Freddy the snowman!

Millbilly Sunset

A beautiful Millbrook sunset - the perfect end to a weekend. (I'd say it was a perfect end to a perfect weekend except Evy has a fever and cold and is shooting snot streamers out of her nose. Oh yeah, and Henry still isn't sleeping). 

But, it's still a darn beautiful sunset. 

Sir Nudesey

Is there anything a baby likes more than an after-bath nekkid romp around the house? Here is Sir Nudesey pressing his man-bits all over the couch while attempting to get the phone. (The phone is his very favourite chew toy - he likes to fill the gap between the buttons with drool).

Hard to believe he's almost 10 MONTHS! Time flies!

Yes, marvel at my manly shape! 

Oh yes, I've almost got the phone! 

On snowy pond

After a chilly week, ye olde Millbrook pond is ready to go! Rob took the snowblower across the bridge yesterday to clear off the ice and soon after the kiddies were raring to go! 

It's been a year since Evy 'skated' and I wasn't sure how it would go, but she took off on her own and only fell about a dozen times (which actually isn't a big deal when you're well-padded with snowsuit and are only 2 feet off the ground!). 

The sun was shining, the snow was sparkly and Evy had a great time with her buddy Maia. Aren't we so lucky to live in such a beautiful spot? Dreamy! 

Maia and Evy - cuteness on skates

An occasional tumble

Going cross-country

Time for a hug!

Speed skaters!

Traveling in style!

More skating in the works for today - I'm pretty sure Evy will be ready for the Winter Olympics in no time! 

My bathing beauties

Sometimes my heart is so full of love for these beautiful imps, I can hardly bear it.

(This usually happens once they are asleep for the night.)

Behold the bathing beauties. 

Stairway to trouble

Thus it begins...
Whenever my back is turned, he races to the staircase. Naughty! But cute, I'll give him that.

Movin' and shakin'

One of the best things about Millbrook is the number of activities that are fun, free and kid-friendly. We go to a playgroup 2x a week up at the Old School. The Library has story time and crafts each Friday morning too, not to mention all the fun events like Christmas in the Village and the Zucchini Festival. Small towns have their drawbacks (scary yokels who drink at Mo's Tavern and might be on Meth, for one) but the advantages far outweigh the, umm, disadvantaged. 

Added to this plethora of free funitude is a new 'Music and Movement' class. It started last week and is taught by a lovely and talented local woman who is the choreographer for the 4th Line Theater. Suffice it to say, Evy is in LURVE and I'm already rueing (RUUUUUEE!) that the class is only 5 weeks long! I took my camera today and caught some of the action: 

Bongo mania!

Swirly twirly

On the fly

Little butterfly

Can you tell the scarves were her favourite part?

So much fun!

I guess I'd better hurry up and sign this child up for some more dance classes before she runs away to join the Bolshoi Ballet!

Christmas re-cap

Despite both kiddies being sick, we had a lovely Christmas. 17 people here for dinner on the 24th, with all the associated chaos and calamity. Seriously. I'm buying all the adults noise-canceling headphones for xmas next year. The 25th included a quiet morning here with the kids, then supper with Grandma and Grandpa in Lakefield.

This is the first year that Evy has really 'gotten' it. She was SO super excited that she opened her presents in about 4 minutes flat and then just went ahead and opened Henry's too. Luckily he didn't mind too much. Here are a few photos of the festive magic from the xmas morning.

Present opening speed-arms

Lookee!  A popper from Popper!

Back off, sis!

Henry, this is a book I opened for you

Tiny Snow White

Gown + sleeper is a great combo

The aftermath.  Time for breakfast!

The rest of the week has flown by with some boxing day shopping, a visit to Toronto, more sickness for the kids.  Will the snot ever stop?  [New Year's resolution #42 - more Vitamin D!].

So, now it's Jan 1st.  The Christmas Tree is outside for the birdies to play in for the rest of the winter.  Unfortunately, the bulk of its needles were left inside. The decorations have all been put away, and it's back to reality starting on Tuesday when Rob's back at work.

In other news, Henry is officially 9 months old and he celebrated today by doing a victory lap around the living room.  He's crawling like a champ with an occasional misadventure where he ends up under the coffee table.  (Better than the other day when I came in here and he was hanging from his teeth on the edge of said table.  Boys are weird).  Speaking of teeth, he clearly misunderstood the song 'All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth' because he suddenly has another 2 up there, 6 in total now.  All the better for clamping onto furniture with, I suppose.

And, Miss E is offically 3.5 today!  6 months until she's 4... and then it'll almost be time for SCHOOL!  The time sure has flown by.

I hope that all of you had a jolly Christmas too (with less teething and snot)!  Here's to 2012 bringing even more adventures for one and all!