Our 7th Day of Christmas

On our 7th day of Christmas decorating was a hit.

Cedric didn't yet really get it.

Evidence:

Fiona however was all over the decorating and did a great job.

This is one of the best Christmas kid activities.

I'm so thankful to my parents for setting this up since I don't know if I would have gotten around to it due to all the sickness in our house this season.

 I love going to Gram and Grandpa's at Christmas since it's always so festive.

{Complete with a little Bailey's in your coffee, served in a holly mug.}

 Of course even this little stinker couldn't quite keep all the candy on the house.

Evidence:

I mean, who am I to judge, neither can I.

We have tried making "real" gingerbread houses in the past and always come back to this simple 3 step method.

1. Buy Graham crackers and white sugar. {Though you probably already have the latter.}

2. Melt sugar in pan.

3. Dip side of graham cracker in sugar and stick to other graham cracker.

{You can even get fancy by cutting a graham cracker in half for the trusses.}

These little curls just had to make a reappearance. 

 And this little hand.

{Heart melting.}

Another tradition that I love from my childhood is the advent wreath and candles.

I am definitely bringing this one to our home next year.

 The night was topped off with a crackling fire and some quality time with the Grandparents.

 Because, really, the best part of Christmas is the extra reasons to get together.

Mini FC

This tuesday night had it all.

The shadows were long and the temperature was short worthy.

Fiona sported orange and the number 17 {also her birthday}.

After deciding it was ok that she didn't have green like her friend Ben that is.

The saving grace was that Rebecca donned the same colour.

Little pop-up orange nets were mistaken for tents and many of the kids may have done this.

Numerous soccer balls dotted the field just waiting to be kicked.

Fiona's team eventually decided that these were in fact eggs and they the mother hens to hatch them.

Someone very wise decided to repurpose the community hockey rink to contain these U4s.

At first, this Mama took a spot on the bench but quickly realized that this was a family affair and got back on the field.

A pile of crunchy leaves in the corner served as a major distraction.

It's discovery temporarily halted any soccer like activity.

Luckily, the Saints coaches were able to refocus their players to finish out the night.

We were only missing 2 things.

Charlie.

Orange wedges.

Last Weekend - Finally!

I didn't want to let last weekend go without sharing since it was such a great one for us.

I love winterguard season but I feel a huge relief when it's over.

Getting those Sundays back as a family day is amazing.

Last Saturday Fiona and I had a mommy-and-me outing.

Diana tipped us off about this great event held by the Alberta Ballet.

To introduce their 2013 season they put on a sampler performance for the public.

This was the first time Fiona had seen live professional ballet and she loved it.

I mean, how can you go wrong when they open with the Sugar Plum Fairy?

After the performance there were crowns to make and costumes to try on.

We even found one just for Fiona.

{I promise, Fiona wasn't being grumpy, just silly in my photo attempt below.}

We finished off the day with a couple of birthday celebrations.

On Sunday we decided to head to the zoo.

In the winter?  You might say.

I was a little hesitant myself but it was great.

The place was all but deserted and some of the animals seemed more content in the cool weather.

One exception was the water fowl who's winter abode pales in comparison to the summer pond.

{No photo included, it was too sad to photograph.}

This was Cedric's first real experience seeing jungle animals so his reaction was great to watch.

Here's to many more lazy family days in our future.

How Is It Wednesday Night Already?

This week has been jam packed.
With what?
I have no idea.
Does that ever happen to you?
I feel like you've been run off my feet, haven't even had a minute to blog.
But when I try to recall the week's events, I draw a blank.

I think it goes a little something like:

Today= Work + Soccer Registration {Yep, Fiona will be starting U4 this spring.}

Yesterday = Groceries + Laundry + Valentines Crafts

Monday = Dance Class + Bookkeeping + Recovery {from the weekend}

And what a great weekend it was.

I love choreographing, performing and the road trips that come with doing colorguard.

However, the real reason I still do this activity is the company.

Our trips have evolved to say the least.

It used to be the hangover that made us sluggish on the way home from these things.

Now it's the 3am feeding, coughing baby, pregnancy or aching joints.

The one constant though is the laughter and the love.

These women have seen me at my best and my worst.

They're the kind of friends that won't take offence to anything you say before your morning coffee.

They're also the kind that won't think twice about spotting you for a cup.
They really are the best kind of people.

Thanks gals, can't wait to get back to it this weekend.

Snow Much Fun

We headed to Sylvan Lake for a 4th birthday celebration this weekend.

As usual Julie put on a fabulous party with great food, decorations and an amazing cake.

The highlight of the day for us though was the activity chosen by the birthday girl.

Tobogganing!

I was not a diligent party goer and obviously did not read the invitation thoroughly.

My family was very ill-prepared for sliding our bums down snow covered hills.

Luckily, there were extra snow pants rustled up for Fiona so she could partake.

Fiona has been tobogganing with my parents before so was happy to go again.

We were a little more apprehensive but at 2&3/4 the little chicken needed a companion.

I stepped up first but it wasn't long before she was requesting that "Daddy 'boggan wif me".

By the end we may have been a little wet but were having a great time.

I even took Cedric on his first trip down the hill.

{Thanks for taking this pic Jules.}

The Pursuit of Their Happiness

I really want my kids to find their thing.

You know, the activity that you can't wait to go to.

Not the one that you like but you fake sick once in a while to get out of.

The one that you go to anyways and try to cover up the illness.

I liked playing soccer as a child {for fun} but didn't enjoy the games.

I played the flute as a pre-teen and really enjoyed playing {for fun, at home, by myself} but lessons were a drag.

When I found my "thing" {at 15 years old} it changed my life.

I thought about colorguard everyday all day and couldn't wait for rehearsal nights.

{For those of you who are all "color-whaaa?" check this video out.}

That's what I want for them, whatever it may be.

Now, confession time.

Although all of the above is true, I also really hope that one of them choose ballet as their "thing".

We started a parented dance class and the moment I put those little pink slippers on Fiona I was sunk.

The world of ballet is so appealing to me, from this outsiders perspective at least.

I am well aware of some of the negatives to this art form, particularly body image issues.

It just warms my heart to think of her little body achieving such beautiful movement.

So far Fiona's a much bigger fan of hockey and gymnastics but I'm not throwing in the towel yet.

Besides, if she opts out I can always hope Cedric has a mini-Baryshnikov waiting to jete out.

Deep Freeze Festival {We Love You}

I am ashamed to say this was our first year attending Deep Freeze.

We spent Saturday afternoon at this Arts on the Ave festival and were absolutely blown away.

This was a really well-executed winter festival.

Finally!

It took me back to my years in french immersion when we celebrated the Carnaval de Quebec.

{On a very small scale.}

I have been longing for a proper Cabane a Sucre for years.

I loved how Deep Freeze seemed to effortlessly blend this year's Western theme with many Native and French Canadian elements.

Best of all Fiona was happy the entire time {minus the mandatory initial toddler shy phase}. 

Honestly, it seemed like everyone was.

This festival had a seriously good vibe. 

There were so many equally fantastic activities that the line ups for all of them were reasonable.

In fact, there were so many that we didn't get to them all.

I had to prompt most but the one post Fiona wouldn't let me whisk her past was the street hockey.

Again, making Daddy and Great-Aunt Julie proud.

 Thankfully the weather warmed a little from the -25 we've had recently.

Still, the warming area was a welcome sight and the music inside was fantastic.

We didn't take advantage of the full concession but spotted others with such amazing fare as tourtiere and poutine.

{It pays to have organized and thoughtful festival companions, thanks Diana and Carly for the refreshments!}

 This festival is now at the top of my favourite list.

We won't miss it again.

Christmas Crafting: TP Reindeer

I got this idea from this TP Roll Owl that has been all over Pinterest.

{I chose one of the many links but can't guarantee it's the original.}

Just a Christmas-y twist on this cute idea.

We started by folding the top of the roll over a piece of pipe cleaner {about 1/2 of a piece}.
If you put a dab of glue on top it prevents the antlers from popping out.
We cut the other half of the pipe cleaner into 2 smaller pieces.
Then we used those 2 pieces to make the antler branches.

We glued 2 eyes and 2 pom poms on for the nose.

We then put a bow and eyelashes on one to make it a girl.

I am fully aware that females would not have antlers but this is a toddler craft ok?

**Correction: See Diana's comment.**

That's it.

Fiona thinks they're pretty cute.

 Speaking of pretty cute, Fiona brought this home from school.

I have been dreading looking forward to the day we have school crafts on our tree.

Now it feels complete.

Christmas Crafting: Potato Stamps

A couple of weeks ago Mom was heading out east.

This was the perfect opportunity to get Christmas gifts to relatives and avoid shipping costs.

I decided to make a project of the wrapping and introduced Fiona to Potato Stamps.

We used to do this as kids and I love the look they produce.

All you do it cut the potato in half.

We used cookie cutters to get the shape we wanted.

Make sure you dig the cutter in at least a 1/2 inch.

 With a paring knife cut around the shape and you're done.

I wanted to make this project with what we already had.

Unfortunately our paint had turned. {It looked curdled, did you know this happened?}

Enter: Homemade Paint.

Really easy recipe, pretty good results.

The only issue we had was that it foamed {a lot} so I had to spread some out on a plate and get the bubbles out before it was stamp-able.

It would probably be good if you just let it sit for a while too but I'm impatient.

 Fiona loved it and the kraft bags {that we already had} looked so sweet.

 I'm pretty sure we will be using this technique for all our wrapping this year so if you get a gift from us act surprised would ya?

I was sure I took a shot of the finished product but can't find it, you get the idea though.