Further fun from Xmas Eve

Am slowly sorting through my pictures from the past week!

Remember that beautifully set table? Well, this is what it looked like after being descended upon by a pack of ravenous wolves my family.


Actually, dinner was delightful, with all the usual festive topics of dinner-time conversation (e.g. helpful suggestions of naming the future baby after various parts of the human anatomy. Ah, the laughs never cease. And no, Clithrow is not in the running as a name prospect).

After dinner, it's always nice to take in some exercise, such as some high flying pillow jumping. Evy is showing Jack how it's done. (Aren't cousins great when they teach the young'uns all the bad tricks?).




And, it's important to take time to do the obligatory 'kids pics' on the couch. And if the kids aren't looking at the camera, then just darn-well hold their heads. I mean, it's CHRISTMAS, dammit! (Or maybe Jack is just getting a chiropractic adjustment after the pillow jumping?).



Whatever, it was, it certainly perked him up a bit! Watch as he demonstrates his flexibility and joie de vivre!


These pics make me laugh and laugh, because Evy is so much smaller than Jack. Nevermind, she'll be happy to have such big strong cousins when she's older. They can bail her out when her saucy mouth gets her into trouble. And also carry bags for her. And, carry her when required. (Oh god, I just had a shudder thinking about Charley, Sam, Evy and Jack out at the bars together in about 18 years. I hope Poppa is still ok with being designated driver and collecting them from outside the Pig's Ear, because it won't be me doing it!).


What a pack of chimps they are, those crazy cousins. Please forgive the fact that Charley didn't make it into a single photo. He was busy sitting in the corner waiting for us to open presents. He wanted no part in the photo session!

In other news, this week has flown (FLOWN!) by. How crazy that it's New Year's Eve tomorrow. Resolutions? Not yet. Ready to say 'hi' to 2011 and all that it will bring? Tooootally!

However you choose to send 2010 off, I hope it's safe, happy and fun. And please, for the love of gawd, have a drink (or five) for me. (Gin & tonic if it's not too much trouble). With much love from Millbrook, to wherever you shall be ringing in 2011!

Recap of the big morning

Well, Evy definitely "got" Christmas this year. (Isn't it nice, this stage when they believe that a strange man leaves presents, but aren't yet terrified that this strange man comes in the house while they are sleeping. Oh, and 'watches them' all the time to see if they are naughty or nice?)

Mademoiselle started the day by sleeping in until 9:30. Pretty. Darn. Sweet. She may be too young to buy presents for mom and dad, but a Christmas morning sleep-in is 1,000% priceless. (Not to pain you all, but she's kept at it and has been waking up somewhere around 10am the past few mornings too. Blissss!).

So, the presents were a big hit. And we had a leisurely morning, then went for a walk on the trails to get our fresh air and burn off some advent-calendar chocolate. Twas a lovely day indeed.

Here is the little elf with some of her Xmas treasures:

Thomas the Train stops by Vintage Fisher Price Lane
(we don't have any train track for her yet, so the trains sleep in the
housie's garage)

Checking out the real estate ammenities
(Did everyone have one of these houses when they were little?
So cute it kills me!)

Ming Ming, showing his (her?) stuff
For those not in the know, Ming Ming is a duck with a speech impediment

How do you do, new friend?

Choo-Choo!

Ah, baby's first lipgloss. Just what every 2-year old needs!
(Thanks Granny & Poppa!)

Boxing Day fun!

'Tis a beautiful day in Millbrook and we hit the pond for a little skating fun this morning.

Blue sky, sun, and a frosty frozen pond:



The little snow bunny was ready to hit the ice and give her skates a workout:


Daddy had the fun job of coaching Miss E on the finer points of skating. Which, with a two year old means telling her to keep her feet close together while pushing her around the ice.


Occasionally, there was solo skate time, however, Ev wasn't sure what to think of that.


Inevitably, there were a few tumbles. Thankfully, snowsuits offer ample padding.


And, Daddy is always there for a pick up and futher instruction.


After the novelty of skating wore off, it was time for a sled-ride, Rob-style. This meant spinning around at 80km/hr. Good timezzzz:





Off to Toronto this afternoon for some visiting with friends, and are looking forward to cramming lots more family fun into the coming week.

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. Pics from the big day to come, just haven't gotten that organized yet! In the meantime, there's always Lee's blog for your photo fodder fix.

Send in the clowns ...

...or, at least the Higginsons!

We are ready to entertain the unruly gang tomorrow night. Should be lovely (or at least noisy) and filled with the usual amounts of hilarity and alcohol. The table is set, the crackers are ready to be pulled, and the house looks appropriately like Santa has exploded! Woot woot!

Table all set for the adults plus Jack.
Kid's table will be in the living room (or possibly
outside in the garage, depending on naughtiness
levels tomorrow)

I bought 70 feet of real cedar garland this year.
Just enough, I think.

The Christmas tree is suitably wonky, filled with
many of Evy's craft decorations. Must fix Santa
at top, he's clearly slacking on the job. Or is unhappy
at having tree branch up his butt.

Happy Christmas Eve Eve to one and all. However you are filling the next few days, I hope they are joyful and restful and filled with good food and drink!

Party time

We did end up making it to the MNR kid's xmas party a few weekends ago, despite the crummy weather. It was at the Canoe Museum in Peterborough, a beautiful spot indeed.

As with all Children's xmas parties, it was not unlike the 7th circle of hell. But, Evy enjoyed herself and took part in the crafts and chaos with great enthusiasm, including cookie decorating with Daddy:

Just how much chemical coloured icing can you fit on a gingerbread?
(Can't you just feel Rob's excitement?)

After a visit to Santa in the wigwam (again, only at the Canoe Museum!) we toured around the exhibits. Evy quite liked this wee half-a-canoe!



If you haven't been to the museum, I highly recommend it. Although try to pick a day when it's not overrun by 200 screaming kids.

In other news, my gut is huge and I've gained 17 pounds. With another 14 weeks to go. Ahem. (I swear it hasn't been me eating the gingerbread. Honest.)

Slush puppies

Evy and I went down to Port Hope yesterday for some awesome thrift store shopping (found a Royal Copenhagen teacup for $0.10 - woot woot). We stayed for lunch and couldn't help but notice there were only 4 snowflakes in all of Cobourg/Port Hope. Ridiculous! SO, we invited the crazy crew up to the North Pole (aka Millbrook) for some sledding snowman fun today!

The tobogganing was hard-going due to deep snow on the hill and Sam's innate fear of all things fun, but, shovelling was deemed to be safe enough and SUPER entertaining!

We sang the 'dig dig dig' Snow White song as musical accompaniment

Also popular was snowman building. We made two, but I have decided to line the whole driveway with them. Kind of like a slightly sinister snowy welcome party. Evy and Sam helped make this dude:

Evy looking at Charley looking dapper
(and mischievious) with Snowy's pipe

And then the highlight of the outdoor adventures had to be when Auntie Peepee gave rides in the snow scoop. Burning 75,000 calories but providing serious JOY.

Wheee!

Faster, mommy!

Getting dumped out (and loving it!)

Time for a frosty cuddle

And now Sam's home with a fever of 103 (too much fun?) and we're hoping Evy's not coming down with round two of flu after kinda barfing (on Lee's face no less) at lunch.

Ahhhh, don't you just love winter? Equal parts fun and virus.

Old school snow

And I mean, literally, snow at the old Millbrook school.

We headed back there this morning for Evy's playgroup, and I had to stop and take some pics of the winterwonderlandness. Pretty, non?

The old school is now home to the library and playgroup

The fence Rob built in our backyard looks even prettier in the snow

And you might want to dust the bench off before you take a seat
'round the fire pit. (Isn't really marshmallow-roasting weather, is it?)

The weather is supposed to get a wee bit milder (which isn't a bad thing, since I don't yet have a maternity winter coat!) but I do hope the snow stays. I'm definitely in the Christmas spirit now ( complete with belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly) and would like a white Christmas!

Only 9 more sleeps 'til the 25th - guess I'd better get my xmas shopping done! (Oh wait, I don't do any! Moo haw haw! Gotta love the Higginson no-gift policy! Makes the season much jollier, in my opinion).

I hope you enjoy the last weekend before Chrimbo - if you're doing any baking, send some to meeee!

Well the weather outside is frightful...

This song has been in my head all morning! And, it's definitely appropriate. Except for the fire, and corn for popping. And well, the lights being turned down low. 'Cause if the lights were turned down low, I'd fall asleep. But I digress.

Winter has hit Millbrook with a snowy vengance!



And, like, ya know, I've gotta get to work tomorrow morning, so I put my child labour to work clearing a path.



Plus side of living on a dead end street: beatiful view and setting. Downside: our road doesn't get plowed until the next day.


We're supposed to go to the MNR Christmas Party at the Canoe Museum this afternoon - maybe a Christmas miracle will happen and we'll be able to make it! Hope you're all snug as bugs in this weather - or, if you're south of the 401, hope you're enjoying the rain!

Christmas love

Sometimes when you're two, you REALLY get in to the Christmas spirit. I mean REALLY! Like, you dress up like Santa and lick yourself in the mirror.
A lot.
Fun, yet windexy.

Sorry, Granny and Poppa, about your streaky mirror. But thanks for the laugh! Just wait until we put up the Christmas tree tonight. She'll probably try to climb it and bite the top off, a la godzilla. That's some powerful festive love.

Big 1-year old boy!!

Was it really a year ago that my handsome nephew mister Jack was born? (I remember that evening very well! Was so exciting to be at the hospital to meet him when he was brand new!)

Well, he's grown up a lot since then and celebrated today with lots of friends, and presents, and of course cake!

Messy mister 1-year old

Um, mommy, I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do with this

Oh! I get it! Yum yum yum!

Daddy, here's some for you too!

Ho ho ho!

Somebody made an awesome wreath at playgroup this week.



Only 22 days until Christmas... Are you ready?

Christmas Photo Shoot FAIL

Ok, so who the heck knew? Just because I got my fancy new camera, doesn't mean that I automatically take beautiful pictures.

Those of you lucky enough (ahem) to be on our Christmas card list, know that for the last few years I've included a little magnet with a picture of Evy on it. Some of the pics are xmas ones, and many of them include "the bowl". (Using the giant mixing bowl as a prop to show Evy's growth is an idea I stole from sister Lee's Charley pics.)

You may remember that last year's xmas photo shoot had it's own issues, but I was pretty sure that this year (with aforementioned fancy new camera) would be a breeze. Clearly, I forgot that I was dealing with a two-year old.

To summarize:

December 2008 - still plenty of room in bowl
(and too little to squirm or resist).

December 2009

Slightly bigger, slightly more attitude

December 2010
Ummm, muther... I have a question...

... don't you think that I'm getting a little too old
for the bowl and the silliness?...

..."Somebody get me outta here!!!"

Despite my model's lack of cooperation (I have SO much sympathy for the photographers on America's Next Top Model - there was NO smizing in these shots!) I will endeavour to include a little magnet it this year's xmas cards, fear not.

Speaking of which, it's December! Holy Chocolate Balls!