangers.

Centre Island Says Summer-2011

Every year we try to get to Centre Island at least once. Aidan is getting a little old for the amusement park but Maya is just the right age. I also love the park - it's a wonderful place for a picnic. Here are a few snaps from our visit in August.

More Maritime Memories

Tea Anyone?

End of Summer - Sigh

Yes, Labour Day marks the unofficial end of summer. Aidan reminds me that there are still a few weeks of summer left. But we all know school starts this week and that means back to the hustle bustle of homework and activities. This summer has flown by even faster than last years. We didn't do nearly as much - partly because I am back at work and partly because my mother stays with us every other weekend and we can't get out with her anymore. She has continued to decline precipitously over the last two months and requires non-stop care in the afternoons to the extent that I am now bringing in someone to help me out. I am bracing myself for a tough fall.

Out of Diapers

Knock on wood but it looks like Maya is out of diapers! She has been staying dry at night for the last month or so and has been using the potty regularly for pee for the last few weeks during the day. The last hurdle was #2. For the last 7 days she has been using the toilet for poo. I think the motivating factor was the ice cream reward. At any rate, it seems to have worked!

Little Dynamo

Maritime Memories

We recently got back from a whirlwind tour of the Maritimes. Very busy and not exactly relaxing but the kids had a great time! Aidan enjoyed all the museums and new experiences and Maya was happy with an extra big dose of Mama time. Here are some photos of the highlights...

Getting Ready to Sea Kayak

Sea Kayaking Near Tangier


Halifax Harbour

Captain Aidan!

Lunenberg Nova Scotia

Touching sea creatures

Peggy's Cove

Tidal Power Centre

Acadian Village

All the way to Briar Island to go Whale Watching

Here they are...

Fossil hunting at Joggins

Hopewell Rocks, NB

A visit with my Aunt on PEI

Checking out the incredible Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site

A Little Lassy, Cape Breton NS

A Moose sighting or three

Hiking in the fog

Those antlers are heavy!