MacNei-gloo

How we spent a big part of our day!

Icy Trees in the Afternoon

It was so beautiful out today but icy this morning so we all stayed home. It was plus one so we bundled up and went out to play for almost 3 hours.

I had picked up a couple of snow block mold for just this kind of weather so Dad and I got to work on building an igloo. I think we might have had more fun with this than Sid but we got it done!

Almost Done!

Finally, Sid gets to try it out.

"Can I come in? Asks Groovy."

Job well done! Time to go in for turkey left overs.

Christmas Celebrations

This is our the display of all our Howliday Christmas cards from our Airedale family. They started arriving in early December and we have received at least one card a day. There are still about 10 heading our way. Each sticky on the map represents where our Airefriends are from. It was (and will continue to be) a great lesson in geography.

Christmas Eve we spent with the cousins, Grand mama, Grandpa Bill, Dirk and Ann. As aways the kids had soooo much fun, the food was delicious and the company even better. Such a great tradition to kick Christmas off.
Big hugs for Granpa Bill

Sid loved all her gifts but had the most immediate fun with a really nice blanket. She was playing Christmas Vampire and shouting "Waaa haaaa haaa!" at everyone.

Christmas morning came quickly and we were graced with a visit from Santa. He must have been happy to stop by here and empty out some of his bag. He was very good to Sid this year. She adored many of her gifts and was ecstatic to receive more calico critters.Another favorite gift which got assembled first thing on boxing day was this build a robot from Marco and Karen. How did they know that this would be the perfect gift for Sid? She loves it so much, thank you!!!

By 11:30, the turkey was prepared and the oven was warmed for our Christmas dinner with Uncle Rick and Nan Nan. Delicious smells filled the house while everyone played and laughed. Sid still says that her favorite part of Christmas day was seeing Uncle Rick and Nan Nan. Nan Nan spent hours playing calico critters and Barbie in the play room. While Uncle Rick very cleverly and skillfully drained the new found energy Sid had acquired from a filling turkey dinner.

Uncle Rick is helping Sid train to be a Musketeer (thanks Barbie!!!)

Boxing day is usually reserved for a special visit from Granny and Grandpa HoHo. However this year they decided not to risk the 3 hour drive in the freezing rain. We are so thankful they stayed home and are very excited to see them for our Christmas celebration at their house on January 23rd. Here is the view from our deck on Boxing Day. By 4:00 pm the police were telling people to stay off the roads.

Big hugs and thanks to everyone for being such a special part of our holidays. Family far away still to the time to celebrate with us through phone calls and email and family close by shared their company and laughter. It has made Christmas for Sidney and us so special.

Merry Christmas everyone and wishing you a happy and healthy 2010!

Jammin'

Sid wants to learn to play piano more than any other instrument and we will be starting lessons in January, however, she is getting a real feel from the drums. If we had our choice we would encourage the drums for two reasons. First of all the "band" always practices at the drummers house and secondly Ken and I could really use a drummer to turn our little duo into a trio!

Enjoy the video!

Winter is here!

Finally we have had our first big snowfall. Sid and I rushed outside to play and she was so excited to go snowshoeing again. This year she is a pro. She can blaze her own trails and doesn't seem to fall over very much. We headed down to the woods but by the time we got there her legs were tired and it was time to head back in for hot chocolate.



Even the dogs like the snow. The little playhouse out back was a good refuge from the wind.
Sunday we got the tree and Groovy trimmed. With the snow and now the tree it finally feels like Christmas is coming.

This is the last week of groups before the holiday break. We are going to miss seeing out friends for a few weeks.
Sid at the Young Homeschoolers of Ottawa playgroup I am organizing at the Waldorf school. It is a group for homeschooling kids Sid's age and it has been a wonderful addition to our week. We have lots of organized activities but this is one activity were all the kids meet and just play and hang out. The room is beautiful and relaxing so the parents benefit from it too.

I have been busy learning how to needle felt. I wanted to make play food for Sid that wasn't plastic and this is what I have made so far. I have been at it on and off for about a week and I am really pleased with the results. All the fruit and vegetables are made from 100% organic wool with all natural dyes. No gluing or wetting, you needle it to make it stick together. The end product is a solid form of wool that is very durable and perfect for pretend play. Sadly Groovy still thinks there might be an actual sheep hiding in the wool so we have had to keep them away from her for now, but she is learning.

I have just started on the vegetables. I will make a tomato and a green and red pepper next but I need to get more wool for the green pepper. I don't have the right colours yet. I love sculpting and crafting. I was really into Fimo for a while but it takes a lot of time and baking and I don't like the smell of the materials, the wool is so much nicer and "alive".

One week until Christmas. We will bake some cookies today for our Ballet party on Saturday and then just hang out and play until the big day.

Video From The Past

Sid and I were watching videos from when she was little(r) and came across this gem taken on December 23 2006. 3 years ago, I can't believe how quickly the time passes. Anyways, this is Sid and Maggie and it shows what a SAINT Maggie was. She is less patient now but Sid is older and I think Maggie expects a bit more respect now. She is a good Airedale Mom!

Enjoy

Winding up for Christmas

Our little Monkey finished her gymnastics classes this week. We now have Monday's available to do swimming, playgroups or a drop in at gymnastics.


This week was also the CMST members only Christmas Party. This year they held it at the Science Museum instead of the aviation museum and it was amazing! Tons of space for everyone to play. It didn't feel overly crowded either. Our first stop was to wait in line to see "The Big Guy".

Sid was so excited she was bubbly and chatty and then she got really close to her turn with Santa and became very quiet and reserved. It was like she was in the presence of royalty!
All the kids got little goody bags from Santa and Sid was quite pleased with her wind up puppy.
When it was time to leave the party, we kept the festivities rolling by picking up Uncle Rick and inviting him over for a sleep over. Sid was beside herself with excitement. Uncle Rick is so much fun and gets right into playing with her. They played many neat games and even after only 4 hours sleep, Uncle Rick hopped right up in the morning and greeted Sid with smiles and hugs.
Here Sid is showing him how she can play her Dora Wii game he bought her for her birthday.
He can come stay here every weekend LOL! Even the dogs can't get enough of Uncle Rick!

We LOVE YOU Uncle Rick!!! Come back soon! (but no more Wii Boxing, you are too good at it!)